3 hours ago
I drag two chairs together, and spray sunscreen on my legs because I plan to be outside for a while. The kids are jumping on the trampoline, until one of them shouts "Let's ride bikes!" and they head to the other side of the house. I settle in the chair, and I can hear my children calling to each other, birds chirping in the trees, grass rustling in the breeze, distant cars on the highway across the hills, and ice melting in my glass. I lean back in my chair, my head in the shade from the patio umbrella and my feet in the summer sun. This is my ideal summer day - nothing to do, nowhere to go, kids playing happily, and a book in my hand.
To me, Summer is the season of reading a bunch of books that I don't have to read. This summer has been pretty successful on that front - I've read alot, and I've been able to get through books quickly! It's been refreshing, since it usually takes me months to finish any one book. I've been reading alot, and as if to up my book-nerdy-ness quotient, I've also been watching a bunch of book-related videos on Youtube, which has been so fun! I've discovered new channels, and the whole community kind of reminds me of what blogging was like back in the early days. Just the average person, putting their thoughts out there and making friends.
Anyway, one of the channels I've been watching created this "tag". Remember the old "awards" that used to go around blogland in the day, and they came with a list of questions that you had to answer? This is like one of those! I thought I'd answer the questions here (and maybe on Youtube too), just for fun. Feel free to grab these if you want (you can give credit to the original tag here). Then we can evaluate our book-snobbiness together!
1. Adaptation Snob: Do you always read the book before you see the movie?
I actually do not have any requirements for reading books before watching the movie. In fact, my philosophy is quite the opposite. Sometimes if I would like to read a book but haven't been able to get myself to pick it up, I'll actually seek out the movie version and watch that first. Often when I watch the movie first and enjoy it, it actually makes me more interested in reading the book.
2. Format Snob: You can only choose 1 format in which to read books for the rest of your life. Which one do you choose: physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks?
Oh, this is a hard one. I think I'd have to say physical books, but a little part of me wants to say audiobooks because I listen to books so much these days. But I don't think I'd want to give up actually holding a physical book in my hands.
3. Ship Snob: Would you date or marry a non-reader?
Yes, I would, and I did. Derek reads some, but he wouldn't call himself a "reader". I don't think you have to share all the same interests to be in a relationship with someone, and when you get down to it, reading is just a hobby, just one way of gathering information or learning or being entertained. And on the flip side, I think if reading is the only way you are getting information or being entertained, you actually could be limiting yourself a little. Being with someone who isn't exactly like you in this area could help you branch out and become more well-rounded yourself, just as you might challenge another person by introducing them to books you like. Derek and I have all kinds of interesting and intellectual discussions, so I don't think reading alot or not reading as much is a factor in that. If you are not married yet, don't be a snob in this area! There are alot more important filters to sift your dates through than if you share one particular hobby or means of gathering information.
4. Genre Snob: You have to ditch one genre - never to be read again for the rest of your life. Which one do you ditch?
Horror, because I never read that anyway, ha!
5. Uber Genre Snob: You can only choose to read from one genre for the rest of your life. Which genre do you choose?
Ouch, this is painful. I guess I would say "Non-fiction", because I'm an information person. I read books to gather information as well as a means of entertainment, and I think I can get both of those from non-fiction.
Except don't let me think about books like Lord Of The Rings, or Anne Of Green Gables, or Chronicles of Narnia, because then I'll be so sad. Maybe I meant to say "Classics" instead. That would encompass all my favorite books, so that might be a better choice.
It would definitely be one of those two though.
6. Community Snob: Which genre do you think receives the most snobbery from the bookish community?
I would probably say Christian Romance books (in my circles anyway), and I think it may or may not be warranted. On the one hand, alot of Christian Romance books are not super well written, or filled with cliche plot lines, or surprisingly racy while still managing to be a little preachy in not a good way. On the other hand, there are some good ones out there, and sometimes you just want a light and fluffy read that you can enjoy without sifting though inappropriate content, and a good Christian Romance is your safest bet for that. I've read plenty of books from this genre that I've enjoyed at one time or another, and plenty that I haven't.
