Wednesday Got Me Like...

Today was one of those days where I just feel completely drained by lunch. It was nothing in particular; I suppose I am just feeling pulled in a thousand different directions. I get that everyone is busy, but it seems like the end of winter is a little bit more overwhelming for all of us. Of course, it doesn't help that we had summer on Tuesday, spring today, and winter will be here tomorrow. (Big, fat dislike.) 

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to get up, and put on my big girl pants. But now? I'm going to going to sleep. 

~ Becky

Fan-Swim-Tastic

Swim lesson evenings in our household just became a little bit busier! Isaiah and Mallory are super excited about their swimming lessons. The extra special bonus? Unless other kids enroll, they are the ONLY TWO students in the class! I guess other parents didn't like the closer to bedtime class option. No problem for us, though! Homework and dinner before their lesson, then shower up and bed immediately after.

~ Becky

{A Book Review} Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

⭐

This book makes me gag. Ugh.

Save Me is actually a rather clever title because it does hold several meanings as the story progresses. In addition to characters needing saving, I was constantly thinking, "Save me from this book," and yet I needed to finish it to see just how everything would turn out perfectly. Because, of course, I knew it would.

This book picks up speed quickly with an explosion in the cafeteria of an elementary school. Volunteer lunch mother Rose must make a choice - save the little jerk bully or her own daughter who happens to be hiding in the bathroom from said bully. After this unfortunate explosion, Rose must get to the bottom of what really happened. If she doesn't, the other mothers will never talk to her again. Ever.

The only star I'm giving this book is for the decent story idea. Unfortunately, I felt the story was very poorly executed. Bear with me, while I provide you with a list of reasons.

• Rose's husband. I finished this book just a few days ago, and I've already forgotten his name. Lance? Leonard? Leo? How could I possibly have already forgotten his name? Well, because while his step-daughter nearly dies, recovered in the hospital, and his wife has a potential civil lawsuit and criminal charges coming her way - he has to work. And no, he definitely can't get out of it. Really? Come on now.
• Princess Google. Who the heck names their dog Princess Google? And then calls her Googie? Puke.
• Amanda. What a little jerk this kid is. How is it possible that no one else recognized how mean she is the Melly?
• John (?). Once again, another character name that I hope I'm remembering correctly. John (?) is Melly's baby brother. Sorry, no sitter available - until Rose needed to solve multiple crimes and save the day. Then suddenly there's someone available for her to dump the kids on.
• The mothers. Give me a break. People can be mean, but I have never heard of adults talking such smack to another adult on Facebook or in email. It was over the top, and just plain didn't seem realistic. At least I hope grown adults don't pass judgment on another mother's Facebook page like they did in this book. Really, though, they should be upset with Rose for letting her 8 year old child ride in the front seat of the car.
• Harry Potter. Harry Potter is cool. I know it because I spend all day in a classroom with kids Melly's age. Kids are not picked on for liking Harry Potter. A fascination with him is contagious. (Now those are good books. Check those out instead of this one, maybe.)
• Amanda's father. I don't want to give too much away, but it was really easy for Rose to figure out what really happened here.

I could go on, but I'll stop. I'll save you from reading any more about this book. Ha.

~ Becky

Teach Me To Dance, Take 6

This past weekend, Mallory completed her 3rd year of dance lessons. We learned about her dance studio - Brighter Days Dance - from a Kindergarten friend of hers. When Mallory started school in Kimberly, dance became something that Mallory could do with her friend Kylee since they would no longer see eachother every day. Last year was Lyrical, and this year was the oh-so-fun Hip Hop. 

 Kylee's brother Landin was in Hip Hop with the girls this year. Isaiah explained to us that he's "not really a dancing kid". 😭

 The saggy hip hop britches aren't our favorite, but what are you gonna do? I was able to get some close-up pictures at the dress rehearsal.

The studio has really grown during the 3 years we have been going there! I love the modest costumes and Christian music. 

At this point, we're not sure what next year will bring. Mallory is still deciding if she would like to continue with dance or not. Whatever she decides is okay with us. Tim and I are so proud of her for sticking with the practices and being so brave to dance in front of so many people at the recitals!

~ Becky

{A Book Review} Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected by Kelle Hampton

⭐⭐⭐ 

This book is a memoir telling the story of a mother's love when her second daughter is born with Down Syndrome. The Down Syndrome diagnosis was unexpected. The author focuses on her journey of acceptance and love during the first year of baby Nella's life.

Have a tissue box ready - especially for the first chapter, and most definitely if you have a child with special needs. Kelle Hampton does a beautiful job telling about her journey. I felt she was a bit whiny; perhaps because we are now 8 years into our Autism journey with Isaiah. I also remember the roller coaster of emotions at the time of diagnosis...but something about her was just ever so slightly...I don't even know how to explain it. She writes well and has a beautiful story to tell, but I just didn't find myself relating to her. Memoirs reveal so much about a person. I guess I was hoping to connect more to her story because I am also a special needs parent. I just didn't feel that connection. 

3 stars out of 5 for this one, though I would recommend it to others. It is worth your time.

Thing(s) of the Past

Are blogs a thing of the past? I think it is past time to resurrect my family blog. We have so many great adventures together, and I miss looking back and reading about how we spend our time. I would kind of like to take a personal twist on my blog, though, and make it a bit more personal for myself. I'm feeling a need for a creative outlet - and writing just might be what I need.

Scrapbooking - there's another thing of the past. I have beautiful books for our wedding, our honeymoon, and Isaiah's first year. Poor Mallory. She's 8 years old now, and I have no book for her. Digital scrapbooking has some appeal, but it just doesn't seem the same. Perhaps I will take that leap after finishing a book for Mallory's first year.

~ Becky

2016 Reads

Reads for Me:
1. Cinderella* (junior movie novel) by Elizabeth Rudnick
2. Four Blind Mice* (Alex Cross #8) by James Patterson

3. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud

4. Tick Tock (Michael Bennett #4) by James Patterson

5. Allegiant*(Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

6. Messenger* (The Giver #3) by Lois Lowry
7. The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst
8. Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress by Lysa TerKeurst
9. After You (Me Before You #2) by JoJo Moyes
10. Don't Turn Around (PERSEFONE #1) by Michelle Gagnon
11. Don't Look Now (PERSEFONE #2) by Michelle Gagnon
12. Don't Let Go (PERSEFONE #3) by Michelle Gagnon
13. Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana
14. Rules by Cynthia Lord
15. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
16. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
17. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
18. Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food by Lysa TerKeurst
19. Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens
20. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
21. A Beautiful Wedding (Beautiful #2.5) by Jamie McGuire
22. Room by Emma Donoghue
23. I Was Here* by Gayle Forman
24. Those Girls* by Chevy Stevens
25. Finding Dory (graphic novel)
26. That Night* by Chevy Stevens
27. Rise* (Eve #3) by Anna Carey
28. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
29. I, Michael Bennett* (Michael Bennett #5) by James Patterson
30. Gone* (Michael Bennett #6) by James Patterson
31. Burn* (Michael Bennett #7) by James Patterson
32. Alert* (Michael Bennett #8) by James Patterson
32. the Bible 

Reads for School:
1. Hatchet (Brian's Sage, #1) by Gary Paulsen
2. Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary
3. Who Was Neil Armstrong? by Roberta Edwards
4. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

5. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

6. Who Was Walt Disney? by Whitney Stewart

7. Holes by Louis Sachar
8. Runaway Ralph (Ralph S. Mouse, #2) by Beverly Cleary
9. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
10. I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011 by Lauren Tarshis

* audiobook

Total Number of Books Read: 42

Favorite Authors: Lysa TerKeurst and Chevy Stevens
Best Books: The Girl on the Train, Still Missing, Those Girls, That Night, Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere
Worst Books: The Michael Bennett series by James Patterson has gotten a bit ridiculous.