A+ Interactive Math gets an A

This year our curriculum choices are very eclectic because God's been providing things here and there. Who am I to argue with God that what He provides isn't what I had planned. 

One of those unplanned blessings is A+ Interactive Math.

A+ is a full curriculum that can be used online, downloaded to print up, or purchased as a CD. 

We have the fourth grade curriculum. Each lesson is not too long, offers interactive Q&As, and a work sheet. You can do them online or access the same lesson and worksheets to print up. 

The program even keeps track of performance and grades. If you do the worksheets and exams online, it is recorded automatically. You enter the results if you do if offline. 

You can find a demo of the program HERE. They even offer free math placement tests.

I  like the size of the lessons. I really like that we can make the program and use it however we like. For instance, we have found we like to do the online lessons and Q&As, but do the printed worksheets. A few times we've switched it up and I've read the lesson from the textbook and then used the online worksheet. There is also a lesson plan which tells you what to cover each week. I like that because it allows me to plan our week instead of the curriculum.

A couple of minor things I wish they would tweak is that the progress for online and manual lessons would all be recorded together instead of separately. Another thing I wish would be that the lessons and worksheets would have the same numbering. For instance, lesson 2-1 has worksheet number 8. I just think it would be easier (especially for the student) to match the lesson and the worksheet.

Considering I only have two minor tweaks out of the whole program should show I think this is quality.

There are big things going on at A+. They are upgrading their website and having a big Facebook party.

You can even try the program out for FREE for 30 days by going HERE.
They are even going to offering a way of using the program a month at a time or pay quarterly. You can find out more it at the Facebook party.

Thankfully through this review, I received my daughter's math curriculum for this school year!


I received the A+ Interactive Math for free in exchange for my honest opinion through the Gabby Moms program.

For Women Only--review and GIVEAWAY!!!

Thankfully, sometimes it easy to tell when God is trying to teach you something...

Like when the book in review for Gabby Moms is the same book in review for Blogging with Books.

It is obviously God's way of gently saying...PAY ATTENTION WOMAN!!

I actually read the earlier edition of For Women Only
and it was very informative and convicting. I did not think I would need to read it again. 

I was wrong.

Reading For Women Only, Revised and Updated Edition was very informative and convicting AGAIN. It dusted off some things I learned previously and reinforced some thing I was doing correctly. It also convicted me again on somethings on which I need to continue to work.  

It also showed me what a blessing my husband is because he gives me credit for doing better than what I know I am doing, and he shows me more about himself than some men mentioned in the book.

Shaunti Feldhahn

For those you do not know about the book, Shaunti Feldhahn shares her findings about the inner-workings of men. Things men assume we know that we do not. Things that are part of how God made them.

She found all this out by doing a lot of research with thousands of men.

Do not let the word "research" scare you off. It is not a dull read at all. Shaunti does a great job of not only explaining her findings and what they mean but also of  helping us find applications. What good is knowledge without the wisdom to use it?

I also appreciate that while there is a lot of research put into this book, it does not come off as psychobabble. It is practical and Biblical.

Remember that husband I am blessed with having? He actually read For Men Only, Revised and Updated Edition to help me with my review.

He found a few surprises out about me like listening does not mean fixing and security means different things to women than it does men. He personally was blessed by realizing that when the Bible says somethings are common to man that it really means somethings are common to man. He was not the only man to have certain issues or ideas.

Oh, and get this. For Men Only, Revised and Updated Edition actually has a quick start guide! Is that book for men or what? 

We both totally recommend these books. It would be great for premarital counseling and for those of us married folks who want to continue to grow our relationship with our spouse.

Not only have they come out with the new editions, but also a DVD study which includes a men's study, a women's study, and a couple's study along with a leader's guide and a copy of each of the books. My husband is excited at the thought of the DVDs...men are visual you know!

In fact, here is a sample clip from one of the DVDs.


