Review: When Love Returns by Kim Vogel Sawyer

You can see a sample chapter here.  When Love Returns releases on September 22 but it is available for pre-order now.


When Love Returns in the third book in the Zimmerman Restoration trilogy.  In this book, Suzanne Zimmerman has returned back to the Old Order Mennonite Community that she had been sent away from as a pregnant teen.  Finding her place back in the community is not easy especially with Paul so close by and the painful past between them.  Suzanne is put in charge of the bed and breakfast while Alexa heads back to Indianapolis to search for her birth parents and must help Anna Grace prepare for her upcoming marriage.

Wow!  That's my word for this book.  First of all the entire series is wonderful and you do really need to read all three books in order to be able to get the completed picture of God's ability to restore.  This series tackles very difficult situations.  And even as I was reading I was trying to figure out how all of these things could possibly find a resolution!  There are so many different perspectives in this book that allows us to see all of the different sides of the issue and all of the people it affects.  The characters are written in an amazing way that really lets the reader see the depth inside those characters.  This story is full of grace, love, compassion, forgiveness, and restoration.  It points us all to the One who can bring those things to our lives if only we will let Him.  What I love the most is that Kim Vogel Sawyer does not wrap all of her stories up with an immediate happy ever after that is not realistic.  We still know at the end that life is not perfect but we do know as Suzanne did in the story that God has a wondrous power to restore and renew.

The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy is a wonderful series.  You will definitely be better off having read it.  I was so torn between reading it quickly so I could see how it all ended or drawing it out so I could make it last longer.  Reading it quickly won.  But, now that I have finished it, I can go back and read all three books again.  I can't wait to see what Kim Vogel Sawyer writes next!

Discalimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no further compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC regulations.

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Homeschool Wrap Up Week 2

This was a week.  But even when things are hard, God is good all the time and in control when we are not.

 Homeschool was pretty much a bust although we did get a few things done towards the end of the week.

I guess I will start at the beginning.  Monday was Labor Day so we were not planning on doing any school anyway.  I worked on the board and a tree for our fair booth.  Art worked on the roof and the kids swam and played all day.  It was HOT! Late afternoon we headed to the fair with our rabbits and chicken and set up the fair booth.  We ran through McDonalds and headed to soccer practice where the van died.  Seemed to be a battery issue and thankfully some jumper cables and a willing helper got us going again.  Back home both the battery and the alternator tested fine.  The problem was a loose battery cable.

Nick helping with the roof

fair booth

fair booth

Tuesday was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  I had a doctor's appointment for a chronic condition that I have been dealing with for awhile and the things we were trying to deal with her were not helping.  I decided to see a new doctor and see what she suggested.  I didn't think I would be gone very long.  I told the children about an hour and then we would go up to the fair and feed the animals and enter their other entries and have school that afternoon.  But when I got to the office I had this very strange episode that I kind of dizzy, had strange tingling sensations in my hands and feet, felt kind of dizzy, and my heart started racing.  That was the second time that had happened to me in a week.  I was very thankful there was someone in the waiting room that knew me and noticed that something seemed to be wrong and helped me get some help and settled in a back room or I probably would've passed out.  I was at the office for awhile.  EKG came back ok and had blood drawn.  We talked about what had brought me there and got some medicine for that.  Everytime I sat up I was dizzy so I had to have Art come and get me.  He took the rest of the day off and took the kids to enter their stuff and feed animals.  I was in bed all that day.  They think the issue is fluctuations with my blood sugar and hopefully some extra protein and eating at regular intervals will help along with eliminating some stress. It is very scary.

That same dad my dad had surgery.  He had been very hoarse for a long time.  At first they thought allergies then maybe an infection.  But when it didn't get better they looked a little further and found a growth on his voice box.  The doctor said he was certain it was not cancer.  It was.  They removed the mass and dad is recovering well from that.  He goes this week for a PET scan and to meet with an oncologist.  I would appreciate your prayers.

my daddy with the flowers we sent him

Wednesday and Thursday we did get some school done.  My children talked me out of doing math because we had already missed two days.  Wednesday afternoon our preacher came and picked up the children, except for Emelia and took them to Kid's Club.  Art picked them up and took care of feeding animals at the fair.  Thursday the boys had soccer and a friend picked them up and took them so I could stay home.  Friday we were supposed to have archery but decided to stay home.  Saturday I left the house for the first time and we went and cleaned up our fair stuff and took down the booth.  It was very strange because usually we spend a lot of time at the fair and we barely made it up there at all.

