Le-Vel's Thrive and an Announcement

So I was doing the Le-Vel 8 week Thrive challenge and I was loving every minute of it! 

 I had tons of energy.  

I woke up happy and ready to live my crazy life.

 I wanted to workout and continue to workout once I already was.  

I had lost 10 pounds in 14 days.  

I was making better eating choices.

I was in love with my Thrive.

Change of Subject.... to some girly stuff :)

I don't ever get my period.  I have PCOS.  So since I had my last daughter 20 months ago, I had one period that I induced with an essential oil called Sclaressence.  I used it just like you would use birth control to regulate your period.  That was in November.  I was pretty sure that month I ovulated.  I also gained 7 pounds in the 8 days I used it so I didn't do it again until February, which according to my first ultrasound was when I conceived! 

So, because I don't get my period, I randomly take pregnancy tests because I feel like it's the responsible thing to do.  I need to know so I can put better, more, less, etc of certain things in my body.  

The Wednesday before last I took a test.  You know when you take tests every month or so and you think there might be a little chance you get so crushed when it's negative.  Devastated.  This time, I really, truly thought there was no way, but I was ok with that.  I knew I was getting in better shape and I knew that our time would come again in a couple months.  

Wellll.... I'm sure you can guess.... POSITIVE!!  

And I always think I'm going to hold it in and announce things so wonderfully creative and fun to my family, but I can rarely keep it in.  The closest I got was with Paisley where I made Kassidy a shirt that said Big Sister and showed it to her and Mike. 

Back to Thrive....

I need to check with my dr about taking it.  There's not really anything in it that worries me so I'm pretty sure I'll be cleared just like I've heard other women are.  

My biggest pregnancy symptom is complete exhaustion.... like the world could be on fire and all I want is to take a nap!!  But, guess what?!  I didn't have any of that exhaustion until I stopped taking my Thrive.  So I am really, really, really hoping that I can start to take the pills again.... after all it is just a vitamin and probiotic.  (all natural, non-gmo in case you were wondering :)

Book Review: Halo Found Hope

Halo Found Hope (December 2014)

Machines beeping, the blur of medical staff running, a crash cart whizzing into an ICU room—was there any hope?

A young woman lay, packed in ice, as doctors attempted to somehow stop the swelling in her brain that threatened to take her life… and her family waited.

Six days turned into eight weeks. She awoke to discover that she was not the same. She saw two of everything, couldn’t feel half of her face, couldn’t hear from one ear, and could not speak. She couldn’t even tell anyone that she felt hopeless… or could she?

Halo Found Hope is the story of a beautiful, busy wife, and mother of three whose life changes instantly with the diagnosis of a rare brain tumor. An exceptional ENT, a brilliant neurosurgeon and a dedicated medical team tackle the tumor, setting off a series of unbelievable miracles. Helo’s story is not one of survival, or of salvaging a life through a broken body. It is not about endurance through pain, but victory because of it. While the family heard her silence, God heard her prayer. Helo’s story is simply this: Wherever you are and whatever you are going through, God is right there. He doesn’t need to be re cognized by you, to be there for you. He can replace fear with courage and discouragement with determination, if you let Him. Helo did, and that is how she found hope.

My Review:

I can often be paranoid about certain things, one of which is having a crazy tumor somewhere and dying while my kids still "need me".  Of course, God knows what they need infinitely more than what I can even imagine.  He has a plan.  So I try to talk myself down from my paranoia.  Helo's story hit me quite hard.  She is a mother.  She is a wife.  Her kids "needed" her.  Helo's story is amazing.  It is the first dramatic book I've read in a long time and I really enjoyed it.  It was so hard to put down as you feel like you are living through her and that her fragile life is yours.  The hope and encouragement gained throughout this book is wonderful.  I recommend this book very much as long as you can have some tissue nearby.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You?

About the book: 

How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You? (Apologia Educational Ministries, September 2014) 

You've probably said these things to your kids, but have you listened to what you're saying? 

"I remember the day you were born." 

"Turn down the music!" 

"This is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you." 

"Hold my hand." 

Your heavenly Father wants to tell you many of these same things. Rachael Carman knows how noisy it can be when you're raising children---she has seven! But this lovely devotional book will help you to hear God's still, small voice amid the chaos of carpools, cut fingers, and carpet crawlers. You'll learn how to recognize God's instructions for you, even as you seek to follow His example as a parent. 

