September Book Reviews

This month provides back to school... and some good books....
One better than the other, of course... that being, books, duh!

So this month we are going over the top reads for September!

Via Bella's Top Reads
These are books that are going to stay on my shelves for some time to come. Ones that I really enjoyed or really stood out to me. It is really hard to pick a favourite book. All the books here I really very much enjoyed reading and will likely pick up again.

A Kid Approved Holiday Cookbook = A Big Win!
Every Girl and Woman in the World Needs This Inspiring Book
A Great Audiobook Adventure: Bringing Ancient Egypt to Life
Raising an Original

Star Struck in the Most Simplistic of Ways
Allow Yourself To Be Starry Eyed in the Darkness 

Humour + History +Advice= Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life

Play With Fire: A Phoenix in Faith

An Inspired Guide to the Two Wheeled Life

Via Bella's Good Reads
These are more neutral books. Some of them I really liked but it didn't tip the scales to be in my top favourites or they just didn't stick out to me very much. They were good, there was good to be had from it, so it definitely wasn't a bad book. Some of these books may be the ones that you either love or hate.

Discipline That Connects with Your Child's Heart

Oh Baby Baby.... Look in The Mirror
War and Romance in a Monsoon Summer

What Does it Mean to Be Good and Angry?

Every Autumn Needs Beautiful Romance... 3 Love Stories

Win this Super Cute Book- Night Night Farm

Marry Wisely, Marry Well

Via Bella's Bad Reads
none this month~ Surprise Surprise! This is unusual but does happen occasionally that there isn't a book that I wanted to throw. This happens to be one of those months! Yay!

Have you read any of the above books?
What did you think?

Discipline That Connects with Your Child's Heart

I really liked the thought of this book. Is it something that I can use to be able to reconnect with my child(ren) after some really hard, intense, and emotionally draining stuff has gone on? How is parenting as a separated individual?

One of the first chapters I went to was about not letting the baggage we bring, because we are all people and have it, into our parenting. I find myself and shamefully so (and so you do as well because you are only human) is allowing the baggage to interfere with the parenting you are doing.


I was underwhelmed with the chapter though. It makes some really good points in it. I love the fact that she is using her faith in a healthy way in what pertains to her parenting and relationship to her children. I love that she is meeting them where they are at and learning to walk away.

I felt this chapter could be have been longer- in fact, it's own section. I was looking more for advise, helpful tips (more than just a couple) than the story telling format she uses in the book.

The next chapter is just as realevant if not more so parents.

In this day and age we are told to whip our kids into to shape but we are damned if we do as well. It causes so much humilation and shame to say the least. I have done it myself. I have called my kids out because they "threw the nerf ball in the crowd and hit someone with it" (as it is the book). I call it being young and parenting but also there is a big social pressure for instant parenting and I am slowly learning that this is not the right way to go.

"Slow, Low, and Listen" is something they go over in the book about how to approach the situation rather than going whole hog into a situation. I wish I had this technique down better. I love that they give you tips in here and they don't overwhelm you with what you should be doing differently. I mean, who likes laundry lists of what you need to change about yourself? No one. That is the answer. No one does. However, I did feel there could be a little more substance. I wanted to hear more.

While there is talk of faith and verses are said in here, it is not done in a way that you feel is imposing on your thoughts or beliefs. I know I sometimes struggle with faith. And if you say you don't that is a flat out lie. Because everyone does. And because I don't feel perfect in my faith, I don't like to think of that as being a major part of my parenting. Also, parenting aside from faith is super important to me because I am allowed to feel that I am parenting and not forcing a child to believe in something that they not personally believe in. They must comes to terms with their faith.

Something that is very much appreciated and liked in this book is the fact that they are being real with you in a kind way. They aren't forcing you to believe anything. They aren't saying are you wrong, even if you are. They tell you like it is in a compassionate way. They tell you how other parents are struggling with the same things in a modern age.

For example, talking about struggling with things that are superficially based. And unfortunately some of our parenting comes from. For example, "You can't talk to me that way!" It is a falsehood. Of course they can. It is how we respond to it! It has been socially ingrained in us and in the world around us to see things as they are on the outside and less so on the inside. Put a quick band aid on it. Make sure to sign the forms. Make sure everything on surface level, no matter how deep it may seem, is good and taken care of.

Misbehaviour: The Golden Opportunity for Unconditional Love

They urge you without pushing you off the cliff, to change. To see how and why the things that are being done whether you or to you  are the way they are and how they can be changed.

They go on to talk about how our kids want to respect us. I am not sure how true this is... but then again, it could be because my kids often hate their school work and fight on it constantly. Joking aside, I think they do want to on some level.

So all those "why this" and "why that" and "why me" make more sense. They need the explanations.

Sometimes we are taught that anger is the only way to be heard. And the book doesn't say that-- that is all me saying that. It is hard to cry. It is hard to say we are hurt. It is easier to be angry. When can we just sit down and be honest with where we are at and know that over time we will be listened to more both in our personal relationships and with our kids when we do that?

I am in love with this book and feel there is so much advise in here and it is broken down into sections that are easy to understand. It is also an easy read. It's not a fluff reading piece and has practical advise and things that you can think about in how to address your parenting.

Of all irony, reading this has me about 100% tempted to take my kids out of the online academy they are on because of the stress it can bring on for me and my kids. If it reduces my stress it can help me be the parent I have always wanted to be. To educate my kids in a way that is powerful and more like a world citizen rather than a bonafide test taker.

The funny thing is that there is nothing on schooling except for saying "my son hates math" in here. That is not the section I am even thinking of either.

I think this would make a great book for a parenting class! It has simple ideas and for some reason has really resonated with me as a parent, a mum, and a human being.

I really appreciate that in this book!!!

I highly recommend this book!

Oh Baby Baby.... Look in The Mirror

So this book... yes, another baby book... Oh baby!!!

This is a combination book between a baby book, rhyming book, and a mirror book. At first I thought the book was have mirrors on each page or have a handle for the baby to carry the book. To no such availability. (This could make the book better by the way!).

Overall, it is an ordinary board book. It's cute.

Illustrations were cutely done and definitely a draw in.

