Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Oh, happy heart!  Makes me so happy when I see my kids being kids and creating and thinking and being original.  I only took a few pictures of them creating their master pieces in this part of the children's museum but they had fun at everything.   This would have cost me $24 to take the kids here but thanks again the my local library for the pass to go for free.  Love love love them for doing these passes.  They have created many smiles and saved me money.  

I am loving this new concept of painting rocks and hiding them to encourage others.   They can keep the rock or share it or re hide it.   It makes going to the parks more and more fun in hopes to find some!  

How stunning is that flower?   Can anyone figure out the name and tell me if I can grow it in Iowa?  I mean it was at the Quad City Botanical Garden, however, it was inside the green house so that might make it hard to grow.  Again we go to go for free because we got a pass from our local library!   LOVE LOVE LOVE these passes!   I am saving money and for that am thankful. 

I am so thankful that our local library purchased summer passes so we could check the pass out and go to this zoo for free.   It does make me wonder why some zoo's in this country can be free and others are so expensive?   Thanks library for helping me save money and still have fun with the kids! 

Book Description My great big God takes care of me! My great big God loves me! Find out just how great and big God really is in this adorable Bible storybook for little ones. Bestselling author Andy Holmes takes children on a special journey through 20 of the most loved and known stories in the Bible that illustrate the character of God. Each story is told in adorable rhymes and ends with a fresh takeaway that even the youngest child will understand: My great big God is good! My great big God is powerful! Parents and children alike will love to read these stories together and learn about how wonderful our God is. With bright, eye-catching illustrations by Marta Alvarez Miguens and thick pages perfect for little hands to hold, My Great Big God will be a family favorite for years to come. My Review: Thank-you Book Look program for sending me this book for free in exchange for an honest review.   I was not paid for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.   ...

Chicken Soup for the Soul Savory Snacks!   Real BEEF!  Thank-you Chewy.com for sending me this treat for my dog Kiah.  I was not paid for this review and all opinions expressed are 100% my own.   Product Description: Chicken Soup for the Soul Savory Snacks Beef Dog Treats are all-natural dog treats made with real beef as the first ingredient. Inspired by the stories of special moments between pet parents and their pets, these heart-shaped treats let you bond with your pup over a delicious snack. They’re highly palatable, full-flavor, soft and meaty bites that you can share with every furry friend in your family. Each heartwarming treat is made without corn, wheat, soy or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chicken Soup is proud to support adoption programs and shelters across the country, which is why they feature rescue pets and their owners on every bag. Key Benefits Real beef is the #1 ingredient, all natural treats Heart-shaped soft treats Hi...

Description Your dog will be begging to sink his teeth into the Rachael Ray Nutrish Burger Bites with Bison Recipe Dog Treats. Made with real, farm-raised beef as the number one ingredient, this savory and smoky snack tastes like it came fresh from the grill, and it also includes wholesome chickpeas, potatoes and a hint of rosemary. And since it’s free of grains, artificial flavors, and meat by-products, you can feel confident that your pup is getting all the yum without any of the stuff you don’t want him to eat. And it’s all safely cooked right here in the USA! Key Benefits U.S. farm-raised beef is the #1 ingredient Inspired by real recipes from Rachael's kitchen for the ultimate tail-waggin' experience Made with the world's best ingredients cooked right here in the USA No grains, corn, wheat, artificial flavors or meat by-products Now your pup can have a meaty burger treat any time they like! My Review: Thanks Chewy.com for sending my dog Kiah these tasty t...

Summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still time to squeeze in a little fun! With school right around the corner, now is a great time to get your kids’ brains back in action. As parents it’s important that our children learn and grow, but that doesn’t mean they have to sit in a classroom just yet. Activities such as music lessons allow children to explore their creativity and musical ability while improving skills such as reading proficiency. Check out the infographic from Take Lessons below for some more ideas!

This number-building game is perfect for helping kids master place value. Education.com's  full collection of math games  offer additional core math skill practice for every kind of student.

