tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709228966659319952024-02-07T00:04:21.816-05:00Half Pint MamaAmberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-61769083149936780222012-09-24T10:41:00.001-04:002012-09-25T13:34:15.670-04:00I'm CrushingOkay....I'm totally crushing on this handsome guy today!<br />
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It's been seven years since I married my man and eleven years since we met. Let me just say that the saying about wine getting better with age must be true...the same goes for my man. He has been my rock these past few years as I have struggled with health issues and unmet desires of my heart. It's been awesome to see the husband God has designed him to be just for me.<br />
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I shared in my last post about my desire for another child, but there was a part I left out. One part of the story that wasn't mentioned are the months and months of seeing negative pregnancy tests because I have never had a normal cycle. I would harden myself to the idea to even hope that it could happen. With these months I would have times where it was just me, myself and I having a pity party. It must have been like clockwork because he knew. He knew when I needed him most and was always there. I can only hope that my little guy grows up to be half the man his daddy is. Because I am one lucky girl!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-77346558961592821332012-09-17T11:54:00.002-04:002012-09-19T07:36:41.388-04:00Time is PreciousSo it's been I don't know how long since I've posted anything here. What an exhausting summer we had here. I say exhausting, but we sure did have a good time getting there.<br />
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As usual, I over scheduled our lives. We made it, but we were pretty busy in it.<br />
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So this morning as I was making the drive home from dropping my little man off at preschool I just <i><span style="font-size: large;">took a deep breath</span></i>. I keep trying to remind myself, that our life isn't about filling it up with things to do, but enjoying the time we have with each other. I'm seeing just how precious time is as I look at my little man and see how much he has grown up just this summer. Yeah, that boundary testing he's been doing hasn't been the most fun, but it just means he's trying to figure things out. Trying to see where he fits in and what the rules are. Isn't that what I'm always doing though? Pushing the boundaries that God has set for me, only to realize later that they were set for a reason.<br />
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There's something that's been on my heart all summer to share with you guys. I've wanted to write about it all summer, but had no clue how to even put the words together. But, <i><span style="font-size: large;">I know that someone out that is dealing with the same thing</span></i>. After sharing with a few of my friends, I'm learning that I'm definitely not alone in this either.<br />
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Since we had a our little man back in 2007, we had a plan to grow our family. We wanted to focus on him only for that first year and then begin growing. Little did we know that almost four years later we would still be trying to do that. For years, doctors were just prescribing me the typical fertility drugs to get my cycles going so that I could get pregnant without every trying to find out the underlying issue. That was not until we moved to a new city and began the process all over again with a new doctor, who by the way is pretty awesome. She took one look at my and told me that I had <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/DS00423">PCOS</a> (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I thought, okay we can work with this. Yeah, it was <i><span style="font-size: large;">a little heart breaking</span></i> to hear, but I had an answer that no else had been able to give me. Tons of blood work later I learned that I also had a under-active (hypo) thyroid. The two together don't really give me much of a chance. This is where it all started to become real to me. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Our dream of a large family may not be what God has planned for us.</i></span><br />
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It's now been almost a year since that diagnosis and many doctor's visits, tests and lifestyle changes. We still have no baby, but I do have a thyroid that under control, and a hope that God is going to answer mine and my man's prayers for another child.<br />
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I think my desire to share this stems from the fact that I have dealt with a lot of guilt over asking for another child, especially when I have been given a healthy little boy. I have felt and still at time feel selfish for asking and praying for another child. It wasn't until I read somewhere recently that if I didn't deal with infertility and wanted another child; could have another child, it wouldn't be selfish. I've prayed and prayed that if this isn't God's will that he would just shut the door on this part of our life and give me peace about this. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes...that is little man photo bombing me.</td></tr>
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Yeah, this summer was busy, but I spent it with my precious family that God has blessed me with. I've got the days were I struggle with my desire for more. I think that's normal. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>But I keep trying to remind myself to enjoy what I've been given and not to dwell on what I haven't got.</i></span> There's no value in the things we don't have, but what we do have is a treasure. I guess what I'm trying to say is that God desires for us to confide in him, to ask him for help, because Lord knows I cannot do any of this on my own. Even when you feel like your desires may be selfish or guilt ridden, take these to him. He has a plan for all of this. I just can't wait to see it all unfold.<br />
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<i>“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and
it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who
seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is
there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being
evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will
your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” </i>Matthew 7:7-11Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-41418791072253902582012-06-25T16:17:00.000-04:002012-06-25T16:17:43.352-04:00{Book Review} I Love You To God and BackI had the pleasure of reviewing <a href="http://www.alambauthor.com/">Amanda Lamb</a>'s new book<i> I Love You To God and Back:</i>
<span class="Subtitle"><i>A Mother and Child Can Find Faith and Love Through Bedtime Prayers</i>. I'm always on the look out for ways to improve my prayer life, so when I stumbled across this gem I went for it. I want so much to raise my son to be a man of God and this book shared with me just a little bit of what my job description should be.</span><br />
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<span class="Subtitle">In this book, Amanda chronicled a year of bedtime prayers with her young daughter Chloe. She shared openly her struggles and many of the same I face. One being, not rushing your children through things just so you can get to the outcome you want. As parents we often fail to be there to listen to our children. I love how she described it this way, "We all really just want someone to listen to us, and that's why we pray." Isn't that truth? I fail at this daily and yet I'm willing to work on it. I want my child to know I'm always there to hear what he has to say.</span><br />