I wish though, even though attempted and well done for the most part,  especially given the social situations of today, that there were more diversity in the illustrations. I say this because while there was an attempt to do this and it was mostly done, I felt like it could have been done better. It is a progression and done well though.

There are cute pictures ones where the baby is reaching for the cat's tail (that every parent can relate to) or where the stuffed animal is sleeping in the same position as the baby. There is even one with a big sister holding a baby. So the parents get some cute moments out of it too!

There is a mirror at the end of the book where the mum can write the baby's name and I think that is a cute idea. Especially for teaching the baby their name early on. My kids knew their names early on even in writing before they could obviously write it themselves or read. So I like the idea of being able to to customize it.

I had two girl scouts by the way who decided to play school in my house... on a Saturday. Don't ask me why but they did. I gave them the book to help tell me what they thought.

Rosie said that she thought that the "God loves you too" was out of place because there was no other mention of God in the book and then, and I quote, "It was cute little rhymes and then all the sudden bam! God loves you. It was just weird." That being said she is 10 years old.

This will make a perfect Birthday or Christmas or Hanukkah present for any baby or toddler. So enter to win for yourself or for that little one in your life to gift to!

If you are one of my friends and you are reading this, don't tell yourself, but this is about to be an awesome present to one of you... and I don't know who yet, so start fighting over it now. Hahaha. But for real, I am going to bless someone with it!

http://tinyurl.com/zglnavk

ENTER TO WIN IT!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review* 

Every Girl and Woman in the World Needs This Inspiring Book

Shh!! I got an either very late birthday present for myself or an Early Christmas present for myself. Or for my daughter. For her coming birthday.... or Christmas. You know what? Forget that, it's going to be the book for the girls in the house!

This book looks and feels awesome and I have barely opened it. I am teeming with excitement. (Except there is a nick on the side of the book but who cares because this book looks awesome!). As a girl scout leader and a boy scout leader, I believe whole heartedly in following your heart, challenging yourself, challenging others, and growing strong in who we are as people. United. Women!

"Artists and athletes, pirates and pinks, and other revolutionary women who shaped history."

Who wouldn't want to read it?!

From the get go she tells you to close your eyes and imagine a president, a pirate, a spy... what do they look like? Most of the time you don't think of women because of social standards. These women broke them. Whether a thousand years ago and a woman became pharaoh or today, right now. Maybe the next one is your daughter!

They broke rules, they defied the odds. They kept going. They spoke up. I am in awe and inspired myself to keep moving forward and up.

Some were born into it like Enheduanna who was in ancient Mesopotamia! She was born to the king who gave her the position, the first woman ever, to be the High Priestess which holds so much power both spiritually and politically. Wow! She was also an author which is how we find out about her!

We have heard of Malala Yousafzai who at 17 won the Nobel Peace Prize. How? She told her story. She got shot at 14 years old for exposing what her community was going through. A 14 year old made grown men scared enough to try to take her life on a bus! How sad. It made it stronger. How amazing is that!

Miriam Makeba used her voice to sing of the injustices in South Africa she and her community were experiencing. When she got a part in an anti-apartheid movie and won an award for it, she was exiled from her own original country! She couldn't go back. Like the movement that Alicia Keys is doing with no make up, no facade, she did the same thing! She traveled around the world. She testified about her experience in front of the U.N.

Wangari Maathai became the first East African woman, from Kenya, to receive a PhD! She became an international human and women's rights activist. The country she loved was not the same as when she was a kid and also became an environmental activist as well. She was beaten because of her efforts. She became the first African woman to become a Nobel Prize winner an won a seat in Parliament receiving 98% votes for her.

Kalpana Chawla who was from India and became an astronaut! The first Indian woman to do in a time when most people were becoming house wives!

Aung San Suu Kyi from Burma who became a leader of her country and a nobel peace prize winner.

Kasha Nagabasera from Uganda who started FARUG (Freedoma nd Roman Uganda) which grew to become Uganda's main LGBTI organisations. She testified in front of the UN and too has been beaten for her efforts to change her country's ways.

Hatschepsut who was in 1500 BCE in Egypt who ruled Egypt as a king. Yes, you read that right. A female king. She ruled for 22 years and wanted to be a peaceful ruler.

Qiu Jin who was executed in 1907 for writing revolutionary poetry and helped to stand up for women's rights in China which was rare. She was called the modenr-day Mulan or Chinese Joan of Arc.

Fe Del Mundo was a smart cookie. She got a full ride scholarship to anywhere in the world and she chose Harvard who only accepted her because they thought she was a man. When she arrived, they had no choice because of how smart she was for them to keep her! She was the first female Harvard student! She was able to take her medical knowledge back with her to her war torn country and help many people!

One my sister in law who is a linguist would appreciate is Dame Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira from New Zealand who helped preserve a dying language. The Maori language.

Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft became the first women ever to trek on Antartica.

Other names we have learned to know like Frida Kahlo, Venus and Serena Williams, Josephine Baker, and women from ALL over the world and time periods that can inspire any woman or little girl!

Women like these are WHY I do girl scouts! I have and continue to lead over 50 girls and I have only begun! It is SO important and I will for sure be using this book to help teach these girls. What amazing examples!

I am SO using this book to touch as many girls in scouting and women as possible! Let's stand up and be united for all!!! Love love love love!!! One of my faves this year!

Marry Wisely, Marry Well

I will be honest... One thing that drew me to review a book called Marry Wisely Marry Well was the fact that maybe I would learn something in why my marriage has failed. Maybe knowing that there may be something I hadn't considered or been able to fix.

Fix is such a strong word when it comes to marriage, isn't it?

Think about it...

How can "one" "fix it" in a marriage?

The answer is really simple honestly. Which is that they can't.
I know... not the most popular answer but it is true!

I don't agree with the notion that cohabitation before marriage is a bad thing. I hate this Christian idea that is filled with falseness. "It shows in studies how it is bad" is simply not true. In fact, I bet you can find way more studies that show it's a good thing because then  you learn more about your mate. I didn't do this, but to each their own.

I love the idea though of preparing oneself, both man and woman, for marriage before even being in a relationship. I love this idea because you learn more about yourself in the process. You are not looking for prince charming or princess in distress. You are being real in real time about who you are and what you need and expectations are.

