Alaska: Part 2

Today, my friend and I are flying to Seattle, WA.  Tomorrow, we are catching the boat to Alaska!  I took this same cruise (on a different cruise line) two years ago and couldn't be more excited to go back!  Here are a few images from the last cruise I took!  I can't wait to share the images from this trip!

See you when I get back!

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The Book Nook: Ever After

Ever After by Karen Kingsbury

My Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Rating: 4.29/5

Goodreads Synopsis: In this moving sequel to Even Now, Emily Anderson, now twenty, is attending college on a soccer scholarship when she meets the man who changes everything for her: Army reservist Justin Baker.  Their tender relationship, founded on a mutual faith in God and nurtured by their trust and love for each other, proves to be a shining inspiration to everyone they know, especially Emily's reunited birth parents, Lauren Gibbs and Shane Galanter.  Lauren and Shane still struggle to move past their opposing beliefs about war, politics, and faith.  Shane believes it's possible; Lauren doesn't.  So she says a painful good-bye to her long-ago love and returns to her job as a war correspondent in Afghanistan.  Both Lauren and Shane are shattered, believing that this time their relationship has truly ended forever.  Then tragedy sends shock waves through all their lives.  Can Lauren and Shane set aside their opposing views so that love -- God's love -- might win, no matter how great the odds?

My Review: If there is one thing that Karen Kingsbury does well, it's creating characters in her books that the reader can instantly feel a connection with.  Every single time I finish a Karen Kingsbury story, I feel as though I've personally met each character in the story.  After finishing the first book in this series, Even Now, I knew that I had to immediately read Ever After to see what the characters would do, what they would face, and how they would end up.  It did not disappoint.  I was hooked while reading this story and didn't ever want to put the book down.  There were definite tear jerker moments throughout the story.  As the cover of this book reads, this story is a powerful tale of patriotism, undying love, and the true power of sacrifice.  Even Now and Ever After are the two books in the Lost Love series.  

The Book Nook Disclaimer: If a book I'm reviewing was provided by a publisher and/or author, it will be stated above. Otherwise, all books reviewed are books that I chose to read on my own.  All opinions stated are my own.  I try not to post too many spoilers (if any) in my reviews, but rather how I felt about reading the book and the quality of the story.

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Visiting Orphans

Visiting Orphans is a 501(c)3 non-profit mission sending agency established in 2005 as a way to fulfill the biblical mandate given in James 1:27 to "visit orphans and widows in their distress". We are dedicated to building relationships and working toward long-term change in those we visit and in those we send.

I heard about this organization a few years back and have been in awe of their mission work ever since.  By sending individuals into the mission field for short term trips, they are able to build relationships with various organizations and orphanages around the world.  Their goal?  Change.

Individuals are able to sign up for trips and they also sponsor school and church groups on these trips.  If you are able to travel with Visiting Orphans, you will visit one of the twelve counties that they visit: China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Ukraine, Uganda and Rwanda.

Visiting Orphans is committed to seeing lives transformed by empowering and equipping Christ-followers to GO to the nations, BE focused on relationship and LOVE like Christ by caring for children and communities world-wide.


The brand new Visiting Orphans promo video released today and I invite you to watch it below.  Once you've seen the video, please visit their website.  I encourage you to help where you can, either taking a trip, donating resources, or even by praying for their mission.  





**Information for this post was taken directly from the Visiting Orphans website.  This post was written to spread the word about this organization at their request.

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The Book Nook: Even Now

Even Now by Karen Kingsbury

My Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Rating: 4.25/5

Goodreads Synopsis: Sometimes hope for the future is found in the ashes of yesterday.  Shane Galanter is a man ready to put down roots after years of searching.  But is he making the right choice?  Or is there a woman somewhere who even now remembers as does he those long-ago days...and a love that hasn't faded with time?

Lauren Gibbs a successful international war correspondent who gave up on happily-ever-after years ago when it was ripped away from her.  Since then, she's never looked back.  So how come she can't put to rest that one question that haunts her: Why is life so empty?

Emily Anderson, a college freshman raised by her grandparents, and about to take her first internship as a journalist.  But before she can move ahead, she discovers a love story whose tragic ending came with her birth.  As a result, she is drawn to look back and search out the mother she's never met.

