Saturday, March 1, 2014

The gift of my sweet baby Brynleigh...

On Feb 26th 2014 I was caught in a bittersweet state and so I let my feelings flow.. But found I was even more grateful than ever that my sweet Brynleigh was in my life...

I debated all day on posting this but decided I needed to... for me. A year ago today I began miscarrying my little tiny baby Savannah over the course of 4 days, after three and a half weeks of knowing she had already passed away. It was heartbreaking and so very hard and painful to go through both physically and emotionally. I cried a lot then. And I cried today.. but not nearly as much. I know where she is and who she is with and what she is doing on the other side of the veil. That she is with her grandpa and great grandpas and grandmas and even uncles. I know she is with her brother Johnathan and sister Carolyne, that they together watch over my family. But in that sorrow I have great abounding joy and happiness too. On the anniversary of the day I found out that Savannah died, I brought home my sweet sweet surprise baby Brynleigh from the hospital and the pain that could have been was instead turned to celebrating. I'm so grateful to be given the wonderful joy and blessing of my sweet baby girl to hold near my heart tucked tightly in my arms. My Brynleigh has done wonders to help me through today and the other days this month associated with losing Savannah that could have been filled with deep sadness and tears but instead are now filled with incredible happiness. My Brynleigh has taken the brunt of the pain and sorrow away. Im still sad I lost Savannah and have shed a few tears today, but I'm so grateful a year later I get to snuggle my little Brynleigh close to me and remember with a softened thankful heart that I had my Savannah for a short whisper of time to love too. That my love is eternal. And I can still celebrate her brief life while I continue to find happiness, joy and celebrating in loving and cuddling her sister Brynleigh and in so doing feel that my Savannah is not so very far away after all...


My sweet baby Brynleigh at one week old. Oh how I love her!!!

Bringing My Brynleigh Home

I haven't blogged in a long long long time, but I feel this was more than worth breaking my silence and blogging about soo here is my short but sweet little....

A baby being born timeline

I didn't plan to have any more children, as a matter of fact I was looking forward to grandchildren and being a younger grandma. My oldest child being 23 years old and getting married later this year. I wasn't going to be "that" mom. At 45 years old and 7 living children and 3 miscarriages later the last thing I expected was to be a mommy again. But Heavenly Father had another plan and a tiny little girl was coming to join our family. And now I am so grateful for that unexpected blessing.

Feb 3 2014
I still have two weeks to go to my due date but I am hoping I won't have to wait that long. These contractions are not being very nice to me today. The baby is feisty as ever and she isn't too fond of these contractions either and keeps letting me know how she feels about them. I feel the same way... lol

Feb 4th
Well....we almost didn't make it to the hospital in time on Tuesday night but 8 minutes after arriving there my sweet tiny Brynleigh Rayanne was born at 6:58 pm. It is an experience I will never forget ...hoping I didn't have her in the car or outside the emergency room doors in the negative degree weather and in the snow or even in the hallway as the ER staff ran me a quarter mile to the elevators where my doctor was waiting just in case she came there. We barely got to a room and me on the bed and with two pushes she was here. And so at 6 lbs 11 oz and 19 1/4 in long Brynleigh came screaming (that part was me) into the world. She is beautiful with black hair and dark blue eyes and is the sweetest little baby. She even gets the privilege of sharing her birthday with her older sister Stephanie. I am just so grateful we made it in time however pain killers or even that epidural I planned on would have been even better but either way Im in love and so glad I get to hold her in my arms and snuggle her tight.Photo


 A picture of Brynleigh meeting her older brother Benjamin for the first time a day after she was born.. Love this picture


Feb 7th going home..
.So grateful for all the wonderful people who took care of me and Brynleigh while we were in the Hospital. They went above and beyond from making sure I had one of the few rooms with a jetted tub in it to soak in everyday I was there after Brynleigh's exciting delivery. And did everything in their power to keep me from having to have an IV after Brynleigh was born due to some slight complications of her coming so quickly.
The Hospital even provided a complimentary steak dinner with all the works including fluted glasses and Martinelli's for two to celebrate. In addition I had a complimentary back massage with essential oils that was desperately needed. And everyone make sure Brynleigh and I were taken extra special care of.
Even the lady who cleaned my room everyday took extra special care with everything and smiled the best smile and visited with me she made sure I had extra towels and she took special attention to my room each time she came even though she didnt have to.
She and all the nurses gave me hugs and smiles when I left. And my day nurse walked us out to the car so she could spend just a little more time with Brynleigh and as we did she showed her off to all the staff from doctors to security, to emt's and anyone she could on the way out. I couldn't have asked for nicer people to watch over me and take care of me while I was there.
I am very grateful for them for all they did even though yes it is their job they were all so very wonderful and went above what they had to do. They made the transition that much easier for me


