Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs

No one can have enough hugs and kisses, especially our children.  This is especially true right now.  The new children's book by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Aleksandar Zolotie, Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs, is a  wonderful treat to share with a child as a reminder of how precious hugs and kisses are.  I received this book from Waterbrook and Multnomah as a member of a launch team for an honest review.
The story begins with a mother tucking her son in to bed and her boy telling her that he is too old for kisses.  The mother then explains, "Kisses are good...It's how mothers show our children how much we love them."  The boy then asks, "Does every mother give mama kisses?'

The mother answers the question by imagining how various animals give their young kisses. The child finally asks, "How does God kiss us?" The mother's answer is inspiring, she says, "He kisses us hundreds of time a day...At night, he kisses us with a shooting star. In the morning he kisses us with sunlight that crawls across the fields and streams into our windows.  Most of all, he kisses us through our family, that is how God made us to share love." The imagery of the words and the pictures are enchanting.

Next the father comes into the story to share a prayer and the boy tells his father that although he may not be too old for mama kisses, he is getting too big for papa hugs.

The father and the son explore different scenarios of hugs from fathers, both animals and robots.

Finally once again the son asks, "How does God give us hugs?" and the father answers, "Hundreds of times throughout the day, God sends us hugs...He hugs us when we sing with others...Or when snow blankets the hills and everything is completely still..."

The father then explains that God gives his people hugs through their families. The boy decides that indeed he is not too old for mama kisses or papa hugs.

Bergren's book, Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs is a gentle reminder that God is always with us, showing us his love, but we must be intentional to acknowledge it in our lives and share it with others.  

I encourage children young and old to read Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs to each other and share God's love.

The Wingfeather Saga: North or Be Eaten

     With the state of the world currently, a little escape from the news is a welcome distraction. Thanks to Andrew Peterson's newest juvenile fiction, fantasy, action adventure novel; North or Be Eaten, Book 2 of the Wingfeather Saga,  a new world is just a page turn away.
     I received this advanced reader's copy as part of the Waterbrook and Multnomah launch team in exchange for an honest review.
     Until I received this book, I had not been introduced to the Wingfeather Saga.  Working in the school system I have read many fantasy fiction series, and North or Be Eaten from the Wingfeather Saga is a fanciful tale of escape, perseverance, and adventure.  The Igiby family is on the run from the vicious Fangs of Dang, the evil lizard like entities out to acquire the lost Jewels of Anniera, which just happen to actually be the children in the family, Tink, Leeli and Janner Igiby.  The Igiby children are said to be the heirs of a kingdom that resides across the sea, and because of this fact...people are out to kill them.  Tanner is the Throne Warden of Anniera and he is charged with protecting the High King, his brother Tink. Tink is rebellious and afraid of being a king so he does not listen to his older brother which leads to more trouble along the way.  The Igibys are trying to make it to the Ice Prairies to safety because there they can escape the Fangs of Dang, but before they can get to the prairies they are waylaid by the Forest of Glipp, the Great Blapp, Stranders and the nefarious Fork Factory where children are imprisoned as "Tools".  Along the journey Tanner loses his brother Tink, and fails as the Throne Warden...to find out if the Igiby's make it to the Ice Prairies you must read North or Be Eaten.
     I enjoyed the fast paced book. I believe that both young and old readers will be be transported to the world of the Wingfeather Saga and all the fantastical creatures that exist therein.

The Englisch Daughter

The news is scary for many people in our world lately. Watching the constant updates and minute by minute changes to our routines can be overwhelming.  I have a suggestion, Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing, Waterbrookmultnomah.com, has released new titles this Spring and it is the perfect time to stay in and enjoy an inspirational story!

The Englisch Daughter by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall is a perfect choice to read.  I received The Englisch Daughter from Waterbrook & Multnomah as part of the launch team for an honest review.

From the beginning of the story, I was captured.  The book really spoke to me for many reasons. First of all, I love Christian romance novels. When my mom was alive, we would both read many of the stories, and share our appreciation for heartwarming tales as we discussed the plots and characters together.  I miss her and reading these books makes me feel like she is still with me.  Woodsmall has captured the heart of a tender and uplifting story in The Englisch Daughter.

