I have to admit I have never read a Beverly Lewis book before. She writes Christian romantic fiction surrounding Amish characters. Growing up in Lancaster she has a great, true perspective of how the Amish culture works. I received this book to review from her publisher Bethany House.
This story focuses on a woman, Amelia (Amy), and an Amishman, Michael. Amelia is an accomplished violinist thanks to the prompting of her father. However, we find she is performing as Amy for Tim McGraw as the fiddler and fears her father finding out. On the way home from a performance she gets lost in a rainstorm. What's worse is she had left her cell phone at home hoping to get some peace after the end of a long relationship. Without any other option she sets out to find help. She comes upon a cabin and decides to stop there. Michael is of course the man there. He invites her in and after talking come to realize they enjoy each other. He invites her to his Amish community the next day. There she agrees to stay for the weekend.
As Amelia has a father pushing her towards being a "violinist" where she is happy to be a "fiddler", Michael has his own father issue. At 25 he is still not baptized and his dad wants him to join the faith or leave. He, like Amelia, is being pressured by the father while being happier with something else. He is in college and likes making blue prints and wants to pursue that life but the love of his family keeps him from being able to leave.
Of course the book will explore these feelings and ultimately come to a conclusion of their decisions. It also shows a blooming love between them. I really enjoy how the romance is written. It starts building on a connection they have that has nothing to do with sex or physicality. In doing so you can truly root for them and these pure feelings. The Christian part comes into play because Michael isn't so sure about becoming Amish but that doesn't mean he wants a life without God in it. Amelia wants to have a relationship with God.
The Fiddler was a great book and after reading it I will be checking out others. Luckily my mother and several friends are big fans of Ms. Lewis'. The Fiddler is the first book in The Hickory Hollow series. Book two, The Bridesmaid, will be released in September of this year. Before you decide you know how this story ends, this book is about another (secondary) character of this book. : ) So if you are tired of standard romance of today definitely check this book out.
*Again, I was given a copy of this book to review from Bethany House. They ask for honest opinions so everything I have written is how I feel and view this book. *
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Katherine's first filling
My poor little girl had her first filling the other week. I say first filling but truly hope she never needs another. I unfortunately have been plagued with cavity prone teeth. The dentist said they don't know why it just seems some people have them. May neither of my daughters have that issue.
To get Katherine ready I tried to read Just going to the Dentist. I wouldn't recommend that. It actually makes the situation scarier. So we just tried to down play it. (Note: I had to hide my fear of the dentist from her).
She did great. They have a new dentist at the office and she was amazing. Joking and putting Katherine at total ease. At the end Katherine even got a certificate of Bravery that comes with a coupon for a free kids meal at Chick Fil A. I asked why I never got one and then had to realize that the key word was Bravery. Opps. Looks like I will be paying full price.
To get Katherine ready I tried to read Just going to the Dentist. I wouldn't recommend that. It actually makes the situation scarier. So we just tried to down play it. (Note: I had to hide my fear of the dentist from her).
She did great. They have a new dentist at the office and she was amazing. Joking and putting Katherine at total ease. At the end Katherine even got a certificate of Bravery that comes with a coupon for a free kids meal at Chick Fil A. I asked why I never got one and then had to realize that the key word was Bravery. Opps. Looks like I will be paying full price.
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| I brought her blankie to comfort her. She also was trying to get my Zune to work but the ear buds kept popping out. |
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| Not happy I was taking her picture because she had a bib on |
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| Getting ready |
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| Kids wear sunglasses because of the light |
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| 15 minutes later done. She didn't even need numbed |
Summer Vacation
Last week was the end of the school year here. That means we were super busy getting things ready for when the kids would be home (AKA getting rid of old clothes and toys of theirs so they didn't notice). We also were busy with Katherine's Kindergarten Picnic. She was so happy that Daddy was able to come. Usually he has to work on the events the school plans but due to working on Memorial Day he had Wednesday as a day off.
Ava got to come too since Pre K started later for her. Though she didn't join in much with the games. At every station they would tell Ava she could play and were met with her "No thank you." The one station she couldn't resist was........sidewalk chalk? We have sidewalk chalk at home. Wouldn't it be more exciting to do the things we don't get to at home? Whatever makes her happy I suppose.
