September Reads

I love words. Not sure where it all began, but I do remember to this day when words on paper alluded me. I am dyslexic. Reformed you can say. Although here and there I have to take multiple looks at a post just to be sure it's not all mixed up. In grade school I struggled until someone noticed I wasn't just slow. I was re-taught and words on paper came alive. I fell in love with books. I always had one in my hand. Nancy Drew was an all time favorite. I remember putting myself in her shoes and dreaming of the days I too would be a mystery solver. Both Ellie and KJ are ones that I have to remind to read. I don't quite understand their indifference to the process. I would sneak books under my covers at night with a flashlight just to read a few more pages. To live such great adventures in my mind. I hope as they grow more in their reading skills they too will become lover of the written word.

1. Made To Crave | Lysa Terkeurst

This book is about food and finding the root of control it can have over one; although when I read it I was able to put in my own vices. At the time I believe it was social media and the comparison game that I fell into. I have since gifted this book to others, but I plan on reading it again. It's serves as a great reminder on where our focus should be and how to achieve it.

2. Where'd You Go Bernadette | Maria Semple

This book was hard to put down. Any free time I found throughout my day I dedicated to this book. It made for a quick read. It has wit and mystery. It was written in the form of correspondence which you either love or hate. I for one loved it.

3. Savor | Shauna Neiquist

If you have been reading my blog for awhile then you may have heard me rave about Shauna Neiquist books on many occasions. My favorite being Bread & Wine. This is her newest work in the form of a devotional. Many of the stories she tells are from her other books, but I love having them compacted into daily reads. Her writing style reminds me of sitting down and having a cup of coffee with a good friend.

4. The Mystery at Lilac Inn | Carolyn Keene

The kids are finally at the age where Nancy Drew can be read without striking fear into their hearts. This one I read out loud and they loved every minute of it and is one of the only books that the kiddos begged for 'one more chapter'. To be honest I had no problem breaking bedtime hours for this one. Nancy's sleuthing ways still get me to this day. 

5. Habitat | Lauren Liess

This one has yet to be released, but I have had it on preorder since it first became available. It's by Lauren Liess who's blog was one of my first reads. Over the years she really has honed in on her style. What I love most is that although she values a beautiful space her main focus is how that space can serve as a backdrop to a life well lived with family.

6. For the Love | Jen Hatmaker

I have yet to read this book, but have heard rave reviews. Have you read it? I loved reading this snippet that Sarah shared.

Teaching Moments

Siblings fight. I know that from experience. I have a hope, dream, prayer or whatever you want to call it that Ellie and KJ will forever act as best friends. Most days they get along perfectly. Of course there is always a nit pick here and there, but overall they really do get along. Lately though they are having different interests in play. It makes sense. I know it does. One being a boy and the other a girl it was bound to happen. They are also having different neighborhood friends. I wish I could control the words of others, but I can't. I can only use them as teaching moments. That is where I am. The other day KJ's neighborhood bestie, who happens to be a self labeled tom boy, expressed to Ellie that she can only play with them if she can do two pull ups. Ellie came running onto the porch, where I sat, spewing her story out that came so quickly she had to take deep breaths and continually wipe away her tears. Apparently no matter how hard Ellie tried she could not do a pull up. Not a single one. She was then banned from the friendship club. This is the moment where I have to remind myself that kids are just that, kids. I prayed for her in hopes of off setting any lies that she is not enough sinking deep into her heart. Praying for the Lord to continually remind her that she is perfect just the way she is. I then spoke to KJ and reminded him that no matter what the circumstance or who it's with he is to ALWAYS stick up for his sister. I've said this many times and the roles have been reversed. Now they are to play only with each other for the next three days. My hope is for them to be reminded how much fun each other can be. This takes compromise in play for the both of them, but they always find common ground whether playing spy or riding bikes. They are to have each other forever and I have a huge desire that they can walk this life journey together. Friends will come and go and I would love for them to be each others constant no matter what life throws at them. I know time is passing quickly and soon I won't be able to persuade them to be each others best of friend, but maybe just maybe if I can help teach them now then it will become a given. I also think KJ said it best after our discussion, "Ellie you can still watch my kids when we grow up." It's a given.

~ For today I am going to remember the days they used to walk arm and arm without a fight. October 2010 ~

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

Pirate Pants

These are what the Mr so lovingly calls my pirate pants. I can't quite tell if he is making fun of me or he has a thing for pirates. Either way I'm wearing them. On this day though I wore them to my first 'not working for myself' job. It's a temporary position which is great for me in this season of life. I can still make my own hours, but I have deadlines. Real life deadlines. I'm working as a consult on design for a local company. To most, if not all of you, this may not sound like much but to me this is BIG. I never officially had a job since getting married over 11 years ago. Even then I was fresh out of college. We, as in I, got pregnant almost immediately after saying I Do. I was crazy sick the whole pregnancy and then before Ellie turned one I was pregnant again and was crazy sick once again. After that it was more economical for me to stay home with the kiddos. Plus it was something I really wanted to do and I was very lucky to have that option. Of course as you all know this blog became sort of my business, then I did design here and there, plus the photography business... oh wait I see now that I have been working for years, but for some reason this feels so different.  Maybe it's because I can wake up then proceed to act like one of snow white's dwarfs while sporting my pirate pants and break out into song... hi ho, hi ho, off to work I go. Yes, I am sure that's it. Walking to my home office 9 out 10 times wearing my pj's does not lead to song therefore makes this new job WAY different. Ha. I kid. I really am just excited and wanted share my new adventure and my pirate pants with you all.

*photos by Ellie age 10. She is really good at capturing all my in between moments and directing me on how to be excited. I believe we have a new second shooter on our hands. You can pay her in chocolate.

SOURCES: flats calvin klein {similar & similar} | tote bag madewell sold out {similar use code win/win for 20% off till the 21st} | sunnies {found mine at nordstrom rack} | watch | top {similar & similar} | pirate pants sold out {similar & similar}