I Did It! I've Moved to Wordpress!

Tell all your friends! :-)

Time to change your bookmarks to:

www.kindredspiritmommy.com

I'm so thrilled, I absolutely love Wordpress and love my new layout there!

And Cat from 3 Kids and Us, whom I hired to help me with the terrifying move, was AWESOMEEEE! I can't even begin to describe how wonderful she was to work with - I highly highly HIGHLY recommend her if you're thinking of moving. She is very affordable at $60.00 and incorporated my design, transferred all my posts, and installed my Wordpress theme for me.

All Feedburner subscribers should be automatically transferred, but I would head on over to Kindred Spirit Mommy and subscribe just in case if I were you. I've got some awesome giveaways coming up, the first of which will be a Wii game!

Save some time and add my new new button with the new url to your sidebar:


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See you all there!

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MyHairStylingTools.com and Harry Potter Blu-Ray Giveaway Winners!

MyHairStylingTools.com Karmin G3 Pro Flat Iron

Ardy22 said... I would love to have their Bespoke Labs T3 Tourmaline Featherweight (1800 Watts).
I want it because all I have ever used are the cheap dryers that never last very long and always heavy to handle.
December 31, 2009 11:13 PM

and...

Harry Potter Years 1 & 2 Blu-Ray Ultimate Editions!



Natalie A. said... I like Ronald Weasley! Thanks!
coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com
December 25, 2009 4:26 PM




Congrats, Natalie and Ardy!

Sending out emails now. :-)

Didn't Win? :-(

You can purchase Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Ultimate Edition and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Ultimate Edition right now from Warner Brothers on sale for $31.96 each! They normally retail for $39.99.

and

You can buy the Karmin G3 Salon Pro on sale right now for $134.95 (in white) and $139.95 in pink or black. Don't forget that shipping is free!

New Discount Code for MyHairStylingTools.com!

Use the code ksrblog and get $15.00 off your order. :-)

I ♥ comments!

Favorite Books of 2009

For Your Little Ones
___________________________________

I Don't Want a Posh Dog! by Emma Dodd

From my review: I give this sweet book five out of five stars for the delightful story and fun-to-read-aloud phrases like "I don't want an itchy dog. A scritchy, scratchy, twitchy dog." I would love to find more children's books by Emma Dodd!

♥



My Story Bible by Jan Godfrey

From my review: I think this is one of the best bible storybooks I have come across! The pictures and content are perfect for keeping a toddler or child's interest. I think every toddler should have one.

♥

The Super Hungry Dinosaur by Martin Waddell

From my review: Reading this book out loud is a delight, though with all the Grrrr-ing, you might find yourself going hoarse by the end. The sound effects had my little one grinning from ear to ear, what with all the growling, slurping, and dino voice changes. The story itself is one that I think any child can appreciate, boy or girl.

For Your Teen/Tween
___________________________________


Be Strong and Curvaceous by Shelley Adina

A fun, clean read with strong characters. Book 3 in the series, though it can be read by itself and you won't feel that you've missed anything. I recommend them all!

Excellent Reads for Adults
________________________________________


Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy

From my review: I was enthralled with Kiss. I found myself in a dilemma - I wanted it to last longer and so tried to read slowly, but the nonstop action and the fact that you have no idea what is coming next make this a wouldn't-put-it-down-for-anything read. As is usual with Ted Dekker's novels (though it's hard for me to use the word "usual" in a review of one of his books), you are so intertwined in the thoughts and emotions of the characters that the real world fades away.

♥

Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker

From my review: I highly recommend you read this book if you're into thrillers, adventure, 24, . Just maybe don't read it at night like I did. ;-) I'm warning you, though - you'll want to buy copies for your friends and make them read them (like you'd have to force them if they've read Ted Dekker before) so that you'll have someone to discuss the books with. And you'll find it entering your mind at the most inopportune times, like when you need to be sleeping.

♥

Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell

From my review: I was literally wide-eyed through the entire second half of the book - sleep was not coming anywhere near me. And believe me, that doesn't happen often. Susannah is pursued by a truly terrifying man (I was practically quaking in my boots for her), while another man, a captain come to help defend the colony from Indians, is trying to protect her. The situations were nerve-wracking at times, and that definitely kept me interested, but also the things that went on inside the Puritan households and minds fascinated me.

♥

The Blue Enchantress by M.L. Tyndall

From my review: Pirates, duels, battles on the sea, being stranded on a desert island, sickness, and more - this book had me on the edge of my seat! It was quite the adventure.

♥



The Enclave by Karen Hancock

From my review: Secret illegal projects, strange and terrifying deaths, and a message of trusting God despite our view of the world being totally shattered... there is so much to this book but I don't want to give anything away! All I can say is that this is an inspiring, exciting read and one that I recommend enthusiastically!

Non-Fiction
________________________________




Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy

From my review: Refreshingly, Miserly Moms is neither boring nor a slow read. It's so easy to find what you're looking for and to pick and choose what tips you want to follow - I love it! And it's written with the goal of being a stay-at-home mom in mind.

♥

So Long, Status Quo by Susy Flory

(From my review) So Long, Status Quo chronicles Susy's personal experiences challenging herself to shake things up in her life. Her inspirations were women in history who weren't afraid to change the world and acted selflessly - Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt (my personal favorite), Rosie the Riveter, and Jane Austen are a few. This book is so inspiring!

♥



Fear Not Tomorrow, God is Already There by Ruth Graham

From my review: An encouraging book by Ruth Graham, Billy Graham's daughter. This book is SO worth buying - and buying a copy for every woman (or man!) you know. I was so blessed, and will continue to be blessed by it. I don't read a lot of Christian non-fiction normally, but this is going on my keeper shelf.

♥

What are your favorite reads of 2009?

If you have a post similar to this, feel free to link to it in a comment!

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SimAnimals Africa Wii Game Review

SimAnimals Africa is a new simulation game available for the Wii and Nintendo DS. Players are given the ability to help take care of the animals of Africa, make friends with them, and maintain their lands.

My Thoughts...

SimAnimals Africa is a game that I think kids will really love. It's quick and easy to master the controls and objectives, and players are given new abilities and goals as they play. The graphics are whimsical and engaging, and there are many ways to interact with everything around you, from the animals to the landscape.

An interesting and fun feature is that you can play as the animal as well as yourself. For instance, I was given a challenge to fill a dry watering hole. First, I had to make friends with an elephant (each animal has its own name and personality) by petting it and feeding it, and then I could play as that animal and control it. I had him go to the larger watering hole, drink water, and then spray it into the smaller watering hole. Elephants can also water dying trees this way.

You start out in a valley full of zebras, and as you move throughout the expansive African plains and deserts, you come upon more species of animals. I like that it gradually exposes you to new animals and different types of challenges as you play. There are also new things to do with the animals and more ways to interact.

Conclusion...

I think SimAnimals Africa will especially appeal to children and young teens. I found that it didn't hold my interest enough for me personally to keep playing, but I know I would have enjoyed it as a kid. My nieces and nephews (11, 9, 4) do love it. I would recommend it for any child who loves animals and enjoys playing with their Wii.

Now you have to check out this Wii gameplay video!



Ready to buy?

You can purchase SimAnimals Africa for the Wii for only $36.99 at Amazon.com.

Disclosure: The review product was sent to me free of charge by the company or manufacturer in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my own content, my own true experiences with the product(s), and my own opinion. :-)


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Two Bethany House 2009 Releases {My Thoughts}

The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller
Bethany House, 2009
$9.99 at Christianbook.com

From Christianbook.com: After her father's death, artist Carrie Brouwer moves to Collinswood, Ohio, where she accepts a job in the carousel factory owned by her friend Augusta's father. On her first day, she discovers she's the only woman in the plant, and the men resent her---especially the manager, Josef Kaestner. Can she win his respect---and perhaps his love?

My Thoughts: I really wanted to like this book. The cover is gorgeous, the plot is well-thought-out and interesting, and there were some humorous parts in what I read. I liked Carrie (Carrington). But somehow it didn't draw me in - I couldn't even finish it. The way it was written felt kind of dry to me, and I had no desire to finish it. That said, I'm going to share one of the humorous parts that I enjoyed with you:

While I explained my situation to Mrs. Wilson, I heard Augusta inhale a huge gulp of air. A minute or two later, a loud whoosh escaped her lips. Both Mrs. Wilson and I turned to stare.

"Breathing through the mouth in large gulps helps to clear the lungs of impurities, " Augusta said.

