Monday, October 25, 2010

Ring Sling from Celiascreams

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A friend of mine (Amanda) makes and sells ring slings, nursing necklaces, and wool soakers. I have used the ring sling that she made for me with both my 11 month old son (20 lbs.) and my 2.5 yr. old daughter (30 lbs.). Both my husband and I can use it comfortably and our kids really enjoy riding in it (my daughter actually asks to ride in it!). It is easy to adjust with just one hand, but it does take some practice. Amanda can custom make the sling for you as well. I decided to have her make me a khaki colored sling so that I could convince my hubby to wear it as well. The prices are amazing (average cost of a sling $25) considering you’d easily spend at least $40 on a ring sling in a specialty shop. For more information or to place an order, please visit Amanda’s etsy site located at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/celiascreams

This review was possible because I received a ring sling from celiascreams.

The Way Home DVD

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Read the Back:
An Inspiring True Story

Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”) stars as Randy Simpkins, a husband and father torn between the demands of his job and commitment to his family. Asked by his wife Christal to watch their two-year-old son Joe for a few minutes, Randy is distracted by work and Joe disappears. Racked by guilt, Randy joins Christal in a desperate search for their missing son alongside hundreds of others from their Church and community. Randy and Christal’s strained marriage must now weather the ultimate test – the potential loss of a child. THE WAY HOME is the story of Randy’s powerful spiritual journey back to love, faith and a Godly understanding of what must always take first priority in a man’s life – his family.

My Thoughts:
Remember to have a box of tissues handy when watching this film. I found myself sobbing multiple times. If you’ve ever lost your child, even for 5 minutes, you can relate to the panic and fear that Randy and Christal must’ve been feeling when they discovered that little Joe was missing. As a mother of a two and a half year old, I found this movie EXTREMELY intense. I could just picture myself losing my little girl and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! This is a great movie to watch on a girls’ night out or possibly when you just need a good cry, but unless you have a softie of a husband like I do, you probably won’t be able to convince him to watch it with you. My favorite part of this movie was the way the people of the church and the community came together. Randy’s mother phoned her pastor and a prayer phone chain was started. They had SO many helpers come out. What an amazing testimony to the power of God. Also, it got really gritty when Randy prays out to God in the forest. The rawness of emotion was very gripping. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this film.

This review was made possible because I received a copy of this DVD from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Friday, October 1, 2010

The Thorn

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by Beverly Lewis

Read the Back:
“Two Amish sisters divided by one sister’s impulsive marriage to an outsider.
Hen longs for the Old Ways she left behind…
Rose is unsure of her own heart – devoted to the bishop’s rebellious foster son, yet courted by another.”

My Thoughts:
What an AMAZING book. This book had me near tears several times and beaming right along with the characters in other parts. The story flows really well and makes it a page turner with little desire to set it down in between. Beverly Lewis develops the characters in such a way that anyone can relate to at least one or more of them. I related with Hen, but not for her relationship with her husband, but rather for the one with her daughter Mattie Sue. A young child with a great imagination and zest reminded me SO much of my little girl. You could feel the love that Hen has for Mattie.

I also really enjoy how the author incorporates the Amish lifestyle into the story of the book as opposed to just having it be the scenery where everything takes place. She really describes the layout of the farms and the location of things such as the phone shanty so that you can draw a perfect mental image. It never ceases to amaze me how much I learn about the Amish culture when I read a book by Beverly Lewis. I really enjoyed learning phrases commonly used amongst the Pennsylvania Amish and since I have a grandmother that lives just outside of Lancaster, PA, I can appreciate the culture that much more.

I definitely recommend picking up a copy of The Thorn, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Rose Trilogy in April 2011!

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.