Printed Books Giveaway Hop ~ Ends 2/8

This blog hop is hosted by

 I'm a Reader, Not a Writer 

This hop is to celebrate the printed book in an age where e-book are becoming more and more popular.  I, for one, enjoy holding a book in my hands rather than an e-reader.  I just like to turn the pages one by one and seeing the cover each time I pick the book up.

For this hop I will be giving away a copy of:

"The Seeker"
 by Ann H. Gabhart

Health Management ~ Session 1, Part 1 ~ 1/31/13

I mentioned in a previous post about taking the plunge and making an appointment to speak with a counselor to see if it would help me to get a better grip on my depression and anxiety flare-ups.  After trying to explain what I wanted to get out of our meetings and not being very articulate he said, "You mean Health Management".  I actually laughed because that was exactly what I meant but didn't know how to express it so concisely.  I already knew that speaking with "Art" was going to be helpful.

Cast the Book ~ Love is a Four-Legged Word ~ 1 /31/13

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My current read:  Love is a Four-Legged Word by Kandy Shepherd

Read, Crochet, Repeat ~ 1/30/13

My current read and project are:

Hodgepodge ~ Super Duper ~ 1/30/13

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49's in the Superbowl. What was the last event you attended that could be described as super?

My oldest daughter's baptism in July :)  Before that it would have been the birth of my nephew, Dex, in March :)

Chats on the Porch ~ 1/29/13

This week's questions are:

Teaser Tuesday ~ Love is a Four-Legged Word ~ 1/29/13

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title &; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Here's my teaser for this week:

Grace Laced ~ Strong and Courageous ~ 1/28/13

Fear.  Doubt.  Both of these I struggle with.  With Him, I can be strong and banish them both.  The Lord is with me where ever I go.

Everywhere.  Anytime.  Always.

"Have I not commanded you? 
Be strong and courageous! 
Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Listicle ~ When I Grow Up ~ 1/28/13

"10 Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew Up"

1.  Wife - check

2.  Mommy - check

3.  Teacher - I decided I didn't have the patience.

It's Monday! What Am I Reading ~ 1/28/13

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The book I am currently reading is:

Book Review ~ The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen 5/5!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  To see more about the book, author, and other reviews please click HERE.

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Title:  "The Tutor's Daughter"
Series:  N/A

Author:  Julie Klassen
Publisher:  Bethany House
Publication Date:  1/1/13

Pages:  412

Buy From Amazon:  HERE

Spiritual Sunday ~ 1/27/13

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This Week's Memory Verse:

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me."

John 14:6

Crocheting the Miles ~ Update 2 ~ 1/26/13

Crocheting a one row for every 3 miles (5K) walked to make a "Life-ghan" with Cris.

Song on My Heart ~ Worn by Tenth Ave North ~ 1/26/13

Amy, who hosted TSMSS, hasn't been on her blog for a few months.  We're praying that all is well with her and her family.  Until she comes back, Tania at Simply God's Girl, will be hosting Song on My Heart Weekend.  You can click the above graphic (which I LOVE) to go link up!

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I love that Tania has called this "Song on My Heart" because that is usually how I pick what song to feature.  So, even though I featured this song just a few weeks ago, it is on my heart today.  It is my prayer today.

May your weekend be filled with the sound of beautiful music!

Tea Time ~ Prayers Needed Anx/Dep ~ 1/25/13

Won't you come meet Alissa , me and the girls for a coffee date,

or in my case, hot chocolate with whipped cream or maybe a chai tea?

Hello, friends!  I hope you're having a good week.

If we were meeting together today, you would probably notice that something is up with me.  A few weeks ago I wrote a post about my anxiety and depression.  I thought I was doing well at the time but honestly I probably could already feel a relapse coming or I was at least trying to prevent a relapse by reminding myself of my "techniques".

Well, when depression and anxiety are a chemical imbalance, like mine is, those techniques help but sometimes the meds need adjusted.

Teaser Tuesday ~ No Time for Love ~ 1/22/13

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title &; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Here's my teaser for this week:

Motivation Monday ~ Blue Monday ~ 1/21/13

A picture, a scripture or anything I find motivating to start the week.

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I was blue today before I even knew it was "Blue Monday" and that  I was supposed to be.  I'm just advanced like that... 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8 (NASB)

Back to the Future Giveaway Hop ~ Ends 1/28

This blog hop is hosted by

 I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and Book Haven Extraordinaire

I love, love, love historical fiction!  It is one of my very favorite genres to read.  I have plenty to choose from for this hop.