I love that it breaks down Chapters by questions. Each chapter answers one question and the part (or unit) has an overall theme to it. I like this because frankly I can skip sections I feel like aren't worth it as much to me.

One of the chapters in part 1 that intrigued me was about how people are attracted to each other. Because it really is like a magnetic pull that seems divined a lot of the time. At least to me. Maybe it is just me but I don't think it is.

In the beginning of Chapter 3 I think he oversimplifies what attraction is, like we have control over it. We don't. I don't care if he disagrees with me but attraction is even scientifically proven to not be something one can control. However something that was powerful food for thought I can appreciate is this:

"It was attempting to return to the scene of your original frustration so that you could resolve your unfinished business..." pg 38

That simple idea pulled out is actually a powerful one. What if we are finding mates to help us finish what we are simply needing to further us as people. To help us with our unfinished business. Such a ghostly term but there is so much truth I feel in it. Perhaps that is why we also fall out of love too.

I love in here that it does ask you to look at your attraction more closely but I want to throw this book. I don't say that about many books at all. (I love me my books). But this book is asking, actually not just telling, but forcing or trying to an idea onto you that no matter what you are wrong and so is your attraction because the bible tells you so.

While there are things I can appreciate about the book, because I am a glass half full kind of person, to me, the way this book is written is rather demeaning of what God means to have love and marriage be. I am quite offended by it and this is one reason I would stay clear of the church this person went to.

It sounds like he is writing it for his 3 daughters so they don't get in a bad relationship but goes overboard with it. This could be totally wrong, but just comes from a male perspective but also looking to justify erratic standings with just the bible alone. God is so much more than the bible. So much more and trying to define everything God is by it alone is an insult to the very God he is trying to quote.

One thing I can completely agree with him on is pornography in the way that many people use it (to objectify women specifically and get instant gratification rather than through actual experience. And it hurts when it is done behind the back of the wife or girlfriend and also places unrealistic expectations on them that we can't perform in real life)...
"God made the sexual relationship to be beautiful for a husband and a wife, but pornography distorts and exploits the beauty of the body." pg 41

"To give you extra motivation to work on understanding your heart, you need to understand that it is fundamentally about worship." pg 43.

Okay, now I want to throw the book again. It is not fundamentally about that. Sorry. This is just not right. I can tell you that right now. God even says so in the bible. That he gave man and woman to each other. To make each other whole. Not to fundamentally worship him. Yes, God should be part and center of it according to much theology and I don't disagree with that portion but the way this is written is insulting.

On the other hand it provides great questions to ask yourself.
Like:
"Is my attraction just for the physical or am I spiritually attracted to them?"
"Is it out of neediness?"
"Is it more important than God?"


He goes on to talk about premarital fantasies and marital realities. While at first I am like, dude, nothing is black and white (but apparently they are for you) I kept reading. He redeemed himself by showing with some of the examples that we need to make sure we are not looking for the other to fill our personal insecurities and making them idols and feeling let down when they don't fill it.

I do like that he asks helpful questions at the end of the chapters for your self reflection.

On page 56, he goes through why marriage is important, especially in this day and age and I couldn't agree more. Things like that it is good for society because married men tend to work better and harder. The fact that it is better for children. The fact that is having a oneness not experienced anywhere else.

I think the most helpful part of the book is the skills you need to be a relationship. Things I feel I didn't learn growing up and could have done better at in my own marriage. Communication is everything. We just have such different styles of communication. But that is not what did our marriage in, as if you cared. But it was insightful.

Overall, this book is like a strict unrealistic code that doesn't seem real to me. I am sorry. I have read most of the book and wanted to throw it many times. It just feels like a conservative church using the bible to back up their thoughts and thoughts are that not totally well thought out or backed up.

Again, some very good things in here but I just feel this is not a book I would recommend to my Christian friends. It could have been written so much better and still gotten the points across and I would have actually really liked it.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

A Great Audiobook Adventure: Bringing Ancient Egypt to Life

We have never tried an audio book before. So reviewing The Cat of Bubastes   by Heirloom Audio Productions   was something new for us.

Never had I had an audio book actually. My kids haven't either. It has always been text and book for us. We don't always read even e-books on our electronic devices. There is something about having a book in hand and being able to touch it and smell it. Also, it doesn't require an outlet.

I can't even tell you how many times we have listened to the audio book. I am going to venture to say a few hundred times. Laugh but it is true. My kids LOVE this. And it keeps them quiet in the car. That is a first. Audio books may become a new thing for my kids because they have fallen in love with them with this series.

I even like listening to it and it doesn't get old. I am going to equate this to Harry Potter and how I could read it over and over and over again. It is something that they and I love listening to any time we are in the car. We have listened to it and nothing else in the car for the last month. You may think I am kidding on this... but I am so not. If I take it out, I am asked repeatedly to put it back in. Sometimes by demand.

Another thing I like about this that is different than most audio books is that I can use the study guide to ask questions of the kids. I think this is a great because you can reach a child where they are at. Some are better at comprehending something through audio book rather than reading. So I love this idea of introducing things like history to the kids. Being able to use the study guide is a great way to reinforce what they have learned or let them explore what they think about it.

I like the ability to download the mp3 file too because every time I try to take the compact disc out of the car, I might as well be committing an actual crime... because they all fall apart. I like that they give you both because otherwise I would not be able to listen to it often. I am not all for mp3 files because they are mainly on the computer- I like having the CD but then again, maybe that shows my age. Haha.

Another thing, is that it does directly even deal with faith which is something one of my children has struggled with. They are more willing to talk about it through the context of this story then through just an outright study question-and-answer format that we are so used to now and days in brick and mortar schools.

The cast is amazing and does an amazing story of bringing the story to life. It has big names like people from Star Wars. When you have that kind of star power behind it, you know it is going to be done well.


Avi's Review:
"I think The Cat of Bubastes is a good reminder of how it was back in ancient times when slavery was as common as flowers in a prairie. And it also shows that no matter what happens to you that you can change your destiny if you work for it. Overall, it is a really good story and it is long. It is pretty long and will entertain you for a while. I recommend it for ages eight and up because it has stuff some kids may not understand. Overall, I give four and half stars. Two stars for the content, another two stars for how well it was produced, and half a star just for the fun of it and because it's awesome."

