Back to the Classics Wrap Up

As in years past I really enjoyed participating in the Back to the Classics Challenge with Books and Chocolate. I started this year with a bang devouring my classics, but half way through the year, much happened and majorly slowed down so I only made it through six classics this year. With six books I earned one entry to the Classic Challenge drawing.  EmmieBeth13@gmail.com

The six categories with books are:

20th Century Classic- Perelandra
Classic by a Woman Author- Strawberry Girl
Classic in Translation- The Stranger
Classic Tragic Novel- A Canticle for Lebowitz
Very Long Classic- Wife No. 19
Classic Novella- Catcher in the Rye

I greatly enjoyed the vast array of classics I read this year. Many were sad in some way, but all were worth the read.

Strawberry Girl

This classic was part of our Sonlight Curriculum Core C that we read as a family. I ended up not reading as much as I was hoping to on my own this year and so I'm using this as my Classic by a Woman Author in the Back to the Classics Challenge I participated in this year.

We were all entranced in this book from the start. This book allows you to enter the world of rural Florida in the early 1900s when Anglo-Saxons started to move south into Florida to settle and farm the land. The focus is on two families that end up in a feud because of different views of how to live.

The Boyer family buys a vacant farm and begins to work the land. The Slater family has been living in the area for awhile and is lax in how they care for their property and animals. The women seek to find a way to live in peace, but the men are so different in their way of doing things that the families go back and forth with getting along and being at war. In the midst of this feud, we get a view of what life was like during this time. They show us a view of farming, raising cattle and other animals, making treats and other food in the kitchen and what school and church was like. You also get to hear how they talk, which is kind of fun to read.

There are so many lessons in this book. Learning to work hard, loving your neighbor as yourself, loving those who hate you, obedience, respect for others and their property as well as working together as a community. I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones that stood out to us as we read.

This is a good fun read and is great to learn about living and working together. I absolutely recommend this read.

4 Stars for this classic

Catcher in the Rye

This classic is one I've wanted to read for a while and I'm glad that I finally got to read it for this year's Back to the Classics Challenge in the category of Classic Novella! It's extremely humorous to read a book that sounds like your husband could have written as a teenager and it was fun to ask him about things he experienced especially since he lived at a military school for a year and the main character lived in a boarding school.

As for the book I enjoyed it on the whole. When I started the book I was curious about what the point of the book was, and at the end I enjoyed it that much more. There is something refreshing about a story told in the first person for the sake of telling their story. This story is about 36-48 hours in the life of the narrator and gives you a deep look into this boy's mind and life. As Holden tells us about this full and interesting couple of days in his life, he adds all kinds of details that have left deep impressions in his young mind that are effecting his choices even in what he does in the story.

What I particularly liked about this story is the dispelling of the illusion of childhood innocence. Holden is about 16 and you can see how much life he has already lived in those short years. He's seen death more than once, is familiar with drinking, smoking, cursing and women, has seen neglect and care and has already developed what he views as right and wrong. You even see it in his ten-year-old sister Phoebe. At her young age she knows so much and complex things do not get past her. She can read Holden like a book and keeps him from being completely foolish. In all the interactions, you see how, even though young, these children are anything but.

It also shows the importance of parents in guiding their children as they grow, learn and experience the world around them. Holden bounces from school to school with no clear intervention from the parents. The primary interaction between Holden and Phoebe takes place in the family home in the middle of the night and the parents are not there. As you listen to Holden tell his story it is evident major guidance is missing from his life. As a parent this is convicting and challenging.

This book also shows how lonely and desperate life is when we have no purpose. Holden is seeking who he is but cannot find it because of the lack of guidance. As a Christian, the atheistic or agnostic undertones in his view of God and religion make it clear why he is struggling so much aside from lack of guidance. It's a reminder how precious it is to know the one true and living God, even when we're struggling with loneliness or feel like we have no purpose. It's such an eye-opening book to understand how the world think. And in all of this there is the continual reminder, money cannot buy us what really matters.

Even though this book follows the life of a teenage boy, it is easy to relate to him. I think anyone could enjoy this book. If language bothers you, then I would steer clear. This is very much written from a worldly teenage boys point of view and some may not be able to handle it.

The story line is compelling and easy to follow. From all that this book reminded me of and challenged me in, I definitely recommend it.

I would give this classic four stars.

Our Seven-Year-Old Gabriel

Our precious Gabriel is seven-years-old today! This boy marched to his own drum to enter the world, and he still marches to his own drum.

Gabriel is so full of life and loves everything about life. It's amazing how he finds enjoyment in the smallest detail and gets so excited about it. I already see God working in his life to really appreciate all that God has made and tell anyone who will listen about it. There is always a story to tell, a finding to show. He really helps me and others appreciate all aspects of life. His enthusiasm and smile are contagious. It's hard to not feel happy around Gabriel.

This boy loves to learn and figure out puzzles. Gabriel can do puzzle books in a day if he sets his mind to it. He is learning so much and loves math in particular. His brain just gets all of the problem solving so well, which is a blessing. He also enjoys Bible and is growing in memorizing Scripture. He struggles with confidence, but I see God growing him in this as well.

Gabriel loves to work hard. He is quick to help and take on chores. He is a great dish washer and dryer. He is very meticulous generally speaking and does a great job making sure every part of his job is done.

Gabriel also loves to be outside. He runs, climbs, rides, cuts bamboo, digs, you name it, he does it. Now that our kudzu has died he's ready to get out there and dig it up! When he puts his mind to it, he can do any project he puts his mind to even though he is smaller.

Gabriel is also taking an interest in cooking and baking. He enjoys putting things together and helping Daddy and/or Lillian in the kitchen. I look forward to see how he grows in this.

Gabriel is so much fun! I can't explain to you how much joy and laughter he brings to our family. I watch him grow and thank God for giving Gabriel to our family. He does march to his own drum, but he still marches in the midst of our family and adds so much color everyday.

Father, I thank You so much for our sweet and lively Gabriel. He is such a joy to be around and adds so much to our life. He is such a blessing from You and I pray that Gabriel will be a mighty man of God as he is named. Please continue to mold his heart and save him by your grace. Thank You again for Gabriel. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Our Two-Year-Old Isaac

Two years! It has been two years since God's planned blessing that completely surprised our family joined us!

Even now I cannot explain to you how much of a blessing Isaac is to our family. He was born during the time of huge transition and has brought so much joy and laughter, as his name means, to our family.

Isaac is already to an action, but he is still so much fun. He loves to run around and explore and figure out what everything is. He learned so much from his big brothers and sister ants mimics everything that Malachi says. He's learning animals and sounds and letters and takes every bit of it in. He loves to read books and color and right now is seeming to be left-handed!

Isaac's favorite place to be is outside. Whether it's writing on toys, running around or looking at nature he enjoys every part of the outdoors. He is full of energy and loves to be on the go.

Issac has a precious voice and it's so fun figuring out what he is saying when he's talking to us. He has begun joining in with family prayers occassionally and it's such a joy to hear him talk to God, even though he doesn't really get it yet. How I pray that he will love God and follow him wholeheartedly, bringing God's joy and laughter to all he meets.

Father, thank You for the precious gift of Isaac! You have blessed us far beyond measure with his life and I pray You will do a mighty work in him, saving him by Your precious grace through conviction of sin, repentance and faith. I pray he will bring Your joy to those in his life and overflows with Your Spirit. In Jesus's mighty Name, I pray! Amen!

Our 8-Year-Old Reuben

Eight years ago Reuben made his appearance in this world.

