The Three Weavers

The Three Weavers plus Companion Guide
by Robert and Shelley Noonan

Several months ago, I applied to review a product for Pumpkin Seed Press.  I do that all the time :)  Anyway, the reviewer contract and form came in the mail just before we moved, so I didn't submit it until after Christmas.  I had to choose a book and knowing almost nothing about their products (they come recommended from a friend, but that is it) I chose The Three Weavers.

I had NO idea what the book was about.  When it came I skimmed the cover and then set it down......why?  Because it is a Father's Guide to Guarding His Daughter's Purity.  In case you hadn't noticed, I am a mother, not a father.  And our daughter is not quite two.  Hmmmm. 

But I had AGREED to review this book so I took it to work with me last week.  I honestly expected to muddle through it and write the review and hope to never hear from Pumkin Seed Press again.

Boy, was I in for a wonderful surprise!  I couldn't. put. the. book. down.  (It is a blessing that I don't have a very demanding part time job.  LOL)  Yes, the book is for fathers.  Yes it is for the father to work through with his 9-12 year old daughter.  No, I am not a father or a 9-12 year old daughter.  I WISH that my dad had done something like this with me.  I wonder what heartache I would have been saved.  I wonder how close our relationship would be now, if he had taken the time to invest his heart into my life like this.

But I digress.  The "story" part of this book is an allegory about 3 weavers and their daughters.  I'm not going to ruin it for you.  It is wonderful!  Anyway, each little section of the story is followed by discussion questions for the father/daughter and a Bible study for the father to do alone (before going through that section with his daughter).  There are small projects for each to complete along the way, all designed to tie their hearts together forever and teach wonderful truths of purity to young daughters. 

 Designed to last through 7 weeks, this study is totally complete and ready to use.  I KNOW how busy dads are.  My dear husband would never have the time to do this if it wasn't all set up for him.  As I read through this book, though, I believe that he could and would do this with our daughter when she is old enough.  Ending with a family purity ceremony, I can't think of any little girl that wouldn't love to spend this one on one time with her daddy. 

Available from Pumpkin Seed Press, The Three Weavers, is a wonderful book on the study of purity and encourages fathers and daughters to a deeper relationship, mirrored by the relationship we all have with our Heavenly Father.  I can't be more pleased that I was able to read through this resource and look forward to using it in the future.  If you would also like a copy it is available for $10.50 HERE.  I can't wait to see what other products Pumpkin Seed Press has available for our family.

***I received this product for free from Pumpkin Seed Press in exchange for my honsest review.***

12 Super Simple Time Saving Tips for Moms

Have you been reading along with me lately?  If you have, I'm sure you have noticed that I've been a bit frazzled.  I guess I forgot how crazy life was with 2 littles.....and then add in the activities and needs of 2 teenagers!  I am catching myself as I run in circles.  lol  I needed a little encouragement this week (did you read Hacked?????)

Anyway, this is what I've been listening to:

Let me start off by saying that I am eternally grateful to the inventor of mp3.  I WISH had I time to sit down and read a book (I keep adding things to my poor kindle).  Right NOW, I don't.  So I loved that this was something that I could listen to while doing other things.....like cleaning up lipstick (but I digress).

I have read ALL the organizing, home management books out there (before the babies were born, when I still had time to read).  I have gleaned a few good tidbits here and there that managed to stick.  Listening to Lorrie, however, made me believe that I COULD figure this whole thing out.  She doesn't demand that I do things her way.  She doesn't give me a one-size-fits-all schedule.  She encourages me to make my priorities my priorities and keep my eyes on the prize. 

I especially appreciated her encouragement to do the little things first.  I hate how I have a million things that need done and most of them take less than 5 minutes.  But there they sit on my to-do list, waiting for me.  I do find that my days go much more nicely when I spend the first 15 minutes doing those little jobs.  THEN I can tackle a bigger job.  AND I feel like I have done something, even if those 15 minutes are the only things that get marked off. 

I also appreciate Lorrie's reminder to take things as they come.  My priorities for my day need to revolve around my God, my husband and my children.  That might mean that I get the laundry done, bless hubby with his favorite supper and cookies and do lots of reading/game playing with the babies.  If that's all that gets done, I have had a banner day!  My priorities were my priorities, and in the end that is what matters each day.  This is a season.  In a few years there won't be any more lipstick episodes or stories to read. 

Thank you Lorrie for reminding me of that!

