Another Non Interesting Book

           

   Emma of Aurora by Jane Kirkpatrick is a book  that I have tried for over a month to read. I cannot get past the middle of the first book. I have found it very slow going. Emma is disenchanted by the cult her family is a part of. So she thinks that if she marries one of its prominent leaders she will be able to get a way from the cult and the cult leader.

              I found Emma very whiny and very passive. She tries to talk to the leader. But she is scared and is willing to lie to get her way. All of this against her husband's wishes. Emma also does not voice her opinion when her husband is sent away without her for a year. All because the cult leader does not like Emma. Plus it is the leader's way to keep control.

               Maybe I should have stuck with this book. But after falling asleep every night while reading the book it was time to quit reading it and go on to something more interesting.

               This is my opinion and I was not paid by the publisher or author.

Following God's Plan No Matter the Cost

   

  A Hopeful Heart (Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel) by Amy Clipston is a story about a widow who is following God's plan for her life no matter what it might cost her. 

     Hannah Glick is a widow with three children and a brother in law who is left to tend to her husband's horse farm.  Hannah has also been forced to work at an English hotel for extra income. While working at the hotel Hannah meets a widower, named Trey Peterson, who has suffered the loss of his wife and daughter. Trey and Hannah have a lot in common. But Trey is not Amish. The Amish community have trouble with Hannah's relationship when Hannah is caught hugging Trey. Now Hannah is in turmoil whether to leave what she has always known for a man that she loves or to stay and not be in God's will for her life. 

    I like the twist that was put on this book. It is not your typical Amish love story. It has a lot of real life scenarios that could happen to every one of us. Are we willing, like Hannah, to follow God's leading in our lives or just stay comfortable right where we are? I have one complaint about the book. I did not like the fact that the story was slow going until almost the end. It felt like the author rushed the story right at the end. I kind of felt like I was left hanging. All around it was a wonderful book. I hope there will be more stories by this author. 

Another Good Book Worth Reading

               Rosemary Cottage is a book written by Colleen Coble. It is 

the second in the Hope Beach series.  Rosemary Cottage is set in an island 

on the Outer banks in North Carolina. Coast Guard Officer Curtis Ireland has 

received custody of his one year old niece, Raine,  after seeing his sister Gina 

killed in a boating accident. Curtis runs into an old friend named Amy. Amy's 

brother Ben, also Gina's boyfriend, was also killed. Curtis and Amy both have 

a lot of questions about their siblings deaths. On top of it all is the question 

of Raine's paternity. They know their siblings were involved in something 

illegal. But why is there so many secrets? 

           I really enjoy any book by Colleen Coble. She is a fantastic mystery

writer whose books you do not want to put down. I liked Rosemary Cottage. 

But it was a little confusing at first. I had to go back and reread the first book

in the series to figure out the characters. After I finally figured it out, I could  

not put it down. There was a lot of suspense and intrigue. 

          I was not paid to review this book. 

Your Typical Love Story

 The Heiress of Winterwood,

 written by Sarah Ladd, is a story about a heiress to a fortune who is trying to keep a promise to a friend. Amelia is an heiress to a vast fortune unless she marries the man her uncle wants her to marry. But the man is not willing to let her keep a promise to a friend. Will Amelia be able to stand up for herself and her promise? 

 This book was a pretty good read if you are into Christian romance. I had a pretty hard time getting into this book because it seemed very predictable. The pretty girl ends up with the handsome guy. I guess I am tired of the same story lines with little twists. I picked it thinking it would be different but for me it really was not all that different. I did like the fact that Amelia was strong in keeping her promise to her dying friend no matter the cost. I also liked the fact of Amelia's reliance on God and Scripture. It would have been a better book for me if it had some kind of mystery and intrigue. 

 I was given this book to read for an honest review and wasn't paid. 

