CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

I have a confession to make. Over the past little while, I have been spending more and more time on Facebook and iPad games. Any bit of down time I had (i.e. waiting for the computer to turn on, watching a show with Tigger, etc), I would hop on and see what was happening. In a way it was relaxing and it was fun to see what others were up to.

I began reading articles for various sources that other people shared and found myself getting more and more horrified at what people thought was appropriate to share. Some of their comments were simple things like, “Interesting,” or “Gross,” or other words to describe their feelings on that particular article.

It’s gotten me thinking and over the past week I’ve adjusted my time and have not been on Facebook as much this week. And it’s because of some of the things I read. That’s what has prompted this post. I really think people don’t understand what sharing an article does or at least they don’t think about it.

This is just a caution is all. I would think twice about sharing an article on social media. Is it something you truly feel needs to be spread around? Is it an uplifting message? Because believe it or not, whenever an article is shared, it is encouraging and showing support for whatever content is in the article and whomever wrote it.

Don’t take this the wrong way. I believe there are good things to share and should be shared, but do I/you really want to be spreading things about child abuse or celebrity indiscretions or other things along those lines. Some of the articles I skimmed (most of which I didn’t complete) left me very disturbed, even the ones that appeared to be “innocent.” Some of the teaser captions underneath the pictures associated with the articles left me squirming. Is that the kind of message we want to portray?

All I’m saying is that if you want to share an article to at least take the time think it all the way through. Do I/you want that particular subject/article linked to your name? Because it is linked through the fact that you’re sharing it. Do I/you want to be showing your support of that particular article? Because even if you don’t agree with it, the fact that you are sharing it is perpetuating the subject, drawing attention to it. Do I/you think that it is something that will benefit others from reading it?

Now I know that it was my choice to read those articles, but some of them I didn’t click on. Like I said, the teaser captions left me extremely disturbed. I’ve now chosen to not spend as much time on Facebook because of how uncomfortable I became with the bombardment of so many articles I really had no interest in. Hopefully, this hasn’t happened to you. Hopefully, it never will, but if you are one that likes to share articles, please take the time to think it through because it’s not only you that is effected by it.  

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

I’ve really missed Lion the last few weeks. More so than I have in a while. That probably sounds bad because I always miss him, but I guess you could say I’ve been reliving certain things again. A sound or a smell will shove a memory into the forefront of my mind and it’s just been a little bit harder.

There’s nothing significant in June that would be an emotional connection with the situation, at least not one I can think of. However, the more I’ve thought about it, there are a couple of things that might be the reason for the sensitive feelings.

A friend just had the one year mark for her little one that passed last year. In talking with her it stirred up some of those exact feelings I felt.

There have been several other babies who have joined Lion where he’s buried and my heart breaks for those parents and families. I wish with all my heart that no one else ever had to go through what we did. I wish I could take away the pain I know they are feeling.

And the last thing that just hit me recently is we are pretty close to having a new little one. I think there is probably some anxiety there that I didn’t expect. The last time we were in the hospital, Lion was born. We took a thank you to all the nurses that helped us  (we did that over a year ago) and Tigger ran right to the room where we were staying with Lion. In fact he asked if we were going to visit him. At the time it broke my heart again. Not an easy conversation.

Then I think of having a little one home and it scares me. What if questions go through my mind. I’m not sure I remember or know what to do with a little one again. Then there’s the question that Tigger has asked a few different ways. Basically he’s asked if his new brother will be staying with us or going to live with Heavenly Father. I want to assure him. I want to promise him, but I can’t. Before I would have done so in a heart beat, but even though everything appears to be fine, you never know.

It’s hard to keep feelings under control, but at least I’ve recognized some of the sources of those feelings. Hopefully, things will be fine and yet at the same time I know Heavenly Father is in charge and things will be exactly as they are supposed to be.

Anyway, life is good. Things are going well. My mental battles will hopefully come to an end someday, but at the same time I’m hoping that by sharing it may help someone else. I sure hope life is treating you all well, also. :)

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY by Marlene Bateman—Book Review

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY by Marlene Bateman. This mystery had a lot of good things going for it. I thought I had things figured out but there were enough twists that I ended up not knowing in the end. The characters were fun, although I could have done without the OCDness of Erica. The setting was great, but after all was said and done, I was lefting wondering if the seeds were a little too subtle. It would be interesting to hear what other people think on that. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery though. Stay tuned for a giveaway of this book the first week of July.

:) :) :) :

Erica and her family happily anticipate Grandma Blanche's eighty-first birthday celebration in the picturesque town of Florence, Oregon. But when the feisty matriarch, a savvy businesswoman, enlists Erica's help in an investigation of her company, things quickly get sticky. Before the investigation can begin, Blanche's unexpected death leaves Erica with more questions than answers—and it soon becomes clear that Grandma's passing was anything but natural: she was murdered. When Aunt Martha, Blanche's reclusive sister, becomes the next victim of someone with a taste for homicide, Erica uses her flair for cooking to butter up local law enforcement and gather clues. As she narrowly escapes becoming the third victim, Erica is more determined than ever to solve the case—before she bites off more than she can chew.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

Thank you to all the men in my life.

