Lovely Weekend and..... Don't You Think It's About Time for a Movie and Book Review?

The Nebraska version of "Mother Nature" was smiling on the Markin family this weekend! The sun was shining, the flowers and trees were blooming and the diamonds on our future daughter-in-law's ring were incredibly brilliant!




Yes, I said "Our future Daughter-in-law!" Chris and Suzie drove 8 hours on Saturday so they could spend some time with us! This is an incredibly special ring. It belonged to Rod's mom's mother, which would make her Chris' great-great grandma!! Because of the age of the ring, the jeweler was unable to separate the engagement ring from the wedding band. I think Chris and Suzie might look for another simple band to add to the top of the ring, but, I'm not sure. I asked Suzie if she was okay with having Chris' great-grandma's ring, or, would she rather have a new one. "Oh no," she said. "I love it! In fact, I had been looking at rings online for a few weeks, but, wasn't able to find anything that 'seemed right.' When Chris proposed and put this ring on my finger I thought, 'this is the ring I was looking for! It's perfect!'" Talk about a sweetheart!!














We were able to celebrate the engagement in style. Nick, Kara, Chris, Suzie, Rod and I enjoyed a great dinner at Firebirds.






We were actually having so much fun, that we evidently stayed a bit too long for the busy restaurant because everyone from our server, to the water guy, to a variety of different "table cleaners," and then finally to the manager came to our table asking if "We had a nice meal." if there "Was anything they could do for us," yada, yada, yada! At that point, we figured it was time to go!

There is nothing better than having your family around! And, when I say "family" I am including the beloved dogs...



Deoji is so...Deoji!



Asa, showing off his sleek body!!




Haver. showing off his large, grumpy self! To be fair, I have to share that Haver had every right to be grumpy. Deoji spent the day before trying to be "romantic" with Haver. And, as you can guess, Haver was in no mood for romance!!

We are so incredibly blessed.

Now, how about a couple of movie and book reviews??

Heaven is for Real!




I've been struggling with the right words to do a review on this book that would not give away too many details, but also would help you realize how powerful this book was. So, I found a review by a real-live writer and copied his words.


"A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven.

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn’t know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father, but often in Colton’s own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle."


I rate this: 8 puppy paws up!





The movie review for this posting is such a gem! I would recommend it for the entire family (as long as the family doesn't include pre-teens...a little bit of cursing..)




This role seems to have almost been written for Paul Giamatti! He is a family man with a struggling law practice. "For fun," he coaches the local high school wrestling team. One day his two worlds meet up having a huge impact on his family life.
Again, I'm leery to give too much information. Just realize that I'm giving 8 puppy paws up and would love to give it more! (But, I only have two dogs and they each have the regular 4 legs...so I'm kind of stuck!)




Well, I think it' time for me to end this posting. I greatly appreciate you coming to the sight and reading my blog. I'll do my best to continue to post and keep you informed with all things exciting! (Well... at least keep you informed....)

Thanks for checking in.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for your prayers and your friendship.

Much love

Annette