The Freeloader is the First Child Carrier Built Specifically for Toddlers! It is a new, better child carrier. Compact, lightweight and portable, the Freeloader child carrier uses advanced materials and design to create a better experience for parents who love spending time with their kids. Whether you are traveling by air, going to the zoo, or hiking with your little ones, the Freeloader is ready to help carry the load. When not in use, the Freeloader's integrated aluminum seat folds up neatly to the size of a daypack. The Freeloader is a perfect fit for parents that want a lighter, more versatile carrier. The Freeloader features an easy-to-use, 5-point safety harness. The safety harness is specially designed to fasten securely and safely out-of-reach of your child. The Freeloader provides wide, ergonomic shoulder and waist straps to evenly distribute your child's weight to your hips and core. The contoured shoulder straps are adjustable and provide extra padding for...

Canada is a large and diverse country that is filled with fantastic destinations that are perfect for your next summer vacation with the kids. But with so many popular places to choose from, each offering their own unique things to do and see, planning your trip can quickly become a daunting process. To help you narrow down your choices to the very best, check out the five great Canadian destinations below and then plan your next family trip that will be unforgettable and a lot of fun. Niagara Falls By far one of the most well-known and beloved of all Canadian destinations is Niagara Falls. You can view the falls from the famous Skylon Tower, or you can choose to get right down onto the water with one of the many super exhilarating Maid of the Mist boat rides. A tip to remember is that the Falls are lit up in brilliant colors at night, so be sure to stick around and catch a glimpse of them not only by day but also after night falls. Once you have your excursions for the day ...

Are you running out of ways to entertain your children? Do you want to create wonderful memories as a family? If so, you’re in luck, because below are seven fun things you can do together that will entertain Mom, Dad and the kids. Go on a Hike Find a family-friendly trail so everyone can enjoy a hike in the great outdoors. It’s a fantastic way to feel closer to nature, enjoy a little exercise and to spot a variety of wildlife on your travels. Mom and Dad could even write a checklist for items a child needs to discover, such as an acorn, squirrel or waterfall. Origami Origami is more than a fun craft to enjoy as a family. It is a unique skill that allows a creator to show off their talent and creativity. From beautiful flowers to stunning birds, there’s no limit to what you can create with paper with a little practice. It’s an entertaining and effective way for adults and children to embrace their creative side, whilst laughing at Dad’s poor first attempt. Bake B...

The human body is a never ending series of impressive feats. When we take a moment to stop and think of all the functions and feats our bodies make possible every single day, it can be amazing to know that purely organic elements can all come together and make things happen. Regardless of any individual challenges, ailments or problems a person faces, the uber-vast majority of the body itself functions absolutely perfectly, keeping us alive, aware and living life. This doesn't mean that the body cannot have flaws or be improved; in fact, there is much that can be done to better both physical and mental health. Whether you are a few pounds overweight, suffering from obesity or are just merely out-of-shape, the goal to get in shape and achieve that ideal body is a dream many people share. The task of getting from point A to point B, however, is more difficult than merely willing things into existence. Because what you eat truly matters in the fight for a better body, we'v...

Thank-you Booklook program for sending me this book for free in exchange for an honest review.  I was not paid for this an all opinions expressed are 100% my own.   Book Description The God Who Saves. The God Who Provides. The Holy One. The names of God tell us who He is and how He loves us—explore the glory and the goodness of God in I Am Devotional. Children will learn to trust God in everything as they learn about the names and character of God in the I Am Devotional. Through 100 devotions, children will see how God’s names reflect His love, strength, trustworthiness, etc., and what that means as they develop a strong faith. Name of God: I AM Meaning: God is to be worshiped Application: Worship God by how you live! Diane Stortz has a proven history of connecting well with both children and parents in her writing. With sales of 500,000 inspirational books for children, Diane is a trusted name for Christian families. The art of Diane Le Feyer has captivated readers of...

Yep, that's me!  Purple looks good on me!   But keep reading... this one might touch ya!   So, for a year I was afraid to put some purple in my hair.   I was afraid it would fade and look terrible.  I was afraid of being judged and looked at differently.  I questioned my motives as I want to be in the world but not of the world as a Christian mom and wife.  Would some think I overstepped?   Would people leave our church?  Would people not want to come to the church?   Would people consider me a sinner?  Is God okay with this?  Those are just a few of the many questions that popped into my brain.         You know those lies that tear you apart from staying aligned to Daddy God.   You know, remembering to keep your identity aligned to Christ!  Not allowing lies to become my thinking!  I had a lot of stinking thinking when it came to this decision.  Even afte...