Brynleigh facetiming with her older sister Danielle =0)


Photo: FaceTime with my new sister!! So glad I don't have to change those diapers  #baby #love #longdistance

Crazy how HUGE newborn clothes look to me right now... Even though they are so darn cute and seemed soooo tiny before she was born.! But Brynleigh is still wearing her little preemie onsies and diapers almost 2 weeks later. I love my tiny little sweet heart and don't want her to grow too fast. I am loving her tininess so so much!!

Photo: mdp 2013 one week old soo soo sweet!!
Photo: mdp 2013
Photo: mdp 2013and soo so tiny!! I love her I can hardly believe it's been almost a whole month since she has been snuggled and cuddled in my arms.. My sweet little surprise baby brynleigh. I am do glad you are here and part of our family.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Book Review: V is for Virgin by Kelly Oram

Tour Schedule
 My Take:

The message in V is for Virgin is a great one. It's ok to wait to have sex. It is one you dont see too often in stories anymore, but the way Kelly handled it in her book, it didnt feel like she was condemning those who chose differently.  I admired Val for sticking to her beliefs and not caving, even with the pressure she was under. The tension that develops between Val and Kyle pulls at you and keeps you reading to see what happens next. All leading to a fantastic ending.  It is a fantastic young adult contemporary  clean read and I would recommend it for ages 13 on up. I loved Val and her strong convictions and that she stayed strong through out the whole story. It was fun, light hearted inspite of some wieighter issues and I really loved reading V is for Virgin.


Author Kelly Oram

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.




V is for Virgin


When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation.


After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy.


As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.

How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?


V is for Virgin is scheduled to be released on December 11, 2012.

For those who might wonder about content based on the title -
From Kelly: The book has a great overall message and promotes good strong moral values. For a book all about sex, there's not anything even close to a sex scene in it, but because of the nature of the topic there is a lot of innuendo/sexual humor and some name calling.

Tour Giveaway

$30 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Open Internationally
Ends 1/6/13




Also by Kelly Oram:




V is for Virgin Tour Schedule

December 11th
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer - Review
Book Passion for Life - Review & Author Interview
Emily's Crammed Bookshelf - Interview
Good Choice Reading - Review

December 12th
Parsimonious Posh - Interview
Peace from Pieces - Interview
Freda's Voice - Review
The Girls With Glasses - Video Interview

December 13th
The Reading Date - Review
Alluring Reads - Review
Tribute Books - Interview
Froze8's Blog - Interview

December 14th
The Bookmark Blog - Review
3Ps in a Pod - Review & Guest Post
A Life Bound by Books - Review & Interview

December 15th
StoreyBook Reviews - Review
YA Book Addict - Review

December 16th
Books Beside My Bedside - Review
Oh, the Books You'll Read - Review
Mera's YA Book List - Tens List & Excerpt

December 17th
Getting Your Read On - Review
Booksellers Without Borders NY - Review
Amethyst Daydreams - Review

December 18th
Laurie's Thoughts & Reviews - Interview & Excerpt
Cindy C Bennett - Guest Post

December 19th
Cuzinlogic - Interview
Emi Gayle - Interview

December 20th
Why Not? Because I Said So - Review & Guest Post
Me and Reading - Review

December 21st
My Guilty Obsession - Review
Into the Mystic - Review
Burning Impossibly Bright - Guest Post

December 22nd
Book Brats - Review & Guest Post
The Cozy Reading Corner - Interview
The Reader's Commute - Review

December 23rd
Bibliophilia, Please - Interview or Guest Post
Crossroads Reviews - Review
FLY HIGH! - Guest Post