Now, here is the great news about the giveaways!
First, Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement is giving away the whole DVD study set on her blog. 
Go HERE to enter that giveaway. (You bet your sweet bippy I entered.) Oh, Lorrie's giveaway ends Saturday, June 22, so hurry fast.
While there, make sure to sign up for the free online magazine at Eternal Encouragement.

Now, on to my giveaway!

There will be two prizes. 

• First place will win a copy of both For Women Only and For Men Only.
• Second place will win a only copy of For Women Only.
• Drawing is for US residents only.
• Drawing will end Sunday, June 30 at midnight.
• Winner will need to return my email within 48 hours of me contacting them or will forfeit the prize to another.

Okay, got it? Here's the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received free copies of the books for me review from both the Gabby Moms and Blogging for Books.

Healing Hearts with Helping Hands---UPDATED

Mom, Me, and Roy about '72

A little over a year ago, I lost my step-father. I had an interesting past with him. It made the experience very challenging. While I was dealing with my own feelings, I also had to traipse back and forth dealing the the funeral and things with and for my mom. It left my hubby and mija home alone and me exhausted physically and emotionally when I was home.

• Meals would have really handy.
• Cards or calls would have been a blessing.
• Visitors at the visitation or funeral would have helped ease the pain. 

I received a card and some comments on FB. My BIL and SIL came to the visitation. That was it. Those things were VERY appreciated, but it seemed my loss was somehow minimized in others eyes. Maybe because I didn't live with him as a child. Maybe because he was "only" my step-father.

I just know I was hurting.

I think that is why Lorrie Flem's new book ministered to me. It's entitled Healing Hearts with Helping Hands
 In it, she encourages and teaches how to bless those that are going through loss. 

She offers a lot of advice like:

• What to say
• How and when to say it
• What meals to bring and not to bring
• Godly advice
• Recipes to use

I really like the how-tos which makes ministering to those in grief less intimidating. There is a lot of great insight, too, like realizing the grieving process and need for help may go past the funeral, the needs of those dealing with prolonged hospitalization, and doing specific acts of service instead just offering to help.

After all the practical elements, Lorrie goes into the what and why of blessing others. She also offers almost nine pages of verses. To be honest, while I want Scriptural support, I thought nine pages were a little too much. God promises that His Word does not go out void, however!

She ends the book with several recipes and cooking ideas that she uses when serving others in their grief.

I really appreciated the practical elements of this book. It really did make ministering to the grieving more manageable. It was also helpful to have ideas on how to help in other ways besides providing food. It shows that those who are financially struggling can help, too.


Healing Hearts with Helping Hands is currently available on Kindle for $2.99. Remember, you don't have to have a Kindle in order to read a Kindle book. You can download it to your computer or device for free.

Want a great deal?

If you wait just a few days, you can actually get this book for only $0.99!! 

This is the Spring 2011 edition,
 but you get the idea!

This Eternal Encouragement resource will be ONLY $0.99 this coming Wednesday-Friday, May 1-3. Just go to the same link on those days. (Updated dates.)

But wait! There's more!

Remember that Eternal Encouragement Magazine in now digital and FREE! You can still get the March/April edition and soon the next one should come out. Just go HERE to get your free subscription. 


I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review through the Gabby Mom program.

Family Integrated Church—Training Children to Sit Still

She was 4 years old here.

When mija was about 3 years old, the Lord brought us to a family integrated church. We hadn't purposely sought one out. We just found a great preaching church and stayed there. We knew the kids stayed in service, but we thought it was more because of space limitations than a purposeful philosophy.

Well, then mija turned 4 years old and that is the point of no return. No more nursery. You are in the service now. For those who had been around, many had started training their children early sometimes not even using the nursery.

We on the other hand, were not prepared and boy was it work!!

I wish I had found Lorrie Flem’s e-book Training Children toSit Still back then. It assures me that yes, it is work, but would have given more ideas on how to make it work!

What was also a blessing to me was her story about why they started having their children in service. It wasn't for a religious reason either, but now, she can see a Biblical reason for doing so.

She starts with babies, moves into talking about toddlers, and then mentions a few ideas for keeping older children on task. I think she's right on because I see a lot of the moms in our church applying similar principles.

