The Vintage Remedies Guide to: Real Food

I know . . . I know . . . I told you the reviews would be less.  And they are.  I have turned some things down. 

But this review AND giveaway is relevant to one of the reasons that my blog exists . . . to blab about whole foods. 

The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Foods by Jessie Hawkins is a pretty cool book. 

A primer.

An "I'm going to wet your appetite" type of book that like the movie, Food Inc., will encourage you to make NECESSARY changes . . . which really aren’t nearly as overwhelming as you would think. 

And the book isn’t boring.  Some non-fiction, practical books can really be dull, dry, you only read it if all of your riveting fiction books have been consumed. 

I actually have been reading this book over my “book club” book . . . don’t get me wrong, The Sunnyside by A. A. Milne, is a fun book but author Jessie Hawkins has been teaching me some new things. 

I love her practical list to abide by when choosing what to eat – consider the following things before you allow your hand to launch something into your mouth . . .

1. Where was the food baked, cooked, or prepared?
2. Do you recognize the ingredients?
3. Does the item look like something you have seen in nature?
4. Could you make this in a well-stocked home given time and talent?
5. If you made this food at home, how long would it last?
6. How long has the food been part of the human diet?

You know, I could write so many more interesting facts about this book (considering how much I have highlighted), but . . . I want you to read it for yourself.  It is important to become educated about your food sources.  Just because you can buy it in the grocery story . . . doesn’t mean it is good food, or real food for that matter. 

Would you like to win the extra copy I have of this book?  Seriously . . . it is a good read.  Informative.  It even has some recipes!!!

I’m going to make this simple.  Three ways to enter, the first one being mandatory AND the comment has to be made on THE BLOG:

1.  Tell me about your most healthy and favorite food to eat.

2.  Tweet or blog about the giveaway! 

3.  Watch Food Inc. or Supersize Me and tell me something that you learned.  (Both movies can be rented from Netflix!)

By the way, Jessie Hawkins does have a Facebook page, if you are interested.  You can also purchase this book for $18.95 at Amazon or from The Vintage Remedies website.

Giveaway ends June 7, 2010.

Open to US Residents only.  (Sorry, I am paying the shipping for this.) 

Two copies of this book were provided to me for free from Vintage Remedies as a direct result of my partnership with MamaBuzz.  And if you really want to make sure that you win this book, several other ladies over at MamaBuzz will be hosting this same giveaway! 

Technorati Tags: The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Foods,Jessie Hawkins,MamaBzz

My Latest Obsession

Using your dryer consumes a lot of energy . . . or so I have heard.  I don’t have any proof of that -- other than it seems obvious.

However, that is not the motivation behind my most recent seemingly granola obsession.

The Clothesline.

You see, our dryer has recently begun to sound like the eels Buttercup swam amongst on the way towards the Cliffs of Insanity, in The Princess Bride.

During nap time one day, the dryer was shrieking so loudly that I was forced to piece together yellow yarn that had been stored away for many years, waiting for a good use.  I created my own clothesline on our deck . . . which can pose a walking hazard to young children . . . and well . . . looks pretty tacky. 

I got hooked.  But each time we have a house showing, I have to take it down. 

Until now.  Doesn’t everyone hang laundry over their garden by an unused doghouse next to the exterior of their home in front of a rain barrel?

Confirmation – Finally!

I have been praying about a certain decision that needed to be made.

I had been asked to do something.  Most of me didn’t want to do it . . . because I do this “thing” basically 24/7 . . . and at times I feel like I don’t accomplish the task very well.

Which is probably a lie from the pit of hell and should be eaten by moths.

I wrestled with this decision because even though I am not passionate about what I was asked to consider . . . I didn’t want to be disobedient.

Remember, I’m doing the Experiencing God bible study right now.  And I have really come to understand the consequences of disobedience, not the mention the joy and blessing of being in God’s will.  

For approximately 4 weeks or so, I have prayed about this decision.  I’ve felt bad that it has taken me so long.  But I have asked my “girls” at home fellowship, talked about it extensively with the Hottie Hubby, rambled on about it with my favorite (no-longer-a-high-schooler) Saundra, and journaled brilliantly to the Lord.  After all that, what remained (until today) was silence and guilt and a desire to please man.

