“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

Your Family Constitution

Scott Gale

Carpools, packed lunches and PTA meetings are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to raising kids. What happens when you throw in two careers, personal lives and a dog? Chaos! As demonstrated by the hilarious personal accounts of parenting successes and failures peppered throughout Your Family Constitution, many parents simply run out of time and energy to establish clear and consistent expectations for their children. Having learned from his hit-or-miss parenting, Scott Gale created Your Family Constitution as a tool to restore family harmony by providing the ‘3Cs’: clarity, consistency and commitment. With this guide, readers can create their own Family Constitution, producing mutually understood boundaries and structure to become happier and more effective parents. A truly innovative technique, Your Family Constitution is a plan that every parent can easily apply to make their own families stronger.

I have met families that run like a democracy and I have met family where there is a clear dictatorship. I am not sure if “my” family has a set category or if we just float from one to the other.

But I am sure of how enjoyable it was to read Your Family Constitution by Scott Gale.  Scott takes you on an adventure where it is clear to see that you are not alone in the big game of “parenting”.  It is fun to read the struggles, mishaps and “ah-ha” moments that he shares with the reader.

With running a business, being a blogger, product reviewer, home schooler, women’s and kid’s ministries, wife and mom…I can totally 100% related to the aspect of being too much and being a bit unorganized (regardless that my daily planner is completely filled)

Your Family Constitution helps you to realize that you are not alone and offers valuable tips and ideas on how to create a more dynamic and proficient family unit.

What I enjoyed the most about this book that is was quite frankly enjoyable to read. I (sometimes) cringe and self-help and how-to books…because they generally seem to be boring and do not pertain to my life…but over and over I could relate to Scott’s family life, struggles and joys.

This is a great read, with many wonderful attributes. This is a book that was definitely created for the family library collection. You will reference it quite often. I know that I will.

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“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

E is For Ethics

Ian James Corlett

It’s here! The parenting book you’ve been waiting for.  E IS FOR ETHICS is a fun, family book which will open the door to teaching and discussing the most important values with kids.

Imagine, learning about ethics and having fun as a family at the same time!

The book features the loveable and quirky brother and sister team of ELLIOTT & LUCY who in each story will face an ethical situation.   After each story, your family can discuss how Elliott or Lucy dealt with it and what they learned!  E IS FOR ETHICS is the fun way to build strong, ethical qualities in kids which will stick with them for LIFE!

This is a great book for home school families. The book contains 26 chapters. Each chapter references a virtue such as Honesty, Acceptance, Integrity, Trust, Willingness, Generosity and so on.  The chapters contain delightful illustrations, a short story and a main question. There are a few follow-up questions for each subject as well.

When I was in college I took an Ethics class which pretty much summed up Ethics this way…”Who to say it’s right if it isn’t right for everyone?”….Um, What???? I managed to get a good grade out of the class but the subject of Ethics left me desiring for absolutely NO MORE.

It was great to read that Ian James Corlett took a different approach and actually presented values and morals along with his E is for Ethics book. Could you imagine telling a child something like what I learned in college? Yikes! Happily Ian James is also a father so he understands the delicate balance between raising children and raising adults.

We have decided to incorporate E is for Ethics into our weekly class schedule. The stories and subjects create a great atmosphere for questions.

Ian James Corlett created a book that all families should have on their library shelves. It is entertaining and a wonderful resource.

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“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

Mother – Daughter Duet

Cheri Fuller

A harmonious relationship is possible

When your daughter was born, you had a thousand hopes and dreams for her. . .including that one day you’d be best friends.

But as life unfolds, even the best intentions go awry. There are so many challenges on the journey to adult friendship that the reality is fraught with friction and frustration. Thankfully, a harmonious relationship with your daughter is possible.

Written by a mother and daughter who have successfully navigated the minefield from distance and tension to acceptance and friendship, Mother-Daughter Duet helps moms open wide the door of communication so that daughters want to walk through it. Filled with personal anecdotes and based on proven principles, each chapter offers timeless wisdom as well as a daughter’s perspective. Often these principles apply to daughters-in-law as well.

The relationship between mothers and daughters is intense, personal, complex, and unique. But you can have the loving, authentic bond you always dreamed of—when you learn the mother-daughter duet.

Whether you are a mother or a daughter you are going to gain valuable insight, understanding and wisdom from this book.

I read this book from a daughter’s standpoint with a mother’s heart. What I mean is that as an “adult” daughter…I sadly could see myself in many of the interactions and reactions discussed within this book.  As a mother…I read it with open eyes and spirit searching for wisdom for the time my 6 year olds would be grown women.

I was instantly drawn into the book from Chapter one. Mother-Daughter Duet is not written as “self-help” book but as encouragement for other women.

