Your First Picture

I decided to give you a snap shot into our lives. Just because this picture is so darn cute and it shows how much Baby loved books. She kept trying to pick them up too many at a time and losing them. But how cute!

Yes I Did It!

I read the Hunger Games.

Book One anyway. I bought them on Tuesday and I'm already half way through book two.

How might I do that you ask?

Read while I'm rocking the baby. Read while Hubby is watching TV after work. Read while Baby Skypes with Grandma.

I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.

I knew what was going to happen. But I had to find out how. And when. And what would happen after.

And yet I still have so many questions! I'm hoping this second book answers them. 

But I guess that's why they're such good books. They leave questions to be answered by the next one.

If you've been living under a rock for the last few months I'll give you a brief synapse.

              It's a story about a teenage girl who gets chosen to be thrown
              into an arena, gladiator style, and fight to the death in a post-apolypse period.

Yep. That's it. Doesn't sound so hard to put down does it?

But it is. 


The unexpected is somehow still expected and catches you off guard. The relationships developed in the arena, the strategies used, the whole idea of it.

The whole idea of sticking 24 kids, ages 12-18, into an arena to die and have people not only watch but enjoy, is revolting.

At first I couldn't get past this idea. Why would I or why am I so engrossed in a story so gruesome. The reality of it happening in slim, at least in my life time, but not all together impossible. So why would I want to read about something that (I pray that it doesn't) could happen to my grandchildren or great grandchild at some point? (As a Christian I doubt not much will be going on here on Earth post the return of Christ as it occurs in the book, but it could happen without a disaster of some sort).

But it just does suck you in. The will to live, the will to survive, the will to return home to a family.

Although the whole thing is quite terrible (killing others so you can live) there are numerous underpinnings woven throughout the book that could take on a Christian point a view. I have no idea if the author is a Christian woman but if you really take the time to view from the outside rather than so into what's going on for real, you can see how it can relate to a Christian's walk with Christ. So Christian parents listen up:: Don't write this off as a bad book or movie for your teens. It actually could be a gateway to a wonderful conversation if you read it together and  talk about it. Then go see the movie. I have yet to see it but I hear it's good. I don't recommend this for younger children though. I think they're to young to be able to view it as fantasy and understand what you're trying to say about pleasing God through the terror of killing another human being.

Here's a link to a review (of the movie) by a website geared towards Christian teenagers and their parents:
          The Hunger Games

By Theo. LeSieg

This week I ordered the last of the Dr. Seuss books that our library has. I realized we aren't going to get through all of them by going to the library. There's quite a few they don't carry and I'm not sure where to find them.

But I did a little extra digging...

Theo. LeSieg is Dr Seuss. 

There a number of books written by this guy.

Apparently Theo. LeSieg and Dr. Seuss live parallel lives within Theodor Geisel. Dr. Seuss writes and illustrates his own books. But sometimes, when Dr. Seuss doesn't want to illustrate what he writes he enlists the help of Theo LeSieg who writes and hires someone else to illustrate. By the way, LeSieg is Geisel spelled backwards.

So if you come to a shortage of Dr. Seuss books remember Theo LeSieg is Dr. Seuss, just another part of him.

But we're still going to be a little short. I'm going to have to do some digging to find the rest. Sadly I've realized we may never get them all. But here's to hoping!!

Hooray For Diffendoofer Day!

Here is another book by Dr. Seuss that was and yet wasn't written by him. The editor of this particular book shared the story of how this book came to be. It seems there are quite a few of Dr. Seuss's books that have similar stories...

Before his death, Dr Seuss told the editor he was working on a book about a teacher and the different ways to learn. But he couldn't figure out how to finish it so he left it on his desk, drawings pinned on the wall and an idea hidden deep in his brilliant mind. Dr. Seuss died in 1991 leaving Miss Bonkers to drive other people bonkers. His secretary sent what Dr. Seuss had written and drawn to the editor who enlisted Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith, two children's authors, to finish this story in Dr. Seuss fashion.

Dr. Seuss left many of his ideas unfinished. A lot of authors and editors have tried to mimic his style and finish them. I would have never guessed he didn't write this entire story himself. They did a good job. Others...not so much...

Book Review: The Wedding Dress

"The Wedding Dress" by Rachel Hauck is one of the best books I've read so far. I had the ebook version so I read it just about every where I went. I couldn't put it down!