Nevertheless, I waited.  I wanted some Scripture to confirm my decision either “yes” or “no.”

It came.

I’m so glad that I am reading through the New Testament and Psalms.  How would I have ever known God’s plans for me? 

For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.  I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.  2 Corinthian 12:14

As a mom, my job is to invest in my children.  The Hottie and I decided this even before we were married . . . it’s even in our wedding vows.  (Maybe I’ll share those with you on June 5th!)  Being spent for them isn’t just money – time, planning, teaching, prayer, food preparation, cultural development, loss of sleep, changes in the shape of my body, etc. 

Currently, they are the work of art that God has given me to paint, shape, and well . . . send through the kiln.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:1

My calling has been established.  I have two kids literally sitting in front of me, one bambino sleeping, a mango growing inside of me, and one baby in heaven.  Humility requires seeking the Lord daily as to how I should tackle my job and begging the Lord to help grow in me (and practice) gentleness, patience, love, unity, and peace.  I have come to find out that when I am spread too thin or gone too much . . . I fail miserably at the task.  I’m called to be spent for MY KIDS.

And so, I made my decision.  I am in a place in my life where I need to say no – for the sanity of my family and the preservation of the task that God has called me to.  It is OK to say no.  I don’t have to say yes out of guilt or what other people will think. 

If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of God.  Galatians 1:10

Some decisions are hard.  Especially when there is a need.  And it is an important need. 

I know I have been vague. 

That was on purpose. 

The decision the Lord and I reached was based on a case-by-case prayerful decision relevant to my life.  Not yours.  But I wanted to process it with you.  And maybe you have a big decision to make.  Maybe you just needed to be reminded of the fact that you need some Scripture to confirm your “yes” or “no.”

Just saying.

The Last Christian: A Book Review

The Last Christian by David Gregory is an anytime fiction . . . not just for summer vacation.  This book, though it contains familiar futuristic concepts as current movies, would quite frankly make a good date night movie. 

Imagine emerging from a remote jungle village, only to find out that you were the last believer in Jesus Christ.  The modern world is nothing you could have prepared yourself for . . . confusing, complex, and impersonal.  Defining reality is even a gray area. 

And you are supposed to start a revival in the land that once worshiped the Lord . . . and land that was founded on Biblical principals – America.

However, there is one twist.  Science has had a breakthrough (kind of.)  The possibility of eternal life on earth is now an option. 

Will you accept the challenge?

Read the book to find out what character, Abigail Caldwell decides to do.

Feel free to watch the trailer for The Last Christian.  This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Technorati Tags: The Last Christian,David Gregory,WaterBrook Press

If You Give a Mom a Book: The Kissing Hand

(I think I might be bringing this weekly post back! Read HERE and let me know if you would be interested in participating or reading my post weekly.)

We have a nighttime tradition in our family called hand kisses.  It appears that our silly little boys CAN’T (more like won’t or refuse) to fall asleep unless both Brian and I have kissed their hand and curled their fingers around said parent hand kiss for them to use sometime during the night. 

Later, I discovered that there is actually a book all about this very tradition in our family.  We inspired a book!  (Just kidding.)  I guess there are a whole slew of these books.  Look out PaperBackSwap!

And because I knew that I had a review due for SafetyTat . . . it gave me the perfect excuse to buy this book and show you a great way to use a particular  SafetyTat product called Tat Kisses!

 

 

Tat Kisses are “simply designed to be placed on your child's hand as a reminder that you are always with him, wherever he may be. Great for first day of school or anytime your child needs a little extra TLC.”

Easy to apply, these kisses have been a huge hit in our family because now they can visually carry their kiss around all day long.  To use, make sure the applicant’s had is thoroughly dry . . . I really can’t stress this enough.  Peel clear backing and apply face down on your child’s hand for one minute, applying a damp washcloth before removing white backing.

The Tat Kiss stays on approximately a day or less, depending on how often you wash your hands, though the website claims it can stay on up to 5 days.  Additionally, for us it rubbed off with a little elbow grease and water.  You can also purchase them with other phrases for $9.99. 

