Get Your Own Free Copy of It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren in Just Three Days

Yes! In just three days you will be able to download to your Kindle or computer a free e-Book of my new book - It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren! Look what people who have read it are saying about it . . . 

Put the Tech Away & Focus On Those Who Matter

The other day I heard on the news about a Second Grade teacher in Louisiana and a project she gave her students. She had them write about an item they wished had never been invented and four of her students wrote they hated their parents' phones and wished they had not been invented. These children were not anti-phones for any reason other than because their parents spent more time on their phones than they did talking with them. The teacher posted the children's responses to facebook and it was shared hundreds of thousands of times with teachers from across the country sharing similar stories.

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Judy is the winner of one NIV, Thinline Bible, Large Print, Leathersoft, Purple, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print. (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Judy for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by June 6, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com  so I am able to have it sent to you. Thank you also to Zondervan for making it available for me to review and another for me to give away.

Help Your Grandchildren Show Honor to Their Teachers

The end of the 2017/18 school year is almost upon us, so it is the perfect time to help our grandchildren show honor to their teachers by making a thank-you gift. I wrote about this on the Grandmas with Heart blog this morning - you will find it at this link.

Check some of these ideas I found on Pinterest . . . 

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway in Two Days

I am happy to say Bev is the winner of one Flipping Awesome Personalized Cutting Board. (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Bev for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by June 4, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com  so I am able to have it sent to you. Thank you also to GiftsForYouNow for making it available for me to review and give away.

In two days on May 30, 2018 I'm giving away one NIV, Thinline Bible, Large Print, Leathersoft, Purple, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print. You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

A Prayer for Those Who Serve in the Military & Their Families

Father God,

As we approach this Memorial Day weekend, we give thanks for those brave men and women who offered the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). We pray we never take their sacrifice, nor our freedoms, for granted.

100 Free Things to Do With Your Grandchildren This Summer

I LOVE Children's Day! I love planning for it and then celebrating the children I love. But then, every day should be "Children's Day" . . . and especially every day in the Summer! So, if you are feeling a little like "Phineas and Ferb" and are looking for things you can do with the children in your life this Summer, look at these great ideas I found on Pinterest for 100 Free Things to Do with Children This Summer!

I particularly love anything which has anything to do with a library and park and the idea to visit your local fire station is great, too - take cookies with you to leave for the firefighters! Idea #9 is another one I love - going on an alphabet tour sounds like great fun for sure! Of course scavenger hunts and neighborhood carnivals are a great way to involve others in the fun you are having with your grandchildren, too! Obstacle courses and Hot Wheel races are things my grandsons would enjoy for sure!

The other day Josiah and Caleb asked if we were going to have "fun days" again this Summer. (The past several years we had the boys at our house for our "Three Days of Fun" and we most certainly had "fun"!!!) We told them we are definitely having them for "Fun Days" again this year!

I am a grandma and I know something important - these three sweet boys are growing up. Obvious, I know, but it is oh, so true. They are growing up very fast. I can not believe my sweet Caleb will be seven in two months, my sweet Shane will be five in three months and my sweet Josiah will be ten - yes, ten - in four months. These years have flown by and I know I will barely "turn around" and they will all be teens and then adults. I treasure the time I can have with them while they are young. I absolutely want to pass on a heritage of faith to these three boys, so I am thankful for any and all time I am able to spend with them.

So, Summer time is an opportunity to spend extra time with my three grandsons, and this time will be time well spent! Time where we have important conversations and time where we just have a lot of fun! I'm so glad there are lots of ideas for things we might do this Summer! These 100 ideas are great ideas - and they are all free!!! Which idea do you like the best?

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway in Two Days

I am happy to say Jenny Quimby is the winner of one The Explorers: The Reckless Rescue.  (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Jenny for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by June 2, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com  so I am able to have it sent to you. Thank you also to Delacorte Books for Young Readers for making it available for me to review and give away.
In two days on May 28, 2018 I'm giving away one Flipping Awesome Personalized Cutting Board. You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

Summer Fun & Being Intentional

Ah, Summertime! The grandchildren are out of school and, at least in my case, are spending more time with us. So, what do we do with them? How do we engage them in activities which allow us to pass on our faith and which are fun?

My grandsons are young - will be ten, seven and five, so in our case, we are going to be doing the following over the Summer . . .

Rebuild the Foundations

Almost three years ago, in a town not far from where I live, a tornado hit; three churches in this small community were damaged, seriously. One was a church which was 160 years old. The members of this church were understandably quite dismayed and disheartened to see the significant damage to their church. However; their sadness turned to rejoicing when the builders who began the work to rebuild brought them shocking news. As these builders surveyed the damage and began the work, they discovered nothing was holding up the floor of this old church building. The years had taken their toll and unbeknownst to the church members, their church floor was unsupported and about to collapse. The tornado actually saved them.