As a daughter…I sometimes struggle with my mom’s desire to still parent me at age 40. Yet, I see that I may be following those footsteps with my own girls. As a mother…I long for the friendship that can be possible when my daughters are grown women with families of their own.

Reading Mother-Daughter Duet gave me such a heart for my mom and for my daughters. Will relationships ever be easy? I doubt it. Women are women…regardless of age…we are intricate, complex and sometimes (especially in my family) stubborn…but it is clear with God’s help and guidance we can achieve a success in our friendship and love for and from our mothers and daughters.

I will be keeping this book in my library for reference and encouragement. I know that the tween years are closer then I think…and they will be followed fiercely by the teens and adult hood. I want to make sure that I am fostering a relationship with my twins that will be one that will blossom and in the meantime…tending the relationship with my mom.

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“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

Twins and More

Chicken Soup for the Soul Series

101 Stories Celebrating Double Trouble and Multiple Blessing

This is Chicken Soup’s first book about the growing world of twins and multiples. Co-author Susan M. Heim, a well regarded expert on twins with several other books on the topic, has collected stories that highlight the special bond that twins share, the joys and challenges of raising multiples, the unique circumstances of their arrival, the double trouble that twins get into, the multiple blessings of being a twin or having them in the family, and adventures in raising triplets and quadruplets, too! Twins, parents of multiples, relatives of twins, or anyone interested in twins, triples, and more, will enjoy these inspirational, humorous, and touching stories.

My goodness! I had no idea that I had written this book! But as a mother of twins I could definitely say that so many of the experiences, joys and obstacles relayed throughout the stores in Twins and More have occurred in my own home.

This has to be my favorite Chicken Soup Book to date.  Yes, I know I have a new favorite quite often but that is just a wonderful testament to the great Chicken Soup for the Soul Concept.

The Twins and More covers such topics as Expecting Multiples, Sleep Deprivation, Seeing Double, A Special bond, Twin Trials, It’s Triplets, Grand parenting Twins, A Different Path to Parenthood, Double Trouble, Double Fun and Lessons Learned.

I think it is telling that the last section is Lessons Learned because as the mom of identical 6 1/2 year twins I can tell you, quite honestly, that I don’t realize that “I” have learned the lesson until almost the end anyway!

I am most grateful that Twins and More reminded me of how beautiful and valuable the gift of being a twin is for my daughters.  As a mom… you get so busy in the mundane and the routine of daily life that you forget to stop and see that right before you there are two beautiful little beings that God created. Yes, they might be coloring your white walls in bright red and pink flowers at the time you realize this but what a blessing anyway.

I enjoyed the openness that mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings had in sharing their life and stories with multiples. It was an eye-opener, a reminder and tummy tickler all in one. If you know a family that has or is having twins pick up a copy of Twins and More…give them a smile…they’ll need it…because raising multiples is definitely a joy and a challenge.

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I was delighted to receive my copy of “Let’s Get Ready for First Grade”. It has been a wonderful companion to our regular curriculum. I have found it to be dead on with what my girls are learning right now in 1st grade.

As a home schooling mom…I have learned that the one main goal of teaching is “Try, try and try” in others words if one program or manipulative doesn’t work…try another one and another..you will find something that works for your child and that interests them. While I have twins they both learn a bit differently. Skylar is a more organized learner but she has to reiterate every direction you give her. Rylan would rather have you say it once then let her at it.  The Let’s Get Ready for First Grade book worked well for both their learning styles.

Let’s Get Ready for First Grade covers such topics as:

• Name & Phone Numbers
• Counting to 100
• Ordinal Numbers
• Odd & Even Numbers
• Food Groups
• Measuring
• Basic Money & Value
• Understanding Weather Concepts
• Basic addition

I started to carry the books around in my book bag and purse because they were the perfect thing to pull out while waiting at the doctor’s office or at the dinner table.  What I enjoyed the most, as a teacher, was that the information provided in Let’s Get Ready for First Grade was not overwhelming for your child. It was the perfect morsel of  information on an upcoming or new school topic.  Allowing just an introduction gave my girls the desire to learn more.

The books are designed with a very smooth texture so you can actually use a wipe on/off dry erase marker with the book.

As a mom and as a teacher I would recommend that you pick up a copy of Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten and Let’s Get Ready for 1st Grade. They will be valuable tools whether you are a home school family or your child attends private or public school. As a parent we want to be informed and up to date on what our child needs to know and should learn…this is a great resource to help our children grow.