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<span class="Subtitle">What's so neat about this book is the connection she made with her daughter and now I'm making with my son, by making prayer a priority for our family. It is teaching me to listen and love more wholly, in a way that was so necessary . </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Subtitle"> Like God's love for us, parents give love wholly without expectations of getting anything in return - no thanks, no accolades, just giving as much as you can and then more because God's love is the template and the source. - Amanda Lamb</span></span></i><br />
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<span class="Subtitle">This book inspired me to follow through with a project from this spring I did with a local mom's group. We made prayer pails for our children, where we wrote on popsicle sticks people and things to pray for (ie. family, friends, homeless, our president, church...etc.). It's been several months now of doing this every night with my son. He doesn't always have the desire to do it himself, but will ask us every night who we are praying for tonight. I can't stress the importance of teaching your children about prayer when they are young. They are going to rely on it when they are older and facing difficult situations and decisions. </span><br />
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<span class="Subtitle">If you want to find out more of this craft you can check it out <a href="http://www.lubirdbaby.com/2009/07/prayer-pail.html">here</a>. And if you'd like to find Amanda's book you can check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-You-God-Back-Through/dp/1400203910/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1340655037&sr=8-7&keywords=i+love+you+to+god">here</a>.</span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-36409720911797593692012-02-29T11:30:00.000-05:002012-03-01T15:46:51.793-05:00{Leap Day Giveaway + Review} God Gave Us LoveHey all and Happy Leap Day! The month of L-O-V-E is coming to it's end. I can't think of a better way to end it than with a giveaway. This is one that's close to my heart.<br />
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I was given a chance to review the book <i>God Gave Us Love</i> by Lisa Tawn Bergren. If you remember a while back I reviewed one of her <a href="http://halfpintmama.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-review-god-gave-us-two.html">books</a>. I was pretty disappointed with it. I was hoping this book would redeem my love for her books and the illustrations. I have to say, that I think it did.<br />
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<i>God Gave Us Love</i> has been the perfect book to read to my son right now. He getting to the age where he is recognizing when other kids are mean and he tells me he doesn't like them. This book has become the perfect tool to use with him. We've been told to love one another. I think that's a hard concept for little kids to get, let alone us adults. We don't have to like each other, but we've been called to love one another.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">"I always like <i>and</i> love you, Grampa, " Little Cub said. "But why?"</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"It's something deep within us, something I can't totally explain - only that God is love , so he created us to love. He ties us all together like the strings on our snowshoes, heart to heart."</span></blockquote>
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I love that the book goes on to explain how love between Mamas and Papas is a special kind of love, given by God. And that we don't always want to love, but choosing love is always right. But the best part is the explanation that God will always love us and that we can't do anything that will make him not love us.<br />
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Lisa Tawn Bergren did a great job of getting down to a child's level of thinking and explaining a topic that isn't always easy for parents to explain to their children.<br />
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Here's the best part....I've got an extra copy to give away to you guys!<br />
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Let me know how you show others love and you'll be entered to win a copy. There's a chance for four extra entries if you "like" this blog post, share the post, tweet about it and rank my review. Giveaway end March 9th. Winner will be notified and announced on the 10th. If you don't see the box for the giveaway, click on read more.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.</i></span>
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<iframe src ="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/ranking/16602" width="459" height="135" scrolling="no" allowTransparency="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-71028343656361601052012-02-20T11:32:00.000-05:002012-02-20T11:35:51.519-05:00Goofing AroundSo February pretty much turned into a month of fun for my family. I know it's supposed to be a month where you're showing your family and friends just how much you love and care for them, but I think a little fun goes in hand with that. So this month we put on our love glasses and spread the love with new friends and family.<br />
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One of the primary ways my little man likes to receive love is through play. He likes to goof around a lot. To the point that in one of our many car ride conversations on the way home from preschool went like this.<br />
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Me: How was school today buddy?<br />
Little Man: I like to make my class laugh. (more a statement of fact)<br />
Me: You do? How do you make them laugh?<br />
Little Man: I dance and make funny sounds and drive fast cars.<br />
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In a nutshell, I'm expecting many phone calls from the elementary school once he makes it there. He just loves to be the center of attention and make people laugh. So when I found these love glasses I knew it would be perfect.<br />
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I was right....as always...at least I like to think. Any we spent the afternoon dancing, laughing, playing and eating more sweets than should humanly be allowed. Followed by an evening with friends and movies.<br />
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Now...doesn't that sound better than roses and chocolates? I think so. Hope you all are have a great month and remember to keep it simple and <span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Love one another." </i>1 John 4:7</span><br />
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</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-62730794289675512702012-02-06T15:03:00.000-05:002012-02-06T15:03:21.200-05:00It's a boy!This past weekend we made the trip down to visit family and await the delivery of a new niece or nephew. I'm so excited to announce that my sister-in-law, Carrie, and her husband John have welcomed a new baby boy!<br />
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Take a peek at my new nephew, Grant Oliver. Isn't he just the cutest....and he has the cutest little baby squeaks too. What makes this even more exciting is that he's got a big sister who is ready to be mommy's little helper.<br />
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So, I spent my weekend staring star-eyed at this precious little guy. </div>
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And his cute little nose. </div>
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And his cute little baby rolls. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And smelling his head. </span></i></div>
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And looking into his cute little eyes.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And smelling his head. </span></i></div>
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Okay, I'll stop. I can't promise I'll stop in the future. </div>
