From the Publisher:

One woman stands ready to defend her newspaper . . . even if it means losing out on love.

Adriane Darcy was practically raised in her father’s newspaper offices. With ink in her veins, she can’t imagine life without the clatter of the press and the push to be first to write the news that matters. Their Tribuneis the leading paper in Louisville in 1855.

When Blake Garrett, a brash young editor from the North with a controversial new style of reporting, takes over a competing newspaper, the battle for readers gets fierce. After Adriane and Blake meet at a benefit, their surprising mutual attraction is hard to ignore. Still, Blake is the enemy, and Adriane is engaged to the son of a powerful businessman who holds the keys to the Tribune‘s future. Blake will stop at almost nothing to get the story–and the girl.

Set against the volatile backdrop of political and civil unrest in 1850s Louisville, this exciting story of love and loyalty will hold you in its grip until the very last page.

My Thoughts:

1. I loved this book – the story line, the characters, everything!
2. Reader beware – if this book was made into a movie, it’d probably be rated PG-13.
3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!
4. I’d never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely notbe the last one of her novels I read!
5. Don’t start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed – you’ll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it’s after midnight!!

I give Words Spoken True five out of five stars.

—

Disclosure: I received a copy of Words Spoken True in exchange for my honest review. Get your copy of Words Spoken True from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, at your favorite book seller this February!

*A

Related posts:

I don’t get dressed for the sake of being fashionable but in order to set the tone for my day and my family. Without the accountability of this weekly post, I’d probably live in sweats. In order to live each day with intentionality, I start by intentionally getting dressed.

—

I got dressed every day this week {multiple times one day thanks to a sick little man}!!

Here are the highlights…

—

Wednesday

tank tops {Jockey Outlet & Walmart} // jacket {Kohls} // necklace {Kohls} // jeans {Levi Outlet} // boots {Kohls}

What I Wore & Wrote Wednesday {02.15.12}

Thursday

My First Devotional {a Tommy Nelson review and giveaway} & Learning Coin Values

Friday

tank top {Forever 21} // gray top {JCPenney} // jeans {Maurices} // slippers {Target}

Homeschool Mother’s Journal {02.17.12} & Caffeinated Conversations meets Five Minute Fridays {1 Peter 3.8-12 // Delight}

Saturday

I have no idea where her clothes/accessories are from, but my sister is such a cute preggo!!

Sunday

sweater {JCPenney} // khakis {JCPenney} // shoes {Kohls}

Monday

Yelling, Hebrews 4.14-16, and 1000 Gifts: Monday Musings {02.20.12}

Tuesday

t-shirt {Feedblitz swag from SavvyBlogging Summit 2011} // sweatshirt {JCPenney} // jeans {Maurices} // slippers {Target} // glasses {Walmart}

10 Most Popular Posts {so far in 2012}

—

Be sure to see “wear” I’m linked up today…

Related posts:

When illness struck our house this morning I knew I didn’t have time to put together an elaborate Top 10 Tuesday post, so I thought it’d be fun to look back over the past month and a half to see what the top posts of 2012 have been so far…

Top 10 Posts {by # of comments}

1. OneVerse: My Bible Stack
2. Monday Musings {02.13.12}: Obedience, Failure, and 1000gifts
3. Masks, 1 Corinthians 6.17, 1000gifts… Monday Musings {01.23.12}
4. Sheila Walsh’s “Gigi, God’s Little Princess” DVDs {a Tommy Nelson giveaway}
5. Monday Musings {02.06.12}: On My Mind, 1 Corinthians 12.27, and 1000 Gifts
6. On Parenting, 1 Corinthians 6.19-20, and 1000gifts… Monday Musings {01.30.12}
7. A Day in the Life of Ashley Pichea
8. Top 10 Tuesday: Quotes from “Before Your First Book” by Jeff Goins {and a giveaway}
9. Caffeinated Conversations {01.27.12}
10. Top 10 Tuesday: Vlogging Tips

Top 10 Posts {by # of pageviews}

1. Top 10 Tuesday: Quotes from Women of Faith Imagine
2. What I Wore & Wrote Wednesday {01.18.12}
3. 3in30 January Goals, John 1.12, 1000 gifts and more… Monday Musings {01.01.12}
4. Homeschooling, SAHM, John 15.15, and 1000gifts… Monday Musings on 01.09.12
5. Top 10 Tuesday: Quotes from The Prodigal by Timothy Keller
6. The Cat in the Hat Paper Plate Activity
7. A Day in the Life of Ashley Pichea
8. Top 10 Tuesday: Quotes from Before Your First Book by Jeff Goins
9. Top 10 Tuesday: Quotes from Sheila Walsh
10. Masks, 1 Corinthians 6.17, & 1000gifts… Monday Musings {01.23.12}

Any of these posts strike your fancy?

