"Would a Worm Go on a Walk" Book Review

        

             

My kiddos were simply delighted when this beautifully illustrated, faith-filled Children's book arrived at our doorstep today! "Would a Worm Go on a Walk" written by Hannah C. Hall and Illustrated by Bill Bolton is simply delightful, engaging for children of all ages, and has the most colorful, beautiful illustrations I have ever seen in a children's book. My children are ages 4 and 9, and they both loved every page. The publisher recommended age is 4-7.

“Would a worm go on a walk, if you could lead him down the street? / Would he wear his tiny tennies, if he had two worm-sized feet?" So begins this humorous and imaginative picture book that introduces children to the idea that animals are uniquely created by a loving and wise God. Would a Worm Go on a Walk?, with its colorful, comical illustrations, is a fresh, fun way to teach young children that God created all things very good. He gave all the animals, and children, too, wonderful qualities and unique strengths. Children will giggle over the ridiculous scenarios presented, and they will come away with the knowledge that we all are loved and special.

My children laughed at the silly possibilities each animal faced, and they loved the colorful pictures on each page. The end of the book was such a beautiful surprise as it focused on how God creates each person and animal for a unique purpose, and we all have unique gifts and talents. This opened up a beautiful discussion for my children as we were able to share with each of them what talents we see in them. I was able to tell them all the ways that God has made them special, unique and beautiful. I know without a doubt that this book will be a huge favorite in our home for years to come.

This book is available for purchase at:
http://shopbetterbooks.com/would-a-worm-go-on-a-walk

Guess What?? You have the opportunity to win a copy of this awesome book! Simply leave me a comment telling me what your favorite children's book is, and you will be entered into a drawing to win this awesome book. The giveaway will end July 4th at 10 p.m. CST.

Giveaway Disclosure:
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Phil Wickham "Children Of God" Cd-a beautiful and intimate declaration of adoration and worship to our Heavenly Father

  

Hello Dear Friends! I was blessed with the opportunity to review Christian musician, Phil Wickham’s, latest CD Release, “Children of God”, and it far exceeded my expectations!  I had heard “Your Love Awakens Me” on our local Christian radio station and really liked Phil Wickham’s style, so I was excited when the opportunity arose to review his latest cd. I have listened to the cd on repeat since receiving it in the mail-it is simply that good. The opening Doxology calmed my heart and prepared me for a time of worship as I drove my children to church this morning. His entire album is a beautiful mixture of gentle worship music and adoration declarations to our Heavenly Father. My favorite songs on the album are Spirit Of God, Starmaker, The Secret Place, and Stand in Awe. Madison Cunningham joined Phil Wickham on “The Secret Place” and her voice mixed with his results in an absolutely breathtaking lyric. As you can tell, I had a very difficult time picking my favorites J. Very rarely do I find a cd where I adore each song and don’t skip over certain songs. This cd was an exception-every song is so very beautiful and drew me into an intimate time of worship. These songs will be a constant in our home for sure. I often listen to worship music on repeat while I sleep, and this will be my chosen playlist in the future. I strongly recommend this cd to anyone looking for a new worship cd. Phil Wickham’s passion for pursuing God shines through his lyrics and music. You can purchase his cd at the following online retailers:

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/PW-COGiTunes


Amazon: http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Amazon

Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Spotify

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQyXsJMkUPg

#ChildrenOfGod #FlyBy

Blessings to you dear friends! You are dearly loved!

Valentine's Day Creativity~How to Share God's Love Extravagently

Valentines Day is my favorite holiday by far because it gives me extra opportunities to show my family how very much I love them and how deeply our Heavenly Father loves them. Here are a few ideas to lavish love on your husband and children this year.

 

 

Countdown to Valentines Day:

I made this Countdown to Valentines Day for my awesome hubby this year by printing off a blank February calendar (just google calendar templates), adding some red card stock and decorations, and including two of his favorite things...Dove chocolates and sincere compliments/praise. For each day leading up to Valentines Day, I wrote something that I love about him. I then taped a Dove chocolate over each day to hide the words. Each day he can enjoy something sweet for his soul and for his belly :-).

