ERASING TIME by CJ Hill--Book Review

ERASING TIME by CJ Hill a.k.a Janette Rallison. I loved this book. The word play that happened kept me on my toes and smiling through the whole thing. I loved the characters and got completely lost in the society of the future. There was a twist that I didn't see coming and I love it when that happens. I can recommend this book for just about everyone. There is a bit of violence that might not be appropriate for younger audience.

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When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that’s so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can’t go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The mob-like Dakine fights against the government, and somehow Taylor and Sheridan find themselves in the middle. The only way to elude them all is to trust Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

ECHO IN TIME by CJ Hill--Book Buzzin'

ECHO IN TIME by CJ Hill a.k.a Janette Rallison. Just finished the first book in this series and I can't wait for this one to come out in December. Take a look at my review of ERASING TIME on Thursday!

After being pulled 400 years into the future, twins Taylor and Sheridan have found some refuge from the government of Traventon, which used the dangerous Time Strainer to yank the girls from the past. Yet the threat of the dangerous technology still looms. Taylor and an ally, Joseph, are selected to go on a mission to destroy the time machine and weapon. But their actions before they do may have major consequences for the future and the past.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

In reviewing Lion’s short time with us, I realize that I have left so much out. It’s hard to include everything, especially when you’re trying to keep it to a certain length. Things will continue to pop up and memories will be shared, but I want you to know if you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask them and if I can, I’ll answer them. 

The week after Lion returned home was another experience in itself. Hubby called Hospice who called the mortuary. We called each member of our family and tearfully told them Lion had gone home. When the mortuary called, I was surprised by one of their questions and incredible impressed with how soft spoken and considerate each person was.

They asked if we wanted them to come get Lion’s body right away or if we wanted to wait until the morning. Thinking about it now, I can see how people would want more time, but at that moment we decided to have them come out. We took out his feeding tube, changed his diaper for the last time, wrapped him in a blanket, and carried him out to their van.

The gentleman who drove the van was incredible respectful. Hubby talked to him a little bit saying something to the effect that he could never do what the driver’s job. The gentleman’s response was something that we heard a few times again from the people that helped us at the mortuary. He said that he felt like this was his calling. He felt like this was what he was supposed to do to help comfort those in need. I have to say that those are special people.

After giving me a tender smile, he had me put Lion in a little Moses basket right up front, then he slowly drove away. Hubby and I then got in our car and drove to the temple. We sat in the parking lot and just talked. The only thing I really remember about the conversation was Hubby saying that he now knows what hell is like.

We both slept for the first time in over a week that night, although I had fallen asleep with a stuffed bear my good friend gave me. I woke up holding it, thinking that I help Lion in my arms. I was afraid to move fearing that I would accidentally knock Lion off the bed. I still have that happen some nights.

The following week was spent picking out a burial plot, planning a funeral, figuring out how to move forward, and all the other details associated with that. It felt like such a whirlwind, and all things considered it was. We went from expecting to have two children, to finding out we had one who would need extensive surgeries, to learning he had a terminal condition, to learning how to care for what I guess one would call a special needs child, to planning, and taking part in a funeral. That’s a lot to take in in a matter of eight days.

SLAYERS: FRIENDS AND TRAITORS by C J Hill--Book Buzzin'

SLAYERS: FRIENDS AND TRAITORS by CJ Hill. I'm so excited about this book that was released last week. Check out my review of book 1 and be sure to take a look at this one!

In C.J. Hill's action-packed sequel to Slayers, the group of teens known as Slayers have been betrayed—but they won’t give up without a fight.

Tori’s got a problem. She thought she’d have one more summer to train as a dragon Slayer, but time has run out. When Tori hears the horrifying sound of dragon eggs hatching, she knows the Slayers are in trouble. In less than a year, the dragons will be fully grown and completely lethal. The Slayers are well-prepared, but their group is still not complete, and Tori is determined to track down Ryker—the mysterious missing Slayer.

What Tori doesn’t bargain for, however, is the surprising truth about her powers. She isn’t just a Slayer, she’s part Dragon Lord, too. How can Tori fight to save her friends when half of her is programmed to protect dragons? And with a possible traitor in their midst, the Slayers will be divided in more ways than they ever imagined.

*Cover taken from author website. Back cover blurb from Barnes and Noble's website.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

I need to go back to the hospital really quick. There are two things I forgot. When the nurses told me Lion had a cleft lip and palate, before I even saw him, I have to admit that one of the first thoughts that ran through my head was worry about how he looked. I worried about how Tigger would react to seeing Lion. Having worked enough with young children, I knew that Tigger could very likely be afraid of Lion or shy away from him because of how he looked. The minute that thought crossed my mind though, I felt bad for even thinking it.

