Mommy Grace

I have found my kindred spirit (to borrow from Anne of Green Gables). Her name is Dr. Sheila Shuller Coleman. Sheila (I hope she doesn't mind if I use first names, as I feel like I know her well!) wrote the book Mommy Grace: Erasing Your Mommy Guilt

What the publisher says:

MOMMY GRACE By Sheila Schuller Coleman Universally, mothers tend to feel they are not good enough at parenting and fear they are harming their children by not being perfect. In Mommy Grace: Erasing Mommy Guilt, Sheila Schuller Coleman offers overwhelmed moms short but emotive stories of authentic motherhood from her own and others' experiences-foibles and all-and offers comfort by showing how God makes up for human weakness with His own strength. Because Sheila shares lessons learned the hard way by real moms rather than giving difficult instructions for better mothering, readers will leave the book feeling encouraged rather than lectured. For every mom who feels she's not quite up to the colossal job of parenting, MOMMY GRACE is full of hope and compassion.

The facts: Mommy Grace is a 160 page book broken into about 30 chapters. If you do the math, you see that each chapter is short. The chapters start with a 2-5 page story about a situation in which a Mom (usually Sheila) has good reason to feel guilty. Chapters include: forgetting a child at home alone; sick babies; gum-encrusted toddlers; and really listening to kids. Following the story and lesson learned is summary statement such as:

Responsibility is response-ability And leaving the results to God!

Next is a Scripture passage, and the chapter ends with a prayer. The prayer is written out like a (non-rhyming)poem. My reaction: From my introduction, you probably guessed that I enjoyed the book. You are right! When I first received the book to review, I hesitated because I wasn't sure when I'd have time to read it. But I was delighted to find the short chapters that were easy to read when the kids gave me a few minutes of peace. Many books about Moms are written by stay at home moms. I have nothing against SAHMs. (My husband is a stay at home at Daddy.) But often advice given a SAHM just doesn't work for a working mom. So, Sheila got my attention when I learned she was not only a working mom, but an educator like me. And, she's not a mom of only 1 child, but 4. (One more than me!) But, none of this is why I felt a kinship with Sheila. No. It was her stories. Some of them felt like she's been reading my mail (or at least my blog!) Stories like: being too absorbed my project to pay attention to the kids; learning to release my child into God's hands (where she was all along); and the need to (repeated) say, "I'm sorry" to my kids. I think the statement that hit home was in the chapter, "Love Covers a Multitude of Sins". She said, "Not a nurturing woman, even in the best of circumstances..." She goes on to talk about a particularly bad night when her husband had been sick for a long time, and the kids were stepping on her last nerve. What followed was a total Mommy snap. (I've had my share of those!) Long before we had kids (even before infertility) we decided that John would be the one to stay home--because he was more of the nurturer. This always bothered me. Here I was the teacher, but not a "nurturer". But when Sheila admitted this, I felt great relief. I'm not alone. During the introduction, Sheila talks about the Mommy guilt of being an educator and wondering what credibility she would have as an "expert" when he kids were less than perfect. I faced this with my daughter. My title is "Developmental Specialist II" working in the birth to three population. But I had a 4 year old daughter who was not potty trained. Mommy Grace has helped me realize that as long as I do my best, God will take care of the results. And some days my best, is far from perfect. But I am going to continue loving my kids, and I pray that Mommy Guilt will drive me to the foot of the cross where I will find Mommy Grace. Want a copy? Pre-order now:

or win one of five (5!) copies of Mommy Grace To enter: Leave a comment. No specific requirement, but please don't just say, "Pick me". For extra entries (leave an extra comment): * Share a Mommy Guilt moment (and lesson learned) * Add my button to your blog * Follow me on twitter * Twitter about this giveaway * Follow my blog * Subscribe to my blog Contest ends Friday, March 27th. Limited to US or Canada addresses. (No PO Boxes)

Friends Forever Girls

Crunchy and I had the distinct privilege of reviewing the Friends Forever Girl Dolls! I have to tell you, these dolls are beautiful! We received Marlee, who was a perfect match. Her bio, reads:

Hi, I'm Marlee! Natalie and I have been friends since we were really little. I like to take charge of things, and usually get along with everybody. I have an older brother named Pete and a younger brother named Jake. They're normally great, but sometimes they drive me crazy! I love riding my horse, Picasso. I also like to write in my journal and do art projects. One of my favorite things is to create my own look with funky outfits.