So, if you would like some help with the hows and learn so whys of Training Children to Sit Still I recommend checking out Lorrie Flem's e-book.

I was given a free copy of the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Creating Contentment--review

This month, my Gabby Mom review is a new seminar series that Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement is doing. 

The first seminar was Creating Contentment. It was great to watch this cool PowerPoint presentation while Lorrie spoke. It was almost like seeing her in person. The slides were colorful and held your attention.

Lorrie spoke on the need for contentment and gives 14 ways to gain contentment. She ends with a heartfelt entreaty about contentment in marriage.

I was able to watch it live and it was nice, BUT because I could watch the whole thing again and it really ministered to me the the area of disciplining my daughter. I need to be content that the challenges I'm facing are approved by God for His glory and my (and mija's) good. Contentment vs. pulling my hair out in frustration...hmmm, which should I choose? 

Oh, and please understand that I don't mean being content with my daughter's poor behavior. I mean being content dealing with the challenges of it.

Right now, you can get a great deal on this recorded seminar. Regularly, it will be $6.00, but you can get this one for only $3.00! Remember, that includes your own copy of the slides Lorrie used and access to watch the seminar whenever you want as many times as you want!

 You can also pre-purchase the next seminar which is True Womanhood is not for Wimpy Women. Unlike Creating Contentment, you won't be able to watch this one live but instead will access to the pre-recorded seminar and all the slides and literature that goes along with it. It will be available on or before March 15 and is on sale for $6.00.

So check out these seminars you can watch in your pjs. Watch them as many times as you want. Print out a copy of one of the slides to post as an encouragement. 
Create some contentment and then avoid being a wimpy woman! 

I received Creating Contentment for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Helping Hands at Home--EE Kindle Book

This month for Gabby Moms, I was able to review Mrs. Lorrie Flem's newest Kindle book Helping Hands at Home. 

Before you turn off because I wrote the word "Kindle," I just wanted to remind you that you do not have to have a Kindle to read a Kindle book. I have the Kindle app on my phone and have downloaded the Kindle app on my laptop. The apps are free. Just go to Free Kindle Reading Apps.

Now, back to the book!

Like usual, Lorrie's practicality shines through as she takes us step-by-step. I need this for ME.

I was raised by my grandparents. While they loved me   fully, they were perfectionists which meant that I couldn't do things correctly. 


I couldn't put the groceries in the grocery cart (or buggy for those of you in the South) because I wouldn't put them in the right place. 

I could only clean the hubcaps on the car because I might smudge the car.

I wasn't expected to clean the bathroom or the kitchen because I wouldn't do it right, and my grandmother would just have to do it again. At least that was what I was told. 

It made life much harder for me as a teen. My grandparents became ill, and I was expected to take over the household duties that I was never taught to do. It's remained a challenge to me to this day. 

All this left me determined not to have mija be in the same shape. She's expected to help around the house and even do certain things by herself. 

But there has been a challenge. Because I was never taught to do things, I haven't ever really considered how to TEACH mija how to clean things. I just expected her to pick things up as we went along. 

That is where Lorrie's book Helping Hands at Home has come in handy. It showed me step-by-step how to teach her to clean the bathroom and the kitchen.

It is definitely a work in progress for both her and me, but it's nice to have something as simple as this Kindle book to go back to. I really appreciate the process Lorrie teaches to take a chore from them watching you do it to you checking on their final work.

Right now, the Kindle book is only $0.99! You can't bet that.

Speaking of a great deal, Eternal Encouragement magazine has not only gone digital, it's FREE!! Just go HERE to sign up for your free digital subscription.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Power of a Positive Attitude--from Eternal Encouragement

Earlier this year, I was able to attend an Extreme Mom Makeover with my Mom.   It was great actually meeting Lorrie and convicting to listen to her lessons. The theme was "The Power of Positive Attitude".  

Now, you can be blessed and convicted, too. Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement will be making these lesson available to all come November 1, 2012. This will be Collection 3.