Via's Review:
I really loved it. The only thing I would have problems with it are the words I didn't understand. It really is amazing story about how they take back your land after becoming a slave. All the characters are very good at what they do. It's just an amazing event. I love the end when it says where it takes a time and a place and it says it's for another story because you want to come listen to more. The Cat of Bubastes is really an amazing story and all in audio. It is good to go in the car and on the go. Just on a tablet too. It's really interesting to listen to. I could listen to i a thousand times and never get bored. It's a story about a prince named Amuba whose father, a man, and man others. All the characters play an important part. And that it ends with a story with the person taking back what was his and overcoming what happened before and taking back what he needed to do even though it was dangerous. And girls made it along with him. It is a amazing story who I think everyone should listen to. If I could I would give it it a thousand stars."

Kai's Review:
I asked him what he learned and he said verbatim:"I learned the God things. They didn't fight but they controlled the battles. You don't shoot straight at an animal. You shoot up *with hand motions* and ahead of it. That's how you do an animal. Don't do straight at it. The ibex. I.... Book! Yes! I love it! I say... when... when you very far,,, it looks like an ibex... it's an animal. And you can actually break a fence! You can break it with swords or arrows or metal things... maybe."

Some awesome kiddo reviews, right? I think their reviews though understate how much they love it! I do too and what a way to bring a family together! Thank you!

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Ultimate Phonetics- How Ultimate Is It?

I am looking forward to helping my little one learn how to read. They are growing up way too fast. My youngest son gets to use and help to review Ultimate Phonics Reading Program by Spencer Learning.

I was excited about this program for my son because I really wanted him to learn to read. My other two children were avid readers by his age and amazingly enough my eldest was reading chapter books by five years old. My daughter started reading more about four years old. So when my youngest hasn't started reading yet, this was something I was more concerned about. To be honest though, not enough to freak out about because every child is different. Plus, the youngest always has a way of milking the baby years for all it's worth, right?

So when I got the chance to review this, I jumped at it. The reason being that it was something I felt could help him without too many bells and whistles. Sometimes the way things are done now and days through all the applications you can download on your smart phone can be completely overwhelming for young minds and can be done more simply. So how do we fix that? Make it simple. Nothing super fancy and over done that only clouds the real learning. Now and days our kids want to play video games and that is great and all when companies can mix that with learning. Sometimes though it can be overdone and backfire.

Sometimes simpler is better. I was hoping for this with this.

I found the mono tone voice to be boring frankly. I know my kid sat through it and played around with it a little bit. It helped him but not as much as he wanted or frankly I wanted. Again, I love that baby stage but I do think that learning to read will help his speech and vocabulary.

The other thing is that I feel to see the full benefit of doing this program will have to truly be when he is completely finished with it without a one and half month taste of the program. I will be continuing to use as a supplement.


Things that I think could be improved is:

* The mono tone voice- While this feature can be good for some people it isn't appealing. I imagine having worked with kids before, that it can be very good for those with learning disabilities. Which two of my kids have. But it is almost too mono tone, yet not robotic. I can see it getting boring after a while. Maybe they can switch voices where one is a man, the other a woman and they switch off.

* More explanation in the sounds. I felt that they didn't do the best job in saying a sound and explaining the rules of the sound. For example, in "boat" you don't pronounce the "a". Why is that? I feel that something to explain the phonetic rules would  help an older child or adult with learning disabilities or English Language struggles to be able to understand why you don't pronounce the 'a' in 'boat.'

* In the Sentences, I wish they didn't highlight the whole sentence at one time when they do the voice. If they lite up the voice as it said the word, that would be ideal. They can't read whole sentences and even if they could it is by far more ideal to have each word light up as it is spoken. That way the sounds and phonetics of the sentences are pronounced and shown better.

* Felt this did not work to be able to be the only thing for phonetics for my son. I don't feel that it is a stand alone program. I was hoping it would be but I think it needs another back up. I say this because of the examples listed above. If my son or my foreign exchange student needed to learn it, they need to know why something is phonetically different. English is one of the hardest languages to learn and vital to world social and economical interactions in the future.

Things that I like about the program are: 
* In sentences, I like that you can drag the mouse over the word and it will highlight the word and sound it out. Helps them break it down by words in the sentence.

* Not over the top. Again, I love the simplicity of the program.

* You can skip sounds and letters as you need to. Super helpful because my child may struggle with the different 'a' sounds instead of the hard sounds like 't' or 'd'. And if I am using as a supplement, it is great to be able to use different programs, this one being one of the them, to help build the person's phonetic understanding and capability.

* Covers a lot that you can use to supplement (for some, using for full phonetics could work). Again, full program isn't sufficient for my child. For beginning readers or new English Language Learners, I think it is extremely helpful as a supplement and could work as a full course for someone with basic understanding.

* It is designed for people of all ages. For example, a teenager who has learning disabilities or a 50 year old who is just learning English. That is one of the strongest suits of this program which I love. It doesn't baby the words or use examples that you would only use in a Kindergarten classroom. This is the best feature or one of the best features in my opinion of the program.

* Over four thousand words and two thousand sentences. This gives many many examples and helpful words and phrases. My sister taught English Language Learning in community colleges mostly to foreign students and I can imagine that this would have been extremely helpful to give as homework to help build their skills. Although, the same thing that drives me nuts (the lack of phonetic rule explanation) would have also driven her nuts too. She know teaches overseas and to help translate into English. So this potential appeal of the product can be world wide if they honed and improved a few simple things.

* It is a download. I normally don't like programs that download onto the computer to be honest, because well, pictures take up so much space already. But this is great because when he is done with his online and offline for phonetics, I know exactly where the program is to help boost his phonetics.


Overall, this is a great product and a great supplement. I plan to continue to use with my child to help build his reading skills over the next year and hopefully make a reader out of him!
"Oh The Places You Will GO" ~ Dr Seuss

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War and Romance in a Monsoon Summer

I was really excited and intrigued to read this book. I love things about traveling and adventure and romance. All awesome things. I love romance novels especially ones that have a lot of depth and breadth to them. What better way to spend an afternoon than with a romance book?

