Spring Reading Thing 2008 Results

My very first blog on blogger was Spring Reading Thing 2008. I signed up with an ambitious list of books. I say ambitious because my baby girl was only 4 months old, and then I have the 3 year old, 8 year old, and hubby. I am completely amazed that I got more than one book done. I decided not to write reviews on my books, frankly I didn't know if anyone would take the time to read them, but also I was late in the game on a few of these books. I do, however, have a "Surprise" book that took me...well, by surprise. Without further ado...

• I thoroughly enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love. I love the way Elizabeth Gilbert writes and her travels were amusing. I will probably reread this again soon. Until then I've told my bestie that she MUST read this ASAP!
• Night by Elie Wisel was amazing! It was a quick read, but so profound. I cried more than once while sitting on my couch invisioning this young man's pain. I completely understand why Oprah took to him immediately.
• Sacred Marriage was riveting. I can't wait to begin reading Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book. I have to tell you, I'm doing something right! My beliefs, my vision of marriage was backed up by this book. The second I was done I handed it to hubby to read.
• The Purpose Driven Life will be a reread once a year. I think it's just a great foundation builder for anyone who has just accepted Christ, but also a refresher course for those of us struggling, questioning, or a crossroads. Sacred Marriage and Purpose Driven Life validated each other and it completely amused me that I would wind up reading the same thing within a day or two of each other.
• Finally, I've read the reviews, and either you LOVE it or HATE it. The Shack by William P. Young was not on my to read list. My husband bought this book, for whatever reason, and it was sitting on the counter. I started reading it, having gotten through a section and instantly thought, no way, not finishing this. It hit too close to home. I'm overjoyed that I picked that book back up the following day. Again, another quick read, but one of the best reads I have ever had in my entire life. I don't know how or why hubby chose this book, but I do believe God meant for my hands to pick it up.

Therefore, the book that was NOT on my list, is my favorite book I read this Spring. I am still working on The Busy Mom's Devotional, You: On a Diet and completely gave up on A New Earth. I can't wait to read how everyone else did and maybe get a little help in compiling my list of books to read in September when Katrina over at Callapidder Days offers us another challenge with Fall Into Reading.

Menu Plan Monday

Well I completely slacked last week and forgot to post my menu plan. Here's this weeks, with links!

Sunday ~ Father's Day (blog later) complete with barbeque steak, baked potatoes w/ fixings, and corn on the cob.

Monday ~ Leftovers

Tuesday ~ TV Dinners (I hate doing this, but I need a break)

Wednesday ~ Grilled Chicken with Roasted Garlic-Oregano Vinaigrette and Grilled Fingerling Potatoes

Thursday ~ Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes & Garlic Bread

Friday ~ Crispy Shrimp Burgers & Red Potato Salad

Saturday ~ Out

Breakfasts: Cereal, Bagels w/ Cream Cheese, Fruit

Lunch: PB&J, Fruit Salad, Chicken w/ Steamed Veggies, Veggies w/ Ranch

Baby of Mine

The angst I feel even writing this blog. Cameron finishes 3rd grade tomorrow. Yes, I said THIRD grade! In the last two weeks we've had a Patriotic assembly, where they sang and gave the back story to each of the songs, water day, where water guns were allowed and Cameron came home with a LITTLE sunburn, and an Awards ceremony, where he earned Outstanding Reader. My almost 9 year old baby is growing up so fast, could somebody please stop him? Rather than throw one of our all out birthday parties, this year we're spending the weekend at Knott's Berry Farm. We'll go one day to the park, stay the night, and hit Soak City (where the actual party is at) the following day. Cameron is affectionately known as "Loody." When Dylan began to talk he would CONSTANTLY say or ask for "Loody." I would get so frustrated and tell him, "I love you son, but I don't understand the words that are coming out of your mouth." Alas, one day I was asking him to say this, say that, and when I got to brother, he said, "Loody." I asked again for him to say brother and the reply was the same. Lightbulb moment. We have, much to the dismay of many, reinforced it. Dylan does call him Cameron more often, but we still refer to him as Loody, which is exactly what Dylan called him infront of all of his little friends at school during the Awards ceremony! LOL Cameron is a wonderful big Loody. He is right there to help, sometimes he's a little TOO eager. Cameron is the oldest, and does have the oldest child syndrome. I mean, come on, he is 5 year and 5 months older than Dylan. Therefore, what he says goes, right? I understand and feel his pain so much. I am the oldest and 6 1/2 years older than my sister. I knew what Cameron would feel when Dylan was brought home. Do you know what he said when we told him I was pregnant with his sister? "I already don't get enough time with my dad!" He meant it too. Do you know what that baby of mine did while I was pregnant with his brother (and sicker than I could ever imagine)? He would check on me, laying in bed, "Do you need anything Mama? A glass of water?" Mama. Yes, my children call me Mama. How lucky am I? Cameron's favorite Pooh character when he was a toddler was Roo. What did Roo call Kanga? Mama. Dylan followed his Loody's footsteps. Sweeter words have never been spoken.