—

Be sure to see where I link up…

Related posts:

I Hate Yelling

I really hate yelling.

And yet I’ve been yelling a LOT lately. Way too much in fact.

David has stopped listening, and I’ve started yelling to try to get his attention. Only problem? He still doesn’t listen even when I yell.

So I’m really just yelling for no reason.

And, because she’s heard me yell so much lately, Jenny has started yelling a lot lately, especially when David is bothering her or not doing what she wants him to do.

Today, neither of the kids was listening and it was getting extremely close to being time to leave the house. After asking, then telling them to get the house picked up and get themselves ready to go, they were both still messing around and were not listening at all.

The yelling began.

I yelled: “Please do what you were told to do. I’m getting upset, and I really don’t want to be upset with you!”

All I could think was, “I hate yelling. I really, really hate yelling!”

Thankfully, Jenny got the message – Mommy was at her breaking point – and she began to do as she had been told.

David, however, was a different story.

But such is the case with him most of the time lately.

Any ideas on getting a 3.5 year old boy to listen and obey?

—

Hiding God’s Truths in My Heart

{Be sure to link up your Scripture memory posts below!!}

—

Counting My Gifts: #136-160

coffee date with a friend

extra diapers in the church nursery {I donated our old diapers when David finished potty training MONTHS ago, only to have him end up needing one during a meeting on Wednesday night}

productive meetings

Little Man’s first visit to the dentist

no cavities or other issues with my teeth

lunch dates with my family

the local Chinese buffet

a new iPhone

helpful and knowledgeable sales people

kid-friendly AT&T store

a new client

renewed Amazon Prime membership {I heart two-day shipping}

kids who play well together *most of the time*

time spent with my aunt

time spent with my parents and sister

“Grandpa-time” for David

“Grandma-time” for Jenny & David

games and puzzles that educate while the kids play

green lights and light traffic when I’m running late

a line at Starbucks to prevent me from spending money on a coffee I don’t need

well-behaved kids {mostly} while grocery shopping

a clean car

a package from Amazon.com

an OtterBox for my new phone

“quiet” time for my kids

—

Link up your Hiding God’s Truths in My Heart posts:

—

Be sure to see where I link up…

*A

Related posts:

In my life this week…

I think I am *finally* starting to find a good rhythm to my days once again. My sleep “schedule” has been adjusted, and I’ve actually been getting “to work” before 9am lately! {Much better than the 10:30am rolling out of bed of a month ago!} I’m hoping that our upcoming vacation won’t throw me off too badly.

In our homeschool this week…

We actually managed to have a fairly successful week of homeschooling. We didn’t do a lot of worksheets {although we definitely did some}, but we had “intentional learning” taking place almost every day.  We even had some “real life learning” take place with a bag of coins!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Last weekend the kids were able to spend some time with J’s parents. This weekend the kids and I are headed to my parents’ house to help throw a baby shower for my sister. We are also leaving for Florida in less than two weeks! Lots of travelingthis month and next!

My favorite thing this week was…

I got a new “toy” last week, and I’ve LOVED using it this week. I’ve already taken a TON of great pictures with my Canon EOS Rebel T2i, and I’m excited to learn more about using it!

Things I’m working on…

Not directly related to homeschooling, but I am working on my second eBook. I was originally aiming to have it ready for release the last week of February, but life dictated that I extend that deadline quite a bit. I’m now hoping for a late April release. It’ll be another “31 Days to Pray” eBook, this one focusing on praying for your children!

I’m reading…

Last weekend I read When the Smoke Clears.

I’m grateful for…

I have been thoroughly enjoying counting my gifts each Monday. I’m already in the 100s!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

I had fun creating a video with some songs to help you teach your kids how to obey this week:

—

I’m linking up with the Homeschool Mother’s Journal.

Related posts:

Today I’ve combined my weekly Caffeinated Conversations post with my weekly Five Minute Fridays post.

If you’re here for Five Minute Fridays and would rather not watch the whole vlog below, the Five Minute Fridays portion starts about 4:25.

{If you can’t see the video below, please visit the blog.}

1 Peter 3.8-12: Pursue Peace with Doves and Dragons

I’m joining a group of bloggers blogging through 1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times {An Inductive Bible Study} by Sue Edwards over the next nine weeks. This blog tour has been sponsored by Kregel Publishing, and I was provided a free copy of the Bible study book in exchange for my participation in the blog tour.

See all my posts in this series: 1 Peter.

Five Minute Fridays: Delight

“I will delight in the law of the Lord, I will meditate day and night. Then like a tree, firmly planted I’ll be, grounded in Your Word. Blessed is the one who follows the way of the Lord – blessed is the one!”

