Being a grown up

Last night, I got to be a grown up. [Insert enormous smile here]

And it was SO nice. [Insert second enormous smile here]

Some girl friends and I, all of whom love (and need) grown up time of our own, decided it'd be fun to start a book club. And to read real books and have real discussions together. No "Cat in the Hat" or "Thomas the Tank Engine." No sound effects, nursery rhymes, or puppet shows.

But real books and real discussions.

So we met yesterday evening to discuss our first book; a novel by Kathryn Stockett, called, "The Help."

It was a great first book for our club. Not just a gripping and effortless read, but also thought provoking, unique, and well written. While there were a few things that could possibly have been done without, it was a very enjoyable book, and surprisingly clean for a New York Times Best Seller (that topped the charts for 42 weeks in a row!)

While we puzzled over different issues (civil rights, family dynamics, character flaws, and all their implications), we also enjoyed some sweet treats and hand crafted coffees.

And when I say hand crafted, I mean it.

One of the book club gal's was once a Starbucks barista and she pulled out the big guns. That is, she brought her amazing espresso maker and, with incredible finesse, whipped up our grande, nonfat, decaf, caramel macchiato's with extra foam IN MY KITCHEN.

It was amazing.

And so was being a grown up for the evening.

While I love my kids, and Thomas the Tank Engine, it was so fun to put on a different hat, a hat that doesn't get worn all that often, and spend some time with other adults.

Wowsers!

A fun tidbit that I was urged to share:

Isaiah, my 4 year old, can read.

I think he actually started reading when he was 3.

Well.

Not read reading. But "bat" "mat" "pat" reading.  You know, the very very basics. It was exciting to see him sound out letters and ask questions about different words.

But then I started getting worried. Worried that I was teaching him wrong. Worried that he'd learn bad habits, or wouldn't learn to read the right way.

Whatever the right way of reading is.

So I started hunting around for early reading curriculum but could not decide what to choose. Beyond the thousands of options that are out there, I didn't want it to be too complicated (for me to teach!). And I didn't want to spend a ton of money in case we didn't like it, or it wasn't suitable, or I admit, in case I got frustrated and bailed out.


Then a dear friend (I wish I could tag her here, but she's not a blogger) recommended "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." Clear easy lessons all in one book. Each lesson 20 minutes long. No flashcards. No booklets. No tricky wording. Just 100 easy lessons to reading at a 2nd grade level. And all at the bargain price of $13.95? Wow.

It sounded perfect. Like just what I was looking for. In fact, it sounded too good to be true.

But I trusted this friend, and especially her teaching/homeschooling advice, so I found the book on  Amazon.com (no I was not paid for this endorsement, but maybe someday...) and purchased it.

I was SO excited when it came in the mail. And was SO excited to get started. And so was Isaiah.

But the excitement we felt initially, pales in comparison to how excited I am now. We are half way through the book, and my son is reading like a pro.

Like. A. Pro.

I had really been dragging my feet about this homeschooling business. Convinced I would fail. Certain I wouldn't like it. Assured that it'd be like pulling teeth---for both of us.


Yes, I really felt worried about all those things. And admittedly, I still do. BUT!!!!!! my 4 year old can read! And by God's grace, I taught him!!

Yesterday he read a story that was 9 complete sentences long. Amazing!

I'm so thankful for finally feeling like this is something I can do. Thankful that when I was completely unsure of myself, God sent people, friends, parents, into my life to encourage and support me. And so very thankful that my son can read.

Laziness, and a few books

Remember last January, when I challenged myself to read a book a week? Well, the stats are in, and while I didn't make the 52 books I aimed for, I did read FORTY-SIX books this past year.

Woot Woot!!

It was so fun to put this post together, and to see all the books I've read this year. If only I hadn't fallen off the bandwagon at the end of the year though...

But more confessions after you view this large pile of books. Click on the month for the specific blog posts.

 

January

February

March

April

May (we moved)

May, June & July... for real

August

September

October, November, December (minus a few that didn't get pictures, and I can't remember what they were anyway).

As previously alluded to, I fell off the book reading bandwagon in November.

And in a really bad way.

I was recently encouraged to be more transparent **okay, so it was in a sermon to the whole church, but I think we all know what I mean when I say that I'm CERTAIN our Pastor was talking to ME** so without further adieu, I'll confess that I became extremely overwhelmed, overworked, and overtired in November.

