Sorry for the Messiness - Thank Goodness it's Fixed

UPDATE:
Thankfully I have friends in high places and my new BFF Aric got me all taken care of. It must be something with Photobucket because I noticed several blogs had issues. I'm so thankful that it is fixed and my blog looks cleaner. This has only pushed me to move to WordPress, so that will be happening soon! I can't wait!


I'm not sure what is going on with my blog, but it obviously has something to do with the person who created my site and how she set things up with PhotoBucket. 

I'm working to get things fixed and may start over on WordPress if I can find the right person to create things for me.

I'll still be posting content because I have good stuff to post, but it may take time for me to get it all figured out because the person who created my site can't be found. 

So, ignore the weird clocks and I hope to have it all shipshape soon!

Thanks!

9 Years of Blogging - Some of My Favorite Posts

I can't believe I have been blogging for NINE YEARS. It's like having a child...watching it grow over the years. There have been lots of changes and boy, can I see lots of growth in my writing over the years.

My blog didn't start out as a book blog, but one where I would share snippets from our life, a quote or tip here and there, and maybe a few products or books I liked.

I found I really liked sharing about books and the readers did too, so I did a lot more book blogging. That has taken me so far in the last nine years that I never would have imagined. I get PAID to read and review books. I have had conversations and been praised by best-selling authors. I have met some amazing authors and book bloggers that never would have crossed my path before this blog. Plus, I have been exposed to some awesome books over the course of these nine years that I never would have even thought about reading.

I truly am Living the Dream and I'm so thankful to all of you who read and share my blog posts and reviews. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite posts over the last nine years. Enjoy!

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My very first book review I ever wrote on my blog: THE GROSSE ADVENTURES . At this time I was giving Storytime at our library and our librarian asked me to look over this book as she was considering getting the set for our library. I agreed and then decided to share my thoughts on the blog.

Three days later I shared my review of a book we read for the book club I was in at the time, DOWN RIVER by John Hart. I had already been using Goodreads.com pretty regularly by this point so it was natural for me to write my thoughts on a book. Once I placed these first two reviews on my blog back in August 2008, the rest is history. I remember shortly after these reviews, I started receiving requests in my email inbox and books began arriving in my mailbox. I began placing book reviews on my blog pretty consistently after this. Boy, have my review styles changed since 2008.

source

In September 2008, I attended an author reading and met, William Kent Krueger. I have since met him again and interviewed him. One of the many authors that I absolutely adore. He made me realize that authors are just everyday people and that I could certainly spark a conversation with them.I feel blessed to be able to interview authors and share snippets from their lives with you.

According to my label statistics, I've written 473 book reviews on my blog! That's a lot of books! I have even begun regularly reviewing children's books. I didn't even remember that my very first review on the blog was a children's book until I was writing this post. I'm glad I am making children's books a priority on the blog. It's where the love of reading begins!

 I also had the privilege of offering product reviews on my blog as well. That has been fun as I've had the opportunity to try products I normally wouldn't, but things that our family has benefited from. I haven't been lucky enough to offer a product review of a car or trip, but maybe someday! Some of my favorite product reviews include:

Hask Hair Products
Rug
The Beast.

I've also shared a lot about my family on the blog. When I turned 40, I shared photos of our lives every week. I attempted to try that again by sharing Sunday Snippets for a time. But, frankly, life is so busy and it has been hard to share on a regular basis, plus now that I have teenagers, they are more resistant to me sharing about them on this space. But, I am so glad I did, because it has been fun looking back on some of those posts as they pop up when I am looking through previous posts. Some of my favorites about our family include:

Halloween Memories
What We Want You to Know
A Full Weekend
My Mom's Dream Memorial
Dandelions are Useful?
Scenes from Our Week: Week 22

I also love quotes and forms of inspiration and sharing those with you. For awhile I ran quotes and inspirations on Mondays, but I've since just posted them when I feel the nudge. Some of my favorite quotes I shared on here include:

Winter is Dead
Spread Happiness
Life is Hard
Slowing Down
Unplug


I'm so grateful to all of you who stop by and see what I'm sharing in this space. I appreciate the comments and emails you send to let me know that you are out there. I'm looking forward to a new year full of great books, inspirational moments, and memories that last a lifetime.

