Ryan's First Vacation, Part 4

On one evening we went to the pier to walk out and let Ryan see the water. Then on another day we went on a dolphin cruise. Here are some photos!

Helping Pop with his work!

He was really interested in watching my Dad put in a new thermostat!

Ryan's First Vacation, Part 3

We spent a lot of time at the pool and at the beach so far - but we've had some rainy weather and double red flag days! Here are some photos.

Ryan's First Vacation, Part 2

Last night we went out to eat at Five Guys over at Pier Park in Panama City. Then we walked around a little, checking out some of the stores.

Ryan's First Vacation, Part One!

Ryan did fantastic on the car ride down here - 7+ hours in the car! He slept, talked, ate and played! I'm such a proud Mama!

We had a decent first night, despite the rain.

We stopped in Dothan, AL on the way to Florida to see my Grandmother.

Here are some photos.

"Let Me Hold You Longer" by Karen Kingsbury

A friend from church shared this poem with me and some other Mom's. What sweet words.

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts,

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away and leave to me your past

And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten, those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson, last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss today’s sweet, precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes, your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time, I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning, you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.

-Karen Kingsbury

Book Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall (Book One of Three)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Books, March 2010
Number of Pages: Hardcover, 336 pages



Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy > Witches, Magic, Paranormal, Demons

Personal Thoughts:

I read this book based on a personal recommendation from someone that I trust a lot when it comes to YA fiction. I've always loved young adult books, and this one did not disappoint. Hawkins writes on a solid high school/college level and the book is easy to relate to. I was immediately on the main character, Sophie's side. I felt bad for her and what she was going through - not knowing her father and being a witch that was raised by a human. She gets into some trouble doing magic in the human world so the witch counsel sent her to a special school - one for witches, faeries, and shape shifters.

Sophie is very much the epitome of  a teenager - from bullies to crushes, this book took me back to high school in almost every sense. It has the added element of magic though, and then it becomes a book about solving mysterious deaths and attacks with in a school that's supposed to be protected and finding out that her Father is not even close to the man she thought she was. He's so much more. She also learns things about herself and her magic that only this school could help teach her. The end of the book left me wanting more, and I was glad to know that book two is already out!

I recommend this book to anyone over the age of twelve and those who are my age looking for an easy but intriguing read. This book kept me on the edge of my seat with things that were happening around every corner. Also it didn't hurt that it was cheap to get on my kindle. (:

Recommended Age Level: 12+

Rating: 4.5
Reviews/Awards:

Hawkins's proficient and entertaining debut is jam-packed with magical creatures and mystery. With no training on how to use the powers inherited from her absent warlock father, Sophie Mercer keeps making rookie mistakes that force her mother to move them around the country to avoid attention. But when, at age 16, Sophie makes a very public error with a love spell at the prom, she is sent to Hecate Hall, “the premier reformatory institution for Prodigium adolescents” (aka troubled shape-shifters, faeries, and witches like Sophie).... Sophie stumbles into answers more than searches them out, but the story is well paced and plotted with tween-friendly humor and well-developed characters, particularly awkward but compassionate Sophie. The ending satisfies while paving the way for future books.                - Publishers Weekly