Confessions Of A Mom

I blame the weather. The internet has been weird and I haven't been able to get on. Sorry this is posted later than I would have liked!

This week has been an interesting, bittersweet one. My hubby was released from a time consuming calling. (For those of you who don’t know, we volunteer our time in our church. We are asked to serve in different capacities for a time. We are called/asked by our Bishop of our ward or church leader.) I think I expected to see an immediate change in his schedule, meaning I would get to see him more. I didn’t. In fact, this turned out to be a week he had to travel and I actually saw him less. Tigger had a hard time with that too, as he always does when Hubby (I think that’s what I’ll call him for now) travels. That and Tigger wasn’t feeling well this week.

However, Tigger and I learned a lot while Hubby was gone. I learned that I need/like adult interaction more than I think I do. Naturally, I’m very much an introvert. Not that I am solely concerned with myself, I just prefer to keep to myself. This week I felt myself getting more and more down. I couldn’t figure out why I felt so awful. It seemed like I was spiraling downward and I didn’t know how to stop myself. And the farther down I got, the more things turned into, “What if I someone breaks into my house? What would I do? How could I protect Tigger? I can’t leave him.” Almost a paranoia has developed.

It’s easy to see why my thoughts turned that way and why that seed of paranoia has been planted. I’m thinking/hoping it’s just a natural thought process since Lion has returned home so recently. Though it scares me that those thoughts have even crossed my mind and I never truly ever want to think about being called home and leaving Tigger, I know that the Lord is in charge. 

Toward the end of the week, Hubby got home and I was able to visit with my sister. Both interactions have made all the difference in the world. Things don’t appear to be as dark and hard. My mind was put a little more at ease and things are brighter. I just need to force myself to have more of that adult interaction to keep myself in check and things in perspective.

I’m not sure if Tigger learned this, but I’m positive he’ll make the connection someday. He’s not the only one who has a brother who has gone home. He and I were able to meet one of the other mom’s who has a son resting in the same place as Lion. She also has another child. Our kids played while we visited. I believe it was a good thing for both of them as well as this mother and me.

My heart goes out to her and anyone else who has had a similar experience. Having a child return home earlier than we would like is not an easy thing. It makes one think, learn, trust, question and so much more. Many may want answer as to “why” or what will come. I was blessed to not necessarily have those exact questions, but to trust that the Lord knows what He’s doing. As for the why, we are all entitled to our own personal revelation as to why in any situation. However, we most likely will not receive the answer when we want it. It is always on His time table, not ours.

As hard as that is, it does make things easier. Someday, when the time is right, I will understand the why behind things. But for now, I trust the Lord.

WORKING IT OUT by Rachael Anderson--book review

WORKING IT OUT by Rachael Anderson. This book was a really fun read. I enjoyed all of the characters and felt like I learned a lot about physical therapy and what it might be like to have a disability. The spunk of Seth and the will of Grace was a wonderful combination. I loved the setting, the plot, pretty much everything about it. I highly recommend it for any romance reader out there.

:) :) :) :)

A chance encounter . . . 
Grace Warren's life is safe and predictable—exactly the way she likes it. But when she gets roped into going to an auction to help out a friend, everything changes. She meets Seth Tuttle—a guy who unexpectedly kisses her then disappears, leaving her flustered and upset. If she never sees him again, it will be too soon.

A chance for love . . . 
 Weeks later, when Seth limps into Grace's rehab clinic post surgery, he's every bit as frustrating and annoying as she remembered. Yet there's something about him that makes her second-guess her carefully placed boundaries even though he's everything she's sure she doesn't want in a man. But maybe Seth is exactly what Grace has needed all along—assuming she's willing to risk safe and predictable for a chance at love.

*Cover and back cover blurb taken from author's website. A review copy was provided, but did not effect my review.

HEROES OF FAITH by Marlene Bateman Sullivan--US only giveaway, review & interview

HEROES OF FAITH by Marlene Bateman Sullivan. This book is a fantastic read. All of the stories are very inspiring. They left me wanting to become a better person and be stronger in my faith. I was amazed at the incredible research that was done and highly recommend this book to any and everyone who loves inspirational reads. Be sure to enter our US only giveaway and check out my interview with Marlene.

:) :) :) :)

Our fast-paced society loves adventure and it loves a hero—but what about Latter-day Saint heroes?  Are there any?  There are plenty! 

