Facebook posts transfer project

 It is 2021 and there is a mass exodus from the big social media sites.  I have actually not used Facebook since last summer when I banished myself from it while I was working on a 7 week project.  I did not need the huge distraction!  Well once the work project was over I did not go back, mainly because it was election season and I didn't want to be inundated with all that negativity.  Then the election was over and clearly it got even more negative.  Anyway, I decided that I would begin to transfer all my memories, photos and interesting FB posts over to this platform.  

I don't really expect that anyone will ever follow this blog anymore, this is just a project to salvage my many, many precious memories from FB.  I have been on FB since my kids were in diapers so this could take awhile!  I plan to make the posts here with same date as the original FB post date...if I remember to change it lol

The Daughter of Highland Hall

Edwardian Brides Series, Book 2

By Carrie Turansky

 

This delightful story immerses us into a time of high society (think of the early years of Downton Abbey).   Although this is Book 2 in a series, it can be read as a stand alone as the characters are beautifully developed into many we easily love and some we don't.  The author takes us through the ups and downs in the life of Katherine in her debut season where she is striving for a wealthy husband. But she is soon drawn down a different path and into a deeper relationship with God.  Which will be more prosperous and bring more joy - to follow God's plan or to seek wealth and fortune?

Link to buy the book  

The God Puzzle

The God Puzzle
by Valerie Ackermann


There is some fantastic information in this book and it is all directly from the Bible.  Every lesson is based on a Biblical or Christian concept.  The lessons are designed around basic questions that many new believers or even nonbelievers may have such as What is Sin? What did Jesus Do? What is the Church?  I really love how this book is put together and am enjoying sharing it with my children.   

It states on the front cover that it is for kids ages 7-12.  My kids are 8, 7 and 7 and I found out quickly that this would be a family activity rather than kids working on their own.  For example, in Lesson 2 there are about 30 scripture verses to look up and read for 14 attributes of God.  My kids are still learning how to find verses in their Bibles and even still learning how to read so we only got through a few verses before I lost their attention.  It took us quite some time to get through that lesson, but the family time spent together in devotions is worth it.  Learning these Bible concepts through the eyes and mind of a 7 or 8 year old is fascinating and enlightening. 

Purchase your copy here:
http://leadmetogod.com/the-god-puzzle-book

Quilts of Love Reviews

Two books about quilts?  Yes, but so much more.  Aloha Rose is about meeting biological family.  The Christmas Quilt is a story of the mother of twins. 

I am adopted and I am a mother of twins.  I was immediately immersed in heart wrenching comparison with my own life.  Not what I expected when I picked up Christian fiction books about quilts!  Well done by both authors!!!


Aloha Rose
by Lisa Carter

I loved the authors descriptions of the beauty of Hawaii and how she used the quilt to pull the story together.  The storyline of adoption was interesting as I could identify with the main character and meeting biological family.  Although you know you are related by blood to your biological family,  you can feel an outsider because you do not have the long family history.  The author perfectly captured this in the development of the characters. 


The Christmas Quilt
by Vannetta Chapman

What's not to love about a story filled with babies and quilts!  I can completely identify with a story of a mother carrying twins.  This is a story filled with the drama that can come with babies and when they decide to be born.  I have yet to read an Amish story I didn't like, there is something about the simplicity of life that I am drawn to, however, this story is a bit different because of the complexity of the medical issues.  I was not expecting the heart wrenching story that I found in this story!


Quilts of Love KINDLE FIRE HDX Giveaway & “Christmas Bee” Facebook Party 12/10!

Enter Here!



In honor of their new Quilts of Love releases, The Christmas Quilt and Aloha Rose, authors Vannetta Chapman and Lisa Carter are gearing up to ring in the Christmas season with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th with fellow Quilts of Love author Lynette Sowell!

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman
• Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. Winner will be announced at the "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th. Connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Vannetta Chapman, Lisa Carter, and Lynette Sowell, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, Christmas traditions and gifts, PLUS get an exclusive look at January's Quilts of Love book!

