My Grandma's Flower

Looking out my back door today, I saw a perfect iris...probably my favorite spring flower.  It's not just gorgeous, it makes me think of my Grandma Opal, who had so very many growing here, there, and everywhere at her house. It makes me think of running around outside at her house while she and my mom dug them up for starts for my mom or for others or just to thin them out.  I'm not totally sure if this particular one originally came from my grandma to my mom to us, but I know some of them we have growing in our backyard did.  It's good to have this connection to her even though she's been gone for nearly 12 years.  It brings her back clearly in my mind just looking at a flower she enjoyed so much.

Pillow Pet

Ginger just makes herself at home with Luke's other pillow pets.  Seems appropriate...

Whenever she knows it's almost time to go for a walk, she takes herself into Luke's room & gets comfy up on his bed, blankets, pillows, etc.  She still loves to walk once we get started, but she tries to convince us she'd rather sleep.

Nice try, Ginger.

Books, books, & more books!

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, despite being super busy with work for many evenings and weekends, I have managed to read quite a few books in the last month.  They just keep rolling in from my  library hold list, and I just about can't keep up, but I'm doing my best!  I have so many sitting on my shelf right now that I need to get busy and read!

I'll start with some of the Young Adult novels I've been reading so I can make recommendations to my kids at school.  I'll be honest, when I started putting some of these books on hold, I looked at it as a bit of a chore.  However...I'm starting to believe that a lot of these YA novels are just as good as any of the adult fiction I usually read.  The whole dystopian theme has really taken off with The Hunger Games series (which is amazing, by the way if you haven't read them...I haven't seen the movie yet, but can't wait to do so to see how it compares).  The kids are just eating up the dystopian-themed books, and to be honest, so am I.  Here are some I've read:

Delirium & Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver.  I put Pandemonium on hold at the library not realizing it was the 2nd book in a trilogy.  Luckily, I was able to get Delirium quickly so I could read them in sequence.  I was hooked right from the beginning.  In Delirium, we meet Lena, who is 95 days away from getting "The Cure".  You see, in her society, love is the most deadly of diseases - amor deliria nervosa - or just the "deliria".  At the age of 18, everyone in society receives the cure for the disease and then is matched with someone appropriate to later marry without the heartache and stress and other health problems that can all be traced back to love.  I'm sure you'll be shocked to find that before Lena gets her cure...she falls in love.  Oh, the chaos that ensues...so good.  In Pandemonium, Lena has escaped the society that tried to "cure" her and joins the resistance movement to try to bring freedom to those who want to love.  (I don't want to give too much away if you decide to read the first one - I know that description was vague.)  I can't wait until the final book in this trilogy, Requiem, is released next year.  

Incarceron, for me, was not as good as Delirium & Pandemonium, but I did like it.  In this book, Finn is locked in a prison-world called Incarceron.  He doesn't know how he got there...he has no memories before being there, but a key with markings that match a birthmark he possesses comes into his hands and he thinks the key may lead to a way out of Incarceron.  Meanwhile, in the real world, the daughter of the warden of Incarceron, Claudia, also finds a matching key, which allows her to communicate with Finn in Incarceron.  They work together to try to find a way for him to escape the prison.  It's exciting & adventurous and there is a second book called Sapphique that I plan to read this summer when I have more time.

Matched and Crossed are also (clearly) part of a trilogy of books.  I am about a third of the way through Crossed, so I can't say much about it yet, except that it is good. :)  In Matched, we meet Cassia, an upstanding memory of Society.  She is on her way to her Match ceremony.  In Society, teens are "matched" with their perfect counterpart for marriage in a few years.  Cassia is thrilled to be matched with her best friend, Xander, until she sits down to view the information about him and a picture of another boy pops up first before disappearing.  Cassia also knows this other boy and now begins to wonder...which of these boys really is her perfect match.  She gets the opportunity to spend time with this other boy, Ky, and learns he is an "aberration" in Society, and is therefore, unable to be married.  Romance ensues and Cassia falls hopelessly in love with Ky.  Will they be able to be together, or will they stay separated.  I have a feeling, I won't find the answer in Crossed, but in November when the final book in the series Reached, hits the shelves.  I will be looking forward to that for sure!









For school, I read The Giver.  It's one of my "book club" choices for my students to be reading currently, so I had to make sure I had read it myself.  This is the story of Jonas and his community.  In the community, at the age of 12 you're considered an adult and are given your job assignment for adulthood at the annual age ceremony.  Jonas is selected for the most important job in the community - the receiver of memories.  The Receiver is the only person in the community who has any knowledge of the events of the past.  All others in the community remember only what's happened to them in their lifetimes.  As Jonas begins to receive memories of things from the past, both good and bad, from the former Receiver, now the Giver, he realizes that maybe their perfect society is not so perfect if people aren't really living, and he has to decide how he's going to change that.  It's a great, short read...it's not adventurous, but it is very thought-provoking.

In the world of adult novels, here's what I've been quite busy, as well.

I love the J.D. Robb In Death series.  This is the 34th installment, and I think I've read pretty much every one.  If you haven't read these, they take place about 50 years in the future and follow New York murder cop, Eve Dallas, and her husband, multi-gazillionaire, Roarke (no last name required - or maybe that is his last name?  I've never figured that out).  Anyway, Eve has to solve the homicide of an actress who is playing Eve's partner in a movie about a famous case they solved.  It is action-packed and Eve is super-tough, but has a vulnerable side that you get to experience as the reader.  I would recommend any of the In Death books.  Love them!

Jodi Picoult's newest book, Lone Wolf, was a great read.  The story is about a famous wolf researcher, Luke Warren, who is in a coma after a car accident.  His brain damage is so profound that his two children must decide whether to let him go or hold onto hope that one day he might recover in some form.  In true Jodi Picoult fashion, the story is told from the perspectives of the different characters in the story, so you can see everything from each character's point of view.  Though Luke is in a coma and unconscious throughout the story, she also incorporates his memories throughout the novel, as well.  It's a moving story of family and makes you hope that you're never in the position where you have to make a choice like this one.

I am a huge Karen Kingsbury fan.  If you like Christian fiction and haven't read anything by this author, first, I'd be surprised, but second, I'd recommend her books. If you haven't read her, start with her Redemption series (First book - Redemption).  Loving is the final book in her Bailey Flanagan series (after Leaving, Learning, & Longing).  In the final book in the series, we learn who Bailey will spend the rest of her life with - first love, Cody, or new love, Brandon.  I have to say that I've enjoyed the series, but that this one was a bit of a let-down for me.  I think it's because I could see where this one was going from page one and it wasn't the way I'd hoped it would go.  However, I promise you won't be let down by reading any Karen Kingsbury novel - whether you read one of her many series, or her stand-alone titles.  She has a way of writing that touches the heart and moves you to want to be in closer relationship with the God who made us.

 So Pretty it Hurts, by Kate White is one of her Bailey Weggins mysteries.  These books are a series, but they don't need to be read in any particular order.  Bailey is a true-crime writer in New York City, who always manages to find herself in the middle of a mystery that needs solving.  In this case, Bailey sets out to solve (what appears to her to be) the murder of a famous supermodel, who died at a weekend house party that Bailey also happened to be attending.  This is an entertaining book and it keeps you guessing to the end who the guilty party is.  It's definitely a "fluffy" mystery - not anything depressing or with difficult content that kind of makes you despair as you read it.  This would be a great sitting by the pool during the summer kind of read.

Another Christian fiction author I love is Lynn Austin.  My friend, Charla, introduced me to Lynn Austin books several years ago with A Candle in the Darkness, and I've loved this author ever since.  Her latest novel, Wonderland Creek, did not disappoint.  In this novel, the main character, Allie realizes that she's been living her life through the characters in the books she is always wrapped up in.  However, when her boyfriend dumps her and she loses her job at the local library (due to the Depression - the Great one, that is), she realizes it is time to start really living.  So...she heads to the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky to deliver books she's collected from donations to the local library in the "town" of Acorn.  When she arrives, she ends up having to do more than just help the local library and Allie learns about real faith and what it really means to live life.  I loved this one...it was just a great feel-good novel.

So there you have it.  I think there were a few other books in there that I read, but I figure this is enough for one post.  Happy reading!

A Long-Overdue Post

Life has been crazy lately.  I've been swamped with work and with trying to keep up with all the library books I've had rolling in that must-be-read-because-they're-too-new-and-won't-renew.  Which means that I actually have 2 overdue posts to make.  This one on just life in general & another on books I've read recently.  In trying to compile my list of books I've read since spring break, I'm kind of amazed at the number of books I've read considering how busy work has kept me!  So since the last time I posted (nearly a month ago!), here's what has been happening.

