16 Aug 2018

Finding Gobi (giveaway)

by | posted in: Books | 1

(AD : I was given this book by Tommy Nelson in exchange for an honest review of the book and this giveaway is also sponsored by them.)

We are big dog lovers in our house – until they get up to us.

I grew up with such a fear of dogs.  My brother had a dog when we were little.  Smurty was his name (I think).  He died of heart worms.  My brother loved dogs, and still does as he has several rescue dogs.

I was bitten by a family’s dog in middle school and remember being terrified of walking home from the school bus because there were pitbulls in the neighbors yard.  I just walked or ran as quickly as I could.

My husband loves dogs . He had a beagle growing up called Cagney – like the 80s tv show.

Our boys love dogs.  But, they love them until they get up close to them and see how big or how loud they are.  Even if the dog is cute and friendly they don’t want anything to do with them unless they are at least 10 feet away.

We aren’t planning on getting a dog anytime soon, even though we have the perfect backyard for it.  We don’t have the time or money for the vet bills and another mouth to feed.  We won’t be having any family pictures with little fur babies in it.  I’m a boy mom, not a fur mom.  I think they are adorable, but for someone else.

Unless, you can offer me a cat.  Yes, that’s right, I’m a cat person.  A cat is introverted and content to curl up on the sofa.  That’s me. But, my mister and one of our boys is allergic – so that won’t be happening either.

So, how do I get my boys to love dogs – I read them dog stories.  Our boys have stuffed dogs that they have named and carry with them everywhere.  And that’s as good as its going to get for a while.

Finding Gobi is a little tale about friendship, companionship through the rough times in life, and faithfulness.  These are all traits that I’d love to see our boys develop as they get older.  Persevering and faithfulness are two character traits that our world sees greatly lacking in men.

If you’d like a chance to get a copy of this board book about a dog named Gobi for your son or daughter, a great read aloud for little ones, just comment with what your ideal pet would be?

Thanks Tommy Nelson!

27 Jun 2018

God Bless You and Good Night

by | posted in: Books | 3

 

Bedtime may not be the smoothest time of our day in our home, but we are getting there, and there are several things we enjoy doing right at bed time.

The boys brush their teeth.  We usually sit and read our Bible story (right now we are going through The Jesus Storybook Bible).  Then my mister puts the boys upside down and I tickle their tummy.

We trade off who puts the boys in to bed each night, and who goes second.  When I am the first to put my older to bed, I read him a little bit of a chapter book we are working through together.  Right now we are almost finished with Farmer Boy.  Then my mister will come in and make up a story and listen to E make up a story too.

With our younger son, we read a book sometimes and sometimes we just sing a song with him.

With both boys, I love to kiss them good night, get zerberts, another hug or two, and tell them for the 6th time goodnight.  The last thing I always tell them, even if its been a super long day, is I love you.  And I mean it.  That’s what I want to go through their heads as they drift off to dream.

Hannah Hall wrote a cute animal board book, God Bless You and Good Night.  It talks through a night time routine with cute parent/baby animal pairings.  Its cute and will be a favorite in your home by your little ones.  My older son liked the raccoons the best.

Thanks Tommy Nelson for this book and they want to give you one too!  Just leave a comment with your favorite part of your bedtime routine with your children.

Last year: book on marriage

Two years ago: Recipe for peanut butter bars

14 Dec 2017

The King’s Locket

by | posted in: Books | 0

I’m always eager to get good books in my boys’ hands.  And for boys, I can’t anticipate that they will love Anne of Green Gables and Little Women.  Though they might.  And I will read those books to them (or have them watch the movie.)

But, as they get older, they probably would like stories that contained adventure, battles, journeys, animals, and heroic tales.

The King’s Locket I think would be really good for young boys, a short chapter book that is an analogy of the themes in the Gospel story.

The story of a family dwelling in perfection.

The Fall of someone who wanted everything for himself.

The adoption of those outside the family.

The betrayal and hurt of going outside the realm of good.

The rescue that the Prince had to engage in to defeat the sinful presence.

The welcoming home celebration.

And even the groaning of all creation under the weight of the sin that crept into everything.

I loved the conclusion of this book: adoption, wholeness, celebration, glory, beauty, friendship.  Just what the Heavenly Father anticipates for His adopted children.  These things we may not experience here, especially in their fullness, but we can anticipate.  And wait with eagerness.  And teach our kids how to anticipate well.

Thanks to Jacob for passing this book to me.  Your kids will like it – especially as a read aloud. It gives you opportunity to talk to your kids about biblical themes from a short chapter book filled with lovely illustrations.  It would be good for a family read aloud and would capture even young readers.