Reading

The Books of My Life: Dana

29 Comments

TheBooksofMyLife068I was so excited by the enthusiastic response to my post a few weeks ago about The Books of My Life. I had so much fun writing it that I decided to make it a series. I asked my readers to contact me if they were interested in participating. I heard from many of you – thank you! Today, my friend Dana from Kiss My List is my first interviewee. I love Dana and “met” her through the Finish the Sentence Friday link-up. Through posts and email exchanges, I discovered that Dana lives in the town where my husband grew up (her children go to his rival high school). My family lived in the town for a few years, when the twins were babies – and Audrey was born there! What a small world. Dana actually lives less than five miles from where we did. So I predict a real life meeting one day soon!

dana-hemelt-web-30-e1415278077429[1]      Miss Dana.

I hope you enjoy reading about Dana and the books of her life. Continue reading The Books of My Life: Dana →

Book Reviews

Book Review: Expect a Miracle

16 Comments

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

EAM_dustjacket.inddJenny Long, the resilient and inspirational author of this book, has not had an easy life. Seriously – she experienced more drama and trauma in her first twenty-one years than I have in my whole life. Even though we come from different worlds and have lived very different lives, I feel a bond with her. Jenny is the mother of three boys, one of whom has special needs. She’s a warrior sister.

Jenny’s oldest son, Conner, is an athlete. Ever since his younger brother Cayden was born, all Conner’s wanted to do is to play sports with him. It wasn’t meant to be, because at four months of age, Cayden was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. His condition prevented him from speaking and severely limited his mobility. Cayden is in a wheelchair. Continue reading Book Review: Expect a Miracle →

Reading

The Books of My Life

21 Comments

TheBooksofMyLife068

I’ve decided to start a new series here, based on a column periodically featured in one of my favorite magazines, Entertainment Weekly. From time to time they quiz celebrities (usually ones who have a book coming out in the near future) about the books they’ve read. As a self-proclaimed book nerd, I love reading these interviews. I thought it would be fun to quiz myself and every few weeks, feature friends and fellow bloggers who also love to dish about books! If you’re interested in participating, please email me (allieATthelatchkeymomDOTcom). I’d love to learn more about what you’re reading.

What was my favorite book as a child?

I don’t remember what books I loved as a young child – but I do have an ancient and battered copy of Cinderella. I must have kept it for some reason. I’ll go with that. As a tween, I was a huge V.C. Andrews fan. I read every book she wrote.  Continue reading The Books of My Life →

Parenting, Writing

Club Mid: Don’t You Forget About Me

8 Comments

MID-LOGO-small-copy[1]I’m super excited to announce that an essay I wrote about Hunter starting high school is up at Club Mid today. This is ironic, since my last post here was also about Hunter – and how the high school Hunter is driving my crazy! For the record, the Club Mid piece was written six weeks ago, before I began to experience life with the moody Freshman who now resides in my home. If you wouldn’t mind visiting Club Mid to read the piece, I woukld really appreciate it. I can’t respond to comments there – but I will read them. See you there (click here)!

IMG_2015PM0930_113539452

 

Thank you!