A Few Days with Skylar!

The family that we child swap with, who have also become some of our favorite friends, had their second baby girl, Emma, this past week. We got the opportunity to have their older daughter, Skylar, stay with us for a few days. 

Early morning TV show watching since both kids woke up well before time to get up. 

We went to MOPS and Skylar held Mason's hand on the way home. Sweetness! 

Skylar helped Mason put all of the toys inside his tent. And then they played in there. 

Sweet friends playing. 

And pretend sleeping! 

Then, I got to take Skylar to the hospital to meet her sister. Sweet moments! 

The next day, we had Skylar in the afternoon and we went to the park to play

We ended the day with QT drinks and outside playtime before I took Skylar back. We loved having Skylar stay with us! 

If He Had Not Come By David Nicholson

While I was waiting to receive another book for review, I received this e-book, If He Had Not Come by David Nicholson, to review. 

This book was a quick read for me and I loved it so much. I cannot wait to read this book to Mason one day, maybe during this year's Christmas season. 

The story shares about Bobby who falls asleep on Christmas Eve and dreams about a world in which Jesus did not come. He experiences what the Christmas season would be like if Jesus had not come at all, in fact, he learns firsthand through the dream that Jesus is the only reason for Christmas at all. 

The reiteration of Jesus being the reason for the season is refreshing and this book would be great for a family to read and discuss at Christmas time. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers  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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Mother & Child Project compiled by Hope Through Healing Hands {A Book Review}

The Mother & Child Project compiled by Hope Through Healing Hands is an incredibly eye opening book. The book shares essays, speeches, biographies and articles about family planning and its importance in the world. 

While family planning is well known and encouraged in the United States, it is not as widely known and utilized in third world countries throughout the world. This book and the articles, etc contained within its pages attempt to shed light on that subject and its importance of helping to reduce death related to maternal issues as well as death in babies as a result. 

While this book was very eye opening and I learned a great deal from it, it was also a little dry at times. 

I think this book would be a great resource for those involved in women's ministry especially in third world countries. 

 

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Amish Promises by Leslie Gould {A Book Review}

About two years ago when I started reviewing books, I had never really considered enjoying fiction books about the Amish culture. However, after reading several in the last couple of years, I would say that it is one of my favorite genres. Amish Promises by Leslie Gould just added to that love. 

I read this book in less than 3 days and had to make myself go to bed one night instead of reading the book all night long until I finished it. HAHA! 

This book (which the first of a series) tells the story of Shani, Joel and Zane who move to Lancaster, PA after Joel in injured in war. They move into Shani's grandfather's home which is across the field/road from the Lehman residence. The Lehman family consists of Tim, a widower, and his children and his sister, Eve, who is living with them to help care for the children. 

I couldn't get enough of this story as it intertwines the stories of Shani and Eve, Zane and the Lehman children and Tim and Joel as they all develop relationships and go through good and bad times. The culture of the Amish that is shared in the books is so intriguing and makes me want to read more and more about it. 

The best part of the story to me was seeing how the hard times presented in the book (injury, fire, etc.) made the characters look to God to solve their problems and in the end, it drew everyone together in this incredible way. 

The Morgan's Movements {Early May 2015}

Wow-ee, the hot days are upon us. I know it will get much hotter but we had some super cool days and then we went up to high 80's in a snap! We remedied that with a popsicle!

Matt gave Mason a little driving lesson. :)

Matt had to work the 1st and 2nd Sunday of this month so I was on my own with my best boy for church! Getting a picture together when it's time to go somewhere is like herding cats! 

Daddy spoiled our sweet boy with another popsicle...this time a bomb pop! 

Sweet boy was worn out! 

I made Mason a flower necklace! He loved it! Once he realized what I was doing, he started picking flowers and handing them to me until it was done. 

A little bit of reading with Grandmom. 

And snuggles with Daddy before bed. 

We usually keep the stroller in the trunk of the car but one evening, I had to take it out to put a few things in it and we brought the stroller inside. The next day, Mason insisted on sitting in it. Like, most of the day. It was cracking me up! 

He was only out of it in time to fix my hair. :)

And then, right back to it! 

Matt and I discussed last week that in order to be the best "us", we need to be the best of ourselves individually. We decided to incorporate weekly "timeouts". They will vary each week and as time progresses, they may become bi-weekly but we will see how it goes. I went out Thursday of last week and had dinner, shopped a bit and then I ate fro-yo. It was so nice. 

Matt had his "turn" on Friday and he went to the YMCA to work out and then to eat and just hang out. 

We are still having our weekly night that we dedicate to just us as well. We are hoping we just keep improving our marriage, day by day. I love my best guy! 

COOLEST. KID. I. KNOW!

He picked up his blue chair, put it in the empty pool, grabbed his water and had a seat to "chill". 

And in an effort to make sure that no toys were left out, Mason played with ALL of them!