So grab your copies of The Christmas Quilt and Aloha Rose and join Vannetta, Lisa, and Lynette on the evening of December 10th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on December 10th!

Things that saved my sanity!

A friend's sister was about to have twins so I was going to send her a link to a post that I wrote, only I can't find the post I was looking for.  Maybe I just dreamt that I wrote it.  Anyway it was a list of things that saved my sanity that first year of having twins and a one year old.

1. We kept a journal of every time a baby was fed, changed or bathed.  You will be so tired that you won't remember the last time a baby pooped - and you need to keep track of that! 

2. Baby Einstein dvd's.  There were times that all three were screaming, but the moment the Disney logo came up and Tinkerbell flew over the castle they all stopped crying, it was amazing and gave me a minute to compose myself and deal with one at a time. 

3. Best advice I ever received...it is ok to let one cry while you deal with the other.  And that advice was truly the key to keeping me sane.  You are only one person and will be alone with them a lot, you can only deal with one at a time.  You will quickly learn what works for each baby and which one will settle down faster.  And if all else fails you need to have a couple people who know that when you call and say "help" and then hang up, they know to come as fast as they can because you are about to lose your mind :) 

4. People like babies, but they LOVE twins, the moment anyone walked in my house I handed them a baby and said "here this one needs..." feeding/changing/burping/rocking or whatever.  I was always handing a baby to somebody.  They loved to be useful and I loved that my baby got the extra attention that I felt they didn't get when it was just me. I rarely got to just sit and rock a baby.

5. Establish routines early, I talked about this in the tips blog post.  I had babies falling asleep in bouncy seats during play dates when there were something like 9 kids under 3 in the house. I believe it is because I never worried about them waking or said "shhh you'll wake the baby". 

6. Take them out a lot.  I used to put them in their car seats and just go for a drive.  Sometimes we would go have lunch at a park, which I managed by keeping Ben & Carlee in the double stroller at all times. They have always travelled really well so it was a break for me. Even now, they are much better behaved when we are out than when we are at home and I know it is because they are used to being out and knowing they have to be good or we go straight home.  We also had a triple stroller and I would push them around the neighborhood.

7. and finally...take lots of pictures, I made sure to stop what I was doing at least once every single month and get at least one individual photo of each one and also one group photo.  I still do this and I upload them to Snapfish and make a photobook every year. 

Oh and another tip. I have been watching  old videos lately and I wish I had taken more random video during that first year.  It is fun to go back and watch short snippets of what everyday life was like.

Something like this....

Too funny - I was pretty busy

Conversation in the van on our way to run errands after school....

Sam: Can we eat soon? I'm starving half to death!
 
Me: Yes, we will go after we stop at the bank. I am starving too!!
 
Carlee: Why are you so hungry?
 
Me: Because I didn't eat lunch
 
Carlee: Why didn't you eat lunch?
 
Me: Oh, well, I was.... very busy.
 
Carlee: Busy doing what?
 
Me: hmmm (debating whether to lie or tell the truth) Well, I was pretty busy having a nap.
 
Sam, Ben & Carlee all at the same time, and in the tone of a shocked parent: GASP!! MA-MA!!!
 
Carlee: You aren't supposed to sleep in the middle of the day!
 
Me: Why not? I was up late and I have been sick so I needed some rest.
 
Ben: OOOOHHH Mama is in big trouble!!!
 
Sam: Seriously Mama, couldn't you have found something better to do?







LOL they acted like they were so disappointed in me I couldn't help but laugh.

Prediction: Ben will be a gentleman

What's up with Ben these days? 

Well, last week got in a lot of trouble at school...again! Apparently he did not like his sister to be the line leader, so he was bad (not sure I understand that logic, but that's what he said). 

