Happy Birthday Mason

Today Mason turned six!

And he started first grade last week!

Where does the time go?

Maddy and Mason hamming it up while we visited my Grandparents last month.

Mason with his Great-Grandma Pat!

Mason with Great-Grandpa Shorty!

Happy Birthday Baby...I sure miss you, your smile and your goofy antics! You are one of my very favorite people! I pray that you will grow up to be a Godly man of character and make an even greater impact on this world than you can imagine!

Love you, Auntie!

Catching Up

I know, I know I haven't been blogging much...I just haven't had much inspiration! I don't want to use this blog as a complaining board nor do I want to feel sorry for myself...so I'm NOT!!!

Anyways...here's a quick catch up of my life:

* Still no job...going to sub and pray that I get a long-term sub job that turns into a full-time job!

* I'm moving....in fact, I'm moving in 3 days!!! Since my family no longer lives in Moses Lake and I don't have job opportunities here I felt it was best to move back to Puyallup. I already have a house lined up to rent with my friends Rodney and Holly, there are more job opportunities there and more "things" to do there!

* I'm turning 35!!! OMG...that means 40 is just around the corner! However, I'm not complaining...I love how old I am and the things I've gotten to do!

* I'm finally getting to see Wicked, the Broadway musical! I'm going for my birthday with my Mom and I am so super stoked!

* I'm going to Hawaii in three months!!! Yeah, 11 days in Kauai with my friends Ismo and Christina....ah bliss....no snow this Christmas!

* I changed my hair color! Such a highlight of my life....sheesh! But I really do appreciate having a sister who does hair! I'm thinking I want to go a bit blonder though....

That's about it for now!

Fiction Book Reviews

This time around, I received three books to read and review. I read two of the three and really enjoyed them!
The first one I read was The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo. This book is set in the 1880's with a debutante girl from back east desperately searching for a wild west adventure. She is a young lady reading a series of books about a female character who takes on bad guys and other adventures out west!

An opportunity comes up for Eugenia, Gennie, to become a nanny (sight unseen) to a single father out west! She gets a bit more adventure than she bargained for when starting out, but in the end she gets it! This was a good book to read!

Kathleen Y'Barbo's Bio:

Best-selling, award-winning author of more than thirty novels, novellas, and young adult books, with more than a half-million in print. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she is currently a publicist with Books & Such literary agency.

The second book I read was Rose House by Tina Ann Forkner. This book centers around a house surrounded by roses and each person that visits receives something different from the house: inspiration, peace, tranquility, etc. On her visit Lillian is mourning the loss of her husband and children in a tragic accident. She leaves the house in confusion though as she feels there is someone following her. Four years later she is back at the house and sees a painting in a local gallery of her as she was on her first visit. The story evolves as she seeks to find out who painted the picture, why/how her family died and how to get past her grief. Even though I don't normally read these types of books I found this one hard to put down!

Tina Ann Forkner Bio:

Is the author of Ruby Among Us. Originally from Oklahoma, she now lives with her husband and three children in Wyoming, where she serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation’s board of directors.

The third book I received was The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love by Beth Patillo. Book summary:

Once a month, the six women of the Sweetgum Knit Lit Society
gather to discuss books and share their knitting projects. Inspired by her recently wedded bliss group leader, Eugenie chooses "Great Love Stories in Literature" as the them for the year's reading list--a risky selection for a group whose members span the spectrum of age and relationship status.

As the Knit Lit ladies read and discus classic romances like Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice, each member is confronted with her own perception about love. Camille’s unexpected reunion with an old crush forces her to confront conflicting desires. Newly widowed Esther finds her role in Sweetgum changing and is surprised by two unlikely friends. Hannah isn’t sure she’s ready for the trials of first love. Newcomer Maria finds her life turned upside-down by increasing family obligations and a handsome, arrogant lawyer, and Eugenie and Merry are both asked to make sacrifices for their husbands that challenge their principles.

Even in a sleepy, southern town like Sweetgum, Tennessee, love isn’t easy. The Knit Lit ladies learn they can find strength and guidance in the novels they read, the love of their family, their community–and especially in each other.

Beth Pattillo Author Bio:

RITA Award-winning Beth Patillo combines her love of knitting and books in her engaging Sweetgum series. Pattillo served churches in Missouri and Tennessee before founding Faith Leader, a spiritual leadership development program.

