Author Archives: Abbie

REVIEW: Love Your Heart by Tim McGRaw & Tom Douglas

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”"Love Your Heart by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Ages: 4 – 10
Price: Hardcover $16.99

To see a flip version of the book, visit here.

The second book in Tim McGraw’s My Little Girl series is a heartwarming story of a little girl’s selfless act of kindness.
Tim McGraw and songwriter Tom Douglas once again join forces to write another book about the precocious Katie and her dad. Katie has many talents, but she wonders which one will win her school’s talent show. With the help of Dad and her faithful dog Palio, and after several amusing mishaps, Katie finally chooses one talent that includes Palio. But at the talent show, she decides to drop out of the contest to help her friend, showing kindness is the best talent of all. Katie’s proud dad reassures her that she did the best thing and that while he loves many things about her, he loves her heart most of all.

Tim McGraw is: dad of three daughters, husband to Faith Hill, Country music superstar, Grammy Winner, American Music Award Winner, People’s Choice Winner, highest grossing tour in history (with wife, Faith Hill), and has sold more than 35 million albums. Yet, beneath all the accolades beats the heart of a dad who immensely loves his family.
Tom Douglas is a singer-songwriter who graduated from Oglethorpe University and received an MBA from Georgia State University. He is the writer of hits “Little Rock” by Collin Raye, “The Gift” by Jim Brickman, “Love’s the Only House” by Martina McBride, and “Grown Men Don’t Cry” by Tim McGraw. He and his wife have three children.
Disclosure: Mama Buzz and reviewers received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

Love Your Heart by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas is a wonderfully illustrated and well written book!  The book is a great reminder of the unconditional love a parent has for their child.   The story is short and written so that any child can sit and listen and discuss Katie’s relationship with her dad.

As we read the book, the kids’ attention was easily held!  But, then again, my kids are little bookworms!  They enjoyed the story and Zoe giggled when the “daddy” proclaims, “…But most of all.  I love your heart.”

Finding a good book with a smart, capable, caring, and totally affectionate father in it is very hard to do these days.  To say that Zoe simply adores her father is putting it mildly.  We strive to find books where a father is represented in a positive light to help encourage Zoe’s growing relationship with her daddy.  I love that the book calls the father, “daddy” because that’s what most little girls call their dads (and some grown girls too…including me!).

Love Your Heart is a beautifully illustrated book that encourages father-daughter relationships.  The book is also great in encouraging children to seek God’s will for their lives and not necessarily expect their talents to stem from outward activities but from their heart and character!  A plus, for our Bunch of Characters for sure.

Disclosure: Mama Buzz and reviewers received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

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Again…

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I apoligize for the absence…we’ve been dealing with RSV, sinus infections, a women’s retreat (that’s really not dealing with…more like relaxing), and now…a stomach bug…again.

Ceili Rain was sick for 24 hours on Sunday.  We thought it could be related to her antibiotic (she was the one with RSV).  However, I awoke this morning and paid a visit to the porcelain throne.  Twice.

I’m so done with these illnesses.  We have been sick for pretty much a whole month.  Please pray for our family and send some bleach over while you’re at it!  I’m thinking of dousing the house in it.

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The Amazing CeiRai

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By the way, I don’t think I’ve put that CeiRai (pronounced KayRay) is Ceili Rain’s nickname.  And yes, she answers to that.

This afternoon we were trying to extend her wake up time, so I was playing the ever fun, “Ride a Little Horsey” with her.  She loves that game.  A couple of days ago, we were playing it and I told her to say, “more” and showed her how to do it in sign.  She kind of ignored me but we “practiced” a couple more times before she tired of the game.  Yesterday, as we played I said, “Say more if you want to do it again.”  She slapped those hands together like she had been signing all along.  She didn’t just do it once but several times and when she was done she stopped asking for more.  She did it again that night.

And…to top off her already pretty cool day…she CRAWLED while at church Wednesday night!  The cool thing was that Mark got to see her go at it.  Since he works and I stay home, I would say I’ve been able to see a majority of the “firsts” for all the kids…but Mark got to see this one.  Again, she plopped herself on all fours and took three or four paces like she’d been doing it all along.  I knew she was getting close because you could watch her concentrating and working to figure out what to do anytime she wanted to go somewhere.  She’d plop a hand out and then kind of rock on her knees trying to figure out what to do but couldn’t quite get it.  She would then resort to the adorable throw down on the floor and roll.  It got her where she was going but she finally saw her friend Megan taking off and decided to follow in her crawl steps.

Will I have video?  Yes, as soon as I replace the batteries in the camera…stay tuned…

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Our Little Secret

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There’s something you should know about our beautiful littlest princess.  So far, we’ve kept it to ourselves hoping she’d see the error of her ways.  However, we thought now would be a good time to come clean.  We can’t hide it anymore…

Aside from the fact that sudden bright lights make her close her eyes and she still looks cute.

Yeah, she’s innocent enough.  But there’s a secret hiding there.
Behind that adorable little tiny pony tail facade…
There’s a rocker waiting to get out!  I’m thinking she’s inspired by KISS ( you know the lead singer sticks his tongue out and has crazy wig hair…except Ceili Rain doesn’t have a wig.  No, really, she doesn’t.  It’s all natural…I really shouldn’t even have to explain this should I?).
There, I said it!  Our child is a Closet Rocker (No really!  She is a Closet Rocker.  The changing table is in the closet and that’s where she is)!
Phew!  Now that the secret’s out.  I feel much, much better! Thank you!!
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Name Game Time…

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Here we go again!  It’s exactly four weeks until ultrasound time.  And, surprise surprise, we are having trouble deciding on a boys’ name.  I had one picked out but was told recently that it was still be considered (amongst all the other options…which are none).  So we need ideas…

Here’s the rules from Ceili Rain…with a little revision/additions:

  1. No normal everyday run of the mill names. If it’s in the top 100 in the past few years then it’s out (okay, Zoe’s name was an exception but we had already chosen it before we found the name lists and it was waaaay at the bottom when we looked). So take out John, Robert, definitely William (since my cousins, all on the same side, think they should all have children named William…I digress).
  2. Points for choosing a name from history (that’s unusual) and/or a literary name (but has no history of immoral behavior).
  3. It has to mean something good. We don’t want a “hill” for a child nor do we want a “cart driver” or a “brook.” Also all the Mac/Mc names are out since they mean “son of.” Unless you want to name him McMark (hmmm). Here’s another example: Blaine, which I happen to like, means “tall and slender.” What if we have a short and fat kid? What a complex! Double check the meanings, I just didn’t associate that Liam’s name was the equivalent of “strong willed defender.” See what I got myself into! Another example: Zoe’s name means “life.” Ace’s name means “unity.” Josiah’s name means “fire from God.” Pretty cool names to live up to!
  4. It doesn’t have to be a Biblical name but…cool uncommon ones are welcome (meaning, no Hosea’s or Hananiah…although I like both, they just don’t flow for me).
  5. It has to go with his middle name that we’ve definitely settled on. It’s Ian and it means “God’s gracious gift.” Now, I know that Ian is a really cool first name, however, a friend from church (and I think a blog reader) has a child named Josiah and one named Ian and I don’t want her to think we’re copying her. Plus, I want an uncommon cool first name.
  6. Mark mentioned he would like a namesake.  I pointed out that usually the Juniors are reserved for the first born son and didn’t know if I felt comfortable naming a fourth son after his father when the other three were not.  However, if you can come up with a great way to incorporate Mark or Brian and make it unique, I’m all for it and will probably get a nod from Mark.

And this is for a boy’s name.  Given our history, picking out a girl’s name is not hard but a boy…phew…very tough to get unique with that.   So, best wishes and maybe you’ll see your name chosen on here in four weeks!  If you’ve got a cool name, post a comment on here.

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Back to our Regularly Scheduled Program…

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Now that we are all “back to normal” (whatever normal is).  I’ll share pictures from Liam’s birthday party.  We went low key, as I’ve stated earlier, because our plans changed so quickly.  We asked him who he wanted over for his party and he chose Kristina and her family.  So them, with Super Wy and mom, we had ourselves a party.  Pirate themed, of course.  Zoe and I lucked out the morning of  the party and found some cute plates and napkins that were not the Pirates of the Carribean type pirates and picked up plates and napkins.  Legos helped serve as our “decoration” for the cake.  He loved it!
 
Mark’s our resident cake letter writer.
Okay, so he enjoyed sampling the icing too.

So did Josiah.
After cake, ice cream (which was Mayfield and I happened upon for like $2 at Kroger…I love deals like that), we loaded everyone up and headed to our resident Putt-Putt Center which is all of two minutes from our house.  Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy being in the city?  I don’t take our short car rides for granted people…and Liam with brother, dad, Jack (okay he didn’t make it all the way in), Laura, and their dad played Laser Tag.  Zoe was going in but changed her mind halfway through.  So, Tracy took her place (that’s Super Wy’s mom).

All suited up.  Not sure how he hefted that big thing around but he made it through.

Ace was pretty pumped as well.

Laura (in the background) all suited up!

This is what I got to do while Kristina changed a dirty diaper from Jumpin’ James!  They almost look like triplets, except Super Wy is supposed to be smaller since he’s only five months old!

Miss Meg Meg just chillin’

I caught Super Wy at the end of a smile.  He’s still adorable.
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The Sickness

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Descended on our house yesterday morning.  Actually, it was Saturday and started with Liam…it’s a stomach bug.  We didn’t think much about it as we were all healthy on Sunday.  However, Monday rolled around and immediately after breakfast, I ran to the bathroom to remove my breakfast (gross, no?).  I thought that was weird that I threw up the entire breakfast for morning sickness but didn’t think much about it until I realized later in the morning that I was still feeling nauseous.  I called Mark to inform him that I might actually have a stomach bug and he said, “You’re feeling bad too huh?”  That confirmed it.  He trekked home after 12 and right about the time I started throwing up other things besides food.

Let me just say, it has not been a fun 24 hours.  I have never gotten this sick with a stomach bug.  I called the doctor yesterday and got some anti-nausea medicine by the evening which helped me sleep but did not help Mark.  Not that I could’ve helped Mark.  I was pretty weak, and still am.

Early evening, Zoe went down.  At bedtime, Ace went down. Liam had already had it so he’s been peachy the whole time.  Josiah waited until the morning to relieve his stomach contents and Ceili Rain did it twice during the night. 

However, morning dawned today with children all chipper and no one throwing up.  Like I said, I’m still very weak and can’t sit up long.  I’ve taken too many long naps but am keeping fluids and food down.  My main concern has been trying to keep fluids down.  Thankfully, I’ve been able to do that.

Mark, thankfully, has been able to be up and care for all of us pukers.  He’s been our strength even when he doesn’t feel good.  I’m so grateful to him for the way he’s been our “nurse” these past 24 hours!

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Ryker Waller Update

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From her father:

I dont even know where to begin. First, our daughter Ryker is in heaven smiling down at Keeli and I. She is also smiling down at all of you who have been touched by her. Saying thank you to our family, friends and even total strangers who have offered support does not come close to doing it justice. From the bottom of our hearts I give you all ultimate thanks for your prayers and support. Our daughter who lived 5 days touched more people in her brief life than I have touched my 32 years. She caused people to come together, to pray, and to grow closer to not only one another but to Christ. Keeli and I are not sad. We are excited and happy!! Ryker changed Keeli and I beyond measure. She became a Mommy and I became a Daddy and that will never change. Our daughter will always be with us. I would like to challenge everyone who offered support and prayers to continue to pray, continue to grow closer to your loved ones, your children, and your friends. Life is so precious and short. Life is fragile, so dont waste time with the crap that brings you down. Love your spouse, love your children, love your family, love your friends!! Let our Ryker always be in your spirit to remind you of these things. May you always rember the impact a small little girl, who was alive for just 5 days had on people all over the world. Do not be sad for Keeli and I, be happy, because we are new parents. Be happy because we just got to spend 5 wonderful days with our daughter. It was five amazing days that we would not trade for anything. In the NICU they say that babies leave as either miracles or angels. Ryker was an exception to this saying. She left as both a miracle and an angel. We are going to have a celebration service sometime in the near future and I would like to invite anyone who was touched by our Ryker to come and celebrate with us. God Bless!!
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