Monday, November 28, 2011

Finding Christmas by James Calvin Schaap

A gift. The baby. The pageant. The parties. The worship. The afterglow. The story. These are the elements of almost every Christmas. In Finding Christmas, award-winning author James Calvin Schaap takes a look at each of these elements through seven stories that show how imperfect people can find joy and grace in an imperfect world. His eyes turn on an outgoing bus driver, a passionate mother, a daughter reluctant to return to church, and even his own assumed-mediocre performance at a Christmas pageant. Along the way, readers see how the amazing message of Christmas can be found in the oddest of places. This heartwarming read is both moving and magical and will help readers usher in a joyful Christmas season even amidst the howling winds of winter.

My Review - This book wasn't what I expected it to be. With each story I expected a little more. Sad to say but this was a let down for me. I can't quiet explain what more I wanted but with each story I'd think at the beginning oh this is going to get good. But before it could get good it just kind of fizzled out. Definitely glad it was a free nook book on Herbie.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many. Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.

Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.

Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.

Beautifully written, The Search is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past.

My Review - Oh how Suzanne Woods Fisher is such a wonderful author! Although I didn't like this book more then the one before it. I did love the fact that we saw glimpses of Maggie, Caleb, and Jorie. The little tid bit about Jorie in church with a toddler and baby made me smile. I also liked Lainey's story and how she just knew what God wanted for her and her life and she stuck with what God wanted her to do instead of what others wanted. More Christians should do that - me included! Overall this series is awesome and I can't wait to read more of Fisher's books.

Saturday and Sunday....

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!
November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!
November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.
November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws.
November 16th - I'm thankful for the changes in weather.
November 17th - I'm thankful for doctors.
November 18th - I'm thankful for God always looking out for me.
November 19th - I'm thankful for my church family.
November 20th - I'm thankful for my extended family.
November 21st - I'm thankful for my best friend Erica and all my other friends.
November 22nd - I'm thankful for the breath I take.
November 23rd - I'm thankful for my bed!
November 24th - I'm thankful for the state I live in.
November 25th - I'm thankful for music.

November 26th - I'm thankful for clean water to drink. We don't think about it very often but we are truly blessed if we have clean water to drink.

November 27th - I'm thankful to know how to crochet. I may not be able to read a pattern or crochet the "right" way. But as I've stated before in this blog I can crochet a blanket well enough for it to stay together and keep me or someone else warm :)

Friday, November 25, 2011

A few days of thankfulness...

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!
November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!
November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.
November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws.
November 16th - I'm thankful for the changes in weather.
November 17th - I'm thankful for doctors.
November 18th - I'm thankful for God always looking out for me.
November 19th - I'm thankful for my church family.
November 20th - I'm thankful for my extended family.
November 21st - I'm thankful for my best friend Erica and all my other friends.
November 22nd - I'm thankful for the breath I take.

November 23rd - I'm thankful for my bed! It's oh so comfy.

November 24th - I'm thankful for the state I live in. North Carolina is a very beautiful state. The way the leaves change colors in the fall and snow in the winter...That's my favorite!

November 25th - I'm thankful for music. Majority of the time I have music on. I'd rather listen to music any day over watching TV. And I especially love Mandisa, TobyMac, Jamie Grace and other artist like them.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Jorie King's life is on hold. She has been waiting for Ben Zook to return to Lancaster County. Waiting for him to settle down and join the church. Waiting to marry him.

But when news arrives that Ben has been killed, Jorie is devastated. She finds unlikely comfort in the friendship of his brother Caleb. Friendship ripens into love, and two broken hearts plan for a life filled with the promise of a fresh beginning--until their worlds are turned upside down.

With her realistic characters whose weaknesses develop into strengthes, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers a reading experience that rises above the others. You will love growing in spirit with these complex people living the simple life as The Waiting transports you into a world where things aren't as simple as they seem.

