Where's Milo's Ball

I read Where's Milo's Ball, in exchange for honest review from Edelweiss. The book was written by Mike Austin. The Book was published by Blue Apple

First, I did have to adjust my settings a bit to be able to read the book. The initial font on the e-reader was too small. Every other page was blank and some of the story was missing. Was not sure if I received a blank copy of the book or a book with a lot of blank pages and hardly no words or graphics. This was a quick read to the kiddies. They enjoyed the pictures.

I chose this book to read to the kids. The book is about Milo the Cat, who is looking for a ball of string.  The book was in panel format. Good for a traditional book or a Kindle Fire, but I used Adobe Digital Editions to read the book. I hope the board book is better than the electronic edition.

The Facebook Diet

I read the Facebook Diet, in exchange for review from Netgalley.com. The book was wrote by Gemini Adams. The book shows cute pictures about Facebook Addicts. The book is hilarious and funny. The book also gives helpful hints on finding other things to do besides Facebook, like fall in love or Google Plus (yay Google). Or use a thesaurus and look up synonyms for "like" This book was a quick read and brightened up the last 30 or so minutes of my life.

Divided we Fail

I read Divided We Fail, in exchange for review from Netgalley.com. The book was written by Sara Garland and published by Beacon Press.

The book discusses how schools used to admit (or not admit) students based on race. Students would be bussed to other schools to receive a sub-par education. For example, the book discussed Central high. Local students were being bussed to a different, sub-par school, while the higher quality school in the neighborhood, was set for closure.  To maintain an open status, Central high had to have a Caucasian majority, but the school did not attract enough Caucasians. According to the book, no school in that district could have more than 42% African-American population to ensure compliance.

 The African-American parents were upset. Send the kids to the closer, better school. A lawsuit followed and the school was allowed to remain open. The Caucasians also sued because their children could not attend their school of choice.

The book basically discusses the Central High case because it was brought together by an African-American community. The African-American communities were facing teacher firings and school closings once desegregation ended. The firings and closings led to an increase in protests and lawsuits.

I also enjoyed the story of Dionne. Dionne wanted to be a lawyer and thought Central High's law magnet program will be a starting point to achieving her dreams. She applied for admission to the school around 1996. She been wanting to be apart of the program since middle school. The letter said she was being considered for admission to Central High. Her mother received another letter, asking about first and second choice schools, just in case Central did not accept Dionne. Dionne already had to be bussed  over an hour away to attend Elementary and middle school, even though another elementary school was in walking distance. Dionne was rejected for Central high because the middle school sent her transcripts to her house, instead of the school. She was placed in her regular high school but she missed orientation because the letter arrived late. Dionne was an interesting story and chapter to read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, wanting to hear more about desegregation and how this community fought to end it.

The Joy of Sexus by Vicki Leon

 I reviewed the Joy of Sexus by Vicki Leon, in exchange for review from Netgalley. The book was published by Walker and Company. The book discussed the history of sex throughout the ages. I enjoyed reading about the different aphrodisiacs and anti-potency remedies. Some of the aphrodisiacs included mandrake roots, satyrion, red coral, and wormwood. People also used herbal potions and plants; amulets and rubs; and also inserted hair, excretions, and nail clippings to improve potency. 

On the other hand, sometimes people wanted to lower their mate's sex drive by using hippo forehead; mouse dung; wine, in which a mullet has drowned in; or male urine in which a lizard was killed. 

The book was an interesting read. I loved reading it. Definitely am thinking about buying a print edition. 

The Church Sign

I read The Church Sign in exchange from honest review from Library Thing Early Reviewers Program. The book was written by Anne Robey-Graham and published by Kirkdale Press.

The book was Robey-Graham's last book before passing away in 2011.

The book starts off with a man and a dog, stopping in front of a church. He is looking for someone. The first scene really grabbed me. It was dramatic and intense, even if it's a few short sentences. Robey-Graham did a good job opening up the first scene.

The book focuses on Alicia Zimmerman, a researcher for an University. She makes a mistake and ends up hiding. She meets Eric and a friendship develops, but she has her past to worry about.

Alicia also had faith in God. She desired a relationship with God. "If only she could soak in his stained-glass presence, she knew her problems would shrink. Surrounded by others as their prayers floated towards heaven, she just knew she would be able to breathe again". This was a wonderful passage early into the book.

