It dawned on me Friday that I didn't respond to week 4, so I'll catch up now. I read Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos. It was hysterial but filled with many biblical truths as to how we (Americans, mostly) have created our own Jesuses to fit our situations rather than following the true Jesus in the Bible because following him is really difficult and can make us outcasts. I really enjoyed it. I also read Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons Medicine Cannot Teach by Vincent Monastra. It clarified some concerns that other ADHD books I've read did not cover. I really like the behavioral modification/reward system he discusses because it's not complicated and it's do-able. He also reassured some things as to how dh & I have tried to approach our son's diagnosis and treatment. Another book I read was Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long. It was a free Kindle download a couple of weeks ago. Although the main character is going through some terrible life moments, her journey through them was filled with despair, strength, and a sense of rawness that some authors gloss over. I found myself laughing, crying, getting frustrated with her, and hoping for her to triumph. It's a fast read if you are looking for something quick & easy. Lastly, I read Clockwise by Elle Strauss. It's a YA novel that is fun for the reader. It's clean and romantic while targeting common teen issues (feeling like an outcast, bullying, peer hierarchies, etc). It could use some extra formatting for the Kindle, but it wasn't enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story. I read it in a few hours, and I'd like to continue reading the subsequent books in the series. For this week, I am reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I'm already finding that this is a book that I need to digest. Her writing is poetic and meaty. It's one of those books that is already changing my mindset (I'm only 3 chapters in), and I will be re-reading it again often since the truths she reveals are convicting and beautiful. I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. So far... Radical by David Platt Made to Crave by Lysa Terkhurst The Eve Tree by Rachel Devenish Ford Breaking TWIG by Deborah Epperson Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long Clockwise by Elle Strauss Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach by Vincent Monastra Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos

Mariann, I have always loved your posts! Thank you, especially, for this one! I have been trying to find my groove since Christmas, and I feel like I may have it this week (maybe?). It's been stressful here for many reasons since late November, so we are behind where I thought we could be. I'm glad I am not alone in needing to readjust, regroup, and begin a little later! It's a marathon, not a sprint, right? :D

Nakia, you are a very brave woman! Some of the reasons given here to ditch it are very sound... makes me wonder (coming from a woman who uses her smartphone for everything - gps, weather, games, geocaching, price comparisons in stores, etc).

Very cool! Thank you for posting!

I downloaded Timez Attack based upon recommendations I saw here, and within a week, ds was showing VAST improvement with his times tables and his speed in being able to answer them. I allowed him to play for 30 minutes each day. It works.

I saw it on PixelofInk.com yesterday (?) and downloaded it. It sounds excellent!

If your mom offered, you have no reason to feel guilty. I hope you were able to enjoy the peace and quiet, that you received plenty of rest, and that your kids had a fabulous day! ps - I'm envious ;)

Ds will be 9 in April. He wears an 8 slim pants, and we still have to adjust the waist a lot because he's so skinny. Height = 50" Weight = 52 lbs. Shoe size = 1

I've been reading a combination this year because I received a Kindle for Christmas. Having ebooks onhand is very convenient, and I've already downloaded many free ones. I'm also pulling from my current shelf of books since I have many that I've been meaning to read.

Lifting you up in prayer, MamaSheep. I am so sorry for your loss. :grouphug:

No further advice, just lots of :grouphug:. I am so very sorry for your loss.

This week, I finished Breaking TWIG by Deborah Epperson. It was good, but not "run out and get this book" good. It's a coming of age story about a girl who lives shrouded in lies and secrets spurred on by her angry, mean-spirited mother. As time passes, the main character starts to find herself throughout and despite the pain, and the ending is satisfying albeit predictable. I found it free for the Kindle. I'm going to switch gears and read Parenting Children with ADHD by Vincent Monastra next. I'm hoping it will help with some of the issues we've been having with our eldest. Our read-aloud is The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and the boys are loving it! So far for 2012: Radical by David Platt Made to Crave by Lysa Terkhurst The Eve Tree by Rachel Devenish Ford Breaking TWIG by Deborah Epperson

Homeschooling a 3rd grader and a 4yo who is preschool/K right now depending upon the subject.