"More than just a story of the Amish, The Waiting is the story of a woman, sometimes triumphant, sometimes struggling, carried through turbulent times by a plain faith."--Lisa Wingate, national bestselling author of Tending Roses and Never Say Never

"Fisher takes the sweet story expected in Amish fiction and adds a kick of realism. I treasured my time with Jorie King and the whole Zook family, sharing their grief and laughter--what a lovely read."--Sarah Sundin, author of Wings of Glory series

Suzanne Woods Fisher's interest in the Anabaptist culture can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is the author of The Choice, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. She hosts an internet radio show called Amish Wisdom and lives with her family in California.

Review on 11/20/11 - No book has ever made me want to post a review before I'm actually done with it. But this part of the book moved me. Here's the part...

"What will it be like in heave?" Maggie asked Mary Ann as she handed her a warm mug.
....
"Maggie, how do your hands feel right now, holding on to that warm mug after playing in the cold?" "Good." "Really good?" She nodded. "But after a while, that good feeling fades away." She nodded again. "In heaven, that good feeling won't go away. That warm good feeling is like the presence of God, and it will last for all eternity."

All I can say is WOW!!! What an amazing example for a child and, apparently, for a 28 year old woman like me. I will never forget this example or this part of the book. Very few books move me enough to shed a tear or tell my husband what is going on in it but this book did both. I shed a tear or two while I was reading it and then after that I told my husband and shed another few. Amazing!

My Final Review - I LOVED this book. I don't know if it's cause I'm pregnant with a little girl but Maggie just touched me in this story. Jorie and Cal were very touching as well. Overall this book is going on my favorites list. It's a must read and you really don't even have to read the series in order for the books to make sense. In my review of the first book, The Choice, I was worried that would make me not like the book because they had nothing to do with each other...BUT it didn't factor into my liking of the book at all. Fisher painted wonderful pictures with words throughout the book. Sylvia and her daughter Esther did get on my nerves quiet a bit. But I think Fisher was trying to show that no matter where you go in life you are always going to have those people that try to make life hard for you. And that maybe we non-Amish people need to take an Amish approach to them and kill them with kindness so to speak. Again, I LOVED this book and you should read it!

Breathing is good...

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!
November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!
November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.
November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws.
November 16th - I'm thankful for the changes in weather.
November 17th - I'm thankful for doctors.
November 18th - I'm thankful for God always looking out for me.
November 19th - I'm thankful for my church family.

November 20th - I'm thankful for my extended family.


November 21st - I'm thankful for my best friend Erica and all my other friends.

November 22nd - I'm thankful for the breath I take. I've never had breathing problems but I've seen and been around people who have and I couldn't imagine! God is good!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Happy Birthday Erica!! :)

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!
November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!
November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.
November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws.
November 16th - I'm thankful for the changes in weather.
November 17th - I'm thankful for doctors.
November 18th - I'm thankful for God always looking out for me.
November 19th - I'm thankful for my church family.

November 20th - I'm thankful for my extended family. Yesterday we had my Daddy's side Thanksgiving dinner. It was cool to see everyone :) And then Thursday I'll see my mom's side. Unless Maddie shows up and then I'm sure I'll see everyone who comes to visit us in the hospital!

November 21st - I'm thankful for my best friend Erica and all my other friends. I've been saving this just for this day because today is Erica's birthday! I've been very blessed to find my best friend through a dominoes game many years ago online! We met for the first time in person 4 years ago for my wedding in which she was my Matron of Honor. I haven't seen her since then, which has been WAY to long, but hopefully at some point we can meet up again! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERICA!!


Saturday, November 19, 2011

YAY!!!

Nope, no baby yet...BUT I did meet my goal of reading 50 books for 2011! :) I had set this goal at the first of the year just like I did last year. Last year I didn't meet my goal but this year I did. I can't believe it! :)

Thankful list continues...

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :)
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!
November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!
November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.
November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws.
November 16th - I'm thankful for the changes in weather.
November 17th - I'm thankful for doctors.
November 18th - I'm thankful for God always looking out for me.

