A Lovely Way to Nod Off

Not every bedtime, but often I read to the girls from a novel.

They snuggle up in their beds and I sit back against the wall, usually with a coffee in hand.

It took some practice for one little girl in particular to learn to stay still and listen.

But this has become a beloved pastime for me and my two oldest.

I enjoy the stories as much as they do!

Sometimes I choose books I've read before and enjoyed.

Other times I pick a known classic that I'm interested in reading for the first time too!

Together we enter in to these make believe tales that make us smile and giggle, sometimes sad or upset.

In many ways, I feel like this is more valuable than any of the school lessons we do together in the run of a day.

And yet it is not work, it is a pleasure.

I want them to know that - the joy of reading a great book, joining in on a great adventure, falling in love with timeless characters, feeling anticipation over what will happen in the next chapter...

Right now we are reading Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne.

And let me just say - it's a million times better than the Disney version!

Our reading time often ends with a deep, happy sigh from one girl child who whispers, "Mama, I just love Winnie the Pooh."

And an inquiring, "What's the next chapter called?" from another.

Other times, I find one or another sound asleep and I can't help but think that is a lovely way to nod off.

"You seem so sad, Eeyore."

"Sad? Why should I be sad? It's my birthday. The happiest day of the year."

"Your birthday?" said Pooh in great surprise.

"Of course it is. Can't you see? Look at all the presents I have had." He waved a foot from side to side. "Look at the birthday cake. Candles and pink sugar."

Pooh looked - first to the right and then to the left.

"Presents?" said Pooh. "Birthday cake?" said Pooh. "Where?"

"Can't you see them?"

"No," said Pooh.

"Neither can I," said Eeyore. "Joke," he explained. "Ha ha!"

With one chapter left of Winnie the Pooh I've been thinking about what to read to them next.

I'm debating between The Tale of Despereaux and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

What is your favorite childhood novel?

Summer Is For Reading (Just Like Every Other Season)

I should have posted this post a month ago.

But I've been reading.

And I'm sure you don't really care that much about what I'm reading.

Quite frankly, I like doing these reading posts because I enjoy seeing all my books lined up nicely on the screen.

(OCD much?)

I'm just going to list the books and add a link so you can go read what they're about for yourself if you're interested.

When I finish one I'll post briefly about it.

(I've already finished 3 so look out. There are favorite quote posts heading your way...)

And for the record, this list will likely take me the year rather than the summer.

(Specifically, those 6 volumes of Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series...)

When it comes to books, I always get carried away...

One Thousand Gifts

This Momentary Marriage

(Free pdf download here.)

Introverts in the Church

Crazy Love

Kisses from Katie

The Great Gatsby

Les Miserables

(free at Project Gutenburg)

The Hobbit

Educating the WholeHearted Child

Honey For a Child's Heart

Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling series, Volumes 1- 6

(Free at Ambleside Online.)

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

Bring Up Bebe

Telling the Truth

Happy 30th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Thanks for telling the truth with your lives.

[Marriage is] mainly about telling the truth with our lives. It's about portraying something true about Jesus Christ and the way he relates to His people. It is about showing in real life the glory of the gospel.

~John Piper in This Momentary Marriage

Ministry of Motherhood Book Club

I've joined a book club!!

It's my first book club ever!!

So I am overly excited!

The book:The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children

When does the book club start?

May 23rd.

Are you interested?

Check out Good Morning Girls' blog for more information!

Need a group?

I joined Jolanthe's from Homeschool Creations.

You should, too!

(Let me know if you have any questions!)

I just ordered my book from Amazon and printed off week one's S.O.A.P. print-outs!

I'm just itching to get started!

This is going to be fun!!

Choosing To See A Thousand Things

I finished the first book on my Spring Reading Thing list: Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman.

Although it was truly a heart wrenching book to read, it was also so beautiful. Interesting combination, don't you think? Let me explain...

Mary Beth is completely honest about the awfulness of losing her little girl, about the pain and the doubt, the suffering and the trials. But through it all, hope triumphs. It was a book that despite making me cry through many of its pages still caused gratitude and joyfulness in my heart for the hope we have in Jesus! Mary Beth makes no qualms about the struggles she continues to face, living life without little Maria but constantly points back to God - that He is in control, that He has a plan even if its hard to understand this side of heaven and that through the work Jesus accomplished in His death and resurrection, they can be certain of the fact that they will see Maria again.

Just listen to this quote:

"It might on certain days be buried deep down in my heart and have a hard time computing to my brain, but here is what I know and what I choose to believe, over and over again. I know God loves me and my family. I know God is sovereign and He knows what is best for us. I know He has our days numbered and makes no mistakes. I know that He will bring beauty from ashes ... that is what I cling to in order to make it through another twenty-four hours."

-Mary Beth Chapman, "Choosing To See"

I am humbled, blown away by this whole story. There were moments where I laughed, many more where I cried. These people are human not some super spiritual family. But the God we serve is faithful. And so, despite how tragic this story is, it still has led my heart to praise my God! If you know Him, you can be certain of the fact that the suffering and pain you face in this life is not without meaning and purpose! There is HOPE! 

Upon finishing this book, I came across a new singer/songwriter who I instantly fell in love with: Christa Wells. One song in particular grabbed my attention, A Thousand Things. "Choosing To See" was still fresh in my mind so of course I related the truth of this song instantly to the Chapmans. But really, it is a wonderfull reminder to all of us who face trials and suffering of any kind. Be encouraged : A thousand things are happening in this one thing.

A Thousand Things

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep

Your’re gonna soak the pillow

for many weeks

You’re gonna cry

Why?

Why me?

But in spite of the ache

that doesn’t go away

You’ll be sharing your story

one rainy day

And at the next table somebody catches your words

He hear’s a truth that he’s never heard

He takes it back to the marriage he’d given up on

Hands it down to his daughter

who writes it into song

You didn’t know

A thousand things are happening in this one thing

Like a thousand fields nourished by a single drop of rain

So honey, wrap yourself in promise

while you wait the morning light

A thousand things are happening tonight

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep

‘cause for the moment all that you can see

Is what you’ve lost , lost

Why me?

But in the midst of the most exquisite pain

you’re drawn into a peace that You cannot explain

and the praises you sing of a sovereign God

reach the girl whose last hope is gone

she never thought there was purpose in anything here

now the seed has been planted and it’s taking root there

You didn’t know

Chorus

A thousand things are happening tonight

You’re gonna cry yourself to sleep

A thousand miracles you’ll have to wait and see