Stacey Kannenberg, “Let’s Get Ready to Learn” Mom

Stacey Kannenberg is an author, publisher, motivator, consultant, spokesperson and MOM.  As the “Get Ready to Learn Mom”, Stacey is a nationally renowned education expert and award winning author with an expertise in children’s education, and “Mom-entrepreneurship”.  She is the co-author of the award winning and state approved, Let’s Get Ready series with Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! and Let’s Get Ready For First Grade! Stacey is the Founder/CEO of two publishing companies: Cedar Valley Publishing and Stacey Kannenberg Unlimited, an imprint of Cedar Valley Publishing.   Stacey will be releasing the highly anticipated Spanish/English Bilingual Edition of Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! in April.

Stacey is a media favorite with numerous television appearances along with hundreds of radio, magazine and newspaper stories to her credit from Radio Disney to Toy Tips Magazine to the Dallas Daily News.   During Back to School, she was featured in 22 Parenting Magazines from Indy Parent to Houston Parent to OC Parent to Metro Parent as well as numerous television shows from FOX 6 News to Milwaukee’s Morning Blend to WEAUTV to the WB’s Daily Buzz.

To learn more about the amazing Stacey….click “HERE”

One Lucky IE Mommy Friends will *WIN*their choice of a set of Kingergarten and 1st Grade book in the English or the Spanish/English version

To Enter:

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“Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man…“

Spilt Milk

Linda Vujnov

Spilt Milk is a collection of brief, hilarious stories and meditations mixed with biblically based applications that encourage women in their spiritual journey. Written by a Gen-X mom, these stories remind busy mothers that God’s grace is always there in the messes and marvels of life, love, and being a mom.

Laughter lightens the heart and helps you discover grace in the moment In a mother’s land of milk and honey, the milk is often spilt and the honey is usually smeared all over the face of the baby in his high chair. Linda Vujnov has been there and knows exactly what it feels like. Between packing lunches, drying the dishes in the sink, returning emails, and making sure mascara is applied without smudges, Spilt Milk offers a delightful alternative for busy moms that will lighten your day and remind you that God’s grace is found in the most unlikely places. You’ll discover the ways God uses the everyday adventures of an imperfect woman to emphasize his grace.

Whenever I have done a devotional it has always been hit and miss with me. Either they were so intense that it was like doing a bible study or so light that I could have received as much inspiration if I had read the comics.

Finding the right balance between humor, insight, inspiration and God’s words is not as easy as it may appear.

Linda Vujnov did a fabulous job with Spilt Milk. As a mom of twin girls I can relate to many of her chapters and titles. Such as “My Last Drink”, “Wit’s End” and “Stupid Words”.  She shares her highs and lows of being a mom with small children in a way that any mom can relate.

Within each of her daily devotions is the “moment” when God touches her heart to see life His way…when the ah-ha minute strikes. At the end she concludes it with a verse to ponder for the day.

Spilt Milk is the perfect devotional to carry in your purse or backpack for those times when you have a few minutes to dwell in God’s word….as a mom those moments need to be found because they don’t just fall in your lap.

Linda Vujnov realizes that moms are busy, harried and rushed most of the days…but she always reminds us that we have a heavenly Father that will helps to slow down, calm down and relax…if we only let Him be in charge.

Review posted at Amazon.com

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Thomas Nelson

Rick & Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage

Rick Burgess & Bill “Bubba” Bussey

Synopsis: The only thing funnier than marriage is Rick and Bubba talkin’ about it!

Oh my goodness! Rick and Bubba are right on in so many ways. I have to admit that I had never heard of them before (sorry guys) but they are hilarious.

Their take and view on the way marriage and women work is hysterical yet deeply accurate.

I found myself quoting their book to my husband and for the record not just the parts about husbands. There were times I so clearly saw myself in Rick and Bubba’s descriptions of wives that I would bust out laughing. Clearly a weird moment when you do so at the doctor’s office.

My favorite concept of the book is that it is written by two men that love the Lord, their wives, their family and humor. No wonder they are considered the sexiest “fat” men alive.  What can be more attractive then men that love God and “get” their wives?

This book contains an extra added book…The Book of Blame with contains many amendments to the laws of marriage. My personal favorite was: Article XXXVIII
“If you hit a pothole in the road, it’s your husband’s fault. He should have warned you about it…on the cell phone..from his office!”

Don’t laugh! That really happened to me just recently and cost me $400 to get a new tire for the front of the car and I WAS on the phone with my husband which is why I hit the silly thing in the first place.

Rick and Bubba have a few decades of marriage under their combined belt but even more experience being men so it was an incredible insightful read.

Lighthearted, straight to the point and very informative. Give your sweetheart a chuckle and read the book together…it will definitely give you a lot of points to discuss. It did for my hubby and I and we are still married!

Great job boys!

**See The IE Mommy Review on Amazon.com