"Heaven is For Real" Book Review

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book "Heaven is For Real" from the publisher through booksneeze.com.  All that was required was that I read the book and give an honest review.  All of the opinions expressed in this review are my own, I was not required to write a positive review.

 In this story, a little boy details his "3 minute" trip to heaven during surgery.  He gives details about people in his family's lives that they had never shared with him and tells his family all about heaven.  I truly enjoyed this book.  I am from Nebraska, so knowing it was about another Nebraska family made it even more interesting.  I found myself unable to put this book down once I started, and finished the book feeling a sense of peace knowing that there is heaven.  I was always a believer, but this book really made me that much more so.  The book is written by the boy's father, Todd Burpo, and he too admits that he was always a believer, but was amazed by his son's depictions and stories.  This book could not have come to me at a better time.  My family was just going through the loss of an amazing aunt, mother, sister, cousin, daughter, grandma, and friend.  As she took her last breath, she whispered "daddy", so we know she was welcomed to heaven by her father.
I would recommend this book to anyone, believer or non-believer.  After you read this book, you might just feel a little more "sure" that there is a God and he has our lives planned out for us.  He has a reason for everything and we are never alone!  Such a great book about an amazing little boy and his family!

"Outlive Your Life" Book Review

I recently read the book “Outlive Your Life” by Max Lucado.  I LOVED this book!  Through real-life stories and biblical passages, Max Lucado illustrates the life we should be living.  So many times we want to help in so many situations, but think we can’t because we “don’t know how” or “aren’t trained.”  This book really opened my eyes to how even the simple, every day things can make a difference in someone’s life.  “Outlive Your Life” really made me think about the life I live and how I can become a better person and live the way God would want me to live.  Even though we consider ourselves “ordinary” people, we can do extraordinary things.  We can leave a legacy and we CAN make a difference. 

Each chapter of this book starts out with a quote from Acts and then a true life story.  Max then relates that story to the bible and then challenges the reader to relate this story to his/her own life.  He asks thought provoking questions and makes valid points.  Are we doing all we can do to help others?  Are we treating everyone equally?  Are we living our life in a way we can be proud of?  That God would be proud of?  Everyone should take the time to read Max Lucado’s “Outlive Your Life.”

*I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through BookSneeze.  I was not asked to provide a positive review.  All opinions in this review are my own.*

Advice...

Since I've started my blog, I've been asked by some people to give advice/review things I use.  I follow quite a few blogs that regularly do this, but had never really thought about putting my opinions on my blog.  Since I've had Maddie, I have definitely started using brands and products I have never used before, so it got me thinking...how hard is it to write about what I like and don't like on here?  Pretty easy!  Be watching for some "Reviews" from me soon! 

In other news, Miss Maddie is growing like crazy!  She is starting to sleep longer through the night and laugh and smile more when she's awake.  It is so much fun to watch her learn and grow!

Busy Busy Busy

Madalyn Jane is finally here!  I was induced at 6:30 AM on July 10, but at 5 that evening I still wasn't ready to have Madalyn.  Around 7, my doctor decided that a c-section was the best option since my water had broken but I wasn't making any progress....the rest of the night went so fast that I barely remember it, but I do remember hearing her cry as she was born at 8:27 PM.  She was 7 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long.  

I think she is absolutely perfect!  It's amazing how much you can love someone you've just met.  Because I had the c-section, Derek had to do pretty much everything the first couple nights.  He has been absolutely amazing and I can tell and Maddie is going to be a daddy's girl.  I am so lucky to have such an incredible family. 

It's been 2 (fast) weeks since she was born.  Everything checked out well at her 2 week check up and she now weighs 7 lbs 15 oz!  I have a little over a week left before I go back to work and I know I will miss her a ton each day!  At least I know she'll be in good hands while I'm gone. 

Madalyn Jane, age 2 days.  Photo by Charley's Angels photography at the hospital!  I LOVE it!

40 Weeks!

Well, I made it the full 40 weeks.  Today is officially my "due date" although it doesn't look like Maddie will be joining us until she's good and ready.  If she doesn't decide to come out today or tomorrow on her own, I will be induced on Saturday.  I cannot wait to meet her!  I've gotten tons of advice from people on how to speed things up, but I'm a pretty patient person.  If a few more days is what she needs then I don't really see a point in trying to hurry her along.  So, if you were someone who offered up advice, thanks!  Don't be offended that I didn't use it...I just want her to take the time she needs until Saturday.  I've waited this long to meet her, what difference will a few more days make?!

Not much longer!

This morning we had another doctor's appointment.  We didn't get to see our regular doctor because she was at the hospital delivering another baby, but our amazing nurse said everything looks great.  We go back on Friday...not the typical week to week, but since I'm so close to my due date they want to make sure my next appointment is with my doctor.  My doctor is out of the office all next week so...Friday it is.  However, we found out that is this little one decides not to come out by July 8, I will be induced.  So...we'll have a baby by next Friday one way or another!  I can't wait to meet her!

