Book Worm.

Lately I have been reading more than usual. This might be due to the fact that I have been bored waiting for all of the new fall shows to start, or because I recently joined a book club. Whatever the reason, I love that I have added to my book collection and checked books off of my reading list! Here are my most recent reads: 

 Kate Furnivall is one of my all-time favorite authors. She always writes books set in a significant historical

period of time. She creates characters which are easy to fall in love with. I have read all of her US released books and I would recommend all of them. If you are interested in her other books they are The Russian Concubine, The Red Scarf, The Girl From Junchow, and The Girl From St. Petersburg. 

Jodi Picoult is another of my favorite authors. I love her writing. I love the way that she writes a story

 from the perspective of multiple characters. She never ceases to a surprise to the end of her stories. Although, this wasn't one of my favorite books of hers it was still an enjoyable read that I was eager to pick up at the end of each day. 

 This was the book chosen for our first book club. It was an easy read that didn't require a lot of in depth thought but a book that held my attention and left me coming back for more. Emily Giffin writes books that women just eat up! This one also created room for a lot of good conversation about various topics!

 The Murderer's Daughters was this month chosen book club book. We haven't met yet to discuss this book but I am eager to see where this conversation leads. I really enjoyed the book. It was a little depressing at times not one that you walked away from feeling awesome about life BUT I enjoyed the story line and the characters were constant maze of personalities. I set the book down each time and was left thinking about what I just read. I know it is a good book when I spend my Friday's off spending hours reading just so I can get to the conclusion!

I bought this books years ago at a book sale. I had good intentions of reading this book every time I finished another book but somehow it always got knocked down by another book I bought or borrowed. I was finally able to read this book last month! I enjoyed this book. I typically stick to the same type of book so this was a nice change. It was an easy read but still enjoyable and it was easy to envision the life of Bette, the book's main character. At times I set the book down wishing I had her life and then other times, thankful that I didn't have anything to do with that type of lifestyle! 

Happy Reading!

Thursday Thoughts.

Lately I have...

Been more obsessed with my dogs than usual (this might be hard to believe since I am always over the top in love with them).

Gotten Coy hooked on the Black Donnelly's. This show was on several years ago and I loved it. It got cancelled mid season and I was never able to finish the season. It recently showed up on Netflix, which was more than a little exciting. Luckily, Coy is on board and this has quickly become one of my favorite evening activities!

I got to hang out with this sweet thing! Sometimes I just can't seem to get enough of her!

I have had an extra hard time leaving in the morning. This could be due to many things. Some of which include it is getting darker in the mornings, it has been taking me forever to fall asleep at night which means I'm more tired in the morning, or that I have been habitually going to bed a little later each night. It could also be largely due to the fact that I have to leave this sight every morning...

Hope that your lately has been a little more eventful than mine!

Sometimes.

sometimes...

it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

life doesn't always go as planned and you have plan, re-plan, and plan again. 

pain is just inevitable. 

miracles happen when you least expect it and don't happen when you do. 

you have to display something different on your face then what is in your heart. 

it's okay to question life. 

a good cry is good for the soul. 

things just plain don't make sense and as hard as you seek an answer, this is none to be found. 

patience runs out. 

something amazing happens only to be overshadowed by something not quite so amazing. 

things unravel when you least expect it. 

luckily all the time...

God is faithful. 

Even when I am angry with him, angry at life, and questioning his plan He never leaves me. 

I have hope in the Lord, even when that hope seems so small and almost nonexistent. 

I have a husband that God has truly blessed me with; 

a husband who stands beside me in my most undesirable moments; 

a husband who encourages, supports, and joins me on each and every journey we take in life. 

10 years...

Despite hub's complaining we are headed to my 10 year high school reunion in two weeks! Right after high school my parents moved to Tennessee and I don't often get back to northern Indiana to visit. I always look forward to my trips back though and this trip is no exception! I am going to try and squeeze in seeing as many old friends as possible in the midst of reunion activities. So crazy to believe that highschool was over 10 years ago! Sometimes it feels just like yesterday. Looking back over the past 10 years it's shocking how many things have happened in my life, how many ways I have changed and grown, and all of the ways my life has evolved. Sometimes 10 years ago feels like yesterday, and other times it feels like an eternity ago.

In honor of my upcoming reunion I dug up some old pictures recently. I have albums and albums of high school pictures and while those are all packed away, here are a few that I saved on a cd!

Bestie's Baby Shower.

One of my best friends is due in October with her first baby...a sweet baby girl!

