Wednesday is Good for the Soul

Photo taken on our trip to Nauvoo, Illinois in 2005.

Just an example of the images in my mind as I've studied the Doctrine and Covenants this year.

I'm not good at schedules or regimen. I'm terrible at exercising and even worse at ... well, anything that takes planning and discipline. Which is why it is no small thing for me to say that every Wednesday morning since the school year began, failing only due to sickness or dangerous weather, I've been attending a religion class. Which sounds really unremarkable, I know. Except that for the first time in my life, I have been making scripture study and meditation a regular part of my day. Oh, I've started and stopped and started up again, knowing it's important but never quite making it work every single day over a long period of time. But this time, wanting to be an active participant in class each week (and, let's be completely honest, wanting to sound smart during the discussion), it's stuck, and I'm already planning what I want to study this summer so that I don't fall behind in this daily ritual.

With a home and family to care for, there's not much time left for Mama, as we mamas all well know. And when there is time, I'll admit I'd rather spend it sewing or reading a good novel. My inclination to skip over the spiritual aspect of my life is a hard one to break. But I'll tell you this: One day, after a particularly busy morning, I finally had both kids in their rooms napping, and all the morning's messes beckoned. I started to pick up the toys when I thought that maybe I should just sit and study for a while. But oh! the mess! What was I going to do about the mess? After a few minutes of inward battle, I finally picked up my books and my journal and started to read. And when I was done, there wasn't any time to do much housework until the kids woke up. But here's the point: after making what was good for my soul a priority, the messes just didn't matter. I got to them eventually, and while I don't remember what the exact subject of my stud was, I'll never forget what I learned that day: that learning what's really important, and then doing it first, makes all the difference.

What is the one thing, beyond everything else, that's good for your soul?

How do you make time for it in your busy life?

I Love Books

photo found here

 

I have this dream of someday living in a home where I have a room, or even just one long wall, that is floor-to-ceiling shelves, filled with good books. Not just any books, but really, truly, good books. Books that I have read. Books that my kids have read. Books that we love and have dog-eared our favorite pages and marked our favorite passages. Books that were gifts from best friends. Books from our travels around the world. Books about places we love and people we aspire to be like. Books filled with beautiful photographs. Books that take us places beyond the limits of our own consciousness. Books that make us laugh and books that make us cry. Books that make us think a little deeper and books that make us live a little better. Books about imaginary places and imaginary people. Books about history and space and science. I just LOVE good books.

photo found here

And that is why, I love the library. There it is--not just one room, but one whole building filled with books! So, until the day I get those shelves filled with my own books, I will continue to go to the library. There is just something wonderful about being surrounded by volumes and volumes of pages filled with words--words that together make up more knowledge and wisdom and information than I could ever dream to acquire on my own. It's like having the world at your fingertips. Maybe more.

So, what books are on my shelves right now? Well, I will tell you...there are a lot! I actually found out that you can check out up to 100 items from the library at one time (Cali mentioned this wonderful little fact too, I think). I thought it was fifty, and I was worried. But alas! The wonderful woman at the check-out counter must have been surprised to see my excitement last week when she informed me of this oh-so-precious information. I went home happy, and with a very heavy book bag that afternoon.

photo found here

 

Lately, my two-year-old and I have been enjoying daily story time reading "Where's Tumpty?" I found this book before Christmas at one of my favorite art & frame shops and immediately fell in love with it. Needless to say, we did not get it from the library--someday our copy will be on those big shelves filled with our well-worn favorites.

image found here

 

And if you are like me and love elephants (I haven't quite figured out why--but I think it started with Horton) you should also check out some Mo Willems books and get to know Elephant and Piggie...

image found here

Story time with my four-year-old is all about Pippy.  "Pippilotta Delicatessa Window-shade Mackrelmint Efraim's Daughter Longstocking, daughter of Captian Efraim Longstocking, former Terror of the Sea, now a cannibal king!" We've checked out just abut every book at the library, plus the audio CD and the movie... "Pippy Longstocking is coming into your world, a freckle-faced, red-haired girl, you aught to know..." Can you hear the song? We sing it, oh, probably fifty time a day! Yikes!

image of movie cove found here

image found here

 

(These two are just a few of the different versions out there...but they are all pretty great!)

 

So, now what have I been reading? Well, I've been reading nutrition books and health books and recipe books and all sorts of books for a class that I will be teaching at the end of February called "Cooking for a Healthier Lifestye" (any suggestions-- have you read anything that might help me prepare?), and reading for a book club, and reading to try and learn how to parent my children...the list goes on and on! But I love it! I had hoped to have two quilts finished by the end of this month, but my poor sewing machine has barely seen the light of day while I've been reading!

 

Here are some that I either have read or am reading and would recommend either checking out from the library or just getting your own copy. People talk about how important it is to read to your kids, but when was the last time anyone said how important is is to read to yourself?!?! 

