"Family Ever After" by Michelle Packard Blog Tour (Ends 5/19) WW

 

Blog Tour Schedule

Review soon to come.  Thank you for your patience.

Family Ever After: Simple Ways to Achieve Perfect Happiness in an Imperfect Family Women frustrated with their marriage and their family will find the help they need to achieve greater happiness and success in their family in the new book, Family Ever After: Simple Ways to Achieve Extraordinary Happiness with Your Ordinary Family by stay-at-home mom, blogger, and ordinary family leader Michelle H. Packard. Family Ever After uses the fairytale concept that once you find your prince charming life is happily ever after. Michelle H. Packard knows this concept, while romantic, is not realistic, and she provides a practical, poignant, funny, and moving exploration of the simple ways you can help find greater happiness and satisfaction in your marriage and family. Packard says, “While the idea of happy ever after is distorted, you can, in fact, achieve a Family Ever After.” Family Ever After brings time-tested and well-researched principles to family life to help you learn specific ways to improve your marriage and your family, whether that family is ordinary or extraordinary. Using real-world examples of best practices and helping woman readjust their media-driven perception of what happily ever after means, Family Ever After gives readers a pragmatic, helpful, and entertaining exploration of:

• How happiness in marriage and family life requires a more educated, real-world perspective
• How proper prioritization and defining what’s important in marriage and family is key to success;
• Why conflict is part of an ordinary family experience and how to peacefully resolve it;
• How to cultivate a sense of humor;
• How to develop a thoughtful and sincere habit of complimenting each member of your family;
• How to improve family relationships with extended family members; and
• Learning how to love a family member in the way they understand and accept that love

More than another how-to-have-a-perfect-family book, Family Ever After helps you gain the understanding and the practical skills of what makes ordinary families successful. Family Ever After is an essential and beautiful resource for all women who want to put more happiness in theirs and their family’s life.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

  Praise "Family Ever After is a must-read for every happily married Cinderella who wonders why she’s still holding the broom." --Rachelle J. Christensen, award-winning author of Wrong Number and Caller ID "Michelle is open enough to have given readers an intimate look into her life and those close to her, allowing us to learn from both painful and sweet experiences. Her self-reflective style and meaningful insights, if applied, would clearly make a profound impact in the lives of readers." --Shawn Edgington Ph.D.   Author Michelle Packard Michelle Packard is a mother to her four very human and totally fabulous kids. Her oldest, Ella is always in charge and leads the pack with creativity and curiosity, Daniel follows with loyalty and loves tenderly, Julia is a doll and always buzzing over something beautiful, and Jackson could hunt down the last sharpie on earth to create art on your bathroom wall. She has been married ten years and is quite taken with her guy. Date night is her favorite and she dreams of weekend getaways with her man. She loves creating beauty through floral design, but apparently has no gift with living flowers (They end of upside down and pressed in books). She finds parties alluring. They beckon her to invite people over, spend way too much time preparing food for murder mystery dinners, and totally enjoy friends and family. Michelle holds a bachelors degree in Home and Family Science from Brigham Young University. She has spent a great deal of time working with children and young adults and finds her greatest joy is happy families.

Blog

  Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/19/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway  

April Showers: Tripp Trapp Giveaway (Ends 5/3) U.S.

If there is one item I could tell you to make sure you have on your baby registry it is the Stokke Tripp Trapp! This is a must-have! On the market for over 40 years, this unique chair takes your child from baby to adult.

The Tripp Trapp® designer’s inspiration came from watching his own young son, Tor, struggle to find a comfortable position to sit in at their family table. Having grown out of his old-fashioned high-chair, but still far too small to sit on an adult’s chair, Tor was left dangling his legs and struggling to reach the table.

The benefits of the Tripp Trapp:

• Grows with your child
• Allows freedom of movement and encourages play and independence, while still making safety and security paramount.
• Adjusts to the size of your child, ensuring he or she is always at the perfect height to eat, play and interact, with his or her feet properly supported, at whatever age
• Height and depth adjustable seat and foot plate
  • Lifts the floor up to the child - gives stability and ability to move.
  • Chair adapts to the child’s body instead of vice versa.
  • Elevates the child up to the correct height at the table.
  • Child is part of dining experience.
  • Promotes parent - child bonding.
  • Child is sitting ergonomically correct.
  • Longevity of product.

  Manufactured from cultivated beech

  • Strong, solid and durable.
  • Environmentally friendly/safety.
  • Longevity of product.

