Swinging On Small Hinges: 2019

Thursday, December 19, 2019

The Christmas Jars {$50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!}

I am so excited that I have been given an opportunity to participate in a blog tour to review a brand new movie produced by BYU-TV called Christmas Jars! Christmas Jars is based on the New York Times bestselling book, written by Jason F. Wright.

Abandoned as a small baby, Hope is again struck by tragedy when her adoptive mother dies of cancer. As an aspiring reporter, Hope focuses on just keeping busy and looking for an opportunity for a big break in the journalism industry. She lands on the perfect story when, in the wake of a burglary at her apartment, she finds with a mysterious jar full of change. Labeled as "Christmas Jar," Hope is determined to find out where it came from and why. A little research leads her to discover that the Christmas Jars have been going around for years, always left anonymously and to someone in desperate need. As she launches herself further into this mystery she realizes she might have stumbled upon the story that could kick-start her career.

To find out what she can about the Christmas Jars, she goes "undercover" to find out more about the family who began this selfless tradition. What begins as little white lies to get to know the family unfortunately escalates until she becomes terribly entangled in her own confusing web. As she grows to know and respect the family even more...she wonders how she can ever tell the truth, without hurting the family she has come to love.

My girls and I enjoyed watching Christmas Jars! It is a perfect feel-good, Christmas-y, movie to get you into the holiday spirit! A story of redemption and hope that we will enjoy adding to our annual Christmas Watch List!

You can purchase Christmas Jars from DeseretBook or on Amazon.com (And Readers! It qualifies for prime and if you order promptly it can be delivered in time for Christmas!)

Learn more about the bestselling author, Jason F. Wright by visiting his website at Jasonfwright.com, on Instagram or find him on Facebook where you can read stories of real people who are givers and recipients of Christmas Jars this holiday season!

Now for the good part! I am excited to be able to share this opportunity for YOU to win an Amazon Gift Card valued at $50! Enter using the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received this DVD free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

All opinions here are my very own.

Friday, July 12, 2019

Girls Camp 2019

This girl was super excited to go to Girls Camp again this year!

The theme was Woman Warriors and they learned all about how to be a strong, young warrior for Christ.

I was really glad that they let them carry cell phones this year because I was treated to a LOT of fun pictures!

Knot Tying...

She whittled her own walking stick...

Dream Catcher...

Kayley and her friend Analise.

Archery!

Spear Throwing...

She was really exhausted, but had a fantastic week!

Friday, June 7, 2019

Personal Progress Complete!

We are super proud of Kayley for completing all the requirements to receive her Personal Progress Medallion at Young Women in Excellence this week!

She finished the entire program in just under a year.

What is Personal Progress?

The Personal Progress program uses the eight Young Women values to help you understand more fully who you are, why you are here on the earth, and what you should be doing as a daughter of God to prepare for the day you go to the temple to make sacred covenants. It will help you prepare for your future roles as a faithful woman, wife, mother, and leader in God’s kingdom. Participating in Personal Progress teaches you to make commitments, carry them out, and report your progress to a parent or leader. The patterns you establish as you work on Personal Progress—such as prayer, scripture study, service, and journal keeping—will become personal daily habits. These habits will strengthen your testimony and help you learn and improve throughout your life. (www.churchofjesuschrist.org)

Personal Progress is hard work and required many hours of study and service.

You can learn more about the Personal Progress program on its page at Church Of Jesus Christ.

Thursday, June 6, 2019

The Heart of a Vicar {Book Review & Giveaway}

Oh my! I have reviewed several books by Sarah M. Eden in the past and she quickly became one of my favorite authors! She has an amazing series of books following the life and loves of the Jonquil brothers. This next book in the series doesn't disappoint! In fact, I remember reading about "Holy Harry" in a few other books and I was so excited to see him finally get a story all his own. Let me share more about it!

Sarah Sarvol fell in love with a young, daring, and dashing Harold Jonquil. He seemed to return her sentiments but decided that marriage to Sarah just wouldn't work leaving her confused and bereft. After going their separate ways he is shocked to find, a few years later, that Sarah has returned from living in America and that she is still unmarried. Harold has now achieved his dream of becoming a Vicar but he is struggling spiritually and feels disconnected with the community...As his path continues to cross with Sarah, she points out his inadequacies and offers him advice. Of course, who wants advice from a woman on how to be a good vicar? But, when she insists to him that SHE would be a better vicar than he, well...what is a guy to do but stand back and watch. Sarah proves her point as she charms the community as well as Harry.

Do you think they could find it in their hearts to try to make a go at a relationship again?

I won't tell you, but you should get your hands on this book to find out!

The Heart of a Vicar is #7 in the list of Jonquil Brothers series but you do NOT have to read the others first to enjoy this book. However, I will say that as soon as I read this one, I immediately requested the first 6 from the library! You will want to know more about the rest of the Jonquils!

The Heart of a Vicar is available now from your favorite retailer.

And! Thank you so much to Covenant Communication for hosting a giveaway to win a copy of The Heart of a Vicar. Enter using the Rafflecopter below!

Good Luck and Thank so Much for Swinging By!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my very own.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Living the Parables {Book Review & Giveaway}

I am thrilled to be a part of Covenant Communication's Blog Tour and Giveaway for this fantastic new book by Hank Smith and co-author Kathryn Jenkins called Living the Parables - Applying Christ's Teaching to our Lives!

This book is quite a treasure. Smith & Jenkins kick off this fantastic read by describing the four Gospels of the New Testament and offering insight behind the author of each one. (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) They continue by pleading the case for why we should study the New Testament as a whole since, when we do, it sheds new light on each parable and puts each in an understandable context. The authors then introduce the two types of parables (I had no idea there were two!) and how the Savior used each type to bring understanding and clarity to the hearer.

If you are anything like me, then you too have always believed that Jesus spoke in parables to make complex things easier for his audience to digest. By using simple stories He could teach gospel principles in a way that everyone could understand. But, the authors go on to share with us that this is a common misconception and not necessarily accurate. Referring to parables as "unequaled in history" and "a lot deeper than they appear," the authors walk you through the well-known, and many lesser-known, parables found in the New Testament. Sharing with you how to understand the parable, interpret the parable and then apply its teachings in your life you will put not be able to put this book down.

Living the Parables is a fantastic supplement to the new Come Follow Me curriculum for home & families and can be purchased from your favorite retailer!

I am also excited to share a giveaway with you on my blog! Enter to win a copy of Living the Parables using Rafflecopter below! Thanks so much for swinging by!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0ae98b8a181/?RAFFLECOPTER:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was provided this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way. A special Thank You to Covenant Communication for letting me enjoy this great book! :)

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

May

Remember the caterpillars that Kayley got way back in September? (See below). Well, she did it! Both caterpillars survived the winter, hatched and turned into gorgeous polyphemous moths.

She barely got a chance to discover they had hatched before she also learned that one must've been a boy, the other a girl...because they promptly looked at each other through their lashes and the female laid eggs. LOL.

We also finally finished up our school year. At times it felt like we were crawling to the finish line, but both girls wrapped up the 3rd and and 7th grades respectively.

We are looking forward to summer!

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Miscellany

I know it has been a long time since I blogged! It just seems that life keeps getting busier and busier!

Over the last couple of months the girls just keep plugging away at school in our quieter pockets of time while we have stayed extremely busy in other pockets!

They have enjoyed doing several science experiments.

Kayley transformed herself into a unicorn.

We went to the Kids Safe Expo again this year.

We always enjoy it!

The girls enjoyed meeting Abby Dyer from KY3.

They also had an opportunity to learn some gun safety and practice shooting at a target.

We found this random turkey egg in our backyard.

At least, we think it is a turkey egg!

Kayley also had a chance to go roller skating for the first time.

She was pretty good at it!

She also made about 247,982 batches of cookie dough for her girls camp fundraiser!

We also enjoyed a great family workday cutting down trees and splitting firewood!

Easter 2019

Well. The Easter Bunny outdid himself again this year. (Thanks to Papa!)

He created a huge maze of yard through the yard and house. Each girl had to follow their particular string to find the goodies at the end!

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Disney World 2019

We enjoyed a trip to Disney World this month! This would be considered our summer vacation, since we generally try to go on vacation when everyone else is in school. While we don't necessarily homeschool through the summer, we do not typically travel anywhere since things are busy and it is hot. We had a great time, spending 5 days at the parks. Here are a few pictures of our fun week!

First & last ride always involved the bus. WDW does a pretty good job of transportation. It was nice to just hop on the bus and go from place to place.