Heroes of Faith, True Stories of Faith and Courage, is a collection of twenty-four riveting stories about people who rose above difficulties and impossible odds to emerge triumphant. You’ll read about stalwart men and women who stood firm and valiant in the gospel in spite of dangerous mobs, flying bullets, physical handicaps, extreme hardships, and dictatorial regimes. 

It's fascinating to read about the exploits of real heroes and when that hero is acting in accordance with the principles of the gospel, the adventure is not only thrilling, but inspiring as well. In these days of increasing trials and tribulation, we can all use some worthy role models, especially those that strengthen our faith and increase our testimonies.

What made you decide to become a writer?

I’ve wanted to write ever since I was in elementary school.  After two years of college, I got married. When I had children I had to cut back on writing because—let’s face it—you can’t do everything at one time.  But I continued writing whenever I could. When the kids were little, I concentrated on writing for magazines—articles and stories. Then, as the children got older and I had more time, I started writing books.

I think a large part of wanting to be a writer came from reading so much.  As a child, I was a voracious reader.  Sometimes I wonder if writers are born, because I’ve certainly always wanted to write.

What inspires you to write?

I never have to try and find motivation to write—it comes as naturally as breathing.  I’ve never had a day where I didn’t want to write.  Even when writing is difficult, as it often is, I still have this weird, insatiable, urge to write.    

What kind of research did you do for Heroes of Faith?

I lived in libraries for a while.   While I did some research at BYU, the University of Utah, and Utah State, the majority of experiences came from the Church History Library and the Church Archives.  I pored through old newspapers, early church magazines, and in the archives, looked at countless collections of papers, journals, letters, and microfilms.

What drew you to writing this genre? I love to do research.  It’s a thrill to walk into the Church History Library in downtown Salt Lake City.  I love it there. Seriously.  If they’d let me I’d bring my sleeping bag and a cooler of food and live there until the food gave out.  I guess I have a gene that adores searching out topics and finding old books and looking through them.  Readings peoples journals, old magazines, and newspapers.

What would you like your readers to get out of your writing?

It might sound a little cheesy, but my main focus was on sharing these stories as a way of increasing the reader’s faith and testimony.  I think they are just so inspiring.  These stories make me want to be a better person and to demonstrate my faith, not just be passive about it. 

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Never. Give. Up. 

People don’t fail because they can’t write, they fail because they stop trying. I have a yellowed newspaper clipping by my computer that says; “For most of us, it isn’t that we don’t have the ability to write, it’s that we don’t devote the time.  You have to put in the effort.”  Another way of saying that, is if you want to write and be published bad enough, you’ll work for it.  And if you work at it, your writing will improve and you WILL be published. 

What can we expect next from you?

I’m thinking about doing a sequel for Gaze Into Heaven, (a collection of over 50 near-death experiences in early church history), which was released earlier this year.  For right now, though, I’m working on another mystery.  My first novel in the Erica Coleman series, Motive for Murder, was published two months ago. I love writing mysteries, and it’s especially fun to write about a quirky private eye, Erica Coleman, who has OCD.  

Where can we purchase your book?

Heroes of Faith is available at Seagull Book, Deseret Book, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.  Here are 3 links where it can be purchased online:  

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Faith-Stories-Courage-Strength/dp/1462111289/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375911655&sr=1-1&keywords=heroes+of+faith+by+marlene+bateman+sullivan

Deseret Book:   http://deseretbook.com/Heroes-Faith-Marlene-Bateman-Sullivan/i/5114556

Seagull Book:  http://www.seagullbook.com/lds-products-792905.html

THANKS, MARLENE!

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MIST OF QUARRY HARBOR by Liz Adair--Book Buzzin'

THE MIST OF QUARRY HARBOR by Liz Adair. This is another great read that will be up for grabs during my Christmas in July 2014 Giveaway. Take a look!

Cassie Van Cleeve is thirty-two years old, single, and comfortably settled into a demanding career that leaves little time for romance. Suddenly faced with two unexpected proposals of marriage, she finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions with a vital choice to make. Her decision takes Cassie on an adventure she could never have imagined as she seeks to solve a deadly puzzle and uncover the mysterious past of her new husband.

Author Liz Adair has shown herself to be a wonderful storyteller, and in The Mist of Quarry Harbor, she has crafted another fast-paced novel that will satisfy even the most avid mystery lovers. Set in the starkly beautiful Sonora Desert and the picturesque islands and waterways of Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, this romantic novel provides a visual as well as an emotional feast. It is a book whose intriguing characters, startling plot, and exciting scenes will stay with you long after you have closed the book.