  No fixed tray

  • Comes closer to the table.
  • Develops hand/eye co-ordination.
  • Socialising.
  • Easy for the child to move.

  7-year warranty on wooden components

• Registration at www.stokke.com entitles the owner to a 7-year Extended Warranty.
• Good investment.
• Security.
• Good value for money.
• Proof of quality.
• I have never heard of this!  I wish I had known when my daughter was little.  I love this!

One *lucky* Mommy Guru fan will win a $Stokke Tripp Trapp! To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends May 3rd at 11:59pm EST open to US residents only, ages 18+. Good luck!

If there is one item I could tell you to make sure you have on your baby registry it is the Stokke Tripp Trapp! This is a must-have! On the market for over 40 years, this unique chair takes your child from baby to adult.

The Tripp Trapp® designer’s inspiration came from watching his own young son, Tor, struggle to find a comfortable position to sit in at their family table. Having grown out of his old-fashioned high-chair, but still far too small to sit on an adult’s chair, Tor was left dangling his legs and struggling to reach the table.

The benefits of the Tripp Trapp:

• Grows with your child
• Allows freedom of movement and encourages play and independence, while still making safety and security paramount.
• Adjusts to the size of your child, ensuring he or she is always at the perfect height to eat, play and interact, with his or her feet properly supported, at whatever age
• Height and depth adjustable seat and foot plate
  • Lifts the floor up to the child - gives stability and ability to move.
  • Chair adapts to the child’s body instead of vice versa.
  • Elevates the child up to the correct height at the table.
  • Child is part of dining experience.
  • Promotes parent - child bonding.
  • Child is sitting ergonomically correct.
  • Longevity of product.

  Manufactured from cultivated beech

  • Strong, solid and durable.
  • Environmentally friendly/safety.
  • Longevity of product.

  No fixed tray

  • Comes closer to the table.
  • Develops hand/eye co-ordination.
  • Socialising.
  • Easy for the child to move.

  7-year warranty on wooden components

  • Registration at www.stokke.com entitles the owner to a 7-year Extended Warranty.
  • Good investment.
  • Security.
  • Good value for money.
  • Proof of quality.

One *lucky* Mommy Guru fan will win a $Stokke Tripp Trapp! To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends May 3rd at 11:59pm EST open to US residents only, ages 18+. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Magic Whiteboard Review

I am so very excited to share with you my thoughts about an inventive whiteboard that works just like magic!  That's why it is called a Magic Whiteboard.  I don't know about you, but it seems like sometimes I need a memo board of some kind, and I have never had good success with mounting chalkboards or whiteboards.  I always get the sticky stuff for mounting it, and in no time, it falls down.  And I don't like the idea of adding yet another nail or hole into the wall.  Memo boards are truly nothing but a pain.  Even the ones that are magnetic don't always work well for me.  They either only go on the fridge, thus making them inconvenient, or the boards fall down because the magnets aren't strong enough.

Magic Whiteboards are wonderful because they are vinyl clings that stick to practically any surface.  I was able to put this up in my room, and the only problem I had was that the whiteboard got folds in it from being handled incorrectly in delivery.  You might wonder about this.  I have been trying to memorize more Bible verses this year, and this is the perfect use for this whiteboard.  I didn't have to put any holes in my wall, and it sticks there securely.  I invite you to check out their website so you can find the perfect whiteboard for you and your family.  They are the perfect item for home, school, or work.  Anywhere you need a whiteboard, you can instantly have one.  And if you need to move it, no problem!

Be sure to follow them via social media for the latest news and deals.
https://www.facebook.com/MagicWhiteboardProducts
https://twitter.com/MagicBoardUS
http://pinterest.com/magicstatic/
http://www.youtube.com/user/MagicWhiteboardUS




I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The Other Family I Did Not Know I Had

I will do my best not to make this a long post.  If you have followed my blog for any time at all, you will probably know that I originally started this blog to chronicle my time with the Lord.  While some of the focus has shifted, it is times like this when I know that God has given me a wonderful gift in this blog.

Some of you, my readers, know that my dad and my best friend (Martin) do not get along.  Okay, that is an understatement--they hate each other.  There have been altercations in the past--in fact, there was one on Friday, and on Saturday evening, my mom and Martin were met with a group from my dad's church--I used to respect  a couple of the men, but I have to admit that my views have changed somewhat.  These men were there to remove Martin from the property.  They would only involve the police as a last resort.