It was a blessing to not only hear this lesson from Lorrie in person, but now to hear it again. Boy do I need it. It's obvious God doesn't want me to forget and remember to apply what I've learned!

I need to remember that I set the tone of my home by choosing my attitude. Most of the time, I don't make the choice, and I can see the results which I don't like. Lorrie pointed out that contentment (like all fruits of the Spirit) is a decision not a feeling. I also need to remember to choose gratitude which then affects my attitude. This has been a couple of years full of challenges, and truly I have tried to be thankful even during the trials, but I need to do better. 

I think one of the most convicting things Lorrie mentioned is being thankful for the imperfect gifts. God had given us many things to sustain us during my husband's unemployment. At times, I know I haven't been as thankful as I should be because I've seen the gifts as temporary fixes/imperfect gifts unworthy of full gratitude. I confess that now. 

Lorrie also points out that we are often ungrateful for our bodies or our health. Our bodies and health are often imperfect gifts because of this fallen world, be wee need to be thankful for what we have. As I write this, I'm heading into a period of pain and discomfort. I definitely have not been thankful for my health and overweight body. I need to choose to be thankful for the times I am without pain and the activities I can do.  I will be fully grateful for even the imperfect gifts. 

This set will include MP3s and fill-in-the-blank PDFs. I also like how each section  has an exercise which will help you apply or further learn about what Lorrie has taught. It helps it go beyond the MP3 and PDF.

So starting on November 1, visit HERE to get your "Power of a Positive Attitude".

As a Gabby Mom, I was given the product for free in exchange for my honest opinion on the product. 

What's For Dinner, Mom?

After a day looking for droids or guarding the moon of Endor, the question my  storm troopers usually ask is "What's for dinner, mom?"

I don't know about you, but after a day training my padawan and cleaning out the bongo, I sometimes forget to get Han Solo out to thaw! "Oh, Bantha poodoo!" I shout because I don't know what we're having. My lack of planning definitely causes a disturbance in the force or at least in my composure. Plans may be handy for building a Death Star, but I sure don't have any. 

Lorrie Flem's book, What's For Dinner, Mom? should help with the question. That's why I purchased it and now get to review it for Eternal Encouragement!


The reason I was interested in this book is because it was a lot more than just a cookbook. Lorrie teaches and touches on so many subjects that I wanted to know more about. She teaches about bulk cooking, freezer meals, meals for others, crockpot cooking, organization and more. Her directions are simple and easy to understand. Not pretentious at all. It's so handy to have all that information in one book!


The recipes also are traditional meals with a Lorrie twist. There are no ingredients you'll have to look up or purchase at some gourmet shop. Real food for real people. I think my family would eat everything in the book.


One other thing I like about this book. It's spiral-bound which means that it lays open flat. It can be such a pain when you are trying to cook using a recipe and the book keeps wanting to close. With this book, you can actually leave it open or fold back the page, and stays flat!


Now for the really fun part. You have a chance to WIN YOUR OWN COPY! Each month, one Gabby Moms' review get chosen as the best. This month one of the readers of whichever mom's blog is chosen as the best will win an actual copy of the book. So, if you want to be considered if I win this month, here is what you need to do. Leave a comment INCLUDING your email address. If I get chosen, one of you will get chosen! The winner will be chosen on June 23.


I really do appreciate this book, so I hope we can both win!


I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. (Although I really do own my own copy, too!)

Using the Chore Bundle to Bring Family Harmony {Giveaway}

Don't tell anyone this, okay?


Recently, my mom and one of my sisters got into a BIG argument. Like most arguments that culminate with two adults yelling at each other on the front lawn with neighbors watching, the disagreement was in part about differences in housekeeping. 

What? Your family doesn't argue about cleaning houses?

You see, both mom and I were raised by my grandparents. They were both perfectionists. My grandmother was great at keeping the house clean before her health deteriorated, so my mom and I were never expected to do much, because, after all, if we did it, my grandmother would "just have to do it again." As such, we're not overly picky housekeepers. We both appreciate a lived in look and are not traumatized if the sofa is covered with papers and needs to be cleared off or there's a basket of clean clothes that haven't been put away. Mom, however, has a tiny-touch of hoarding mixed in. You have to understand, she was raised by parents who had just survived the Great Depression. You save anything you might have to use for later.

