I haven’t posted my weigh-ins lately because I haven’t been happy with them.  I can’t seem to get motivated.  I am hoping that posting my weigh-in today that will help me some.  It is one thing to see the number another thing to type it and put it up for the world to see.  So my weigh-in today is 216.  I’m also looking for a blog group to join that encourages each other through their weigh loss challenge.  Any suggestions?  I have found some, but not any that I really felt I could become a part of.

I am also going to make myself a challenge.  My goal this month is to lose 5 pounds.  If I don’t, I will send a blog reader who leaves a suggestion or encourging word on this post $5 through paypal.

Here are some ways I am going to fit some extra exercise in my daily routine with the kids:

1. Dance with the kids
2. Go for walks in the neighborhood
3. Play hide and seek and/or tag
4. What at the park walk on the nature trails

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
Love Starts With Elle by Rachel Hauck
(Thomas Nelson - July 8, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hauck is a forty-something, a child of the ’60’s, ’70’s, ’80’s, ’90’s and ’00’s, who roller skated through the ’70’s into the ’80’s with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero. She graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism.

After graduation, she hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, destermined to see the world. But, she’s traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine.

Rachel met Tony, her husband, in ‘87, at church, of all places. They married in ‘92.
They don’t have any children of their own, just lots of kids-in-the-Lord and they love them all. However, they do have two very spoiled dogs, and a very demanding cat.

With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ‘ 04, Lambert’s Pride, a romance novel. My current release is Sweet Caroline from Thomas Nelson. Romantic Times Book Club gave both books their highest rank of 4.5 stars, with Love Starts With Elle being honored as Top Pick!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Elle’s living the dream-but is it her dream or his?

Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina-lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires, and dinners with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she’s found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. Life is good.

Then the dynamic pastor of her small town church sweeps her off her feet. She’s never known a man like Jeremiah-one who breathes in confidence and exhales all doubt. When he proposes in the setting sunlight, Elle hands him her heart on a silver platter.

But Jeremiah’s just accepted a large pastorate in a different state. If she’s serious about their relationship, Elle will take “the call,” too, leaving behind the people and place she loves so dearly. Elle’s friendship with her new tenant, widower Heath McCord, and his young daughter make things even more complicated.

Is love transferrable across the miles? And can you take it with you when you go?

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

I’m also holding a giveaway over at Contests4Moms for a book of your choice from Amazon or ChristianBooks.com.  All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on the contest post here.  The giveaway ends July 4, 2008.

Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky

Multnomah Publishing

ISBN 13: 978-1-60142-016-1

Paperback; $12.99;

304 pages

About the Book:

A wet road, the dark of night, and pouring rain become the cruel combination that forces Maddie and her husband’s car off the road. Now Maddie lies in a coma, her faithful and loving mate by her side speaking words of encouragement.

As she rests in the darkness of her hospital room, the life journey Maddie has traveled plays again in her mind. Scenes flash in between whispers of a voice she’s grown to love. “Maddie, remember with me. Remember the day I fell in love.”

A playful kiss igniting romance between friends, an extraordinary love, a universe of fear and darkness, a triumph over blindness in both eyes and soul. Maddie’s walked a hard road and succeeded against the odds.

But then came the night that changed everything.

Marlo Schalesky delivers a powerfully emotional story that is certain to take both Maddie and the reader Beyond the Night.

About the Author:

A graduate of Stanford University, Marlo recently earned a Masters of Theology with an emphasis in Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. She also runs her own construction consulting business as well as an engineering firm that she and her husband own. Married nearly twenty years, she lives with her husband, Bryan, and their four daughters in California. Her other books include Wind Remembers, Cry Freedom, Freedom’s Shadow, and Empty Womb, Aching Heart.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book.  It is such a sweet love story between two people who each have their own demons to conquer before they can be together.  With prayer and God’s guidance everything works out, but in a surprising end.  The ending caught me completely off guard, yet it fit the storyline perfectly.  The characters are so easy to love and you feel every bit of pain they go through.  I will definitely be on the look out for other books by Marlo Schalesky.

Giveaways:

Thanks to Glass Road Public Relations I have a copy of this book to give away.  Leave a comment on this post before July 4, 2008 to be in the drawing.  I will announce the winner on July 5, 2008.

I found this in the July 2008 issue of Parenting and thought it was great.

1. Minimal pressure to squeeze postpartum body into spangled leotard to appear on Dancing With the Stars

2. Can salvage errant chicken-nugget scraps off kids’ plates without being reprimanded by nanny, husband, agent, or publicist

3. Time saved in pondering the significance of naming your offspring after an animal, vegetable, mineral, or automobile

4. Never having to explain why Mommy is kissing that man on TV, but really loves only Daddy

5. Little need to come up with a creative excuse for declining moms’ weekend at the hottest colonic-irrigation spa

6. Blowout and full makeup before PTA meetings or errands are strictly optional

7. Diaper bag not filled with pesky pre-playdate confidentiality agreements, leaving room for thermos of vital caffeinated/spiked liquids

8. Money saved not needing to outfit child in a brand new Burberry jumper (or to secure matching mom-size ensemble)

9. No desperate hunt for birthday party favors that can wow even Suri and Shiloh

10. Can forsake Jimmy Choos and Manolos for the comfort of clogs, Crocs, and flip-flops.

I would never want to be a celebrity, especially a celebrity mom. Here are a couple of my own reasons I am adding to the list:

11. The world isn’t judging me on my parenting skills

12. There isn’t a photo or video of when I make a mistake

13. It’s not a national story when my kids gets sick or ends up in the hospital

What about you? Anymore reasons to add to the list?