These men accused my mom of lying, and they accused me of being a loser since I am 37 and still live with my parents (even though I gave up a full-time job to move up here to help my mom and I have my own home down in Texas on which I have been making payments.)

I was hurt, and I posted on facebook about being a loser, and I mentioned in passing the issue with Martin.  I was amazed at how God used that status update.  Martin's sister contacted him (they had not been on the best terms in recent times).  A missionary in Belgium (she is an old schoolmate) saw my post and alerted my mom's best friend.  My ex-sister-in-law left a beautiful comment on my wall, and I was truly blown away at the outpouring of love.  This outpouring also was found on my blog facebook page--people I never have met were praying for me!

As exciting as this miracle is, I have another one to report.  Two couples from my church and our neighbor down the road have already offered him a room, and I have to believe that this was no surprise to God.  In fact, I found myself praising God that I was worthy to suffer like this.  And I was sincere!

At this point, much of my family has cut me off due to decisions I have made.  Thankfully, I still have my mom and my daughter.  Last night when I posted, I truly needed someone to talk to, and I mourned the fact that I was so isolated.and without many friends.

But what I did not realize is that God chose this time to reveal a wonderful gift to me--my "other family."  I have attended a lot of churches in my life, but I have never found one like the one I currently attend with my mother, Martha, and Martin. And today proves it.  When we were asked how we were doing, people were willing to listen to our story.  They promised to pray.  And they were astounded and wanted to help in any way they could.  I hate to say it but if three families can offer Martin "sanctuary," how is it that he can be so bad?

I want to thank each of the people who have helped us through this time.  It is very hard to hear your mom begin accused of being a liar and that you are the cause of the family trouble.  It is wonderful that people will listen to our stories without judging.  I thank you for the outpouring of love already, and if any of you would like to add the situation to your prayer life, I would be more than grateful.

Say Anything Family Version Game Review

I am extremely pleased to bring you a review of a fantastic family game that I was privileged to try.  It is Say Anything which is made by North Star Games.  I had heard of this game, but I had never had the opportunity to try it.  I jumped at the chance, and the day it came in, my daughter, best friend, and I got to play the game.
My mom was kind of on the outside looking in while we were playing, but since we were able to play with 3 people, I figured we would give it a go.

My daughter is eight, and my best friend is 38--Martin from England.  Then you have me who is 37.  Martin and Martha (my daughter) love to play video games, and often Martin will only play Monopoly when it comes to board games.  So I was not 100 percent sure that I could get him to play the game.  But I figured we would give it a try, and he seemed up for it.

From the moment we opened the game, Martin and Martha acted like 2-year-olds.  They were having more fun writing messages back and forth on the little dry erase memo boards.  In fact, it was hard to get them focused on the game!  I think the creators of the game could have saved themselves a lot of time by just furnishing dry erase memo boards and dry erase markers for people to play with!!  Just kidding--the game was great!

I enjoyed the questions that were asked.  It was often difficult to decide which answer was the best.  The entire premise of the game was to have someone ask a question from the stack--usually something very thought-provoking and fun--and the others answer the questions on the dry erase board.  The person who asks the question secretly picks which answer they like the best, and then the others have to guess which one the "judge" picked.  That is how one scores points in the game.

I like the fact that the game is not incredibly competitive.  I did end up winning, but only be two points.  It was only two points between first and third place.  I also liked the fact that the game was quick.  I get tired of games that you really have to work and think hard, and then they take forever!

I already have plans made to get Martha and two friends to play the game--I am sure they would love it!  Oh, and in case you were wondering, they played with the memo boards at the end of the game!  Talk about an unruly bunch!

There is certainly time for you to get this game for Christmas.  This is the perfect game for the family to play.  It is nice to get away from the TV and video games for a while.  I would highly recommend it for a fun evening!

Do You Ever Wonder Why?

I have been struggling for several days about what exactly I should share, but I think God would like me to at least share some of my current struggles with you, my wonderful readers.  After all, I cannot make much sense about what is going on with my family and me right now--I will admit it.  And maybe some of you have gone through similar struggles.

You might remember that I recently shared how God is restoring my friendship with Martin, my English friend. And that is completely true.  God is continuing to restore it to even better than it was previously.  We have covered so many topics between us, and I feel I understand him more than I ever did.  He even suggested something for my blog--a couple things that I will hopefully get a chance to share with you soon.

