All Caught Up with the Piper Anderson Series until tomorrow!

Well I did it!   I'm all caught up with the Piper Anderson series, until the NEW book comes out tomorrow.  I can't wait to get my hands on it or download it to my kindle.  I'm ready to read the next book Settling Scores.  On your mark, get set, go READ!

I didn't quite read these last 3 books in order but below is the correct order.  I read Betty's Journal before Finding Freedom but it worked out OK.

 Danielle Stewart did it yet again.  I love all of these books in this series and how she writes about the characters.  As you read about them you grow with them on their journey through life.  Even though these are fiction they seem so real as you're reading them.  This book ties into Cutting Ties, which was book #2 but Christmas isn't here until your read book #3 first.  

This book is a  Holiday Novella and is book #3.5 with only 99 pages if reading it on as an ebook, 74 pages on a kindle, 94 paperback pages etc.  The kindle version was only .99 cents on Amazon, can't beat that price and you can read it in a few hours or less.  Just don't plan on getting anything done once you start reading, although that's how it is with all these books.

Goodreads.com preview:

All Chris wants is a normal Christmas. He’s spent his life dodging the police and trying to protect his son from the life he’s caught up in. He’s just returned from killing a killer and he swears it's his last act as a criminal. That is until his boss, the sexy blonde who is too uptight for her own good, ends up in a compromising position

Finding Freedom is book #4 in the Piper Anderson Series. After reading this book, this question came to mind for me. Who knows what the person next to you is going through. We all need to quit judging people and give people the benefit of the doubt, as you don't know what that person has been through and over come.  Just like the saying "Walk a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes".  This book was another fabulous read from Danielle Stewart.

Two of my 3 kids were having sleepovers here at the house so I was up waiting for them to all calm down and finally fall asleep.  That's my reason for not wanting to put the book down and got to bed at a decent time. HA!  I was up until 2:30 am last night reading this wonderful book and woke up at 9:30 am to finish the last few chapters.

Goodreads.com preview:

No matter what people tell him, Jedda Wright is convinced he's nobody's hero. He's made his mistakes and paid dearly for them over the years. Suddenly freed from his past he's forced to find his way in a world he hardly recognizes. He's written himself off as a lost cause and pushes away any chance at love. Has he been punished enough to be worthy of his redemption or when given the chance will he make the same mistakes again? 

Book #4.5  Bonus Material.  Like I said before, I read this book before reading Finding Freedom, but it didn't ruin anything too bad reading them out of order.  Although, I would recommend reading them in order.  They just flow from one to the next and the author has each character grow more and more the further you get in the series.

This book was great since it focuses a lot on Betty.  She is a fabulous character that makes you think about life and the decisions you make.  Enjoy what's right in front of you, as it may not be there tomorrow.  Live in the moment, is another good one to live by.  I don't think either of these are quotes from the book but that's what I've learned from Betty.

Goodreads.com preview:

This is a small addition to the Piper Anderson Series for all those readers who couldn't get enough of Betty and her humor. To avoid spoilers this should be read after the first four books of the series and is only a compliment to the series, not a stand alone story. - Just something fun! 

PICK UP A BOOK AND READ!

Workout Hiatus!

Between May being a CRAZY busy month and the start of summer with the kiddos home, I just don't seem to get into the gym as often.  Plus, I had a partial tear in my bicep on my left arm the Friday before Mother's Day and it is finally feeling better.  I was told it takes almost 3-6 weeks to heal and that's about right.  I've been icing it each day, putting icy hot on it to relieve the pain and taking lots of Ibuprofen.  I've  been doing some cardio at the gym here or there (maybe once a week, if I can squeeze it in) but that's about it.  This happens to me every year at this time, along with the heat and humidity, I dread running/walking outside unless the weather is perfect like SPRING & FALL.   

I also don't make it into the gym, because I like to sleep-in until 9 am, since I don't have to get the kids up for school or get ready for work. I don't always post my workouts but this gap in Joy of Exercise is finally ending.  





No excuses anymore, it's time to start working out again.

My son started golf lessons today and they are bright and early in the morning from 8:30-9:30 am.  Not the best time, since my kids and I like to sleep-in on summer break.  Although, with the crazy humidity we have here in Missouri I thought it best to sign-up for the early time to take golf lessons.  The weather was beautiful outside this morning and all day, so I planned on going home and taking the dog out for a run/walk.  The summer heat is gone for a few days, so I took the dog out for a run/walk and put my new phone to use with the Runkeeper App.  I also had 4 kids join me on my run today, this made it even more interesting.  

One child is riding behind me on a bike, so not in the picture.  

Three of them were riding bikes and one was run/walking with me and the dog.  Since we were short one bike we had to stop a couple of times to swap bikes and helmets and then start moving again.  Not my best laid plan for a good run/walk but we all got out of the house since it was a 73 degree day and got some exercise.  I ended up running 2.59 miles in 32.23 minutes. 

My husband also started doing a 30 day AB Challenge, that he found on facebook.  I decided it was a time for me to get on the band wagon as well, and do the challenge.

Take the challenge and get up and move!

Danielle Stewart Contest!

Hello bloggers -

Click on the link and vote for me (Joni Bogner Fleck) at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1416990808581536/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Then scroll down to this section below to vote for me (Joni Bogner Fleck). Danielle Stewart asked a question. June 2 at 2:05pm

Free Kindle Contest : 
Who ever drags the most friends (kicking and screaming allowed) to this party will win one of the two Kindles I'll be giving away. 
Here are the rules: 
1)This is open to bloggers and individuals 
2) If you are inviting friends or fans of your blog add your name (or blog name) to this poll
3) You are responsible for letting people you invite know that they should come to this poll and vote for you.
4)The winner will be selected when the party is over

This contest is in celebration of the new Settling Scores book coming out on June 14th.  Check it out!  

Preview from iTunes

Willow has been saved from a painfully dark past and handed a bright future. By all accounts, she should be happy. But no one seems to understand that escaping evil hasn’t left her feeling free of it. The more people try to hold her close, the harder she fights to get away. Even the unconditional support from Edenville isn’t enough to help her keep her head above water.

On a journey to settle scores and find answers to questions that haunt her memories, Willow hopes to mend her heart.
Meanwhile, the man she has pushed away time and again fights to show her the only chance she has at happiness is opening her heart to the love that is right in front of her. But even Josh’s loyalty has its limits; how long before even he gives up on her, considering she’s already given up on herself?

Can't wait to read the new book coming out!

Pick up a book and READ!

5th grade end of year celebrations ~

5th grade graduation/recognition reception night

What a fun and busy time of year.  Preparing for my daughter's 5th grade graduation.  I did this 2 years ago with my oldest daughter, so I'm more prepared this time around.  First off, let's start with the theme that the kids picked to help celebrate leaving elementary school and moving onto middle school.    

Theme:  Kid President!  

I think when the teachers told the 10 parents that showed up for the meeting to put all this together what the theme was, that we all kind of had a blank look.  Well if you don't know who Kid President is, he is a little black kid who does motivational speeches online. He's very cute and funny!  There are tons of YouTube videos out there to check out on the Internet.  Click Kid President here to check it out!

Well we ended up running with the theme and doing RED, WHITE & BLUE decorations, cakes & all.

Needless to say, we needed 3 volunteer coordinators to put together each of the different activities.  Since I did the reception 2 years ago, I decided I would do it again.  My hand shot up and that was that, I was the coordinator for that part.  

Here are the pictures of what we did.  With the crazy weather we've been having we ended up keeping it inside.  We had 3 sections set up.  

1st section was for the 5th graders - 3 tables with cakes and drinks pre-poured for 72 students.  When I do this again in two years, we will have some cookies at the 1st section as well.  Some of the students didn't want a cupcake and instead went to the other tables and took 4 or 5 cookies instead.

1st table before the 3 cupcake cakes below,
 were separated and put onto plates.

Kid President!

Picture of 5th graders
on the playground!

American Flag cake with Roadrunner mascot!

2nd table had the cakes on it before the program started, for parents to have the opportunity to take pictures.  The 3 cakes above are 24 cupcakes that make for easy separation when serving later.  Instead of having to cut a cake, lot less mess.  You can get these from most stores that make cakes.  We went with Target as theirs are moist, delicious and the best price overall. 

72 pre-poured drinks so the graduates can come through and grab their drink without having someone having to serve them.

2nd & 3rd sections were for the parents and siblings - 2 tables each.  One with trays of cookies and the other with pre-poured drinks.

We decorated the tables with simple red, white & blue decorations for the evening.  Every table had either a red, blue or white with stars tablecloth on it.  Some had fun red, white and blue garland and others didn't.  Last of all are the two decorations below that were at the tables.  Simple and neat ideas!

Red Solo cup with sand in the bottom to hold the flag!
(Very simple to do.)

Red, White & Blue colored rice with led lighted candle.
One of the other Mom's made these and they turned out great.  Use food coloring to dye the rice, let dry and then layer. 

 Farewell week hallway decorations ~

The Mom in charge of this one did a great job as well.  I went up and helped decorate, but not in charge of the whole shebang. 