This one is based on real life stories from nurses from the time period, about an English midwife (in training) and an Indian doctor who pursue adventure, life ambitions, and eventually love! So the name Monsoon Summer holds many meanings and ways of interpreting the meaning of it, if you get my drift. Haha.

However, this book was underwhelming to me. I really really wanted to like it more than I did. I really did. It starts off boring and doesn't do enough to capture my attention in the beginning. In thinking it was just me, I found out that my room mate read it as well. That is what I get for having book geeks in the house- never a dull moment. When I found out, I asked him his thoughts on it. He thought the same thing about it.

And quoted to the tee from him: "It was a waste of 300 pages."

That may be a little harsh. I don't completely agree with the sentiment he holds towards it.

I think the book would be great for a few afternoons where I have nothing to do and have the patience, ability, and time to be able to get completely into it without it having to force myself to refocus or go back to read because I felt that there was something I wasn't getting or missed because there was so much information there.

I literally have picked up the book and put it back down again many times because it has lacked something in it enough to keep my attention on it for more than a few pages. This I think can be explained by the fact that it didn't completely capture me first then do all the background explanations after it already had me.

What I did appreciate was that there is a lot of thought that went into it  and there is a lot of knowledge of things that that referenced in the book. That I like and appreciate. She traveled to India, got accounts from nurses them selves, did a lot of research for it. That is awesome and definitely shows.

It's like a slow motion movie that I am stuck in... because it is written for a screen play or movie- which it would make a great movie or screen play, by the way. It is great for setting a scene and being able to get context but it was almost too much. I felt like I was getting into the dramaturgy of a play. It was tedious. It was frankly boring in the beginning. Too much. But would be great to watch as a movie.

It may be someone else's cup of tea, but it was definitely not mine. There needs to be more omitted to make it more of an intuitive read.

Why? Because it would be like standing in the room and instead of saying, 'there is an English tea cup there', it became, ' there is an English tea cup there. I don't know why they got it at the faire. The faire only serves people who are high class and this place isn't that. It was too purple and it should have been brown. Plus, there is a crack in it because Susan kept slamming it hard on the table every time she took a sip. Why? Because she was angry. Why was she angry? Who knows. It could have been the relationship with her daughter. Who passed by the way. Who her daughter was in a relationship five years ago and because she didn't accept the daughter didn't speak to her again. But this English tea cup sat there unused now. It feels so lonely. Now, they are serving the butter cake." But even worse. And by the way that is not in the book, but I just literally made that up as an example.

This bugs me because it doesn't allow for the imagination to see it. And when I read a book some things are best left unsaid because otherwise it distracts. The example of the tea cup  was done for many things, items, and situations.

That being said, as I read on, it got more interesting but it took me until Chapter 5 or 6 or 7, I lost count, to actually want to be interested in the whole story and to keep reading.

I think it is well written and like I said, I look forward to finishing the book when I have more time to be able to read with little time and things on my mind to be able to fully immerse or get lost in without having to having worry about it capturing me beyond the intuitive level.

Otherwise, it really is written well.

* I received this book in exchange for my honest review* 

Raising an Original

I was and am really excited to review this book by Julie Lyles Carr about learning to parent each child according to who they are. And you think, just tips, right? Nope, there is a 4 style personality trait assessment tool as well so you can be guided even farther in who your children are as people.

The test should be in the beginning, after the forward and introduction of course.

The first chapter is mostly in metaphor which is kind of annoying because it is not telling the story and then going back to the point of the metaphor and going into a deep discussion about it. The metaphors and the parenting. Maybe that is done on purpose but it is confusing a little bit while I am trying to read it.

Starting in the second chapter  I hear more of her and her story and the meaning between some of the metaphors and parenting. Her writing gains style and grit that I can appreciate. She goes on to make me laugh quite a few times. Because there is truth in what she is saying. God never intended for us to be normal. Otherwise we would all be made the same. Duh!

This book is not what you think of when you think of the title.

No.

It's not a full on advise on how to raising your kids unique to who they are. Which is what I thought it was honestly. Sadly, to say, I am a little disappointed about that. Even 60 pages in, I feel like I am reading something more like a sit around in a college class labelled "How Christianity Calls for Not Normal Parenting and Philosophy". It's not a bad thing but it is different.

I appreciate that she is real about it-- She shows us that even in historical and biblical context, regardless if you believe in God or not, that he never called us to be perfect or be the same. I appreciate that immensely.

In terms of parenting each child differently. I think her way of teaching us is through adage and story. Through her experience with her kids. Through weaving that in with history both biblical and non biblical based. She shows us that parenting comes in different waves and different stages no matter what time warp you step into. We just happen to be in the time warp of texting and computers and school testing.

COME ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR "OH BABY BABY" 

This book is liking writing a permission slip for you to be a real parent in the real ways that you really were meant to be.... really. She is doing that through telling her story to you. Through weaving the history in and out of it. Through connecting the dots between the worries of the second baby versus the sixth (and the sixth wanting to major in British accents). Through showing that we are all human, we all have similar fears and wants as parents. We all too have to let go.

In chapter 5, I felt like I was sitting down with my MOPS mums and listening to one of them in the circle talk about their birth story. Sharing what their fears were coming home from the hospital. What it was like for them to miscarry. The fear that followed that pregnancy. Then her son 3 years later flunking out of preschool, which, sorry Julie, had me rolling on the floor laughing. That is so funny- but yet we all have that worry even at 3 years old whether it comes in one from or another. Our kids flunking before they actually have begun. This is one of my favourite chapters thus far because it is so candid and so truly from the heart of a mum named Julie!

I even in fact think that this book would be a great huge benefit for the ladies in my MOPS group, so Julie if you or your publishers are reading this, I would love to do one as a giveaway for them or get 25 copies to give each of them for Christmas. I feel like so many of them will love this book! (I am totally series about this too, email me viabella.thebeautifullife@gmail.com and I will give you my information so we can do it-- nothing like blessing those that have been a blessing to others).

