A Return To Christmas By Chris Heimerdinger

Dear Chris Heimerdinger,
Please write more books.
ASAP.
Very Fondly,
MachMomma and Her Little Mustangs

OK. So I think I did it. I have now read read everything he has written. Yes, loved them all. Some say this story is predictable, but I didn't see it coming. Maybe it was the fact that I read at 11:30 pm and am half asleep. None the less. This story haunted me for days.
I really want my children to read it when they are done with their current reads. And since we are all fans of Mr. Heimerdinger that shouldn't be a problem.

The story line is: Artemus and Andrew are twins. But at three years old, Andrew is killed in a tragic accident that his father blames himself for. It happened on Christmas Morning, so the family not only fore goes Christmas festivities, they are in a horrible sense of mourning during the season.

But through an unexpected turn of events...

Christmas Jar by Jason F. Wright

I buzzed through this small book in one evening after the kidlets went to bed. I couldn't put it down.
To be honest, you can kind of figure out what the message is going to be. BUT the story line to deliver that message totally surprised me. Very cute and we are reading it as a family now.
This would be a great tradition to start. Not only by giving the jar away, but for newlywed's who are just starting their own traditions. I am seriously considering doing all of my Christmas shopping just like they did. Then maybe I won't over do it... again.
The book and jar would be a great gift for neighbors or family members.

Christ Centered Christmas By Sharon Velluto and Suzanne Meredith

If I were to purchase ONE book for the Christmas season for family lessons and activities. This would be it. ( Outside of Church publications that is)

I have used it for nearly ten years and still haven't been all the way through it.
What it contains:
*A short Christ Centered lesson based on familiar Christmas symbol
*Simple ornament depicting the traditional symbol designed to accompany the lesson
*Suggested hymns/songs from the Hymn book and Children's Songbook.
*Scripture references from the four Standard Works
*Optional materials including thoughts, inspirational articles, stories, games, recipes, etc

For a more complete review visit my other blog here

I Believe in Santa Clause by Diane Adamson

Love this book. I bought it 2 years ago when my daughter started asking if Santa was real.
The children at school had burst her bubble. It was confusing to her because every year the Sunday before Christmas, he actually comes to our home.
I have never went one way or another. Christmas to me is more Christ centered. But I do feel it is important to "have a childhood" so to speak.
The author does the perfect job of comparing the symbolism of Santa to the symbolism of Jesus Christ.

I cannot recommend this book enough. ISBN #0-9673571-0-1
I purchased mine at Deseret Book

Curious George By Margaret and H.A. Rey's

At this time of the year, you can find all sorts of wonderful books at Costco. I bought the Curious George Library a few years ago, thinking it was a classic. I, myself did not particularly love George, however; my daughter loves George. I read these books so many times that I could close my eyes and snooze for a few seconds and still be talking/reading.

Her favorites? All of them, just at different times. She went through a phase when it was Curious George Goes Camping to Curious George and the Puppies . I like the old school simplicity. A great investment.

The Complete Karen Katz Collection

Last year, I saw these books at Costco. My favorite section at Costco is the pre-made meals which is second place to the book section.

Although, I bought these for my near one year old. They would make a great gift for a smaller baby or even a two year old.
My nearly four year old loves them as much as her little sister. She has them memorized and actually reads them to us.
The collection included 8 books. When taking the pic,I could only find four. The girls love them and carry them around the house. As of late, we read "Pop" (Grandpa and Me) and "Gramma" (Grandma and Me) every. single. night. for the past two months.
The pictures are bright, vivid, colorful. The flaps (they are flap board books) are sturdy, however, several have been ripped off and put back together with tape.
They are very simple books. For example, on the Grandma and Me it says
"Someone special is at the door, who could it be?"
Under the flap it says "Surprise It's Grandma!"
Derci would not hold still when I started reading to her before bed at 17 months. These were the life saver. Now she is good through Dr. Seuss style books. We read for the recommended 20 minutes minimum every day.
They are all delightful.
"Where is Baby's Belly Button", "What Does Baby Say", "Mommy and Me", "Daddy and Me", "Peek a Baby" are the titles. I have seen them also sold separately.

