Monday, February 29, 2016

Ponderize Scripture Feb 29 - March 6, 2016

Week: Feb. 29 - March 6, 2016

PONDERIZE. (Ponder and Memorize) Feast upon his words. 

Don't forget to save a little money each week too!! 

These 2 principles will lead to a better life.
Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.

Blog Book 2015

I love receiving my yearly blog books! I just received my 2015 book!!!!!!
 I love making memory books or journals of my blog. I've been making them since 2008 when I started my blog. 

It's been amazing to have this many years of beautiful books full of photos and journaling.
 I've started making them all black and hard bound instead of soft bound covering.
 This was a big book of 438 pages.
A quick peek inside of one of the memories of 2015. 

This is why I blog, to capture memories of my life. 
Every time I review a book, I realize how blessed I am and what a wonderful life I have.

Leap Year Birthday! Happy 1st Birthday Samantha (4)

Happy Birthday Samantha! 

She is our leap year baby. 


Today she turns 1 years old.

Although she is really 4.

What a special day to have your birthday on.
 Princess Samantha

Laura, Samantha and Rhonda

Monday, February 22, 2016

54th Birthday


WOW! 54 years old. Time just flies by when your having fun. 

My mom came to town over President's Day weekend and we were able to celebrate my birthday together. I was completely spoiled!
 She bought me this beautiful orchid. It's lovely and I hope I can keep it alive. 
 She also crocheted me a pair of pot holders. The red and white were for Valentine's Day and the brown were for my birthday. 
 My sister Chris spoiled me with garden gloves, lots of seeds which I absolutely LOVE! A $25 dollar gift certificate to Fred Meyers for flowers!!! What an awesome gift because I love planting lots of flowers in my yard and can't wait until spring!! Plus a couple of books because I love to read! She completely spoiled me!
My visiting teacher dropped by these garden stakes - Smile, Simplify, Relax. 

 My mom Zoey, Jason and I went to a movie at The Village and enjoyed the fountains there. We had to take a couple of pictures. 
 Jason and Grandma Zoey

Sondra and my Mom, Zoey.
Jason and me.

We also went to Sizzler for Steak and all you can eat shrimp and salad bar. I do love Sizzler!

After the movie we went and had some Frozen Yogurt while we were at The Village. 

It was a bunch of fun. While we were there we also saw the fountain perform or dance to the music "Jump". My mom hadn't see the fountain dance before and she loved it. 

It was great having my mom visit for a few days. 

I had a great birthday / Valentine's Day and President's Day celebration all at once.

Ponderize Scripture Feb 22 - 28, 2016

Week: Feb. 22 - 28, 2016

PONDERIZE. (Ponder and Memorize) Feast upon his words. 

Don't forget to save a little money each week too!! 

These 2 principles will lead to a better life.
 Luke 8:25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Book Review: Painting Rain by Annette K. Larsen

Book Review of Painting Rain by Annette K. Larsen


Also this from Annette 2/21/2016: To celebrate Painting Rain's release, I'm doing a free promo on Just Ella for five days starting today! So if you know anyone who might want to read it, now is the time for them to get it. Happy Reading!

  My Review of Just Ella
My Review of Saving Marilee

I guess I didn't review Missing Lily. ??
I think Painting Rain was my favorite book so far from Annette K. Larsen - however, I may say that about each of them. I wish I had re-read Missing Lily before reading Painting Rain to completely remember what happened between Raina and Tobias. So I find myself currently re-reading Missing Lily so I can re-read Painting Rain. Each of her books are stand alone books, but there is more detailed information if you read Missing Lily first. 
About the Book from Amazon:

 A proper, clean romance. 

How do you heal your heart after tragedy leaves you broken? When the person you loved didn’t deserve it and they can’t earn your forgiveness because they’re already dead? How do you move on, and heal, and love? 

If you’re Princess Lorraina, you paint. 

A year ago Lorraina watched Tobias die, and she still doesn't know how she's supposed to heal—or forgive. How can she when she’s still running away? In an attempt to reinvent herself, she steps outside her comfortable life as princess and seeks the tutelage of a master painter—a man who is not at all impressed by her pedigree, and demands not just talent, but emotional honesty. 

Struggling to learn what’s being taught, she finds herself drawn to someone who not only knows her secrets, but who she once considered far below her notice. Now she is compelled to seek him out despite knowing their relationship would be forbidden if discovered. Staying away from him doesn’t seem possible when discovering him may be the key to healing her heart and rediscovering herself.
My Review:
Painting Rain spoke to my heart. I am a person who has tried for perfection and has unfortunately kept people at arm’s length in order to protect myself and my imperfections as Raina does. 

I love how Raina has to grow and become the "best her"for herself and not for other people or what they expect of her. She has to learn to work through her imperfections, to open her arms to let people in and to love herself. 

I fell in love with West. What a noble man! West was a completely beautiful, loving and encouraging man. Raina is very fortunate to find happiness with West as she finds herself and develops her talents. 
 I feel the need to go visit an Art Museum after reading this wonderful book! I also have to say that I love Annette's writing. I love how she can pull me completely into her stories where I can feel emotion. Annette has become one of my favorite Authors and I always look forward to each book she has published.
Reviewer - Jennifer Jones: Finished...and loved it all the way to the end. Emotional and intriguing. In my mind's eye, I could see it all...even "Painting Rain." Thank you so much for sharing their wonderful story with us! And now to wait impatiently for the next installment.
Reviewer - Marianne Morris: Just finished Painting Rain. I loved the depth of getting to know Lorraina. I understand the perfectionist in her. Sometimes it's just hard to be human with imperfections and all. I loved how she had the determination to find herself and love herself as who she is. Great defining of character. Where do you go from here? Who is left? I'll miss this series but comforted to know I can read the 4 books over again.
Reviewer: Amy Reibelt:  Finished! As I was reading, I could see why you were having trouble writing her story. It would have been so challenging getting inside Raina's head. Nevertheless it was amazing! I'm so excited for Kinley's story!

 As a pianist I really related the way she expressed herself through her chosen art medium. It felt authentic, probably because you do the same in your chosen medium! To know what it feels to express emotion, and not just achieve technical perfection, only comes by experience.
The next book out from Annette K Larsen: As for where I'm going next: I am working on the story of Gavin's younger sister, Kinley, and I'm really excited about it!
Completely Loved Painting Rain!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

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