Part of this has to do with my husband being gone for an entire month... but in all honesty, I can't blame my failure to his absence. I think the larger part of my exhaustion was my own laziness.

Wait? What?

How does laziness fit in with being overworked?

Well, I was lazy in the things that really mattered.

I got slack with keeping a household schedule, disciplining my children and reading my Bible. Instead of doing the "one thing needful" I busied myself with other activities. And I was so busy too! In hind sight, it is easy to see why I became so overwhelmed and tired though: I did everything on my own strength.

I did keep reading a little here and there, and I did do my devotions on occasion, but not with regularity or purpose. It's quite humiliating that among all the other books that I did read this year, I failed to complete my Bible reading plan in 2010, after staying on track for 10 1/2 months and having a newborn in the house. Yes. It's that sad. 

I still groan at my laziness, at how the Devil triumphed in convincing me I didn't have time, at the excuses I made up, but never really believed.

L-A-Z-I-N-E-S-S

But as I mentioned the other day... in Christ, we always have the opportunity to start afresh and anew. I'm so thankful that getting back on track is only a prayer away.

Mesmerized

The Dorling Kindersley Rescue Vehicle Book never gets old. Whether you're 29 years old, 8 months old, or somewhere in between.

So glad I found it at Goodwill for 49 cents.

Boys will be boys...and their mother, a bargain hunter.

DPP, Day 20

September Books

 I'm a little embarrassed to post the books I read in September... but... here they are anyway.

Yes I know that I didn't keep up with my "book a week" goal, and I know that other than the Bible all I read was Harry Potter.

I have a number of good excuses for why I didn't get much reading done (believe me, I read in a lot of other books, I just haven't finished them yet). But I won't bore you with them. However, I suppose the main cause is really because September's calendar looked like this:

And yes, if you can read the fine print that did include a Craig Morgan concert on the 17th.


The excuses aside, I did finish reading the Old Testament and am now working my way through the New Testament--right on track to read the Bible in a year. Yes!!

I am also really enjoying the Harry Potter books. I admit that after attending a conference on the infiltration of Paganism into the church and our culture by Peter Jones I wondered about reading them or not. It was a very interesting conference, I'd recommend it, and any of his books.

But back to Harry Potter: these books, while well written, need to be read with good Biblical discernment. I think too, after attending the conference, and reading more of the Potter series, I've officially taken a stance and will not let my kids read them till they are grown (high school??).

August Books

I just keep reading. Really, it's becoming quite a habit again. And I'm so glad. It's so nice to rediscover a first love, so to speak.

I'll be honest and say that my reading is directly correlated to the absence of television in our house. No joke. Since we moved in June, we have also NOT had television. Well, we have a TV but don't get a signal/cable/any TV channels, not even PBS!!

Again, no joke. While I admit in my sinfulness, it was a bone of contention between my husband and I (guess who wanted her Food Network and HGTV?), I gradually came around to full submission on the issue. I wish I could say I was a more excellent wife, but even now, as the fall television season gets ready to rock n roll, I'm feeling a little apprehensive.

My angst aside, my husband had very good reasons for giving up the tube. And I agree with his reasons too:

1. The expense-- do you know what cable costs these days? Even the "deals" out there will rope you in for $700+ a year. I don't know about you, but I'd rather spend that on SHOES!! Especially when you can watch most things online for free these days. Thank you, hulu!
2. The time--doesn't it always start with, "I'll just see what's on," before 2 hours are spent watching "The Next Food Network Star?" (are you catching my Food Network vibes here?)
3. The trash-- how did TV/movies get so bad, so fast? Almost nothing is appropriate anymore. Bad language. Bedrooms scenes. Disobedient/defiant children. The list goes on.
4. The example--It can be such a big time waster, and, personally I'd rather my kids see me reading, cleaning, playing soccer in the backyard, than sitting in front of the TV. I actually kind of feel the same way about the computer. I have mixed feelings about email/blogging/Facebook/Internet games/chatting that so often are really a means of procrastination and idleness. There, I said it. Even if I'm incriminating myself!

So... all the reasons my hubby and I discussed made perfect sense, yet my human nature had such a hard time letting go. Ahh! I love to unwind in front of the TV. Or to watch a good movie and sip hot cocoa.
But... I will say that in the 2 1/2 months we've gone without TV, I've not really missed it. Honest and true.

