Miracle in a Dry Season - A Book Review

If you're looking for some historical fiction that doesn't quite fit the stereotypical Christian fiction mold, this book is for you.  It has elements that you will recognize, but for the most part this book is a book of unexpected twists.  It is a story of forgiveness that takes place in West Virginia shortly after the depression.  It will give you a glimpse into their lives and way of thinking all along the way demonstrating forgiveness.  

I received a complimentary copy of Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas from Bethany House Publishers.

Cousins in the House!

After 16 years (I think that's what it is), I get to live in the same state as my sister!  I can't tell you how fun this is going to be.  Needless to say, their visit this weekend was eagerly anticipated.  The kids knew they were going to have fun with cousins and we were excited to catch up with Karen & Joe.  We didn't do anything but chat and play.  This is definitely the first of many visits!

Snow Grandkids ages 6-13

Let's just say, there was more of this going on than the first picture. 

Are You Ready for Some Football?!

We are on the cusp of football season and for the ball lover in the family, Andrew couldn't be happier.  He was delighted when we heard that the St Louis Rams would be doing a walk through at the base.  Needless to say, he would frequently ask when it was.  Despite the threat of rain, we headed out and saw the local team.  It was interesting and you know those players are big...really big.  They walked through some plays with some service members and it was more than obvious who the football players were.  Afterwards, they did a brief autograph signing and then headed out.  We had not planned to stay for the signing, but as we were ready to leave, they came right to where we were.  It was funny to get the autographs and we didn't really have time to prep the kids.  So we just said to hold their papers.  After we got the first signature, Andrew loudly asked, "what does it say?"  They had no idea what a signature was...cracked me up! 

 I should have taken a different lens for the camera so he could be seen better, but #8 in the red shirt was the quarterback, Sam Bradford.

 Chris said you know it isn't a serious football game when the pros wear flip-flops as number 62 is wearing! (again, if the picture was larger, you could see them)

First signature...Jake Long

Just for the record, I know nothing about Rams football.  Everything I wrote about the team I learned from Google.  This in no way means that our allegiance will change from a few other teams that we enjoy watching.

First day of School 2014-2015

Today was the first day of school for my kids.  They were so very excited and for that I'm thankful.  Growing up, I never had to change schools and this was the first time my trio had to switch schools due to a move.  I had no idea what to expect.  They were nervous, but meeting their teachers a couple of days ago certainly put them to ease.  I'm pretty sure it was harder on their Momma than it was on them.  They gave it rave reviews when they got home and want to go back tomorrow (Andrew would go back tonight if he could!)  So thankful for answered prayers!

 Andrew - 1st Grade

 Hannah - 2nd Grade

 Luke - 3rd Grade

I've always thought it would be fun to walk to school (on beautiful days of course!)  It was fun to be able to do that this morning for the first time and Chris was even able to join us!

Squeezing in the Last of Summer Fun

Just as I'm squeezing in this post the evening before school starts, we've squeezed a lot of fun into the last several days.  Our summer was a bit topsy-turvy with the move and the wonderful blessing of family visiting.  That left us little time to finish off our summer to-do list and take in a couple local attractions.  It made me a bit sad that much of our summer was consumed with packing, moving, unpacking, and getting settled in our home.  The last several days have been a blessing to reconnect and have fun with the kids.  It's also been nice that Chris has been home some of that time as well to join in on the fun.  So with no further ado, here are a few highlights of the last several days.

The local splash park that must be revisited sometime soon!

 Making our own pizzas was on our to-do list and is always a favorite!

 They enjoy science "experiments".  This really wasn't an experiment, but I found how to make your own slime on a science site so I thought it would count and the kids loved it.

 A trip to the zoo!  If we went early, we could pet the stingrays and ride the carousel (for free!!) so we braved the early morning and rush hour.  It was all worth it when Andrew declared the carousel his favorite and Luke loved petting the stingrays.  Standing in front of the fake cobra was obviously not a favorite part of the day for Hannah.  She just enjoys seeing the big animals.

 The last big event was the state fair.  We had a great time eating fair food, watching the animals and seeing the different vendors.  The much anticipated highlight was the elephant ear - a true sign that we are back in the Midwest.  They don't have these in other parts of the country and if you ask about them, many don't even know what they are.  It was a very yummy treat!

The final event of the summer was trying out the popular, local pizza place, but before we did that we went and met their teachers and turned in all their goods.  It was a great night to put the kids at ease to begin in their new school.  It's looking to be a good year!

Murder at the Mikado - A Book Review

This is the third book of the Drew Farthering Mysteries that I've read and it didn't disappoint.  This author does an excellent job of making it difficult to figure out "who did it" until the very end.  This one was even more so because the mystery involved actors that are professionals at deception as was the case in this story line.  I also appreciate how she weaves the lives of the main characters and their growth as individuals throughout the mystery.  She does a superb job of mingling the story lines in a smooth fashion.

I received a complimentary copy of Murder at the Mikado by Julianna Deering from Bethany House Publishers.

Thoughts on "Home"

 Our first Air Force home in Enid, Oklahoma where we welcomed Luke and Hannah into our lives

Home...we've had a few physical homes over the course of the last 12 years...six homes plus two short term assignments when home was a hotel type environment. They were each different and each with their own unique set of memories.  There was the apartment in Indianapolis that we called home the first couple of years we were married.  Then the next two were where we welcomed Luke, Hannah and Andrew into our lives.  There was the one that was full of deployments and short term trips for Chris and there was another one that will always be remembered by the sweet friendships we were blessed to welcome into our home.  It still remains unseen what memory will stand out for our current home. 

"Home" is also where I want to go when my soul just doesn't feel right with this world.  Sometimes I say, "I want to go home", which means to my parent's home.  I've also been with my parents and said, "I want to go home" referring to the life I have with Chris.  However, I found myself saying, "I want to go home" earlier this spring when we had so much going on.  At one point, we were buying, renting and selling a home.  All I could think of was, "I want to go home".  I'm thankful for these blessings, but these feelings of transition and not feeling settled reminded me once again that this world really is not our home.  One day (one day!) I will get to be home with my Heavenly Father and at last find that eternal home of contentment without the stress of this world.

12 Years Ago....

was a busy and fun day for us.  Honestly, our wedding day was one of the most fun days ever.  What a blessing it was to be surrounded by dear friends and family!  Plus, I was going to get to be with Chris for a lifetime.  On a side note...it was one hot August day!

The last 12 years have not been what I thought they would look like in a variety of ways, but as I look back, I wouldn't change a thing.  The lessons God has taught us and the blessings that have been bestowed on us far exceed anything I could imagine.  I'm so very thankful for the journey and adventure I get to take through this life with Chris!