His long gentle labor was such an answer to prayer and this same style has followed him as he's grown. Reuben is so laid-back and gentle in his manner and it takes a lot to provoke him to anger. But he has an amazing strength about him, a gentle strength that he uses to help and take care of people, especially his younger brothers, and do the heavy lifting in the house work. Like all of us, he has his weaknesses, but God has blessed him with such a tender heart and it's a blessing to see this as he grows.

Building is one of Reuben's favorite activies. He can build out of any medium and when he builds from what he's learning it's so fun. He tries different things from his mind and he has the best creations. I love seeing him work to figure out how to make something. He's now doing this with words and language a well and it's amazing to see how God has made Reuben to envision and put things together. In the same vein, he is wonderful at puzzles and enjoys putting them together.

While Reuben loves running around outside and playing Lord of the Rings or The Wingfeather Saga with his brothers, he also hates to be hot! So after enjoying outside time early on, Reuben loves to get into his book work and read. He has grown tremendously in reading and spelling this year as well as grown in comprehension. He LOVES to learn! His favorite book is a book of Classics for Boys from Usborne that he has read five or six times. He also loves reading to the babies and teaching them when he's not learning himself. It's been such a joy to watch his imagination grow as he reads or listen to excellent stories read.

Reuben has also been working hard to learn Scripture in many avenues. He is all about learning it as well as the answers that the Bible has for our life. While there is no saving faith yet, it's a blessing to see him having a desire to learn and grow in knowledge. He enjoys church activities greatly and always wants to be where the church is.

Reuben loves people, but also doesn't mind being alone. It's a blessing to see him grown in learning to be alone as well as work with people. He loves his siblings and enjoys building, playing and just being with them. He just goes with the flow for the most part and is such a sweet calm most of the time. We're so blessed to have Reuben in our family and so thankful God has given him to us!

Father, thank You for Reuben and his sweet spirit. He is such a blessing from You and our family is better because of him. Thank You for the calm temperment you have placed in him and his love for people. How I pray that You will reveal his sin to him, convict him and turn him to the saving grace of Jesus! Show him you deep love and bring him into true life with You! In Jesus Name. Amen!

Perelandra

"I was young yesterday."

This quote has stuck with me since I read it at the beginning of chapter five and in many ways sums up the book.

In typical Lewis form, this book is deep and makes you think so hard that you realize how young you were yesterday before knowing what you know today.

Though clearly Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Perelandra takes you to the depths of spirituality, seeking to understand who God is and the What Ifs that we often consider had the fall never happened, with the conclusion that even in the evil of the fall it was still what was supposed to be. While a very challenging read, I appreciate that it made me think and took me to the Word of God to see more of who He is.

Now, in all honesty, when Ransom first arrived on Perelandra and they are describing this world my first thought was, "What was Lewis on???" The description of the planet is almost beyond comprehension and made my head hurt trying to understand it. But it is interesting to imagine a planet so incredible different from our own that even in the "what in the world" thoughts it made it fun.

Throughout the middle I really appreciated the theological debates as the Lady and the Devil talk while the devil tempts her and then Ransom seeks to show the better way. There were many deep thoughts that caught my attention and sent me into prayer to understand what was being said according to Scripture. I love a good parallel that helps me delve into the truths of God's Word.

So as the Lady declares when she first talks with Ransom, "I was young yesterday" but today I'm a little older from reading this book and investigating the arguments and thoughts found in it.

I would give this book 4 stars. It's intriguing but difficult to read

Reading Challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge- this is my 20th century classic
Challies's 2019 Reading Challenge- Book by C.S. Lewis in the Committed section

No Children, No Pets

This fun read aloud is part of our Core A curriculum with Sonlight.

I enjoyed reading this book as much as I did the first time around. It is a great book to show ingenuity and how kids can figure out solutions to life problems. This book shows these children working hard to help there mother and work towards a goal together. You also learn about sibling relationships and see the struggles of having responsibility.

There are many different lessons you can pull out of this book to talk about with your kids: Hard work, seeking your own way vs doing what needs to be done, cooperation, kindness to strangers, not accusing without facts and not jumping to conclusions, honest living, wisdom, loving your neighbor as yourself and seeking the good of others are just a few you can find.

I really liked the chapter called, "Tenants Are People" where you see the kids begin to see that the people living in the building are not just a bunch of old people who don't want them around, but human beings who are like them, just older.

The mystery throughout the book also keeps it fun!

My only struggle with the book was a bit of feminist undertone, but it's done in a way that it shows the real struggle women sometimes have when we live out our roles in a fallen world. It's not at all in your face, but I definitely heard it mildly in there this time.

4 stars for this book!

I could totally count this in a challenge if it would fit in a category. Hopefully I'll figure out one to put it in.

Malachi is 3!

Another year has come and gone with this precious little boy! His birth was quite an adventure in trusting the Lord and His provision of labor, but we made it through and three years later he is continuing to grow, learn and teaching us more about trusting the Lord.

Malachi is so much fun! He talks about everything but really loves his baby brothers. He loves being bigger and taking care of them. He loves to learn and shares what he is learning with us. Right now Malachi is into animals and cars. He's finally getting into reading and will sit for a whole book a few times through. I'm so excited to start some basic preschool curriculum with him this year!

This boy is rough and tumble but still sensitive. Malachi is all about playing outside and bugs and jumping and exploring. Right now he loves riding on push cars and playing in the kudzoo that's taking over our backyard. Along side these very boy traits he is very sensitive to others being hurt (unless he did it of course!) He hates to hear Timothy cry and will kiss him and give him his pacifier. I love seeing him come into but brother mode.

Like most kids at this age he tests the boundaries to see what he can get away with, but by God's grace we're seeing him respond to correction. He is learning Gospel, Bible and beginning to memorize both Scripture and catechism. Right now he is not big on prayer, but every night he says he is thankful for playing outside and killing a cockroach!

Malachi has such a big smile that it's contagious! Most of the time that smile is accompanied by something a little mischievous, but I always love seeing it on his face! He is so full of life and brings much fun to our family. He does enjoy annoying his older siblings in typical little brother fashion, but more than that he loves to be with his family. It's such a joy to watch him grow as a member of our family and watch him find his role.

Malachi is all about putting his dishes away and is quick to clean up his spills. He does love to eat and eats almost anything put in front of him.

These first three years have flown by and I'm so thankful for Malachi being in our family. God gave us sick a precious gift in this little boy.

Father, thank You for Malachi's life. Thank You for making him a part of our family. Thank you for his adventurous spirit. Please save him by Your amazing Grace and use this to make him bold for the Gospel of Jesus. As his name means, make him Your messenger and let him go wherever You lead that he may build Your Kingdom here to be on Earth as it is in heaven. Thank You for all You are doing in Malachi's life. On Jesus name, Amen!

A Week Apart

Last week Jim and James are able to go with others in our church to Utah to serve out there. It was challenging to let the two of them go and to be home with the eight other kids without them, but, as is always the case when following God, it was good.

Now, when I say good I do not mean easy! In fact, it was a very challenging me! The morning they left was amazing and I was so excited for the week, but within an hour of Jim telling me they had landed in Utah, our 5 year old decided to test his strength on a window and gashed his arm deeply! Thankfully, my parents were here and we were able to get help quickly but it still required a trip to the emergency room  stitches and involved lots of blood and pain!

In case you are wondering, no one wants these things and especially not to start a week away from your husband!