December 24th
Reviewing Shelf - Review
Bookworm Lisa - Review & Interview or Tens List

December 26th
Every Free Chance Book Reviews - Review
Mom With a Kindle - Interview or Guest Post
LDS Forever Friends Book Nook - Review
The Itzel Library - Review

December 27th
Reader Girls - Excerpt
Karey White - Review
Paulette's Papers - Tens List
Reading Lark - Guest Post

December 28th
Day by Day in Our World - Review
Debbie's Inkspectations - Review
My Devotional Thoughts - Review
We Fancy Books - Review

January 2nd
Wall-to-Wall Books - Review & Author Interview

Books Over Boys - Review

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Book Review: The Dark Eagles:First Flight by David R Smith

 
                                                The Dark Eagles:First Flight

by David R. Smith




My Take:

 This book is about Kief, and his friends who recieve a map that starts the beginning of a crazy hair raising adventure where Kief and his freinds barely escape with thier lives into a world forever changed.  I thought that it was great to see these young people stand for what they believed in when things got crazy and that they were strong and determined to do the right thing no matter the cost. That both the female and male characters were strong and took active part in the rebellion going on around them. This is a fast paced fun book where integrity, courage and strength of character abounds side by side with the adventure.  This book is a great read for anyone and it is easy to get caught up in the action. Im really looking foward to the next book to see what happens next!




"The book was wonderfully written. It is a book for all ages and gender. Boys may like that it is from a young man's point of view with all the adventure. I enjoyed the character development and the friendships formed from the adversity they faced.”
The Book Rack, Arcadia, CA
 
 
The Dark Eagles:First Flight
A Tale of Adventure and Freedom

Kief loves exploring the rugged mountains on his horse, Natch, with his
best friend Tarc. But when he receives a mysterious map on his birthday,
left behind for him by his dead grandfather, Kief is thrown into an
adventure beyond even his imagination.
Leaving home to pursue his childhood dream of attending the merchant
academy on the coast, extraordinary events unfold propelling Kief, along
with his friends and his map, toward the same perilous destiny.



“Author David R. Smith does a fine job with his dialogue, which flows smoothly and wittily throughout. His interactions between characters are genuine, and the portrayals of his young female characters in particular are refreshing.”

The Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT
 

About the Author: David R. Smith
David was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and spent most of his childhood on
a farm in Heber City, located in the Wasatch Mountains. He loved exploring
the mountains on his horse looking for adventures to follow. Growing up,
he wanted to be a movie director and used his own Super 8 camera to make
silent movies with his friends and brothers and sister. Instead he earned
a Bachelors in Engineering at the University of Utah. While there, he met
the love of his life, Jenelle, and they were blessed with three amazing
sons: Josh, Tate, and Porter. David later earned his Masters in Business
Administration from Northwestern University and pursued a path in the
corporate world. But his creative side continued to tug at him for years
until finally through the encouragement of his wife and boys, he realized
that it’s never too late to follow your dream. So David set off to write
an epic adventure of a boy and his horse and created a story of freedom,
adventure, love, courage and sacrifice. When he's not writing, David
enjoys outdoor activities with his family, and especially loves surfing
with his three boys in Southern California where he resides.
Visit the website: http://www.thedarkeagles.com/

Monday, December 17, 2012

Book Review: Gold Clash By Steve Westover



My Take:
One think I know, Steve Westover knows how to deliver a high adventure page turner. I read his book Defense Tactics and loved it, Gold Clash is the sequel to it. It has just as much fun and advenure and it pulls you into the story right away.  In Steve's own words "Gold Clash is brimming with fun, danger, intrigue and loads of excitement wrapped into an adventure that includes my favorite things; history, gold, organized crime and camping." I agree 100%!  Don't miss out on the excitment! Go get your copy, you won't be able to put it down until the very last page. And what's even better is that the entire family can read it and enjoy every single word!

Here is a brief description of the book:
When Jimmy agreed to lead a youth activity through the historic Missouri countryside, he had no idea what he was getting into. Now he and his friends Paul and Emily must race to recover a long-lost treasure and rescue two teenage hostages before the conflict tears an entire town apart. This action-packed thrill ride of a book doesn’t disappoint!

