Undercover Mama

Happy Friday everyone! Today we have a new Sponsor for the Baby Bash! Undercover Mama is giving one Rambles of a SAHM reader a chance to win a nursing tank of choice!

 Where Undercover Mama all began:

Elisa

President and Founder

Shortly after the birth of my fourth child, I became frustrated with the lack of options I had for nursing wear. I didn't want to buy a whole new wardrobe to feel comfortable while nursing. I was aching to get back into my regular, everyday clothes. The problem I faced was when I pulled my shirt up to nurse in public I was left with my back, side and belly partially exposed; not something I loved showing off, especially after having a baby. I wanted something to keep my skin "undercover", but I didn't want to deal with more clasps, flaps, etc. to dig through and do back up each time I nursed my baby. When I didn't find what I was hoping for, I designed it myself. I continued to make changes and improve it and realized how much I enjoyed wearing it. I thought just maybe other mamas out there were looking for a solution to the same issues I had faced. After many months of research and testing, UndercoverMama was born. I hope it helps you to be more comfortable so you can more fully enjoy the wonderful experience of nursing.

My thoughts:

I had my first baby back in 2008 and found some nursing tops but they all had built in bras with a slit in the center of the bra. They never worked right sometimes my breast pad would fall out or the slit would leave a crease that showed through my shirt. My solution then was to wear a nursing bra underneath for support. However, this was very uncomfortable and gave me mastitis. I kept thinking why does it have to have the built in bra? Fast forward to 2011 and baby number two is one the way. I knew I had to find a better solution so I Goggled nursing wear and found Undercover Mama! I was thrilled that someone had made just what I needed! The fabric of the tank is thick but smooth also after washing it didn’t shrink. The other thing I love is that my bra size changes a lot during nursing so instead of having to buy lost of nursing tanks I just buy one and change my nursing bra! I am so very thankful for Elisa and her innovation in nursing wear!

Heaven Is Real For Kids by Todd Burpo

Written uniquely for kids by a kid, Heaven is For Real is now really for kids! Beautifully illustrated, this book features Colton talking about his experiences in the first person and commenting on things that children find important. Also included is a letter to parents to use as a guide to talk to your kids about heaven, Scripture, Q & A pages with answers from the Bible, and a prayer of salvation. Teach and comfort your kids with the knowledge that heaven is a real place!

 
My thoughts:

 
Heaven is For Real For Kids is a very sweet book. It is a book that is made for children between the ages of 3 and 9. The book discusses Heaven in a way that is easy for young children to understand. I love the illustration in the book. The drawings are happy and warm. This book would be good to read before bed time. It would also make a great Christmas gift for your kids or grandkids. I have to say that I really enjoy talking about Heaven with little M and this book enhances these conversations.

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.  

Preggers Maternity Tights

About Preggers:

Preggers by Therafirm™ is a unique line of maternity support hose and compression products developed by future moms for future moms. We invited moms-to-be to try our products and provide opinions on styles, colors, and fit. Our “Preggers Mommas” team was an integral part of our product and brand development to ensure a full line of healthy products that will benefit you during and post-preggers.

What does gradient compression hosiery do?
Support Hose or graduated compression has often been recommended for use during pregnancy to help energize tired, achy legs and to help reduce and prevent swelling. True gradient compression hosiery delivers a controlled amount of pressure greatest at the ankle and gradually decreases towards the top of the stocking promoting better blood flow to help energize tired legs and feet, improve circulation, and assist in the prevention of swelling. They are also ideal for individuals required to sit or stand for long periods of time.

What is unique about Preggers by Therafirm™ compression products?
Finally, maternity compression products where you, expecting moms, are being heard. No more stigma of the old, “yucky” compression that is available in only a few styles, off-trend colors, is uncomfortable, hard to get on, and expensive. We believe you can wear compression and get the benefits it provides and still be fashionable. We want to you to feel AND look great!

