All Pro Dad by Mark Merrill

This book review is from guest reviewer Ryan...my hubby!  The book was provided by the Thomas Nelson book blogging program, BookSneeze in 2012.  With the birth of our baby this task fell through the cracks but we are finally fulfilling this commitment. 

“All-Pro Dad” is a great book for dads in all stages.  I’m a first time father and I read this book right before my son was born.  The book consists of 8 chapters, each based on a lesson that every father should learn no matter where he is in life or his child’s life.  Each chapter is based on the concept of ways to be not only a better father but also a better man.  A couple of my favorite chapters were

What’s My Purpose? How Can I Better Love My Family? And Who or What Am I Living For? 

This book consists of stories, insights and observations that help lay the groundwork for being the best father you can be for your children.  Each chapter shows you steps to take to implement the practices into your daily life.  Each chapter ends with a section titled “Huddle Up and Ask Your Child” that encourages you to ask your children a series of questions to help you find out exactly where you are in their eyes and where you need to be. 

“All-Pro Dad” is a book I recommend to all dads out there no matter if your children are newborn or adults.  This book is a great tool to help you become not only a better father but a better man in a world that needs more men like Mark Merill.

New Reader....coming this summer!

The blog has taken a back seat to getting adjusted to a new job.  Being a school librarian is lots of fun, but very different than a public librarian!  I love working with the kids, but am finding it challenging to keep up with "latest and greatest" out there!  My biggest fear came true.

I'm still reading, but lacking motivation to blog about it.  That's okay.  Maybe once I find my "groove" I'll be back.

Plus, I'll have a new audience to read aloud with!  

Yep, this summer we'll have a new little person to read all sorts of great books to!  I can't wait! 

So, I resume my hiatus.  I'll try to stop by every now and again, but we are going to be busy, busy, busy!

Happy Reading!

The Harry Potter Project: Epic FAIL

I didn't do it.

Not even close!

I got distracted by a graduate class, summer fun, and other good books that I didn't read all the Harry Potter books before the last movie release on Friday. 

Oh, well!  That's the way the cookie crumbles.  I still really want to re-read them, but just not now. 

I have my ticket for the midnight opening!  SO excited!

School's Out for the Summer!

(Sorry if those lyrics are now stuck in your head!)

Clip art from http://www.free-extras.com/tags/1/summer.htm

Our last inservice was Monday, so I am on day 3 of summer break!  Can I get a WHOO-HOO?

I have big plans for this summer!  While I do have plans to be lazy, I want to be diligent with my time and get a lot accomplished too.  I have a feeling the next ten weeks are going to FLY by!

Because I'm a list maker, here's a list of things I would like to accomplish this summer...

• Complete the Harry Potter project
• I'm taking a graduate class in June...I'm sure that will keep me quite occupied!
• Develop a library curriculum for next year...a broad plan of what I'd like to cover and also ~6 weeks of lesson plans.   If you fail to plan you plan to fail! 
• Visit family in Florida!  
• Some house improvement projects.  Specific plans are yet TBD, but I'd really like to redo the living room:  paint, install a book case and such.
• Read, read, read!   Preferably in my hammock!
• There are some good movies coming out this summer I'm excited about seeing.  
• Spend time with family and friends. 

So there it is.  It's a busy summer, but I'm hoping for some fun times.  

Save Your Marriage in Five Minutes a Day by Bonnie Jacobson, PhD

This book is a self-help book stock full of strategies to save one's marriage.  Dr. Jacobson provides insight, examples and advice on how to pinpoint areas of weakness and slowly take action to make amends and work on one of the most precious relationships in our society...our marriage.

Throughout the book, one thing is made very clear...you cannot change your spouse, only yourself.  However, by communicating concerns and choosing to slowly address the problems...even at five minutes a day...positive change can be achieved.

What I Thought:
I would like to preface this by stating that my marriage is great!  Hubby and I are very happy and approaching our fifth wedding anniversary.  I know, I know...we're still practically newlyweds! 

I chose to review this book from the Thomas Nelson book review program because I figured it is never bad to read information and work on strengthening our marriage!  I've seen several friends divorce over the past few years, and it made me sad.  So, I considered this read as "proactive" and then figured it could be good to review every so many years just to keep that spark alive.

This book may not be the best for my intentions.   It really was more intended for couples who were looking to save their marriage, or at least their sanity.  Nothing hubby does drives me bonkers as to the point that I got the feeling of the examples in the book.  (I cannot speak for him though!)

However, it did provide several "aha" moments which got me thinking about things we could work on, so I was happy overall with the read.  I hope that we never get to the point where we need to use some of the strategies, but I have the resource in my pocket if needed. 

Now, I thought the book was well-written and laid out in a great way.  Each chapter included information about a potential trouble area in relationships and a story outlining an example of the problem and an effective way to communicate the issue with your spouse, along with five minute strategies on how to tackle the issue.  Extra credit snippets are also included to further work on the relationship!

(I do have to say that some of the example stories made me giggle...they seemed to resolve themselves a little too cleanly and properly.  Almost too perfect...too bad all conversations can't be that neat!)

If you are experiencing problems in your marriage and want to read a book about how to start working to fix them...even just a little at a time this is a wonderful book to read. 

Recommended. 

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon:  Save Your Marriage in Five Minutes a Day by Bonnie Jacobson, PhD.

Reviewed from a copy provided by the Thomas Nelson Publisher Book Review Bloggers program.