Living in a Higgledy-Piggledy World

Did the blog title get your attention?

Do you know what higgledy-piggledy means?

We'll get to that in a minute.

I've been trying for weeks now to think of something to share besides books. Not that I don't love sharing about books because y'all know I adore books!

But life has not been all about books for me lately. If I'm honest (and I always try to be), it hasn't been for a long time. I guess you could say I've lost my book mo-jo. Not 100% but enough that I only aspired to read 20 books for the 2021 Goodreads Reading Challenge. 

You see, when I get overwhelmed with life, my default mechanism isn't to escape into a book anymore but to throw myself into creating...anything. Whether it be bookmarks, teacup birdfeeders, mini albums, cards, stitch work, or grab some paint and smear it, my hands want to DO something.

A fabric heart I made for a friend
and I enhanced the image in BeFunky*

2020 was a higgledy-piggledy year if there ever was one, especially in my lifetime. A pandemic and way too many angry political posts and people gave me anxiety way too often. I tried to withdraw as much as possible. Is it even possible to withdraw in a lockdown???

Yep. It is. I think I've done more sitting and staring into space and praying over the last year than ever before. Not that praying isn't a good thing. It is. It's actually the one thing that can calm my anxiety over issues I have no control over. And let's face it. That's most of life. 

But I trust the One whom I'm praying to, and know that because he spoke into existence the world and all its glory, and breathed life into man (wow, that gets me even typing that out!), then he is for sure the One who is in control. Not a single higgledy-piggledy thing that has happened in 2020 surprised Him.

And nothing happening in 2021 is surprising Him either. 

The latest higgledy-piggledy thing to happen in our life occurred three weeks ago. We got a phone call from our daughter that every grandparent dreads. Our youngest grandson (10 yrs old) was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia. That means he's had a complete bone marrow failure. His body isn’t making any new red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

Y'all, this is bad. 

I mean life and death b.a.d. BAD.

The whole family is wrecked by this diagnosis. But my daughter is doing a stellar job of gathering intel information on this disease, handling the frequent trips to the hospital and clinic, all while being a wife, and mom to three other children. She has great support from her husband who, by God’s providence, is working remotely from home (and has been for much of the pandemic), so for them, some things have not had to change on the day-to-day running of the home front, which is a 3-acre farm!

Our only response allowable from this far away and during a pandemic is long distance support via texts, phone calls, and prayer. Of course we know prayer is the best thing we can do! Our faith and trust is in the One who is not surprised by any of these things happening.

Right now, our darling boy goes to St Jude’s twice a week for life-saving blood and platelets. We are praying tests results come in soon, giving a definitive reason for the cause of this life-altering diagnosis. Our hearts hurt for our sweet grandson and all this could possibly mean for his future.

Would you join us in praying for him and the medical staff who are caring for him? And for his parents and siblings and all the higgledy-piggledy thoughts and feelings they are experiencing?

Oh, I almost forgot!

Higgledy-Piggledy comes from an unknown origin according to *Merriam-Webster Dictionary, and was first heard around 1598 as an adverb meaning “in a confused, disordered, or random manner.”

I think we can all agree that 2020 was a confusing year with lots of disorder happening in random places! ☺

The MWD (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) also lists topsy-turvy as a synonym so I thought this quote appropriate –

“… our lives have been very topsy-turvy for quite some time.”— Lemony Snicket, The Austere Academy

Thank you for persevering through this super long (dare I say higgledy-piggledy once again?) post!!

By grace our spirits are lifted and our eyes are fixed on Jesus–our Redeemer, our Rock, our Sustainer.

Images enhanced with the Mosaic brush in BeFunky photo editing program.

* “Higgledy-piggledy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/higgledy-piggledy. Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.

A Tiny Bit of Normal??

In our part of VA, a school bus went down our street this morning for the first time in 6 months!! So happy the children are able to go back to school, even if it is on a wacky schedule. I'm sure emotions will run the gamut today for students and teachers alike. Praying they have a productive day filled with love and laughter and learning!!!

My grandchildren are in NC and although school has started for them, it is all online. They are anxious to be able to go back to the classroom. They miss their teachers and friends.

Has school started back in-person where you live?

