Saturday, January 11, 2020

2019 Book Review!!!

I read 42 books this year! I started a few more but just couldn't get into them! My goal this year was 75 books.. haha, what was I thinking?! Oh well, maybe 2020 will be my year!!




Before I list them all, here are my TOP 5 picks of the year!!! I'd recommend any of these to my friends! Especially the first one!! :)

1. Where the Crawdads Sing!! WINNER!!!!
2. Five Feet Apart
3. Two Weeks
4. The Storyteller's Secret
5. Things you Save in a Fire








Yes its YA but it was a really sweet story about teenagers with critical illnesses that meet and fall in love. They also made it into a movie! 




Nic Sparks if one of my fave authors so I had to read this! Good! 





 So so good! Was always on the #1 spot on the bestseller lists so I had to read it. A little bit of historical fiction with some mystery and a big twist/shock at the end! I recommend this book to everyone now! 





 Cheesy but sweet chick lit






 Fiction with a story about what itd be like if America had a king, queen, and heir to the throne and she wasn't sure what she wanted to do with her life. Easy read and good.





 Cute story about a girl and her twin sister, and the nerdy one gets a taste of what it's like to be her sister who always competes in pageants. 





 So good! About a girl who gets to pick her "5 people dead or alive" to come to her special birthday dinner and how they all interact. 











 A marriage advice book about how to give more of yourself in your marriage 





 The last book I read this year! So good! About a female firefighters in a man's world, and how her tough exterior softens after time and things that happen to her.





 The story of three people who were friends since college. Had a reunion, and uncover a big secret among them. 




 I liked her first book so I read this one.. peppy and encouraging, but not the greatest. More for people who are bosses, natural leaders, or business oweners (NOT ME!) but would be good for some!





 Your typical story of a girl and guy who are just friends with benefits and fall in love. 





 An old heiress hires a young woman to try to clear her name of a murder that occured.





 Jeremy and Audrey Roloff were on the TLC show Little People, big World, and they wrote a book about their story and some marriage advice, etc. It was a sweet book.





 An interesting story about a young woman who struggled to provide for her and her child, became a Maid, and tells stories of all the things she went through, and witnessed with different people and their homes.. and how she overcame struggles. 





 LOL the perfect book for me!!!! A book celebrating introverted moms, talking about the challenges they face, and the gifts they have that make them special. 











 Cute quirky book about a bookworm who is pretty nerdy and boring then has a big family discovery that makes her life interesting




 Not her best book... but decent. About strangers that meet at a fancy spa getaway, then go through a scary time together. With a weird twist. And kinda creepy at times.





 A woman inherits a store after her father passes away... she meets a man who does her a favor and leaves an IOU.. and the story is about what becomes of them. Pretty good! 




 A mystery about a woman's baby who went missing. Who did it? LOL. Was pretty good! 





 Julia Sadler is on a TV show called Rattled, who had a hard time having babies, and then had triplets. This book is about her faith, her journey, and a lot of inspiration about praying boldly when you have big desires. 





 This book was about the Bush sisters. Was entertaining, told about their childhoods, their family relationships, and the fun they had in the white house.





 A sweet story about a a woman who owns a little toy shop on Nantucket, and then the shops in the area face closing down. 







 Such a good book!!!! A woman who is having a hard time travels to India to learn more about herself and her family's past. Lots of things she learns and discovers while there. 





 A historical novel about some sisters spending time together on Nantucket one summer, and all the things that happen to them. 





 Another YA book about 2 teenagers and their relationship. Not as good as Five Feet Apart, but still pretty decent. 











 Chrissy Metz is on THIS IS US. This is the book about how she became an actress and a lot about herself and her personality.. I enjoyed it.





 I LOVE all Karen K Books! I especially loved this one because its about ADOPTION!! :) About two teenagers that find themselves in a tricky situation and what they go through. Reminded me a little of my story with Joseph. 




 Kinda an ok book, talking about the social media craze and how everyone wants to be friends online and compare their lives to others, but are missing authentic friendships. 




 Such a cute story about a bride and her husband come down with food poisoning, and their best man and maid of honor (who hate each other!) go on their honeymoon so its not wasted! You can probably guess what happens.. but its a cute book! 





 This is a very funny book about a woman who is the Class Mom for a bunch of elementary school students, and all the chaos that goes on with events and school stuff, and interacting with all kinds of parents. very cute book for my fellow moms of school-aged kids! 





