2008 October

Oct 31, 2008

What we’re up to today

C. did not have school today (and, much to his delight, is also off on Monday), so here’s what we’ve been up to:

1. A trip to Starbucks. Okay, actually, it was a trip to the gas station and the church, but Starbucks is conveniently located along the way somewhere around there, so we zipped through their oh-so-handy drive-through. I enjoyed a Pumpkin Spice Latte, while C. tried (and discovered he loved) their Pumpkin Spice Blended Creme. We’re horribly festive, as you can tell. (I’m even wearing an orange shirt.)

2. Pumpkin carving. We I cut lids, and we scooped out gunk last night, but saved the actual carving until today.

Two are done (and I assure you they’ll look better when lit), and there are still two to go.

3. Bonus crafty thing. I spontaneously decided to decorate an empty milk jug. It, too, will be lit tonight and is sure to look extra spooky.

4. Treat preparation. Kids who knock on our door will receive one candy treat and one mini Play-doh. Or maybe two of each. I never have any clue how many kids will come by. One year, it was around 27; another year it was close to 80. I always buy tons of candy, just to be safe. We can always eat give away the leftovers.

5. Treats for the treaters. Since I think these little candy pumpkins are gross, I’ve never bought any in years past. But C. specifically requested some this year, so I graciously picked up a bag at the grocery store last night, so my guys can nibble them between doorbell rings. These little munchies do not tempt me in the least. But the Reese’s Cups and Kit Kats in the treat bowl? Total temptation.

Filed Under: Family, Purely Random 11 Comments

Oct 30, 2008

Book Giveaway: The Divine Mentor

written by katrina · 15 Comments

Another Thursday, another book giveaway from Bethany House! But first, here’s the winner for last week’s book, Waiting for Daybreak:

Comment #17 — Kara S.

Congrats, Kara!

Now, on to this week’s giveaway. Here’s how the giveaways work:

Every Thursday, I post about a new book that’s up for grabs. If it sounds like a book you’d like and you want to be eligible to win it, just leave a comment on the post and I’ll put your name in the virtual hat. I’ll leave the post open for comments until the following Wednesday at noon. I’ll then randomly pick a commenter and announce that person as the winner when I put up the next giveaway.

Please make sure that when you leave a comment, you include an email address so I can contact you easily. Also, I apologize to any international readers, but these giveaways are limited to readers in the U.S. or Canada.

So, without further ado, the first book is:

The Divine Mentor
by Wayne Cordeiro

Do You Have a Sacred Enclosure Around the Roots of Your Soul?Think about what you deal with daily. Maybe you suffer the wear and tear of long commutes and even longer work days. Or you find yourself juggling endless e-mails, phone calls, and text messages.

Noise. Chatter. Crowds. Politics. Talk radio. Television. Bills. Worries. Responsibilities. Deadlines. Endless chores. Demanding children. Relational bruises.

Life wears on us. We can’t evade most of it, and that’s not really the solution anyway. What we need to do is protect the most important part of us … that deep down, soulish part of life that links us with our Creator.

In The Divine Mentor, you will discover how to enjoy a dynamic, vital, and intimate relationship with God as you learn to hear Him speak daily through the Bible. You’ll embark on an adventure that will introduce you to His handpicked mentors, men and women who may save your health, your marriage, your ministry, and your future.

Wayne Cordeiro challenges you to develop a lifelong habit–the one thing Jesus says is truly necessary–that will preserve your soul, establish your legacy, and hold God’s Living Word inside you.

You can read an excerpt from The Divine Mentor Here.
And check out reviews of The Divine Mentor at Amazon.com.

Filed Under: Book giveaways 15 Comments

Oct 28, 2008

There! Perfect!

written by katrina · 16 Comments

A week or two ago, L. (2) started saying a new phrase:

“Air! Keffet!”

I had no clue what he was talking about.

Usually, he said it after arranging his magnets on our (conveniently) metal front door. He’d place a circle on the door, then carefully position a triangle magnet above it, finish off the look with a rectangular magnet base, stand back and declare: “Air! Keffet!”

After exerting tremendous effort (“Keffet? Does that mean ‘chocolate’?” “Hee-hee. NO, Mama.”), I finally deduced that he was actually saying, “There! Perfect!”

He’d prepare one magnet arrangement, declare it ‘perfect,’ rearrange things, declare it ‘perfect’ again, and then create a new and exciting magnet line-up. The result? Perfect, of course.

At first, I was slightly concerned.

You see, at least half of the people who live in this house struggle with perfectionist tendencies. I’ve managed to beat mine down into submission (at least in areas such as housekeeping) but they still flare up on occasion, causing needless and frustrating stress, insecurity, and self-disparagement.

The last thing I wanted was for my 2-year-old to become obsessed with achieving perfection at such a young age, even in the area of magnet arrangement.

I needn’t have worried, however. I don’t know where L. picked up the “There! Perfect!” phrase (After all, I certainly don’t say it; I’m more likely to say, “Argh! Hopeless!”), but apparently, in L.’s world, it means something closer to:

“There! Good enough!”