Like Marlee, my Crunchy has a big brother and a little brother who are "normally great, but sometimes they drive (her) crazy". Crunchy loves to draw and is known for putting together some pretty interesting outfits! I didn't tell Crunchy what we had, I just told her I had something for her. First we opened the box, and found a beautiful, sturdy blue box with a ribbon design on it. She pulled off the lid, and we pulled back the wrappings. And... Crunchy's first look at the doll.

After my post about toy packaging, I had to show you how these dolls are attached to the box. No plastic ties to untwist or tags to cut off. At each hand, the feet, the torso, and the neck, there was a ribbon tied in a pretty bow. It was so easy (and pretty!) to get it out of the box!

"Let me check you out!"

New Best Friends Forever!

Here is Crunchy's review:

I love my doll! It is pretty. I love it. I love it so much. I wish every little girl in the world had one. Marlee means so much to me. It's like a dream come true. I like the Butterfly Promises too. If I could meet her (Kristi, founder) I would probably faint!

The craftsmanship of these dolls is incredible. The dolls are 18 inches tall, have a vinyl body, moveable arms and legs, and are able to stand on their own. Friends Forever Girls started when founder, Kristi Necochea, looked for a high quality doll for her daughter that was fun to play with, that was dressed in hip but age-appropriate clothes, and that could be used as a tool to help build self-respect and foster responsibility. When she didn't find one, she decided to create her own line of dolls. I'd like to thank MomBlog Marketing for this opportunity! Buy one! Visit Friends Forever Girls to learn more. You can meet the Girls here. When you shop use with the code: "Spring" and you will receive a free t-shirt with any doll purchase (while supplies last) This is a $14.99 value! Or win one! That's right! I get to give one away! (Sorry, I can't do like Crunchy suggested and give one to every little girl!) The winner will be able to choose any doll from the site! ($59 value!). Sorry, limited to the Continental US. To enter: Just leave a comment. (Any comment will do, but please try to avoid, "Enter me!") Extra Entries: (Leave a comment for each entry) * Add my button to your blog * Follow me on twitter * Twitter about this giveaway * Follow my blog * Subscribe to my blog Contest ends Wednesday, April 1st (No fooling!)

Classic Story Bible

Recently I was invited to review the Classic Bible Storybook.

Classic Bible Storybook is a collection of more than 120 stories written by Kenneth N. Taylor, translator of The Living Bible and best-selling children’s book author. Inside you’ll find: Each story presents the accuracy of God’s Word in language children can understand. The illustrations are realistic and will capture the imaginations of both young and old. Comprehension questions after each story reinforce the themes and help readers engage with the text. It’s the perfect book to help children learn to love and reverence the Word of God.

My first experience with The Living Bible was a hardback green pocket edition of "Living Letters". This was Kenneth Taylor's paraphrase of the Epistles. Honestly, I didn't give it much thought. I was raised in a King James Version household. The New International Version (NIV) came out when I was in college, and my mom was not thrilled when I switched. But, I recently learned that Kenneth Taylor didn't originally intend to paraphrase the Bible. He started out writing out books (Epistles) in his own words for his children. Eventually, this led to a paraphrase (and more recently, a translation) of the entire Bible. The Classic Bible Storybook is a hardcover edition with 121 stories on 270 pages. The pages have an aged look. (Similar to tea dying). The stories are fairly short (1-3 pages) with great pictures. If you had a children's Bible 30 years ago (at least that's when I got mine) you will recognize the artwork of Richard and Frances Hook. The pictures vary in size (from small inset to full page) and color (full color and grays). My favorite feature is 3-4 relevant questions at the end of each story. (i.e. Why did Jonah try to get away from God?" and "Why was Jonah angry that the people of Nivevah were sorry for their sins?) Each story includes Scripture references. Okay, enough of the facts. What did the kids think? I started reading from the beginning of the book (usually a good place to start!). My kids (3, 5 and 11) sat and listened well. Okay...the 5 and 11 year olds sat well. The 3 year old rarely sits still! I was impressed with how much detail the stories included. The information was presented in a way that was clear to understand, but it didn't "water down" the Gospel. (This was important to me, as I mentioned, with my lack of positive exposure to The Living Bible. After a few nights of reading, I decided to go head-to-head with the Jesus Storybook Bible (JSB). I started with the story of Daniel, and then Jonah. Each night, I read the Jesus Story Bible version, followed by the Classic Bible Storybook (CBS). The JSB had full color pictures on each page, and the author took some liberties with the story. The liberties did not, in my opinion, "dumb down" the material, but it did make it more like a story book. When I read the same story in the CBS, I was surprised that my kids didn't mind fewer pictures (1-2 on most stories). The CBS gave more details. For example, in the Jonah story, the JSB ends with the people of Ninevah confessing. But the CBS went on to tell of the vine that grew and died, and ultimately, Jonah's choice to see God's heart for the lost. The questions (see above) took us to a discussion about praying for terrorists to come to know Jesus. My 5 year old said, "So, bad people can become good people if they love Jesus?" Yes. She gets it! Bottom Line: The Classic Bible Storybook is a great way to share the stories of our faith in a way our children will understand. I'm looking forward to many more nights reading these stories to my kids.