An Aha! Moment for My Reading Life

After my post a few weeks ago where I was being real about my reading life (see HERE), I received emails from some of you offering support and nods of agreement. I even received some advice about how to plan out time to read and make it a priority which I really appreciated.

Then yesterday while driving, I was listening to a podcast, What Should I Read Next, and heard a quote that I have since been playing over and over in my head....

I schedule my reading time, but not the books I read.

This was part of a conversation that Anne Bogel was having with her guest, Sarah Mackenzie. Check out their chat, HERE. 

I found this to be such an "Aha! Moment". I think that is where I am struggling. I feel bound by deadlines and schedules and it no longer makes reading fun, which is exactly what Sarah Mackenzie talked about. Reading should be fun and not feel like homework. Yes, it is kind of like a job for me and I will have some books that I must schedule out for my paid gig. But, I really want to release the pressure of other people dictating what I am going to read next. I just want to read what feels right at the moment. I know publishers and marketing agents want you to post reviews when a book comes out. But isn't it great to have some reviews sprinkled out? It's kind of spreads the love out over the course of a few months rather than a bunch of reviews all at once, right? 

I frankly have hardly read at all since I finished two really great books, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and SMALL GREAT THINGS. After reading a great book, I have good book let-down and worry the next one won't match up. Nothing sounds good to me and when I try one and don't get sucked in by the first chapter I give up. 

But, I've also been swamped in my regular life. Being a mom, a substitute teacher, a post-prom chair, volunteer, and wife doesn't leave much free time for reading.  

On November 1, I started Whole30. This also takes a lot of my time planning out meals and preparing them. But, this was important to me for my health and well-being and I've made it a priority this month. Day 18 today and I'm feeling awesome!

So, I'll be thinking over this "Aha! Moment" from yesterday and the advice I received from some people I admire. I'll be posting a lot less from here til the end of the year. Basketball season begins next week with two nights a week spent at the basketball court, plus usually at least one concert a week during this holiday season. Throw in some shopping, decorating, and spending time with family in there as well and I'm about maxed out. I'm just not going to stress myself out and only do what I feel I can get done. 

I have a couple year-end posts planned and will have some great children's books to share with you over the next few weeks. Otherwise, we'll see what I get around to related to book reviews. 

Thanks for understanding and hanging around here. I appreciate you and hope your Thanksgiving reminds you of everything you have to be grateful for. I'm grateful for you!

My Reading Life - Being Real

I have been blogging for nearly nine years now. I didn't intend for my blog to focus mostly on reading, but that is how it has turned out. I'm glad that is the direction it has gone because it has lead me to meet people that I would have never met otherwise. It has directed me to books I never would have read. It has lead me to a part-time job writing for The Gazette that I never thought I would be able to do. But, quite honestly, it has stressed me out more than a few times.

I love reading. I love the excitement of starting a new book or the panic that I am almost at the end of the book and I don't want it to end. I relish in the thrill of a great a climax to the story, especially one I didn't see coming. I love that a book can take me anywhere in the world and to any time-period. I love that I can learn something new just by reading a book.

But, honestly, I get frustrated with my reading life. So many people ask me, how do you find time to read? Well, the truth is, sometimes I don't. I didn't read a single page from any book a couple weeks ago. Sometimes it is much easier to play a game on my phone or to flip through a magazine than to read the book sitting in front of me.

I am wondering if I am in the phase right now of "burn-out". I dislike that term. It was used a lot in my years working as a social worker. It was common for social workers to experience "burn-out" and take some much needed time off or to even leave the social work world. I experienced it myself after working with the homeless. I needed a change and found it in Hospice. Do I need a change now? No, not necessarily. But, I am feeling "burn-out" when I think about reading and writing a review.

