Sugar Creek Gang Review, Freebie, and Discount!

As a blogger for The Gabby Moms, I was given an extra opportunity to review this month, this time for an audio of one of the Sugar Creek Gang stories, "Swamp Robber".  If you have a love for older stories, you are in for a real treat with the Sugar Creek Gang.  These stories have their beginnings in 1939 and have now been recorded as dramatic readings straight from the original books on 72 different CDs, sold by Beloved Books.

I think these stories would appeal mostly to boys, at least the "Swamp Robber" story I listened to, as they are about a gang of boys who have adventures together (and that is "gang" in the old-fashioned sense--a group of boys and not something bad).  The boys learn and grow together, and morals are strewn throughout the story in a non-invasive way that fits right in with the adventure.  The characters are quite believable, and they learn more about God and grow together and influence each other for good.  Besides the moral content, children will also learn some science lessons, poetry, hymns, and nature study as they listen to the stories.

It can sometimes be a struggle to find wholesome books and entertainment for our children.  I am very, very picky in what my children are given for learning material, because they are little sponges that will soak up whatever they are exposed to.  As I listened to the "Swamp Robber", one of the boys in the story brought up the subject of ghosts, which made me wonder where the book was going to go next.  Thankfully another boy shared what his mom had taught him about ghosts--that people died and went to heaven or hell and didn't return to earth to haunt people.  So if you are looking for material for your children that is not only enjoyable but will teach them a proper view of the world, these are a good option.

The Sugar Creek Gang audio series is sold in large volumes of several stories.  If you would like to hear what it's all about before you purchase, you may listen to the entire "Swamp Robber" story for FREE here.  And if you'd like to purchase any of the exciting volumes, you may do so with $12 off of your purchase by using the code Lorrie12.

Beloved Books also sells other audios such as the G.A. Henty stories on audio and much more.

I received this product free of charge to review for The Gabby Moms program, but my opinions expressed here are completely my own, honest opinions.

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A Natural Source of Iron

Sometimes women with child may find that in the late stages of pregnancy they have become anemic.  You may go in for your third trimester blood work and get a call from your doctor's office or midwife informing you that you are low in iron and must now take an iron supplement, maybe even three times a day.  Then they also inform you that the iron supplement may cause difficulty by giving you constipation, for which you may need to take some medication.  Of course, you may also become anemic even if you are not pregnant.



So what is a lady to do?  Well, there are other options that will not cause you so much grief.  There is a natural iron supplement called Floradix.  It is most commonly found in liquid form in a glass bottle.  Floradix contains not only iron to help with anemia, but herbs as well.  Unlike other forms of iron, this type is easily absorbed by your body and won't cause those unpleasant side-effects mentioned earlier.  I know because I am using it myself!  I had gotten so tired that I was falling asleep in the afternoons quite against my wishes, and just could not get myself to stay awake.  There were a few times that my dear, amazing daughters made dinner for me because they saw that I was napping and wanted to let me rest.

I have heard some people complain of the taste, but I have not found the taste to be too bad at all.  It does have some fruit juices in it, which make the taste quite palatable.  However, it does have a very distinct smell that I don't really care for.  But that is a small trade-off for still being able to function normally!  I have even heard someone say that the taste was great to her when she was iron-deficient, but then it didn't taste so good when her iron was back up to normal.

So hopefully this will help someone who is having this very fatiguing problem.  I was able to purchase the Floradix on Amazon with gift certificates I've earned with Swagbucks and taking surveys.  If you don't want the 17 oz. bottle, there are other options here, but I think the 17 oz. bottle is the best deal.

Another option is to purchase some grass-fed liver, sold at health-food stores, and freeze it.  After two weeks you may cut off little pill-sized portions of the liver (still frozen) and swallow them just like pills, if you can't stand the taste of liver.  This will give you a healthy dose of iron also.  Though I haven't tried this method yet, I have heard it works well.

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Filling the Soul

Sweet Solitude,...
A mother must fill her soul.  In order to pour into the lives of her children good things, she must also pour into her own life.  Mother must take care to read her dear Bible and pray to the Lord, even if it is in between chores during the day, even if it is while bathing a little one.  If she takes care to go to bed at a decent hour, she can rise while it is still quiet and fill her soul with the Word of God without interruption.

Mother must also be careful how she fills any spare time.  These spare moments can be spent on things that build up her character, such as sewing, or reading a helpful book, or painting or drawing, or playing a musical instrument.  All of these pursuits can be used to bless other people and her family at one time or another and also provide enjoyment to a mother's soul.


Young Woman...

A mother must take care on what music she listens to--is it edifying?  Is it pleasing to the Lord?  Is it true and good?  If she fills her soul with uplifting music, she will have good words and melodies going through her mind as she goes about her day serving her family.  Some Christians make the mistake of believing what they listen to doesn't matter, but it seems from God's Word this isn't true.  See Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.  This mother thoroughly enjoys listening to Scripture Songs, which are King James Version scriptures set to folk-type music; hymns; and classical music.  I will share in another post where to purchase some wonderful CDs of this edifying music.

The same thing goes with TV-viewing and reading materials.  Is what you are putting into your mind helping you to think on "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise..." (Philippians 4:8)?

