Amanda's Books and More: family unit

Showing posts with label family unit. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Farewell Celebration and a Linky

Tears were shed this morning as we said our goodbyes to Samantha. She left with her dad to the Cape Town airport. Instead of driving off into the sunset like in the movies, they drove off with a beautiful sunrise greeting them. Samantha wanted a sushi cake the day before she left, so we turned it into a farewell celebration with sparkling wine.

I loved having all three girls at home during the Christmas holiday! We also got to see Jeremiah twice for a short time.

Samantha is flying to Holland to au pair for a year after recently graduating from university. Later today, Amanda and I are attending orientation at her high school for the new school year. (In South Africa, high school goes from Grade 8 to Grade 12, and the school year is from Jan. - Dec. with all of December and part of January off.) In February, Jessica will continue another year of studies at the University of Cape Town on a scholarship. Jeremiah, their older brother, is living and working near Cape Town, and is a shift leader at an IT company.

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Here's a peek at
my latest post
on 1camera1mom:

Visiting Velddrif - Part 1

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Tuesday's Sunrise

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tina Morley (@tinarobmorley)

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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!

I would love for you to follow me on

Twitter

Facebook
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and

Here are the easy rules:

Follow me on one or more links above or via email.

Link up any family-friendly post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.

If possible, copy the button code below and add it to your linked post or blog's sidebar.

And, I'd love it if you could share about this hop on social media.

The Button Code:

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Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Social-Distancing at the Botanical Garden and a Linky

One thing you'll quickly figure out about me is that I love taking photos. Most of them are my own unless stated otherwise. If I am in the photo, then probably one of my family members took it. Enjoy today's photos of our family practicing social-distancing at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden. We were happy to get out of the house and enjoy nature while keeping away from other people.

Sisters

Jessica, Amanda, Samantha, and Tina
Photo: Robbie Morley

Robbie and Tina
Photo: Samantha Morley

Amanda

Samantha

Samantha and Jessica

Bokmakierie (bushshrike)
Photo: Samantha Morley

Southern Fiscal Shrike
Photo: Robbie Morley

Southern Fiscal Shrike

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Here's a peek at
my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Aan de Doorns and Winelands

Flags: South Africa and USA

Goats grazing in the winelands

Follow me on Instagram!

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My Latest Post on Real Church Life:

Last week, I wrote about washing and distancing being biblical practices after noticing some Christians were speaking and behaving in a counter-productive way, using their faith as an excuse to carry on like normal. You can find my post on Real Church Life titled, "A Faith-Based Approach to the Coronavirus."

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My Latest Book Post:

Reading and Listening While Social Distancing
With links to free eBooks and audio books!

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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!

I would love for you to follow me on

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

and

Here are the easy rules:

Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
Link-up any family friendly 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.
And, I'd love it if you could share about this hop on social media.

The Button Code:

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*** If you want to comment, then please make sure this page's permalink loads as http and not https! Also, my blog is hosted by Blogger, which uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. And, it's best viewed in Google Chrome. ***

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Monday, December 5, 2016

Ornaments of Love Coloring Book

Ornaments of Love Coloring Book

by Sharlin Craig

Contains the complete story

as well as 21 coloring pages!

Ornaments of Love Coloring Book

Slowing Down with Family at Christmas Time

This beautifully designed coloring book is a companion or stand-alone book to the original Ornaments of Love picture book. It contains not only the complete story of Ornaments of Love, but also provides 21 full-size coloring pages for artists of all ages.

The Ornaments of Love coloring book was created to bring families together at Christmas time. It provides families a perfect way to reduce holiday stress by spending quiet time coloring pages that showcase angels, bells, stars and much more.

Coloring pages range from easy to difficult, perfect for all family members!

Additional complimentary coloring pages are available to print online with the purchase of the coloring book.

Make this a special gift for your loved ones by also purchasing the original ‘Ornaments of Love’ picture book with full color illustrations.

Purchase the Coloring Book

on Amazon

Includes a link at the back of the book to extra free coloring pages to download and print for every member of the family!

Amanda with one of the

extra free coloring pages ⇩

Another page in the book

that Amanda colored in ⇩

My Review

Ornaments of Love Coloring Book contains the complete story from the original picture book with 21 full-sized coloring pages. This book is entirely in black and white, perfect for coloring. The story reminds us of the importance of family time and making memories while the coloring pages will help the family do just that when coloring in together. There is a link at the back of the book to download extra free pages for the whole family!

Amanda loves the coloring pages. On a few occasions, we sat together and enjoyed coloring in while listening to Christmas music. Even her sister has joined in the coloring fun! I recommend it as a great companion to the original Ornaments of Love picture book.

Amanda coloring in one of the pages from
the Ornaments of Love Coloring Book

Samantha and Amanda enjoying the coloring pages
from the Ornaments of Love Coloring Book

A page that I colored in

Another page that I colored in

Related Post:

Ornaments of Love Review
~ the original picture book ~

About the Author:

Sharlin Craig

Sharlin Craig, a Detroit native who now resides in southern California with her husband and daughter, is dedicated to writing inspirational children’s books that touch the spirit of her readers. A graduate of Oakland University, she’s taught music to children for several years while also writing music and lyrics. She’s combined her love for children and writing into authoring her debut children’s Christmas picture book, ‘Ornaments of Love’.