Some lucky mommas out there never experience any of the discomforts of swelling or fatigue during pregnancy. (Lucky you!) But because Preggers is light compression it is ideal for everyday wear. Moms simply appreciate wearing light compression products because they energize tired, achy legs. And what busy mom couldn’t use a little extra energy, improved circulation, and shaping support?

My thoughts:

I have always loved tights! This probably comes from being in dance since age five. So when I became pregnant and found out baby was not due until the beginning of February I knew I was going to need some good maternity tights. I looked around at some local maternity stores but found many of them only carried Pantyhose or footless tights and most were overpriced. I kept thinking maybe I could just cut off the top of my old tights but then I pictured them rolling down during the middle of church. YIKES! I then decided to hop online and see if any Mom bloggers had recommended anything. I was happy to find on my first Google search a company called Preggers. I found not only did they carry tights but they were especially made to support the pregnant body and they were affordable! When my pair of black Maternity Tights arrived for review I was thrilled that the company stood by what they said. The tights are smooth and soft! They offer support without being too tight. I am looking forward to wearing tights this fall and winter!  If you are not a fan of Tights Preggers also offers Trouser Socks, Knee Highs, Pantyhose, and Footless Tights.

Some features to love about Preggers.

· Unique top that will fit during all stages of pregnancy. Our
built-in tummy support panel provides a sense of stability for
active mommas and can be worn folded under belly or
unfolded to cover belly.

·         Super soft material is breathable and provides shaping support.

·         Toe is reinforced for durability and rounded for a comfortable fit.

·         Micro-Cool® process creates a wicking effect so moisture evaporates from the skin quickly   providing a comfortable coolness.

·    Smooth seams that will not dig into your tummy or show under clothes.

Angels: True Stories by Robert J Morgan

Angels True Stories

What Angels Do For Us
Robert J. Morgan 

Nonfiction/Religious

Uncover the mystery of angels and their roles in your life.
Angels have been present since the beginning of time, yet we know so little truth about them. In his warm, storyteller style, best-selling author Robert Morgan presents a long-term effort of research behind the mystery of angels-in the teachings of the Bible, their role in the story of Christ, stories of how they impact Christian and missionary history, and personal accounts of their presence in our everyday lives. This is a revealing look at what angels do for us, opening our hearts and minds to their power and personalities as they carry out their purpose and God's overall plan for His kingdom.

About the author:

Rob Morgan is the pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has served for over 30 years. He is a best-selling and Gold-Medallion winning writer with over 20 books in print and over 2 million in print circulation. He is also a staff writer for Dr. David Jeremiah and Turning Points Magazine, and has many articles published in other leading Christian periodicals. Rob has appeared on numerous national television and radio shows and has a wide-ranging Bible teaching ministry. He and his wife Katrina have three daughters and ten grandchildren.

My thoughts:

I thought this book would make a very nice Christmas gift. It addresses a topic that seems to spark a lot of people's interest. If you get a chance to see this book in person take time to flip through it and see all the beautiful pictures and read the wonderful stories. When I did this I thought of several people who would love a copy. The introduction sucked me right into this book and I ended up reading through it rather quickly. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.


* I received a copy of this book for my honest opinions and to assist in this review. No other compensation was received.

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy Facebook Party

Let the flour fly! Beginning October 24th, Erin's celebrating the release of her latest page turner, The Baker's Wife, with an outstanding KitchenAid baking prize package giveaway that includes a brand new KitchenAid Mixer, cook books, and all you need to whip up some fabulous bread or sweets! Then and on November 10th she'll be wrapping up the release of The Baker's Wife with an Author Book Chat Party on Facebook! Don't miss a minute of the fun!

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

The Baker's Wife

Erin Healy

Contemporary Fiction

To save her husband and son, Audrey Bofinger must rescue her enemy.
The Bofinger family has lost their church ministry in a scandal exposed by Officer Jack Mansfield. Hoping to heal and to restore their reputation, Audrey, Geoff, and their son Ed take over a failing bakery in the small community.