Thank you to my father who raised me to be a daughter of God, to follow my dreams, to love and appreciate the beauty of music, and who put up with me when I swore I knew what was right and he didn't. :) I love him, appreciate, and am very grateful for his continual influence in my life and my family's life.

Thank you to my Hubby who loves and supports me, who goes to work everyday and provides for our family, who knows when to put food in front of me, who does the little things that make me smile. I will forever be grateful for his love, example, and the strenghth he brings to our family.

Thank you to a kind, loving Heavenly Father for the sacrifice of His son. Thank you an elder brother, Jesus Christ, who was willing to make that sacrifice.

We are all blessed to have wonderful men in our lives. Be sure to remind/share with them how you feel.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

DIAMOND RINGS ARE DEADLY THINGS by Rachelle J Christensen--Book Review

DIAMOND RINGS ARE DEADLY THINGS by Rachelle J Christensen. This turned out to be a great mystery. It began a little slow for me. She alluded to something that had happened earlier for several chapters before we finally found out what really went on. Once that hurdle was over it flowed more for me. I loved the characters and the fun twists. I would recommend this mystery to anyone who loves a good, clean, romantic mystery.

:) :) :) :)

Adrielle Pyper knows how to plan a wedding, and she's especially good at pleasing bridezillas. But when her biggest client and best friend is married just three days before the wedding, Adri's world falls apart. She moves to the resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho, and starts from scratch. Thanks to Adri's impeccable tast and unique style, she lands two celebrity clients, and her business seems headed for success—that is, until someone vandalizes the specialty wedding dresses she imported from overseas. The race is on to uncover a secret hidden within the yards of satin and lace before Adri becomes the next victim.

With a delightful blend of mystery, toe-curling kisses, humor, and spine-tingling thrills, Diamond Rings are Deadly Things is a romantic suspense novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

*Review copy provided by published, but did not influcence my review.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

This last Sunday we had a lesson on trials, adversity, and burdens. I don’t remember all of it but I remember the thought that continually played through my head. It began with a comment from a sister who had a child pass away during his teen years. She mentioned that there came a point in time when she had to make the choice of whether to be bitter or whether to learn and grow from her experience.

That got me thinking about my situation. I remember thinking the same thing. Although I’m not sure if my choice was conscious or not. I think it may have been a little bit of both. I can see how I could have become very bitter and frustrated when Lion was called home. I could have been angry, but I wasn’t.

I’ve had several people ask me how I’ve “handled” the situation so well. How I’m able to cope and everything that goes with it. I can’t say exactly how. The only thing I can attribute it to is I made the decision not to be mad and bitter. And that choice wasn’t necessarily made in the middle of the situation. It was made before.

I truly believe that everyone will come to the point where they have to make the decision to not be bitter or to allow that bitterness in. That kind of a choice is always easier outside of the not fun situation. Not everyone is allowed that time frame though, I understand that. At the same time though, most of us have the opportunity to think about how we might react to different situations. The specific situation isn’t necessary as important how we choose to respond and who we choose to trust.

That’s really been what’s run through my head this week, especially in light of some very difficult situations several of my neighbors are going through. Life has a way of throwing curve balls and we need to be as ready as we can in a sense. Choosing to not be bitter, in my opinion, is probably the best first step. 

I know I end a lot of posts this way, but it gives you an indication as to how scrambled my brain is. Hopefully this is making sense and hopefully it helps at least someone. Life is good, even in the midst of our hard times. Try to remember that and Hang in there. :)

MISSING LILY by Annette Larsen—Book Review/Giveawy

Missing Lily by Annette K Larsen. This was a delightful read. I enjoyed the characters and the growth that was shown. The setting was fun and the situations great. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good romanctic fantasy.

:) :) :) :) :)

“You don’t know who I am,” I whispered. He didn’t move—either away from me, or closer—and after an interminable moment, I stepped back and hurried out of the house. He didn’t follow me as I fled into the night. Lylin was not used to being alone—much less alone, hurt, and lost. So when she is separated from her guard and forced to abandon her horse, she counts herself lucky to stumble upon a manor house. Still frightened by those who chased her into the night, she keeps her identity a secret, calling herself Lily as she accepts the help of kind servants, and the compassion of Lord Fallon. When they fall into an easy friendship, she wonders if her secrecy was too hasty. However, as she gets to know the manor and its residents, Lylin discovers that she’s not the only one hiding secrets, and it may be a very good thing that her host doesn’t know her true identity as a member of the royal family.  

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I was born in Utah, part of a crazy, fun family of nine. I grew up in Flagstaff, AZ and St. Louis, MO before striking out on my own college adventure in Virginia. I decided to try my hand at writing novels after I was married and living in Idaho. I write clean romance because it’s my favorite genre, but often difficult to find.

I have Charlotte Brontë to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally, a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it.

After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to face the reality of sacrificing what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but in the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it. I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.

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