By Nicole

Whew!  Two book reviews in a row!  I am a busy reader.  But this book was SO very worth it.  Since it's written for children, it is a super easy read.   Not sure how I would read it aloud to a group of kids... I almost cried at every story!  Beth's storytelling is so down to earth and the subjects so compelling, I couldn't hardly put this book down.  But the material was so deep and heart wrenching for me, that I did have to stop and take a couple breaks.  Orphans, children in poverty, kids who struggle daily with challenges that most of us can't even fathom.... those stories pull so strongly on my heart strings.  So what?  What can I do about it?  What should I do about it?  What can our kids learn from it?  How can they help?  Those are some of the questions I asked and tried to answer as I made my way through each story.  I am planning on sharing this book and the DVD leader's guide with the children/youth pastors at our church.  They would be a great additio

I recently finished reading Nancy Mehl's book Inescapable .  So good! Below is the trailer from Litfuse. About the Book: Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, Kingdom, Kansas, with plans never to return. But five years later, the new life she built is falling apart. Lizzie knows she's being followed, and she's certain the same mysterious stranger is behind the threatening letters she's received. Realizing she'll have to run again, the only escape Lizzie can manage is a return to the last place she wants to go. Once she arrives in Kingdom, Lizzie is confident she'll be safe until she comes up with a new plan. In reacquainting herself with the town and its people--especially her old friend, Noah Housler--she wonders if she judged her hometown and her Mennonite faith too harshly. However, just as she begins to come to terms with her roots, Lizzie is horrified to discover the danger she ran from is closer than ev

Celebrate with Beth by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 7/31! Tales of the Not Forgotten Blog Tour This is such a good book.  Click on over and check it out.  Come back here on the 27th for my review!

I made myself get up and run this morning.  Even though I was on a three hour jet lag and it was over 80 degrees outside.  Even though my bed was so cozy.  The Narrows 1/2 isn't very far away, and I am so not even close to as ready and trained up as I wanted to be.  Runners can't procrastinate.  So I remembered all the motivational things I've seen on Facebook about regret and how no runner ever says they really regretted that run.  So.  I got up.  I ran a slow and sweaty 3ish miles on the Rock Creek Park Trail in DC.  There were lots of people out, so it felt perfectly safe (I have a lot of people give me a hard time about running in the city alone when I'm here on business).  And I didn't regret it!  And I felt good!  And then, just because stress has followed me here, I ran again tonight.  On the stupid treadmill, but I ran nonetheless.  And I didn't regret that either!  2.25 more miles.  Thanks to all of those runner bloggers who have kept me motivated b

I'm reviewing Nancy's book, Inescapable , for Litfuse....  It's so cool when they release books... giveaways, Facebook parties, Twitter stuff I don't understand.  Enter if you are interested, and come back on the 26th for my review during the blog tour! Celebrate with Nancy by entering her "Inescapable" Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 7/26! Find out what readers are saying here. One winner will receive: A Handmade Mennonite Quilt A copy of Inescapable by Nancy Mehl Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 25th. Winner will be announced at the "Inescapable" Author Chat Facebook Party on 7/26 . Nancy will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills (how much do you know about the Mennonites?) and giving away some great prizes! So grab yo

My last kid is potty-trained.  Well, she's been potty trained for awhile... but we went through this period of time where she was really upset that she couldn't pee outside like her brothers.  I mean, really  upset.  Adamant, in fact, that she should, by all rights, have her own penis that would allow her to pee outside, on trees and rocks, wherever, whenever she wanted.  If her brothers got penises, she should have one too.  Her "gina", as she calls it, was not doing a good enough job of letting her pee like her brothers. Once, in the midst of one of her episodes, I finally decided to teach her how to pee outside.... like a girl, squat, spread and pray it doesn't splatter your feet, trickle down your legs or get your pants wet.  She was a little miffed that I made her do all that, but when she was done, she stood up proudly, and said, 'See, I told you I could pee outside!'  I guess it works, but it is not ideal. Not too long after this incident (which w

Amazing Grace is one of my favorite hymns.  Coffee is one of my favorite drinks. I was so excited when I won a giveaway on Danielle's blog for an art block from Amylee Weeks' Etsy shop. My picture doesn't do it justice.  It really is bright and sunshiny and adorable.  I haven't decided yet if I am going to give it as a gift or hang it in my office. Danielle is doing a ton of Etsy reviews and giveaways lately.  I might be behind on my own blogging, but I am definitely keeping up on hers.  And finding lots of cute, new Etsy shops to drool all over in the process.

I am so excited about the Mezamashii Project.  I entered through Mizuno's website for the giveaway and again at  http://www.marciashealthyslice.com/2012/07/mezamashii-project-giveaway.html/comment-page-2#comment-12762  on Marcia's blog.  She is giving away a pair of Mizuno's too.  

This could be the best $28.88+ tax I've ever spent.  Ironman Yurbud headphones.  Awesome.