Driving to the bakery one morning, blinded by fog, Audrey hits a motor scooter owned by Jack’s wife, Julie. The mangled scooter is crushed and bloody. But Julie is nowhere to be found. Her disappearance coincides with a sudden illness that nearly cripples Audrey.

Jack believes the Bofingers have hurt Julie to take revenge on him, but the evidence dries up and her trail goes cold. At a breaking point, Jack takes the tiny bakery and its patrons hostage, issuing only one demand: Audrey has six hours to return Julie to him, or lose Geoff and Ed forever.

With only an excruciating and intuitive gift, an ex-con, and Julie’s estranged daughter to help search for clues, Audrey starts the search of her life for a woman who has vanished like the fog.

My thoughts…

I have been a Ted Dekker fan for quite some time, so when he teamed up with Erin Healy I naturally had to read their endeavors. I kept meaning to read Ms. Healy’s solo work but just had not gotten around to it until now. I am so glad that I picked this one up.

The Baker’s Wife is primarily a story about choices. In it we are reminded that all choices, good and bad, have consequences. Fortunately in some cases and unfortunately in others those consequences bleed over into other people’s lives. Throughout this tale we see that happening over and over. Another life lesson that we learn is that things—even those with hard evidence—aren’t always what they seem. We must rely on what the Holy Spirit reveals to us and trust in that alone.

I figured out the plot early on, but it did not matter because the exact details were still blurry. As the author filled in the details I was drawn further into the story. When I came to the last page I gave a mostly contented sigh. The ending is about the power of forgiveness and the freedom it brings, especially when it comes at a great price.

The ending left me wanting to know the rest of the story but not in an unsatisfying way. I am curious about where these characters will go from here. I would love to see a sequel or spin off but I would be okay if this winds up being a stand-alone. I tend to think of books by how I perceive my book clubs accepting them. This would be a great book club read. There is discussion questions included and the idea of discussing our thoughts on what happened after the story ended is just irresistible.


* I received an E- copy of this book from Net Galley. This blog tour is hosted by Litfuse. I was not compensated in any way. All thoughts are my own and may differ from others.

Teens and Their Supernatural Pursuits by Melody Carlson

Today's Topic: Teens and Their Supernatural Pursuits

By Melody Carlson

Have you even wondered why some teens are drawn toward things like Ouija boards or psychics? Or why séances are still popular at sleepovers? Does it just have to do with Halloween and that spine-chilling need for a good scare? Or could it be something more? And, as a Christian, should you be concerned?

Those questions, as well as some confused reader letters, prompted me to tackle the “supernatural” in one of my teen novels (Moon White, TrueColors, Nav Press). And whenever I write an issues-based novel, I’m forced to research—and often in some dark places. So I began scouring websites, learning more about Wicca and the occult, trying to grasp what was really going on with today’s teens—and how I could write about it in a helpful and relevant way.

But, as usual, when I write a teen book, I go back to my own adolescence...trying to connect with my inner teen...and I suddenly remembered a short era when a friend and I got very interested in witchcraft. I had honestly forgotten about this time and was fascinated to recall how we scoured some witchcraft stores on a local campus—I think we even purchased a few things. Fortunately, this interest was short-lived and I became a Christian not long afterward.

However, as I reconnected with my inner teen, I had to ask myself—why had I looked into witchcraft back then? Why do teens dabble with it now? Suddenly the answer became crystal clear. I was searching. I’d been calling myself an atheist for several years by then, but I was spiritually hungry—starving in fact. Consequently I was looking for spiritual answers—something that would fill that empty void within me. I wanted a supernatural force in my life and I didn’t even care where it came from. I needed something bigger than me, more powerful than me, something to hold onto. I had no idea at the time that I was really searching for God.

This realization changed the way I viewed my research. Instead of feeling disgusted and dismayed by the witchcraft/Wicca sites (which are not particularly enjoyable) I began to recognize that these people (mostly girls) were simply searching too. They wanted a power source in their lives just like I wanted one in mine. They just hadn’t found God yet.