November 19th - I'm thankful for my church family. I go to a fairly small church and although there are times where I would change some things about my church, who wouldn't, for the most part I know that those people always have my back and love me. And this is where God wants me right now! :)

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Lancaster County has always been her home--but where does her heart belong?

One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl--plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Or will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?

A tender story of love, forgiveness, and looking below the surface, The Choice uncovers the sweet simplicity of the Amish world--and shows that it's never too late to find your way back to God.

"Fisher's writing brings that Amish sense of peace into your own world. The Choice brings an entirely new perspective to the Amish way of life. You will love it!"--Kristin Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants

"A story of endearing characters. . . . Fisher writes with a fresh mix of humor and depth, splashing raw emotion onto the pages. I guarantee your heart will be touched."--Ginger Kolbaba, founding editor of Kyria.com, former editor of Today's Christian Woman, and author of Desperate Pastors' Wives

Suzanne Woods Fisher's interest in the Anabaptist culture can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is the author of Amish Peace and lives with her family in California.

My Review - I liked this book from the moment I started reading it. Esther got on my nerves, as did Emma. But I liked Carrie. I was shocked with what went on with Daniel and then Abel too. I also liked Mattie and her story line. I've already started reading the second book in the series and the only draw back for me is that the second book doesn't continue following Carrie and her story it starts with another one. Although I'm not very far into the book I'm hoping that this story line will somehow include Carrie and her family. But my husband says I always want the story line to continue with everything from books to movies so maybe that's just me! :) Either way I'm sure I'll continue reading Fisher's books.

Friday, November 18, 2011

God is good...

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :)
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!
November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!
November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.
November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws.
November 16th - I'm thankful for the changes in weather.
November 17th - I'm thankful for doctors.

November 18th - I'm thankful for God always looking out for me. So recently I received a bill from some ultrasounds for Maddie. Now this bill wasn't crazy expensive but it was a bill none the less. I called today to set up a payment plan and the lady was like you need to pay $50 a month! I said there's no way. So she checked out to see if we could get help with the bill through their financial aid. And praise the Lord we did! They helped us out by taking 75% off our bill. So now this bill is WAY less. The lady was like I could have gotten you 100% off if, I stopped her and said no, I'm so thankful for 75% and thank you for everything. So that's my thankfulness and praise for today! God is good!



Update on Maddie and her room...

I just realized I hadn't posted on how Maddie is lately so I thought I'd share...

I'm 38 weeks and 4 days and very uncomfortable but completely okay with it cause I know it'll be well worth it. Last week I was having Braxton Hicks contractions pretty regularly and then on Thursday night around 11 or so I started having these pains in my back and around to my front. The way I describe them: felt like a kidney stone in the back and cramps in the front. So we went to the hospital cause I was hurting bad. I told Jamie that even if I wasn't pregnant these pains would make me go to the hospital because they were weird and painful. They said I wasn't having contractions and that I very well could have a kidney stone but everything else looked normal. So it's like a double whammy as Jamie says kidney stone pain and then the Braxton Hicks contractions were painful too. Came home and slept pretty much all day on Friday. BUT the Braxton Hicks contractions have pretty much stopped :( So now it's just waiting until God and Maddie are ready for her to be apart of this world. I have been very anxious, nervous, scared, excited, (pretty much you name it I feel it) about her arrival. But after an emotional breakdown yesterday I feel some better about it. She'll come eventually and I won't be pregnant forever (even though I feel like I will). haha.

After all that chit chat here are some pictures of her room...








So that's her room in a nutshell! :) Not the best pictures I know but I never claimed to be a photographer! My favorite part of the room is probably her name or the wall decals. My favorite part of the room that won't always stay in the room is the quilt on the rocking chair. My best friend Erica made it for me and I'll always treasure it, as I'm sure Maddie will.

Five Question Friday and Friday Fill-Ins - ENJOY!! :)



Been a while since I took part in Five Question Friday but I thought I would today! :)

1. Do you have a go to song that always puts you in a good mood? Yep...Jamie Grace's One Song At A Time or pretty much any of her songs...Mandisa has that going for her too! :) All of her songs are good...

2. Are you a real Christmas tree kinda person or do you go with a real fake one? Trick question...Growing up my dad and I would always go out the Saturday after Thanksgiving to the Christmas Tree Farm and we'd cut down a real tree. It was a mess always but then I wasn't the one cleaning it up. Now we have a fake tree that my parents bought my husband and I as a Christmas gift one year. I love it other then pulling apart the limbs.

3. What are you thankful for? Read my previous post and keep coming back to see the rest of the month! :)

4. Which fashion fad from the past do you wish you could wear today? Nothing really. I'm happy with what I wear now, well before I was pregnant I was happy with what I wore! haha. Now nothing is comfortable!

5. Do you wait until the "low fuel" light comes on before you fill up the gas tank? No! My husband and I are a little OCD about this...We fill up every Tuesday unless I haven't been driving my car (like lately) and then there is just no need. And it's more me then him that's OCD about it, because I take out a certain amount of $$ for gas from our checks when we pay bills. If we fill up around the same time each week then it's the same amount usually so therefore we can spend less! :) (That's my reasoning and I'm sticking to it!)

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Gotta love Friday Fill-Ins...So here are mine! :)

1. As you can see it's Friday!

2. Maddie come soon! (PLEASE!!!!)

3. I love to buy baby stuff at the present...But before it was books, yarn, and pocketbooks.

4. Wonderful gift(s). (Everyone loves to receive a gift, don't act like you don't!) :)

5. What's up with the world we live in...kind of crazy, ya think?

6. Typing fingertips.

7. **Before you read my weekend plans, all this is pending if I feel the need to have a baby - which I'm more then okay with** And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching a few shows and crocheting some, tomorrow my plans include hopefully finishing this baby boy blanket I'm making (and no Maddie is not a boy) and then for dinner we're having Thanksgiving Dinner at my church and Sunday, I want to go to church, eat Thanksgiving Lunch with my Daddy's side and then spend the evening with my wonderful husband!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Doctor, Doctor...

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :)
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!
November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!
November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.
November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws.
November 16th - I'm thankful for the changes in weather.

November 17th - I'm thankful for doctors.  Although sometimes I honestly wonder if they know what they are doing, majority of the time I trust them fully and rely on them. Especially through-out my pregnancy I've trusted them.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Changing Weather & Wednesday Hodgepodge

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :)
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!
November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!
November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.
November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws.

November 16th - I'm thankful for the changes in weather...Yep you read that right, although I LOVE winter and don't really care for summer, could you imagine if we only had winter or we only had summer?\

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1. What song reminds you of a specific time in your life and what is it about this song that makes you remember? Hum...Probably Puff Daddy's I'll Be Missing You cause it reminds me, along with tons of other songs, of Florida and the two years I lived there.

2. What’s something you’ve given up on? Ever going more then a few days without a headache. It seems I have them ALL the time.
 
3. What’s something you’ll never give up on? Getting closer to God and being happy with my husband!

4. If you had to cook something from scratch in the next hour what would it be? UM...Peach Tea?! haha...No I don't know, maybe cookies or some other dessert.

5. Have you started Christmas shopping? Decorating? Listening to Christmas music? Nope, haven't done anything. I don't know when Christmas shopping will get done if it gets done at all this year. Decorating - the tree is most likely not going up this year but maybe we'll get some other decorations out after Thanksgiving. And the Christmas music doesn't start until after Thanksgiving as well. I am all about waiting until at least the day after Thanksgiving to do ANYTHING with Christmas.

6. What do you know about your parent’s wedding? That it was in September 1981. And that when I was little I use to say that I was there because I was a twinkle in my Daddy's eye. Obviously I wasn't born then so I wasn't there technically. haha

7. I can’t believe I___________________ the weather these days! Am loving the rain

8. Insert your own random thought here. I am so ready for Maddie to get here! 

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin

Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.

