Too Close For Comfort

This past Thursday there was a tornado that passed through our neighborhood. Although it was a small one (EF-1), it did cause an amazing amount of damage.

Thursday evening we were at Megan's swim meet at the pool we belong to, which is in the next town over (Downers Grove). The swim team knew a heavy storm was coming so we were trying to get in at least 1/2 of the swim meet so it would not have to be rescheduled.

As the storm grew closer the swim meet was stopped, getting in a little over 1/2 of it. When we were walking to the car the Tornado sirens started going off. We got home in just a few minutes and got the babysitter home (a couple houses away). Anna and Ethan were asleep so we let them sleep while we kept an eye on the weather.

Usually I am rather afraid when it comes to storms, although I try my hardest to hide this from my children! This time when the sirens were actually going off - I wasn't really afraid...at all.

Maybe it was the fact my husband was actually with me this time (he's usually at work), or maybe because I was too busy trying to keep Megan calm. She was crying and very scared.

The next I was driving Megan to swim team practice and I saw a lot of down trees, tree's uprooted, light posts leaning over, etc. I was actually shocked at the amount of damage I saw. I felt very naive thinking that the storm passed with just a lot of rain and wind!

I spoke to my neighbors the next day also who said they had taken shelter in a large closet under their stairs. They asked what we did and we said nothing...hung out in the back room with my in-laws while Rob made pizza.

Apparently the tornado was rain wrapped, which apparently makes it not visible. Next time we get these types of warnings, I will take it more seriously and move everyone to safety.

Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda {Book Review}

Recently I received a copy of the book Here, Home, Hope from the One2OneNetwork to review.  I was excited to get to get a chance to read this book

Kelly Mills Johnson, who just had a cancer scare, is 39, married to a very successful attorney and has 2 sons. She lives in an upper class community and, by all standards, has the perfect life. But Kelly feels restless; like something is missing…she is going through her own mid-life crisis.

Kelly's sons are gone at their yearly summer camp, and as usual, she is having a difficult time without them. She lives to the next time she can talk to them for their weekly call, and is gaining weight - something she does every summer when they are gone and. And since they will both be starting middle school this year, she is wondering what she will be doing to fill her days.

Kelly’s two best friends are both beautiful and successful, and she is somewhat envious of them “having it all”. Although, It is also the kick start Kelly needs to start making changes in her own life. She starts by making little post-it notes called “things to change” all over her house and car. Then things get interesting in Kelly’s life when a combination of things happen, including being asked to help a friends anorexic daughter. During all these events in her life, Kelly is growing and becoming empowered by her own blend of home and career.

I felt Here, Home, Hope was a pleasure to read. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this story – but as it turns out, it is a story of inspiration and empowerment. I also love how well the relationships of Kelly with others are portrayed especially with her husband, one of support and of just “getting” her.

I found the main character’s in this book so easy to relate to and very inspirational in their own right. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoy books of inspiration and motivation.

Here are what some author's are saying about Here, Home, Hope:

"Endearingly honest, consistently upbeat, Here, Home, Hope is an inspiring read that left me feeling genuinely hopeful."
— Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us and The Stormchasers, and one of Oprah’s Thirty Favorite Women Writers

"I found Kaira Rouda’s debut novel, Here, Home, Hope, inspiring, empowering and fun to read. You’ll want to share it with the women you care about in your life."
— Roma Downey, actress/producer

"I loved Kaira Rouda’s book. I love its irony and its courage and humor. . . . It’s the real thing." — Jacquelyn Mitchard, bestselling author of Still Summer and The Deep End of the Ocean

Lean more about the author, Kaira Rouda, by visiting her site. Also, see when Kaira will be in a city near you for a book signing!

You can check out a cute video about this book below: 

I received this book free from the publisher through One2One Network bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. - to read more click here.

Winner!

The lucky winner of the Little Looster Booster for the Loo is...

Congratulations, Ardy22!

Has It Really Been That Long????

Wow, I can't believe it's been since May 23rd since my last post!  That is horrible!

My how time flies when the kids are home...  Anna and Ethan were done with preschool as of May 19th and Megan just "graduated" second grade this past Monday.  I think it's been non-stop go, go, go since Anna & Ethan finished their preschool.

There is a local pool we join every year that the kids love...and, as parents, we love too!  It is not an overally crowded pool (which we love), it is easy to keep track of all age groups of kids since you have a clear view of all the different pool areas from anywhere, and (I actually like) that they don't have a zero depth pool.  My kids were all very timid with the water and not having a zero depth pool really forced them to get used to the water much more quickly!

Megan is on the swim team this year!  This is her first year.  She really doesn't know how to swim but they really encourage the kids to join because they do learn to be great swimmers.  Megan has swim team practice every day now through about mid-July.  Plus, next week she has "stroke" clinic.  So each day they will have a one hour lesson on a particular stroke, i.e. freestyle, backstroke, breast and butterfly.  The last day is on starts and turns.

Next week swim meets will start as well!  From what I've been told - they are a whole lot of fun and not intense...which is good.  I Megan to just have fun with it and not focus on winning - just doing her best.

My sister's kids are all on the swim team this year as well.  I had asked Megan awhile ago if she wanted to be on the team as well and at first she said no.  I was fine with that - it's a big commitment and I wanted it to be something she wanted to do that I wasn't fighting to get her to attend every day.  Then last Friday we were at my sister's when the my sister and my nephews came home from practice, once Megan saw them with their suits on she was adamant about joining.  She is doing really well and is having a lot of fun with it.

I do have to say how proud I am of her though!  I was on the swim team in high school and really loved it.  I am a huge advocate on my kids learning to swim, so I definitely think this will help out.   

Anna and Ethan are just excited that we are at the pool every day since they can go in the baby pool and play during swim team practice.

So now with the pool being an everyday thing, I'm also doing web and graphic designs, trying to keep up with household chores and have a little time to relax. :-)

Have a great day all!  It's a hot one here - 94 degrees and climbing.