The Friends We Keep and a 40-minute Bible Study

**Sorry it took me longer than a week to get a winner...I've been packing to move! So the winner for this book is Marcie...CONGRATS...book is in the mail!**


Every woman needs friends...someone to confide in and hang out with...I've learned that there are friends that belong in your life forever (yeah for BFF's) and some for just a season. This book addresses that...and ladies, believe me it is ok to have some friends for just a season. I've learned that God places people in your life to teach you a lesson, help you get through a difficult situation or for you to impact their life.

I have two books for you: The Friends We Keep and a 40-Minute Bible Study

The Friends we Keep Book Summary:

During a particularly painful time in her life, Sarah Zacharias Davis learned how delightful–and wounding–women can be in friendship. She saw how some friendships end badly, others die slow deaths, and how a chance acquaintance can become that enduring friend you need.

The Friends We Keep is Sarah’s thoughtful account of her own story and the stories of other women about navigating friendship. Her revealing discoveries tackle the questions every woman asks:

• Why do we long so for women friends?
• Do we need friends like we need air or food or water?
• What causes cattiness, competition, and co-dependency in too many friendships?
• Why do some friendships last forever and others only a season?
• How do I foster friendship?
• When is it time to let a friend go, and how do I do so?

With heartfelt, intelligent writing, Sarah explores these questions and more with personal stories, cultural references and history, faith, and grace. In the process, she delivers wisdom for navigating the challenges, mysteries, and delights of friendship: why we need friendships with other women, what it means to be safe in relationship, and how to embrace what a friend has to offer, whether meager or generous.

40-minute Bible Studies:

The 40 Minute Bible Study series from beloved Bible teacher Kay Arthur and the teaching staff of Precept Ministries tackles important issues in brief, easy-to-grasp lessons you can use personally or for small-group discussion. Each book in the series includes six 40-minute studies designed to draw you into God’s Word through basic inductive Bible study. There are 16 titles in the series, with topics ranging from fasting and forgiveness to prayer and worship. With no homework required, everyone in the group can work through the lesson together at the same time. Let these respected Bible teachers lead you in a study that will transform your thinking—and your life.

Titles Include:

•The Essentials of Effective Prayer •Being a Disciple: Counting the Cost

•Building a Marriage That Really Works

•Discovering What the Future Holds

•Forgiveness: Breaking the Power of the Past

•Having a Real Relationship with God

•How Do You Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk?

•Living a Life of Real Worship

•How to Make Choices You Won’t Regret

•Living Victoriously in Difficult Times

•Money & Possessions: The Quest for Contentment

•Rising to the Call of Leadership

•How Do You Know God’s Your Father?

•Key Principles of Biblical Fasting

•A Man’s Strategy for Conquering Temptation

•What Does the Bible Say About Sex?

Author Bios:

Sarah Zacharias Davis is a senior advancement officer at Pepperdine University, having joined the university after working as vice president of marketing and development for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and in strategic marketing for CNN. The daughter of best-selling writer Ravi Zacharias, Davis is the author of the critically-acclaimed Confessions from an Honest Wife and Transparent: Getting Honest About Who We are and Who We Want to Be. She graduated from Covenant College with a degree in education and lives in Los Angeles, California.

Kay Arthur, executive vice president and cofounder of Precept Ministries International has worked with her teaching staff to create the powerful 40-Minute Bible Studies series. Kay is known around the world as a Bible teacher, author, conference speaker, and host of national radio and television programs.

Would you like a copy of the book The Friends We Keep? As well as the 40-minute Bible Study Building a Marriage that Works?

I have a copy just for you! Simply leave me a comment and you will win both books. Good luck and Happy Reading!

LaCrosse Justice

My maternal grandparents live in a small farming community, LaCrosse, in Eastern WA (about an hour or so from Pullman) and not much happens in their small town.

Much to my surprise when I clicked on Komonews the other day to read up on the daily headlines I saw an article about LaCrosse.

Here is the article for you:

LA CROSSE, WA. - Some are calling it La Crosse justice after a man stole another man's wallet and ended up getting tackled, hog-tied and left in the middle of Main Street for police to find him.

The other day 25-year-old Sean Lee stopped by 69-year-old Larry Garrett's house in LaCrosse with a sad story to tell.

"I need to get some gas, from Seattle, my wife's having a baby in Lewiston and I'm out of gas," Larry recalled.

So Larry paid for Lee's gas, even made him some food.

"He said, 'Oh my God, I'm so hungry, hadn't eaten in three days,' so I said well I'll get you something to eat," Larry said.

He says he had just finished heating up a plate of frozen taquitos for him when Lee stole his wallet.

"I went over to put my card in my billfold, and my billfold was gone," Larry said.

Lee then took off.

"Boom he was gone. That (guy) can run like a deer," Larry said.

