We've Moved!!!

If you don't get automatically redirected, you need to head on over to our NEW SITE!!!

Home with the Boys is now here!

Please update your bookmarks and get connected over there!

Exciting Day!

The Easter photos will have to wait a few days, lots of things going on here today that I want to share...



#1 - Today I started the "Get Dressed" Challenge over at Sarah Mae's blog (one of my absolute faves, by the way!). I LOVE this type of accountability and the whole idea - I already feel way more productive and put together even after only one day! Want to join me?!



#2 - Also started a new online Bible Study with my new friend Stef over at Layton Family Joy! I love the way it is designed - and again with the accountability! Check out the On Topic Bible Study and see if you are interested in joining us!



#3 - Tonight is a BIG night for the blog! Some of you may already know why, but if you don't, you'll have to check back this evening for the "moving" news!!! I can't wait!!!

Book Review: An Absence So Great

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

An Absence So Great by Jane Kirkpatrick

Summary:
Inspired by the engaging stories told through her grandmother’s photographs taken at the turn of the century, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick provides a portrait of the tension between darkness and light in the soul of a young woman pursuing her professional dreams.

Despite growing in confidence as a photographer, eighteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele’s personal life is still at a crossroads. Hoping she’s put an unfortunate romantic longing behind her as “water under the bridge,” she exiles herself to Milwaukee to operate photographic studios for those ill with mercury poisoning.

Jessie gains footing on her dream to one day own her own studio and soon finds herself in other Midwest towns, pursuing her profession. But even a job she loves can’t keep those painful memories from seeping into her heart, and the shadows of a forbidden love threaten to darken the portrait of her life.

My Thoughts...

This is the first fiction book I've been asked to review on the blog - very exciting for me! I love a good fiction book! I love to read in general, but there is just something about getting lost in another time and place when you read really good fiction.

And really good fiction to me is a book you don't want to put down. Where the characters stick with you. You can picture being there.

I felt this within the first few pages of Kirkpatrick's book.

The book is beautifully written, but I must say that my favorite thing about it is the historical setting. It's not glamorous or exotic - in fact, it's set right here in the Midwest - but just going to another time period draws me in. Gender issues and economic changes round out a thorough picture of the turn-of-the-century.

In addition, the book is based loosely on real people and photographs which makes it even more intriguing. Kirkpatrick weaves a wonderful story though her grandmother's photographs, which are included in the book as well.

Even without the setting to fascinate me as it does, the story itself is captivating and worth a read!

For more information about or to order this book, visit the Random House website.


Author Bio:

Jane Kirkpatrick is an award-winning author of sixteen historical novels, including A Flickering Light, the first part of Jessie Gaebale’s story, and three nonfiction titles. Known for her unique insights into the exploration of community, family and faith of actual historical women, the Wisconsin native and her husband have called their ranch in Oregon home for the past 25 years.

Good Friday: Lead Me to the Cross

A Glimpse of Joy

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy...

Psalm 34:5

Joy in everyday life...thank you Jesus.

For more glimpses head over to Jennifer's beautiful blog!

What's in the Bible Theme by Big J

Congrats to Beth for winning the "What's in the Bible" DVD giveaway!

In honor of her win, Big J decided to do a little singing for you...

A Beautiful Night

Last Sunday night, I was blessed in many ways.

First of all, I attended a Selah concert with a very dear friend (THANK YOU to my hubby for keeping the kids at home!), and heard the most beautiful voices and music live. Their arrangements of old hymns were gorgeous, especially "It Is Well With My Soul," which my hubby sang at his grandmother's funeral last year. And they finished it all off with "You Raise Me Up" and "Amazing Grace." I was in tears several times throughout the concert, but we also had plenty of smiles watching Allan play the piano! You can tell he loves what he is doing!

The second blessing was getting to see a friend who I go all the way back to elementary school with! Jess and I hadn't seen each other in years, but have kept in touch through our blogs, Twitter and Facebook. Didn't even know she and her mom would be at the concert, so it was a beautiful surprise! So good to see you Jess!

And the third, and biggest, blessing of the night was this lady...

Angie (wife of Todd from Selah) is a beautiful woman of God who has blogged her way through the heartbreaking loss of their baby girl Audrey. Bring the Rain has been a place of healing and inspiration for thousands of women and Angie was at the concert to speak about their experience. It was amazing to hear her share in person and cry along with her.

And cry we ALL did as they sang the song Selah wrote just for Audrey, along with a slideshow of the months before and hours after her birth - so powerful...

Angie claims she is not a gifted speaker, but trust me, she had a completely captive audience - crying, laughing (something about a deranged gopher...) and praising the Lord for His faithfulness and comfort - and for the little baby girl they are expecting later this year!

I had the privilege of meeting Angie afterwards and had such fun chatting with her - about our shared love for Seeds and getting to see each other again at Relevant in October!

If you haven't read Audrey's story - or Angie's blog at all, for that matter - I strongly encourage you to head over there now to see God at work in this beautiful family.

It was a beautiful night.