Then he had change of attitude (well with a little incentive thrown in) and he had three days of awesome behavior. Then yesterday, not so good. When I asked why he didn't have good behavior he said "I just could NOT stand being so good for sooooo long. I just had to be bad!" It was very, very hard to keep a straight face.

But there is hope for this child, I predict he will be a perfect gentleman...someday. Today one of the teachers told me that my sweet Ben held the door for her and then again for another teacher. She said he jumped up from his lunch table, ran over and said "I will hold the door for you". :)

Too funny - Girls day

Carlee is home sick today. I just told her that it is just about time to go pick up the boys from school. She cried "NOOOOO, I don't want to pick up the boys, I don't want them to be here!!!"

It really has been a peaceful day with just us girls.

Too funny - fog

Can you see Ben? We went out for a short walk and got swallowed up in the fog. He ran ahead a short ways and turned around and said "OH MAMA! I can't see you anymore, the fog ate you!"

Good boys take care of their Mamas

While we were in Canada I ended up being quite sick and spent most of my time in my old room in the basement.  One evening right before we had to fly back my brother and his family brought us Chinese food for supper because we were not going to have another chance to go to this restaurant. After we had eaten and I retreated back to my room Sam came to see me and we had this conversation...

Me:  Sam would you please bring me a glass of water?

Sam (with his face lit up and a big smile) I would LOVE to because good boys take care of their Mama's!!! 

Perhaps he has heard me say that a time or two before ;) 

But then he turned around and said this...

I am gonna be just like Uncle Scott because tonight he took care of his Mama and his sister when he brought us supper. 

Resurrect

 
Obviously if you have read any of my book reviews you know that this book is so completely different than books I normally read.  I knew that I would have to be open minded and basically immerse myself in whatever the story had to offer.  How about a one word review...WOW

I have now decided I need to read more like this - all the cliches work - page turner, edge of your seat,  action-packed, spell binding.   Fantastic that it is the first book in a trilogy.        

 

Disclosure: Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their blog tours program. Buy the book here and read other reviews here 

Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy.
Preventing his burning fighter from crashing into a neighborhood, Navy Commander Josh Logan ejects … too late.
Critically injured, he’s offered a new life and mission exploit highly classified military technology to stop a global cataclysm. The price? He’ll be dead to everyone he knows.
He wakes in a city hospital with a genetically enhanced body and no identity. With the help of his brilliant, Neuro ICU nurse, and guided by nothing but a voice, he must infiltrate the military-industrial complex to develop the world’s most powerful weapon … to protect humanity?

No Safe Harbor

Imagine leaving your home and going to a new country...alone.  Looking for the only family member you have left, your twin brother, and not knowing if you will ever see him again, or if he is even alive. That story would be captivating, but there is so much more...

This quickly turns to a gripping story of a young innocent women alone in a new country among those who are not-so-innocent, but she doesn't know it. She is in danger, but she doesn't know that either.  She meets a charming man, who she is falling in love with, but she doesn't know that he is following her to try to find her brother who he thinks killed his father.  And yes he is falling in love with our sweet gal too.  Got all that?  Good thing this author guides us so beautifully through all this mystery and intrigue!



Disclosure: Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their blog tours program. Buy the book here and read other reviews here 

About No Safe Harbor: 

She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend-Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother-but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?

Elizabeth Ludwig’s “No Safe Harbor” 
Kindle Fire Giveaway and 12/6 Facebook Party!

  Elizabeth Ludwig is celebrating her new book with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at a Facebook Author Chat party on 12/6.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5th. Winner will be announced at the "No Safe Harbor" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/6. Connect with Elizabeth, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Edge of Freedom series, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of No Safe Harbor and join Elizabeth on the evening of the December 6th for a chance to connect with her and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

The Breath of Dawn

Right from the first few paragraphs in the prologue this book had me hooked.  Compassion flows for the main character and the despair he is faced with.  The story begins with sadness and flows into new beginnings with another main character who is starting out in a new town.  The two meet and the romance story begins - but the backgrounds of the characters place walls in the way of this romance.  However, there are cracks in those walls seen with a slight smile or a nervous conversation between two people who are surprised at how they feel. The author develops this so skillfully that it is easy to cheer for this relationship.

