Something about Fall and lighting a fire makes me want to curl up under a blanket with a book. Of course, the reality is that most of my 'reading' these days is listening to audiobooks while I try to get the house back in order over naptime....regardless, I thought it would be fun to list some of the books we've been reading this month and last.
Candy
Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis -
the story of a young girl from Tennessee who moves to Uganda for what was supposed to be only a short time. She is now 23 and the mother to 13 beautiful Ugandan little girls and runs a non-profit that provides food and schooling for hundreds of others. Mostly a compilation of her blog posts over the past few years. Amazing. Challenging. Such a neat story of what God can do through those who are willing. Reading her story brought perspective to my chaos and moved something in my heart about our responsibility as believers to care for orphans. Too much moved in my heart to state in a paragraph, so just read it for yourself. I have several teenage girls in mind that I will be giving this to as a Christmas gift. :)
Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist
I am not sure how to recommend this book, as every single chapter has made me cry. Mostly tears of remembering, empathizing with her story b/c it sounds so similar to ours in so many ways. Not every detail. We have walked different journeys but so many of the chapters, whether heavy or light-hearted, make me wish that I had written them myself because I feel like she knows me and is telling my story with different names and different specifics. From her chapter on hating running and her friend that made her change her mind (oh Kelly you must read that one) to her chapter about her dear friends who walked those early roads of motherhood with her that will always be dear to her heart no matter the miles that separate them (oh too many to count) even to her description of her little boy turning 3 that reminds me so much of our sweet almost 3 year old. I cannot tell you how many times Conor has walked into the room to find me with my headphones in my ears sobbing hard. I recommend it. I do. especially to my friends in their 20s and 30s that feel like 'transition' is the word that best characterizes their life lately. You will cry, but it will be a good, cleansing cry that you come out the other side of with hope and thankfulness for every part of your journey.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett I know I'm late reading this one. But I wanted to read it before I saw the movie because I'm stubborn like that. It's wonderful and eye-opening and I couldn't put it down. The story was so rich and the character development so good that I really am not sure I will watch the movie because I know it won't measure up.
Self Talk, Soul Talk: I haven't started this one yet but it's next on my list, sitting on my bedside table as we speak. Because my grandmother recommended it and I appreciate her wisdom and think if she said it's worth reading. It's worth reading.
Conor:
Quitter by Jon Acuff. Ok we both read this one. I read it primarily because I think Jon Acuff is funny. And his book made me laugh. Who reads a business book because they need a laugh? Conor and I apparently. It's good solid common-sense advice and it's funny. :)
A few Church Ministry/Leadership books
Activate: An entirely New Approach to Small Groups
Crucial conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes are High
Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives - written by a doctor, the author unpacks one of the reasons he thinks we Americans are such a mess - b/c we don't have enough margin in our lives. Conor found the first half of the book fascinating and kept reading excerpts out loud to me. Apparently the second half wasn't as good.
And many more. I really can't keep up with him. Ever since he got his ipad with the reverse contrast type so that it's easy on his eyes it's like he can't read enough. Making up for all those lost years when reading was harder work.
Oh and he's been reading those obnoxious eragon books. That I can't stand and refuse to link to. The next one comes out this month. Ugh.
Darby
Little House in the Big Woods - a classic we're reading aloud to her :) she finds it boring at times but we're pressing on. Excited to introduce her to a girl character that is not a princess.
Fancy Nancy series
Gigi: God's Princess
Jesus Storybook Bible
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - she and daddy read this together. So sweet.
Kyler
Spot Bakes a Cake - almost every day. It's his favorite and to be honest Spot reminds me a little of Kyler. Is that weird?
Baby Einstein Alphabet book (mostly because of the "baby dragon" puppet on the front, he quickly loses interest when he realizes it's not actually about the baby dragon)
Anything Dr Seuss
Carson
Anything with fuzzy animals he can touch. He's JUST NOW at 16 months beginning to let us read to him. The kid does not like to sit still and it's probably my fault that his speech is delayed because he's only been to library story time once in his entire toddler life. He will probably still be reading the fuzzy books in Kindergarten and climbing on the bookshelves and eating paint. All because I didn't read to him enough. Seriously though I think he's messing with us. One day he'll say a complete sentence and then not a word for a week. Maybe we're hearing things or maybe since his sister will often speak for him he just doesn't see the need. Mostly I think he's just too busy working on his running and jumping and climbing out windows and turning on the TV & DVD player himself to be bothered. But this post is about books and he likes fuzzy animal ones and these little miniature books shaped like blocks that his great-grandmother bought one of his siblings. :) He loves those. And has about destroyed them from carrying them around everywhere he goes.
