Not long ago, some friends of mine were posting notes on facebook about how many of the 100 classic books they'd read from some list. I joined in the fun and dutifully marked what I'd read. Apparently, I lied.
I genuinely thought I'd read The Chronicles of Narnia, but after picking up the series, I discovered that I hadn't. At least I hadn't until last night at nearly eleven when I finished it.
Also, upon reading the list, I was reminded of books I've wanted to read for years. Finishing up The Chronicles of Narnia got me started on what I hope will be a roll. Today, I began Anne of Green Gables and I'm waiting on The Lord of the Rings to arrive in my mail box.
Clearly I've lost touch with reality as my life doesn't exactly allow me to sit around and read all day. I'm hoping to finish two books a month. If I follow my plan, I'll read one fiction and one nonfiction book. Anything else will be a bonus.
So, I suppose many people are focusing on things like weight loss and better budgeting as the new year begins, while I'm making a book list. Perhaps I am a reader even if I've managed to miss a few that I'm sure will become new favorites.
What are you reading?
Sunday
O Christmas Tree...
How I'll miss you!
Well, I won't. I'm ready for the kids to have their playroom back, but Daisy, our cat, will miss the tree tremendously.
As you can see, she's made it her own by removing a few branches and carving out a space that's just right for her.
Daisy has been one of the best things about 2010! We've thoroughly enjoyed being her new family. She was well loved by her first family and I know they were so sad to have to let her go, but we have been so happy to take her in.
And now, because it seems wrong to post a picture of our cat by the tree and not one of our kiddos...
The coordinating outfits are courtesy of one of their sweet grandmas.
Tomorrow, I have plans to take down the tree. We'll see...
Well, I won't. I'm ready for the kids to have their playroom back, but Daisy, our cat, will miss the tree tremendously.
As you can see, she's made it her own by removing a few branches and carving out a space that's just right for her.
Daisy has been one of the best things about 2010! We've thoroughly enjoyed being her new family. She was well loved by her first family and I know they were so sad to have to let her go, but we have been so happy to take her in.
And now, because it seems wrong to post a picture of our cat by the tree and not one of our kiddos...
The coordinating outfits are courtesy of one of their sweet grandmas.
Tomorrow, I have plans to take down the tree. We'll see...
Saturday
Happy New Year!
Exactly 17 minutes into 2011, my oldest daughter sat up in my bed and puked. I nearly laughed, but the stench sent me gagging instead. It was either laugh or cry at the start of the year. I prayed it wasn't a sign of how the year would turn out!
Our first day of the new year involved unpacking and some general housekeeping. Not, of course, that you would necessarily know it by stopping by our house. There are still plenty of piles to pick up and laundry to wash, but isn't there always?
A highlight of the day was playing Alphabet Go Fish as a family. Games are always interesting with young children and this one did not disappoint. An attempt was made at Uno, but it was quickly abandoned. Tony also taught Ann and Chris how to play Connect 4. We're making good use of those Christmas gifts!
The kids are enjoying their new Wii game, Just Dance for Kids. It's too cute to watch them copy the moves of the children on the game. So far it has been a perfect way to help them burn some energy when it's too cold to play outside for long periods!
I left for a bit today to run a couple of errands. I'll admit I spent part of that time tucked away inside of a Starbucks while sipping a Peppermint Mocha. (I'll let others start their healthy eating today!) I finished up an article and enjoyed a break from unpacking and the post-Christmas clean up.
Dinner was a simple affair. Then, it was time for baths. In the middle of the process, I came downstairs to grab something and saw Tony reading his Bible.
Less than half an hour later, we gathered as a family and read, more like paraphrased, Genesis 1 to the kiddos.
Needless to say, the day only got better and better. Puke or not, I do believe there is hope yet for 2011!
Happy New Year!
Oh, and if you'd like to read along with us, be sure to check out OWNit365.com.
Our first day of the new year involved unpacking and some general housekeeping. Not, of course, that you would necessarily know it by stopping by our house. There are still plenty of piles to pick up and laundry to wash, but isn't there always?
A highlight of the day was playing Alphabet Go Fish as a family. Games are always interesting with young children and this one did not disappoint. An attempt was made at Uno, but it was quickly abandoned. Tony also taught Ann and Chris how to play Connect 4. We're making good use of those Christmas gifts!
The kids are enjoying their new Wii game, Just Dance for Kids. It's too cute to watch them copy the moves of the children on the game. So far it has been a perfect way to help them burn some energy when it's too cold to play outside for long periods!
