Favorite Books of 2013 ~Tori

This week we will be sharing our favorite books of 2013. To be honest I don't always read books as they come out (unless I'm waiting on a particular book, or following a series). However I have read quite a few books released this year and earlier. So I'll attempt to keep it short and just list some of the more memorable ones.
Also let me just admit this, honesty is the best policy: I have not had the chance to read as many books this year as I usually do. *gasps* I know it's shameful really, I usually always make the time to read, and will make the time again effective immediately. I hadn't really realized until this post how much I've slacked in the reading department this year. Yikes...anyway, on to the post.


Here's some books released this year I have greatly enjoyed:

What Your Dreams are Telling You by: Cindy McGill

::Description::
Why Waste One-Third of Your Life Only Sleeping?Have you ever wanted to receive wise advice about a business proposal, a relationship or a direction in life? Tonight you will have several dreams. Did you know they could contain the very advice you need?It's true.
Join dream interpreter Cindy McGill as she shows you that sleep is so much more than just a time to rest your body. If you pay attention, you can uncover a secret weapon for success--and the keys to unlocking your full potential.

Not only is it possible to remember your dreams, but when properly interpreted, they bring guidance, hope and strength to achieve what may seem impossible. Here Cindy gives you the tools for discovering and decoding these hidden messages, including

-- how to get the most out of your dreams
-- historical and present-day examples of life-changing dreams
-- common dream themes and what they mean
-- 3 steps to discover the genuine message from your dreams
-- a quick-reference guide to common dream symbols
-- how to reawaken your dream life

Solutions to your problems can come on any given night. It's time to listen to what your dreams are telling you.

I am one of those type of people that (depending upon my dream) will put a lot of thought into any meanings. This book is great at explaining some things which worked well for me. I learned a lot of things I didn't previously know about sleep, dream symbols, dream meanings, etc.
While I do not always pay attention to all my dreams I do pay attention to some because I have had some instances where I've had dreams and then something has happened whether it be good or bad. I always just figured it was my subconscious trying to warn me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 



Raising Boys by Design by Gregory L Jantz PHD and Michael Gurian

::Description::
A book about how to help your son become the man God created him to be. Find out what is really going on inside your son's brain and build a HERO who values Honor, Enterprise, Responsibility, and Originality. In this book you will learn how to strengthen your sons character, and overall well being. Find out what your son needs from you and develop healthy thoughts and emotions that fit with his brain chemistry. Questions at the end of each chapter will give you personal insights into your son, and the book overall a deeper understanding of raising and understanding your son.

I have two young boys so I'm always soaking up information on parenting, especially when it comes to boys. No matter what it's always good to know too much rather than nothing at all. I do know that as we are all essentially the same, boys process things differently than girls. They think differently and are just all around wired differently. This was an interesting book to read as a mother to two boys as it explains in depth how to talk to your son about self-discipline, technology, sexuality, education, emotions, etc.

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Invisible by Ginny L Yttrup

::Description::
Ellyn DeMoss -- chef, café owner, and lover of butter -- is hiding behind her extra weight. But what is she hiding? While Ellyn sees the good in others, she has only condemnation for herself. So when a handsome widower claims he’s attracted to Ellyn, she’s certain there’s something wrong with him.

Sabina Jackson -- tall, slender, and exotic -- left her husband, young adult daughters, and a thriving counseling practice to spend a year in Northern California where she says she’s come to heal. But it seems to Ellyn that Sabina’s doing more hiding than healing. What’s she hiding from? Is it God?

Twila Boaz has come out of hiding and is working to gain back the pounds she lost when her only goal was to disappear. When her eating disorder is triggered again, though she longs to hide, she instead follows God and fights for her own survival. But will she succeed?

As these women’s lives intertwine, their eyes open to the glory within each of them as they begin to recognize themselves as being created in God’s image.

This book really blew me away. It gave me a whole new perspective and my new favorite words which is the latin words Imago Dei (in English it means Image of God). We all have our own personal struggles regardless of life circumstance, wealth, body type, past history, etc. However we are also equally created in the Image of God. We are who he wants us to be. While we can better ourselves and take care of ourselves we should never feel down about who we are because He holds our hand every step of the way and we are never alone.
In addition to the things this book gave me to ponder about I loved the plot. This is a fiction book, very romantic, and lots of characters to keep you busy. I was actually sad to see this book end.

And I am currently reading Doctor Sleep by Stephen King. This is his sequel to The Shining so I'm sure I'm going to be on the edge of my seat loving every bit of it. When you want a thrill Stephen King never fails. I did re-read a couple of my favs of his book this year:
Misery & Needful Things both by Stephen King


What have you been reading this year? Any particular favorites you would like to share with the rest of us?

TABOO! TV and Video Games!~priddymomma

When I was a kid, my mom booted me outside daily.  If my brother and I annoyed her, she would say, “Go play outside!”  Sometimes she even locked the door.  We had a television (I’m not that old!), but it was for evenings and mornings.  Afternoons were reserved for climbing monkey bars, playing tag, or jumping on a trampoline, all of which I was lucky enough to be able to do in my own yard.  The cell phone was years away, video games were either Sega or Nintendo (unless your dad was awesome like mine and had an old Atari or ColecoVision), and your computer definitely couldn’t fit in your backpack. 

Fast forward to the present.  Six year olds have cell phones that are capable of accessing the internet, schools have removed recess, and electronic doohickeys are practically attached to us.  It’s no wonder that some parents have begun to put limits on screen time.  There is now a taboo on video games and television.  If another parent asks you how much screen time you allow your child to have daily, it feels invasive.  There is no right answer to this question.

Every limit you set for your child is going to depend on the age and personality of the child.  If your child is usually running through the house, jumping on the furniture, and tumbling through your hallways, you probably don’t have to worry too much about enforcing specific exercise time.  If, however, you have a little couch potato that would rather play video games, watch tv, or read, you might need to be insistent with limits and active play.  Realize also that thirty minutes of screen time might seem reasonable for your four year old, but it isn’t realistic for your teenager trying to watch an episode of “The Walking Dead”.  Screen time also needs to include ALL screens.  We’re talking specifically about tv and video games because they have a bad reputation, but consider computers, cell phones, and iPads as well.

 

For the record, this kid looks way too old for a bottle.  But I digress.

Also important to note is that not all screen time is bad screen time.  There are so many amazing programs, websites, video games, and apps out there!  There are tons of things to learn, and it's okay to use devices to do that!  The problem is that electronics can cause issues themselves.  They can be addictive, keeping kids from reading a book or exercising.  Screen time within one hour of bed can disrupt sleep hormones and keep the user from settling in and feeling tired, usually leading to yet more screen time.  Kids that watch a lot of television develop speech more slowly.  And most importantly, screen time can harm real life connections.

Reasonable limits (such as no devices at the dinner table, within one hour of bed, or while on a camping trip) should be enforced consistently.  Decide as a family where the rest of the limits lie and be respectful of one another during the discussion.  Decide what to do if someone ignores the limit as well.

As for me, my daughter is 19 months old, and my son is 5 years old.  They don’t own cell phones or iPads.  My son gets to play a video game with the help of his dad once a month.  We don’t have cable, but we do let the kids watch DVDs (usually educational).  My kids are also home schooled, so four days a week they hardly get any screen time.  We also try to have a video-free day each week.  During the other two days, screen time might be as high as three hours, depending on what we have going on that day.  But also note again my kids’ ages.  Princess Cheerio almost never sits still for a movie, and Cheerio Champ makes it his life’s mission to run around the dining room as frequently and as noisily as possible.  My kids would much rather go to the park than watch a movie, and I hope that's the case forever.  With less active kids, I would probably suggest different limits.  For us, this is what works.  Your family has to find what works for it and adapt as needed.  

If you have any requests for topics, comment below or email at thecaseofthemissingcheerios@gmail.com  Fan us on facebook!  

Thanks for reading!

Early Intervention

           Wondering if your child needs early intervention can be scary. Parents want their children to grow, learn, and have typical development. Since every child develops at their own pace, it is hard sometimes to realize what is typical, and what is not. If you notice something is different, you may ask, “What kind of help would my child need?” Many different types of early intervention services exist, but it may be difficult to know what is right for your child.

            Early Intervention is a system of services that help children from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities. Early intervention is a program to help babies and toddlers learn basic and new skill that are developmentally age appropriate. Areas such as physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and self-help skills are what the therapist focuses on. “The goal of this program is to promote development of infants and toddlers with delays and disabilities, reduce the need for special education services, enhance families' capacity to meet the special needs of their child, and increase identification.” (Cibaby.org).

In Indiana, the name of the early intervention program is First Steps. To receive First Steps services you must have a referral. Doctors normally give the referral, especially if the parent mentions the concern at an appointment. After First Steps receives the referral, they call the family to set up a meeting. At the meeting, the coordinator sets up a date and time for the evaluation. During the evaluation the therapists play with the child. The evaluation is based on the age. The therapist checks to see what your child knows compared to what is expected of the child’s age group. The therapist may have your child roll, jump, sort, or talk. They evaluate for all areas of development to see what services the child may qualify for.

 First Steps services include three main therapies: speech/language, physical, and occupational. There are different services for different needs. Some children qualify for more than one therapy, but each therapy has a focus.

            Speech-language therapy is for children who have a delay in their speech or language.  Parents may notice an occasional error in their child’s speech, or may think their child does not speak as clearly as his peers. The best thing to do is to get a referral for an evaluation. Some speech disorders include: articulation disorder, fluency disorder, receptive disorder, expressive disorder, and Dysphagia. Speech/language pathologists work with children through song, games, flash cards, and much more.

Physical therapy is for children who have a physical delay. It can be something simple, as in the child is not crawling at an age appropriate time, or more intense, like a child born with Cerebral Palsy. A doctor may refer a child for physical therapy if the child has an injury, is born with a disability that may limit the child’s movement, or does not develop typically. A physical therapist works with the child by using strength building exercises, water therapy, building flexibility, and practicing balance and coordination activities. 

                 

Occupational therapy focuses on developing independence. Wendy Harron says, “Some people may think that occupational therapy is only for adults; kids, after all, do not have occupations. But a child's main job is playing and learning, and occupational therapists can evaluate kids' skills for playing, school performance, and daily activities and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group.” (kidshealth.org) This is a great explanation of an Occupational therapist’s job. Some children may need occupational therapy if they have birth defects, sensory processing disorder, autism, learning/behavior problems, and developmental delays .

            Early Intervention is an amazing program of services for children. The program focuses on getting the best of each child. Did you know that if a child needs services and is enrolled in a therapy before the age of five they have a better outcome? Since there are so many services an early intervention program offers, they will help you find what will work for your child. Their goals are what your goals, as a parent, should be. Help your child achieve all their dreams, and start early!

 

 

Favorite Thanksgiving day recipe!

Thanksgiving! I love the holiday season, and I LOVE being around my family. I have some favorites for the meal, but I must admit....I rarely cook. I bring the veggie tray to snack on while we are getting the rest of the food ready, and/or the rolls.

One of my newer favorite and very simple recipe is:
Pumpkin pie dip
all it is-

• Cool whip (I used fat free)

• Instant vanilla pudding (again fat free)

• Can of pumpkin

We use graham crackers to dip in it, some use vanilla wafers, apple slices,  or animal crackers.
You can use whatever you think would taste good!

Really the rest of the food is a traditional thanksgiving day dinner. We have a bunch of family, we always have lots of food! Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls, turkey and noodles, and all the other carb-loaded foods you can think of. Usually the typical pies and desserts as well. Pumpkin dip is my favorite! Its light and taste!





Hahah...

Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe~priddymomma

Hey guys!  I know this is a little strange, since today is Halloween and all, but this week, we’ll be sharing our favorite Thanksgiving recipes.  Hey.  If the stores can have Christmas stuff out now, then we can talk about Turkey Day, right?!  

I love Thanksgiving, and I make several dishes.  My favorite thing to make, smell, and devour though is cranberry sauce.  Before you roll your eyes, hear me out!  I make cranberry sauce with tasty honey crisp apples cooked up in it.  SO much better than the tart sauce with orange peel most households eat.  A million times better than jellied cranberries!  The kids love it, and leftovers are fantastic on pancakes!  It’s super simple to make, cranberries keep practically indefinitely before cooked, and you get to impress your relatives with your amazing culinary skills.  What’s not to love?  Leftover cranberries are beautiful and can be used in a centerpiece.  Lucky you!  I even have some pictures on hand from a few Thanksgivings ago! 

Cranberry Applesauce (as seen in Parenting magazine November 2008) {photos by me!}

 

Okay...so maybe it looks like gore.  But it is delicious!

Prep:  15 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Yield:  6 servings

3 cups (or 12 oz.) cranberries

2 apples {I recommend honey crisp.  I’ve tried others, but these give the best flavor.}

2 cups sugar {white sugar.  Brown sugar can be used if you want a more syrupy sauce}

¾ cup water

¾ cup apple juice

1. Place cranberries in a strainer; rinse and pick them over, removing any stems or blemished berries.  {Kids can help!  It takes forever and it’s BORING, so I def recruit help.  Look out for soft berries and pitch them as well.}
2. Peel, core, and dice the apples. {I make hubby do this while my son helps me sort the berries.}
3. In a large saucepan, bring sugar, water, and apple juice to a boil.  Add berries and diced apples.  Boil, stirring continuously, for 10 minutes, or until berries pop. {When the berries start to pop, don’t be alarmed.  Also, be warned that it is going to begin to smell amazing very soon.}
   
4. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours, or until chilled.  Serve cold. {This is amazing to make up the day before Thanksgiving.}

How Kids Can Help:  Measure ingredients; check the berries; dice apples with a small plastic knife {stay out of the way, sleep, clean the bathroom…}

Per serving:  328 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated), 2 mg sodium, 0 mg cholesterol.

Happy trails!

Books!

Hello!!
I am so sorry I have not blogged in a while, but I am back:)

We have been insanely busy.  Just the past month, aside from the normal--school, work, babysitting, and just trying to have some family days, we have had two weddings, a funeral, some crazy family problems that I'm not going to get into and I wish upon no family, kids had the chicken pox, I has the stomach flu, been working on some other time consuming stuff that is a result of the previous family issues that I mentioned, and my father was admitted to the hospital for bacterial pneumonia. AND my Brother is getting married tomorrow! ahhhhhh!

So enough of the mumbo jumbo excuses for not blogging....here we go.

Unfortunately, I do not read books....well sometimes I read the books for my classes, but most of the time I do not actually read word for word or the whole book. I can however, give a review of the last book I read for one of my classes. It is called Gifts: How Children with Down Syndrome Have Enriched Our Lives. Edited by Katherine Sober. This book consists of 63 stories from mothers about their child. It is very inspiring to read these stories. Some of the women talk about how they were towards others with disabilities before they had their children with Down syndrome. They regretted what and how they thought. Some of the women knew when they were pregnant something was different, and some received tests and found out before their child was born. Those who had a test were given a choice whether to terminate their pregnancy because their child would have Down syndrome. I do not understand how someone could make that choice just because their child may be different. People with different abilities are some of the most amazing people in this world. Some stories were funny, some were sad, but all the stories had a good message.
            
I would recommend this book If you:

• Like reading stories about other families
• Are a mother of or know someone with Down syndrome
• Like to read many short stories
• Like true stories
• Would like to know a little more about Down syndrome

 I really enjoyed reading Gifts. I hope I have the chance to read more books like this. Actually, I hope to have the chance to read more in general.

Thanks for reading, I hope everyone has a great week!

Top 10 Surprising Books~priddymomma

Hope you all are doing well!  This week is top ten books that surprised me.  Here we go!

10. )    

The Hunger Pains:  A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon

I was so disappointed with this book.  It is supposed to be funny and mock The Hunger Games.  It was just terrible.

9.)       

Into the Wild (Warriors series book one) by Erin Hunter

This is a book series for kids about cats.  I was lacking reading material one day, walked past it in the library, and thought what they hey.  I read the entire series.  It turned out to be full of action and quite interesting.

8.)       

The Stand by Stephen King

I was expecting the post-apocalyptic scenario.  I wasn’t expecting the supernatural tone.  So good.

7.)       

A Series of Unfortunate Events (complete work) by Lemony Snicket

I confess I saw the movie first.  The books are tragic and hilarious, and the ending is absolutely depressing.  I’m not sure if I recommend it or not, to be honest.  It made me feel too much.  Boo feelings.

6.)       

The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon book two) by Dan Brown

Amazing book, and great movie!  Dan Brown writes books that keep you thinking long after you’ve closed them.

5.)       

Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

Stupid book had me sobbing all over the place.  I recommend it if you hate happy endings. 

4.)       

Mockingjay (Hunger Games book three) by Suzanne Collins

There were so many plot points towards the end that just blew my mind.  Great read.

3.)       

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter book seven) by J.K. Rowling

No list of surprising books would be complete without Rowling.  All of the series by right should be here, but Deathly Hallows is my favorite and thus takes the cake. 

2.)       

Cold Days by Jim Butcher (book 14 in Dresden Files series)

Page turner with several twists, and is 14^th book in the series but best yet.  I have no idea when the next comes out but I’m pulling out my hair here.

1.)       

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (book three in Heroes of Olympus series)

If you’ve read anything by Riordan, you know he’s a master plot weaver.  But the literal cliff hanger at the end had me reeling and tossing the book across the room.  Jerk.  DON’T MESS WITH MY PERCABETH!!!

Top 10 Books That Surprised Me

Hello! I'm a day late for mine but I'm back! :) I've been moving and working a heck of a lot, but I'm now back into a groove. :). This week we're discussing ten books that surprised us. 

1. The books of Pellinor by Alison Croggon. One of the few young adult fantasy novels that hasn't been made into a movie yet, these aren't just a typical YA read. The prose in these novels was so well written it reminded me greatly of Tolkien. Definitely a must read. 

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth. The Hunger Games started me down the path of dystopian fiction, and this series just encourages that love of the genre. Set in dystopian Chicago, it's my favorite, even topping Suzanne Collins' work, in dystopian fiction. 

3. Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien. Besides being written by a woman whose name is the most Irish I've ever seen, this book is spectacular. It too is a dystopian fiction, but it explains why; the severe environmental destruction of the country caused a group to create the Enclave. Global warming, not war, caused this bleak world. It focuses on a young midwife, Gaia, and her fight against the Enclave. 

4. Rose Madder by Stephen King. This book TERRIFIED me. Yes, I know King's work is meant to terrify, but this one just did it for me. I had NIGHTMARES because of this book about a woman fleeing her sadistic abusive husband. I can't even LOOK at a tennis racket the same. 

5. Code Name: Verity by Elizabeth Wein. This book (as well as #6) are all about the World War II era. This book gave me chills. It is in the viewpoint of "Verity," an Allied agent who is captured by Nazis in Vichy France. Pure enjoyment. Though have some tissues.

6. Anne Frank and Me by Cherie Bennett. I read this book early in high school and it remains one of my favorites. Truly, I cry every time I read it. Nicole Burns understands how important the Holocaust is, but has no attachment to it and thus no real feelings until she's suddenly thrown into occupied France as a Jewish girl. 

7. Everneath by Brodi Ashton. A supernatural romance! The ending gets me, and I need to find the next book in the series. I'm just chomping on the bit. 

8. Pure by Julianna Baggott. Another dystopian fiction, involving a nuclear attack on the country. The elite were all sent to bio domes that protected them from all radiation while those outside became mutated. I loved this book. I'm not sure how realistic it is, but it is entertaining.

9. Hana Yori Dango by Yoko Kamio. Okay, okay, this one is not a NOVEL, but it is a book. It is a manga series from Japan about a poor girl named Makino Tsukushi standing up to the elite F4- 4 uber rich boys who set out to ruin fellow students if they are slighted. It's a fun read and there's even live action tv shows based on it. (Granted, they are Korean and Japanese, but if you're cool with reading subtitles, you'll enjoy it! I recommend the Japanese version, personally.)

And because "surprising" could also mean "surprisingly bad", my last book is a book I couldn't believe how terrible it was (in my opinion--- if you like this book, great! But I hate it.)

10. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. This novel did not really mark itself as a romance, so I was a bit surprised when I started reading it. It started out fine, a book about a newlywed getting sent back to medieval Scotland on her honeymoon, but once it got to Claire, our protagonist, getting married to a second guy, getting beaten by her new husband (because she didn't listen to him when she was trying to leave to go back to her time!), and the wholly unnecessary male rape scene at the end, I was disgusted. Ugh. This is the LEAST romantic novel I've read (and I've read quite a few!)

Xoxo, 

Kimberley

Best Family Vacation~priddymomma

Princess Cheerio is 18 months old.  We haven't gone on an official vacation with her yet.  This summer, we went camping.  While it was still fun, I thought we had to build an ark.  These pictures were from one of the rare sunny post-rain moments. 

We went camping at Tippecanoe River State Park in Winamac, Indiana right after I found out I was pregnant with Princess Cheerio.  That stands as our favorite family vacation.  The weather was great, Cheerio Champ loved being outdoors, and we did some real bonding as a family.

I ended up sleeping rather a lot as I was exhausted from the first trimester of pregnancy.  We couldn't do nearly as much hiking as we wanted, because the mosquitoes were terrible on the trails!  But it ended up being so relaxing and fun.  We didn't anticipate how much we would enjoy just being there and being outside.  The campsite there had plenty to see and a playground for Cheerio Champ to visit.  The bathrooms had tree frogs, which Cheerio Champ thought was awesome.  And the long car trip was pleasant as Cheerio Champ loves car rides.  Oh yeah.  Our car battery died overnight as well, but we got a jump from a friendly camper and made it home just fine.  All-in-all, it just goes to show you that the road bumps are the parts that make a trip memorable.  If your vacation isn't going as planned, there might just be more fun in store than you could have imagined.