This led to another discovery. A girl who’s attracted to a religion like Wicca is usually seeking to gain some control over her life. Something is wrong and she wants to change it. To do so, she’s often enticed to purchase something—like “magical herbs”—to create a potion that will give her some control over her situation. Unfortunately, she doesn’t even realize she’s being tricked.

But think about it, wouldn’t you love to have control over a bad situation sometimes? Wouldn’t you love to be able to change the circumstances that make your life unpleasant? So what if someone offered you the “power” to do just that? Perhaps if you’re fifteen, you wouldn’t see that person as a charlatan and you would fall for it.

Which brings me to another important factor in understanding this generation’s attraction to the supernatural. Follow the money. The more I researched, the more it became painfully obvious that Wicca and witchcraft and the occult are money-making enterprises. Thanks to the internet, these savvy distributors sell anything imaginable—and many things you can’t. That leads to some serious motivation—these marketers want to hook their unsuspecting young customers and reel them in. Of course, these potions and trinkets and how-to books don’t come with a money back guaranty. Nor are they approved by the FDA. Yet they are a multi-million dollar industry.

So, in a way, it’s a perfect storm. Teens that are insecure, lost, unhappy, and searching...meet up with an unregulated industry that offers supernatural answers and power and control...for a price. And, oh yeah, I never even mentioned how this opens a door for Satan to slip in and wreak havoc. For that...you’ll have to read the book.

Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley

Enemies of the Heart

Andy Stanley
Christian Living
4 out of 5

The difficult circumstances you are dealing with today are likely being fed by one of four emotional forces that compels you to act in undesirable ways, sometimes even against your will.

Andy Stanley explores each of these destructive forces—guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy—and how they infiltrate your life and damage your relationships. He says that, left unchallenged, they have the power to destroy your home, your career, and your friendships.

In Enemies of the Heart, Andy offers practical, biblical direction to help you fight back, to take charge of those feelings that mysteriously control you, and to restore your broken relationships.

My thoughts…

Compared to most books that I review, this one took me a long time to finish. In most cases that would mean a snoozer of a book, but not in this instance. With this book I found myself reading a portion then needing to take some time to digest what was being said.

The four main topics that are covered are guilt, anger, greed and jealousy. If you were to casually ask me if I struggled with these areas I would probably say no. But, upon reflection while reading this work I found many areas that needed a second look. Andy Stanley does a wonderful job of revealing those areas in our lives that we often overlook. I would say that you do not have to have an obvious issue to glean some important information from this book.

One of the great things about this book is that it provides solutions to the issues that are addressed. I particularly liked the portions that addressed the need to confess, forgive, give and celebrate. The way these points were addressed made me feel very hopeful that a person could actually overcome the negative reaction and replace it with a positive reaction.

Another benefit of the book is that it has been broken down into a six-week Bible study that you could do with your small group. In my opinion you could actually stretch it out to a longer study if time would permit.

This book was previously released under the title of It Came from Within. I have not read the original book so I cannot comment on changes, if any have been made. I thoroughly enjoyed studying through this book and recommend it to anyone that wants to be free of those things that seem to entangle us.

I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah for my honest review. All thoughts are my own and may differ from others.

Rambles of a Pregnant SAHM

We saw our midwife yesterday and I have to say there is nothing better than having these appointments in our own home. I am a big homebody. We chose the same midwife we used with little M. I cannot imagine not using her with how well little M’s pregnancy and birth went. She is both knowledgeable and kind. Things are looking good with baby! I do however have to drink pure cranberry which is VERY sour but good for bladder health. I am 23 wks and glad to be feeling better these days.

Here is a question for my readers. What do you think about homebirths and midwives? Do you know anyone who has used a midwife or had a homebirth? Leave a comment and let me know!