I feel the book gets better as you keep reading it! I love the examples. Even the style of writing. Which to me, because I am a blogger, I can see that for some reason in her writing style. Don't ask me how I know, I just kind of do.

I love the personality test in the third part of the book. I can't wait to sit down and do it myself for each of my kids and then also have the kids sitting next to me and have them answer so we can compare. See if we are on with what we think their personality is like. It will be interesting to see! Of course, because I am a mum, I am blogging while my kids are in bed.

I definitely think this is an entertaining read and the teaching is more in a story telling format. I have a feeling that it has something to do with the same way I wrote my blog post about how it is to co parent when one is separated. You can read it here. Simply put, there is no cookie cutter answer. What you will learn from her story is different than what I will learn and make that is the point.

I have really enjoyed reading this! While it was not what I initially expected, it was still good!

* I received this book in exchange for my honest review* 

Star Struck in the Most Simplistic of Ways

It is a Friday morning. Ugh. I am grabbing my coffee and dark chocolate for breakfast (please don't judge lol) and sitting down to read this book.

I love astronomy. Just love it.

We often forget how amazing and beautiful it is in the midst of the crazy hectic week of life we have just had. Hence the dark chocolate for breakfast. And hence the headache I am still experiencing. Ugh. But again....

The title says it all!

We forget that we are part of this amazing vastness called the universe.

I picked this book for a few reasons:

I love, like, LOVE astronomy! I love the stars. One reason why another book I reviewed was based on the night sky (just in a different context). I love astronomy so much that I took astronomy courses while pregnant and again while my son was a baby. My professor, Raja, used to joke that he better be paying attention because one day he is going to take us to Mars. Lo and behold, Raja spoke truth... sort of.

My son as well loves and adores astronomy. If he could study one thing, that would be it. We have done several reviews in fact involving homeschooling and astronomy because of his love for it! One of them being for an entire astronomy course and the other for a unit study on stars! 

So I picked this book because after I read it my 5th grader will also be able to read it.

So now to the waiting for the book...

... Got the book very intriguing from the start.

I love that he is honest that there are many that can't mix science and faith/religion. It is a sad fact that many think that they can't both be right. But they can be and he is the prime example of that.

I love that he shows a page from his notebook from when he was 9 years old. He drug out a chair in the middle of winter with his kiddy telescope and looked in to the night sky  and took notes on it. He still does it 50 years later. The love of science and astronomy.

We forget the love for things we have as a kid and how that impacts us as adults. It is amazing to see that he followed what he loved regardless of his faith. That alone is inspiration.

However, some of the things he claims as truths in terms of science, astrology, and the bible do the very things that he is saying of them to criticise them. Which is to claim they have little to no proof that astrology is real. But the same can be said on the opposite side of the spectrum. That being said, he does present an easy read for it. I appreciate more that he is willing to talk about it.

I love that he incorporates easy to know references in this book such as Star Wars and other pop culture references. That makes the reading more accessible to people. Even if we haven't read or watched Star Wars. (gasp, I know, I am one of the few).

I love how he also gives you knowledge without expecting you to know astronomical terms that would baffle the normal non-astronomy lover and scientist.

He even goes back chronically from the beginning and does so in an easy story telling kind of way to talk about what ancient Egypt used to believe to what Native Americans. I love that there is also a history behind this. It is not just a bunch of "believe this" "believe that" outright (even though there are tinges of it which I am not a fan of) but he tries to provide insight into different views. Not wholly but he does try.

If you have wondered how science and faith could intertwine, or you don't struggle as much with faith this is a great read for you. You can learn more about how science can and does fit for you.

If you do struggle with faith, you can actually just read and skips the biblical points and still get a lot out of it. I know that seems like "why pick up the book then?" The answer is simple. You will still learn something! And there is some pretty cool stuff in here.

And pictures... did we mention pretty astronomy pictures? Because that is a must in a book about astronomy... just saying...

Overall, I think there is something to be had and learned no matter where you are in faith, history and science.

* I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

Allow Yourself To Be Starry Eyed in the Darkness

Feeling lost a little? Maybe a lot?

Maybe you are looking for some low key self help and some antidotes to know that you aren't the only one?

So I have done MOPS (Mothers of Pre Schoolers) child care for the entirety of last year here in D.C. I was really intrigued by this book because I wanted to learn more. Plus, just as important, the cover is pretty and the book has a cute name. Shallow maybe, but awesome nevertheless. Haha.

I went to the first MOPS meeting of the year and found out it is more like a guide for the next year. I thought that I would learn more about her personal story- and that I did a little bit- and about why she started MOPS and so forth.

When I realised it was the guide, it was interesting that I could see into the next year of MOPS.

Some of it I can see are very deep antidots and food for thought. Others feels a little fluffed. Which I have mixed feelings about. Not because she was trying to write it that way but because that it has it came across to me personally. And maybe that is a good thing. Maybe it is because I was worried that the responses to the questions at the end of the chapter would not create anything more than fluff answers. Of course, this isn't totally true.

After watching the video and seeing her speak (and referencing her book quite a bit) I understood more where she was coming from and it was a much more beautiful place than just fluff. It was ways to make light of many things including those of darker situations.

One strong story she told and did so well in the book was about her father. Like losing her father. That was something I can imagine being traumatic for anyone especially for someone about to walk down the aisle without their father next to them. She wrote this story so well that I was welling up tears at the soccer practice itself.

There is a Q&R (Questions and Responses) sections that allow you to internalise the process, the chapter, and what you have either learned or had a reaction to what she was saying. She gives you questions to think about.

What I realised too both with reading the book and realistic practicality of being in MOPS that the answers can vary grately. They can be superficial fluff and deep hard crap.

I love the idea of the year-- which is being able to stop dividing who we are and excepting all of who we are in totality. Being able to be comfortable in the dark. That we are one with the dark if we allow it to be and that is where we grow the most.

I have to say today that I did not expect to want to be near tears with trying to go inwards and try to put it into socially understandable words. Like, seriously... You don't understand... Like, seriously, I don't cry easily. It takes a lot.

