Book Review - "The Storyteller"

It's no surprise that I love to read.

 Magazines and blogs, but mostly books. 

I not only love the escape, but I need it! 

Something about being transported into someone else's story, into their world, into their life...is alluring. And before I know it, I am so submerged that I cannot get out until the last page has been read. 

There are certain stories, certain books, and certain authors with which I become more enthralled than others. Most recently, would be a novel by my favorite author, Jodi Picoult. The name of the book: The Storyteller.

I did not fully realize what it was about until I was already invested in the story. And by that point, I couldn't turn back! This is a story about morality, forgiveness, justice, religious beliefs and family history. It is about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. It is about survivors and victims, soldiers and prisoners. It is about a story within the story, that completely parallels to the one being told.

Reading this novel, I learned a lot about that time that I am embarrassed to admit that I did not know. I did not realize how ignorant I was (am) to the subject. To that part of our world's history. I knew that what those poor people went through was horrific, but I honestly did not know to what extent those horrors reached.

This is one of the most emotionally charged, powerful, and exhausting books that I have read in a very long time. In other words, it truly moved me.
And it educated me.
It made me think...about morality and the true meaning of forgiveness.

I highly suggest you read this novel.
Especially if you are looking for something that you can dive into emotionally.

Jodi Picoult truly is an amazing author, and does research behind every topic she writes. That is how you know it's gonna be good! The fact that there is some truth to what she writes. Truth behind the fiction. Or more like: she writes the fiction around the truth...does that make sense?!

Overall, this book will intrigue you.
If not for the story, then for the history.

What books have you read recently that you couldn't put down?!

One of the Good Guys

Most women you hear are complaining or whining about their husbands. 

How they are never around, don't spend enough time with their families, how they are selfish and uncaring. But let me set the record straight: not every man is this way!

 

And how do I know? Because I am married to one of the Good Guys. 

One of the honorable ones. One of the men with good intentions and realistic goals.

One of those men who actually cares about his family and holds us above everything else. 

One of the guys who works harder than anyone I have ever met. Ever. 

 One of those men who makes decisions as a family, rather than on his own.

One of those guys who puts himself on the back burner so that his children can have what they need. 

My husband has been working so hard to reach his goals to become a professional firefighter - his passion - and has just accomplished one of the major steps towards the right direction! He found out this morning that he passed the National EMT exam!!

All those months of grueling classes, work, and drills all paid off! 

 

Moments like these, I am reminded why I love him so much!

I am so proud, and so happy that he is succeeding and getting closer to making his dreams a reality! His accomplishments truly effect our family as a whole. 

Rather than individuals, we are a Team. A unit. 

His successes are mine, and mine become his. 

I am continuously Thankful for having him in my life, and for the fact that I did not have to kiss too many frogs to find my Prince!

Congratulations Babe, I love you! 

I knew you could do it!

Em 7.0

Seven years ago today, our lives changed forever. 

In the best {and hardest} way possible: we became Parents.

Our biggest little, Emma turned seven years old at 12:08am this morning!

I cannot believe how incredibly FAST the years have flown by!

Before she was born, people would tell me that time would go by fast, and to cherish every moment because they are so fleeting. And oh yes, how they have been!

 

Just born

 

Sitting here thinking, I can remember every moment:

When I found out I was pregnant, the first time we saw her on an ultrasound, when we found out she was a girl, the moment she was born. 

I remember rocking her to sleep, singing her lullabies, and those first late nights that we never thought we would make it through. But we did! 

I remember how hard it was to go back to work and leave her behind, and I remember my first Mother's Day and how precious it was to me. 

I remember her first steps and her first words.

I remember her first birthday, and every birthday since. 

I remember when she started preschool.

I remember when she graduated Pre-K, and started Kindergarten. 

I remember the magic in her eyes when we took her to Disneyland.

And I remember when she became a Big Sister. 

One month old

First birthday

2 years old

First day of preschool - 3 years old

Pre-K - 4 years old

Kindergarten - 5 years

1st grade - 6 years

I remember every. single. moment. 

The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful!

And let me tell you, she really is Beautiful. Inside and out. 

I know that I am biased, but it is undeniable. 

While she may have her moments, as does every child, the good far outweighs the bad.

 

I can only imagine how much of a mess I will be when she reaches all her older milestones, if I am this gushy about her turning seven!

 

 

This is my HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my forever-baby girl! 

Mommy & Daddy love you to the Moon and Back, Forever & Ever!

XoXo