Getting Real: That Baby I "Should" Have

If you know our family or you've been on our blog for several years then you most likely know our past.  However, if you are new around here, then you might not know our history.  Within hours of Addilece's birth I was taken into emergency surgery for D&C that led to an emergency hysterectomy.  I was hemorrhaging and it saved my life.  You can read more of that story here.

We were 21 years old.  It was not only a shock to our system but to many others, as well.  A young couple, just starting their family and suddenly they're unable to have the children they have been dreaming and hoping for all their lives.

When we talked about adoption and went into foster care my heart hoped for a baby.  I'm thankful for a husband that through that time didn't shoot down that notion but also reminded me that God would place the children he desired into our home.  We were licensed 0 to 10 and while a part of me still hoped for a baby to adopt I knew deep down, that wasn't were God was leading us. We were suppose to foster older kids, which was quickly confirmed with a call that included two 2 (almost 3) year olds as the youngest children.

However, that elusive baby that we should have, we still have many people pushing for it.  They are well meaning, caring people.  It's still hard to wrap their minds around a young couple, who aren't able to have what they "want" (or rather what we used to want).  I love that people are so supportive.  However, God choosing not to give us an infant is not because God is denying us anything. 

Is a baby what will fill our family?  Make it complete?  No.  Only God can fill and complete our family.  A baby, placed in our family by my own desire and not God's, would be harmful.  Us seeking to fill our hearts on our own only creates hurt.  God must be the one to fill our hearts.  Each child he places in our home, regardless of age, is placed their for a reason.  It would be easy to justify the pursuit of a baby.  Many people would support and even encourage it.  However, without God as the center of that decision (which he is not right now), it would mean putting a burden to fill a need on a child, rather then on God.

I'm pretty sure we will never get a baby.  It's just not where God has placed us.  Would I like one? Yes.  Do I need one? No.  It's not what completes me or fills me.

Book Review: When Hurt Runs Deep

My most recent book up for review was When Hurt Runs Deep by Kay Aurthur.  Kay is strong in her faith.  She is a very wise woman of God.  This book is full of her wisdom and experience.  However, she backs everything she says with strong biblical evidence.  There is almost as much Scripture as there is of Kay's words in this book. 

Kay talks about the twelve principles of healing from something that hurts you deep.  Because of the sin filled world we live in we will always be surrounded by hurt and suffering.  However, what I liked most about this book was the conviction and peace it brought about for the things that didn't effect me deep down in my soul.  It is definitely a book I would recommend to everyone.

This book is a slow read.  It is one that you will want to sit down in read in a good chunk of time.  You will also want a pen and highlighter handy.  Because of my current life schedule I was not able to sit down for long lengths of time often.  It is still an excellent book, however.

This book was given to me by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing company.  It was given to be free with no other compensation other than my review.  The opinions expressed in this review are purely my own.

Book Review: Little Star

My latest book from Blogging for Books was Little Star by Anthony DeStafano.  It was a book about a star and the story of Christmas.  I was really looking forward to how this book would present the Christmas Story.  However, in the end I walked away rather disappointed.

The pictures in the book are very beautiful and very life like.  And the book does try and teach some very good lessons.  It answers many of the problems people have with the Christmas story: why was Jesus a baby? Why was he born in a stable?  In the book the main character, Little Star, gives up all he has (and ultimately himself) to Jesus, his King.  I love that message.

However, I found some rather large errors with the book.  The miss representation of what the star of Christmas is bugged me.  (The true star of Christmas was used to guide the Wise Men and did not show up until the Wise Men arrived and the star in the book was used to warm Jesus.)  It also has a lot of simple errors to the story that are cultural not biblical (all the people are VERY western in look, Mary rides a donkey, and Jesus has a halo).  Tony and I are very particular about the "Biblical" items we let our daughter experience.  They must be accurate, not just cute.  We chose her Children's Bible due to the fact that it quoted scripture exactly.  This was also not a book that grabbed Addilece.  She couldn't even get through it once and hasn't picked up the book since it arrived.   

While the book was well written, well illustrated and was a cute story, it will not be a book we will personally put on our child's shelf.

This book was provided for me free of charge by Blogging for Books and WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for my personal review.  Other than the book I am receiving no other compensation.  The views expressed are my own.

Blogging for Books: God Loves Me More Than That

After seeing blog after blog post free books for blogging for books I knew I had to get on board.  I checked it out and ordered my first book.

God Loves Me More Then That by Dandi Daley Mackall is a book for young children.  It is about how much God loves them.  The pictures in this book were incredible!  The artist (David Hohn) did an amazing job capturing life in a new way.  I loved the concept of the book.  It stretches a child's imagination to just how much God loves them.  When they think semi truck or elephant they think BIG and that is the point of the book.  My 18 month old got a huge kick out of the book.  In 24 hours we have probably 10 to 15 times.  She loves to also sit independently and flip through the pages.  She pours over every detail of the pictures.

I didn't like that the book was written more for boys (treasure, trucks, space ships) but it doesn't seem to bug my daughter, yet.  I also didn't like that the books switched between God and Lord.  I think they should have stuck with one.  There was one sentence that was not grammatically correct and it bugs both my husband and myself every time I read it.

Overall its a great book and it teaches kids amazing lessons.  I'm excited its in our library.

This book was provided free of charge from Blogging for Books for my personal review.  Receiving this item free did not sway my opinion on the book.  These views are completely my own.