So-what are you reading? Anything we should add to our lists?
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Dance
"Dance with me, Mama, dance with me!" A skinny two year old waves his arms and spins in circles shaking his tiny hips to the music.
And so I do, and the baby who is not quite a baby at 15 months old joins in and we laugh and turn in circles, the three of us. And I think "these are the moments I cherish."
And the two year old slips on his bare feet and his head slams against the wall and silence and then the cry that hurts a mama's heart. So I scoop him up and he clings to me with his skinny arms and legs as his tears show themselves on the shoulder of my shirt, and I hold him and I dance for him while he cries.... And I think "these are the moments I cherish."
Because far too soon this little boy will be a big boy and then a man, and he won't need his mama in the same way anymore. He won't wrap little legs around my waist and hold on tight to my neck while I whisper into his ear that he'll be ok.
And so I drink in the moment. And thank the Good Lord for these sweet babies I have been given the privilege of loving and cherishing and teaching and training. That I can show them by dancing and by sweet whispers of comfort that they are cherished and adored, by their parents on Earth, but how much greater by their Father in Heaven, who loves them with a love more perfect than mine could ever be. And that I can whisper every day of His grace, His love and how He showed it on the cross and how their heavenly Father can hold them when they're sad - even when they're too big and too proud to let their mama see their tears. But for now I walk with my snot stained shoulders, remembering every day, even the hard ones, when the tears are my own, that every day of this sweet season is such a precious gift.
And so I do, and the baby who is not quite a baby at 15 months old joins in and we laugh and turn in circles, the three of us. And I think "these are the moments I cherish."
And the two year old slips on his bare feet and his head slams against the wall and silence and then the cry that hurts a mama's heart. So I scoop him up and he clings to me with his skinny arms and legs as his tears show themselves on the shoulder of my shirt, and I hold him and I dance for him while he cries.... And I think "these are the moments I cherish."
Because far too soon this little boy will be a big boy and then a man, and he won't need his mama in the same way anymore. He won't wrap little legs around my waist and hold on tight to my neck while I whisper into his ear that he'll be ok.
And so I drink in the moment. And thank the Good Lord for these sweet babies I have been given the privilege of loving and cherishing and teaching and training. That I can show them by dancing and by sweet whispers of comfort that they are cherished and adored, by their parents on Earth, but how much greater by their Father in Heaven, who loves them with a love more perfect than mine could ever be. And that I can whisper every day of His grace, His love and how He showed it on the cross and how their heavenly Father can hold them when they're sad - even when they're too big and too proud to let their mama see their tears. But for now I walk with my snot stained shoulders, remembering every day, even the hard ones, when the tears are my own, that every day of this sweet season is such a precious gift.
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| Photo by Margaret Blades Photography |
Monday, October 24, 2011
For the Dress-Up Princess
Darby lives for dress up. We've really been struggling as her dress-up collection grows with how to store it so that she can easily clean it up herself and the dresses don't get ruined by being stuffed in bins. I've had some ideas floating around but this week it finally came together.
Ikea Mirror: 9.99
Hooks (Target): 10.99 each
All hung with 3M strips so that when she's too old for dress-up we don't have 8 different drill marks in the wall. She absolutely loves it!
I want to put "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" somewhere on the mirror or the wall by the mirror but I have to find some reasonably priced vinyl lettering or some other cheaper option first. Any ideas?
Pumpkin Patch Pictures
They're some of my favorites every year. Here's 2 years ago. Just because it's cute and the kids have changed so much.
Like brother like ... brother
Boys.
These two boys of ours have a fire in their hearts. Passionate, driven, and quite determined. Qualities that will take them far, help them do big things. But as their mother, I'm holding on for dear life trying to train up these little warriors. They have sweet cuddly moments and both have very sensitive hearts - but boy do they keep us busy.
Little man has bruises all over his forehead. From climbing out of the crib. Again. And again. Fifteen months old - I wasn't ready to fight this battle for at least 6 more months. Thankfully we turned the crib around and that seems to be holding him in for now. Friends have recommended a crib tent, but I know this boy and I know his brother and between the two of them, they'd have that figured out in no time.
Carson climbed out the window the other day. We're sitting in the living room enjoying the fresh air of a beautiful fall day and realize Carson is no longer playing by the couch. He's walking around the backyard. He pushed out the screen and climbed right out. Thankfully our window is only a foot off the ground so there were no injuries. He was actually quite proud of himself.