I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed with the pile of books waiting to be read on my shelves and on my Kindle. Many are ones I purchased and want to read. Many others are ones that were sent to me with the hopes of having a fabulous review posted soon after the book was sent. Yet, others were gifts or loans, given to me by friends and family knowing that I would love this book and to please read it.

I have been trying to accept fewer books for review, but every time I say no....I feel guilty. I feel bad that I am turning down a book that I am sure I would like, but just can't commit to reading and reviewing right now.

I feel anxious opening my emails knowing I have several requests for books as well as check-ins from authors and publishers wondering how I am enjoying a book they sent...when I haven't even cracked the cover.

I'm in a reading slump right now. Life is crazy busy....I'm not excited about reading....which in turn makes me not want to read and I find other things to do instead.

But, a dear friend has moved back home which means our book club of 3 can start back up again. I will be reading for a fun reason. I've been thinking about my blog coming into 2017. Do I still want to blog and write reviews? Yes, so then I need to keep reading. Do I want to do things differently on the blog? Maybe. I have some ideas for new features, but can I be realistic about staying consistent? I've been running children's book reviews pretty consistently on Fridays and I am excited about this new piece to my reviewing. I'm planning to continue to review the children's books and have plenty to take me into the new year already. But, is there more I should/could be doing to promote books, authors, and reading in general? Maybe. I'm still thinking about it.

If you have ideas of what I could do here on the blog, in my reading life, or a new feature you would like to see, I would love to hear your thoughts. Reading isn't always easy, even if it looks like it is. But, I still love reading and always will. I guess maybe I just wish some days it was more fun and like with anything else....I wish I had more time.


A post from today, 5 years ago - Scenes from Our Week - Week 4
A post from today, 4 years ago - Product Review: yurbuds Sports Earphones
A post from today, 3 years ago - Halloween Memories - Get Some Last Minute Costume Ideas 
A post from today, 1 year ago - Halloween Literary Character Quiz

A Day in My Life

Today I'm linking up with Trish at Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity for her A Day in the Life 2nd Annual Blogger Event. Numerous bloggers will all be sharing a Day in Our Lives on March 23, 2016. I think it will be a lot of fun to see how everyone spends their day.

I chose to keep track of my day on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.  It was a good example of how my days usually go because I had some time at home and some time away. So, enjoy this look into my little corner of the world in small town Iowa.

 

6:00 AM ~ My alarm goes off. I just started using the app, Sleep Cycle, to track my sleeping. It also wakes me up a little more gently than a crazy alarm does.  I am finding the information about my sleep really interesting and hope that I can find some ways to sleep better or maybe what is keeping me from sleeping. Once I'm awake, I check my phone to make sure I don't have any texts or missed calls. I'm a substitute teacher and sometimes wake up to texts or messages asking me to sub. No texts or phone calls this morning so I can go on with my original plan for the day.

6:15 - 7:30 ~ Begin waking up Patrick. He has to be at school at 7:00 for Jazz Band. Reagan gets woken up at 6:30 and Bennett at 7:00. Fortunately, my husband and I are both home in the morning to do this process together which helps a lot. Reagan has to leave by 7:30, and Bennett usually leaves at 7:45. So, our mornings are usually a little hectic getting everyone out the door. This morning it's nice because I don't have to worry about getting myself ready at the same time. I don't have to be anywhere until 2:30, so I can hold off on getting ready until later. At 7:30 my husband heads to his office after he drops Reagan at her bus.

7:45 - 8:00 ~ The house is quiet and I'm going to enjoy sipping my coffee and watching a little "Good Morning America" before I start my day. I also have several games of Words with Friends and Scrabble that I am behind on, so I play my words while watching. The above photo is our cat, Stormy. Every morning, when she hears me pour my coffee she comes running. I top my coffee with Reddi-Whip and she needs a squirt of it too. Here she is patiently waiting for her share.

8:00 - 8:45 ~ Checking email and looking for those I have to address immediately such as those from school, committees that I am on the board of, family/personal emails or book review requests. I read the school's announcements and check out some of my favorite blogs for any new posts.

