A Little Monday Inspiration - Move-mber

The first person you have to inspire every day is yourself. Running will do that.
Marc Parent

As part my challenge to MOVE every day in November, I have named the month Move-mber.  I'm not part of a challenge with anyone else, this is just something to inspire me and challenge me to make changes and keep moving.  If you need a boost, join with me and take 20 minutes to move today!

Children's Book Review: An Ordinary Toad's Extraordinary Night By Joanne McGonagle

AN ORDINARY TOAD'S EXTRAORDINARY NIGHT

By: Joanne McGonagle

Illustrated by Rachael Mahaffey

Published: May 17, 2013

This is the story of a young toad named Andrew, pondering whether his life would be more interesting had he been hatched a frog. Andrew decides to take his first solo hop to ask his grandpa some questions about what it means to be an amphibian. Along the way he runs into other animals that make him realize a toad's life really is extraordinary.

I was sent this book by the author and right away the title of the book intrigued me. Every one of us, especially children, want to feel extraordinary.  But, really, for most of us, we lead ordinary lives, are a part of ordinary families, and live in ordinary communities.  But, much like Andrew the toad, we wonder what makes other people so special.  Why do they have such pretty hair or blue eyes? Andrew takes us through his feelings as he compares himself to the seemingly special frogs.  But, as he learns about his own special qualities, he realizes there are reasons why he is so different from frogs.

I liked how the facts were sprinkled into the story.  I certainly learned more about toads and what makes them unique to frogs.  I'm not sure I would have known the difference between them before reading this story.

Andrew the toad has a loving Mom and Grandpa who are willing to listen to his questions and concerns. For children who have fears or frustrations this is an opportunity to show them you are there to listen and help.
With "bullying" being at the forefront of news stories and with schools implementing programs to bring more attention to bullying, this story will also resonate with a child who feels "left out" or picked on.

The illustrations throughout each page are delightful.  The artist kept each page slightly dark due to the toad's being nocturnal but found ways to include bright spots of color as Andrew travels through the woods.  The details on the fox and the expressions she gives each animal jump off the pages.

Due to the length of the story and use of vocabulary, I feel this book is best for children in Kindergarten on up.   This would make a great addition to your home, school or community library.

source

Joanne McGonagle and her cat Gracey 

Joanne McGonagle is the award-winning author of the children's book, THE TINIEST TIGER and has since created the website conservationcubclub.com.  You can also find more information on Facebook, HERE or follow on Twitter, HERE. Joanne lives in Ohio with Paul and her cat, Gracey.

Rachael Mahaffey is an award-winning freelance artist and illustrator located in Charleston, South Carolina. She specializes in digital art media, but loves to experiment with new art techniques.  Her childhood hobby has turned into a career after graduating from the Art Institute in 2003.  She loves making author's imaginations come to life.  For more, visit HERE.

I will be linking up this review with other Children's Book Reviews on Booking Mama's Kid Konnection Linky.  To see other great Children's Books, click HERE.

To purchase a copy of AN ORDINARY TOAD'S EXTRAORDINARY NIGHT, click the photo below:



Thanks to the author for sending a copy of the book.  This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commsission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Memory Verse for the Week

This week I chose a verse that is one of my favorites and yet one I need to be reminded of on an hourly basis.  I rush through each task without really absorbing what I am doing, what I am reading, what I am saying or hearing and am always thinking about the next thing.

This verse has helped me S-L-O-W D-O-W-N.

Psalm 46:10 NIV
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Nothing and No One is bigger than God.  Nothing or No One should be praised more than Him.  Take a moment....or two....today and be still....knowing that God is THE ONE who is all powerful, almighty, and everlasting!

Motivated Moms Planner Winner

Using Random.org, I have chosen a winner from all the entries in my google form.  Thanks to all of you for entering and telling me how you found out about the giveaway.  I showed that all my forms of marketing are important.  Today's winner found me from a giveaway linky on another blog!  

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

19

Timestamp: 2013-11-08

#19 was MOLLY!  

Molly, I will email you shortly and get you in contact with Susan at Motivated Moms.  If for some reason, I don't hear from Molly, I will choose another winner on Sunday at 10AM. 

Book Review: The Vintage Teacup Club By Vanessa Greene

THE VINTAGE TEACUP CLUB
A Novel

By: Vanessa Greene

Published: November 5, 2013

Fiction




In this debut novel by Vanessa Greene, we are swept away to England for a touching story of friendship and how a vintage teacup can bring three women together for a lifetime.  The story begins with Jenny, a bride-to-be in search of teacups for her wedding reception.  Upon finding the perfect set, she is surrounded by Alison and Maggie, who also have eyes on the exact same set.  An argument begins, but ends with all three women deciding to share it.  They agree to let Jenny use it first for her wedding reception, then Maggie will use if for her demanding bridal client's Alice in Wonderland wedding reception, and finally, Alison will use it to fill with her popular candle wax and sell like her other popular vintage tea set candles.

