Enraptured

It has been a while since I have read a good book. A "leave your house dirty, don't do what you need to because you are sitting on the couch reading" book. Believe me when I say it is not for lack of trying. I have bent many a friends ear in order to get suggestions but I just keep coming up empty. Ever since last fall when I read the Twilight serious I have been coming up short. I whipped through those babies in four days flat and loved every cheesy minute of it. I have started seriously like 10 books, I got through the Memory Keeper Daughter, The Red Tent, I started Wicked- I just couldn't get through that one though- it was a little to "graphic" if you know what I mean. I was feeling a little sad and frustrated about it... but then along came a little book called "The Swan House." and I am back on board. Not offense to people who like those books... I think reading is just like music and TV in that everyone doesn't like the same stuff. But I am now happily enjoying the first good read in a long time. It comes with perfect timing. This week I need nothing more that to escape {enraptured} in a good novel.

My sister Melanie found this picture and when I saw it on her blog I just started crying. I am so filled with love and anticipation for our new nephews that will be here on Saturday. My sister Shelly and her husband have had such a shock in Ethiopia and I am so thankful they chose to follow the spirit and I know Heavenly Father has directed them on every step of this journey. I think we are all feeling bit overwhelmed by the conditions they have seen and have had our eyes opened to another world that is so different from ours. I am praying for their safety and protection until they are home safe... and also for all those children that they can't bring home. This picture really speaks for itself. Please pray for them.

So... I have a dilemma on my hands. Easton is totally OBSESSED with a new show called Ben 1o about a boy who transforms himself into aliens to flight off bad guys. . I mean he is 100% hooked and it is sort of cute how he is so completely in love with this show. He knows the words to the song and turns it up so loud when it comes on and is so excited. It is the cutest thing. (I have to add that he has been saving his money so hard to buy this special watch that is in the show and he wants is so bad. he had me print it off the computer and then he cut it out and TAPED it to his hand. He did that all on his own. That is how much he loves this show.) That is one of the greatest things about him- he is so in character and totally passionate about things he loves. It is all he wants to play, talk about or do.

Ben 10 is only available on the computer (for us since we don't have cable) so it has been good leverage for getting him to do things. However, I have started to notice little things I don't care for in the show. I think it is really affecting his attitude and the way he talks etc... (both to Derek and I and also with friends) so... I realize boys are boys and rough play is normal, but I am wondering where that line is when even though a show is geared at his age and all the other moms think it is fine... I just don't know- how do you tell you little boy that he can't watch it or play it? He loves it so much, and I am pretty sure it will be a passing phaze, like so many other obsessions I've seen come and go. I feel so mean, but I think Derek and I have both come to the conclusion that he is really being negatively affected by it and even though he loves it so much, he is probably a lot better off without it. So.. how do we do it and what is a good activity that we can use to replace it? Am I being way over protective analytical? I just want him to be a nice boy and not talk back. These are the two main issues we are facing that started about three weeks ago (same timing as BEN 10 craze). Sometimes being a parent is so dang hard and it seems like no matter what you do you, it is hard to know if you are doing the right thing.

my 6-word memoir

Tonya tagged me with my most interesting tag to date:

1. Write your own six word memoir.

2. Post it on your blog and include a picture if you want.

3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post

4. Tag at least five more blogs with links.

5. Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

I thought this was a tough challenge and I actually came up with a ton of ideas over the past few days... this one is my favorite so far:

{lived grand dreams in simple happiness's}

Here is Tonya's memoir:

She has strength that surprises her. (beautiful!)

now may I digress for a moment...?

Hemingway was asked to write a novel in 6 words and wrote:

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

I found that very poignant. He once called it his best work.

Now I tag these five literary geniuses (and anyone else who wants to...come on, use your brain- it's fun!): Charlynn, Melanie, Bekah, Lindsey & Mindy

fresh air & a fresh outlook...

so... I l-o-v-e the scent of this papaya and mango line from air wick. I fell in love with the decosphere at Bekah's house... it is so yummy and her house always smelled like- well, papaya and mango. It isn't too fruity though and is just delish. So... the only problem was that it doesn't last as long as I'd hoped so today I bought the freshomatic air thingy that sprays by itself and it supposed to last for 90 days or something. Love this product, it just makes my house fresh and yummy.

...also...why as women do we never feel like we are good enough? I was having a conversation today with a friend who has been through a really rough year. She had a new baby and lost her mom just a few weeks ago, all while in the midst of a really tough year of school. Well, I guess enlightenment comes during really hard times and she said some things today that really touched my heart... we were talking about how as a woman you never feel good enough. It just seems like there is always someone out there who is a better mom , wife, housekeeper, skinnier, prettier, more spiritual, smarter, more energetic... more everything. She said she has had a new outlook on life and realized just how short it truly is. All the while we are striving for this perfection that we can't achieve through worldly things. The world tells us we should all be in shape right? (this was how this conversation got started...) so you get in shape. But then you have to get new awesome sexy clothes to show off your hot bod. Then you have to get cute hair, and the right bag, and a spray tan, and a cool car, and some perfectly groomed(not to mention well behaved) children, and a house that would make a designer swoon... in short- by the worlds standards no matter how good you are doing, you will never be good enough. How wrong we are to fall into this trap of thinking!!!

At least have a body. Some other souls aren't as lucky. It isn't perfect true, but it's a wonderful gift. Its healthy and it has done amazing things. I am going to be more grateful than ever for my Heavenly Father and the fact that I have worthy goals and ambitions to get me through the times I feel inadequate. I am going to stop worrying so much about the way I look (or don't look). Take care of myself but try to focus on the inside more that the outside and have more gratitude for my blessed life.

it's like I said, a fresh yummy papaya and mango infused outlook. :)