2 In 2022/ Book Review/ Giveaway

How “Thinking Again” changed the course of my life

I just finished “Think Again” by Adam Grant. This book presents a case for why it’s helpful to be a lifelong learner vs. someone who is ‘set in their ways’ or a ‘know-it-all.’

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it think.
Adam Grant

In this book, Adam Grant says that people can fall into in four different camps:

Preacher: I often act on faith alone in my quest for the truth.
Prosecutor: I seek to win using evidence, often by attacking the other side and dismissing their evidence.
Politician: I seek to win using my belief system, often by attacking the other side.

However, the best way to approach life would be the:

4. Scientist: I rely on evidence with the goal of finding the truth. I am happy to change my belief (hypothesis) when confronted with evidence.

The Scientist mindset can be summed up with one simple phrase: “I might be wrong.”

I thought the illustration he used in the book was funny:

After finishing the book, I paused to consider times in my life where I’ve had to “Think Again.” There are many – marriage and parenting give me plenty of times to ‘re-think’ what I’m doing. In fact, a successful relationship requires regular rethinking. For example: Learning not to be late or being open to moving and planting roots in a new community.

However…

The first and biggest time I had to “THINK AGAIN” was after meeting this handsome guy named Ted Egly.

I liked Ted immediately … but he was not for me. I thought Ted was amazing. I thought he would make a perfect boyfriend/husband … for someone else.

Why? Because I had a “list.”

In college I made a list of what was required of the person I date and marry. Did you have a list like that?

On that list were two things that disqualified Ted. My list said that a person I was going to date/marry MUST:

Be OLDER than me

and

have more education than me.

Ted is two years younger and hadn’t finished college yet, so I could not date him. Instead, I tried to fix him up with my younger sister.

“He’s like a brother to me. I can’t date him,” she said.

“You are CRAZY!” I responded, “He’s PERFECT!”

“Then you date him.” She answered flatly, turned around, and walked away.

This was it. This was the time I had to re-think that ‘must have’ list.

I had other things on my ‘must’ list. Ted passed every one.

Was he a man of faith? Yes.
Was he a man of integrity? Yes.
Was he kind? Yes.
Was he a leader among his peers? Yes.
Did he have good relationships with his family members? Yes.
Was he hard-working? Yes.
Was he smart? Yes.
Was he funny? Yes!

However:

Was he older than me? No.
Was he more educated than me? (No, not yet)

Were those last two things deal-breakers, or could I re-think my list?

Thankfully, I decided to THINK AGAIN…and the rest is history!

PS – If you talk to Ted, ask him how he also had to THINK AGAIN about dating me.

Can you think of a situation in your life that you’ve had to ‘THINK AGAIN?’ Has there been a time you were sure about something, and then as you grew, asked questions, did your own research, changed your mind?

Think Again is full of stories of people who chose to “Think Again” and others who do not, and how it affected who and where they are today.

The Story of Us – Wedding Day

April 22, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Motherhood

4 Tips for Remote Workers With Young Kids

Guest post by Janice Janice Russell of parentingdisasters.com.

According to a study by Owl Labs, 62 percent of American workers between the ages of 22 and 65 say they work remotely at least some of the time, and that number is only expected to rise as more companies innovate and technology advances. Many work-from-home employees have young children who spend at least part of their day at home during their parent’s work hours. Because parenting and job duties can sometimes cause conflict in your life, it’s important to seek resources that help you establish a productive work-life balance.

1. Stick to a Schedule

If you’re scheduled to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a condition of your employment, it’s essential that you keep those hours. If your children are old enough to care for themselves in a separate part of your home, then you can provide them with age-appropriate activities, and stress that they should only interrupt you if there’s an emergency. For babies and toddlers, you should arrange reliable child care that can support your family during work hours.

When you work from home, it can be easy to feel like you’re always at work. If you spend every extra minute checking emails or trying to get ahead, you’ll miss out on precious moments with your little ones, and they’ll notice. Therefore, it is imperative to establish and commit to family time every day. Playing outside, eating meals as a family, or reading together before bedtime, are wonderful ways to cultivate meaningful relationships with your young children.

2. Create a Distraction-Free Workspace

To ensure your kids understand your boundaries during the workday, you should have a designated workspace in your home. It may be a spare bedroom that you convert into an office or a corner of your dining room set up with your laptop and headset. Either way, make sure your children understand that when you’re in this space, you are working and not to be bothered. If you have an in-home helper for child care, you can ask him or her to pretend as though you are not home during your work hours.