So enough of my preamble...and onto the books I read in August.

• The Persecutor by Sergei Kourdakov

This book is a biography of a modern day Paul. This young man, who grew up in Communist Russia, served Communism and all its ideals, even as far as persecuting and sometimes killing Christians. Shortly before the book draws to an end, he tells of the saving work of Christ in his life. I admit I felt a bit disappointed of the ending, wishing that I could see this young man who had done so much evil, now turn around and serve God. But his life was cut short (22 yrs) and he barely had the chance to serve the God he had spend so long fighting. Yet in his lack of time to perform redeeming works, the beautiful message of the story is actually made more striking--we are justified by faith alone, not by works, lest any man should boast. Additionally, despite our sinfulness there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

While the boys were picking out books in the children's section at the library, I saw these books on the shelf and decided to see what all the fuss was about. And I've found these books to be well written, fast paced, and enjoyable. The disclaimer, of course, is that they are filled with wizards and sorcery in a very likable and enjoyable way...so put on your filtering glasses and enjoy! Or judge me. Your choice.

• Homeschooling: take a deep breath, you can do it by Terrie Bittner
• The Homeschooling book of answers by Jane Dobson

Can you tell I'm gearing up to potentially homeschool my boys? Isaiah turns 4 in September so schooling is still a ways off... and I admit that I'm fighting it. Fighting homeschooling, that is. I really feel like it is the best option, especially for us a Christian military family, but...still I fight it. And would appreciate your prayers.

• Bringing up Boys by Dr James Dobson

If you have boys, you should read this book. While Dobson is a believer, he writes the book using his vast psychological and medical training as well-- which happens to be the only caveat I have with the book. While I learned so much and feel that I am better equipped to raise my brood of boys, I also felt a twinge here and there when I saw Dobson fail to call sin, sin (e.g. homosexuality, addictions). So again, put on your filtering/discerning glasses, and enjoy. I think we would all be better/have better parents if we understood so much of what is in this book.

• The Bible-- keeping up with reading the entire Bible in the year, I read Isaiah, Jeremiah& Lamentations.

Whoot! I love my daily Bible reading!

My little reader

After tiring himself out in the backyard pool, Joshua wandered inside



and this is how I found him

It still cracks me up that the books trumped the swimming pool. The super cool alligator pool at that.

I'd say he's just like his mama, but then I think if it was me, I'd do both at the same time. There's nothing like reading a book while dipping your feet in the pool.

May, June, and...

Should I just include the July books in here as well? Or should I say, book (singular). As you may have guessed, I didn't do so well reading in my spare time the last month or so. But then, what spare time?? We packed our entire house, moved across the country, unpacked our entire house, had 2 vacations, and pretty much started over in getting settled and calling a place home.

That aside, I'm looking at the stack of books above, and I think there is still 13 books there!! So as far as the total goes, I'm still racking in a book a week... I just haven't completed reading a book the entire month of July. Yet.

Anyway...

• The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings-- perhaps one of the best written novels I've read in quite some time. A beautiful story that is both clearly and capitivatingly written (is that a word?). It's a Pulitzer Prize winner as well, which it definitely deserved. Great story. Long book. (400 pages??)

• Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya-- another novel (!!!). The story is set in India and replays the life of an Indian woman and the daily trials and challenges she faces.

• Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carol--I've read this book before and never much liked it. And I was reminded of that again this time too. Literary nonsense just... doesn't make sense to me.

• Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray--this book is not an easy read!! However, it is still well written and gave me not only greater knowledge but also a greater appreciation for the greatness of our salvation by our Redeemer.

I finished off the Laura Ingalls Wilder Series and had a great time strolling down memory lane. No matter how many times I read these books, I think they will always remind me of my childhood.

• By the Shores of Silver Lake
• The Long Winter
• Little Town on the Prairie
• These Happy Golden Years
• The First Four Years

Then I also read:

• Christian Baptism by John Murray-- okay, so I only read a portion of this book and I'm not sure when I will finish it. But it sits on my bedside table just waiting for me to open it.

• Turning on the Light by Carol Ruvolo-- this is a great book that guides and instructs on how to read the Bible. It provides an excellent grounding for studying, interpretting, and applying God's word.

