I could use a nap and a million dollars book review (Kregel Blog Tours)

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I read I could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars by Jessie Clemence, in exchange for honest review from Kregel Blog Tours. I received a paperback book . The book is Christian based. The subtitle is Biblical Alternatives for stressed out living.

I wanted to read the book because I am stressed out, especially in the past month. This month alone, Brad had an allergic reaction to accidently taking Kalen's medications. Kalen and I had a bad cold. My appendix burst. I missed Brad's ARD/IEP meeting for extended school year (ESY) because of the surgery. Luckily, the diagnostician already knew my wishes and held the meeting without me.  My laptop decided to die, while laying on my bed for two days, turned off. Kalen also had tonsil and adenoid surgery to help with his sleep apnea. I had an unpleasant OB/GYN visit. Not to mention, the joys of just raising specail needs kids. Every day is an adventure in not running away to a Caribbean island, drinking  a long island iced tea.

I feel my kids run the show and I am slowly losing control of everything, including my mind.

This is why we eat too much chocolate and cry in the shower. This is why we need a nap and a million dollars to fall out of the sky. We've had enough. Life is just too much. p. 13

The book teaches us how to rely on God even when we are stressed out. I loved when the author discussed cleaning in chapter 2. Her Ikea bowls were always missing and she hated looking for them. In my house, I have the same issue. I spend a lot of time hunting down spoons, bowls, and other kitchen utensils. Some of these was already in limited supply. I only own 4 bowls. Don't need much. I live with 3 people and rarely have company over. If for some reason, I do, I got 4 plates. I don't understand why my oldest can't bring utensils back into the kitchen after he uses them. He also has a bad habit of tossing his dirty diapers anywhere, when there are multiple trash bags throughout the house. Trying to clean the front room is stressful. I found old chicken bones behind my rubbermaids the other day. Not fun.

Trying to clean and unclutter my house causes many stress filled days, but who says my house has to be perfectly clean? It would be nice but it may not happen. The author said the bible does not base our value on how clean our houses are. The bible focuses on the condition of our heart.

What got me (because I skipped ahead to the end of the book) was the conclusion. The author discussed how two of her friends adopted special needs kids. I understand special needs parenting well. You have to deal with the normal things like paying bills, cooking, cleaning, but also dealing with the special needs side. The constant doctor appointments; the outright refusal to take medications; the sleep meds not working; and the meltdowns. One meltdown this week lead me to a bitten, bruised arm because he did not want to go to his monthly behavior appointment for his meds.

The book also includes questions, a focus, and a prayer at the end of chapters.

You can purchase the book in kindle and paperback format. The book is prime-eligible.

Refresh (Kregel Book Tours)

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I received Refresh, in exchange for honest review from Kregel Book Tours. The book was written by Kimberly M. Drew and Jocelyn Green.

I wanted to read the book because being a special needs parent is lonely, depressing, and frustrating. I need encouragement daily. Between the screaming; head banging (Kalen); and potty training issues, I feel on the verge of a break down any day now.

Brad is 16, Autistic with ADHD and a Creatine deficiency disorder. Brad is not potty trained, but hates being wiped. Brad doesn't like being told no. He throws things. He punches holes in walls (luckily, not here yet), and can get very aggressive towards people. Brad's mental age is 0 -6 months. Brad can walk, dress his self to a point, and eats like a regular teenager. Brad's latest incident was he broke a window at school. He also cracked my bedroom door.

Kalen has Global Development Delays; Autism; Sensory Processing Disorder; Creatine Deficiency Disorder; Sleep Apnea, and Static Encephalopathy. Kalen has a heart monitor and a pacemaker. Kalen is a helper monkey. He loves to help people, sometimes at a cost. Imagine using the bathroom and a toddler hands you one square of tissue at a time lol. Kalen also hates water in his face and head. Once, he climbed into the shower and got hit by a blast of water and was traumatized. He hid in the back of the tub and refused to move. I had to pick him up and calm him down. He did not speak or cry for hours that day.

Kalen functions on a 2-3 year range, mentally and functionally. Kalen had early intervention, occupational therapy; physical therapy; and preschool for children with developmental disabilities, but these services was not available when Brad was diagnosed. Brad fell through the cracks and functions at a lower level than his younger brother.

Trying to work with both of them is mentally draining. Don't let both need something at the same time because it can be too much.

At the end of each chapter, you do have a few questions to answer in a section called "digging deeper".


You can purchase the book, using the link above. The book comes in Kindle and paperback format. The book is prime-eligible.

Hearing God in Conversation Book Review (Kregel Blog Tours)

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I read Hearing God in Conversation, in exchange for honest review from Kregel BlogTours. The book was written by Samuel C. Williamson and published by Kregel Publications.

I wanted to read this book because I struggle to hear the voice of God. I hear stories since youth of how God talked to others and I wondered if he has ever spoken to me. On the other hand, God has given me dreams and visions, some I understood and some I did not.

One thing, I am sure I heard God on was naming Kalen, whose full name means beautiful gift of God. Naming Brad was easy--he is named after his daddy, but I struggled with names for Kalen. This was not my department and I did not want him having a complicated or stupid name. I asked God to help me name Kalen and he sent me two words in a dream. I used a baby name meaning site to find names related to those two words and Kalen Nathaniel was born.

Another thing I learned over the years through reading, church, and others was God will never tell you something contradictory to the Word. The first thing, which stood out in the book was when Williamson said God is always speaking to us and he wants us to hear him. God wants a personal relationship with us, no matter your age, race, occupation, God wants us to grow closer to him.

The next thing, which stood out was the author said God has multiple ways to speak to people, not just in conversation. He may speak with a nudge in the heart, pictures (such as my vision about naming Kalen), or a scripture to read. .God speaks through visions and dreams too. I thought something was wrong with me because I wasn't having these direct conversations, when God was speaking through me using other methods. The author also said God does not lecture us mostly in conversation. God may not use a full on sermon. He wants a conversation, constant communication, even informal. God wants you to be yourself. The author said no one wants a silent partner when communicating (p. 38). You build a relationship via two way conversation.

You can purchase the book, using the link above. The book is available in Kindle and paperback format. The book is prime-eligible.

Look Inside: The Time of Jesus Book Review (Kregel Blog Tours)

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I read Look Inside: The Time of Jesus: A Lift-the-Flap Discovery Book (Look Inside: a Lift-the-Flap Discovery Book)  in exchange for honest review from Kregel Blog Tours. The book was written by Lois Rock and illustrated Lorenzo Orlandi

I wanted to read the book because I thought it was cool, plus I can teach my kids about God. I also loved the interactiveness. The kids can open up the flaps to reveal hidden people. Of course, once Kalen figured out he can open the panels, a few was ripped off (RIP panels lol).

The book starts with the birth of Jesus and ends with the crucifixion, which was done beautifully

The book also shows what the people, workers, and animals in the cities on a daily basis. The rabbi preaching the word; the boys in the schoolhouse, learning scripture; the sheep in the pasture. Maybe you want to learn about the names of tools used in the carpentry studio.

The illustrations were bright and colorful. Orlandi did an excellent job.

Look inside: The time of Jesus

Hidden panel opened

Look inside: The time of Jesus

You can purchase the book on Amazon in hardback format only.