8:45 - 9:15 ~ Today is like my Monday this week because I was gone all weekend with our show choir attending a competition in Chicago. I didn't get home until 10:00 on Sunday night and pretty much went straight to bed. Then Monday I was gone all day for a funeral. So, today is really the start of my week and I spent some time reworking my To-Do list and planning ahead for the week. It will be a crazy week with Spring Break and having the kids home. My schedule will revolve around them more than what I need to get done this week.

9:15 - 10:45 ~ One more quick check of email and then I'm diving into a book review I need to write. I think most people are shocked at the amount of time it takes to write a book review. I actually have started keeping track of the amount of time it takes to read and review each book. This current book I reviewed, THE GRATITUDE DIARIES, took me a total of just about five hours to read and review. Plus it took another hour of computer work to promote the review on the day it went live. So, yes, book bloggers spend a lot of time reading and reviewing books. But, we love it, so that's why we keep doing it.

11:00 - 11:30 ~ I hopped on the treadmill to finish an episode of Downton Abbey. I'm behind and need to finish the final season so I can talk about it with a couple friends! I also finished the previous week's American Idol. It makes the treadmill so much more enjoyable when I am watching something I enjoy!

11:30 - 1:30 ~ Lunch, unloading and reloading the dishwasher, and chatting with my husband since he came home for lunch, and then showering and getting ready before the kids get home.

1:30 - 2:30 ~ School is out early today to kick off our Spring Break for the rest of the week. Two of the kids are at practice and but Bennett and his girlfriend were here after school to hang out. I worked on picking up the house.

2:30 - 5:00 ~ I joined a ladies bowling league last fall. I wasn't sure I would like it, but I have had a blast with it and improved my game! I'm the youngest gal in the league, but I have met some ladies I would never have met otherwise and have lots of laughs.  Today is my last game for the season because I am subbing at school the rest of the scheduled bowling days. I bowled a 109, 107, and a 99. So, you don't have to be a good bowler to join a league, clearly those are not good scores! This wasn't my best game and I was disappointed in my bowling today since I wanted to finish strong. But, that's how the pins fall sometimes.

5:00 - 7:30 ~ My niece Laura and her two children came over for supper. I don't get to see them very often. Even though the visit was short, it was fun to play with my adorable Great-Niece and the boys had fun with their cousin.

7:30 - 8:00 ~ Picked up the house, threw in a load of laundry and did one last email check for the day.

8:00 - 10:00 ~ Laying on the couch reading, watching the election results, dozing off, and playing my words.

10:00 ~ In bed. I'll try to read a bit more, but I am exhausted and doubt I will get through more than a couple pages before I drift off. I've been reading A MANUAL FOR CLEANING WOMEN since January 1. It was my 1st Book of 2016. But, it hasn't been as great as I expected and it is going a little slow for me. Since it is written in short story format, I can read a couple and then come back to it a week later. Tonight, I doubt even the best book would keep me awake.


Even though the general flow of the day was typical some of the pieces of it were not. Actually, if I stop to think about it, none of my days are "typical" because I can get called at any time to run in and sub at the school. So what plans I have for the day, can be totally changed when a sub call comes in. But what was typical about this day is that I didn't have a single moment of reading until the end of the day. Some days it is really hard to find the time to read. So, this in a lot of ways, was a good example of how my life is hectic, but it's a wonderful life! Thanks for sharing in it!


A post from today, 7 years ago - Mondays Matter - Week 12
A post from today, 6 years ago - No Worries 
A post from today, 4 years ago - Book Review: The Good Wife's Guide By Darlene Schacht
A post from today, 1 year ago - A Little Monday Inspiration - Winter is Dead

Catching You Up on Life Around Here

Even though I haven't been posting much on here, I have been keeping busy.

I finished this book last week:

I haven't told you about it yet, because I read it for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The author is an Iowan, near where I grew up.  So, I am doing a feature on her and this book she wrote about her mom.  If you like Memoirs and WWII, this is a book for you! I'll be running my review in mid March after the Gazette runs my feature. I can assure you it is worth the read.  Pick up your copy, HERE.