 

 

 

U R A Winner Valentine Cards for my son's 1st grade class:

To create an affordable, easy, and fun Valentine for my son to give his friends this year, we cut red and pink card stock in four rectangles, and my son drew tic tac toe boards on them and wrote the words "U R A Winner" on top. We put them in a ziplock bag and included 18 M&M's (9 each of 2 different colors). His friends will have fun playing tic tac toe and then will have the added benefit of enjoying a few yummy M&M's.

 

Pop Quiz (Ring Pop) Valentines

To add to his Tic Tac Toe Valentines, we made these cute Ring Pop Valentines with anyone free printable tag that says, "Pop Quiz-Will you be my Valentine". The link for the tags can be found here: http://www.overthebigmoon.com/kids-valentine-printable-pop-quiz/

I found heart cellophane bags at the Dollar Tree and Valentine Ring Pops at Walmart.  

 

 

 

February Family Devotions:

I stumbled across this idea on Pinterest, and quickly purchased the 99 cent download. http://frugalfun4boys.com/2014/01/20/kindness-action-devotions-families-loving-god-loving-people/
 The blog author has written short family devotions for the 28 days in February on the subject of God's love and loving others through acts of kindness. I printed out each devotional, cut out the days, put them in individual envelopes, and decorated a bag to store them in. There are 6 "Kindness in Action" days where you are asked to perform an act of kindness as a family. There is a printable list of possible ideas for you to choose from or you can come up with your own ideas. I look forward to sharing these devotions and sharing God's love through acts of service with my family each day during the month of February.

 

 

 

 

Valentine Mailboxes:

This is a recurrent Valentine tradition in our home, and my 7 year old son starts anticipating it as early as January 1st :-). I have a mailbox for my husband and two children, and each day I fill their mailboxes with a sweet note, a special snack or candy, or a small toy or book. I found the mailboxes for a $1 at Target and Michaels, and the treats I buy during after-Christmas clearance sales or from the Dollar Tree. My son goes to bed each night in February super excited about waking up to see his mailbox surprises :-).

 

 

Valentine Treats:

I also love making special Valentine treats each year. Here are a few links to Valentine recipes that I have posted in the past:
 

 Toddler Valentine Snack Mix:

http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/02/toddler-valentines-snack-mix.html

 

Baked Heart Shaped Donuts:

http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-baked-chocolate-donuts.html

 

2 Ingredient Strawberry Fudge:

 http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2012/02/2-ingredient-strawberry-fudge.html

 

Valentine Chex Mix:

http://butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentines-chex-mix.html

 

Blessings Dear Friends!

May your Love overflow and overwhelm others with kindness this Valentines Day. God's Unfailing Love enables us to Love Deeply with no other purpose than to draw others to the Agape love of our Heavenly Father.

Cream Cheese Frosted Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats

Because it is Autumn; Because I love all things Pumpkin; and because my sweet two year old baking assistant LOVES marshmallows, we spent a rainy morning creating these yummy Cream Cheese Frosted Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats.

Cream Cheese Frosted Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:

1/4 cup corn syrup

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 box Instant Jello Pudding (Pumpkin Spice flavor)

*you could use French vanilla if you can't find the pumpkin flavor*

7-8 cups Rice Krispies Cereal

1 Bag Pumpkin Spice Flavored Marshmallows

1container cream cheese frosting

Cinnamon Sugar to dust on top

Directions:

In a very large bowl, place 7-8 cups of Rice Krispies. Next, in a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter with the corn syrup over medium heat. Add the pumpkin spice marshmallows, and stir well. Add the vanilla extract, the pumkin pie spice and the dry pudding mixture. Stir until smooth. Pour the marshmallow/butter mixture over the cereal in your large bowl. Use a soft rubber spatula to stir the cereal gently, making sure to coat it completely. Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Let sit 15 minutes. Open your container of cream cheese frosting and spread it over the top of the Krispie treats. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar (mix 2-3 tablespoons sugar with one tablespoon cinnamon). Place pan in the refrigerator to set for at least 1 hour. Remove and slice into squares. Enjoy with a yummy cup of cocoa or a pumpkin spice latte :-).

Enjoy dearest friends! Remember that your job today is to HOPE in The Lord. He will sustain, strengthen, and love you with an EVERLASTING LOVE.

Jeremiah 31:3
Long ago the Lord said to Israel:“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."

