Category Archives: Collaboration

Time For Bed, Sleepyhead

September 21, 2016 Filed in: Collaboration, Motherhood, Partnership, Photography

img_9526

This month, we [kelli and vanessa] have the honor and privilege to review another great book by Zondervan. Time For Bed, Sleepyhead is written by New York Times bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen. This cozy bedtime book uses visualization techniques in the storytelling to encourage a child to stretch and even exhaust their imaginations to help them drift off into peaceful sleep.

I have to be honest with you and start out by saying that my amazing husband does the nightly bedtime routine with our son, Ezra. So, I figured I should let the main bedtime storyteller, review this book! Rather than ask him a bunch of questions….and relay it all to you, it is my pleasure to introduce you to REED…..

/////////////////////////////////

Hello blog world! Yes, I love that Ezra and I get to share stories and prayers before bed every night.  I am really trying to soak in every moment and enjoy this time every evening.  Ezra has always been a night owl, like his Mom [ha!], so we have been working on getting him to bed earlier now that he is getting up for pre-k three days a week.

img_9511

I have tried everything…..three books, four books, telling made-up stories, the list goes on.  He would still be awake…..Until….I started reading “Time For Bed, Sleepyhead.”.  He now requests this every night and it is the only book I need to read.  Ezra always wants to be “Aslan” the white german shepherd puppy in the story, and he assigns me to be the “Daddy” bear.  The story is great about repeating certain words, which helps to set the mood to safe, warm, and luckily for me, sleepy.

img_9491

At the end of the story, Ezra will turn to me and say, “good night, Dad” then rolls over and closes his eyes.  I usually stay a few more minutes and say more prayers over him, thanking God for the little arrow he is, knowing all the good that’s in-store for him when tomorrow comes.

I would definitely recommend this book and you can find it here.
Thank you Zondervan for publishing such great children books. We’ve enjoyed building a library of great books for our son.

-REED

img_9473img_9497img_9505img_9516img_9485

Sources:
Photography by: Kelli Trontel
Bed Sheets: Land of Nod
Comforter: Pottery Barn Kids
Pajamas: Gap Kids
Stuffed Animal: Anthropologie

Our Visit To The Young Living Farm

July 1, 2016 Filed in: Collaboration

There’s something about dreaming with your best friend & seeing that dream become a reality. Truthfully, it’s one of the best feelings!!! Vanessa and I dreamed one year ago to be here at this very place … & we’re overjoyed to see it come to pass!

The words we speak have tremendous power, friends. Speak what you want to see happen, believe by faith it’ll happen & then hustle till the door opens.

Im passionate more than ever, after visiting the Young Living Farm. Passionate about partnering with this incredibly honest, generous and transparent company. It comes natural really, since we have incorporated oils into our everyday living.

If you’re interested in learning more, message me! I’d love to talk you though it. You can also visit my direct link by clicking here. The community that I am part of is called Floral & Pine and we’d love to have you on our team….and help educate you along the way. You will not be left to yourself to figure things out on your own. We are passionate about education and helping people understand the amazing world of oils.

Our time together in Salt Lake City last week was incredibly encouraging and refreshing,  as always. Im so glad we captured bits of our day at the farm…..and I love the video that Vanessa put together for us to remember. Check it out below!

Baby Wren And The Greatest Gift

April 25, 2016 Filed in: Collaboration, Motherhood, Photography

IMG_7592

When Vanessa and I received this book…..we were both heart eyes over the illustrations that grace the cover and the inside pages in this book. And then to have the book written by the wonderful Sally Lloyd-Jones….we were sold. What a fabulous combination!

I absolutely loved this book. Not only is it a beautiful truth for our children to learn and grab hold of at such a young age, but as an adult and mother…..this message was for me too.

My favorite line in the book is this: “What Can I Do Thats Wonderful?”

Throughout the book, this baby bird was in awe of creation. She started to question why she couldn’t do certain things that only specific animals could do. Isn’t this true in our own world? It’s easy to look around and compare ourselves to other peoples highlight reel, strengths and talents.

The question we should all be asking ourselves is……What Is WONDERFUL about us? What is our unique talent and gift….that we were CREATED for?