For more Talk About Tuesday, click here

Talk About Tuesday Home Tour

So Lara over at The Lazy Organizer hosts Talk About Tuesday. I found this site last week. We are to talk about whatever, upbeat, things we want on Tuesday. However, on the first Tuesday of the month she switches things up and we are to give a tour of something in our home. This came at the perfect time, as I wanted to share Peyton's nursery! It is 95% done. I say only 95% because she has nothing on her walls yet except wallpaper border. I do have some pictures picked out. I am just over the moon with her nursery.

She is the first girl and I just love the cherry colored wood.

Her bedding and decor is Carter's Love Bug sold at Babies R Us. It features butterflies, snails, and ladybugs. What drew me to this was the pink with brown polka dots! I LOVE pink & brown together!

Finally, a little note, the lamp is a $20 Target buy. The colors match perfectly. The polka dot frame is another Target buy ($5) during Valentine's Day. Gotta love Target.

Menu Plan Monday ... er Tuesday

I'm late! We were recovering from our trip to Disneyland yesterday, which means the computer didn't even get turned on. This weeks meals are fast and easy, as we're hitting in the end of the school year festivities, plus I start aqua aerobics 3 times a week.

Sunday ~ Disneyland!

Monday ~ Spaghetti with meat/marinara sauce, garlic buns (used leftover frozen sauce)

Tuesday ~ Macaroni and Cheese, Corn, Chicken Nuggets

Wednesday ~ Farfalle w/ Tomato Basil Sauce, Salad, Rosemary Olive Oil bread (we missed this last week)

Thursday ~ California Grilled Veggie Sandwich & Fruit Salad

Friday ~ Grilled Chicken Salad

Saturday ~ Out

Breakfasts: Cinnamon Rolls, Cereal, Waffles, Eggs & Sausage, Yogurt, & Fruit

Lunches: PB&J, Salad, Left over Pita Pizza's, Veggies w/ Ranch, Fruit Salad

Disneyland

If I could live at Disneyland, I would. I swear my dream job would be to work at the Happiest Place on Earth. My favorite ride is Pirates of the Caribbean. It has been since I was Cameron's age. My grandmother use to get discounted passes when she worked at the Air Force base and took her grandchildren EVERY summer! Cameron was 4 before he went for the first time. Since then, he's been there at least a dozen times. Dylan was our souvenir from Cameron's first visit. He went for the first time when he was 4 months old. It was exactly a year before we lost Mandelyn in the accident. Peyton's first time was Sunday, the day she turned 7 months, and we went to support Mandelyn's mom. She swore last year she would go every year to the Happiest Place on Earth, rather than sitting at home and wallowing in self pity. We got there around noon, and we left at midnight. YES, midnight! Dylan hid during Haunted Mansion and most of Pirates. Peyton fell asleep on Pirates. Cameron is a big boy now, driving Autopia by himself, riding Matterhorn and Indiana Jones. Fun was had by all!

Cameron on the Tram. Doesn't he look like a young Darth Vader? He's also a big boy now, driving Autopia by himself and riding the Matterhorn and Indiana Jones!

Dylan on Haunted Mansion. He also did this halfway through Pirates of the Caribbean.

My boys hamming it up in ToonTown.

Peyton thought it hilarious to kick Loody in the face while waiting for Peter Pan.

Loody translates to "Brother", on Storybook Land.

Daddy trying his hand at the Sword in the Stone.

Cameron is having no luck pulling that Sword.

Dylan is having great fun pulling the Sword in the Stone.

Mama & Peyton trying their hands at the Sword in the Stone.

Mandelyn pulling the Sword in the Stone (April 2006).

7 months old

Peyton turned 7 months old on Sunday. We spent that day at Disneyland (which will be a different post). She got her first pair of Mickey ears. Of course they're pink!