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You have to admit though....<i><span style="font-size: large;">babies just smell sooooo good.</span></i></div>
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Okay, I'm really done now. </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-56910848126294006532012-02-03T23:04:00.000-05:002012-02-06T15:03:02.011-05:00{Book Review + GIVEAWAY!} The One Year Uncommon Life Daily ChallengeI'm always on the hunt for a good devotional. There's all kinds of them out there. Ones where they want you journaling your thoughts and prayers. Ones that you do together with your spouse, sister, child....small groups. I've tried them all. First of all, if you haven't figured it out from my previous <a href="http://halfpintmama.blogspot.com/2011/09/fresh-brewed-life-by-nicole-johson-book.html">post</a>, that I'm not a good journaler, you'll know now. I plain stink at it. It's just not how I process things. I always promise to give them a shot, but ultimately never follow through with using them daily, weekly...or monthly for that matter.<br />
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So, when I open up <i>The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge</i> by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker, I expected just these sorts of things. I expected them to ask me to do what's "uncommon" to me. In actuality, it's like most conventional devotionals. You have a small devotion for each day of the year with a small question or thought (uncommon key) to follow through on for the day. What I haven't gotten from previous devotions, I have gotten from this one. Thought provoking questions that have me put to action biblical teaching and personal convictions.<br />
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Not a football fan like I am? That's okay....seriously. <a href="http://www.coachdungy.com/">Tony Dungy</a> may talk about team dynamics or use sports analogies, but he gets down to the core issues and is easy to understand. Tony is someone I have admired for years for his bold faith. I think he's just as bold about it in this book.<br />
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What I'm finding and reminded of daily is God's timing of when I need to hear things. It seems like each day I moved onto was written just for me. If you don't know me already, I've been put into this sort of holding place in my life right now. I think God is really trying to teach me and my little family patience. And patience isn't always the most fun place to be. I'm learning that I can't do it all, I've got to let Him be a part of it. So the verse that's always in my head is Jeremiah 29:11 <i> </i><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</span><i>"</i></blockquote>
Six days into this devotional, I was met with this same verse. Here's what this day's devotion had to say, "How would you live differently if you really believed that God had intentionally designed you to impact others? What steps of faith would you take if you knew He already planned them? What would you attempt if you were fully convinced He was backing you? Would you set out to accomplish big things in your community? would you walk into local schools with a sense of mission? What impossible problems would suddenly seem possible to deal with? <i><span style="font-size: large;">The fact is that when you believe you were designed for a purpose, you will live with a purpose.</span></i>" This shook me to the core. How was I living my life? Was I truly living a live of purpose or taking steps of faith? Or was I too scared and lacking faith? Question after question began pouring out of me. I knew I seriously had some thinking to do, that was going to require a change in how I chose to live my life. That I was going to have to be "uncommon." All from a devotional that took me literally two minutes...maybe, to read. <br />
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To say that I would recommend this devotional is an understatement. It's one a few great ones I've seen out there. So, here's the exciting news! <a href="http://www.tyndale.com/">Tyndale House Publishers</a> has been kind enough to give me one to giveaway to one lucky reader! Tell me what makes you "uncommon" and you just might be my lucky winner. Deadline to enter: February 12th. Winner will be announced on Valentine's Day.<br />
<b>If you don't see The Uncommon Giveaway box below, please click <i>read more</i>.</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.coachdungy.com/">www.coachdungy.com</a> | <a href="http://www.tyndale.com/">www.tyndale.com </a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>
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<noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.</noscript>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-20108638756473990462012-02-01T16:44:00.001-05:002012-02-01T16:49:16.049-05:00My list of excuses...Distractions....distractions...distractions. That what I've going to blame for my massive blogging absence. That and the feeling like I've got nothing important to say. Although, I guess you don't have to only blog when you have something important to say. If that were the case I think I would only blog a few times a year. Are you getting my point yet?<span style="font-size: large;"> Excuses....excuses....excuses</span>.<br />
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Not much has been going on in my little world. This week I'm a little more amped up than usual. I'm getting pretty anxious. My sister-in-law is expected to delivery my new <strike>niece or</strike> <span style="font-size: large;">nephew</span>. Pretty much everyone is counting on this baby being a boy. So it is going to come as one huge shocker if that baby comes out a girl. I can't wait to hold that baby regardless.<br />
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I'm excited to see the face of this little girl when she's finally a <span style="font-size: large;">big sister</span>. She's been asking to see that baby for months. She's going to be her baby brother or sister's little mommy, that's for sure. <br />
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So I keep thinking about sharing some of my party planning and decorating that I love so much, but completely forget about it until after. I may just have to do a post soon about the birthday party I threw for my little man's fourth birthday. It was Mario Kart themed. With a little help from Pinterest I succeeded in the party throwing department. That's exactly where I'm head after this post....baby ideas. Eeek! I'm so excited.<br />
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Have a wonder Wednesday. I'll be back soon with a new book review...and book giveaway!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-45538065264458228352012-01-04T11:04:00.000-05:002012-01-04T11:18:33.923-05:00{Book Review} God Gave Us TwoI can't tell you how excited I was to be able to review <i>God Gave Us Two</i>. I have been such a fan of the books that Lisa Tawn Bergren has put out so far. My family's favorite by far is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Gave-Much-Limited--Three-Book/dp/0307446298/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325691920&sr=8-1">God Gave Us So Much Treasury</a>. The illustrations that Laura J. Bryant does are just darling.<br />
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So after reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Gave-Lisa-Tawn-Bergren/dp/1578565073/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325692659&sr=1-1"><i>God Gave Us Two</i></a>, I was really let down. I guess I just really felt like the title was misleading. I don't personally have two children, but if I did and bought this for my child while expecting I would have been disappointed even more. No where in title or illustration does it hint at the idea of twins. So when reaching the end of the book and finding out it was twins and not a second child I was kind of shocked. It would have been better titled God Gave Us Three or something along those lines.<br />