Next, the church signs help guide Alicia and Eric in the book. The cute, creative signs are wonderful such as "Why not pray about it?". I have seen church signs, which have seriously helped me. I remember one night I leaving work and had to go pick up my son from the babysitter. I was driving down one dark country road to get to his aunt house. I was not in the best mood. As I was approaching the road into Pike County, two churches had posted two church signs, which got me out of my funk. I don't remember what each sign said, but I remember I was happier.

I highly enjoyed reading this book.

More than a Bucket List

I read More than a Bucket List, in exchange for an honest review from BookSneeze. The book was written by Toni Birdsong. The book was published by Thomas Nelson.

I chose this book because I have so many dreams, but I am not working hard on making them a reality. The book started off good. The first section discusses laughter. God gave us the power of laughter. Laughter can heal souls. Birdsong encourages us to find friends, clean comedies, and other things, which makes us laugh. Then, the next section focuses on living your dreams. Write a book. Go skydiving, whatever it is, Live your dreams.


The book also discusses honoring people for their strengths, instead of their appearances, stereotypes, or personal prejudices. Get to know people for who they are, instead of who you think they are or who you want them to be.

Other suggestions in the book include:

• Fighting for love
• Being a good samaritan. Be merciful. Help others, who are going through something. 
• Practice being positive, instead of negative. Practice forgiveness. Laugh. Surround self with positive people. 
• Trust God in all things. 
• Practice Compassion. Help others. Volunteer. 
• Learn to quit. Quit cursing. Quit enabling others. Quit lying. Quit selfish behaviors. Quit living for others. Quit being late. 
• Stop comparing yourself to others. 

The book provided good suggestions for creating a new bucket list for living. The suggestions are based on love, faith, and forgiveness. Not to mention, developing a relationship with God. At the end of the book (for those, who purchase the print edition), there is a fill-in-the-blanks bucket list. I will definitely continue to peruse this book this year, especially when I lack motivation. 

Bible Stories, that end in an hug

I read Bible Stories, that end with an Hug, in exchange for  an honest review from Tyndale House. The book was written by Stephen Elkins and illustrated by Smon Taylor-Kielty. Tyndale House provided me with a complimentary, print edition of the book.

I chose this book for the children. I have the responsibility to teach my kids more about Christ. It is my responsibility to help them develop a relationship with Christ, despite their development level. Another reason, I chose this book was because it was easy to read and the stories are short. I can read a story to the kids and not lose their attention and focus. I did not want a book, where I lose the kids. I have been looking for a children' bible for kids with special needs. Every bible or set of stories I found online was above their understanding. I truly love the simplicity of the book. Each page tells a bible story. Each page also has a bible verse for reference. The book does not use big words. Each story is simplified so the children can gain understanding. The stories are not comprehensive. They explain the important facts. Each story takes a few minutes to read.  And at the end of each story, parents (or whoever is reading the book) gives their children a nice, big hug. 

Stacie hugging her two boys and her great niece. 

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The Problem is You by John Burke

I read the Problem is You by John Burke, in exchange for review from Library Thing. The book was part of a giveaway, in exchange for a review.  The book was published by Empowerment Nation. The book was a quick read.

The book discusses how to conquer self-defeating behavior, which I have plenty of. I will talk my way out of some situations because I am afraid of the outcome. I also can rationalize and project with the best of them. When you feel like a failure, you do things that will not make you a success, like procrastinate. Life is still moving forward, while you are stuck in the past.

Some of my self-defeating behaviors include eating; procrastination; blaming others; obsession with perfection; taking things out of proportion; keeping grudges; trying to please people; wanting to be right; and lack of willingness, yet I still have the same problems once I am done. Life still moves forward and I am left further behind.


The book is available on Amazon.com

The book discusses self-defeating behavior; characteristics of self-defeating behavior; origins of incorrect beliefs; recognizing and minimizing self-defeating behavior; and creating a path to success (5 chapters, 36 pages). The book will teach you how to change your attitude from negative to positive, provided you are willing to change. The book discusses how self-defeating behaviors may start from behaviors and actions, not going according to plan. We expect a particular outcome, but get something else. We go into depression, anger, frustration, hurt, instead of refocusing and trying again. Just because something failed, does not mean that is the end. We can start over again.