I left for a bit today to run a couple of errands. I'll admit I spent part of that time tucked away inside of a Starbucks while sipping a Peppermint Mocha. (I'll let others start their healthy eating today!) I finished up an article and enjoyed a break from unpacking and the post-Christmas clean up.
Dinner was a simple affair. Then, it was time for baths. In the middle of the process, I came downstairs to grab something and saw Tony reading his Bible.
Less than half an hour later, we gathered as a family and read, more like paraphrased, Genesis 1 to the kiddos.
Needless to say, the day only got better and better. Puke or not, I do believe there is hope yet for 2011!
Happy New Year!
Oh, and if you'd like to read along with us, be sure to check out OWNit365.com.
Wednesday
The Real Meaning of Christmas
Chris (4): "Jane, do you know the real meaning of Christmas?"
Jane (2): Shrugs.
Chris: "Is it about the toys?"
Jane: Face lights up! "And Santa!"
Chris: "No! It's about Jesus! Jesus!"
This is the conversation I overheard on a recent morning. I'm so glad my little man is beginning to understand that Christmas is about much more than Santa and toys. However, I do think he might need to work on his message delivery a bit. On the other hand, I think Jane got the point!
Merry Christmas!
Jane (2): Shrugs.
Chris: "Is it about the toys?"
Jane: Face lights up! "And Santa!"
Chris: "No! It's about Jesus! Jesus!"
This is the conversation I overheard on a recent morning. I'm so glad my little man is beginning to understand that Christmas is about much more than Santa and toys. However, I do think he might need to work on his message delivery a bit. On the other hand, I think Jane got the point!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday
At Least it Wasn't Because of a Stinky Mess!
I truly thought I'd go more than two days before I broke my blogging streak. Internet Explorer had other ideas. It refused to work and since Tony was out of town and I'm a bit clueless when it comes to the computer, I didn't have internet for two days. I almost had to break out the phone book to check an address. Of course, I would have had to find it first. Does anyone still use those?
So, I should be painting a bathroom that should have been a weekend project, but in typical Lizz fashion has almost stretched into six weeks. (I know!) Instead, I'm letting the kids watch a Christmas show while I finally get showered and get ready to spend the afternoon with a friend at a bookstore. We have to most amazing childrens bookstore nearby and I was shocked to find that my friend (Hi A!) had never been. Time to fix that!
A friend and books, does it get any better?
So, I should be painting a bathroom that should have been a weekend project, but in typical Lizz fashion has almost stretched into six weeks. (I know!) Instead, I'm letting the kids watch a Christmas show while I finally get showered and get ready to spend the afternoon with a friend at a bookstore. We have to most amazing childrens bookstore nearby and I was shocked to find that my friend (Hi A!) had never been. Time to fix that!
A friend and books, does it get any better?
Saturday
If You Promise to Count Your Blessings...
So, it turns out if you publicly declare to count your blessings and more frequently record your life in writing, you will wake up to a crappy morning. (Sorry about the word choice, but it fits.)
Rather, you will be woken up in the wee hours of the night by the 2 year old who isn't happy that the cat is playing in her room while she tries to sleep. No sooner will you get back to sleep, then the old dog will wake you up so he can go relieve himself.
Early in the morning, you will again hear your 2-year-old because it's raining and she's "scared of the rain." So, she'll move to your bed for the remaining 45 minutes until wake up time. Not 15 minutes later, your children will go downstairs and you'll be happy to have a few minutes to wake up slowly before heading down to make breakfast.
As you savor the semi-quiet moments in a warm bed, you'll hear your 6 year old scamper upstairs to inform you that the dog has made a stinky (read poop) mess on the family room carpet. So, you'll spend the first half hour of your morning cleaning carpet.
The children will whine as you get ready to take them to different fun activities. After one event, you'll give them lunch and then take them upstairs for separate quiet times in their rooms. Then, you'll sit down to try and put a positive spin on the day's events, because, you know, you've promised to faithfully record you're blessed life.
As you open the laptop, you'll hear little feet running around upstairs, most certainly not having quiet times and most definitely play together. You'll sigh a tired sigh, rewarm the morning's coffee, and smile.
You're not sure how it works, but somehow, despite the crazy start to the day and the promise of cranky kids in the afternoon, you know that your life is still very, very blessed. Stinky, but blessed.
Rather, you will be woken up in the wee hours of the night by the 2 year old who isn't happy that the cat is playing in her room while she tries to sleep. No sooner will you get back to sleep, then the old dog will wake you up so he can go relieve himself.
Early in the morning, you will again hear your 2-year-old because it's raining and she's "scared of the rain." So, she'll move to your bed for the remaining 45 minutes until wake up time. Not 15 minutes later, your children will go downstairs and you'll be happy to have a few minutes to wake up slowly before heading down to make breakfast.
