Finally, a review of my favorite books!

 ***UPDATED*** (I forgot one!)
I'm finally sitting down to do a quick "review" of several books that have captured my attention lately.  Er, more like in the past year and 3 months from when I set a goal to read a book a month.  Remember the whole organization notebook, new years goals, etc from January 1, 2011?  I still have my notebook that contains my finances and coupons, plus a few craft/cooking ideas and Moms Sew Sassy receipts.  I did not read a book a month, I do not do a monthly menu plan and I do not keep a section for school/toddler ideas nor do I make additions to the gardening section.  But I'm ok with that.  Right now I have time to get things done, not write or plan to get things done.  ANYWAYS, the point of this post: Book Reviews.  Keep reading to find out my two favorite books of the year-ish. :)


The Help
So. Good.  Billy and I got away on a little "baby-moon" back in September to San Francisco.  I was flying by myself to meet Billy there while he was away on business so I picked up The Help and never put it down.  I started reading it on the way there and finished it on our flight home.  I have a thing for books written about real life, especially down South.  Such a fun read.  I think the book was better than the movie, but both were fabulous.

Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
When Luke hit 15 months I found myself dumfounded.  He was rough.  He was dirty.  He was distracted.  He was wild.  He is a boy.  And I am a girl.  We were constantly on the go from one thing to the next and while I loved exploring that season with him, I was really having a hard time understanding HIM.  It was most obvious in situations when we would play with little girls.  IE: give Luke a piece of paper and give his little girl friend a piece of paper.  Luke's paper is completely covered in markings and ripped in two within 3 minutes and the little girl is still coloring just a small corner of the paper.  OR at the pool, little girl is sitting on the top step of the pool pouring and dumping gently and carefully while Luke is trying to run and jump in at any given moment despite his inability to swim (disclaimer: I realize not all children are like this but this was my experience during this season).  This book spoke to the many different wirings of boys and I'm thankful for Dr. Dobson's insight into their emotional, mental and physical capacity.  It helped me understand how my little one could/couldn't focus, could/couldn't hear, could/couldn't sit still, etc.  It gave helpful ideas on how to work around the way he was and is wired.  I'm not in agreement with the book in totality but this was a HUGE help as we ventured into learning how to teach Luke in a way that he understood.

Fearlessly Feminine by Jani Ortland
SO GOOD.  This book defined biblically - not what people suppose is biblical - but truly defined biblical womanhood and the power and mission God has given us.  As the review online states, "it tackles many sensitive subjects such as submission and materialism, feminism and beauty, motherhood and marriage..." And I liked that.  I like tackling the sensitive issues.  I want to know.  Some issues I've not known where I stand because I don't know where the Bible stands.  But this book was helpful in teaching me and breaking molds that I found in my own life don't line up with the things God is passionate about.  For the woman who has a more feminist disposition regarding women in the image of God, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised by this book.

Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick
I've read several "parenting" books but this is so far my very favorite.  The subtitle reads: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus.  YES PLEASE.  This book totally opened my eyes and heart to God's grace in my own life and how my goal as a mother is for my babies to experience and understand the magnitude and depth of God's never-ending love and grace for them.  Yes I want obedient children and yes I want them to be respectful...but most of all, I want my children to know JESUS.  I want them to KNOW know KNOW Him to the depths of their being.  I want my heart and attitude to reflect the character of Christ and so often my response is out of frustration or an agenda of my own.  I was convicted by how little glory I give to the Lord when parenting my babies when their is a "win."  When I see God at work in their heart, the praise goes to Him not my abilities.  I was so humbled reading this book and so thankful that it wasn't just another book on how to make your kids listen and obey, but how to truly dazzle them with the love of Jesus!!

Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman
So this is a practical book with practical examples and scenarios of teaching your children the blessing of submitting and obeying right away...without counting to three :)  I loved her sense of humor and humility while writing out her own life experiences with her children.  She also offers several printable tools online and in the back of her book which I've found profitable to help me remember appropriate responses or ways to handle certain situations.  Granted, Luke is only two so our conversations aren't nearly as long as some of her examples but you get the idea...

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp
I read this in seminary for my counseling courses but children were not in the near future at the time ;)  I'm currently in the process of re-reading it and it is just as good the third time around.  The biggest take away for me has been defining obedience: "Without challenge, without delay and without excuse."  It is all about appealing to their hearts instead of just behavior modification.  I want to guide my boys' hearts to the feet of Jesus, to live a life submissive to Him and so I appreciate this book's instruction and guidance for parents.

As for my favorites.....  the runner up is.....

Orphanology by Tony Merida
After hearing Tony Merida speak at our church, Southbridge Fellowship (ps-probably the best sermon I've ever heard in my life), I couldn't wait to read his book.  Hearing his heart for adoption and how their family has walked through it multiple times was inspiring and intriguing to say the least.  I wanted to know more. I've always known that adoption is at the very core of the gospel but hearing him speak and seeing the pictures really made it real to me.  So, I picked up the book on Monday and didn't put it down until Friday when I finished it.  I can't write words that really speak to how wonderful this book is, but if you are considering adoption, curious about adoption, want to read amazing stories about adoptions, or want to know how much God cares about adoption, then you need to read this book.


And...my very very VERY favorite book so far - and maybe ever - is......

KISSES FROM KATIE.
You need to read it.  Now.
This is a story of a young girl, a year younger than myself, who is currently living in Uganda and has 12 (GASP!) legally adopted little girls.  She has culturally gone above and beyond what anyone could think or imagine.  She has learned medicine.  She has learned motherhood.  She has learned non-profit organization.  She has learned heartache.  She has learned sacrifice.  She has learned death.  She has learned what is at the heart of Jesus: Caring for the widows and orphans.  The stories she shares make you feel like you are there walking with her on the dusty roads.  The excerpts from her journal entries make you want to cry tears of joy, sorrow, laughter and praise.  With every word that was written I felt like my heart drew closer to the Lord and gave me a deep fire and passion to take God's word seriously.  I cannot do this book justice by writing about it.  Please go buy it and read it and bask in the amazing testimonies of God and what He is doing through one girl who is living on mission in Uganda.

Choosing love.

So this post was going to start out drastically different. "Getting ready for baby." Which may or may not have included a passive aggressive form of venting; Built up frustration over the little things in life, words that hurt, things that have pushed me a little over the edge while big, hormonal and pregnant and getting things ready for our sweet new baby. And while getting my uglies out to my husband the other night and letting him know just how mad I was (not at him) and how I genuinely didn't know how to handle the things and people I was hurt by, I was quite perturbed by his oh-so-holy answer. So much so I think I rolled over, closed my eyes and went to sleep while he was telling me the appropriate response. I wish I was kidding. Insert shout out to awesome-patient-forgiving-husband here.

And as He usually does, God spoke to my heart this afternoon and it's just too good not to share. I could go on and on about our baby boy Everett and how we're ready for him to come. But this, this treasure from the Word, is far more satisfying to our hungry souls than ooh's and ahh's over some free fabric I turned into a bassinet skirt and the reasons why we named our baby Everett.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:12-17

So. My response has to be love, right? I choose compassion. I choose kindness and pray humility over my proud and ugly heart. And I pray that the Lord would help me to put on and clothe myself in love. I am bearing the name of Jesus so whatever I do, despite what has been said or so minimally done to me, I must. choose. love.