7. Snobbery Recipient: Have you ever been snubbed for something that you have been reading or for reading in general?
You know...no, not really. I haven't had any comments directed toward me specifically anyway. But I'm also a little oblivious to other people's judgement, so maybe someone has been snobby to me about it and I just haven't noticed. I think generally speaking, readers/intellectual readers are a little more likely to be snobby toward non-readers/light readers than the other way around, but I haven't personally encountered that from either direction.
So basically I don't think I'm much of a book snob, ha! I do have specific tastes or things in books that I like or don't like, and I'm not shy about sharing my opinion (as anyone who follows my Goodreads reviews will know). But I do try not to be snobby toward people if someone else has a different opinion about specific books or reading in general. People are in different places and want different things from their reading, and I think that's okay.
Reader friends, feel free to snag the questions if you want, or tell me what you think in a comment! I'd love to read your answers.
For me, one of the beautiful things about writing has always been the ability to capture a slice of time with my words. It's been a while since I sat down to write a post with that intent purpose - to stop time for a minute and look at what life looks like right now.
New Growth
I'm sitting at the library, typing, looking out the window at a pine tree that has light green summer growth at the end of each branch. I can look and see where the branch ended mere months ago, and I can see the new growth, bright and new, stretching the branches out past what they were. Making them new with each passing day. In my gut I feel like this summer will be a growing one for us. Or maybe it's just that every summer is.
With each summer, I'm one more year a wife and mother. With each summer my kids are stretching and growing in every way, just like that branch. We will tick each of their grades up as the summer sails past; second to third, kindergarten to first, nothing to kindergarten. It puts me in the frame of mind to reflect and pray, and ask the Lord who I'm helping them to become.
Derek is home with the kids right now, working on setting up a trampoline that could be christened "Callie's bane". I'm starting to hate that trampoline, and I'm not sure you could understand why until you've tried to set one up on mountain ground. We've discussed the best way to go about it for way longer than is necessary, and I think it's brought out some character things in myself that I'd rather not look at most of the time.
Maybe I needed reminding that I don't need to be in control of everything. Things don't need to be perfect. My suggestions don't alway need to be taken or validated. I need to be easier-going when things end up taking longer than I like. When I look at that trampoline now, it's a reminder of so much sin still hiding away in me. It's a reminder that no matter how old I get, I'll still need some growing too. But long term, I think I'll choose to look at it and let it make me grateful for Jesus dying to save me from even these stupid "little" sins that no one else sees.
(Actually, correction, Derek also sees. I'm also grateful for a husband who loves me and puts up with me even when I'm being a pill.)
First Week
The kids loved VBS and came home with a music CD that they requested every day for about a week. But I actually didn't mind, because the music was pretty fun, even for me. The program they went to taught them a few jazzed-up hymns, which I love so much! We've been learning hymns all year for school, so I'm happy they got a couple more to love over the summer. Say what you want about church music and all that, but in my book you really can't beat hymns. Occasionally a modern Christian song has lyrics that are similar in depth and impact to hymn lyrics, but it's rare.
Second Week
The next week we had the homeschool conference, which I talked about on Instagram, and I plan to write more about it in the next few weeks. There are such varying opinions about homeschool conferences, and I know some people who are not impressed with them, or who think they are just an elaborate attempt to sell them something. I can understand that perspective, but I don't share it. In my experience, any product talk is usually a very small part of the sessions, and the rest is dedicated to homeschool and parenting encouragement. I haven't had a year yet when I didn't leave with more inspiration and ideas than when I came.
So this year was good, and I even brought Wyatt with me one day to listen to a talk about animals of the Amazon. I loved having my boy there with me at the conference, and it made me realize that while I'm still a little bit of a homeschool mom newbie, we are in this now. We are doing it. It is no longer new, my oldest will be in third grade in the fall. This is working, and he is thriving, and even though my homeschool plans never fully pan out, we are not actually messing this up. That's exciting to me.
