Spring Reading Thing 2012

Can it be? Are you sure? Spring has Sprung? I'll be melting away in the desert heat before I know it. For now, I focus on joining Katrina, over at Callapidder Days, for her Spring Reading Thing 2012.

Here are the list of books I would like to read this Spring:

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Two Kisses for Maddy by Matt Logelin
Prayer by Phillip Yancey
The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice

I have had Two Kisses for Maddy on my shelf since it came out, April 2011. I have followed Matt's story, pretty much, since the beginning, and have followed his blog since then. I preordered his book on amazon when he announced we could. Peyton is only a few months older than Maddy, and little did I know, the day I preordered Two Kisses for Maddy, that I would end up a widow a couple months later. I am tired of looking at this beautiful cover of father and daughter and not having the courage to open it and read it.

I am committed to reading this list of books. I'm sure I'll switch it up, and/or add something to the mix, as I go poking through all of your lists. If I get these read, I'll be pleased.

I haven't read much since Fall Into Reading 2011. Well, I should clarify, I have thrown myself into women's bible studies since the death of my Beloved husband. I'm in the word, but zero recreational reading. I feel left behind in the times right now. Some of my own doing, I'm sure. I just don't feel the need to "join in" on much, while my world around me is still in ruins.

HDC - Apple Valley Campus

I am truly blessed. I have an AMAZING church home. I have been attending High Desert Church (HDC) since November 1995. I was saved there, and baptized there in March 1996. Mande's memorial was held there. My (Grand)Mother's memorial was also held there, and just 2 months later, we honored my Beloved husband there.

Two years ago, HDC launched their first satellite campus in Apple Valley. And just last year, they launched their second in Phelan.

With the gas prices up, ours was $4.31 on Friday, I knew I was going to need to adjust my traveling plans accordingly. I am at HDC 4 times a week. I attend Tuesday for TLBS and Thursday for SMILES. I then go back Thursday afternoon for Dylan's Sonshine Choir practice, and finally Sunday morning for church service. My 4 trips to Victorville, plus the bussing of Cameron and Dylan to and from school every day, leaves my already drained finances at a dangerous level every time I have to put gas in the Mama Mobile. My budget for gas has increased by $27 a week. Something has to give.

As much as I adore walking in to church every Sunday morning, I knew I was going to have to give it up, at least partly, until the end of the choir year. On weekends where Dylan doesn't lead choir, we will be attending in Apple Valley.

Today was our first time at HDC's Apple Valley Campus. Did I mention it's 3 minutes from my house? Apprehensive, as I despise change, we walked in, having no clue where to go. Fortunately, one of Peyton's favorite teachers, happened to be there (she was on stage this morning), threw her arms open for Peyton and showed us the ropes. We checked in, took Peyton to her class, took Dylan to his class, and the cherry on top of our morning is Evan, junior high pastor, who has been a mentor to Cameron since Mike died, is in charge of the junior high group at AV. Cameron was beaming!

My TLBS leader's daughter was working in Peyton's class, and a dear friend's son, who Evan also mentored after the death of his father, helps Evan and the junior high group. As we were leaving, Cameron's 5th grade teacher was standing in front of church, and upon seeing Cameron, began to dote over how big he's gotten, asking how Cameron was doing, and about his health in regards to his diabetes. I love how God always knows what we need. We left church, smiling from ear to ear, and the kids can't wait to go back.

Prayer Time

I enjoy our family prayer time at night. The kid's prayers have grown leaps and bounds in the last 14 months. Tonight Peyton volunteered to lead prayer. She started out wonderfully, even thanking God for her warm bed (I've been teaching them to thank God during prayer). As she was coming to the end, she said, "Bless our new Daddy. I hope he gets here soon." Sucker Punched. God Bless her heart of gold.

Knights in Training

Peyton is growing up. What makes this worse is the fact that she is doing it without her Daddy. Peyton starts Kindergarten in August. To help transistion the incoming kids, AAE has set up Knights in Training. The students come to their Kindergarten classroom for a little over an hour, every other month, and work in stations, getting familiar with the teachers and environment. This also allows the teachers to assess the child's academic ability. I am pleased that Peyton will have the same Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Cambridge, as Dylan. Ms. Cambridge is special to us, because like us, she lost her husband, suddenly, with her 2 daughters the same ages as Dylan and Peyton at the time.

I snapped a few pics of Peyton's writing her name assessment. She struggles with the letter e, but I think she's finally getting it.

Yes/No

Any glee episode that starts with a Grease song is going to be a good one in my book. Sam and Mercedes sang Summer Nights. I have to give props to Mercedes for being true to her man, despite having feelings for Sam.

My favorite glee moments have always been Mash-Ups and Moves Like Jagger/Jumpin' Jack Flash did not disappoint. It is always a joy to watch Harry Shum, Jr and Matthew Morrison dance. The only drawback is Kevin McHale stuck in that damn wheelchair, but somehow, he makes it look effortless.

Helen Mirren played the mental voice of Becky Jackson and I couldn't stop grinning. Honestly, how does Ryan Murphy do it? Becky is such a special part of the glee ensemble and I adore her mini-Sue Sylvester character.

Emma singing Wedding Bell Blues with Coaches Beiste (who is now a married woman!) and Sylvester as backups and bridesmaids (complete with hideous replicas of Princess's Beatrice and Eugenie's hats) to Will was A-DOR-A-BLE! Emma's parents continue to be horrible people. Ugh!

Will's proposal to Emma was definitely a highlight. I loved the retro bathing suits, the synchronized swimming and Rihanna's We Found Love was swoon worthy. I've already said I want a glee wedding, but how about a glee proposal too? A woman can only dream can't she?

Personally I think Finn was the star of this episode. He tells Mr. Shue that he wants to do something special with his life, "Like my dad without the whole dying part." Mr. Shue brings in Carol and Burt to discuss Finn enlisting into the Army. Mike O'Malley's portrayal of Burt is one of my all-time favorite TV Dads. I know I've raved about him before, but when the Hummel/Hudson family came together, they really did become a family. Burt tells Finn he hopes his son will take over his [mechanic] shop. Carol breaks down and admits to Finn that something happened to his dad in Iraq and he came back a broken man. He developed a drug problem and died of an overdose in a hotel room. I'm really pissed at Carol for lying to Finn for 17 years about how his dad died, claiming he was a war hero. Finn is understandably devastated. Rachel wants Finn to know that he already is special and sings a ballad version of David Guetta's (featuring Usher) song Without You. It was truly breathtaking. It is probably my favorite Rachel song to date. I was speechless when Finn dropped to his knee and proposed to Rachel.

Yahrzeit

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of Mike's sudden death. If you had asked me this time last year where I would be today, I would have responded, with him. I never saw light at the end of the tunnel. I always looked at my glass as half empty. Yet, here I am, walking, talking, and breathing. Taking each day hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute and second by second. I wake up each morning and put one foot infront of the other, moving forward.

I have often said that my TLBS girls have kept me alive this last year. There is more truth in that statement than anyone realizes. With all the friends that have left after my Beloved's death, they sure have filled that void. My cup runneth over.

They threw a Loving Out Loud gathering for me today. We all met at Leanne's house, where she made delicious eggs benedict. We talked, laughed, and cried together. Most of the crying came after we watched the beautiful memorial slideshow that Marlena made. I haven't watched it but a handful of times, but the last 2 pictures ALWAYS get me. I asked Marlena to end it that way, but the finality of seeing them come up (our 10 year anniversary and The Johnson 5 on Christmas Eve before church) tear me up.

My Jesus Sista's, as I affectionately call them, gave me a memorial candle, known as Yahrzeit. I lit it at 4:57 tonight, sundown, and it will remain lit until sundown tomorrow. I read Psalm 121, which is near and dear to my heart, right after I lit the candle, and talked to my husband for a few minutes.

Words will never express the immense loss I feel for my Beloved, my best friend, but knowing I have God, champion of widows, my children, and my Jesus Sista's makes life worth living for.

Fall Into Reading 2011 Wrap-Up

Alas, my favorite season is coming to an end. I know I say this every year, but I wish I lived someplace where I could experience a true Fall. The high desert has more summer than fall weather, and then we smack into winter.

I have lacked in the reading department since the untimely death of my beloved husband. Therefore, I'm ecstatic that I sat down and actually read, albeit, not all the books I planned, but a few I really wanted to.

My favorite read was The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks. I am a sucker for a great love story. This one tugged at my heart strings because of the teenage love point of view. You know what I mean, the boy who first stole your heart. There will always be a soft spot for mine.

I also really enjoyed True Believer and it's sequel, At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks. I sure wish the friend who suggested them had taken into consideration my emotional state. A captivating, brilliant love story, which had me completely devastated at the end. I highly recommend them. I think maybe I should have waited a little while longer before diving into them.

I have had Afterlife by Claudia Gray sitting in my nook since released in March (pre-purchased it last year). A quick read, but wonderful conclusion to the Evernight Series. Of course the series is geared toward the young adult audience, but you know me...I love a great vampire story.

Having said that brings me to my final read. A friend has been on me about to start this new vampire series. I finally gave in and read the first book, A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole. Wow! I was expecting it, but it turns out it is vampire erotica. Needless to say, her writing is flawless, with story lines built in to story lines, the Immortals After Dark series is something I definitely could sink my teeth into.

Thank you again to Katrina at Callapidder Days for hosting Fall Into Reading. I'll see you again in the Spring.