Apple Pie Monkey Bread Bundles

For our Mothers of Preschoolers meeting tomorrow, I wanted to bring something new and yummy. I perused my pantry and fridge and came up with these wonderful goodies. I called them apple pie monkey bread bundles because they are like a cross between a hot apple pie and gooey monkey bread :-). Try them for your family this weekend. They will make your tummy happy, your home smell heavenly, and your heart smile as you watch the joy they bring to everyone who tries one :-). 

Have a Blessed Day dear friends! You are dearly loved and prayed for! God sings and dances over you with delight...remind your children of that often (they need the encouragment and love so much)!

Zephaniah 3:17

For the Lord your God is living among you

   He is a mighty savior

He will take delight in you with gladness.

  With his love, he will calm all your fears.

  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

~~~

Apple Pie Monkey Bread Bundles

Ingredients:

1 can Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (I used the Southern Style type)

4 apples, chopped finely 

2 teaspoons apple pie spice
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

1/2 stick butter, melted

1/4 cup cinnamon sugar mixture

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and chop four apples finely. Put the apples in a large bowl and add two teaspoons apple pie spice. stir gently. Drizzle 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping over the apples and gently stir. Open the can of biscuits. With a rolling pin, flatten each biscuit. Place a heaping spoonful of apples in the center of each biscuit. Fold up the sides of the biscuit and cinch them together with your fingers. Melt the 1/2 stick of butter in the microwave for 30 seconds. Meanwhile, put 1/4 cinnamon sugar in a small dish. Take each biscuit bundle and dip it in the melted butter, coating all sides. Next roll the buttered bundle in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Coat a muffin tin generously with cooking spray. Place each bundle, seam side down in the tins. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes (until lightly browned). Enjoy this yummy breakfast treat!

Serves 8

Triple Fudge Oreo Crunch Cookies and Patience in the waiting

TRIPLE FUDGE OREO CRUNCH COOKIES

These cookies should come with a warning label...they are that AMAZING and VERY ADDICTIVE :-). I recently found this recipe on the baking blog, Bakergirl, and since I already had all of the ingredients in my pantry, I decided to give them a try. These cookies were shared with many people who almost instantly requested the recipe. So bake some today and share with friends and family....I promise these cookies will make you a star :-)! The original recipe can be found here:http://buddingbaketress.blogspot.com/2012/01/triple-fudge-oreo-crunch-cookies.html

Have a Blessed week dear friends! You are dearly loved and prayed for!

 This verse encouraged me so much today as we continue on our adoption journey (www.emmacharity.blogspot.com) and I wanted to share it in case any of you have been called by God and are growing impatient in the waiting.

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." ~Habakkuk 2:3

Triple Fudge Oreo Crunch Cookies

Ingredients: 1 cup butter-flavored shortening 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar  2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips or chunks 12-15 Oreos, roughly cut into quarters 3/4 cup white chocolate chips Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease baking sheets with  no-stick cooking spray and set aside.  In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening, sugar,  eggs, and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda,  and salt. Slowly add to the sugar mixture and beat until  well-combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the chocolate chips, Oreo chunks,  and white chocolate chips until incorporated. Scoop out dough  and roll into 2 tablespoons-sized balls. Place on baking sheet  about 2 inches apart and slightly flatten with your hand.  Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until done. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to cool completely.

Apple Pie Brownies

I stumbled across a recipe for apple brownies that I tweaked, and the result was delicious. These brownies would be the perfect addition to a brunch or breakfast party. Their cinnamon scent smells just heavenly.

Enjoy! You are dearly loved by your Heavenly Father and prayed for daily. This song has blessed me this week given the many tragedies our country has faced recently. http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=B3mTk148NBs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DB3mTk148NBs
Our God is always Faithful, and His love is unending!

Apple Pie Brownies

Ingredients:

3/4    cup    butter ( (1 and 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened ) 

2    cups Light brown sugar 

2    eggs 

1    teaspoon vanilla extract 

2    cups flour 

1/2    teaspoon salt 

2    tablespoons baking powder 

1 can apple pie filling

2 tablespoons apple pie spice

Cinnamon sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, salt, apple pie spice and apple pie filling.  Mix well. Spread in a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.