I'm reading every chance I get.  Right now, on my Kindle I'm reading, The Settling Earth.

It's a collection of short stories and it's holding my interest.  It's a quick read and I hope to tell you about it next week.

I'm also reading Splinters of Light.

It comes out next week and I will have a review for you then as well.

Our boys are in the middle of show choir season, which means our weekends are full.  But, basketball is done, so we get our weeknights back...for a bit.  Until soccer begins.

I'm sick of this cold weather and as I type this, more snow is headed our way.  I know that technically, Spring is just a few weeks away, but it doesn't feel like it is going to get here anytime soon.

Blogging and sharing books I love with all of you brings me such joy. Especially when you share about a book I have told you about and how much you loved it.  That is why I started sharing my love of books with all of you.  But, as I have always said, this is my hobby and many other things come first in my life. So, if I am MIA for a few days or a week.  You'll know that I am just focusing of the other things in life.  But, know that I'll be back, just as soon as I can.

I am also spending time studying God's Word.  That has been my Lent goal and so far I have been sticking with it....7 days in. The truths have been eye-opening and I have been reading and rereading 

several scriptures. I'm reading the SHE READS TRUTH "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross" plan and really like how everything is laid out for me.  I didn't realize how much I missed studying His Word. I used to attend a weekly Bible Study called Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and have missed that daily connection.

These are some of the truths that have spoken to me in these first 7 days.  I'm sharing in case you need some encouragement or hope. If so, it can be found here. 

Romans 3:20 For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

Joel 2:13 For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.

2 Corinthians 5 - Really the whole chapter brought tears to my eyes. I don't know why it was so powerful to me at this time, but it has been one I have read every single day.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Mark 2:17 "Those who are well don't need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners." 

Hebrews 12:5-6, 11 My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 

Review: Every Day Matters Planner By Dani DiPirro

EVERY DAY MATTERS
2015 DIARY

By: Dani Dipirro - Positively Present

Published: August 19, 2014

Publisher: Watkins Publishing

Calendar/Planner

I have been a fan of Dani's for awhile and when she first started telling her readers that she had created a planner, I knew I was going to love it....and I do! This calendar offers plenty of space to add appointments, to do lists, and goals with a jolt of positivity on each page.

Each week offers a two-page spread with plenty of space for the day's appointments or lists.  I use mine as a daily planner. So I have our daily schedule on there including my appointments and the kids' activities. But I also use it as my blog planner.  I struggled last year having a separate blog planner and life planner because I was constantly checking back and forth to see what I had coming due and what was going on in our life. This way, everything is together in one place. 

Each week shares a positive quote as well as a action item that relates to that month's theme.  For example January's theme is Organize. Each week's quote relates to being organized and each week's task relates to accomplishing a goal towards organization. 

At the end of each month you will see a monthly calendar as well as spaces for reflection. Here you can write down how your thoughts on accomplishing the monthly theme tasks, those things you are grateful for, and plans for next month.

The calendar pages start on Monday (both weekly and monthly) which messed me up a couple times. But, now that I have been using it for a week, I think I am used to it. I love the bright cover and each week makes me happy with her quotes and positive nudges to accomplish the tasks at hand.

Dani also offers a pocket diary size for those that like to have one that fits in a purse. I am quite happy with the size of my calendar. I love that it is spiral bound and easily folds back or lays flat while open.  The one I am using is 9.8 x 6.7 inches.

If you are looking for a daily planner, I highly recommend EVERY DAY MATTERS and I also recommend you check out Dani on her blog, HERE, for daily positive affirmation.


To purchase EVERY DAY MATTERS 2015 DIARY, click the photo below:

To purchase the EVERY DAY MATTERS 2015 POCKET DIARY, click the photo below:

I purchased this planner on my own. This review contains affiliate links. 

Too Many Things

Where have I been?

I've been subbing.

I've been busy in our community.

I've been a mom to three active kids.