We're bracing ourselves for at least 15 years of scraped knees, bloody noses, black eyes, and broken bones and praying for two boys that hold on to their passion, drive, and determination and direct it toward serving the Lord as men of character and humility and men with the ability to lead and live boldly. We want them to be world changers, to do big things. (As long as those big things don't involve robbing banks.)
We asked Kyler a few days ago if he was going to be a world-changer, & his response? "No, I'm just gonna be Batman." I love these wild boys. :)
These two boys of ours have a fire in their hearts. Passionate, driven, and quite determined. Qualities that will take them far, help them do big things. But as their mother, I'm holding on for dear life trying to train up these little warriors. They have sweet cuddly moments and both have very sensitive hearts - but boy do they keep us busy.
Little man has bruises all over his forehead. From climbing out of the crib. Again. And again. Fifteen months old - I wasn't ready to fight this battle for at least 6 more months. Thankfully we turned the crib around and that seems to be holding him in for now. Friends have recommended a crib tent, but I know this boy and I know his brother and between the two of them, they'd have that figured out in no time.
We're bracing ourselves for at least 15 years of scraped knees, bloody noses, black eyes, and broken bones and praying for two boys that hold on to their passion, drive, and determination and direct it toward serving the Lord as men of character and humility and men with the ability to lead and live boldly. We want them to be world changers, to do big things. (As long as those big things don't involve robbing banks.)
We asked Kyler a few days ago if he was going to be a world-changer, & his response? "No, I'm just gonna be Batman." I love these wild boys. :)
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Sweetest Birthday Gift
My birthday isn't even until tomorrow and already it has been one of the best birthdays. Ever.
Conor and I celebrated Friday night when he rented a boat to take me out on the river(!). Easily the sweetest date he's ever planned. We had dinner served to us on a private little electric boat that we rode up and down the river. Amazing. Absolutely beautiful. To prove it - here are the pictures:
The first hour and a half were amazing. Just us, uninterrupted conversation, dinner and the sun setting over the city skyline. The people on the dinner cruise next to us cooed about how cute we were and girls were elbowing their boyfriends/husbands/fiances about what a sweet date we were on. And then, as usual, we were interrupted by the pitter patter of little feet. Only this time, they were not feet of cute little children. I wish they were. A giant ugly rat climbed out of a little hole on the bow of the boat, ran around and climbed back in. A big fat river rat. The cooing from the boat next to us turned into screams and gasps. "THERE'S A RAT ON YOUR BOAT!" "And he's not little, he's BIG!" Thank you. Thank you people on the boat next to us.
The cruise line offered to comp back our entire rental and meal AND offered us a free rental for up to 10 people next time. So it all worked out in the end. But still. There was a rat on our boat.
On Sunday our family went to my parents' house to celebrate with barbecue and chocolate cake. :) When we arrived, my sister handed me a card. In case you didn't know, my sister, Cory, is 19 months older than me and has Down Syndrome. I can't explain to you how special she is to me. The card Cory handed me is the sweetest gift I've ever received and is what made this the best birthday I've ever had. I thought you might enjoy reading it as well.
There were tears. I love her. :)
Here is the text of the letter in case the pictures don't show up:
Tomorrow is your birthday so you are my best sister and a great mother for your kids. Today, we celebrate your birthday. God will watch over you every day and every night. You are my hero and lovable sister. Happy Birthday Sis. Cory
I've never heard anyone who had a sibling with special needs describe it as anything other than a blessing. And a blessing she is. I learn so much from Cory and am beyond thankful for her. Thank you for the card, Cory. Best. Present. Ever.
Conor and I celebrated Friday night when he rented a boat to take me out on the river(!). Easily the sweetest date he's ever planned. We had dinner served to us on a private little electric boat that we rode up and down the river. Amazing. Absolutely beautiful. To prove it - here are the pictures:
The cruise line offered to comp back our entire rental and meal AND offered us a free rental for up to 10 people next time. So it all worked out in the end. But still. There was a rat on our boat.
On Sunday our family went to my parents' house to celebrate with barbecue and chocolate cake. :) When we arrived, my sister handed me a card. In case you didn't know, my sister, Cory, is 19 months older than me and has Down Syndrome. I can't explain to you how special she is to me. The card Cory handed me is the sweetest gift I've ever received and is what made this the best birthday I've ever had. I thought you might enjoy reading it as well.