But to the story...Charlotte Malone owns a bridal salon in present day downtown Birmingham (how cool of a job!) . After a quick engagement to Tim, she escapes to an old estate just outside of the city to think. While there she "accidentally" buys a trunk at an auction. The journey of this trunk and what's inside takes on a life of it's own right from the start. In 1912 Emily Canton is left to choose between her betrothed and the love of her life who left to play baseball but returned just before the engagement to reclaim his love. Emily must also choose between the gown, and wedding, that is required of a high class citizen of Birmingham and the one of her dreams, a dress made by an African American during the time when Jim Crow laws ran rampant. God weaves a story of true love and loss through the wedding dress Charlotte finds in the trunk. The story spans decades, even a century before it finds Charlotte. Faith in God and His prefect seems to be ingrained into this simple yet elegant design.

I could just keep going but the story is so good I don't want to tell you more! The story is written from different perspectives of the women. It goes back and forth mainly between Emily and Charlotte with a  few other important people in-between. Honestly, I would get so mad when the author switched women! I would get so into the story being told and it would just be getting good! Then she'd dump me back into another era. I guess that's what made the story so captivating. That's what makes you hold onto the book and never want to put it down.

There were a few editing mistakes. In one chapter Emily was the character telling her story and Charlottes name appeared. But I think it was just the ebook copy. I know things get mixed up transferring from print to digital. I sure hope it wasn't missed in the print book!

You can find the book here.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free through Booksneeze.com for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: "Stand By Me"

I have never heard of the Yada Yada prayer group series but after reading this book I'd be really interested in reading the others in this series. This is a great book!

It's a story of two women divided by age, race, lifestyle...just about everything expect their love for Jesus and attending the same church in suburban Chicago; SouledOut. Kathryn Davies, Kat, is a graduation student at a local Christian college and Avis Douglass is a 50 some year old elementary principal who leads worship at SouledOut. Kat and her friends happen upon this church during a cultural expeience class and feel at home (I use 'happen upon' loosely, we all know nothing is 'happened upon'). They decide to stay in the city for the summer, work and attend SouledOut on a weekly basis. Here they meet Avis and her husband Peter. Avis finds herself in the middle of a hard decision. One that requires giving up everything she's used to and depends upon. The two women start off on the wrong foot. Avis thinks Kat is too outspoken yet Kat thinks Avis is a woman of faith who hardly falters. These two personalities weave a story, and intwine their lives in ways they could never imagine.

I don't even know where to start with this book. It's just a cute book. It shows you a woman of faith and her strength through devastation. It shows you how, beneath the surface, everyone is hurting. There is so much going on in this book that I had to reread certain pages to make sure I got everything. The weaving of God in this story is unbelievable. It's proof that nothing happens haphazardly. It shows you how God can test your faith and how, if you are faithful, everything works together for good! It shows the power of prayer. It was just a wonderful book!! Quick, great read.

You can get this book here.
Or here.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free through Booksneese.com for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

My Favorite Book- The Nothing Zoo

A few weeks ago we finished decorating Baby's room. We put up shelves and all I had on them was a few of my old monkeys and a special jewelry box from her Grandparents. I saw a picture on Pinterest that I thought would be so cute for Baby's room since we love books around here. The person had put books on the shelves facing out. I thought since I had put my old monkeys on there that it would be fun to hold the theme of our favorite things from when we were little. I pulled our old books off the bookcase (on the top shelf since they are quite old and I didn't want Baby trying to pull them apart). My husbands favorite book, "Green Eggs and Ham", is well read and has a special place on the shelf. I had trouble finding my favorite book. I knew we had it but I couldn't find it. After taking all her books down and sorting through them I found it.

The Nothing Zoo.

I remember reading this book ALL THE TIME. It is also well read. I think if I opened just one more time it would fall apart. That's how much I loved this book. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw my inspirational picture on Pinterest. I really think I could recite that book for your still, or at least draw the pictures.

People have asked me before what my favorite book is. I could never answer because I love all books, even bad ones. But now I have an answer. And it's not so weird that my favorite is a children's book since I have a baby girl who loves to read!

I had to dig for this picture. You can buy it at out of print or used bookstores online.

Happy Birthday Dr Seuss!