Rejoicing in Others' Suffering?

Me: Ah-choo! Buddy, it looks like you're giving your cold to me.

Joseph: Good. That means I'll be getting better.

Ten Ways to Raise a Nonreader

1. Have the television on at all times. Make sure you put a television set and a computer in every room. (Don't forget the kitchen!)

2. Keep the place neat--no books or literary magazines in sight.

3. Never let your children see you read a book.

4. Never take your kids to the library.

5. Never read stories aloud past age two.

6. Never talk about ideas while eating meals.

7. Keep the lights down low. Buy only forty-watt lightbulbs.

8. Schedule your children for every activity you can think of so they won't be bored.

9. Never play any table games together.

10. Absolutely no reading in bed or good lamps to make it easy to do so.

from Honey For a Child's Heart, by Gladys Hunt

My friend Michelle gave me this wonderful book several years ago, and I recommend that all parents buy a copy! It not only presents the "how-to's" of encouraging your children to read, but also the "why's". I reference the age-categorized book lists periodically and keep a record of all our completed read-alouds in the back cover. After lunch on school days we all get comfy in the living room and read a chapter (or three) of a good book together. I think this is a favorite time of day for us all!

Today we finished Babe: The Gallant Pig. Next up? From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

The New Normal

It's been a fun couple of weeks around here! I was pretty exhausted the first three or four days home, but after that I really began to feel a little more human every day. Samuel's a delight and is doing really well at night; waking up every two to three hours to eat, but then going right back to sleep. I can handle that!

All the little newborn things are so precious: the little dreaming faces...the sweet breath...the nursing noises....the need to shield yourself when changing a little boy's diaper! :) Kevin and I are so very blessed to have this little one added to our 'quiver', and the kids all concur. Lots of time is spent discussing *ahem* whose turn it is to hold Sam next, and then who's after that, and how long each person's turn will be, etc. He is doomed to be spoiled, I'm afraid.

Next Monday we'll attempt to get back to school and some semblance of a routine around here. We have enjoyed Mom and Mom-in-law being here and helping so much, but I think we're all feeling ready to try out the 'new normal' in our home.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments of congratulations and for all the prayers. They were such a blessing to me!

Our New Little Guy

Welcome to the world, Samuel Lamar!

January 9, 2010 12:28 p.m. 8 lbs, 7 oz

A Watched Belly Never...Well..You Know

Still. Here. Trying to be patient! I think it was a mistake to cease and desist with school because I feel like an absolute slug as I sit and wait and waste time waiting for my body to kick into gear. My fabulous Mom is here and is completely spoiling me...but the time is crawling! It doesn't help that we've had the coldest temps here in 20 years and roads are bad so we're pretty much stuck at home.

Okay. No more bellyachin'!

Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We Need Some Help!

Here I am, days away from delivering my baby, and we have no girl's name picked out! We have our boy name ready to go, but we cannot find a girl name that we agree on and are excited about.

Here are our 'rules':

• Each of our children's first names begins with a different letter. So, that means no names beginning with K, N, L, R, J, or A.
• Names that end in an 's' sound don't go well with our last name....Kinda like 'Candissss Dennissss'. :)
• We like girl names that are a bit unusual, but not too weird. Our boys have Biblical names, including the new name we've chosen if this baby is a boy.

Any ideas?