Just yesterday, as I was gazing out the front window while L. played ~~angelically~~ nearby, I was startled by the sound of books tumbling from the bookshelf to the floor. I turned to see what had happened.

L. looked at me, looked at the three books now lying on the carpet, instantly remembered that toddlers are not supposed to pull Mommy’s books onto the floor, and began to hastily shove them back on the shelf. When he couldn’t get them to stand upright between other books, he resorted to stacking them horizontally wherever he could manage to balance them.

Once all three books rested precariously on their shelf-mates, L. beamed at me and said, “Air! Keffet!”

That’s not a perfectionist talking. Perhaps it was a toddler-trying-to-not-get-in-trouble talking, or maybe it was just a kid who has a “some things are good enough” approach to life. Maybe the strict interpretation of ‘perfect’ isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

I could probably take a lesson from him. Sometimes, things really are good enough, and it’s okay to smile at them and think, “There. Perfect!”

Filed Under: Family 16 Comments

Oct 27, 2008

Giveaway: Three books from Barefoot Books

written by katrina · 717 Comments

When Barefoot Books asked if I would be interested in checking out and reviewing some of their products, of course I said yes! (There’s no such thing as “too many books” around here!) And when they offered me some books to give away on my blog, I said yes again, knowing they’d be perfect for this week’s Bloggy Giveaways Carnival.

Barefoot Books is a 15-year-old book-publishing company focusing on creative, educational, and beautiful children’s books. Started by two moms, Barefoot Books focuses on “Celebrating Art and Story.” And one quick look at their catalog showed me that the range of topics and themes covered by their books is amazing.

As one small example, my 2-year-old is currently loving Cleo’s Alphabet Book (an orange kitty’s delightful exploration of words that go with each letter of the alphabet), while my 10-year-old was quick to snatch up Arthur of Albion (a gorgeous hardcover book that served as my son’s introduction to the legend of King Arthur) as soon as it came in the door.

Whatever your kids’ ages, interests, or learning levels, Barefoot Books has something just for them. In addition, the artwork in all the books I’ve seen is fantastic, and Barefoot Books makes a concerted effort to introduce kids to a variety of cultures.

But they don’t stop at books. Barefoot Books offer puzzles, puppets, play sets, and other products to get kids interested in new things and motivated to learn.

With Christmas coming up, I encourage you to check out their website for some sure-to-please gift ideas.

The Giveaway

But while you’re here, I’d like to give you the opportunity to win a set of 3 books from Barefoot Books. One lucky winner will receive the following:

We’re Sailing to Galapagos – A charming book that teaches kids about the days of the week and interesting wildlife. The art is reminiscent of Eric Carle’s collage-type illustration. As a bonus, there are several pages of additional information about the Galapagos Islands and their animal inhabitants, which means that this book is great not only for little kids who enjoy a fun rhyme, but for older kids who are eager to learn more about the animals and places mentioned in the book. [Note: In the interest of full disclosure, the final page mentions Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution.]

Whole World – A combination children’s book and CD, Whole World introduces kids to the amazing variety that is part of our natural world: plains and mountains, valleys and lakes, etc.

I Took the Moon for a Walk – An imaginative evening journey of the moon and a young boy, told in delightful rhyme. At the end of the book is information about the moon’s phases, as well as nocturnal animals and plants.

To enter your name in the drawing for these books, simply leave a comment on this post (being sure to include your email address or another easy way for me to reach you). I’ll randomly draw a winner Friday night and announce that winner here Saturday morning. (U.S. & Canada addresses only, please.)

And be sure to visit Bloggy Giveaways to check out the giveaway carnival — there’s a whole slew of giveaways going on throughout the blogosphere this week. Don’t miss it!

Filed Under: Book giveaways 717 Comments

Oct 23, 2008

Book Giveaway: Waiting for Daybreak

written by katrina · 46 Comments

Thursday morning already? Time for a book giveaway from Bethany House! But first, here’s the winner for last week’s book, Being Christian:

Comment #2 — Cynthia.

Congrats, Cynthia!

Congrats! Okay, on to this week’s giveaway!

Here’s how the giveaways work:

So, without further ado, the first book is:

Waiting for Daybreak
by Kathryn Cushman

Two women.
How far will they go to protect their dreams for tomorrow?

Paige Woodward is out of options–so when a dream opportunity arises at a brand-new pharmacy, Paige chooses to keep quiet about her past to ensure she’ll land the job. After all, she needs the money to pay for the treatment that can save her mother’s life.

Clarissa Richardson feels alone. She wants desperately to honor the memory of her grandmother by running a successful pharmacy–but that vision comes to a screeching halt when her grandfather hires Paige, the too-perfect new girl who seems to be hiding something.

Today seems dark and painful, but every tomorrow brings the hope of something new. If you they can just keep…

Waiting for Daybreak

You can read an excerpt from Waiting for Daybreak Here.
And check out reviews of Waiting for Daybreak at Amazon.com.

Filed Under: Book giveaways 46 Comments