Fleeing small-town gossip, Alice heads to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to the library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn. Dropped off by her relatives, Alice volunteers to stay for two weeks to help the librarian, Leslie McDougal.

But the librarian turns out to be far different than she anticipated--not to mention the four lady librarians who travel to the remote homes to deliver the much-desired books. While Alice is trapped in Acorn against her will, she soon finds that real-life adventure and mystery--and especially romance--are far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.

My Review - I love Lynn Austin! What I hate is when I love an author, example: Lynn Austin, and I've read all her books. That being said, obviously I think Lynn Austin is a pretty awesome author and I've read all her books. When she came out with this book I honestly thought about buying it but I'd never spent more then $5 on a book for my Nook, aka Herbie. I hate making decisions but I finally broke down and just bought the book cause I wanted something really good to read and I knew this book wouldn't let me down. AND it didn't! From the moment I started reading this book I loved how much Alice loved to read. And all the different things that went on in Acorn were CRAZY! I'd have been furious with Mack and Lillie many different times if I'd been Alice. But I love how it changed her and I loved how the book ended. I don't get to say that often about a book but I did love how this book ended. I can't wait until Austin comes out with more books for me to devour.

November 15th Thankful Post...

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :)
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!

November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God!

November 14th - I'm thankful for my job.

November 15th - I'm thankful for my in-laws. We can get on each others nerves sometimes, them on mine and me on theirs. BUT we love each other and we're family. They raised a wonderful son who is a wonderful husband! :)

Monday, November 14, 2011

Thankful days 13 & 14

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :)
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!
November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God!

November 13th - I'm thankful for the word of God! It's amazing what He can show you when you just look in his word!

November 14th - I'm thankful for my job. Although I'm not working right now, because of being pregnant, I do have a pretty good job. I work at a daycare and majority of the time it's pretty great!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Virtue by Amanda Hocking

In a world filled with magic, love might be the final answer in the eternal battle between good and evil. When Lux is tasked with retrieving the virtuous Lily for his master, his entire world is put in jeopardy. Lux must battle goblins, demon dogs, and sea dragons to rescue the one he loves, and that's only the beginning of what he must face...

Virtue is a fairy tale for young adults with action, suspense, and romance. It contains mild language and some suggestive dialogue. Recommended ages 14 and up.

My Review - This book was pretty good. It started out slow for me because I didn't know what was going on really. But the more I got into it the more I couldn't put it down. I love how easy Hocking's books are to read. And how once you read one of her books you want to read them all, right away! Wick was one of my favorite characters and Gula. It was another great read from Hocking, not my favorite but it was well worth paying for and reading! Can't wait to see what she comes out with next! Overall I give it a 4 star!

Six Word Saturday and Thankfulness!

What are you thankful for today?


So what are you thankful for today? I know it's the month of thanksgiving and I know I jumped on the bandwagon of posting something I was thankful for each day this month but we really should be thankful everyday! Anyhow, with that little bit of guidance to myself and to others, here is my list of thankfulness for November 2011!

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :)
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on!

November 12th - I'm thankful to be a child of God! Yes I'm a child of God and he's a wonderful Father to me! :)

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thankful for my.............

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.
November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.
November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :)
November 11th - I'm thankful for the computer to get on! Otherwise you wouldn't be reading this now would you! :)

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Thankful for reading....And Herbie!

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters.

November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband.

November 10th - I'm thankful for books to read and my Herbie! :) Every since I was little I've loved to read. I've always had a book with me and last year for Christmas my wonderful husband, the one I was thankful for yesterday, got me a Nook whom I named Herbie! I love that I can have tons of books in my pocket book and they weight next to nothing. Anyhow, I love to read and I'm thankful I know how!

Having A Mary Heart in a Marth World by Joanna Weaver

An invitation for every woman who feels she isn't godly enough...isn't loving enough...isn't doing enough

The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord's feet...but the daily demands of a busy world just won't leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him...yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.