It turns out Sean Lee should have stayed inside because outside, Lowell Garrett - Larry's cousin - was waiting.

"All of a sudden they stepped out on the porch. This guy was on the dead run," Lowell said. "They said, 'Stop him, he's got my wallet!' "

Lee tried to get in his car to make his getaway but Lowell wasn't letting him get away that easily.

"I grabbed him right by the front of the shirt, pulled him, jerked him," he said.

Lowell then wrestled the man out of the car and onto the pavement.

"Laid him in the street, then June came over and sat on him. I told Steven my brother, I said, 'Don't let go of him!' I went and got some plastic ties and put those on his legs," Lowell said.

Once they all tied Lee up, then they called the police. Instead of taking him over to the sidewalk. They just left him sitting tied up in the middle of the road.

And so there Lee sat under Lowell's watchful eye.

"You leave that rope alone or I'll break your fingers," Lowell recalled telling him.

So in the middle of La Crosse's main street, Lee sat hog-tied until the police arrived 20 minutes later. Larry Garrett had some choice words he gave to Sean Lee after the man tried to steal his wallet.

"What the hell's a matter with you?" Larry recalled telling him.

The sheriff said that they don't recommend citizens taking these kinds of measures to apprehend someone but in this case it did help them collar a criminal.

I guess you shouldn't mess with the men and women of LaCrosse, WA...they might just hogtie you and leave you in the middle of the street!!

Although I have to say if you are an honest person and are passing through and need help they will definitely help you out. The townspeople are quite friendly....especially my Grandpa and Grandma!

Book Review and Giveaway

**WINNER ALERT** Kate...you won!! Email me your address and I'll get the book out to you as soon as possible! Congratulations!!


Summary:

Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother of a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail of memories leads Cara and Lori out of New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life.

Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus. Can the run-down house that Ada envisions transforming unite them toward a common purpose–or push Mahlon away forever? While Ephraim is trying to do what he believes is right, will he be shunned and lose everything–including the guarded single mother who simply longs for a better life?

Author Bio:

Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.

New York Times bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall is on tour, and she may be coming to a city near you! Don’t miss your opportunity to meet Cindy and have her sign her newest title The Hope of Refuge at one of the following events.

Tuesday, August 11 7 – 8:30pm

Barnes & Noble

5141 Peachtree Parkway, The Forum
Norcross, Georgia 30092
(770) 209-4244

Wednesday, August 12 7 – 8pm

Barnes & Noble Opry Mills

515 Opry Mills Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
(615) 514-5000

Thursday, August 13 6 – 8pm

Barnes & Noble

2540 Futura Pkwy. #135
Plainfield, Indiana 46168
(317) 838-7941

Friday, August 14 6 – 8pm

Barnes & Noble

1550 West 75th
Downers Grove, Illinois 60516
(630) 663-0181

Saturday, August 15 1 – 3pm

Baker Books

2768 East Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546-6139
(616) 957-3110

Sunday, August 16 2 – 4pm

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

3700 Rivertown Parkway Ste. 2058
Grandville, Michigan 49418
(616) 531-1825

Monday, August 17 7 – 8:00pm

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

1739 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 298-9516

Tuesday, August 18 7– 8:30pm

Joseph Beth Booksellers

2705 E. Carson Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
(412) 381-3600

Wednesday, August 19 6 – 8pm

Hackman’s Bible Book Store

1341 Mickley Road
Whitehall, Pennsylvania 18052-4610
(610) 264-8600

Thursday, August 20 1 – 3pm

Rachel’s Country Store (Amish dry goods store)

6352 McClays Mill Road
Newburg, Pennsylvania 17240
(717) 530-9452

Can’t make the tour? You can still follow Cindy’s adventures on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter. See you there!

Giveaway:

I have one copy of this book to giveaway to anyone who is interested. Simply leave me a comment and I will choose a winner by next Friday, August 14th using random.org.

Playing with Dinosaurs...

My sister Shannon and her family, and I, went to Grandma and Grandpa's house yesterday for a little visit! While there Mason and I played dinosaurs (got 2 bags of dino's at a garage sale a couple of months ago for $1 a bag!!).

This is the view of Dino Land from the top!

Then we got a little creative....or should I say I taught Mason how to get creative with the dinosaurs...

This T-Rex is enjoying a mini-soldier for lunch....

Yummy....

Here's another man down!!

We are wondering how this dinosaur got stuck on Rexie's arm? Hmmmmm....maybe it's a baby dinosaur and he's teething?

This was probably one of our favorites....

again...a much smaller dinosaur going for the big guns...

doing a face plant!

This is how you have fun with your six-year old nephew!!!