April Reads

This month I didn't get as much reading in as I had in the other months.  But, nonetheless, I got some reading done! :)

Home Organization

I really struggle in the area of home organization so this book has been an inspiration along with being stretching for me.  It's not that I don't like neat and orderly, actually I really do, I just haven't figured out how to organize everything the way it should be.  I know this comes easily to many and I'm hoping if I read books on it as well as start applying what I learn I'll start enjoying it and catch up! :)

Clean Enough

 Overwhelmed in your homemaking?  This book is fantastic and for you. I've really enjoyed it (along with Jenni's site), I'm going to start implementing the tips in it today!

The Handbook of Vintage Remedies

If you have an interest in botanical medicine this book is wonderful.  It carefully goes through herbalism and was very informative. 

I also finished reading (from last month):

Loving the Little Years

On Becoming A Writer

Overall I'm pretty happy with the amount of books I was able to read this month.  I'm looking forward to trying to get to more this next month!

What have you been reading lately?

*Disclaimer - this posts contains affiliate links.  Read my disclosure here.

Redeeming Childbirth Book Giveaway!!!

Did you read my review on Redeeming Childbirth yet?  If not, go read it and get familiar with this fantastic book. : )

Angie Tolpin has kindly offered to giveaway a signed copy of Redeemed Childbirth today to one of my readers!  Enter the giveaway below through the Rafflecopter form (subscribers will have to click through to enter on the blog).  Have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer - Angie Tolpin sent me an e-version of this book for the purpose of the review.  I wasn't compensated in any other way.  Thank you Angie, it truly has been a blessing!  This post also contains affiliate links, you can read my entire policy here. 

Redeeming Childbirth :: A Book Review

Today I want to share with you to my *new* favorite pregnancy/childbirth book : Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin.

This book has become my favorite pregnancy book because of the huge amount of encouragement through out it's pages.  I have read a ton of pregnancy/childbirth books (here are some of my favorites) and for the most part they are alike and tell you how big your baby is now and what happens during pregnancy, labor and birth, etc.  This book though encourages you to grow in your relationship with the Lord while going through the life changing experience of pregnancy/childbirth.

Pregnancy and birth is just something you don't ever forget, it is imprinted on your heart.  I remember the overflowing joy of finding out a new blessing was coming, feeling the first hiccup or kick, hearing the baby's heart beat for the very first time, growing close to the day you are to deliver and meeting your precious baby for the very first time.  Pregnancy is a precious growing time for both yourself and your baby.

A lot of people (I know I have at times) focus on the negatives of pregnancy: morning sickness, sleepless nights, backaches, outgrowing clothes, tiredness, overwhelmed with household tasks, etc. Though these are all extremely true (more so for others), this book encourages you to draw closer to the Lord during these trying times and rest in His presence.

I wish there had been such a book when I was expecting our first baby. I would have benefited so much for the encouragement within it. This book is written to help redeem your childbirth, help you grow spiritually with the Lord, your family and your growing baby.  I ended up reading this book slowly, I'd read a little and think on it and read a little again.  It is so full of wisdom, I'm sure I'll be picking it back up next time I'm expecting.

I would have no problems recommending Redeeming Childbirth to anyone having a baby!

Be on the look out for an exciting giveaway coming soon!!

You can connect with Angie online on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or subscribe to her email list.

*Disclaimer - Angie Tolpin sent me an e-version of this book for the purpose of the review.  I wasn't compensated in any other way.  Thank you Angie, it truly has been a blessing!  This post also contains affiliate links, you can read my entire policy here. 

The May Flexi Of The Month Is Out!

Lilla Rose has released the new May FOTM early.  Just in time for Mother's day!  Order now to give your mother a special gift!  If early wasn't good enough you can get 10% off the May, April & super popular February FOTMs!

 Go here to shop!

I'm running a special too over on Homemaker's Challenge - BUY 3 and GET 1 FREE! You have to order through my link to get this special!

The ABCs of Housekeeping

I follow Jenni @ Live Called and about 2 weeks ago she posted this meme.  I've been wanting to join in since reading her answers but hadn't had a chance until now.  After you read my answers copy the questions and post it on your blog with your own answers.  You can link up and join Jenni here.
 
Aprons – Yes or No? 
Yes & No, it depends on what I'm making (i.e. fried foods) and what I am already wearing.  I do love pretty aprons!

Bathrooms – How many do you have? 
1 - and for now I'm happy we only have one so I don't have more to keep clean. : )  Bathrooms are not my favorite area to clean. 

Clothesline – Do you have one? 
Yes!  I love it especially for hanging cloth diapers.  Lately I rarely put clothes on it due to my husband's allergies and asthma.

Dusting – How often?
Depends on the time of year, but normally around once a week

Everyday – One housekeeping task you do everyday?
Whole house tidy.  I like to go to each room each morning and do a quick pick up.  Toys, clutter, clothes, etc all get picked up and put away at this time.

Family – Does your family help with household chores? 
My 2 1/2 year old son loves to wash the bathtub and help when I clean the bathroom.  He also helps unload the dishwasher.  My 1 year old loves to 'try' to help load the dishwasher but that's more of a playtime in the water. : )  My husband helps me keep up with the dishes when he is able to. 