• The Crazy Makers: how the food industry is destroying our brains and harming our children by Carol Simontacchi--- a very interesting book about how the food we eat (and the food we feed our children) affects our growth, development, cognition, among many other things. It dealt with things like preservatives, organic foods, baby formula to name a few. I found the book to be really quite fascinating and eye opening. I can't say that I jumped on the bandwagon, but it definitely encouraged me to think twice about the food I eat and what I feed my kids.

• Mothers of Influence ---this book is one of those gifty kinds of book that people give you at a baby shower. It is filled with short stories about different people (mostly famous ones) and how their mother's helped shape their futures (e.g. Corrie ten Boom, Condoleeza Rice, Laura Ingalls etc). I learned a lot and enjoyed the stories.

And that's about it. But... July is not over and I have a couple other good reads going. I do so love to read. If only there were more hours in the day!!

May Books

What more can I say? I've been reading like crazy (I think 6 or 7 books in May), but most of the books are packed and ready to be loaded, so the picture taking and descriptions will have to wait.

April Books

Can you tell that I had a baby in the month of April? And that I've been able to take advantage of the time I spend nursing the baby to read a little extra? It's nice to have the excuse to sit still and read... despite all the other busy things I need to be doing. :)
So... in April I read

• Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Nick has been reading the "Laura" series to the boys each evening at bedtime, and after catching bits and snipits while listening in (and also seeing our boys delight in these stories) I decided to read them myself. These books were childhood favorites and Newberry Award Winners--and I think I'm finding them even more enjoyable as an adult. I've been amazed by the Ingalls Family, their endurance, the challenges they faced, and the incredible amount of work they did EACH DAY! We live close to one of the Ingalls/Wilder homes right now, so hopefully we'll take a visit before we move.

• Don't Waste your Life by John Piper

What a great and inspiring book!! I have been convicted and encouraged in every chapter. I will say the book is a little repetitive in its theme, but still an excellent read and Piper hammers it home-- Don't WASTE your life!! Live every day for Christ and His glory!!

• Babywise by Ezzo
• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Le Leche League
• What to Expect when You're Expecting

Another obvious indicator that I had a baby this month! And I know what all you moms are wondering: Babywise AND Le Leche League??? On the same blog post??? What??? :) I think the two combined create a great balance. They both need to be taken/read with a grain of salt and a bit of discernment, but I'll tell you... Babywise gave me SLEEP at night and happy, cheerful, well-rested children... and Le Leche League is a TREMENDOUS resource for moms and is probably the BEST breastfeeding go-to book out there.

• Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin--- not read in its entirety of course, but touching on topics such as the Church.
• The Bible-- The Books of 1&2 Samuel and 1&2 Kings-- Obviously dealing with Old Testament Kings, God's dealings with His Chosen People, and numerous accounts of God's faithfulness to them.

March Books

Here's the books I read in March. Obviously not all of them in their entirety (Calvin and the Bible are "a bit" long), but I'm still reading regularly and just LOVING curling up with a good book.

1. King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry (this was a blast from the past-- a childhood story that I never forgot and always enjoyed)
2. The Fruitful Life by Jerry Bridges (an excellent and convicting read for sure. Bridges goes through the Fruit of the Spirit and challenges the reader to live out "the fruitful life")
3. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (#6 in the Chronicles of Narnia)
4. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis (#7 in the Chronicles of Narnia, despite the fact that I've read this series before, I'm always surprised by the ending)
5. Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin (Nick and I are enjoying a study through Calvin's Institutes at our church-- our reformed Baptist church no less!!-- and what a great study its been thus far. We delved into some big topics this last study, such as predestination and election)
6. Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges and Ruth from the Bible (the Old Testament is such a beautiful picture of Christs redeeming work)

February Books

In my attempts to read at least a book a week, I'm still on track.
In February I read:

1. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
2. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
4. Withhold Not Correction by Bruce Ray
5. Leviticus and Numbers from the Bible

January Books

In my goal to read more this year (I'm aiming for a book a week), I thought it'd be fun to post a picture of the books I read each month. I'm hoping it will not only keep me on track, but also serve as a nice reminder of being a book worm again. I am rediscovering my love for reading!Obviously I should have posted this about a month ago, but probably you have already noticed I've been neglecting my blog lately. Anyway.



In January I read:

1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
2. Your Signature Life by Diane Booher
3. The Magicians Nephew by C.S. Lewis
4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
5. The books of Genesis and Exodus in the Bible.