Meet the Author:
My wife and I have lived in small town, rural Missouri for 12 years and have 4 entertaining and wonderful children. I never expected to be living on a farm with chickens, cows, kittens and a dog. The kids love ‘em. My life revolves around spending time with my family. Being a father and a husband are the most important things I can concentrate my time on and I enjoy it. I published my first novel, DEFENSIVE TACTICS, in August 2010. My second novel, Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island is under contract with Cedar Fort Publishing and should be released in the Spring of 2012. To learn more about Gold Clash and author Steve Westover, visit: http://stevewestover.com/Home.html.

Website * Blog * Twitter


Monday, December 10, 2012

Tour Schedule
My take:

 First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch by Samuel Ben White was a fun take on time travel. It takes place where a brilliant scientist finds a way to go back in time away from the accolades he receives for his work and enters a simpler time. But instead off traveling back in time things shift and he travels interdementional but not knowing how to get back to his time, he decides to begin a life for himself where he is. He falls in love and decides he wants to say, only to be trust back to his original time. Only everything is different now. Nothing is as he remembers it, but it is better than he could have imagined. First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch is a great fun and will keep you interested as you try to see what happens. You lose yourself in the story that  Samuel Ben White creates, and as you fall into the rhythm of the story the world around you just falls away as the story develops and the characters evolve.

First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch

"What if history didn't happen that way ... the first time?"

Garison Fitch was one of the most revered scientists in the Soviet Americas until he left fame behind to work on a secret project in his log cabin in the mountains of Marx.

But something went wrong. Instead of traveling interdementional, Garison has traveled through time ... twice.

Now, he's in something called "The United States of America" and a woman he's never met before is calling herself his wife. It it a hoax? Or, has he somehow changed history?

If so, can he return the world to what he believes is "normal", or must he live in this strange world he created?




Purchase






Praise:

"Sam continues to weave his magic as a storyteller. I always find myself anxious to find out what will happen next and what kind of twist will befall the adventurers. It helps to be familiar with the places that the heroines go, which adds to the story."
~Labdaddy, Texas

"I've had a few very unproductive but enjoyable days thanks to Samuel Ben White. If you haven't read Sam's books you have been missing a treat. These were funny, suspenseful, spiritual and kept you turning the pages."
~Karen S.

"Just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your books. I have a Kindle and I have purchased all of the Garison Fitch novels. I am in Saudi Arabia and your books have really helped take me away from here."
~Scott, Saudi Arabia


Also Part of the Series:



Saving Time

Two years ago Garison Fitch traveled through time and rewrote history. An accident in the eighteenth century created a whole new world, and even gave Garison a wife he had never met before. Now, he’s got a daughter and he’s coming to enjoy this world he created. Until he’s attacked by men masquerading as Indians, and a funeral procession from out of the past enlists his help, and a tree grows from sappling to full-grown in a matter of minutes, threatening his daughter’s very life. Time itself is unraveling and Garison’s trips through time seem to be the cause. Garison must go back in time once again and keep himself from making the original trip that started the problem. But he can’t use his time machine to go back. How does one sew up a rip in time?





Lost Time

Jason Kerrigan and Brownwyn Dalmouth are pilots with the Republic of Texas Army Air Corps. A world war is going on and bombs have just brought an end to Crockett Air Field in south Texas. Jason and Brownwyn, though, are called away from the battle to be test pilots for a new aircraft that-they're told-will bring the war to an end. The experimental craft lives up to expectations in early tests, but then it lands them somewhere it never should have sent them. Another place? Another time? Another dimension? Somehow, they've taken a trip to the future and changed the past. Or did they? The answer to their change of reality may be known to a Justice of the Peace in Colorado named Garison Fitch. To figure it out, though, Garison may have to team up with his least favorite person: Bat Garrett.






Purchase


Author Samuel Ben White

Samuel Ben White (“Sam” to his friends) is the author of the national newspaper comic strip “Tuttle’s” (found at www.tuttles.net) and the on-line comic book “Burt & the I.L.S.” (found at www.destinyhelix.com). He is married and has two sons. He serves his community as both a minister at a small church and a chaplain with hospice. In addition to his time travel stories, Sam has also written and published detective novels, a western, three fantasy novels and four works of Christian fiction.




