too funny - pick your battles

 School closed early today because of a watermain break.  What to do with my three plus an extra one I brought home?  I wasn't sure but figured they would find something to do.  They started by just playing outside, then 3 out of the 4 them came in begging to go in the pool. 

I said it will be too cold. Why? they ask.  Because it is fall now.

They didn't seem to get it so I sent them to feel the water and they came back saying it was fine. So I said, It is really not fine, it will be cold.

Someone said "but it is hot outside".  This was true, it was about 80 degrees.

So I said, Yes, but it gets cold at night and that makes the water cold.

They continued to beg and plead and one of them even changed into a bathing suit. I said it was too cold. They insisted it was not. I chose not to fight this battle. 

As I took this picture Sam said "I am feeling a bit wimpy right now". They got out before I could finish this post hahaha

Remembering

In the van I heard the following conversation after someone mentioned something that happened awhile age...

Sam Oh yeah, I remember that.  I am good at remembering, I can remember things for at least two years.

Carlee Wow Sam that's a long time to remember things

Sam Yep I am good at remembering because I have been six for more than two years

Ben I can remember things for only a short time and then I forget and then I remember again and then forget again and then remember and then forget and then remember and then forget and then remember and then forget and then

Carlee interrupts with:  BEN STOP IT you are making me dizzy!

To live with intention and purpose

 

Unending Devotion
by Jody Hedlund



Historical fiction? yes...
suspense? yes...
characters to love and hate? yes...
a romance to cheer for? oh yea!

This wonderfully written story has it all, but there is more.  So much more!

A lesson in devotion.  Devotion to family and to an important cause.  We should all learn the lesson: "to live with intention and purpose".  Through those intentions and with purpose we can make a difference.

A lesson in waiting on God and following His path.  Sometimes we have unending devotion to someone who rejects us.  We must learn to wait on God and have Him show us how to live beyond that devotion.

And a wonderful lesson in gratitude. There are those who have much and do not appreciate what they have, and in turn live miserable lives..  There are those who have little or have lost someone special but can see through the pain and heartache and still count their blessings.



Disclosure: Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their blog tours program.
See what other reviewers are saying here and Buy the book here.

About the Book: 

Michigan, 1883

In Her Darkest Hours, Is He the Man She Needs?

Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer’s assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan–and the sights of Connell McCormick.

Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.

Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell’s help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what’s right cost them both everything?

 About the Giveaway:

Unending Devotion" by Jody Hedlund
Nikon Camera Giveaway and 9/18 Facebook Party! Enter and RSVP today.  
Celebrate with Jody by entering to win a Nikon Camera Prize Pack!

See what folks are saying about Unending Devotion!

One “devoted” winner will receive:

• A Nikon COOLPIX Digital Camera
• $25 Shutterfly gift certficate
• Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 17th. Winner will be announced at the “Unending Deovtion” Author Chat Facebook Party on 9/18. Connect with Jody, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. 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 Unending Devotion and join Jody on the evening of the September 18th for a chance to connect with Jody 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 RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

photo project

If you are one of the few people who actually continue to occasionally check in on my blog, thanks for your patience.  I am sure you have noticed that the only thing I have been doing on here lately is post book reviews.  How incredibly boring for you if you are coming here to see what crazy and silly things that the kids are saying or doing.  I am so sorry for not keeping this blog up to date for you.

I found some time recently and decided it was finally time to get pictures off my camera - something I had not done since September.  There was something about this last year that made our lives more chaotic than it has been.  To all those people who asked what I was going to do with my spare time...HA that was a pretty funny joke!  I have had less time to get things done than when I had toddlers running around!

Anyway, a new year has started and perhaps I can find a new routine that will include blogging time and more picture taking...I only took 4 pictures in February and only 2 in March.  YIKES what in the world happened? That is so not like me.

For now, I am going back in time...all the way back to May of last year to pick up where I left off.  The good news is that we did a lot of things and most of those months (except for Feb and March) I took lots of pictures and videos and will post the good stuff. The bad news is that I have missed blogging all the "My Kids Made Me Laugh" posts. These kids drive me crazy, but they still make me laugh all the time and I am really sad that I have missed more than a year of that.  However, all I can do is pick up where I left off and keep going.

So if you are just checking in, there is some new stuff I have posted. Go all the way back to May in the archives :-)

awww....1st day of school

Jen says it better than I ever could....read this post!

Suspenseful right from the first page

Submerged
Alaskan Courage - Book One
by Dani Pettrey

Suspenseful right from the first page, this mystery hooks you immediately and continues to build until the dramatic end.  Woven into this fascinating mystery is a romantic storyline between the main characters.  The depth of the character and relational development between the two main characters is fabulous.  Underlying the character development is a strong Christian message which takes the main character from insecure to confident with the forgiveness of Christ.

Although I enjoyed this book, I found that there were many characters introduced very early and I had a hard time keeping them all straight.  Other than that this was a fast paced story that kept me engaged and turning pages as quickly as possible.  I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!

Go here to read an excerpt and buy the book

Disclosure: Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their book reviewers program. 


About the Book:

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart... but doesn't seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he's not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

 

Dynamic Characters

Over the Edge - The Kincaid Brides Book 3  
By Mary Connealy


Not a typical historical romance! Instead, this is a book with a unique storyline, dynamic characters and intense relationships.  I loved it from beginning to end and completely enjoyed the escape into a delightful, easy read with a main character that inspires me to brush up on my shooting skills.

This is the third book in a series but it is easily read as a stand alone book.  However, the story is so engaging that you will certainly want to read the entire series.


Disclosure: Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their blog tours program.
See what other reviewers are saying here and Buy the book here.


About the Book: 

Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.

After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.

Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.

Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth's pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can't sort things out. It's enough to drive a man insane--but somehow it's all making Seth see things more clearly. And now that he knows what he wants, no one better stand in his way.

About the Contest/Facebook Party:

Celebrate with Mary by entering to win a Nook Color with GlowLight!

One winner will receive:

• A Nook Color with GlowLight
• The entire set of Mary Connealy's The Kincaid Brides series

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 28th. Winner will be announced at the "Over the Edge" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/29. Meet Mary, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. 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 Over the Edge and join Mary on the evening of the August 29th 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 RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!