Named by God

Did you know that God has a specific plan for you??? ( Yes, I read this and still need to re-read it again). Each of us has a unique gift that God has placed on earth for. Kasey Van Norman has a specific calling on her life and she writes "Named By God" a book that show us how to find our identity in Christ. 

Kasey is very honest in this book about the journey that God has taken her on and how she has had to overcome her past in order to transform and embrace her future. This book is great for everyone, especially has been great for me. I love many of the quotes in this book and suggest having a pen or highlighter handy.  "You are more than the sum of your mistakes." Loved this quote! Each chapter has something that is profound and is worth reading! You will feel encouraged, inspired and at home when reading this book. 

• 

Although this book is a good read, it gets at your raw emotions and makes you really think about your life. I know that this book wasn't an easy read, which is why it took me a lot longer to review. You will learn a lot about yourself and your savior!

"Named by God" has a Bible study curriculum and DVD series, which would be perfect for any womans small group. I would love to look at this curriculum because this book has been so beneficial!


Thank you Tyndale for allowing me to review this book! Tyndale did not require me to write a positive review.

The Craziest Weekend Ever!

Welcome, Monday! Boy, you sure did sneak up on me! This weekend was crazy busy and I just sat down for the first time in about 24hours. Phew! I made it to Monday! 

This weekend was super jammed between trying to buy new running shoes, babysitting, church and going to my brother's graduation party. We were BUSY! 

 

My mom bought a super yummy cake.. I didn't do real well on my Weight Watcher points this weekend, but it was a time of celebration.. 

 My brother's dog, Hunter! He is such a cutie! He looks like he is smiling in this picture :)

I had such a great time with my family. Even though our weekend was super packed, it was a good time with family and we made memories!


Happy Monday! What are you praising God for? 

Congratulations, YOU did it!

 Happy Saturday!  Congratulations, you made it to the weekend! I never thought it would come! 


Yesterday, after my interview, I quickly drove over to my parents house in order to get downtown to see my older brother, Matt graduate from JRCC.  This accomplishment has taken Matt on a different road and he has had to over come many obstacles in his path. He will be continuing his education this summer and next fall to get an associates in Business Management. I am very proud of his accomplishments.. His class ranged from Eighteen years of age to Sixty Seven!  Amazing! I cannot imagine at the ripe age of 67, wanting to start all over again!

 

During the graduation speech, I usually get emotional. I have been through three of my own, two of my husbands and now my brother.  This speech has been the best. 

The speaker talked about living each day as your last day.. Now, I have heard people talk about this topic several times, yet I don't seem to live this way. I have even read books on this topic and still fail to live this way....

The speaker said something and it spoke Volumes!  Listen up...

"If today was your last day, would you be doing, what you do every day? If what you are doing today, is something that you would not want to waste your last day on planet earth doing, than why are you doing it"?

 

 Did anyone feel the ground shake a little as they read that??? Hello, I know I did... Why do we do, what we don't love and why do we spend our days worrying about the small stuff?

 

 The speech was a great reminder to have my priorites in check. It hit to me do what I love... The question in my head became, what do I love?  

My challenge has become, what do I love in life and why am I not doing more of it?

I then began to think of the sixty seven year old graduate, did she realize she wasn't loving what she was doing each day? Did God have a different purpose for her and she had never tapped into it? I cannot even begin to fathom that courage! 

What do you love? Are you doing it everyday? If you aren't what is hindering you from it? 

Thank YOU!

I just wanted to say "thanks" to my readers who have encouraged me over the past couple of days. This week, I started off struggling and have ended it on a good note..

The job interview went very well. I have to wait and hear if I  get a second interview or not...  I keep praying God will either open or close the door. I have decided, I am not going to worry about it or spend another second thinking about it.. .If it is his will, he will open.. If not, that is okay too... I am content! 

Thank you for prayers and support! You don't know how much your kind words have lifted my spirit! 





Tonight, I am celebrating with my brothers graduation and I think some half off Appitzzers are in the works for the hubby & I..