My sisters, on the other hand, grew up with mom. I think her little-bit of pack-rat along with lack of major housekeeping concerns made them swing the pendulum clear back the other way. Both of their homes are immaculate. If there is the slightest bit of clutter or dust....{shiver}...it's a catastrophe.

So, the two generations collided at mom's house the other day. 

I sit here typing this at a kitchen table is covered with several notebooks, a brush, a broken frisbee, books, magazines, a dirty coffee cup, dry erase board, sunglasses...I think you get the picture. I haven't given up attempting to grow and change my housekeeping ways, however. As long as I have breath, I can work on having a cleaner house and teaching my daughter the benefit of diligence and duty.

That's why when I had the chance, I chose Chores: Many Hands Make Light the Work from Eternal Encouragement. This bundle includes 6 e-books and 4 MP3 that you can listen to online or download.

Now, I've reviewed a bundle by Mrs. Lorrie Flem before and it was a blessing. The format has changed, however, and it's sooo convenient now. Instead of getting a bunch of separate documents, you now get one document with everything in it. You get all the e-books and articles back-to-back in one PDF which also includes the links to listen or download the audios. It's so easy to use and pretty. 

The contents are equally easy to use and, well, if not pretty, they will at least make your home look pretty. Keep in mind the title mentions many hands, so there are many ideas on how to teach and include your children into the cleaning process. I appreciate that help since I work at including my daughter so she isn't clueless when she grows up AND child labor is free! It's a win-win!

One thing Lorrie mentioned was the steps in teaching your child how to clean something.

1. I do, you watch.
2. I do, you help.
3. You do, I help.
4. You do, I watch.
5. You do, I inspect.
Isn't that great? You don't just assume they know or assume they get it the first time. Also, you can start at a fairly early age with this process, so by the time you watch or just inspect, you will see things actually being accomplished.

While there is a lot about children, the principles and practices still apply to cleaning as a whole. For instance, I'm more than willing to reward myself with a package of M&Ms as I sort through my magazine and paper basket!

I appreciate how practical and detailed the ideas are, but along with that, Lorrie shares the fact that how she does it may not be the way I do it. Each of us are at different places in our lives. My home with one 7-year-old will look different than Lorrie's home with 7 kids still at home. She encourages you to take her ideas and modify them for your own use.

There's a lot more I could share, but you need to get the bundle yourself to truly benefit. Here's a treat! You can actually enter to win your own bundle! First you go HERE. Second, you mention that you found out about it here on Mrs. Price is Right about Homeschooling. Lastly, you provide your name and mailing address. That's it.
Make sure to enter THE GIVEAWAY!

I am reviewing Encouraging Moments as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement magazine.  I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine--I'm in print.

This month's Gabby Mom review is about Eternal Encouragement Magazine   which is the foundation of Eternal Encouragement.

I was so excited share the magazine with you because it's always an encouragement (go figure!). Each article gives you a challenge, an idea, or a blessing, and yet, is short enough that you don't have to invest a lot of time at one sitting. I find that very important as a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. I don't have long segments of time in which to peruse magazines, so being able to receive something of value even in short stints is a benefit.

Now, I have to admit, I was just a little more excited than usual when I received this Spring 2012 issue. You see, it is the first time I have written for the printed/digital version of Eternal Encouragement Magazine. It was such an honor to have the piece that I wrote be considered substantial enough to be included.

Needless to say, I handled my copy with kid gloves. After all, I had to keep it nice since my article was in it. It was immaculate until my daughter spilled coffee all over it! Then my mom wanted to take it to show her friends, but I explained that it was my only copy, and I still needed to write my review. I set it aside. It fell on the floor (which if you've read the article, you'll totally understand). My husband was helping me out and took out the trash...after he picked my magazine off the floor and put it in the trash bag.