Let Lorrie share her heart with you!  You can get 12 Super Simple Time Saving Tips for Moms at Eternal Encouragment.com for $6.97 and can start listening right away!  Trust me, you will be glad that you did.

***I received this product for free in exchange for a fair review as part of the Gabby Moms program.***

Hacked

A few days ago, my email was hacked.  (I have hotmail if anyone cares about things like that)  I sent out apology emails and changed my password.  I made the mistake of thinking that life would continue on normally.  I thought wrong. 

Today hotmail locked me out of my email account.  I can't balance my bank statement, check on online receipts or work with my Gabby Moms blogging group.  I had to answer a bunch of mundane questions and maybe, in 24 hours, hotmail will grant me permission to access my own email account again.  To say that I am frustrated is an understatement.

I made the mistake, a few hours ago, of dozing off in my recliner while the babies were playing in the living room (yes, it was about noon.  yes, I was exhausted.  still am)  Anyway, while I was dozing Abby got into my purse, found a tube of lipstick and commenced to rubbing it all over her face (all the way to her eyebrows), neck, ears, hair and hands.  Somewhere along the way she also got it on the carpet.  THEN Bear decides to wake me up.  (((sigh)))  Things just aren't going my way today.

I have to say that I have a great appreciation for working mothers.  I have been working part time since July - one day a week and only on my husband's day off.  Beginning in February I began working both of my husband's days off.  So I am working 2 days a week, right now just afternoons (about 4 hours a day).  It could increase to 10 hour days again like it was most of the summer/fall.  I am exhausted.  I am chasing my tail trying to keep up with everything and making a miserable job of it.  I am grouchy when I shouldn't be and I know that the stress is showing in the care of my home.  I don't know when the last time was that I made bread or spent considerable time crafting and I don't dare ask for a little time alone for me because my poor dh is spending his whole days off taking care of the kids while I am gone (NOT that he wouldn't gladly give me time if I asked, I just feel bad asking).  Today I fell asleep at noon.  Noon.  It wasn't like I had a hard morning.  I had done considerable cleaning, but I had also colored with Abby and read books.  Nothing I did was heavy labor.  But all heck broke loose when I fell alseep and now the email thing really has me upset.  Not that it really matters, kwim? 

Well, I guess, this is my "day in a life of me" post.  Not very cheerful eh?  At least now you know I am human and struggle (like you could have missed that).  Keeping it real.  Pray for me if you feel led.  I need some rest; spiritual, emotional and physical. 

Have a great weekend!
Carie

Oh Pinterest

Our plans for the day were fairly simple....quick trip to walmart for paintballs (and the rest of the stuff on my list, but that's why we were going) and then dropping the older 2 boys and later dh at a friend's paintball game.  Then the babies and I would muddle through the rest of the day as best we could until they got home again.

I say muddle because the babies are in that stage where things are difficult.  Yesterday Abby wouldn't stop playing with the light.  I would spank her, put her in a corner for a minute or so and when I would allow her out she would go back and do it again......repeat punishment....and again....5 times total.  I was about ready to pull my hair out.  That was after she had been very whiny and Bear is being clingy.  I just wanted to run away! 

We managed along till the end of the day when Daddy got home from working overtime, took Abby and she instantly went to sleep.  Fine then, be that way!  LOL 

Paintball got canceled this morning.  The older boys are having friends over this afternoon.  I don't know when I will go shopping.  Abby is still whiny, but so far Bear is playing xbox kinect.  I know it is just a faze.  I know that it was my unluckiness that had both of them hitting difficult days together (isn't that how it goes????).

So, I've been amusing myself with Pinterest. Love that site!  I am normally on my kindle which doesn't allow me to pin from there.  Today I am on a computer and happily pinning away.  So many great ideas!  So many fussy babies :(  LOL  At least a girl can dream.....and print off yummy recipes. 

If you want to check out my boards I am Carie Shinn on pinterest.  Happy pinning!!!!!

A Little Bit of Sunshine on a Busy Day

Hi guys! (or girls....probably girls lol)  I could apologize, again, for the length of time between blog posts, but honestly....here's the deal......I'm a wife and mommy first.  I stay pretty busy (gasp!  but you are a stay-at-home-mom, we all know they don't do much!) homeschooling Greg and occassionally Bear, trying to maintain order in a house full of children, love and read to Abby......I have meals to prepare and laundry to wash and homework to grade or help with.  All the normal wife and mother stuff.  I also work outside of our home 2 days a week.  If I have any free time I love to knit, sew, read and write.  Honestly though, the writing tends to be at the bottom of the list.  I LOVE to write, but for me writing requires quiet.....and that just doesn't happen here. Today happens to be a semi-quiet day :)

I read all the time.  For me reading doesn't require quiet.  I have the ability to tune the kids out sometimes :)  I love little encouraging articles that I can read in a minute or 5 and take something from to apply to my current situation.  You may wonder what magazine I prefer.....it isn't a magazine (well, I do love the magazine, but this is quicker).....it is the Eternal Encouragment e-newsletter written and produced by Lorrie Flem. 

I jotted down some of January's topics (the newsletter comes to your email box every Thursday):
**I can do all things.......let God do what I can't (I needed this, I tend to think that I can do EVERYTHING - but that's probably another blog post)
**Stick-to-it-Ness.....interruptions happen, how to embrace them and keep things moving in your life
**Are you missing God's treasures......an encouragement to read and study the Old Testament stories and characters
**Happiness......happiness is a journey not a destination
**recipes....hamburger bun pizza, chicken divan
**coupons for Lorrie's products......you don't want to miss the great stuff Lorrie has in her shop.  Take a gander around here for a while for more reviews of Lorrie's stuff.  I LOVE Lorrie's stuff :)

I know you are waiting for the most important part........its FREE!  Yes, free.  Not a free trial.  Not a free 6 month subscription.  FREE.  As in, get your fingers clicking, what are you waiting for, FREE.  Got it?  So what are you waiting for?  When you subscribe you will get a free ebook Organizing Happiness and on Thursday you will get a newsletter directly to your email box.  Go HERE and scroll about halfway down the page to sign up. 

Love ya all and hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

******I received this newsletter for free and you can too :)  This review is an honest opinion of my thoughts as part of the Gabby Moms review program.

Kindle Cover

One of the gifts that I was blessed with this Christmas was a Kindle Fire.  I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE that thing.  It is very difficult to put down :)  But put it down I must.  And I don't want it to get wet, or scratched or damaged.......so......I made it a cozy.

I didn't use a pattern. Just cut some cotton for the front and back and some felt pieces for the padding......all a little bigger than the Kindle.  I attatched a little bit of green braid for the loop and a button for the closure.  I did a repeat this afternoon for a friend of Lee's and it took less than 30 mins.

Let's see.....oh yes, I was going to share about my Christmas projects.  I've made a ton of hats.  Tons.  And I made an adorable shawl for my mother-in-law.  I'll try to get a picture of that.  And then I made coasters.  I actually cut up the blocks from a quilt top that I made but never got laid out right.  I traced around a CD and made a sandwich with random pieces and a same-sized piece of felt.  They are very, very cute. 

This week I started/finished a knitted baby bib.  I'm not sure of the practicality of them but it is adorable!  Now I'm working on a cowl for me.  Picture to come when I get it finished.  (I'm not the best at remembering pictures!)

But isn't that kindle cover adorable?????  Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

I hope all of my dear readers can feel the love and presence of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ during this season of Christmas.  Also, I want to thank all of you for hanging in there with me for another year, I treasure each and every one of you!

Last night we had a big Christmas dinner with Norman's mother, her boyfriend, his sister, her daughter and friend and our son's girlfriend.  I prepped most of the meal on Wednesday and then Norman did all of the cooking while I was at work on Thursday.  We had a beautiful, delicious smoked ham, hashbrown casserole, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, deviled eggs and bavarian dinner rolls.  My mother-in-law fixed some pies.  Everything was delicious!  The only shadow on the evening is the severe illness of my mother-in-law's oldest sister, Joyce.  She has had some severe complications following a surgery she had last week.  The doctor's don't think that she will make it.  Unfortunately, she is in a hospital in Texas, and of course, we are all in Illinois.  Her husband and children are with her and our prayers are with them all.

Norman has to work on Christmas day so the children and I will attend church services and then come home and await his arrival.  We have so much to be thankful for and many blessings this year.  I feel like I don't deserve anything more. 

I'm beginning to work through my goals for the year and next month.  I kinda let that go with the moving/Thanksgiving/Christmas but they are going to be back.  Its good to keep me accountable.  Looking forward to some down time with the kids next week. 

I thought I had a lot to say but turns out maybe that is it.  I hope that all of you have a blessed holiday weekend with your families.