Finally Summer!

Well, this has been a whirl wind of a time!

A couple months ago, we were at a conference, and hubby could not urinate!  We made it home, and to the doctor.  Long story short--he just had surgery this last Monday, with an enlarged prostate (it was squeezing the urethra and limiting the flow of urine, as well as the prostate grew up into the bladder, about the size of a knuckle, and was also limiting his urine output.  I know!  Way tmi!!  But, things are hopefully normal now, and he just saw the doctor and doesn't need to go back in for 3 months.

We have also had another graduation - Andrew!  That means, this fall, I will only have 2 in school!!!!  Wow!  It seems unbelievable!

Also, Josiah and Sarah sold their house on May 20th, and don't have another home to move into, so on May 22nd, they moved in with us.  We went from a family of 6, to a family of 11 with a dog overnight.  The dog only stayed 1 week.  We had a nice time with them here, even though there were a lot of us in the home, it went smoothly!  They moved out Father's Day weekend to her sister's home, until they can find a new home.

We took a vacation to Washington DC.  That will be another post.  Sam did not enjoy his time there, as it was a lot of walking, and his legs and arms were hurting.  A.  Lot.  He was miserable and wanted to go home.  Aside from the traffic, and losing our van the first day, we had an enjoyable time.  Like I said,  a whole other post.

This week, we had hubby's surgery, and we are laying pretty low.  Today, I worked on the bulletin, calendars (we do one for activities, and one for birthdays/anniversaries), and I am also working on stuff for Sports Camp, which is the posters, fliers, and updating the webpage with an announcement, and registration form, and changing the church sign.

Tonight, hubby has a wedding rehearsal, and tomorrow is the wedding.  He is resting now, as the little bit of walking at church wore him out.  He is on restrictions of no 4 wheeling, and to just lay low.

Blessings!

Book Review: NKJV American Woman's Bible Dr. Richard G. Lee General Editor

Discover how biblical virtues in the powerful words and actions of extraordinary American women past and present have shaped our blessed American way of life. By their examples you can develop the same strength of biblical character in your own life. Whether you are a daughter, a mother or a grandmother, you will find this Bible an encouraging and powerful companion for daily living.
Features include: * New King James Version * Theme articles show how biblical virtues have shaped our nation * Biographies of influential American women highlight key points of their lives * Inspirational quotes by or about great women, famous and not well known * Introductions to each book of the Bible * Essays about biblical virtues embodied in women during key chapters of America's story * Ribbon marker * Presentation page for gift-giving

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My thoughts:  This is a beautiful hardcover Bible from Thomas Nelson!!  I enjoyed reading through the excerpts from various women (and men) - from the past and present.   People like: John Adams, Clara Barton, Corrie ten Boom, Amy Carmichael, Billy Graham, Ruth Bell Graham, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Fanny Crosby, and Elisabeth Elliot and many more!  There are also many topics: i.e. forgiveness, courage, wisdom, trust, testing, encouragement, and many more. 

This Bible has 1514 pages, including an index of people and topics, so you can readily find what you are looking for, as well as a nice concordance, although mine didn't have a ribbon marker, which wasn't a big deal breaker for me.  This is a nice Bible, to learn of women, godly virtues, and the making of America.

I received this Bible free for my honest review. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review "Code 13" by Don Brown

This is a book review on the book, "Code 13" by Don Brown.


      THE U.S. NAVY’S BILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR THE SALE OF DRONES LANDS TWO NAVY JAG OFFICERS IN THE GUN SIGHTS OF A KILLER.
     Caroline is just getting her feet wet at the prestigious Code 13, but is thankful for at least one familiar face—her old flame, P.J. MacDonald. He loops her into the assignment he is currently working on—the legality of a proposed drone-sharing contract with Homeland Security that would allow the sale of drones for domestic surveillance. The contractor wants a legal opinion clearing the contract for congressional approval. But the mob wants the proposal dead-on-arrival.
     When P.J. is gunned down in cold blood and a second JAG officer is killed, one thing becomes clear: whoever is ordered to write the legal opinion on the drones becomes a target. Which is exactly why Caroline goes to her commanding officer and volunteers to write the legal opinion herself. She is determined to avenge P.J.’s death and trap the killer, even if that means making herself a target.
     It is a deadly game of Russian roulette for the sake of justice, but Caroline is determined to see it through, even if it costs her life.
                                       *************************************
      I was interested in reading this book, as we have just started watching "JAG" via streaming.  I found out this is actually book 2, but it didn't seem to matter that I missed the first one in the series.  I liked the book - it has a lot of action in it, and things I didn't know before - the Constitution Free Zone.
     What I didn't care for, is that it is presumably a "Christian" book, but you really couldn't tell it was Christian.  It is more of a secular book. It has drinking, smoking, adultery (not explicit, but mentioned a few times), and homosexuality.  I know this happens - but I just don't want to read about it in a Christian book.  If you told me this was a secular book, I would give it a 5.  But, as a Christian book, I have to give it a 2.