Review ~ Great and Small Prayers for Babies by B&H KIDS, Pamela Kennedy

Thank You, God, for great and small animal friends! 

Join these adorable animal pairs in a board book that’s meant for little hands to hold and explore. Each spread features a large animal and his little friend, who is hiding under the flap. A short thank-You prayer on each spread models simple thankfulness, and the text includes animal sounds to make the reading even more fun.

Six pairs of great-and-small friends to meet, six chunky flaps to lift and discover, and six simple prayers to pray—all to delight little hands and hearts.

Purchase  -- B&H Publishing

My Review
5 STARS!!!

This little board book contains the sweetest illustrations, reminding me of vintage children’s books. The pages are durable and just the right thickness for little hands to turn the pages easily. Each right side has a thick fold down flap with a prayer on the front and the sound the animal makes once turned down. They’re so cute!!!

Prayers designed to engage a young child are simple and rhyming and easily memorized. Great & Small Prayers for Babies is bound to bring forth many squeals and giggles from your little one.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Review ~ A Defense of Honor (Haven Manor 1) by Kristi Ann Hunter

Paperback, 376 pages

Published June 5th 2018 by Bethany House Publishers

When Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she's forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend's missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she's telling.

After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can't matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and to raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. But as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, the risk of revealing the truth may come at too high a price for those she loves.

About the Author

Kristi is the RITA® award winning author of Regency romance novels from a Christian worldview. Her books include the award winning Hawthorne House series as well as the newly published first stories of the Haven Manor series. Beyond writing, she is also speaker, teaching classes in writing as well as Biblical and spiritual topics. She has spoken to writers' groups, schools, and young women's groups at churches. 

When she is not writing or interacting with her readers, Kristi spends time with her family and her church. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a computer science degree, she can also be found fiddling with her computer in her free time. A born lover of stories she is also an avid reader. From very young she dreamed of sharing her own stories with others and praises God daily that she gets to live that dream today. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com. 

Read an excerpt and find purchase links here.

My Review

4 STARS!!!

Haven Manor is almost a world unto itself. It drew me into its halls, filling my heart with compassion and love for the women and children who reside there. The cast of characters is a treasure trove. I loved witnessing their lives change and enrich through each other. Hunter writes authentic Regency, the details and descriptions seem so real.

A Defense of Honor is the first book in a new trilogy by acclaimed author, Kristi Ann Hunter. It is a moving look at what life possibly warranted for women compromised and bearing illegitimate children of the aristocracy. I never gave much thought to the subject and was quite intrigued as I read along.

Katherine “Kit” FitzGilbert finds her life changed from that of a dazzling debutante to a do-whatever-it-takes champion of these women. All she imagines for them is the work house, or even death, if she doesn’t step in and seek to provide a haven in order to protect them and their children from a lugubrious future. Needless to say, Kit is untrusting of men and reasons that none would step forward to do the right thing without strong-arm tactics.

Graham, Lord Wharton, is simply a refreshing character and exactly whom Kit needs to become acquainted with to show her the fallacy of her thinking. He is heir to an earldom, looking for purpose in life. He has no dark and dangerous history as is often found in Regencies, which upon first glance may seem dull but he is anything but! Hunter has written an exceptionally romantic character in Wharton. There is a viridity about him that I found refreshing.

Historical fiction fans will undoubtedly savor this narrative of mystery, cunning manipulation, mysterious chess pieces, delightfully charming children, heart-stirring romance, containing themes of forgiveness and redemption. I know I was enraptured and had a difficult time setting it aside to do other things. I eagerly await book two.

I was provided a print copy of the book from the publisher. No review was required. No compensation has been received.

~Happy Reading~

Review ~ Bible Story Coloring and Activity Book by B&H Kids Editorial Staff

Published June 1st 2017 by B&H Publishing Group

Here are some of the great activities your kids will love:
Word searches
Mazes
Connect the dots
Hidden messages
Fill in the blank
Secret code
Matching
Find it
Unscramble
and more!

    

: : :

My Review

4 STARS

Filled with over 200 coloring pages and 150 activity pages, Bible Story Coloring & Activity Book will provide hours of fun for young children.  While delighting in coloring, puzzles, word searches and finding hidden objects children will be learning more about the Bible and people who are most prominent in their Sunday school lessons. There is a helpful Parent Connection in the beginning to guide parents in how best to utilize the book. Parents will have an opportunity to engage one-on-one with their child and impart knowledge and understanding in spiritual matters. Little ones can practice their letters and reading and have fun choosing their favorite crayons to splash an array of colors on the pages.

