Watch for the Blessings

When I was a brand new military wife, I met - more like the Lord placed in my life - the sweetest woman. She had been a military wife a lot longer than I had, and was telling me all about life in the military. I listened as she told me about all the places her husband had deployed too and how long he was gone for.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, and unsure of what I had got myself into, I asked her, "How do you cope with your husband being gone so much!?" Being a newlywed, I simply couldn't imagine a day without seeing my husband (Oh to be young and newly married again.) I also knew that her story would quickly become my reality. 

Her response to me was, "I write down all the blessings that come because my husband is away." Things like, being able to visit with family for longer periods of time, meeting new friends, realizing that you can do hard things, relying more fully on the Lord, and strengthening your testimony that truly families are forever. I admired her faith and her positive outlook on some really trying times. 

When my husband deployed a few years later, I put her advice to the test. I looked for all the blessings that

came because he was away. I too was able to spend more time with family. I was able to work for a family friend. I became more independent and sure of my abilities to carry on with life. I gained a deeper love for my Heavenly Father and Savior. I met a new friend whose husband was also deployed. She quickly became someone I could vent to and vice versa. She understood exactly what I meant when I would say, "I am surround by family and friends but feel so alone." We never would have met if our husband's had not deployed. I could go on and on but needless to say the blessings were there IF I looked for them.  

I few weeks ago, I was having a party for one - yes I was quite happy enjoying my little pity party. Why was this not going the way I  wanted? Why couldn't we have more of this? The kids are driving me crazy! and on and on it went. It was in that moment when I was reminded of my sweet friend and her advice to me all those years ago. I started to wonder what blessings were coming my way because of this pandemic. The answer - lots! My family and I have been incredibly blessed by the Lord even though we are spending most of our time inside our home. My husband has been able to continue to work. 

I have been able to start some new hobbies. My girls are building a strong sibling relationship (I love listening to them play their games.) I have been able to enjoy life with no schedules or drop off or pick up times. I am so grateful for the opportunity to slow down and realize what things are important in my life and what things I can let go off. 

I don't want to take away from anyone's hardships. I know this pandemic has not been easy to navigate,. However, I do know we have a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us. He wants nothing more than for us to succeed in life.  Whether or not we notice, blessings are being poured down on us. Some may have an immediate effect and some we won't realize for weeks, months, even years. So my advice is simply to 

watch for them because I promise you they are there. 

    

      

 

Our Top Ten Favorite Children's Books

Yesterday, I wrote about how we display our book (click here to read that post.) Today I want to share with you our ten favorite books 

#1.

Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey.

This is my favorite book to read to the kids. It is a story about a horse that dreams of becoming a unicorn. She thought her life would be great and glamorous; however, the rich and famous life isn't as great as she thought it would be. She realizes what is really important in life.  

This book is funny and sweet with a great message for kids about being happy being themselves.

#2.

Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey

Yes, another Aaron Blabey book! His books are so funny and the illustrations are so perfect. The facial expressions that he gives his characters in the book are hilarious. My kids always try to recreate them. This book is about a pug named pig, and he will do anything to win - even cheat!

He finds out that winning isn't everything (sorta.)

#3.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Williams

You can not go wrong with any of the pigeon books, but this is our all-time favorite one. It has been a go to book for years. The kids aren't bored with it yet, and even more surprisingly, neither am I! I love reading about this rebellious pigeon who doesn't want to take a bath. I feel like I have the same conversations with my kids every night! They never want to take a bath but as soon as they get in they never want to get out!

#4.

I Am Not a Chair! by Ross Burach

This is probably one of (if not the) funniest books I have ever read! The first time the kids and I read it we could not stop laughing; especially, the ending. It is a hilarious book about a giraffe that keeps getting mistaken for a chair. 

He is fed up with it and decides he isn't going to take it anymore!

 Seriously, you have to read this book.

#5. 

Ten Little Dinosaurs by Michael Brownlow

I swear my kids only love this book because of one page. It is the page where the dinosaurs are trying to dodge the poop. Yep, poop. I don't know what it is about poop, farts, or burps that make my kids laugh so much but this one definitely has them giggling every time. I love the pictures in this book and how cute the ten little dinosaurs are. 

#6.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess

This has to be one of the longest children's books we own; however, it manages to keep their attention from start to finish (I have become pretty skilled at reading it at a pretty fast pace.) The kids love all the questions Sam I Am suggests about where and who to eat with it. Eventually, he eats the green eggs and ham simply to get Sam I Am to leave him alone, and he actually likes them! 

#7.

Hedgehugs by Lucy Tapper

This is the sweetest and cutest book on our bookshelves. It is about two hedgehogs (best friends) who can't hug each other. They try all these different ways to try to hug, like using strawberries, leaves, and snow, but they never work. Finally, at the end of the book, they find a soft and cozy solution. Everything about this book is adorable and I love it when the kids pick it to read.

#8.

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

My kids love all books about Pete the Cat; however, this is their most favorite one. They both love singing along with Pete as he steps in different things that turn his shoes different colors. 

Pete is the coolest cat!

These books always have a really cool message about enjoying life no matter what comes your way.

#9.

That's Not My Puppy by Fiona Watt

This is Beck's number one pick. He loves anything to do with dogs, dinosaurs and cars. I love that this book is interactive for him. On every page he can touch and feel different reasons why this isn't his puppy. It could be that his ears are too shaggy or his collar is too shiny. 

He gets so excited when we finally find the right puppy.

#10.

Rex Wrecks It! by Ben Clanton

This is Beck's other pick when it is his turn to pick the book. 

Rex is a dinosaur that wrecks all of his friends creations. They decide the only way Rex won't wreck it is to have him build it with them. They all work together to build the biggest, strongest and awesomerriffic thing ever! It is so fun to see what his friends let Rex do after they spend all this time building.

Those are our favorite books (at the moment.) We love to read books together and I hope that never changes. Please let me know your favorite children's books.

How To Display Children's Books

I LOVE children's books!

I love reading the stories to the kids and looking at the beautiful illustrations.

I always knew I wanted to display them with their covers showing; instead of the traditional way with the spines showing on a bookcase.

After looking at a hundred different pins, I decided to go for the Ikea picture shelf which you can buy for about $10. 

I didn't do anything fancy to determine the spacing between the shelves. I simply put the tallest book we own on the shelf (the same book for all the shelves,) and went up a couple inches and voila! 

At the top, we have all our Fancy Nancy books because the kids don't reach for those very often. The next three shelves have hard covers, and the bottom shelf is full paperbacks (we pick those up from Hannah's school book fairs.) 

I love the display, and appreciate that my kids don't pull them down just cause (I wish they felt the same way about their toy boxes!)

I hope that gave you an idea of how you can display your books. 

As Hannah gets older and she starts reading more chapter books, I will have to figure out a way to display those. 

to see some of our favorite books click here