So....the blog had to take a back seat.

I'm behind on book reviews. 

I have already missed two deadlines and am close to missing a third.

I'm extremely behind on reading.

I've had a few days off from subbing, but my time

has been spent playing catch up here at home.

Mail needs to be sorted, bills paid, and mounds of laundry needed to be washed.

I am getting a better handle on things and am even reading a bit.

I have some great books that I will be reviewing soon for you.

But, see....that takes time too. I can't just whip a review out.

I like to think about it and be careful with my words.

So, as you can see...I'm still here....just focusing on more important matters.

Three great kids and a patient, loving husband that need me more.

I'll be back soon.

Thanks for waiting and understanding. 

Time for a Summer Break

I had planned on taking a blogging break while we were on vacation this summer. But after reading THIS ARTICLE from Harleena Singh,

I realized it is really OK to take a break...a real break.

I really loved what Singh had to say about the importance of unplugging and really focusing time on my family. I loved how she acknowledged how much time it takes to blog and stay "active" in social media.  It does take time.

Do I enjoy it? YES! But, everyone needs a break sometime. 

I haven't accepted any books for review for the months of July and August.  I want to have some time to catch up on books I want to read as well as books I'm behind on reviewing.  I want to have some time to read without the pressure of a deadline and review.

 I want to relax.

So, with all that in mind.  This will be my last post for awhile.  I'm not going to say for sure when I will be back, but it won't be in July.  I'll still be around the Twitter and Facebook world, checking in and chatting, but no posts or reviews here on the blog.

Why? 

Because I need a break.  

I need to spend time doing other stuff.  I need to enjoy vacation.  I need to enjoy the rest of our summer.

So, I'll be back. I PROMISE! Some time in August likely.  Our kids go back to school August 18.  Then, I'll need something to do, right?

Thanks for being patient.  

Thanks for being loyal readers.  

Thanks for understanding.  

Enjoy the rest of your summer.  I know I will.  And when I return, I'll have some great photos to share, some projects that I hopefully completed, and lots of great book recommendations! 

Featured Iowa Blogger

Today I'm the Featured Iowa Blogger at SincerelyJenni.com!  

I am so honored to be featured.  Jenni is hilarious and spot on when it comes to thoughts on life! I've read her blog for a long time and am thrilled that she is featuring me today. 

Check out her interview with me.  You just might learn something new about me!

Click HERE to read the interview. 

Start 2014 Write - My Pen Pal

Do you love to get letters in the mail? So much of our mail is junk.  Catalogs, credit card applications, political ads, and coupons arrive in my mailbox every day.  Then there are the bills. No one likes getting bills in the mail.  But, what I do get excited about is something that is hand written.  When something arrives hand written, you know it is a card, an invitation, a thank you, or....maybe....a letter.  When is the last time you received a letter, a hand written letter from someone?

The ESTELLA SOCIETY blog decided to encourage writing by asking for bloggers to sign up.  By signing up, I agreed to be assigned to another blogger, anywhere in the world, and write letters to that person over the course of the year.  I remember having a pen pal at some point in my childhood.  I can't tell you the person's name or where they lived, but I remember writing letters to someone.  I think I signed up through a magazine or something.

Our ancestors only had letters to communicate with each other.  I know my mom still has her letters from my father.  I love finding postcards from the early 1900's and reading what someone wanted to share with a friend or family member that lived maybe in the next town or maybe across the country.  I also love books written in epistolary form.  One of my favorites was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel. I also loved I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan. I just recently purchased Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation. I love reading letters.

Last week, I received my pen pal assignment and I am super excited to get to know and share letters with Carey of careysbookproject.wordpress.com .  In reading her blog and following her twitter feed, HERE, I've noticed that we have several things in common.  I am excited to learn more about her through our letters to each other.

If you haven't written a letter to someone in awhile, I highly recommend getting out some paper and a pen and writing to someone you haven't talked to in a long time.  You may just start an exchange that will bring joy to both of your lives.

