Audio book: Sparkly Green Earrings

I had heard that Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle (from Big Mama blog) was a good book so I was glad to see the audio version available for review.

In this memoir, author Melanie Shankle shares about marriage, miscarriage, friendship, pregnancy, and motherhood.

I enjoyed her style and felt she said aloud opinions I've often thought but not voiced. She shares her heart and the struggles she has faced and really we all face as women and mothers. She admits that she doesn't have it all figured out as a mother and is learning as she goes. 

I really enjoyed listening to this book and honestly didn't want it to end.  She had some great insight as a Mom, and I enjoyed the funny stories she shared.  I think women will really enjoy this book because they will be able to relate to her experiences. Her style is fun and you'll be laughing and nodding your head in agreement with her and maybe wiping away some tears too.

This book was read by the author which really added to the appeal for me.

Thank you to christianaudio Reviewers Program or providing the audio version for my review.

Have a day of blessings!

Book Review blog for Children's Books

I have another blog that I've had for quite some time.  I seem to go through periods where I update more and then skip updating for a while.  I have a bunch of new reviews to share in the coming weeks. 

I love reading children's books, and as I read ones that are really good I share them on the blog.  I post a picture of the cover along with the publisher information and a short review. 

Please go over and check out the blog.  It is called Have You Read With Your Child Today?, and you can click on the title or the picture above to go to that site.  I would like to have you follow me there too.   I will do a giveaway there soon as well so be watching for that.

If you enjoy children's books, please visit me there.  Thanks!

Have a day of blessings!

Giveaways

I've come across a couple of giveaways this week I want to share with you.

The first is a wonderful interview with Laura Story over at Mocha With Linda.  Linda is also giving away a copy of Laura Story's CD.  Click over to leave a comment and be entered. 

Another blog From the Heart of a Bookworm is giving away a $25 Walmart gift card.  Click over to leave a comment to be entered for that one too! 

Maybe you will win!  It's always fun to win a blog giveaway!!

Have a day of blessings!

Etsy shop and GIVEAWAY

I have a friend who has opened an Etsy shop, and I wanted to share it with you. She creates cards. Here is her blog and a link to her Etsy shop Runnergirl Creations.

Also, I have a Valentine's Day card she made that I am giving away on my blog. To enter simply leave a comment on this post telling me which of the cards on Runnergirl Creations you like.

Here is a picture of the card that you will win. It comes with an envelope.

I will choose a winner on Saturday, January 29. US addresses only please. Thanks!

Have a day of blessings!

questions

I was tagged by Linda to answer the seven questions she gave me. Then I am to come up with seven questions and tag seven people to answer those questions.

These are Linda's questions for me:
1. Do you prefer to read the book or see the movie?
Read the book

2. What is your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas. I love the specialness of the season in the fact that we remember Christ's birth (even though we know He wasn't really born Dec. 25). I love the decorations, family traditions, buying and wrapping gifts, and all the special food.

3. Which do you like better - the mountains or the beach?
Hard choice, I haven't been to either very much. I like looking at the mountains and hearing the sounds of the beach.

4. If money were no consideration, what vehicle would you drive?
I'm not really picky about my vehicle. I liked sitting in the Acadia at the State Fair Auto Show a couple years ago. There was one I liked this year, but I don't know what kind it was. My husband probably would know though!

5. What is your favorite cold-weather beverage?
Hot cocoa with marshmallows

6. How do you communicate most often with your friends: phone, email, text, face-to-face?
Mostly email now or through Facebook. My phone doesn't have texting on it but my husband's does so I've used that lately and like it.

7. How do you receive your mail? Mailbox on the porch, at the end of the driveway, down the street, or post office box?
Since we are in a duplex, we have our mailbox on a post with three other mailboxes out near the street in front of the duplex.

Here are the seven questions I am asking.
1. Do you exercise regularly? If so what kind of exercise do you do?
2. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
3. Do you use plastic, paper, or reusable/recyclable bags?
4. What is the best book you've ever read?
5. What is your favorite drink?
6. What's a website you go to every day?
7. Do you have a favorite charity? What is it and why do you support them?