Especially since moving to Montana……the outdoors have become so inspiring to me and I love seeing Ezra explore and run wild and free. It’s usually on days at the lake at our family cabin….that we have some really special conversations. We are away from the hustle and the noise…..and Ezra asks all sorts of questions about nature and life, itself. So, it seemed like the perfect book to bring to the cabin, where we see lots of birds, bugs and fish…….which this books so beautiful illustrates.

IMG_7635IMG_7583IMG_7617IMG_7597IMG_7599IMG_7628IMG_7629IMG_7631IMG_7626IMG_7619IMG_7608IMG_7596I’ve recently decided to gift all kids in our life, BOOKS! [Can I get an AMEN for no more plastic toys? Im personally trying to minimize the clutter that comes with having a toddler.] I love picking out unique hardcover books….and Ezra is quite the helper. If you’re looking for a perfect birthday gift or just another great book to add to you childs library- this is one I highly recommend. Honestly. For quick reference, you can purchase this book here.

Easter Is Coming!

February 22, 2016 Filed in: Collaboration, Photography

IMG_6453

Easter greets us early this year. If you haven’t already looked at your calendar, Easter falls on March 27th!

What I love most about our partnership with Zondervan Publishing is that we’ve been introduced to so many wonderful books, especially themed books around the holidays. They’ve been such helpful resources to us….as we’ve introduced such special Holidays to our toddlers. We’ve truly loved reading these books to our little ones, while adding to their library collection…….and at the same time, getting the opportunity to share these book titles with you!
IMG_6455I was really excited to receive the Angels in the Bible Storybook. We talk about Heaven often…..and how angels are all around us. The cover of this book is absolutely beautiful. Since Ezra isn’t reading yet…..this has just been a great book for me to read to him in the mornings. And for all you homeschool moms…..I think this would be a GREAT resource as you study the stories of Angels in the Bible.
IMG_6448Oh Berenstain Bears…..you are always welcomed and loved in our home. This book was a sweet one. Ezra loved the illustrations and I appreciated the way it touched on Easter eggs hunts and candy, but was intentional about those things not being the focus of Easter.
IMG_6470IMG_6431Curating a book collection for Ezra has been something that I’ve truly enjoyed this year. I recently purchased this magazine rack from PB Kids to neatly display his books. A friend of mine, who has encouraged me to point Ezra to reading/books since the day he was born…..also made it a point to tell me how important it was for kids to see the cover of books. The spines of books aren’t as interesting for our little ones……so this is how I’ve displayed books and I often swap them out with other books we already own- just to keep it fresh!

Also….instead of buying toys as birthday presents…..I’ve let Ezra pick a book out for his little buddies most recent birthdays. We’re all about books these days.
IMG_6426IMG_6422What are a few of your favorite childrens books? How do you display books for your little ones? And how will you be celebrating Easter this year?

Thankful

October 15, 2015 Filed in: Collaboration, Motherhood, Photography

IMG_4710

Give THANKS to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. -Psalm 107:1

Thankfulness is a popular topic this time of year, as we are quickly approaching Thanksgiving. However, we all know that an attitude of gratitude will serve us well as we enter each new day. Every day. All year round.

Being THANKFUL is something that Ezra and I talk about often. Its the core foundation of our prayers…

In this book “Thankful” by Eileen Spinelli, she reminds us that we have so much to be thankful for. I love that she focused on the little things- found in everyday life. Its not just about the big things…..

The big things are easier to spot and be thankful for, but the little things- the little ways that God shows up and shows His love can often missed, if we aren’t intentional about always looking around us. Never taking anything for granted.

As the leaves have changed colors and fallen to the ground….we took some time and walked around our new neighborhood. We actually read this book in a big pile of leaves! It was super fun to get outside and outside of our normal routine. Who reads books in a pile of leaves? WE DO! The golden colors and endless shapes that can be found in the leaves are truly amazing. We serve such a creative and inspiring God. I love that we get to see glimpses of Him, in our everyday.

Vanessa and I consider it a privilege to be partnered with ZonderKids. We consider it an honor to be able to read new books to our children and share such golden gems with you, as you build your own library with and for you kids.

IMG_4655IMG_4692IMG_4665IMG_4637IMG_4721IMG_4735

« Older posts