Ava got to come too since Pre K started later for her. Though she didn't join in much with the games. At every station they would tell Ava she could play and were met with her "No thank you." The one station she couldn't resist was........sidewalk chalk? We have sidewalk chalk at home. Wouldn't it be more exciting to do the things we don't get to at home? Whatever makes her happy I suppose.
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| The Classic Sack Race |
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| Fun with the Parachute |
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| Ava likes to draw |
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| Having a special moment playing with Daddy |
Friday, June 1, 2012
June is busting out all over
If you know and like musicals I bet you have that song in your head now. : ) I have been missing, I know. So much has been going on and I just seem to want the quiet time at night and not have to "work" at writing. Sorry.
I am back now though. So let the rejoicing begin. We will start with the monthly trait to work on with FlyLady. June is all about drinking your water.
Since the weather has been getting hotter it should be easier to remember to drink your water. FlyLady even has a water bottle for sale in her FlyShop. I personally like the plastic cups that look like they are disposable. They are about $5.00 at Walmart. They have some with gel walls but my mother said they will "sweat". Mine is just the basic double wall and I can have ice water without all the water marks on my table.
Now we all know that our bodies are made up of mostly water but what does that mean? Turns out it should be a sign that we NEED WATER!!!! Many of our health issues could be fixed by upping our water intake. Tiredness, constant headaches, dizziness.... all signs of dehydration. Plus ice water burns more calories and will make your stomach feel fuller so you can lose weight that way.
Thinking of how bland and boring water will be if you have to constantly be drinking it to get the 8 glasses a day? You're in luck. Online (I used Pinterest) there were dozens of water flavors to make naturally. So if you go out to get lemons or strawberries and blueberries for your kids snack, pop some in a container of water.
Get your kids into drinking to by setting up a taste testing of flavors. Let them make their own flavors up by combining fruits and herbs together.
What I am trying to say is have fun with it!
I am back now though. So let the rejoicing begin. We will start with the monthly trait to work on with FlyLady. June is all about drinking your water.
Since the weather has been getting hotter it should be easier to remember to drink your water. FlyLady even has a water bottle for sale in her FlyShop. I personally like the plastic cups that look like they are disposable. They are about $5.00 at Walmart. They have some with gel walls but my mother said they will "sweat". Mine is just the basic double wall and I can have ice water without all the water marks on my table.
Now we all know that our bodies are made up of mostly water but what does that mean? Turns out it should be a sign that we NEED WATER!!!! Many of our health issues could be fixed by upping our water intake. Tiredness, constant headaches, dizziness.... all signs of dehydration. Plus ice water burns more calories and will make your stomach feel fuller so you can lose weight that way.
Thinking of how bland and boring water will be if you have to constantly be drinking it to get the 8 glasses a day? You're in luck. Online (I used Pinterest) there were dozens of water flavors to make naturally. So if you go out to get lemons or strawberries and blueberries for your kids snack, pop some in a container of water.
Get your kids into drinking to by setting up a taste testing of flavors. Let them make their own flavors up by combining fruits and herbs together.
What I am trying to say is have fun with it!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Welcoming Willow
We finally got the landlords to agree to let us get a pet. Of course we have to sign another agreement that any damage done by the pet will be our responsibility and not part of the security deposit. Nothing too bad and we aren't the type to try and get out of something we owe. In fact, that is the only reason they are allowing us to get a pet. They said they know we are responsible and will take care of the property and pet. I'm sure it also was helping that they know were were talking about a kitten and not a dog. : )
On Monday we got Willow. He started as a kitten for my mother but there was a bond between him and Katherine. She spent the night at my mothers to help her watch him on Saturday after mom had picked him up. He followed her around and listened to her which seemed so odd. Then Sunday Willow hung out her for a while so Ava could play with him too. It was just apparent that they loved him and Grammie told us to get the landlord okay and we could keep him.
Not only did she give the girls Willow, she is also going to pay for his shots, neutering (when the time comes) and declawing. All so she knows the girls are safe and Willow will not get sick.
He loves being here. It's weird how he just fits in with us. Seems like he has parts of our personalities too. Definitely a meant to be moment.
