Going the Distance & Creed II Movie Trailer

Creed II releases in theaters November 21st

Was there ever a time you struggled to "go the distance" - whether in a sport, school subject, or just overcoming a difficult challenge/time in life?  This November, Rocky and Creed, who on screen inspired us all to "go the distance," and fight for our dreams returns to the big screen to face their biggest challenge yet - both on and off the ring.

For me, I am inspired to "go the distance" with my children and in my parenting.  It is such a journey and I am so far from figuring it out but I see the worth in it.  I want to help shape, nurture and grow my children into amazing human beings.  There are times I want to check-out, I feel like I don't have what it takes but those are the times to press in.  Next time I see my children in a squabble or find myself in the throws of a parenting challenge I am going to hum the Rocky theme song and see if it helps me get my perspective back, just a thought.

Check out the trailer for Creed II below and let me know what you think.



Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Grace Hill Media for selecting me to participate in this campaign.  By sharing this information with you I will receive a $40 gift card.  All opinions are my own.

My Medical Mystery

G in C's batting helmet

Hey Guys!  I just wanted to give a bit of an update and ask for you prayer.  I posted a brief description on facebook yesterday but I have been dealing with a medical mystery for the past month now.  On May 21st I woke up with my entire right arm swollen (from the wrist to the shoulder).  I was able to get into my primary doctor who thought it was from packing boxes (WE MOVED, but that's another post).  She took some bloodwork and sent me on my way.  Hours later, the doctor's office called me back and sent me to the ER because they thought I had a clot in my arm.  After lots of testing (ultrasound of arm, EKG and X-ray of my heart) it was determined that I didn't have a clot and they really didn't know what was going on so they called it cellulitis and gave me an antibiotic (Cephalexin) and told me to take ibuprofen.  A few days later it turns out that I am allergic to that antibiotic (I'm also allergic to Amoxicillin, yay me).  My primary doctor switched my antibiotic (Sulfa) and gave me steroids (Prednisone) but she was at a loss of what to do or who to send me to.  The next week I went to see an amazing ortho doctor who thought I had an overuse injury, made sense.  I was given exercises to do and follow up in a few weeks.  A week later I went to see another general doctor to have my bloodwork rechecked because I just felt "off."  It's hard to explain but I knew that something wasn't right.  My bloodwork looked good except my WBCs were high.  I should also note that the swelling was also moving into my neck, shoulder and chest area - only on the right side.  When I followed up at the ortho they sent me to get an MRI STAT.  They called me that night and said that the MRI looked good and I should schedule an MRI for my shoulder and start PT.  I went to PT and they thought I should follow up with a lymphedema PT specialist.  The ortho doctor's office called me back the next day and said that my MRI actually showed a clot in my right subclavian.  They started me on blood thinners.  I saw a cardio vascular surgeon a few days later who rechecked an ultrasound of my arm and said I didn't have a clot, took me off blood thinners and told me I most likely have TOS, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.  He said the MRI showed an obstruction at the subclavian but not necessarily a clot.  Is your head dizzy at this point?  Mine was.  I got a second opinion with another vascular specialist a few days later and he agreed.  Two specialist in agreement makes me feel so much better.  So, I have a venogram scheduled Monday which will tell us for sure if I have TOS and help us know how to proceed.  I am so grateful to be close to a diagnosis because I have felt pretty miserable for the last month.  A few of the doctors that I saw treated me like I was crazy and that's a hard thing to go through.  Thankfully, most of them were amazing!  Please pray for this procedure on Monday - I would so appreciate it.  Instead of photos of my swollen right side I give you one of G in his big brother's batting helmet and Stevie Dawg at our new house (more pictures to come soon of this).

Stevie Dawg in our new home.

Smallfoot Trailer

I wanted to share a new movie trailer with you!  Warner Bros’ latest animated feature out this fall, Smallfoot.  Lebron James, Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Gina Rodriguez and Common are all voice characters in this super fun film!

An adventure for all ages, with original music and an all-star cast, “SMALLFOOT” turns the Bigfoot legend upside down when a bright young Yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human. News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple Yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.

Check out the trailer below and let me know what you think!

Memories & Beyond The Sun Movie Release {$50 Amazon Giveaway}

My Dad

Some of you may know but a little over a month ago my Dad unexpectedly passed away.  It was sudden and very shocking for all of us.  If I am honest with you, I think I am still in a state of shock.  Grief is a hard thing.  I miss him a lot.  I think about all the soccer games that my Dad took me to.  I think about the time he strapped the Christmas tree to the top of our van and helped support it with his hand sticking out the driver window.  I remember the tree falling off the car and telling him so but my Dad insisted that he was still holding it so it couldn't have fallen off.  When we rolled into our driveway my Dad was holding a small branch from our Christmas tree.  It was pretty funny.  I learned from my Dad that it's okay to laugh at yourself sometimes.  I think of how much he loved all of his grandchildren and that makes me smile.  You are missed Dad.

I want to share with you about an upcoming children's adventure movie that features a special appearance by Pope Francis and sponsors an exciting contest to Italy!  Beyond the Sun is a modern-day fairy tale of hope, faith, and courage based on stories from the Bible.  The family movie chronicles the adventures of four young friends in search of God.

The film just released across multiple platforms including iTunes, Amazon, and TUGG.  There is also a special contest where one lucky winner will have an opportunity to win an exclusive private tour of the Vatican and front row tickets to an audience with the Pope for four!  If you have ever wanted to visit Italy and the Vatican, this is your chance!  Check out more about this giveaway and enter to win here.  Good luck!

Check out the Beyond the Sun trailer below.



Ready for a giveaway?  One of you will win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.  Just enter the giveaway below and good luck!