Powder Art Review and Giveaway

Crescent, a leader in the art and framing industry, is providing a solution for parents looking for a hands-on alternative that encourages both creativity and educational development. Crescent’s new arts and crafts product, Powder Art,™is a mess-free twist on paint by numbers and a great activity for kids to explore their artistic abilities and build their reasoning and motor skills. The innovative peel and paint art activity uses revolutionary dry paint powder made of recycled paper, instead of paint. With easy-to-use paint-by-number designs, Powder Art allows kids to choose to follow the color guide or they can explore their creativity by either designating different colors for their design or mixing colors together for a customized picture. Powder Art is available in six designs appealing to both boys and girls. The suggested retail price per kit is approximately $8.99, making Powder Art a great value at around two dollars per art activity. Powder Art is available at select specialty retail locations and PowderArt.com.

This week I had the opportunity to try the Powder Art Peel and Paint sets. The suggested age was 5 and up. I chose to start with my 11 year old (Chewie). I chose not to try it with Crunchy (5) first. I think she will enjoy it, and she's been begging to do her own . We'll probably try it this weekend.

The cardboard package came with everything we needed to get started:

• 8 PowderArt colors (in small zipper bags);
• 4 5"x7" Peel and Paint designs
• 1 paint brush
• Plastic "Palette tray"
• Full color instruction sheet

Chewie was excited to get started. He chose the giraffe from the Jungle Animals. I chose the Fairy from the Magical Moments set. Chewie started with dark colors (black, blue, green). I started with the light colors (yellow, white). I quickly realized I should have read the directions (or at least realized there was a reason that black was #1 and white was #8). Some of my colors "bled". (Specifically, the black dots on my yellow moon.) Chew did not have any of that problem because he started with black. (I know...it makes sense. I just didn't think!) I thought about not telling you about my goof up, but I didn't you all to make the same mistake!

As you can see, Chewie's picture turned out very well! He really enjoyed it. He's anxious to try some more, and he wants me to get some for his next birthday party.

I only had two complaints, but they were minor. Some of the peel and stick pieces were a bit difficult to get off. Chewie quickly figured it out. I think the younger ones would have more trouble. (The instruction sheet did give a helpful tip to bend the design slightly to help release it.) The other thing was the paint baggies. I'm not sure how it could have been done differently, but I had a hard time getting it out of the baggie and into the tray.

The Powder Art kits get kudos from my family! Scroll down past the pictures to find out you can win a set to try!

First color: Black

4th color: Purple

All done!

Mom's finished piece

Win one of five (5!) packages of Powder Art.

To enter: Visit Powder Art and leave a comment with which pack you'd like if you win. (You can change your mind later.)

For extra entries (leave an extra comment):

• Suggest a theme for a future pack of Powder Art
• Add my button to your blog
• Follow me on twitter
• Twitter about this giveaway
• Follow my blog
• Subscribe to my blog

Contest ends Monday, March 16th.

Limited to US addresses.

Mak Rak crafts

Thanks to Faith Approved I had the opportunity to try out "His Kids Crafts" from The Mac Rak. These kits are all-inclusive.

Everything you need to create quality family time and memories with your kids, in one bag!