Since Then
Since those first very busy weeks of summer, we have mostly been staying around the house and relaxing. I bake muffins (and listen to Wyatt declare that I make the best muffins ever - one of my major boy mom goals wrapped up in that statement). I clean and dust and try to keep some order to things. I snuggle Georgie before laying her down for a nap each afternoon.
The kids play outside and make homemade bird feeders. They rocket down the driveway on their bikes while I remind them to wear their helmets if they are going to do that. They scheme about how to climb our most climb-able tree, and I have to nix using a rope in the attempt. They come up with elaborate games with their stuffed animals, and I hear some of my words coming from the mouths of Komodo Dragon and Goose, for better or worse. I've read ten books this month, which might be a record for me.
On the weekends we go on hikes, or plan movie nights with the kids, or (most recently) do sparklers in the driveway. We've had some rough days, when I thought the lack of structure was going to drive us all crazy and I raise my voice (code for yell) and instantly regret it. But mostly it's been everything I want from summer. It has been calm, and restful, and beautiful. Summer is a season of growing and changing and stretching in the quiet, and I'm hoping for the rest of the season I can open my eyes, pay attention, and really watch it happen.
How is your summer going so far, friends?
I have a few fun finds from June to share!
$1 Summer Movies
In case you weren't aware of it, a lot of theaters play older kids' movies in the morning in the summer and charge only $1 for admission. (See this post for a general list, or just google "one dollar summer movies" in your area). The kids and I went to see "Turbo" with friends a few weeks ago, and I'm hoping we can catch a couple of the other movies before the summer is over! Especially having a bigger family, we rarely get to go to the movies because it's so expensive for all of us - so this is one of our best chances to see something in the theater! We don't care if it's an older movie.
Poesie
One of my recent goals is to read more poetry. I have always struggled to find poetry that resonates with me. I came across this app, which makes my attempt at poetry appreciation a little more fun - the app has a daily poem, but it also has a bunch of free poems you can read within the app, organized by author or mood. I actually found a couple poems I like this way! However, the art choices for some of the category covers are a little...um, questionable, so don't let your kids poke around on there.
Colorized Photos
I ran across this album on Facebook, which contains iconic pictures that someone has taken and colorized. Oh my goodness, they are amazing. You know how sometimes you look at an old black and white picture and the person in it almost doesn't seem real? The way these photos are colorized makes you feel like you are sitting right there in the scene, like you could have lived right next to these people. It's just really neat. I especially liked this one taken on D-Day, the ones of Einstein and Churchill, and this one from the Civil War.
Never Grow Up by Brooke White
I am a big fan of JJ Heller's lullaby album, and I know many of you are too. Well, this album by Brooke White kind of reminds me of that other album. The sound is a little different, but the lyrics are still all about memories with children and babies and growing up, with a bit of a lullaby quality to some of the songs. I found it a few months back, but I've been enjoying it again in the last week!
The Far Country by Andrew Peterson
Another album I've enjoyed this month! Once again, what makes the album for me is the lyrics. The theme of this album seems to be the ultimate destination for the believer in Christ - which is Heaven - and looking ahead to the unseen in faith. I think this is just a nice one to play in the background around the house on a quiet summer afternoon, and I've found it encouraging.
Note: Both of those albums are on Amazon Music if you are a Prime member.
Alma Classics
Some friends and I decided we want to read more classic books together, so we've started a little classics book club. Of course, if I'm going to be reading all these classics, I can't think of a better opportunity to search out pretty copies to add to my collection while we are at it! Unfortunately, the UK seems to have a monopoly on all the really pretty editions of classics, but I will not be deterred. I found a couple of the classics on my list through online used book retailers, and one of the publishers I search for is Alma Classics. They print paperback copies, but the covers are definitely some of the prettier ones available in the US, and usually you can find reasonably priced copies online. Here's the Alma Classics copy of The Great Gatsby, which I recently bought for book club:
Kiddie Pools
This is probably going to make me sound a little hillbilly-ish, but there is just not much that is nicer on a hot summer afternoon (when you have five little kids) than to sit on the back porch in the sunshine, reading a book with your feet in the kiddie pool while the kids play. It's nicer than taking them to a real pool for sure, because they are all right there in front of me so I don't have to worry so much about taking my eyes off them, since I can literally stretch my legs and touch them. Nothing bad is going to happen if I read for a few minutes, because they are two feet from me. But we still get the benefit of water!