Links







Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 12/18/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.





First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch Tour Schedule:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/first-time-blog-tour.html

Monday, December 3, 2012

Book Review: Through the Mirror and into Snow By Ann T. Bugg


Through the Mirror and Into Snow by Ann T Bugg is the kind of story I love. This middle grade retelling of a age old fairy tale Snow White was endearing and so much fun. It is about a couple of friends, Samantha and Valerie who find a mirror that is unusal which leads them into a new world where they meet Snow. They recoginze her for who she is and try to help her. Thus beginning great adventures for the two girls as they discover all kinds of things, familiar and not so famliar.

Through the Mirror Into Snow is a fun story that I know my little girls will love reading as are the other two mashed up fairy tales that follow it. The main characters show they are fearless and willing to dive into adventure and show readers how to be brave and adventurous and go for things in your life without fear. I loved Through the Mirror and into Snow. I look forward to reading the other books in the series too.





Author Ann T. Bugg

Ann T. Bugg is the Queen of her castle in southern Minnesota where she lives with her Knight in shining armor (who has come to her rescue more than once) and her own little Princess Valerie. The pets in her magical kingdom come in all shapes and sizes, as do all the critters that make their way out of the enchanted forest. Horseback riding, long walks with her dogs (Otter & Dottie pictured above) and embroidering are on her list of hobbies, but writing will always be her first love.

Ann also writes Women's Fiction under the name June Kramin.


Links


Book 1


Book 1: Through the Mirror and into Snow (Snow White)

When best friends Valerie and Samantha discover a magic mirror in Val’s 100-year-old barn in southern Minnesota, they eagerly go through it. Immediately they run into the young Snow White, who has just escaped the huntsman. The girls vow to help her find her father, knowing the dangers that await. On their journey, the fun-loving double-trouble duo quickly discover they are caught up in the middle of their favorite fairy tales.

Having the knowledge of the stories as their only weapon, Val and Sam help two other princesses, make a surprising friend and discover they have a fairy godmother of their very own.


Book 2



Book 2: Into the Forest and Down the Tower (Rapunzel)

It’s time for Samantha’s summer visit again. Both she and Val are anxious to see if they will take another magical journey through the mirror. After learning of a problem with one of the horses, Odette makes her appearance and tells the girls it’s up to them to help him.

What Charlie needs is something that can only be found in their magical land. It can’t be given to them; they have to solves riddles and discover the answers themselves. A family of elves guides them, but even elf powers are limited when it comes to what stands between the girls and what they seek.

Trolls and unicorns were everything they imagined and more, but rescuing Rapunzel from her tower was an added bonus they never saw coming.


Book 3



Book 3: Off to Camp and Discovering Art (King Arthur)

Valerie and Samantha are disappointed that their schedules were not allowing them to spend a week together this summer like they have done every year since they were young. Their parents are able to plan a weekend camping trip towards the end of summer. The girls are happy for the visit, but sad to think they can’t go through the mirror this year on another adventure. They discover the magic is not only within the mirror, but within themselves when they are together. Merlin the magician shows up to take them on their quest to help Arthur find his true identity and his place in Camelot.

Purchase



Tour Giveaway
All 3 Books
Print available to US only, Ebooks available Internationally
Ends 12/12/12


Open to anyone who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.




Tour Schedule

November 26th
Tour Kick Off - I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
Musings of a Writer - Review

November 27th
3Ps in a Pod - Guest Post & Review
Brooke Blogs - Excerpt

November 28th
A Casual Reader's Blog - Review
The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia - Tens List

November 29th
My Random Life - Interview
Bunny's Review - Tens List & Excerpt

November 30th
Books Complete Me - Review
Peace from Pieces - Interview

December 1st
Book Flame - Tens List
Sher A Hart: Writing As Art - Review & Guest Post

December 2nd
Fantasy Books - Author Interview

December 3rd
Debbie's Inkspectations - Review

December 4th
Mother Daughter Book Reviews - Review
GeoLibrarian - Review

December 5th
Jean Book Nerd - Excerpt
Cuzinlogic - Interview

December 6th
GeekeryDo - Review & Interview
Sher A Hart: Writing As Art - Review

December 7th
Oh, The Books You'll Read - Review & Interview