Also included with our sample kisses were the products that launched this company.  (Bottle not included.)

The story is well told on the Safety Tat website . . .

The idea for SafetyTat temporary child ID tattoos was born of necessity one weekend at an amusement park. On Labor Day Weekend, Baltimore Mom, Michele Welsh and her husband, there with their three small children, felt out-numbered. To stave her panic, she quickly wrote her mobile phone number on each of their arms with a ballpoint pen. As she did this, she thoughtfully explained to each of them the importance of staying close to Mommy and Daddy. She also told them that if they were separated that the number on their arm was a way to reconnect with them.

Throughout the day of fun, Michele had to rewrite the number several times as it smeared or washed off. Several parents in the park stopped her to ask if that was her number on the kids' arms. Each time, they loved the idea.

Once again, the idea of receiving a tattoo was novel to the boys.  For privacy purposes, I have not included my phone number.  Therefore in lieu of writing God or Jesus, as I have, you would write your cell phone number.  What you see on the boys’ arms are the new Quick Stick Safety Tats that don’t require water and a waterproof marker is included.  Simply peel and stick. 

However, you can actually purchase the original Safety Tat that has your phone number printed on the tattoo for  $19.95 for a set of 24.  Options for customization are possible. 

Novel idea?  Don’t you think?

Oh, and the book – The Kissing Hand . . . what a precious story.  As the mommy raccoon gives her little beast a kiss on his hand before he tromps off to school, he returns the love.  In a special moment following reading this book and applying our kissing hands, Mr. Smackdown said to me,

“Mommy?  How can I give God a kissing hand?”

I replied . . . well, kiss your hand and then raise your hand up to the heavens and tell God that you are giving your kiss to Him.

Mr. Smackdown’s response, “No.  I’ll just kiss my hand and put it right on my heart for Him.  Because that is where He is.”

Precious.

Oh, and then he added that his heart was behind his lungs.

Yes.  Yes it is. 

I was not paid for this post, nor do I have to return these great products.  Thanks to MamaBuzz for allowing me to be a part of her group!

Technorati Tags: MamaBzz,Safety Tat,The Kissing Hand,If You Give A Mom A Book

Blogging just to blog

For the first time in about a year, I can blog about whatever I want to.  That may sound like a slightly ludicrous statement, as I live in America and this is my blog.  I did pay for this domain, after all. 

(Yesterday, with my dear college friend, celebrating a belated birthday.  My computer didn’t join us.  I didn’t have to blog!)

But for about a year, I have had a schedule of items that I had to blog about.  I had a constant deadline looming over my head.  I really don’t mean to sound like I am complaining.  I chose to accept a commitment of reviewing up to approximately 70 products, I believe.  But it took a lot of time away from my family. 

About 1/2 way through the year, I realized that my blog had become something that I had not intended.  A review blog. 

(This Mocha from La Mie Emilie is probably the best coffee I have ever had.  Seriously.  It wasn’t too sweet.  It was just right.  AND it had REAL whipped cream on top.)

And that wasn’t my heart. 

The title of my blog sums up my vision:  Granola Mom 4 God.  In my greediness, though, I attempted to become involved in as many review sites as possible to get free stuff.  And while the free stuff was sometimes great . . . it became a burden. 

Writing reviews isn’t easy.  But sharing what I am passionate about . . . sharing what God has put on my heart . . . sharing (and at times) teaching about His vision for our family . . . simple. 

(Simple.  Like chocolate.  Can’t go wrong with chocolate.  It is always easy to eat.  Gateau Mousse au Chocolate from La Mie Emilie.)

So . . . you will begin to see a slight change in my blog.  The amount of reviews will decrease.  And the reviews that do come along will be written because I simply wanted to.  The goal of my reviews is to share what I learn.

I like to read books.  So you will still see some of that.  I like random products . . . and my involvement with MamaBuzz provides me with this opportunity (which I’m reviewing something fun tomorrow for them).  But I’m not directly trying to sell you something for commission.  If I want to make money off of something, then I will link it directly to my GM4G Amazon Store.  Otherwise, I will just take you to Amazon for more information or link you to a product’s website. 

