I was featured...

This is the first time I've been featured on another blog!
The school supply caddy I made was featured on Fireflies and Jellybeans.
Stop by her blog to see what other great craft ideas she featured this week.

Book Review – The Discipline of Grace

The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges is a well-written and thought-provoking book. It takes the reader through the gospel in order to better understand what grace really is. Then, Mr. Bridges reminds the reader of his/her role in actively pursuing God's grace all the time. He challenges the reader to examine his/her faith and the way you live out that faith in your everyday life.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a 'fresh' teaching on God's grace.  This book can be purchased from Nav Press for $14.99.

This is what Nav Press says about the book:

The Discipline of Grace offers a clear and and thorough explanation of the gospel and what it means to be a believer. Written by Navigator author Jerry Bridges, this book explores how the same grace that brings us to faith in Christ also disciplines us in Christ. In learning more about grace, you also will learn about God's character, His forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Babies are Coming…

This looks like it will be a great movie. This trailer has piqued my interest. It’s amazing to me to think that some actions and behaviors are inherent in every baby/toddler – no matter where they are growing up.

“Share the theatrical trailer everyone's been raving about with your readers!

Everybody loves... BABIES. Coming to theatres this Mother's Day Weekend (May 7th), this visually stunning new movie simultaneously follows four babies around the world - from first breath to first steps. From Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo, BABIES joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.”

This is Ponijao from Namibia. She is one of the four babies featured in this movie. Ponijao lives with her family, including her parents and eight older brothers and sisters. Ponijao’s family is part of the Himba tribe, and lives in a small village with other families, following traditions including speaking their own (Himba) language. The men in the Himba tribe are generally off looking after the cattle and searching for grass, so Ponijao is most often with her mother and other female relatives; she plays, eats, and is bathed through the traditional method of mixing concrete red ochre with oil. Ponijao’s favorite things to do are dance and play with other children in the tribe.

I am posting this review as a reviewer for BzzAgent.

School Supply Caddy

I came across this idea on The Crafters File Box blog. I loved it, and it was perfect for our school table. I did exactly as she described. I purchased a lazy-suzan from Ikea – for $7.99. I stopped at Target and bought 4 pails from the Dollar Spot. (I already had 4 more at home). Then, stopped at Walmart for red spray paint - $.97. Voila! I painted the lazy-suzan white and the pails red. I screwed each of the pails to the lazy-suzan and filled it with our school supplies. I was able to fit 8 pails on mine. (I could probably have fit 1 more small pail on if I had made them touch.)

I plan to make one of these for Emma to keep in the game room in her “craft” area. And, now that I think about it – I may need one for my sewing table! Hmmm…

Project Life: March 14-20

I’m moving along with Project Life. I’ve almost caught up in my album. I’m hoping to take pictures of my layouts sometime this week. I love chronicling our year this way!

Sunday

Grillin’ weather

This is the first time matt has grilled this year. The weather was nice so he threw some steaks on the grill for dinner. Yummy!

Monday

School Supply Caddy

I love this new school supply caddy. It’s cute, functional, and I made it!

Tuesday

Facebook

This is where I spend time keeping up with friends and family. I enjoy seeing what everyone is doing and seeing pics of my friends and their families. I love being able to keep my family up-to-date with what’s going on in our family since we live so far away.

Wednesday

Play date at the playground

We met friends at the park at the end of our street. Matt got off work early and stopped by the park before heading out of town for the week. I love this picture of he and Emma.

Thursday

Shopping and a movie

Today, I took the kids to the mall and shopped for new spring/summer clothes. Then we met friends to watch Alice in Wonderland. I didn’t have my camera with me. So, I have to tackle one of the other moms to get a picture of our group wearing Mad Hatter hats.

Friday

One of me…

I’m never actually in our pictures, because I’m the one that’s usually behind the camera. So, today I snapped one of myself. This is me, Tara…AKA mom, mommy, babe, sister, daughter. It’s me!

Saturday

Mint Chocolate Brownies

YUMMY!!!

To see what others have done this week, visit Jessica at The Mom Creative.

I got a job!!

Yeah me!!

My good friend owns 3D Travel. 3D Travel is a travel agency that specializes in Disney experiences – Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line. Carol Beth and her travel agents (which now includes me) organize The Ultimate Field Trip – a homeschool Disney field trip Labor Day week. This year, 3D Travel is putting together their first Disney Homeschool Graduation.

I’ll be in training until June. After that, I will be able to book trips for others!! I can’t wait! Above you can see how I found out I got the job!! A special thank you to the moms I used to work with at MOPS who read the script I sent them spoke to the interviewer when he called to check my references! :)

I am so excited! I get to work from home helping people create a magical Disney experience! Got lots of work to do before training starts, but it will be well worth it when I can start working with others! I’ll post here when I’m trained and ready to book…

BTW, I will have to create a 'business' blog. Any ideas for a catchy name for a "Disney travel" themed blog? :)

Book Review – What Your Son Isn’t Telling You

What Your Son Isn’t Telling You is a powerful book!  And, it couldn’t have come at a better time.  This book is written to moms of teenage sons, but it is definitely a must-read for dads, too.  The authors discuss the unique struggles of teenage boys.  While I was familiar with most of the struggles, I didn’t really understand the difference between the struggles of a teen boy and a teen girl.  Thank you to the authors for “unlocking" those secrets for me. 

Here’s what Bethany House has to say about the book:

Your son struggles with the constant pressure to prove himself--in the classroom, on the playing field, and especially among his friends. And while he may put up a tough exterior, deep inside he hungers for family support and connection. You long to be there for him, but chances are he's put up a formidable wall of silence, leaving you wondering how to break through.

In What Your Son Isn't Telling You, teen experts Michael Ross and Susie Shellenberger offer a rare glimpse into the secret lives of teen boys--behind-the-scenes footage you might miss in the day-to-day life of your son--accompanied by practical advice on how to provide the support and connection your son desperately needs.

This book is available from Bethany House for $13.99.  If you have a teenage boy, or if you will soon, I recommend reading this book.  It will open your eyes and give you some insight to the struggles your son could face in his teenage years.  The book is also packed with Biblical principles and foundations of truth in dealing with these struggles.  The authors give helpful advice in training your son to grow up to be a man of integrity as God would have him be.

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of What Your Son Isn’t Telling You from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Book Review program.  I did not receive any other compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.