Book Review: Unlocked



               (Photo Credit)

I wiped yet another tear from my cheek as I read the last page of Unlocked. Moma cast a glance at me from the driver's seat.
     "Are you crying?" she asked in a somewhat laughing tone.
     "Yes!" I exclaimed through my tears.
     "Again?!" Grayson exclaimed from the back seat.
     "Yes, again," I replied, "I can't help it, this book is so bittersweet! I think it my second favorite or maybe tied for favorite Karen Kingsbury book!"

The above is a true story, and yes I cried multiple times during this book! I even shed a few tears while reading this book in the restaurant. I was wearing a sun hat and tried to kinda hide behind it, but Moma saw me. LOL.

I really don't want to give too much of this book away, so I'll share to summary of it that is on the inside cover.

"Holden Harris is and eighteen-year-old locked in a prison of autism. Despite his quiet ways and quirky behaviors, Holden is very happy and socially normal--on the inside, in a private world all his own. In reality, he is bullied at school by kids who only see that he is very different.

"Ella Reynolds is part of the 'in' crowd. A cheerleader and star of the high school drama production, her life seems perfect. When she catches Holden listening to her rehearse for the school play, she is drawn to him ... in the way he is drawn to the music. Then Ella makes a dramatic discovery--she and Holden were best friends as children.

"Frustrated by the way Holden is bullied, and horrified at the indifference of her peers, Ella decides to take a stand against the most privileged and popular kids at school. Including her boyfriend, Jake.

"Ella believes miracles can happen in the unlikeliest places, and hat just maybe an entire community might celebrate from the sidelines. But will Holden's praying mother and the efforts of Ella and a cast of theater kids be enough to unlock the prison that contains Holden?

"This time, friendship, faith, and the power of a song must be strong enough to open the doors to the miracle Holden needs."

This book touched me to the core! Find out more about Karen Kingsbury on her website (there's a link on the sidebar). I think everyone should read Unlocked!

Please Help My Friend Who Could Use Some Help :-)

My blogging friend, Mrs. Connie, writes the Smockity Frocks blog. Anyway, her husband recently lost his job. They could use your prayers! It would also be a big help if you would read her blog :-) Mrs. Connie has a source of income from the blog because of the ads on the side bar. The more views she has to her blog, the more compensation she gets from the ads. So, please read her blog :-)

It's a Good Thing...

(Photo Credit)

What comes to your mind when you hear the line "Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes" from the song, "My Favorite Things"? One that comes to my mind is that of an image of purity. A bunch of sweet little girls wearing white dresses with blue sashes; little girls that aren't "worldly wise"; little girls that don't know much about evil but know a lot about good. What's so bad about being this pure at the age of 18, 19 or 20? Obviously, there are some things that older girls will need to know that little girls don't, but here's some food for thought:

It's a good thing when a young woman hasn't had the typical "sex education" that most have because she knows that sex is saved for the marriage bed and anything outside of that is sin.

It's a good thing when a young woman doesn't go see every blockbuster film that comes to theaters because there is content that is not pleasing to God.

It's a good thing when a young woman is willing to be unconventional in her fashion choices because modesty is more important to her than fashion.

It's a good thing when a young woman doesn't read the book that EVERYBODY is reading because she knows that there are elements of that book that aren't pleasing to God and knows that she could easily get sucked in to it's addictive pull.

It's a good thing when a young woman sacrifices her love for theater/art/music/etc. because there is no Godly outlet near her.

It's a good thing when a young woman trusts the advice of her parents and trusted adults more than the advice of her peers.

It's a good thing when a young woman doesn't know every blasphemous word out there because she hasn't exposed herself to such things.

It's a good thing when a young woman is confident enough in her God given role womanhood to be able to willingly submit to her father and in the future her husband.

It's a good thing when a young woman is friendly with the young men around her but isn't flirtatious and doesn't throw herself at them.

It's a good thing when a young woman has never kissed a man because she wants to save that special first kiss for the man she will marry.

It's a good thing when a young woman doesn't find her fulfillment in the mirror, or in a relationship, or in a job, but she finds her ultimate fulfillment in the Lord.