But, as with everything, God used it to grow and stretch me this week. I now had an injured child to take care of on top of all the other normal responsibilities, including feeding a baby around the clock. This stretched all of us. I got to put my nursing skills to good work as I bandaged and monitored Sam's healing. I sacrificed my alone bed to let him stay with me so I could monitor him. Sam sleeps like a fish out of water!!!

We had a pool party for the kindergartners at Smyrna First Baptist on Friday, which Sam could not swim at anymore. This stretched him and me as he could sit on the side but not get his arm wet. Throughout I was telling him about the consequences of sin and having to deal with the choices we make. It was a great time of fellowship, but also challenging.

During the week there were many small incidences as there are every week. I by the end I was wondering what was real and what was fake with Sam. How quickly he figured out how to manipulate and I had to use wisdom to assess every situation.

On the way to the pool party, a foolish driver almost hit us head on! That was terrifying! But God's amazing grace and mercy allowed me to see the foolishness and stop the van before they hit us.

Ali reminded me that when our husbands away we are more vulnerable to the attacks of Satan, and was she ever right! And thankfully God kept me aware of these little attacks and helped me to face the little incidences well.

But today I realized there was one attack I didn't see. With Jim gone and having to keep a close eye on Sam, I fell back into laziness. God has been working on my heart so much in this area, giving me the desire to work hard for Him in all areas. But I used the circumstances to do what I wanted or really to do nothing whenever I could.

How quickly we fall back into old habits when we have our eyes on our circumstances instead of on God!

Yes there was a lot going on and a lot that needed my attention with only one adult in the house. But I forgot God had it all under control and nothing surprised Him. I took it easy, allowed way too many movies and slept far too much. I trolled online entities and allowed myself to get caught up in moments instead of sticking to our normal rhythms as closely as I could.

This week taught me a lot! And God in His mercy revealed my sin so I could repent and turn.

Today has been much better and I've done what God has asked me to do. Perfectly? NO! But I'm moving back in the right direction.

That's the mercy of God! A week apart from my husband and my oldest to show me how much more I have to learn and how to spot even more of my weaknesses!

God uses everything!

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

I love this book!!!! I read this the first time about three years ago and could not put it down. This time around our family read it together and we never wanted to put it down!!!

The fantasy world that Andrew Peterson had created is fun, brilliant and while impossible in a literal sense, hits close to home. Janner, Tink and Leeli are learning to survive and coming of age in a world full of evil and fear. At night the dreaded dark carriage will come to take children while they sleep, fangs roam about threatening anyone who challenges them and the Igiby family tries to keep their head down and make a home together.

Trouble strikes when the children have an encounter with Slarb, a fang of Dang and soon the family is under the watchful eye of the whole fang regiment in Glipwood. Before long the black carriage is coming for them and they must work together to survive.

This book is filled with spiritual and Biblical imagery and teaches life lessons in a way the kids can understand. I really appreciate the relationship between the siblings and watching how it plays out. You can easily identify with many of the characters and empathize with them. Andrew Peterson does an amazing job of making the characters and story come to life.

I've down side for me is in explaining some things in setting up this imaginary world he gets a little gross in descriptions, but my boys thought it was hilarious. Differences in humor.

I like that it's easy to read and most of the chapters are fairly short making reading sessions quick when needed.

I definitely give this book 4.5 starts! It's a great read!

As for Reading Challenges, I don't have a catagory that fits it except for maybe a Book of Your Choice in the Tim Challies Reading Challenge.

Hidden Tales from Eastern Europe

This fun compelation of stories is part of our Core C curriculum with Sonlight!

Jim and I both have been to Eastern Europe and have such a heart for the people in this area of the world. It was so fun to read these stories with our kids and hear classics shared from generations there. I loved the wisdom in these stories and the life lessons we talked about at the end of each one.

Appropriately enough the last story was The Hundred Children from Romania. While we don't have a hundred, we're definiately a large family and I've been to Romania on a short term mission trip before. It was fun to hear the heart of the man and to see how he uses his cleverness to care for his family.

Every story is that way and it was so fun to read these together. It was also neat to see how God's truths stand the test of time, even when they are not recognized as his across cultures. Kindness winning over cruetly, choosing joy instead of misery, learning a trade and working hard so you can care for your family, seeking the wisdom of those older, discression with words and not being able to escape physical death all play a part of life in every culture.

I highly recommend this book!

5 stars for this fun cultural read

I don't think it really fits in any of my reading challenges but I may try to make it fit!

Trim Healthy Mama Plan

This is my second time reading this book and it was just as good this time around as it was the first!

It's been about two years since I first blazed through this book to learn a healthier way of eating and living and I enjoyed it as much if not more the second time around. The tagline of the book is "Keep it simple, Keep it sane" and that is exactly what this book on the Trim Healthy Mama Plan does. Having to relearn so much of what is true in the nutrition world is already challenging, but Serene and Pearl keep it simple and to the point in their shorter book. I have not read the original book so I cannot compare the two but I highly recommend this one for understanding the basics of their eating plan.

Why do I recommend this book? As a healthcare professional I have learned so many different ideologies about what nutrition is supposed to be. As a Christian I have heard a lot of theories about how the Bible says we should eat. This book is the first time I have seen people explain eating in a way that makes sense to me as both a Christian and a healthcare professional! This is such a breath of fresh air in a world that has so many mixed messages about food, dieting, and what healthy living looks like. It just makes sense with the Bible and how we understand the body to work.

I also recommend this book because they have done a thorough job of researching what is out there and presenting it in a way that is easy for anyone to read. They are not afraid of agreeing to disagree which is incredible! I love that these two sisters have completely different approaches to the same eating plan. That tells me that it is adaptable to anyone. Having learned to eat on their plan in the last two years I can attest that, yes, anyone can eat on this plan! The whole basis of the plan is to eat what your body needs in order to nourish it well. This book gives you a foundation and then tells you to take what you've learned and figure out how to use it best for you.

This book is written by women to women, but as I already mentioned, anyone can eat on this plan no matter age, stage or gender. In fact they point out if your diet cannot be used in every phase of life, how are you supposed to live on it? I've eaten on this plan pregnant, breastfeeding and in between. My kids love the way we eat and Jim is well nourished as a Trim Healthy Man. It's a winner for the whole family.

Some may not like the sister banter in this book, but I personally appreciate how it shows the difference between them and brings out the diversity of their approach.

I give this book 5 stars hands down!

Reading Challenges:
For the Tim Challies 2019 Reading Challenge I'm using this as a book of your choice in the light section of the challenge.
I'm also counting this towards the 2019 Christian Reading Challenge for Women as a Practical Homemaking book.

Captain Nobody

"I'm not supposed to be anybody. I am Captain Nobody!"

This fun and highly entertaining book is part of our Core C read alouds with Sonlight.

Where do I even begin with this excellent book?

The story follows Newt Newman, a ten year old "nobody" who is helping his family live life. His older brother is the star quarterback of a local high school team and they're preparing for a big game between their team and a local rival. The family is in a tizzy while Newt calmly gets everything ready before heading to school himself. With the big game and Halloween in the same weekend there is much to be done.

Then tragedy strikes.

Will this young nobody have the courage to do what needs to be done and keep life going?

This story had our whole family laughing, crying and talking about important life issues. Captivating from the first page none of us wanted to put it down. There are deep and difficult topics but so worth digging into and this book gives a safe way to step into some tough subjects.

I love that it's an easy read yet covers deep topics from a kids perspective. I love that it shows how intelligent and creative kids really are when they are given space to be and also when the need arises. It's amazing seeing the depths of this ten year old boy as I have one right now and seeing what all he is capable of doing.

This is an excellent book to discuss bravery, family, loving your neighbor as yourself, kindness, selflessness and being ok not getting recognition.