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1FcMvCl

About the author: 

Rachael Carman is an author and speaker for Apologia Educational Ministries. The wife of Davis and the mother of seven children, Rachael challenges parents to live by reckless, obedient faith. As a direct reflection of her heart's desire to encourage, inspire, and celebrate motherhood, Rachael also leads Real Refreshment Retreats, weekend events that energize and invigorate homeschooling mothers with meaningful worship and speakers plus practical encouragement for the homeschool journey. 

Find Rachael online: website, Twitter, Facebook 

My Review:

There are so many things as parents that we say that we told ourselves we would absolutely, never ever say to our children.  Life is crazy.  Life with kids is even crazier.  Some of the crazy is joyful and wonderful while some of the crazy just makes you go crazy (and not in a good way!).  It is so easy to get caught up in stuff that doesn't matter and lose sight of the goal and the important things.  This book calls us all to take a second, breathe and focus on the bigger picture.  I love that reminders to calm myself in the terrible chaos and focus.  We know what Carman is saying is true and we have those truths deep down but when chaos is erupting it is too easy to forget everything we stand for and hope for.  I highly recommend this book to all moms.  It is a nice read to center yourself on your truths and goals.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review and Giveaway: Betting on Hope

Saddle up for a new romance from novelist Debra Clopton, Betting on Hope! In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

Enter to win a Kindle Fire HD 6 to celebrate the release of Betting on Hope! 

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of Betting on Hope

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 8th. Winner will be announced March 9th on Debra's blog.

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

About the book: 

Betting on Hope (Thomas Nelson, February 2015) 

A bet gone wrong. A small town's meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch. 

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career---and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat. 

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do-for her own good. 

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires. 

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Lv6bBc  

About the author: 

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra's goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words. 

Find Debra online: website, Facebook, Twitter 

My Review:

The cover.  Who wouldn't want to open the book and read a romance between that cowboy and a wonderful woman?  This novel is another great one written by Debra Clopton.  This story contains a lot about life as a cowboy.  It will keep you entertained and make you feel a range of emotions for the characters and their stories.  If you like fun, romance novels with a western twist you should definitely check out this book.  It's so nice to be able to pick up a book and exit reality for a little while.  You can easily pick this book up right where you left off.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family

Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family: Avoiding the 6 Dysfunctional Parenting Styles (David C. Cook, January 2015)

We all want to guide our children into the abundant life that Jesus offers. But when we pursue the more and better that the world offers above our pursuit of Jesus, we fall into dangerous parenting habits. InBecoming a Spiritually Healthy Family, Michelle Anthony unpacks six common dysfunctional parenting styles that we fall into out of habit, lack of attention, or just oversight due to busyness. If you long to show your children Jesus but don’t know how to do it, you’ll find hope in this practical guide to creating a relentlessly grace-filled home that is focused on God as first in charge.

Includes Scripture guides, reflection questions, ideas for family rites of passage, and other real life family examples.

My Review: 

Don't we all want to be a spiritually healthy family?  I don't know anyone who would say no to that!  The subtitle of this book is "Avoiding the 6 Dysfunctional Parenting Styles".  Ummm... yes please to that also!  This book was a wonderful read and is such a welcome addition to our family's book resources.  I love when "family help" books offer practical advice, wisdom and examples.  This book is all about being the example as a leader in your family.  It encourages and inspires you to build your relationship with God so you can be that example.  I highly recommend this book as a great read and also a great addition to your family "tool" books.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: The Soup Club Cookbook

Food-sharing is the hot new thing in the "getting dinner on the table" conversation, and in The Soup Club Cookbook, four friends share not only their formula for starting a soup club--which gives you at least three meals every month when you don't have to worry about dinner--but also 150 fantastic recipes for soups and sides and storing tips for stretching those meals across the week.

 

The Soup Club began when four friends (who, between them, have four husbands and ten hungry kids and several jobs) realized that they didn't actually have to cook at home every night to take pleasure in a home-cooked meal. They simply had to join forces and share meals, even if they weren't actually eating them together. Caroline, Courtney, Julie, and Tina happen to be neighbors, but a soup club is for anyone: colleagues, a group of workout buddies, a book club. All you need are a few people who simply want to have more home-cooked food in their lives.

In a soup club each person takes a turn making soup--and sometimes other dishes for sides or for when everyone needs a break from soup, so if a club has four people, in a month each person will have dinner delivered three times--a dish that can start as a full meal and stretch into more dinners or lunches or even morph into a sauce. Soup is forgiving, versatile, and perfect for sharing; it can be spiced to taste, topped elaborately or not at all, and dressed up or down. It travels well and reheats beautifully.  The Soup Club Cookbook also has dozens of tips for cooking in quantity and for tailoring soup to individual tastes and needs. Here, too, are simple guidelines for starting your own soup club, anecdotes, and a few cautionary tales  that will inspire anyone to share food and eat well. 