I picked the following to share:

"Secrets of the Heart"
 by Jillian Kent
Ravensmore Chronicles Book #1

Book Review ~ Desert Wedding by Penny Kim

I am pleased to say that I am taking part in the above Pump Up Your Book blog tour!  You can click on the above picture to go find out more details about the book, the author, and other tour stops.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.*

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Title:  "Desert Wedding"

Series:  N/A

Author:  Penny Kim
Publisher:  Story Girl Press LLC
Publication Date:  7/29/12

Pages:  210
Buy from Amazon:  HERE

It's Monday! What Am I Reading? ~ 1/21/13

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The book I am currently reading is:

Chatham Ross has no time – for anything, least of all love. She manages her three kid’s demanding schedules, exercises at crazy hours to preserve her less than perfect figure and writes catchy advertising jingles to pay for the mortgage. To the outside world, she seems to have it all - except for a husband. Who has time for that? Besides, hers died unexpectedly five years ago and she’s still not over it. A chance occurrence with a particular jingle finds Chatham on a bi-coastal roller coaster that she can’t seem to put the breaks on. Will the man who has always secretly loved her finally have his chance to ride along? Or will the very handsome foreigner on the other side of the country claim her wounded heart? At some point she has to choose which path is for her - or has it been there all along?

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I received this book for review and am just getting ready to start it.  The review is due to post on Friday, so I'll be reading away!

What are you reading today?

TSMSS ~ Beauty in the Broken ~ 1/19/13

Never forget that your story is just beginning!

Have a blessed weekend!

Tea Time (aka Coffee Date) ~ 1/18/13

Won't you come meet Alissa , me and the girls for a coffee date,

or in my case, hot chocolate with whipped cream or maybe a chai tea?

Hello, everyone!  I hope you're having a good week.

~I honestly don't know if I'd have been able to meet up today if it wasn't virtual.  That sick kid that I had home last Friday passed along her flu germs and I have been sick, sick, sick!  Today, I'm drinking hot tea with honey.  I think I'm over the worst of it but still feel soooo draiiiinnnneeeddd...............  I feel like I have limp noodles for limbs.  it hasn't been the best of weeks :(

~My BCF (Best Cousin Forever), Steph, turned 25 on Wednesday!  She says she feels old now.  Ha!  She's still a young whipper snapper.  Although being a mom to a 9 month old does take it out of a girl.  She is such a great mom and is doing a great job with Dex!

~I can't believe I'm going to be 35 years old in 2 months!  The good thing about having a husband who is 10 years older than me is that I always feel young.  Yes, I'm going to 35, but he's going to be 45!  Now, THAT is old!  Just kidding!

~I recently found out that one of my best friends from school who I've been blessed to still be in touch with (we go to the same Church) is expecting a surprise blessing in July!  This is baby #4 for her and came as somewhat of a shock to her and her hubby.  Her youngest started Kindergarten this year and I think they were getting settled in and now will have to start all over.  I'm very excited for her but at the same time I can't help but think "better her than me!"

~Next Saturday is what I'm calling the "Big Reveal"!  My cousin, Eric, and his wife, Michele, are finally going to tell us what sex(es) the twins are!  I can't wait to find out!  It has been killing me to not know!  I can't wait to start crocheting for my newest honorary nieces, nephews, or one of each.  The suspense is almost too much to bear!

~I find that since I've had my hysterectomy and know that I no longer have to worry about going through pregnancy again, that I'm more excited than EVER about new babies.  Before I would think about all the struggles I went through while pregnant and PPD.  Now I just look forward to BABIES!  Holding them, kissing them, snuggling them and giving them back when they get too fussy.  I am loving be an Auntie!

~I'm planning on a quiet, healing weekend.  Some reading, crocheting and maybe a movie or two with the family.  BTW, we watched "Ice Age, Continental Drift" last Friday for Family Movie Night and it was hilarious.  We all loved it!

So, how was your week?  Any big plans for the weekend?

Fitness Friday ~ Winter Runner(Walker)land 5K ~ 1/18/13

It ended up pouring down the rain on January 11th so I had to put of my Winter Runnerland 5K until Sat, January 12th but I already had my bib printed off with Friday's date.  Oh well.  I'm glad I got it in before the whole house became a huge vat of flu germs!

I finished in the same time as my Resolution 5K on January 1st at 1:01.  My husband joined me for my last lap but he wanted to talk!  Couldn't he tell I was concentrating?  lol

It felt really good.  Will I ever feel good again?  :(  Actually, I can tell a bit of a difference today.  My sleep is still really restless and I feel weak but I don't ache and hurt like I have for the past few days.  As I mentioned in my Oh So Thankful post yesterday, the girls are doing much better!

