a glimpse of our life: April 2016

25.4.16

Scripture and a Snapshot

He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a comment with a verse that God has placed on your heart this week, or leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links, too. If you would like to join our group Pinterest board for Scripture & A Snapshot, simply follow the board then let me know your Pinterest name or email used there so that I can add you to it.

Follow Jennifer Miller's board Scripture & A Snapshot on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

21.4.16

The Inheritance

As a child, my mom and my grandmothers all encouraged my love of reading. As I got older, we transitioned from them reading to me to both of us reading and then discussing books together. One grandmother was a librarian; when I visited her my book selections were varied from both the library shelves and the old books filling the shelves at her house. When I was in middle school my mom took a brief detour from her nursing career to work in a Christian book store. That was when our exposure to Christian fiction grew as she read each selection she added to the bookstore's shelves and continued to share favorites with me. We first read Michael Phillip's work through other authors books. He edited the ancient novels of George MacDonald, and he translated the Scottish masterpieces into books that my mom and I both loved. Then she gave me a set of books not edited but actually written by Michael Phillips-- The Stonewycke Trilogy. Those books remain some of my favorites, and I've shared them with my daughters, too.

The Inheritance by Michael Phillips is set both in Scotland and America, but unlike those old books it takes place in the 21st century. The romantic historical time of lairds and sharecroppers has changed with the passing of time, and this story includes modern land development, much different from the old ways. The Inheritance is part mystery, and that is the part that first grabbed my attention. I enjoyed reading this, but the end of the book isn't the end of the story. I'm ready to read the rest of the series.

by Michael Phillips

Historical
Bethany House Publisher

Bethany House Publisher and Litfuse Publicity invite readers to experience the first book, The Inheritance, in Michael Phillips' epic new family saga series, Secrets of the Shetlands.

The death of clan patriarch Macgregor Tulloch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whales Reef into turmoil. Everyone assumed Tulloch's heir to be his much-loved grandnephew David. But when no will is discovered, David's calculating cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island's land. And Hardy knows a North Sea oil investor who will pay dearly for that control.

While the competing claims are investigated, the courts have frozen the estate's assets, leaving many of the locals in dire financial straits. The future of the island---and its traditional way of life---hangs in the balance.

Meanwhile, Loni Ford enjoys a rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, D.C. Yet, in spite of outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is, until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

Past and present collide in master storyteller Michael Phillips' dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace.

Giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/9735

Don't miss the dramatic new series from author Michael Phillips. Read The Inheritance with @Litfuse: bit.ly/1LvkDto #ChrisFic

Meet the Author

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author who has penned more than seventy books, both fiction and nonfiction. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly thirty more books. Over the past thirty years, his persistent efforts have helped reawaken interest in the writings of nineteenth century Scotsman George MacDonald. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland, but make their home near Sacramento, California.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.
Jennifer

17.4.16

8 Simple Tools For Raising Great Kids

This book will show you 8 Tools to help you raise great kids by building a strong or stronger relationship with them and bring you closer as a Family, that love's each other and share God's Love. We all want that and try but fail at times, especially when it counts.

This book is broken down into 8 sections with 5 Chapters each that are short enough for you to read a few pages at night. At the end of each Chapter there is a practical tip to help remember the main point of that Chapter. We can change the course of our children’s lives just by the Power of our words! The 8 Tools are: Talking, Listening, Influencing, Connecting, Teaching, Encouraging, Correcting and Leading.

Chapter 17 brings up key words I remember hearing from my own childhood: quality versus quantity time. The importance of both is discussed. It reminded me of when my husband built our treehouse with our children.

Dr. Todd earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, and then a postdoctoral fellowship with Wright State University at the Children’s Hospital. He now sees children, teens, and families on a full-time basis.

" I have written five parenting books (faith based), which you can learn more about on the Books page. I have presented many parenting workshops at mom’s conferences (Hearts at Home, MOPS International), MOPS groups, churches, and schools, which you can read about on the Workshop page. I have also recently developed a skill-building game for kids called The Flexible Thinking Game.

In my free time, I enjoy doing anything with my wife, spending time with my boys whenever possible, reading, running, and playing jazz piano any chance I get. My Christian faith is an important part of my life and thinking, and I am continually thankful for God’s grace, of which I am an undeserving recipient."

"I love my child, but parenting is hard."

"Whether you find parenting intuitive or impossible, we could all use a hand here and there. Let child psychologist and father Todd Cartmell walk you through the nuts and bolts of healthy, effective parenting.

Using examples from his home and 20 years of professional practice, Todd gives eight essential and practical tools to help you:

Maintain a healthy relationship with your child
Develop a nurturing home culture
Correct behavior in lasting ways

Designed for busy parents, 8 Simple Tools breaks each tool into five short chapters that include a summary tip and application questions. Use even half of the tools in your parenting, and your family dynamics will thrive. Your relationship with your child will be built on love and trust, providing you with fertile ground for planting God’s wisdom in their heart, and ultimately, seeing them flourish."

SOCIAL – CORNER

Official Website- www.8simpletools.com

Dr. Todd Cartmell's FB: https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Todd-Cartmell-193405444025914/

Free access to the HEARTS AT HOME "ESSENTIAL WORKSHOP COLLECTION FOR PARENTS" with every purchase: http://www.8simpletools.com/purchase-with-offer (so readers not only get 50% off with the coupon code at moodypublishers.com, but also get access to a slew of freebies).