Alex decided to climb this tree and then couldn't get down! He figured it out though.

the girls' new shoes came in the mail so of course they needed me to take their picture

Week 2 in Our Homeschool

Bible: We completed lesson 2 of Real Life Press Book of Moses Part One.  I do not like this study as much as I liked Book of Moses Part 2 but we will keep plugging through it.

Read Aloud: We read chapters 5 and 6 of The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans.

Math: Skipped it

Language: Anthony did two lessons in Middlebury Interactive

Reading: Anthony and Christian completed Lesson 37 of All About Reading.  Alex is doing a Progeny Press Guide on Stone Fox.  He started and completed the book.

Grammar: We picked up Fix It! Grammar where we left off last year.  We did Lesson 6 of levels 1 and 2.

Preschool: Finally got to do some preschool on Friday.  Emelia did lesson 16 and part of lesson 17 of Horizon's Preschool.

I am also working on a review of Diana Waring's What In the World audio cd's and we listened to the first one this week.

Happy Homeschooling!

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Review: Falling Like Snowflakes

Book Description "When the Christmas season finds Eden in Summer Harbor, Maine, she's on the run from trouble. Romance is the last thing on her mind. Riding in a bus in the thickly falling snow, Eden Davis wonders how it ever came to this-fleeing under cover of night with young Micah sleeping fitfully in the seat beside her. When a winter storm strands them in Summer Harbor, Maine, Eden wonders if what might have been the end could be a new beginning. Beau Callahan is a habitual problem-solver. He's recently left his job with the sheriff's department to take over the family Christmas tree farm to save it from insolvency. But he's flummoxed. During the busiest season of the year, he's shorthanded. Then Eden shows up looking for work, and Beau believes he's been rescued. Competent, smart, and beautiful, Eden's also guarded and quiet. He soon figures out she comes with a boatload of secrets. But Beau can't seem to help himself from falling for her. As Christmas Eve approaches, Beau discovers he'll do anything to keep Eden safe. But who's going to protect his heart from a woman who can't seem to trust again?"

I have had an opportunity to read and review several books by Denise Hunter and I have enjoyed each one that I have read.  But I have to say that Falling Like Snowflakes is her best one yet!  I loved it!  It had all of the great elements you will find in all of Denise Hunters books: real, believable characters, great setting, faith,romance, and an interesting story.  Falling Like Snowflakes adds also adds in an element of mystery which I think took it from a good story to a great one.  I also liked the tie in to Married til Monday (another Denise Hunter book) and The Inn at Ocean's Edge (by Colleen Coble.) The author also has a great way of tying up the story without giving a resolution that shows an immediate happy ever after, making the ending more like real life.  I am excited that this is the first in a series and can't wait to see what the other books bring!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC regulations.

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The Mystery of History Supplements Are On Sale

* this post contains affiliate links

A few weeks ago I wrote this blog post talking about all of the wonderful supplements that go with The Mystery of History.  All of the supplements for all four volumes of The Mystery of History are on sale!  From now until September 30, folderbooks, coloring pages, challenge cards and notebooking pages are 25% off.  No coupon code is needed.

*links in this post are my affiliate links.  I only form affiliate relationships with companies whose products I actually use and can recommend!

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Homeschool Wrap Up Week 1

This week was our first week of the 2015/2016 school year!  We do not start with a full schedule but instead work our way up to one a little at a time.

First day of school pictures.

Emelia Pre-K

Lily 1st

Christian 3rd

Anthony 4th

Alex 6th

Nick 8th

Week One in Our Homeschool:

Bible:To start off the year, we are using Real Life Press The Book of Moses Part 1.  We finished Week One which covered Genesis 1: 1-25.

Read aloud: We are reading George Muller The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans.  We read chapters 1-4.

Math: Every one started Math U See.  We completed Lesson One of: Alpha, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Algebra 1.

Language: Anthony is working on a review of Middlebury Interactive Elementary Spanish 1.

Reading: Anthony and Christian completed Lesson 36 of All About Reading Level 2.  I did not start Lily on Level One yet.

Preschool-Emelia completed Lessons 13, 14, and 15 of Horizons Preschool.

