Exciting times on a Saturday night:
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Book of Jonas
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Last week I finished The Book of Jonas which I really enjoyed. It reminded me of so many other books I've read in really odd ways. For example, it reminded me of one of my very favorite books The Kite Runner in that it's about war and culture in the Middle East. It reminded me of James Patterson's books in that the chapters are short, like one and a half pages each short, so it's easy to find a stopping place when you need it but it's also easy to read and read and read without stopping. It also reminded me of The Rules of Inheritance, another BlogHer Book Club book I'd read recently, in that it's about loss and coping.
In any case, this book captivated me completely and it's was one of those books that I immediately wished I had someone to talk to about once I'd finished it. I really hate spoilers so I'm not going to ask any of my questions or state any of my complaints here and instead I'll post comments over at the official Book Club page and I'll encourage you to join the conversation there as well.
*This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
stories
Josh with hands thrown up in the air in the backseat of the car last week: "You're driving me crazy, Dad!"
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"How about this to wear tomorrow, Julianna?"
"No, I want to wear something a little more fashionable. Wait. I really don't know what that means."
-----
Josh was grocery shopping with me today while we were waiting for gymnastics to end so we could pick up Jules and he was generally being difficult. He didn't want to ride in the front of the buggy; he didn't want to ride in the back of the buggy; he just wanted to walk. After trying several methods of getting through the store and getting the variety of items on my list, I finally got frustrated enough to give up and sit the boy roughly in the child seat in the front of the grocery cart and strap him in. He took the sweet potato in his hand and to show his dissatisfaction with being forced to be contained in a shopping cart, he gently tapped the sweet potato on the side of the cart.
I said, "Josh, please don't hit the potato on the buggy."
He said, "But Mom, it's just a little hammer!"
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On the way to school this morning:
Josh: Mom, I want a phone just like yours. I want a phone that works.
Me: Maybe you can ask for one for your birthday.
Josh: ??
On the way home from school this afternoon:
Josh: Mom, I want a phone that works. A really real phone. Can I have a phone like yours?
Me: You'll have to talk to Pap.
-----
"How about this to wear tomorrow, Julianna?"
"No, I want to wear something a little more fashionable. Wait. I really don't know what that means."
-----
Josh was grocery shopping with me today while we were waiting for gymnastics to end so we could pick up Jules and he was generally being difficult. He didn't want to ride in the front of the buggy; he didn't want to ride in the back of the buggy; he just wanted to walk. After trying several methods of getting through the store and getting the variety of items on my list, I finally got frustrated enough to give up and sit the boy roughly in the child seat in the front of the grocery cart and strap him in. He took the sweet potato in his hand and to show his dissatisfaction with being forced to be contained in a shopping cart, he gently tapped the sweet potato on the side of the cart.
I said, "Josh, please don't hit the potato on the buggy."
He said, "But Mom, it's just a little hammer!"
-----
On the way to school this morning:
Josh: Mom, I want a phone just like yours. I want a phone that works.
Me: Maybe you can ask for one for your birthday.
Josh: ??
On the way home from school this afternoon:
Josh: Mom, I want a phone that works. A really real phone. Can I have a phone like yours?
Me: You'll have to talk to Pap.
Monday, April 16, 2012
only 38 days left
I had the most marvelous weekend. It started with a half day of work on Friday which gave me lots of time for reading Friday afternoon and whatever else my heart desired. Half days are always nice. Friday night we met some friends for a simple dinner and Saturday morning I got up early to run with my sister. Then we took my mom to a 5k (on her birthday). Jonathan and the kids met us over there an hour or so later and we cheered for my mom during the race. It was awesome and I couldn't have been more proud of her.
Winston-Salem State University's marching band played before the race started and Josh said, "The show's about to start!" which had us all laughing.
Saturday afternoon we hung around the house. Jonathan and Josh mowed the grass.
Saturday night we had dinner at the Olive Garden for my mom's birthday. I always love looking at the kids out to dinner before prom... wish I had gotten some pictures of one of the dresses. Instead I got these two cuties.
Sunday morning we went on an 8 mile bike ride and packed a picnic lunch to eat in the middle. When we got back to mom's house we watched the monkeys climb trees.
Last night we rested at home and watched half of one of Julianna's Easter presents. She got this movie in her Easter basket since she and Jonathan have been reading the series together at night.
I was such a good weekend and I'm so thankful for my family and my time with them. You know I'm totally looking forward to school getting out so we can goof off together all summer.
Winston-Salem State University's marching band played before the race started and Josh said, "The show's about to start!" which had us all laughing.