Third in a series I have been reading. More cute chick lit about a girl and guy who help plan their friend's wedding and start having feelings for each other.  





 A thrilled about a woman who is obsessed with another womans relationship.. kindof a twist in there. Wasn't too scary to read or anything. 





 A wife finds out about her husband's secret life, and moves to the Caribbean to restart her life. Not thebest of her books, but worth reading. 





 A good book for people like me who suffer from excessive worry and anxiety! Using examples and encouragement from the Bible to show you have to take a grip on anxiety. 







This was a 3-book series about 3 sisters who move back in with their mom for awhile, and the books tell their different stories. SO good! I couldn't wait for the next book each time I finished one! 



Wednesday, January 1, 2020

What I Love About Hubby: On his Birthday




1. He is a very hard worker and very talented at what he does

2. He respects me and treats me like an equal

3. He is a very involved father. Homework, special events, you name it.

4. He helps out with my parents/family probably even more than I do.

5. He is a good cook.. which is great... because I am not! ;)

6. He often brings me a treat when he comes back from the store.

7. He makes me laugh and feel better even on the worst of days.

8. He texts me funny memes and sweet messages throughout the work day

9. He always untangles my necklaces when I throw them in my jewelry box :P

10. He will take pictures at every event he's at because he knows its important to me

11. He is a very talented musician and uses that talent playing at church now

12. He will get up and comfort me in the middle of the night when I have anxiety attacks

13. He does the things I really hate doing, like taking out the trash and picking up Sheldon poop

14. He will heat up my car on really cold mornings, before I leave the house

15. He comes to my work every so often to have lunch with me on his break

16. He is amazing at having deep conversations with the kids, to make them understand serious issues and what things are right and wrong.

17. He always saves me the ice in his drinks when he's done

18. He will watch just about any tv show with me when Im sick or having a bad day... even... GOLDEN GIRLS!! :) (shhh!)

19. He supports me in what I want to do and doesn't make me feel bad about myself when I make mistakes like we all do.

20. He sings loudly in the car with me when we are alone. And sometimes changes the words to songs which kinda bugs me but is really hilarious :)

A Look Back at 2019!


1. What did you do in 2019 that you have never done before?
Had my first ever cavity and got a crown :(


2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for 2019?
I checked off several of them! Joined a church and got involved, took care of some dr appts id been putting off... didn't make it on a date EVERY month with hubby, but almost! 


3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2019?
My cousin had a baby boy :)


4. Did anyone close to you die in 2019? 

No thank goodness!!


5. What states/countries did you visit this year?

None this year :( Hope to change that this coming year


6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?

More motivation and confidence.. to do things like get active in the gym, and pay down debt, etc

7. What date from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The day Brooke turned 13 and became a teenager :)

8. What was your biggest struggle in 2019?
Some relationship issues, but everything is going well now :)

9. Did you suffer any illness or injury in 2019?
Just some minor sickness, nothing major! My Mom had a knee replacement surgery though.


10. What was the best thing you bought this year?
New living room furniture!!!!

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Brooke made honor roll for the first time ever!!!!!!

12. Whose behavior disappointed you?

My ex-sister in law, like usual. She makes life difficult for everyone!

13. Where did most of your money go?

To bills of course, and food and christmas gifts I guess

14. What did you get really really excited about this year?

Brooke doing so well in her start of 8th grade, and getting her braces off. Taking the summer off to be with the kids. Going to a Collective Soul concert with hubby. Buying some things we'd been wanting for awhile now.

15. What song will always remind you of 2019?

"God's Country" by Blake Shelton was one of my faves from this year.

16. Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, much nicer or richer?

Much happier for sure.. and probably a little more well off since Arnold and I are both working full time jobs.

17. What do you wish you had done more of? 

Spent more time doing devotions with the kids

18. What do you wish you had done less of?

Worried... like usual!!

19. Did you fall in love in 2018?

More in love with Hubby ;) hehe

20. What was your favorite TV Program in 2019?
The Mandalorian of course.. for BABY YODA!!!!!! :D

21. What was the best book you read this year?

 Where the Crawdads Sing! So good! 

22. What was your greatest musical discovery this past year?

Arnold introduced me to Lincoln Brewster! He is very talented!

23. What did you want and get?

A new job, new living room furniture 
24. What was the best movie you saw this year?