The book is extremely well written and easy to understand. The author is extremely clever and does an amazing job bringing the story full circle.

If you don't want to discuss hard life issues with your kids then don't read this to them or read it first to see if you're ok with them reading it.

I rarely do this but this book gets 5 stars! It was such a great read and in my opinion great for the family.

Reading Challenges:
It may be a stretch but I'm using it for Tim Challies 2019 reading challenge as a book about sports or an athlete in the committed section of the challenge.

Living Well Spending Less

I've been using Ruth's blogging school to teach myself how to get my own blog up and going, but I've never read her primary blog by the same name as her book. She's very encouraging and shares freely what she learns with her followers.

There is nothing particularly Earth shattering in her book, but it is a good simple read with good reminders for me in it. For some it could be new and very enlightening. In fact, if you're struggling to get your life in order, it is very practical and down to earth for those who need a basic place to start.

The first half of the book is on living well. Where walks through six secrets to living well that are basic and easy to understand, but may be harder to implement. At the end of each chapter she gives you a challenge and questions to think through to help you evaluate where you are in the process.

The second part is on spending less, walking through six secrets to help you spend less and get your finances under control. This is a basic beginning for these principles and she does point you to other resources if you're in need of extensive help in this area. Ruth does provide very practical steps you can implement right away and again provides a challenge and questions at the end of each chapter to help you think through the different areas she discusses.

The book is very well written and easy to understand. It's a book written for anyone to pick up and use. Ruth speaks from her own experience making her relatable even if your struggles are different.

My biggest struggle was the proof texting of some verses of Scripture. I also struggled a little with some of the advice almost assuming a smaller family size since we are a large family, but most I could figure out how to apply in our current situation.

On the whole, I would recommend this book to anyone.

4.5 stars for this practical helpful read.

Reading challenges:
I chose this book for a New York Times best seller book in the Avid section of the Tim Challies 2019 Reading Challenge, but I think it is supposed to be a current one and I don't think this one is currently there. But I'm counting it for they category anyway unless I happen to find another.
I'm also counting this as a Practical Homemaking Book for The Christian Reading Challenge for Women with Jami Balmet

It's What You're Used To

As I write my three older boys are away for the night with grandparents, which means I only have six kids at home. I'm excited they are out having a fun experience, my house is turned upside down.

I hear people in my head who ask how I do it with so many, and wouldn't it be easier if you sent them to school. And tonight I'm reminded that I love having them around and that they're all a vital part of the whole.

It's always easy to judge what you don't know. When you have two, nine seems like a lot! And while nine is a LOT, because we have nine, many hands make light work. Every child has their job. The younger ones are still learning chores, but they can get dressed and help pick up. Older kids help change diapers when I need to feed the baby and everyone pitches in to clean up after each meal. They are still kids and some nights they have to be reminded often that they have a job to do before they can have free play and reading, but it makes life so much richer when there are so many of us to do this life together.

Thankfully tonight my 5-year-old stepped up like I have never seen and took care of most of the big boys chores plus his own with the 4-year-old in toe who is learning the chores from the older ones. My 9-year-old did her jobs and a couple of the oldest to help get everything done. And it all got done without too much fighting.

But I still miss the three. Six is still a lot, but I feel it when any of them are gone.

Even when just one is away it feels off and incomplete. Our girl was able to spend a week with her cousins and grandparents and the constant question was "When is she coming home?"

How do I do it with so many? We all work together to get the jobs done.

Would it be easier if I sent them to school? Not on your life!!! We all work together and the family functions best when we're all here.

This may seem crazy to many, but it's really what your used to. I'm used to nine. I've been used to lots of littles for years now and I'm teaching my olders responsibility. With six, it's just too quiet. It's too quiet with only eight! And everything feels off and out of balance.

I know one day it will be like this frequently as they grow up and move out into the next adventure God has for them, but for now it's a blessing to have the fold at home. I'm glad my boys will be home in the morning!

Finding Summer Homeschooling Routine

One of the things I love about homeschooling our crew is that we can school year round and make sure we're not only learning reading, writing and arithmetic but leaning house work and life skills as well. But even in homeschooling we feel the different seasons and are consistently having to evaluate what a routine during that season looks like.

This summer has been no different. It got hot early this year, driving us indoors earlier in the day than normal. By June it was at least 80 degrees most days before lunch which made post lunch outdoor time short and miserable for most of our major sweaters. We were also struggling to get book work done as kids need they energy outlet. So early June brought evaluation. While everyday is different in specifics, it is nice to finally have a general routine to get us through each day.

Currently our routine goes something like this:

Breakfast and Bible with Daddy before he goes to work
Morning chores and get ready for the day
Outside time
Morning snack and a short story or poem
Book work for middles, puzzles, books or coloring for littles, olders help youngers and do book work as able
Lunch and reading
Quiet time: babies nap, middles do quiet activity and olders do book work
Dinner prep and free play
Dinner
Evening chores
Family reading
Bed
Parents time

I've been amazed at how much this rhythm has helped all of us succeed and is beginning to help the older ones learn how to prioritize their time. We aren't strict or rigid. There is a lot of flexibility.

The kids get to bake and cook and build and create. In fact the longer we do this the more creativity I see coming out of them!

This has also kept us away from the screen! This has been a huge bonus I was not expecting. But right now we have not had an afternoon movie in a couple of weeks and they mostly don't ask for it. I do love hearing the kids sing "Tradition" or "Doe a Deer" when the mood strikes them, but I don't miss hours glued to a movie followed by explosive energy. I find this has also increased creativity in the kids.

It also allows for perusing other things they want to learn and allows me some writing and creative time. I know this is just a season and soon another season will be upon us with new evaluation and new rhythms, but right now I'm so thankful for the rhythm God has given us in this season that is helping us live for Him right now.

What do your rhythms look like right now?

Getting Back to Writing

A couple weeks ago I shared about getting back to reading both individually and as a family. It has been such a blessing to us in this season where things have been a bit hectic. It has kept us away from the screens on the whole and had helped sparked imagination and new play for our kids. What a gift!!!

For me, it has also reminded me that I need to write. For the first time in a couple of years our family blog has been full of posts as I write reviews on the books we or I have read. This is helping me get back to writing, one of my greatest hobbies. I have missed it so much and it is refreshing getting back to putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys) to express what I'm thinking or to tell what's going on in our life.

I love to write. God made me a writer. And any time I read more, God uses it to remind me of how He made me and renews my love of writing. Currently I'm evaluating how God would have me user this talent to bring Him glory, because there are an infinite number of ways writing can be used. I've worked on books, worked on blogs, written letters and cards, taught my kids how to write and let them grow in writing. Having a big family means always evaluating, but as I pray, God is bringing His will for this season into view.

Even as I sit and write these words it's a part of a bigger plan, God's plan to use His people to bring glory to His name. And I'm so thankful to be a part of His story.

What about you? Where are you in God's story? What talents so you need to be using to bring Him glory?

Year Two: The Return

Two years ago today our family returned to Smyrna after being in Louisville for seven years. It has been a whirlwind of a time since then. As He always does, God used this leap of faith in our lives to grow us and mold is more into Christ's likeness.

Those who follow us know that the first year was full of surprises and transitions. Things didn't happen the way we expected at all, but then, do they really ever. In the course of that year we moved in with my parents, had a baby, Jim got a home health job, we bought a house and moved into Mableton while still wondering what to do about Jim's job, finding out we were expecting our 9th child and hammering away at our homeschool while getting settled in a new place.