{sigh} God definitely has a way of keeping me humble and in my place!

Now, I also have had the honor of having things published in the new EE Etc. which is a new online, web-magazine which comes out eight times a year. It comes with a subscription to Eternal Encouragement. The magazine comes out quarterly in your choice of either the print or digital version. Now, you also get a full magazine's worth of articles online the other eight months of the year, as well! Encouragement every month of the year. Just go HERE to subscribe.

And please don't let the fact that I've written a couple of articles discourage you from reading the magazine. The other ladies who write for Eternal Encouragement are actually godly woman to whom you can look up and from whom you can learn!

But remember to keep your coffee away from my article!

I received this product for free in exchange for a honest review.

Which balls to juggle--A Gabby Mom Review

This month for my Gabby Mom review, I was asked to review the MP3 entitled Just Say No by Lorrie Flem. Those of us who remember the '80s surely recall Nancy Reagan's program to Just Say No to Drugs, so I was intrigued by what Lorrie was going to tell me to say no to!!


This Eternal Encouragement recording promises to teach us how to pick which balls to juggle in our life.  I think she succeeds in giving us some wonderful guidelines on how and why to say "no" to certain activities.  Some of the things she mentions, I already knew.  I'm sure some of the things she mentions, you already know.  There are times, however, knowing and doing are two different things, and it's always great to have someone you respect tell you that it's the right thing to do!

Of course, you'll need to listen to get all the information yourself, but here are just a few comments from the MP3 to whet your appetite.

• Figure in preparation time.
• Keep in mind "brain space".  
• Leave unscheduled time for your children.
• Short-term vs. long-term commitments.
• Treat time like money.
• Lineup what you do with what your beliefs.
• Schedule time for relationships.

As Lorrie points out, stay-at-home moms are often asked to to do more because there is the assumption that we have more time, so learning to say no in the right way for the right reasons is an important skill. And it's nice to have someone even tell you that   
it's okay to say no.


If you want to find out more, which I suggest you do, you can purchase it for download or an audio CD at the Eternal Encouragement site.

So let's drop some of those balls we've been juggling, ladies, so we can focus on the things we really need to keep going!


I am reviewing Encouraging Moments as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement magazine.  I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own. 

Gabby Moms Review--Serenity for you Soul Newsletter

I'm continuing with the Gabby Moms program this year.  The program allows me to review products for Eternal Encouragement.  I've been blessed to be sure!


Now a lot of the products I review have to be purchased. But if you want just a little taste of the good stuff, you can sign up for Lorrie Flem's weekly newsletter, "Serenity for your Soul." 


I always enjoy receiving it in my inbox each Thursday.  Lorrie always manages to include nuggets of encouragement and instruction.  I call them nuggets because there are several small articles in each newsletter but each are juicy morsels.


Let me give you a few examples from the past few weeks.

My commitment to women might best be summed up with four words, which can be remembered by the acronym LACE. 

Listen . . . to hear your hopes and aspirations, and the challenges you are facing, all held with strict confidentiality.

Advise . . . you realistically, sharing my ideas, taking into account all the factors involved.

Candor . . . speaking truthfully to you, without criticizing or berating you. Encouragement . . . encouraging and challenging you to do more than you would do on your own. 

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick. 

True Beauty

It doesn't come in a bottle; Doesn't come in a box. You can't spray it on; You can't wash it off. You can't nip and tuck; You can't sew it up. If beauty is your goal, Then the serenity In your soul, The contentment of Your countenance, And the smile Sparkling forth Reveals your true Beauty's source.

Now, there are many more things shared each week and many are little longer and some are a little shorter, but all are well worth the read.  You even get helpful hits like using Dawn dish soap to shower with because the label reads, "Dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove"!!!  


That's another blessing.  Lorrie's humor and humility.  She's always there with you.


I did review the newsletter last year as well.  There have been a couple of changes since then and they are for the better.  First, the name has changed to the current one which is nice.  Second, the format has changed, so I find it much easier to read.  Now, if she'd only bring back "Spurgeon Speaks" I'd be completely happy!  