A Book I Couldn't Get Into

   Afloat  by Erin Healy is a book about mystery and intrigue. An architect is ready to finish building his water condos when disaster strikes. All of his plans are ready to be washed away. In the meantime an angel visits a mother and her son. He tells her about pending doom.
   I was given this e-book for an honest review.I tried for several days to read this book. I just could not get into it. I found it very confusing to try to keep up with all the characters. I also didn't feel that it had a flowing storyline. I was so busy trying to keep all the characters straight that I couldn't keep my mind on the story. Alot of people seemed to really like. it. I might try it again at another time.

Haven't Felt Like Writing

 In my life this week…there hasn't been a whole lot going on around here. We spent a nice week at home. We went to the laundry mat on Tuesday. It brought back a lot of memories of going there with my mom. Since it was snowing and we were also the only ones there. It was very peaceful. We got all of our week's laundry done in one and a half hours. We are trying an experiment to see if we can get our energy bill down some.

 In our homeschool this week… We have home schooled every day but Thursday. Instead of traditional homeschooling on Thursday we spent time playing games and enjoying one another. We did home school at the laundry mat on Tuesday.  It was fun to be somewhere different than home to home school.

 Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Don't feel bad about not always doing regular home school. Your kids can learn through games and other activities. A lot of times moms need a break and so do kids.

 Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… We went to a friend's house today. David is laying down laminate flooring for them. It helped Brendan to learn something new. It was nice to just sit and visit with friends.

 My favorite thing this week was… the great sewing machine that I scored on Craigslist. Thank goodness for a husband who is very handy with tools. I got a 500 dollar machine for 50 dollars. It is not brand new. But it is newer than my other machine. I wouldn't give up either of these machines. They both have a lot of good points. 

Questions/thoughts I have… I have started a new Bible study at church called "The Three Chairs". It really has made me start thinking what kind of Christian I am.

 Things I’m working on… I am working on a couple of dish towels for my Mom's birthday. I have finished embroidering them. Now I am tatting an edging for the second towel. 

 I am reading.... The Duck Commander book. It has been a great book. Duck Dynasty is one of our favorite shows.

 I’m praying for… the new Spanish ministry at our church, a job for David and my son Micah. 

His Eye is on the Sparrow

In my life this week… we have been busy trying to put a metal roof on our house. We also went to Habitat for Humanity resale store. We were able to get some doors for the house and some french doors. If you haven't been there it is a great place to get home repair items.

 In our homeschool this week…since we have been so busy with the roof I have been letting Brendan learn some building skills. One day he will have his own house and this will be a great skill for him. He is also getting to spend some much needed time with his dad. Maggie and I have continued homeschooling. She finally has started her third level in math. This puts her only one year behind in math. She is so proud of herself. 

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… if your child has the opportunity to learn a new skill let him or her do this in place of school. Who says school only has to be done with books?  

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… we haven't really gone anywhere new. I did have bronchitis and the flu really bad. I have never been so sick in my life. I just felt like dying. It was awful. 

 My favorite thing this week was… I finally got a serger. After being without one for  almost a year and a half, I finally will be able to start sewing again. I think all things a person sews should look as good on the inside as the outside.  

Things I’m working on… I have been working on tatting a doll hat. I bought a  really nice doll from the Goodwill. But she didn't have a bonnet. So I am making her one.  

I’m reading… the ultimate serger guide. I need to go over some serger techniques. 

 I’m praying for…my son Micah. He is really straying far from the Lord and his family. I am also praying for the new Spanish ministry starting at church. This is such a huge need. 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… This song has run through my head today. With so many trials going on in our lives right now I need this song. 

An Eventful Week

 I am not going to write a whole lot about this week. Maggie is sick again. I didn't realize how sick till I took her to the doctor. He said she has bronchitis. She feels horrible. The other eventful thing that happened this week was that David lost his job. It is going to be hard to home school with dad around. I know the Lord has something better for him. But it is so hard to trust the Lord in the midst of trials. If you all will remember to pray for us it would be a blessing. We are going to get a new roof within the next week. I am excited about that. I won't have to run around trying to find several buckets for all the leaks in the house.  Well that is all I am going to write about this week.