:grouphug:

Both yesterday and today have not gone at all as planned. Ds#2 woke up at 3:30 AM today with a high fever, so we've kept it quiet around here. I also have a headache. Ds#1 played Timez Attack for 30 minutes, and he just spent the last 3 hours reading Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan. We'll do a 20 minute spelling lesson soon and call it a day. Nothing curriculum related was completed, but sometimes that's how the day goes. Lunch was scrambled eggs and bacon with sliced bananas. That's what the kiddos asked for. I try to comply when one or both aren't feeling well. :001_smile: Nothing exciting for the rest of the the afternoon/evening... hoping for a better day and a healthier child tomorrow!

Our church is about 1000 people, so I don't expect our lead pastor to me extremely well. However, I would have to say "yes, sort of". Does he know the depth of my walk and my struggles, no, but he does know how I came to Christ, my role in the church (I serve and lead a small group), and that his wife baptized me (she and I are good friends). We've hung out with him at birthday parties, summer events, retreats, etc, but I'm not one of his go-to friends if that makes sense, and we don't talk Bible/Christ when we are together.

I voted $100-150. My grocery budget is $400/month for 2 adults, 2 boys (8.5 & 4.5), and a cat. We eat mostly whole/organic foods all the time, and I use a lot of natural, homemade cleaners. We don't use paper plates, napkins, or paper towels, and we don't buy bottled water or soda. Occasionally, I will buy organic juice for the boys. I do coupon/stockpile for toothpaste, shampoo, and soap when I can.

I love her! Congrats on your new family member!

We've had a day over here today! I'm so glad I'm not alone!!!

I think viewing it the way you are is a very healthy way to think about it. I wonder if the trainer asks that of all clients, because for some, they may not be able to separate the two. It is a curious question, and I think Jean brings up a good point as to why a trainer would ask this when they should be tailoring the plan to your body. I think that was what I was trying to say.

Hmmm... interesting question. I'm not sure I agree with how this was asked though because shouldn't you be asipiring to reach your own personal level of fitness, and if you aim for a celebrity's figure, couldn't that just lead to disappointment since you have your own individual body? I guess I'm a little tainted right now because I've been reading Made to Crave by Lysa Terkherst (cc book), and she stresses how we have to find our own physical satisfaction with ourselves and not aspire to be anything more than who we were made to be all the while obtaining a healthy lifestyle. For years, I have compared, tried to reach, and failed to obtain a body that I think I should have, but my own muscles, fat cells, frame, and genetics interfere because I am who I am. I'm working on just reaching a healthy place instead of a set "look". Anyway, that's jmho :001_smile:.

:iagree:

Find things Make popcorn in a pot on the stove Load the dishwasher Communicate that we are out of something to the person who does the shopping (me) until the very moment they need it.

We didn't find out for our first, and it was a fantastic surprise. We did find out for our 2nd, and I'm glad we did because I really wanted a girl, but God gave me a boy (I'm SO glad He did!!!). The time to adjust to that was helpful for me. Also, it was practical in terms of buying things and preparing his room, and I'm a planner at heart.

:iagree: This was my first book for the year, and although I spoke about in week 1, I just have to give another shout out for it. I've been thinking of information from it all week. I'm trying to get my small group at church to read it, so I can digest it with other nearby Christians. This week, I read Made to Crave by Lysa Terkhurst. I feel as if she wrote about my life. It's only been since November that I've really started to realize that I have issues with food, my body, weight, etc. I used to joke about them and my dissatisfaction, but now, I realize how deep-rooted they are. I have some great books loaded onto my Kindle, but I'm not sure which one I want to tackle next. :) Possibly The Winter Sea... Books read for 2012 1. Radical by David Platt 2. Made to Crave by Lysa Terkhurst