Would you believe that I’m alone with just Jacob for a couple hours this morning? He’s asleep, so this is like a mini-vacation for me. And when Evan returns with Emily, she’ll probably be ready for a nap. This may mean that I get up to 5 hours of the previously mentioned alone time I have so craved.
Time to stop and read. Or maybe just pray and think.
First, I want to share some kindness with you. Ruthanne, a dear friend I’ve made through blogging, gathered together several books from her personal library that she thought would interest me. (I was looking for reading material for when I nurse.) Not only did she send me about a dozen good reads, but she also sent some sweet gifts for the babies (including a Fisher Price radio/cassette player dating from 1991. So fun!), homemade granola, and a couple books for Evan. And a very kind letter to boot.
I’ve already read a little in Gift of a Letter, and I can’t wait to read Ten P’s in a Pod, Hidden Art, and Thrift Score. Really though, it’s hard to know where to begin. There’s so much variety, and every selection sounds excellent!
And that Little Golden Book… As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a Richard Scarry fan. I may have to photograph some of the pages a la doe-c-doe and share them with you. Very cute. Very inspired.
Ruthanne, you’re amazing. You are a shining example of what I desire to be as a woman–thinking of others selflessly, giving, extremely thoughtful and kind. Thank you for being a Proverbs 31 woman and for sharing your godly character with me.
So this is my final May post for A Post a Day in May. It’s been a good exercise in regular blogging, though it has been difficult at times. There were a few evenings when I had to fudge my timestamp because my post went through 5 minutes after midnight. And I actually missed one day altogether while family was in town. In the future, I’ll try to post everyday, but it will be nice to have more freedom and flexibility with my blog. I don’t want it to feel like a burden, ya know? Thank you, Allsorts for the inspiration! Accountability is always a good thing. : )
June 1st, 2008 at 1:10 am
Wow, this caught me by surprise!
My children got a kick out of the post, too, because I’d been shooing their little hands out of some of the things for the past couple of weeks. (”Hey, bring that toy back — It’s for Mrs. Derrick!” or “Oh, oh, don’t get peanut butter on that onesie!”)
How strange to see that stack of books on my computer screen when just a few short days ago they were right over there ( <——— ) on my bookshelf.
I almost included some of my Holocaust resistance movement biographies until I remembered “Uhhhh, she did say ‘light’ reading, didn’t she?!” So I refrained! LOL.
Thank you for your very kind words. But don’t you know that *you* are quite the inspiration to *me*, Kristena Derrick?
Hugs,
Ruthanne
June 1st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
That stack of books brings back some memories. I read “Hidden Art” when I was single. I don’t remember much from it, but one thing that has stayed with me is the idea of making a home wherever you are. That is a challenge to me while living in a rental for a year. While I’m tempted to do the minimum, some careful choices will make it more “homey”. As far as “Bruchko” goes, he was one very unique individual. Can’t read his book without thinking…
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
Aw, Ruthanne, you are so sweet! I might be inspiring you through my blog, but you inspire me by being extremely kind and generous to someone you’ve never met in person! And I think that says a lot about your character. It’s a trait that I hope to have refined in me.
Mom D- I love “the idea of making a home wherever you are.” And I think it’s very easy to not do that when you see your dwelling space as temporary. We lived with about 50 boxes for several months when we moved into our last apartment, and we had no idea how long we would really be living there. We eventually unpacked more, but we shoved several boxes into the closet where they remained for the rest of our stay. It made me anxious every time I went in the closet. At least the boxes weren’t in our bedroom anymore! I hope your apartment can feel like home while you’re there. Let me know if I can help!
I read “Bruchko” in college, and he sure is unique! I remember that he nearly died (maybe on more than one occasion) and put himself in very dangerous situations. He had a recklessness that seems to inhabit only the young believer and then goes away as we get older and more settled into our lifestyles. Rereading that book will definitely be a challenge to me!
Oh, and Ruthanne, Emily discovered the cassette player in her toybox and had quite a good time with it this morning. She sat at Evan’s feet and played with it while he worked on the computer.
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
a friend who shares homemade granola and books and pushes one toward holiness is truly a good friend.
July 18th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
[…] Creative Family Times: Practical Activities for Building Character in your Preschooler amongst the books that Ruthanne sent me. Though my parenting style doesn’t match all the suggestions given by the book (it can be a […]