A Walk To Remember/Nights in Rodanthe-Nicholas Sparks

That dang Nicholas Sparks.
There is a reason I rarely read fiction.
This is one of my favorite movies. I saw it on the shelf at the library while looking for some books for MasterChef the book inhaler.
I thought 'I should read the book!'
One night I read several pages. Couldn't fall asleep for I knew how the book was going to end.
Turned on the light, stayed up til 2am and finished it.
All I can say is that was the perfect time for me to read it since I was crying hysterically before they even fell in love. Contacts were out and no one to ask "Why are you crying Mommy?"

A love story when you are in high school just gets me every time. Why is that? Is it because when you are young you think differently and everything is so..so deep and passionate and heck I don't know what words to use.

The reason this is one of my favorites ( the novel does not disappoint btw) is because my Dad died of cancer, and I just want to be a better person after reading something like this. Even though it is so sad and gut wrenching. You see how many blessings you have and how important it is to live life. Live life kindly and graciously. It's like a little pep talk.

This is one of my favorite movies. It and Disney's Iron Will. Is a prerequisite for my favorite mean- I have to cry deliriously each and every time I watch it, because I do, even though I've seen them a zillion times.

So up on returning, A Walk to Remember, I checked out this


Yes. I am a glutton for punishment and yes, I finished it in one night.
I am going to rent it at Blockbuster while Lovie is hunting. So I can cry by myself. It is so embarrassing. dang it!

While I liked A Walk to Remember more. It was still a good book that left tears in my eyes.
Nights is about a mom whose husband leaves her for another woman and is asked to take care of a friends bed and breakfast for a weekend when there is only one guest....
Yeah. uh huh. We don't see what's going to happen here.
No disrespect. I can totally relate to Nicholas characters, I think most women do, that's why we love him.

Organize As You Go by Marie Ricks

It's true. My favorite pass time is reading Organizational, Parenting, Self Help and newly, Political/Government books. I just can't get enough of them.

I picked up this book on one of my "Seagull Runs". It just popped out to me. Ironically, I have two other organization books by Marie Ricks I haven't read yet!

This is a great book. I have read soooo many and this one is awesome.
First of all, the chapters are really short. So you can read one a day to help motivate you. Marie is fun and light hearted, but encouraging none-the-less.
Secondly, she actually gives advice that I have never head heard before. This is why it popped out to me. With chapters titled"Regroup When They Get Grumpy","Bad News to Good Progress","Deal with Double Discouragements","Maintain Functional Chaos","The Oops Syndrome". How could it not be good??!
There is a little "FLYlady" in here, but I am sure it is her own. Instead of 15 minutes, its "90 Minute miracles".
Take a look!

Mother Warriors By Jenny McCarthy- Autism's False Prophet's By Paul A. Offitt

This book is about how celebrity Jenny McCarthy is handling getting her message out about Autism and stories of other mothers who have had success treating their children's Autism with alternative methods.
She states that by diet you can cure Autism.
I am also reading "Autism's False Prophets" along side of it. They are totally different approaches. While Jenny's book is a more in the trenches and an emotional approach. Offitt's book is purely scientific studies. So you have to go where your belief style is.
On this subject, I am more inclined to take Jenny's side. Why? Because I have seen alternative medicine fix things that traditional medicine told me there was nothing to do.
I have never seen or heard Jenny McCarthy on any of the talk shows, so I went into this being blind. But I had heard, many years ago,that through diet you can help this condition. If you have an autistic child, it would be worth the $13.00. What is it going to hurt to get your child B vitamins and no dairy to see if they improve.

