Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope you have had a nice day.  

This week I am thankful for...

~ my sweet husband driving me to see my Dad and helping to work out the plan for that.  

~ our oldest helping his brother get the goats ready for the show and give him tips.

~ that our DIL liked her birthday presents!  

~ that our youngest felt better after having a stomach bug on Sunday.  I was glad I was able to take care of him.  We missed going to a family Thanksgiving though. Also, that I got to see him show his goats Saturday.  We are so proud of him doing something new and the things he has learned.  And that the goats cooperated.  

~ getting to see my Dad and spend some time with him in the rehab place this week.  I'm thankful he is doing well.

~ getting fun treats at two different bakeries while we were on our little trip.  

~ the good food my Mom made for Thanksgiving.  And the leftovers.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

~ that my husband got a pay check today after the shutdown.  I think it was October 14 we got the last partial one.

~ when I see pictures of our oldest from his sessions with the non-profit.

~ another birthday for our sweet DIL.  She is a blessing!

~ our boy being able to attend a goat clinic and learn new things and get some practice. 

~ that it was just wax in my ear and not an infection or something when it was feeling weird this week.  

~ working on Christmas picture card!  I'm already seeing sales so I'm going to get them ordered.

~ fruit pizza we had at church this week.  So good!  And they are pretty to make.

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Children's book review: Kid the Goat Won't Wear His Christmas Coat

About the book:

This romping Christmas tale is a kid-approved reminder to wear your winter coat! Lana Stenner of the Grace-Filled Homestead (which is also filled with goats, chickens, and sheep) shares this hilarious story about a young goat who would rather stay in his pajamas than wear his coat at Christmastime.

Kid the Goat runs to the Christmas tree to open his presents and saves the biggest for last. What could be inside such a big box? After ripping off—and snacking on—the wrapping paper, Kid opens the box and finds . . . a winter coat. Clothes for Christmas? What a bu-u-ummer! When Kid refuses to wear his coat, Maa-a-a makes Kid stay inside while the rest of the family enjoys Christmas Day outside. How can Kid make ice skating, building snowmen, sledding, and caroling just as fun while inside the house by himself?

Filled with cute and cuddly artwork, this relatable and laugh-out-loud rhyming story

• is for ages 0 to 4,
• shows kids the consequences of not dressing for the weather, and
• is a perfect gift for Christmas and Advent.

Grab a copy for your coat-averse children today. They will Totes McGotes love this book!

My thoughts:

The goat on the front and in the title caught my eye on this one.  How cute is the little goat in his pajamas!

The illustrations are fun in this board book that will be enjoyed by toddlers and preschoolers.  It has rhyming text.  

I feel like there could be several different lessons to create conversation with this book.  It is unclear which lesson the author is aiming to get across though in my opinion.  As a parent I would definitely want to talk about how Kid the goat was sassy and disobeyed.  I feel like the book would be better if it wasn't a board book and had a few more pages to draw out the story.  It felt rushed and in a hurry to end.  While the illustrations are cute and it could be a fun story with great Christmas time lesson, it feels like something is missing for me. 

It would be a cute stocking stuffer for a little one that likes goats.

I received a copy of this from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Children's Book: Jesus Listens for Christmas

About the book:

Prepare your spirit for the Savior's coming and magnify your joy this holiday season as you spend the days of Advent and Christmas with your heart and mind intentionally fixed on Jesus.

Enjoy more peaceful moments this holiday season with Jesus Listens—for Advent and Christmas. This devotional collection of prayers and reflections from Sarah Young's bestselling Jesus Listens® and Jesus Calling includes Scripture verses, and words of hope from God's heart to yours.

This inspirational holiday devotional is ideal for:

• Anyone longing to draw closer to Jesus during the Advent and Christmas season.
• Those who are looking for comfort, calm, and peace in place of the holiday bustle.
• Families who want to cultivate a tradition of Advent prayers and devotions together.

