more books!

Two bloggers whose writing I enjoy and learn from just released ebooks. I read them both in just a couple of hours, and though they are short, they are both filled with much insight and inspiration.

The first is by Jamie Martin. She blogs at Steady Mom. Her tagline reads: "on the journey toward intentional, professional motherhood," and though I haven't been reading it for too long, it seems to be an accurate description of her blog. Her ebook, Mindset for Moms: from Mundane to Marvelous Thinking in Just 30 Days focuses on the power of positive thinking for moms and was a blessing to me. It was clear that she worked hard not to waste words, and therefore was able to share a lot of wisdom very quickly. I appreciate her reminders to live in the present and to develop a constant attitude of thanksgiving. Practicing positive thinking and looking for everyday blessings really can transform our lives in wonderful ways. I'm going to add her other book, Steady Days, to my long list of books to read.

The second is by Amy Julia Becker. She blogs at Thin Places. She writes about faith, family, and disability. She looks at life critically and challenges typical ways of thinking. She has a daughter with down syndrome and much of her writing hopes to inspire people to rethink the ways we think about disability, realizing that God creates everyone perfectly to be a unique blessing to the world around us. Why I am Both Spiritual and Religious was inspired after the popular you tube video "I Hate Religion But Love Jesus" went viral. She suggests that people want spirituality without religion because they've experienced religion without spirituality. Using the "Be still and know that I am God" passage as her framework, she makes a case for Christianity as a spiritual religion. She does a great job of explaining why we need both and how either one, without the other, is meaningless. I look forward to reading A Good and Perfect Gift at some point, as well. It's about how having a daughter with down syndrome shaped her faith, and I'm certain it will be a blessing.

If you're looking for a quick read that inspires you and makes you think, I recommend either one of these. Happy reading, my friends:)

The Glass Castle

One of my goals for 2012 was to read a book every month. Disciplining myself to read has been a great blessing. I've already finished two books and am half way through two more.

Upon the recommendation of my mother-in-law, in January, I read The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. It was amazing. Even if you're not typically a reader, read this book! It was amazing and easily gets five stars from me.

Here is the book description from Amazon:

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

2012 goals

"Goals are dreams with deadlines." -Diana Scharf Hunt

With the holiday craziness wrapped up neatly for another year, the internet is abuzz with resolutions, fresh starts, theme words, and goals, so I've been thinking a lot about my goals for the new year. I'm working through Simple Mom's newest book, One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler, and I've already marked off five projects! I hope writing down a few specific and attainable goals will help me live out our family mission statement more fully.

"Your body is built for walking." -Gary Yanker

exercise at least four times a week

It's easy to get moving when it's pretty outside and I can push my boy around the neighborhood in the stroller, but getting on the treadmill is a lot harder for me, so with winter looming, this one may be a challenge. Thankfully, our winter has been very mild so far. This week has been especially pretty, so I've already gotten four days of walking in!

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." -Mark Twain

read 12 books

This one will be a challenge for me because, though I read lots of blogs, books are typically too big a commitment for me, and even when I start a book, I often don't finish it. I've read only the first few chapters of way too many books. Inspired by my dear husband, who read a book a week last year, I'm hoping for a book a month! Maybe I'll post little reviews on here to help hold myself accountable.

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris

give away or throw away at least 365 items

Drawing inspiration from this quote, I want to get rid of at least one item for each day of the year. The new year has be in a decluttering mode, so I'm off to a great start on this one. Let's hope I can keep it up!

"What a wonderful thing is the mail, capable of conveying across continents a warm human hand-clasp." -Author Unknown

write and mail at least one note per week

This is an ongoing goal of mine. I go though periods of time when I send lots of notes, then there are periods where I send none. I'm hoping for at least one a week. So far, so good!

"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose." -from my favorite childhood television show, The Wonder Years

document Carson's growth and development at 18 months and 2 years

For his first year, I did this every month, then made it into a fun book that I will always treasure. It seems he's learning new things every single day, and it's a bit overwhelming to think about documenting every detail, but surely, I can hit the highlights with two letters this year!