As you savor the semi-quiet moments in a warm bed, you'll hear your 6 year old scamper upstairs to inform you that the dog has made a stinky (read poop) mess on the family room carpet. So, you'll spend the first half hour of your morning cleaning carpet.
The children will whine as you get ready to take them to different fun activities. After one event, you'll give them lunch and then take them upstairs for separate quiet times in their rooms. Then, you'll sit down to try and put a positive spin on the day's events, because, you know, you've promised to faithfully record you're blessed life.
As you open the laptop, you'll hear little feet running around upstairs, most certainly not having quiet times and most definitely play together. You'll sigh a tired sigh, rewarm the morning's coffee, and smile.
You're not sure how it works, but somehow, despite the crazy start to the day and the promise of cranky kids in the afternoon, you know that your life is still very, very blessed. Stinky, but blessed.
Friday
This Little Blog of Mine...
I'm going to let it shine...
Okay, that really has nothing to do with anything, but it keeps going through my head. (Yes, I'm a dork and I'm okay with that!)
I miss blogging! Three years ago, I started out blogging frequently even through the birth of my third child in a little over three years. Almost daily posts helped me to see the sweetness in my crazy life filled with diapers and sleepless nights. Slowly, the novelty of both this blogging thing and my new life wore off.
At night or in the early morning, I found myself worn out, unable to view my life through rose-colored glasses. This made me so sad because my life was and is truly blessed. That lead to guilt which didn't lead to motivation to blog!
Late last spring, we dealt with behavior issues with one of our kiddos that consumed our life. In August, that kiddo started a school program where our precious little one is thriving beyond my expectations! Yet, adjusting to school schedules and Tony traveling quite a bit made for a crazy late summer and early fall.
Then, right around Halloween, I noticed my cold seemed to be lingering. Once I was hit with a stomach bug, I knew it was time to take myself to the doctor. I had pneumonia and a stomach bug! It was a wake up call to me to not take things for granted. I spent four days doing nothing but watching television and reading while my wonderful husband kept things afloat. Funny how four days of not being able to do the daily grind will make you want to do it!
The thing that really made me miss blogging was wading through more that 1200 pictures of my family. I'm in the process of putting together digital photo albums for Christmas gifts for our extended family. (Procrastinate much?) As I edit these pictures, I smile and laught and get a bit sad that time is moving so quickly. I want to capture life as best as I can and for me, that involves writing here.
I'm not sure who still comes around to check what is going on in our lives, but I'm glad you do. It's been a crazy year, for sure, but looking back, aside from the severe lack of sleep, I don't think I'd change a thing. My hands are still full, though not with the same things as three years ago, but my heart is more than full, it's bursting!
This will be one of the places I share some of that joy.
Happy Friday!
Okay, that really has nothing to do with anything, but it keeps going through my head. (Yes, I'm a dork and I'm okay with that!)
I miss blogging! Three years ago, I started out blogging frequently even through the birth of my third child in a little over three years. Almost daily posts helped me to see the sweetness in my crazy life filled with diapers and sleepless nights. Slowly, the novelty of both this blogging thing and my new life wore off.
At night or in the early morning, I found myself worn out, unable to view my life through rose-colored glasses. This made me so sad because my life was and is truly blessed. That lead to guilt which didn't lead to motivation to blog!
Late last spring, we dealt with behavior issues with one of our kiddos that consumed our life. In August, that kiddo started a school program where our precious little one is thriving beyond my expectations! Yet, adjusting to school schedules and Tony traveling quite a bit made for a crazy late summer and early fall.
Then, right around Halloween, I noticed my cold seemed to be lingering. Once I was hit with a stomach bug, I knew it was time to take myself to the doctor. I had pneumonia and a stomach bug! It was a wake up call to me to not take things for granted. I spent four days doing nothing but watching television and reading while my wonderful husband kept things afloat. Funny how four days of not being able to do the daily grind will make you want to do it!
The thing that really made me miss blogging was wading through more that 1200 pictures of my family. I'm in the process of putting together digital photo albums for Christmas gifts for our extended family. (Procrastinate much?) As I edit these pictures, I smile and laught and get a bit sad that time is moving so quickly. I want to capture life as best as I can and for me, that involves writing here.
I'm not sure who still comes around to check what is going on in our lives, but I'm glad you do. It's been a crazy year, for sure, but looking back, aside from the severe lack of sleep, I don't think I'd change a thing. My hands are still full, though not with the same things as three years ago, but my heart is more than full, it's bursting!
This will be one of the places I share some of that joy.
Happy Friday!
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