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Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Grace Hill Media for selecting me to participate in this campaign and providing the $50 Amazon gift card for the giveaway.  By sharing this information with you I will receive a $50 gift card.  All opinions are my own.

Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science Audio Book Review

A has been learning about General Science this year through Apologia.  We have the textbook and she recently completed the course at our weekly coop.  When Timberdoodle offered me the chance to review Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science audio book at a discounted price I jumped at the chance!  It's a great companion to the printed text and makes a great addition to a homeschool library.

MP3-CD Exploring Creation with General Science

I love having both of these products: the printed text and the audio book.  Many students learn best by hearing, rather than reading text.  The Exploring Creation with General Science MP3-CD contains an audio recording of the complete text of Exploring Creation with General Science, 2nd edition, as read by Candice Jones.  This MP3-CD also includes "On Your Own" problems but it does not include the study guides, tests and answer keys.

Here is A with her textbook.

This is meant to be an accompaniment to the textbook, not a replacement.  I love that students can follow along in their books to this recording or just listen on their own.  This will be the first time that students learn many of these words, I love that the recording gives them the opportunity to hear the correct pronunciations.  This is so great for doing schoolwork on the go or involving multiple children in lessons.

The Exploring Creation with General Science textbook is very conversational so the audio book read by Candice Jones translates well.  The text is read word for word.  The figures within each module are clearly not going to be on the audio book but even the figures descriptions are omitted.  This is a great example how this is meant to be an accompaniment.  As I mentioned earlier, some students may have an audio strength when learning, some may be visual learners and so it would be important to note they should refer to the text and study the figures and there explanations at some point.  The experiments are also not read in the audio text - supplies, introduction and procedure are excluded.  You are told to perform the experiment and then the audio jumps right into the results of the experiment.  This is why I personally feel that students following along in their textbooks while listening to the audio book is the ideal situation to use both of these products.  Just something to note.

A with her ipod.

This is not a standard CD but an MP3-CD which basically means you will need to play it in a computer, MP3 compatible CD player or an MP3 device such as an iPod or iPhone.  A received an iPod a few years ago for Christmas so this was perfect to put on that!

A's Ipod with the Audio Book loaded

If you are planning on using Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science curriculum I would highly recommend having this MP3 Audio CD as a companion.  Check out more about Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science audio book on Timberdoodle's website.  You can even listen to a sample for yourself!

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  Timberdoodle sent my family the Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science audio book for a discounted price in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Life Matters (Wraith Releases on DVD May 8th)

I have a doozy to share with you today, Wraith.  Wraith is a supernatural thriller that explores the story of a family who invites evil into their home after they decide they may not go forward with an unplanned pregnancy.  The film reminds us that God always protects and provides, and that protecting life is always the right choice.  If you didn't know, I am an advocate for pro-life.  I know that there are situations that can become very complicated with pregnancies whether it's circumstantial (attacks) or physical (illness) but I do believe in protecting and valuing those yet born.

Michael O. Sajbel wanted to take a different take on this sensitive subject.  Sajbel, who is a father of three adopted children, believes in the sanctity of all life.  "I had not seen a film about this subject matter presented this way and wanted audiences to have fun with a little twist but to also incorporate a very important message about valuing all life no matter how complicated it can get.  We see the Lukens couple struggle with this decision about whether they can afford another child and Mrs. Lukens age and how there could be medical complications and her overall concerns with having a baby at her age.  I wanted to convey that no matter what - God provides and the value or protecting an innocent life.  Wraith gives us a chance to present this important message in a very unique way."

As a Mom of seven, I definitely understand the question that people raise whether they can afford children or whether they are equipped to bring a life into this world.  The honest truth (which you have probably heard a lot) is that if people waited till they could afford children or plan every possibility that could arise most couples would probably not have them.  One of the beauties of having children is the unknown, this is also one of the most difficult things as well.  They are not alike and they do not come with manuals.  However, I know my Creator.  I learn more about Him every day through my children and the humbling job of being a parent.  Being a Mom is one of the scariest things I have ever done but also the most rewarding.  What are your thoughts on this?  I'd love to hear them!

Official Synopsis for Wraith
Wraith noun: a ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen after, or shortly before, their death
Something is very wrong in the Lukens' house.
After living uneventfully for years in their historic home, the Lukens family have somehow awakened a ghostly presence.  Who is this frightening spirity and why won't it leave their 14 year-old daughter, Lucy, along?
Everything changes when Dennis and Kate Lukens discovered they were pregnant again.  Expecting in your 40's is always high-risk and dangerous, so when the Lukens decide all options are on the table - including termination - the unexpected starts to happen.  Sinister forces are now conspiring against the family.  But is this eerie, wraith-like spirit actually trying to haunt them...or help them?

Wraith is available on all VOD platforms and Blu-ray/DVD tomorrow, May 8th.  It has a PG-13 rating and is a supernatural thriller.

You can learn more about Wraith here.

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Grace Hill Media for selecting me to participate in this campaign.  By sharing this information with you I will receive a $50 gift card.  All opinions are my own.

Fundraising for Burn Camp 2018

This Saturday will be the 2 year anniversary of Audrey and Beverly's burn accident.  As hard as this journey has been, I am so thankful and grateful for so much, especially our family and friends!  A is officially on her last pair of medical compression garments, they have been a second skin for her for so long.

Camp David 2017

A, B and C were able to attend the Texas Burn Survivor Summer Camp last year (it's an amazing camp for burn survivors and their siblings - a safe place for kids to just be kids). Due to funding issues this year they are asking campers to raise funds.  A, B, C and D are hoping to go this summer.  I am putting the link here to share with everyone.  Please do not feel any pressure from me.  This is just an opportunity.  If you do donate, I can promise you that this is an amazing organization and my family has benefited greatly from them and I am so thankful they exist.

To find out more or donate - check out our fundraising page here.