Oh and yes, Willow is a boy but Willow is a girly type name. See he's gray and mom named him Pussy Willow but we all just call him Willow. Tried to get the girls to rename him but it was a no go. Besides there was a movie Willow once and that was a boy? : )
On Monday we got Willow. He started as a kitten for my mother but there was a bond between him and Katherine. She spent the night at my mothers to help her watch him on Saturday after mom had picked him up. He followed her around and listened to her which seemed so odd. Then Sunday Willow hung out her for a while so Ava could play with him too. It was just apparent that they loved him and Grammie told us to get the landlord okay and we could keep him.
Not only did she give the girls Willow, she is also going to pay for his shots, neutering (when the time comes) and declawing. All so she knows the girls are safe and Willow will not get sick.
He loves being here. It's weird how he just fits in with us. Seems like he has parts of our personalities too. Definitely a meant to be moment.
Oh and yes, Willow is a boy but Willow is a girly type name. See he's gray and mom named him Pussy Willow but we all just call him Willow. Tried to get the girls to rename him but it was a no go. Besides there was a movie Willow once and that was a boy? : )
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Becoming Sister Wives Book Review
I am a big fan of the show. Fascinated by how women can share a husband and how it all works. Of course I knew I had to read the book when I saw they were writing one.
The book is written by the adults of the family - not a person that they just told their stories to. I always enjoy biographies better when the people write them themselves. This to me could fit into biography since it is about their life as a family.
It starts with Kody writing the preface. Then the wives each get a chapter to talk about how they came into the family. You know, how they met Kody and were courted, how long, etc. After everyone gets to write about that they all start writing about being a sister wife and their relationships with each other. The next section of the book moves to the Family. How they co parent, make decisions, etc. Finally comes the section on being celebrities. How the show came to be, what it has been like being in the public eye and so on. Kody then concludes the book.
I enjoyed being able to read more about the back story. It helps clear up some questions a viewer may have, we learn that they are Mormon Fundamentalists and that it is different from the FLDS church and what we saw on tv with the raids. We even learn how plural marriage is brought together in their faith. Of course I did find some wives more enjoyable to read than others but that may be because I enjoy them more on the show for whatever reason.
Overall the book is a fast read. It took me about a day and a half and that would have been shorter if I didn't have kids and a husband that needed me during that time. : ) I also learned a lot from reading it as I have mentioned a few points above.
Remember the new season starts May 13th on TLC.
* I was not given anything to do this review. I just enjoy the show and borrowed the book from the local library. *
The book is written by the adults of the family - not a person that they just told their stories to. I always enjoy biographies better when the people write them themselves. This to me could fit into biography since it is about their life as a family.
It starts with Kody writing the preface. Then the wives each get a chapter to talk about how they came into the family. You know, how they met Kody and were courted, how long, etc. After everyone gets to write about that they all start writing about being a sister wife and their relationships with each other. The next section of the book moves to the Family. How they co parent, make decisions, etc. Finally comes the section on being celebrities. How the show came to be, what it has been like being in the public eye and so on. Kody then concludes the book.
I enjoyed being able to read more about the back story. It helps clear up some questions a viewer may have, we learn that they are Mormon Fundamentalists and that it is different from the FLDS church and what we saw on tv with the raids. We even learn how plural marriage is brought together in their faith. Of course I did find some wives more enjoyable to read than others but that may be because I enjoy them more on the show for whatever reason.
Overall the book is a fast read. It took me about a day and a half and that would have been shorter if I didn't have kids and a husband that needed me during that time. : ) I also learned a lot from reading it as I have mentioned a few points above.
Remember the new season starts May 13th on TLC.
* I was not given anything to do this review. I just enjoy the show and borrowed the book from the local library. *
Friday, May 4, 2012
May's Focus
This month we are to do loving movement. Nope, not some interpretive dance (unless that's what you want to do) but just getting up and getting moving.
As always FlyLady sets it to 15 minutes a day and gives you a place on her site to log how much you have done. However, why not go the extra 5 minutes if you can. It is suggested that 20 minutes of exercise a day helps women lower their risk of heart attacks.
So get out there and walk, dance, jog whatever it gets to get you moving again.
As always FlyLady sets it to 15 minutes a day and gives you a place on her site to log how much you have done. However, why not go the extra 5 minutes if you can. It is suggested that 20 minutes of exercise a day helps women lower their risk of heart attacks.
So get out there and walk, dance, jog whatever it gets to get you moving again.
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