Then comes Jesus, right into the midst of your busy Mary/Martha life-and he extends the same invitation he issued long ago to the two sisters of Bethany. Tenderly he invites you to choose "the better part"-a joyful life of "living-room" intimacy with him that flows naturally into "kitchen service" for him.

How can you make that choice? With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story and its creative, practical strategies, Joanna shows how all of us-Marys and Marthas alike-can draw closer to our Lord, deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing both with less stress and greater joy.

My Review - I loved this book even if it did take me FOREVER to read it. It made me feel like there was more to my relationship with God then just Him being God. He's my Dad! He wants only the best for me and part of that best for me is an intimate relationship with him. I still feel like I should do more for Him but sometimes it isn't about that. It's about sitting down and just spending time with him. An amazing book by an amazing woman. I can't wait to read the second book, Having a Mary Spirit.

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

The Witches of Santa Anna by Lauren Barnholdt & Aaron Gorvine

The complete set of season one of the Witches of Santa Anna series of novellas...Includes CLAIMED, TRICKED, RUMORED, HUSHED, PURSUED, ENTICED, and RUINED.

Natalia Moore is the new girl at Santa Anna Prep, and all she wants to do is fly under the radar -- get to her classes, meet a few friends, and try not to make a total fool of herself in the meantime. But when handsome and popular Campbell Elliot goes out of his way to be nice to the new girl, Natalia's plan to go unnoticed flies out the window.

Cam's hot, but he's completely off-limits. Raine Marsden, the most popular and meanest girl in school, has had her eye on him ever since the summer. And Raine doesn't like competition.

When Cam goes as far as inviting Natalia to the exclusive weekend party at Raine's house, Raine sets her sights on a new victim. But what Natalia doesn't know is that Raine and her friends are no ordinary mean girls. They have powers most people can only dream of, and nobody will stand in the way of what they want. And what Raine wants is Campbell.

The Witches of Santa Anna series of novellas, proves just how far true love will go and that nothing--not even pure evil--can change your destiny.

My Review - This book was a quick read for me. I liked how it was seven different books put into one book. I'd like to read the other books eventually but they most likely won't be the book that I read next. Raine got on my nerves all through the book even before I knew who she was. I didn't like her from the first mention of her in the book. I felt the same way about Becca and Terri. Overall a pretty good book. I gave it 3 stars cause I liked it.

Opps...

I missed yesterday...So sorry...To be quiet honest, and this may shock some people, I only got on the computer for maybe 15 minutes yesterday. My husband and I spent the day together which was nice although he was frustrated at the car place (they were supposed to fix his car and didn't!) and I was uncomfortable. BUT he took me to get a pedicure. It was AWESOME! He said that he'd remember me saying that I wanted to have a pedicure before Maddie got here and that was his anniversary gift to me. Then we went out to dinner last night to a new restaurant and it was very tasty! I love that man! Anyhow, moving away from the gushy talk and onto the thankful list.....

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive.
November 8th - I'm thankful for my sisters. Although they can be a pain (I mean they're sisters!), I still love them and I'm glad that God put them in my life. There is a pretty long story about how Jessi and Jamie (not my husband Jamie, sister Jamie! haha) came to be my sisters, maybe I'll post it one day...

November 9th - I'm thankful for my husband. Four years ago today I married the man of my dreams. Besides my dad I don't know a greater man. I can honestly say that we've had ups and downs but God made us for each other. I can't wait to see him be a really good Daddy to Maddie and I'm sure it'll make me fall-in love with him all over again.

Monday, November 07, 2011

Day 7....

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat.
November 7th - I'm thankful for a car to drive. Again, like the house, it's not my dream car but it a very dependable car and it gets me where I need to go. :)

Sunday, November 06, 2011

On the 6th day of being thankful.....

I wasn't sure if I should include my whole list or not. SO I decided to include the short list. So instead of you having to scroll through the whole explanation for each day, I'll just post what the date and the list of thankfulness! :) Enjoy the continuation......

