Busy Running with Kids

I hope you had a great 3 day weekend, We had a great pool/bbq day. Just an easy day with family that stopped in.

I've been very busy catching up with my book reviews, sorry to post so many in one shot but with moving and getting settled I was so behind. Do you enjoy reading the reviews or skip them?

I've been re-arranging the living room and I think I have it the way I like until we can buy one huge wall unit. I'm still looking for a pic for above the T.V.

 

We have had Richards Kindergarten class play and he was a Ladybug...so cute!

This little guy slowly made his way thru our backyard thankfully while the kids were in school and the dogs were inside..lol..

Last but not least we ran back up to the farmhouse in OH to grab the last of our stuff, that whole ride was a trip as the tire on the trailer we rented from U-haul had a flat on the side of the mountain in W. Virginia which cut us back 3 hours on travel time...then the transmission in my car overheated because of the trailer just 5 mins from our house...unpacked, car is fine, everything is getting settled.

I'm ready for Summer just so the kids and I can catch our breath, really concentrate on setting up the bedrooms how they want them and no schedules!! Hopefully meet some kids our age and maybe a Mom or two for me to chat with.

What are your plans for the Summer? Staycation or some traveling involved?

Happy Memorial Day

Let us not forget what this day is about.

Enjoy your day with Family and Friends and take a moment to say a Prayer for those special people.

Beside Still Waters~ A Book Review

• Pub. Date: April 2011
• Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
• Format: Paperback , 320pp
• Sales Rank: 85,012

• ISBN-13: 9781433668685
• ISBN: 1433668688

Raised among the Amish of Indiana, 18-year-old Marianna Sommer plans to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and set up life in the only community she has ever known. But when her older brother chooses the world’s path following his rumschpringe, and a younger sibling begins showing interest in Englisch ways, Marianna’s parents move the family to Montana.Although she is also in her rumschpringe years and not obligated to move, Marianna makes the journey to dutifully help her mother who is expecting another child. Surprisingly, from strangers on the cross-country train ride to the less rigid stance of the new Montana community, many Englisch influences awaken within Marianna—and even her father—the desire to pursue a deeper kind of joy and love for God.After an accident, Marianna tells her friend Ben a defining story about the Sommer family, and his response further illumines the active relationship God seeks with His followers. In due time, she learns the move from Indiana was not about losing anything, but finding out who God really is. Despite all the shake-ups, Marianna feels a sweet peace, like still waters, in her soul.

This is a start to a great new Amish Series. I really felt for Marianna during her move to Montana and having to start fresh with friendships and the loss of everything she left back home. I found it similar to what we are going thru here since we moved from OH to FL. Marianna has a tuogh time making some very adult decisions but in the end she makes the right ones for her and her family. I will be looking for the newest one soon.

This book was provided to me by Litfuse Publicity Group for review, all opinions are my own.

A Billion Reasons Why~ A Book Review

• Pub. Date: February 2011
• Publisher: Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
• Format: Paperback , 307pp
• Sales Rank: 73,468

• ISBN-13: 9781595547910
• ISBN: 1595547916

He's a handsome billionaire. She's not impressed.
Katie McKenna has never loved any man but one: billionaire Luc DeForges. He was her first love. But there are a billion reasons why she's engaged instead to Dexter Hastings, a solid and stable man who wants the same things she does: marriage and a family but all of the things that she wants without the deep-seeded pain and fear of being abandoned that Luc brings.
Dexter and she have worked an arrangement that's akin to faith without action, love without deeds -- a dead faith. Going home to New Orleans to sing for her childhood friend's wedding, Katie must search her heart to find out if any of her reasons for being with Dexter are stronger than love. Only when Katie steps fully into faith and jumps off the cliff of life into the arms of Luc does she understand the fullness of God's grace.

I'll be honest here, I really tried to get into this book and I read the first 50 pages of every book to see if I can get into it. I had trouble from page 1.  The story line is not to my liking. The plot is okay but it seems to follow every movie that has been made in the early 90's.  Maybe that's why I couldn't really get into this book, I've seen all the movie's and have already figured out the ending. It was an okay book but not one for my "Keep" pile.

BookSneeze sent me this book to read and review, opinions are my own.

My Foolish Heart~ A Book Review

• Pub. Date: April 2011
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Format: Paperback , 384pp
• Sales Rank: 104,888

• Series: Deep Haven Series
• ISBN-13: 9781414334820
• ISBN: 1414334826

Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.
Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast.
Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

I have finished this book while unpacking the last of the boxes here at our new house and this was such a moving story to me as I have imperfections just like Issy. The storyline was easy to follow and I found myself rooting for Issy and Caleb to work thru their issues and fall in love...I love a happy ending!

There are a couple more "Deep Haven" novels that I will be searching out to read!

Tyndale was kind enough to send me this book to review, opinions are my own.

Plain Wisdom~ A Book Review

Best-selling novelist Cindy Woodsmall might seem to have little in common with Miriam Flaud, a woman immersed in the culture of Old Order Amish. But with nine children and almost 60 years of marriage between them, Cindy and Miriam both have found the secrets to facing life with strength and grace. Whether enduring financial setbacks, celebrating new babies and times of prosperity, grieving the crushing losses in the deaths of family and friends, or facing disappointments with their respective communities—through it all they find guidance for each day by looking to God. 

With poignant recollections, unexpected insights, and humorous tales, the two women welcome you into their unique friendship.  You’ll also gain a rare glimpse into the traditions and ways of the Amish as Miriam recalls special occasions and shares family recipes throughout the book.

Plain Wisdom is a heartwarming celebration of God, womanhood, and the search for beauty that unites us all. So grab your cup and your quilt and settle in for a soul-comforting read with Plain Wisdom.

I read this book before we moved and I liked learning little insider tidbits about the Amish. I found it interesting to read how the Amish and English have the same problems but take different directions in solving the issues at hand. We lived down the road from a few Amish and they waved to us every Sunday morning while on their way to Church. I do miss looking out our kitchen window and seeing them pass by.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Mother's Day 2011

I woke up this morning to a Pancake breakfast and homemade cards and gifts from my little ones. 

We are going to have an easy day today puttering around the house. What are your plans for the day?

Enjoy the day with your Mom and tell her how much you Love her, Each day is a gift!