Kiss Me Again Blogging for Books Tour

In Kiss Me Again, Barbara Wilson:

· Shares her own story of healing and renewed desire
· Helps women forgive themselves and their husbands for past choices
· Shows readers how to break free from “invisible bonds”
· Explains God’s plan for helping a husband and wife to re-bond
· Includes conversation helps for both wives and their husbands
· Helps couples reignite the passion that they thought was lost


Ultimately, is about restoring lost intimacy in marriage. I do have to warn though that this book gets pretty involved and even intense. It is geared toward a very specific audience, to be used more or less as a 'self help' guide along the lines of making peace with your past and enjoying the present. One thing I did find interesting was Hillerstroms' model of the five levels of vulnerability. For me, it put into words one of those underlying principals I could see at work in relationships, and I'm sure I've heard something similar in a psychology class or two. It brought new meaning though, the way it is applied to marriage. Overall, this book was very well written about sensitive issues with great Godly wisdom.

To learn more, visit the Random House, Inc site.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. To learn more or join the Blogging for Books program, try here.

and the winner is...

Amy, whom I just discovered has two blogs! You go girl, I'm still drooling over your recipes as well as your sweet little boy! Congrats, and God bless you on your new journey of everyday miracles! So glad to hear you will also be a future blogging for books participant!

Also, I'm looking for opportunities to expand and review other items, especially anything having to do with these young ins I have running around underfoot. Here's a special message from the eldest:
,. kkkkkkkkkiokkkkkkkiokoiiyftrf
According to him it says, "I typed!"

You Were Born For This blog tour

Thanks to the program, Blogging for Books, I got a chance to read Bruce Wilkinson's new book You Were Born For This 7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles. I also have a copy to giveaway free to you! Here's the summary.

Anyone can do a good deed, but some good works can only happen by a direct intervention from God. Around the world these acts are called miracles—not that even religious people expect to see one any time soon. But what would happen if millions of ordinary people walked out each morning expecting God to deliver a miracle through them to a person in need? You Were Born for This starts with the dramatic premise that everyone at all times is in need of a miracle, and that God is ready to meet those needs supernaturally through ordinary people who are willing to learn how Heaven works.

In the straightforward, story-driven, highly motivating style for which he is known, Wilkinson describes how anyone can help others experience miracles in such universally significant arenas of life as finances, practical help, relationships, purpose, and spiritual growth.

You Were Born for This will change how readers see their world, and what they expect God can do through them to meet real needs. They will master seven simple tools of service, and come to say with confidence, “I want to deliver a supernatural gift from God to someone in need today—and now I know how!”

What did I think of the book? Well, it does present some neat insight into what Wilkinson calls 'everyday miracles.' I just love the first hand accounts of how God used him to meet a very pertinent need in some one's life, thus allowing him to be involved in the making of an everyday miracle. It clearly moves past coincidence to nothing short of miraculous when he gives a complete stranger the exact amount of money she had prayed for that morning to pay for rent (unbeknownst to him). These stories have the fingerprint of God all over it, so cool. Throughout the book, there are a few of these great testimonies to the everyday miracle territory. Overall though, the book almost reads like a 'how to' manual for partnering with God to help perform these everyday miracles. It has helped me to refocus and be more intentional, and per Wilkinson's advice, praying for situations where God can use me to help perform an everyday miracle in someone else's life. It's good stuff. Here's a chance to score your own copy. Leave me a comment with your thoughts on miracles. Do you believe in them, have you ever heard of one, been a part of one, prayed for one? Share your story. For me, hearing personal accounts of where God has stepped in always helps strengthen my faith. Alright, you have one week to enter the drawing, so go forth and comment. And if you can't come up with anything else, then just translate the word 'miracle' in a few different languages. That should be amusing enough.

Check out this video link of Bruce Wilkinson introducing the book.

Check here to find out more about how to purchase this or other Random House titles.

Check back on the 25th to see who the lucky winner is!

double digits

She's ten months old! I guess I shouldn't be surprised as she has always been bound and determined to grow up quick. She wants so badly to keep up with her big brother, and some days she does give him a run for his money. She's really a tunnel of fun.



She's an old pro at pulling up, and has now surprised us by just standing up all on her own. Here's an action shot of her cruising the furniture.