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Although this book encourages your child that they still have a place in your family after the baby comes, I felt like something was just so different about this book compared to her last ones. I felt like the focus was being taken from God to a focus on only the child.<br />
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Overall, I was plain disappointed. One bad book does not a bad author make. I'd continue to recommend Bergren's books to family and friends, but sadly leaving this one out. <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.</i></span>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" height="135" scrolling="no" src="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/ranking/15330" style="border: 0;" width="459"></iframe>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-76606195556252096932011-12-06T16:40:00.001-05:002011-12-06T17:17:46.653-05:00{Book Review} Decision Points - George W. BushThis is one book I was really excited and nervous about reviewing. Autobiographies can sometimes be very long, drawn out, and, to be honest, boring. So to say that <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/features/decision-points-by-george-w-bush/"><i>Decision Points</i></a> was more than I ever could have expected is paying one huge compliment to President Bush. <br />
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In what turned out to be a very candid book, <i>Decision Points</i> takes you behind the closed doors of Whitehouse meetings when our country was facing some of it's biggest crises, to intimate conversations with one of my own personal heroes, Billy Graham. In essence, <i>Decision Points</i>, points you to those pivotal moments that made President Bush who is he both president and person.<br />
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I think what was so great about this book was one, I read it in a Texan accent. I think anyone who was old enough during President Bush's presidency to hear his speeches, they probably were reading in an accent as well. This book showed the tender-side of a president, in moments like the time he spent with ordinary heroes searching for survivors right after 9/11. But more than anything, it showed his strong will, stubbornness when needed, and that although the media teased over the way he spoke, he was a very intelligent man, who was more than capable of making the tough decisions.<br />
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I know I'm not the only one raving over this book. If you're looking for a good read with a whole different look on a presidency behind closed-doors, I highly recommend reading <i>Decision Points</i> by George W. Bush.<br />
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If you would like more information about <i>Decision Points</i> check out <a href="http://georgewbush.com/">georgewbush.com</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.</i></span>
<iframe src ="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/ranking/14637" width="459" height="135" scrolling="no" allowTransparency="true" style="border:0;"></iframe>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-72450019400635381332011-11-10T16:02:00.001-05:002011-11-10T16:27:48.900-05:00Return of the Fan GirlIt's true....the fan girl in me is contained in between Twilight movies, but when the movie is just days away, I'm as giddy as can been. I've been getting my plans in order with sister and friend to meet up at midnight back in my old town. It's always so much fun planning this one big time each year. No matter what it's set in stone to do together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eclipse Premiere </td></tr>
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And...since we are getting together with tons of other fans to a sold out showing of the movie...we must also dress for it. No costumes, mind you, but apparel nonetheless. I always like to go the non-traditional route. I don't want that shirt that I can go down to the mega store and buy. In the past I've gotten shirts from <a href="http://cafepress.com/">Cafe Press</a>. This year, or as I have lovingly started to call it, the year of Etsy. I made my purchase from Etsy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84571566/twilight-saga-embellished-tee-ready-to">Twilight Saga Embellished Tee</a></td></tr>
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I got this way cute shirt from a "quirky" little shop named <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/itsquirkshop?ref=seller_info">Quirk Shop</a>. Michele has so many cute little things in her shop. Please go and check her out. I may just be back soon to pick one of these up.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85326196/meet-me-at-the-mistletoe-headband">Meet Me at the Mistletoe Headband</a></td></tr>
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Have a great rest of the week. Pictures to come!</div>
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<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-72827744749546506942011-11-08T15:08:00.000-05:002012-01-05T11:53:13.695-05:00Hearing isn't always seeingDo you ever just fall into the routine of worship? I was never more aware of just how much I do until this past Sunday. When I walked in the sanctuary I had no clue the worship I was going to experience. Worship where the tears flow more easily than the words. Where you come to your knees in thanksgiving.<br />
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When the holidays start to approach at my church, the choir shows up more for the services. Because our church is right on the campus of a seminary, we get a steady flow of young talent and abilities. This past Sunday the choir included what I can only assume was a college student, who during the praise and worship signed the lyrics. I knew the words. The song was familiar. So I sang and watched. When the name Jesus came up in the lyrics, the sign for it, just overwhelmed me. I turned to my left to my husband and he was there with me. The tears ready to flow.<br />
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How easily I forget or take for granted who he is. What he is. What he has done. The sign for Jesus, represents just who he is. Any language could recognize it. Pointing to the palms of both hands. He died for me, and I forget. I take it for granted. I sing with no emotion. I just do the routine of it.<br />
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How is it that when we experience something like this, we still fall back? I want that kind of worship. I want to praise him in everything. To shout his glory!<br />
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That one college student has no clue the impact she had on my little family. It will be a reminder of what I should be seeking.<br />
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This isn't the song, but it surely makes the point.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RMoMr_7-Rn8?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-5833187413151536202011-11-04T16:09:00.000-04:002011-11-04T16:09:21.446-04:00Stolen JoyIt's all been made clear to me, well as clear as can be made at the moment, how I have let little things steal my joy. I have this beautiful picture of all the things that bring me joy: family dance parties, little man learning how to play board games, beautiful sunsets, game nights with the family, Oreos (I'm pretty sure I'm at least half Oreo now)....I could just keep going.<br />
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But I let those unexpected hiccups in my day steal my joy. I let my personal struggles....steal my joy. I never see it in the moment. I just sulk, run over and over in my mind what these little things mean. I become quiet and just kind of get stuck in this funk. I wonder things that I know are untrue. Is this a sign? I'm a horrible mom...that's why? It's because I didn't do this...or that! Why do I let these little things stifle what could be tremendous joy in my life? I want to choose joy!<br />