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway in Two Days

I am happy to say Mami2jcn is the winner of one Folkmanis Daisy Duck Puppet . (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Mami2jcn for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by May 31, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com  so I am able to send Daisy Duck to you. Thank you also to Folkmanis  for sending it for me to review and give away.

In two days on May 26, 2018 I'm giving away one The Explorers: The Reckless Rescue. You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

But the Bear Came Back - I'm Giving One Away

I was recently given the great delight of the opportunity to review a new book from the gifted children's author, Tammi Sauer. I have been able to review her books in the past (Caring for Your Lion, Your Alien, Your Alien Returns and Mary had a Little Glam) and found them all to be charming, creative and a joy to read to my grandsons. As much as I loved all the previous books by Tammi Sauer, this new one is even more charming, more creative and a great joy to read - and I am so happy to let you know about it today; and announce a giveaway as well!

Just for the Fun of it - Call Grandma!

I thought it would be fun to re-share this meme with you today - it always puts a smile on my face, so enjoy!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway Tomorrow

I am happy to say tarter95 is the winner of one lovely Water Lilly Adjustable Fashion Cane from Harvey Canes. (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you tarter95 for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by May 30, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com so I am able to send the cane to you. Thank you also to Harvey Canes  for sending it for me to review and give away.

Tomorrow on May 24, 2018 I'm giving away one Folkmanis Daisy Duck Puppet . You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

Please Follow on Pinterest & Facebook, the Blogs & Twitter

The other day I shared how Grandmas with Heart has a blog, a facebook page,  twitter and a new Pinterest page as well. On the Pinterest page you will find all the memes we have posted . . . yes all of them!

Please feel free to check it out and share your favorites with the people you know. And, if you have not already done so, please follow us on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook and let the people you know about us, we would appreciate it - doing so would help us get more exposure and we would most sincerely appreciate your help - Thank you!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Fountain of Youth from Prevention Magazine

The other day Joani Schultz sent me (Lynda) this study - 

Grandchildren may contribute to longevity, says a recent study in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. Researchers found seniors who babysat their grandchildren on a regular basis had a 37% lower risk of dying during the 20-year study period than contemporaries who didn't have or didn't provide care for grandchildren. Experts credit the emotional lift and physical activity of caregiving, along with the sense of purpose it provides. It may also help keep seniors' brains active and alert.

Thank you Joani! Just more reasons to spend time with our grandchildren for sure!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose 

Pray Zephaniah 3:17 for Your Grandchildren & Join My Launch Team

I have many "favorite verses" in the Bible, but one is definitely found in Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is in your midst bringing victory. He will create calm with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.

What a picture of God! He is with us, brings victory, His love brings us calm/peace and He sings over us with joy! Share this picture of God with your grandchildren and make this verse your prayer as well!

And, if you would like to join my "launch team" as I prepare to launch my book; It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren - just email me.

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose  

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway in Two Days

I am happy to say Alicia Anne is the winner of one lovely "grandma" frame from GiftsForYouNow. (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Alicia Anne for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by May 27, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com so I am able to send the puppet set to you. Thank you also to GiftsForYouNow for sending one for me to review and give away.

In two days on May 23, 2018 I'm giving away one lovely Water Lilly Adjustable Fashion Cane from Harvey Canes. You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway Tomorrow

I am happy to say Gaye Valle is the winner of one Yankee Candle Reed Diffuser, Sweet Nothings. (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Gaye for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by May 26, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com so I am able to send the puppet set to you. Thank you also to Yankee Candle for sending one for me to review and give away.

Tomorrow on May 21, 2018 I'm giving away one lovely "grandma" frame from GiftsForYouNow. You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

Teen Study Bibles for the Teens in Your Life

My oldest grandson is approaching a "milestone" in his life; he will be leaving the Children's Ministry at our church and entering the Student/Middle School Ministry. A big moment for sure! 

As I thought about this the other day, I realized he has a Children's Bible. An actual Bible, yes, but a Bible designed for children with illustrations on the covers and features inside to help children read and understand the Bible. I especially like two of the Children's Bibles he has - the Investigator's Bible and the Children's Quest Bible, but they are Bibles for children and what new Middle Schooler wants to bring a Children's Bible to church with them?

So, I found some Bibles for teens and Zondervan kindly sent them to me for review - today I'm very happy to let you know about them.

Help Your Grandchildren Learn With Science & the Bible

My grandsons enjoy science projects, so I try to find and plan opportunities for us to work on them from time to time. But, we do not do this just for the opportunity to learn whatever science lessons may be attached with the projects, but to also make connections to their own walk with God.