Sharlin believes that with the right surroundings and daily encouragement, children are boundless. She’s passionate about helping children feel understood and empowered through her books and hopes that her stories make them smile.

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Ornaments of Love

Ornaments of Love

by Sharlin Craig

With one $20 Amazon Gift Card

and three eBooks Giveaways!

About the Book:

Book Description:

A touching Christmas story with glowing illustrations, Ornaments of Love is a story to cherish for years to come. A beautiful tale of Ayana, an endearing ten-year-old who excitedly anticipates that special time of year when the entire family joins together to decorate and admire the Christmas tree.

But sadly this year is different. Ayana realizes that her mom and dad are far too busy with everything else to enjoy the tree with Ayana. Then, something unexpected happens and the family is brought together with tenderness and joy.

Filled to the brim and overflowing with charming moments, gentle humor, and timeless illustrations, this beautiful story is a wonderful reminder of what’s important not only during the Christmas season, but every day of our lives. Ornaments of Love is destined to become one of your favorite holiday stories. One that will remain in your heart forever.

A peek inside...

Purchase Links:

Both books come with free gifts!

The picture book comes with the free English and Spanish audio versions.
The coloring book comes with extra free coloring pages that can be downloaded and printed, so every member of the family can have a page to color.
The link to the author's website with the free gifts is at the back of each book.

My Review

Ornaments of Love is an endearing picture book that will get the whole family into the mood for Christmas while reminding us of the importance of family time and making memories. Amanda liked the sweet memories that ten-year-old Ayana shared as she held each ornament in her hand before placing them on the tree. She thought the picture of the parents kissing and Ayana closing her eyes and sticking her tongue out was funny. She also liked it when Rosie, the black Labrador, wanted her bone ornament.

I could relate to the mom getting upset when she saw her special ornaments lay broken on the carpet. I thought it was a good lesson not to overreact. Instead of the mom spoiling the atmosphere by staying upset, she decided to make the most of it with those closest to her.

Amanda was inspired by the story and the free coloring pages and today began listening to our Christmas CD's. Christmas is a special time and this book is a perfect reminder of that. I recommend it for children ages 4 to 10. Parents and grandparents will enjoy it too when they read to their children or grandchildren!

Ornaments of Love Coloring Book

by Sharlin Craig

Contains the complete story

as well as 21 coloring pages!

Ornaments of Love Coloring Book

Slowing Down with Family at Christmas Time

This beautifully designed coloring book is a companion or stand-alone book to the original Ornaments of Love picture book. It contains not only the complete story of Ornaments of Love, but also provides 21 full-size coloring pages for artists of all ages.

The Ornaments of Love coloring book was created to bring families together at Christmas time. It provides families a perfect way to reduce holiday stress by spending quiet time coloring pages that showcase angels, bells, stars and much more.

Coloring pages range from easy to difficult, perfect for all family members!

Additional complimentary coloring pages are available to print online with the purchase of the coloring book.

Make this a special gift for your loved ones by also purchasing the original ‘Ornaments of Love’ picture book with full color illustrations.

Purchase the Coloring Book

on Amazon

Includes a link at the back of the book to extra free coloring pages to download and print for every member of the family!

Amanda with one of

the free coloring pages

About the Author:

Sharlin Craig

Sharlin Craig, a Detroit native who now resides in southern California with her husband and daughter, is dedicated to writing inspirational children’s books that touch the spirit of her readers. A graduate of Oakland University, she’s taught music to children for several years while also writing music and lyrics. She’s combined her love for children and writing into authoring her debut children’s Christmas picture book, ‘Ornaments of Love’.

Sharlin believes that with the right surroundings and daily encouragement, children are boundless. She’s passionate about helping children feel understood and empowered through her books and hopes that her stories make them smile.

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

4 Giveaways!

One $20 Amazon Gift Card and Three eBooks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #31

Last weekend my eldest daughter, Jessica, was at a prayer conference. The last day of the conference, I was driving her home and telling her to throw out anything that would give her a guilt trip. I said, "If the speaker told you that you need to pray at 4 am to show your dedication, don't do it." Guess what she said? "Mom, he said that he gets up at 4 am to pray and then asked if any of us would be willing to do something like that." I laughed, because I had guessed right.

I once read a book on the "perfect" prayer method. However, I've come to learn that there is no perfect method. I told Jessica that she should pray only as she feels led to pray and to pray anytime, anywhere. Sometimes, the Lord has woken me in the night and given me a burden to pray for someone. I told my daughter that too. It's just that no one needs a guilt trip in their faith walk. Religion of any kind is a burden. Jesus came to bring a relationship and each relationship is unique. The quote below is my own.

We were having trouble with the bigger kids following through on things that we feel are important to running a happy home, so I drew up this family action plan about a week ago. (You can click on the image below to make it bigger.) Some points on this list look similar, but I had my reasons and I explained them to the kids. My eldest daughter added one point to the list, "Respect personal boundaries." The other two didn't have anything to add. Our youngest child, Amanda, is only expected to pick up her toys, to put her story books away, and to join us every morning for family prayer time. We still help her with picking up.

This list is now on our refrigerator. There are consequences if the three bigger kids don't at least try to follow it. We don't ask for perfection. We just don't want to have to remind them every day about things that they already know. Do you have something like this for your family? Does it help?