The past few months the Lord has given me such a heart of thanks and for that alone I am thankful. I've tried to do a "thankful thought per day" but let's be honest - there are entirely too many things to be thankful for to just narrow it down to one a day. I am thankful for new life in Him. I'm thankful that His mercies are new each and every morning. I'm thankful that when my Savior looks upon me He sees His perfect spotless lamb in my place. I am thankful for what we see as trials He sees as blessings. I'm thankful that while many days I think our meal options may be limited there is always a hot meal to put on the table. I'm thankful I can worship with my family and friends freely. I'm thankful for my boys and a home full of life. I'm thankful for God's provision through various jobs while I get to stay home with Luke. I'm thankful for His sustaining energy. I'm thankful that at the end of the day when my heart is troubled or worn out, when I am grieving for a loved one or overwhelmed with responsibility, my God is still Good and He is still enough.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Matthew 11:28-30

Here's a little peak into our Thanksgiving, which was full of family and food:

Luke sharing his Wall of Turkeys (and thankful tree). Luke's current obsession/fascination is seizing any and every opportunity to use a glue stick.

Delicious spread with a Note of Thanks to each of our guests.

Redemption.

Wednesdays are pretty predictable in the Grimme house, and usually a favorite day for all. It's trash day which means every Wednesday morning I get about 20 minutes of -quiet (key word here)- reading time while Luke stands at the front window watching every garbage and recycling truck come through the neighborhood. And to top it off, the bus stop is right outside our house so that adds another minute or two of sheer bliss for my truck lover, Luke. Then, something wonderful happens at Eva Perry Library. Mother Goose story time. It's not the story time Luke is in love with, it's Miss Martha. Or, "Mish Marph," rather. Luke talks about it all week, retells what he did at the library in his own way, recounts the songs and nursery rhymes we've song and watches intently for 15 minutes every week as Miss Martha leads the way. After library time the day is pretty much a shoe in - run a couple errands, have some lunch, play outside and voila, it's 1:15 and the boy is ready for nap.

I should have known today would go a little differently. I had time to get dressed this morning, and eat breakfast before throwing up a couple of times (yes, I am 18 1/2 weeks and still throwing up - do not tempt me with another, "Oh maybe this will be the week it ends!"), and even managed to have a very peaceful devotional time with both fellas in which Luke joyfully recited half of Genesis 1:1. He even sent dad off with a very "happy heart" as we call it without one tear and enjoyed every garbage truck as usual. And then it happened. We got to the library. And he walked in, dropped off his books and the whining and crying began. Tearing books off the shelves followed, by a very impatient little boy who did no feel like waiting for Mish Marph any longer. Finally, she appeared and I thought, "ok...back to normal." Well. Miss Marph. If you sing a song about a horse every week for a month, then take it out of your story time, the one 18 month old in the room that actually remembers every song you've ever sung will likely have a meltdown. Insert Luke here. Thankfully she redeemed herself and said a new rhyme involving a flannel horse on the board, which commenced the meltdown for the time being. In all my naive - this is going to turn around attitude - kind of way, we head over to the tables where they have a lovely spontaneous craft that involves coloring. Coloring is Luke's happy place. Until my child refuses to go color. Instead, proceeds to have yet another meltdown about the fact that there are no cozy pillows on the couches in the libraries. We finally make it to the coloring table - note to self, don't force your child to do an optional craft that he isn't interested in doing. About 5 minutes into coloring, I turn around to snag a cute board book off the shelf (mind you, I'm still sitting right next to him) and just in time for me to turn my head back around every last crayon of about 400 have been launched onto the floor by none other than ... Luke. So, me being so patient and pregnant thinking, "well, just another teaching moment I suppose," Luke and I proceed to talk about all the crayons on the floor and pick up every last one. There's a little redemption here - he did help put them all back in. Ahhh, now on to the check out counter. I'll spare you our adventure to the car.

