A Divine Resolution

Though I've already mentioned one resolution earlier, I felt that I needed a bit more to mark for 2011.

So, I decided to think with a more eternal perspective:

I want to read something spiritually edifying everyday.

I see this as a resolution that will continue to keep giving and blend into other character building aspects that I can always work better on.

I'm allowing myself to be realistic about this spiritual reading resolution as well, because reading a chapter from the Bible while raising extremely young (and energetic) children is achievable but not always easy.

Instead, my spiritual reading will be in many forms, from the scriptures to modern religious non-fiction and articles. Just reading isn't enough though. I plan to ponder and have a need or desire when reading to apply to a need in my life or for those around me.

So far I've been 100%, but it's also only been 3 days, one of them spent in church, so it hasn't been difficult.

I look forward to seeing how this resolution takes shape throughout the year! Good luck with your own New Year's Resolutions and may they last all year long!

Laughter and Flashlights

I was performing my nightly ritual of reading before going to bed after getting up a few times to gently remind Seth where his bedroom was and where he needed to sleep.

Even the sweet requests of "won't you snuggle with me?" didn't tear away at my resolve to put him to bed. Besides, it's all just a ruse to get out of going to sleep, and the sweeter he sounds, the more I know he's trying to get out of something (still works on his Daddy, though!).

So, back to bed I went, putting hand cream on and continuing where I left off in A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott (you know, Little Women). Since Chris had work the next day, our compromise of reading by flashlight instead of bed lamp resumed.

Just as he was falling asleep, I jumped spastically in bed as I discovered two little eyes looking at me from above my book.

"SETH!"

I shrieked like a banshee, then started laughing uncontrollably as relief flooded over me.

Chris was disorientedly looking around, so I tried to get out of bed quietly, still laughing heartily as I grabbed Seth's hand and brought him back to his room.

"You make me laugh, Mama!" Seth stated as I tucked him back into bed, still chuckling.

"So do you, sweetheart."

"Will you snuggle with me for one minute?"

Nice try. I gave him a hug and kiss, then told him I'd see him in the morning and he could snuggle with me then since we both take a while to wake up in the morning.

Feeling the Need to Update

Only I don't know what I want to talk about! So, here goes on the first thing that's come to mind.


I've been trying to take it easy the last few days after overdoing it on Friday taking down Christmas decorations (it looks so bare now!), carting loads of laundry down the stairs and chasing the ever constant and energized kiddies. This has led me to finish my recent book from my beloved local library:

From one of my favorite authors of all time: Shannon Hale. She's a recent addition to my list of faves, but everything I've read from her I can't put down. As in, the housework suffers, the kids watch one or two too many movies, and dinner is late.

The last two MUST READS I read since Thanksgiving:
Which was suprisingly awesome as it focused on the intricacies of different relationships one person can have, and the different forms of love within those relationships. I literally laughed and cried while reading this, and I don't think it was solely because of pregnancy hormones (though they most likely enhanced the emotions).

OK, if you like ANYTHING from Jane Austen this is an absolute must read. It's hilarious! I laughed on pretty much every page and I actually hugged the book towards the end because I loved it so much (it's true, but don't tell Chris. He absolutely loathes anything Jane Austen).

I guess it's because I can't get enough of Pride and Prejudice, which is the main book that Hale focuses on in her novel above. More specifically, the A&E movie version of the book, which I currently have on my nightstand from Chris's last set of nights.

In fact, I'm such a fan of the story that I also had this version below on my night stand too!

Disclaimer: I honestly had NO clue that I had so many "versions" of Pride and Prejudice in such close proximity all at once until I started reading the book, set it down one night to turn off the light, then discovered the DVD cases under the book. I didn't even think about the connection; I was just following the mood I was in...and getting my girly fix while Chris was working. ;)

Well, back to my books. I tend to get pretty caught up in the reading world (which Chris can firmly attest to!). I've just been introduced to Hunger Games which really caught me up with the sci-fi world Suzanne Collins created. I'm on hold for the sequel, Catching Fire to come available to me from the library and I hope I can stand the wait.

Uh-oh. What am I going to read tonight?! I may have to pull a favorite from the bookshelf...