The Tuesday Review: Moving Mountains

     Life has a funny way of bringing unexpected gifts.  Moving Mountains was one of those completely unexpected gifts--one that met me right where I was and came at the perfect moment.  I had intended to highlight another book this week, which I'm sure that I will come back to another week. But for the moment I'm going to lean into the unexpected and share this life changing book with you.  (To say that it 'fell' into my Amazon cart and was accidentally ordered and shipped to my door wouldn't be far from the truth!)

     What do you do when you want to get better at something? You practice, right? Well, what if you need to learn a whole new way of practicing? Then what?  I would propose that you find a teacher or mentor who can show you a different way. When it comes to prayer, and becoming more effective at prayer, I have finally came to a point where I recognize the need to be shown a completely different way of interceding on behalf of others.  I want to pray with more CONFIDENCE, with more POWER, and with more AWARENESS.

     Moving Mountains by John Eldredge has been the perfect book to open my eyes to the possibilities available when it comes to prayer.  If YOU are ready to be a more effective prayer warrior, than READ THIS BOOK.  And, after you read it, come back over here and share your takeaways! I would love to know what you learned!

Blessings ~ Kendra

What's On The Book "Roll"

     I was in Dallas this past weekend for a Rodan + Fields Training Event!  While I was there, I had the privilege and blessing to catch up with some good friends, host an event of my own, and visit The Branch, our church when we lived in Texas.  I also stopped by my all-time favorite bookstore, Half Price Books.  There is not much better than hunting for a good book or two, and finding unexpected treasures while on the hunt!  

The Tuesday Review: A Child's Book of Character Building

     The book I am reviewing today is very special to me.  There are actually two books in the series A Child's Book of Character Building: Growing Up in God's World - At Home, At School, At Play, Book 1 and Book 2, by Ron and Rebekah Coriell.  This series had been recommended to me by a good friend several years ago when we were just starting our homeschool journey.  When the boys were younger (age 3-7), we went through this series at least twice.  And I feel that I need to add...you DO NOT have to homeschool your children in order to use and enjoy this series!  It only takes 5 minutes a day to read through the scripture and short stories. 

      For each character trait highlighted, the authors share a very simple and easy to understand definition of that trait, a story from the bible that relates to that specific character trait, and then short stories from home, school, and play that help the child to recognize and put into practice each trait.  We would take a week to look at each character trait, reading a different story each day. 

      I have fond memories of reading these stories to the boys and then talking about them throughout the week.  If you are looking for a character building series for your younger children, I highly recommend that you check out THIS BOOK! 

    What character building books and/or series have you used and enjoyed?  I would love to hear your suggestions!  And, if you know of a good series for older boys (9-12), please share!  I'm always on the hunt for good books!

The Tuesday Review: Thing Explainer - Complicated Stuff in Simple Words

What a fun book that I get to share with you tonight!!  The boys received Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff In Simple Words by Randall Munroe as a Christmas gift this past year.  This book is incredibly unique in it's approach.  The author, Randall Munroe, uses only the 1,000 most commonly used words in the English language, along with simple drawings, to explain many potentially difficult things to explain.  I love it!  And the boys love it!  They have giggled so much at the clever, silly, and often hilarious use of wording.  AND, more importantly, they have been interested in learning more about subjects that they haven't necessarily expressed interest in before.  Win-Win!
Check out this book!  You won't regret it!  And you might just really enjoy it!!

The Tuesday Review: Salt in His Shoes

I grew up watching Michael Jordan play basketball.  With a an older brother who played basketball,  and who was a huge fan of one of the best basketball players EVER, how could I not?? So when I saw this book at the library last week, I just HAD to check it out and read it.  And I was not disappointed!

Having boys myself, I am constantly struggling through how to teach the lessons and life skills that they need to learn...  PATIENCE.  DETERMINATION.  HARD WORK.  These are just a few of the many important things that they are going to need in order to make it in this world.  It is not easy to teach these kinds of things. Sometimes you just need a good story! Salt in His Shoes is that and so much more! I encourage you to go check it out today!  

The Tuesday Review: Liberty Rising

In light of what has happened over the past week, I thought that Liberty Rising: The Story of the Statue of Liberty would be the perfect book to highlight.

The idea for the Statue of Liberty was born in the heart of Edouard de Laboulaye, a French law professor, who had studied our constitution in great detail.  For America's 100th birthday, he hoped to create a gift that represented freedom, as France had helped America to win independence in 1776.  Laboulaye saw this as a gift from one people to another.  The story that unfolds in amazing and inspiring!  I highly recommend you read this book!  It may be a children's story book, but it can be as informative and influential to an adult as it can be to a child.  

I personally have never seen The Statue of Liberty, though I do hope to in the not too distant future. Through it, I feel that we have a connection not only to France, but to upholding FREEDOM on our shores and abroad.  I'll leave you with the last paragraph of the book, which seems very timely at this moment.

"The dream of many people is to breathe free.  

The Statue of Liberty represents this dream. 

 Let her inspire the world to give and to cherish the gift of freedom."

The Tuesday Review: Meg Meeker, M.D.

There are some days on the Tuesday Review that I will talk about specific books.  Other days I will highlight a specific author.  Today I am so excited to be able to do both!  

Dr. Meg Meeker is a pediatrician, mother, and best-selling author of six books.  She is also what I consider to be one of the nation's leading authorities on parenting and children's health.  I'm about half way into one of her books, Strong Mothers, Strong Sons, and so far I have been challenged and encouraged by what I have read! I don't know about you, but I need help, insight, wisdom, and encouragement on this journey of raising my boys to be extraordinary men! I would highly recommend you check out this book!



I also wanted to highlight something that Dr. Meeker has started, called The Strong Parent Project. The Strong Parent Project is a digital course that walks you through how to be a better parent! We could all use a little help in this area, don't you think? Neil and I just signed up and haven't had a chance to start into the 12 Principles yet.  But I am ready to dive in and learn how to be a better parent and mom!  I'll keep you posted! Until then, I encourage you to check it out. To learn more about The Strong Parent Project, or about Dr. Med Meeker, you can visit her website at https://megmeekermd.com/ 

**We first heard Dr. Meg Meeker speak at a SMART Conference!  She joined an amazing group of leaders from many different industries for a day full of challenging and equipping in the areas of money, marriage, parenting, personal development and retirement.  It was excellent!  If there is one near you, you should check it out! Click here to find out more!

October Favorite Things: The Tuesday Review - The Hiding Place

Welcome to The Tuesday Review!  I started this post series last fall and have decided to bring it back!  It's no secret that I love basically all kinds of books. And I'm usually in the middle of at least two books.  This will be my space to share about the books I've been reading!

In keeping with my "Favorite Things" series this month, I have to share with you about one of the best books that I have read in several years, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.  It has been on my "to read" list for several years now, and for whatever reason  I didn't read it until this past September.  

I was blown away.  What an amazing story of courage and faith during such a dark time!  And it wasn't only the story of Corrie Ten Boom, but also that of her family.  There were so many powerful things that stood out to me, I could quote half of the book.  A better idea, though, would be for you to go and read the book yourself and be moved by what God has for you! In closing, here is what stood out the most to me...

October Favorite Things: Books I'm Reading

Today I picked up two new books that I've been hoping to read.  Daring Greatly by Brene Brown seems to speak to where I am personally in life right now.  Her call to live wholeheartedly resonates in my heart.  I've heard great things about this book and can't wait to dive in!


Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Crucial Conversations, on the other hand, is more of a necessary read for me.  I don't handle crucial conversations very well. I often feel like I failed miserably, did not communicate what I had hoped to communicate, and made matters worse.  Obviously, I have work to do in this area.  Communication is key to all areas of life including my marriage and family life, work, teaching, and so much more.  I'm already two chapters into this book and look forward to being challenged to be more effective in this area of life!

Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler

October Favorite Things: Favorite Story Books

I love literature in general, specifically books that tell a fascinating story!  One of my favorite parts about homeschooling is that I am able to take the time to read engaging stories with my boys. Yes, I still read out loud to them. :) I think it is extremely important to continue reading out loud to them for as long as I am able to!  (Of course, I don't read everything to them!)

I want to highlight three of my most favorite story books that I have read to the boys in the last couple of months!


Noah Webster and His Words
If you've ever wanted to know the story behind how Webster's dictionary came to be, this is the book to read.  It is a fascinating story about diligence, focus, and determination!

October Favorite Things: Favorite Family Read-Alouds and Story Warren

I love a good story.  And I appreciate good quality literature.  I am always on the hunt for books for my boys to read (or us to read to them); books that will challenge them, inform them, and inspire them to live well. We can learn so much about ourselves and the world through a well-told story.

There are several book series that we have thoroughly enjoyed as a family.  Below are just a few of our favorite books that we have read together over the past few years.  Many of them I have talked about at some point or another here on my blog.


The Wingfeather Saga - Book 1

The Tuesday Review: The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

I am so excited to do today's review.  The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson has been one of our favorite series to read.  It ranks right up there with The Chronicles of Narnia series by  C.S. Lewis.  Each book is wonderfully written and leaves much room for the imagination, which I appreciate!  There are four books in the series:

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness


North! or Be Eaten


The Monster in the Hollows


The Warden and the Wolf King


We started this series over a year ago and took our time, with my husband reading a chapter on most nights.  Sometimes we had to read two chapters because it was so intense and we couldn't wait to find out what happened next.  And at one point we had to take a break while we waited for the fourth book to be released.

 The themes in this series are not light and easy going.  There are many humorous moments and times when you want to jump up and cheer the Wingfeather family on.  But there are also heartbreaking moments that just might make you cry.  The Wingfeather family shows what it looks like to have great courage and noble character in the face of much trial and tribulation. In the end, Good overcomes evil.  I enjoyed every minute of it!

I would highly recommend this series, not just for older kids and and as a family read-aloud, but for any adult that needs to read a fantastic story of hope.

If you want to find out more about The Wingfeather Saga or Andrew Peterson, check out his website at http://wingfeathersaga.com/welcome/.