Now I am tagging the following people:

Hickstionary
Mommy Accountability
Becoming a Titus 2 Woman
Susan's Space
Blossoms & Butterflies
Lily Valley
Country Roads

Have a day of blessings!

Recent ponderings...

How many times have you said something and then immediately regretted ever bringing it up? This happened to me recently. One day on Facebook a few weeks ago my heart hurt and I was saddened and actually offended by a comment a fellow blogger put on the page of an organization I support. I told the person her comment to them hurt me. My words though were then totally misconstrued by the other person and taken in a way that I never intended. Some very hurtful, untrue things were said about me too.

I can't stand conflict or hurting anyone. If this person even knew me or my heart she would know that. Yet I had to realize that what I said hurt this person. Even though I never meant to hurt her, it was taken that way. I asked her to forgive me, and I've prayed for her hurt. But I've also thought about how maybe I should just have never said anything to her? Other people had publicly agreed on the comment that it was inappropriate to type on the page of this organization so I felt at least I wasn't alone in thinking this was inappropriate. But looking back I don't think it accomplished anything to tell her though that what she said hurt. So this raises the question in my mind: Should I have just said nothing to begin with?

How do you respond in situations like this? How do you know when to stand up and let someone know you are hurt by their actions or words? Or on the flip side to just let them say whatever they want even when it is untrue, hurtful, rude, inappropriate, etc. in order to avoid any disagreement or conflict? I'm not talking just in regards to this personal situation either. I see this in society in general too.

This has been on my heart lately. Thank you for listening.

Have a day of blessings!

Card giveaway

I found a giveaway of note cards. I love having cards to send and have a big tub of cards divided by categories. I always like to get more! I follow Pam's blog and was excited to see the giveaway she's hosting right now. She is also offering a discount on her cards now too. Go check it out! It's easy to enter, just leave a comment. Here is the link.

Have a day of blessings!

Welcome to the newest blogger!

I'd like to invite you to view a new blog created by my Mom, Bonnie. Hope you will visit her and welcome her to blogging! You can visit her blog here.

I will have a couple book reviews later today probably.

Have a day of blessings!

Giveaway and My Other Blog

I previously posted a review for the third book in Kathy Herman's Sophie Trace Trilogy. I am hosting a giveaway for this book. Leave a comment on this post if you would like to be entered for a chance to win this wonderful book. It would make a great read for your summer reading!


Also, I have another blog where I review children's books. It is called Have You Read With Your Child Today? I realized recently that I have not posted a review there in quite some time (last October actually!) and have read some good books with Caleb that I wanted to share. Hope you will visit there and become a follower. Thanks!



Remember to enter for your chance to win! Winner will be chosen at random and you will need to provide your mailing address so the book can be sent to you. Giveaway open to those in US. I will choose a winner the evening of Friday, June 18 and announce the winner after that.

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a day of blessings!

Calling Texas bloggers!

I saw a post about a new blog for Texas Gals so I signed up. It is a place for Texas bloggers (if you live in Texas now or are from Texas) to connect. I know I have some Texas readers so I wanted to share with you. Click on the button above to check it out!

Have a day of blessings!

Praying for you

This morning as I was ironing I was thinking about you, my blog readers, and praying that God would bless you today. I tried to remember those of you who I know read my blog because of your comments as well as those whose blog I read.

I prayed for you who are sick and under the weather.
I prayed for you who are traveling this week to the bloggers retreat in Florida.
I prayed for you who are worried about your health.
I prayed for you who are speaking at the bloggers retreat.
I prayed for you who are dealing with financial troubles.
I prayed for you who are writers that God would bless your words and your readers.
I prayed for you who are pregnant that God would protect your little one growing inside you.
I prayed for you who are Mommies that God would help you as you daily love your children.
I prayed for you who are dealing with troubles in your marriage that God would bring renewal.
I prayed for you who are depressed.
I prayed for you who are working to reach out to others.
I prayed for you who are daily facing chronic illnesses.
I prayed for you who are people I know in real life who read my blog.
I prayed for you who are starting new businesses that those would be successful.
I prayed for you who are my relatives that you would know God's love today.
I prayed for you who are mourning the loss of a loved one.
I prayed for you who are caring for your elderly parents.
I prayed for you who are not sure about your future.
I prayed for you.
I prayed for you.
I prayed for you.