Just Keep Waiting...

So, as you can tell, no baby yet.  This is the first summer I have not had a job, and at first it was kind of nice to be able to be home every day.  After a few days, it got old.  I love being home, and I know I will love being home with Maddie for the rest of the summer, but being home all day every day when no one else is here is driving me crazy!  I try to get things done when I have the energy to, otherwise I just sit and wait.  Thank God for netflix and facebook! =)
Maddie's due date is less than 2 weeks away, but my family is all betting she will come sooner than that.  They have started a baby pool including date of arrival, length, weight, and hair color.  Grandma thinks she will be born on July 4th (Miss Independent) and have red hair...Grandpa is still hoping she'll be born on his birthday, and my mom hopes she'll make her arrival this weekend since mom is coming to town anyway.  I would LOVE for her to be born this weekend, but as long as she's healthy, I suppose I can wait 2 more weeks to meet her!

It's getting closer....

Things have been absolutely crazy around here lately.  The school year is finally over, so I feel like I have a little time to breathe now!  Since I'm not at school all day every day, I've been trying to get things ready for Miss Madalyn's arrival.  Technically, we have 4 weeks, but you just never know with babies.  At this time tomorrow I could be posting her picture!  I cannot wait to meet her, but there is still a lot to do!  Over this past weekend, we had baby shower number 4 (we should be all set now!).  At the shower, my best friend Jess gave us letters to decorate her walls.  I think Jess did an AMAZING job on them and I love how they look.  My goal for today is to get a few more things done in her room, so look for some more pictures tomorrow!

New Bedding!

The crib bedding is here!  My mother-in-law and sister-in-law bought us our crib set and gave it to us early so we can start decorating the room.  I absolutely LOVE it!  It's kind of hard to see in this picture, but it's green, pink, and brown with ladybugs.  It looks super cute with the blue walls....as soon as we get everything rearranged I will post some more pictures!

Gotta love kids...

As many of you know, I am a teacher.  I teach first grade and love it (even on those tough days).  I waited a while to tell my kiddos about the baby because I knew they would have a lot of questions and wouldn't really understand everything.  Yesterday, I decided it was time to tell them.  After all, I'm getting bigger and sooner or later they are going to wonder why Mrs. Hoyle is getting so fat!
I read a "Little Critter" book about a new baby before I told them my news.  I thought maybe some of them would catch on and figure it out, but not one single person did!  I had them keep guessing as to why I would want to read that story and FINALLY someone figured it out.  Then the questions began...but not as many as I thought.  They wanted to know if it would be a boy or a girl and if I knew what the name would be. 
My favorite part of the day was when they asked if I would bring her in for show and tell on Friday.  They also think I should name her Rosie or Glenda...I'm not sure where they came up with either of those! 
We decided that since she won't be here until about July, I would bring a picture in and show them when they are in second grade.  We're leaving the name question alone for now...we have a name in mind, and sadly, it's not Rosie or Glenda.

Baby's Room

When we first looked at houses, we fell in love with this house right away.  However, the former owners had some paint colors I was not so crazy over.  Before we repainted, the future "nursery" looked like this.

 

  

Now I'm sure a little girl would LOVE this room, but it made this mommy a little crazy, especially since I am not a huge fan of pink.  My head would spin everytime I entered this room and my exact words when describing it were that it looked like a crayon box literally threw up on the walls.  The pictures don't even do it justice...you can't see all of the colors there were!
Anyway, the room is now blue, so it matches the carpet.  I know, blue is typically a "boy" color.  We bought the paint when we moved in and aren't going to paint it again...so, now I get to pick out fun decorations to make the room look more "girly."  Any suggestions are welcome!

And the verdict is....

 

My baby girl looking up at us, waving! =)

IT'S A GIRL!  Yep, Baby Hoyle will be a girl!  Derek is still adjusting, but I think he's really happy.  He really wanted a boy, but maybe someday he'll get one.  In the meantime, I will enjoy shopping for girl things!  After we found out today I had to go by one gender specific thing....I could have come home with a lot more. 
Another plus to today....I got to spend some time with one of my best friends while she is back in Nebraska for a visit.  What more could you want in one day?! 
I will try to post some pictures from the ultrasound this weekend.  The cord for the printer is still buried in a box somewhere from our move.

Starting Over

I've never been great at blogging. I have started a couple of other blog sites in the past and kept up with them for a few weeks, and then completely forgot about them. I'm starting over with this blog in hopes that I'll actually stick to it!
The reason for this blog? As many of you know, Derek and I are expecting our first child in July! We couldn't be more excited. We have a lot of friends and some family that live close to us, but a lot of our friends and family are scattered around the state and country, so I decided a blog would be the easiest way to keep in contact with everyone!
We find out what we are having this week, so check back soon for an update on Baby Hoyle!