Why I Read

I am often asked, how do I find time to read? How do I read so much?  I wanted to share with you why I read and have always read books, why I started reviewing books, and why I am still finding the time to do it.

A few of my favorite books growing up

I have always been a reader.  I was the only child at home growing up since my sisters were so much older than me.  There is only so much you can do as a kid at home by yourself.  Reading was the natural choice.  We always had plenty of books at home and I made lots of trips to the library as well.  I continued reading through my teenage years and into early adulthood.  For awhile, I was into reading every Danielle Steel book that came out.

Some more of my favorites

Then once I was married and started having children, my reading changed a bit.  I started reading to our children.  Even as infants, every night we would rock and I would read books to them.  We had our favorites and we would throw in a new one every once in a while.  That became our routine.  Reading to the kids and rocking them and then ending by singing songs to them until they were asleep.  Just thinking of those days warms my heart.  It was my favorite time of the day.  Soon my husband and I knew the books by heart and the kids did too.  Patrick surprised us by reading at age 4.  We thought he was just memorizing the words on the page and so we gave him a book he had never read, and sure enough he was reading.  Reagan also was an early reader at age 4.  Bennett had more trouble with reading but once he got the hang of it, he sped right on ahead.

Some of the ones we read over and over again to the kids.

As the kids have gone through school, they have continued with their love of reading and so have I.  I wanted them to see me reading and model that behavior of "always having a book". When we go for a long drive, I'm sure they kids would say that I holler, "Grab your book." If they aren't going to look out the window anyway, I would much rather than have their head in a book.

Through their years in elementary school, we have come to realize that Spelling seems to come easy to them.  Either Patrick or Bennett has won their Spelling Bee at school for the last 5 years.  Now they are off to the middle school and it will be Reagan's job to carry on the title. Reagan even won her first classroom spelling bee this year.  I absolutely attribute this to reading.  When you are reading old and new words, they start to stick in your brain and spelling just comes easy.  Of course, my husband would say it is also hereditary (he was a champion speller as well).  But, reading books will surely set you up for success in comprehension, grammar, spelling, and composition.  You can't go wrong being a reader.

Bennett after winning the 5th/6th grade Spelling Bee this year.

A few years ago when I realized there were places I could post reviews of books, I became excited.  I have always loved telling people about the books I read, and now I could do it on a bigger scale.  I already had a blog started and found that I could actually post reviews there and then publishers started sending me books, and the rest is history.

I recently was contacted about having a quote from one of my reviews used in an NY Times ad.  They stated that due to space issues, they likely wouldn't be able to give me the credit for the quote by using my name.  At first, I was miffed, but then when I took a moment to really think about the reason behind why I review books, it didn't matter.  My reviews are also being printed in our Sunday newspaper and no, I don't get paid...yet. I don't review books for the notoriety.  I review them to share my love of reading and encourage others to read.  If my review or my quote, helps someone decide that they would also want to read this book, then my job is done.  It isn't about whether I was quoted, paid, or praised.  It was that someone bought or checked out a book, opened it, and started reading.

NY Times ad for SWEET SALT AIR
Mine is the top left quote.

So, why do I read....I read because I love to read, I read because it is important to me, I read because I want our children to be readers, I read because it works my brain, and I read because through a book you can live your dream, find yourself, laugh and/or cry...all in the same book.  It passes the time and stops all time.  You can read anywhere at any time.  All you need is a book.  There is so much to learn, see and do....in the pages of a book.

I hope that you after you have read one my reviews, you stopped by the bookstore or your local library and picked up that book and read it.  We may not have felt the same way about it, and that is what is so fabulous about books.  We don't all have to agree on how we felt about the book.  We just have to agree on a love of reading! I hope that you are sharing your love of reading with someone today.

Thanks Sincerely Jenni

A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win a prize from SINCERELY JENNI. She is a blogger I "met" that is also an Iowa gal.  She is super funny and keeps it real, so I love checking in on her posts to see what is going on in her life.  Maybe someday we can really meet up in Des Moines for coffee! Jenni is a mom and wife, a Hawk fan, and a reader.  She works full-time and battles the slower metabolism that seems to plague many of us.  She puts her thoughts out there and works hard to make the world a better place.  You really should check her blog out!