In case no one has told you lately, you matter...you are special.

Have a day of blessings!

Marriage resource #3

This is a new blog I found recently. I can't remember where I saw the link to it. It's called Adding Zest to Your Nest.

Here is the purpose of this site, as copied from the site:

Our Purpose
Our desire is to create a safe place for women to discuss our sexuality as Christians. We believe sex should be a delight, a treasure, and a gift to share with our husbands.

We have a three-fold purpose:
1) to promote a biblical understanding of sex and the marriage bed
2) to assist women who struggle with their sexuality
3) to provide a community of likeminded women for accountability, support, and sharing of resources and experiences.

Although I'm new to this resource, I think it will be a good one.

Voting today

Just wanted to remind you today is the day to vote over at the contest put on by Amanda at I am Mommy. Please consider voting today for your favorite blogs in each of the various categories.

It is an honor to me to be nominated and I think it was a fun idea for Amanda to get all of this together.

Click here to vote.
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"In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely.7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can't be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:6-8

Book giveaway

A fellow booklover at Musings of a Minister is having a book giveaway. Go check it out! He has three books he'll be giving and all of them look great! I enjoy reading his blog as well so don't just go for the giveaway. :)

Awards

I have received some awards lately and wanted to post them together and past them on to fellow bloggers! It is always a fun surprise to receive an award!

These first three I received from my good friend Michele at Michele's Morsels. I'd like to pass the Bloggy Goodness Award to My Gifts, Among Other Things and In Light of the Truth.
I'd like to pass on the Color My Life Beautiful Award to my blog friends Country Roads and I am Mommy. These two ladies are sweet friends to me and I'm thankful for them. They brighten my day!

This Blessings Award I would like to pass on to Denise and Ruthie. Both of these ladies shine Christ's love in all they post.

Thank you to Ruth at Life's Journeys for this Blog Love. I have enjoyed reading Ruth's blog lately and learning from her. I would like to pass on the Blog Love to Kristi and Marsha.

Join me for As long as it's called Today...

I have tried to make a little button for the new Friday meme As long as it is called Today. You can add it to your blog if you wish. I do not have the html code for it. To use it click on the picture to save it. Then when you add the picture gadget to your sidebar. When you save the picture you can type the web address (http://www.raindropsrainbows.blogspot.com/) to link to Raindrops & Rainbows. Let me know if you have questions.

Tomorrow will be our third Friday of As long as it is called Today. Thank you to everyone who has participated the past two weeks. I am learning more about my blogging friends and gaining encouragement too! This week's question is about parenting. Hope you'll join us then!

Giveaway

Visit Angela at Becoming Me for a fun giveaway in honor of her birthday!

Prayers and encouragement

I'd like to ask you to visit Kristi at Kiki's Corner and leave her some encouragement. You can read her daughter Rachel's story also. I know some of you already have but wanted to post the link for others too. I believe you will be encouraged as well as you read how they've continued to see God's hand and direction in their circumstances the past couple of weeks. Say a prayer for Rachel and this sweet family I've gotten to "know" lately through blogging the past few months.

Mission statement

Back in July I participated in a Blog Mission Tour with Becoming Me. I have decided to write an "official" mission statement for my blog. I've been brainstorming and thinking about my purpose in blogging and wanted to post it here.

It is my purpose through blogging to encourage others in their daily lives, to develop and strengthen friendships, to share tidbits of my personal life, and to glorify God in all I write that I might shine His light to anyone who reads as I continue on this path through both "Raindrop & Rainbow" days towards Heaven.


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"You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands." Psalm 92:4

A question for you...

How do you choose when to visit your blog friends? Do you have a list of favorites that you scroll through each day? Do you have a list in Google reader? Do you go to someone's blog after they comment on yours?


When I first started finding other blogs to read, I had a folder called "blogs" in my favorites list. I would click through certain ones on a daily basis so they got moved to a folder called "daily reads" in my blog folder. Then I discovered Google reader in the course online I took during the summer. It is great and I love to see when new posts appear.


Leave a comment to tell me how you visit blogs! I know I'm full of questions lately....it has a purpose...... really....more about that before the end of the year. :)
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"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD." Psalm 119:1