All you need to do to start receiving your free "Serenity for your Soul" newsletter is to click HERE.  When you sign up, you also receive a copy of Lorrie's e-book Organizing Happiness for free!


I am reviewing Encouraging Moments as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement magazine.  I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.

An exciting opportunity coming for you & me with Eternal Encouragement.

You already know that I review with the Gabby Moms program which is part of Eternal Encouragement. 

Well, Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement has something special planned for both of us.  

For those who subscribe to Eternal Encouragement Magazine, there will be a new addition.  You see, the magazine comes out quarterly, but starting in January, there will be a new, monthly, online publication for those who subscribe to the magazine.  It will be called Etc.

Isn't that great!?!  More encouragement for the same price!

Where do I come in?  

Well, Lorrie asked me to be a columnist for Etc.!  Yup, I will be writing pieces for it each month.  Needless, to say, I was honored that Lorrie Flem wanted me to be part of something this important and special.  Please pray for me, so I will write pieces that will share God's truth and encouragement.  

Look for more details later!

My Gabby Mom Review---of Gabby Moms!

This past year, I've been blessed to be part of The Gabby Moms review program.   


I've always been blessed by the ministry of Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement (formerly TEACH magazine). God has grown me a lot in my role of what a godly lady, wife and mother means and is.  Thankfully, Lorrie Flem and her ministry has supported and encouraged me along the way.  It's always a blessing to read something and think, "Yes!  Somebody else sees that in the Bible and is trying to practice it, too!"


So, when Eternal Encouragement was looking for bloggers to review products for the new Gabby Mom program, I applied and was selected.  I was excited.


Now there has been a few wrinkles along the way as some of the "newness" of the program has ironed out, but they've been minor, and I'm looking forward to this upcoming year.  


God has been faithful through the program and through the products I've gotten to review.  It's been such a win-win experience.  I get materials that help me learn and grow and they get reviews of the items!


So be looking forward to more Gabby Moms reviews in 2012.  I know I will!

Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure

 Time for my Gabby Mom review!  This month's review is "Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure" from Eternal Encouragement.

I've been yelling more lately.  I know it.  Between health issues acting up and playing around with meds, I've have not been in a "happy place."  In fact, it's been more of a hurting, upchucking, crying kind of place.

All that makes my fuse much shorter than normal much to my chagrin. I'm feeling poorly enough but resorting to yelling makes me feel that much worse as a mother and a person. 

Lorrie Flem recognizes that in this e-book.  Yelling makes moms feel like failures, and so, she offers an 11-step plan to help us stop yelling.  It's an great mix of things from prayer to practical.  (Not that prayer isn't practical!)

Thanks to "Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure" I have a few more tools to use even if I'm not feeling well, especially if I work on preventing the triggers.

I received this e-book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Welcome Home, Daddy

Celtic knotwork.  I love Celtic knotwork.

So, when I got Welcome Home, Daddy for my Gabby Moms review, I was excited!  There was knotwork on the cover AND the book was written by Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement.  It had to be good. 

Oh, and it was a real book!  Sure, downloadable things are convenient and inexpensive, but having a book in your hands, that's just joy.

This is how I looked most of the weekend!

The book is full of suggestions on how to make the best use the dinner and evening hours.  As usual, Lorrie lays the groundwork for all this by showing the importance of our role as wife and mother.

Now, I'm all aboard promoting the sacred calling of wife and mother.

But...

I have a confession...

We eat in the living room in front of the TV! 

There.  I said it.

Mea Culpa! 

I could explain that there are times with my health and energy, I'm just thankful to get some food made for my family.  OR  I could mention that both my husband and I grew up eating that way.

There is, however, a better way, and Lorrie writes in a way that encourages me to step up instead of condemning me.  That's the way Lorrie is.

So, if you would like some encouragement in this area as well, just get the details to purchase the book CLICK HERE.

Oh, and one more thing!

Would you like to be a Gabby Mom with me? Just go HERE to put in an application for 2012.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.