In an effort to redeem our morning and avoid going home with a whiney child for the next 3 hours - sidenote: I probably should have gone home with a whiney child for the next 3 hours - I decided to see if a friend and her son wanted to meet for lunch somewhere and let the boys play their little hearts out. Selfishly I was thinking: contained area, boys play, mommies talk, get caffeine. So first we squeeze in one more errand - huge mistake resulting in yet another meltdown about getting in the shopping cart and completely soaked pants for Luke. Did I mention I forgot my diaper bag? But hey, Chik Fil A is always a win so this morning WILL TURN AROUND. We make it through 3 chicken nuggets and almost all fries and my boy is happy and ready to play. The boys head off to go play, I'm ready to take my first uninterrupted bite of chicken salad and then it happens. Somehow, in some way, Luke gets traumatized and does NOT want to play in there. Screaming from the inside of a tunnel I make my way in to get him and so ends uninterrupted lunch and mommy time. A few minutes later he changes his mind. He goes in on his own, I'm thinking this is a good sign. Until the 7 and 9 year old boys barge in pretending they are characters from Lord of the Rings and scare my child to a million pieces. Ahhhh...time to refill my cherry coke that I splurged my extra calories on today..... So. Library: fail. Joanns: Fail. Chikfila: Epic fail.

Moral of the story: Fathers, do not exasperate your children. I should have listened to my son. I shouldn't have pushed him past what I knew his tiny mind and heart were capable of for today. I know him, I know this is not normal, but I wanted what I wanted which was a guaranteed long nap for he and myself. So I confess, I am selfish. And thankful for the God who forgives me of that and then He alone redeems my day. And gives me patience for the next 2 1/2 hours of time with my son before daddy comes home.

Nap time is over folks :)

Jesus Wins

As a little girl I grew up with many Easter traditions: Easter Egg hunts, dying the eggs, picking out an Easter Dress, an Easter family photo on the morning of, and heading to church for a worshipful service celebrating the Resurrection. And now I get to be on the "mommy" end of things...and I love it :) I love teaching Luke about Jesus and beginning new traditions with him and spending time worshipping together as a family. Despite our great plans for how we would celebrate this Easter, things went much differently than I had desired. On Sunday Billy and I lost our second child due to an early miscarriage.

At first I was ashamed and embarrassed. I felt like I failed in some way. I wanted to seclude myself and sleep all afternoon. I was not interested in spending time with my family or friends. It was a lot about me, my plans being ruined, my hopes and excitement being crushed. And then it hit me. Today is the day we celebrate that Christ has risen. Regardless of what happens here on earth, he has RISEN! And what a day to celebrate!! He has Risen so that I may have life and life abundantly. And what a beautiful day to be reminded that because He is Lord and He WON over darkness, I can have hope in Him in the dark and sad times. And so this Easter, although we lost our little one, we declare VICTORY in Christ the Risen King. It is because of Him, His resurrection and His empty tomb that we can cling to Hope in our Savior. Just as I shared with the 3 year olds in our Sunday School Class, the tomb is EMPTY. Jesus has CONQUERED the grave. Jesus won!! And it's true, that despite our heavy and burdened hearts, Jesus wins...Jesus wins.

I will not be silent

My heart is heavy tonight after I read a nauseating article and letter from a victim of human and sexual trafficking. She is pleading to the Super Bowl Host & National Football league to take a stand against the horrific increase of sexual trafficking that is going to take place this year. Did you know that last year during the 2010 Super Bowl, it was reported that there were tens of thousands of victims. My heart dropped to my stomach. As I continued reading her plea my soul grew angry...weary...sick and saddened for these silenced women that are being forced, abused, threatened, and even killed all for the sake of guilty pleasure. These girls are in their young teens...they are being fooled and tricked into a life of slavery. They are in our country. They are in the most populated city of the year. For what? For the Super Bowl. To be sold for sex. And the men who are visiting these women, these young girls... couldn't. care. less.

So tonight I cannot be silent. I must voice this to my KING. I must cry out to Him on behalf of these precious daughters. I must beg that He would put an end to this, that He would create a movement among these people that are receiving the letter. That they would NOT GIVE IN to promote the human trafficking industry. That redemption would be found for these girls. That the pimping industry would be NO MORE. So I ask you tonight, would you join me? Would you pray over these women and men in the coming days?

You can find the article and letter here. You can also find a prayer guide for the campaign, Traffic911 here.

For more information on human trafficking you can visit change.org or www.warinternational.org.

These children, teenagers and women need a voice....