Anyway, Jenni recently joined the "40 Club" like I did and treated her readers to a giveaway of a $40 gift card.  I was the lucky winner and I just want to give Jenni a public thanks for being so generous! I chose an Amazon gift card and part of it has already been used to purchase a game that our family wanted...Michigan Rummy!

If you haven't checked Sincerely Jenni out, please do so at her blog site, HERE.
Like Sincerely Jenni on Facebook HERE.
Follow Sincerely Jenni on Twitter HERE.
Follow Sincerely Jenni on Pinterest HERE.

My 800th Post

I can't believe this is my 800th post.  I have been blogging for over 4 years and have been amazed by the support I have received from it.

I wanted to share my most popular posts with you tonight.  They are the most visited posts of all time and ones that even I needed to read again.

Be A Boomerang of Joy This post is about being a "Life Lifter" or "Life Sinker" and which one are you going to be.  I hope it inspires you to change your attitude and think about the people you surround yourself with.

Plate and Heart are Full  I realized I wrote this almost exactly 2 years ago, at a time when life was busy and stressful.  This must be a busy time of year, because I have again been feeling that way.  I am overwhelmed at times by our schedule and at other times what to do with the quiet time I do have.  Trying to decide which item is more important, which to do first can also be overwhelming. This post was a good reminder for me as well and it may just be one for you too.

Thank you to every one of my readers, supporters, friends, and fellow bloggers.  I am thrilled that you take time out of your busy days to read my thoughts.  As always, I hope you leave here with a smile, a thought, a tip, or some inspiration.

Sincerely,

Your Friend Stacie

I've Been Given A Liebster

One of my fellow bloggers, Sincerely Jenni, gave me this awesome Liebster award. It’s meant for bloggers that don’t have a lot of followers, but ones maybe you SHOULD be following!  Jenni is a fellow Iowan and I think her blog jumped out at me first because of her blog title.  Since then I have come to adore her writings and hope someday, we can meet up in person!  Heck we are only 2 hours apart from each other.  Thanks Jenni for the love!


Now I’m going to pass this award on to five other deserving bloggers. For the Liebster award, the blogs all must have fewer than 200 followers. Those of you I have awarded must keep sharing the love....pretty please.  Please, readers, stop on by Jenni's and the other blogs and leave a comment saying I sent you!


Here's what you need to do if you've been awarded:
1. Copy the award to your blog.

2. Thank the giver and link back to their blog.

3. Reveal your top five up-and-coming blogs, and let the bloggers know.

4. Spread the love!

Here’s my five:

READS, RANTS, RAVES, REVIEWS  This blog is from another fellow Iowan.  She makes me laugh and offers reviews and tips that I enjoy!  We also have a mutual real life friend which makes me feel like I should like her even more!

SO FAMILY'S BLOG I just recently found Monica's blog and I am so glad I did.  She is positive and inspiring and has all kinds of fun stuff to offer on her blog!  You should definitely check her out!

READING CONFETTI Lorie has also been a new find for me and I am so excited about finding her blog.  She features kids' books and crafts which I love because I am always looking for new ideas for my Story Time.  If you are a teacher, parent, day care provider, grandma, or love kids' stuff....check out this blog!

CREATIVE GENIUS ART I met Keri last year in a Bible Study but never knew how creative she was until she was featured in the newspaper.  Ever since then I have been following her blog and drooling over her work.  I am trying to decide which design I want her to do for me.  She keeps coming up with more and more great pieces that I love them all! I promise you will LOVE her work too!

AN IOWA MOM This was one of the very first blogs I ever read.  She is another local Iowan and frankly, I miss her.  If you look at her site, she hasn't blogged since FEBRUARY.  So, Wendy, I am hoping this gives you a little nudge to come back.  She always had a way of making me laugh!

Please check out all the awesome ladies and share some love with them.