Stand by Me {Review}

Neta Jackson, of the well-known Yada Yada Prayer Group series, has released her latest title: Stand by Me, a SouledOut Sisters novel.  This first novel in the series follows the life and trials over two very different women and how their lives intertwine one Chicago summer.

Avis Douglas seems to have it all together.  A successful elementary school principal, happily married, and faithfully serving as worship pastor at her local church, Avis' life is turned upside down by an invitation to serve overseas with long-time friends.  Her husband is eager to accept the offer just as her daughter goes missing for several months.  To confuse matters further, their church falls into crisis and there's a pesky group of young college students moving in downstairs.

Enter Kat Davies: young, energetic, idealistic, and taking the world by storm.  What she lacks in experience, Kat more than makes up for in enthusiasm.  And it's this exact enthusiasm that has tongues wagging at the local church, Avis' church.

As these two women enter the summer, they find themselves at odds with each other.  Youthful idealism brushing up against experience and raw wounds.  Little do these two realize that they are exactly what the other needs.  And only together can they make sense of the months to come.

Having never read any of Jackson's previous books, I was delighted to find that I couldn't put down Stand by Me.  The characters are real and relatable, and the author crafts an engaging story from cover to cover.  While the book ties up most of the loose ends, Neta Jackson leaves herself plenty of room for a second book.  One I'd be eager to read.

*Disclaimer: A copy of this book was supplied free of charge for my review.  All opinions are my own.
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Monday Muddle

Hey y'all,
Did you remember to "Spring Forwrd" this weekend? Boy, did that confuse my body.

Last week was crazy. Teacher conferences for the kids, gymnastic lessons, and T-Ball started. It felt like we were running from one thing to the next just to keep up. Some weeks are just like that, I guess. I took a ton of pictures this last week that I'm excited to share with you soon.

We ended up making a quick trip down to my In-Law's on Saturday after T-Ball. Today is my Mother-In-Law's birthday so we went down to celebrate with a family dinner. And completely surprised her. She had no idea we were coming. It was a quick trip, but we were able to just spend some time relaxing with everyone on Sunday. So I'm gonna keep this one short. Lots of fun coming up this week and busy as usual.

How was your weekend?

Here's our menu for the week:

Breakfasts:
Lucky Charms cereal and bananas
Oatmeal and fruit
Rainbow pancakes
Quinoa Oat porridge

Lunches:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Peanut Butter and banana wraps
Homemade Spaghetti O's
Cucumber Tomato Salad

Dinners:
Monday: Leftover Bar
Tuesday: Chicken Noodle Soup
Wednesday: Pasta E Fagoili,homemade bread
Thursday: Spinach Calazone
Friday: Leftover Pasta E Fagoili, green salad
Saturday: Irish Stew, Irish Soda bread, Cabbage salad
Sunday: Pizza Monkey Bread, green salad

Extras:
Strawberry Ice Cream
Reese's Cup Cupcakes

Projects I'm working on this week:
Finish earring holder
Paint some jars
Read Shepherding a Child's Heart
Start review book
Plant seed starters
Jersey Knit Bracelet

Lee's To Do List

The Soy Decoy

Zipper Shamrock

Microwave Potato Chips

Spring/Summer Wreath

Delicious Dinner Rolls

Blueberry Breakfast Cake {Pinterest Inspired}

The weekends are special around here.  I love taking the extra time on Saturday morning and making something a little ... extra.  So as breakfast ideas pop up on Pinterest, I'm always looking for fun ideas to treat my hubby and the kids.  And this Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Cake was just the thing.  It was so moist and so yummy...  we polished off the pan in on meal.  Serve this one warm and your family won't stop talking about it.

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While You're Waiting: Keep a Budget

(Image Credit: Jomphong)

*Recently I was thinking about all I would want my daughters to know before they get married.  Instead of wishing the days away until they walk down the aisle, how would I encourage them to live?  Living in the joy of who God created.  The practicalities and the dreaming.  What would I want to encourage... While they're waiting?  These are some of those thoughts.

My prayer is that as you're growing you will see your parents living within our means.  We may not have the newest and the greatest, but we'll have our needs met and debt will be a dirty word.  Budgeting is the key and my hope is that I have taught you at least the basics before you leave our home.

My encouragement to you would be to keep a budget on your own.  Remember to list your basic needs first: housing, utilities, and food first.  Even things like car insurance can come later as you can always ride the bus if needed.  Don't forget to include your tithe right up front.  Honor the Lord in all you do, even in your finances.  

When you first start out on your own, you will be tempted to apply for a credit card or spend beyond your means.  You will see what others have and may desire the instant gratification that credit brings.  Your peers will be buying on credit, banking on future jobs or raises.  Building your finances is not an instant gratification situation.  Instead, it requires hard work and dedication.  You may find that your budget necessitates that you live off Top Ramen and popsicles.  Believe me, I've been there.  You will survive.

Living off a budget will prepare you for the lean times you will encounter with a family.  It will prepare you by being able to enter your marriage debt free.  Budgeting will enable to make tough, dedicated choices in the future.  And it will teach you to control your money, without it controlling you.

Buying on credit or banking on the future may look like fun now.  But 20-30 years from now, when you are debt free and others are still over paying in interest, or worse yet bankruptcy, you'll find that learning to live on a budget offered you true freedom over your finances.

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