Tag Archives: Christmas

Dec 7 2016

A Royal Christmas To Remember

This book by Jeanna Young & Jacqueline Johnson with pictures by Omar Aranda is another story in The Princess Parables series. The series feature five sister princesses Charity, Grace, Joy, Faith, & Hope. This story includes a lesson based on Luke 12:15-21, the parable of the Rich Young Ruler. The princesses get caught up in the materialism of Christmas. After their village was invaded by bandits, the girls realize that they had much more than they need and they decided to share their abundance with the villagers.

My girls love the Princess Parable books that they already own and this one will be no exception. The illustrations are colorful and energetic. This is a simple story that teaches the truths of scripture and will appeal to young children who like fairy tales, princesses, princes, etc.

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission I am required to disclose that ZonderKidz provided this book for free in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Order at Christian Book Distributors through the following link!

I get credit for all purchases made through my CBD links!

A Royal Christmas to Remember
By Jeanna Young & Jacqueline Johnson / Zondervan

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Oct 21 2016

The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel

This book written and illustrated by Mike Berenstain is about the Berenstain Bear cubs playing in the snow and making a snow angel. Mama Bear comments that the snow angel could be named Gabriel. The cubs respond that they did not know that angels had names. Mama Bear explains that Gabriel was a messenger who gave the news to Mary that she would have a baby named Jesus. She goes on to talk about the angels that visited the shepherds and the angel that spoke to the Wise Men in a dream. The book references scripture about angels and the inner back cover lists other angel Bible stories and their references unrelated to the birth of Christ.

I have always loved the Berenstain Bear books and still have several of them from childhood! Mike Berenstain is the son of Stan & Jan Berenstain and has carried on the legacy of the beloved characters. When his father Stan died, Mike started helping his mother with the series. Later after his mother Jan died, Mike took over full authorship and created a Christian themed series using the same characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the Berenstain Bears. This book is a great way to introduce scripture about angels to younger children.

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission I am required to disclose that ZonderKidz provided this book for free in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

*****

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Order at Christian Book Distributors through the following link!

I get credit for all purchases made through my CBD links!

The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel
By Mike Berenstain / Zondervan

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Jan 9 2016

Experimenting With Cookie Decorating!

My oldest daughter (almost 9 years old) and I went to a cookie decorating class in December! We had so much fun learning how to decorate cookies with royal icing! Before now, I have always used a powder sugar glaze on my sugar cookies. Now, I am loving the look of the royal icing.

Here are the cookies I decorated at the class:

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Here are several other photos of Christmas cookies I decorated since the class:12345561_10208275397351707_9197156553318296614_n

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And these are character cookies that I was just experimenting with. Chewbacca is my favorite! My husband wanted me to try and duplicate his patch and that obviously needs a lot of practice.

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It has been fun! I will post more photos whenever I experiment again. There are a ton of Pinterest ideas that I want to try!

Dec 3 2014

Sarah E. Brooks: Simply Christmas (Free Preview)

My friend Sarah has incredible talent for playing the piano (and singing… but this post is about her piano music)! She has made a Christmas album of piano music that is now for sale. You can hear the album for free today! I highly recommend that you listen! The music is beautiful, relaxing, and the perfect background for any holiday setting!

Sarah E. Brooks: Simply Christmassarahbrooks1_large

If you miss the free preview, the album is currently available to order for $9.99 on Amazon and iTunes

Oct 27 2014

The Legend of the Candy Cane

This book written by: Lori Walburg and illustrated by: Richard Cowdrey is a thick board book with beautiful illustrations. It tells the story of a new candy shop opening in a small town. A little girl named Lucy helps the shop owner unpack the candy jars and fill them. She comes across a candy that she was unfamiliar with and the shop owner tells her the story of the Candy Cane. J is for Jesus, Shepherd’s staff for the shepherds that were told by angels of Jesus birth, Red stripes for the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, and white for Jesus making us pure.

This is a cute book that tells the legend of the Candy Cane to young children. The board book style makes it perfect for the younger children while the illustrations are perfect for any age. I think that this book will make a great gift for my young nieces!