Tigger was able to see Lion for the first time that evening. (Lion was born at 2:41 a.m.) Family member brought him down and Hubby stayed with Lion in the nursery while I was in the hall with Tigger. Hubby held Lion up to the window with the help of his NICU nurse—who held all the tubbing and wires. Grandpa let Tigger stand on his knee I think it was.

I couldn’t see Tigger’s reaction, but both Hubby and Lion’s nurse that Tigger didn’t look scared or afraid. Instead, he looked incredibly worried and concerned for Lion. When I think about that now it brings tears to my eyes that Tigger’s heart was so touched by his brother.

Anyway, I felt like I should touch on those two things before I talk about the five, precious days we had together as a family. Of course the day we brought Lion home, it was freezing cold and raining. Someone said that the weather was such so that Lion could experience all that he could while he was here. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but it gave me a more positive spin on it.

We had a very quiet first day home. Hubby, Lion, and I ended up falling asleep together for a little while. We had Lion’s Hospice nurse come by, and while she was there we he stopped breathing a couple of times. I thought Lion was going to return home before we could get Tigger home with us. Thankfully, he stuck around. We got several good family pictures and moved forward.

I didn’t sleep hardly at all that night. I was afraid of waking up to find him gone. It was like that most of that week. However, we did fall into a routine. Our family was amazing in helping us have the time we needed to take care of Lion, while making sure Tigger had cousins to play with. We had a few nights with just Hubby, Lion and me, then when we felt we had figured out how to make things happen, we gave Tigger the choice sleeping at Grandma’s or coming home. He chose to sleep at home.

Some of my most precious moments happened in those two evening when we had everyone home. Tigger wanted to play with Hubby while I sat on the couch holding Lion. Tigger wanted to help in every way he could with Lion, and we let him to a certain extent. Tigger helped pick out the clothes Lion would wear and was fascinated with his hands. Things we going really well, minus the fact that I was always worried when he would stop breathing if he’d ever begin again. In fact, Lion’s Hospice nurse came on Thursday and said he was looking and doing wonderfully well.

Then it all went downhill. At Lion’s midnight feeding, he ended up throwing everything and then some up. From that point on, it sounds like he was choking on his own spit. We called everyone, and they all said there was nothing really to be done. We tried everything we could think of. He stopped breathing more frequently. The Hospice nurse came and spend several hours with us. The only thing she could say is that it was normal. He could do this for weeks or months. I was beside myself. The only thing we could do was continue forward.

Friday evening, we were getting Tigger ready for bed and I was feeding Lion when he stopped breathing. I waited and waited for him to take another breath. Thirty seconds turned into a minute which turned into two. Then three. The four. His little chest didn’t rise and I thought he was gone.

As I tried to keep things in check so I wouldn’t scare Tigger, I told Hubby I thought Lion had gone home when he took a shallow breath, then another. I called my parents and asked them to come get Tigger, wondering how much more I could handle. They immediately picked him up after he was able to give Lion a kiss on the head.

Hubby and I knew there wasn’t much time left with Lion. I wasn’t ready to let go. I didn’t want him to go. Somewhere deep down I knew that it was for the best, but I didn’t want to let go. So we did the only thing that we could do. I held him and rocked him while the both of us sung hymns and children’s hymns together. It was during that time that he returned home to his Father in Heaven. 

Confessions Of A Mom

I have to apologize. I've been thinking about this post all week, and I just realized that today is Saturday and I didn't get it posted. All I have are excuses, which I shouldn't try to make. What I will say is that the post will be up late tonight. Thanks for understanding, and again, I apologize. :)

CONSIDER THE BLESSINGS by Thomas S Monson--Book Review

CONSIDER THE BLESSINGS by Thomas S Monson. This compliation of 50 true stories of how The Lord has a hand in our lives is by far one of my favorite reads. The stories, most of which I have heard at one point or another, are beautifully illustrated which enhanses the stories. I love how they are only a page or two making it easy to pull one out to share with my family or use in a lesson. Each one is uplifting and inspiring and helps me realize how much The Lord is in our lives. I will continually refer to this book as a reminder to look for the ways The Lord has guided my life.

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If you ask people what they love most about President Thomas S. Monson’s teaching style, chances are they’ll say something about the personal experiences he relates. The accounts President Monson shares are always true, taken from his own life or the real lives of other people. Those warm, memorable accounts have truly become a hallmark of his messages.

Who can forget the woman who saved one of the two sticks of gum Elder Monson passed out to youth in postwar Germany? Or the neighbor who returned a box of baseballs to young Tommy as a thank-you for his kindness to her? Or the father who declined to attend a “Mormon” meeting with his family but had his heart softened by a message he heard on a radio that was actually broken?

In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his call as an Apostle, Consider the Blessings presents fifty of the true accounts President Thomas S. Monson has shared over the years. With beautiful photographs and heart-touching content, this is a book to treasure with the whole family.