I’m so ready for a change, and thanks to Collective Bias, Lean Cuisine, and Skinny Cow, I’ve been given the opportunity to have the accountability that is so necessary in getting to that healthier lifestyle Hubs and I so long for. Our goal: to teach our kids the value of living on less. Be sure to check out the entire post over on MamaBuzz….

The boys and I made homemade snowglobes today; I found the idea on Tiny Twist Creative. The boys were so excited when I started rounding up little action figures and ornaments we could use. They chose which characters to use. Jacob chose a snowman and Cookie Monster; Jaden, a pirate and Santa. It’s so interesting raising boys….

Adding glitter was the icing on the cake for Jaden.Of course, then came the shake, shake, shake.Methinks putting the pirate in with Santa might have been a bad idea….we have a fallen Santa!The childlike wonder was so worth it all….

I’m seeing a LOT more crafting in our future.:)

Reading is such a relaxing hobby….it’s something that still engages the brain yet gives the body a chance to rest.  I love finding books that not only contain a great story that is hard to put down, but books in which there are values to be learned.  Cathy Bryant has become one of my favorite authors after reading two of her books now.  I originally reviewed her book, Texas Roads….now she has a second book in the Miller’s Creek series, A Path Less Traveled.

A Path Less Traveled follows Steve’s sister, Trish, and her son Bo.  Trish has recently lost her husband and is dealing with both the emotional and financial aftermath of such a life-altering situation.  Bo continues to have nightmares as his little heart has just been broken in the loss of his father.  As Trish tries to pick up the pieces of her life, a breath of fresh air comes into her life, in the form of Andy Tyler.  Trish doesn’t want her family to know how much she is struggling to keep things afloat; she is determined to make her own way without having to “burden” anyone else.  Of course, Andy has his own secrets to harbor, but as he and Trish spend more time together, they begin to forge a friendship.

Is it possible that Trish can let go and give to God what belongs to Him….the heavy burden she is carrying within her soul?  Is it possible she could love again?  Is it possible that she could choose the Path Less Traveled?  One verse that constantly came up throughout the book, a recurrent theme, was Proverbs 3:5,6- Trust in the Lord….  Toward the end of the book, the author, Cathy Bryant, shares her own testimony of how this story came from her own struggles to trust God, letting Him lead.

I definitely recommend A Path Less Traveled.  I’d pick this book up to read, and it was honestly hard for me to put it down.  Cathy Bryant has such wonderful descriptive skills, and she makes the story so real-life that it’s easy to see how the values within the fictional story could be applied in real life.  The characters are so real, hilarious at times, and carry the story along so well.  You can purchase A Path Less Traveled for $12.99.  You can also read more about the author on her website, Cathy Bryant.  Be sure to Add Cathy Bryant as a Friend on Facebook and follow @CathyBryant on Twitter.

(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book, free of charge, from Cathy Bryant, for the purposes of this review.)

Ready to ring in the New Year yet?  I’m so not ready for Christmas to be over….but sadly, every year it has to be.  Check out some great posts, and link up your giveaways!  Happy New Year to you and yours!:)

Need some pampering?  Blissfully Domestic contributor Maryellen Schlusser has a great post, Grandma Knows Best- Beauty Tips and Tricks for Today’s Woman.

Love the title of this post by Mommy’s Kitchen, Knock Ya Naked Brownies {Potluck Sunday}.

I love this post from Household 6 Diva, You Have a Voice, Use It.

Find Printable Thank You Cards on Today’s Creative Blog.

Link up your giveaways & contests!