Confessions Of A Mom

I knew better than to leave Tigger alone. I had that feeling, but I decided he’d be okay long enough for me to put my swimming suit on. Lesson—always follow those feelings. :) Tigger had washed his hands, and the sink, and the walls, and the door. It could have been much worse, and I really couldn’t be mad when he turned around with soap dripping from his chin like a white, foamy beard. “Ho, ho, ho,” he said. Like I said, it could have been much worse.

It’s those little things that make it worth it. For a week that has been lower than higher, (though I haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly why. It could be lack of sleep, it could be not seeing my husband very much, it could be that I got another rejection for my manuscript, although it was a very nice rejection, :) or it could just be life. Not sure.) I’ll take all the little moments I can.

Though it’s been a tiring week, there have been some very interesting things happen too. We went down to visit Lion at the cemetery as we do every week and I found an envelope in his flowers. It was a sweet note from one of the other mom’s who’s child is buried where Lion is.

Over the course of the week, she and I have had some good conversations. It was reaffirmed again to me that life never brings what we expect. Nobody’s experiences are ever exactly the same and who are we to say that we’ve had it harder than others? There are always people who have had something harder or something easier than we have. Then again, what we perceive as being harder than what we’ve been through, another person will think that our experience has been incredibly difficult too. Am I making sense?

I guess what I’m trying to say is we just never know. We never know how a particular experience has affected someone. Maybe on the outside they appear to have it all together when inside they are crumbling. Maybe they appear to be having a difficult time when in reality they just deal with situations differently than we think we might.

I think of the day after Lion returned home. I wanted to keep things as normal as possible for Tigger, so I had Tigger’s dad take him to his baseball (or was it soccer?) class. Tigger’s dad (I think I’ll have to come up with another name for him) didn’t want me to be by myself, so my mom came over and we went to get some picture frames that I wanted to get but didn’t manage to get before Lion was born.

The cashier asked how we were and my immediate response was, “Okay.” We walked out of the store and my mom said that she’d never believe what people say to the question, “How are you?” again. “You just lost your son and I just lost my grandson. We are most definitely not okay,” she said. It just goes to show that again, we just never know.

So I’m learning not to be judgmental. People handle things in different ways, whether it’s different than how I would deal with it or not. I’m hoping I’m making sense and that this post isn’t as scattered as it feels. Basically, you just never know. Keep that in mind before we jump to conclusions. You never know.

LONGING FOR HOME by Sarah M Eden--US only Giveaway & Book Review

LONGING FOR HOME by Sarah M Eden. This Proper Romance is a wonderful read. I loved the Irish flavor of the story as well as the setting. Katie was a spitfire character that I fell for the moment she was introduced. It was interesting to witness the tension that was present in this particular story. I imagine it was very prominent in that era. I found myself conflicted as to who I'd like Katie to end up with. My heart feels for both men. It's probably for that reason that the ending didn't satisfy me as much as I would have liked. But I know that there's another one coming soon, so I will save judgement on that aspect until then. :) I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone.

:) :) :) :)

Though she was only a child during the darkest days of Ireland's Great Famine, Katie Macauley feels responsible for the loss of her family's land and the death of her sister. Now a woman grown, Katie has left Ireland for America and the promise of earning money enough to return home again and plead for her family's forgiveness. She arrives in Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory, a town sharply divided between the Americans who have settled there, with their deep hatred of the Irish, and the Irish immigrants who have come searching for a place to call home. Her arrival tips the precarious balance, and the feud erupts anew. Even in the midst of hatred and violence, however, Katie finds reason to hope. Two men, as different as they are intriguing, vie for her heart, turning her thoughts for the first time toward a future away from Ireland. Katie must now make the hardest decision of her life: stay and give her heart a chance at love, or return home and give her soul the possibility of peace.

*Cover, Blog Tour Banner, Logo, and book provided by publisher. Back cover blurb taken from barnesandnoble.com. Nothing effected my review of this book.

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Anita Stansfield

Beloved author Anita Stansfield has Celiac Disease, which caused severe damage in her body. Through the years of treating it, she also had breast cancer and multiple surgeries. She needs our support while she heals enough to go back to writing.

Take a look at all her books, here. Any purchase will help her. For more information or to donate, click here.

Confessions Of A Mom

It’s amazing how many people have secrets. Not that they intend to have secrets, but they do.