Best kids movie- Toy Story 4
Best regular movie- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

25.What did you do on your birthday and how old did you turn?

I turned 34. I went to dinner with friends. And mom made homemade lasanga like always!

26. What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?
To pay off some more debt

27. How would you describe your personal fashion statement this year?
Cute but comfy... jeans and cute tops mostly No more uniforms at work, yay!!!

28. What kept you sane this year? 
Jesus, hubby, and friends!!

29. What celebrity did you fancy the most? 

Does Baby Yoda count?!?! LOL! ;)

30. Who did you miss this past year?
I missed all my babies and my few friends from my last job

31. Who were the best new people you met this year?

Hands down its Ana and Maria.. my fellow coworkers at my new job! Theyre sweet and generous and so much fun to work with! :)

32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year:

You have the power to change your circumstances and your life, if you just put the effort forth. I am much happier now than I used to be. I didn't realize before how much I was being taken for granted and how much I dreaded work until I started my new job and I actually enjoy life again!! :)

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Christmas 2019!

We had a GREAT month of December, celebrating Christmas and time with family and friends :)







We decorated our christmas tree. We got a live one this year. 





Rachels school had tacky christmas sweater day so we went and got her one to wear. It lasted one wash after that and all the bells and glitter came off, haha. 





One of my thoughtful baby's parents got the infant teachers these necklaces for christmas! so sweet. all the parents were very thoughtful and spoiled us with snacks and gifts all week before christmas break. 






Every year on the weekend or so before christmas, my BFF and I go out to eat and exchange gifts, to celebrate christmas and her birthday, which is on christmas eve! This year we went to lunch at El Paso. Then she made me go shopping in crowds and wait on her in a mile long starbucks line! lol just picking.. I had a lot of fun. 





The monday before Christmas we took the kids to the movies to see the new Jumanji film. It was really good! pretty funny. Inappropriate in a few places but nothing drastic. 





Arnold got to play with the worship team at our church at the candlelight service! I was so proud of him. He has practiced that music for months. They played some hard music, including Trans-Siberian Orchestra! I was really proud of him. Apparently so was Brooke.. she took lots of pics and videos of him..haha. She says shes his biggest fan ;) A lot of our family came out to support Arnold too, which was really sweet. 





We took this family pic that night! Yes I planned us all wearing red! Yes I am a dork! Yes my whole family is used to it by now! ;) 





The candlelight service was beautiful! I hate Arnie didn't get to sit with us! 





They were actually sweet to each other on Christmas Eve at their grandparents house! They gave the kids money to go spend and they had a blast. Ive never seen someone spend money as fast as Rachel did! haha! 





My brother and his new wife came in from Charleston for a few days! We all went to candlelight service at my parents church, the same church Arnold and I got married in! Then we came back home and ate dinner and played a game as a family! It was so much fun-- I hope we didn't scare Christina off,haha! 





Arnold and I got new furniture for the living room recently, so that was basically our christmas gift to each other, but i bought a few little things for him to open. Had to include a flannel shirt in there and a guitar calendar for his work desk! 





Caleb got an iphone this year! He said it was about time lol. Thank goodness for a deal through verizon because we now have 5 people on the phone plan and its expppeeensive!! And yes hes wearing a hooded blanket. He asked for it for christmas :p





Brooke and I got semi-matching pj pants to wear on Christmas. And Rachel got new pjs with christmas elves on them. Probably the last year shell let me dress her in cutesy stuff! :P





I ordered my mom this pillow online personalized with all her grandkids names and birthdays! I think she really loved it. Her and dad got us some awesome gifts including new sheets, cookware, a family game, some giftcards, etc. 





Mom got a Christmas cake at Publix and we put candles on it and sang happy birthday Jesus on Christmas eve. Alex's new wife had this tradition with her family so mom wanted her to feel special and welcome at their house this year. I loved the idea! 





Brooke begged us to let her take a photoshoot downtown with the cute decorations. this is just one of the pics. She let her little sis join in on some of the pics ;) 





Poor Arnold was passed out on the evening after Christmas! We really did have a busy and fun time this year. Arnold had  alot of PTO time left at work and he got to take off over 2 weeks for Christmas! My new job gave us a week off and I was SO THANKFUL! I've never really had much time off with family in previous jobs. My break FLEW by of course but I had a great time with my family :)