Glue, scissors, play dough, sequins, googly eyes....if the craft calls for it, you will find it in the kit. The kits are hand-assembled by a mom. (And, I would guess, with some help from her children!) I sat down with my daughter, Crunchy, this afternoon to try out the kit. Our kit was the April Bible Craft: a fun foam cross magnet with hearts spelling "God" and "Love" . Out kit included: clear instructions (with a picture of the completed project); 3 cross in different sizes; 7 letter hearts (the O is shared); a small glue bottle, and a strip of magnet. I read each of the directions to Crunchy, and she was able to do the project by herself. (She probably could have done it with just the picture, but I wanted to see how easy there were to follow. They were well written.) I really liked the final two instructions. The first was to get a Bible and read John 3:16. (Instead, Crunchy quoted it for me a couple of times. Thanks AWANAs!) The last instruction was to discuss why God loves us so much and why Jesus chose to live, die and be resurrected for us. It was an easy way to bring the activity from just a craft to a teaching time. The kit was well put together, and included encouraging notes on the packaging. My daughter enjoyed the time we spent together, and it was great to have a finished project in a very short time. Individual kits start at $3.75. Ours was $4.25. There is an option for a monthly subscription for $4.00 a month. In addition to the Bible crafts, there are featured crafts and surprise crafts.

My model Crunchy introducing the kit.

The kit comes with everything you need.

Gluing on the letters

Quoting John 3:16

All done!

Pampering for Mom2Be

I was a fortunate mom, after years of infertility, I had pretty easy pregnancies. But I still would have loved to have been pampered during that time. If only I had lived in the Chicago area.... I could have visited Stork Snapshots Not only do they provide 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds, they offer a maternity spa. There are massage services with names like: lighten up, free your mind, free loader, the yummy tummy, maternity massage, 4th trimester healing hour, and the smoothie. There are also facial services, such as: mommy on the move, beautiful beginnings, bare essentials, get your glow on, and great expectations. They also offer a variety of items in the StorkStore for baby (blankets, music, clothing, and my favorite bling pacifiers!) and parents (diaper bags, jewelry, L & D gowns, and shirts). The owner and momtrepreneur, Pat Chiamas-Ebeling wants to give away a Teddy Heart Beat Bear (or a $10 gift certificate toward any item in the Stork Store!) And you don't even have to live in the Chicago area. In fact, you don't even have to be in the United States. Stork Snapshots will ship it anywhere! To enter (by Saturday, March 7th): Just leave a comment. Try to use a little bit of effort. tell me something about you. For extra entries (leave an extra comment): Tell me something you'd love to have (or give) from the Stork Store If you make a purchase from the Stork Store, come back and take another entry Add my button to your blog Follow me on twitter Twitter about this giveaway Follow my blog Subscribe to my blog

Safety Caps

I recently had the opportunity to try out a product called SafetyCaps. They say that "necessity is the mother of invention". In this case, it was Daddy who invented. One day, George Decell,'s daughter, Sage, choked on a plug protector he had removed to plug in the vacuum cleaner. Shaken, George decided to fight back. He didn't want anyone else to face the fearful situation he had endured.

When he couldn't find another solution, he set out to create a new, safer product. He invented the SafetyCap. The SafetyCap is almost an inch wider than traditional plugs. They also feature vent holes, similar to a pacifier, to prevent choking. (I never realized that was why pacifiers had holes on the side, but it does make sense!) SafetyCaps are also clear, so they blend into the wall. My kids are big enough that I don't use many outlet covers, so I took them to some experts. I showed the SafetyCaps to the teachers in the baby and one-year old rooms at the daycare in my office. The teachers were impressed with the idea. The state requires that all outlets---even the ones up on a counter that the kids can't reach--have a safety plug when not in use. But, they worry about the choking dangers of the usual ones.

George has offered my readers a great giveaway. One reader will win a 24 pack of SafetyCaps. And, if the winner has placed an order between now and the end of the contest, George will send 96 SafetyCaps instead of 24!

To enter:

Leave a comment telling me about a favorite safety product, a product you wish someone would invent, or something else related to child safety. Make sure your profile is visible, or include your e-mail address in your comment.

For extra entries (leave a separate comment):

*Visit SafetyCaps and share something you learned.

* Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name)

* Subscribe to my blog

* Follow my blog

* Share this on Twitter (leave a link)

* Post my button on your site

* Tell Ellen or Oprah about SafetyCaps

Contest ends February 28th.