Here’s what we’re reading now. I’ve only read the first two chapters of this John Bevere book but I’m recommending you get it now. Sarah I think you need to do this for book club. It comes so highly recommended from Brian and Michelle Good it seems they can’t talk about it with out either jumping up and down or getting goose bumps. What I’ve read so far is definately meeting expectations.

Google just announced the availability of many classic books for full viewing and download. There are piles of out-of-copyright books just waiting to be discovered. Or should I say rediscovered.

I clicked over to Google’s Book Search to see what I could find. I didn’t know where to start so I decided to search for one of my childhood favorites: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

To my surprise there it was ready for the reading, Ok Mom no excuses about finding that old book in storage now you can read it online! Upon further investigation I found another of Alcotts classics: Little Men. While I was browsing the virtual library I found many more of her books. Apparently there are sequels to both of these favorites as well as many more in the series.

Next I stumbled upon the lovely series by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Have you read Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea,
Anne of the Island, or
Anne’s House of Dreams?

To girly for you? How about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer or give ole Huckleberry Finn another read.

If only it weren’t so late I could think of some more exciting jewels to search for! If you find any of your favorites please share them with us.

(Yes, I know I recently ranted about people putting google ads in their posts. You’ll have to forgive me this once. The thousand hits GoogleBlog has sent my way today has broke my resove in this issue, but only this once and only this post. You all still love me though, I know you do!)

alt="Taking Care of the Me in Mommy: Becoming a Better Mom - Spirit, Body & Soul" />

Amy @ GentleWhisper.com recently passed on this jewel of a Lisa Whelchel book. While I’ve only reached page 25 I’m ready to recommend it. You can get it for $12.99 new on Amazon or used for as low as $6.30

While you’ll have to wait till I finish it to get a full review I’ll give you a brief description found on the back of the book:

As moms we love to serve and nourish our families. But if we don’t learn to rest and receive, we run on empty and end up not being the moms we so desperately want to be. Taking Care of the ME in Mommy will show you how to take care of yourself: spirit, body and soul.

What has hooked me so early on is how steeped in scripture her words are. She’s down to earth, tells it how it is and has a bold and beautiful faith.

This book is treasure trove (or a picnic basket full) of time saving tips and advice on not only being a better mommy to your kids but a better daughter of the King.

As I get farther into the book I plan on sharing more.

Right now I want to share one of her ideas on Teaching Children to Pray.
In an effort to teach their children how to have creative, personal and relevant conversation with God they ask them to finish sentences. This teaches them not to recite the same old lines over and over and it teaches them a pattern of starting with praise and a grateful heart. The children learn to pray for others, to ask God for what they need and to address character issues within themselves.
Here are some of the open ended sentences she gives example of:

“One thing I love about You, God, is. . .”
“One thing I’m thankful for today is. . .”
“One thing I want to pray for someone else is. . .”
“One thing I’d like to ask for is . . .”
“One thing I’d like You to change in me is. . .”

I tried this the first night after I read it and the kids LOVED it! They’ve asked over and over if we can do it again. Since then I’ve also noticed that even when we don’t do it their prayer is becoming more personal.

Oh, and before I close I need to tell you: If you purchase the book it comes with free Personal “Mom Coaching” with Lisa. I haven’t looked into what all that entails, I figure I should read the book first.

I read my first Narnia book.  It was The Lion, The Witch
and The Wardrobe.  It was mostly a pretty good book to read.  The book starts
with a war in London where Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy lived.  Their mom sends
them away because of air-raids.  They go to this big house where the Professor
and a lady named Mrs. Macready live. 

The children decided to explore the house; they found and
empty room with nothing but a wardrobe.  (A wardrobe is a closet that you can
move around from room to room or house to house)  Lucy stayed behind and she
went inside the wardrobe.  She found a new land and met a friend named Mr.
Tumnus (he was a faun).  This was the beginning of lots of adventures.  Soon all
the children were in Narnia, they met friends like Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Father
Christmas, other Narnia animals and Aslan.  They fought against the White Witch
and her followers.  In the end Aslan gave his life for Edmond.  My favorite part
was when the stone table broke and Aslan came back to life.  He said:

“It means,” said Aslan, “that though the Witch knew the
Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she didn’t not know.  Her
knowledge goes back only to the dawn of Time.  But if she could have looked a
little further back, into the stillness and the darkness before Time dawned, she
would have read there a different incantation.  She would have known that when a
willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead,
the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards”

This is a good book, you should read it!