While the second year has been less transitionally in a physical sense, it has still been a great adjustment. Jim's home health job was not coming through on hours so he had to keep looking. We had a lot of catching up to do in our book work area of school because of not being able to get our curriculum out of storage. I was tired from the beginnings of a new pregnancy. Jim, James and I were able to go serve in Utah for a week. We came back with Jim still only having minimal hours and praying for the right job and provision in some way.

Then God graciously provided Jim with a new full-time job! While a huge blessing it started a whole nother level of adjusting. Daddy was now gone forty hours a week. I had to learn how to cook healthy meals for our large family. (Jim is the cook in our home and is amazing at it!!!) Learning how to do anything while pregnant is a challenge, but cooking with an unsure stomach is intense at times! Between Lillian and I we got it figured out and enjoy exploring new dishes.

We settled into a decent routine for a few months. Then in March we welcomed Timothy to our family! More learning and emotional transition for all. We are starting to get into a good routine again, though at times it still feels like we're in transition. Holidays, appointments, growing and changing kids; the schedules and needs keep fluctuating. We're also still figuring out what it is we are doing here. We know we are where we're supposed to be but what we're doing is still somewhat elusive. Everyday it becomes a little more clear as we seek God and the plans that He has for us. As we seek Him in the day in and day out it becomes much easier to see the bigger picture. Little by little God shows us more of His plan. And so we continue to seek Him and the part He has for us to play in His story.

A Canticle for Lebowitz

I'm struggling to find the words for this book. I've been wanting to read it for a classics challenge and Jim suggested it this year for a comedic classic, however after the ending I've decided to put it as a classic tragedy.

The first part of this book falls into this as Brother Francis deals with a comedy of errors related to a Lenten fast in the desert that leads to the canonisation of the blessed Leibowitz for whom his order is named. You can't help but laugh at his lack of maturity and his ability to faint whenever he is stressed. His ability to frustrate even the most steady a person is also comedic. Brother Francis is quite a funny character and his journey is quite humorous.

But the rest of the book, it is something else. The second part also had it's comedic moments with an overly stressed Abbot, Dom Paulo, who has many personal issues that are displayed in his moments of great taxation. But in this part of the book, it begins to take a more serious turn as war is brewing and the Abbot seeks how to manage coming threats. I really enjoy his discussions with Thon Taddeo and the challenge to think beyond what you can see but to ask stand for what's important and looking at the whole, not merely your own interests.

The third part was full of questions, challenging what is called good by the world with the truth of God's Word. It is tragic and sad as the current Abbot seeks to do what is right in the middle of everything being wrong.

This book is thought provoking, challenging as well as very weird. The part that was the hardest to think through was seeing the possibility of some of these things happening. It is pure sci-fi, especially for when it was written, but there is an eerie feeling of some prophecy in the fiction of these pages. By God's grace these things will not come to pass, but there is always a possibility that they could.

This book is also well written and has caused me to ask James several times if he knows what the Latin words mean. There is a distinct Catholic feel also, which was interesting as the story unfolded.

I cannot say I like this book, nor can I say I dislike it. It is its own breed in so many ways. I do like the way it challenged me and that it's thought provoking. I appreciate the way it pushed me to look up new words and increase my vocabulary. But it was weird on a whole different level.

I would give it 4 stars because I think it's worth the read.

Reading challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge: Classic tragic novel

Tim Challies 2019 reading challenge: a novel in the light section of the challenge

2019 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge: a book by an author who is new to you

Sojourning Expat Ambassador

Sojourn: a temorary stay

Expat: a person living outside their native country

Ambassador: an accredited diplomat sent by its country as its official representative to a foreign country

Independence day is always a time of reflection for me. I've shared my struggles with this time of year before, but this year it has been taken a whole nother level for me.

See, about three years ago we were living in Louisville and spent a week in Georgia with my family and a week in Florida with Jim's mom. While in this trip I found myself at peace in all of these places. I looked at Jim and said, "I could live in any of these places." He was having the exact same thought. It was the catalyst for moving us forward in leaving Louisville and coming back to Georgia. It was a strange time for me because I didn't want to come back nor had I ever given the time of day to a beach in Florida.

But God was doing something in me at that time that has continued on even to now. He continues to teach and remind me, it doesn't matter where I live here on Earth because Earth is not my home. No country, state, county, city or house here is my home. My home, my country, my kingdom is in Heaven with Jesus!

I'm a sojourner in a foreign land living in a temporary dwelling waiting for my future home who's designer and builder is God (Hebrews 11:8-10). I'm an expat living outside of my native country until my King calls me home. And I'm also an Ambassador for my King to proclaim His ultimate rule over all countries and peoples and call people to repentance and faith (2 Corinthians 5:20). All of which remind me, I am not yet home.

I'm thankful to be living in an earthly country that allows me to live the way my King has called me to live. I'm thankful I can openly tell others about this amazing country where the glory of God is light and life. I'm thankful that God is good and they no matter what happens in my temporary home, my home in heaven is secure and nothing there will ever change. I'm thankful I can be an ambassador for the one true King.

So this year as I remember the Independence of the United States as a country, I celebrate the true freedom that I have in Christ to live the life God has called me to live in this temporary home while I wait for my eternal one. I celebrate the dependence I have on the eternal God of the universe, without whom, no earthly independence or freedom would exist.

Date Your Wife

For the Tim Challies 2019 reading challenge in the light section he has a category for a book targeted at the opposite gender, thus I chose a short book that had been sitting on our shelf that I could read quickly. I thought it would be an easy read, but this book is deep for it's short length.

This book is greatly needed today as marriage is frequently being attacked and we're told what we do and have possession wise is far more important than our relationships. This book cuts to the heart be telling men your marriage is your most important earthly relationship and only through a relationship with Christ can you even hope to do it well. Reading it as a female I do appreciate how direct Justin is. He does not mince words and tells it like it is. There is no guessing. Love that!

I absolutely believe every man should read this book. It's so life giving for a marriage in it's principles. Now ladies, I do not recommend you give this book to your husband. Instead find a way for a guy friend to recommend it or pray for God to put it in his hands some way. You giving it to him would likely undo the good to come from it.

Ladies if you want to read it used it for prayer, not telling your husband everything he's doing wrong. At times it was hard for me to read because of hurts, but it helped me pray in a new way. It also showed me things I can teach my boys. My biggest take away was that I need to teach my boys to pray for their future wife starting now! My older boys all talk about getting married and they need to learn these basic concepts now. It will definitely give them a head start on dating their wives.

There is a note from Justin's wife, Taylor, at the end that reminds us to be datable. Remember a marriage is two people and if we're holding our husbands to unrealistic expectations we're doing them a disservice. We're all sinners that need to improve and grow in Christ-likeness.

I love the style. I love the practical suggestions. I love the call to examine yourself. This was a great book all around.

5 stars with all the recommendation I can give it!

The Stranger

Wow! I don't even know where to begin with this classic! I know I've read it before but I did not remember it at all.

This book is an excellent fictional memoir of a man who shows me truly the depths of humanity apart from God. It's sad but really how people are wired because of the fall. Self absorbed and thinking about how life is for them, not caring at all that there is a God and denying His very existence. In essence doing what we want to do no matter what because we believe we know best or we just want what we want.

I love how simply this is written in first person perspective. This is probably my favorite writing style and Camus did it very well. We don't have all the details but it doesn't leave you wanting for more. The story is clear, concise and leaves no guessing.

There are some details that could be disturbing to some, but he did a good job of being realistic without being vulgar.

