Books Books and More Books

I have been an avid reader FOREVER. My mom read to me all the time when I was little and I can remember her making the chatacters come alive with different voices. I also can remember laying in bed reading with her on a snowy day or reading on our screened in porch on a rainy summer day. Neeedless to say as I have grown up books have always been in my life. When I was a teenager I read lots of series books like Judy Blue and the American Girl Series. As I got older novels became my passion and one day I hope to write a children's book and a novel.

I thought I could give everyone an update on the books I am currently reading and have just finished!

THE SHACK

This book has been on the bestseller list often in the past year. I have heard people go crazy over this book and others that said they just didnt get it. I had the book for quite awhile before I got to it. THe first 100 pages were the hardest for me. At page 75 I called my mom and said I couldnt read anymore but she told me to keep on going. I would suggest this book if you are looking for something different, edgy, and hopeful.

LUCKY
Recently I started a book club with some fellow girlfriends of mine. The idea is that everyone gets together at the person who picked the book that month for discussion, snack and chit chat. I was lucky enough to be the first to pick. I had previsouly read the book The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and thought this story would be a good starter since many of the clubers had read her first book. I will update you when I finish with pictures and review from our first book club get together!

THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE
One of my bridesmaids(Hi Kendra) gave me this book this past weekend when we were together. I had been telling her that I wanted to read it and she was gracious enough to supply me with a copy. I started it on my Sunday Drive home. I am only on the second chapter but so far I really have enjoyed it- it challenges the mind!!

SECOND CHANCE

By now you have to be saying how do you have time to read one more thing right well this is what is waiting on deck. I recieved it from my mom awhile ago and as soon as I finish this I moving on to this one. Jodi Picoult is a divine author and this book is about the supernatural!

I want to hear from you bloggers, what are you reading???? what would you recommend???

Next Blog: JOJO's Birthday Party

MADELINE JANE

Madeline Jane Turner is my Goddaughter.
The best way to describe her is Juicy Kisses, Diet Coke Sipper, Singer, Back Patter, Obessed with Fairytales, and Grammie's girl.

The other wewekend she was able to come spend the entire weekend with me and some of my family and it was such a JOY!!!
We went flowergirl dress shopping, out to lunch with CoCo, bridal expoing and lots of playing with Wrigley.

Joey was great with getting Madeline comfortable with Wrigley- she absolutely loved helping Joey doing everything with the puppy.

CoCo with Madeline at lunch- I just love how sometimes when you take a picture and you dont really think it will be a good one and then it turns out great!! Can you see the love above???

Next Blog: Books Books and More Books

WRIGLEY

A few posts ago I told everyone what I got Joey for Christmas which was a DOG!! Well last week Joey brought him home. He is a seven week old Chocolate Lab. It was great because the breeder we got him from also had the mother and father of our Dog.

We named him Wrigley although the name isnt orginal we love it!!!!!!!!!!!

Wrigley sleeping he does this alot!

Hope you enjoyed all the pictures above. . . .. Joey is in heaven with Wrigley and I have to admit I am starting to really like him as well!

Next post: a tutorial of how to become a follwer of a blog, how to leave comments and lots of other great stuff!!!!!

BROTHERHOOD

Last week Joey's brother Mikey came to Davenport to stay for the week. We really had a fun week of staying up late watching movies, eating junk food and just hanging out. (not to mention our trip Chi-Town)
I am an only child so I always like to watch the interaction between siblings. I have always watched friends with brothers and sisters and my mom with her brothers in such amazement of the bond that exists between siblings.
I decided to write this for my blog after Mikey left for the week because it really gave me a chance to reflect on Joey and Mikey's relationship.

The first thing I noticed was LAUGHTER. I have never heard those two boys laugh so much than this past week. They could say one liners from movies all night long to each other.

The next thing I noticed was this amazing bond. We talked a lot about their childhood and it was interesting to hear them reflect on the memories they had and their interpretation of situations.

One of the most important things that I saw between them was the impact they have on each other. Mikey pushes Joey, Joey pushed Mikey, Mikey pushed Joey, Joey pushed Mikey.
Truly they do they want each other to be the very best that they possibly can be and they are helping each other get there every step of the way.

Joey asked Mikey to be his best man over Thanksgiving and for those of you that know me I CRIED! but truly I now know why Mikey is THE BEST MAN! Now.

I feel so lucky to have caught a glimpse of their relationship and can only pray that if I am blessed with more than one child they can have a strong unconditional bond like Mikey and Joey.
Next Post: Followers and Comments

DUKE VS. IOWA STATE

Last week Joey's brother Mikey came for a week long visit. I will be posting more on this later but first I must cover our big event of the week:

DUKE VS. IOWA STATE

@ THE UNITED CENTER CHICAGO, IL

What fun we had Enjoy the pictures!

When I got home from work the day of the game Mikey surpised me with a Duke shirt to wear to the game. I have been a Duke fan for a long time since my I watched college basketball with my mom. I know it was hard for Mikey to but that tshirt but i was awfully grateful.
The boys in front of the Michael Jordan statue!!!!

The game was awesome the last time I was in the United Center was for the Janet Jackson conernt. We were pretty happy with our seats, I wish I could of gotten a better picture of Coach K who I adore but was unable to do so. It was a great game. Duke started off on a hot streak but the Cyclones powered back and kept it a close game through the 3rd quarter but the BLUE DEVILS pulled away with the WIN and needless to say I was the only happy camper in the car on the way home!! Way to make me proud BLUE DEVILS!

NEXT POST: BROTHERHOOD

2010

NEW YEARS EVE 2010

This year for New Years we headed to Des Moines. We were able to spend some quality time with Joey's cousin Adam and his Wife Kendra. We are very close to the two of them and only wish we could spend more time with them.

Kendra and I after Dinner at Graze before we headed out into the COLD!!!!! BRRRRR

Joey is wanting to know why he always gets stuck with my Camera!!!

All of the girls: Myself, Kendra, Lindsay(kendra's friend, and a friend of Lindsay) Good Times

It was a great time. We drove home the next day and enjoyed the long weekend!!!!! I have a strong feeling 2010 is going to be a good one!!!!

Next Post: DUKE VS IOWA STATE

Joey's Christmas

Greetings,

Hope Everyone had a great New Years!! Can you believe another holiday season has come and gone!!!! Some of you may of heard what I got Joey for Christmas but if you haven't then get ready. . . . . .

A DOG!!! Joey has wanted a dog for a long time. When I first met him he told me that he has wanted a dog ever since he was a little boy. It was my pleasure to get him this gift becaue he spoils me with so much of his uncondtional love, support and faith!

We have decided to get a chocolate Lab. We have settled on a name and it is WRIGLEY. I will be posting pictures of him very soon!

Below are some pictures from Christmas at Joey's Nana's.

Next Post: NEW YEARS in DES MOINES, IOWA