On my nightstand...

My summer reading list needs a boost. These are the books I am currently reading or have just finished. From top to bottom...

1. What Your Childhood Memories Say About You and What You Can Do About It by Kevin Leman

I haven't started this one yet, but will be reading it with a small group of women... should be very interesting!!

2. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt

I just finished this one. Gary and I both read it. It is very overwhelming/convicting/inspiring... it is wholeheartedly what our hearts desire right now.

3. True Religion by Palmer Chinchen

This book was written by our Pastor and again, aligns with the values in the Radical book... as well as where we are feeling pulled. Palmer grew up in Africa in a missionary family. This book is full of great stories and a different world view.

4. Never Mind the Joneses by Tim Stafford

I am literally on page 5, but so far so good. This book gives ideas and guidance on how to incorporate teaching Godly character traits into your family culture, while realizing that every family is going to do it differently. This is the book I'm currently reading with a small group. I can't wait to hear how their families are doing it!

5. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I just finished this one. Although I don't agree on most of the author's personal religious beliefs, I think it was good to read about how someone else believes in God. I really don't want to live in a Christian bubble, so hearing someone's opinion, as diverse from mine as it is, is beneficial. Besides the theological differences, the stories and images from her travels are amazing. It truly is inspiring to read about how someone can enjoy food, travel, sights, sounds, smells... and yes... the movie is coming out soon with Julia Roberts, and I always like to read the book first.

6. The Minds of Boys by Gurian/Stevens

Buddy Boy is starting kindergarten in two weeks. School always came easy for me, but I know that it can be a different ballgame for boys... especially boys as wild and impulsive (yet crazy intelligent!) as ours. I want him to have the best experience possible, so learning about how his little brain works is a good start.

7. Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

I bought this seven months ago with some very lofty intentions. I intend to become a self-taught sew-er, so I'm finally reading it. Plus, the pictures are cool.

Books I LOVED LOVED LOVED but had to return to their owners...

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (read this one before Half-Broke Horse)

Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

I need suggestions for a good read. Preferably one that you'd rather not sleep, but read, because it's so good. There's only so much non-fiction a girl can take.

Leave your suggestions in the comment section here, please!!!

Today

Perpetual sweat mustache? Sensation of burning flesh? A blow dryer in a sauna more refreshing? Yes.

The beach is calling my name... I've gotta get out of here!

Odds and Ends

I thought I'd catch up on some blogging while listening to the sweet sweet sounds of my second born as she screams herself to sleep. Did I mention this has been a regular occurrence for 14 months now? No? Why yes. She does interrupt the common screams with wall kicks and eloquent interjections such as; "You've got to be kidding me?!", "I don't like rude people and you are rude to me.", "Jesus said not to be mean to me." (my personal favorite), and the occasional "You don't love me anymore." (a glimpse into the teenage years and manipulation tactics?). I did video tape her once, in the hopes that one day I could laugh at this madness, and also for proof.

But I digress... crafts and some early onset nesting have commenced this week, and I do feel I've been quite productive (relatively speaking).

Finally hung up the summer wreath. Isn't it lovely? I wish I could take credit for it, but alas its someone else's brilliant idea. My friends Summer and Marleau's sister got married last year in New Zealand and made these as wedding decor. They found shells and driftwood and made these beauties. I just happened to be the lucky recipient of one, adding a ribbon in my favorite color, and now get to enjoy a little bit of the beach here in the desert.

Finishing up a special gift for a special cousin. My friend found this cute little scrapbook at a store in Iowa, all I did was church up the cover a bit and filled the insides. I found the idea for the fabric flowers here, and pretty much went overboard and made a plethora (bonus points to anyone who can name the obscure movie I learned this word from as a kid, anyone?!) Last do-it-myself pedicure on these size 11's while I can still semi-reach my toes... Sidenote: Does anyone else out there have a crazy long second toe like me, or is it just me and a girl I knew in college?

Also, I got a new bike because my husband rocks. It is the most awesome bike I've ever owned, in my most favorite color. I love it. It is a wee bit sad however since I really can't ride it for several more months. Don't tell my doctor, but I did take it for a cruise around the cul-de-sac across from our house. I picture myself going to the market (I don't ever call it that, but I'll start, because it goes so much better with my bike), to bask in the sun on the patio of my favorite coffee shop (which is Starbucks, but I feel this bike is better suited for an independently owned hipster joint, which I'll be in search of), and to the beach (which, I admit, will be one heck of a long ride). I'm hoping to get a basket for this sweet ride for my birthday. So "Sweetpea" (I always put her name in quotes when she is acting like a heroin user in rehab) is still at it. I must go intervene as I hear her trying to disassemble the mini-blinds.

Happy Friday :)

TV Crack

I am a recovering TV addict. It's true. I love to watch the news in the morning as I eat breakfast. I can't seem to relax at night until that final Office re-run at 10:30. I'm officially in TV addiction rehab, and I'm... shall we say..."in mourning". What prompted this self-imposed prison you may ask? God (darn you convicting holy spirit!). I'm sitting in church a few weeks ago, and the message was all about simplifying your life, putting first things first, and not overly-complicating your existence to distract from your true purpose on earth. I sat there for the first half, feeling pretty smug, almost proud if you will. I was basically thinking, "hey all you other losers, he's talking to YOU!" Gary and I purposefully try to live simply; we own one car, pay with cash to live debt free, yada yada yada... Then it hit me (cue thunderous voice from Heaven above...) How about simplifying your use of TIME moron... you are addicted to TV... how could you better use your time? What are you teaching your children? Is what you are watching influencing you and your family more than God? Oh jeez. I knew for a fact, what I had to do, and boy did I not want to obey. It was a serious internal war. Seriously. It's only TV right?! How hard should this be? Luckily, I have a very supporting husband, who does not share in my addiction, so he lovingly canceled our cable... thus leaving us TV-less.

Honestly? It sucks. I can easily give up TV in the morning. Daytime is also supremely easy, because I was busy being a mom and we didn't sit around all day being couch potatoes. You know when it is the hardest for me? After the kids are in bed. I LOVED curling up in bed to watch my favorite shows while I painted my nails, or in the family room next to Gary as I scrapbooked, or even layed out in the dark to just totally relax. It was delightful.

Now, after the kids are in bed, it is just... quiet. I've read a ton of books (my most recent, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak... a can't-put-it-down-its-that-good kind of read), indulged in some Freerice.com action (I admit it, I love words, I'm almost word-snobby at times), and I am constantly doing laundry (like not a day goes by without at least one load, as in there are never dirty clothes around as they go straight into the washer).

But I think I missed the point here for these first few detox weeks without my TV crack. I gave up my addiction, to spend more time with my Creator, just to avoid Him once again. So tonight, when The Crazies are slumbering and I am wondering how to fill this void, I'm going to give my time to God and just be still. God help me.