What We Read ll Sept 2019

Sharing what our family read this month...
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Check Out:
Bytes of Memory:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZYXBRaow7qaPnA5i0kf2bw

Top Five Parenting Books That Shaped Me As A Parent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P59UdxwXA6o

Our Ten Family Read Alouds for the Homeschool Year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcQdc5g4NJ0

An Amish Christmas Kitchen Review:
http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2019/09/an-amish-christmas-kitchen-review.html

Raising Successful Teens Review:
http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2019/09/raising-successful-teens-review.html

Something Needs to Change Review:
http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2019/09/something-needs-to-change-review.html

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑18yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 8 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.

Music Attribution:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Something Needs to Change {Review}

While on an eight day trek through the Himalayas, David Platt comes face to face with some of the most dramatic poverty in the world.  His book, Something Needs to Change, is the chronicling and wrestling that resulted from that trip.  Encountering such extreme depravity (lose of an eye due to infection, trafficked children as a result of hunger, dark spiritual warfare) leaves Platt wondering, "Where is God in the midst of all this?  And where is the church?" An honest, heart felt reflection on his own life has him asking, "Do I really practice what I preach?"

On the one hand, I appreciate Platt's honesty.  In reading this book, one can easily see that he's wrestling through his own beliefs and limitations.  Written in journal style, Something Needs to Change includes Platt's own scripture reading throughout the trip, as well as his notes and prayers.  On the other hand, the author left me feeling flat, hopeless, and confused.  Even he is at a loss of where to go from here.  How am I supposed to have the answers?  While in some ways this allows the Lord to work in each individual heart, it can also be a stumbling block toward actually doing anything.  I was left feeling hopeless.  While his experience certainly changed him, it didn't translate well for me.  Overall, I was just frustrated with the book and really wouldn't recommend it.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own. 

Nature Tonic {Review}

Filled with 365 creative nature prompts, Nature Tonic encourages the reader to get outside and embrace the world around him.  This whimsical nature workbook features ideas for thoughtful consideration, nature awareness, and re-centering in a technology driven world.  Prompts and meditations provide for noticing the seasons and reconnecting with the natural world.  

In a generation fighting nature deficiency, Nature Tonic reminds us to not neglect our need to slow down.  Reconnecting with nature is vital in maintaining our physical and mental health.  This delightful notebook provides a year full of ways to do just that.  Jocelyn De Kwant's Nature Tonic would make a wonderful gift for any student or lover of beauty.  Our family will be looking for ways to include it in our nature study this year as well as to remind us of the beauty and wonder around us. I have been thoroughly pleased with this book and can't wait to use it further.

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

Raising Successful Teens {Review}

In Raising Successful Teens, Jeffrey Dean exposes the pressures of today's teens and the challenges of today's parents.  Social media, texting, and cell phones all represent new dimensions of parenthood that are unique to this generation.  We find ourselves in uncharted territory, while the world fights to drive a wedge between teens and parents.  The author addresses these issues and more with sound Biblical truth and practical advice, as well as insight into today's teens based on years in ministry and counseling.

Raising Successful Teens opens with a reminder that God has matched each parent with their specific child.  He has a plan for each family and the makeup of that family is no mistake.  Dean encourages parents to dig in and be prepared to fight for their children.  Sometimes parenthood is hard, and parenting teens can be particularly hard.  Dean reminds parents that the fight is worth it.  That no matter how much teens push back, they desperately desire to have a deep, loving relationship with their parents.  The author then reminds us that our ultimate goal should be to raise children and teens who love the Lord and love others.  While practical issues are addressed in this book, they all start from the basis that loving the Lord and others is our end goal in Raising Successful Teens.

Later chapters touch on such issues as identity, technology, cell phones, dating, friendships, purpose, and more.  Much of the information is unique to this particular generation and filled with practical advice.  While I would consider my husband and I to be involved parents, even we have been overwhelmed by some of the issues of today's teens.  This book provided a fresh perspective of how to encounter these issues and work through them.  And it was a huge encouragement to be "all-in parents" as our kids need us now more than ever.

Raising Successful Teens is finding a permanent place on my bookshelf as we're just beginning to navigate the waters of this new stage in life.  But I can already see that it has provided much needed encouragement, perspective, hope, and practical tools.  This book is quickly rising in my list of top parenting books that I will reach for time and time again.

