Day 11 -- What I am currently reading

Since I have started "Without Wednesday" I have been able to sit down and read more. In the last month I have finished 3 books, and currently on my 4th. Not a huge accomplishment, but considering I was reading one a year or so (due to laziness) this is a refreshing change. The book I am currently reading, I am two chapters into it, so cannot tell much about it yet, therefore I will also mention a few of my past reads also.

"The Last Sin Eater"

by Francine Rivers

Like I mentioned, I am still at the beginning of the book. Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors, so I expect it to be good. I gave up reading the back of books for the most part, I don't like plot points to be ruined early, lol. I will keep you updated on how it goes.

My last two books were...

"Blessed Child" and "A Man Called Blessed"

by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright

 The cover of "Blessed Child" promised that this would be the best novel I had read in a long time. It was good, but certainly not the best, and definitely not the best Ted Dekker novel. "Blessed Child" is about a 10 year old boy named Caleb who is a Ethiopian orphan who was raised in a monastery. Up until now he had never been out of the monastery. The monastery gets attack and he is brought to America. Caleb has such a close relationship with God that he is able to do amazing things.

"A Man Called Blessed" is the sequel in which Caleb returns to Ethiopia and rebuilds the monastery. It is believed by some that he holds the key to finding the original Ark of the Covenant and he is being chased to the desert to find it.  

As I said, both books are good, definitely worth reading. However in the scheme of Ted Dekker, the circle trilogy was definitely better....by far.

What books are you reading? Any great suggestions? After "The Last Sin Eater" I have nothing planned. I am considering the Narnia series, but we will see. Once again, "Without Wednesday" is upon us, see you Thursday. 

Day 7 -- My hobbies

My current most important and enjoyable hobby, is playing with my son. I never would have guessed that making a fool out of myself, just so my 4 month old will laugh could bring me so much joy. But it does, being his mama is the best hobby/job I have.

However, when Ethan naps, and especially on our "Without Wednesdays" I like to read, I want to get back into make my hemp jewelry, and obviously, I like to blog.

My reading is not anywhere nearly as often as it has been during some stages of my life. I truly love a good book, I just get to trapped in the internet to pick it up. I enjoy a good romance book, but not anything higher than a PG-13 in book form. I used to love mystery novels, but I haven't read a good mystery novel in a very long time (have any suggestions?). But lately most of my books that I am reading are Christian fiction. Either Christian Romance, or Christian Mystery. A good author can write a novel, with christian undertones, or blantly christian, and you not feel like its a bad story or that religion is being shoved down your throat. See Ted Dekker, and Francince Rivers for example.

A couple years ago my aunt brought me to a music festival called "Wheatland" and they had little workshops there where they taught you how to make/do things. I went to the one that taught about hemp jewelry and fell in love. For the next year I made tons of necklaces or bracelets for my family and friends. But then I just kinda, stopped...I recently bought the stuff to get back into it, and I did make one bracelet for Charlie, but I just haven't really committed yet.

I don't know what has gotten me so into blogging lately. But I am enjoying it. I don't have a very high volume of readers that follow (I hope that changes) but I still enjoy it. As long as blogging doesn't start to take away from my responsiblities as a mommy or a wife, then I am keeping on.

I am always interested in trying new things and expanding my horizons, do you have any hobbies that may be interesting?

Day 5 -- My favorite book

Oh this answer is by far the easiest of all the "favorites". My favorite book is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. This book will make you bawl your eyes out within the first couple chapters and continue throughout the entire book. Its a love story that metaphors Christ's love for us. It is the best book I have ever ever ever read.

In a close second and third would be, "The Time Traveler's Wife" and "Dear John". These were both made into movies, but the movies do not even come close to comparing to the books. If you enjoy reading and love a good love story, then these books are a must. And please do not take the movies as a correct representation of the awesomeness that is these books.



I love reading, so if you have any book recommendations, I would love to hear them. Also, remember, tomorrow is "Without Wednesday" so no blog, but I will be back on Thursday.

Day 1 -- 15 facts about me

1. Thankful for my heavenly Father and Chuck, because without them, I would be an orphan by more than just official definition.

2. I used to live by the philosophy "I will try anything once" but that didn't work out so well, now I live by, "I will do anything to glorify God".  

3. There are days I talk to my sister on the phone for hours (literally), and when asked what we talked about, I would have no answer.

4. I read my bible everyday. I began this habit in 2010, and had some breaks in 2011 (that was a rough year for me) but have no missed a day since last August. It is amazing how much you learn and grow when you are determined to read God's word daily.

5. My mom always cooked "with a pinch of this" or "a splash of that", never having measurements. I can say that I have become that type of a cook too. My chili recipe (and others) is never the same twice.

6. I am incredibly self conscious. I gained nearly 80 pounds when pregnant with Ethan, and have lost 40 pounds so far, but I have a hard time looking in the mirror at times.

7. I lived in Europe for nearly 6 years, and traveled and saw a ot of things, but I have never been happier than I am now.

8. I met my husband at Lowe's (where we both worked at the times) and my first impression of him was that it was creepy how he always smiled at me.

9. Charlie and I got married in Las Vegas a mere 3 1/2 months after we started dating. Have never second guessed it, and never looked back. I got me a good man, and I am happy.

10. I will forgive anyone who wrongs me, no matter what they did. Because I know the cost of forgiveness. It has been held from me, when I was truly sorry, and I have been forgiven for my many wrongs. Not to mention, if Christ can forgive a sinner like me, who am I to withhold forgiveness from you. But don't take me generosity lightly, just because I forgave you, doesn't mean I will allow you to continue hurting me. Jesus says to forgive 7 x 77 times, but he doesn't say I have to keep allowing you in my life if all you are going to do is hurt me.

11. Ethan is 4 1/2 months old, we are still breastfeeding strong (and we will be breastfeeding until he is 1 or he self weans...we haven't decided), we cloth diaper, we left him intact, and once in a while we even co-sleep. He's my first baby, and I don't know how to do everything right, so we are just doing things how we feel best. And this works for us, and we are happy.

12. I am one of the cheapest people you will meet. I am always looking for a good deal, always willing to accept something for free. Goodwill and Craigslist are very good friends of mine.

13.  I love to read, but I get lazy. I waste so much time on the computer and will go months without picking up a book.

14. I love inside jokes. I love knowing things that no one else knows. I love laughing at something that no one around gets, and even if I tried to explain it, it would not do justice.

15. I want to be the best I can be, for God, Charlie, and Ethan so I am always trying to improve for them, and not be stuck in a rut.