Things I Love Thursday: Freegal Music

Ok, so this is more for those in the Kent County, Michigan zone, but maybe if you check your local library system, they will have something like it. Did you know that if you have a library card with KDL (Kent District Library) you can receive free mp3 downloads?

Its called Freegal Music. The library has its own 'library' of online mp3 downloadable music featuring artists from pop, r&b, gospel, holiday, children's, and more! Go to http://www.kdl.org/ and go to the freegal page (under ebooks/downloads). Log in with your library card number and go! The search system is a little weak, so I end up browsing or going to find the song/artist I want manually. A library card holder receives 3 free downloads a week! I find that very cool. All you have to do is save it to your computer- and then drag and drop into itunes if you have an ipod. Its that simple- and it really is free! I have found some great learning songs by leapfrog for my 4 year old to learn days of the week. I also just got a couple holiday songs by Kenny G to put me in the Christmas mood while wrapping gifts. Did I mention this is free music? Really- if you think about it that is 12 free songs a month- 144 a year!

I heart our library :)

Drop on in to The Diaper Diaries for more Things people love this Thursday!

You're Welcome- a recipe to enjoy

I have found my new favorite holiday- ok anytime- sweet treat recipe. Love the mall cinnamon roasted almonds? Um, yes! Not exactly diet friendly, but at least it has more substance that cookies right?

So here is the homemade version (I had no idea it would be so easy, yummy- like where has this been all my life!)


You'll need:
16 oz bag of whole almonds
1 egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of cinnamon


Mix egg white and vanilla until frothy. Add almonds and mix until they are all coated.

In a separate dish mix rest of ingredients. Add almonds and toss to coat.


Place in one layer in a jelly roll or baking pan (you may want to use parchment as these kind of leave a sticky mess, but my color glazed 9x13 did great, easy clean up!). Place in a preheated oven at 250 degrees. Bake for one hour, fifteen minutes. Every 20 minutes mix around and rearrange back into one layer. Let rest outside of stove for 5 minutes before eating. Store in an airtight container. Make great goody giveaways to friends/teachers/family etc.

You're welcome.

Book Review: Jungle Warfare

So, I'm not a salesperson, but I'm the wife of one. So, in efforts to help my husband with his business and to be (hopefully) an encouragement to him, I decided to read Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales by Christopher Cunningham.

Adapted from his Grandfather's World War II era military issued "basic field manual on jungle warfare," Cunningham connects the strategies and thoughts demanded for combat in an unknown jungle land with the jungle that is life as a Christian, especially in the sales industry. With God as the ultimate Guide, the Christian salesperson is asked to prepare for battle on two fronts- spiritually and in the business realm. But really, they are connected. Cunningham's underlying tone is that when a person is spiritually growing, with God on the throne of his/her life, and eager to serve Him in whatever facet- then business success (though not always the way our earthly minds imagine it) will follow.

This 22 battle plan book was set up as a small devotional for the reader; with sections on part of the original war manual, a verse from our 'manual', thoughts from the author, then a series of questions and a prayer. I found the set up to be quick, simple, but choppy. I rarely found the connection between all of the components, and more often than not I found the material lacking cohesion or stretching the material to 'make it fit'. Following the 22 day plan were a list of popular questions that I believe a lot of business people, particularly men, ask with verses and a thought from the author as an answer. For example- does God care about my sales numbers or what do I do about success?

I found this book to be reminiscent of a 1 minute radio spot. The quick one line thoughts are good, but not very deep. The one minute radio spot may get you thinking, but often quickly move on to the next item at hand. With some further study, I believe Cunningham's thoughts on integrity in the business world, trusting God with our whole life- including our sales, learning to rest and be still, and the connection between being a person after God's heart first with the sales coming after are all good ideas, but I left feeling empty and wanting more. I felt as though I had heard the 'token devotional' before my Christian college classes. I did appreciate the sales person's creed based off of the American soldier's creed.

