January Reading

 

What are you reading these days?

My Amazon wish list is packed with great ideas and my bookshelves are holding a few untouched books.  Nonetheless, I'm always curious about what other people are enjoying...

I just finished reading Unplanned by Abby Johnson the other night.  It filled me so full of hope.  Last night I was blessed to have a phone conversation with a dear friend about the book (I actually get really nervous on the phone, it's bizarre - so this was great fun to have a relaxed convo sans crazy kids all around) and the more I think about it, the more I see that what moved me in Unplanned was how God works.   He has His own time and our faithful prayers are not in vein; I just loved that about Abby's story.  I read a review elsewhere online that thought that maybe certain parts of her conversion of heart were overly dramatized, but I completely disagree.  If we look at what she did, the huge paradigm-shifting, life-altering decision to run to the Coalition, literally run, it is quite dramatic.  That is real life.  That is God. 

When I read the first chapter online as a "preview," I was really afraid to pick up the book.  It was so gut wrenching and painful to hear all the details of the ultrasound-guided abortion that she witnessed that I just wasn't sure I could handle it all.  Thankfully, I was wrong and I found the book extremely enlightening concerning the thought process of "the other side."  Good or bad, one of my ways of thinking is to always wonder where a person is coming from on a thought, opinion, or argument.  I wonder what influences in life make a certain person think or act a certain way.  As hard as it is, I try to assume the best about people and this book went along the same lines.  People are deceived.  Women are deceived.  

What blessings our little children are, vulnerable and literally growing next our hearts.  What a blessing motherhood is, even with all its trials and mortification and sufferings.  What joy.

You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb.  I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works!  Psalm 139:13-14

I have also delved into One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  Now seriously here, I must admit that I didn't really know what to expect with this one.  So far, I am sincerely enjoying it, even though it is a slow, thoughtful read.

In fact, I think I might go tuck myself into those creamy, soft flannel sheets and get back to reading while the Goldendoodle snores next to me.  

We're also reading Farmer Boy.  Which just makes me hungry.  Why are they always talking about food?!

Please do share what you're reading.  Or what you wish you were reading.  Or what you've read recently and recommend...I'd love to know!

Part of the Story and (working on) Being Pure of Heart

{Here is my post from the other day.  I had Charlie read it...he encouraged me to post, so here it is.}


My heart is heavy.

This story about the arrest of "Dr." Gosnell just has me heartbroken.  As does my coming across this blog created by a FB friend taking on a very real cross that many marriages endure...joining Twitter and briefly observing what is "trending" in our country...and then, the crowing glory of my disgust today: a post on the BlogHer website entitled "my fitness playlist."

Several years ago, I had a 2nd conversion of sorts.  I was born Catholic, praise the Lord, and my parents raised me that way.  As a young girl on the brink of high school, Jesus truly captivated my heart and my life on a wonderful NET retreat - a true gift that preserved me though my teenage years.  But, it wasn't until I had a few years of marriage under my belt (not that I've had THAT many just yet anyway...we're going on 8) and two children, did some other things become more clear to me.

We were living in a very wealthy suburb in Houston on a Catholic youth minister's salary.  All around us we were bombarded with the culture, but at such a young age I was already in a secret phase of life.  While my high school friends were finishing up college and could not yet conceive of marriage, I lived and breathed home life with 2 babies, with little money and few friends (which I'm convinced was all a part of His plan!).  During that time, nap time afforded me a chance to encounter the blessing of wise women of faith online.  The internet became my window to the world, and I got to choose to see what I liked out that window, rather than have my eyes and senses and soul accosted by what the culture down the road in the "real world" imparted upon me.  (Here is a case where internet use and social media were really beneficial!)

Even though I had a good, solid upbringing and I really did love the Lord and His Church, it was time for me to take another step, and that was a step away from the things of the world to which I unknowingly clung.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
I want to be pure of heart.

It's still something I have to work on.  If you know me in real life, I'm sure you know that!  But, it's something I strive for because I was attached to the world in ignorance.

As I said, the Lord had mercifully preserved me from a lot, but there were two specific things I had to rid myself of: immodest fashion and popular music.
It was a detox of sorts.
I had to go the controversial skirt route for a while, just to make a conscious decision to have greater respect for myself, my marriage, my vocation, my Creator.  I tossed out the short shorts, the low cut shirts, the super tight everything, the bikinis, and most importantly, the frame of mind.  (I have since relaxed my clothing regimen, because I have confidence that I can dress appropriately now - and that I have a husband who loves me enough to tell me honestly if a glimmer of my old self creeps up.)  But, that is a story for another day.