From the book club (which I love!):

Nurture Shock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman

Everyone should read this book--it is enlightening and definitely doesn't fit the stereotypical "how to" parenting book. It is very much study based and I loved it. This is one I will read again.

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett

I LOVED this book. The day after I finished reading it, I found myself missing the characters and wanting to read more. 

Parenting Books (I have read parts of these, but not all...hopefully I will finish them...)

Parenting Without Power Struggles, by Susan Stiffelman

Raising Happiness, by Christine Carter

 

Cook Books (because they are my new love):

Feeding the Whole Family, by Cynthia Lair

If you are one who likes to adventure with new foods and now recipes, this is a GREAT one! And, if you have infants at home, each recipe has a modification at the end that tells you how to adapt the recipe to feed babies from six months and up. AWESOME! Not only that, but it is a great resource to learn about foods--what they are and how to use them. I am loving this book!

Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon

This woman leaves nothing unsaid--you will now her opinion about food quick, and you will learn how to cook just about anything. There is so much to learn from this book!

Books that have impacted my life for the better:

Master Your Metabolism, by Jillian Michaels

This might seem odd to have what appears to be a diet book on my list of life-changing books, but this is not any dieting book. This book teaches you how your body works, how your environment affects you, and how to feed your body the correct nutrients to enable it to do what God intended it to do. Really, you should read this book. 

The Miracle of Forgiveness, by Spencer W. Kimball

For anyone who believes in and loves God, who follows Jesus Christ, this book is for you. I wish I had read it a long, long time ago. 

Okay, so my post about the library and story time got a little longer than I had intended, but can you tell that I'm passionate about books? Yeah, I'm not a scholar by any means. The list of books-I-haven't-read-but-should-have might appall you, but don't worry--I haven't reached my limit at the library yet! Oh, and have you heard about goodreads yet? You might like it....

What are you reading? Have you started building your own family library? What is in it? I would love to know!

The Real Reason We Go to Story Time

My own bookworm.

I grew up in libraries. Really. We moved around a lot when I was little, and I remember some of the libraries we've lived near better than some of the houses we've lived in. Wherever we'd be, when my parents went looking for a place to live they always tried to find a house close to the church, the school, and the library. I never felt really settled in a place until I had my library card.

And so it's one of my favorite places to take my kids. I want them to feel the sense of endless possibility that comes when you're surrounded by books.

I'll take them to the library anytime and in any weather. But I've found that the best time for my kids at the library is story time. Is it because the librarian always reads the best books and does the voices and everything? No; actually, we've been to amazing story times and we've suffered through the most monotonous readers. Is it because I never have time to read to them at home? Heavens no! Reading is a staple at our house. Like pasta.

The best reason I have for taking my kids to story time at the library is this: There are a bunch of other kids there, too, and so I am much less likely to get glared at for my kid's noise by the other - child-free - library patrons. We can blend right in, even a mild tantrum will go barely noticed when it's story time (but if it's any other time, and one of the kids makes even a peep, well, we might as well just hang our heads in shame and go home).

I love the library. I love the peace I feel there, and the mostly friendly helpful people. And while my kids are small, and until they really learn to whisper in the library ...

I {Heart} Story Time!

Words, Words, Words

I love words. I'm not even going to tell you how much I love words, because then you'll think I'm a complete geek (you don't already, do you? Oh, well. I don't mind :) I love finding just the right word. I love big words and little words.

That's why I love these books. They're all about words.

The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester

The Meaning of Tingo: and Other Extraordinary Words From Around the World by Adam Jacot de Boinod

Grammar Snobs are Great Big Meanies: A Guide to Language For Fun and Spite by Jane Casagrande

Ella Minnow Pea: A Progressively Lipogrammatic Epistolary Fable (A Novel In Letters) by Mark Dunn

I love it when my daughter asks me what a word means, and even better when we both have to look it up in the dictionary. I love how my son plays with words - oh, that kid is hilarious, I can only imagine what he'll come up with as his vocabulary expands.

I love this quote from the liner notes of Natalie Merchant's newest album "Leave Your Sleep" about why she started putting poetry to music for her daughter:

"I tried to show her that speech could be the most delightful toy in her possession and that her mother tongue is rich with musical rhythms and rhymes."

I love how words can be so powerful - they can heal as well as hurt. Words can give life to our experience. Think about the best (or worst ... no, no, actually, just think about the best) thing anyone ever said to you, and how it still makes you feel. It's like this poem for me. It's a blessing every time I read it.

Food for Thought

This morning, waking up with enough time to enjoy the quiet peaceful dawn break, I sat at my kitchen table thinking about and planning for my week ahead. 

I knew that I wanted it to be better then the last.

I wanted to keep the spirit of my uplifting weekend with me for as long as possible.

And that I was going to finally act on some reaccuring promtings I had been having.

There are actually a lot of foods that I would miss if they were to disapear from my home like this one

or my favorite grab and go snack

but nothing I couldn't really live without... unless of course you count my morning ritual of baked steel cut oats and some feasting on my favorite word. 

Recently I have thought a lot about Rachel's fun idea on rituals instead of routines and have discovered some of my favorite moments and some of my sweetest thoughts have come while doing this particular one:

I wake up early (before my kids need my attention and after I  have sent cute hubby off to work).

Then I turn on some sort of calm music.

I put something yummy in the oven just for me. 

Steel cut oats (not rolled).

Rinse and put in covered (ceramic) baking dish.

Cold water to cover by a scant inch.

Pinch salt.

Add a little vanilla or brown sugar.

Lid on.

400 degrees for 45 minutes, untouched. 

So yummy if dreid cranberries are added afterwards or almonds.

...and while I wait I read something old and something new.

So, here is my favorite way to study the gospel I believe in.

I love the words of the leaders of the church. I love how the scriptures are woven in and how they relate personally to me. So, I pick a talk...usually from general conference or one that has a specific topic or question to be answered and I begin to read. I highlight and I look for the little numbers indicating footnotes and scriptures I can turn to and get excited. Then I like to combine the old scripture wisdom with the new knowledge of our prophets by writing their words, as they pertain to the scriptures, in the margins. When I go back I can see what the promises and blessings are from living that gospel principle and I get to remember why I felt prompted to add that to my Book of Mormon.

2 Nephi 31:20
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Taking the time to be still and to be quiet is important. Our lives are so busy and usually so noisy that we forget to listen to our hearts. After reading and being filled this morning I have a new desire to seek out those quiet moments and then act on what I feel is right.

When I take the time to start my day out right and be receptive and open to those special personal promptings I feel good, I feel okay with things that don't seem to go my way and I have a better perspective on life and being a mommy. I hope that your mornings are filled with warm tummies and full hearts.

 

Three For Feburary Reading

So it's the middle of February. It seems like I so often forget what month it is until I'm in the middle of it. Not that I forgot that it was February; but I did forget that it's Black History Month. And while my ancestry is Euro-American through and through, I have this thing about other peoples' cultures - that is, I love them. I love trying to see the world through someone else's eyes, and I've found the most fun way to do that is to celebrate with them. From the Lunar New Year to Los Dias de los Muertos to Rosh Hashanah, I love love LOVE the reasons that people celebrate.

So. Black History Month. Is February. And so, in celebration, I offer recommendation of these three books I have read and loved.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I know, everyone's probably read this one. But it was probably required reading for some high school or college class, and has probably been long forgotten. Read it again! This time just because you want to. There is so much experience in this book that is so different from mine, I find something new to learn every time I read it.

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller. A memoir of the author's childhood in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). While I drank up every page of this book, I have to say right out, I hesitate to recommend it to people in general. It's unsentimental and unapologetic, often even raw, and there is most certainly some, um ... "colorful" language. If you are a reader who gets distracted by such details, this is probably not the book for you. I loved the honest, often funny, sometimes poignant remembrance of a time and a place that is forever lost to me, but never ever to the people who lived in it.

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton. This one's about South Africa, a place I feel like I have had a little piece of in my heart ever since my brother served as a missionary there in the mid-1980's. And it's about apartheid. And it's about a man and his son. And it's about hope. And courage. And love. Just thinking about this book makes me want to pick it up and read it again and again.

My brother said of his two years in South Africa, that Africa is a place that never leaves you, it gets under your skin and just stays there, and there is always an itch to go back. These books, in their way, are a little like that.

Good Books and Good Friends

There are two things I have been thinking about lately that just make my life better.

1.) Good friends
2.) Good books

So I would like to share both with you.

First is an old friend from college who is a mommy, a crafter, a baker, a wife, and an all-around awesome girl. She has her own blog and business called Epicurean Style. I have been admiring her original apron designs for a couple years now, and wishing I had her fabric collection in my closet.

The "Keeping it Clean" apron might be my favorite from this collection.

And this fabulous woman is also doing a book giveaway. She has two absolutely adorable little boys and seems to have quite the love for reading to them. I think this book looks like a great find! I really shouldn't tell you about it, because that just lowers my chances of winning, but I think everyone is entitled to knowing about good children's literature, especially when it is free!

 

I have found that amid the pressures of starting new routines and goals and expectations for myself this week, the two things that have really kept me grounded and able to tackle it all are my good friends and a few good books to settle in to. My three-year-old and I spent a good thirty minutes tonight looking at all the books at Goodwill. I found a few of my own childhood favorites for just $0.79!

But there is more to this than just a love for children's books. I have found that when I make a place in my schedule for reading books and the newspaper or certain magazines, my brain is stretched in ways that elevates me. Sometimes life is so full of diapers and dishes and driving to and fro, that my mommy mind forgets how to think and expand beyond the daily necessities. So, to add to the list of many new personal improvements, I am resolved to always be reading a good book.