We are currently working on the old food coloring and carnations project. It is quite simple - put food coloring with the water in a vase of cut carnations, then wait - possibly as long as a day - to see what happens. My grandsons put blue food coloring in the water and I asked them to predict what they think will happen. At first they thought the food coloring would kill the flowers, but then they thought the food coloring would make the flowers turn blue.

I told them we will find out, but along with thinking about what might happen with flowers surrounded by blue food coloring in the water, I also wanted them to think about something else. What happens when they are surrounded with friends who love Jesus, or friends who do not? What happens if they surround their mind and how they think with God's Word, or they do not? What happens if they are people who pray and go to church, or not? I told them I didn't want them to answer these questions yet; just think about them.

Grandmas with Heart is on Pinterest

I thought you might like to know Grandmas with Heart has a blog, a facebook page and  twitter, but today I'm happy to let you know we now have a Pinterest page as well.

On the Pinterest page you will find all the memes we have posted . . . yes all of them!

Please feel free to check it out and share your favorites with the people you know. And, if you would like to follow us on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook and let the people you know about us, we would appreciate it!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway in Three Days

I am happy to say Kellyr78 is the winner of one Folkmanis Woodland Animal Finger Puppet Set. (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Kellyr78 for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by May 23, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com so I am able to send the puppet set to you. Thank you also to Folkmanis for sending one for me to review and give away.

In three days on May 19, 2018 I'm giving away one Yankee Candle Reed Diffuser, Sweet Nothings. You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

Tasty Recipe for Bread

I enjoy a tasty slice of homemade bread and when bread is so easy to bake and you are able to add healthy ingredients, like cracked wheat flour, oatmeal and squash, well, it makes any meal not only tastier, but more enjoyable, too! So, today I thought I'd share a recipe with you for some of the most tasty bread you will ever make.

God's Word Will Do What He Has Planned

Yes! God's Word will accomplish what He planned for it to accomplish; and we know He gave us His Word, so we will know Him. Be encouraged; if your children/grandchildren are not walking with God, this promise from God is for them, too! Spend time today reading God's Word and share with them this week how it is powerful in your life.

And, make it part of your prayers for them to see and experience how God's Word is real and powerful in their lives, too!

Please Join My Launch Team & Did You Know?

Grandparent statistics are always interesting - and fun! Enjoy these and if you are interested in joining the launch team for my book; "It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren", email me and I'll give you the info you will need as I move forward with the re-launch of this book.

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway in Three Days

I am happy to say FayeAnn Bristol. is the winner of one bag of blue popcorn! (You will find my review at this link.) 

Thank you FayeAnn for reading grandma's cookie jar, I will arrange to get your popcorn to you. Thank you also to Riehel's Select Popcorn for sending one for me to review and another for me to give away.

In three days on May 16, 2018 I'm giving away one Folkmanis Woodland Animal Finger Puppet Set. You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! We grandmas were mothers first, so this is a great day to especially remember God's blessing of your family and take time to thank God for them and pray for them to be people who love, know, seek and follow Him.

Thank you for all you do to care for, show love to and to live as someone who seeks God, lives righteously, shows wisdom and grace to all those with whom God has blessed you.

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Just for Fun - Mother's Day Trivia

Mother's Day is tomorrow, so I thought it would be fun to look at some Mother's Day trivia I found on-line. Did you know . . . 

• In Britain, during the Middle Ages, it was customary for the wealthy to give servants the day off on Mothering Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Lent), so they would be able to visit their mothers, who often lived far away.
• In Serbia, Mother’s Day is called Materice and is celebrated on the second Sunday before Christmas. Children sneak into their mother’s bedroom and gently tie her feet with ribbon or string. To negotiate her release, the mother gives her children small gifts. (Not much in it for Mom, but she does get to lie down for a bit.)

I also found the following Mother's Day trivia . . . 

Please Join My Launch Team

A few months back I invited you to join my Launch Team as I prepared to re-launch an updated version of my book; It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren. But then, as life is known to do from time-to-time, I became very busy and the re-launch was moved to a "back burner". Happily, I am ready to try once again to "re-launch" my book and am inviting you to join my Launch Team!

Free Kindle e-Book May 11-15, 2018

My book - Deeper in 4 Grandparents & Parents, Too! Praying the Scriptures for the Children You Love - Mini Edition is now available for you to download as a free Kindle e-Book! It will be available through Tuesday, May 15th, so feel free to get a copy and use it to pray for your walk with God and for your children and grandchildren as well! Check it out at this link and download a copy for yourself for free! (And please tell the parents and grandparents you know, so they are able to get a free copy as well.)

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Make This a Summer to Equip Yourself & Help Your Grandchildren Know & Believe the Truth!

