Refreshed

I had a wonderful past two days that I'll share more about later.  I'll sum it up by saying that I was with 2 wonderful friends and was so encouraged in my journey through motherhood.  I was forced to spend the entire day with nothing taking my attention away from my kids.  It was great!  I'm so thankful for the opportunity we had to go camping.  Like I said, I'll share more about that later, along with pictures.  This post is mostly to say that I feel refreshed.  I feel like my vision for my family and for my children is more clear.  I see the strengths and weaknesses of both my children AND myself more clearly.  I found out that I am apparently more patient than I thought I was.  We talked a lot about judgment from others (whether it's based on food, nursing, bottle feeding, etc.) when we really do want the best for our family and that mommy guilt others give when we leave our children to keep our marriages strong.  We were reminded how important it was for us to keep our husbands 2nd and our children 3rd.  We got to see God's beautiful creation and spend all day out in it playing with our kids.  I can't believe how much better I feel after having been cut off from the world for a few days.  It was REALLY nice!  I'd highly recommend all moms take a trip with their kids where it's you and them and no house to clean, no work to do, no phones or emails to answer to.  Refreshment.  That was just what my family needed.

Book Review: From the Garden to the City by John Dyer

"I'm attached to my phone."  "I spend way too much time on the computer."  "Just text me."  "Facebook me."  "Love my Ipod.  I have music at my fingertips all the time."  "My husband and I sit in the same room on the same couch and we IM each other."  I can honestly say that I've heard someone say one of these comments or I myself have been guilty of these thoughts.  For a while, I have thought a lot about technology and the fact that it is good and I like it.  However, with all of these new things coming out, I find myself adapting and becoming more reliant on technology.  At times, I get lost in blogs because I want to know more about these people who write them, whether they are my friends or blogs that I just enjoy reading or gathering information from.

John Dyer talks about how technology can affect our relationship with God.  He talks about how technology is great at making large groups of people do things that they probably wouldn't do as individuals.  He warns about social networking and how powerful it can be in our lives.  I think many of us can attest to that.  I mean, I (and many of my friends) have had to cut down on computer time because it was eating away into their productive time.  I know you've heard people say that they are addicted to Facebook.  Dyer brings awareness about how social networking changes our culture, whether good or bad.

I enjoyed the chapter where he discusses how God can operate both through and against technology if He so chooses.  It was a good reminder that technology can have the tendency to rob us of our precious time that God intended for us to use in a different way.  This sometimes happens without us knowing it.  He shares that the nature of technology is to transform.  Think about it.  That's usually a sales pitch..."it'll transform the way you spend your time."  "It'll make you more productive."  "It'll change your life."  The question is: How will we let it transform us?  Will we let it control us or will we control it?  What kind of limits do we need to set for ourselves?  When does technology become a problem?

I never thought about technology in relationship to the Bible and God before.  I enjoyed the correlations Dyer made and thought that it was very interesting.  If you want to understand this correlation more, check out this book.

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I received this book free rom Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Book Review: Thank You, God, for Loving Me by Max Lucado

This is a cute little board book that is perfect for small children.  I love the reminder that it gives to kids that we should be thankful to God for all He has done for us.  Max writes a rhyming story with Hermie gracing the pages throughout the book.  Not only does Hermie remind us to be thankful, but he also reminds us of all that God does for us, such as guiding us or helping us make the right decisions.

This book is perfect for any child, particularly a child that is between 0-2 years old.  My youngest child is 16 months old and she has carried this book around the house looking at it's bright colors.  It's short enough that she doesn't lose her attention in the book, either, and holds up well when it makes her way into her mouth.