My pediatrician suggested I read "Autism's False Prophets" to help convince me of the safety of the MMR shot through studies not linking MMR vaccinations to autism. Although all of the evidence or studies are there, But of course, anyone can do studies to the be convincing of the result they intend I still do not have the peaceful feeling about inoculating my children with this shot. I think it's called "Mother's intuition".
Autism's False Prophets is written by a doctor who worked to help concoct the rotovirus vaccination. Which leads me to the question "Why is an expert on infectious diseases writing a book on treatments for a non-infectious disease?" Actually, all he is doing is trying to dispel all non traditional methods of treating autism. He says he is not apart of the "big Pharma" but really? Honestly, his attitude is a downer. It's like he's slamming the studies in your face and saying "It's not our fault, ain't nothing you can do about it, don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out."

Both of these books are generated more to parents who have an autistic child, which I do not. I read this book to see if I could ease my fear, to get the MMR shot, it did not work. I still feel the same. This is a personal decision we all have to make.

By The Way: For two of my pregnancies I was not immune to Rubella. My second and my fifth children. They are 13 years apart. My point: the efficacy (how long it lasts) and that shot REALLY stings and hurts even for a tough broad like me!

100 People Who Are Screwing Up America By Bernard Goldberg

The author straight out tells you this is HIS list, no polls were taken. He didn't care what party affiliation, he just calls them as he see them.
Ingrid Newkirk co founder and President of Peta, Enimen, Neal Shapiro Pres. of NBC News, Diane Sawyer, The Barbara's: Walters and Streisand, Ludacris, Howard Stern, Michael Savage, Phil Donahue, Jimmy Swaggart, Barbara Kingslover, Kitty Kelley, Ted Kennedy, Al Gore,

My Favorite I'd never heard of before:
Laurie David a very rude environmentalist who has no problem yelling in the faces of perfect strangers for driving an SUV, BUT has no problem flying to NY for the weekend in a private jet that uses as much fuel for that trip as a SUV for an entire year.
Amy Richards. A feminist who becomes pregnant with triplets and chooses "to get rid of" two of them (twins) by shooting Potassium Chloride into their hearts because of the inconvenience three babies will bring to her. No remorse. Totally sickening.

Although some subject matter, such as Amy Richards and Howard Stern is quite disturbing.
For the most part it is quite entertaining. It shed a whole new light on some of the rude, offensive and ignorant people we have in our great nation today.
It also helped me with several celebrities. Knowing who I should boycott for their 1) stupidity 2) America Bashing 3) Far left political views and disrespect for people I admire.
I buzzed through this book in a just a few days.

Redefining Joy In The Last Days By Chris Stewart

I was drawn to this book because 1) Chris Stewart's Great and Terrible Series is awesome 2) great title and 3) Its little and cute and a quick read.

I was feeling pretty depressed after eating nothing but vegetables (to get my liver cleansed you know...) and then gaining 2 lbs.
It's so awesome when the Lord answers your prayers.
Its so awesome when the Lord answers your prayers really fast.
Sure enough, the first chapter is what I needed to hear.
Satan knows how to rob me of my joy and by golly he has done a great job in some aspects. Lucifer will steal our happiness if we let him. It's not a new concept, but it was what I personally needed to hear that evening.
Other chapters discuss man v. morality,re evaluating our expectations, true gifts and demanding perfect water. I really liked the gifts and perfect water chapters as well.
Being only 60 pages and about 4x6 inches, it's a small quick read. Although I may not purchase it, if I did I would re-read it periodically. I am going to suggest it for my book club when we need a small, easy read.

The Stripling Warriors and Warriorette Workout By Shane Barker

We are reading this as a family every night and quite enjoying it. The author has good stories that are connecting with my 16 and 14 old sons especially. It's so hard to be a young person right now. I suppose it always has been, but I'm a pretty young mom and even the stuff I went through and my oldest (23) is nothing like now. It could be because we have moved and it's definitely different in South Utah County versus Draper. In Draper is was "cool to be good". Here it is not.