Jenny is about to be married and is having fun finding tea sets to complete her vision for a vintage tea party wedding reception.  Out of the blue, someone from Jenny's past appears and brings back lots of painful memories.  Jenny isn't sure she can move forward in her life and forgive all the damage that has been done.

Alison is married with two teenagers who are constantly challenging her parenting.  Her husband, Pete, has been laid off work and Alison realizes their bank account isn't a full as she thought.  The dream that she has been waiting for may not be able to happen and she wonders how her family will move forward.

Maggie has built up her flower business and this next wedding could be just the ticket she needs to make it "big time" and open her second shop in London.  Someone from Maggie's past also appears and makes her question her future and the Alice in Wonderland themed wedding she is planning with a rude landscaper may put her business dreams out of the picture.

Of course, these women are of different ages and backgrounds but have been joined together by this tea set. All three women find that they are dependent on each other and each one of them guides the others through a crisis in their life.  These women become a lifeline of support to each other through their ups and downs.

The book is set in a small village in England and the writing uses British words that those of us in America certainly are not used to using.  It really makes you feel like you are immersed in the English culture with words like "flat" in place of house and "Mum" in place of Mom. Everyone, no matter the age or gender, is ready to share a cup of tea with you at any time of day.

Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the women, with most of them from Jenny's perspective. This type of format always seems to make the story move along quickly and gives you the full picture of their thoughts and emotions.

I found THE VINTAGE TEACUP CLUB to be engaging, believable, and heartwarming.  Even though each of the women were at different stages in their life, they were all able to support, encourage and offer just the right amount of guidance to each other.  It reminds you of your own circle of friends and how you couldn't have gotten through life without them no matter what stage of life you met them in.  I am sure Maggie, Jenny, and Alison will be friends for a lifetime.  For all those teenage girls who read SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS by Ann Brashares in 2003, ten years later they can read a more grown-up version of unexpected friendships.

Vanessa Greene hosted her first tea party at age eight, to a select gathering of stuffed bears.  Since then she has searched antiques markets all over the world to build up her teacup collection.  Vanessa lives in London. THE VINTAGE TEACUP CLUB is her first novel.  For more on Vanessa Greene, "Like" her Facebook page, HERE. You can also follow her on Twitter, HERE.

Thanks to Penguin Group for providing a copy of this book for review.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  This review is my honest opinion. 

A Little Monday Inspiration - Move-mber

Acknowledge all of your small victories. They will eventually add up to something great. 
Kara Goucher, American Long-Distance Runner


I think this fits so well with my 3 words of inspiration - Patience, Perseverance, and Positivity.  Nothing happens all at once and nothing comes without hard work. Keep working at your goals, checking off the small steps as you work toward the big leaps and eventually you will get there!

I took off the last two weeks from really any exercise.  I know that isn't persevering or being positive, but I just didn't make it a priority and life was busy.

I thought it would be fun to make a challenge for myself for the month of November.  I thought it would call it.....

MOVE-EMBER

Each day in November, I will get some sort of "movement" into my day.  Sadly, I wasn't able to get any in the first 3 days because we were traveling and visiting family.  But, starting November 4th, my goal is to "MOVE" for at least 20 minutes each day.  Who can't do something for 20 minutes?  We all have 20 minutes that we waste doing something else every day.   Why not waste it moving????  

Anyone want to join me?  

Memory Verse of the Week

This week I chose an favorite and one I need to not only reflect on, but do.

Psalms 46:10 NIV
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. 

Life is busy and quiet time for yourself and with God seem to always take a backseat to everything else in life.  For a couple months, our schedule is a bit slower.  Not quite so many after school activities for the kids which makes our evenings more manageable. It has allowed me to have some much needed quiet time for prayer and reflection as well as memorizing these verses.  For my birthday this year I received two books that allow me to dig deeper in my time with God.  One of them I received from my secret sister at church,SEVEN PRAYERS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER by Stormie Omartian and the other from my sister-in-law, Julie, THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: Inspiration from the Book of Psalms by Lance Wubbels.  I have skimmed through both of them and have already found some words that I needed to hear.

We all need to take time to Be Still, place our focus on Him and have a conversation with Him.  Allow yourself to be refreshed and remember that you are important to God.  Everything will get done and if it doesn't, it must not have been that important.  Be Still for yourself and for you family.  Take a few moments today.

Books By Lance Wubbels