"Cruel Harvest" Book Review

Fran Grubb author of "Cruel Harvest" is a strong woman. This memoir she has written must have been almost torturous to relive and remember. It outlines her childhood with an abusive father with no regard to his children and their well being. As a parent it hurts me to think this happens in real life, that there are parents out there care so little for thier very own children. This book was so horrrific to read. It is a compelling story, but so heartrending. It's so hard for me to believe that someone can be strong willed enough to rise above and out of living situations such as these. Grubb is an outstanding human being and her story is one of triumph. I couldn't wait to get to the end, I just knew there would be a sliver of silver lining, her forgiveness, her love, her heroism. So so traumatic and sad, but I'm glad she gave others such as herself, a voice.

Crater Book Review

Thomas Nelson publishing sent me this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review on my blog.

This book, "Crater" is unlike any genre of books I have ever read. It's set in a world where humans live on the moon. It's 22nd century kind of stuff which I don't generally get into. The book follows the character understandably named, "Crater," a young orphaned teen who works in a mine that digs for a product called Helium-3. His life changes when he saves a fellow worker at great risk to himself. The owner of the mine is impressed with him and asks him to complete a very dangerous mission despite Crater's unsurety of his own heroism and bravery.  The other characters are, Maria, who is the mine owners daughter and his pet gillie, a clump of slime mold. This book seems like it would be a fun little romp for teens or preteens but it seems so far fetched to me. The whole "gillie" character is a little weird in itself, but I didn't like the relationship between Crater and Maria. It was a little contrived and juvenile. You might feel differently about this book if you enjoy sci-fi books, but I felt the whole storyline was a little absurd.

Well, That's Just Ducky!

We had some visitors at our house. Grandpa Nolan brought them over for a little while because he had them for sale at the Feed Store. So so cute! Quinn didn't like them too close.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

 Ky found a chicken pot pie recipe in a cookbook we got from the library. She made it all by herself! Way to go, Sis!

Bowling Time!

Snapped!

Here's my poor guy's X-ray of his broken clavicle. Bo got it broken during a freestyle wrestling match, the weekend before his birthday no less. On the upside he's doing much better and we can feel that it's starting to heal already.

Older and Wiser

Oh, my oldest is making me feel old. Ky turned 9 in February. It wasn't her year for a birthday party so she had 3 friends over. Her other friend had to go home before I remembered to break out the camera.

 Uhh, don't know why she only held up 8 fingers. Crazy kid!

She got a little cake maker from her grandparents. We made a little tiered cake the week after her birthday. She also thought it would be fun to make some cookies in her Easy Bake Oven as well.

Fun stuff!

Science Fair

Wow-I'm so behind on my posting. I wouldn't think a thing of it except my Dad is getting antsy for pictures.
A few months ago the kids had the science fair at their school. Ky's was figuring out which vitmains dissolved best in water. The answer was Vita-Lea Prenatal Vitamin (borrowed from a friend NOT mine!), then Centrum. Bo's was which material keeps water coldest. Bo won 2nd place! He was way pumped up, because part of his prize was a super size Kit Kat, his favorite! This didn't please Ky because her project took 10 times longer but her's was up against 60 kids in the 3rd grade. Ya win some, ya lose some!

Softly and Tenderly Book Review

I recieved this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers free of charge for an honest book review. a tale set in the South, this book follows a woman named Jade wishing to start a family with her husband, Max. She learns that her husband has an illegitimate child who she is suddenly expected to help raise. This book is about past connections, family relationships, and motherhood. It's about relying on the mercy of God to help you get through those difficult times that you feel you can no longer move on. It's not preachy, but very much christian based which I surprisingly enjoyed. We all go through trials and this reconfirms sometimes we need to forgive and forget. A wonderful storytelling book.

December

 The kids made a new friend.

 Well, I made him, but they found him to be quite friendly.

 He was a pinata for a family Christmas party.

 Bo had a sleepover with his super cool cousin, Connor.

 Quinn discovered a favorite combination to play with amongst the Christmas decorations. A skiing cow ornament, pulling a sledding ornament, carrying an M&M.

That big jolly red guy came to our library. The kids had their wish lists ready.

The Annual Hunt

I always feel like such a down home country girl whenever we drive up the mountain to cut down our own Christmas tree. I never realized all the fun and memories I kinda missed out on as a kid. Going to a "tree farm" where all of the trees are all cut down and pretrimmed for you, is just not quite the  same. This year our tree is so awesome. It's the best one yet. We've always had a "bad side" that we pushed up against the wall. This tree doesn't have one, it's very nice and symmetrical all the way around.