Some of the chapter titles are: Being a Valiant Teenager, Keeping Yourself Clean, Becoming Pure in Heart, Being Courageous, Being an Example and Developing Integrity.
At the end of the chapters he itemizes it and lists "Warrior Workout Tips".
In the Keeping yourself Clean chapter, he outlines the steps to repentance with out sound preachy.
I actually bought this book last Christmas and forgot I had it. We read it fairly quickly and I know it is the right time to read it. I really feel like the spirit is working on my son who always is "pushing the envelope".
I highly recommend this book, if your teens won't read, then read it to them, just a section or chapter every evening. So far this is my second favorite gospel teen book (Righteous Warrior by John BytheWay, all time fav. Read it twice to the kidlets). Easy and enjoyable to read.

The Truth ABout Hillary By Edward Klein

I listened to this unbridged book while canning spaghetti sauce. I soon found other reasons to be in the kitchen because I was so mesmerized by the information rendered. I have never had the desire to read about Hillary Clinton. This book was hard to put down.

I do not know the party affiliation of the author. I felt that his sources of documentation were legitimate and it was well done. Although this book has had contrary reviews.

The BCD (book on CD) starts off with the Monica Lewinsky situation and the goes back to Hillary's childhood, what her Father Hugh Rodham and her mother Dorothy, were like as parents and how their childhoods affected the up bringing of their only daughter ( she had two brothers).

Although her parents were very hard on her, she only looked at it to her advantage. She believed she could do anything, because, her parents thought she could. Her father had three rules

Over the years Hillary constantly reinvented herself. She was not accepted in Arkansas, Bill's political career was affected by this. So she became what the voters wanted her to be. To run for the senate to NY, she reinvented herself

Although written in 2005, the author talks of steps she had taken to insure her Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2008 and the reinventing of herself again to get that nomination.

After reading this book, I feel that Hillary Rodham is everything and more that I thought she was: Cunning. Calculating. Manipulative. Cold.

For all Democrats she should be their hero. She is strong and determined and little gets in the way of her goals. However; I am not a liberal and I do not agree with her logic.

She could be a very dangerous woman if elected president. Actually she could be a dangerous woman as Secretary of State...

The Liver Cleansing Diet By Sandra Cabot

So before I review this book I need to preface this and say:

I have been to the doctor and had blood tests done. I do not have high cholesterol or triglycerides; on the contrary I have low cholesterol (if that's possible, and it is) and low triglycerides. Ironically, the symptoms are quite similar.

So after my doctor informed me that I have a congested liver and I would never loose weight until it was functioning more efficiently- I decided it was time to clean that baby up and went online to find out how. The liverdoctor.com caught my eye. Dr. Cabot told me everything my doctor already had and even more.

The Liver Cleansing Diet by Dr. Sandra Cabot

The liver is the biggest organ in the body and is often overlooked. Dr. Cabot does an excellent job of explaining the functions of the liver and how important the liver is for the over all well being of the body. She also gives you the symptoms of a "fatty" or congested liver.

Keep in mind, if you see a traditional doctor for tests your levels may be in healthy perimeters according to that doctor. If you go to a nature path or alternative health provider you will get better help with this problem. Alternative health Providers are not quacks. They like to fix the problems rather than treat the symptoms.

I can not tell you how much I learned about the process of the liver in this book and found it so interesting. Did you know that the liver regulates carbohydrate metabolism, stores certain vitamins such as B12,regulates protein metabolism, detoxifies many toxic substance sand chemicals,and is an internal cleanser:

If the liver filter and/or detoxification pathways become overloaded. this will cause toxins, dead cells, cancer cells, fat globules and microorganisms to build up to undesirably high levels in the blood stream. This increases the workload of the immune system. The immune system becomes overloaded and irritated causing it to produce excessive inflammatory chemicals....This leads to symptoms of allergies, chronic fatigue, recurrent inflections, or auto immune diseases. page 52

Some other symptoms of a fatty liver are coated tongue, foggy brain, circles under eyes, bloated abdomen and bad breath. Itching skin and brown spots or skin rashes. Sugar cravings, inability to loose weight, sluggish metabolism, poor digestion, headaches, high cholesterol.

I looked at this as a liver-cleansing diet, not a diet to loose weight. However; it makes total sense that anyone following this diet would loose weight. Dr. Cabot suggests you eat food that do not burden the liver any more than it already is for 8 weeks. So no refined foods such as white flour or sugar, dairy or red meat. Basically lots of fresh vegetables/fruits and chicken or seafood. With the summer gardens and harvest time approaching I thought this would be a perfect time for me to try it.

The book is a quick read for the second half is full of recipes. I read it in one evening.

Dr. Cabot writes in an easy to read style that is very thorough and uplifting (there is hope to be thin again!). Before another diet is tried, a person should really think about this, since it is genetic and very common. Not to mention it is very easy to get your liver in this condition by not eating good healthy foods.

Although I purchased this book (which I feel was worth the price of $10). This and several of her other books I found at the county library in my area. Her website is great and a lot of the material is covered there.

The Real You by Kevin Leman

This is a nice compilation of several books. The New Birth Order Book, What Your Childhood Memories Say about You, Love Language and Personality Style.

I have read the Birth Order Book and Gary Chapman's Love Language books previously. Which I love both theories. I am constantly quoting stuff from each. My opinion is every parent should read at least one if not both of these books.

However, after being married for 15 years and not being able to identify my husband's love language threw me in a tail spin and reeked havoc on our marriage for an entire year. It was like an identity crisis. Anyway because of that episode I have mellowed immensely over the Love Languages. He finally had to tell me, but like I mentioned it was an entire year later.

The personality styles were quite confusing and I brushed through that section quickly.

The most intriguing chapter for me was about childhood memories. Dr. Leman asks you to recount three memories when you were under eight years of age. Depending on how you answered those he can tell if you are first, last or middle born also. But what was fascinating was that those memories are how you see yourself today, even though you are grown up, you feel the world sees you as that memory or feelings you had at that time.

Dr. Leman is a last born, a performer and I find it is so entertaining to read his books. If you would like the bare bones of these theories. This is the ticket.

I personally was so enthralled with the Childhood Memories that I bought the book on ebay.

The Secret of Happy Children

I originally checked this book out from the library. I got to page 58 and couldn't stand it anymore. So I bought a copy off ebay. There was so much good info. I just had to mark it up.
It's an easy read for a parenting book at only 168 pages. It is written by Steve Biddulph an Australian family psychologist.
He reviews some things that I have read a million times, like labeling your children. He calls it Seeds in the mind: You hypnotize your children every single day and you may as well do it properly" or chapter two "It's cheaper than video games and healthier than ice cream". Referring to giving them proper attention.

My favorite chapter was #4 Kids and emotions
"...We are always feeling something-emotions are a symptom of being alive!. There are four basic emotions- anger, fear, sadness,and joy. All other shades of feeling are a mix of these-like colors mixed from the primaries. There are thousands of combinations possible such as jealousy, a mixture of anger and fear or nostalgia, a mixture of joy and sadness.
Anger is what makes us stand up for ourselves
Fear slows us down, forces us to stop, think and avoid danger-even when our conscious brain has not yet fathomed what that danger might be.
Sadness is the emotion that helps us grieve. It literally washes us clean of the distress of losing something or someone from our life.
Joy is what we experience when these needs are fulfilled."

He also talks about being an assertive parent, school, and proper diet/energy.
The appendix is enlightening "How you can help if you are a teacher, politician, grandparent, neighbor or friend"
He told about some situations he has seen in his practice and they are very thought provoking.
I liked this book and it is easy enough to read, that I will read it again and again and not just look at the parts I underlined.

The LDS Grandparents Idea Book - Fay Klingler

I love this book. It has SO many ideas. I purchased one for my mom ,my sister, myself ,and my neighbors mom!

Activities centered around holidays. ie. Easter, birthday, Christmas, July 4. etc. But also great ideas and traditions to start for whenever you see your grandchildren. Also, blessings, baptism, High school graduation etc.

There were 100's of ideas, it was just easier for me to buy the book and underline, as to write a few down in my planner.

Tell ya what, check it out from the library and see or go to Seagull Book . I have also seen it on Amazon. Although I do not have grandchildren yet, there are many ideas I plan to incorporate into my children's lives, as well as my nieces and nephews.

Escape Your Shape -Edward Jackowski

This book makes a lot of sense to me.

There's a right way and a wrong way to exercise for each body shape. By exercising right for your body type you will finally see stubborn problem area start to change . The kind of change that will motivate you to continue until you meet you're goals. (that's what the back says)

You don't need to spend money on expensive equipment or devote hours a day to this program. From reading it, this is true for my body type , which is a spoon. I need a jump rope and a 4 lb aerobic bar, 10 lb curl bar, a mat and a stationary bike or treadmill.

If I ever exercise again, I am going to follow this plan. The body types are ruler, spoon, hourglasss and cone.

The Uses of Adversity - Carlfred Broderick

This book is written for the LDS faith. Brother Brodrick was a stake president and this book was written from an essay he wrote and gave quite a few years ago (he died in 1999).
It was a quick read, only being 58 pages and the book itself, is only 4x6 inches. It had some faith rendering stories; however, I found it hard to follow at times because of his writing style. I think he was from my grandfather generation. They wrote as they talked. A lot of run on sentences, etc.
If you know a woman who has suffered from abuse as a child, there is a story that would be inspiring to her. It may have the counsel that you or a friend have been praying for.
I think I'll read it again!

Scream-Free Parenting

I ABSOLUTELY love this book. I purchased it because, I fall off the wagon so easily and with all of the marked pages, I can easily skim through and remember that " Its about me , not them". I ran across a journal entry when reading this book:
For years I have known have been out of hand with my emotions. It all started years ago--when the boys were really little. I started yelling and demanding-just because I felt like I could and it seemed that I got results, so it became more frequent, more loud, more, more,more. Now today werare all negative and controlling and bossy and faultfinding. I am only on page 40 and I have learned SO MUCH.
Parenting isn't about the children, its about the parents and how they react. No one can make you feel or push your buttons unless you let them. It is not your children's responsibility to calm you down. It is not my children's responsibility to be caretakers of my emotional state. It shouldn't be me vs. it should be them vs. consequences (natural consequences). I have to read it a little at a time, to digest it all. It is so great! I have learned that I am not responsible FOR my children, but I am responsible TO my children, I cannot make them mindless robots (which I basically have, when it comes to chores). When children think for themselves--you've raised a rebel. When they do what you have programmed them them to do they "do the right thing"
I am responsible TO my children, husband and family members. I am accountable for how I think, feel and behave toward them. I am responsible To my children for how I behave, regardless of how he or she behaves.
It has been up to my children to manage my reactions, because I have lost the ability to control myself (by yelling). But now, my goal is to influence, not coerce.

And you should read the chapter on SPACE

This is one of the best parenting books I have ever read. I have read many, many,many of them and This One is the BOMB. Highly recommended, even if you aren't a yeller.

Preschooler Play Time

This is $5.00 well spent. I have several activity/raining day books. But this one is the one I use the most.
Most of the ideas aren't anything new (although there are some I would have never thought of), you just never remember them when you need them.
So your kidlet is bored and tv as a babysitter is not an option. Open the book to the different categories and wha-la. Bring out your buttons and have then sort them. After they have played with them for an hour, maybe you could say, put all of the red ones in a pile etc. After every activity, there is a "skills learned" section also.

It says preschooler, but I know my ten year old would love to do some of these activities.

