Amanda's Birthday and More!

Amanda turned 6 today!

Happy Birthday my sweet girl!

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #71!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave them a sweet comment. Also,
share about this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Friendship Friday
The Letter "H"

and

Finish the Sentence Friday
"The most unexpected part
about being a grownup is..."

A professional photographer took this photo of my kids
Samantha, Jeremiah, Jessica and Amanda

Today I'm answering both link party prompts in one.

H stands for Happy Moms, Happy Homes
my eBook and blog.

I never thought that being a mom would be as tough as it was, so I began writing. It was an outlet for me. Here's an excerpt from Happy Moms, Happy Homes:

Motherhood

As a mother you have the highest calling in life, but even so there will probably be days when you feel alone and unappreciated. The “heartbeat” of “Happy Moms, Happy Homes” is to let you know that you are not alone and that no matter what you’re going through, there is Someone who wants to go through it with you.

I was often disappointed when I couldn’t create the perfect family environment. For instance, I would take extra trouble to cook a special meal, and my toddlers would refuse to eat it. Similarly, we would go on a family outing and all they seemed to do was cry. When these kinds of things didn’t turn out as I had pictured them in my mind, I would feel crushed.

Since then I have come to learn that the absence of trials is not what produces a happy family environment. Instead, it’s achieved every time I’m not shaken when trials come my way. I may not embrace them, but I’ve come to accept them. What is out of my control is still under God’s control. He’s there to comfort and guide me.

Hardly anyone welcomes trials, but the truth is that God allows even trials to shape our lives. He does not want to harm us, but to enrich us. The Bible promises that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. It goes on to say that this hope will not disappoint us, because His love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:3-5). Knowing this, you don’t have to go under when you feel you’re going down. Just keep reminding yourself that God allows difficult times to change you, but not to break you.

Trust the leadership of His Spirit and watch Him go to work in your life, your marriage, your family, and your world. Never give up. Run the kind of race that is pleasing to God, which is to have an open and honest relationship with Him. Then you will reach the goal and gain that prize!

Poem “Blue Ribbon”
You might not receive a blue ribbon
at the end of the day
And being a mother is not
a job that will pay
But your reward is the journey
every step of the way
And “Well done!” are the words
that my Father will say.

by Christina Morley

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to

link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
• Link up your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
• Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
• Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.

Blog Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

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Wildlife, Pets and More!

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #79!

You can link your family friendly photo
post below. I've got a lot to share
today, so read on!

Today I'm sharing photos of the wildlife that

sometimes visit our back garden as well as

our pets. You will need to click on the

images to view them larger. It's worth it!

Guineafowl

Hadeda Ibis

Our cats, Prince and Sheela
They are peering into the
neighbor's garden.

Here is a peek at our Valentine's Day outing

on my travel blog, 1camera1mom

***************************

We have 3 winners on my Blogiversary post!

1 special lady will be receiving this beautiful set

of Alli Flair jewelry and 2 other lovely ladies

will be getting free ad space on Janine's blog or

Tamara's blog. Did you win? Check out our

Giveaway here!

***************************

Ms. Mystery Case and I have joined forces

to bring you this fabulous giveaway. I invite

you to take a moment to visit her post,

A Touch of Flair: Giveaway.

Time is running out to enter this fabulous giveaway,

so I'm including Ms. Mystery Case's Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***************************

I'm now selling Ad Space!

For only $10, you can have your

blog's button or Etsy shop button

featured in my sidebar.

***************************

Now on to my blog hop...

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

and

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
• If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

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G is for Girls and a Blog Hop

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #70!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave them a sweet comment. Also,
share about this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Friendship Friday
The Letter "G"

G is for Girls

On our way to the U.S.A.
June 2013
(their precious big brother is in the background)

At Palm Coast, Florida, 2013

Dressed to match at the mall
(Hubby's mobile phone image)

Catching some sleep in the car on
the way home from Cape Town
(the 2 big girls are wearing ballet practice clothes)

3 Sisters 2010

The Soccer World Cup 2010

We are blessed with 3 daughters
and our girls are blessed to have sisters.

*********************

Finish the Sentence Friday

One of my hidden talents is...

...singing. Okay, so some of you may know that already. It's a passion of mine that I don't get to use that often. I regularly lead the Sunday morning singing in our fellowship. It's a house church where everyone is able to participate, even the kids. And, I recently started taking voice lessons again, twice a month in Cape Town. What I'd really like to do is performance singing.