Jessa Anderson New CD Not Myself Anymore

Upcoming tour dates:

Jessa Anderson's album "Not Myself Anymore" is available now in stores and online! You can download "Not Myself Anymore" on iTunes or AmazonMP3...or purchase wherever you buy music.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed Not Myself Anymore. It was nice and refreshing with an upbeat tune. I have to say my favorite song is Fireflies, I have listen to that particular song every day since receiving my copy. This CD would be great a great Christmas gift for that special girl in your life. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Go pick up a copy and I bet you will have to listen to Fireflies a couple of time to!

*I received a copy of this CD for my review from BEC Recordings. All thoughts are my own and may differ from others.

Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy

A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Ft. Worth hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily.

Gloria's relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman's apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer--or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?

My thoughts:

The story begins at an orphanage in Eastern China in 1990. From that moment you are drawn into the story of not only two different lives but two different cultures. The long lost sisters Kai and Lily somehow must span the two worlds to find wholeness. The story reflects back and forth between China during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s to present day America.

Kai is the second daughter of the Chang family. She suffered greatly as did the rest of her family during the Cultural Revolution in China. She eventually makes her way to America where she becomes a doctor that specializes in renal medicine in a prestigious practice in Boston.

Lily is the fourth daughter of the Chang family. Because of the family size restrictions in China she is placed in an orphanage. At the age of ten she is adopted by Rev. Andrew and Gloria Powell. They bring Lily to their home in Fort Worth where she is known as Joy.

Both sisters suffer many hardships in America. The adjustment to the American lifestyle is difficult for each of them. By the time Kai finds Joy, Joy has become a very rebellious teenager. In fact the first meeting of the two sisters takes place in a detention center. This providential meeting is the beginning of a relationship that will heal both of the girls.

This is a beautiful love story. It is a story about the love of one sister for another. It is the story about a love of a mother for her daughter. But mostly it is a love story about a Heavenly Father pursuing His beautiful daughters. Patty Lacy does a wonderful job of weaving a story that reminds us again and again that God’s thoughts are not like our thoughts and His ways are not like our ways.

It was very interesting to read the inspiration for the story in the author’s note in the back of the book. I’m thoroughly convinced it is why the story read so well. This is a book of deep subjects. The discussion questions in the back of the book along with the subject matter are sure to evoke thought provoking conversation for any book club.

While this was the first book that I have read by Patti Lacy, I can guarantee it will not be my last. This author has a wonderful writing style that I look forward to reading again and again.

I received a copy of this book for my participation in this book tour from Litfuse. All thoughts are my own and may differ from others. 

Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer

All she wanted was a simple Amish life . . . But now Marianna Sommer finds herself depending on Englisch neighbors. Although proud of living apart from the world, she and her newly relocated Amish family have discovered that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together.

As Marianna begins helping those different from herself—and receiving their help—her heart contemplates two directions. She’s torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a closer walk with God than she’s ever seen before.

Who should have young Marianna’s heart? What is God asking her to sacrifice? Her traditions? Her community? The answer is found along the wooded paths.

My Thoughts

This was my first book to read by author Tricia Goyer even though this is book two in the Big Sky series. I have to say that I really enjoyed this story and not having read the first book did not seem to matter. Something that I really loved that may not matter to many was that the main character was named Marianna, you see I read a lot of Amish fiction and they tend to blend together when the main characters names are similar to other Amish stories.

One of the other things I enjoyed about this story was the author’s ability to write in such detail. I felt as though all the characters had such a unique complexity to them. I also loved the honest emotions expressed by all involved in this story.  It was really refreshing to read an Amish fiction that dealt with the choices of growing up and choosing who you want to be as an adult. I feel like everyone has this decision to make as to whether they are going to live the life they were razed  or choose a different path and it was nice to see this written from  the Amish point of view. This story kept me guessing to the very end. Then of course I had to read the excerpt from book three and now I cannot wait to read that as well. I give this book 4 out 5 stars.

* I received a copy of this book from Litfuse for my participation in this blog tour. All thoughts are my own and my differ from others.