Super Baby Food - Ruth Yaron

I received a flyer for this book in something or another after having Derci. It looked interesting, but anything that claims to be everything usually isn't. So when I was in Orem, I stopped by Barnes and Noble to see it for myself.

Its 558 pages of info. Yes, some is repeated. She writes/compiles it that way, so that you can start reading anywhere in the book and not be lost. This is the description:

Absolutely everything you should know about feeding your baby and toddler; from starting solid foods to age three. Includes more than 350 quick, easy, delicious and nutritious recipes and thousands of money saving and time saving child care and kitchen tips.

Highly recommended by new moms and dads.

On the back cover:

• How and when to start your baby on solid foods, with detailed information on the safest high chairs, spoons, and other feeding equipment.
• Which foods to introduce to your baby to eat and drink each month of his first year , with details on proper food consistency, amount and temperature.
• How much you can expect your baby to eat and drink during the months of her first year with information on her digestive system at each age.
• The Super Baby Food Diet for your baby or toddler with feeding schedules and worksheets, which make it easy to feed your baby a healthy balanced diet.
• Your baby;s physical, emotional, and psychological development as it applies to self feeding and mealtimes.
• When you can expect your baby to start finger feeding, drinking from a cup, and self feeding with a spoon and fork.
• This book will give you the knowledge and confidence to make your own healthy and safe homemade baby vegetables, fruits, cereals, and other Super Baby Foods.
• Food allergies and important food warnings and safety precautions.
• Hundreds of money saving and time saving child care and kitchen tips.
• Make meals fun! food decorating, toddler part snacks and favors
• Recipes for homemade play dough, finger paints, bubbles, and other children's crafts.
• All about nutrition and your baby, including nutrient tables of all major vitamins and minerals with convenient baby-sized portions.
• How to save money by making homemade yogurt, fruit leather, and how to grow sprouts, fruit plants and herbs in your kitchen.
• Easy economical recipes for homemade baby accessories, such has baby wipes, diaper cream, and more.
• Baby safe and environment-friendly recipes for household cleaning products such has furniture polish and window cleaners.

Not only does it have all that. It had ideas for making cakes. Yeah, cakes like giraffe's, wagon's. footballs, firetrucks all from round or rectangular pans.

It has safety info, not just the normal stuff, but information about radon, I had not even heard of radon till a year ago.

Definitely what it says. The only book a mom needs.

The Tennis Shoes Series-Chris Hiemerdinger

If I could pick ONE series for my children to read and read and read again and again. This would be it, no doubt.
Chris Hiemerdinger is a genius. The way he weaves the story lines and makes the Book of Mormon so dang interesting it astounding.
The first book- Tennis Shoes and the Nephites. Jim and his friend Garth find a cave with a portal that makes it so they can travel back in time...
The rest of the books, more adventures. We listened to all of them on CD/tape. They are read by the author, who in my opinion has the best voice EVER for these books. It's just cool to listen to him. The books aren't a hard reading level, but there are many names that I would have never been able to pronounce if I had not heard him say them before.
We originally checked these out from the library. But I have purchased most of them and they are worth the money. My boys love to listen to books as they go to sleep at night. Do you think this would count as personal scripture study? What more could a mother ask for! (of course I know this is fiction but it makes the scriptures fun and exciting!)

A Light in the Storm-Chris Hiemerdinger

This is the only book from Chris Hiemerdinger I have read that is more for adults than children/teens. While it is totally safe for them to read, it has a more serious nature.