A young woman seeking answers to her hearts deep questions.  A man and woman separated by lies and long years...yet who have never forgotten each other.  With hallmark tenderness and power, Karen Kingsbury weaves a tapestry of lives, losses, love, and faith and the miracle of resurrection.

My Review: Where do I start?  Karen Kingsbury is one of my all time favorite authors.  Even if you don't enjoy reading Christian Fiction, I highly recommend you read her stories.  Her stories encompass amazing messages!  Even Now definitely did not disappoint!  This story really did pull at the heart strings and really made you feel for the characters in the story.  A mix of lost love, uncertain beginnings, failure and successes, I enjoyed every moment of this story.  When reading about the characters in the book, reading about their lives unfolding and noticing how close, yet far away from finding each other the characters were, I couldn't help but feel as if I knew these characters personally and were listening to a good friend tell about their trials.  Some reviews I read said that the book was very predictable.  Looking back, I can see where that could be so, but while reading the story, I was so wrapped up in the story line that I didn't even think about the predictability of this story.  This is the first book in the Lost Love series, and there is a second book called Ever After, which I can't wait to get my hands on!!  I highly recommend you read this story!!

The Book Nook Disclaimer: If a book I'm reviewing was provided by a publisher and/or author, it will be stated above. Otherwise, all books reviewed are books that I chose to read on my own.  All opinions stated are my own.  I try not to post too many spoilers (if any) in my reviews, but rather how I felt about reading the book and the quality of the story.

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Happies and Crappies

It's Friday, which means it is once again time to link up for Happies and Crappies with Stephanie and Sarah!

Happies

1. My house is finally clean!  And put together (almost entirely)!  I'm waiting on just a few pieces and then all the decorating will be done!  (Which actually isn't really a good thing!)  What am I going to spend money on when there's no more decorating to do!?!  Last week on Happies and Crappies, I shared this image.  

The above image was the first step in cleaning my guest bedroom!  After five bags full of donations taken to Goodwill and a bunch of trash disposed of, I was left with this semi-clean room!  Hard to believe, isn't it!  Well, the harder to believe image is below!  The room is finished!  Look at the difference!!  All I'm waiting on is curtains, which I have (just are not currently at this house.)  It's now my guest bedroom/craft room!  

2. In exactly one week, I'll be on a plane headed for Seattle.  Once in Seattle, a friend and I are catching the boat and heading to ALASKA!!!!  I'm so excited and I can't wait to share pictures with you when I return!  Follow me on instagram and hopefully I'll be able to share some images while I'm on the trip!

3. I hosted my first giveaway here on the blog last week!  I'm happy to announce that Jenn was the winner!  Congrats, Jenn!!

Crappies

1. This heat.  Seriously.  All I want to do is lay out in the hammock and read, but I'm not doing it when it is so crazy hot outside!

2. This goes along with number one...but cutting the grass.  I don't mind cutting the grass, actually I like doing it, however, I don't like it in said heat.  

3. Summer is going by way to fast.

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The Book Nook: The Lightbearers

The Lightbearers by Nora M. Garcia

I was provided this book by AuthorHouse book publishing to review, however, all opinions are my own.

My Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Rating: 3.64/5

Goodreads Synopsis: The Lightbearers is the story of an ancient Egyptian King and Queen, Akhenaton and Nefertiti, who have been reincarnating together for the past 3300 years.  They have been entrusted with the mission of The Lightbearers, whose responsibility is to be guardians of the human race and to enlighten any whose path they cross.  Through reincarnation, during each of their lifetimes, they strive to overcome violence, greed and injustice and in each lifetime they leave pockets of individuals with whom they have shared their secrets of life and death.  They have also been ascribed with the powers of telepathy, astral projection and psycho kinesis.  They are highly evolved and highly enlightened.

My Review: I'll be totally honest with this review and state that I was not sure about this book at first.  To be honest, I judge books by its cover.  When I go shopping for a new book, I skim the shelves looking at all the covers and pick based on what looks good in that aspect.  This book is not one that I would have picked up on my own.  However, since being a member of the Literary Junkies Online Book Club, I've been reading books that are outside of my "comfort zone," so I was happy to give this book a chance.  Once I started the story, it took me a while to really get into the story.  The beginning did not grab my attention at all.  I was a little confused with the jumping between different time periods and the overlapping stories that were unwrapping.  However, as I was a little short of halfway through the book, it all clicked.  All the stories, characters and time periods finally made sense.  I was hooked.  I'm not a believer in reincarnation, which was another element that made me skeptical of this story, but this is so much more than being a believer.  Nora M. Garcia has such an imagination and has an amazing ability to weave multiple stories into one.  She jumped between main characters a little bit, which kept you on your toes throughout the story.  This story had a mix of romance, drama, suspense, history and science fiction in it, so there's definitely something for everyone.  By the time I got to the end of the story, I didn't want it to end!  I recommend you add this to your bookshelf!  

The Book Nook Disclaimer: If a book I'm reviewing was provided by a publisher and/or author, it will be stated above. Otherwise, all books reviewed are books that I chose to read on my own.  All opinions stated are my own.  I try not to post too many spoilers (if any) in my reviews, but rather how I felt about reading the book and the quality of the story.

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Sound Bytes: Court Yard Hounds

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network.  I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review.  By posting, I am eligible for incentives.  All opinions stated are my own.

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As two-thirds of the founding members of the Dixie Chicks, sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire have released their second album under the name Court Yard Hounds.  Whether or not you were a fan of the Dixie Chicks, you've got to give Court Yard Hounds a try.  They have truly hit this one out of the park.  This brand new album, which released on July 16, is full of well written tracks and  fabulous sounds.  When talking about the group, Emily Robison said, "We're a band, not a side project.  We like our sound, and we're going to continue to do this, and share something new this time around."

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The songs on this album are drawn from personal experiences in their lives, however, are very relatable to both you and me.  I guarantee that you will most likely find a song on this album that you have a connection to.  A pop/country sound, with a contemporary feel, Emily and Martie have done an excellent job on their second album, Amelita.  I wasn't aware of this group when they released their first album in 2010, but after listening to some of those songs, I can tell that they have evolved their sound tremendously.  The first album has a more acoustic-folk sound to the songs, whereas Amelita tends to fall in the pop-country realm of music.

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Here is the track listing from this album, along with my favorite lyrics from each song.  Every song on this album had at least a line or two that stuck with me and really stood out.  I already have a few of these songs stuck in my head - and it's for good reason.

1. Sunshine - Hey, don't rain on my parade and kill a perfect day, wasting my time.  Hey, you always find a way to bring me down when I feel fine.  We call you sunshine...

2. Amelita - I take your hand, let's go tonight.  Just leave it all, I promise you'll be fine across the bridge, the lights of town.  You smile, and never turn around.  I remember you and Amelita, have you no pride.  You've got the rest of your life.

3. The World Smiles -  We're all crazy, but that don't phase me.  Even in the dark, just wait and see.  The world smiles.  The world smiles at me.  If I believe in the good stuff and open my eyes up, the world smiles.

4. Aimless Upward - My eyes are wide, aimless upward I will rise.  And I'll be fine to take my time.

5. Guy Like You - I look up and I smile at the clouds and I make a kiss and throw a wish out.  I run home just to write it all down, anything to make it work out with a guy like you.

6. Rock All Night - And we fly, yeah we fly.  We're gonna rock all night.  We'll do anything just to feel alive.  Life is like a Himalaya ride, gonna rock all night.

7. Phoebe - The golden rule you never learn in school, boys can be mean but girls are down right cruel.  Hey, you're gonna make him pay you're gonna make him pay.

8. Divided - I hate to leave you , all the while knowing that we're compromising.  I wish you'd call me and beg me not to go.  And I'll stay a little longer.  Don't let this feeling go to waste.  When the sun comes up, I want to be there, won't you stay a little longer.  Don't let this feeling go to waste.  When the sun comes up, I want to be there, when you wait.

9. Gets You Down - When hearts break you down, what you gonna do?  Are you gonna pitch a fight and cry?  Are you gonna beg the reasons why?  Are you gonna say and do what's wrong or right?  Well you could always love me.

10. Watch Your Step - In the bar we sit and take but you're not making sense.  You're tongue tied, we both know why, I scare you half to death.  Cause I'm a trip wire, make you walk on fire, balance on the bridge, who knew I'd sneak up on you and push you off the ledge.

11. The Road You Take - I thread the needle's eye and take a chance to know just how it feels when you take a leap of faith.

Overall, I rate this album a 9.5 out of 10.  The only thing that I wish was different about this album, is that it was longer.  If you don't believe me, go check it out for yourself.  You can purchase it on Amazon or iTunes today.

