2012: A Literary Review

     The year isn't over yet, but let's face it: I probably won't complete any more books in 2012.  I used to be the reader of my family, but it seems like that has changed (at least for a season).  My kindle-toting dad and sister have me beat by a mile these days.  I love reading, but it seems like I have to gear myself up mentally to start a new book every time I finish one.

     And yes, I read books that interest me, not books that make me look smart(er).  This list is short.  I hope you don't mind excessive comas, parenthesis, and run-on sentences!  Here goes.

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins: You have heard the hype, and you should probably believe it.  This is the first books series bandwagon that I have joined (seeing as though I have yet to read Twilight or Harry Potter.  Oh, or Fifty Shades).  My friend who worked at Barnes and Noble recommended Hunger Games to me years ago, and I loved it.  Obviously, I had to re-read the book before seeing the movie this year!  Dave actually enjoyed the movie, but I know he'll never read the book.  I am thinking about searching for an audio version for us to listen to on a road trip.  Does this exist?  Anyone?

A Praying Life, Paul Miller: Y'all, read this book.  Please read it.  Maybe I am the only one who gets into a praying funk, but maybe not.  Paul Miller completely overhauled my view on prayer by reminding me how God really sees me.  I read A Praying Life earlier this year in a bible study, and it was amazing.  I was hooked by the first chapter thinking, "Yes, that's me!  Gah!"  Dave and I are reading/discussing it now, and I am already seeing the fruits of that in our day-to-day lives. 

Heaven is for Real, Todd Burpo: This is a quick, easy read.  It's a neat, nonfiction story about a boy who dies on an operating table.  He is miraculously revived, and for a full year following, he casually mentions things to his parents about being in heaven.  It seems weird, but it really makes you think.  Even professing Christians might not spend much time actually thinking about heaven, but this is really food for thought.  The book is so short that I might even call it a bathroom-type reader.  You know, if you like to think about heaven and Jesus while you're pooping.  I don't multi-task, though, so I can't really speak from experience. 

Bossypants, Tina Fey: You know, in case you thought I'm too conservative.  This is a really fun read.  Everyone knows Tina Fey is hilarious, and if you disagree, you probably don't enjoy things like laughter, puppies, hot chocolate, and happiness.  One caviat though: if you have no history watching SNL or 30 Rock, you may be a little bored at times.  She essentially puts together her history through (non-linear) anecdotes, many of which contain references to these shows.  She also seems so spend a little bit of time (in my opinion) trying to clear the air about media interviews/incidents where she came across badly.

Winter Garden, Kristin Hannah:  My sister told me to read this book because it was "beautiful."  She's right.  If you like novels with a little historical fiction and family issues, this may be the book for you.  It goes back and forth between a present-day story and one set in Leningrad, Russia during WWII.  In present-day Alaska, two adult sisters mourn the loss of their father while trying to reach out to their severely private and harsh mother who only seemed to have warmth in her heart for her now-deceased husband.  Their father's dying wish was that he tell the girls "the rest of the story."  The chapters switch back and forth to this story told in fairy-tale style, weaving a beautiful and tragic history that shows them who their mother really is.  Anyway, the story is beautiful, though the ending seems just a teensy bit too easy for me... I can't describe it, but it's definitely worth reading. 

Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese: Who are we kidding, I am not even halfway through this one, but it is wonderful already.  Just ask the New York Times best seller list.  I wouldn't call it a difficult read, but the language might be a little awkard if you prefer reading modern/conversational American English.  It's more proper-sounding than that.  My aunt mentioned this title to me, because my cousin's family adopted a little girl from Ethiopia (where the story takes place).  It is a beautiful story so far, with a tone almost reminiscent (to me) of the Kite Runner. I am looking forward to finishing this one.  You know, if I ever stop watching Take Home Chef on Netflix long enough to read something.

The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd Jones: We read this almost every night with Myla before she goes to bed.  Does she always pay attention?  No.  But she now she asks every day, "Bye bye? (bible)" to remind us to read it.  I am not suggesting that children shouldn't hear or understand the actual bible in its traditional wording, but this is an excellent version that shows how everything in the bible really sets the stage for Jesus.  Even growing up in the church with bible "stories," you don't always make the connection as a child (or even as an adult) that everything in God's word points to Jesus.  I have gotten chills before while reading this with Myles.  Case in point: this little treasure from the story of Abraham and Isaac:
     "Many years later, another Son would climb another hill, carrying wood on his back.  Like Isaac, he would trust his Father and do what his Father asked.  He wouldn't struggle or run away.  Who was he?  God's Son, his only Son-- the Son he loved.  The Lamb of God."

Happy reading!

Life as We Know It: A Potty Training Edition

    Potty training has been 750 times less traumatic this time than our first attempt was.  Thank you, Lord.  I'm sure it helps that I have overheard a few gems along the way from my husband to keep me laughing.

Like this one (overheard Dave singing to Myla while she was on the potty):

"The itsy bitsy spider walked up the water spout.  Down came the something, and I don't know the words... Mommy needs to come in here..."

     Sometimes at home, we alternate from having Myla in panties or just naked from the waist down (since she can't really maneuver underwear yet).  I happened to hang her Minnie Mouse undies on the doorknob of the bathroom one day.  That prompted this conversation:

Dave: "You know, there was a time in my life when panties on a doorknob meant something entirely different."

Me: "No there wasn't."

Dave: "No.  No, there wasn't..."
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     For all you people on the other side of this potty training journey who also used bribery, when do you stop the candy treats?  I don't want to quit too soon since she's doing well (we are about one week in).  But the kid will pee 3 drops into a potty every ten minutes and then say "Candies?"

I created a monster.  A really cute one, but still.

Confessions of a Suburban Mama

 

     A thought will strike me every now and then: "Am I the only one who ____?"   Case in point: My car.  

     Truth be told, the tidiness of my vehicle isn't really a top priority in my life right now.  Most of the time I am ok with that.  Other times I am totally embarassed at how it looks.  "Oh really, you need a ride?  Sorry my car never looks this bad!"  I sometimes dream of the day when every space I live/drive in isn't consumed by baby gear...

     But it's time to put it out there (for my 4 readers) in hopes of catharsis.  If you're brave, you should probably put up some pictures of the inside of your car, too.  I need to know that I am not the only one out there with this situation.  I'm not blog-smart enough yet to add a link-up tool.  One day, peeps, one day... Who am I kidding?  That day may never come.

     Welp, here goes nothin': 

 The most important feature:

 Carseat hell Central

Items in my car include (but are not limited to): strollers, towels, Longhorn blanket (in case I want to lay baby on the floor somewhere), sweater (it can get down to 60 degrees here!), bank deposit slips, diaper bag #1, secondary diaper bag, viser, umbrella, shopping cart cover thingy, ring sling baby carrier, mei tai baby carrier, tissue box, hand sanitizer, Reese's wrapper from the candy I stole at Mom's house on Halloween, emergency Nutri Grain bar, Ibuprofin, Ipod headphones, coins (that I totally scavenged the other day to buy a frappuccino).

Gah, I'm exhausted.  Please, show me your car.