Kaleb-age 8

Snakes and snails and puppy-dog tails. . .
I just cracked open this Dobson book and am curious as to what I’m in for. Have any of your read it?

Cul-de-Sac Kids Volumes 1-24 By Beverly Lewis / Bethany Your 7- to 10-year olds will have a ball (and learn to rely on Jesus) reading about the Cul-de-sac Kid’s funny exploits! This exciting and lighthearted chapter book series for young readers centers on the often humorous escapades of a group of neighborhood friends. Nicknamed the “Cul-de-Sac Kids,” they learn important lessons about friendship, teamwork, and faith through their adventures and mysteries. Collect books 1 through 24 in 4 slipcased sets. Each softcover book is approximately 80 pages.

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The Sugar Creek Gang Series, Volumes 1-6 Sugar Creek, Indiana. Once your 8- to 11-year-olds join in the faith-building adventures of Bill Collins and the rest of the gang, they’ll discover that Sugar Creek is anything but a quiet little town. This 6-book set includes The Swamp Robber, The Killer Bear, The Winter Rescue, The Lost Campers, The Chicago Adventure, and The Secret Hideout. Softcovers, from Moody.

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Trailblazer Books, Volumes 1-5 By Dave & Neta Jackson / Bethany These thrilling stories blaze through history as make-believe kids meet real-life Christian heroes! Your young readers will time-travel around the world as adventures take them across the paths of William Tyndale, Amy Carmichael, David Livingstone, and others! The first five volumes include Kidnapped by River Rats, The Queen’s Smuggler, Spy for the Night Riders, The Hidden Jewel, and Escape from the Slave Traders. 110 pages each, softcovers from Bethany.

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My Life as a Smashed Burrito: The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle #1, Hardcover By Bill Myers / Thomas Nelson Check out Wally as you’ve never seen him before in this special hardcover edition with illustrations! In this book the hilarious mishaps at Camp Wahkah Wahkah come to life in the new illustrations interspersed throughout the story. Readers will laugh and learn along with Wally as he discovers all about loving his enemies–even the camp’s number one, all-American bad guy. Whether they’re long-time McDoogle fans or first-time readers, kids will appreciate the indestructible quality and added illustrations in this upgraded edition. For ages 8-12.

Joshua loves the Berenstain Bears. Sister, Brother, Mama and Papa Bear are his favorite
bears people. For the last two weeks he has talked of little else. When asked what he wants for Christmas he
either answers “new Big Ears” (so he can wiggle them like his Grandpa Wingert) or for a Berenstain Bear book. Kaleb checked one out from the library last week and Joshua carried it around for at least 4 days. He even took it to bed with him at night.

Charleigh and I found the official Berenstain Website and were impressed with the various features and games.
You can print out coloring books, make paper dolls, solve mysteries, watch videos or read a story. 
This site is definitely being added to our “kid friendly” site list.

The kids love the fun characters and I love the family values. So Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, and Uncles if you’re looking for ideas for Christmas gifts here’s one that will only set you back about $3.25

Today Mommy and Joshua read the Fuzzy Book. The blanket was yellow. I have a yellow blanket too. The mouse was Owen. Yep, I liked the book. He’s sad with out his blanket. He loves his blanket. The mama cuts the blanket. He has lots of blankets. This is my book. It is a blue book.

One Incredible Moment by Max Lucado

This is a beautiful book! I purchased quite a few last year for various gifts. Did you draw some distant cousin’s name for Christmas and you just don’t know what to get them? This is a great idea, I put it in a pretty basket with cookies and a candle. Only problem is we ended up keeping one for ourselves which put us one gift short.
Amazon doesn’t have them in stock right now but you can get them New on Amazon Used starting at $3.47

This is what Kaleb’s been reading for the past week. He finished it Tuesday night.