A few friends and I headed down to Nashville a few weeks ago to celebrate

 with her at her baby shower!

It is always such a great time to go back to Nashville. I grow homesick for it often and even more often for my friend Adi. The weekend went by too quickly, as it always does, but it was a great time! Other than the having the shower we spent time eating at some of Nashville's finest places, taking long walks at the park, and watching reruns of 'The Hills.' The thing I love about best friends, it doesn't how much time goes by between visits, once we are back together it is like yesterday we living together and spending time daily in each other's lives.

I can't wait to be an auntie to Brynn!

 Brynn's biggest fans!

 Sweet party favors (which I am actually about to go bake!)

Love this mama to be!

 

In other related news...

My sister is due with her third child on October 25.

Adi (above) is due on October 26.

Another friend from Nashville, Amanda, is due on October 27.

So crazy if you asked me!

10 Random Facts.

10 Random Facts About ME!

1. My childhood nickname was Missy. I actually just got into a debate with my family last night about this name. Growing up I always thought I was given this nickname because while my parents wanted my name to actually be Missy, my sisters said no and picked Michele. However, after discussing last night my dad said that actual story was that They had all picked Michele and then my dad chose the nickname Missy. So, however it came about I went by this name and only this name until the 7th grade, when we moved to a new place and a new school and I decided that Missy just wasn't who I was anymore. My grandma, who is now deceased continued to call me Missy, along with my brother in law and now my nieces and nephews.
2. If you want to spoil me rotten, buy me a large gift card to Starbucks. I am constantly trying to add money to my Starbucks card without my husband noticing. This is a constant scheme and it would really help my cause to not have to worry about reloading in secret every couple of weeks!
3. The television character I most identify with is Winnie from The Wonder Years. She was always in the background, yet played a major role. She loved the boys and had no problem spending her days on her bike with the boys in the neighborhood. That pretty much sums up my childhood.
4. If I had a whole day to go shopping and money to spend, I would go to an outlet mall. I love the outlet. You can always get so many clothes for an amount so much less of what you pay at a normal mall. The outlet mall brings endless possibilities that make my money stretch so much farther than normal.
5. The most wild and crazy thing I have ever done (that I can admit to publicly) is many, many things I did in high school. These stories often consisted of dead animals being placed on people's cars, front porches, baby strollers, and one time even in my own bathtub;  feces placed on people's porches, usually on a thrown-away recliner and sometimes this even included being lit on fire; and that is only a minor glimpse at the gross pranks I did!
6. The one thing on my bucket list that I am most eager to do is travel, travel, travel. I love traveling abroad. There are so many countries I still have yet to visit and revisit.
7. My family will always be loyal to our faith and to each other. We were raised in an environment that fostered an open and close relationship to each other. I think a lot of the reason I can call my sisters, as well as my parents some of my best friends is because of the emphasis my parents placed on this growing up. This, in combination, with all of us walking in a daily relationship with God, is the key to our family. I hope that in the future as we begin our own family we can foster this same type of relationship between us and our children and our children and each other.
8. If I could spend a day with a celebrity I would choose Blake Lively. On this day (keep in mind my obsessions change often) I am obsessed with her. Maybe it is her recent marriage to Ryan Reynolds has peaked my interested but I would just love to walk a day in her shoes. Go where she goes, shop with her, get coffee together...I think you get the idea.
9. In my opinion, the best invention in the history of the world is the car. Although I would love riding around on horseback, I cannot imagine what life would be without cars. Not only cars, but planes, trains, etc. I think this is something we often take for granted but it is good to stop for a minute and think about what life would really be like if we couldn't drive from place to place. In case you don't know what it would be like...the answer is misery and it would completely change our way of life.
10. When life hands me lemons, I make anything that is unhealthy. My top choice is something dip-able. I think chips and dip are the ultimate anytime food, but especially comfort food!

And there you have it!

Overcome

Life has been pretty crazy the past couple of weeks. Sometimes though, it is good to just take a minute, slow down, and be reminded of God's greatness. I love the song "Overcome" by Jeremy Camp. I love the message in this song and the reminder that all glory is the Lord's.

'All authority, every victory is Yours 

All authority, every victory is Yours

Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all our praise, 

You overcame 

Jesus, awesome in power forever,awesome and great is Your name, 

You overcame'

This song makes it easy for me to remember the praise the Jesus deserves. He is powerful, He is in charge of my life, and every victory in my life belongs to him. His name is great. 

Enjoy!