When I heard the topic for today’s Five Minute Friday, I immediately found this song running through my head. Since it’s probably not a familiar song to most of you {but a great one to have stuck in your head}, I thought I’d share it in the vlog above!

—

I’m joining The Gypsy Mama’s Five Minute Friday: Delight. Won’t you join us?

Related posts:

Since Jenny started reading on her own, I have been on the lookout for a quality devotional guide that she is able to do on her own. Tommy Nelson has provided me with the opportunity to review several great options over the past several years, but none have caught Jenny’s attention like My First Devotional.

My First Devotional is perfect for Jenny {age 5}:

• vivid illustrationsand brightly colored headings that catch and keep her attention
• short and easy to understand devotions that go beyond the Bible story
• age-appropriate applications of truths from the Bible

My First Devotional {from the publisher}

Featuring the same first-person style and easy-to-read text as My First Study Bible, this book is a great stand-alone devotional or story-by-story companion and reinforcement tool for My First Study Bible

• geared toward ages 6-10
• includes 72new pages of devotions
• has real-life applicationsspark a child’s interest in the Word of God
• allows kids to explore the Bibleto learn interesting facts and mysteries
• helps kids read and memorizekey Bible verses
• will sharpen Bible skills as kids answer challenging questions

A Giveaway!!

{If you are viewing this post via email or in a blog reader, please visit the blog to enter.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

Disclosure: As a Tommy Nelson Mommy, I received a copy of My First Devotional for free in exchange for this post.

*A

Related posts:

Jenny likes to bring home bags of coins when she visits Grandpa Pichea {or “force” him to empty his pockets when he comes to visit us}. She and David love to “have money” to add to their piggy bank.

This weekend, she brought home a Ziploc bag full of a variety of coins, but has had to delay filling the piggy bank with them due to Mommy not being able to reach it {and being too lazy to get the step-ladder out}.

The delay ended up being a good thing, though, as one of her math worksheets on Tuesday asked her to draw the coins for certain amounts of money. In lieu of drawing the coins, I had Jenny use the coins from her bag.

She really enjoyed being able to work with “real” money for her math.

Wednesday, she got the bag of money out again, and began to sort it – pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.

When David wanted to join her, she began to “teach” him how much each coin was worth.

Then they put all the coins into the piggy bank together.

I love real life moments that teach academic knowledge – it’s one of my favorite parts of homeschooling!

Related posts:

I don’t get dressed for the sake of being fashionable but in order to set the tone for my day and my family. Without the accountability of this weekly post, I’d probably live in sweats. In order to live each day with intentionality, I start by intentionally getting dressed…

{Wednesday}

pink top {JCP}, jeans {Maurices}, slippers {Target}

What I Wrote: What I Wore and Wrote Wednesday {02.08.12}

{Thursday}

pink t-shirt {Ebates swag from SavvyBlogging Summit 2011}, gray top {Walmart}, gray fleece lounge pants {Old Navy”}

What I Wrote: Sheila Walsh’s “Gigi, God’s Little Princess” DVDs {a Tommy Nelson giveaway}

{Friday}

Savings.com t-shirt {swag from SavvyBlogging Summit 2011}, jeans {Maurices}, brown belt {JCP}, white coat {JCP}, slippers {Target}, black snow boots

What I Wrote: 1 Peter 3.1-7: Strengthen the Sacred Mix // Caffeinated Conversations {02.10.12}

{Saturday}

sweatshirt {Camp Barakel}, jeans {Maurices}, black snow boots, red top {GAP}, sweater dress {JCP}, black boots {Kohls}, black belt {JCP}, black leggings

What I Wrote: Social Media and Blogging Weekly Round-Up {02.11.12} on SavvyBlogging.net

{Sunday}

green sweater {Kohls}, jeans {Maurices}, white coat {JCP}, black snow boots

What I Wrote: When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason {book review}

{Monday}

green sweatshirt {Camp Barakel, a gift from my mother-in-law}, jeans {Maurices}, slippers {Target}

What I Wrote: Book Reviews by Jenny {02.13.12} & Monday Musings {02.13.12}: Obedience, Failure, and 1000gifts

{Tuesday}

pink sweater {Kohls}, jeans {Maurices}, slippers {Target}

What I Wrote: A Valentine’s Giveaway from Tommy Nelson & Happy Valentine’s Day from What’s in the Bible?

Be sure to see “wear” I’m linked up today…

Related posts:

We love our What’s in the Bible? DVDs!!

Click on the picture above and use “LOVE3” to save $10 on What’s in the Bible? Volume 1!!

*A

Related posts: