Giggles and Lorax, Book Reviews

My reading goal for 2012 is to read 100 books. This is quite a lofty goal and I doubt I’ll make it but I’m going to try and get as close as I can. Considering how much reading this will really entail, I won’t be possible for me to do full book reviews on all of them. So from time to time I’ll do a recap of what I have read and my recommendation of whether or not you should pick it up. In the last couple of weeks, I was able to knock out four books. Two of them are children’s books and I thought about not counting those, but when you set such a lofty goal for the year, ALL BOOKS COUNT!

March 7th is World Read Out Loud Day. Consider incorporating one of these books into your activities for the day.

All book links provided (in the sidebar) are from Amazon where I am an affiliate, but please support the book seller of your choice.



Building Better Families by Matthew Kelly

I think this is a must-read for families with children. Even though, at this time, I do not plan to have children, there was valuable information for me as well. This book gives practical information about learning to be a better wife, a better husband, a better parent and above all, a better version of yourself.


Amy Giggles by Coy Bowles

I received this book at Blissdom 2012 in support of ConAgra’s Foods campaign to end child hunger. This is a really great book that encourages kids to be themselves and not hold back who they are for the sake of pleasing everyone else. Little Amy is adorable and she has a laugh that will never be suppressed. After reading it, I gifted it to a very stubborn and beautiful little girl (and her brother) who I am sure will have no problem suppressing her personality. If you have a little one in your life, please get this book for them.



The Dating Dilemmas of Delilah Dunnfield by Victoria Thurman

This was a personal read for me as well as entertaining as it was written by my friend Victoria. I do have to say Delilah is a character that made me nervous. I wanted to shield my eyes while reading afraid for the next “experience” that would befall her. In great southern lingo, one of the characters says “Lord love a duck!” and that’s what I had to say time and time again. This is a fun read and the author is working on the sequel. (hurry up, Victoria!)


The Lorax by Dr. Suess

I never read The Lorax as a child and considering my love for trees, I’m not exactly sure how I missed this one. It would have been one of my favorites, maybe even beating out Daisy Head Mayzie. The Lorax is as relevant a story today as it was when Dr. Suess first wrote it. We must always be aware of the effects of what we do to the earth and pray that there will always be a seed available that allows us to recover after what we have done. I highly recommend this book for all children and adults. This book was a gift to Blissdom 2012 attendees along with a birthday party for Dr. Seuss that also celebrated The Lorax movie that just opened in theaters. I hope to get out to see the movie this week. I hate I don’t have one of those Lorax mustaches to wear. I am very happy to say that I SPEAK FOR THE TREES. I will be gifting this book to my nephew. Hopefully I can get it to him before he sees the movie.

Vow To Tell Them...

I am still working on a good recap post for Blissdom 2012, after which I was planning to get into talk about the sponsors that were there. But there is one thing I did at the conference that keeps coming back to me and I just have to write about it now.

During the conference, Hallmark literally set up shop in one of the rooms. They had plenty of cards on display and their one dictate to us was to pick as many cards as we wanted and address them to either conference attendees (by twitter handle) or to physical addresses and they would mail for us.



I went through my mental list of family and friends that really have been such a support to me lately and I wrote out my heart to each of them. When I wrote out the card to my fiancé, I had to hold back the tears. I made it out of Hallmark’s mini store, but I couldn’t hold back the tears when sitting in the Centrum lunch listening to Chris Mann sing.

It really is important to tell people what they need to hear but also to tell them what you need them to know.
I needed to tell a friend oversees that she is such a constant inspiration to me. I am watching her grow and I am truly inspired.
I needed to tell my mother that I miss her dearly and I cannot wait to see her in a few weeks.
I needed to tell my grandmother that I am so proud of how she has used her craft over the last year to bring comfort to storm victims.
I needed to tell a family that they are so uplifting to me and I enjoy the time I get to spend with them, especially the family dinners.
And I needed to tell my fiancé that I am growing and getting more excited at my future role as his wife. I needed to tell him how much I miss his smile, his face and his hugs.

OH MY! I’m crying again!

I was happy to be able to bless these friends and family with the cards, but now I am the one reaping the blessings. Every time someone calls me and tells me they received the card and they appreciated me sending it, my heart is lifted and I am grateful that Hallmark gave me this opportunity to reach out.

I encourage you to send cards to those that are touching your heart. I have vowed to tell you how much this opportunity meant and now I hope you vow to continue the effort.



*edited to clarify that Hallmark was a sponsor, not a vendor. Sorry for the confusion.

To The Past, Thank You For My Future

I didn’t want to let Black History Month pass by without saying THANK YOU to those that have come before me and enabled my life to have so many possibilities. The photo above is of a statue at Ole Miss of James Meredith. James Meredith was the first African American to attend the University and without the sacrifice he made, my years at the University could have been a lot different if they were to exist at all.

It’s easy to look at where I am now and think all is okay now, but it’s not. There are still miles that have to be walked in this country before any of us can say there is true equality and opportunity. I see it every day but I recognize it for what it is and continue to walk because I know it is still changing.

I purchased a print copy of the photo above and digital rights that allow me to re-post it because I was given the opportunity to have James Meredith sign it for me. I am sad I could not be there to thank him in person, but I am proud that I will have this personal piece of history to hang next to my degree.

For this and other photos of the University grounds and events, visit Brand Photography Services.