Monday, April 23, 2018

📚 Book Club 📚

Last summer I decided I wanted to try and read more. In order to help me achieve that goal I knew that having friends join me would be helpful. So, I emailed a group of friends and asked who might be interested. Turns out that quite a few ladies could be talked into doing monthly appetizers and wine/cocktails with a little bit of reading thrown in. Starting off we followed Ann Bogel’s blog, Modern Mrs Darcy, where she gives book clubs recommendations. We were three months into our monthly gatherings when we decided to go rogue and choose our own books. Crossing to Safety, by Wallace Stegner, is a story of two couples who met during the Great Depression and formed a life long friendship that spanned many decades, getting to know those couples and seeing how their lives intertwined was endearing.  Then there was Lucy Maude Mongomery’s classic, Emily of New Moon the story of an orphan child (I didn't enjoy this one like I did her Anne of Green Gables book).  From there we moved onto a more trendy yet ancient subject matter called the Enneagram.  I highly recommend The Road Back To You-An Enneagram Journey to Self Discovery.  It's an ancient tool that this books authors wrote from a biblical perspective that helps determine why you do what you do and helps identify when you may be sliding into the unhealthy parts of your personality as it helps to point out each personalities "rumble strip" or areas that we regularly fall short.  After our Dec/Jan self reflection, which was interesting but very mind consuming, we moved onto more modern books such as What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, which was a cute and easy read. Book clubs often help us to get outside our comfort zones, pushing us to pickup books we never would have chosen on our own.  Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch, is just that kind of book.  I would have never been drawn to this one on my own, it's a tale that is "mind-bendingly strange and profoundly human--a relentlessly surprising science-fiction thriller about choices, paths not taken and how far we'll go to claim the lives we dream of."  I am just not a Sci-Fi gal so this one was a stretch for me.  Then there was the historically accurate book that was set in the horrific era of WWI and WWII called The Alice Network by Kate Quinn—-it was an extremely graphic book as far as language and content but was an accurate portrayal of life during that time period, so I share this book with great caution. We concluded our time together with two light-hearted, relatable and “fluffy” books one by Melanie Shankle, Nobody’s Cuter Then You, a memoir about friendship that was so delightful to read.  Some of us also made our way through Why I Hate Green Beans by Lincee Ray, a memoir of her life story which was funny yet heart wrenching at points, with epic stories thrown in for good measure that were sure to make you gasp and or laugh out loud.  So that's our list of books from the past eight months.  Some were good, some I would be fine to never see or read again, but no matter, I did so very much enjoy the time with these ladies.

Below is a picture of most of the book club but believe it or not there were still 6 ladies missing from the shot.  I enjoyed our monthly gatherings with our lively discussions, delicious food and tasty drinks to share!  I'll miss this gathering each month but hope to continue my reading even without the accountability of friends over the summer.

I do feel the need to put a caveat in here that says I DO NOT read with my eyes but rather with my ears. If I can't get the audio version from the library or off Audible then I can't "read" the book.  I do a lot of listening while accomplishing daily tasks and don't have time to sit and actually read.🙈  So, if its been a minute or two since you last enjoyed a good book, I highly recommend starting and if time constraint is an issue, might I suggest you try the audio versions too?  You could try one we read or maybe choose an encouraging book like Love Does by Bob Goff or Ben Sasse's recent writing that speaks of the coming of age crisis that is happening in America, called The Vanishing American Adult, where he diagnoses the causes of a generation that can't grow up while offering a path for raising children to become active and engaged citizens.  This book was extremely eye opening as I mulled it over and analyzed my own parenting.  Getting back into a reading rhythm has been fun for me, it could be for you too!
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Each month Carol brought adorable sugar cookies that went along with the book that we had read that month, and again, she knocked it out of the park this time too.  Are these not adorable?!  They're almost too cute to eat...almost!
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Sunday, April 22, 2018

Eric Higgins For Sheriff

We have had the honor of knowing a man of character with thirty years of experience in the field as a Little Rock police officer with a passionate desire to see positive change in Pulaski County...his name is Eric Higgins.

Eric Higgins' career as a Little Rock police officer began in 1986 when he began helping to protect our community as a member of the Little Rock Police Department.  He rose through the ranks and eventually served 10 years as the Assistant Chief of Police before retiring.  Through experience gained in various roles on the job, he sees that Pulaski County needs new leadership and new strategies in order to lower our county's high crime rate.  Eric has a record of working to bring law enforcement and the community closer together to fight crime and protect our families, that's why Adam and I are excited to support him and we hope you too will give him your vote!
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Early voting in the primary election begins May 7th and is extremely important!  There are two candidates running for Sheriff and only one will be on the ballot in November.  Both candidates are running as Democrats which means if you are a registered Republican you must ask for a Democratic ballot in the primary election to have the opportunity to vote for Pulaski County Sheriff since there is no Republican running.

Adam and I had the privilege of hosting a fundraising event for Eric and Caron Higgins where we got to hear him share his heart and desire for what "could be" in Pulaski County. I hope that those of you who read this post (who live in Pulaski County) will get out and vote in the Primary Election--our votes do matter, let your voice be heard with your vote!!
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Eric Higgins sees the need to create bridges between law enforcement and the people of Pulaski County through being community-focused, safety-driven and integrity-based--- all admirable stances that Adam and I are honored to support.  (Early voting starts May 7th and runs through May 21st; election day is May 22nd.)
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Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Easter Weekend

We enjoyed dying Easter Eggs and talking through the Resurrection Eggs.
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On Sunday Adam and I hosted both of our families for an Easter celebration. We are blessed to have all of our family members here in the same town at this point in time which I do not want to take for granted!

I'm so truly grateful that the great divide or "chasm" that was set in place (Luke 16:26), the chasm that separated me from God, was ultimately bridged by the cross of Jesus which enabled me (and enables you) to have access to God.  Thankfully the veil was torn, Jesus arose and we can now have eternal life because of his sacrifice, his selflessness, his willingness to say, "not my will but yours be done".  I'm truly grateful for a God who came near, pursued and loved me until his very last breath and who, at this very moment, sits at the right hand of God.  What a mighty God we serve!
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Sweet baby Abigail.
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Me and Kameron, oh those chubby cheeks and buddha belly, I can't get enough of this one!
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This was the best group shot I could get...everyone was showin off their eggs.... hands up!
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Molly and her newest bundle of joy baby Eliana.
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Auntie Grace and Miss Personality smiling for the camera.
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Isn't she beautiful and oh so tiny?!
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I sure loves these ladies, thanks for coming and celebrating our risen Savior with me!
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Poppy and Grammy with our crew.
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I hope you and yours had a blessed Easter weekend and that you felt a sense of joy remembering all that Jesus has done for you and for me.

Spring Break: The Sweet Spot

I've been running mach 2 with my hair on fire and have not been posting as much as I'd like to on this here blog.  I'm a few wee...