Sometimes it's a good thing to go against the grain.

                                                                  

3 New Babies and Blogettes Meet!

Last weekend my mom, Grayson, Gavin, Gilbert (my new puppy:-) and I went to Mississippi to visit family. In the month of February, 3 of my cousins had babies! Since we hadn't seen any of them in person, we decided it was time for a road trip :-) This was also the first trip we've taken my new puppy, Gilbert Blythe, on (more on how he came to be a part of our family later).

Gilbert traveled surprisingly well! He didn't whine that much. Out of the four hours of travel, I only had to hold him 30 minutes of that time. And the best part of all, NO accidents!!!!!!!
















His spot, in the carrier at my feet :-)

Once we got to my Mamaw Barnett's house we visited with her for a little while and then walked next door to see little Madelyn. She is the daughter of my first cousin, Lacie and her husband, Justin, and the baby sister to 4 year old Anslie. Unfortunantly, I didn't take my camera to their house, so I don't have any picutres :-(

That afternoon we went to my Aunt Debbie and Uncle Kevin's house. Aunt Debbie and my mom aren't sisters, they're first cousins, but it would seem weird to call her just plain Debbie, or Mrs. Debbie, therefore, she's Aunt Debbie. There we got to visit with some of my cousins and one of my great aunts. My 3rd cousin, Allen, and his wife, Andria, welcomed their first child, Zachary Allen, into their family 8 weeks ago. Zachary looks JUST like his daddy!!!!

After church Sunday morning, we ate lunch with my grandmother and great-grandmother and then headed off to see yet another baby :-)

My 1st cousin, Brandon, and his wife, Nikki, welcomed their first baby into their family:-) Little Noah Michael is the first grandson for my aunt and uncle and first great-grandchild for my grandparents :-)

Once we finished visiting with Brandon, Nikki and Noah, we hit the road trying to make it to evening worship in Dempolis (it's on our way home and we have friends that worship there). While visiting, we got to meet Carl (the preacher) and his wife, Kristen and their little boy, Benjamin. I follow Kristin's blog, Bringing Up Benjamin, but had never met Kristen in person. So, me being my unique self, I had to get a picture :-)

On a random note, I saw this Bronco at a gas station and thought it was really cool! If I liked to drive, I would totally drive it!
















 I got kinda bored, so here are a couple of random shots.





Matching is an Option (Sometimes)

Matching is an Option (Sometimes) by Lori Lynn Rives featuring a turquoise handbag

You don't always have to match perfectly. Play around with colors and see how they work together :-)

Roman Holiday Inspired

I love this outfit from "Roman Holiday" :-)






















Roman Holiday Inspired by Lori Lynn Rives on Polyvore.com
Inspired by the outfit Audrey Hepburn wore during most of the movie "Roman Holiday"

I think the scarf would look lovely worn like tied around the head, worn like a headband:-)

Travel in My Favorite Colors

Travel in My Favorite Colors by Lori Lynn Rives featuring a bow belt

Leopard Print Love

I love leopard print. In fact, I consider it one of my favorite colors. So, when I saw this post at Uber Chic For Cheap I literally gasped with joy :-)

I think the Old Navy version will be in my closet pretty soon :-)

Is this something ya'll would wear? What's your favorite way to wear an animal print?

Bloggettes Meet!

A few weeks ago I was up visiting some of my friends. While there I got to meet Melissa! We follow each other's blog, but had never met in person. She's a super sweet person :-) We had a great time hanging out together! Hopefully there will be more fun times :-)

Picnik Photo Edits

I have discovered Picnik! My friends, Mary and Amy, use it so I deciede to give it a try :-) It's pretty easy and super fun! And if you get stuck, there's the helpful "Help" tab :-)

The Original:


My Moma, Stacey, and me. This was taken in our yard last summer :-)

The Edit:

The Original:

Taken last summer at the Wilderness in the Smokies hotel during the Polishing the Pulpit lectureship. This pic was taken by Grayson :-)

The Edit:

The Original:

The Edits:

This one is my favorite of the three :-)

The Original:

My eye.

The Edits:

My eyes are green. I don't know why they look gold here.

PS. Picnik is free!