Luke turned 7!  It is just unreal how quickly time passes and it does not seem possible that is this big.  We enjoyed celebrating over a couple of days with family.

We celebrated Easter with my side of the family.  It was a beautiful day & the kids got to enjoy lots of outdoor activities besides the Easter egg hunt.  They golfed, fished, ran around like yahoos, and Luke even got to shoot a BB gun.  It was great times for all.

The school year is now winding down.  Luke lost another tooth last week and had to stay home sick for the first time this week.  So far, I have not had to take any sick days this year - I thought we both might manage perfect attendance.  There is still hope for me, though!  (knock on wood)  In the last couple of weeks, my team has learned that we are losing 2 of our team members to different positions.  We're excited for them, but anxious to know who will replace them next year.  We have such a great team dynamic right now that it is a little scary to wonder how that will change with not just one, but two new people thrown into the mix.  Hopefully, it will be an easy & smooth transition as we head back to 7th grade next year.  We plan to loop again with our next group.  I hope they will be as awesome as the kids we have now.  I am so going to miss these kids in a little over 4 weeks when they move on to bigger and better things.

We really haven't done much, but it feels like the last few weeks have just flown by.  I'm hoping as things wind down at work, I'll have more time to post!

Bye-Bye Spring Break

After eagerly anticipating spring break since, well, Christmas, it is now in its final hours.  The weather wasn't that great for most of it, but we managed to fit in as much fun as we possibly could.  We spent some rainy hours playing an old favorite of Brandon's & mine...Skip-Bo. 

We both played this game as kids with our grandmas, which attached some special memories to it while we play with Luke.  It can be a little complicated, so we hadn't played it before now, despite Luke really wanting to learn how to play it.  He even spent some time playing it on his own.  On Friday, he said, "Mom, I played Skip-Bo against myself and I thought I wasn't going to win, but I did!"  Huh?  As long as he's having fun...

We thought it would be fun to do some roller skating with Luke too.  Tuesday night is family night at a local skating rink, so we braved the rain to get out on the roller rink and see how much Luke learned when he went skating with Grandma and Grandpa a few weeks ago.  It was a little rough for the first hour or so and I was worried he'd just be one big bruise the next day (and that my arm might never get back into socket from being yanked as Luke fell!), but by the second hour, he was scooting along pretty well without hanging on to either Brandon or me...or the wall.  At the end of the night, Luke asked me how many times I thought he fell.  I said I didn't know.  He said, "Do you think 10?"  and I said, sure (yeah right!).  To which he replied, "Well, I know I fell WAY more than 10 times last time, so this was much better!"

A couple weeks ago, Luke's Uncle Shawn brought him an early birthday gift - a Season 1 & 2 DVD set of Leave it to Beaver.  This is probably Brandon's (and Shawn's) all-time favorite television show and thanks to the rain, it is now one of Luke's as well.  He burned through every season 1 episode (39!) and part of season 2.  Thank goodness for the early birthday gift to entertain someone who couldn't get outside to play!

I also thought it would be a great time to break out the 500-piece puzzle Luke got for Christmas.  I thought we could spend some great hours chatting over the puzzle while it rained.  It was great...Monday. Then it got hard and Luke played with everything else in the basement and filled me in on Leave it to Beaver trivia. 
Luke:  "Mom, did you know that Eddie calls his dad 'Old Man'?  If you had a dad, would you call him 'Old Man'?" 
Me:  "I do have a dad and I don't call him 'Old Man'."
Luke: "Did you know that Wally & Beaver call Eddie a wise guy?  And Eddie calls Beaver a squirt?"

And on & on & on pretty much like that.  Here's the puzzle on Tuesday:

And finished on Thursday, thankyouverymuch!

I spent a lot of time with these and have finished all but 2 in the stack.  It was awesome to have time to sit & read so much - probably wouldn't have gotten nearly as much reading in if it hadn't rained!

We also spent some time with cousins!  We got all 6 together for the first time on Friday at my sister's house.  She, my sister-in-law, my mom, & I had a really nice visit while the kids played.  I'm so thankful we all got to get together.

Luke & Brady goofing around - they will not take a serious picture together!

Look at Tucker & Bennett checking each other out.  I can't believe how big they're getting already.

Ellie and me goofing with the camera.