Have no clue what got me thinking, "Wow, this woman is giving so many women permission to be real with who they are. The good, the bad, the ugly. They aren't separate beings that have nothing to do with each other. They are one. We are all one. I am one." She did it somewhere in reading this book. Not that I really needed the actual permission but hearing it is so freeing.

When on page 60, she starting talking about how she cussed, she had me. Hahaha. Don't judge me. We all cuss, I am pretty sure. She says that she was trying to be something different than who she was. Instead of just flat out accepting who she was and I can completely relate.

I am not sure if it comes with age and with good teaching and guidance. I am getting there though. This is such a good book for helping to guide you a little farther on your journey to be all of you. Mandy, I hope one day to meet you and to become friends because you are rad!

Go get this book (especially if you do MOPS) because it is a good easy read to do.

*Received this book in exchange for honest review* 

A Fun New + Kid Approved Way to Send Emails In Today's World

Have you ever wondered what it was like to have an email that is built for kids? My kids and I get to review the Annual Subscription by KidsEmail.org.

In today's world, you have to be extra careful with what platforms your children use online. It is a simple fact. There is so much bullying online we can't control. So many things that are not okay for your kids, no matter their age, to be viewing. Let alone talking about emails.

Emails can be a freeing thing but for kids you want to make sure that you are in the know of how it works for your kids and making sure there is nobody emailing your child that shouldn't be. Sometimes that is a hard thing to monitor.

But not anymore...

Kids Email is awesome and the answer you have been looking for.

Your kids will love it as well as you!

My kids love writing their grandparents on it. And for my youngest, who isn't yet typing words or reading, isn't left out. He can just simply draw pictures! Or take pictures.

I thought this morning my daughter was going to take a picture of her cereal bowl and send it to her grandparents but she really wanted to show this new book she is writing based on a dream she had.
I think that is super cool.

My kids' grandparents, and all the extended family, live thousands of miles away. So getting together happens only during special occasions. Like going for Thanksgiving or their great grandfather's 90th birthday. (Who by the way, also has email!).

My kids' cousins, aunt and uncle live in Indonesia as well to even boot. So communication with them is even more scarce. While it is  sad that they live so far we now have modern technology that keeps all of us in the world bonded.

So they can communicate. How special-- right?

As a Parent:
What I love as a parent is the features!!!

Copy of Email-- Whenever the send or get an email, I am cced on it and sent a copy. This puts me at ease with mine being so young in being able to communicate and email their family around the world.

Time restrictions-- If I wanted to, and sometime in the future I think I will have to do this with my online-capable and socially aware children, I can put a time stamp on how long they are online and sending emails. This is helpful especially since the kids would email to avoid doing school work. Don't all we mamas know this? Ha.So time stamps and restrictions are helpful.

Block Senders-- If you know there is someone who isn't being appropriate with your child than you can block them for being able to be emailed or your child getting emails or getting them from someone else. This is very helpful for the safety of our children.

Mail Queue-- If there is rules you set in place that you put online you can stop emails from going out when they break these rules. You can approve the email if you wish, but you can also stop the email.

Contact Manager-- You can add, delete, edit and monitor the contact list for your children.                  
GPS Tracker-- If they email on the app you can see from where they are emailing. While this is less of a necessity for me right now, as they become teens, this could be vital.

No Ads-- simply put and big "oh yes!".

Remove Links-- you can remove links from being sent or received.

Language-- You can filter out curse words

Templates-- They can each choose from a different home screen. So if someone wants super hot pink (*cue my gag*) or teddy bears or a car they can choose that.

Read it Back-- They can get the read it back feature as well for kids like my youngest who are still building their reading skills. This has to be one my favourite features because my youngest doesn't fully know how to read and this allows them to learn more how to read in a more practical way.

Drawing Board-- The kids can get creative or sign their name in colour and draw a cool picture to go with their email. They can even just draw and send a picture.

Grandparents are going to LOVE this!!! If you have parents that have email they are going to love getting these cute little drawings and stuff from their grand kids.

Customer Service
Their customer service is top notch! When I was looking at the site to see how it worked a window popped up with their rep. Needless to say, we talked. It was funny because I normally don't talk in the chat but this time I did. We ended up hitting it off and talking for a while and joking. Totally made my day and I smile when I think of it. Because not only did they have great customer service, they were extremely nice and personable.

What the Kids Thought! 
 My son wishes that you can send it snail mail or have the option to. Got to love getting mail.

"I really liked how you could send emails in a kid style fashion. Plus you can draw pictures of anything unlike normal email and its a app so you can send a email any where Wi-Fi is available. I give the app 5 stars, 3 stars for construction, 1 1/2 stars for kid-friendly setup and 1/2 a star just because they were awesome."

                                    Typed,

                                      Avi

"A great way to communicate with others without Facebook or Twitter" - by via

Basically, if you have kids, try this out free for 30 days! Then if you like it and your kids like it, pay for what is such a great deal! Promise you won't regret it! 

Follow Them:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Google+

Instagram

Humour + History +Advice= Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life

Somebody.... not naming names... was apparently very cheeky!
And very wise....

He was orphaned as a child and ended up on the $10 bill. I haven't ended up on a $10 bill yet but I can relate to having been orphaned and just being headstrong. This can take you very far in life if you can harness it.

Yep, Alexander Hamilton.

So, bigger question...

What can we learn from a dead dude? Especially one that held such power in America's making?

So, so much! That's the answer.

I am not too well versed in history or Alexander Hamilton. So forever forgive me on that. So purely going on what is said here with some little research.

He was the ultimate underdog and had to fight his way to the top. He has a heck of a personality. He was a fighter. An optimist. An realist.

This is a book aimed for history buffs, pop culture addicts and pretty much anybody. It is mixed with biography, humour, history and lessons.

Here is the 10 Topics they cover...

1. Self Improvement
2. Career Advancement
3. Romance
4. Money
5. Style + Etiquette
6. Leisure
7. Friends + Family
8. Leadership
9. Office Politics
10. Honour

I like that you can skip back and forth. So you don't have to read from beginning to end. And all the little bits and pieces are pretty short. It isn't hard to see why this is a great book.

Sometimes it's hard to see the difference between when there is history fact and humour sometimes but most of the time you can tell. Especially at little things like mentioning a kindle and his book collection. (He was an avid reader as well).