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I will not allow Satan to turn my thoughts away from what should be great memories being made. So, here I am confessing that I've allowed him to do just that. But....and here's the big but....I'm not letting him do it anymore. I'm taking that joy back that he's taken away. I'm not going to loosen my grip on it my moments of weakness, I'm to make a habit of pointing out the things in my life that bring me joy and great blessing. Next time I get in that funk, I'm going to remind myself of said list.<br />
<br />What steals your joy? How do you keep it....not allow it to be taken?Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-57177137282235839522011-10-26T15:19:00.000-04:002011-10-26T15:22:52.426-04:00{Book Review} Night Nigt Blessings by Amy ParkerOne of the biggest things that I try to instill my son is thankfulness. I want him to be able to recognize the new gifts that each day brings.<br />
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In a book not as rhymey as your typical children's book, Amy Parker's <i>Night Night Blessings</i>, she's establishing a life of thankfulness. Parker brings you in from the "morning sunlight" to "night night" showing you the not just the blessings of the spiritual nature, but physical blessings as well. One of the best parts of this book is the adorable illustrations by Marijan Ramljak. The colors were gorgeous!<br />
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I love the idea of using this book to help my son recognize his everyday blessings in a very personal way.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Blessings-ebook/dp/B005ENBBKG"><i>Night Night Blessings</i> by Amy Parker</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I received this book free from the publisher through the <a href="http://booksneeze.com/">BookSneeze</a>®.com
book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive
review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html">16 CFR, Part 255</a> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-77776652049242819402011-10-07T15:53:00.000-04:002011-10-07T15:56:23.955-04:00{Book Review} Bible Stories for PreschoolersI'm always on the hunt for a good storybook for my son. When I got the chance to review <i>Bible Stories for Preschoolers</i>, I jumped at it. My son was so excited when we got the package in the mail and even more excited when we got a chance to sit down and read before bedtime.<br />
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I was expecting your typical Bible storybook for children. Ones that always seem just a little too old my son and have no interaction whatsoever. What I got was something totally different. <i>Bible Stories for Preschoolers</i> has sections the follow almost every story called Family Talk. This is where you get to interact with you child and ask them questions about the story. What's great about this is that it's teaching your child to pay attention and absorb the lesson that is being taught. Also in the Family Talk section there's an activity and a verse to remember about each section.<br />
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After reading this with my son many nights we noticed how much more alert he is when the story is being read. He's now asking more questions. I love he excitement over learning and even more learning the love of Christ. I was highly recommend this to any family feeling burnt out on the story books out there. You won't be disappointed. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Stories-Preschoolers-Betty-Swanberg/dp/141433964X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318017233&sr=1-2"><i>Bible Stories for Preschoolers</i></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tyndale House Publishers has provided you with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC.</span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-18626932883456748382011-10-03T17:05:00.001-04:002011-12-06T16:39:16.043-05:00{Book Review} Forever Faithful: The Complete Trilogy by Karen Kingsbury<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i><span style="font-size: small;">I have often fallen into the pit of "woe is me." I've had my moments where I think God can't possibly want this for me. He must just be looking the other direction. Kind of like when I do that with my son. Once I turn around I find how quickly a mess can form. The same goes for our lives, but God is watching us. He knows troubles of this world and is still working in it. Sometimes even through the mess of our sin. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I recently got the chance to review the <i>Forever Faithful: The Complete Trilogy</i> by Karen Kingsbury. I had never read any of her books before. I had no idea what to expect. One thing I didn't expect was to be completely pulled into the story. So much so that there were many a nights that I stayed up well into the early hours of the morning.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Forever Faithful: The Complete Trilogy </i>gives you front row seats to how the details of life make a difference. First you meet Hannah, who has just lost a husband and daughter to a drunk driving accident in <i>Waiting for Morning</i>. She's bitter and angry with God. So much so that she's trying convince herself that he doesn't exist. Hannah is brought to her knees when her daughter, Jenny, attempts something no parent wants to see. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then you meet Jade and Tanner. Childhood friends separated too soon in <i>A Moment of Weakness</i>. Tanner takes a summer internship across the country never expecting to run into the one girl he said was going to marry. A summer spent together. Dreams realized. Lines are crossed. Lies are told. Jade knows that God has a plan for her, but is this really it? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally in <i>Halfway to Forever</i> you get a glimpse of the friendships formed when Tanner and Matt, Hannah's husband and former prosecutor for the drunk driver, become partners in a law firm fighting for religious freedom. Each family goes through their own struggles. There are moments when you question, "Can God really be apart of this? Is he punishing me for past sins?." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Karen Kingsbury writes what is real. How people really feel. How Christians aren't perfect people. We are just loved by a perfect God. A God who has plans for us. A God who hears our prayers, praises and sobs. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to see how God turns the ashes of this life into something beautiful<i>.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This song was on repeat the whole time I was reading this book. It's so fitting.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><i> </i></span><br />
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If you would like more information about <a href="http://www.karenkingsbury.com/">Karen Kingbury</a> check her out at www.karenkingsbury.com<br />
You can find this book at most bookstores and online at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Faithful-Complete-Karen-Kingsbury/dp/1601424116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317675794&sr=8-1">amazon.com</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.</i></span>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" height="135" scrolling="no" src="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/ranking/12900" style="border: 0;" width="459"></iframe>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-20430504300800615262011-09-27T14:28:00.000-04:002011-09-27T14:56:30.701-04:00Here Comes the Fan(g) GirlIs it alright if I let my fan girl come out for just a little bit? I'll take that as a yes. Okay...so I know there's some Twilight fans out there....am I right? I think so. I always get really excited when the movies get close the getting released 1) because it means it's that much closer to a much needed girls (mid)night out with my best friend and sister and 2) because the soundtracks are always great! So without further ado here is the first single being released for the Breaking Dawn Part 1 soundtrack.<br />