Other Activities This Week:

We had soccer on Monday and Thursday.  Tuesday I took Anthony for his speech evaluation.  He tested fine except for the letter "r" (which I knew.)  They set him up for weekly appointments but then we found out that our insurance won't cover it and one 30 minute session is $200! They do give a discount for paying when you go.  Now we have to decide whether or not to try and continue working with him at home, going through the school, or paying for these sessions.  Sigh... I never even considered that insurance wouldn't pay for it.

Wednesday we had Kids Club at our church.  It was the first time we had been in a very long time.  The children enjoyed it.

Christian made a very good Moses during story time.

Other Random things this week:

We found this guy in the driveway.  I think the cats must've got to him.  Hope he doesn't have friends!

One day this week Lily, Christian, and Anthony came downstairs dressed like this:

Lily found an owl pellet that we forgot to dissect quite awhile ago and was very excited to find the bones inside of it.

I thought our sunflowers were dead, but I found a new bloom on it the other day.  Made my day!

Lily made this place mat on Saturday to put in the fair.

Happy Homeschooling!

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Fall is a great time for Pumpkin recipes!  This recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins is one of my favorite muffin recipes ever!  They are easy to make and taste delicious!  We usually make a double batch with good intentions to freeze them, but they hardly ever make it to the freezer, though they do freeze really well.  My family loves to eat them for breakfast or snacks.  I have never added the walnuts because my children just do not like them.

1 15 oz can pumpkin
1 2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/2 whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 cups chocolate chips (optional )

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix pumpkin, sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture into greased muffin pans filling 3/4 full. Bake 20-25 minutes.

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Review: Life Science: Origins and Scientific Theory Curriculum Pack

I was really excited to have an opportunity to review Life Science: Origins and Scientific Theory Curriculum Pack from Master Books.  When the package arrived, I sent a text with the photo but no description to a friend and she was a bit confused why I had videos and DVDs that appeared to be on evolution when I believe in creationism. I told her it was part of Master Books 9th Grade Curriculum set and it wasn't teaching evolution, it is a curriculum  that teaches the differences between creationist and secular scientist views and teaches students to be able to defend their beliefs biblically and scientifically.

The Life Science: Origins and Scientific Theory Curriculum Pack($107.25) includes:

Evolution: The Grand Experiment DVD--58 min long.  This DVD examines the validity of Darwin's theory.
Living Fossils: Evolution The Grand Experiment Vol 2 DVD-53 min long. Dr. Carl Werner traveled 160,000 miles visiting 10 dinosaur dig sites and 60 natural history museums to see if dinosaur fossils have been found with modern plants and animals.
Evolution: The Grand Experiment Vol 1 Text-307 page hardcover text. Contains full color photos and charts.  Corresponds with the Vol 1 DVD.
Living Fossils: Evolution the Grand Experiment Vol 2 Text-274 page hardcover text.  Contains full color photos and charts.  Corresponds with Vol 2 DVD.
Vol 1 Teacher's Guide-255 page paperback book.  Contains purpose for each chapter, class discussion questions and answers, chapter objectives, 3 different tests for each chapter (choose 1) and answers.
Vol 2 Teacher's Guide-273 page paperback book. Contains purpose for each chapter, class discussion questions and answers, chapter objectives, 3 different tests for each chapter and answers.
Parent Lesson Planner-57 page paperback book.  This book has the daily lesson plans for the course.  It also also alternate sectional tests and answers.

This course is suggested for students in 7-9th grade. There are 180 days of lesson plans in the PLP.  After completing the course students will have earned one credit in Paleontology.

I really think it is so important that we not tell our students what to believe, but show them why we believe what we believe.  They need to be able to defend their beliefs .  I was interested in reviewing this course because it doesn't just tell students what to believe but rather shows them the differing views.  The course presents evidence, shows interviews and discussions with both creationist and secular scientists, and allows students to reach their own conclusions.  The images in both the DVD and text are stunning!  The photography is outstanding!  The evidence is presented in a clear and understandable way.  It is definitely is an informative interesting course that teens will enjoy, and the videos themselves can be viewed by a wide range of ages.  I learned many things that I did not know!

The course was written for a classroom which makes it a little harder on the homeschool mom with one student.  With one student you can have them orally answer the discussion questions with you or have them copy them into a notebook and answer them.  I wish that it had been set up like other courses I have reviewed from Master Books with the vocabulary and questions included in the PLP rather than having separate Teacher Manuals.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of these materials for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC regulations.

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