Falling to Pieces (Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series #1) by Vannetta Chapman

Falling to Pieces

Vannetta Chapman
Fiction
4 out of 5

In this first book of a three-book series, author Vannetta Chapman brings a fresh twist to the popular Amish fiction genre. She blends the familiar components consumers love in Amish books---faith, community, simplicity, family---with an innovative who-done-it plot that keeps readers guessing right up to the last stitch in the quilt. When two women---one Amish, one English---each with different motives, join forces to organize a successful on-line quilt auction, neither expects nor wants a friendship. As different as night and day, Deborah and Callie are uneasy partners who simply want to make the best of a temporary situation. But a murder, a surprising prime suspect, a stubborn detective, and the town's reaction throw the two women together, and they form an unlikely alliance to solve a mystery and catch a killer. Set in the well-known Amish community of Shipshewana, Falling to Pieces will attract both devoted fans of the rapidly-growing Amish fiction genre, as well as those who are captivated by the Amish way of life.

My thoughts…

Vannetta Chapman is a new author to me, and one that I will be looking forward to reading again. She has a fresh voice in this genre. I enjoy reading Amish fiction and I liked the way this story came at things in a different way.

If I were classifying this piece of work I’m not sure that I would classify it as Amish fiction. The main character, Callie, is not Amish nor are several of the other leading characters. There is a very large Amish presence in this novel because it is set in Shipshewana, Indiana which has a large Amish and Mennonite population. I would prefer to classify it as a cozy mystery with an Amish twist.

The plot was fast paced and kept the pages turning. In the end I thought that I knew who had committed the crime and why…but I was wrong. To be wrong about a mystery is the best! 

One of the bonuses with this book is that it has discussion questions in the back. It would be a nice read for your book club, especially if you have just finished something very heavy in subject matter. I am looking forward to reading the next two installments in this delightful series.

*   I received a copy of this book from NetGalley  for  my honest opinions. No other compensation was received and all thoughts are my own and may differ from others.

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

From the back of the book: Christmas Eve has always been special to cake decorator Mattie Eash, who was born on the wondrous holiday. Yet the season lost its appeal three years ago, when her childhood sweetheart abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas. Mattie moved to Ohio, pursued her dreams of running a cake shop, and gave her heart to someone new. Someone who wouldn't break her heart.
But an unforeseen setback forces her home and into painful proximity to Gideon. Will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy-or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?

We are reading this for our Christmas book club! I can't wait. My two favorite things a Christmas story, and Amish! Happy reading.

Like Cindy Woodsmall on facebook: Here
Find more information on Cindy Woodsmall's website: Here

 

 

 

 

Kutless Is Set To Release Their New Christmas Album 10/04

Format: Compact disc Vendor: bec Recordings ISBN-13: 5099902721620

Kutless is wrapping up another great year with the release of their first Christmas project on October 4 (Tuesday) entitled "This Is Christmas". This album is filled with four classic holiday songs along with two original Kutless Christmas tunes (“This Is Christmas,” “Beautiful”). There will also be a 10-song exclusive version available at Wal-Mart this season. Kutless is touring heavily this fall as part of the “One True God," Winter Jam and the “Very Merry Christmas” tours.

"The Christmas season is one of my favorite times of the year," shares Kutless frontman Jon Micah Sumrall. "It is a special time for us to enjoy family, festivities, and gift giving but most importantly to remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My hope is that This is Christmas will be an encouraging and festive reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. Truly Jesus is the reason for the season."

The band will be following-up to the Christmas album with a brand new 2012 studio release. Kutless is putting the finishing touches on this new project with producers Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Mandisa, Carrie Underwood) and Dave Lubben (worship leader, Kutless).

For more information, go to www.kutless.com. Follow the band on Twitter and become their fan on Facebook.



This Is Christmas Track listing:
O Holy Night
This Is Christmas
Breath Of Heaven
Mary Did You Know
Beautiful
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

* I received this information from BEC Recordings.