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P.S. Yes...I know....I'm one of the those people.<br />
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What brings out the fan girl in you?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Happy Tuesday!</i></span><br />
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<br />Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-63283944300755235392011-09-26T15:09:00.000-04:002011-09-26T16:07:38.017-04:00Ode to My ManHave I told you just how much I love my man?<br />
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Me and my man celebrated six years of mostly blissful marriage this past weekend. I say mostly because there are always those hard parts of life that you have deal with at times. Sometimes they made me ugly. I'm ashamed of those moments. My man, still loved me through those moments and didn't think me ugly. Everyday I feel blessed that he showed me grace I didn't deserve. Does that sound familiar? Yeah, I think so...he showed me grace just like our Lord shows us grace when we don't deserve it. My man...he's one godly man.<br />
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So this post isn't about me...it's about showing you a glimpse of this man that I share my life with. The man who I share every little piece of me with. <i>The man who rocks my world!</i><br />
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This man showed me how a gentleman should act. That chivalry wasn't dead. This is a picture of our first official date....junior prom. Talk about expectations. I've stuck with this man since that day. </div>
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He stuck with me through my mess of haircuts, and always told me I was beautiful.</div>
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This man planned our honeymoon, and wouldn't even tell me till the week of.<br />
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He continues to show me the adventure that life can be. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My man behind the mask.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hick Couple- Me pregnant and using the pregnancy as a beer belly. Him unshaven..nuff said.</td></tr>
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He lets me talk him into ridiculous costumes, even when I dress him as woman.</div>
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This man gave me this beautiful little boy and became a Daddy. He showed me what a true father is.</div>
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This man made a family. This man knows how to show genuine love and affection. <i>This man. rocks my world!</i></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-68278852492064697422011-09-20T17:31:00.000-04:002011-09-20T17:32:57.542-04:00Falling Into PaceI feel like I'm finally settling into the pace of my life right now. Once the end of August hit our household, I felt like I was running a full sprint. I couldn't catch my breath. I was overwhelmed. Questioning myself about commitments I'd made. How was I going to be able to enjoy life when I was so "busy"? Between preschool, mom's group and church (let alone family), I was going, going, going. <br />
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What am I doing right now?<br />
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Enjoying life. I'm sitting in the sun. Swatting bees (okay not so enjoyable).<br />
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Watching my son play in the dirt and flowers.<br />
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Savoring the little bits of fall smells beginning to show up. Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-75598004716985146502011-09-19T16:02:00.002-04:002011-09-19T16:02:33.443-04:00Fresh-Brewed Life By Nicole Johson {Book Review}<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
In Nicole Johnson's book <i>Fresh-Brewed Life: A Stirring Invitation to Wake Up Your Soul</i>, she describes how are lives improve, just like coffee beans to a cup of coffee. When we surrender to God, we are still a whole bean. But to become richer and fuller, we have to be ground little bit. "Our souls become stronger, deeper and more robust. As different from instant coffee is from fresh-brewed, we are transformed."</div>
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Johnson shares how much God loves us and accepts us. We are free to be ourselves with him. He doesn't judge us by the clothes we wear, or even if we've even been able to comb our hair today. He wants us to feel free to give him all our needs; looking to him for answers and not the world. </div>
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One thing about this devotional, that I had to make a commitment to was a journal. Johnson encourages journaling as part of working through our struggles, hopes, wishes, longings and prayers to God. If we don't have an outlet, we'll hold it in. At some point, it's going to overflow and we'll be crying over mismatched socks. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">"The beauty of a good journal is it reminds us to live a life worth recording." </span></i></blockquote>
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I'll admit, I've bought many a journal over the years and after about a week I'm done. It has just never been my way of working things out. But, I made a commitment that I would do it for at least the whole month of September. I may not write everyday, but to make a conscious effort to do it. Can I tell you something, I LOVE IT! </div>
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Johnson goes on working through the many struggles and strongholds that women have in their lives. Address topics like: Longings, Embracing Your Beauty, Anger, Sexuality, Friendships and more. You won't be disappointed...I promise. Some of the topics made me squirm a little, but really changed the way I think about things and apply things. One of the biggest things I'm taking away from this devotional are these quotes.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> "It is our job to make sure the majority of our schedule reflects the majority of our heart to the best of our abilities."</i></span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">"If you will offer the whole-bean essence of who you are (even if you aren't fully sure yet), surrender to the inevitable roasting and grinding of this world, and trust that the love of God will pour over all the broken pieces (fragments, shards, and hunks), your very life will be transformed into something more beautiful and remarkable than you could ever imagine." </span></i></blockquote>
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If you're interested in purchasing this book, check out www.freshbrewedlife.com</div>
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<br />All this talk of coffee has me thinking....How do you like your coffee? I like mine with lots of cream and sugar. I'm kind of a creamer connoisseur!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I received this book free from the publisher through the <a href="http://booksneeze.com/">BookSneeze</a>®.com
book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive
review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html">16 CFR, Part 255</a> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising</span></div>
Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-39390584473482597502011-08-30T13:41:00.000-04:002011-08-30T13:41:52.860-04:00"Stumbling Into Grace" by Lisa Harper - Book ReviewIn a world of so many people who act fake, it was a like a breath of fresh air when I found <a href="http://lisaharper.net/">Lisa Harper</a>. Lisa is one of the most authentic Christian authors I've read in a long while. Lisa never tries to hide her past or embarrassing moments, but uses them to encourage, teach and provide a little humor for you along the way. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who makes a fool of myself on a regular basis.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQKwpQ4H1_dzg9qiQYrCIte9MTjAEeZhVoMqXysFXW08BdmrmQaLPylKC32vB7ibz4-DToFp0IwHdkmiOgQu0x_Z9F5CPm5Wazh4tqbypoxsoDHfpU4YrLhcnINuusAZJjWPFrWoQLeI/s1600/lisasite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQKwpQ4H1_dzg9qiQYrCIte9MTjAEeZhVoMqXysFXW08BdmrmQaLPylKC32vB7ibz4-DToFp0IwHdkmiOgQu0x_Z9F5CPm5Wazh4tqbypoxsoDHfpU4YrLhcnINuusAZJjWPFrWoQLeI/s400/lisasite.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://lisaharper.net</td></tr>
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<i>Stumbling Into Grace</i> focuses on three main topics: Real Life, Real Gifts and Real Growth. Lisa turns her stories of embarrassments or hurts into a teaching moment by taking scripture and applying truths to them. There are moments you will find yourself laughing out loud at stories and at other times overcome with emotion over the real and hurtful parts of life. One of the funniest moments and my favorite chapter in the book by far, is chapter eight titled <i>The Bride Who Tripped Down the Aisle</i>. She starts every chapter off with "So, today I've been thinking about..." This chapter in particular starts of with "So, today I've been thinking about the gift of good humor." Humor does ensue. Oh, how I wish I could share this chapter with you. I was reading this chapter late at night while my husband slept across the room. It took everything in me to keep my laughter under control and at a low volume. If you're looking for a lighthearted and honest look at life as a woman and was to turn those in to a focus on God, then I highly suggest checking out <a href="http://lisaharper.net/">Lisa Harper</a>'s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stumbling-Into-Grace-Confessions-Spiritually/dp/0849946484/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314725940&sr=8-1"><i>Stumbling Into Grace</i></a>. You won't regret it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/60045140/Stumbling-Into-Grace-Confessions-of-a-Sometims-Spiritually-Clumsy-Woman" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Stumbling Into Grace: Confessions of a Sometims Spiritually Clumsy Woman on Scribd">Stumbling Into Grace: Confessions of a Sometims Spiritually Clumsy Woman</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.673267326732673" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_47147" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/60045140/content?start_page=1&view_mode=slideshow&access_key=key-282vdbyu5hnkt8gswh6q" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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One quick note. This book is a devotional or group book. I wasn't expecting that when I received it, but regardless, it can be read as a book, devotional or group book. Don't let that be the excuse for not checking it out.<br />
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Have you read this book? I'd love to hear your favorite part!<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I received this book free from the publisher through the <a href="http://booksneeze.com/">BookSneeze</a>®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html">16 CFR, Part 255</a> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising</span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-17063353857975460142011-08-22T22:10:00.006-04:002011-09-19T16:03:21.670-04:00MY FIRST GIVEAWAY! The Canary List by Sigmund BrouwerHey all...I'm so excited. I've been given an extra copy of <i>The Canary List</i> to giveaway. You looking for a little mystery in your life, then you may just want to vie for you chance at a copy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKLLT4p9H9b0jy4BpQRikKGlgY3Uy__W6FbCkQpbRnfxqrtIqVojrqth3aTAkYs-630SkareFnz78ngkGB-H0Dn9kwBDtiuzSbe7NxAzY0u0xJLJOWnZlhT8CMNdzP_G5M4gbW3gaVbY/s1600/The+Canary+List.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKLLT4p9H9b0jy4BpQRikKGlgY3Uy__W6FbCkQpbRnfxqrtIqVojrqth3aTAkYs-630SkareFnz78ngkGB-H0Dn9kwBDtiuzSbe7NxAzY0u0xJLJOWnZlhT8CMNdzP_G5M4gbW3gaVbY/s400/The+Canary+List.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<blockquote>
1. Rank my review of the book (you'll also be automatically entered to win books from Waterbrook Multnomah just for ranking. They will only ask for you email address one time and it's completely confidential.)<br />
2. Subscribe to my blog.<br />
3. Tweet about my giveaway<br />
4. Share my giveaway on Facebook</blockquote>
<blockquote>
One entry per person. Up to for four entries total. Winner will be chosen at random by random.org on August 29th.</blockquote>
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<b>Good Luck!</b><br />
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<b style="color: red;">CONTEST HAS ENDED</b><br />
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All Crockett Grey wants to do is spend the anniversary of the death of his daughter drowning himself in his sorrows. Outside his house a girl is struggling with a darkness that seems to follow her where ever she goes. One of the few people she can trust isn't answering her phone calls, and she's scared. As the evening unfolds the darkness has her scrambling to doorstep of her teacher's home. She's always been able to trust him. As Crockett opens his door to find Jaime, he has no clue how this night is going to change his life. He soon finds himself in jail, beaten, and uncovering secrets that have been hidden by the Vatican for centuries.<br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/47124745/The-Canary-List-by-Sigmund-Brouwer-Chapter-1" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer (Chapter 1) on Scribd">The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer (Chapter 1)</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.666666666666667" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_84169" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/47124745/content?start_page=1&view_mode=list&access_key=key-i1eibcr4if6t0ts2k3p" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" height="135" scrolling="no" src="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/ranking/11874" style="border: 0;" width="459"></iframe>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-68683742471564961182011-08-20T09:57:00.002-04:002011-08-31T15:28:43.660-04:00The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer - BOOK REVIEWAll Crockett Grey wants to do is spend the anniversary of the death of his daughter drowning himself in his sorrows. Outside his house a girl is struggling with a darkness that seems to follow her where ever she goes. One of the few people she can trust isn't answering her phone calls, and she's scared. As the evening unfolds the darkness has her scrambling to doorstep of her teacher's home. She's always been able to trust him. As Crockett opens his door to find Jaime, he has no clue how this night is going to change his life. He soon finds himself in jail, beaten, and uncovering secrets that have been hidden by the Vatican for centuries.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/47124745/The-Canary-List-by-Sigmund-Brouwer-Chapter-1" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer (Chapter 1) on Scribd">The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer (Chapter 1)</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.666666666666667" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_84169" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/47124745/content?start_page=1&view_mode=list&access_key=key-i1eibcr4if6t0ts2k3p" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" height="135" scrolling="no" src="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/ranking/11874" style="border: 0;" width="459"></iframe>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-7274754467468755532011-08-17T16:37:00.000-04:002011-08-17T16:37:47.038-04:0010 PoundsYeah, that's exactly how many pounds of blueberries we came home with from blueberry picking. I've been so excited all week to sit down and write this post.<br />