Saturday afternoon we hung around the house. Jonathan and Josh mowed the grass.
Saturday night we had dinner at the Olive Garden for my mom's birthday. I always love looking at the kids out to dinner before prom... wish I had gotten some pictures of one of the dresses. Instead I got these two cuties.
Sunday morning we went on an 8 mile bike ride and packed a picnic lunch to eat in the middle. When we got back to mom's house we watched the monkeys climb trees.
Last night we rested at home and watched half of one of Julianna's Easter presents. She got this movie in her Easter basket since she and Jonathan have been reading the series together at night.
I was such a good weekend and I'm so thankful for my family and my time with them. You know I'm totally looking forward to school getting out so we can goof off together all summer.
Friday, April 13, 2012
counting to six
Dear Julianna,
This letter is so very late. I'm sorry. Over the past year you've lost several more teeth, ridden your bike 5-8 miles at a time, and gotten brave enough to jump off the diving board... AGAIN. Oh, and started kindergarten!
You've learned how to read proficiently and you've gotten your own public library card. You rode the bus for the first time (both the school bus and the city bus with Nanna) and learned how to do a cart wheel. You're taller than ever and your 6x pants look like high-waters.
You've created a dozen Pokemon databases, beaten PokePark Wii (moved on to the second one), and memorized countless facts about Pokemon. You've ridden several more roller coasters (including the upside-down pirate ship at Carowinds) and caught several more fish.
You've mastered the eye roll and gotten a tweenager attitude, "Duh!" You push your brother on the swing when I'm not looking and then when he becomes irritating you of course call him your little "bother." You got a trophy at the Fun Run at school, had your artwork in an art show for the county, and won several Dixie Classic Fair ribbons.
Your appetite is almost too big for a kids meal these days and you have become quite the homebody begging to stay home whenever you're given a choice. You like shirts with sparkles and just the other day you declared your six year old birthday party to be "the beat one ever because the other one's were just family." I don't want to go into the details of this on the blog, but ask Aunt Whitney sometime about your last trip to Goodwill and she'll be sure to tell you the story.
You went ice skating for the first time this year and you've figured out how to climb to the third and fourth branch in Nanna's tree. You've learned how to count money and love to shout the words to "Wholly Yours" by David Crowder Band.
Jules, you're a marvelous little girl whom I adore with my whole heart. I want to pause life at six and yet I want to see what's next all at the same time.
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
Six years ago I took on the most challenging yet most rewarding job ever. I almost went crazy due to the life change that it brought me but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I have wept tears of joy, frustration, apprehension and pride during the last six years. Happy Birthday, Julianna! You keep us on our toes but you wouldn't be you any other way!
This letter is so very late. I'm sorry. Over the past year you've lost several more teeth, ridden your bike 5-8 miles at a time, and gotten brave enough to jump off the diving board... AGAIN. Oh, and started kindergarten!
You've learned how to read proficiently and you've gotten your own public library card. You rode the bus for the first time (both the school bus and the city bus with Nanna) and learned how to do a cart wheel. You're taller than ever and your 6x pants look like high-waters.
You've created a dozen Pokemon databases, beaten PokePark Wii (moved on to the second one), and memorized countless facts about Pokemon. You've ridden several more roller coasters (including the upside-down pirate ship at Carowinds) and caught several more fish.
You've mastered the eye roll and gotten a tweenager attitude, "Duh!" You push your brother on the swing when I'm not looking and then when he becomes irritating you of course call him your little "bother." You got a trophy at the Fun Run at school, had your artwork in an art show for the county, and won several Dixie Classic Fair ribbons.
Your appetite is almost too big for a kids meal these days and you have become quite the homebody begging to stay home whenever you're given a choice. You like shirts with sparkles and just the other day you declared your six year old birthday party to be "the beat one ever because the other one's were just family." I don't want to go into the details of this on the blog, but ask Aunt Whitney sometime about your last trip to Goodwill and she'll be sure to tell you the story.
You went ice skating for the first time this year and you've figured out how to climb to the third and fourth branch in Nanna's tree. You've learned how to count money and love to shout the words to "Wholly Yours" by David Crowder Band.
Jules, you're a marvelous little girl whom I adore with my whole heart. I want to pause life at six and yet I want to see what's next all at the same time.
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
Six years ago I took on the most challenging yet most rewarding job ever. I almost went crazy due to the life change that it brought me but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I have wept tears of joy, frustration, apprehension and pride during the last six years. Happy Birthday, Julianna! You keep us on our toes but you wouldn't be you any other way!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Lost and Found
A few days ago I finished "Lost and Found" by Geneen Roth. The subtitle on the cover says, "One Woman's Story of Losing Her Money and Finding Her Life."
