Oh friends, I hope you’re getting ready to celebrate this weekend! We are so blessed by the freedom and independence we have in this country, and it’s an absolute honor to gather with friends and family to recognize all those who have made it possible. We are grateful.
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Play
Inside Out Thought Bubbles – I haven’t seen the movie yet (though I think it looks perfect for Madi. Ok, to be honest, I just really think the green character is my daughter made into a cartoon and it makes me so happy.) but I’ve been playing this game on my iPhone the last few weeks. The concept is super simple – you just shoot little colored “memory” balls to make matches and clear the board, but it’s so colorful & fun for those moments you just need a mental break.
Eat
Sparx – Y’all, I went to the dentist this week and left with a container of candy. I know, right?! While that probably ranks my dentist as “coolest ever,” it was really because I’m super prone to cavities. Even though I take great care of my teeth, I’m just one of those lucky ones. Enter the candy. Apparently research has been done to show that exposure to xylitol helps reduce the occurrence of cavities, and it just happens to be the main ingredient in these yummy little Sparx candies. In theory, if I eat one after every meal/snack (5 times a day), it should starve the little bacteria that cause cavities. Best case scenario? It works! Worst case? I get to eat candy, doctors orders. Woot!
Read
Jesus Calling For Little Ones – I have my own copy of Jesus Calling and really love how accessible and applicable it makes Scripture, in short, easy to read portions. And now they have a new version for children! Beautifully illustrated and made to last (it’s a board book), the Jesus Calling For Little Ones has become a quick favorite at bedtime for our girl. She loves to look at the pictures and describe what she sees, and the readings each night are short enough to capture her attention. She loves knowing that these are little love notes to her from Jesus, and I only wish it were a larger book because we’ll read through it quickly! It’s on sale at Amazon right now for just $4.49, too!
Simply Tuesday – Even though I wasn’t chosen to be on Emily’s launch team (ahem. not bitter. It’s totally fine.) I just can’t help supporting her amazing new book. If you loved A Million Little Ways, you’ll definitely want to add this one to your bookshelf (and grab it now while it’s less than $9!)
It’s Good to be Queen – I adore Liz Curtis Higgs. She is a delightfully funny writer, generous with her time and encouragement, and a solid Bible teacher. So when this “Bad Girls of the Bible” author writes about the Queen of Sheba, I know I want to see what she has to say. This one officially comes out in a few weeks, but you can grab a copy now (it’s currently #1 in Old Testament Biographies, which is just THE BEST).
Share
21 Days of Encouragement – I’d love for you to join me over on Instagram for 21 Days of Encouragement. Starting July 6th I’ll be sharing a daily encouraging post & graphic that I pray will help you start your day knowing that you are loved, you are not alone, and you are called to live fearless and free. {and if you love the graphics & want to learn how to make your own, you can grab a copy of Creative Basics!}
Instagram Webinar – My fabulous friend Eryn and I are going to be recording and offering two Instagram webinars in the next few weeks. I’ll have more information for you about how you’ll be able to access those later, but for now – what Instagram questions would you love us to answer? What do you wish you knew how to do? What makes you afraid to use Instagram? If you could ask us anything, what would it be?
Wear
Ryka Influence – I had to get new shoes for Zumba this week. My other pair, which I hadn’t had long, started to disintegrate and the lovely people at Zappos were kind enough to let me exchange them. So I went with the Ryka Influence and they are so, so comfortable. Great arch support, cute design, and perfectly designed for all those Beyonce-ish moves I’m rocking 😉
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That’s the wrap up for today – I don’t know if I’ll get a chance to do a Periscope today. If I do, I might be by the pool with the family, so we’ll see what I can do! Happy 4th, friends!