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma.
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read.
November 6th - I'm thankful for food to eat. Here lately I've been hungry all the time and I'm thankful for the means to be able to have food in my house, may not be what I want always BUT there is always something to eat.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Six Word Saturday and a few days late but...

Thankfulness, I'm jumping on the bandwagon!

I'm jumping on the bandwagon of being thankful. I know you've seen people posting on Facebook what they are thankful for. Well, I did that last year and wanted to do something different this year. So I'm blogging about what I'm thankful for! (Warning: I may miss a few days when Maddie is born - I'm really hoping she'll come this month like she's supposed to - but I'll jump back on it as soon as I can!) :)

So here's to catch up....

November 1st - I'm thankful for my house. Although it's not my dream house it still keeps me warm and dry. I'm blessed to even have a house in today's world I know.
November 2nd - I'm thankful for my Momma. She's an amazing woman and can drive me crazy but I know that no matter what she has my back and will love me through anything and everything! Love you Momma!
November 3rd - I'm thankful for my Daddy. (Of course he was coming on the 3rd day since Momma was the 2nd! DUH!) Anyhow, my Daddy is a wonderful God fearing man who raised me to follow God and not the world. He's a pretty awesome preacher, if I do say so myself. And I know that he too, like my Momma, would have my back and love me through anything and everything. Oh yes, and the way he treats my Momma taught me the way I should be treated too.
November 4th - I'm thankful for chocolate. Sounds trivial doesn't it? But it's good stuff.
November 5th - I'm thankful for being able to read. This is one of my favorite things to do...sit and read. It takes you to another world and lets you imagine how different life could be through a story. I hope I pass my love of reading onto Maddie.

She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell


During New York City's Gilded Age...The game is played amid banquets and balls. The prize is a lifetime of wealth and privilege. The rules will test friendships and the desires of a young woman's heart. Clara Carter is the social season's brightest star...but at what cost?

My Review - Although this book ended awesome in my mind, I could predict what was coming and the way they went about "courting" was wild. I am so glad I didn't live during this time. I think going to the balls and dinners would be cool but I know it'd have to get exhausting. AND the corset. My wedding dress was a corset top and I couldn't imagine wearing something like that everyday, all day, ALL the time like Clara was expected too. And then to find out what happened to her mother. No way! I also liked Harry and Lizzie a lot. I know this book took me a while to get into cause of my attention span these days but I wasn't really sucked in until the last quarter of the book. I like for a book to suck me in from the first page. Overall, I'm giving it a 3 star for just liking it.

Friday, November 04, 2011

Homemade Taco Seasoning

So I mentioned the other day when I posted about the Taco Soup that I'd made my own Taco Seasoning instead of going to the store and buying the packets. I found the recipe on Pinterest, (have you tried that site yet, it's awesome!) and we had all the ingredients (shocking) so I decided instead of driving to the store I'd try the recipe. Here's the Pin from Pinterest...And here's the website that I got the recipe from Smells Like Home.


Homemade Taco Seasoning
source: adapted from Delish and Allrecipes

1/4 cup ancho chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp paprika
2 tbsp ground cumin
3 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

To use: Use 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in place of a packet of store-bought taco seasoning. Combine 2 tbsp cornstarch with 1 cup cold water and stir to dissolve cornstarch. In a large saute pan set over medium-high heat, brown 1lb ground beef, turkey or chicken, add seasoning and cornstarch-water mixture, and simmer over low heat until liquid has thickened.

I stored mine in a canning jar but I plan on getting something more practical for it. AND when I was making the Taco Soup the other night I did not add the cornstarch to the recipe.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Friday Fill-Ins

  
And...here we go!

1. In November, I most look forward to um....having a baby and celebrating my 4 year anniversary with my hubby!

2. That was exhausting...phew!

3. It's right there, in the near future...

4. Trusting God gives me peace of mind.

5. Water, I hear is good for you.

6. Well, babe is what my grandmother used to say!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to laying around the house (I mean resting!), tomorrow my plans include resting some more and Sunday, I want to go to church and then rest!