This is so well written that you can just sit and read for days on end for fun. You would not have caught me dead reading history for fun as a teenager but this is cool to be able to read this now. Now that there isn't any tests. Haha. But for real, it is well done.

In terms of learning actual lessons in the book, I think it does have some cool fun offerings. There is some good advise. Some of it pretty ballsy in my opinion but still worth listening or trying out. I am going to have fun reading this again and again!

I have a serious feeling I am going to have to hide this book during the holidays in fears that it may get jacked by family... We have serious cases of book nerd going on... so... LOL

Honest Truth Right Here About Co-Parenting While Separated

This is such a freaking hard process...

If you are separated or divorced... you know...

It is just hard. One size does not fit all. All those books and all that advise aren't necessarily golden. It's not your situation. Some people push others away without a second thought. Others try to work it out. Others keep the other in their life for the kids.

When you have kids it becomes more painful. As if you have to face your pain and your break up on the daily. You can't just walk the other direction from the other and pretend that life no longer contains that person.

I am separated. It is hard as a (insert curse words) and back.
That being said, it isn't as hard as some situations I know so I am extremely grateful for that. We are trying to be as civil and nice to each other as we can. That is going okay but then...

Every time he said that "we are family" and yet it was ultimately his undoing that got us here in the first place...how in the world am I suppose to respond? Like it doesn't hurt? Who are you? Who am I? What the frick is going on?

You don't want to be with me and I am not just going to start dreaming that you will someday view me the way a husband should view a wife. No. Not anymore. If it happens, fine. But I am broken. I am hurt. That is the darn truth and it's plain as day.

Don't worry... I finally learned.

I finally heard the words and actions you have repeated that I tried to hear in the dark to pretend it wasn't as real as day itself. I finally learned that no matter how hard some one fights sometimes, it literally can not be enough. Because if you don't see me as enough than I never will be in your eyes. And guess what, I am good enough. I AM! Especially when I have had and still do have your back (even through the pain, whether caused socially, superficially, by self or by you).

Who knows if I am the one being unreasonable... I am not trying to. In fact, I am really trying to have enough grace to get through this with tact. I want everything to be fine. But it's not on some level which is how we got here.

Back to the point of the post... (Come Join the Separation Community Online!)

How does one go about co parenting through it? 

Behind closed doors where things are black and white, it is much easier. When you know were the lines are drawn and the only people having to deal are you and the significant other (or obvious previous significant other) than it is so much easier. It's crystal clear much more so. I have them during the day and do their extra curricular and community service projects with them. You help put them to bed so you can have special time with them before you go into your unit and then I can get some work (like this blog) done. Great!

So many people hate each other and just hate. What is the point of that? Why are we trying to self sabotage the relationships our children have? Many of us separated for our reasons plus for the children. Why can't we make it work on some level?

I recently asked a few friends who are separated about how they can stand being in the same room and the same social situation that they had previously had a good marriage in. They said it is incredibly painful.

There is a new understanding of why mums and dads can't stand on the same soccer field or in same room when their child gets an award. The pain is so freaking distracting from being there. Screw the social awareness and concern. How can I be there present for my child when all I can hear is my heart crying and weeping and my anger boiling instead my veins because of where my situation has lead me? And I am not even sad. I am just confused and in pain though I feel free. I want to be there wholeheartedly for them, not to be thinking about anything else but them.

Don't get me wrong, I am content in many ways. But pretending is not my forte. I can't be present and put a face on. Most people can. He can. I can't. I am who I am. It is what allows me to love where I am at and where you are at as a person. You will know if I am pissed at you and then I am generally over it.

When standing on a side line of a soccer game, I want you there to be there for the child. I do. So badly. You don't even know. But if you can't help with basic parenting (unless it makes you look good) or you don't agree with something, I sure as heck don't want an argument on the field to add to my already broken and devastated heart.

Breaks need to be had for me- and every other mum or dad in similar situations. Sometimes in these situations it just won't happen. Sometimes we weigh what is best in the situation versus our own needs. It's what a parent does. The love of a mother.

The love of a mother is what motivates us. It does me.

What in the world? Why does it need to be so hard and difficult?

Your situation, dear reader, is different and  I can't answer your questions on this one. I feel that I am in the thick of it myself figuring out this life situation of mine. Which isn't super new but still fresh in pain and regret.

The point of writing this is of course two fold. Of course, it is to process. But it is also to let you know one thing if you take nothing else from it...

You are not alone!

Again, read it!

 (Come Join the Separation Community Online!)

You are not alone!

We all experience hard crap in life. We do. Whether you are still married (whether legally or not) or separated (whether ordained by court order or not) relationships aren't easy. We are all going through this together.

YOUR situation is different... I know, I said that already. But it is.

Your answers to your situation won't be the same as mine. Simple and plain.

So if you take nothing else away from this post know that you can take all the advise you want but that the end of the day what works for your mum, your aunt, your best friend may not work for you. Or maybe it is a combination of the many different pieces of advise.

It really is taking one step at a time. It is trying to understand a book that isn't read more or less written. You have to step inside the pages first as they are writing to be able to fully understand it. That book is called life. You just have to try and fail.

Parenting is already hard.

If you have multiple kids you already know they are different people. Duh!
But they handle the separation differently, they process different, and parenting them is different. This is both inside and outside a marriage.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

I just hope I get it right one of these days...

Your Powerful Story: Share It Here on the "SOS" series

What we need more than anything in this world is community. Is a listening ear. Is a place to candidly tell our stories that are so powerful.

What if your story could change the world? What if your story could help another woman realise where she is at? What if it was like giving a key to another woman so they knew what they were going through wasn't unique to them?

This is for any story, advise, experience, resources, anything you got! Come join us!

I am starting this series because I suffered in silence and darkness for a long time. What happened was so earth shattering for me. I thought I had my forever. I had been fighting for so long for something that wasn't there in the first place. I wish I had something like this when I was first going through this.

So women, and men, share your stories of separation!!!
Empower yourself and give a shoulder to someone else in the process!

You can remain anoynmous if you wish though putting your name gives it more power but I won't judge. I am just giving a place to share you, share your story, share hope!