If I can just get some housework done today, I'll be happy.  Hopefully, by Monday, I'll be able to start walking again.  Just in time for the 16F degree weather to hit...

Anyway, that makes 2/13 5K's in the books for me!  Yay!

My next 5K is scheduled for January 25th for Runs For Cookies Birthday.  I hope to feel a lot perkier by then.

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Daily Exercise Summary:

Fri, 1/11/13 - Off.  Heavy rain and sick kid :(

Sat, 1/12/13 -  Winter Runnerland 5K  1:01  Beautiful weather :)  Dist. = 3.1 miles

Sun, 1/13/13 -   Off.  Family time and Church.

Mon, 1/14/13 - Sick kids, Dr appts., prescription filling blah of a day ;(

Tues, 1/15/13 - Sick kids fighting with each other, better be on the mend because they're going to school tomorrow kinda day!

Wed, 1/16/13 - Me sick...

Thurs, 1/17/13 - Me sick...



Total Miles This Week:  3  :((((

Total Miles in 2013:  17

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Friday Weigh-In

1st Goal = T - 10 lbs

12/28/12 = Weighed in for starting weight.  Felt like crawling back under the covers!
1/4/13 = -2.0 
1/11/13 = +0.2
1/18/13 = -2.0


Lost Toward 1st Goal: 3.8 lbs
Total Lost:  3.8 lbs

Crocheting a 6" square for every pound lost to make a "Life-ghan" with Cris.

Squares allowed:  3
Squared completed: 0

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Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop ~ Ends 1/24

This blog hop is hosted by

 I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and Martha's Bookshelf

I have been having some crazy dreams lately.  It seems like my dreams go in cycles and I'll have a week of really weird dreams.  Some of them feel so real!

I've heard that sometimes people dream that they are drowning so I decided to give away the following book for this hop:

"Submerged"
 by Dani Pettrey
Alaskan Courage Book #1

To enter the giveaway:

*Mandatory-  Leave a comment telling me if you have weird dreams and what they are about.  Do the books you are reading ever make their way into your dreams?

*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a second comment telling me that you do :)

The giveaway will run until 11:59pm EST, January 24, 2013.  The winner will be emailed on January 25th.

For more chances to win great bookishness,

check out these other giveaway hoppers :

Oh So Thankful ~ 1/17/13

This nasty flu is making the rounds very forcefully through our family.  First, Kaylee was down.  Then Laken went down.  Now, I'm feeling horrible and the hubby is probably next.  It seems like we just got over the last wave of sickness!
I kept Kaylee home from school last Friday.  She was feeling terrible.  I was hoping that a long weekend of rest of would be enough to get her over it.  She pretty much laid around all weekend and even missed a friend's birthday party, so you know it had to be bad.  When she wasn't feeling better Monday, I kept her home and started trying to get her in to see the pediatrician.  The phone rang busy for over 2 hours!  Finally, I got through and they scheduled her for 4:45pm.  It turns out she has bronchitis!  So off to the pharmacy we went and waited 45 minutes to get an antibiotic filled. When we got home, Doug and Laken were sitting on the couch watching TV.  Laken pretty much stayed in that spot the entire evening until bedtime.  Her feet and hands were hot to the touch which is a first indicator with our girls that they are getting sick. Needless to say, it wasn't a very restful night.  Doug was working night shift and both girls ended up in bed with me.  Plus the dog... I remember when I was little, I would always want to sleep in with my parents when I was sick.  Just something about being with them made me feel just a little bit better.  I couldn't turn my girls away so a bed full of germs it was. Now, both girls are on antibiotics, feeling much better and back in school.  I hate when they are sick and am thankful they are on the mend. I'll be even more thankful when I'm feeling better, too.
I also want to mention how thankful I am for my BCF (best cousin forever), Steph, who turned the big 2-5 yesterday!  Love ya! What are you thankful for this week?

Cast the Book ~ LFYI Glacier Bay Alaska ~ 1/17/13

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My current read:

Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams—a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But Ginny needs advice from the one person who will look out for her best interests—her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She travels to the remote town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where the town’s colorful characters and stunning scenery provide respite from LA’s pressures.

In Glacier Bay, Ginny discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between Clay, an early missionary to Alaska Territory, and Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children’s governess. When Ginny is reunited with Brett in Glacier Bay, will she discover—as Ellie did—that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places?

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Here's who I'd cast:

Ginny Marshall: 

Carrie Underwood
(American Idol, Country Music Star)
Source:  Yahoo Images

Brett Miller:

Joshua Morrow

(The Young and the Restless, actor from Juneau, Alaska)

Source:  Yahoo Images

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So, what do you think of my cast?