Another Trying Week

 In my life this week…I have had a pretty calm week. I got to sleep in almost every day. Which I always feel bad about doing. But I think that is what is keeping me well. I also found out I am going to be an Aunt again sometime in August. 

 In our home school this week… Brendan had quite a few test. He made all A

s and B's. I was very proud of him. I  was especially happy with his Health test. It was a very hard test. He had to remember a lot of medical terms from the first of the year. Brendan made a 90. That I feel is very good. We played a lot of games this week. Maggie is just about ready to start her 3rd level math. She is very excited to start learning multiplication. She is also really enjoying Nancy Drew on her Nexus. I have found out this week that she is having a really hard time tracking with her reading. If I read the story she can answer all the questions. But if she reads it by herself then she cannot answer any questions. I have a feeling that she has a mild form of dyslexia. I am going to be talking to the eye doctor about her tracking abilities. I know he is going to want to do visual therapy with her. But I cannot afford what he wants to charge.

 Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Be willing to accept that your family is unique. I have a tendency to compare our home school with other people's home school. We are not all made to get up at 5 in the morning. Have wonderful breakfasts and great school days every day. I used to feel so guilty. But I was stressing myself out and being ugly to my kids because I was tired by the time they got up. So find what works for your kids and go with it. 

 Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… we went to ballet this week but did not have piano again. Maggie's piano teacher's family is all sick. Tomorrow Maggie is going to her special little friend's birthday party. She is so excited. 

 My favorite thing this week was… finding another Precious Moment  statue at Goodwill. I always love finding a good deal. 

  Questions/thoughts I have…  why do young adults, especially at my house, have to be so self centered. I feel like screaming a lot of times. I have great kids. But this is a new phase I have never been through. Teenagers are nothing compared to this.

  Things I’m working on… I am working on my anger issues. Pastor Hayes message on Sunday made me realize that a lot of my anger is quiet hating. I hate to be inconvenieced  or bothered. So I get angry. I just want to get things done. I don't have time for people being slow. This is really just pride on my part. 

 I’m praying for... my husband to have wisdom in his job situation. I am also praying for my oldest to realize what he is doing with his life. 

Another Sick Week

 In my life this week…  we are still battling sickness at our house. Maggie is still coughing some. Brendan now has the same thing. The one good thing is I think we are on the mend. 

 In our home school this week… we were able to go back to ballet. We did a full week of school. Brendan is still doing well in high school. He is doing better in Biology. Maggie will be done with the 2nd level of math in three weeks which is a huge deal. Last year she was in Kindergarten math. So she will have completed two and half years of math in one year.  

 Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share... my advice is to be flexible when children are sick. I do still make my children do their school work when they are sick. We only do reading, writing, and arithmetic. Now I do not make them do school if they have a high fever or are too sick to get out of their beds. The reason I do this is that they will have to work or be a mom even if they are sick. When they are adults. 

 Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… Maggie and I were able to go to ballet and church. It was very nice to go back to church. Everyone was so concerned for us. That is one of the reasons I love our church. We also went back to ballet. It was nice for Maggie to see her friends and for me to talk to my friend Wendy. 

 My favorite thing this week was… really two things. The first was being back in God's house. The second was going to lunch and shopping with my mom. I found quite a few good deals at the Goodwill. I love to spend time with my mom. I will not always have her here. Plus she always listens and has good advice. I don't always like what she says. But it is still nice to having a listening ear.  

Questions/thoughts I have… why does life have to be so hard and unfair. I wonder sometimes if God is punishing me. I try to do what He wants me to do. 

 Things I’m working on… I am still working on tatting different things. I am also learning piano with Maggie. I really am enjoying this.   

I’m reading… Ted Dekker's Sanctuary. 

I’m praying for… my husband and his job situation. Also for my sons and daughters. 

Another Week

  In my life this week…Maggie has gone to the doctor twice. This is very unusual for her. She still is not one hundred percent. So we were not able to go to ballet, church, or piano. 