She loves playing with her big brother. It's so sweet because they actually kind of play together now.



Of course this means I always need to be sitting ringside to referee. Let's just say she is a girl who knows what she wants and doesn't let much get in the way. Wonder where she got that from?



Yup, she likes to be in the driver seat of life.



She seems to operate on two speeds: supersonic or sleep. She's still the sweetest little girl I know.



She started some 'dada' and 'mama' awhile ago, but I think her first official word may actually be 'amen'. She can sign 'milk' and 'more'. She loves kisses, crawling, being carried, dancing, finger and hand games, eating, laughing, being tickled, faces, and her favorite toy is by far her big brother. He's usually a good sport. There's no denying it, this baby girl is just so full of life!

decimals

Two and a half. 2.5. No. Not my little guy. That seems so big.



Then again, most days he seems to talk like someone twice his age. He busted out with a 14 word sentence the other day! He's very witty, some days I feel like he's auditioning as a comedy act.




I am so blessed to be able to just soak him up all day long. He usually pulls out all the stops during our snuggle time at night. Last night he was counting his fingers, my ears, his nose, he was counting my eyes, and then started saying "one and one, you have one and one eyes." And I got all excited, maybe too excited, thinking he was beginning to understand addition, and who was I to stand in his way. So, in my overenthusiastic mom voice, I said 'yes, one and one equals two!' He looked at me dead serious and said, "I don't know bout dat yet." He's so much fun.



He's such an easy going little guy. I hope a mango always makes him this happy.



Even though he enjoys the simple life, he's got big dreams. He wants to be just like his daddy.



And mommy. Yes, some days it does feel like all I do is babywear and vacuum.



Of course he loves airplanes and his new thing is to remind us, daily, that when he gets big he's going to fly an airplane like daddy. I present you Captain Caleb.



Yes, he really is that cute. And sweet. He is one awesome big brother.



He sings to her, he reads to her, and he's even been known to share his beloved blanket with her. This little boy just oozes love.

sand in the city

This was by far the best event we have ever taken Caleb to. Well, I guess it helped that the children's museum was the mastermind behind it all, and not to mention it was free! I'll walk you through some of our adventures. As soon as we entered, they had this huge sand pit set up with buckets and shovels galore, and kids happy to be burried up to their bellies. Luckily, Caleb was still just taking it all in at that point, and we managed to walk him far enough past it to find this cool little table full of something similar to Moonsand, but 'greener' (not only in color either).





Here he announced he had built a great tower and it was awesome how proud he was. He could have stayed there all day, but we started hearing rumors about a 'touch tank' so of course I had to investigate further. Granted it was quite a popular attraction as you could imagine, but well worth the weight! Caleb showed no hesitation at all, check him out.





He actually took both of us by surprise as he just reached in and snatched up that starfish, as we weren't even sure if that was allowed, and none of the other kids were doing it. It was so neat to see him so comfortable though (he's usually a very cautious kiddo that almost always asks permission in new situations especially - yes we are very blessed, I know). He had actually put it down right away after Josh and I kinda gasped for air as this poor creature was hanging in the hands of a two year old. Then I mentioned I should have taken a picture, and he was more than willing to pick it back up and pose! Again, so not like him, but I'm not complaining! He was pretty excited about everything there, even the boats in the harbor.



All of the sand sculptures were awesome, but here's some of our favorites (or are they just the ones we actually remembered to snap a picture of).





Then it was onto bubbles! I think at this point Caleb thought he had actually entered heaven. When they offered him a huge turtle bubble wand, he might as well have been walking through the pearly white gates. Dad was there to provide a little bubble making assistance (and to ensure no one was hurt in the process).




Apparently, it's all in the wrist. Oh, and the hair...



And here's proof that Alynna and I were actually there.



She wanted in on the action so badly. We finally did come upon this great little tot spot for her, but by then I think she was just about ready to give in and take a nap.





They were even accommodating for the four legged visitors. Hey, what's in here?



Hey Mom, can we come back here tomorrow?

let's just hope...

This is the only time we ever see them behind bars!

At least they're in it together.

HOORAY, we're free!

They really do love each other, it's so sweet,

even if they are partners in crime already!