When I was a child, it was a "given" the Bible was true. Everyone I knew - whether they went to church or not, believed the Bible was true. Teachers at school believed the Bible was true. My neighbors believed the Bible was true. Even people on TV, in shows we watched, believed the Bible was true. Clearly this is not the case today.

The world in which our grandchildren are growing up is different than it was when we were children. Today it is not a "given" the Bible is true. Our grandchildren are likely to know people who do not believe the Bible is true. They are likely to have teachers and neighbors who do not believe the Bible is true and see and hear on TV how the Bible is not true.

But, just because the world in which they live is different, it does not mean the Bible is not true. Truth is still the truth whether people believe it is true or not. So, this Summer, take time to research even one reason why we are able to believe the Bible is true and share the facts and evidence with your grandchildren. Yes, the Summer is a wonderful time to build fun memories, but it is also a great opportunity to help your grandchildren learn something important - they are able to believe the Bible, because it is true.

To help you do this I am going to give you a list of links to resources which you may use to learn and share with your grandchildren. (Follow the link for the full post)

Free Gift for You - a Kindle e-book

I'm very happy to share with you a simple tool which you may use to help you pray for yourself, your walk with God and for your daughters, sons, in-laws and grandchildren and their walks with God as well. What is this tool? The book - Deeper In 4 Grandparents & Parents, Too! Praying the Scriptures for the Children You Love - Mini Edition!

And, from tomorrow, May 11th at 12am through May 15, 2018 you are able to download the Kindle edition at this link for FREE! Yes, it is our gift to you, so please check it out, download a copy for yourself and share the link with the people you know so they are able to do the same!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Spring Gift Review & Giveaway - Cutting Board for Dad & Poppa

I was recently invited to review a Father's Day gift item from GiftsForYouNow. They asked me to pick an item from several they have available, personalize it and then they sent it to me, so I could write my opinion of it to let you know all about it. So, I selected the Cutting Board and asked them if another might be available for giveaway. I'm happy to say, they said they could make one more available, so after I let you know about this cutting board, I will share the details for the giveaway!

Make This a Summer to Make Memories & Build Your Relationship with Your Grandchildren

The Summer is the perfect time to do something very important  . . . spend time with your grandchildren. Some of my best memories from childhood center around Summer days fishing or playing games with my grandparents. I (Lynda) want my grandsons to be able to look back fondly on the times they spent at their Poppa and Grandma's house - especially in the Summer where they caught tadpoles and fireflies, held bunnies and snakes, camped in our yard and watched the stars with their dad and mom and just hung out and played games with us as well.

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway in Three Days

I am happy to say Terri C. is the winner of two Hipsy headbands! (You will find my review at this link.) 

Thank you Terri for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me your address (lyndagcj@gmail.com) by May 17, 2018, so I may send them to you. Thank you also to Hipsy for sending them for me to review and give away.

In three days on May 13, 2018 I'm giving away one bag of blue popcorn. You will find all the details at this link - someone will win . . . could be you!

GiftsForYouNow Graduation Bear

Do you have a graduate this year? If so, are you wondering what to give them? I was recently invited to review a personalized gift for the graduate and given the opportunity to order one item which I am writing to share my opinion about it today.

Make This a Summer to . . . Read!

As you think about making this a Summer to read with your grandchildren, you may wonder what books are out there and would make great titles to include in your Summer Reading List. Well, there are many, many wonderful books, but the following are a few of my favorites. Let's start with books for preschool and early elementary age children. (You will find the list at this link.)

Make This a Summer to Read - and Have Important Conversations With Your Grandchildren

Yesterday I wrote about using the Summer to help our grandchildren learn tonotice, remember and record how God shows His hand and His heart in their lives. Today I want to share a simple way we are able to impact our grandchildren and help them learn Who God Is and how they are able to know and follow Him.

So what is this, "simple way"? Reading books. Yes, books! Books are wonderful tools to help our grandchildren learn Who God Is, whether the book is a Christian book for children and teens or not. First let's look at using books with young grandchildren - near and far, and then we will look at the same with older grandchildren/teens - near and far. I will write a second post today with a few book reviews and recommendations. (Follow this link to read the rest of this post.)

Make This a Summer to Notice, Remember & Record!

Life is unpredictable. We do not know what is around the next "corner", but we are able to look back with 20/20 vision! This summer "grandma" on purpose and help your grandchildren - no matter their age or location - learn to keep track of what is behind them and learn to "exercise" their 20/20 vision!

Give your grandchildren their own notebooks/journals - and get one for yourself as well. In preparation for this activity, spend some time writing in your journal about how God has showed His wisdom and goodness to you over your lifetime, so you are able to trace His hand and trust His heart. (Check the rest of this post at the following link.)

 #grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose