what a girl needs

And the winner is #1!  Noteable Scraps!  Congratulations!  (Contact me at toosillysisters@cox.net)

Do you have a minute?  Pretty please?

I need your help.

If you were me, which picture(s) would you choose to create into canvases?

For my home...

(Everyone that votes will be entered to win a little goodie!)

Are you in?

#1 (red bow)

#2 (straw hat)

#3 (ladybugs)

#4 (Little Mermaid)

#5 (ring around the rosie)

#6 (sisters sliding)

#7 (breaking boards)

#8 (lollipops)

#9 (ballerina)

#10 (Dora)

#11 (Ruby)

#12 (snowy woodpile)

#13 (pool)

#14 (leg warmers)

#15 (flapper)

#16 (driftwood)

#17 (colored bottles)

#18 (spools of thread)

#19 (Surprise!)

#20 (walking through the field)

#21 (Father's Day)

#22 (my loves)

#23 (up in a tree)

#24 (blue eyes)

#25 (bridge)

#26 (tunnel)

#27 (green penguin)

#28 (polka dot headband)

#29 (Snookie)

#30 (thinking)

#31 (on the bench)

#32 (Missy the cow)

#33 (sunflower)

#34 (stormy sky)

#35 (Reading Girl)

#36 (bluebirds)

#37 (painting nails)

Thanks so much for your help.

Can't wait to see what you think.:)

Under the Rainbow by Catherine Campbell- Precious Comfort for the Weary Parent

My Thoughts:

Oh, the dreams we have as parents.  We pray for beautiful, bright and vibrant children with endless potential.  Disabilities and imperfections aren't ever considered.  They're for people we don't know- not  a part of our world.  But what if God has different plans?  What if part of His plan involves heartache?  Catherine Campbell has walked this road and through her beautiful book, Under the Rainbow, she shares the remarkable story.  I promise that it will touch your heart like no other book ever has before.  It will make you think, it will make you laugh and cry, and you'll view the world differently.  It's a precious comfort for the weary parent- in fact it's an encouragement to all parents.  

I still can't get over the grace and loving spirit that is Catherine Campbell.  She is honest and utterly human as she tells the story of her three children.  Her two precious daughters, Cheryl and Joy, never spoke or walked and required constant care their entire lives.  Oh, but she adored them.:)  She and her husband didn't understand why God chose this for them but they never doubted, though the days were long and the challenges seemed endless.  How my heart ached for their trials while at the same time I was rejoicing in the grace that God placed upon them!  Under the Rainbow is an absolute blessing of a book...

Description:

As a young nurse, Catherine witnessed the reality of infant loss and the tragedy of broken lives. She didn’t think that God would allow it to happen to her or her unborn baby though. But when her first, and then second, daughter was born with a rare genetic condition, she was forced to question this belief.

Catherine and her husband nursed the girls until they died at the ages of ten and thirteen, respectively, never having had the ability to even recognize their parents. This is the story of Catherine’s journey with God through this incredible heartache and loss. She honestly shares her disappointment, devastation, and even anger as she deals with the daily demands of her daughters.

In time, though, she came to see her situation differently. We stand “under the rainbow” with her as she experiences the reality of the promises of God, which eventually led to acceptance and freedom. More than an autobiography, the book considers issues such as friendship, helping children grieve, and turning pain over to God. It will make you laugh, and it may make you cry, but ultimately it will reveal to you a God who always keeps His promises.

*Catherine Campbell is giving copies of Under the Rainbow away this week on Facebook!  (Click the picture below to enter.)

*I was given a copy of this book from Kregel in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

King's Faith movie review and giveaway!

The winner is #5- Christy White!!  Congratulations, Christy!

About the film:

Eighteen foster homes. Nine arrests. One life-changing moment.

After Brendan King’s life spiraled to rock bottom, the teen found hope in a new relationship with Christ while serving time in a juvenile penitentiary. Recently released from prison, Brendan finds solace in the foster home of a couple struggling with suppressed grief.

As the city-bred teen enrolls at a suburban high school, he finds support from a group of believers. Yet the bonds of his old way of life—and the gang that wants to know where he hid their stash on a long-ago night—are strong. In his darkest moment, Brendan found faith. Now he must decide if it’s worth the price to hold on to it.

KING’S FAITH is produced by DiBella and Faith Street Film Partners LLC, a Rochester, NY-based collective of filmmakers, churches, investors, and supporters.   

My Thoughts:

Forgiveness, new beginnings, God's love, trust and grace are all crucial elements of this inspirational movie.  I watched it with both of my daughters, ages 10 and 15, even though it's PG-13.  Yes, there is some violence but it's not glorified. It's presence in the movie is to illustrate a point- the difference between good and evil and the fact that God can change people.  There is no profanity used by the villains- none!  The actions and words of the characters stood for themselves.  Foul language wasn't necessary- so refreshing!  The most crucial point of the movie had the foster father quoting from the Bible.  The main character is at a cross roads in his life and has to make an impossible decision.  His father pleads with the young man, "Trust in the Lord and not on your own understanding!"-I was in tears!  I felt that the relationship with the homecoming queen was a bit unnecessary, but everyone loves a love story, right? :).  (The topic of abortion is touched upon here.)  I loved watching the foster parent's relationship grow and change.  Having lost their son and then learning to care for another young man was easier for one while the other was afraid.  Engaging story lines, action, likable characters and the fact that it give's God the glory makes King's Faith a winner of a movie!

Would you like to add King's Faith to your video library?  I'm thrilled to be able to offer a giveaway to one of my readers!!  Here's what you need to do…

#1- Leave a comment on this post for 1 entry.

#2- Leave a separate comment stating that you're a follower of my blog (if you are) for a 2nd entry.

#3- "Like" King's Faith on Facebook for a 3rd entry.  Leave a separate comment telling me this.

*I'll randomly choose a winner next Wednesday, November 13th!*

KING’S FAITH stars Emmy Award winning actress Lynn Whitfield (The Women of Brewster Place, Madea’s Family Reunion), Crawford Wilson (Judging Amy, Zoey 101), Kayla Compton (Entourage), and James McDaniel (Malcolm X, NYPD Blue).

KING’S FAITH features the themes of courage, forgiveness and overcoming your past highlighted with the important message of youth in foster care. The film prompts audiences to consider many of the questions they struggle with today: How can I stand firm in my faith when life’s challenges put me to the test?   Where do I turn when I feel paralyzed by loss and grief?  Can I find true forgiveness from my wrong choices?

Watch the trailer/Visit the official website www.kingsfaith.com. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingsFaith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kingsfaith

Release Date: October 22, 2013

Run Time: 108 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG-13           

Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

Special Features: A 10-minute behind-the-scenes feature, commentary, discussion guide, Bible study clips affiliated with the LIVE IT OUT Bible Study

*I was given a copy of King's Faith from FlyBy Promotions in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

The Book Thief House Party- the Book Club meeting I've always dreamed of!

The Book Thief.

Beautifully written, heart wrenching, haunting, lovely and raw all at the same time.  Shining moments that rise above the darkness of Nazi Germany.  The characters will stay with me forever. 

I was beyond thrilled to be selected to host The Book Thief House Party! (Note- The movie trailer states the movie is coming in January but that's in the UK.  It's coming to the U.S. November 15th!)

House Party sent me little black books, pens, and bookmarks &

2 copies of The Book Thief.  (I gave one away as a prize!)

A nifty book bag that I also gave away as a prize. (Mandy claimed the movie poster in the first picture- lucky girl!)

The refreshments were so fun to dream up with quotes from the book!

(Remember how Max felt while traveling on the train?)

Memories of Liesel and Rudy's adventures stealing apples.

Katie made GF and regular pumpkin bread- It was YUM!

My pea soup turned out a bit like Mama's!  The peas refused to soften even after hours in the pot.  My sweet friends were kind enough to live by these words (below).;)

At least it looked good in the bowls!

Frau Diller and her mixed candy...

Rudy with hair the color of a lemon, Papa with his accordion…  Have you read the book?  Who was your favorite character?