Awesome eagle emblem, not for sure where it came from but I think it's been around for a while at the school.  The mini flags were bought at the Dollar Store and put up here and there.

These are pool noodles cut up and made into firecrackers, BOOM!  Aren't they awesome.   We couldn't find any white noodles so that's where the white crepe paper around them comes in to hold them together.  Along with being hot glued together as well.  

This flag has been around as well but worked great with our theme.  Pulled out of the 5th grade storage closet.

Several of these banners were in the 5th grade
closet as well, so up they went! 

With Liberty and Justice for ALL!

Red, white and blue garland and lanterns, from the Dollar Store.

One of the mom's took red, white and blue crepe paper and sewed them together and then frayed it (she has too much time on her hands).  I do have to say it looks AWESOME!  We tied white curling ribbon onto red, white and blue balloons to hang all over the hallway as well.  

One of the teachers took pictures of all the kids & then cut and pasted the hats on to the pictures.  They also printed off a KID PRESIDENT saying to put by each 5th graders picture (check out some of the sayings below).

Statue of Liberty ~ this was a treasure out of the 5th grade closet that we used as decoration.  It's been around awhile but still works.  We threw some decorations on her and called it a day.

Kickball Game & Clap-Out~

On the last day of school the 5th graders have a kickball game against each other.  Boys vs. girls and the 4 classes play off against each other.  This year it was a very HOT and muggy day.  It was supposed to be from 10:30-11:30am.  I got up to the school at 11am and they were headed inside already, that's how HOT it was.  I helped clean up the mess that was left behind.   

My daughter out on the kickball field posing like she is running to a base.  Gotta love her!

Headed inside to cool off after a sweaty kickball game.

Everyone in the building lines the hallways, teachers/staff, students and 5th grade parents.  Then the 5th grade students & teachers walk through all the hallways as we are clapping and cheering for them.  They made it through grade school now onto middle school. 

This concludes the festivities for the week and ends the school year with a bang!

Starting a new chapter of their lives!

More to the Story: Piper Anderson Series ~

The other day, I posted that I started reading a new series by the author Danielle Stewart.  Well she has amazed me again!  I read the 2nd book and immediately got my hands on the 3rd book and finished it as well.  

Here's a preview from Goodreads:

Against all odds, Piper Anderson has managed to pick up the pieces of her life. She's holding tight to her budding romance with Officer Bobby Wright, anxious to have her moment with him. Now encircled by fiercely loyal friends, she finally feels like she's standing at the edge of a normal life. That is until reports of a brutal attack at the local college campus turn her dream of happily ever after into a nightmare. 

READ the book to find out what happens!


Here's another preview from Goodreads:
To Piper Anderson, fate has always been that unavoidable circumstance that befalls a person. Some people are destined to be happy, and others, like Piper, have a rougher road. Each time she tries to step off her predetermined path in search of happiness, someone or something drags her back to it.

READ this book as well, to find out what happens!

I gave both these books 5 stars on Goodreads, which means, it was amazing!

This is currently a series of  5 books (Piper Anderson series). Can't wait to read the rest of the books.  Next on my list is Choosing Christmas (holiday novella), Finding Freedom (book #4) and last of all, Betty's Journal (bonus material).  

Soon to be published, June 2014 is Settling Scores (book #5).

LOVE TO READ!

I've been a Goodreads.com member since April 2010 and have been reading a lot more ever since.  I just love that you can save all your books that you've read and want to read in one spot.  Plus, you can rate the books, share your thoughts, and read reviews from your friends and other people on the site.  If you haven't heard of or been to the goodreads.com website click here.  You are so missing out!

The goodreads rating system is a follows:
1 star -  I did not like it.
2 stars - It was ok.
3 stars - I liked it.
4 stars - I really liked it!
5 stars - It was AMAZING!



2014 Goal.......... Right now I'm at 10 out of 40 books read. The site says I'm 5 books behind schedule, that's why I'm in a reading frenzy right now.  Well not really, I just really LOVE TO READ!

2013 Goal.......... I read 40 out of 40 books for my goal!  I did it!!!  It wasn't always easy finding the time to read yet another book sometimes, but I did and loved almost every minute of it.  There were only a few books that I picked up along that way that didn't suck me in. 

2012 Goal.......... I read 19 out of 30 books for my goal!  Bummer, didn't make my goal.  Will try again next year.

I didn't know about the whole goal challenge yet, but here's how many books I read in the past years...

2011.......... I read 26 books!
2010...........I read 17 books!

I really kicked it up a notch, when put to a challenge!  

PICK UP A BOOK AND READ!