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I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <[...]> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Fearless Swimmer

B is fearless when it comes to the water.  That's one reason that we're going to try to do swimming lessons this winter/spring.  I took his floats off one day in the pool and decided to try to let him swim on his own.  I thought that if he started to sink, then he'd be scared and wouldn't jump in without us.  Nope.  He didn't care!  He likes to put his face in the water and swim by breathing how you normally would when you're swimming.  He also likes to jump off anything...boats, diving boards, the side, a raft, truly anything.  I have one picture (if I can ever find it) of him hanging on to a basketball goal at Uncle M's house.  He likes to have Daddy T lift him up so he can hold on to it and then he falls into the pool when he lets go.  I love my fearless boy, but there are many times I wish he was fearful!  I have to work with him on having a healthy fear of certain things.  I love this little boy!

Book Review: Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan

Catharine Olsen leaves Holland to become a mail order bride to a man in Wyoming.  When she shows up, Peter Anderson is glad that she's there.  However, Catharine just might have forgotten to tell him one thing.  Oh, it's a small thing.  Only that her two sisters were coming along with her.  The perfect way to start a marriage!  Peter may be a bit frustrated, but he recovers quickly and is glad that she's all she seemed to be in her letters.  He's kind to her, patient, and truly seems to love her.  Just because Peter loves her as his wife doesn't mean that all of his family is thrilled that he's taken this route in finding a wife.  His mother certainly doesn't hide her feelings for Catharine and sets out to do all she can to ruin their marriage.  Catharine is terrified that with enough prying by her mother-in-law, some of Catharine's deepest secrets and a past that she'd rather have concealed. 

With several stories weaved throughout the main story, it makes for a wonderful book that is hard to put down.  It's a book that seems to draw you in from page 1.  I've never read anything by Maggie Brendan but I definitely plan to now.  I can't wait until the second book comes out in this series.  I'm sure it will be even better than this one!

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I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55

Book Review: Walk Strong, Look Up by Chantel Hobbs

So, what gets you through those tough runs or those long walks during your exercise time?  What thoughts circle your head?  For me, I use my run as a time to thank God for my health and His creation.  When I focus on the parts of my body that are working overtime, I try to thank Him for allowing me the opportunity to run when some people are so sick that they can't even get out of bed.  I use that time to simply thank Him for all I see while I run.  If I'm burdened over someone or something, I also use that time to lift that up to Him, as well.  If I'm running near the high school, I also remember to pray for my therapy clients and my children who will one day be at that age, as well as any kids I work with that I know are in school.

This book is combining exercise with God.  Too often, we separate these when in all honesty, exercise provides the perfect time to spend with God in conversation with Him.  Chantel Hobbs lays out a walking plan (for those who need somewhere to start), but also pairs it with things you are to meditate on each week.  It's a month long process with each day spelled out for you.  Packed in the pages are recipes, nutrition information and answers to some of the most asked questions.

Chantel Hobbs is a motivational speaker, a life coach, personal trainer, marathon runner, wife, and mother of four.  She's been featured on many magazines, television shows, and radio programs.  If you're looking for something to help change up your exercise routine, give it a try.  If you're looking at getting into exercise and have no idea where to start, start with this book.

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I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55

Book Review: Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon

I'll be up front on this book.  It's honestly not usually the type of book that I like.  I'm not a suspense person.  I get too nervous and always feel like I need to flip to the end of the book first so I can prepare myself for what lies ahead and not get too attached to the characters that aren't going to make it to the end.  With that said, I actually enjoyed this book.  It wasn't so intense that I thought that I needed to put it down and take a break!  I was shocked to find that I enjoyed it.

The second book in the Guardians of Justice series, I felt that I could easily pick up on the characters without having read the first book.  Alison Taylor, a social worker, spends her life protecting people.  Mitch Morgan is an ex-Navy SEAL who is brought in to help protect Alison when she is at a point where she needs to be protected.  Oh, and did I forget to mention that Mitch, who just might happen to enjoy being around Alison, is a partner to Cole, Alison's police detective brother?  Alison's brothers are protective over her, but Cole is also a matchmaker and sets the two up on a date.  This would lead to the hidden dangers that put her life at risk.

I think anyone would like this book!  If I like it and I'm not fond of suspense books, then I know others would like it. 

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“Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55

Book Review: A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman

Emma Malloy was married to an abusive man.  She fled the marriage and fled Dublin to head for Boston.  However, the scars remained even though the man didn't.  Emma has not only physical scars, but also emotional scars that follow her wherever she goes.  This leads her to fear men's tempers and to distrust most men.  She dreams of a healthy marriage, which she is pretty sure she will never have again because let's face it...who wants "damaged goods," as she calls it.  For this reason, she still wears her wedding ring so she won't have to face the rejection of men.

Sean's sister, Charity, is one of Emma's best friends.  Sean is a bachelor and has no plans to ever marry.  He prides himself in saying that no woman could ever tie him down.  Through a series of events, Sean finds himself out of a job and this knight in shining armor comes to the rescue of Emma as she is swamped at work and working close to 80 hours a week.  Since Sean thinks of Emma as a sister and wants to protect her, he's willing to do what needs to be done for the sake of her health and sanity.  Emma used to like and respect Sean until she saw his true temper, which dug up some bad memories of her ex-husband.  Can Emma set aside her bad feelings and stop trying to fake that things are okay?  Will she be able to express to Sean how his temper affected her?  How will Sean respond?  Will Sean be able to find another job....or for that fact, a woman?!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  I loved the humor in this book and found myself laughing out loud in certain parts because I could vividly picture the scene in my head.  This was the 2nd book in the series, but it wasn't hard for me to pick up and know what was going on and who was who.  I'm excited to get the first book now and read that to see if I missed anything.  I really enjoy Julie's style of writing and found that I was staying up way past my bedtime to finish a chapter!

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“Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55

Book Review: Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart

I was excited to read this book after having read Love, Charleston.  I was hoping that I would feel like I was walking along the Battery or something, just like I felt I was walking through Charleston on my own mini-vacation.  I was excited that I truly did feel like I was back in Charleston!

This book is based on the viewpoints of three main characters: Jackson, Mary Lynn, and Catherine.  Mary Lynn and Jackson are married and Catherine is one of their three daughters.  This family tries hard to fit into the social circles that are within Charleston.  They do the things that people who are well-off do.  Despite how hard they try to enjoy this lifestyle and to make friends with all of the people who are in their social groups, Mary Lynn finds that nothing is cutting it.  She feels so lonely and can't explain why.  I mean, doesn't money equal happiness?  Doesn't doing all of the "fancy" things mean contentment?  Wrestling with these issues, she comes face to face with a decision she has to make about God.  She prays hard for her husband to follow suit.  Will God answer her prayers in the way that she thinks He should or can she be content if she never sees him accept Christ in his life?  How will these decisions affect their marriage and their family?

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman

What a delightful sequel this book was!  Beth Wiseman was one of the first authors I read when I began reading Amish fiction.  A friend had loaned me one of her books and I fell in love with the characters and the Amish world.  She has such a gift with her writing that makes you feel like you've stepped in the world of the Amish.  I find when I'm reading any books about the Amish that I feel as if time is slowing down a bit.  I know it really isn't, but their aspect on life really shines through the Amish authors I've read.  Beth Wiseman is no exception.  I find that it's hard to put down her books and I feel like I'm connected to the characters because she writes about things that we all face.

Katie has lost her husband and is raising her first child.  Katie struggles with many of the same emotions that I imagine I would struggle with if I was ever placed in this situation, such as: How could this happen?  What do I tell my child when he gets older?  How can I do this alone?  Why did God do this at a time when Jonas will never remember his father?  How will he turn out without a father?  Does my Heavenly Father even care about me or has he abandoned me as well?

Eli has 6 children, but has also laid his wife to rest.  He's now in Canaan, enjoying his life with very few things to actually worried about since his children are all grown.

When Katie and Eli meet, they find that they like each other as friends, of course.  There's too much age distance between them to make them compatible for anything else.  How will Eli encourage Katie as she walks through parenthood alone?  How will Katie help Eli and encourage him throughout his alone time?  How will their friendship grow?  What are God's plans for their friendship?  Will it take any unexpected turns?  These are all questions that you'll find the answers to when you read the book!

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I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <[...]> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."