Monday Musings

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Here's something you may not know about me.  I didn't learn how to read until I was 7 years old.  My mom would get so frustrated with me because I wasn't learning!  Then one day I picked up a book.  It might have been a Dr. Seuss one...I can't remember for sure.

 

After that I was a reading machine!  Anne of Green Gables was one of the first novels I read other than kid books like Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, The Berenstain Bears, etc.  I had already watched the movie, now it was time to read the book!  I read all 8 books in that series.  I laughed and cried right along Anne.  I felt like I was right there beside her through everything she went through --- good and bad.

 

I then started reading more.  I love reading classics like To Kill a Mockingbird (my favorite!), A Christmas Carol, Little Women, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, etc.  I have read 90% of Janette Oke, I love Gilbert Morris, and other books like Redeeming Love.  I just love to read!

 

You know how every kid has a time in their life when they think about running away?  Well, when I would think about running away I would always imagine living in a library.

 

I am so thankful I married someone who loves to read just as much as I do.  Paul has been blowing through books lately.  He has read The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Great Expectations, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Invisible Man.. just to name a few.

 

Paul read The Picture of Dorian Gray right before Titus was born.  After he was born and everyone had left and it was just Paul and I, he told me all about it.  I was exhausted but couldn't help but listen to him tell me his thoughts about the book.  Then he said to me, "This is why we're best friends.  We can talk about books and neither one of us gets bored."  He is so right!

 

I hope Zoe, Max, and Titus have the same passion for reading that their parents have!

 

Last week I found myself in Salvation Army with my mother in law.  I almost immediately went to the back wall where they keep the books.  This time I had my kids in mind.  I came out of there with 10 books.  Some of them were books that my brothers and sisters and I read when we were little.  I brought them home and Zoe and Max climbed into my lap and we read them over, and over, and over and...  It made me so happy!

 

It is a lot harder for me to read since I am so busy taking care of the kids all day.  It seems like when the kids are in bed and I pick up a book, I barely get through the first chapter before I realize I have fallen asleep!  But at least I can read to my children.  That gives me so much joy!

 

When was the last time you read a book?  If you're reading one right now, what is it?

Bedtime Stories

When I was little I remember my Mom reading Love You Forever to my siblings and I.  Now that I'm an adult and have moved away from my Mom, I don't think I can get through the book without crying so I haven't carried on the tradition with Zoe -- yet.  I'm still working on that one..

Another book I remember really well was Lambert the Sheepish Lion.  This book was read by my Dad and we would beg him to read it over and over.  Why, you may ask?  Well, cause when Lambert finally found his roar my Dad made the best lion roar ever -- and it scared the mess out of my little brother every. single. time. =)

A couple days ago I went to the Salvation Army and found three fun kids books that were in excellent condition!  I love finding older books there to add to Zoe and Max's collection.  One was a collection of children's stories such as The Emperor's New Clothes, The Sleeping Beauty, Aesop's Fables, King Arthur and His Noble Knights.. just to name a few.  Another book I found was called Fly High Fly Low and another one I found was simply called Shapes.

We settled for Shapes that night and this is the expression we got for every page. =)  I think she enjoyed it!

When I listen to Paul read Zoe and Max bedtime stories I can't help but find myself going back in time sitting around in a circle with my brothers and sisters.  I see myself wearing my Lion King nightgown.. my brothers in their Lion King footy pajamas.. listening to Mom or Dad read our favorite stories.. giggling while we anticipate the roar that is going to make Philip bawl..  I remember happiness, content, peace.

I'm excited to help Zoe and Max have some of the same memories that I have of my childhood!  They'll only get better the older they get!

One man's trash is another gal's treasure

I don't know about you, but I love second hand stores!  We have a Salvation Army here in town, we like to call it Sally's, and I try to go at least once a week.  Here recently I've been trying not to go only because money is tight and I really don't need the temptation right now.  But when I do have an extra $ or two I walk in and see what they have..

You never know what you will find at second hand stores!  I'm always buying old hardcover books, different things that would look great in our living room- like a wrought iron lamp for $7!  The only thing I have horrible luck at is clothing.  Don't get me started on that..

One of my recent finds is a brand new chocolate fountain for $15!  I didn't know what Paul would think about me buying one.  He probably would say we would never use it.  So I promised myself to use it more than once to prove him wrong!

Last night I hosted our local church's Ladies Night and used the chocolate fountain for the first time.  I had all the ladies bring something to dip in it.  We had pound cake, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and potato chips!  Most everything was so delicious in the chocolate..

Everything is better dipped in chocolate!

As you can see in the picture above, chocolate is a big hit among the ladies. :)  And don't worry, I plan on using this thing again.  Next time I'll have to put more chocolate in though.. one bag simply isn't enough.

Also, I need to say something..  I absolutely love these ladies!  Every second Wednesday we have a Ladies Night and Nancy, my mother-in-law, will give read us a little devotional.  Even though they are short, they speak to the heart.  After her devotional I hold the Prayer Journal section of our night.  We all have journals that we keep prayer requests in.  Some requests are about everyday life while others can be more intimate.  These special prayer journals have helped me remember so many requests and God has already answered tons for all of us.

So there you have it!  If you don't have a Ladies Night in your community, I suggest you start one!  They do wonders!