"God Gave Us You" Book Review

I have always wanted a book that expresses how excited parents are for the birth of their child in a kid friendly way.  "God Gave Us You" by Lisa Tawn Bergren illustrates the excitement and anticipation of a polar bear family as they wait for their first born.  The book details little polar bear wanting to know how he came about, and the mother and father share the journey, with the most important part being that their little one was a gift from God that they wouldn't trade for anything.
This book is perfect for a family.  My daughter is too young to understand the words just yet, but I know that when she is older she will love this story.  The illustrations are simple, yet beautiful and fit the story well.  I love that, in the end of the book, the bear asks if the parents could ever want another (different) baby.  Mother bear reassures Little Cub that she could never want anyone else because "God Gave Us You." 
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who feels their son or daughter is a unique gift from God.  It would work well any child; oldest, middle, youngest, or only. 
*I received this book from the publisher, WaterBrook Press, in order to give an honest review.  I did not have to give a positive review, and others may or may not feel the same way about this book as I do.

"God Loves Me More Than That" Book Review

Have you ever wondered just how much God loves us?  This cute children's book illustrates just how big God's love is for each and every one of us.  While my daughter is still a little too young to understand the words, she loved the illustrations in this book.  This story uses concepts every one can relate to in order to show the magnitude of God's love.  For example, God's love is "higher than the moon in a starless sky" and "louder than the cheering of a football crowd." 

I think Dandi Daley Mackall did an excellent job with this book.  I want my children to always know God's love, and this book will be a great way to introduce that love to them.  It's an easy read, and one children of all ages can comprehend.  Children will be drawn in my David Hohn's amazing illustrations as well.  This is definitely a book you should read with your family.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  All opinions are my own as part of an honest review.  You may or may not feel the same about this book as I did.

"Little Star" Book Review

Wow, it's been awhile since I have had the chance to read and review a book! 

I was excited when "Little Star" arrived in the mail.  I LOVE children's books, and now that I have my own child to read them with, I was even more excited about this one.  "Little Star" by Anthony DeStefano is a story about the stars in the sky competing to see who will be the brightest and celebrate the birth of a king.  When they see the conditions the "king" is about to be born into, they think they are being fooled and decide it is not worth their time.  Little Star remains faithful and shines his brightest for the king.  I won't give away the rest of the story, but I think it is a great story to share with your children.  I can see this story being a family favorite, especially around Chritmas!  The story itself is memorable and the illustrations are great!  This story could definitely spark many discussions with your little one.  My daughter is only 6 months old, so no discussions yet, but even she enjoyed the pictures.  This is definitely a story worth checking out.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  All opinions are my own as part of an honest review.  You may or may not feel the same about this book as I did.

"Heaven is For Real" Book Review

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "Heaven is For Real" from the publisher through booksneeze.com.  All that was required was that I read the book and give an honest review.  All of the opinions expressed in this review are my own, I was not required to write a positive review.

 In this story, a little boy details his "3 minute" trip to heaven during surgery.  He gives details about people in his family's lives that they had never shared with him and tells his family all about heaven.  I truly enjoyed this book.  I am from Nebraska, so knowing it was about another Nebraska family made it even more interesting.  I found myself unable to put this book down once I started, and finished the book feeling a sense of peace knowing that there is heaven.  I was always a believer, but this book really made me that much more so.  The book is written by the boy's father, Todd Burpo, and he too admits that he was always a believer, but was amazed by his son's depictions and stories.  This book could not have come to me at a better time.  My family was just going through the loss of an amazing aunt, mother, sister, cousin, daughter, grandma, and friend.  As she took her last breath, she whispered "daddy", so we know she was welcomed to heaven by her father.
I would recommend this book to anyone, believer or non-believer.  After you read this book, you might just feel a little more "sure" that there is a God and he has our lives planned out for us.  He has a reason for everything and we are never alone!  Such a great book about an amazing little boy and his family!

"Outlive Your Life" Book Review

I recently read the book “Outlive Your Life” by Max Lucado.  I LOVED this book!  Through real-life stories and biblical passages, Max Lucado illustrates the life we should be living.  So many times we want to help in so many situations, but think we can’t because we “don’t know how” or “aren’t trained.”  This book really opened my eyes to how even the simple, every day things can make a difference in someone’s life.  “Outlive Your Life” really made me think about the life I live and how I can become a better person and live the way God would want me to live.  Even though we consider ourselves “ordinary” people, we can do extraordinary things.  We can leave a legacy and we CAN make a difference. 

Each chapter of this book starts out with a quote from Acts and then a true life story.  Max then relates that story to the bible and then challenges the reader to relate this story to his/her own life.  He asks thought provoking questions and makes valid points.  Are we doing all we can do to help others?  Are we treating everyone equally?  Are we living our life in a way we can be proud of?  That God would be proud of?  Everyone should take the time to read Max Lucado’s “Outlive Your Life.”

*I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through BookSneeze.  I was not asked to provide a positive review.  All opinions in this review are my own.*

Advice...

Since I've started my blog, I've been asked by some people to give advice/review things I use.  I follow quite a few blogs that regularly do this, but had never really thought about putting my opinions on my blog.  Since I've had Maddie, I have definitely started using brands and products I have never used before, so it got me thinking...how hard is it to write about what I like and don't like on here?  Pretty easy!  Be watching for some "Reviews" from me soon! 

In other news, Miss Maddie is growing like crazy!  She is starting to sleep longer through the night and laugh and smile more when she's awake.  It is so much fun to watch her learn and grow!

Busy Busy Busy

Madalyn Jane is finally here!  I was induced at 6:30 AM on July 10, but at 5 that evening I still wasn't ready to have Madalyn.  Around 7, my doctor decided that a c-section was the best option since my water had broken but I wasn't making any progress....the rest of the night went so fast that I barely remember it, but I do remember hearing her cry as she was born at 8:27 PM.  She was 7 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long.  

I think she is absolutely perfect!  It's amazing how much you can love someone you've just met.  Because I had the c-section, Derek had to do pretty much everything the first couple nights.  He has been absolutely amazing and I can tell and Maddie is going to be a daddy's girl.  I am so lucky to have such an incredible family. 

It's been 2 (fast) weeks since she was born.  Everything checked out well at her 2 week check up and she now weighs 7 lbs 15 oz!  I have a little over a week left before I go back to work and I know I will miss her a ton each day!  At least I know she'll be in good hands while I'm gone. 

Madalyn Jane, age 2 days.  Photo by Charley's Angels photography at the hospital!  I LOVE it!