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