Bible in 90 Days

In January began reading the Bible in 90 days with Mom's Toolbox.  I actually finished in 86 because it is just that great.  The Bible is truly the greatest story ever told!  The challenge started again this week and I am in the middle of Genesis, the original soap opera!  I noticed something new when I read today.  (I love learning new things!  That's the great thing about the Bible!)
Leah, the first wife of Jacob, was not the favorite of her husband.  That role belonged to her younger sister, Rachel.  Leah wanted to be loved.  She had several sons.  Smart and strong.  Leah would be a good mom, a good wife, and Jacob would love her.  Leah's focus and perspecive changed with the birth of each son.  The first son she named Reuben because "surely my husband will love me now."  When Simeon was born she said, "Because the Lord has heard that I am not loved, He gave me this one too."  Another attempt when Levi was born; "at last my husband will become attached to me." 
When Judah was born, Leah realized that her hope, confidence, and worth was never going to come from Jacob; only from the Lord.  Leah named her fourth son Judah.  It means praise.  She said, "this time I will praise the Lord."

Where does my hope, confidence, and worth come from?

Winner Purex Complete Crystals!

The WINNER is....








Shawna!

Congratulations!

What a Difference! {{Purex Giveaway!}}

My husband is a junior high teacher and coach.  Last week baseball began.  On Tuesday Andy came home and the minute he walked through the door I could smell him!  Ew.  The combination of sweat, dirt, and manure from the pasture next to the ball field is not my favorite scent.  Andy changed shirts and put on fresh deodorant before we ate supper and were off to basketball games.


The next day the kids and I met Andy at church after his practice and I was pleasantly surprised when I saw him.  He didn't stink.  He actually smelled nice.  Interesting.  After a minute I realized why- Purex Complete Crystals!  I used this new fabric softener on a couple of loads of laundry and apparently it made difference!


I don't usually use fabric softener for a number of reasons but Purex sent me a sample of their great new product and after reading about it, most of my reasons were obsolete! 

• I don't like to use fabric softener on the kids clothes because it lessens the flame retardants of their jammies.  Purex Complete Crystals does not because the PJs are not coated in oil, instead they are infused with freshness!
• The oil in fabric softener makes towels less absorbent, but this does not contain all those oils!  That means my towels can smell nice and dry things too!
• My workout clothes!  Exercise attire is expensive and fabric softener can mess it up, once again, Purex Complete Crystals does not!

I'm still not using it on my cloth diapers and I probably would not use this if I had a newborn.  The fragrance and color may irritate sensitive skin.  On that same note, I think that if you had sensitive skin Purex Complete Crystals, like other laundry products with additives, could bother you.

I like this stuff.  I think you will to and I want you to try it!  That's why I am giving away a coupon for a FREE bottle of the NEW Purex Complete Crystals.  To enter the giveaway leave a comment with your name letting me (and Purex) know what laundry issue you need a fix for!  This giveaway ends Sunday, March 13 at 11:59 pm!

I was provided with a complimentary bottle of Purex Complete Crystals to review as well as a coupon to give!  I was compensated in any other way and my opinions are my own!

Book Review: Masquerade

Masquerade by Nancy Moser was great book and what made it even better was the originality of the plot.  It was not a story I have read a dozen times.

Here's the gist:  Lottie's society family in 1180's England has status, but no money.  Before word of their financial status gets out her parents decide to marry her off to a wealthy American.  Lottie is not happy but develops a plan when her mother is unable to make the journey with her because of illness.

Lottie and her maid, Dora, decided to switch places.  Dora will marry the wealthy American and Lottie will make her own way equipped with a sufficient amount of money.  Of course all does not go according to plan.  The girls both have heartache and love as they make their way in a new world.

I didn't know how the book would end the entire time and enjoyed the ending.  I would give the book 4 out of 5 stars.  A side note: I love that Moser included fashion from the late 1800's.  A bit of 'real' history is always fun!

I receive this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.

From my bookshelf...

I generally read fiction because I like stories.  I especially like love stories.  Lately however I have been bored when I read, so I tried switching it up.  This is what I have read in the last couple weeks.

The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm

What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Sex by Ryan Howe, Richard Rupp, Stephen Simpson

Mountain Rain: A Biography of James O. Fraser by Eileen Fraser Crossman

Still to read...

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Hadassah: One Night With the King by Tommy Tenney

Give thanks for recovery

I am thankful that my house is in need of LOTS of work today.  I need to clean just about every room and do laundry.  I spent the weekend spending time with my Mom and Grammy, so I was not home to straighten.

Happy 30th Birthday to...

Andy!

Andy at the World Series a couple weeks ago.  It was his birthday gift!

My husband is 30 today!  I am so glad he was born. He is my best friend and he loves me unconditionally.  I have enjoyed spending the last 7 years with him and I look forward to 70 more!