Reading List for 2010

Revised 01 FEB 2010

For 2010, I have again set a goal of reading 25 books. Last year I only made it through about 12, so this will be a big step up for me.

Below you will find a list of what I am currently reading and the books that I have finished reading. I will be updating this list throughout the year.


~ Currently reading:

• Desiring God by John Piper
  
• A Praying Life by Paul Miller - the book we are using in our women's Bible Study
  
• Jesus Calling by Sarah Young - a daily devotional


• Your Two-Year-Old by by Louise Bates Ames, Ph.D. and Frances L. Ilg, M.D.
• Your Four-Year-Old by by Louise Bates Ames, Ph.D. and Frances L. Ilg, M.D.


• The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
• The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian


• The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie

~ Finished (most recent at the top):

1. Words That Hurt, Words That Heal by Carole Mayhall.
* check out my thoughts about this book.

~ Book Reviews

Words that Hurt, Words that Heal

I have joined a new Bible study group here in Aberdeen. It is a ladies group comprised mainly of Americans and Canadians expats who are here while their husbands study at the University of Aberdeen.

For the fall, we are reading "Words That Hurt, Words That Heal" by Carole Mayhall.

The Bible tells us that our mouths are to be a fountain of life, but so many times our daily interactions with family, friends and even strangers show that we are far from this goal.

James also warns us that our tongues are "a fire, a world of wickedness ... contaminating and depraving the whole body ... being itself ignited by hell." (James 3:6 AMP)

This book explores the many ways we "curse" with our tongues while trying to praise God -- Can a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and salt water?

As we read through this book and study what scripture says about our tongue, I will share how God is working in my own life, teaching me to control my mouth.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

What's Up With My Three-Year-Old?

Your Three-Year-Old: Friend or Enemy
by Louise Bates Ames, Ph.D. and Frances L. Ilg, M.D.

I was introduced to these books by Sarah at Hindsight – Thank you!

This is a great series of book about child development, from Your One-Year-Old through Your Ten- to Fourteen-Year-Old.

This is not just another parenting book, and does not teach a particular philosophy or discipline style. Instead, the focus is on the characteristics of each age – how your child responds to other children; what general milestones are reached; why your child is behaving a particular way right now.

The authors talk about alternating times of equilibrium and disequilibrium. Where three is an age of conformity, three-and-a-half is just the opposite. A three-year-old is confident and happy; a three-and-a-half-year-old child becomes insecure and anxious, but also determined and self-willed.

Reading this book has taught me several things:

• It is normal for my son to experience fears and insecurities, even in things he had previously mastered.


• This weird stutter that has developed over the last few weeks, is normal and will fade over time.


• My son is learning to exert his will; I need to give him room to “win” in the daily struggle for control.


• This is the age to begin developing meaningful conversations, to lay the groundwork for great conversations later on.


• And especially that this phase will pass, both the bad and the good.
  

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a three-year-old, even if you only read the first four chapters. The entire book is packed with valuable perspective and information. The chapters are as follows:

1. Characteristics of the Age,
2. The Child with Other Children,
3. Techniques (great chapter) and
4. Accomplishments and Abilities
5. The Three-Year-Old Birthday Party (terrific ideas for a successful party),
6. Help with Routines (great help for those who's child is at three-and-a-half),
7. The Child’s Mind or How He Sees the World
8. Individuality
9. Stories from Real Life

Also included are recommendations on toys and books for three-year-old’s, and a list of suggested parenting books specific to this age.

This book is only 150 pages and well worth the read!

By the way, this is not a paid or solicited review; I just really liked this book.

Growth: Stretching and Training

I am currently reading The Mommy Diaries: Finding yourself in the daily adventure.

This straightforward book is a collection of stories from moms sharing what they have learned on this journey of motherhood. Check out my previous post about Identity.


"Recognize this journey [of motherhood] as one that shapes and defines you, helps you scale new heights, and brings you closer to your amazing potential."

~ Chose to Grow ~

In Mississippi Epiphany, Letitia Suk wrote the time she made a deliberate choice to stretch herself. "What that the kind of mom I want to be?" she asked herself. When the answer was "no" she decided to change. In this story, she chooses to say "yes" to her daughter's request for her to jump out of the boat for a swim.

Every day I am bombarded with requests from my son to play some made-up game, dance some jig, do something totally silly. I tend to take myself too seriously, though, and don't say yes as often as I should (I am especially uncomfortable with physical humor). But now I see each day as an opportunity to grow in this area. Today I can say yes to a silly game or two, even if I feel completely ridiculous.

~ Grow as They Grow ~

Along the same lines, Cathy Penshorn writes in Goodbye Toddler Mom about loosening boundaries and allowing her kids more freedom as they grow older - and to enjoy their more adventurous activities.

Although my kids are still young, I have found myself stuck in the toddler mode, even though my son is older and ready to take bigger risks. I want to encourage my son's curiosity and allow him to explore in ways that I may have determined too dangerous for a smaller child. Of course, I am still watching for his safety, but I need to loosen the boundaries and allow a few bumps and bruises that may result from a beautiful learning experience.


Where have you already experienced growth in motherhood?
Is there an area of your life where you feel pulled to make a change?

Identity: Owning My Adventure

I am currently reading The Mommy Diaries: Finding yourself in the daily adventure.

This straightforward book, published by MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), is a collection of stories from several moms sharing the lessons they have learned in this journey of motherhood.