I was at the zoo with my son, (whom I will now and forever in these posts refer to as Tigger because it fits him too perfectly) and as we were playing at the tree house, I got to talking with one of the other parents there.

The usual questions were asked. “Where are you from?” “How many kids?” “Is he your only one?”

I decided that right off the bat that I wasn’t going to shy away from that question. I wasn’t going to exclude my second (whom I will refer to as Lion. The story of that name will come out soon.) from our family.

When I made that decision, I didn’t realize how hard it would be. Do I want to deal with the looks of pity or sorrow or face the people who no longer make eye contact because they don’t know what to say? What do I tell perfect strangers? What do I tell those who know me and haven’t heard yet? It’s not as easy as I thought it would be.

Since then I’ve been able to come up with an answer that I’m comfortable with. “He’s my only one living.” As of now, that’s been a good answer. So when I gave my answer to the dad I was talking about, he said he was sorry and that he and his wife have a child in heaven also.

We were silent for a little while, and in that time I had a few things run through my head. One—I really wanted to ask what had happened but I didn’t feel like it was appropriate for some reason. Two—I was amazed at how many people I’ve learned have a child who has passed away.

It’s not like that kind of experience is something that is advertised, but at the same time I’m amazed at how many people around me have had similar experiences. It’s like they came out of the woodworks. When I think about it I would have no reason to know those particular details of people’s lives. It’s just our experience gave them an opportunity to say they understand a bit about what I’ve been through because they’ve had a similar experience. It’s comforting and eye opening. I didn’t realize how come having a child pass away is. I’m either hyper sensitive to it or it’s a lot more common than I ever knew.

It’s also made me realize in a round about way that life goes on and that makes me sad. Life moves on. Not everyone around me knows what has happened. People move, kids grow up, and memories fade. Prayerfully, memories will get stronger not weaker. Prayerfully I will be able to continue to learn and grow from my experience with Lion. Prayerfully I will be able to help Tigger remember and know his little brother.

And to all those parents and kids who have a child or sibling in heaven, my heart goes out to you and you are not alone.

WORKING IT OUT by Rachael Anderson--book blast

Working It Out A chance encounter . . . Grace Warren's life is safe and predictable—exactly the way she likes it. But when she gets roped into going to an auction to help out a friend, everything changes. She meets Seth Tuttle—a guy who unexpectedly kisses her then disappears, leaving her flustered and upset. If she never sees him again, it will be too soon.

A chance for love . . . Weeks later, when Seth limps into Grace's rehab clinic post surgery, she immediately recognizes him. Unfortunately, he's every bit as frustrating and annoying as she remembered. Yet there's something about him that makes her second-guess her carefully placed boundaries even though he's everything she's sure she doesn't want in a man. But maybe Seth is exactly what Grace has needed all along—assuming she's willing to risk safe and predictable for a chance at love.  

Amazon * Amazon Kindle

 

Author Rachael Renee Anderson Rachael Anderson is the author of four books: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Blog * Facebook * Twitter

 

Book Blast Special Price Drop!

Grab a copy of Working it Out for just $2.99!

BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/6/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway   Open only to those 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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A NIGHT ON MOON HILL by Tanya Parker Mills

A NIGHT ON MOON HILL by Tanya Parker Mills. Check out my review and interview with Tanya, here. This fabulous book is part of my Christmas in July 2014 giveaway. Be sure to join us then!

Swimming is Daphne’s one refuge–

until the night she finds a dead body in her pool.

University professor and renowned author Daphne Lessing has never felt at ease in society. But a disturbance in her once calm and controlled existence suddenly unearths events from her past and thrusts an unusual child into her life.

Without wanting to, Daphne soon finds herself attached to Eric, a ten-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome who is obsessed with fishing and angels. Daphne is faced with a choice: Does she leave him and return to her solitary, ordered life, trusting others to do right by him, or does she allow this bright child to draw her into the world she’s tried to shun?

And what about the man that entered her life with Eric? Will she be able to shut him out as well?

Confessions Of A Mom

It’s hard to begin in the middle of a life story. Things won’t make sense. As a writer, I know that’s the best way to begin a story. Drop the reader into the middle of the action, but I think it’s different with life. You need more of the background to truly understand.

Growing up, I LOVED Tigger. It only seemed natural to have that as our theme when we found out we’d be having a boy. Little did I know that Tigger would fit his personality perfectly.

Our first son joined our family in 2010 and hasn’t stopped moving since. He has literally bounced since day one, and ran since 9 months. As a newborn, I expected him to sleep a lot because that’s what people said newborns did. Well, the only way I could get him to sleep was to hold him, otherwise he was bright eyed all day long. It was crazy.

He really didn’t start napping until about eighteen months, and even then, he’d only go down if I was laying with him. I guess I can’t blame him for that. It’s my fault really. One could often find me saying, “Sleep’s highly overrated.” Can I take that back now?

Anyway, he has only one setting on him, high. The only time he slows down is when he’s tired, and even then it’s not much. People who have spent time with us have often asked, “Is he always like this?” The answer is, “Yes.”

That’s why when we began talking about expanding our family, I had my reservations. How would I keep up with him? I lamented the one-on-one time that would be lost with him as much as I worried over not being able to spend enough time with a new addition. I knew we’d get it all worked out, but it was overwhelming just thinking about how to make it happen.

Then we found out we were pregnant again.

Those worries really began to escalate. Then adding to that was a fear that came out the first time I was pregnant. I was really worried that someone would take my child. It wasn’t worry about loosing him or anything like that, but that someone would take him. It scared me to death.

The second time around was even worse. I had dreams where I couldn’t find him or that I saw someone take off with him and couldn’t catch him, you know, fun things like that. There was even a time I swore I heard voices in the house. I got out of bed to check on my son and didn’t see him in his bed. I woke my husband in a panic and searched the house, unable to find my baby boy. My husband found him tucked in his bed, safe and sound. I cried the rest of the morning from the residual fear.

Long story short, our second son joined our family in 2013. He surprised us with all sorts of medical problems. Ultimately, he was with us for eight precious days and returned home. Although I know with all my heart everything happens for a reason and I completely trust The Lord, I feel like in a way, my ultimate fear came to pass. 

JANITORS by Tyler Whitesides--Book Review

JANITORS: Secrets of New Forest Academy by Tyler Whitesides. First of all, check out my review of the first JANITORS and my interview with Tyler Whitesides, here.

I really enjoyed this book. It's such a creative concept. The characters are fun. The setting is wonderful, and any kids or adult will love being swept away into this fantastic world of Toxites. It makes school fun. I highly recommend it for all ages. Be sure to check back for my review of JANITORS: Curse fo the Broomstaff, coming next month.

:) :) :) :)

Now, more than ever, Spencer, Daisy, and even Dez must fight to save schools everywhere. The Bureau of Educational Maintenance (BEM) is after Spencer, and the only place he is safe is within the walls of the New Forest Academy. Or so he thinks. In this fast-paced adventure, the kids must figure out where their loyalties lie and who they can trust as they fight to discover the true secret of the New Forest Academy and what it means to the future of education.

*Cover photo and blurb taken from barnesandnoble.com. A review copy was provided by the publisher, but that had no weight in my review.

EMMA by Rebecca H Jamison--INT giveaway & interview

EMMA by Rebecca H Jamison. Take a look at this fun one. It sounds great! Be sure to enter to win your own ecopy, and stay tuned for my review! Click here to read the first chapter.

Emma isn’t so good at the whole life-coaching thing. Her first client ended up with a broken heart and is threatening to relapse in her bad habits. Now Emma has problems of her own to deal with, and all those problems start with one name: Justin.

Justin is her best friend, so it’s hard for Emma not to feel betrayed when she suspects he is falling for her childhood rival. And she knows she’s losing him despite her best efforts. No matter how much she tries, she keeps running up against obstacles. How is she supposed to help other people when she’s drowning in her own failures?

Fans of Jane Austen’s Emma will love this modern retelling of the classic romance novel. Fall in love with Emma’s latter-day tale of redemption, forgiveness, and the quest for true love.

INTERVIEW

What made you decide to become a writer? 

I never thought I'd become an author. Writing is just something I do for fun. My first published novel started when I couldn't get an idea out of my head. After I finished, I set a New Year's resolution to send the manuscript to a publisher. I had to force myself to do it.

Who inspires you? 

Great writers help me to write better. Obviously, I love Jane Austen. I also like to listen to motivational speakers when I get discouraged. I have some health coaches who have helped me with my fitness goals. They inspired me to make Emma a life coach.

What would you like your readers to get out of your writing? 

I hope my readers have a fun time reading, but I also hope that they'll feel empowered. One of the major themes of Emma: A Latter-day Tale is self-acceptance. I want readers to come away feeling that they don't have to be perfect to accomplish great things. Failure is okay.

Where did this idea come from? 

I had an idea to make Jane Fairfax into a country music star named Jena Farley. I built the rest of the book around that concept.

Who was your favorite character to develop? 

I had a lot of fun developing Justin. He's a nerd in many ways. He dresses in sci-fi themed T-shirts. He has a home but doesn't furnish it. He loves old music. But, he's also full of wisdom.

Any advice for aspiring authors? 

Read a lot and write a lot. Then let other people read what you've written. A lot of writers hate having other people critique their work, but it's a necessary part of the process, especially for beginners.

What can we expect next from you? 

Right now I'm working on a retelling of Sense and Sensibility. I'm also outlining a Romance about a wannabe cowboy who moves to a country town and then makes a whole lot of mistakes.

Where can we purchase your book? 

It should be in Seagull bookstores around the middle of August. It will also be in Costco around that time. Deseret Book will probably get it later. You can also order online: Amazon & Barnes and Noble

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Confessions Of A Mom

I didn’t want kids. It wasn’t always like that. In fact if you had asked me in Elementary school what I wanted to be when I grew up my response always included being a mom. As I aged, I figured I would be a mom someday down the road. Well, after marrying off six different sets of friends, I gave up on that dream and decided I didn’t need children. I was perfectly happy the way things were.

That’s when he came along. They always say it happens when you least expect it or when you’re not looking for it. I never believed them. I still don’t want to believe them, but the words taste sour in my mouth because I know it’s true. It happens when you least expect it.

Then I did what I swore I would never, ever, ever do. I married him within three months of our first date. (It might have happened sooner had my dad not been in Europe when we began dating.)

The next logical step after marriage would be kids. Nope. Not me. The thought really hadn’t even occurred. I had graduated with a Masters degree, did a post-baccalaureate for my Elementary teaching certificate and found myself teaching kindergarten. Note to self: don’t get married during your first year of teaching, especially if it happens to be within the first month of that first year of teaching. Not a good idea. Can we say stress?

Needless to say, I finished my first year of teaching and was still married. The second year began and the idea of kids officially took a flight out the window. If anyone has any trouble convincing youngsters the need for abstinence and/or birth control, just have them spend a day in a kindergarten classroom. That’s all. One day and they’ll get the idea. I got my husband to spend half a day with me and he wouldn’t come back.

Everyone told me that my own children would be different than taking care of someone else’s, but their arguments fell on deaf ears. I didn’t want to hear it. I couldn’t imagine teaching all day and coming home to another one. Those who have done it or who are doing it, more power to you. I don’t know how you do it. You have my upmost respect.

The days slipped by and because of a myriad of things, I decided not to renew my teaching contract after three years. I was excited to get to stay home. I could finally do things like go to the restroom whenever I wanted to, have more than twenty minutes for lunch, you know enjoy the luxuries of life. After almost a year of living the high life (don’t get me wrong, I didn’t just eat bon-bon’s and watch TV. I was productive during that time), the idea of children had begun to grow on me. Good thing too, because not two months later we found out we were pregnant.

A WAY BACK TO YOU by Emily Gray Clawson--Book Review

A WAY BACK TO YOU by Emily Gray Clawson. It's amazing how many book I've read lately that have had something related to death in them. I can't figure out if that's a new trend or I'm more acutely aware of that subject. Anyway, this book was a very interesting read. The whole question made me think, "What would you do with a second chance?" I loved seeing the growth of Annie throughout the story and how things worked out in the end. It's a great read for anyone and everyone who need a good book that has a good lesson throughout it. I would highly recommend it. If you would like to read chapter one, check it out under the excerpt tab here.

:) :) :) :)

What would you do if you were given a second chance?

Annabelle, whom nearly everyone calls Anne, has been stuck in the past for two years. Numbed by grief over her husband's unexpected death and overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising their three young children alone, Anne agrees to let a friend take the kids for the weekend while she tries to get some much-needed rest at her parent's home.

But when Anne wakes up the next morning, she is suddenly sixteen again. And it just happens to be the worst day she spent as a teenager.

High school the second time around brings unforeseen changes and frustrations, but remembering that her future husband, Mitch, has just returned from a mission and is living on the other side of town gives Anne hope. Getting Mitch's attention (for the second time) is more complicated than she could have imagined, but Anne discovers she is stronger than she believed possible—and there just might be a future for her after all.

*Cover taken from author's website. Back cover blurb taken from desertbook.com. The publisher provided the book, but it didn't effect my review.