We don't have to please everyone. We don't have to sacrifice morals and values. We don't have to feel like a total failure because something did not go as planned. . We can not control what other people do and say. We do not have to live our lives for someone else. We can say no. In doing this, we develop a more mature, positive attitude towards life, especially our self. I read this book in a few hours. Loved the book.

Trusting God

I read Trusting God, in exchange for an honest review from Blogging for Books. The book was written by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, and Mary Southerland. The book is a Girlfriends In God, faith Adventure. The book was published by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. (Multnomah Books).

I chose this book because I need to trust God more. In church today, we had a speaker on ADHD. He also came to our Sunday School class on ADHD too to answer questions. My question was on patience. How do I have more patience to deal with my kids? I thought it would be an easy answer, but he got religious. He said I need to trust God more. Read the bible more. Increase my faith.  Instead of thinking my kids are the problem, I need to work on my spiritual life. His words touched me deep. I do have a weak spiritual life. He also gave me practical suggestions. Take time for self. Get a babysitter sometimes.

The book talked about putting your trust in God versus people. People will let you down and it is not always intentional. People are human, flawed, and they make mistakes. People can cause frustration, disappointment, and hurt. People need to learn to put their trust in God. God does not fail. You may not understand his methods, but God is 100% trustworthy.

The book starts out with a definition of trust and the goodness of God. God does not change. God love does not waver. God is the same, yesterday, today, and for the future. We should learn to trust God in the good times and bad times. It is easy to trust God when things are going good, but you still have to trust him when things are falling apart.

I read Week 1 a few weeks ago. It was an amazing story about a grandma and her granddaughter. Her son showed granny a trick, which caused Granny to be concerned. The granddaughter did not care because she felt safe in her daddy's arms. She knew her daddy would catch her when she fell. The grandma wanted to have that kind of trust in God--unconditional trust. Knowing that no matter what she going through, God will always catch her when she falls. Having no fear, just complete trust.

The book is a devotional. Each week provides a story and ends in a prayer. Each story shows an example of how people put their faith and trust in God. I definitely will continue to read this book all year. This was a good read.

Why was I blessed with two special needs children?

Why Was I blessed with two special needs children:

I been asking myself this question, since Brad was diagnosed. Why was I chosen to handle this task. I thought again about this question in church today, while Dr. Walter Larimore was speaking. I was not blessed with two normal kids or 1 normal and 1 special needs kids. I was blessed with a 12 year old, Autistic, ADHD, sensory issues, currently pre-pubescent child. I was also blessed with a 20 month old, no talking, no walking, fine motor delays child. These are the thoughts I jotted down.

I am not normal.  I do not understand normal people. I am an outcast. I know what it is like to be excluded. I like things in a certain order, in a certain way, at certain times. I don't like extra disruptions (maybe I got ADHD too). My mind wanders through millions of thoughts daily. I am a misunderstood, creative soul.

I don't know exactly why God blessed me with my boys. I was the child (and adult), who never thought about having kids. I did not want them, yet I had four pregnancies and two live births. Kids irritated me immensely. Some talk too much. I am a loner, an introvert. Not a people person.

I had to learn to love and protect my babies, despite my non-existent maternal instinct I used to have. In fact, people, who have multiple kids, and seem to have a balance on life, are my heroes. I admire you. Here is my salute.

Dr. Larimore discussed how God gave special parents a gift--which we need to unwrap. We need to love, appreciate, and teach our special kids. We also need to teach them about God and help them discover their talents. The kids can also teach me patience, understanding, love, sympathy, caring, appreciation, hope, and joy. The kids can also teach me not to take life too seriously.

Stains on the floor will happen. Even immediately after I clean the floor. One of my kids will pee or spill food or juice on the floor.

My room will not stay mostly clean.

I will always find food hidden behind bookcases, cribs, beds, computers, tv stands, etc.

I may never get a full night's sleep.

I will spend multiple days per month in therapies and dr.'s offices, with no energy in the tank.

I will be changing diapers for a long, long, time.

I may have to give up control over things.

Getting angry at the kids and myself DOES NOT help.