There were several things I liked about the story. First, the author is a great writer. I can relate to her in many senses but in other ways, I have no idea what it feels like to be her. I've never had a million dollars go away in an instant. I've never felt I was the victim of some great financial fraud. [Unfortunately, I can attribute most of my financial disasters to something of my own doing.]
Second, I was really interested in the comparison she consistently made throughout the book between spending money and eating food. With my history of dieting and my love of eating, I could certainly relate and draw conclusions based on the similarities between the two that she pointed out in the book.
On the other hand, I really wouldn't recommend this book as I don't feel like I learned anything revolutionary from it. In fact, I probably wouldn't have finished it if it weren't for needing to write this review. I think mostly I just grew bored with it.
The bottom line is this: the grass is always greener on the other side. When you see people who are thin and you desire to be like them, you don't realize the struggles they do in fact deal with and their personal relationship with food looks "easier" than it really is. When you pay attention to those who "have money" and you don't pay attention to how and where your money is going, you lose it.
Now I want to leave you with my two favorite quotes from the book. These are the things that I hope to remember most from reading it. "In this moment, when I began paying attention to what I did have instead of what I didn't, there was a constant, unavoidable display of gorgeousness everywhere, anywhere." (p. 26) I want to remember to pay attention to the things that matter, the things I do have, not the things I don't.
Also, "The true disaster is living the life in your mind and missing the one in front of you." (p.96) Thanks for this reminder, Ms. Roth.
This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own. If you'd like to read more about this book and share your thoughts you should join the discussion over at BlogHer's book club page.
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There were several things I liked about the story. First, the author is a great writer. I can relate to her in many senses but in other ways, I have no idea what it feels like to be her. I've never had a million dollars go away in an instant. I've never felt I was the victim of some great financial fraud. [Unfortunately, I can attribute most of my financial disasters to something of my own doing.]
Second, I was really interested in the comparison she consistently made throughout the book between spending money and eating food. With my history of dieting and my love of eating, I could certainly relate and draw conclusions based on the similarities between the two that she pointed out in the book.
On the other hand, I really wouldn't recommend this book as I don't feel like I learned anything revolutionary from it. In fact, I probably wouldn't have finished it if it weren't for needing to write this review. I think mostly I just grew bored with it.
The bottom line is this: the grass is always greener on the other side. When you see people who are thin and you desire to be like them, you don't realize the struggles they do in fact deal with and their personal relationship with food looks "easier" than it really is. When you pay attention to those who "have money" and you don't pay attention to how and where your money is going, you lose it.
Now I want to leave you with my two favorite quotes from the book. These are the things that I hope to remember most from reading it. "In this moment, when I began paying attention to what I did have instead of what I didn't, there was a constant, unavoidable display of gorgeousness everywhere, anywhere." (p. 26) I want to remember to pay attention to the things that matter, the things I do have, not the things I don't.
Also, "The true disaster is living the life in your mind and missing the one in front of you." (p.96) Thanks for this reminder, Ms. Roth.
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| Source |
This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own. If you'd like to read more about this book and share your thoughts you should join the discussion over at BlogHer's book club page.
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Saturday, April 7, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
great weekends go by twice as fast as they should
We spent the day yesterday at Julianna's school for the Spring Fling and today we traipsed around the NC Zoo. There were a variety of bouncy things for her to go wild in (on?) and a ton of carnival type games. This slide seemed super scary at first (say that five times fast) but she loved it.
She even got her hair spray painted pink and yellow which she loved even more.
On this bean bag toss game she won a homework pass which delighted her. Before yesterday she never knew of such a thing.
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When Jonathan and I realized on Saturday that we had a whole day the next day with nothing scheduled we decided to take advantage and head to the zoo. It has been two years since we last visited and knew the kids would enjoy it.
Look at my cite little monkeys.
She even got her hair spray painted pink and yellow which she loved even more.
On this bean bag toss game she won a homework pass which delighted her. Before yesterday she never knew of such a thing.
-------
When Jonathan and I realized on Saturday that we had a whole day the next day with nothing scheduled we decided to take advantage and head to the zoo. It has been two years since we last visited and knew the kids would enjoy it.
Look at my cite little monkeys.
I think their favorite part was riding the tram back to the other side where we parked and of course I don't have a picture of that. :-/
Now, I'm exhausted and I have to get tons ready for work tomorrow. Only four more days 'til Spring Break!
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