Through May 15th, my readers can redeem a 50% Discount Code which is GREATKIDS16

16.4.16

Scripture and a Snapshot

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. I Peter 1: 3-6

This has been a whirlwind week. For those of you following my fledgling garden story, we started over yet again. My sweet son gently dug up the plants in it, then my dear husband retilled the whole thing. I replanted the living ones and added more squash and eggplant plants, and so far it looks much improved. We spent the last few days at our local homeschool conference where a friend shared with us about her recommended source for cut flowers. The ones pictured are part of our practice for Heather's senior recital. We also ordered her diploma this week. It's almost graduation time!

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a comment with a verse that God has placed on your heart this week, or leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links, too. If you would like to join our group Pinterest board for Scripture & A Snapshot, simply follow the board then let me know your Pinterest name or email used there so that I can add you to it.

Follow Jennifer Miller's board Scripture & A Snapshot on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

12.4.16

Save Money With Groupon Coupons

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

Several years ago I first heard of Groupon Coupons when my best friend from college came home for a visit from North Carolina. I can't even remember the deal she grabbed then, but it has been on my radar since. Now I often see friends share their specials on Facebook. The current offers include quite a few that grab my interest. Click that link; you may even find offers for purchases you are already planning.

When my kids were smaller, we would have fun shopping at outlet stores. I noticed several of those stores in the list. Check them out if your kids haven't outgrown the small sizes, too. Carter's was one of our favorites. When my mom traveled, she often brought back precious princess nightgowns for the girls from the Disney Store. Shopping of course includes myself and my husband, too. A special offer is a good reason for shopping, right? My personal picks are Coldwater Creek (20% off!) and Nordstrom. Coupons are available for online shopping as well as using in stores and restaurants.

Connect with Groupon Coupons on Facebook or Twitter. Have you ever used Groupon? Let me know if you try it for the very first time. It's free to use, so go look. You may thank me for an exclusive offer!
Jennifer

9.4.16

Scripture and a Snapshot

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the...

weeds. And the kids are still asleep. Mornings are my quiet contemplative time. And sometimes my exercise time too, like pulling weeds today.

Earlier this year, we carefully prepared the garden soil. My son helped me fill each row with heirloom seeds. And then it rained. Flooded in fact. Twice. My garden turned into mud then dried. And this week, it was covered with new green growth. I wanted to believe those seeds somehow survived, but friends confirmed those herby scented green leaves were indeed weeds.

So we started over. Monday while the girls met with their sewing group, my son helped me choose new vegetable plants at the hardware store. We now have two rows of squash and one half row of bell peppers. Today I pulled more weeds. It's a never ending chore. I'm reminded of the verses about Jesus pruning us, and I'm so thankful He has so much more patience with me than I do with my garden plants.

My intention was to share a picture of the pretty buds on the dwarf fruit cocktail tree by the garden, but the day got away from me so...kittens. They were born Wednesday.

Follow Jennifer Miller's board Scripture & A Snapshot on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

2.4.16

Scripture and a Snapshot

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Have you ever done something that brought joy to someone else and then discovered your own joy was multiplied? Today was a family day. The kids participated (and did well!) in 4H shooting sports, we visited with friends, then we headed home for a quiet evening of watching Dr. Who. But our plans changed. When we were about ten miles from home, my husband slowed the truck down for what turned out to be someone's pet Pomeranian way out of place walking in the middle of a bridge. No other traffic was on the road at the time, so my daughter got out, called the dog to her, and then we spent the next two hours searching for her owner. We finally reunited them, and tears still flowed. Tears of joy are a beautiful thing! During the search, we drove on lovely country roads, visited with many neighbors, and thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Now we are back home, still deciding if we are too tired for tv, and filled with joy from our happy day together.

Follow Jennifer Miller's board Scripture & A Snapshot on Pinterest.

We found out her name is Madison. :)

An InLinkz Link-up

1.4.16

Kwik Stix

The products were provided for this post.

April showers bring May flowers. Rain here didn't wait for April. March was wet, wet, wet.

Kwik Stix are an innovative tool for painting with less mess. Moist tempera paint is compressed into a plastic tube and works similar to a tube of chapstick. As it is used, you just twist to push up more.

From an OT point of view, there are several benefits to using Kwik Stix when compared to standard paint. It is self contained, so there is no need for brushes or paint cups that could tip over and spill. Kids with less fine motor control will find these easier to use as a soft touch is all that is required to mark on paper. Reduced eye hand coordination will also be easier to work around when skipping the step of dipping a paint brush in paint. Children with tactile sensitivity will find the plastic tubes to be user friendly and possible less aversive than touching paint. But if they want to touch it, it is still less messy than wet paint.

Kwik Stix YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JCOBOn20YQ

Kwik Stix make great gifts. They’re no mess, fast drying tempera paints that are fun for children of all ages. And parents love them too! No smocks, no brushes, no cups, NO MESS. And, they dry in 90 seconds. It doesn’t get any better than that. You can even get a 96 pack bulk box!

These fast-drying solid tempera paint sticks make painting so much neater! I even let my son paint while sitting on the carpet. The colors are so vivid!

Enter below for a chance to win! Winner of the giveaway will receive a 6 pack of Kwik Stix as their prize.

"Just uncap, twist, and paint." Kwik Stix work on multiple surfaces and don't require water.

Kwik Stix is giving away a 6 pack of Kwik Stix to one of my blog readers! Enter below for a chance to win. Reviews and giveaway products were provided by The Pencil Grip. No other compensation was provided.

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