MamaBloo Book Review: Gone

§ March 12th, 2010 § Filed under Book Reviews § Tagged , , , § No Comments

In an instant everyone over the age of 14 disappears.  Poof. Gone.

And there is a border… a wall… or maybe a dome that surrounds the town of Perdido Beach, CA.  A barrier that no one can break through.

And (as if all of that wasn’t enough) the animals are morphing, evolving.  And so are the kids. Developing supernatural powers.

In the vein of The Lord of the Flies the kids don’t all agree on how to survive, who should be in charge, and what they should do to keep order.  The bully from the private school, Caine (aptly named, by the way), soon takes over and rules without mercy due to his developing powers.  Sam also develops powers, but is reluctant to step up and lead — even though he is morally and ethically the “good” guy in the story.  It really gets eerie when the local coyotes start organizing, talking, and then stalking the kids.

As a mom this book scared me to death.  To think that 13 year olds would be in charge of everyone and everything was powerfully disturbing.  And the author stays pretty authentic to how this might play out. Cars crash when the driver disappears, gas stoves ignite fires in homes, children cry for their parents.  It takes the kids a long time to get organized, the candy is eaten first, and they forget to check on the babies…. with tragic results.

Because of the gruesome and also the very scary encounters in this book, I would recommend this for older teens or maybe younger teens who can handle Stephen King-esque storytelling.  However, there is a bit of a disconnect because older teens may not be as interested in a book about 13 year olds, but I think the book will still hold their attention as the book is very gripping and hard to put down, if for no other reason than the original and terrifying paradigm of the story.  I have heard some say that it slows down too much in parts.  But as the first book in a trilogy, I am a bit forgiving as the author sets up the round characters and allows the story to pace itself.  If you or your kids liked Hunger Games, you’ll probably like this one, too.

Book By: Michael Grant

MamaBloo Wants to Know: Where Would You Go?

§ March 9th, 2010 § Filed under Questions for my readers § Tagged , , § 2 Comments

I am loving all this Spring weather around here. Bring on the Global Warming, if it means more sun! All this sun — even in patches — has gotten me in the mood for a vacation. So, my question for you all today is:   What is your dream vacation? or if that is too much to wrap your mind around, how about this:  Where would you just love to go for Spring break? 

For me, I will take anywhere that is not my house.  I’m thinking like down the street in someone else’s house while they are away would probably re-charge me.  But, to be true to my own question, I will say that my dream vacation is a toss up between Italy and Greece.  I’ve never been to either, but I have wanted to go to Greece ever since a college buddy told me about his adventures in Greece one of which involved another friend winding up in the back of some local’s truck and driving off into the darkness after … well… indulging in the local greek beers a tad too much. Of course, that isn’t why I want to go there. He also described the beaches and the food.  And Italy… oh please just get me to Florence where I can feed he English -Teacher-Nerd-Esque part of me by walking where Dante walked.  That and the gelato. And the art.  And the countryside.  I will stop now.

How about you?

MamaBloo Book Review: On The Night You Were Born

§ March 5th, 2010 § Filed under Book Reviews § Tagged , § 3 Comments

On the night you were born
the moon smiled with such wonder
that the stars peeking in to see you
and the night wind whispered,
“Life will never be the same.”

I first heard this book when it was read aloud by a good friend at her one year old’s dedication.  I then went out and got the book to give to Emme.  

This is a book of power and majesty.  The author tells the story of what happens on the night “you” were born.  All of creation stops and takes notice as the child in the story is told again and again how unique, perfect, wonderful and loved he is.  It is one that sinks deep into a mother’s heart, and still remains relevant to the child — it doesn’t go above a child’s head, but instead simply reveals each child’s profound place in the world.  And, of course, to mom and dad, that child IS the whole world.

So whenver you doubt just how special you are
and you wonder who loves you, how much and how far,
listen for geese honking high in the sky.
(They’re singing a song to remember you by.)

This book is a poignant reminder that God’s creation is, indeed, for each of us.  And each time a new “you” comes into the world, there is reason to celebrate.   This book would make a beautiful gift for any mom and it is a wonderful addition to a child’s library.  Its message of love is too special to pass up.

Written By Nancy Tillman

Ode to Emme

§ March 3rd, 2010 § Filed under Reflections & Confessions § Tagged , , , , § 6 Comments

Today my Emme Rose turns one.

It wasn’t an easy thing to decide to bring another child into an already bustling family of 6.   But, to be honest, my heart would not rest… I could not stop yearning for another baby.  We found out that I was pregnant on the 4th of July 2008.  And to be honest, we were not 100% prepared for the news.  To say she was “unplanned” would be acting like  a teenager  – in other words, we knew what we were doing.  But, the news still had a bit of a “wow” factor to it.

She came into this world and immediately changed it. When I look at my two babies, I can say I love them the same amount.  That my depth of love for Ty and for Emme both runs deep, fathomless, to the heavens and back again.  But whereas my love for Ty could be described as moonlight — all mystical and magical and mysterious — my love for Emme is a sunrise — bright and celebratory and joyful.

Emme at 1 Week Old by Jessica Nichols

 

She has taught me many many things. 

Lately she has taught me that no matter how often I sweep and mop (even with my uber shark steam mop) she will find that infinitesimal speck from 20 feet away, crawl her chubby little bum right off to get to it, and consume it before any of the 6 of us can stop her.

Mostly, she has taught me that no matter what I “expect” she is going to suprise me.  She put me into labor only 6 hours before my planned (yes, the “no labor” planned) C-section.  I can put her down in the crib WIDE AWAKE and walk away from her and she will roll over and go to sleep for 14 hours.  This still has a shock factor for us.  

Although my husband was overwhelmed and worried about bringing another child into our life, he took one look at her and fell madly in love.  She is drawn to him to the exclusion of others.  She will smile so big sometimes that I think her face is going to break.  I have never smiled like that.  And, I am sure that I have never felt the joy that she feels, the exuberance for life that she exudes from all her little chubby, yummy parts.  She literaly and figuratively spreads her arms wide and grabs hold of the world around her and then devours it… me… with her smile, with her sense of hope, with her pure sweetness.  

I did not expect any of that.  I did not expect that I would love her so much.  I did not expect that there would once again be a person in my life that I cannot live without. 

I did not expect that Ty would want to suck on her toes and calls her “his baby“.  Or that Jade would stare into her eyes, turn to me, and exclaim, “We are so lucky to have her!” Or that Izzy would invent games to teach her how to put that darn Cheerio into her mouth.  Or that Lily would crawl around on the floor, following her around the house just to keep her safe.

So, today is Emme’s birthday. 

We named her Emme because the meaning of her name is “complete” or “whole.”  And that is what she made this family…complete….whole.

Emme Rose

 

Happy birthday, sweet girl.

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