Chirp Books
This is a new audiobook deal website! I found out about it early, because I am also signed up for BookBub's ebook deal emails. They have some good audiobook deals on here though, and a few different titles that I am interested in! I'm just sitting on it for now while I think about which ones I should consider buying, but I figured I'd share with my fellow audiobook-lovers in the meantime.
Do you have any good finds from June? Please share!
Even thought this post is going to be about my summer reading list as a homeschool mom, this is actually the first summer since I started homeschooling my kids that I don't feel an urgency to read a bunch of books about homeschooling over the summer. Maybe it's because I've started to settle into being a homeschool mom and have become more comfortable with my philosophy and what I'm doing - or maybe I'm just more in need of a break from homeschool stuff now that we are really in it!
Either way, I still think the summer is a great time for me to build up my internal encouragement stock, and homeschool books and talks do that for me. These are the books that I'm looking at reading this summer. I took June completely off from homeschool planning, and it was good for me, but I'm ready to tackle these in July and August.
The Underground History Of American Education Volume One by John Taylor Gatto - If you don't know who Gatto is, he won a big "teacher of the year" award, and then promptly quit teaching and spent the rest of his life pointing out some of the problems he saw with the public education system. His story is always interesting because of what a sharp turnaround he appeared to make. This particular book is about the history of our public education system in America, including a look at the methods that are used in public schools and where they came from. I'm expecting to be fascinated.
Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erikson - I have the opportunity to review this book on the blog (coming soon. It's about dealing with insecurities as a homeschool mom. I've read the first couple chapters and already feel encouraged, so I'm really looking forward to the rest of it. Keep an eye out here for the review when I'm finished with it!
Plan Your Year by Pam Barnhill - I found a planning method that I really liked and used last year, but I figure there is always room to tweak things, so I was interested to read this book about planning out the homeschool year. I'm hoping to pick up a few tips, since I'm still fine-tuning my planning process!
Know And Tell by Karen Glass - Karen Glass has written several books that take a deep dive into different aspects of Charlotte Mason education. This book goes into depth on narration - what it is, why it's important, and how to do it right. I am actually not a hard-core Charlotte Mason person, but I do like several of her methods, and narration is one I try to incorporate into our homeschool. Narration is just the practice of having your child tell you what they learned after reading aloud. I credit our (rather pathetic) attempts at narration for improving my kids' listening skills during read alouds, so I'm hoping to finish this book and pick up a few more tips!
The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart - If you have ever heard of Brave Writer, Julie Bogart is the creator of that writing curriculum (if you can call it that? I don't really get Brave Writer). We don't currently use Brave Writer, but this book still looked interesting to me. I'd say it looks like a book with general homeschool encouragement, and tips on how to make learning a joy. I have listened to part of this already, and I'm looking forward to finishing it!
Of course if you want to know my thoughts on each of these books, follow me on Goodreads to keep up with all my reviews! You can also check out one of my previous homeschool mom summer reading lists.
(Georgie is always following me around the house, and she plopped herself right in my picture and started shouting "cheese!" at me, ha!)
Fellow homeschool moms, what has been your favorite book about homeschooling? Anything I should add to my "to-read" stack?
Dear Big Toe On My Left Foot,
What happened to you? You look terrible. I can't figure out what is going on. One minute you're fine, the next minute you are tingly and twice your normal size, and the situation has quickly morphed into ugly black and blue bruises. Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you in some way? Whatever I did, I'm sorry.
Dear Picture Of The Big Toe On My Left Foot,
You do not do the injury (is that what it is?) justice.
Dear Weather,
You are really throwing me for a loop, you know that? Please just let me know if I need to return the kiddie pool you prompted me to buy last week.