*Disclaimer: This book was provided free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Fall Reading List ll 2019

Coming back again to share my Fall Reading List.  History, parenting teens, and growing brave to name a few... Join me?
Click for more!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑18yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 8 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/

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

Top Five Parenting Books:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P59UdxwXA6o

Using Library Lists to Organize Your Homeschool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlLV3h4EzYY&t=1s

Summer Reading List:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF1pz92qsLI

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Advent for Everyone: Matthew {Review}

An in-depth daily devotional, Advent for Everyone: Matthew by N.T. Wright takes a focused look at the life and second coming of Christ.  The author takes his readers on a four part journey of keeping their eyes focused on Christ and the Great commission during the busy holiday season.  This devotional's four parts include:

Week One: A Time to Watch

Week Two: A Time to Repent

Week Three: A Time to Heal

Week Four: A Time to Love

Each week is divided into seven days with Scripture reading, devotional, and reflection questions.  The is not your typical light devotional reading, but rather a in-depth study in Christian history and the life of Christ.  It is challenging, insightful, and rich.  N.T. Wright takes his readers through biblical context as well as personal modern application, making Advent for Everyone a powerful tool in the life of a believer. This devotional is deep enough to be used year after year, and in group or individual study.  Be prepared to be changed!

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

September Goals (w/ Chatty Life Update)

(Click on Post for Video)

Rolling into the fall and trying to set marriage goals!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑18yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 7 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.

Music Attribution:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Family Read Aloud Swap

Sharing my unboxing of the Family Read Aloud Swap.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑18yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 7 yrs.

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

Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDtxp7KUB20&list=PLdEwsx69jopvU7NjXhzoKbMRsrSFT-7Pu

Project Happy Home:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfwA-PSw_TnMyHc0onXW9Ug

Sodbuster Living:
https://www.youtube.com/user/cneipp

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.

Musica Attribution:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Dear Grandchild, This is Me {Review}

This guided journal stands out from many others on the market in its unique questions.  Amongst the typical birth and marriage questions, it also includes questions like: 

• What was your favorite activity to do with your parents as a child?
• What is the most distant place you've ever traveled?
• What is your favorite thing about this stage in life?
• What event/moment do you wish you could have recorded?
• What is the best advice you've ever been given?

Interspersed through out the journal there are also pages for photos and pockets for personalized letters to be hidden and discovered.  Each is for a different season in life, like "when you find yourself in a season of change."  

I absolutely love this journal.  Handover and beautifully bound, this journal goes beyond the typical memory questions, and pushes for more personal stories and family history.  Not only is it beautifully put together with a muted color scheme, but it's also unique in how it draws out the writers personality.  And that, for me, makes this journal stand out above the rest.  I love this one.

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

An Amish Christmas Kitchen {Review}

A collection of three novellas, An Amish Christmas Kitchen showcases the work of three well known Amish fiction writers: Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, and Kate Lloyd.

The first novella, An Amish Family Christmas, tells the story of a young Noelle who struggles to find her place in the family business.  Always behind the series, a busy Christmas season pushes her into the forefront as she must take her sister's place selling pies at the Christmas market.  While there, she encounters new friends and an old flame.  And when her sister begins acting strangely about the family Christmas plans, Noelle must decide for herself how she sees her future.

The second novella, An Amish Christmas Recipe, follows Ada as she seeks to win a young man's affections ... through baking him Christmas cookies, of course.  But when the young man's character proves to be questionable, a new beau emerges.  A wonderful story that proves looks can sometimes be deceiving.

The final novella, Unexpected Christmas Gift, introduces Maria, who through a strange turn of events, finds herself in Amish country looking for her birth family.  Stranded by the side of the road in a snow storm, Maria bring her heart ache, and her English ways, into the lives of the Miller family as she looks for answers.

Each novella highlights new characters and can be read as a stand alone story.  Centered around the Amish/Mennonite communities, the stories are lighthearted and draw on the theme of hospitality in the kitchen.  My favorite of the three novellas was the first by Leslie Gould.  An Amish Family Christmas has the most in-depth storyline within the confines of a smaller space.  These shorter, themed collections are perfect for relaxing in the midst of a busy holiday season.

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