It's hard to do a review of this book without telling the whole story. So I'll say this: the conclusion is breathtaking and brilliant and hits way too close to home in how many feel in everyday life I think. I know I often feel the way he describes even knowing Jesus and His forgiveness. It's part of the plight of humanity and being slaves to ourselves and our sin.

How to rate this book? I don't know. I think 4.5 stars. Can't quite give it 5 though I can't quite place why.

Reading challenges:
This is my second classic for Back to the Classics challenge for a book in translation.

I'm also including this in the Tim Challies 2019 Reading Challenge as a sad boo in the committed section
And the 2019 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge for a book in translation

Four-Year-Old Nehemiah

Where do I even begin with this little man. He came into this world with a bang and he still keeps us on our toes.

Nehemiah is so full of life and energy. He loves to go and to play with his siblings. He also loves a good book, puzzle or movie. No matter what he's doing he loves to laugh. Everything is funny to him and his laugh is contagious.

He might be small in size, but do not let him fool you. Nehemiah is a force to be reckoned with. Stubborn and strong-willed, he will fight with anyone about anything. He's also wicked smart. Smarter than me at times, but he keeps me always learning. He knows how to get what he wants if you're not paying attention, so always listen carefully to him. How I pray God will take that drive and gusto and use it for His Kingdom! Nehemiah will be a strong evangelist when he comes to faith.

This boy also loves to sing! He will sing anything and everything and has begun making up his own songs, which I love! He plays all kinds of instruments too. He excels at all of them! That's easy to do when it's all air. But anything music he loves and wants it around him. He loves to perform also and you will certainly get a dance with the song he sings, unless he is too busy with his microphone. Shy is not in his vocabulary.

Nehemiah is getting good at memorizing and is working on Scripture they we pray God uses to grow his heart for the Lord. Right now he is also working in a junior kindergarten curriculum at home and is learning phonics, numbers, writing, shapes, colors and increasing his love of learning. He is very good at puzzles and problem solving as well as reading people. He always blows me away with his clarity of speech. Coloring and drawing are also part of his repertoire.

Nehemiah loves life. He has a spirit that radiates.

Father, thank You for Nehemiah's life. He is such a joy. Please show him that true life and joy only comes from you. Please save Nehemiah by your grace and bring him to You. Let him know Your comfort and help that he might be Your comfort and help to others. In Jesus Name. Amen!

The House at Pooh Corner

This classic book is part of our Core A curriculum with Sonlight, and our second time reading it as a family.

Is you're familiar with Winnie the Pooh as most are, this book was one of the inspirations for the cartoon that many know and love. This book contains ten of those stories and are written exactly the way the characters speak. This makes reading this book out loud a bit of a challenge and personally I don't care for it. The stories are cute with good teaching points but it gets lost in all of the confusion of the writing. By the time I finish reading a section my brain has lost the point of what I'm reading.

As I already said the stories are cute and have good teaching points if you don't get lost in the wording like I do. Being able to see these a little better this time helped me to enjoy the book better than last time, but I still dislike reading this book.

My kids in the other hand enjoyed this book and found it funny. They were able to catch some of the points in the midst of the garbled English and thought the garbled language was part of the fun. They liked the poems that Pooh and the others came up with especially. This does allow for teaching poetry skills and how to evaluate poetry.

I will say it is clean and has lessons in it making it a great family read for those who like the type of nonsense that they speak. For me it's simply a matter of preference.

I would give this book 2 Stars for personal reading enjoyment. My kids give it 4 stars so I will split the difference and give it 3 on the whole.

This book is part of the Tim Challies reading challenge and is a book about friendship since that is the overarching theme of the book. This category is located in the committed section of the challenge.

The Cricket in Times Square

This charming book is part of our Core C with Sonlight and it was a fun book for our family read aloud.

The Bellini family has a newsstand in the Times Square subway station and are struggling to make ends meet, when Mario finds a cricket and a side by side adventure begins. Chester Cricket was carried to the Big Apple in a basket and ended up lost far from his Connecticut home and is found by Mario who makes him a pet. In the newsstand Chester meets Tucker and Harry that welcome him to New York City and quickly befriend him.

A boy's love for a cricket and the friendship of three unlikely creatures leads to a parallel story of the human world and the animal world and how they intertwine. This story made us laugh often and also feel deeply. It opened up conversations about responsibility, caring for others, helping others and selflessness.

While a level of it is silly with the animals, it is a great way to teach emotions and Biblical character traits as well as learning to recognize worldly character traits as you deal with the personalities the animals portray.

Fun and engaging story, great characters, deep emotion, funny mishaps, excellently written, and relatable at any age, I highly recommend this book.

5 stars for this family read.

I'm using this in the Tim Challies 2019 Reading Challenge for a book about Music or a Musician because of the focus on Chester's Musical Ability! Call it a stretch but sometimes stretches are necessary to make what you're reading fit!

Theology of the Reformers

Theology of the Reformers by Timothy George looks at five men who contributed to the important Reformation of the church in Europe during the sixteenth century. Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, Menno Simons and William Tyndale are all explored in this important work. This book shows the beginning of protestantism and the theology that drove the divide between Protestants and Catholics and is very needed during this time in our Western culture.

More and more protestant denominations are getting farther and farther from the doctrine handed down to us from our fathers during the reformation as well as from the Bible itself. George does an excellent job of giving an overview of each reformer and the Scriptures that drove their doctrinal view as well as comparing and contrasting each of their stances. I thouroughly enjoyed reading about each of these men and where their theology landed. It greatly helped me in honing in on my theological thoughts and understanding where the different schools of thought have come from. It drove me to the Scriptures to understand and solidified my stands even more.

When I first started this book, I did feel like it was a little over the head. You really do need a dictionary to read it. Thankfully there is one for theological terms in the back of the book. As I read, however, I found it easier to understand as George brought the ideas together.

I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion section where George summarized the main points on which the reformers focused. He made his own conclusions from them but also left it open for you to make your own.

I think anyone that considers themselves a Christian should read this book, especially if you are in a protestant denomination to hear where things started for us in dividing from the Catholic church. I particularly enjoyed reading the brief section on Tyndale and how he ran from the law to translate the Bible into English and provide the Scripture for the common people.

I give this work 4.5 stars only because of some of the confusion in his writing.

Reading Challenges:
Tim Challies's: A book about theology in the avid section
2019 Christian Reading Challenge for Women: Theology in level 1

Getting Back to Reading

I never realize how much I miss books until I get out of the reading habit. Being in a state of transition for two years as a family meant time was filed with paperwork, childrearing, job finding, house hunting, packing and unpacking, schooling, nursing, and wondering what the next step was. There were a lot of ups and downs. I read my Bible, because I needed that. I read to my kids, but usually simple children's books. I would try to read, but the overload often sent me to the TV because, let's face it, it's easier to watch a screen to than to read a book and take it in.

As we are now getting settled and getting into a more normal routine, I have begun reading multiple books for myself and also reading much more to the kids. Between my books and books of length we're reading with the kids I have ten books going.

And I love it!!!

I recently saw a statement that said that reading for 6 minutes can reduce stress by 60%. Right now I believe it. Since greatly reducing the amount of screen time and increasing both reading and outside time I have noticed a significant change in the house.

Why?

I'm not really sure. Maybe because we're really spending time together. Maybe because we're talking more. Maybe because we're reducing the amount of blue light we're exposed to everyday. Maybe all of this and more.

It doesn't really matter why, though my inquisitive mind would like to know and understand. All I know is it is making a difference.