Here is the text of the letter in case the pictures don't show up:
Tomorrow is your birthday so you are my best sister and a great mother for your kids. Today, we celebrate your birthday. God will watch over you every day and every night. You are my hero and lovable sister. Happy Birthday Sis. Cory
I've never heard anyone who had a sibling with special needs describe it as anything other than a blessing. And a blessing she is. I learn so much from Cory and am beyond thankful for her. Thank you for the card, Cory. Best. Present. Ever.
Monday, September 26, 2011
A New Addition
Our family doesn't really do pets. Mostly because it sounds like a lot of work and young kids and animals don't really mix...
But everything changed last night when we brought home four goldfish after rescuing them from a youth group activity (that I probably should not describe here...tho I want to...because it was hilarious) I thought goldfish would be a simple enough pet. Like Dorothy in Elmo's world, we'd just get a cute bowl and let them swim around. A few flakes in the bowl every day, periodic cleaning out of said bowl. It would be fun and another chore to add to Darby's chore chart.
In the morning the kids were ECSTATIC to see the fish. Darby named each of them and claimed the 'clean' ones for herself and said Ky could have all the 'dirty' ones (any fish with a speck of gray in their coloring)
Only one little mishap of Mommy walking away from the fish for a second and returning to screams and one of the bowls filled with chocolate cheerios. Lovely.
We didn't really have any bowls big enough for 4 goldfish (I had kind of counted on at least one of them dying overnight...) so off we went to the pet store to find a cute large goldfish bowl or tank. (super easy errand with 3 kids...ha!) Unfortunately the condescending and slightly rude employees informed me that goldfish needed at least 2.5 gallons of water EACH and really for 4 goldfish we should get them a 40 gallon tank. Apparently in some countries goldfish bowls are banned because they are considered "animal cruelty." I laughed out loud at the craziness. Really? These goldfish are normally sold as food for other fish.
So meet the newest members of the family: Clifford and Philadelphia Beta.
Darby insisted on a "girl" beta even if they weren't as pretty, and Ky was super excited about a red fish.
$20 for a tank, food AND fish that don't mind living in tight spaces. Much better.
Please don't ask what happened to the goldfish. I haven't decided yet. Apparently if you can't release them in a pond (which they don't really suggest in case the fish are diseased), the most humane thing is to euthanize them. Right. Because that's practical. I did read one suggestion that if you couldn't euthanize them, the second best thing was essentially to put them in a tube sock and beat them against a wall.
Let's just say I'm a little confused.
Welcome to the family Clifford and Philadelphia. Please live at least a week.
But everything changed last night when we brought home four goldfish after rescuing them from a youth group activity (that I probably should not describe here...tho I want to...because it was hilarious) I thought goldfish would be a simple enough pet. Like Dorothy in Elmo's world, we'd just get a cute bowl and let them swim around. A few flakes in the bowl every day, periodic cleaning out of said bowl. It would be fun and another chore to add to Darby's chore chart.
In the morning the kids were ECSTATIC to see the fish. Darby named each of them and claimed the 'clean' ones for herself and said Ky could have all the 'dirty' ones (any fish with a speck of gray in their coloring)
Only one little mishap of Mommy walking away from the fish for a second and returning to screams and one of the bowls filled with chocolate cheerios. Lovely.
We didn't really have any bowls big enough for 4 goldfish (I had kind of counted on at least one of them dying overnight...) so off we went to the pet store to find a cute large goldfish bowl or tank. (super easy errand with 3 kids...ha!) Unfortunately the condescending and slightly rude employees informed me that goldfish needed at least 2.5 gallons of water EACH and really for 4 goldfish we should get them a 40 gallon tank. Apparently in some countries goldfish bowls are banned because they are considered "animal cruelty." I laughed out loud at the craziness. Really? These goldfish are normally sold as food for other fish.
So meet the newest members of the family: Clifford and Philadelphia Beta.
Darby insisted on a "girl" beta even if they weren't as pretty, and Ky was super excited about a red fish.
$20 for a tank, food AND fish that don't mind living in tight spaces. Much better.
Please don't ask what happened to the goldfish. I haven't decided yet. Apparently if you can't release them in a pond (which they don't really suggest in case the fish are diseased), the most humane thing is to euthanize them. Right. Because that's practical. I did read one suggestion that if you couldn't euthanize them, the second best thing was essentially to put them in a tube sock and beat them against a wall.
Let's just say I'm a little confused.
Welcome to the family Clifford and Philadelphia. Please live at least a week.
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