  In our home school this week…we still home schooled in spite of Maggie being sick. She didn't complain one bit. I was really proud of her. I was thinking of letting her off but she asked to home school. Brendan also did well this week. He is a lot of help to me. Picking up the slack in house hold things when I need to spend more time with Maggie.   

       Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share... do not just focus on getting school work done. Also find time to have fun with one another. Life is not always happy times at our house. In fact if I were honest I would say I do spend a lot of time being frustrated with one little girl. She really knows how to push my buttons. But I have to constantly remind myself not to be so hard. So take some time out to pray and have devotions. This will put everything back in perspective. 

  My favorite thing this week was… being able to stay home. We are gone everyday but Monday. We are either at Church, Ballet, or Piano. So it was nice to stay in the house playing games and staying out of the awful weather. 

  Questions/thoughts I have… when will I ever be able to control my emotions. I strive to do what is right but the minute I step out of my room. Everything just seems to fall apart. I think Satan knows this is my weakness. I feel like I constantly am giving into my feelings. It is a never ending struggle. 

  I’m reading... several devotionals and a new book by Ted Dekker. 

  I’m praying for… my husband in his new walk with the Lord and his new job. I am also praying for my children to always put God first in their lives. 

 A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.”  

  Corrie ten Boom

Another New Book

  I just finished reading a good book by Colleen Coble. It is a new Christmas book called Silent Night. This book is a continuation of her Rock Harbor series.

  Bree and Kade are hoping to have another baby after Bree's miscarriage. Bree and Kade are getting the guest room ready for Kade's sister Lauri when a call comes in for a rescue. A man has jumped out of an airplane and has gone missing in the woods. Somehow Kade's sister Lauri is linked with this man. Will the mystery ever be cleared up? Will Bree and Kade have the baby they are longing for?

  I really enjoyed this book but found it really short. It seemed a little too hurried. The book also seemed like it was missing some parts. All in all I think any fans of Colleen Coble will find this a great book.

Our Week in School

 I  want to say right off that I saw this on somebody else's blog. I thought I would give this a shot. But I wanted to say this is not my original idea.

  In my life this week…I have been trying to get back into a normal routine. The Lord has really put my faith to a test this week. David was demoted at work. At first I was upset. But God reminded me that I am not exempt from going through tests. We are trusting God to meet our every need. We are also keeping a promise that we made to God at the beginning of the year. 

 In our home school this week… we have started our full schedules again. Last week we kind of took it easy. I started History again with Maggie. Well we were talking about the Carthagene wars with Rome, Brendan spoke up with some interesting facts that SOTW hadn't even mentioned. I have to say I was very impressed. Maggie also started back with her ballet and piano. 

  

 Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…is not to be so hard on yourself. Do not doubt yourself or your kids. They will get it. They are learning so much more than you think they are learning. Also focus on what interest them. They will learn so much more if it interests them.

 Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…  We started ballet again. Also we went to Ms. Ethel's for Maggie's piano lesson. She is doing so well. I am really pleased with Simply Music. Maggie is learning to play so fast. She is also loving it, I might add. 

 

 My favorite thing this week was… that David had a couple of days off this week. So we were able to go to the Aquarium . We really enjoyed ourselves because nobody was there. We were able to see a lot more without fighting the crowds. 

 Questions/thoughts I have… why does God bring trials into our lives. I know that it is grow us more in His image. It is also to bring glory to Him. I just have a hard time accepting this sometimes. Sometimes I just hate to think of the new year coming. It always seems like something is going to or will happen. I know this is not a good attitude. But I am just being honest. 

 Things I’m working on… I have started up my tatting again. I think I am going to try to make my mom some coasters for her birthday. I am also working on my attitude. 

 I’m reading… several devotionals. I am also trying to read my Bible in a year. I am using the Chronological method. I also blog for books. So I am reading a new book by Colleen Coble. She is one of my favorite authors. 

                              

  I’m praying for… my family, my sister and my relationship to  be restored, our church, our pastor, our music ministry, tortured Christians in the world, the end of abortion, America and the President. 

  A photo, video, link, or quote to share…