What inspired me to post today (the bearing of my heart here was unintended, really) though is about the music.  I have always loved music, and come from a music loving home.  True to my age and the popular culture though, this included not only quality music, but music that wares down the soul.  That music, movies, television, and other media don't affect a person's level of morality is a flat out lie.  Music, being my love, was just the way to cater impurity into my heart.  So, cold turkey, I quit popular music as well.  Again, it's one of those things where now I can allow a little bit back into my life because I am careful.  I read lyrics and screen for things that I deem inappropriate.
Imagine my shock today when I found this "fitness playlist" on a blog!  Charlie got me the new iPod nano (pink!) for my birthday because I was having all sorts of problems on the treadmill with my 1st generation flying all over the place.  Anyway, I'm always on the look out for new music for my playlist for running because I am so picky about it.  I started plugging the suggested titles from this blog into Grooveshark to check them out and suddenly I felt....oppressed.
I couldn't help linking what I was hearing to the terrible stories of Gosnell in PA, to the gut wrenching addiction that is breaking hearts in marriages, to the voluntary poisoning of woman's bodies, and so forth.
It literally felt like I could feel the evil one lurking around in the lyrics, the beats, the messages.
They sounded like the background music to the news articles depicting these atrocities - hence, my heavy heart.

But, I take a look around and take heed.  Maybe middle-of-nowhere Wyoming is not my dream location.  Maybe the lack of Target, and museums, and art, and music resides here with me, all too far away from our beloved families.  Maybe we have that pesky lack of Craigs Listing, and too much mud on the floors, and really cold nights.  However, what we do have is genuinely good people, people seeking the Lord, and holy priests who help lead us there.  We have spotty radio stations that shield my heart from the horrors of daily news.  We have an old-fashioned town that doesn't scandalize my children (or me) or destroy their innocence (or my own) when we go out.
I suspect that where I am is not the only place to find this.  I have hope that it can be found anywhere, with vigilance and perseverance and faith.
My pilgrimage here on earth is composed of eras of growing in understanding and faithfulness, and I have no doubt that there will be many more and that God will continue to work.  Just now am I far enough away from my clothing and music detox to really think on it and understand it, and see it's fruits.  One of which is being horrified by the vehicles by which our country, our culture, and the beloved people of God are being led astray.  But, I have hope, even in the heaviness of it all.

Volume 6: In Which I Avoid "Real" Blogging

Seven Quick Takes Friday was yesterday.  But, I'm going to do it today.
Yesterday afternoon, I wrote a long post that I decided to sleep on.  Anymore, I am reluctant to put too much of my heart out there on this blog.  Maybe I'll post it.  I don't know.
The experience of sitting on a post drove home for me that someones blog world is often just the surface, just part of the whole person.  A good reminder.

Anyway, here are my 7 quick takes:

1. I know it's January.  And I'm in Wyoming.  But I am so ready for Spring!  I think this comes from my experience growing up in Texas; once Christmas passes, you can expect (a brief) Springtime to follow.  Charlie and I are getting prepared though, mapping out the plans for the yard and for the house, preparing a list of what to grow in the garden, and deciding where to purchase baby chicks from in a few months for eggs.  Swing set, chicken coop, greenhouse....modest outdoor kitchen...there is lots of assembly in our future.  We have to plant grass...and we're going to enclose our front porch to make a sun room/mud room.  It's time to start planning!  I'll be glad when we get to the working part though.

2. I am B.O.R.E.D. with my hair.  It's time to do something drastic. 
Time, as in, this afternoon.
Maybe.

3. Are you my Facebook friend?  (If you're not, and you're on FB, you should be!)  Anyway, the other day I posted a great deal on Facebook to get a $20 Amazon card for $10 (thanks Blair!).  Well, I ended up getting the $20 free because 3 of my friends purchased it as well!  I didn't even know that was one of the perks.  I went directly to Amazon and ordered Unplanned by Abby Johnson and One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp.  These books seem to be all the rage, and I'm dying to read them for myself.  And I paid a whole $2 thanks to that free $20 card!

4. I need to pretty up my laundry room.  I decorated it when we moved in, but I want to use the frames in my bathroom (which I STILL haven't done - it looks just like it did when we moved in: empty) and what I used to fill the frames actually are bringing me down.  This post from from Lynelle over at Life a Little Sweeter has me inspired to start with my ironing board!  Next time I happen to be in normal civilization, I'm going to grab the supplies for this great project!

5. Speaking of sewing, I made curtains for my kitchen window & door, and the girls' room.  This is a huge accomplishment for me.  They aren't great, and if you come over, please don't inspect - but I'm mostly happy with how they turned out!  Plus I LOVE the fabric in the kitchen.  It was really scary to cut it.

Not a great pic...it's from my phone.  But, here they are, nonetheless.

 6. I stumbled across this post on BlogHer about "lazywear."  I'd really like to do a whole post on this, but it did get me thinking about how we project ourselves in public and to our families.  I don't think there's a need to dress to the nines for everyday when I'm scrubbing the toilets and reading picture books and homeschooling all day long.  But, I do take my job seriously and try to show that to my husband and children by getting dressed, complete with shoes, hair, earrings, and makeup every day (of course, not everyone needs to do the makeup, etc, but that's what I like!).  Not to mention, it makes ME feel like I am serious about my work, not just lounging around on some sort of never-ending Summer vacation - which my life is not.  I have a lot of thoughts on this...hmmm...

