Books of the Month Collab {Aug 2018}

Sharing what I read this month...

Ours for a Season Review:
http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2018/08/ours-for-season-review.html

This Open Collab is hosted by Ingrid @ Mommy & Mia Homeschool Chronicles: http://bit.ly/2zpOZBU
and April @ The Simple Rugged Path: http://bit.ly/2zqFXo3

Playlist link: http://bit.ly/2hXr8zl

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
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Ours for a Season {Review}

Mennonite couple, Marty and Anthony, lead nearly solitary lives.  Devastated by news of their infertility, the couple has drifted apart and finds it hard to communicate with each other, much less reconnect.  While Anthony throws himself into his work, often traveling for weeks at a time, Marty locks herself away in their home, avoiding family and friends.  Until one day when Anthony receives a job offer from Brooke, Marty's long time friend and self-made business woman.  The job would pull them away from their home for a year and a half, but could it be exactly what's needed to bring Marty and Anthony back together?  And what about Brooke?  Could she possibly need Marty's help more than she's letting on?

Ours for a Season isn't your typical Amish fiction.  Interwoven in the story are issues of infertility, identity, foster care, and human trafficking, all relevant in today's society.  This book tackles some tough topics without being preachy or condescending, and the characters are real, vulnerable, and authentic.  Personally, I was drawn to the storyline involving foster care as this is a road that our family has traveled through the years.  I found that the characters felt and questioned in much of the same way that my husband and I did.  It's obvious that the author did some thorough research in preparing for this novel.

Though the book addresses some serious topics, it remains hopeful and faith-filled.  Without being pushy, the author leads us to some undeniable truths: that the world is bigger than our perspective, that the Lord always has a plan, that lives can be redeemed, and that family can be found in many places.  Just to name a few.  This book was an unexpected journey and I have yet to read anything like it in the Amish fiction genre.  I can't recommend this one highly enough.  Home run for Kim Vogel Sawyer.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own. #PRHPartner

I AM: The Names of God for Little Ones {Review}

This sweet little board book, designed for ages three and up, explores the attributes of God through his names.  Each two-page spread focuses on a different name such as Creator, Provider, Healer, and Son of God.  For each attribute, the reader will notice the name, a verse that goes with it (Lk 1:35 for Son of God), a short story illustrating what the name means (as well as Scriptural reference), and a simple prayer.  This board book is also beautifully illustrated, adding interest and depth to each layout.  

A few years ago, we reviewed the older version of the I AM book for ages 4-8 years, and have read it again and again.  When I saw that a younger addition was being released, I was skeptical.  Could it rise to the bar that had been set?  Or would it be found lacking for substance?  I have to say I have been overjoyed with this book.  The text in each section is simple and short, but more substantial than most board books.  The concepts aren't watered down and the true spirit of Scripture is still there.

This is a board book that is definitely worth the price and one that I would be delighted to share with the children in my life.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Our 2018-2019 Fifth Grade Curriculum

Time for 5th Grade!  Being the middle child, she gets combined with both of her brothers on different subjects, but is thriving in the middle.  Here's what we're using in our homeschool this year.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
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read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Back to School Traditions ll Collab

Today I'm joining a collaboration about Back to School traditions.  Whether you homeschool, send your kids to public school, or teach yourself, I hope these traditions will inspire you to make your child's first day of school special.

April @ The Simple Rugged Path:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HVorQE8LgvYfw8_zPiDAQ

Lindsey @ Bytes of Memory:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZYXBRaow7qaPnA5i0kf2bw

Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFdamhRE3YEDtNk8Sc-dLssjwzuTHZDrt&jct=JBSApN2NuAnm7niF97qJkEngXE0lcQ&disable_polymer=true

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

We Met An American Ninja Warrior ll Carr Fire 2018

The Carr Fire has shaken this small town in a way that's hard to put into words.  In the midst of the chaos, American Ninja Warrior landed in our area and for a brief time, let our kids live out their dreams... taking a moment to forget the uncertainly of the situation.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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Music Attribution:

Club by Andrew Huang is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Our Ten Family Read Alouds for the Homeschool Year ll Collab

A new school year is starting and with that, I'm sharing our 10 Family Read Alouds for the Year!  I'm excited to revisit some old favorites as well as discover some new reads with my kids.  What's on your reading list this year?

The Simple Rugged Path:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HVorQE8LgvYfw8_zPiDAQ
Homeschooling in the Pines:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT9jeaMb7ylcKvZm5yq2Zg
Sodbuster Living:
https://www.youtube.com/user/cneipp

Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFdamhRE3YEDSEkeW9l8rMXKY1AM8ZSNN&jct=jwXFstGStH9G8MibsS2EkIDRg1Mb2Q

Our Family Read Alouds for 2018:
http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2018/01/2018-read-aloud-list.html

Our Top Five Family Read Alouds video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDt-78hVPUQ

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

What's In Our August Morning Basket? ll Collab

It's time for a new school year and that means lots of fun with our morning basket.  Join me as I share what's going into our August morning basket!

Homeschooling In the Pines:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT9jeaMb7ylcKvZm5yq2Zg

AS For Me And My House Homeschool:
https://www.youtube.com/user/coalminerswife3333


Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdjdO-GTiTDVRHdk3vA974iUtWniIvJcN&disable_polymer=true

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Back to Homeschool Favorites ll Collab

Today I'm sharing some of our favorites for going Back to School!

Day 2 Day Joys: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMommyrachel

Playlist:

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Homeschool Supply Haul 2018

We're entering our 7th year of homeschool.  Wow!  Where has the time gone?  Today we're sharing our minimalist supply haul, as well as supplies we're purchasing to donate to a fellow homeschool family affected by the Carr Fire.

Dollar Tree/ Target Haul:

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Amish Celebrations {Review}

This four novella collection by Beth Wiseman covers the lives of Hannah, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Pricilla, and Mary.  Each novella, about 100 pages, can be read on its own with no overlap of characters in the span of a day or two.  

The first story, The Gift of Sisters, follows twins Hannah and Elizabeth, approaching their sixteenth birthday, and in love with the same man.  Who will win his heart?  And will it destroy their friendship?

The second story, A New Beginning, introduces us to Noah and Rebecca.  Nearing the end of his rumschpringe, Noah is excited to marry Rebecca and begin their life together.  That is until a mysterious young woman enters his life.  Will he walk away from the Amish life?  And what exactly is this young woman's connection to the Old Ways?

In A Perfect Plan, Pricilla has always been a perfectionist.  And her wedding day is no exception.  As the event draw near, a strange thing starts to happen.  Every time, Pricilla gets the hiccups, somethings goes amiss.  From housing problems to her fiancé loosing his job, Pricilla begins to wonder if God isn't trying to tell them something.

The final novella, A Christmas Miracle, presents Mary, a young mother of five, overworked and discouraged.  As the holidays draw new, Mary finds herself stretched even thinner until a mysterious stranger and his sidekick appear.  Can the duo help Mary discover the joy of Christmas before it's too late?

This is the first time I've read any of Beth Wiseman's writings.  Each novella was enjoyable, although my personal favorite was A New Beginning.  The storyline of that one was fresh, interesting, and could easily be turned into a full fledged novel of its own.  This is one of those collections that I would reach for if I needed something light to read, but had limited time.  While I felt, a Perfect Plan, was lacking, the other three novellas made up for it, and I found Amish Celebrations to be an enjoyable summer read.  

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.