This book would work very well for quick devotionals in the business world or with a small group of men. It would allow for more open discussion and lead into further research in scripture of what God says about each the subjects. I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

Out of The Fog part 2

Back in 2009 I wrote about the journey of 'my fog' This time in my life was tough, and now with the help of a great doctor, can probably point to post partum depression. Well, now that Liliana is 9 months old, I thought I would share My Fog part 2. Thankfully, this story went a little better, but not without its struggles. I hope that for other women out there can see two stories of birth, life, hormones, and the unexpected and see that there were two different approaches, with similar but yet different outcomes.



Liliana was a 'planned' addition, she was prayerfully considered and prayerfully anticipated. We started praying for my emotions very specifically from the moment we began thinking about 'adding on' to the family. I discussed with my new (and wonderful!) doctor about my past experiences and from her understanding it was most definitely PPD. I was given surveys periodically to test my emotions and anytime an emotion moved from the 'never had' or 'seldom have' category to something more frequent, it would raise a red flag. In October, so about the 6 month mark in pregnancy my emotions went bonkers. I was having anxious thoughts, couldn't put together sentences at times, I was easily overwhelmed, all of the symptoms from Izzy's post birth came flooding back. Little did I know that once you have experienced PPD you are more likely to experience it prenatally as well! While we were fervently praying for this to not be the case, Paul and I realized this was yet another way for Satan to attack and we needed to face it on a spiritual and physical level, therefore we made the choice to go on an anti-depressant, in my case it was a low dose Zoloft.



While this drug took a few weeks to take effect, it did help tremendously. It was only in extreme circumstances that I would have the spikes in emotions. Towards the end of the pregnancy things got worse and we changed the dosage and spread it out throughout the day. Due to the circumstances of Izzy's birth, we opted for a planned c-section with Liliana which went very smoothly. Thankfully, we made the right decision for her birth due to some other findings. Everything was peaceful, calm, and went great! I was able to enjoy having a baby.

With the help of modern medicine and the power of prayer we were able to keep the PPD at bay for the most part. Unless I was in extreme situations such as large parties or extra tired, I felt in control of the PPD emotional roller coaster. It was freeing. At about the 6 month mark we began to (slowly) wean off of the zoloft. This was a tedious process as I was not prepared for the withdrawal effects I would face. While this was not pleasant, I still wouldn't have changed the decision to go on the drugs in the first place. What I wish now is that I had stayed on the medicine longer. I still have terrible days, but they are outnumbered by the good days. For some, PPD is short and sweet, some it is intense, some it is long and drawn out...and for some it changes with each baby and pregnancy. I apparently hang onto this hormonal nightmare longer than average. I hope that as we near the 1 year birthday of our Lili-Monkey I will again get out of the fog of PPD.

I am so thankful for great family, a wonderful husband, a faith that keeps me going, a great doctor to help guide through the medical side of things, and a Savior who loves me even on my bad days. That's my story- well God's story. If you had told me 5 years ago that I would go on this journey I would have told you you were nuts. Oh how God changes us and brings us through deserts to draw us closer to him. I am thankful for my journey- but ever so glad it is turning towards the next one!

Book Review: Really Woolly Bible Stories

I love finding Biblical resources for my little girls. I long to make the Bible relevant, meaningful, and applicable to their little lives. I was given the opportunity through Thomas Nelson Publishers and BookSneeze to review Really Woolly Bible Stories by Bonnie Rickner Jensen.

This hardcover and cardboard page book tells some of the most well known Bible stories (Creation, Noah, Jonah, Daniel, Jesus, Good Samaritan, etc) in simple rhyme format. With a 4-8 sentence rhyme and adorable picture, the basic lesson of these bible stories is told. In many ways it reminds me of classical nursery rhyme books with the ethereal drawings. While child-like and quaint, these stories still tell Biblical truths and some even provide a command of application- such as the conclusion of the Good Samaritan which asks the child "will you help out today?"