7. Ok, the other day was my favorite day for podcasts!  Charlie got me a new iPod for my birthday so I've been loving it for cleaning the house when the littles are resting.  Podcasts really help me feel like the time isn't dragging on and on.  I listened to the lovely Hallie Lord on the "Among Women" podcast and the new "Faith & Family Live" podcast about social media.  They were both great, but now I need more!  Any suggestions??

What a lovely weekend!  I hope yours is too!

Daybook January 3 - New Year's Edition!

Happy New Year to you all!  I'm praying it is a year of blessings and joy for you!

Outside my window … It is a gloriously beautiful, sunny, and freezing cold day in middle-of-nowhere-Wyoming.  Every time I walk into my front room, I am accosted by the light.  I feel like I should wear sunglasses in there!  It's beautiful!

I am listening to... The classical music station on XM radio.  All the littles are napping/resting.  It seems to be the only time I can blog!

I am wearing... Clothes that inspire work: my great New Balance shoes, my favorite girlie t-shirt for layering, and a black sweater.

I am thinking … about tomorrow.  It's my birthday.  As a birthday gift to myself, I ordered this book, The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary by Karen Edmisten.  I've heard nothing but good things about this book for a while now, so I thought I'd pick it up.  The only New Year's resolution I made was to strive hard for a true devotion to the Rosary, something I sadly have only had on and off throughout my life.  I figure that any other resolutions I might consider can be prayed about there.

I am thankful for … Skype.  Being far away from our families over the holidays was so hard, but it was such a blessing to be able to see everyone and chat on Christmas day!  We got to Skype with both my family and Charlie's.  It was really wonderful.

I am reading … As usual, the Ignatius Study Bible, and Conversations with God.  I'm also reading The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis de Montfort.  I'm enjoying some light reading occasionally with the short stories in The Most of P.G. Wodehouse.  On the school front, I've started Why Our Children Can't Read by Diane McMuinness.  I'm dying to get my hands on Lukewarmness: The Devil in Disguise, but I don't know if I can get it until a conference in CO in March or possibly my retreat in April (which I am SO excited about, once again!).


On my iPod... lots of upbeat music.  I've been doing a lot of cleaning, and it really helps.  Other than that, I have been enjoying the back episodes of Faith and Family Live podcast while cleaning my bedroom.

I am hoping …  for a wonderful 2011.  I was preparing my new calendar today (if you're interested, you can get your own at Family Centered) and seeing all the blank pages before me was quite exciting.

On my mind … sewing projects.  I'm not a great seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, but I really need curtains in my kitchen and the girls' bedroom, so I bit the bullet and ordered fabric online.  Hopefully they turn out well.  I'll post if they look good.  Otherwise, we'll forget the whole thing happened.  If I can conquer that, then I am just dying to try out some of the projects on a fun blog I just discovered.

We’re learning … We are starting our Spring semester tomorrow.  Can you believe it, I have not done my lesson plans!  Arg.  Well, it's the next thing on my list to do today, so momentarily you can find me at my dining table with a cup of Almond Joy coffee and a nice stack of papers.  Thankfully, MODG does most of the leg work for me.  Next week we're starting K with Gab too.  I think I'm just going to cram Kindergarten all into a semester for her and start her on 1st grade next year.  Based on all the books I just purchased for her, I'm thinking that it should be a breeze.

Noticing that … I need a hair cut!  AND, I'm starting to acquire enough grays that it's becoming noticeable.  I've never colored my hair before, but I'm thinking about it.  It's a scary prospect.

From the kitchen … Oh goodness, have there been some delectable things coming from my kitchen.  I have been baking bread like crazy and I can't wait to tell you about it.  This deserves a whole blog post.
On the dinner front there are all sorts of fun things coming up...a new Pioneer Woman recipe, hearty winter soups, a chicken roasted with butter and herbs...mmm...I love winter food.

Around the house … Most of Christmas decor is down, which always kicks me into pre-Spring cleaning mode. I just ordered a bunch of great cleaning tools on Amazon, I've been having my little ones cleaning doors, baseboards, and walls with Magic Erasers, and once our tax refund comes in in a couple months, I will be in the market for a new vacuum and a new iron.  I'd love any suggestions.

One of my favorite things … Diet Coke.  Is this bad!?  haha  I was just thinking the other day how much nicer my days are when there is Diet Coke in the fridge.  In the past, Charlie's tried to give up sodas and talk me into it as well, I'm thinking that it's just not going to happen.  I can pass on anything else...but not my Diet Coke!  (Plus, it just goes so well with bourbon!)


A picture I am sharing …

This little angel comes to snuggle with me every morning.  I'll be sad when the day comes that she doesn't awaken in the dark and want to join me for a few more hours of sleep.  So precious.