Mother can pour out blessings and goodness to her children if she has first filled her soul with what is good, and pure, and true.  Remember to make those good choices throughout the day and have a joyful heart ♥


 

Mother and Child


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The Homemaking Life

It is nine in the morning.  The Momma has already changed two dirty diapers.  She has made the coffee and the steaming hot oatmeal and gotten everyone to sit down to breakfast.  She has dressed the little ones and said her prayers.  She has listened to a child read her a story and heard countless requests from others.  She has heard screaming and had to quell it.  She has had to mend fighting amongst siblings. She has found the laundry in the dryer still wet.  She has counted the tasks for the day and told the Lord they were too many.  But she has called upon Him for strength.

This is often the life of a homemaker.  It is not easy, and it is not always teacups and roses.  But a momma must press on and trust in the Lord to give her what she needs for this sacred trust, the trust of home and family.

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Artists and Authors Review & Giveaway

When we teach our children character, we are teaching them how to act around others and treat them with kindness.  We are teaching them how to properly deal with life's ups and downs and so much more.  I was so excited to review this month's book for the Gabby Moms.  I think teaching character to our children is one of the most important things we do for them (and others!)  Mrs. Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement thought it was important too, so that is why she created the book Artists and Authors, Learning Character Through Drawing for her children when they were growing up.

This neat little book covers many different character subjects, such as dependability, forgiveness, generosity, humility, and obedience. Not only that, but it teaches your child all about God and family too, and how she is to relate to them.  There are also sections on the 10 Commandments, The Fruit of the Spirit, and a special section to teach your children about holidays and their significance in the life of a Christian.  Each page has a short and sweet devotional and a space for your child to draw a picture as instructed.  You don't have to use the book in any particular order, but can flip to the section you would like to use.  I love that this book can easily fit in my child's hands and is also spiral bound to make it super easy to draw in.  My seven year old got to use it this time to study diligence, and she really enjoyed drawing the pictures and found the devotionals easy to understand.  The book states that it is for ages ages 4 to 10 (or any child who prefers to draw--which would be mine--they must take after their mama?)



For this month's review, we were generously given a choice of two books to review.  You see, Artists and Authors actually has a companion book called, Authors and Artists.  Confused?  Don't be!  This second book has the word Authors first because instead of drawing in this book, your child writes!  The exciting thing is that Lorrie is giving away one of each of these sweet and helpful books on her blog.  You may enter both giveaways!

Go here to enter:

• Artists and Authors (the book I reviewed)
• Authors and Artists

I received this product free of charge to review for The Gabby Moms program, but my opinions expressed here are completely my own, honest opinions.
 
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Let Them Ask Questions

How many of you mothers tire of hearing "Why" and "How" and so on from your little ones?  It may get exasperating to hear so many questions day in and day out.  Especially if you have several children, you may think the time of answering questions must surely soon come to an end.  But no, God has given them this curiosity so they can learn about His world.  And He has given them this inclination to ask many questions so that they can learn why they should or should not do certain things.

Yes, the temptation is great, when little Susie asks, "Why..." to answer, "Because!" or to get frustrated if the questions have been many.  But instead, the loving mother must learn to answer gently and with wisdom..."Because God..."

So we must take our little ones up on our lap and give instruction.  We are often too busy and preoccupied to truly pay attention to their yearning hearts that long to know about things.  We must, by the wisdom God has given us, instruct them in His Word, about His ways, and about His world.  We must remember to embrace this season of curiosity and inquisitiveness, for one day they will grow up and not be so interested in what we have to say if we haven't established a firm foundation of loving discipleship in the early years.

Just one day at a time, Mommies.  That is all we're given.

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Last Month of Summer

I am glad, for this hot summer is approaching its demise.  Next month fall will begin.  Oh, glorious fall!  How the children and I anticipate the cooler days and turning of the season.  It is still in the 90's here, which is much, much too hot for me.

In autumn, the leaves will turn beautiful colors of orange, yellow, and red.  We will find the maple leaves on the ground and pick them up to sniff their sweet, sugary smell.  We will go for walks and crunch on those crispy, fallen leaves.

I am thankful for the changes in the seasons that God gives us.  How creative and wonderful He is.

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Green, Green Grass

When we first moved into our house several years ago, we had a nice, green lawn in our front and back yards.  There is nothing quite like lush, green grass for children to play and lay on in enjoyment of childhood.  Unfortunately, my husband mowed over several sprinkler heads in those early days.   We also live in the desert, which made keeping up with watering a lovely lawn beyond our budget.  Now we are overrun by a yard of sand and desert weeds.  Goat heads make their home in the yard and then travel with us inside!  Even the two year old has learned how to pull the goat heads out when they get stuck on her (or someone else).

I would love to have a beautiful green lawn once again for our children to play on.  Irrigation Supply Depot sells all kinds of supplies that I'm sure could get our yard back to a state of loveliness again.  They have all kinds of sprinkler heads, pipes, and even sprinkler controllers (ours was taken down also)--basically everything you need to have a well-functioning sprinkler system.  Maybe one day we can purchase what we need and have an alluring lawn once again!

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Brought to you by your friends at Irrigation Supply Depot.

Just a Typical Morning

Well not soooo typical.  I woke up late due to not being able to get to sleep early enough last night.  When I tried to come out of my room, I was greeted with a frenzy of "Don't look over here, Mom!" from my children--a sure sign that they are making me another surprise (one of their favorite past times).  It has something to do with making breakfast.  Good thing they can follow recipes, because they seem to always want to be making something in the kitchen!

While they are waiting for the surprise to bake in the kitchen, the little boy (4 years old), leads his sisters in hymns and praise to our God (at the top of his voice), and I hear someone say, "We are still in our pajamas--we have to get dressed!"  But they have made a surprise and they have sung praise to the Lord, so it is a good morning.

I am thankful.

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