Book Review: Heaven is for Real for Kids by Todd and Sonja Burpo

Heaven is for Real tells the story of Colton Burpo who during a surgery when he was three, died, went to Heaven, and then was sent back in answer to his father's prayer. It is complete with illustrations, drawn by Wilson Ong but guided by Colton. Included are verses from Scripture to compare with the things that Colton said that he saw while in Heaven.
I have to be honest and say that I am a little skeptical about this story. I have a three year old myself and know how easily it is to encourage him to tell a story. While I don't doubt that it is possible that Jesus gave Colton a lovely dream or that he did see angels (which has happened a lot throughout history and the Bible does say that they especially guard over children), especially looking at the drawings, it strikes me that it is very similar to pictures that you would see in a Sunday School curriculum, drawn by people who have never been to Heaven. Odd that they had it so close :-) (For example, kids having wings and halos).  His picture of Jesus looks exactly like people have been drawing him - white with blue eyes,which is probably not accurate since he was from the middle east. He also is wearing a robe with purple sash just like in Sunday School picture with a very child-like crown...
Anyway - it is a cute book and while I wouldn't judge anyone for letting their children read it, I probably will not be reading it to my children.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Book Review: In Too Deep by Mary Connealy

The second book in "The Kincaid Brides" series, In Too Deep follows the second Kincaid brother, Ethan. Always smiling Ethan seems to have a very apathetic approach to life - he never lets himself care too much about anything. That is until he agrees to marry Audra as a convenient way to keep her safe after her swindling husband dies. "Why not?" he says when the idea to marry Audra is suggested. But Ethan soon learns that it is very hard to have a care-free attitude when it comes to Audra and her two baby girls. He soon finds himself caring - a lot, and will have to face his fear of caring when all the people he has been trying so hard not to care about are suddenly in very real danger!
 I would have liked to have read the first book in their series before this one, but Connealy fills in the gaps so I knew everything I needed to so I would not be lost in the story line.

The first chapter was so tense from the very beginning - it's not often I won't let anyone talk to me when I am just reading the first few pages of a book but I was very drawn from the get-go! I thought the boys' background story was very moving and was a great way to get to know them on a deeper level. My only issues with this book were that sometimes Ethan seems like a bit of a simpleton in the way that Connealy describes his thoughts - it gets better towards the end of the book, which may have been on purpose, but at the beginning he seems like a bit of a country bumpkin. Also, there were a LOT of intimate scenes and thoughts about it since the two couples were newlyweds, but it got a bit old. The storyline was good enough without the need to fill in every chapter with someone in the bedroom or thinking about it (I am exaggerating, but it did seem like a lot). It was a good read though, and I look forward to following Seth's story in the next book! Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Molly's New Trick

Molly turned 7 months old on Sunday. Her personality is out in full force now and it is so great! She loves to laugh and Eóin and Aidan and is such a smiley, happy baby. She is curious about everything now - especially what her brothers and playing. She rolls and scoots every direction but forward, but that doesn't stop her getting what she wants! She LOVES food! Pretty much every flavor - except maybe peas (like her daddy). She loves to feed herself teething crackers and she is always eyeing our food. She won't be long in eating table food I can tell! She also loves to sing and dance. She will bop up and down while we sing "singing" along - it's really just shouting, but she stops and starts when we do - so cute! Aidan says, "Molly is my favorite baby" and I think I agree with him :-)

Oh I forgot to post last month, so her stats from her 6 month checkup were 50% weight (15lbs 4oz), 60% height (26 inches) and 80% head :-)

Here is a video of her latest trick - clapping!

Book Review: When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason

Alexia Allen hasn't been home in 10 years, after all she did not leave much behind. But when she is ordered to take time off after an accident during her work as a firefighter, Alexia decides to go to her high school renunion. The problem is, the accident turns out to be not so much an accident and danger follows Alexia to her hometown. Now not only does Alexia need to face her past and the pain it holds, but also a very real dager facing her in the present.  Can she figure out who is after her before it is too late?

I really enjoy Eason's suspense writing. She usually has me turning pages from the very beginning - starting off with action from the get-go. I will say, that with so much danger facing the main character in this book, it's a little unrealistic that she escaped it every time, but it makes for a good fiction read all the same :-) So far I have guessed the bad guy in all of Eason's stories, but that almost makes it more nail-biting when you know have a good guess what is coming. Good ending - I wasn't expecting that, but I won't elaborate so I don't spoil the ending - you will just have to read it for yourself ;-)

Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Thank you so much to Revell Publishing for a free copy of this book to review!

Happy Birthday Eóin!

I can't believe I am old enough to have a 5 year old already! When we prayed for a child, I could never have imagined a better answer to that prayer. Eóin is a joy and brings so much fun to our family.

He loves to be goofy and loves to laugh! He is a great big brother to Aidan and Molly and they love him so much! His new fascination is legos and I can't believe how good he is at following the directions. He made a 100 piece helicopter by himself this morning! Crazy :-)

He cannot wait to start school in the Fall - and I am dreading it! Can't imagine so much time without him in the house!

I put together a video of some of his firsts because I was feeling a little nostalgic :-) Apparently most of our other videos of him older than two were taken on phones and such because they are not on my computer but you get the drift and it would be hours long - lol. Also - here are his 'stats' for the year and his birthday minute pic comparisons.

   

1:40pm 2007

1:50pm 2008

 1:40pm 2009

 1:40pm 2010

 1:40pm 2011

 1:40pm 2012