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission I am required to disclose that Zondervan provided this book for free in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

*****

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Order at Christian Book Distributors through the following link!

I get credit for all purchases made through my CBD links!

The Legend of the Candy Cane (Board Book)

By Lori Walburg / Zondervan

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Dec 26 2013

As 2013 Ends…

Here is our Christmas Letter for this year!

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Dear Family and Friends,

As you all know, we moved to New Mexico in December 2012. We found a home and moved in just in time for Christmas. We closed on our house in January. In February, we became members of Central Baptist Church. It is a much larger church than what we are used too but we connected with the people in our Sunday School class and there are many programs, activities, and ministries that have allowed us to feel at home there. By summer, we all had adjusted to our new home and with autumn came busy schedules. Throughout the year, we have met amazing friends and are grateful that God has given us family away from home so quickly!

Shane has finally completed his training to become a Flight Engineer. It was a long journey but he is now enjoying his career more so than he did before. As a part of a flight crew, he travels more frequently but he has already traveled to some amazing places in the past few months!

Alysa is currently not working outside of the home but has been keeping busy with many activities. She is in the church choir and helps in the church library. She is also a women’s core-group leader with Community Bible Study and she teaches a Crafting Through the Bible class for the homeschooling co-op kids. She is still a Juice Plus+ Distributor as well.

Kendal and Audrey will be turning 7 and 5 in January. Both girls are also involved with many activities. They are in Awana clubs, Kid’s Central, Community Bible Study, and they play soccer on local teams. We started out the year homeschooling but after a lot of prayer and wise counsel, we decided to put Kendal in a public elementary school. So far she is enjoying the classroom setting but we are still in the process of getting her caught up academically. Please keep her in prayer as she adjusts to the new routine. Audrey is now able to have more one on one time with Alysa and Shane which has been a blessing.

Noriko has been a part of our family since August! She is an exchange student from Okinawa, Japan (which is where we were stationed for 4 years). She will be staying with us for the entire school year. She is attending the local high school, participates in dance classes at a local studio, and attends youth group at church. The girls absolutely love their new big sister! Shane and I have enjoyed having her here.

This year, we are planning to spend Christmas in Iowa with Shane’s family and New Year’s in Michigan with some of Alysa’s family. We are also hoping to take a trip to Delaware to see Alysa’s family sometime before the school year ends so that we can take Noriko to places like Washington DC. Please pray that we can work out the timing, finances, and Shane’s leave approval so that we can take these vacations!

As 2013 comes to a close, we have been reflecting on the changes our family has experienced throughout the past year. It has been said that “Change is always in your favor when you are walking with the Lord.“ Overall, we have had a very good year!

May “the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” this Christmas season and new year! (Numbers 6:24-26)

Love, Shane, Alysa, Kendal, Audrey, & Noriko

Dec 15 2010

Come On Ring Those Bells

This was my all time favorite Christmas song when I was a kid!

Come On Ring Those Bells

By: Evie

Everybody likes to take a holiday
Everybody likes to take a rest
Spending time together with the family
Sharing lots of love and happiness.

Come on, ring those bells
Light the Christmas tree
Jesus is the king
Born for you and me.
Come on, ring those bells
Everybody say
Jesus, we remember
This your birthday.

Celebrations come because of something good
Celebrations we love to recall
Mary had a baby boy in Bethleham
The greatest celebration of all.

Come on, ring those bells
Light the Christmas tree
Jesus is the King
Born for you and me.
Come on, ring those bells
Everybody say
Jesus, we remember
This your birthday.

 

Dec 3 2010

Peace On Earth

Listen to this beautiful song!

I’ve never heard it before today. Casting Crowns is one of my favorite groups.

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

By: Casting Crowns

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And mild and sweet their songs repeat

Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing

Like a choir they’re singing

In my heart I hear them

Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth good will to men

But the bells are ringing

Like a choir singing

Does anybody hear them?

Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men

Then ringing singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men

And the bells they’re ringing

Like a choir they’re singing

And with our hearts we’ll hear them

Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they’re ringing?

The life the angels singing

Open up your heart and hear them

Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth

Peace on earth, Good will to men