This full-color prayer book includes:

• Prayers, reflections, and Bible verses based on the Christmas story and prophecies of Jesus' birth.
• Stunning seasonal illustrations, making this holiday treasure a beautiful gift or keepsake.

As you pray Scripture throughout this holiday season with Jesus Listens—for Advent and Christmas, you'll experience not only God's answers, but also how prayer connects you to God, changes your heart, and brings peace and joy to one of the greatest celebrations of the year.

My thoughts:

I am familiar with Sarah Young and the Jesus Calling devotional books.  This is similiar to that format and is designed for families to read with their children through the advent season.  Each day has a prayer, Bible reading, and activity to do together.  

The illustrations have a peaceful sense about them and add to the beauty of this book.  This is a beautiful book to add to your personal library to help focus your heart on the true meaning of the season.  

I am looking forward to using this devotional with my family.  

I received a copy of this from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

I always think how fast time is going. This week has been busy.  Here is my thankful list.  

~ my husband getting to go back to work today as the government shutdown ended.  We missed being together!  He got to come to the Thanksgiving feast at school too.  

~ that our boy got to have some time hunting. 

~ our sweet DIL sharing some soup she made with me.

~  having a nice Thanksgiving feast at school with our boy and the event at school tonight.

~ the kittens seeming to adjust to being at our house.

~ getting back our family pictures.  We love them!

~ enjoying time at home while the boys were gone hunting.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

I think of supporting our troops and being devoted to your country.

2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

I love November because by then it usually actually feels like fall in Texas.  Also I love the anticipation of the upcoming holidays.

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

Oh I love this song.  I've played it a lot lately!  There are a bunch of songs I like with the word thanks in it. I look forward to reading the other answers on this one.  

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can't say jelly.  

I do like peanut butter. I like just plain peanut butter on a piece of bread.  The last thing I had with PB in it was a Reese's PB cup.  
Fill in the blank:  peanut butter and celery. 

5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

There are so many things that happened that I am grateful for....one that comes to mind is the sell of our old home and the purchase of the new house.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It is looking like the government shutdown will end soon.  

Did you see the Northern Lights where you live?  A bunch of people posted their pictures from our area. Neat to see way down here in Texas!

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Children's book review: What God Says About You

About the book:

When a child feels left out, makes a mistake, or is called a name that hurts their heart, how can they know their true identity? Bestselling author, spoken-word artist, and thought leader on identity Hosanna Wong reveals that you aren’t defined by what you’ve done or what others think—you’re defined by what God says about you.

Hosanna’s powerful message uncovers an important truth for kids today: no one has the power to define you but the One who created you. And God says you are His friend. You are a work of art. You are His child. And you are greatly loved.

A perfect read before bedtime, and during tough times, this picture book

• is for ages 4 to 8,
• highlights scriptures that unpack the life-giving names that God gives us,
• includes whimsical illustrations from Liz Brizzi,
• is inspired by Hosanna Wong’s “I Have a New Name” viral spoken word poem, and
• is the perfect gift for back-to-school celebrations, baptisms, holidays, or seasons of transition.

As kids search for the right words and labels to understand their worth, What God Says About You will strengthen them with affirmations to discover who they really are.

My thoughts:

What a beautiful book... both the words and the illustrations!  This is a message our children need to hear and have repeated throughout the different stages of life.  The world will try to give you labels and make you feel inferior.  Our children need to know the truth of what God says about them.  

This book is one way to give positive messages to your children about their value and worth.  I like that each page has a different name given to God's children.  This is an example:

We all forget truth at times, and this is a great reminder for all of us, not just children, of our value and worth in the eyes of our Creator. 

This is a powerful line of the book to me:  

"But no one has the power to give you your true name except for God, who created you."

This is a wonderful book to add to your personal library and read periodically.  It would make a great one to read at bedtime for your child to have truth in their minds as they are going to sleep.

(I love the cover too and how the words look like they are made with stars.)

I received a copy of this from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany