Deseret Book - Christmas Medley

As a homeschooling Mom, I am always looking for good unit study ideas.  I love this time of year!  There are so many (too many!) wonderful topics to study that are Christmas related.  What I have really enjoyed this year are 2 wonderful books from Deseret Book that help us remember the true reason for the Christmas season!  I'm so excited to tell you about them!


Good Tidings of Great Joy: an advent celebration by Eric D. Huntsman provides a look into the origin, meaning and celebration of the Saviors birth and life.  There are gorgeous pictures and photos in this book - my daughter just loved looking at each picture!  Using the traditional advent theme of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy, Huntsman offers suggestions, ideas, and more, for celebrating the season that steers far-clear of the hustle & bustle of the commercialized Christmas holiday.  Focusing on the the Savior as the son of David, the Promised Savior, The Babe in Bethlehem and The King of Israel we see the Him in a different light and in different capacities.  Through it all - we see how strong His love is for each and every one of us - and creates a mindfulness of the Christmas holiday that cannot be found in a store.  This beautiful book works well as a reference, as material for Family Home Evening or daily as you follow the traditional calendar.  Consider this as the perfect gift for someone you love.  Good Tidings of Great Joy currently retails for $25.19.


Christmas with the Prophets by Laura F. Willes gives us insight into how the Prophets celebrated Christmas.  Using recurrent themes of work, family, missionary work and service we can read about the Prophets' Christmas traditions and the traditions of the times in an often tender and poignant way.  Some stories are humorous while others leave us contrite...yet each story leaves us with a personal testimony of Christs divinity and the true Spirit of Christmas.  This book will quickly become a keepsake!  We have really enjoyed reading about each prophet.  There is a strong spirit this time of year that allows us to feel tender-hearted.  I feel like I have gotten to know each prophet on a personal level...seeing many of them for the first time as children.   Each chapter had a special message for me and my family that I will be treasuring for years to come.  Christmas with the Prophets retails for $21.99.   Read an excerpt HERE.

Disclaimer:  

Thank you so much to Deseret Book for providing these copies in exchange for an honest review.  

All the opinions expressed herein are my own.

The Christmas Singing

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall.

After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes?
Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve.

Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?

Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.

To read the first chapter, click HERE.

To order click HERE.

Buy it at 30% off and free shipping on The Christmas Singing (and any other title) when you use promo code CHRISTMAS11 at checkout on WaterBrookMultnomah.com. The coupon code expires on December 20th, 2011.

Cooper & Me and the Winter Adventure review & Giveaway!

Cooper and Bella can't wait to go sledding, but what happens when they wander to far from home and a snowstorm makes it difficult to find their way back?


Cooper and Me and the Winter Adventure by Monique and Alexa Peters tells the story of 2 best friends who take off to go sledding but get stuck in a blinding snowstorm and can't find their way home!  This book teaches the importance of making good decisions and the need to be prepared!

This book includes some great interactive features.  Life Lessons discuss how to be prepared and safe in case you get lost and Connections & Learning Together provide questions and discussion opportunities to help your children think critically about the story.  The book also provides instructions so you can download the "Cooper and Me" theme song!

Cooper and Me also has a fun, interactive website that offers downloadable coloring and activity pages that go along with your favorite characters!


Cooper and Me and the Winter Adventure retails for $12.99 and through December 15th you can get FREE SHIPPING using the code COOPERBLOG!   Visit the website HERE to make a purchase or learn more about Cooper & Me!

Awesomeness!  1$ of every Winter Adventure book sold will go to advance research & treatment of pancreatic cancer, via the Lustgarten Foundation!

Now for the good part!  1 lucky reader will receive a copy of Cooper & Me and the Winter Adventure!  Leave a comment below, be sure to include your email so I can reach you!  I will draw the winner using Random.org.  Contest ends Sunday, Dec 11th at midnight!  :)

Visit Cooper & Me on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooper-and-Me-Inc/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooper-and-Me-Inc/214695101924101?ref=ts&sk=wall

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Mansion 50th Anniversary Edition- Deseret Book Review

John Weightman wanted the best of everything. He surrounded himself with beauty and riches, and was very careful with how he spent his money. "No pennies in beggars' hats," he liked to say. Until one night he dreamed that he died . . .

In the 2011 First Presidency Christmas Devotional, President Monson shared one of his favorite holiday traditions is to re-read his Christmas treasury of books, one of which is The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke.  He said, 

I always must wipe my eyes when reading these inspired writings...they touch my inner soul...and bring to me the spirit of our Savior.

These readings never fail to bring to me the spirit of Christmas...the spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and generosity and of goodness.  It illuminates the picture window of the soul.  We look out upon the worlds busy life and become more interested in people than of things.  The spirit of Christmas is something that I hope all of us will have in our hearts and in our lives...not only this particular season but throughout the year.

The Mansion is a wonderful story that demonstrates the importance of selfless service and giving and will become a Christmas tradition in our home!

Now available from Deseret Book is The Mansion 100th Anniversary Edition hardcover - it retails for $17.49.  This would make a touching Christmas gift for any family member.  Purchase a copy HERE.http://deseretbook.com/Mansion-Henry-Van-Dyke/i/5063024


Disclaimer:  I was provided this book free of charge courtesy of Deseret Book.  All opinions expressed herein are my own.  Thank YOU Deseret Book!!!

Maggie's Blessing Day...

What a great day!  We FINALLY were able to give Maggie a name and a blessing.  This normally happens when your baby is just a few weeks old, and they usually sleep through it...it also usually happens during sacrament meeting.  But, due to our delayed, and then delayed some more, adoption we didn't get to do it until Maggie is almost 2 and due to the fact that she was a toddler and not an infant we spared the ward the debacle of a sacrament blessing and opted for a quiet meeting right after church in the Relief Society room.  Obviously, Maggie didn't sleep through it, but she sat on my lap very reverently.  We love you Maggie!!