I'm thankful that God has given us the gift of reading. I'm thankful to have access to books and a vast variety at that. And I'm thankful that God has brought me back to this lost love yet again to remind me of the blessing it is.

Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess

This book is part of our Core C with Sonlight.

This was a fun short read that followed a boy as he learned to be a page in a Knight's castle. It is his diary from his first year in this position. Because it is written in diary form you only see glimpses which leaves some feeling of incompleteness, but because it is a year long there is a little bit of a circle.

This book does allow you to see the class dispute but on a much milder level than "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!" did. It's also interesting to see it from a young man's perspective. The historical information was interesting and my boys enjoyed learning about knights and warfare. We compared what we were reading about to battles from "Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" which made it even more fun and helped them to understand what was being talked about in the book.

I'd personally give this book three stars but my boys really enjoyed it so they would likely give it four or five.

Wife No. 19

I have finally finished my first classic for the year!!! I am using this one for a Very Long Classic.

This book was an incredible eye-opener to the beginning of Mormonism and the wretched lies that kept thousands of people in bondage to the whims of their prophet, Brigham Young.

Ann Eliza wast 19th wife of the prophet and was raised completely in the bonds of Mormonism. The book begins with a little history of her family and how they came to become Mormon and then follows the history of this people and her family until she becomes free from the system.

This book is full of intrigue, horror and great sadness. You learn how Joseph Smith began to collect followers and established the system. You will learn of his death and the rise of Brigham Young. You will learn how polygamy came to be a part of this religion and the incredible detriment it had in everyone. You will learn of the cruelty of many of the men in power. You will learn of the courage of the women who were subjected to this system and crumbled under the weight. You will learn what the religion if Mormonism is at the very core and likely wonder at how it ever came to be.

As I read I consistently had to remind myself I'm reading a true story, not a bad soap opera. Truth being stranger than fiction most certainly applies here. You will feel for these people pulled around at the whims of an egotistical mad man, for I have no better description of him, and cry with them as they tried to live under an extremely oppressive religion that was their life.

Being written in the 1800s it can be a bit difficult to read, but it is still a good read.

I highly recommend this book if you want a true inside look to the world of Mormonism.

5 stars for this important historical work.

I am also using this in my other challenges:
A book with 400 pages in the Light section of Tim Challies's challenge
A Book Published Befoer You Were Born on Modern Mrs. Darcy's Reading Challenge

Year 15 of Marriage

It's been 15 years since we said "I do."

15!

It completely blows my mind when I think of that number. It seems impossible in a way, but at the same time more than possible. Everyday is a new adventure in life and learning what it means to follow God as one flesh. 15 years of being one according to the Word, yet the first one where it has hit a level of depth we have never had before.


This year God has been teaching us to trust Him for everything, especially our marriage and the depth we have. But also what it means to be one flesh in everything. It doesn't mean we are the same. Far from it! But it is that we use all of who we are to work together for the glory of God and bringing His Kingdom in little ways to earth though raising children, serving His church, and portraying Christ and His Church to the world in our marriage.

15 years to learn that!

And yet, by God's grace, there will be many more years with even greater depth of learning these things and more.

Is that possible? I know the answer is yes! How exciting it is to see where God will take us in the years to come.

The Excellent Wife

What's an appropriate book for me to share and review the week of our 15th wedding anniversary!

This book by Martha Peace is a convicting and poignant read. She does not mince words and gets right to the point on what it means Biblically to be an excellent wife. Scripture is at the center of everything that she writes and she is always ready with practical examples alongside Scripture. I really appreciate the directness as it is always frustrating when people dance around a subject instead of saying exactly what they mean.

For me this was a great review of much I had learned at seminary wives and other marriage conferences while in Louisville. It also showed me some areas where I am still struggling or failing miserably! I really appreciated the end chapters that speak to wives own sin issues that needs to be dealt with. I also appreciate that she acknowledges there are difficult situations out there yet we are still to handle them in a Scriptural way with specific examples to encourage women in these situations.

There were a few things that frustrated me like several instances of proof texting. There were some conclusions in a few chapters that I also did not completely agree with but that is more on a personal opinion and not necessarily her being wrong.

On the whole I would recommend this book and give it 4 maybe 4 and 1/2 Stars.

For my reading challenges this will be under a book on marriage from Tim Challies's 2019 challenge and one of the Biblical Womanhood/Marriage category from the 2019 Christian challenge for women with Jami Balmet

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

This book was part of our Core C reading with Sonlight as part of our study of medieval times.

It was a very interesting and eye-opening read. Through poetry, prose and little snippets of history, you gain an understanding of how people in different statuses lived and thought during this time period. It was challenging, at times, to see how people of the lower classes were treated, but it was also convicting to be reminded that it is often how people are still treated today.

Academically, it great for vocabulary building and literature comparison as well as the historical value it offers. It is a good way to talk about difficult subjects, especially dealing with how people treat each other affording natural conversations about how God tells us to treat one another and follow His commands.

I give this book 4.5 stars on the whole.

Not sure if it falls into a reading category for my challenges.

Mary on Horseback

This was my second time reading "Mary on Horseback" with our Core A reading from Sonlight. From what I remember, I like it as well as I did the first time.

This book tells a few stories about Mary Breckinridge who was a frontier nurse in the Appalachian Mountains. As a nurse who is married to a nurse and lives in Kentucky, I really enjoyed hearing these stories of how nursing came into this region. They are hard stories to read but are good for giving kids a basic understanding of how differently some people live and the hardships they face. It is well written and easy to understand and easy to talk through with kids as long as they are not squeamish and you're not squeamish.

It is also interesting to see a tiny bit of the history of nursing. I also appreciated learning a little bit of Mary's background as she is from a prominent family in Kentucky.it holds great lessons on what it means to look out for other people and to fight for what you believe.

I would give us book four stars.

I am using this book in the Tim Challies 2019 reading challenge for a book of a hundred pages or less in the avid section of the challenge.

The School Story

This book is part of our Core C with Sonlight and it was so much fun to read!

Natalie had written a book and her friend Zoe wants to see this amazing story published. This story follows the ups and downs as these two girls plot, scheme and learn about what it takes to get a book published. You watch great ingenuity and it really teaches you to think outside the box.

There are many great themes in this book including perseverance, friendship and hard work. You also see family bonds, hardship and grief. The characters come alive and you feel like you really know them. We laughed, cried, and wondered as we read through this book. We never wanted to put it down and the kids always asked to read more. I always wanted to read more!

James and I also loved this book as writers who desire to write and get our work out there. We greatly identified with Natalie and connected even deeper with her emotions on the journey.

I cannot recommend this book enough! Excellent writing, great themes, identifiable characters, perfect pace. This book is five stars all the way.

I am using this book for Tim Challies reading challenge in the category of a book that looks easy to read in the committed section.

Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson

This book of poems I've had for years and glanced at occasionally. I decided to pull it out for the Tim Challies reading challenge this year.

While there is some poetry I really like, I struggle with poetry on the whole. Emily Dickinson's poetry is just the same. Some of the poems I really liked and even identified with. But on the whole I found most confusing and glossed over them. I did enjoy getting insights to what this woman believed and how she felt.

If you are a poetry lover and enjoy figuring out the depths of a person's poetry then you will really enjoy this collection! If poetry is not your thing then I would steer clear. if you want the challenge of learning poetry, I do think it is a good book for that. It would also be beneficial for studying poetry for learning to write in a particular style.

Because of my personal enjoyment or lack thereof I would give this book about three stars. For its learning potential I could give it five stars.

Jim's 36th Birthday

Happy birthday, Jim!!!!!

