Let's All Be Brave by Annie Downs

When I saw Annie Downs' book Let's All Be Brave as one of my options for books to review on BookLook Bloggers, I was thrilled. I went to college with Annie and know her to authentic and funny. I expected her book to be the same, and I was not disappointed. What I did not expect was to weep through a large portion of the book.

I can't even say why, exactly, this book made me weep except that it hit me in my tender spot. You know, the place where God has already been poking and prodding. My "word" that God gave me at the beginning of this year was BRAVE. I have had, as we all do, many chances to practice being brave this year, but in reading this book I feel God's summons to me was taken to a new level.

Let's All Be Brave challenges and encourages, awakening old dreams while inspiring new ones, highlighting big acts of bravery while applauding small ones. Even in reviewing this, I feel myself shiver with anticipation for opportunities that I know are coming my way. Chances to say yes and dive into the unknown as well as the difficult known.

I definitely recommend Annie's book. Even if you don't read something in it you've never seen before, you will be reminded of many truths and opportunities you will want to grab hold of for the future.

I gave my opinion on this book in exchange for a free copy from BookLook Bloggers. My opinions are my own.

Susanna's First Birthday

If I had known how fast this year would fly, I probably would have wanted to chain myself to the floor and stop all activities so I could sit and not miss a single second of this sweet child's first year. I cannot believe she's already one. I cannot even begin to describe how much joy she has brought our family. From the second her eyes open in the morning to the time I shut her door at night she is receiving kisses, hugs, silly faces...we basically all act like fools just to be rewarded with her smiles. And she gives them freely.

September 19 was celebrated with dinner at Olive Garden and her birthday was celebrated on the 28th at our new home. We warmed the house and ate birthday cake at the same time. 

a little pre-birthday happiness

 The beautiful cake a family friend made

 

 Grandma Clair made it just in time for the party

 family...

 and friends

 Grandma Bonnie

 a sneak peak of the new house

 

 It's cake time! She is not sure about this...

 

 

 Yes, this looks promising.

 Everybody is staring.

 Okay, give me the cake.

 

 Fingers are good.

 Hands are better.

 

 Fistfuls are the best!

 Wait! One more bite!

 

 Pink mascara

 Wink, wink!

Susie Q! I love you!

Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot

I picked up Prelude for a Lord to review from BookLook Bloggers, and I'm so glad I did. I almost passed this book up because I had never heard of this author, and now I'm disappointed that this was Camille Elliot's first book because I wish there were more I could read by her! I've always loved historical novels, but I've decided I especially love the Regency era, which is the time in which Prelude for a Lord is set.

Alethea Sutherton, a twenty-eight year old musician, finds herself fighting both the rules of society and the men in her life for control over her own destiny. Women playing the violin in this time period is considered vulgar, a fact that does not deter Alethea from her love of the instrument. However, when Alethea finds herself endangered by the obsession of one determined to own her precious violin, she must trust a man she would much prefer to dismiss. 

I loved the characters in this book and hope that Camille Elliot will pick up in books to come where she left off with some of the supporting characters. I would definitely recommend Prelude for a Lord and that you keep your eye out for more books by Elliot.

 I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in return for my honest opinion.

A Little Inspiration

I've been sitting here reading some of my past blog entries and laughing so hard. My kids are so darn cute! And since it's getting late in summer vacation, and today was a top-decibel day, I needed to be reminded.

Judah ended up at the ER on Sunday getting stitches in his foot. When they got to the house we're building (See, I'm waaaaaay behind on updates), all the boys had on shoes. You know how the rest of the story goes. So, he has eight stitches in his heel. He probably needs ten or twelve, but the ER doctor was a little too optimistic.

The child has not slowed down for one second. As soon as the drugs wore off he was up and running. I told him numerous times on Monday to stop jumping off of things, but it hasn't worked yet. He really has a high pain tolerance, and he has been an excellent patient. He just needed for the narcotics to get out of his system. He was W-I-L-D for about three days. Wild. Even in the middle of it, though, I couldn't help but laugh, especially when he said something about his "itches". I said, "What? Your foot itches?" He said, "Yes, I have itches in my foot."

Susanna's Dedication

On Mother's Day our church had a baby dedication. We put Susanna in the family heirloom dress and had her dedicated. (Which makes me so stinkin' nervous every time since I have babies who spit! She did great and only left a little drool on it.)

The baby daddy

The dress

The whole family

Kris' parents

Eli's Baptism

On April 27th, the day before Eli's 7th birthday, we were sitting on the back porch with the boys, talking about Jesus. Kris was talking to them about how Jesus took all our punishment, all our guilt, all our shame, and that we had to experience none of those things.

I was watching Eli's face while Kris was talking, and I could see it. I could see he was dialed in. I could see the heavens warring for him. After Kris finished and he and Luke went inside, I pulled Eli into my lap and started asking him questions. Did he understand what daddy was talking about? Sort of. Did he have questions? A few.

Kris came back out and joined our conversation. He explained, "Eli, it's like Jesus is holding a gift in his hand. It's free, and all we have to do is reach out and grab it." Eli's hand shot up in the air, and he said, "I want that gift!"

Writing this, I'm weeping. It was as precious and uncomplicated as it sounds. As is the gospel.

We prayed with him, feeling confident he understood the gravity of what he was saying yes to. Eli is our silliest child. I've never seen him more serious in his life.

He wanted to be baptized at the beach like Luke, and he chose Memorial Day for the day. Truly it was a Memorial Day for us!

 A new man.

Spirit Bridge by James Rubart

I reviewed both Soul's Gate and Memory's Door in this same series, and my review here for Spirit Bridge is much the same. I loved it. As with most book series, the first book, Soul's Gate, was my favorite. While Memory's Door and Spirit Bridge didn't rock me the way Soul's Gate did, they were both excellent.

In this book, the Warriors Riding continue their journey of traveling into the supernatural realms to set people free and fight the enemy from the inside out. Two new characters join in the fight, but the Warriors first have to decide if they are truly on their side.

As with the first two books in the series, I gained new perspective about the spirit realm and what the battle of the unseen looks like. I would recommend this book, but only after the first two books have been read.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in return for my honest opinion.