Dear Bath And Body Works Sale,
You got me. Again. And now I'm left asking myself, is it truly a need to have hands that smell like "Beach Cabana" in the summer?
Just kidding, I'm still saying yes.
Dear Hannah B.,
Please send Luke P. home already, before we all regret it.
Dear Fellow Bachelorette Watchers,
If she sent him home this week, don't spoil it for me! I haven't watched Monday's episode yet.
Dear Children Of Mine,
I hope you always know how delighted I am to be your mother. It's like a never-ending treasure hunt. Sometime I look at you and I'm just amazed by how individual you all are - fun quirks to your personalities, new interests you are developing, hidden talents I get to glimpse. If I had to dream up my own set of five unique children to be mine, I know for a fact I couldn't have dreamt up better than you.
Dear Homeschool Conference,
Well, you've gone and pilfered my money again this year. I took account of the damage to my bank account when I got home, and it wasn't pretty. It was still worth it though. You did give me a ton of biblical resources for discipling my kiddos, including books to satisfy my rather voracious reader. I got to pretend to be a student again and take a ridiculous amount of notes, which makes my little nerdy heart happy. And you encouraged me by reminding me of all I can gain through this effort to homeschool my children. That's pretty priceless. So I forgive you for tempting me with a bunch of books I didn't know we needed.
(Wyatt, with me when we visited you, Homeschool Conference.)
Dear Harvey,
Please stop shedding now. I just am not sure how much longer I can take the constant vacuuming and picking tufts of hair off the side of the couches. But I still love you.
Dear State Parks,
I always thought you smacked a bit of desperation. Like you were shouting at potential tourists "Look! Come here! We have state parks!" National Parks are one thing, but really, state parks? Now we are just trying too hard. I'm writing today to say that I was wrong. There is a reason for your existence after all. We've visited a few of you now, and I must admit, you are really pretty.
Dear "How Not To Die Alone" Book,
I had some issues with you. Language! Language! Do I need to pull out the soap? BUT, you did provide me with a great little Ella Fitzgerald playlist, so I guess I don't not like you.
Dear Grammar Nerds,
Yes, that was a double negative.
Dear Library,
If you were to compile a list of the top fine-payers, would I make the list? Just wondering. Also, is it normal to be willing to accrue the fine if it gives me a couple extra days to finish the book? How many of your average patrons know that if you forget to return a book for 20 days, you will get charged a $40 dollar replacement fee, but that the fee will magically just disappear if you do happen to return the book? I think this knowledge proves that I must be an avid library supporter. Also, my husband always gets a break on paying the fees if I send him in there to sort it out. I, on the other hand, never get a break. I know he's more charming than me, generally speaking, but you do see the five little duckling-children trailing behind me, right? Future taxpayers that will help fund your library, and I birthed them. Just saying.
Dear Blog Readers Who Are Reading This Right Now,
How's June treating you so far?
Dear Blog Buddies,
Feel free to write a "Little Letters" post if you are so inclined! And thanks to Brittney, Michelle, Rachel, Heather, and Bekah for joining me over the last month! Your posts made my day(s)! Good old-school blogging solidarity there. ;-)
I'm going to do something a little different for this book review today and keep it short and sweet on my actual blog. If you want the long version of what I thought about this book, head on over to Goodreads for my full breakdown.
I haven't read a Christian "chick-lit" type book in a long time, but I was at a point in my reading life when I really wanted something light and fun, so I requested Wooing Cadie McCaffery by Bethany Turner. The description said that in this book, Will and Cadie have been in a relationship for a while, and Cadie decides it's going nowhere and calls things off. Then Will tries to win her back through emulating famous romantic comedy movies.
Sounds cute and fun, right? I started reading the book and I initially loved it. The characters were quirky, the writing was fun and light, just like I needed.
Then suddenly the two characters who were supposed to be Christians committed to purity before marriage slept together. And now this book is dealing with a pretty serious situation where these characters have to deal with how this sin has affected their relationship, and it's all a mess and just not a fun, light book anymore.