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This past weekend we went up to Michigan to visit my grandparents. We always love going there, not only for the their company, but for the pure beauty of the area that they live in. We were so bummed learning the night before we were supposed to head out that there was an <span style="font-size: large;"><i>80 percent chance of rain</i></span>, pretty much the entire time we were going to be visiting. Regardless, we were going. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Their company was enough to entice me. </i></span><br />
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On the way there, our child lifesaver broke. By lifesaver, I mean DVD player. And by broke, I mean works for minutes at time. <i><span style="font-size: large;">R.I.P., you have been good to us</span></i>. Toddlers and long distances don't usually mix well. We recovered and so did he. My little man was an angel (just like he's always telling my man..."Daddy, you look like an angel!"). Why don't I look like an angel? Ah hem....anyway, we made it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_X2lEYZwktCeXpYawNIBJKKq9LDCMF7oKrHujdLW6Pa-wpmbDFyaRFkknezoyBBfhIyXQasbuUNeBKFhf4bwLlFGb8MYqMcJfDN6Y7DuSVO_-f6JKxfRwD0ZTzCy44lAUyqXx7ONGxY/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLKk8kH0rsbNY-1AMSQpnvg7UoXCumd51eHkvO4ODqxtvb3MrFCyFASABRw5CRRqcK9a6ab1_6XKZQ6lVLYrtpxM6oBGAqf_-50UXIlgQGJlnJZKdS7nqIdpbhWgfvH73bINTmeGcZtg/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLKk8kH0rsbNY-1AMSQpnvg7UoXCumd51eHkvO4ODqxtvb3MrFCyFASABRw5CRRqcK9a6ab1_6XKZQ6lVLYrtpxM6oBGAqf_-50UXIlgQGJlnJZKdS7nqIdpbhWgfvH73bINTmeGcZtg/s640/022.JPG" width="476" /></a>Once arriving, he was out the car and into the toys. I think every child has a GPS that tells them exactly where all toys make their homes. He knew right where to go and didn't plan on leaving anytime soon. About that time, their was a break in the rain...and it was gorgeous! Sunny with those fluffy clouds...GORGEOUS! After much asking and peeling we got away from the toys and to the <a href="http://krupkablueberry.com/">Blueberry patch</a>? place? I'm not sure if that's what they're called, but that's where went. Our family, <i><span style="font-size: large;">virgin blueberry pickers</span></i>. I was so excited! Little man....not so much. His mind was on the toys back at the house.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMpsBJr_lDSqBLpejSb45QowGhyphenhyphen7Tmsc5k9L3QjcAEQXIUbVR-sDhMmD2vkLhk79NKSzxNyODQ6WYVDf58OGK4NsJogPNIYd2c12yivmSgG9mOQwnfVkwxTyVgCFPPHL1njeuxTELcWE/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMpsBJr_lDSqBLpejSb45QowGhyphenhyphen7Tmsc5k9L3QjcAEQXIUbVR-sDhMmD2vkLhk79NKSzxNyODQ6WYVDf58OGK4NsJogPNIYd2c12yivmSgG9mOQwnfVkwxTyVgCFPPHL1njeuxTELcWE/s400/030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Once out in the rows, with our buckets tied around our waists, he was getting in the mood. He realized he could eat these things hanging on the trees....and they tasted good! That's all it took and the toys were completely erased from his mind. This speaks volumes of my picky eater.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-azIw7M-jDHbCMQcgT4txzth2zSlseeckwZoMlkUGP-qQiCVfK5xX76xfCy4rbhsCSALeOh2sI0VVTD_DsFVoYzF2zLK5OGPxZpg7Cz8cbM3zTGMyO3AdAqeW3MNPCwgSjeTS3tb06vE/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-azIw7M-jDHbCMQcgT4txzth2zSlseeckwZoMlkUGP-qQiCVfK5xX76xfCy4rbhsCSALeOh2sI0VVTD_DsFVoYzF2zLK5OGPxZpg7Cz8cbM3zTGMyO3AdAqeW3MNPCwgSjeTS3tb06vE/s400/014.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Man and his Great Grandma</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM70moDw0hn8ourNssBKOQ5u-tpYYtGq7Adk7DhCt0zaP7OmD3UWNja0NqE3qYdP38ehUpWOiZzWNIoyoG1sgNFroHrTZwqk33cQQaN9dyV9e0T8cuKfi0z6RPxEWNZbTstz0NSFE_s7I/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM70moDw0hn8ourNssBKOQ5u-tpYYtGq7Adk7DhCt0zaP7OmD3UWNja0NqE3qYdP38ehUpWOiZzWNIoyoG1sgNFroHrTZwqk33cQQaN9dyV9e0T8cuKfi0z6RPxEWNZbTstz0NSFE_s7I/s400/020.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Man and Little Man</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPrW8HdrudGJHyzFcqrWGjRPdiD9_S0XegU2BC7V8XYXrujFH2fF0HtBx3JkZuFqpFzNZAj-oty57Ga5wZr-zLSrbu-l_5UDxJECrnovJCYwepeZHyq7BgXH-yYAaXBTKSFGpiSzFp-g/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPrW8HdrudGJHyzFcqrWGjRPdiD9_S0XegU2BC7V8XYXrujFH2fF0HtBx3JkZuFqpFzNZAj-oty57Ga5wZr-zLSrbu-l_5UDxJECrnovJCYwepeZHyq7BgXH-yYAaXBTKSFGpiSzFp-g/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The trees were overflowing with blueberries....I think it took us all of thirty minutes to pick them. I think it only took that long because I was talking and picking. I'm not always the best at focusing on one task. But the task was done and we were reaping our reward in blueberries.<br />
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We spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the company of the wise and enjoying a few laughs. They have <i><span style="font-size: large;">some of the best stories</span></i>.<br />
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My Grandmother is an artist. One of my favorite things about visiting her is seeing what new things she has painted. God has blessed her was some serious <a href="http://artbysuzanne.com/">talent</a>.<br />
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P.S. My BFF...you know Best Friend Forver! Just had her first baby! It's <i><span style="font-size: large;">a precious little lady by the name of Hadley</span></i>. Congrats Stacy and Justin, we couldn't be more excited for you!<br />
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Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870922896665931995.post-24211833433126670672011-07-20T10:28:00.000-04:002011-07-20T10:28:33.735-04:00New Printable Party DecorI don't have a lot of extra time this morning, but I thought I'd hop on a show you some new things that are slowly going to be making there way into my <a href="http://bubeeprints.etsy.com/">Etsy </a>shop. This past spring at my Mom to Mom group, a friend of mine asked me if I'd ever done any of the printable decorations that she'd seen all over etsy. In particular the ones over at <a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/sweet-shoppe-party-twins-first-birthday">how doe she?</a>. She wanted something similar and I was willing to give it a shot as long as she didn't mind being my guinea pig. She agreed and I set out to make her just what she was looking for and more. Her party turned out so cute! Thanks Meredith for all the great pictures!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8mDiFWhqQ8_pKSJ8SGwNmwS_TqmOudrLkJ0Cp4cPP96RGJgNTaxPk8o0o9OjmsG8ZdFzjcfdGSlPIEs4wnZkLTwDL8RmwdmUVeaAsnNTPHkluhSwrCL6KDxXhuFQGe5PMFhKiR7HhkQ/s1600/Sweet+Shoppe+Birthday+Invite+PAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8mDiFWhqQ8_pKSJ8SGwNmwS_TqmOudrLkJ0Cp4cPP96RGJgNTaxPk8o0o9OjmsG8ZdFzjcfdGSlPIEs4wnZkLTwDL8RmwdmUVeaAsnNTPHkluhSwrCL6KDxXhuFQGe5PMFhKiR7HhkQ/s320/Sweet+Shoppe+Birthday+Invite+PAGE.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZO9Mge-sN6k0g2qva5IqF0ax0oPoJSl6JYsen56GsYUNTFTr8wHsrcNx5ur1LvuefljFHFg_sf2-qH9XLbFP3y4VoU82BpMvHu8UjA0WnRxuFCHnlj74J-fUEff8XDAw6tG_9gqYmBM/s1600/Sweet+Shoppe+Decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZO9Mge-sN6k0g2qva5IqF0ax0oPoJSl6JYsen56GsYUNTFTr8wHsrcNx5ur1LvuefljFHFg_sf2-qH9XLbFP3y4VoU82BpMvHu8UjA0WnRxuFCHnlj74J-fUEff8XDAw6tG_9gqYmBM/s320/Sweet+Shoppe+Decor.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><br />
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So keep a look out, as I add more and more of these packages to my <a href="http://bubeeprints.etsy.com/">shop</a>.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14115715110638228305noreply@blogger.com0