I appreciate Lifeway and B&H sending me a copy for review purposes. No compensation has been received.

Review ~ Bible Promises for Parents of Children with Special Needs by Amy E. Mason

 Tyndale House Publishers

As the parent of a child with special needs, does your heart ache with questions, confusion, or discouragement? Do you ever feel that you have no margin in your emotional reserves or sense a gaping need for encouragement, rest, and refreshment? Caring for someone with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, emotional or behavioral disorders, or physical disabilities can be all-consuming. Bible Promises for Parents of Children with Special Needs can help you claim God's promises for your everyday life. You'll become more aware of God's passion for you and your child through this handy guide that speaks directly to the unique journey of special needs parenting. These promises are for your comfort. Claim them as your own. Pray them over your family and over your children. Let them guide you into the presence of Jesus and the security that only he can provide.

 

My Review

4 STARS!!!

Amy Mason has taken Scripture verses and applied them to emotions we experience as we walk this road of parenting a child with special needs. Adding a short commentary at the end of each one to encourage and uplift parents and/or individuals, I found myself entranced by the accuracy of her words.

As a grieving parent of a child who had special needs and was taken home to glory in 2012, for 28 ½ years I experienced every emotion I can think of, from fear to guilt to joy to grief. I am always curious when I see a book like this since I do not remember there being anything resembling it when my daughter, Amy, was born. Little did I realize when I began reading Bible Promises for Parents of Children with Special Needs, it would become a stepping stone in my own healing process. I do not think at the time I was raising my daughter that I could even identify some of the things I felt but I sure recognized them as I read through this book. I can even identify a few of them in present day circumstances with a child of mine that is not special needs, so I would say this little gem  can be used by anyone.

You can tuck it right into your purse or tote bag and it will be handy for any time of day, especially when you are sitting for long hours in a medical clinic or hospital bedside. It would also make a great gift for someone you know who is walking this long and sometimes lonely road, and it has an encouraging post for that emotion as well.

I appreciate Tyndale House Publishers sending me a copy for review purposes. No compensation has been received.

~God bless you~

Review ~ Bible Trivia, Jokes, and Fun Facts for Kids by Troy Schmidt

Paperback, 176 pages

Published January 17th 2017 by Bethany House Publishers

What could be more fun than seeing kids laugh and have their curiosities piqued while they learn a thing or two about God's Word along the way? Every page of this book is sure to tease their brains and tickle their funny bones.
Troy Schmidt has been writing for kids for 30 years. He's written children's Bible-based storybooks for the "Their Side of the Story" collection and worked as a creative consultant for children's television programs. This book is guaranteed to entertain children for hours with chapters like "He Stands at the Door and Knock Knocks," "Matches Made in Heaven," and "Are You Smarter Than King Solomon?" A great gift for kids to share with their friends, and moms and dads might even find themselves laughing and learning too!

 My Thoughts

4 STARS!!!

I have never been much of a joke teller but my children became interested in joke books when they each turned about 8. I’ve heard the same old jokes told over and over and obligingly laughed at each one. But I can tell you that Bible Trivia, Jokes, and Fun Facts for Kids has some funny stuff in it! Youngsters will find the jokes amusing and perhaps even sidesplitting. I admit my husband and I guffawed over a few of them; even our 19-year-old son cracked a smile a time or two. I’m hoping my grandsons are going to get many hours of hilarity out of this book. They are always excited to share a new joke with us and sometimes get so excited when trying to tell the joke that they can hardly speak for their own laughter bubbling over. I’m looking forward to laughing at these again and again! 

Learning is a definite plus when it comes to the facts and trivia! I was surprised how much of it I didn’t know. Several things even stumped my husband who is pretty good at Bible trivia. Granted, some of it is kind of obscure but it was still fun to put our old noggins to the test.  

I highly recommend Bible Trivia, Jokes, and Fun Facts for Kids to the entire family! You’ll share hours of fun and laughter and learn together.

Bethany House Publishers provided me a free copy of this book for review purposes. No compensation has been received.

 ~Happy Reading~

Random 5 Friday (Thinking back to April 2015)

It's Random 5 Friday, where you share 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!

1. ONE YEAR AGO tomorrow, I received the BEST HUG EVER!!!

2. My son graduated from the USAF BMT (Basic Military Training).

3. A trainee has earned the right to be called Airman when the Airman's Coin is placed in his/her hand. In this photo, my son is receiving his coin from MTI Severance. Watching these young men and women (especially your own), who have trained long and grueling hours, take their oath to serve our country faithfully and with integrity-- it brings you to tears.

4. The men and women who have trained and encouraged and shaped our sons and daughters into future Airman are called MTI's (Military Training Instructors) and they are a force to be reckoned with! But all of them that we spoke to that day were kind and encouraging. I appreciate their hard work in taking raw recruits and making them into some of the finest our country has to offer.

5. My son 'coined' me after his graduation. He said he couldn't have done any of it without my support. Can you say more tears?!

I wrote him every single day he was at BMT, telling him how proud we all are of him, encouraging him to hang in there, that the best was yet to come. And of course telling him how much Moma loves him!

~I AM a proud Air Force MOM~

but I guess you figured that out by now ;) 

God bless our military

and

God Bless America!

Sharing @

Review ~ Adventure Bible: Noah's Voyage

Noah's Voyage is an I CAN READ! Level 2 story book from Zonderkidz. I read this book as soon as it came in the mail and was certain one of my grandchildren would enjoy it. With colorful pages full of eye-catching illustrations, this little book completely captured my 6 year old grandson's attention! He eagerly picked it up and began reading it to me. It's written with easy vocabulary words so that young readers can gain confidence in their ability to read and comprehend. It is a great start for introducing Bible stories that can be built upon in a child's developing years. And I must say it thrills this grandmother's heart to listen to him find such joy in a book!

I received this book through the Book Look Bloggers program in exchange for my honest opinion. No compensation has been received. 

Clicking on the image above will take you to CBD (Christian Book Distributors) where you can purchase a copy. I do not receive any monies if you choose to do so.

~Happy Reading~

Exciting Times for our Family

I dropped off the radar this month and I haven't regretted it a bit. On April 17th, our oldest son graduated from USAF BMT (Basic Military Training). We drove 21 hours to San Antonio, TX to share in the joy of this huge accomplishment in his life.

image taken by my husband

After 7 1/2 weeks, this is the moment I was waiting for...that first hug! 

It is an overwhelming moment, to say the least.

 This was taken just before saying farewell on Sunday. Our seven days flew by and the next time we see him, it will be late summer or early autumn. This moma heart is already missing him something fierce!

 

If you have a loved one in the Armed Services, thank them for me, would you? And to all those who have served in the past, Thank You from the bottom of my heart! 

It's a great sacrifice and privilege to serve our country.  

~Blessings for a joyful week~

*As time goes on, I will share more photos from our trip but I won't be sharing any face photos of our graduate. It's a security thing and they asked us not to, so I'm complying with the rules on this one. 

Trust me when I say he is as handsome as can be in his uniforms! :)

Review ~ Motivate Your Child: A Christian Parent's Guide to Raising Kids Who Do What They Need to Do Without Being Told by Scott Turansky, Joanne Miller

We need a parenting revolution!

Most parenting approaches end up encouraging children to ask the wrong questions about life: What's in it for me? Are you going to pay me for that? What's the minimum I need to do to get by?

But God's Word gives us a better way to parent, one that builds strong internal motivation in children. When parents change the way they parent, kids change the way they live. This practical book explores a theology of internal motivation and then gives parents real-life solutions to equip their kids for life.

You'll learn . . .

- how to parent in ways that build internal motivation so that kids don't have to rely on you to get things done.

- the four promptings of the conscience and how to coordinate your parenting to take advantage of them.

- ways to energize your spiritual training with fun and creativity.

- how to help children respond to mistakes instead of blaming, defending, or justifying.

The greatest gift you can give your child is strong moral and spiritual development--this book shows you how. Every chapter includes practical examples of families applying the Bible to their current issues. Join the revolution!

Learn more from the authors, Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN, @ National Center for Biblical Parenting website - http://www.biblicalparenting.org/

There are tons of resources for parents on this site including a Biblical Parenting Podcast! 

Motivate Your Child: A Christian Parent's Guide to Raising Kids Who Do What They Need to Do Without Being Told by Scott Turansky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I first started reading Motivate Your Child I wasn’t really sure what to expect. It’s been a long time since I read a book on parenting. My main reason for requesting this book was because I have read and reviewed a few of Dr. Turansky’s wife’s Christian fiction books, and through blogging have gotten to know her. I admire her godly and compassionate spirit when she talks about her husband and family, and that’s what ultimately led me to want to read this book. 

That being said, I have been undeniably convicted about my own parenting skills, or lack thereof, as I read Motivate Your Child. My parenting was/is based on a combination of  how I was parented and what I didn’t like about it. For the most part, I thought mine was a sound method. We all make mistakes, but wow, when reading this book I could see all the places that I failed miserably. Wait. I still see some of those things and I don’t like what I am seeing. It’s too late for me to go back and start at the beginning, as mine are all grown, but I have begun implementing with our 18 year old who still lives at home the “What’s your plan?” rather than  “Please do this or that” method that I had been using. So far, it actually seems to be working.  He is taking his responsibilities more seriously and getting to them sooner rather than later. We still have a ways to go as it's easy to fall back into old habits. But, isn’t it the goal of every parent to raise conscientious and responsible adults that don’t have to be told what to do and when to do it?

I can see where training them early on to want to willingly and joyfully participate in household activities such as taking out the trash, picking up their toys or making their bed without being bribed or constantly instructed, is a more effective and loving way to parent. This book deals with heart, or internal, motivation and how to instill in your children the proper motivation for doing things without being continually harangued, which causes frustration in both the parent and child. 

Parenting is a lot of work no matter how you go about it but in order to use the method laid out in this book, you had better be prepared to devote yourself 110% to being a hands on parent! Which, I hope if you have children, you are willing to do so. Not only is there a lot to teach your children but there are wonderful skills to acquire as a parent. I do believe I can use some of these with my grandchildren, so maybe it isn’t too late for me after all.

Motivate Your Child is not a complicated read. Make sure you have a highlighter handy because you will find yourself needing one. I believe any parent can glean from this book whether they are Christian or not. The principles laid forth are timeless. I plan on passing it along to my daughter, who has four little ones of her own.

I received a free copy of this book through The Book Club Network and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of the book. No compensation has been received.

  Meet the authors on their blog, too!

 This short video explains the importance of parenting.See more videos on the National Center for Biblical Parenting.   




                                                                  ~ Have a blessed day ~

Review ~ My First Handy Bible, FIRST Wild Card Tour

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!


You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Cecilie Olesen

and illustrated by:

Gustavo Mazali

and the book:

My First Handy Bible

Hendrickson Publishers (January 31, 2012)

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson for sending me a review copy.***

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

My First Handy Bible aims to communicate God's character and His love to the youngest of children, ages one to three. Beautifully illustrated in bright full color, My First Handy Bible has a cheerful padded hardcover with 61 child-friendly hardback pages and a handle and clasp that make it easy for small hands to tote and manipulate. The timeless stories are retold in simple sentences by author and artist Cecilie Olesen, illustrated by author and illustrator Gustavo Mazali and designed by Ben Alex, a C. S. Lewis Gold Medal winner author and designer.



Website for Book

Product Details:
List Price: $12.95
Hardcover: 61 pages
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers (January 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 8772473045
ISBN-13: 978-8772473048

AND NOW...SOME SAMPLE PAGES (Click on images to enlarge):

MY REVIEW

I absolutely adore the fact that this book is made with a carry handle. Toddlers love to carry things and look grown up. With such colorful illustrations, their attention is sure to be captured. There are multiple uses for this book; not only introducing them to Jesus, but teaching them colors and animals!

My biggest disappointment is that not once is Jesus referred to as Lord and Saviour. He's mostly referred to as 'friend'. He didn't primarily come to be our friend but Messiah. I understand wanting to keep it simple but young children absorb so much more than we realize. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 

With some extra discussion from mom and dad, I do believe this book can be beneficial to toddlers. This is my honest opinion. Special thanks to Rick Roberson for sending me a review copy.