Also, I got another big run tomorrow.. My head is freaking out a bit..  Two weeks = Riverbank... UGH! 


Any big plans for this weekend? 

School Clinician Interview

Tomorrow, I have a job interview for a Mental Health School Clinician position. It is over an hour drive. Please pray that God would keep me safe and if this is a right fit, than let it be so..

Ps. This job has state benefits, paid vacation and a real SALARY! 



Will update you tomorrow on the interview.. For now, trying to calm the nerves... 



In Christ alone, on solid ground, he is my light, my strength, my ALL!! 

Struggling

This week, has been a week of struggle. The weekend did not end on a great note, so the beginning of the week did not start off good. Usually, I can stay pretty positive, but this is down right ugly.

I am not one of these bloggers or people who can just pretend everything is okay, especially when it ISN'T. My husband tells me I have diarrhea of the mouth, yet I know some of the deepest secrets, that have never been told about people. When it comes to me, I am book, I need to be turned one page at a time..

I have been very FUSSY, this week. I am trying to come to terms with some rude and harsh words that were spoken. Drew and I are really seeking God on how to deal with difficulties in our lives. We are trying to read scripture and test everything to scripture. Life is messy and difficult. 

I wish I could put out my raw anger, but I don't think that is necessary. Just keep us in your prayers.. 

We have some difficult decisions down the road and the only person's opinion that matters, is Gods.. 


In your time of hurt, how do you handle your frustration?

World Book Night

What is World Book Night?

World Book Night is an annual celebration designed to spread the love of reading and books. It is held in the U.S, U.K. and Ireland on April 23, 2012. Tens of thousands of people go out into their communities to spread the joy and love of reading by giving out free World Book Night paperbacks.

World Book Night, through social media and traditional publicity, will also promote the value of reading, of printed books, and of bookstores and libraries to everyone year-round.

I had the opportunity to give away "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult. At first, I wasn't sure who or how to give these books away. The more I thought about giving these books away, the more I thought about putting them on people's windshields at our local mall and that is exactly what I did.

I even gave a few away to actual people who were wondering what I was doing.

It was so fun to be able to give away something.. It brought me a lot of joy. Something simple...

What brings you joy?

Shoe shopping turns into the dreaded suit shopping..

 

Yesterday, after having Dinner with Drew's  parents we needed to go the mall for running shoes... I need a new pair of running shoes badly..... Well, we didn't find shoes, but instead started looking at swimsuits.. .I need a new one of these too...

Are you like me and dread swim suit shopping? I HATE it!  Usually, I never find a suit I like or if I do, I wear it for years until I am forced to find something new. Last year my favorite Tankini with brown and Pink polka dots got all snaggy.. You know when the material starts to snag on things and then it doesn't look right? .. Sad face... I bought a suite that was mediocre last year  because I needed one.. 

 

Usually, swim suits show way to much skin or aren't modest enough. Especially since Drew and I have been going to the Y, I have been wearing my 1 piece boring black Speedo. I am not the type that will just wear any swimsuit in public and I don't think it is quite appropriate either to wear certain ones..

 

I was so ecstatic when I found this one piece that looks like a two piece! It so flattering and cute.... The strap around the neck comes off too..  As I had it in my hand at the store, another girl in her twenties asked me where I got it on the rack and she tried it on too.. 

I hadn't even purchased it yet and someone else wanted it too!! Made me feel quite good to know I have taste when it comes to swim suits.

Drew said this was the easiest swimsuit shopping he has ever seen. He has gone several times in the past two years.. He knows how FRUSTRATING the shopping can be.. He was so happy to be in and out of the store.......


Where do you buy your swimsuits? Do you have a difficult time finding a suit???

You know 9 Miles is going to suck...

You know 9 miles is going to suck when....

A) You stop sweating at mile 6 and realize you should have properly hydrated the evening before.

B) Your legs are bricks and no matter how many times you pull off to stretch, they wont stretch out.

C)  No matter how much you try to pace yourself, 9 miles feels like death.

D) All of the above.


If you answered D, you're correct. My 9 mile run was horrible. Obviously, my body has not recovered from the 14 mile I endured last weekend. My knees feel like bricks are hitting them every time my feet, hit the pavement, and no amount of stretching seems to loosen them up... 

The success in today's run was the fact that I did not get a Blister!! Cheers for that!! The other success was seeing MOM. I love living close to my parents. You never know who you might see out on your runs... I saw Mom twice and she honked at me!! It made my stride go a bit longer and faster for a few minutes :) 

Now, I am off to reading more of the Hunger Games and scrapbooking...

What are your weekend plans? 

Catch up + Weekend

Happy Friday! I can't even believe it is already FRIDAY!! Where did the week go? I feel like this week has flown on by.. 

Drew has officially signed up for his first 5k!! He has never been much of a runner, but is becoming inspired.. I am so excited for him!

This week we have spent a lot of time at our local YMCA using their pool. I forgot how much I enjoy the pool. We both are enjoying it and try to have lap races in the pool. That is motivating be to stay focused on health and weight loss goals. In the process, I have been counting my WW points. I am hoping to have a loss next week... We will see..


The weather has been very rainy here, so I am catching up on some good reads..


My weekend plans include...


Trying to get a 12 mile run in..


Reading the Hunger Games..

Watching Friends

Spending quality time with my husband..


What are your weekend plans? 









 

Rest Easy, Mom is going to be okay

 

Over the past two months, Mom has been having severe headaches, memory loss, tingling in the brain and feeling light headed. She had two lumps on both sides of head. Immediately, your mind goes to the worst possible situation.. Does she have cancer or a brain tumor? The more your mind goes, the more you can't concentrate on life...

  Finally, I was fed up and made a doctor appointment for her. .She is more stubborn than I am.. Shocking, I know. 

Well, Mom went to see MY neurologist and the reason for the Lumps is because Mom had a head trauma injury back in November. You may have remembered that the tip of an iron cut the back of her head.. At that point she didn't have any brain- injury symptoms and sometimes it can happen later.. Odd, I think..

Anywho,  the lumps are due to inflammation in her brain and they are doing treatment along with medication. She should start feeling better in the next couple of weeks and upcoming months as she gets cortisone shots to the brain..

My heart is so relieved.. I can rest easy now.. Thank you, God!

Also, I am officially registered for May 12, 2012 RIVERBANK RUN! (25K) Wahoo!

Happy Tuesday!

How has your day been?

Good News Monday!!

What turned out to be a crappy night of sleep, turned into a good news MONDAY!

First, I had my doctors appointment with my neurologist and he cleared me to run.. Little did he know, I have been running since January.. I didn't think he really needed to know that..  I didn't really explain that I was running 15.5 miles in May, but I did tell him I was running...
 That counts right?

Second, I dont have to see him till NEXT year, unless I have any more seizures, but meds seem to be working fine at this POINT!!! WEEEE!!  


 Third, my favorite author, Robin Gunn has released her newest book Finally and Forever ! 
Check out her website for more information on her.. If you have never read one of her books, you are missing OUT!


Fourth,  I found a School Social Work Clinician job that I am applying for and it actually has a decent salary.... 

It has been a great Monday!!  It is the small things in life..




What has been so great about your Monday?

Blind Hope

 I had the opportunity to review Blind Hope written by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher. Kim Meeder owns and operates  Crystal Peaks   a Youth Ranch in Oregon. Crystal Peaks is a nonprofit organization that rescues neglected and abused horses to help children.

 Blind Hope is about Laurie Sacher and her journey with her dog, Mia. Laurie adopts an Australian Shepered dog, but when she goes to get the dog, it is much different that she expected. The dog is thin, smelly and has some needs. Despite the dogs imperfections, Laurie decides to take the dog and rename it "Mia." As the story continues, we see how "Mia" transforms Laurie's life by bringing her closer to God. Mia, the dog is blind and through Lauries relationship, she discovers God's grace for imperfect people and imperfect dogs.


This book is not what I expected it to be.. It is so much more. I love that Mia transformed Laurie's life. I love when God shows up in the most unexpected places. This book was very easy to read and could be read in an afternoon sitting. It is inspiring. This book is more about Laurie's spiritual journey and less about Mia, the dog, which surprised me. 


Thank you Waterbook publishing for allowing me to review this. I was not required to give a positive review.





 

Training Complete!

I dont want to sound mean, snobby or rude when I say this... I don't like to particpate in 5k events, unless for a good cause because I think an entrance fee of $35 or more is pretty hefty.. Granted, I have never organized a race and I encourage people to participate in 5ks, but personally, I like longer running events.. 

I started off running 5k events and I probably could get better times if I would focus on shorter runs, but I just love long runs.. Oddly enough, I would rather beat my body than run easy runs.. Interesting how that is... I don't know why I do it, but I do it... 

Today, I completed 14 miles and it was a heck of a run. I hurt in places I can't even begin to describe. My body is EXHAUSTED!' I have trained for the River Bank Run (25k) happening May 12 since January. I thought it would be fun to look back at pictures from this journey.. 

I remember running 6 miles in an Ice storm...

Or during an unseasonably warm couple of days in March...

 

One of the first long runs....

 

These are pictures taken from my 14 mile run today.. I am very excited and feel well accomplished. I know I am not going to PR the race, but I am just thankful that I have been seizure free and God continues to allow my body to run! 

 Since I have done all the hard work and the long run on the training schedule, the runs drop down from here.. I am going to try and get another 12 miler in and than slowly drop off.. I pray my body will continue to stay strong and God will allow me to finish this journey!


Do you run? What are you training for?

Does 5 Minutes make a difference?

Are you busy? Are you always looking for ways to spend more time with God, but somehow that gets pushed aside? Well aside from spending time in the word, which I totally recommend, I found this great devotional that will take 5 minutes.

Can you spare 5 minutes?  If you're a busy mom or want a quick read at the office, "This Morning with God" is the perfect devotional to spend quality time with God. Each devotional is about 3 pages long and has writing space for your response, prayer and praise. I love this devotional because it helps me focus on my prayers, but also on good things that I see God doing in my life. It allows me to be more THANKFUL! 

 

I realize how ungrateful I can be and this is a great reminder! This devotionals will inspire you, give you direction and peace, as you seek wisdom from God. Some of the topics included are love, fear, boldness, faithfulness, beauty, wisdom, humility, peace and so much more! 




Does 5 minutes make a difference in your walk with the Lord? I know it has for me!

Thank you Harvest House Publisher for this great devotional!


What is your favorite devotional?

WDW or CRUISE?? Decision TIME!

First, I just want to say I am so BLESSED!! God has been so faithful in providing! He has helped us overcome a couple thousand dollar debts these past three months! Between major car repairs, surgery bills, medical debt and Lease Debt (never do it), we were in the HOLE, but God always provides a way out! We just paid off our Lease Debt and now moving forward to student loan debt again..




But.. God also provided a way for us to go on Vacation, which I didn't think was going to happen.. Not at All.. Drew and I are still stunned about the way he has provided for us... 

As you know, we Babysat over Spring Break and the amount of money we made, is enough to go on vacation.. Drew and I prayed about our decision.. We made Pro/ Con lists.. 

Here is how it turned out..  

If we went on a cruise....

-7 Day Cruise for two people was higher

- Airfare is Higher

- Risk Hurricanes storms

- Pay for a Passport- Drew

-See places we have never been

-do something new

- need more $$ for recreational activities at Ports.

Disney World

- Free Dining

-Cheaper than a cruise

- Cheaper Flights

-Still risk hurricane weather

-Been there, done it

-Enjoy it and not feel rushed to do things.. Take a more relaxed approach..

We checked into Disney Cruises and they were significantly higher in price than what we could do 7 nights at Disney World...

Where are we going???

 

Drew won! That is perfectly fine with me! Drew is so excited he couldn't sleep last night.. HAHA.. Funnny!! I think he is worse than a child!

I am thrilled we get to go on vacation! Praise God for Provision! 

See you in August Disney World! 

 

Why Can't He be more Like Me?

Why Can't He be More Like me is a Christian self-help book for couples, specifically women. I thought this would be an interesting book and I was curious to read this. This book is great! The author uses Gods word to help the reader understand God's design for marriage. Each chapter has quizzes, places to write things down, advice and each chapter ends with a prayer.


I like that this book is easy to read/understand and has great advice on many different topics including;  handling money, the way you/your spouse is raised, communication, sex, handling conflict and difficult emotions . The author is very honest in this book and guides people to seek professional help if the problem is bigger than themselves like traumatic events and abuse.

This book would be great for a newly engaged couple before they tie the knot or someone who is recently married and doesn't understand why their spouse behaves/ reacts a certain way. This book is very helpful, insightful and full of wisdom. This book is broken up into different sections and is very easy to read. 

I wish I would have read this book as an engaged person, it would have been very helpful in understanding how to solve certain conflicts and understanding the way my husband is wired. 
 
  Recommendations: I would totally recommend this book to someone who is having marital difficulties, one is newly engaged or newly married.

Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for allowing me to review this book!

Decisions...

Cruise or WDW??

What would you do?

Blog Winner + Never Ending To Do list..

The blog winner for my "Letters to Heaven" Giveaway is..... DRUM ROLL....




BRRR.....




@ Whitney Storm!!!

Send me an email and I will get the book to you! Congrats and happy reading! 



I hate when I have a never ending To Do list.. Boring.....

I hate those weeks when you're slammed with things to do, people to see and activities. How am I going to fit time in to exercise, blog, sleep and lesson plan?? AHHH...


Today I have a bunch of errands to run, pay some bills online, look up plane tickets and then go to Zumba!! 

I am trying to worry only about today and not tomorrow... Tomorrow has enough problems in itself... .I am choosing to think about Today! 
 

Not by Sight, By faith

Scott Macintyre is well known for being on the hit t.v. show,  American Idol.  But, he is more than just a former contestant on American Idol. He is man who has challenges and circumstances that we cannot even being to fathom, but despite those challenges, he has an unshakable faith.

Scott was born blind and embraced the gift of life from an early age.  He began to learn how to play piano at an early age which helped him become a musician. At the young age of fourteen, Scott graduated from High School and four years later, he graduated from college. 

Scott has gone through several medical challenges, but the biggest was Renal failure. Through this, the reader learns the impact prayer has on peoples lives. Scott did get a kidney transplant, but during this time, Macintyre allows the reader to understand his complete dependency on God through prayer.  Scott's family was very proactive in their prayers and he shares that in this book. 


This book will change your perspective on your own challenges, it will strengthen your faith and your prayer life. I can appreciate this book and the gifts that Scott Macintyre can offer the world. 


I am thankful to booksneeze for allowing me to review this book. I was not compensated for a positive review.

Post Easter

I got a lot to update.. Bare with me.. 



Saturday was our last day with Connor and Sidney!  We took them to to an Easter Egg hunt in the morning. .They had a blast..

 We got a cute "family" picture together.. What a Spring Break! One I will not forget!

I learned a lot about parenting and God continues to remind me that I am NOT ready yet!

 

After we picked up the Marcheks from the airport, Drew and I head to half off Apps at Applebees. It felt so weird to not have to worry about two children. Upon arriving home...

Drew had bought me an Easter Basket!! Love that husband! 

 He bought me " We Bought a Zoo." I can't wait to watch it this upcoming weekend..

  Of course, Mickey bubbles! Love it... Love him so much!!!

In other news, Drew and I are trying to decide where we should go on vacation this summer.. We try to take a vacation every year. .It doesn't have to be big, but this summer we really want another summer adventure..... All of our sitting money goes towards a vacation. .We don't touch that money..  We spent our entire Spring Break babysitting, so we got a nice chunk of change in our vacation fund...

Disney?

A cruise?

A trip to Mackinaw?

I'm not sure what we will do this summer.. I hope it is fun though! 

