Living Each Moment and the Next: 2011

Book Review: Invasion

12/05/2011

Over the weekend I finished another book. This time I chose a fiction book. At the time I didn't realize it was a young adult book. As I started reading Invasion by Jon Lewis, I was quickly hooked. The main character is a 16 year old boy whose parents are killed in a car wreck. He is told it was by a drunk driver but soon finds out that was just the cover story. As the story progresses we find out there is a whole world out the public has no idea exists. I don't want to give to much away but think comic book heroes and aliens among us. I enjoyed the story and think my sons will like to read it also. It is going to be a series so I am sure I will be reading the next one too. If you have children in your family that like sci-fi fiction give this book a chance. It was a good book and kept me interested once I got into the story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Why Men Hate Going to Church

12/01/2011

I was accidentally shipped the wrong book recently but I decided to go ahead and read the book I recieved. I surprisingly enjoyed it. The book was "Why Men Hate Going to Church" by David Murrow. As a wife to a husband that rarely goes to church, I thought this book has some great insite. The author opened my eyes to what he calls the feminization of Jesus. There was so much that I hadn't really thought about. I highly recommend this book if nothing else just to make you think. Look around your own church and see if the population is mainly women. If so ask yourself why.

One question that I thought was interesting is toward the end of the book in the chapter Getting the big story right, is the gospel being portrayed as a chick flick? Is the Lamb of God being predominately preached or the Lion of Judah? It even made me think about some of the praise songs we sing. Like I said this book really opened my eyes to how some men might feel sitting in some of our churches today.

Newborn Pictures: Baby Emma

11/08/2011

I love newborn photoshoots!

Book Review: Heaven is for Real

11/04/2011

I decided to review "Heaven is For Real" by Todd Burpo even though I am a tad bit leery or cynical about books like this. I have heard a ton of people talk about it so I figured why not. It is a really easy and interesting book to read. I love to read about people's lives and this book really drew me in. I have a special needs daughter who has spent time in the hospital so I felt a connection with the parents. When I started reading Colton's description of heaven it made me think of having such child-like faith.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. It is a fairly short book but it will draw you in and hold your attention. I even cried a little! Heaven is a wonderful place and the description from the mouth of a child makes me long for it.

Book Review: Waking Hours

10/10/2011

First thing I want to say is that if you get easily spooked or dream about what you read, I wouldn't recommend reading this book before going to bed. That being said, I really liked this book!

Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl was a well written story. It made you think about things that we don't see with our physical eyes. There is a spiritual world right along with our physical word, that we don't see and some do not like to think about. This book makes you look at possibilities some try to ignore. I love books that make you think outside the box.

The story line was easy to follow and I didn't want to put it down. The two main characters and the story line flow well with each other. One is a forensic psychologist, the other is a private investigator in training. The story doesn't completely end, and it looks to be a trilogy. Check it out and see what you think!

Book Review: The Baker's Wife

10/05/2011

I chose to review a fiction book this time and boy was it good. It was a quick read, which is all I seem to have time for lately. Anyway, I really enjoyed The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to walk in someone else's shoes? What if you could actually feel the pain and hurting that another person was experiencing? If God led you to a hurting, needing, person would you step out of your comfort zone and help them even if it caused you physical pain? The main subject in this book had to ask herself these questions.

The Baker's Wife had just the right amount of suspense to keep your attention. I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense stories but also stories that make you wonder could that really happen. I was entertained but challenged all at the same time.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A nice getaway

My husband and I ran away for the weekend. We spent three days at a wonderful treehouse cabin. No cellphones, wifi, or our children. Which was just what we needed! :-)

I have been very busy with my business and he has been left at home to keep up with the kids.

We needed time to ourselves to reconnect with each other!

This was the perfect place and was just what the doctor ordered.

Time alone together is so important and I forget that at times. Can't wait to go back next year!

Book Review: Put Your Dream to the Test

9/14/2011

I know I haven't posted on here in ages but I wanted to share a review of a book that I read. It is Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions to help you see it and seize it by John Maxwell. This has been a very encouraging book and has helped me ask myself some hard questions. It has encouraged me to pursue my dream by taking ownership of it. By writing down my dream it helps me to focus on it and the steps to pursue it.

What are your dreams? Do you have a general idea or a clear path? "Only those who see their dreams are able to seize their dreams."

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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7/21/2011

Just random

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7/12/2011

I was able to take pictures of a precious newborn last week. I enjoyed it so much!
Here are a few!

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7/07/2011

Before our week stay at the hospital, I had the chance to take pictures of a very unique family. The hadn't gotten together for at least three years due to some of them being over seas. When I walked in the house there was a Christmas tree set up... yes in June! I really didn't think anything of it because I was focused on where I was going to put all of them. Anyway they tell me that because this is the only chance they have to get together they were celebrating all of the holidays in three days. They had Valentines Day for breakfast, Cinco de Mayo for lunch, and Christmas was at supper time!

This family was so much fun! After their regular pictures they all dressed up in goofy clothes so they could have a silly picture. The funny thing was, they wanted to take it inside the house not outside in the yard. I was informed that some of them still had to live in the neighborhood after the weekend was over and didn't want the neighbors to see them! Too funny!!

Here is a couple from the shoot.

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7/06/2011

The rest of the fireworks!

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I tried shooting fireworks again this year. I played with my settings until I got them where I liked it. I took a whopping 146 pictures, eek!! Of, course not all of them were very good. When I started out everything was black. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my settings. My advice from first hand experience..... check to see if you left the lens cap on!

Also make sure you are not under a tree!

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7/05/2011

I can't believe it has been three weeks since I have posted anything! It has been really crazy around here. We spent a week with my daughter in the hospital. She got a virus that cause her to not be able to keep her seizure meds down. That led to major seizure activity which led to a late night trip to the ER. They ended up pumping her with a major medication dose and put her in the ICU. We were in the hospital for full 7 days!

After that it was our 17th anniversary which we spent at Six Flags. That is where we went for our honeymoon. We both were very young!! Then company was here. My husband's family came to visit for the 4th.

I also was working on promoting with Jordan Essentials. I was challenged to make director in training by July and I achieved it. I will be crowned at convention this month!!

My husband has been doing great holding down the fort at home, including taking my son to baseball practice. This is his first year playing baseball and he loves it. He told me he thinks this is his sport. Here are some pictures from the last game that I was able to be at.

Getting ready

He blows out his cheeks just like he does in basketball!

Whoops focus point on fence not child!

Made it to 2nd!

Down time.