I received this book free for my honest review. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Crock pot cleaning hack

My beloved crock pot has seen some better, cleaner days!  I looked on Pinterest and found a lot of ways to clean the inside of the base.  How does THAT get dirty????  I mean--really??  The crock sits in it, and goes over that edge, so how does it get dirty?  I don't know, but it was dirty!

So, this is what I tried.  I read that if you put a bowl of ammonia in the base, and put the lid on, that just the fumes would clean it.  I wasn't really believing this, because I had tried that on an oven to no avail.

So, here is my crockpot at the start.  Gross!!

So, I read that you put a bowl of ammonia inside the base, then put the lid on and leave it overnight. I actually left mine for 2 nights and then some!

This is the crockpot base after I wiped it out--just wiped it!

It's better, but not all clean. 

And here is the base after lightly scrubbing the rest out with an SOS pad.  Almost new!!

Blessings!  and I hope this helps you keep your crockpot base looking better.  I mean, my crock pot is a life saver!!

Book Review "The Newsmakers" by Lis Wiehl

"The Newsmakers" by Lis Wiehl.  This is a good, page turning book!  It did keep my interest.  The story is about Erica Sparks, who is a recovering alcoholic, who lost her beloved daughter, and husband.  It sets out with her being interviewed in a prestigious news company.  She gets the job, and things are just turning out different. 

How does she "happen" to be in the right place, at the right time while horrific events take place?  Is she reporting the news, or is someone making the news happen?? 

She is also dealing with a lot of personal issues.  Her ex-husband has found a new love, she is battling the demons of the alcohol, she wants her daughter to like her, and not be scared of her, and she has a new love interest.

Although Thomas Nelson published this book, you can not tell that it is Christian.  There is some swearing, her boss snorts cocaine as well as watches her undress, the alcohol references and desires, and a lady at her work is in a homosexual relationship.  I didn't see any mention of faith, or Jesus helping with any of the issues.  Aside from what I've mentioned, it is a clean book.

I received this e-book free for my honest review. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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NIrv Beginner's Bible Devotional Pack

This is the sweetest Bible/Devotional duo for kids!!  The Kid-Sized Devotions are very short and sweet!  There are devotions for each day for 1 year.  There is a presentation page in the front, then the devotions to "grow closer to God", and at the very end, the "ABC's of Salvation"!  I had never heard past the C in this--and they have every letter except X and Z.  I was very impressed by this!  Each devotion starts with a Bible verse, and a very short devotional.  It also has a main point in a highlighted area, and ends with a very short prayer.  This devotional book is geared for preschoolers.

The NIrv Beginners Bible is pretty much a straight Bible.  They say it is geared for children 6-10, but I would think it could go a bit older.  It has a presentation page in the beginning, and what I thought was really cool was on the back of the presentation page, it said, "My name is _____________.  I am _____________ years old.  I received this book for ______________."  I just really liked that personal aspect.  This Bible then has typical things like table of contents, then the books of the Bible in alphabetical order.  The next thing I liked was the next page "Getting to Know Jesus".  It is short (2 pages), and has a question and answer format.  "How can I get to know Jesus?  Who is Jesus?  Why did Jesus have to die?  Does Jesus love me?  Will Jesus ever stop loving me?"  etc.    It has very few pictures (18 pictures - that is 9 pages, front and back).  This Bible has very small margins, they almost go to the edge of the pages, and has 2,034 pages, including all the helps.  Immediately following the Bible there is a small dictionary, and then a section of 150 famous Bible stories and where they are found--I Loved this section!!

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received both these hardcover Devotional book and Bible free from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers for my honest review.   I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Hemi-metameric Shift Scoliosis Dr. Visit

Whew!  What a title, huh?  A hemi-metameric shift scoliosis is a very big name for congenital scoliosis.  It is a rare form of scoliosis, and very rare in boys.  So, when Matthew was formed in the womb, when the spine was coming together, the one side of the spine didn't have a match, also known as the hemivertebra off at the T2 and T5 vertebrae.  Then, further up, there is another side without a match.  So, all in all, he evens out, even though the spine is crooked.  Hope it makes sense!

So, here he is.  Dad dropped us off at the door, and we waited.

Then, we went upstairs and checked into the Orthopedics.

And waited for just a little bit.  They were very timely today!

Off to get changed:

He had 2 sets of X-Rays--one from the waist up (he had to take off his jeans for this one):

and another of just the upper part (Thoracic) of his back.

Then off to get weighed (he weighs 73 pounds)

And then they measured his height (and he is 5 feet tall, yep, tall and slim)

Then, they measured him from fingertip to fingertip (missed this measurement)

Then off to see the doctor

and to view his X-rays.

Everything went great, and he doesn't have to go back for 2 years!!  Praise God!

Blessings!