Just David by Eleanor H. Porter Book Review

 Just David by Eleanor H. Porter

   From the author who wrote Pollyanna, another beautiful classic. I absolutely loved Just David! 
   Ten year old David has never known his last name or his father's name. As far back as he can remember, he has lived on the mountain in the house with his father and spent his days enjoying nature. So when his father takes him down the mountain on a journey, gives him money, and dies in a stranger's barn in the middle of the night, David is left in the care of the people of the strange town where his father died. He is taken in by Mr. and Mrs. Holly, who are hardworking, no-nonsense people.
   The whole town is astounded with the boy- the boy who doesn't know at all what money or death or hard work is, who knows Latin and French, who can identify every plant and animal in the forest, who is the best violinist they have ever heard, and plays what the world looks like to him. 
   His unheard-of ways, his talent, his determination and ability to see good in every single thing when a normal person could see none, and the mystery behind who his father is, makes him a misfit with the boys his age in the village. Despite all this, with time, his music and his kind heart touch the hardened hearts of the town. 
   I read The Good and the Beautiful version, which is completely clean, but I'm sure the normal version is as well. I thought it would be boring but it was a sweet story and super engaging. Anyone can read it, but it is probably geared toward ten or eleven year olds. Five stars from me! 
   -Grace

The Wrinkled Crown by Anne Nesbet

The Wrinkled Crown by Anne Nesbet

    In the wrinkled hills, Linny will do anything to pluck the beautiful strings of the ukulele-like instrument called a lourka, even ignore the threat of being taken to Away. In her village, girls under the age of twelve cannot touch the instrument without putting themselves at risk.

    But then her best friend Sayra, who's never touched a lourka in her life, is taken to Away for Linny's crime. Linny knows the only hope for Sayra is the Plain, where an ancient battle is just beginning. It also seems someone is trying to destroy the wrinkled hills. Can Linny help both Sayra in Away and save her beloved hills and stop the battle?

   I loved this book! It's very unique and interesting. I'd recommend it for 10+.

   -Grace

Scotty McCreery - Dirty Dishes and some Lauren, too

I am LOVING this song.

GO Scotty!

Lauren Alaina's CD is also great (Dare I even say better? Shame on me!). Bubs said that his favorite song of the two CDs is Lauren's Dirt Road Prayer.

Download a song for a good cause...

You are likely familiar with the inspiring NieNie and her family, but you may not be familiar with the up-and-coming country band, Lucky Blue. They recently released a single (which I love) that you can download free when you donate to the Christian and Stephanie Nielson Burn Fund. You can find out more about donating here. Or you can listen to their singles at their website, right here.

Now here's my extremely lame claim to fame...
One of the band members is apparently a cousin of Mr. Christian Nielson, and I am a cousin of another band member. See? I'm almost related to the wonderful Mrs. Stephanie of NieNie. Okay. I'm really not. But still.

Also, while we are on the subject of inspiring people. And music. And relatives....

My beautiful and talented sister, Sarah, has a song on this inspiring CD for women and young women. It is called Daughters of Heaven. You can listen to samples of the songs here. Sarah's song is Daughter of God. And I couldn't be more proud of her. Can you tell?

Pick-Me-Up

(Picture of our dear friends, the Storms. We can't wait to see you guys!!!)

Someone asked how I make my home such a happy place. Honestly, it isn't always happy. I get grouchy. There, I admit it. Today is one of those days. It tends to happen when I am disappointed with the book I am reading, or the kids are sick, or just the general...who knows what the heck is wrong with me...I'm a woman, and I get cranky sometimes.

I do have some tricks up my sleeve, though. It's all mental, really. But it's hard to just snap out of it, as much as I might tell myself to do so.

I have three favorite ways to pull myself out of the ditch.

1. I sit on the couch with my kids and read stories. I'm sure that one doesn't surprise anyone.

2. I gather some friends for a GNO.

3. I put on my Happy Mommy Playlist and we dance/clean/sing with spoons together.

Happy Mommy Playlist

Somebody's Hero-Jamie O'Neal
Somewhere Over the Rainbow-Katherine McPhee
The Good Stuff-Kenny Chesney
My Destiny-Katherine McPhee
Wish You Were Here-Mark Wills
I Love My Life-Jamie O'Neal
Something that We Do-Clint Black
Blessed-Martina McBride
If You're Not the One-Daniel Beddingfield
When I Think about Angels-Jamie O'Neal
Remember When-Alan Jackson
Inside your Heaven-Carrie Underwood
You Raise Me Up-Josh Groban

They aren't all upbeat songs (some are kinda tearjerkers, actually), but the message is...Life is Good and Be Grateful for What You Have.

I'd love to hear some of your pick-me-up songs. Which ones help you keep a positive outlook? And what other things make you happy?