My goal for this blog has never been to make money. (And blogging for free really isn’t a money maker.) It started as a way to remember this time in my life.  It allows me to write . . . which has always been a hobby I enjoy.  I get to display some of my amateur photography.  GM4G gives me the opportunity to share what God has been teaching me.  This blog has also opened up doors to make friends with people I have never met but still feel like real friends.

So, thanks for putting up with all of my reviews and a SPECIAL thanks to those of you who even comment on my reviews! 

I’m going back to the basics . . . kind of like I cook. 

Since I’m being honest, it’s you’re turn.  Is there something you would like to see more of?  Is there a topic you would like me to blog about or even research? 

Technorati Tags: blogging,La Mie Emilie,reviews

Wordless Wednesday

Grill Daddy: A Review

This is a grill.  Meet Weber.

Weber has never experienced a thorough cleaning before.  He has seen a grill brush.  But nothing like what he is about to have scrape his insides. 

Weber is about to meet the most villainous toothbrush known to grills.

Meet The Grill Daddy.

 

It’s long.  It has water.  It sterilizes.

I wouldn’t want to use it on my teeth.

This odd shaped contraption is easy to use. 

1. Heat your grill for 10 minutes.
2. Using the scraper brush, run The Grill Daddy across the grates, while releasing water via the on/off water valve. (By the way, make sure this is closed when you transport your Grill Daddy out to the grill.  I learned the hard way and found myself with wet socks.)
3. Then, flip The Grill Daddy over and use the main brush.  By using a reasonable amount of pressure, slide The Grill Daddy in the direction of the grill grates, with the water valve still on.
4. Keep using until your grill is clean! 

I’ll let you be the final judge, but I think that the one side of the grill definitely looks cleaner.  I didn’t touch the other side.

The Grill Daddy is available for $19.95 with a 30-day money back guarantee, and all customers receive a free color-coded meat thermometer when they order through The Grill Daddy.  You can also find this gigantic cleaning tool at Ace Hardware, Bed Bath and Beyond (of course), CVS, Home Depot, Sears, K-mart, Target.com, and True Value. 

Now, you probably want to know if I would spend my money on it . . . well, I think it is neat.  But I am not the main grilling person around here. If you are particular about how your grill looks and anal about cleanliness . . . then this is the tool for you.  But you have to remember that I once lived in India. 

I was provided with The Grill Daddy for free as a result of being a part of MamaBuzz.  I do not have to give this tool back.  It will now reside in its rightful place . . . by my husband’s Weber.    

By the way, head on over to MamaBuzz to win a Grill Daddy.

Technorati Tags: The Grill Daddy,MamaBzz

Lobster Network: A Review

I think that LobsterNetwork has coined a new phrase, "Item Networking."

What is "item networking?"  It's a personal library of your stuff that you can choose to share with others or keep as a private online inventory. 

How LobsterNetwork works (By the way, you can watch a video that explains it all.): 

It's easy. Create friendships with the people you know.

It's fast. Browse your friend’s stuff and request to borrow something.

It's flexible. Approve or reject any request for your stuff.

It's controlled. Decide who sees your stuff. Even create "communities" of friends that only share stuff with each other.

It's helpful. It tracks your stuff on loan and automatically reminds your friends when to return your stuff.

It's secure. Keep a private inventory of your stuff online for insurance purposes. Include pictures too.

It's free. Best of all it's free.

For the visual person, let me provide you with a summary:

 

 

So if you don't know what to do with your homeschooling stuff, or you feel guilty about your accumulation of movies and books and want to share, or you simply want a place to keep an inventory of your stuff, then LobsterNetwork might be the solution for you.  It is free.

 

If you would like to see what my other crewmates thought of The LobsterNetwork, head on over to The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew blog. 

You’ve Waited Patiently: Strider Bike Winner

While you all have been entering to win the AMAZING Strider Bike, we have been having tons of fun playing on our new YELLOW bike.

I can’t even begin to count the number of times my husband and I have remarked on how good this bike has been for Sir Honey.   He can actually ride faster on his Strider than he can on his pedal bike that had training wheels. 

