Special Stories...

Easter was the first holiday my husband and I spent together as an "official" couple a few years back:) We exchanged Easter baskets that year, which was so much fun. Of course, we haven't done it since. That year though it was important to us both.  One of the things I found for his basket that I really thought was especially wonderful was one of his and my favorite childhood books, The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter!
It wasn't just any Peter Rabbit book, but a pop-up book! I wrote an inscription explaining that this was the first book that we would have for our future children and a bunch of other mushy stuff. Well, he lost it. I asked him recently where it was and he said he couldn't remember.... Grrrr... I was a little mad. Okay, I was a lot mad. I told him he better hope he finds our future child's first book or he was going to be really sorry, lol:) It's funny now, but I swear I was serious when I said it. Well, he found it the other day at his parent's house so I forgave him:) It is so much fun to look through, It makes me love Easter even more.

So adorable, right?! 

Speaking of wonderful books, have any of you read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers? Mona gave it to me to read a long time ago, and I had completely forgot I had it. Then my grandma told me I should read it and I remembered I had it, but I still didn't read it.... Then my mom gave it to my brother's beautiful girlfriend, Amy who loved it too, but still I wasn't so sure about it. Finally my mom read it and also gave it rave reviews so I decided to go for it. I'm not sure why I was so put off by it. Something about it sounded, I dunno... kinda dumb frankly. The cover was off-putting to me too. I know, I know "don't judge a book by it's cover" but it reminded me of a Danielle Steel novel or something that would be made into a Lifetime or Hallmark movie, not my thing. Well, I was wrong. VERY wrong. It was not the slightest bit "dumb". It was amazing. Truly, truly amazing. My mom said that Amy told her it made her a better person, and I completely understand what she meant by that. It was one of those love stories that I can say with 100% certainty that I will remember forever. It was raw and honest and humbling and ugly and beautiful. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be blessed and also fall in love with a fictional character:)

Oh, annnnd the winner of my beret giveaway, Sreaming Meme, posted a very sweet post about winning:) Isn't she just too cute for words in it!! A nicer person couldn't have won, she is just the sweetest. Her blog is awesome too. Pop over and check her out, and tell her Ashley says HI! :)