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Literary Junkies Link Up: July

It's been a while since I've participated with the Literary Junkies in any form.  I've been out and about, here and there, and everything has just gotten in the way, unfortunately.  But, I'm hoping to get back into the full swing of things starting with our next book!

Now, it's that time again for our monthly link up questions.  Here's the questions asked by our lovely hosts!

1. What are you currently reading?  Tell us about it.
I'm currently reading The Lightbearers by Nora M. Garcia.  If you are a member of the Literary Junkies, then you are probably familiar with this book!  If not, below is a portion of the goodreads summary.  I'm about halfway through, and when I finish, I share my thoughts on the story!

THE LIGHTBEARERS is the story of an ancient Egyptian King and Queen, Akhenaton and Nefertiti, who have been reincarnating together for the past 3300 years. They have been entrusted with the mission of The Lightbearers, whose responsibility is to be guardians of the human race and to enlighten any whose path they cross. Through reincarnation, during each of their lifetimes, they strive to overcome violence, greed and injustice and in each lifetime they leave pockets of individuals with whom they have shared their secrets of life and death. They have also been ascribed with the powers of telepathy, astral projection and psycho kinesis. They are highly evolved and highly enlightened.

2. What book made you first fall in love with reading?
Oh gosh.  I don't even know!  I've been a lover of reading since I can remember, so I'm guessing it was something I read early on.  But I wouldn't be able to tell you what it was!

3. Summer is a great time for series.  What are your series recommendations?
By far, I would recommend Karen Kingsbury's series.  She has, what I call, a mega-series.  Five individual series and one stand alone title (which could each be read as stand alone series) that all revolve around the Baxter family.  The various series feature the different members of the Baxter family and some mainly feature friends of the Baxter family, but this incredible family still play an important role throughout every book!

This "series" of 23 books is definitely one of the best series you could read.  I loved every single minute I spent in the books!  And it didn't take me that long to read, because I was getting through them so fast.  In fact, I'm sad that I've read all of the stories, because I miss reading about the family.  The Baxter family is your "all american family" who goes through so many trials and tribulations, love, fame, fortune, and so much more!  I couldn't recommend this series any more!

Here's the list of books in the various series!

Redemption Series, Baxter 1: Redemption, Remember, Return, Rejoice, Reunion
Firstborn Series, Baxter 2: Fame, Forgiven, Found, Family, Forever
Sunrise Series, Baxter 3, Sunrise, Summer, Someday, Sunset
Above the Line Series, Baxter 4: Take One, Take Two, Take Three, Take Four
Bailey Flanigan Series, Baxter 5: Leaving, Learning, Longing, Loving
Stand Alone Title: Coming Home (The Baxter Family)

4. Does a song come to mind with the book you are currently reading?  If so, what is it?
Comically, yes.  For some unknown reason, King Tut (Steve Martin's SNL skit) keeps popping in my head! I'm not able to embed the video I found, so if you are interested in seeing Steve Martin perform that, click here!

5. Are you participating in any summer reading challenges?
Yes!  For the first time, I'm participating in Megan's Semi-Charmed Book Challenge!  It's going to be a lot of fun and just started on July 1, so there is still time to join in!  Click here for my post about the challenge and click here for Megan's post about the challenge!

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070. Take a road trip that touches at least five states.

The Gulf Coast road trip that my family and I recently took definitely helped me complete this goal.  I got a picture of each state's sign/welcome center as we entered the state!  It was hard at times, because you sometimes didn't know exactly when the sign was coming up and you had to have the camera poised and ready for a mile or two - and then you had to have a quick shutter finger to get the picture!

On this trip, we visited 8 states (9 if you count Virginia)!  And three of these were new states that I've never been to (which helps me cross of part of another goal (#66)!

How many states have you visited on a road trip?

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Happies and Crappies

I've done Highs and Lows on the blog before, but it's been a while.  I just haven't been feeling those posts lately.  However, I love reading the Happies and Crappies link ups that is hosted by Stephanie over at The Vintage Modern Wife.  So, today I decided to join in this wonderful link up!

And make sure to read this post carefully!  There's a link to a giveaway hidden in my happies!

Happies

1. Even though I love traveling, it was rough being out of town on two different trips the past two weeks, I've really enjoyed my down time at home this week!  This is the reason I love summer!

2. I managed to tackle my "junk room" yesterday and finally get it looking like a guest bedroom!  I still have a lot to do in that room, but just check out the progress that I made yesterday!

3. I've been hooked on watching Pan Am this week.  It's a shame the series isn't that long!

4. I cut the grass this week.  It felt great to get out there and dig into the yard work.  And I got to see some really pretty flowers that are in bloom!  Made for nice scenery while doing the chores!

5. I launched my first giveaway yesterday!  Did you miss it?  Click here to check it out!

6. Only 14 days until I leave for my cruise to Alaska!  AAAAAHHHHHH!

7. I'm guest posting over on The Gypsy Teacher today!  Go over and check out a yummy recipe!

Crappies

1. This rain!  It's terrible.  Don't get me wrong, we need the rain.  But I just want to lay out in my hammock and read.  I can't do that in the pouring rain.  And when it's not raining - it's super hot!

2. I cut the grass this week.  It was HOT!

3. Lack of money is hard when all I want to do is finish decorating my house!  I need a dining table, light fixture to go above it, rug in the office, decorations for the guest room, furniture for the porch...and the list goes on.  Maybe I should start investing in the lottery!

What are your happies and crappies for the week?

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First Blogiversary, A New Blog, and a GIVEAWAY!

It's hard to believe that this little blog is a year old already!  I started this blog when I was preparing to move into my house last year as a way to share decorating ideas and it's grown to so much more!  I've shared everything from decorating ideas, recipes, book reviews, and my weight loss progress!  It's been so much fun to blog throughout this past year and I've "met" so many great bloggers!  There are some awesome people in the blog world who have some excellent ideas!  This is just one way I can give back to them for all the great ideas they've given me!

Now that I've been blogging here for a while, I've decided to take on a new blogging venture.  As I mentioned above, there are truly some amazing people who blog.  And the blogging community of teachers are an extraordinary group of people!  I've learned some great teaching tips by reading blogs, I've found some great ideas to implement into my classroom, and I've been able to get to know some fabulous teachers!  So, I've decided to start a little teaching blog of my very own!  This is a place where I can share ideas that I do in the classroom and ask other teachers for ideas.  My new blog is entitled Elementary Exploration: exploring life in the elementary classroom.  I'd love for you to head over and check it out!  Even if you are not a teacher, you never know what you might find on that site!

And - because it's always fun to celebrate a blogiversary with a giveaway - below you can enter My (current) Favorites giveaway!  These are two things that I'm loving at the moment.  First is The Ugly Truth DVD.  I just adore Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler and they definitely don't disappoint in this movie!  The second is part of a Meg Cabot series - The Queen of Babble and The Queen of Babble in the Big City.  Again, I really love Meg Cabot's books and these are two of my absolute favorites by her!  If you are loving these items as well, enter below!  Giveaway winner must live in the U.S.  That's the only rule!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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039. Join a book club.

I haven't been the best book club member.  I've only read two (or three) of the books that the Literary Junkies has read.  Oops.  I've wanted to read more of them, but honestly, during school, I just didn't have the time to read.  I know, I know, excuses, excuses.  But they stop here!  I'm GOING to pick back up with the club and join back in.

The Literary Junkies reads one book per month and has a twitter chat at the end of the month.  I really enjoy talking about the books, because you get to see what other people thought about the books.  Typically, somebody has read something that you didn't pick up on and it sometimes brings a whole new meaning to the book.  I'm so excited to join these fabulous ladies once again!

Are you a member of any book clubs (virtually or in person)?

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036. Create an iTunes playlist of 101 of my favorite songs.

This goal was one of my easy, silly goals.  Of course I can create a playlist of my favorite songs.  The problem has been that I just have never gotten around to doing such a thing.  Therefore, I made it a goal so I could force myself to complete it!  I made this playlist right before heading to the beach and it's a good thing I did...it gave me a good jam session on the way to the beach.  And since I was in the car alone, there was no conversation to engage in.

This is going to be an ever-changing, ever-growing list.  I'll add new songs as they are released or as they become a favorite - and I'm sure I'll take songs off after I'm tired of them.  You can see by the views in the images that there are some songs I listen to a whole lot more than others.  Hopefully I won't tire of them soon!

I'm always looking for new songs to listen to....what's your current favorite(s)?

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