It is a quick, casual read, but has the power to challenge and encourage.

There are six sections in this book - Identity, Growth, Relationships, Help, Perspective, and Hope.

I have only gotten through the first two sections, but wanted to share a few things that have inspired me.

~ Releasing Control ~

Elisabeth Selzer wrote an essay called Control Release. She writes, "My need for control was clouding my enjoyment of one of the most precious times in my child's life." This statement rings so true in my own life.

I have found myself spending too much energy trying to retain my control over my three-year-old son and my one-year-old daughter. This leads to constant struggle of the wills that are normally not worth the fight. I am learning the truth of needing to choose my battles carefully.

My children need to learn and grow with the freedom to explore their ability to make decisions and exert their will. My job is not to control them, but to guide them and teach them how to make the best choices and to deal with the consequences.

~ Guarding My Time ~

In this same section on identity, Jane Rubietta shares a breaking point for her in the essay The High Chair Day. One rare morning where the kids were sleeping in and Jane was trying to spend a few minutes in prayer, she lost her temper at her husband over the smallest request. At that point she realized her loss of her own identity, and was drained of all her emotional and spiritual resources. Following this, she writes that "... with vigilance I guarded each morning for my soul."

As my husband’s final semester of school wrapped up this year, I came to discover that I, too, have lost my emotional and spiritual reserves. It was a hard year for all of us, and I have been in survival mode for several months.

Now that things are a little slower (though only for a few weeks), I need to learn from Jane’s example, and carefully guard my time in prayer and meditation. To be the mother and wife I want to be, I must preserve my own identity and guard my spiritual life. I cannot afford to neglect this discipline to service the immediate needs.

In addition to taking additional time in prayer, I have also begun meditating on the Psalms. I wrote a more about it in this post.


What activities or disciplines have you established in your life to preserve your identity in the midst of motherhood?

"Today Is Monday" - book review

We have a new favorite book in our house - "Today Is Monday" by Eric Carle.

The culinary text is based on a well-known children's song about food and the days of the week. Eric Carle uses his wonderful portrayal of colorful, exotic animals to bring these foods to life.

Each day has a food. "Monday, string beans" reveals a large, blue porcupine chewing on string beans, with several stray beans stuck in its quills.

"Tuesday, spaghetti" pictures a beautiful, green snake struggling with a page full of slippery spaghetti noodles. And so on.

My son loves this book because of the colorful animals eating silly foods. I, also, enjoy the animals and the food, but I love this book for many other reasons.

First, it has sparked my son's imagination in exciting new ways. We have worked with my son's speech therapist for a year trying to create situations to stretch his imaginative play, with the knowledge that this was stalling his progress in speech development.

Enter this book into the scene (along with other factors, of coarse) and he becomes so excited about "cooking" in the sand box. Now every time we go out to play, he is constantly making food for us to try. And what does he make? Some yummy creation mentioned in this book. His current favorite is roast beef. What wonderfully, imaginative play!

Second, this book has enticed my son to try the foods the animals are eating. He now happily eats green beans ... if I call them string beans and mention how the porcupine likes them.

And he willingly tried roast beef because the tabby cat had some. For a kid who has serious feeding issues (and was under the care of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Feeding Team for a year), this is a huge help to us, the feeders!

Third, our three-year-old has learned all the days of the week and loves to talk about what day it is today and what day comes next.

And it encourages his love for reading!

Reading List for 2009

Rev. 18 DEC 09

I am not going to reach my goal of reading 25 books in 2009. I will have to try again next year. Before having kids, I was a huge reader. I did not realize how challenging just two books a month would be now that my time is spent more with my children. Maybe next year I should include all the children's books I have read ... that would easily be over 50.

Below you will find a list of what I am currently reading and the books that I have finished reading. I will be updating this list throughout the year.

~ Book Reviews


~ Currently reading:

• Words That Hurt, Words That Heal by Carole Mayhall.
* check out my thoughts about this book.


• Mommy Diaries by Tally Flint
  * check out my blog posts about this book.


• The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie

~ Finished (most recent at the top):

1. Patrick: Son of Ireland by Stephen Lawhead


2. The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry by Henri J.M. Nouwen -- check out my blog posts about this book


3. John: The God Who Cares and Knows You by Kay Arthur and Pete De Lacy -- check out my notes about the Gospel of John
   


4. Your Three-Year-Old by by Louise Bates Ames, Ph.D. and Frances L. Ilg, M.D. -- check out my thoughts about this book.


5. The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian


6. The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian


7. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
   


8. Pat of Silver Bush by L.M. Montgomery


9. Mistress Pat by L.M. Montgomery


10. Clean House, Clean Planet: Clean Your House for Pennies a Day the Safe and Nontoxic Way by Karen Logan -- check out my comments about this book in Deodorizer and Cleaner and Green Goals

PaperBack Swap

I was recently introduced to this great site: PaperBackSwap.com -- Your source for swapping books online. Read ... Swap ... Save!

It is an online book club that offers FREE books when you trade, swap or exchange used books. It is currently a free service, though eventually I expect it to have a membership fee.

Here's how it works: You list the books you would like to offer to other members. You earn credits every time you send a book to someone. Every credit is a free book for you. You search through the offered books and choose the one you would like sent to you.

I opened my account last week and have about 20 books currently listed. It was easy to ship the books that others requested and my first two books should be arriving any day now.

You have to check it out.

Note: they also have separate CD and DVD exchange sites.