 

Recipes include quick and easies, classics, twist on favorites, and dozens of flavor-rich new crowd pleasers:  

   * Carrot Coconut and Chicken Chili, 

   * Senegalese Peanut Soup 

   * Faux Ramen 

   * Red Lentil Curry Soup 

   * Potato Cheddar Soup 

   * Sun Dried Tomato Soup 

   * Jeweled Rice Salad 

   * Cheddar Cornbread, 

   * Summer Corn Hash 

   * Soy Simmered Chicken Wings

My Review:

This is my new favorite cookbook!  I love the way it is written... like a conversation between 4 friends.  The recipes include so much more than just soups.  They added in sides to go with the soups, salads, and pastas.  Each of the friends also added in tidbits of what toppings or seasonings they added to each of the soups.  I really cannot get enough of this book.  I could have sat and read the whole entire thing like a novel, which I've never said about a cookbook before.  I highly recommend this book (obviously)!

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: In This House We Will Giggle

What do indoor picnics and funny face contests have to do with loving Jesus?
More than you realize!
 
As a mom in the throes of parenting, Courtney DeFeo believes that instilling virtues in children starts with laughter, not lecture. That perspective propelled her to create this idea-packed book, in which she offers motivating reflections, real-life stories, and a sandbox full of inventive ways to help you turn your kids’ hearts toward God. 
 
Each chapter focuses on one virtue that is key for developing your child’s character. Along with insights into how this virtue plays out in the nitty-gritty of life, Courtney includes a memory verse, activity ideas, and discussion questions to reinforce that virtue throughout the month. Here you’ll find a full year of ways to draw your children closer to God through delightful antics like Family Olympics, One Fancy Feast, and Light ’Em Up.
 
In This House, We Will Giggle shows you how to capture the hearts of your children through fun—so that they experience the goodness of Christ, the joy of following Him, and the difference they can make in the lives of others. (Water balloons not included!)

My Review:  

I really have enjoyed this book so far and I know I will continue to love it,  It is set up to go over one virtue a month for the year.  There are stories from Courney DeFeo's real life.  She gives you tips and tricks on how you can incorporate and secretly teach these virtues to your family.  I love that it is broken up into months because you don't feel so overwhelmed.  You can pick up at any month or you can seek out a virtue that you think would most benefit your family first.  The virtues or values are the baseline of any well functioning family and child, who will become an adult who has to survive society.  Once those virtues are instilled, fun can be had.  Except that Courtney gives us ways to do them both at the same time!  

  I highly recommend this book to all parents who was great values instilled in their children and who at the same time also want to enjoy their child's childhood.  

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.  

Book Review: The Paleo Manifesto

In The Paleo Manifesto: Ancient Wisdom for Lifelong Health, John Durant argues for an evolutionary – and revolutionary – approach to health. All animals, human or otherwise, thrive when they mimic key elements of life in their natural habitat. From diet to movement to sleep, this evolutionary perspective sheds light on some of our most pressing health concerns. What is causing the rise of chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and depression? Is eating red meat going to kill you? Is avoiding the sun actually the best way to avoid skin cancer?

Durant takes readers on a thrilling ride to the Paleolithic and beyond, unlocking the health secrets of our ancient ancestors. What do obese gorillas teach us about weight loss? How can Paleolithic skulls contain beautiful sets of teeth? Why is the Bible so obsessed with hygiene? What do NASA astronauts teach us about getting a good night’s sleep? And how are Silicon Valley techies hacking the human body?

Blending science and culture, anthropology and philosophy, John Durant distills the lessons from his adventures and shows how to apply them to day-to-day life, teaching people how to construct their own personal “habitat” that will enable them to thrive. The book doesn’t just address what we eat, but why we eat it; not just how to exercise, but the purpose of functional movement; not just being healthy, but leading a purposeful life.

Combining the best of ancient wisdom with cutting edge science, Durant crafts a vision of health that is both fresh and futuristic.

My Review:

I've been hearing a lot about eating a Paleo diet.  I know most of the foods you can and can't eat and I get the basics of the principle behind it.  I did not know anything more than that.  I wanted to learn more because it is an idea that intrigues me.  I was very excited to get this book.  It is not a traditional diet book.  It is a book hoping to give you knowledge about why you should or should not eat a Paleo diet.  The three parts of the book include Origins, Here and Now, and Visions.  

If you are at all intrigued by eating a Paleo diet or are just interested in some historical knowledge, I definitely recommend this book.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.