What I did not share concerns my family.  I probably hinted at it, but I did not really talk about it.  I wasn't sure how I wanted to handle this, but I think God has given me direction tonight.  In many ways, my family is going through a tough time.  Some things happened last week that have caused emotional damage, and I am kind of caught in the middle.  It is not a fun place to be.  On one hand, I am doing my best to remain objective and see both sides of the issue.  But on the other hand, my continued spending time with both Martin and my family members who are at odds can lead to discord on both sides.

Communication is something at which I can excel, but I can also put my foot in my mouth a whole lot.  I do much better with the written word than the spoken word.  I also have a problem of revealing too much or misspeaking.  When you add in emotions, it can be a very dangerous place to be.  I find myself apologizing and explaining myself quite regularly.  I try to go over in my mind (with God's help) what I should share and when I should just be silent.  I sometimes don't even know what to think.  I feel pushed and pulled on both sides.  It makes me appear moody when I really am not.  And it makes me second guess what I think and believe about the situation.

Am I the only one who has ever been in this position?  I am sure the answer is no.  And I am sure that everyone who has ever been in this position asks the same question--Why am I the one chosen to be in this position.  Why do I have to be the go-between or sometimes the peace-maker?  Why has God given me this job when I know I am not operating in my strength?

Ah, I think I may just have hit the nail on the head with that response. More often than not, God asks us to step outside our comfort zones so that He may be shown through us.  I have to say that I feel I am making a mess of the situation.  I am sure that what I have said on both sides is being misconstrued.  And it is really tough when both sides are not willing to listen.  Or when minds are made up.  Or when "lenses" are colored.

When you add in my father's mental health and health issues, it adds even more into this mix.  In fact, as I was writing this, my dad came out and did his usual thing of trying to belittle me and treat me like a child.  My mom and I bear the brunt of my dad's anger.  And I am always the easy target.

I have to admit that over this past week of difficulty, I have really struggled with understanding how and why this is happening to us. And specifically--me.  Over and over again, God has reminded me that He is in control, and I need to be patient.  And I have remembered the dream I had several years ago.  While I do not know everything that the enemy wants to do, I know that he wants the family destroyed, and he does not want Martin to be saved.  He wants me to give in to sexual temptation, and he wants a physical fight to ensue between Martin and my dad.

So the question remains.  Why am I in this position?  Well, it is just quite possible (as with Queen Esther) that God has brought me to this place for such a time as this.  As I think about it, Esther was put in a very difficult position.  She was a Jew who had become queen in a pagan society.  The life of her people rested in her hands.  While it is true that she may never have been in true danger due to her position, that was not the point.  She fasted and prayed (according to Josephus--the Bible doesn't tell us that she prayed, but I tend to agree that she would not have fasted without praying), and she knew what she had to do.  She risked her life to save her people, and in many ways, the story of Esther almost ends like a fairy tale.  And it is true.

So when you, dear reader, wonder why you have been placed in this position, don't ask why and bemoan all of your trouble.  Realize that God has you where you are for a task that He wants you to perform.  Perhaps you do not feel equipped to do it. And it is when we are weak that God shows Himself to be strong.  While we are free to tell God "no," as Esther's relative, Mordecai, told her--if you don't do it, God will bring along someone else to accomplish His will.  That should be a sobering thought.  Perhaps you have to go through a lot of garbage, but if you can just get through it, God will work it for good.  And if you're like me, you certainly don't want to miss the opportunity to have God do a mighty work through you.

Don't worry, my friends.  I have not arrived as of yet.  But I feel as though my faith is being strengthened as I write this.   I am so glad that I turned to my blog--God spoke through me.  I can only hope and pray that it was encouragement to you, too!

Free-Wheeling Friday--SHANKZ Glow Golf Review (Olympia, WA)

I don't usually review local places, but I just thought I had to take a moment to review this wonderful place my daughter, her friend, and I went today.

A few weeks ago, I saw a deal come through on Mamsource.  I make it a point to subscribe to as many daily deal sites as  possible.  I admit that I do not often buy a deal, but there are those moments that I do.  And this just happened to be one of them.  The deal was two adults and two kids for about half off or more, and I bought it at once.

SHANKZ is a black light miniature golf place.  Saying all that does not do it justice.  I had remembered seeing this place before because it is right next door to our favorite IHOP (another great place!).  I realize that I took a chance, but my daughter loves miniature golf, and I just thought this would be perfect for her.

Originally, I thought another adult might come along, but it just didn't work out.  But even so, we saved money, so I am not bothered.  

Now, how do I explain this place.  When we got there, I gave the voucher to the gentleman at the desk, and he knew exactly what to do--I am so glad when there are no problems with vouchers!  I asked the man what to do, and he led us behind the black curtain into a wonderland of black light and florescent colors.  The themes included underwater creatures/scenes, the jungle, and even prehistoric creatures!  I  wanted to take some pictures, but I knew my phone would have none of it.  So here are some internet images:

My Daughter's Favorite

All in all, this was a fantastic time.  Martha (my daughter) and Meghan (her friend) were so excited about everything that was glowing--their shirts, their shoes, their necklaces I just bought them at Family Christian Store, and much more.  They both got a hole in one.  But did I?  Nope.  Not a chance!

It was nice that there were 18 holes that were creative but not too challenging.  They usually left me in the dust.  After the golf, they got to play in the moderately-priced small arcade attached to the place.  And of course, we ended with ice cream. 

I say all this to say:

1.  Watch the deal sites.  You might find something that you already do or buy at a huge savings.

2.  Watch the deal sites for new adventures.  Be willing to take a chance.  

Where do you find the deal sites?  I usually discover them from bloggers.  I know it can be a pain to get all those e-mails, but it is worth it when we are able to have a day like today.

What deals have you discovered near you?  Any special experiences or adventures?  I would love to hear!

Well-Spoken Wednesday--(on Tuesday) Love at Last Sight Book Review

Summary from goodreads:

Everything you’ve been taught about relationships is wrong.

The movies and TV make it look easy. Matchmaking Web sites have it down to a science. Two people connect—love at first sight—and the relationship is magical from then on. But the truth is, strong, deep relationships that last a lifetime aren’t based on the mysterious chemistry of two personalities. Real love in relationships—friends, married couples, siblings, parents—isn’t a magic act. It’s a journey. A great relationship grows from an investment of time and effort.

Kerry and Chris Shook know that deep relationships aren’t built on initial attractions, but on last things—the experience you shared the last time you were with someone . . . the words you spoke with her last week . . . the effort you made for him the last time you were together. And Love at Last Sight offers a one-month relationship plan that will improve your most important bonds, including a weekly focus and daily readings that guide you through the process. By learning to be  present in the moment, acting intentionally, risking awkwardness, and learning to let go, you’ll discover wisdom from the Bible that contradicts what popular culture would have you believe.

Meaningful relationships depend on seeing other people as they are, so that the last time your eyes meet on this earth, your relationship will be closer and deeper than ever before. Love at Last Sight is the last book you’ll need to get your dearest relationships right.

Another life-changing book from Kerry and Chris Shook Authors of the best-selling One Month to Live
 

Your closest relationships will naturally drift apart over time.   And chances are, right now, one or more of your most important relationships is less than what you wish it could be.

Now you can change everything and take steps to reconnect with the people who really matter—and we don’t mean by connecting on Facebook! This thirty-day program guides you step-by-step to deeper, more satisfying relationships by developing four forgotten but powerful relational arts for  changing, improving, and repairing the relationships you care about most:

            Week 1 – The Art of Being All There
            Week 2 – The Art of Acting Intentionally
            Week 3 – The Art of Risking Awkwardness
            Week 4 – The Art of Letting Go

Learn the secrets that will lead you to healthy relationships with the most important people in your life—starting today!

Love at Last Sight by Kerry Shook
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure I would like this book when I began.  After all, I'm not married (but I hope to be within a few years!). Right away, I realized that the authors had done a fantastic job of including more than the marriage relationship.  What they teach you applies to all relationships. They base all their advice on sound Biblical and relational principles.

I will tell you that I did not actually do their suggested daily assignments in the book.  I think that this book would be great for a small group Bible study where you could share those things in a journal form and weekly with the others in the group.

The things that really stood out to me in this book were being yourself with the special people in your life  and not leaving when things don't go right.  This is about love at last sight, not first sight.  Hollywood has inundated out culture with romantic ideas that are absolutely unrealistic, and they are basically self-centered.  When we realize that true love is action and not a feeling, it will definitely make a difference in our relationships.


View all my reviews


Water Brooks Multnomah sent me a review copy of this book in exchange for my review.  I was not financially compensated in any way for this post, and the publisher did not influence my review in any way.