What is the best place you have traveled?

 

Dying Eggs

 As a child, I did not dye Easter Eggs much. It didn't really interest me. I was more interested in the death of Christ and what that meant. It's funny how your upbringing can change your perspective as a child.

I don't think there is anything wrong with dying Easter Eggs, it just wasn't a big tradition in my family. I know for a lot of people, it is.

 Since we were babysitting, we thought it would be really fun to do with the kiddo's and loved making them. They had a fun time dying and mixing up the colors to make different looking eggs..

 

 Another kid stopped by... Whitney! She came over to visit us and helped decorate Easter Eggs too.. The kiddo's had fun and were in great spirits!! What a fun memory!

Tomorrow is Easter! Connor and Sidney's parents come home tonight!! Drew and I will have Easter to rest up before going back to the swing of things!

Happy Easter!!! He is Risen (tommorow)!

Sir, you can't feed the Ducks!

Drew and I decided it would be fun to take Connor & Sidney to the park.  We knew of this great little park that had tons of ducks... We had tons of "butt" bread pieces.. (The first and end piece of the bread, which I love to eat) So, what better way than to feed the ducks????

 The kids loved this!! They though it was so cool.. We thought it was great until.....

This seven year old girls yells to my husband " Sir, you can't feed the ducks! " We both look at each other and go "huh" and then we see the sign...

 OOPS!!!!

Off to the park we go to play.. We won't get into any trouble there... Or will we???

 

Even the adults tend to get in trouble....... 

 

 Note to self: Don't feed the ducks!


D0n't forget to enter my BLOG CONTEST!!! 
 

A heart of Gratitude

Drew and I have been exhausted taking care of Connor and Sidney. They have a lot of energy and are used to going all the time. I am a go-getter and believe me, sometimes Drew thinks I am ADHD because I can't sit still, but these kiddos have triple the energy I do.

As we have been babysitting them for the 9 days, we are learning that God wants us to have a heart of gratitude. We are really trying to make these kids say "please" and "thank you" for everything they get to buy or get to do. Often, they struggle with being grateful and wanting more. How many of us are like that?


I feel like being a young, married, broke couple, that I am grateful for everything, but I need to be more thankful.. Sometimes my circumstance challenges my heart of gratitude. 


  In every circumstance, situation, challenge, we need to be grateful for what is in front of us. Why would God want to bless people who are ungrateful? If we don't have a heart of thanksgiving, then why would we get more? God is teaching both Drew and I, gratitude, contentment and peace. 

We are learning that being a giver doesn't always mean the person is going to be thankful for what we do. Even if the person isn't thankful, our response shouldn't be to withhold helping them in the future. We are called to help people and be a light! I think God is like this too. He knows our response and yet still loves us! 




Top 10 things I'm grateful for:
1) A Savior
2)Roof over my head
3) Health- doctors, medications
4) Jobs
5) Food in my pantry
6) Love/ Husband
7) Family
8) Friends
9) Clothing
10) Having hands, feet, eyes, ears and a nose that all work!



What are your Top 10 things?? What are you grateful for??

Not feeling so Crafty, Buy New Paper!

To be honest with you, I haven't felt like scrapbooking in while. I really want to work on my wedding scrapbook. We have been married 1.5 years, it's about time, I start completing it. I thought a trip to the scrapbook store would be just the ticket, for inspiration!

 I love all of these papers. They aren't so good for wedding pages, a bit bright, but I am sure that I will come up with creative pages and they will look fabulous! I don't want just traiditional silver and black papers.. I want to spice up my wedding book!

This polka dot is my favorite! Wouldn't it be get cute in a little girl's room as a photo board? Or a cute skirt? I love the colors! I can't wait to use this piece of paper..






Here are some of the pages I have done in the past... 

Getting dolled up!!!

                        All the wedding planning that took place 6 months before our BIG day!

Some engagement pages!

The new paper is just the ticket to finding inspiration. After writing this post, I want to get out my scrapbook stuff and scrap! Happy crafting!

What inspires you when you're in a funk?