I was particularly annoyed with this book because it did not fit my expectations, and it was not the light read I was needing. I felt like it promised something that it did not deliver. I also thought the topic of what to do after falling into sin was really weakly dealt with in the book. There were some ridiculous parental characters that I just couldn't get behind. And there were lots of examples of what I will teach my children NOT to do in a relationship. Some of these situations and miscommunications were probably supposed to be funny, but with some of the heaviness in the plot, and also because of my frustration at this book not being what I expected, the misunderstanding tropes were just painful.
By the end I was so ready to be done with this book. I'm disappointed because it started out so strong.
If you want more specifics, you can read my full review of Wooing Cadie McCaffery on Goodreads.
Note: I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Picking...which summer events to add to our summer bucket list. A few weeks ago Derek and I sat down and charted out our weekends to make sure we get to everything we want to do this summer. I want to do the same thing for my weekdays with the kids. There are so many fun events at the library, at different parks, at movie theaters, and I want to have a plan worked out for each week! Last week was full with VBS, and now the homeschool conference that I like to attend is this week. So starting next week, the carefree summer schedule begins. We did squeeze in a summer $1 movie day with friends yesterday though!
Reading...Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance, which was a pick from my recent library book haul. A few of you told me it was good when you saw it in my post on Instagram, so I picked it up first! I am very interested in the story so far, especially being from the west. It's been interesting to read about the dynamics and culture from a place in the US that I haven't had much contact with.
Eating...this cucumber, tomato, and avocado salad, with a bit of ranch dressing. It makes me feel like summer. I made this a couple years ago when I was pregnant with Georgie too.
Watching...An American Murder Mystery on Hulu, specifically the Casey Anthony series. I go through spurts of true crime kicks, and I especially enjoy courtroom dramas. I like to imagine I'm on the jury, since every single time I've ever gotten real-life jury duty, the trial is cancelled before I get a chance to even go to the courthouse. I just really want to be picked for a jury once in my life. With so many people who hate jury duty, why does someone like me who wants to perform my civic duty never get a chance, I ask you? It's a shame. Anyway, sometimes I like to watch true crime shows and decide whether I'd say innocent or guilty if I was on the jury. (For the record, I do think Casey Anthony was guilty of something. But there wasn't enough evidence to be able to say exactly what went down. I think her dad has it right.)
Wearing...these tanks from JcPenney. They are just the perfect tank to me - relaxed without being sloppy, and they go with everything. I have a few colors, and I wear them with shorts or distressed cropped jeans for park days, tied to the side or tucked with a skirt for a dressier look, or with "athleisure" leggings and a jean jacket for grocery shopping. I buy a few every year, because I wear them so much they usually need replacing each summer!
Going...to the Great Sand Dunes! We took a little weekend trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and we all had so much fun. It is definitely one of the more fun national parks for kids, in my opinion. In May and June the snow melts off the mountains and the water flows down in front of the dunes, so it's like a beach in the middle of the country. The kids had so much fun splashing in the water and building sand castles. This was also the first time I've been there where the sand didn't burn my feet, so climbing up the dunes was actually fun instead of sweltering. Just a great time all around.
Derek and I are looking forward to a few more short trips this summer. We got a pretty decent tax return (which is the only way we pay for vacations). We were thinking about splurging on a big trip this year, but I think we've decided to opt for a more moderately-priced trip and a few other smaller weekend trips. You know, spread the fun out a little bit.
Wishing...that it would warm up just an incy bit more. It's been a fairly cool start to the summer here - I don't think we've broken 80 degrees in the mountains yet. I'd just like to get a couple 80 degree days so we can break out the kiddie pool and water-related toys. Right now it's still just a little too cool for that. I know all of you who are in sweltering parts of the country are probably wishing it was cooler, so don't think I don't appreciate that it's not too hot either!
Celebrating...my birthday this week! I'll be spending most of it at the homeschool conference, and Derek and the kids are going to join me there in the evening for a science family event. Then we'll do a little more celebrating together on Saturday (I don't know what we'll do, Derek has something planned.)
What have you been up to lately? Any summer plans or good books?
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