Cooper wanted to join us. :)

So...as we wind down the evening and start thinking about things like what we're going to make for tomorrow's lunch and about making sure the alarm clock is set, we have some pretty good memories that were made over the last few days to comfort us.  Later, spring break...it was fun!

Another nephew!

For my 200th post, I introduce you to my 2nd new nephew in one month!  Bennett Kyle was born last Friday...exactly one month after Tucker.  Poor Tucker was in the hospital with RSV at the time, so he hasn't gotten to meet his new cousin yet.  He's back home and doing better, thank goodness.  Hopefully, they'll get to meet soon...I have a feeling these two will be good friends! 

We got to meet Bennett last night and spend a little time with my sweet niece Ellie, as well.  She's such a good big sister already! 

Ellie being big sister!

Luke checking out his newest cousin.

Uncle Brandon with sweet little Bennett.

Ellie & Luke just goofing around.

I'm so thankful for all 4 of my nephews and my sweet niece!  They are all such blessings!

Musical Super Genius/Dancing Queen

It's now been almost 2 weeks since we enjoyed it, but I promised my sister I'd post some pictures of Luke's music program.  What was great about it was that they did it by class, so it was short and you could actually see your kid.  As I shared with my sister, it was an interactive music program.  Parents got called up to participate in part of the festivities.  Unfortunately, I did not get to share in my singing abilities, as some parents were able to (much to their dismay!).  However, I did get to bust a move in the dance portion of the program.  Ironically, Brandon teased Luke before the program that he (Brandon) was going to give really bad & embarrassing dancing lessons to all Luke's friends, but somehow when the time came to dance he changed his mind pretty quick.  He didn't hesitate to get my picture doing so, though!

Our son, the soloist (in all fairness, all the kids sang a solo)

I think he was pretty happy his solo was over at this point.

Mother/son dancing extravaganza

I know you can see we had some wicked dance moves in these.

Yes...we had to change partners.  When you ended up with a kid, not so bad.  When you ended up with a kid's mom/dad you didn't know, maybe slightly more awkward...

Luke had a great time...and so did we!

Cardinal Directions

Me to Luke, "Hey, which shirt do you want to wear tomorrow?"

Luke to me, "I'll wear the one on the north side of the drawer."

Me, "Huh?  You mean this one?" (pointing to the shirt on the north end)

Luke saracstically like I am clueless, "Yeah...that's north." (Like, Duh)

True story.

Weekend Update

Friday morning, I found this picture in the book I was reading.  I love, love, love it.  I am going to put it in a frame and set it out.  It just makes me smile every time I look at it.  How adorable is this dog?  We've affectionately named him Blue.  Ginger is only slightly jealous, but very thankful that we would never dress her up in all that garb.

Yesterday, I started my round of Sunday laundry.  It didn't last long. 

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

The diagnosis is that (likely) the transmission went out.  It was nearly 13 years old, but I must admit I am quite sentimental about my washer.  It was the first major appliance Brandon and I bought, and it ended my days of doing laundry in yucky laundromats.  When we lived in Maryville, I did my laundry at a gas station & people could smoke there.  So gross, but it was the cheapest and we had to watch our quarters!  So sad to see this one go, but so thankful for the many happy hours of laundry I've been able to do in the comfort of my own home.  Laundering will continue on Thursday with the arrival of my new washer. 

Luke got to do a first with Grandma & Grandpa Jackson last night.  They came and got him and took him roller skating for the first time at a skating party with their church.  We warned Luke that there would likely be lots of falling down, so he couldn't get mad or upset about it.  It sounds like he was finally sort of getting the hang of it just when it was time to go home, but he had a great time.  Here's a picture Grandpa sent us of him in action.

(I think he must be nocturnal - look at those shiny eyes!  Or maybe it was just the disco ball...)

Tonight, we're settling in early since it's once again a school night.  Luke and I have been reading the Little House series.  I don't know if those are necessarily "boy" books, but they were a childhood favorite of mine & I have all of them, so why not.  Luke really enjoys listening to Laura's adventures and learning about what life was like in the late 1800's.  As we were reading tonight, we discovered evidence of a well-loved book.

Uh oh - better dig out the tape!

Just in case you were wondering - we're about to finish On the Banks of Plum Creek.

Happy last of the 3-day weekend to you all!  Or if you didn't have today off - happy end of Monday to you!