Just another Day

The kids are already starting to say "when is mom coming home", which is never a good sign, especially since we have them for SIX more days! 

I was hoping that by keeping them busy, they wouldn't have time to think about missing their parents, but being a four year old, that could happen pretty quickly.

Sidney is missing her parents ALOT! 


We took the kids to our church.. Now, you know we don't have kids, so we have never stepped foot into Children's Church. The church we go to is HUGE! Like the size of an airport.. Honestly, we love our church, but Children's Church is a whole new WORLD! At our old church, we were involved in Children's Ministry, but personally, I am burnt out from kids..

I work with high-stress and high-need kids all day! So, the last thing I want to do, is help out at Church.. God's working on me though.. Give me some time..  

Children's Church was somewhat a success. .We only got our number up once! lol... 

Then after church, we headed to Michael's!Big mistake! These kiddo's wanted to buy everything.. They had a hard time deciding what craft they wanted..

After Michael's, we decided to brave the mall. The kids love to play in the play area at the mall. Personally,  I think it is gross! Think of how many germs are on those toys! EW! 


Off to Barnes & Nobles we went after playing on the mall Toy Food.. The kids each got a book!

 I love kids, but I don't know that I am cut out for this whole parenting thing, if you know what I mean.. I seriously keep reconsidering the whole "lets have kids" idea.. They are EXPENSIVE and a TON of work... 


I keep saying to Drew "no", not for me.. Not going to happen... Oh, the joys of parenthood!!




What is everyone else doing over their Spring Break? If you're a parent, do you recommend having kids?

Calling all Letters to Heaven + Giveaway!!

In those final moments where earth separates the seal of eternity, do you wonder if your loved ones have preceded into eternity? Do you ever wished you could have said more to that loved one? Do you wish you had a few minutes to tell them your appreciation for them?


Letters to Heaven is a  collection of letters written by various people who have wished they would have said more to their loved ones while on Earth. This book will inspire you to say the things you want to say before it is too late. 

This book is uplifting, encouraging, inspiring and a great reminder how life on earth is so short. 
A very touching letter is the one written to Todd Beamer who took Flight 93 down on September 11, 2001. This letter moved me to tears. There are countless stories of hero's unheard of  and this book brings light to those seen and unseen in this world.  




This book will leave you feeling grateful and full of energy for this world here and now! Each letter has a lesson to teach you! The chapters are short and can be read as a devotional or read page by page.


Worthy Publishing allowed me to review this book and this is my own opinion. 




One lucky reader will win this book with stationary! 


You can enter by the following:

If you want a chance to win, here are the ways...

1) Like my facebook page

2) Comment on Life Isn't Always a Fairytale Fb page

3) Tweet me on Twitter @ Sarahsmithstorm

4) Tweet about this giveaway! 

5) Leave a comment down below telling me why you want to win and your email address.

5) Shoot me an email @ sarahsmithstormdotgmaildotcom

6) Click "join this site" on the right side bar for future blog posts!!

Good luck everyone! This blog giveaway will end April 9, 2012!

Winner will be announced April 10, 2012!

Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh, MY!

Drew and I have the privilege of watching Connor and Sidney over Spring Break. Watching them for 9 days comes at a Price tag.. They are the type of kiddos that need major entertainment! Usually when we watch them we go non-stop!

So.. off to the Detroit Zoo we go.. .( It's about 3 hrs from where we live)

Look at these cute penguins, I mean kids! 

Check out the mouth of that Croc! I wouldn't want to be near him during lunch.

One Chomp and you would be a gonner! 

In the Seal and Polar Bear Artic... We had fun watching the seals.. The polar bears were sleeping..

Love him so much. Great Husband. Best Friend. Enough said!

If only I were tall enough... Some day I'll grow...

We took a ton more pictures, but these are my favorites! What a cool zoo..

After we got home, I needed to do a recovery run..  Ran 2.5 miles and my knee is really bugging me.. Badly.. It is very painful.. Will have to rest it.... 

What do you do to entertain your kids??? How do you recover from long workouts?