I found this Bible adaptation to be wonderfully thought out, creative, and appropriate. I would start reading this with my babes as soon as possible. I feel the ideal age for retention and application would be for ages 1.5-3 years. My four year old daughter enjoyed 'reading' the book to herself and liked some of the poetry. One of my favorite parts was also the scripture reference after each story so the parent could find the source of each story.

With a market filled with Biblical adaptations for every age and need, I found the Really Woolly Bible Stories a fresh, fun book to have for young children. Two thumbs up!

Book Review: The King's Christmas List

We are born in sin, with a selfish nature. It is at its basic level seen in children- why is it so hard to share and give? While especially appropriate around Christmas time, the book The King's Christmas List by Eldon Johnson is a wonderful story to share with children (and even adults!) what it means to truly give.

Following Emma's journey as she gives her favorite, her best, and her new items to other people in need- she comes to find out that when she gave her gifts she was like she was giving to the King- Jesus. While at His birthday party (Christmas celebration) she finds that what Jesus enjoys most of all is seeing others give to one another- because it is like giving to him.

I find this story hits on two main levels. One- that is is good to give and share. It is important to give our best, our favorite, our new things - not just what is left over or what we don't want anymore. By giving our best, we are really giving God our best. By giving to others in need, you are really giving to God and fulfilling the commandment to 'love our neighbors.'

Secondly, this book does an excellent job of explaining to children why it is custom to give gifts on Christmas. The holiday can quickly become commercialized and gift focused. The King's Christmas List shares how giving is an expression of God's gift to us in Jesus.

I thought this book did an excellent job of sharing the concept of biblical giving to a child geared for ages I'd say 4-10. My four year daughter did great with the concepts. The only downsides to the book are that I feel it is a little 'wordy' and uses a lot of extra phrases that are unnecessary and make it more difficult to read. An example: the continuous validation of the 'pretend aspect' with the letter, voices, and talking dog. Kids will take a story at face value and don't need the constant validation that it is pretend. Also, I felt the illustrations were not very captivating. Overall, I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars.


Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers and BookSneeze for giving me the book to review and enjoy!

Book Review: Storm Warning

As a Thomas Nelson book reviewer, I recently had the chance to read Billy Graham's updated version of Storm Warning. Originally written in 1992, Graham has taken the same concepts and applied current events (current economic crisis, 9/11, Iran, and more) to the equation.

If you are looking for a play by play direct correlation to current events to Revelation and the end times, this is not the book for you. Most of those books are mere speculation anyways. What Graham has done is used the moments that seem 'end times' in our current or even recent past and shown the importance of being prepared as Christ Followers. Graham focuses his writing on what Christians can do to be prepared for Jesus' second coming, how they can protect themselves from the dangers of this world (such as cults and other spiritual movements), and instilling a sense of peace and joy knowing that as Christ followers we serve the ultimate king, the winner of it all. We don't need to worry about what is 'about to happen', but can find peace knowing that on the other side of the storm, there is great peace.

As Christians, we also have the opportunity to be powerful influences during these storms. Rather than sit and wait in fear of Revelation to come to fruition, we should be eagerly searching out ways to possibly 'slow it' as Elijah did and to find moments to share Christ with others. One of my favorite passages of the book was on page 267, "May we not miss His (Jesus) presence. May we not be found with our lamps dimmed. May we be found waiting, watching, and working for His glory." Whether Revelation has, is, or is going to soon reveal itself, my job is to focus on serving my Lord and be ready during these storm warnings so that I can withstand the wind and rain and enjoy the after-storm glory of eternity.

While a rather quick read, Graham's writing style is rather dry and hard to sometimes get motivated about. I did find the book picking up and more enjoyable about 2/3 of the way through. While not a poolside read, I think this would be an appropriate book for any believer who is using private study and devotional time focusing on the future and current events and how they relate.