In fact, his old bike has been collecting dust.  (Time to give it back to our friends.)

It has been especially fun to see the confidence this child has built over the past couple of weeks.

On Saturday, we hung out with some family at a park (it was really a wilderness), and I watched my little Sir Honey glide down a fairly big hill completely balanced . . . and he did it again and again and again.

In an email to me, Ryan--the creator of The Strider Bike, wrote . . . perhaps tricycles and training wheels will become the relics of museums . . . I couldn’t agree more.  This bike is fun, builds confidence, and really is pretty amazing. 

So do you want to know the winner?  Well, I was blown away by 225 comments and Tweets!  Wow!!!  Thanks for paying attention to my blog that much!  What a great 200 Feedburner celebration!

And you may wonder how I derived the winner . . . well, I realized that the comments were in reverse order.  So I picked the 206th comment based on time order.  Basically, I counted backwards since the 225th comment was actually first.  Make sense?

OK . . . drum roll . . . . and the winner is . . .

Comment #206

 

Who was Debbie Stanton --

Congrats!  Please send me your snail mail address.  I must hear back from you within 48 hours!

All of the new people who have come to visit my blog, I’ve tried to return the favor and visit your blog . . . I just think that is a nice courtesy.  So, if I haven’t visited you yet, please know I will do my best and try!

Be sure to enter my Tropical Traditions Amazing Honey giveaway and the Seeds Family Worship Giveaway. 

Stay tuned for The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food giveaway.

and CSN Plan City toy giveaway!

 

Technorati Tags: Strider Bike,CSN Stores,Plan City

Seeds Family Worship CD: A Giveaway

Good music . . . and you won’t go crazy listening to it. 

Sometimes, as a mom, I find that my children and I don’t always have the same taste in music.  They like the cheerful, high pitched, made for children gospel music.  And well . . . it just doesn’t resonate well in my ear.

Give me some acoustic guitar.  Or on the flip side . . . Toby Mack. 

But Seeds Family Worship is where the children and I meet on happy listening ground. 

Seeds Family Worship is 

“dedicated to planting the seeds of God's Word in the hearts of families. They do this through NIV Scripture songs (currently there are 5 cd's). They also equip and educate families about family worship. You can listen to their music and find out more about them on their web site (www.seedsfamilyworship.com).”

One of the coolest things about owning a Seeds Family Worship album . . . is that you get to keep one CD for yourself and give one away.  Yup.  Each CD cover case comes with two identical CD’s.  You can spread the love. 

Want to win a CD? 

How to Enter (and yes my friends and family can enter . . . I use www.random.org to pick the winner . . . and you aren't friends with Mr. Random.  No one is. So enter to win ON MY BLOG NOT through a FACEBOOK COMMENT.)

Mandatory:  Visit Seeds Family Worship and tell me what song you liked the best after listening to a few.

Optional Entries (meaning write a new and separate comment for each)

1. Become a fan of my blog (look over on the right sidebar) and tell me that you are or already were.  A little avatar will show up when you follow me through Google Connect.
2. Visit Seeds Family Worship and tell me what activity you would do with your family with the help of a new Seeds Worship CD.
3. Download the chords to a Seeds Worship song and upload a video to your blog or You Tube of you (or someone you personally know) singing it! 
4. Visit the Seeds Family Music Store and tell me what other Seed item you would like to own.
5. Tell me who you will give your extra CD to.
6. If God didn’t give you a great singing voice (like me), but you still worship anyway,  give yourself an extra entry. 

Giveaway Ends:  June 4, 2010.

US residents only!

Technorati Tags: Seeds Family Worship,giveaway,children's worship music

God Truly Stuck His Hand In This Honey

I’ve heard it was good.  But honey is always good. 

Umm . . . you’ve never tasted honey until you have tasted Tropical Traditions Raw Honey.  Seriously.

I just don’t know what else to say than this honey is AMAZING.  It puts anything sweet to shame.  It simply is good by the spoonful.  God put some of His best work into making this honey. 

No joke.

We used it for a tea party:

And for my morning chai:

It worked great for chocolate whipping cream:

But I think we ate it by the spoonful the most.  Yikes. 