Secondly, I live in a Kansas town that is only 20 miles away from an Amish community.  I am very familiar with many of the Amish customs.  So reading about an Amish family in Woodsmall's novel was fun.
I sincerely liked everything about The Englisch Daughter.  The book begins with the old order Amish family, the Grabers.  Jemima Graber, wife and mother, has a troubled heart.  Her husband Roy has become distant and distracted.  She doesn't know why but feels that it may have to do with injuries from an accident he suffered.  As fate would have it, it was partly due to the fallout of his accident, but not in the way that Jemima thinks.  In the midst of the struggle, Jemima is busy raising her four small children and helping her husband with their family horse farm, along with Roy's outspoken sister Abigail. Abigail and Jemima have their own dream to pursue, owning a food truck together to serve the visitors to the Amish community during tourist season.  Abigail plans to give up her teaching job to pursue the enterprise. With so many irons in the fire and the troubles distracting Roy, keeping him from his family and work, Roy hires a man to work with the horses,  Chris Fisher. Chris becomes an integral part of the Graber's community, all while facing troubles of his own.

As one would predict all works out in the end which is why these novels are so fun to read, no matter the turmoil the characters face, the reader knows that God's plan and forgiveness will be illustrated in the story.

I enjoyed Woodsmall's book on several accounts. The story is fast-paced with well-developed characters.  Each character faces their own struggles but Woodsmall wove all their lives together into an interesting plot.   I also appreciated the glimpses into the Amish life.  I was intrigued that they could use cell phones for business now and called Ubers to go places.  Even though I live near a community, I didn't know these customs were now a part of the lifestyle.  Overall, I feel that the book is a delight and a perfect escape from the world's worries right now.  I heartily recommend  The Englisch Daughter by Woodsmall, take a break from the news and savor a great read.

Feeling Pretty

The older I get the more I ponder.  I wonder if all women past the age of 50 do this or if it is just me, but I find myself thinking about ideas and feelings more as I age.

The other night I was with my friends at our monthly bunko game night.  This particular night many of the ladies at the last minute were unable to attend, so instead of 12 players we only had 6.  Not enough to play bunko, so we just sat around a table, ate some incredible food the hostess had prepared and had a girls' chat session.  It was just what each of us needed.  

On a whim, I asked the ladies when they feel pretty.  Bear in mind, we are all 50+ years old.  I started off. 
I told them I feel the most pretty when I am at the gym, in the middle of a hard work out during the "Group Fight" class.  I may not look like most perceive as pretty, perspiring, my hair falling out of its ponytail, and red-faced. But that is when I feel pretty because I feel strong.  I see the progress I have made the past few years taking the class and how high I can kick now compared to the beginning.  
When I see a little muscle in my arm, little being the focus here, I feel pretty.  

I'm sad to say that the first reaction to my question was a groan. All the women remarked on the aging process, extra pounds, wrinkles....but I pressed them. The key element here is FEEL.  When do you feel pretty?  

Finally, one brave lady said that when she takes the time to really primp for an event, having her hair, nails, and makeup done... buying a matching outfit and jewelry, and making an extra effort by putting time aside to care for herself, it makes her feel pretty.  Another agreed. A fresh haircut was when she felt pretty.  

Being on a hike or taking a walk, no make-up, fresh-faced in nature is what another lovely lady said.  This was when she felt the best about herself.

Most answers were along this line. 


I stopped to remind each beautiful woman how stunning and incredible they are.  All of us are so critical of ourselves.  We look in a mirror and see wrinkles and bulges.  Wings on our arms, and gray in our hair.  Numbers that haunt us on a scale. 
We start picking ourselves apart as young women. You would think that as we grow older we would feel more content, yet we still struggle. Each and every day we face ourselves in the mirror and pick apart our appearance.  

If I could say one thing to women, it would be to strive to focus on feeling pretty in life. Pretty and confident in your strengths and abilities. Each of us, at any age, is wonderfully made and the epitome of pretty.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.