3. Get Comfortable

Parenting is full-time work, and so is your actual job. Therefore, though many remote employees are still expected to dress in business casual attire, you should prioritize your comfort. A soft knit blazer, flats with microfiber insoles and a quality pair of leggings that look like work pants, keep you looking professional but allow you the comfort and flexibility you need to chase your little ones around.

4. Leave Your House

When you went to an office every day, chances are you took breaks, left for lunch, or took short walks to stretch your legs. Now that you work from home, it’s important to retain that personal time and space so you can remain focused and avoid burnout. If you are the sole child care provider during your work hours, you can use this time to let your toddler expend some energy at the neighborhood playground.

Many work-from-home parents struggle with self-care. If you have a family member, friend, or hired help who can take over for a while, you should use that bit of time for rejuvenating your mind, body, and spirit.

Working remotely with young children can be challenging, but if you incorporate these tips with a bit of planning and consistency, you can thrive in your career and family life.

– Janice Russell

I hope you found this guest article helpful! Find more from Janice at parentingdisasters.com.

April 18, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

A Fun and Yummy Easter Activity: Resurrection Rolls

One of our family’s favorite Easter traditions are making Resurrection Rolls together. Not only is it a fantastic object lesson, it’s DELICIOUS!

Making the rolls together is a fun and tangible way to teach your children about the Resurrection. They make a wonderful treat for Easter weekend.

This year, I was making rolls early to take pictures for this post, and only two of my sons were available. When the other two heard we did this without them, they were disappointed. I gladly promised we’d make another batch before Easter.

Here’s what you’ll need:

8 large marshmallows
1/2 stick of butter, melted
Crescent Roll Dough
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Cooking spray
Tin pan

What You’ll Do

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Read John 19:38-42 to your children. Explain to them what each ingredient represents.

3. The butter represents the embalming oils. Put butter in a shallow dish in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to melt.

4. The marshmallow represents Jesus, white and pure because He was without sin. Dip the marshmallow in butter.

5. Pour some cinnamon sugar in another shallow dish. The cinnamon sugar is like the spices they used to prepare His body for burial. Roll the marshmallow in the spices.

6. Spread out one section of the crescent dough on a plate. The crescent dough represents the linen cloth they wrapped Jesus in. Place the marshmallow in the triangle of dough and wrap the marshmallow completely.

Option – Dip it in the butter again to keep it from sticking to the pan. Or place directly in a muffin tin covered in cooking spray.

7. Place the rolls in the ‘tomb’ – (the oven). Bake for 12-15 minutes.

8. When the muffins are barely brown on top, take them out of the ‘tomb’ and let them cool for about 5 minutes.

9. Let your kids open up their roll and discover what happened. (Spoiler alert) The roll is empty!

Here’s a short video showing you what to do:

Thank you for reading and Happy Easter!

Are you wondering what RESURRECTION means and what it has to do with Easter? CLICK HERE!

April 10, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Book Review

3 Unique Books I Read this month: March 2022 Reviews and Recommendations

10 Rules for Resilience by Joe De Sena

Rating: 9/10

Review: A book packed with practical ideas for your family. Here are 13 of my favorite parts:

Exercise is hard. Honesty is hard. Eating healthy is hard. Integrity is hard. But also – Obesity is hard. Anxiety is hard. Choose your hard.
Our utter devotion to what is safe and comfortable is a crack in our foundation. It keeps us from growing. What is the GIFT on the other side of discomfort? A difficult situation is a growth opportunity. Your brain might tell you ‘it’s impossible,’ but that’s wrong. It’s only difficult. You can’t …until you can. Say: I can’t …YET! When you go through something difficult, imagine your brain actually growing.
Hate is a boomerang. If you spew it toward others, it comes back and creates self-loathing. When in doubt, close your mouth.
Have your kids name 3 things they are grateful for while you are eating – one person, one place, one thing.
You can’t control your kid’s athletic ability or how smart they are, but you can control how hard they work. Hard work forges character.
Give kids responsibilities as soon as they can walk. Increasing the amount of responsibility as they age. You’ll be training them to be capable independent adults.
Self-agency: The ability to understand that you can make your own choices and that you have some sense of control over what comes next. When kids understand that their choices will create consequences for them, it helps them be more thoughtful and intentional.
Nature has healing powers. Being in the forest has shown to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, and increase cardiovascular health. The best gym is the natural world. The sound of running water steadies us. The air refreshes us. The sunshine cheers us. The raw elements challenge us. We need to get outside and experience this glorious planet with all of our senses.
Power of Play: You don’t have to do anything fancy to have an outdoor adventure. Go on a hike, play tag in your backyard, climb trees, wrestle on the grass- these all develop their skills. Free play provides tactile feedback that children need to excel in sports later on. Kids need exercise for proper physical development and behavior. Prioritize movement over screen time. Physical activity is essential for healthy brain development. Throw a football, grab a jump rope, or go for a walk in the woods. You’ll see a difference in the behavior and attitude of your children. Especially teenagers! There are amazing benefits to Free Play. Free play not only helps to develop creative resources and enhance imagination, but also aids in the fine-tuning decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Outdoors is a canvas for the imagination. Outdoor play will help children invent the future. A recent study showed that children ages 5-12 spend less than 30 min outside each day. Prisoners are guaranteed 2 hours a day outdoors. Criminals are getting more outdoor time than our kids. Many studies show that getting exercise outside improves kids brain function.
On Fear. What’s on the other side of fear is fantastic. Elizabeth Gilbert welcomes fear in the car, but doesn’t let it drive the car. Fear is present, but not in control. Movement cures fear. Fear is just a feeling. Fear and excitement are similar, practically exact feelings. Your feelings are not an accurate measure of what you can handle. Fear is a feeling and does not have control over you. Courage can be learned, bravery can be developed. ‘It’s only my body getting scared. My smart mind knows it will be okay.’ Practice doing something your kids are afraid of. ‘Systematic desensitization’ means repeated exposure conquers fear. Fear will be an ever-present part of life, but it’s not bad. It’s just a signal that we may need to use certain skills to move forward.
There will always be people who support you and people who criticize. Decide now who you will listen to.
Growth mindset: praise your kids for EFFORT over intelligence. Say: ‘Wow, you worked hard on that!’ Celebrate the process, not just the product. Highlight how hard they worked and what they learned.

Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

Rating: 9/10

Review: I absolutely love this author and this book was brilliantly written. It gives insight into how the devil might be at work behind the scenes and in our thought lives. He is very subtle and sneaky in his attempt to turn us away from God. This book is absolutely worth reading, and it’s a book you’ll probably want to come back to again and again. The ideas shared in this book will stay with you long after you’ve finished the last page.

Will by Will Smith

Rating: 6/10

After reading this book, I wasn’t shocked by what happened at the Oscars for two reasons.

1. After finishing the book, I knew that Will is not in a good place.

2. He’s always struggled with how to defend the women in his life – from his mom, to his daughter, and now his wife. A theme throughout the book was his feeling of shame for not being courageous enough to protect them. He’s obviously still figuring that out.

My Review of the Book:

The beginning of Will’s autobiography was fantastic! Will used his superb storytelling ability to share the challenges of his childhood, how he got into hip-hop, and the crazy story of how he became the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

However, once he became ‘the biggest movie star of all time” (he reinforced this point many times), the story fell flat.

In spite of success at every level, he still hasn’t found what he’s looking for. He’s searching for peace in all the wrong places (psychedelic drugs, busyness, success, money, women, etc.).

I don’t necessarily recommend the book, however, if you’re a huge Will Smith fan and want to check it out, I recommend the audiobook. Will Smith reads the book and includes sound bites and songs that add an extra dimension. I think you’ll agree that the beginning is interesting, and the end is disappointing. I wish he would have waited to write this book.

Side note: Will’s oldest son, Trey, has found peace in a personal relationship with Jesus. Jesus brings the unconditional love, peace, and fulfillment. For those searching for peace, ask God if He is real and you may find everything that you’ve ever been looking for is right there in Him.

What have you been reading? Leave a comment!

Books are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase one, I may earn a small commission.

March 31, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Product Recommendations

5 Fun Easter Basket Fillers

What brings the biggest smile to my face on Easter morning isn’t the eggs or the baskets—it’s the joy of knowing that I follow a Savior who has risen from the dead (read more about that here). That’s the true reason we celebrate!

Now, what brings a smile to my kids’ faces? Easter baskets!
If you’re looking for a few fun, meaningful ideas to fill those baskets, here are five that are sure to bring joy to your kids on Easter morning.

But here’s my favorite recommendation of all: spend time together. A simple game of tag or hide-and-seek might just create more lasting memories than anything you could tuck inside a basket.

As we get ready to celebrate with our families, filling up baskets with little surprises is one way to share that joy with our kids.

1. Spot it

All four of my boys play and enjoy this game. Their cousins and friends love it too. Have you played? It’s a fun and simple game for kids ages 4 and up!

2. Brain Games Sticker-by-number books

I can’t tell you how much I love these sticker-by-number books. They are fun and make ‘frame-worthy’ art.

3. Kanoodle, Jr. Puzzle Game

My 7-year old got this puzzle game for a Christmas gift and our entire family has played it. It’s a great ‘on-the-go’ game for kids. There are 60 different challenges to complete in this game. We highly recommend it!

4. A Devotional and/or Bible

Our very favorite devotionals for kids are by Louie Giglio. We are currently reading, The Wonder of Creation, but loved Indescribable too!

I have a list of my favorite Bibles here, but one of them is the Bible Storybook. It’s easy-to-read with colorful pictures.

5. Sidewalk Chalk

Put a bunch of chalk in their basket, then go outside and create art and inspiration for your neighborhood or local park.

If you are looking for a church to visit on Easter, you can come with my family, or I can recommend a church for you to visit if you leave me a comment.

Happy Easter everyone!

Click here to read last year’s top five Easter Basket fillers.

And Egg-celent Easter egg hunt for neighbors and friends.

Click here for fun Easter craft ideas.

Is there any proof to the Christian faith? Read more here.

Here’s a fun game to play with your family:

Several links are Affiliate links – that means if you choose to purchase any of the items I recommend, I may earn a small commission.

March 24, 2022 By Kathryn

2 In 2022/ Peek into our Week/ Raising boys

Peek into Our Last Few Weeks

It’s been awhile since I’ve given you a peek into our week. I’ve been busy living life and have not taken the time to write about. So, I’ll try to quickly catch you up on our Minnesota life.

January

My Mom was in Minnesota!

I was so excited to welcome my mom back to Minnesota. It had been 2.5 years since her last visit. January in Minnesota is not the best time to visit, but we made the most of it.

Volcan Snow Park

Neither of us love the cold, but we got bundled up to check out the Vulcan Snow Park in St. Paul. The sculptures were works of art and the maze was super cool!

https://youtube.com/shorts/SJOK8hBmfSk?feature=share

Como Zoo and Conservatory

We took mom to one of my favorite places in the Twin Cities – the Como Zoo. She discovered why I love it here so much. I always enjoy the beauty and warmth of the Conservatory, especially in January in Minnesota.

The flowers smelled heavenly.

We explored the quaint town of Northfield, MN

The picture of Clark and Mom was taken in front the bank where locals put a stop to the Jesse James Gang.

Sisterhood Ladies Night

Another highlight of Mom’s visit was the ‘Sisterhood’ ladies night at my church, with guest speaker Susie Larson.

My mom has loved Susie for YEARS. She listens to her podcasts, reads her books, and sends us her books. When I found out that Susie was speaking at our church on the week my mom was coming to town, I was THRILLED and felt like it wasn’t just a ‘coincidence,’ but a way for God to show us His love. Susie Larson is an amazing communicator, and mom LOVED getting to finally meet her.

When I moved to Minnesota, I attended this ladies night called “Sisterhood” all by myself. I came alone, sat alone, and went home alone. It was a good night, but not my favorite way to attend a ‘ladies night.’ Fast forward three years, and I can’t tell you how happy my heart was to come with a bunch of sweet neighbors and friends (plus mom). We came together (in three cars), sat together, and went back to our neighborhood together and it meant SO much to me.

Before mom left, I snapped this picture. This will be the last picture where George is smaller than Grandma.

Thanks for coming to visit us Mom!

February

My mother-in-law in Minnesota

In February, my mother-in-law came for a visit.

Mill City Museum

We took Nana to the Mill City Museum. This was once the home of the General Mills flour plant.

Did you know flour can be as explosive as gun powder?

A flour explosion destroyed most of the building. What remains is now the “Mill City Museum.” The General Mills factory has relocated to another town.

George ‘reenacting’ a pose from our visit almost 3 years ago.

George with my mom 2.5 years ago, and with Nana in February:

Click here to read more about the Mill City Museum.

We found a beautiful old window at the museum and stopped to take some pictures.

The boys and Nana were being goofy. I loved how this elderly woman on the side was watching them.

It did warm up enough one day for us to take a winter walk.

Thanks for coming to visit us Nana!

March

Bye-bye-Basketball

We finished the basketball season with a weekend in Iowa. Clark’s team got invited to a regional tournament, and it was a great way to end the basketball season.

I’m thankful for these sweet basketball moms

Wrigley’s World

I can’t give an update without a peek at Wrigley. He is such a good dog. We are crazy about him!

My neighbor sent this picture. Wrigley walked over to see if her dogs could play. He was peeking in the window as if to say, “Come out and play with me!”

The boys had Wrigley try on their hats:

Thanks for reading! Hope you are having a great week. Leave me a comment and let me know what you’ve been up to!

March 17, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Recipe

Caprese Kebabs Recipe

I love this snack so much. Caprese is the absolute perfect combination of flavors. The juicy tomatoes, the savory basil, the soft mozzarella cheese, and the sweet balsamic glaze. Yum!

For guests, I’ll make the cute little kebabs. When it’s just for me, I’ll eat it ‘deconstructed’ in a bowl.

It’s a quick, easy, healthy and delicious snack. What more could you ask for?

What you need:

All the supplies can be found at Target.

What to do:

Caprese Salad: Put the mozzarella, tomato and basil in a bowl. Drizzle the balsamic glaze on top. Add salt and pepper and olive oil if you’d like.

Caprese Kebabs:

If you want them a little fancier for guests, make bite-sized kebabs. Take a toothpick, add one tomato, a strip of basil, and a piece of mozzarella.

Line these up on a pretty dish. Drizzle balsamic glaze on top. Salt, pepper, and olive oil are optional.

Enjoy!

Want more recipes?

Here’s one for my favorite protein bites.

Here’s my favorite jalapeño popper recipe.

And finally:

The world’s best Kale Salad.

March 14, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In 2022/ Book Review

Four Books I finished in February

The Self-Driven Child

Rating: 10/10

Review: This book is extremely informative. The authors address many things parents want advice on, including:

technology use,
anxiety,
learning disabilities,
standardized tests,
college decisions, and more.

I took lots of notes, but here are 4 points from the book I loved:

Make enjoying your kids a top parenting priority. Your kid needs to feel the joy of seeing your face light up when you see them because you are genuinely happy to spend time with them. This has a powerful effect on his/her self-esteem. It helps your children become JOY-producing people. If you don’t enjoy your children, reflect on why. Are you angry? Under pressure from work? In a difficult marriage? Reflect and do you best to work on the barriers that are keeping you from enjoying them.
Look for opportunities during the day to let your mind wander. This could mean just sitting quietly for a few minutes looking out the window or at the clouds. It could mean engaging in activities you do mindlessly.
Talk as a family about the importance of going off-line and giving yourself truly free time. Tell your kids that it’s only when they aren’t focused on anything in particular that they can really think about others and themselves.
Always know your kids passwords to their device(s). If you are paying for the phone, make it contingent on them being respectful online and putting it away at night.

When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I couldn’t stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
Mark Twain.

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 7/10

Review: A novel about hockey. The setting is a hockey town; the characters live and breathe hockey. I recommend this book to those of you who…(shocker) love hockey.

The Wise Woman Knows by the Help Club for Moms

Rating: 10/10

Review: A wonderful devotional written by moms, for moms.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Rating: 10/10

Review: This is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s the biography of Corrie Ten Boom. Her family helped countless Jews during WW2 and ended up in a concentration camp. It’s a beautiful story of survival, forgiveness, and redemption.

What have you been reading this month? Leave me a comment!

March 1, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In Minnesota/ Peek into our Week/ Things to do in Minnesota

Walking through a tunnel of Sharks at Minnesota’s Largest Aquarium

The boys and I took advantage of a day off in winter to explore SEA LIFE at the Mall of America.

They’d be asking to go to this aquarium since our first visit to the Mall of America in 2018, and we were excited to finally get inside and explore.

Sea Life is well organized with a “trail” that leads you through the entire aquarium.

I was surprised by how many different ‘creatures’ lived at Sea Life. I mean, it’s inside a mall, how big can this place be? Well, apparently VERY BIG! There are literally THOUSANDS of creatures. Two that I enjoyed seeing were the BLUE dart frogs and the alligators.

They also have the only sawfish in Minnesota. Those fish are COOL! (Duke and Duchess are their names)

Sea Life also has the only glass tunnel in Minnesota – and it was incredible. There were different types of fish, turtles and sharks swimming over and around you. We’d never experienced walking through a tunnel like that, and we all enjoyed it.

Upon exiting the tunnel, there was a tank of starfish and sea anemones that we were allowed to touch. They were beautiful and felt so soft.

There were also sting rays to observe and feed.

Next we entered a room of tall tanks filled with jelly fish. They were mesmerizing. I could have watched them for hours – but I was pulled away by my boys who wanted to keep moving.

The boys liked the exhibit with a surf board that had been bitten by a shark.

Did you know that sharks think surfers are seals or sea turtles and that’s why they bite?

For lego lovers – there is a lego play area.

My boys said their favorite part of the day was the “Scavenger Hunt.” Upon arrival, there are books available with things you need to find throughout Sea Life. When you find them, you look for the stamper nearby and “punch” your card. When your card is full, you show it to a staff member in the gift shop to receive a sticker and a medal.

What kid doesn’t want a medal? They all wore theirs proudly.

There were several shows, talks, and exhibits throughout the day.

There are also fun ‘fin’ facts throughout the aquarium, as well as games to play.

If you are in a hurry, you can go through the entire thing in 30 minutes. If you take your time, you can wander and spend about 90 minutes.

Sea Life is a place I’d recommend checking out. Writing this post makes me want to go back. I need to spend more time with those jelly fish. If you are local, you may want to get a season pass so that you can enjoy Sea Life throughout the year.

Thank you to Sea Life for the fun experience! They gave our family free tickets in exchange for this post. Being a blogger has benefits. 🙂

Click here to get tickets for your visit.

Thanks for reading and happy exploring!

Click here to read about the best day for you to come to Mall of America with young children.

Click here to read about FlyOver America at the Mall.

Click here for our Minnesota Bucket List.

February 17, 2022 By Kathryn

0 In Book Review/ Product Recommendations

Amazing Book Reviews and Recommendations from January 2021

I was introduced to 3 fantastic authors this month, and I’m so grateful to have read their work. I’m looking forward to reading more books by those authors.

The first book I read this month was written by a fantastic author, who is also a friend. Power of a Place was a great book to start the new year.

Power of Place by Daniel Grothe

Rating: 10/10

Review: This author is someone I admire and respect. He went to school with Ted, and I worked with him in Colorado. He’s a great teacher and a fantastic writer. I loved his first book, Chasing Wisdom, and his second book is just as good. The Power of Place is about the value of putting down roots and investing in the place you call ‘home.’

Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan

Rating: 10/10

Review: This book was so engaging, I did not want it to end. It shares the beautiful relationship that develops between CS Lewis and Ms. Davidson. They were pen pals, and later met and became great friends, and eventually married. I already loved CS Lewis, but this story makes me love him even more. This author did a fabulous job of re-creating their love story. I highly recommend the audiobook because the narration brings the story to life. It’s free on the Hoopla app.

Here are two quotes from the book that I loved:

God does not love us because we are lovable but because He is Love.
CS Lewis

Sometimes we want to stay and goof off in a mud pit when God has an entire seashore for us to play in.
CS Lewis

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

Rating: 10/10

Review: This was a wonderful book that I read with my 12-year-old son Clark. It’s the story of a young boy coming to live with his aunt in Minnesota to escape his war-torn country of Sudan. The author writes brilliantly and expresses such beautiful and deep emotion in very few words. This book can be read in a day but will stay with you for much longer. I felt the wonder, optimism, fear, sadness and hope through the eyes of the main character (Kek). This book gave me a glimpse into what it might be like to be a refugee. I HIGHLY recommend this book! Great for parents to read with kids ages 8 and up.

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz

Rating: 10/10

Review: I read this book with my 14 year-old son and we both enjoyed it. It’s a novel about a boy who went to work with his dad on September 11, 2001. The book does an excellent job recreating the environment from that day. You feel like you are in the Twin Towers that morning trying to escape. This book allowed George and I have to have some great conversations about what happened on September 11.

Thanks for reading! Please share which of these books you’d like to read or a great book you’ve read recently.