Want to win a jar of Tropical Traditions Raw Honey?  It is so good.  I think I might enter my own contest.  Is that legal?

RULES
Please, please, please . . .do not put more than one entry per comment. I will be using www.random.org to pick the winners. So if you would like for your comments to count, leave individual comments ON THE BLOG (click on that link), NOT FACEBOOK.

All options are worth 1 entry, unless otherwise stated. My real-life friends can enter this giveaway.

1. (Mandatory) Click on the link and subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter.
2. Become one of my fans through Google Connect if you aren't already! (It’s over there on your right . . . see all of the little people?)
3. Tell me where Tropical Traditions raw honey is harvested. 
4. Buy something from Tropical Traditions. When they ask you how you heard about Tropical Traditions, list my sponsor id (5498794). I won't make any money off of this . . . but I will get a coupon for other Tropical Traditions products.) 
5. Tweet or blog about the giveaway and then come back and leave me the link.

Remember, only #1 is mandatory. The rest of the entries are optional, but you MUST comment separately for each one.

The Fine Print: I will email you when you have won. You must respond within 48 hours.

Contest ends 06/04/10 at Midnight

Author's Note: I was given this product to review from Tropical Traditions, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine unless otherwise noted.

Technorati Tags: Tropical Traditions,raw honey

Life In Spite of Me: A Review

I am amazed and inspired of how God can use such tragic circumstances and turn them from ashes to sheer beauty. 

Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.
One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.

But Kristen's story doesn’t end there.

In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living.

Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured.  
Includes notes of encouragement Kristen wishes she had received when she was struggling most.

When we are at the top of our game, it is hard to imagine sinking to a pit so low that you don’t ever think that you could climb out even if someone built an elevator for you. 

But it happens.  I know that for a fact. 

I have also experienced a God who is the ultimate surgeon and doctor.  This book is an encouraging true story showing that God still has a hospital where He is on-call 24/7, ready and waiting for us to enter whenever we need Him.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  To see a video for this book, visit the WaterBrook Multnomah website or just click on the link I provided for you!

It' a . . .

Well . . .this is the bible we purchased. Can you guess what we are having?

What Bible Will I Purchase?

Tomorrow I will know, Lord willing, what Bible to purchase for Baby #4. Typically, this is the first present that I buy my unborn child.  Why?  More on that later.

Will it be this one?

Or this one?

 

Yet, God may have other plans and I will need to pick up this one . . .

or a slightly different look, such as . . .

Currently, these are the bibles that I have purchased for our children.  The top book is my leather journal . . . in order to stay focused in my prayer time . . . I have to write.  Otherwise I end up daydreaming.

I know it might seem crazy to buy (and read) a grown-up bible for (and to) my children when they initially can’t read, let alone pick up the bible at one day old. 

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

But I have a little tradition.

You see, my Mother-In-Law gave me Stormie Omartian’s book, The Power of a Praying Parent.  Mama Kathy tells me stories of how she used to walk around her neighborhood (which was also MY neighborhood) praying all sorts of things for her children . . . including prayers for their future spouses.  (I wonder if such a prayer was prayed as she walked in front of my homestead?)

Anyway, this made an impression on me. 

So . . . I went through Stormie’s book . . . and made note cards of all the verses that really stood out to me.  It was these verses that I wanted to pray for my children.  And I wanted them easily accessible.  So I hole punched some index cards and put them on an O-Ring.  (You can now actually buy such a contraption.)

And as I go through these note cards, I underline (very lightly in pencil) the verses that I have prayed for my children.  That way, when they are older . . . when their bible is officially theirs to use for personal study and youth group . . . they will know a little bit of why they are who they are and the heritage passed down to them. 

I have worked through Mr. Smackdown’s bible. 

And now, I am praying through Sir Honey’s.

Then, I’ll move on to Mr. Smiley’s . . .

and finally pray through Baby#4’s bible . . . .

Then, I shall start all over again.    

What’s fun is that when they see their bible out . . . they get all quiet and excited.  A big smile emerges on their faces.  “Shh . . . Mommy’s praying for us.  Let’s see if we can find something she underlined.”