Tina Morley singing My Favorite Things
If there is a problem with my embedded YouTube video,
then try clicking the above link on "My Favorite Things"

*********************

Don't forget to enter my

blog's birthday giveaway!

Blogiversary and Giveaway

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to

link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
• Link up your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
• Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
• Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.

Blog Button Code:

<center><a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

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Awesome Photos, A Giveaway and More!

Welcome to my Picture

Perfect Party Linky #78!

I've got lots of neat things to share with you on this post,
so please take a look and then link your picture post below.

Here are some of my favorite photos taken in the last
few weeks, several of them were taken on Valentine's Day.

Click on the images to view them larger. It's worth it!

Hubby took this photo. I'm wearing a hand-beaded hat
by an African Xhosa lady. She gave it to me as a gift
via her niece who is renting the flat below our house.

Amanda dressed for Valentine's Day
eating her chocolate heart lolly

Prince, Samantha's cat, at our garden fountain.

Our garden fountain surrounded by miniature Agapanthus

Hubby took this photo of us on our Valentine's date.
We were at a fabulous wine estate where they
also serve delicious food. I'll be doing a post
on it on 1camera1mom in the near future.

Produce from our garden

***************************

The photo below is a peek at my

latest post on 1camera1mom!

***************************

Ms. Mystery Case and I have joined forces to bring you this
fabulous giveaway. I invite you to take a moment to visit
her post, A Touch of Flair: Giveaway.

***************************

I'm now selling Ad Space!

For only $10, you can have your

blog's button or Etsy shop button

featured in my sidebar.

***************************

Now on to my blog hop...

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

and

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
• If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

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Favorite Love Story and More!

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #69!

You can link your family friendly

post on my blog hop below. I'm also

participating in Friendship Friday.

Friendship Friday: The Letter "F"

F is for Favorite Love Story

These two images are the top
and bottom of my scrapbook
page of our dating days.

My favorite love story that happened to me began on Valentine's Day in 1995. There was this guy (Rob Morley) on the missionary ship, the M.V. Doulos, who asked permission to get to know me better in a dating kind of way. We were working together at that time in the book exhibition. He was my shift leader. I liked him as a leader, but I turned down the request. We agreed to be friends.

A few days later it was Valentine's Day. The ship was docked in India. I received a very sweet Valentine's Day card and it was signed, Your friend always, Rob. I was excited to get a card. It was not the done thing on board, as there were plenty of rules to keep the singles well-managed and in line.

That was the starting point of Robbie finding his way into my heart, because we had our first date in Bombay (Mumbai) on March 3, 1995. It was my 20th birthday. He was 28 and I was the first girl that he ever kissed romantically.

We got married in South Africa, five months after we began dating and after we had said goodbye to the ship in Tanzania. Being in missions has remained in our hearts. We got involved in church work, youth work, and later joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Now we have co-founded Light and Life Bible Ministries.

A photo of me on outreach in India.

I took this photo this morning of Amanda
on Valentine's Day, 2014. She got a card
with a chocolate heart lolly from us.

Amanda painted this picture for me and
gave it to me this morning.

*********************

Happy Valentine's Day to all my readers!

free graphics

*********************

Don't forget to enter my

blog's birthday giveaway!

Blogiversary and Giveaway

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to

link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
• Link up your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
• Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
• Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.

Blog Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

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Book Blast: My Friend Suhana

Book Blast and

$25 Giveaway!

About the Book

My Friend Suhana

Title: My Friend Suhana: A Story of Friendship and Cerebral Palsy | Authors: Shaila Abdullah & Aanyah Abdullah | Publication Date: December 16, 2013 | Publisher: Loving Healing Press | Pages: 17 | Recommended Ages: 3+


Summary: A simple tale of love and friendship to warm your heart. Award-winning author and designer Shaila Abdullah teams up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to bring you this heartwarming tale of a little girl who forms a close bond with a child with cerebral palsy.

Purchase

Amazon

My Review

My Friend Suhana is written in a very understanding light to the challenges that a disabled child faces on a day to day basis. Many of the things that Suhana struggles to do are things that we, who are not disabled, take for granted. What makes this story so unique is that it's written from an able-bodied child's perspective and this child has a big heart for Suhana. She tells us why Suhana can't walk and do the kinds of things that most other kids can do. And she perseveres in her relationship with Suhana even when some days aren't as good as others.

Some of the pictures didn't seem to correspond with the text, but I think that's because I could only view one page at a time on my screen. I think if I was holding the book and could see two pages at once, it might make more sense why the pictures were placed where they were.

I read this story to my 5-year-old, Amanda, and she could understand it, even though she hasn't met a child with Cerebral Palsy before. I asked her what the story is trying to teach us and she replied that it teaches us to be good and friendly. I think Amanda could understand a little about Suhana's limitations, because we live in the only town in South Africa that caters for the blind, deaf and disabled of South Africa.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I think a story like this reminds us of the meaning of love. People caring for someone like Suhana are regularly having their love put to the test. In what ways can we be more loving toward the care-givers and toward those who have physical and/or mental limitations? Perhaps we can help in some practical way. For example, I have been volunteering at the Blind Institute for the past 3 years a couple of hours a week. I go into a sound room and read school subjects, exams, novels and many other things. What I read gets put onto CD's for the visually impaired of South Africa.

The Buzz

“Children with cerebral palsy, like Suhana, the special 7-year-old child in this book, might never take a first step, say their first words or even do the same things other kids can do. But, they can understand kindness, love and true friendship. This is a story about two young 7-year-old girls whose friendship will span a lifetime and whose love will never die … There are so many themes that are brought to light in this wonderfully illustrated book. Friendship, understanding, love, kindness and trust…This mother and daughter have presented a well written, special, colorfully illustrated book that is definitely a must read for children in the lower grades, read aloud in every classroom, hospital groups, book store book signings and even at centers with children who have CP who can learn that they can do anything––all they need to do is try.” ~ Fran Lewis, former Reading and Writing Staff Developer at NYC Public Schools

“Promoting friendship, respect, and support, this children’s book aides in teaching others that art can help overcome and accept the differences of physical characteristics in others. It shows the bond that a mother and daughter share caring and loving those who have physical or mental disabilities as they convey how to be a true friend.” ~ Conny Crisalli, Book Pleasures

“This heartfelt story shares what it would be like to have a friend with cerebral palsy. Parents, teachers and young readers will appreciate the stories purpose and enjoy the colorful illustrations depicting the moods of Suhana and the love and caring she receives from her friend…Both authors have done an excellent job of educating us on how to be role models by opening our minds and hearts to the possibilities.” ~ Kristi’s Book Nook

“My Friend Suhana, for which Kindle and ePub editions are also available, was inspired by the experiences of the authors. While helping her mother with a special needs class at a local community center, a seven year old girl befriends another seven year old girl named Suhana who has cerebral palsy. It is a simple tale of love and friendship that will warm everyone’s heart.” ~ Wayne Walker, Home School Book Reviews

“My Friend Suhana is a delightful read for a children’s book. Very well illustrated with respect, friendship, and advocacy all in mind at the same time.” ~ Dawn Cruzan, President, Camp Craig Allen for all abilities

“This is the story of a seven-year-old’s first attempt at unconditional love. Tough but tender, inspirational yet utterly real, this is a small gem of a tale. Highly recommended for anyone in the position of mentoring a beloved child through the hard places of life.” ~ Paula Huston, author of A Season of Mystery and A Land Without Sin

About the Authors:

Shaila Abdullah;

Aanyah Abdullah

Shaila & Aanyah Abdullah

Shaila Abdullah is an author and designer based in Austin, Texas. She is the author of two award-winning books: Saffron Dreams and Beyond the Cayenne Wall. The author has received several awards for her work including the Golden Quill Award, Norumbega Jury Prize for Outstanding Fiction, Patras Bukhari Award for English Language, Reader Views Award, Written Art Award, and a grant from Hobson Foundation. My Friend Suhana is Shaila’s first children’s book. In her free time, Shaila loves to run around with her children–Aanyah and Aaliyana.

Aanyah Abdullah is a creative and compassionate 10-year-old, who is drawn to children born with physical and mental disabilities. When she was in second grade, Aanyah along with her mother Shaila, started volunteering out at a local community center where they helped assist special needs children. Later Aanyah wrote an essay about her friendship with a girl in the class who had cerebral palsy. That essay is the inspiration behind My Friend Suhana. Aanyah dreams of establishing a special school for children with disabilities one day. She is known to always stand up for what is right and is-–in her parents’ and teachers’ eyes––a perfect role model for her baby sister.

Book Website | Twitter | Facebook

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest runs: February 12 to March 12, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Shaila Abdullah & Loving Healing Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

Be sure to check out the My Friend Suhana Blog Tour

(coming Mar 4 to 11, 2014)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Discloser: I received a free copy of this book in digital format in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated under My Review are my own.

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