October 2019 Book Review

I don't know about you but I feel like I blinked and October came and went.

You know what else came?

Cooler weather! Whoop! We've been in the 70's this week and I'm not mad about it.

I only finished 2 books this month but I'm half way through 2 others.

First up was a read aloud with my girls.

Lately, my budding teenagers have enjoyed autobiographies from athletes.

We found this book on the shelves at Treasure Hunt a while back for only $3.

Simone is proof that big things can come in small packages. She is only 4 foot 8.

Simone is a four-time Olympic gold-winning and record-setting American gymnast. She shares how her faith, family, passion, and perseverance against tremendous odds helped make her one of the top athletes and record-breaking gymnasts in the world—now with 25 world championship medals. 

She's also proof that your beginnings don't have to define your future.

She started out as a kid, in and out of the foster care system. At the age of 6, she and her younger sister were adopted by their biological grandparents (whom she calls mom and dad).

She has ADHD and was homeschooled during her high school years.

We found this book to be a fascinating look into the world of competitive gymnastics. Simone is also very much just an average kid. An average kid with an extraordinary support system of family and coaches who helped her reach her fullest potential.

A wonderful and inspiring read for any young girl.

I decided to try another fiction book this month.

Searching for Sylvie Lee sounded intriguing.

I'm not usually into mysteries but I took the advice of Jenna Bush Hagar.

It begins with a mystery. Sylvie, the beautiful, brilliant, successful older daughter of the Lee family, flies to the Netherlands for one final visit with her dying grandmother—and then vanishes.

Amy, the sheltered baby of the Lee family, is too young to remember a time when her parents were newly immigrated and too poor to keep Sylvie. Seven years older, Sylvie was raised by a distant relative in a faraway, foreign place, and didn’t rejoin her family in America until the age of nine. Timid and shy, Amy has always looked up to her sister, the fierce and fearless protector who showered her with unconditional love. But what happened to Sylvie? Amy and her parents are distraught and desperate for answers. Sylvie has always looked out for them. Now, it’s Amy’s turn to help. Terrified yet determined, Amy retraces her sister’s steps, flying to the last place Sylvie was seen. But instead of simple answers, she discovers something much more valuable: the truth.

Turns out Sylvie, the golden girl, kept painful secrets . . . secrets that will reveal more about Amy’s complicated family.

I liked the fact that this book had short chapters, written in each character's narration. However, it took me a LONG time to get anywhere with this book. I can't even count how many times I started and stopped. For me, it didn't really get going until 2/3 of the way in. Then it became gripping. All of the family secrets came out. I was hoping for a different ending but the one I got was sad. Now, I don't necessarily mind sad endings but this one was depressing and a bit disturbing.

In the end, I sort of wish I hadn't read it. But that's just me.

I'm not used to reading these kinds of books.

Thanks but no thanks, Jenna. 😒
I'd say this one is rated closer to R for its depressing ending and complicated themes.

I hope to read many more uplifting books next month!

49 Times Around the Sun

LOL! 😂

I still can't believe it myself.

I'm past the point of hiding my age. You know why?

Because I know growing old is a privilege denied to many.

I've lived some life in these 49 years.

It's flown by way too fast but I'm just so grateful for each one.

The day was filled with sweet gestures from Morgan and the kids.

Then we went to lunch at one of my favorite spots, Luna Grill.

The Better Beet Bowl hit the spot. 😋

Instead of a birthday cake, I made a scrumptious Apple Crisp for my family.

This one was made with real, whole ingredients and no refined sugar. It was also gluten free.

I used cinnamon, coconut oil, and pure maple syrup. We lit some candles (not 49 of them!), sang Happy Birthday and topped it with coconut vanilla ice cream. Delish!

 Then over the weekend, I got together with some of my sweet girlfriends for a #birthdaylunch at Desert Willow.

You guys, I'm an introvert at heart. I'm uncomfortable in big crowds and I hate small talk. 

Growing up, I always had lots of acquaintances and "friends" but I only had a couple of really close friends. 

I was totally good with that because I know that even having one close friend is a huge blessing in someone's life. That's why this group of ladies (and several others who are missing) are so special to me. We have lived some life together. We've shared joys, we've cried some tears, and we've prayed our hearts out for one another. We've tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord, together.

These are the sisters I never had and I couldn't be more thankful for each one of them!

I'll be honest, my 40's have been hard. At least the second half, anyway. It's been almost 5 years since we lost my dad and soon after, we lost both of Morgan's parents. I've had some health issues pop up in my later 40's that required 2 surgeries. The morning of my birthday last week, we also found out that our sweet boy has autism with ADHD (more on this later).  

So yeah, life has been full of challenges these past 5 years.

BUT GOD. He is so faithful. He doesn't waste any of it. He uses it to draw us closer to Him and if we are willing, He uses US to fulfill His purpose. How awesome is that? 

These past 5 years have also brought about the joyful adoption of our son, the starting of an orphan care ministry at our church, the humbling of our family, the reliance on the Lord, the blossoming of our children, the gift of health, and the beauty of sweet friendships like these.   

I've never been more purposeful, grateful and happy.

Thank you, Lord for all of it!

Here's to the start of another trip around the sun!    

Happy Anniversary!

18 years ago, I married the love of my life and we had our whole future ahead of us.

Fast forward to today and I cannot believe the life God has given us.

 Through every hill and valley, the Lord has been so faithful and gracious to us.

We celebrated with a night out and dinner at Pacifica.

#gratefultohave2amazingteenagersathome

Not the best lighting but definitely the best company.💕

We are so BLESSED and I don't take that for granted.

Is our marriage perfect? Of course not.

It seems like some days, we disagree on more things than we agree upon.

However, we agree on the most important things: we are both sinners in need of forgiveness and we would be hopeless with God. You see, we are past the point where marriage comes easy. I don't mind saying that because it's true. But just because you have to work at something, doesn't mean it's any less important.

In fact, in many ways, it becomes more valuable. Marriage is God's way of sanctifying us- refining us and making us more like Christ.

I first met Morgan when I was 24 years old. He was 32. For more than half of my life now, he's been in it.

I don't regret one single day with him and I still consider him one of my greatest gifts from God.

The fact that I get to be his wife for life is both an enormous privilege and an undeserved blessing.

He's the real deal. After 18 years of marriage, I couldn't love him more.

'Til death do us part, baby.