Today Jim is another year older and it's been one amazing year. This time last year we had just bought our current house, striving to get it organized, while working for a home health agency for kids. It was this time the hours greatly dwindled as one of his kids was moving out of home health needs. It was a time of question, wondering, knowing we were exactly where God intended for us to be, but not understanding at all what He was doing.

Jim continued to apply for other jobs, we looked at other possibilities. He worked as much as he could and we ordered our lives as simply as we could over the next few months. Then, late August, the email came from a supervisor he had been in touch with before and an interview was set up. In a whirlwind of events, Jim had a full-time job with great hours, great pay and great benefits, not to mention a wonderful Christian boss to work for. It was far more than we could have hoped for, especially for a hospital nursing position.

This job has been such a blessing the past eight months and we are so grateful for God's provision for our family. In all of it, Jim lead our family well and we learned another level of depending on God together. Even when he was doubting, he led us to pray and seek the Lord together.

Our family is so blessed to have Jim as our head. He continues to grow as a husband and father, teaching our children the ways of the Lord and providing for our family. He's always helping at home and continues to teach our kids how to cook and bake. Recently he has restarted family reading time on evenings when we're home and the kids are loving it. So am I. He's never to proud to say he's wrong and handles my crazy emotions like a pro. He points me to Jesus and reminds me what His Word says, that I may live in those truths and not my crazy sinful head.

Jim teaches us Bible and instructs is in the truth of God's Word daily. He is faithful to God's teaching and seeks what it means to be a Godly Man. I'm still amazed that God has blessed him with nine arrows to send out into the world. What an amazing gift! And these nine arrows keep him humble and always learning. I love that about Jim!

I'm so thankful God gave me to Jim and that I get to be a part of what God is doing in Jim's life as he molds him into the image of Jesus. Thank You, Father for Jim and the privilege of being his wife. You are so good to us. Continue to grow him and shape him. May he have many more years to teach, train and learn for the sake of Your Kingdom. In Jesus's Name. Amen!

The Door in the Wall

This wonderful book is a read aloud in our Core C Curriculum from Sonlight.

When we started this book, I was dreading it. The beginning made me dislike the main character, but instead of getting more annoyed with him, I grew to appreciate him as I appreciate my kids and their development.

Robin is set to become a squire when he becomes ill and loses the use of his legs. His father is away at war and his mother is attending the queen. Brother Luke comes to care for young Robin and this beautiful story of friendship, faith and coming of age unfolds. Robin learns skill along with bravery as he goes on his unexpected adventure.

I greatly appreciate the way the author deals with Robin's growth in thinking and feeling as well as his physical skill. It opened up many great conversations with my kids.

I highly recommend this book!

5 stars!

I'm using this book as A book of Your Choice in Tim Challies's Reading Challenge

The Minstrel in the Tower

This book is part of our Sonlight Curriculum in Core C. We're studing the middle ages and this quick read is a captivating story set in this time period.

The mother is ill and in desperate need of medicine. She sends her children to fetch a nobleman to come to her aid. Along the way the children are captured and held prisoner. The children scheme to get away and get help. Will their scheme succeed?

While an easy read, the story will hold your attention as the characters are made very real in their simplicity. I also appreciate the feeling of the time period and gaining some understanding of what this time in history was like.

My kids and I all enjoyed this book!

4 stars for this read

This does not fit well in any of my challenges, but I may use it as a choice book for Tim Challies.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

I first read this book over 10 years ago and I remember it being extremely impactful. This time around I believe it was even more impactful as God has shown me so much since the last time I read this book and my relationship with Him has grown tremendously. As I read Crazy Love this time, I was struck by how, even in my growth of faith, I'm still lacking many of the markers of love and fall so short of giving God my best. This book was also a great reminder of living the life that God has given us according to his word but it doesn't mean that my life will look the same as everyone else's. There are markers of love that are common to all Christians but how it plays out is different according to what God has planned for your life.

The most convicting chapter was on what it means to be a luke-warm Christian. I challenge everyone to read this chapter. If you call yourself a Christian and your toes are not stepped on, then I would do some serious soul searching! Every other one pointed out somewhere I was failing.

The ultimate point of this book is that with the crazy, extravagant love that God has poured out on us, how can we not live crazy, extravagant love for God and others. How I needed to be reminded of this right now! And I'm quite sure you do too! I already need to read this book again.

5 Stars for this beautiful and challenging book!

For my 2019 Reading Challenges I'm using this book for:
1st Christian Living book under Christian Reading Challenge for Women with Jami Balmet
A Book About Christian Living under Tim Challies's Challenge, Light Section

Abandoned Prayers

Where to begin with this book, I am unsure. I got this book from a friend from book club when she was getting rid of some of her books. Since I enjoy a good mystery I thought I'd give it a go.

The difference: this story actually happened.

Criminal Minds and CSI are some of my favorite shows, so I suppose I expected it to be similar to one of those. Because it's a true story it was far from being like a show. Instead it was a very long newspaper article, like an episode of Dateline in written form.

It was will written and interesting because of the complexity of the story. Many people are also intrigued by the Amish, and this gives a little insight into their world. The downside of this book is unnecessary and overly graphic details into the life of the man this book was written about. There is some harsh language, but given the lifestyle and nature of the crimes I'm surprised there was not more.

Unlike my favorite criminal shows, there was not a satisfactory ending. This gives a much more realistic view of how the legal system works and getting evidence for conviction. While in some respects there is no guessing in others it leaves you wondering what really happened.

I can't say if I recommend this book or not. It depends on you really. If you enjoy criminal non-fiction you'd probably enjoy it. But if not, leave it be.

On the whole I'd give it 3 stars for being written in a compelling manner and thorough clear writing.

For my Reading Challenges I'm using this book for:
A Biography in Challies Challenge in the Light section
A Book You've Been Meaning to Read in Modern Mrs. Darcy's

Our 9-Year-Old Lillian

What can I say about our lone girl? For nine years Lillian has brought life, energy, spunk and laughter to our family and home! Anyone who knows her knows she is not shy and doesn't know a stranger. She's a determined young woman with a bit of a perfectionist side and an amazing memory for dates, schedule and detail.

Lillian is an amazing cook and baker! She knows how to run a kitchen and make delicious food. We all love partaking in her creations. Recently she has been owning dinners and everything has been right on and often better than when one of us make it! Good has given her an amazing talent. She would live to have a bakery out of her home as soon as she is able.

Recently, Lillian has said she wants to be a homemaker and teach her children at home. This is a major shift and shows how the Lord has been working in her as she learns what Biblical womanhood looks like. Along with kitchen duties she also is learning laundry and cleaning in her homemaking skills. She is growing in caring for the babies and is getting good at changing diapers and teaching little ones. We're so excited to see what the Lord does with her!

This has been a transition year for Lillian as she is learning to take on all subjects in her homeschool book work. It's been amazing to watch her grow and really begin to own her learning. Her favorite subject is Christian studies because it teaches her more Bible. She also does well in math and Latin.

Lillian is so lovable and excitable. She loves to laugh and has a quirky sense of humor. She's always on the go and runs everywhere. She brings energy and life everywhere she goes and her smile lights up the room.

We are so thankful for our precious baby girl, who isn't so much a baby anymore.

Father, thank You for the gift of Lillian, our only daughter. She is such a blessing and I know You are growing her into a wonderful young lady. Continue to grow her and save her by Your grace. Show her what true life is in You, through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, putting all her hope in His finished work. Thank You due what You are going to do in her life. In Jesus Name, amen.

Thank You, Nichole Begerow for these beautiful pictures!