Then with one phone call, in one paragraph, and without warning - suspense is introduced.  Already drawn in to the story and the characters, the pages are now turning furiously following the drama and wondering where this all will end. Simply wonderful! 


 

Disclosure: Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their blog tours program. Buy the book here and read other reviews here 

About the Book

The Breath of Dawn: 

Corporate turnaround specialist Morgan Spencer, dubbed the "success guru," has a Midas touch in business. But losing his wife sent him to the brink, and his two-year-old daughter, Livie, is all he's living for-until they encounter a woman whose trouble just might draw him out of his own.

Four years ago Quinn Reilly did the right thing. Now the man her testimony put in jail is getting out. Though she has put up barriers to protect herself and those around her, she has come to care for the Spencer family, especially the winsome Livie and her mercurial father. Unwilling to put them at risk when the threats begin, she requests something she hopes the super-successful Morgan might be able to deliver.

Fixing problems is what Morgan does best, but his counterproposal takes them in a direction neither is equipped to handle. Determined to confront the past, will they survive to build a future?

About the Giveaway
Win a Kindle Paperwhite and connect with Kristen at her 11/27 Facebook Party!
Kristen Heitzmann is celebrating The Breath of Dawn by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (11/27)

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 26th. Winner will be announced at the "The Breath of Dawn" Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/27. Connect with Kristen, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of The Breath of Dawn and join Kristen on the evening of the November 27th for a chance to connect with Kristen and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Sam's Story

On Ben & Carlee's birthday I posted about the 6 years of chaos.  Now a few weeks later it is nearly Sam's birthday and we will have a 7 year old!  That is hard to believe...but here is the proof....

Sam, you stole my heart long before these first smiles.

Walking before 10 months old!

You weren't even 11 months old when you became a big brother to twins.  You were still a baby yourself.

But then you were 1

You were so sweet already...helping your sister

and bringing your brother a drink

You would even help hold a bottle- when you weren't trying to drink from it.  Remember that you are still barely a toddler!

And then you were 2 and even the puppies got loves.

Flowers for Mama.  How sweet!

You are a boy and seem to find plenty of mischief, but it is hard to be upset with a face that lights up like that.

And then you were 3 - and still so sweet!

Your wonder and excitement for Christmas grows every year

You were even a joy to potty train

But we can't forget that you are a boy and you do get into some big messes.

Your excitement for simple pleasures thrills all who are around you.

You even love the snow...you didn't get that from your Mama

And then you were 4...even when you are learning gun safety from Daddy, you are still sweet in wanting to help your Mama blow up the diaper pail.  WooHoo no more diapers!

You have a sweet tooth...that, you did get from your Mama

Even with a mouthful of food you are cute

And then you were 5

and you say you will be a police when you grow up

Your face says it all...your life is full of joy

Someday these brothers are going to break some hearts!

You were beyond excited to start Kindergarten!

And then you were 6

You are so much fun

Growing up means losing your teeth

 

Wow First Grade!

And that is how you got to be 7!  You can stop growing up anytime now

Soul's Gate

Souls' Gate
by James L. Rubart

Get ready to expand your mind.  This book will get you thinking about concepts that are foreign and even far-fetched to our every day way of thinking(including time travel and stepping into the spiritual realm to fight battles with evil).

But are they really that far-fetched?  The Bible tell us that with God all things are possible, so why not!  We believe that God can perform miracles here on earth, why shouldn't we believe that He would use men to physically battle the enemy.  

This book gets you thinking about what might be possible, about how God might use you to glorify him.  It is a true "What if" book based in the freedom we can all find in Jesus and has kept me deep in thought for days.  

Disclosure: Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their blog tours program. Buy the book here and read other reviews here 

ABOUT THE BOOK


Book 1 in the Well Spring series.
“Every now and then we get a break from reality. A glimpse into the other world that is more real than the reality we live in 99 percent of our days. The Bible is about a world of demons and angels and great evil and even greater glory.”
What if you could travel inside another person’s soul? To battle for them. To be part of Jesus healing their deepest wounds. To help set them free to step boldly into their divinely designed future.
Thirty years ago that’s exactly what Reece Roth did. Until tragedy shattered his life and ripped away his future.
Now God has drawn Reece out of the shadows to fulfill a prophecy spoken over him three decades ago. A prophecy about four warriors with the potential to change the world . . . if Reece will face his deepest regret and teach them what he has learned.
They gather at a secluded and mysterious ranch deep in the mountains of Colorado, where they will learn to see the spiritual world around them with stunning clarity—and how to step into the supernatural.
Their training is only the beginning. The four have a destiny to pursue a freedom even Reece doesn’t fully fathom. But they have an enemy hell-bent on destroying them and he’ll stop at nothing to keep them from their quest for true freedom and the coming battle of souls.

My New Daily Devotional

Joanna Weaver's 
At the Feet of Jesus

I am sure that if you have a selection of Christian books you probably have at least one or two devotionals on your bookshelf.  I know I have several of them, most of them collecting dust.

This devotional has several interesting additions to the daily devotional.  The daily verse and daily Bible Read and Reflect sections are great. The "Going Deeper" sections are inspiring for a deeper, more meaningful quiet time.  And of course it is wonderful to have a Bible Reading Plan.  This is a devotional that will enrich your daily time with God.

But what really makes this devotional different?  Why am I continuing to keep this one beside me rather than adding it to the dusty shelf?   Simply that there is an honesty to the writing that is refreshing.  Through this honesty there is a deep connection to the struggles I face each day...

To prove this to you, I randomly chose May 25 and read this line..."Yet my most intimate moments with Christ have come during times I felt as though my life were coming apart at the seams."  After a mommy monster moment earlier in the day I really needed to hear the message of that day!

Or how about the message from today..."I'm learning to simply confess my faults, my weaknesses, and even my willful sin, accept God's forgiveness, and move on with my life."  hmmm something about "willful sin" and the amount of candy that invaded my house today.  Yep sure needed to hear that message today!

Those are just two examples of how this devotional has spoken to me - or rather it seems that God has picked up this book and is trying to pound me over the head with it hoping I will get it one of the days.


Disclosure: Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their blog tours program. Buy the book here and read other reviews here 


About the Book:

You were made for more than serving God; you were made to know Him.

Intimacy with God-to know Him and be known by Him. It is what our hearts desperately need, but somehow life conspires to keep us busy and distracted.

For anyone who struggles when it comes to daily devotions, At the Feet of Jesus extends an irresistible invitation to set aside your duties and find the amazing peace and incredible joy that come from time alone with Him. Drawn from Joanna Weaver's beloved Bethany trilogy, each reading in this 365-day devotional includes a Bible reading passage and reflection question. All-new material and "Going Deeper" sidebars are also woven throughout.

Discover for yourself the riches that come from spending a portion of each day alone with God. At the feet of Jesus-where true life begins!

Includes a unique One-Year Bible Reading Guide.

About the Giveaway and Live Webcast 

Celebrate the release of At the Feet of Jesus with Joanna Weaver by entering to win an iPad and RSVPing for the "True Life" Webcast Event on 11/8!

One blessed winner will receive:

• An iPad
• The Year in Bethany Trilogy (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening 
• At the Feet of Jesus for YOU and Five of your friends.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "True Life" Live Webcast Event on November 8th. Connect with author Joanna Weaver and her special guest for an evening of encouragement, laughter and a Q&A! There will also be gift certificates and books given away to participants.

So grab your copy of At the Feet of Jesus (or one of Joanna's other books) and join Joanna on evening of November 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!