Wildflowers From Winter by Katie Ganshert

I'm loving this opportunity to blog for books. It is encouraging me to take some time and do one of my most favorite things to do- read! I'd encourage you to check it out if you'd like some free books!

"Wildflowers from Winter" is a fiction book about a young woman, Bethany Quinn, who left rural Iowa to "find herself" in the city of Chicago. Tragedy in her hometown strikes and she finds herself back in Iowa, facing the life she tried to escape. She makes a decision that she will not stay long but many circumstances lead her to being there in Iowa longer than planned. Throughout the book, the author reveals more and more about Bethany's past and how she must make peace with it.

I found myself not wanting to put this book down. It was interesting to follow the character development of Bethany, and understand more of her story. Her past is slowly revealed, which keeps you interested as a reader. I think I also liked the Iowa farm girl part of things, as I can relate. Sometimes Christian romance fiction can get a little cheesy but I didn't feel like this book was too overboard in this area. Overall, it was a good book.
More info about the book and author found at her website.
http://katieganshert.com/books/wildflowers-from-winter/

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.If you would take a moment and rate my review below, that would be incredibly helpful. Thanks!

funny guy

 I'm pretty sure our eleven month old has a great sense of humor. It seems like he always knows just the right time to be goofy and try to make people laugh. This display of pics shows a glimpse of his antics lately. How can you not laugh at the faces he makes? The squinting, the wide eyes, and then the giggles. I LOVE this stage!

P.S. In case you wonder what he is chewing on, it is the easiest, cheapest, homemade teething biscuit ever!

short and sweet

We went in for a chin length bob and came out with a much shorter cut. I will admit, this momma who has committed to not being sad over hair got a little choked up as I walked out to the van with my little girl who looked even more like a "girl" than she ever had. But this same little girl skipped out to the van with her short and sweet hair cut, grinning and loving the new 'do. She can still fit 15 clips in it and that is all that matters! I will admit, this short cut has grown on me as we comb hair every night after bath without tears and it takes seconds. So, maybe the short cut is here to stay?

found it!

Every baby has to experience the tupperware drawer play time, right?

The house went quiet and look who I found playing in the shower!

May day

Happy May Day! (These were officially handed out on May Day, I am officially behind on blogging!)

easter 2012

Holy week was very a special time this year as I was so thankful to be home more than I ever have been and got to have quality time with my kids as we focused on what the week was about. Here are some pics of fun moments, like egg hunts!

Dar and Kathy were up the weekend before Easter so Addelyn and Dar decorated our front tree (I can't take the credit for it!) Addelyn also got to have a fun little egg hunt in our backyard too.

Loving all the candy and other fun goodies.

 Our sweet little bunny, Jacers

 Beautifully decorated eggs

 Easter morning- we don't really celebrate the Easter bunny but talk about how things are made "new" and we get to have a few new things. Jacers, your new things include toys from your pile and new diapers. Sorry buddy but you don't know the difference. We also made Resurrection Rolls again this year. Note to self:  If the marshmallow isn't completely wrapped up in the crescent roll- it does not disappear (the marshmallow is supposed to represent Jesus and the crescent roll the tomb.) So after baking them, you should find that Jesus is not in the tomb, too bad this year, he was still there:) It was good teachable moment where some quick thinking led us to the fact that Jesus left the clothes he was wrapped in there so that is why there was some white left in the tomb!

 Already coloring, this girl could color night and day!!!

 After church, we headed for Easter dinner at Jen and Trav's house. We had an Easter egg hunt there too. The kids had a blast.

 The "big kids" got to find eggs too.

 Addelyn and Autumn LOVE to play together!

 Ohh the fun. A pinata too. I think Aunt Jiller ended up being the one to break it though!