Garbage Disposal – Do you have one?
No, currently we live in a old home, built probably well before garbage disposals were designed. :) 

Home Management Notebook – Do you use one? What’s in it?
Yes & no, I have one but I have gotten out of the routine of using it.  You can read what's in my binder here.

Ironing – Love it or hate it? 
I only iron when sewing so I guess I love it, because I love sewing! :)

Junk Drawer – Where is it?
I lost 2 drawers when I decided I wanted a dishwasher added in the kitchen, and one of those was the junk drawer.  I still don't have a junk drawer but I do get a small pile in the corner of the kitchen counter, thankfully because it is on the counter I don't allow it to stay a pile very long. :)

Kitchen – Design and decor? 
I've never been good with designs and decor so my kitchen is pretty simple.  It's yellow with a few plaques that say Faith, Hope, Love in yellow, red and green.  My old dream kitchen used to be blue and green with white - it just sounds so clean and bright in my head. :) 

Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking?
Finding new ways to become more efficient in my calling as homemaker.  

Mopping – How often does it get done?
About once a week or when something gets spilled. :) 

Natural Cleaning Products– Do you use them?
Yes!  That's all I ever use.  I love these products and then homemade cleaners from this book.

Overwhelmed – What part of homemaking stresses you out the most?
Deep cleaning - I am not always able to get the deep cleaning done and that stresses me out. :)  But, at least the regular cleaning gets done. :)

Pets – Do you have any mess-making critters in the house?
Yes, we have one small dog inside (mostly) and then 2 outside kittens.

Quiet – What do you enjoy doing when you get a quiet moment?
Mostly read.  Read my bible, read a current book, read articles.... 

Recipes – How do you organize them? 
Oh, right now they are a mess.  I have my favorite cookbook and then I have a binder full of all the printed off recipes I've collected.  One day I have to find a way to organize them to make it efficient and easy to find what I'm looking for.

Style of House – What kind of home do you live in?  
We have a 3 bedroom 1 bathroom little farm house. :)

Tablecloth – Do you use one on a regular basis? 
No, with a toddler tablecloths get too dirty and add extra laundry. 

Under the Kitchen Sink – What do you have under there? 
It's sort of messy right now but I have some vases, dishwasher detergent, vinegar and some other cleaning things.

Vacuuming – How many times a week does it get done? 
With only 1 room in the house with carpet it only gets done about twice a week.

Washing Clothes – How many loads do you do a week? 
I wash at least one load a day due to cloth diapering.

X’s – Do you keep a to-do list and cross the tasks off? 
Yes!  I must have a to-do list.  The satisfaction of crossing tasks off a list keep me going!!  Recently in an attempt to reduce my waste of papers I am trying an app on my iPhone called Any.Do, so far I love it!

Yard Work – Who does what? 
For the most part my husband keeps up the yard work.  Gardening has become a family event as 2 boys love getting in the dirt! :)

ZZZ’s – What is your last housekeeping task of the day? 
Normally putting a load of diapers in the washer before going to bed. :)

Now, head over to Jenni's blog and read her answers and the other ones linked up.

*Disclaimer - this post contains affiliate links

Kissed by the Moon Store Spotlight

At the beginning of last month I ran a giveaway for the #NewFluff event, well, due to business and some unforeseen events I didn't get to post a sponsor spotlight before the event began and ended. : (  So, today I'm going to introduce you to one wonderful online store full of cloth diaper supplies and a ton of other baby related items.

Kissed by the Moon is a family ran online business helping parents cloth diaper their babies and buy all needed supplies at one place.  KBTM sells everything from cloth diapers in every style, to soap, to diaper bags, to baby toys to baby carries.  KBTM also has a rental program!! :)

Tami at Kissed by the Moon sent me some Crow Mountain Craft soap in lavender to try out.  The soap smelled so good when the package arrived!  Crow Mountain Craft soap is "cold process soap made with only the highest quality ingredients and essential oils.  Our soaps are made in small batches in my home. Each slice is handcut and weighs from 4.5-5oz."  Crow Mountain Craft soaps specializes in soaps to help wash your wool covers.  They have Lano Loafs, Liquid Wool Wash, Lanolin Mist, and a bunch of other items.

The bars of soap have this cute stamp stating "handmade" with a tree on one corner.  The colors in the bar I got are so beautiful and add a little special color to your bathroom. The soaps wash well and leave your hands feeling clean but not dry and stripped from all oils.  They lather well and last a long time.  I'm still working on my first bar of soap.

I always got quick responses to my questions and customer service was always accommodating and helpful.  

Some of the other products I love from Kissed by the Moon along with many others:

This Swaddlebess Simplex 2.0 is soooo cute!

Ergo Baby carriers are my absolute favorite carriers for when my babies get about 3 months.

My boys would love the cars on this Tots Bots Easy Fit One Size Diaper.

Like I said at the beginning of this post Kissed by the Moon donated a $25.00 gift certificate to the #NewFluff event that was in March.  

You can connect with Kissed by the Moon by following them on:

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Be sure to check out there sales/clearance section to score some great deals on diapers and accessories monthly.

* Disclaimer - I received a sample of the bar of soap mentioned above to write this review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions written here are 100% honest and my own.