A man gets stuck in the mountains during a snow storm. He doesn't eat for 14 days. Before getting high centered on a rock, a stranger asks him who he wants to spend Christmas with.
The Lupus (black wolf) wants his spirit. The time he has sitting in the truck gives him much needed time to reaffirm his beliefs and priorities. Thought provoking, but not a life changing book, although I have thought about this book several times over the years.(especially when traveling during the winter!)
A good, quick read. Definately library check out

Secret of the Cupboard -Lynne Banks

This is the third book in the "Indian in the Cupboard" series (there are 5 or 6 ). It is by far my favorite. I listened to this book on tape while traveling to Vernal (3hour drive). It was so intense that my forearms woke me up in the middle of the night aching. I gripped the steering wheel so hard while driving.
Why does the cupboard turn plastic figurines into real people? This sequel tells the story behind the story. SOOO Good! I suggest you read aloud as a family. I would just start from the beginning book-Indian in the Cupboard. There was a reason this won the Newberry Award.
I enjoy reading the same books that are appropriate for my children. Heaven knows we are a book on tape, always reading a book together family...

If Life is a Game, These are the Rules- Cherie Carter-Scott

I read this book several years ago, like when I was single or just recently married. I really liked it and wanted to buy my own copy. Those were the days when money and space were tight. Instead I bought my sister a copy (I should see if she stills has it, bet she hasn't even read it!) I did take excellent notes and they were stored in my Franklin planner. Here are the notes:

Rule One
You Will Receive a Body
Learn to accept your body, not have it as an enemy. It's the only one you will ever have on this earth.
Self esteem- No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
1. Identify what stands in your way- acknowledging your belief that limits you.
2. Search your soul for the core connection-who you really are
3. Take action- positive change or value yourself for who you really are.

Don't measure yourself by external appearance, realize that some beliefs hold you back from feeling good about yourself.
Respect. listen to your body and it will tell you what it needs.
Pleasure. Makes you lighthearted and does wonders for your soul.

Rule Two
You will be presented with lessons. You will only receive lessons you are capable of learning from. Every event that occurs in one's life teaches you something about yourself.
Be receptive and open. What lesson am I resisting?
Choice. Decisions are made in your mind, while choices are made in your gut.
Fairness. What unfairness holds you back?

Rule Three
There are no mistakes, only lessons.

Rule Four
Lessons are repeated until learned.
To face these challenges means you need to accept the fact that something within you keeps drawing the same kind of person/situation/issue, painful though it may be.

• Aware of the issue
• Acknowledge that you need to release the pattern
• Choose to release the pattern
• Strategize a realistic plan
• Commitment to take action
• Celebrate to reward yourself

What patterns are you repeating? You may be surprised at how evident they are all along.

Want leads to CHOICE, which leads to COMMITMENT, should lead to DECISION, which leads to SACRIFICE

Rule Five
Learning does not end.

Rule Six
"There" is no better than "Here"
The fact is being rich or skinny in no way guarantees a secure life free of worries. It may actually make you less secure. A sense of security comes from within, not from attachment to any person, thing or idea.
Send your desires up and away like a balloon.

Rule Seven
Others are only mirrors of you
You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.

Your reactions to others say more about you than they do about others.

We usually draw to those who are most like us and tend to dislike those who display those aspects of ourselves that we dislike.

Assume that each encounter reflects back to you an opportunity to explore your relationship to yourself and learn by it.

Imagine every time you are angered, hurt, or upset by another. You are actually being given the opportunity to heal past incidents of anger, hurt, or upsets (unconscious judgements you have secretly harbored against yourself)

Shift perception in learning tolerance: "So what if this person is..." and there by taking your power back. Instead of allowing the other person to get to me... I would have given all of my power to them. I would have allowed her/his actions to dictate my feelings. By recognizing that my judgement of her/him had everything to do with me. I neutralized the effect on me and took my power back.
When feeling intolerant of some one ask myself "What is the feeling underneath this judgement that I don't want to feel?"

This book was actually small and only about 100 pages if I remember right. Just reading my notes makes me want to get it from the library to read it gain!

I love Friday the 13th. Its never been an unlucky day for me, matter of fact 13 is my favorite number. The kidlets have it all figured out. When I say pick a number between... Its always thirteen.

My goal is to review 13 books before the next Friday the 13th. Thats only one month. Lets see if I can do it! (Dora thinks I can).