I couldn't believe that she managed to keep a straight face.

"I've never heard that before," Mrs. Wilson said. "But I'm always willing to try something new." She sucked in a mouthful of air and clamped her lips together in a tight fold. Her face soon turned the shade of a ripe persimmon. I was thankful when she clasped her hand to her chest and exhaled a gush of air. "I do believe you're right. This deep breathing is cleansing."

I would recommend reading the reviews at Christianbook.com, too - there are mostly positive reviews there and you can go see why they liked this book so much. :-) You should know that my tastes run more toward classics like Anne of Green Gables and a few amazing works of Christian fiction like Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell and anything by Francine Rivers. I like books that are deep and meaningful with well-developed characters. I felt that, in this book, I was kind of thrown into a story with no introduction to any of the characters. And my new policy is to not force myself to read a book I don't love - there are too many good books out there for me to waste time on anything that doesn't grab me right at the get-go!

♥♥♥

That Certain Spark by Cathy Marie Hake
Bethany House, 2009
$9.99 at Christianbook.com

From Publisher's Weekly: Against a backdrop of male chauvinist prejudice and smalltown small-mindedness, twins Enoch and his sister Taylor Bestman, veterinarian and medical doctor respectively, arrive in Gooding, Tex., with the best of intentions. What they find is a great deal of anti-female sentiment when it’s discovered that Taylor, the new medical doctor, is a woman. Determined to prove herself, Taylor takes on whatever the little town can throw at her and slowly wins over most of the people’s affections, including that of a stubborn blacksmith who views medicine as an inappropriate profession for a woman.

My Thoughts: This was my first Cathy Marie Hake novel, and I enjoyed it! I loved the characters, who I thought were well-developed and had great personalities. The subject of anti-feminism was included as part of the main plot but didn't overpower the story. The romantic relationship was a little lacking (I was more interested in the secondary romance of Taylor's brother, lol) but I liked the main character so much that it didn't bother me enough to put down the book. Overall an entertaining read, one that you'll enjoy if you like strong female protagonists, reading about lady doctors in the West, and likable characters.

I received the books reviewed above from Bethany House as a part of the Bethany House Book Reviewers Program. If you're interested in becoming a Bethany House book reviewer, please visit www.bethanyhouse.com/bookreviewers and apply!



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Heirloom Silhouette Tutorial {Creative Moms Blog Hop}

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Welcome to the Creative Moms Blog Hop! ♥

How to Participate: First of all, you don't have to be a mom. :-) You can be anyone who wants to show off what you've been creating - it can be a recipe, a craft, online graphics, anything! Even a tutorial you found online and want to share. You can grab the linky code and add it to the bottom of your own crafty post or just link up your craft-related post. If you don't have time for that, leave a comment sharing what you've been up to or what your goals are! We would, of course, also love to see what you've made!

My Crafty Doings...

I pretty much went all handmade this Christmas. I made earrings (thanks for the beads, gems, and findings, mom), crocheted, and painted like a mad woman, especially in the last few days. I'm a procrastinator and amazingly I do well with the last-minute crazy crafting. I was pretty happy with what I came up with.

I also made a silhouette of my daughter Emma to give to my mom.

Ready for a Tutorial?

I know you are! :-)

1. I started out with a small square canvas, a photo of Emma that I really like that clearly shows her profile (you can also print one out), tracing paper, a pencil, scissors, some glue or mod podge and a couple pieces of pretty scrapbook paper that compliment each other.


2. First, I used a pencil to trace all the way around the canvas on the paper that will be the background. I then cut it out and glued it onto the canvas.

3. Now, you can print out the photo you want, cut directly around the face, and trace around the edges right onto the silhouette paper. That's probably the easiest way. But I was using a photo that I didn't want to damage, so I used tracing paper and:

a) Traced around the face.
b) Turned the tracing paper over and (with the side that I had drawn on facing DOWN) re-traced the lines I had drawn so that the drawing was transferred to the paper I wanted the silhouette on.

4. Cut out around the face and glue onto the background paper.

You're done! An easy and wonderfully personal piece of art. :-)

If you have any questions, let me know!

Share your Thoughts!

Do you have any recipes, crafts, or other creativity to share? You can: a) Write a post on your blog and link up to it so we can come visit and give you some comment love, or b) leave a comment letting us know what you've been up to. :-)

Can't wait to read your comments and visit your blogs!

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Looking Forward to 2010... {Small Talk Six}

This week's topic is "Six Things You're Looking Forward to in 2010".

I can think of a few things for sure - I may not exactly be looking forward eagerly to a few of them, but I am thinking about them already.

1. Potty training Emma, or attempting to potty train her. I'm going to give it a try, but I have heard that children potty train when they are ready and you can't force it. So, definitely not looking forward eagerly (it's going to be a lot of work), but I would love it to be done - so tired of diapers!

2. No more pacifiers! I would like this to be the last year Emma is addicted to the pacifier. Please? No more waking up to crying in the middle of the night because she lost her pacifier and it's the end of the world!


3. Crib to toddler bed? Yep, I'm very sure that's going to be happening.


4. Moving from our apartment to either buy or rent a house. Our lease is up in April and I am DETERMINED not to sign another lease. Apartment life is not fun in the first place, but with a toddler it is really depressing. Especially for me, a girl who grew up in the country. So we will be looking for another place. It would be wonderful to have a yard!

5. I will be working out more often. Yes, I will! The holidays have taken their toll, and I must get back in the swing of things with my Wii exercise regime. I miss it, and I feel so much better when I work out. I need to set a goal. Probably 45 minutes three times a week at least.

6. Moving to Wordpress! Yes! I'm scheduled for January 1st or 2nd to move this blog to Wordpress and my own domain! I'll keep you all updated!

What are you looking forward to in 2010?

You can write your own Small Talk Six post and link up to it at MomDot, or leave a comment sharing what you think 2010 will be like! Anything you're looking forward to or not looking forward to?

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Shabby Apple Creamsicle Girls Dress Review

Shabby Apple is a wonderful online boutique dedicated to providing "great dresses that make dressing simple". All of their dresses are stylish and sophisticated yet simple - no tank tops, cardigans, or other wear necessary. And they have many that would have really flattered my pregnant shape back when I was still with child.



One of my problems with dress-buying is finding something that I think might look good on me. Every woman has a different shape, after all, and it takes quite a bit of searching to find something that will fit and flatter! Thankfully, Shabby Apple has an extensive selection searchable by style, occasion, and body shape. I really really love that and found quite a few dresses through that last search that I would love to try on myself.

But I decided to let my daughter be the first to try on one of their lovely dresses. Yes, Shabby Apple also carries some beeeeautiful girls' dresses! Check out a few of my favorites from their collection:

Our Thoughts/Review:

We received the Creamsicle girls dress in 18-24 months to review. I love the unique style and pattern, don't you? It is very toddler-friendly with its two tie closures (there is a snap closure as well inside) and is flattering with its bell sleeves and empire waist.

What I like: The fact that it is so easy to take on and off. It is also very comfortable for her to wear, something you don't always find in dresses. Emma hates the fuss of pulling things over her head and I can tell from the way that she acts when things are itchy or uncomfortable. But donning this dress didn't even phase her - she went right on being her silly little self and proceeded to use the couch as a trampoline.

This dress is very versatile. It can be elegant and something different from the normal that will make your little princess stand out. Most importantly, it is very comfortable. Kids need to be comfortable so I think that this makes it a wonderful purchase. Emma is 19 months and has a little room to grow into this dress and fill it out a bit. I recommend checking the measurements of your child when you purchase - don't just go for whatever your child's age is. They have a wonderful fit guide that can be found here.

Possible con? The tie closures could be a con for toddlers who don't know any better and keep untying them. Emma had no problem with this, however. Other than that, I have no complaints. :-)

Conclusion: Shabby Apple rocks! I absolutely love their dresses, both for women and girls. I would happily purchase a dress from them in the future.

Want the Creamsicle girls dress? You can buy it from Shabby Apple for $34.00 right now!

Discount Alert!

Use the coupon code kindredspirit10off and get 10% off your purchase!

I have to mention that I especially have my eye on this Nancy Drew dress in the Sale section right now. How CUTE is it? *sigh*

Thank you, Shabby Apple, for sending me the Creamsicle dress in exchange for an honest review! This review is 100% my own opinion, my own experiences with the product, and in my own words. I was not reimbursed in any other way.

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