Book of Mormon Challenge!

The other day we received a package from Nicole. It had lots of goodies and the occasion was Andrew's birthday. My family spoils me and well, I like it. Anyhow amongst the gifts was a photocopied article from the Ensign I think. It was about the promises we will receive if we will: Pray, Read the Book of Mormon, and attend the Temple.

"I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of
Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their
children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents..."
Marion G Romney

This really struck me so, I really felt like these were blessings we could use in our home. So I am issuing a challenge. We have set a goal to read the Book of Mormon as a family, and finish by Christmas. We figure if we read 2 chapters a night at least 5 nights a week we'll reach our goal. So any who want to join us let us know and it will be fun. Wish us luck!

Summer Reading List

These is my Words by, Nancy Turner. I loved this book. It is a about Sarah Prine and her experience in the Arizona territory. It seemed like this was a story true to the times (late 1800's). I loved Sarah she had girl power in her own era. She was a strong women, in tough country. She worked hard and did what she had to to survive. The romance in this book reminded me of Scarlett and Rhett from Gone With the Wind, also a wonderful book; if you haven't read it you should. Life is short, so you have to pick up a book every once in awhile. I love reading as it opens all sort of worlds. Also, it has kept me from being crazy homesick, but the crazy homesick is settling in about now.

I started my new job today. People were nice, but I'm not looking forward to learning a new system. I knew the old one so well. It was comfy like a good broken in pair of jeans. I knew what to expect, I knew the physicians and I knew the job. I'm not on labor and delivery here, I'm in the ICU of a very small hospital. I miss the new babies, the excitement of new life in the room, seeing families at their best, what a cool thing to be a part of. Well enough whining the book was about a tough women, so that is what I'll have to be: TOUGH. Sometimes though, don't you just want to not be tough, not do what you gotta do? Here is to the power of women like Sarah Prine, I'll pull up my big girl britches as, Collen Proctor says, and dig in. Read the book, I don't think it will disappoint.

The Library

Rockwall County Library

After reading Nicole's post I decided we needed to head to the library to pick up Piggy Pie and a few other books. The kids loved it and and Moostache was also a hit by the same Author. I took this picture a few weeks ago when we got our library card as I have been on a serious summer reading program. That is just the kids section and doesn't show the computers for kids, with the headsets, the story time room as well as movie room. This is a first class library and it is becoming my Mecca. Weird as I've never been very good in libraries. Call Numbers, Dewy decimal system. Never liked any of it and was never very good at locating a book. I am happy to report I'm getting better at it and we are enjoying the Public library. Doesn't Jeremy look thrilled to be at the library in this picture?

Yesterday we went to the Library because they had a clown who came. It was a husband wife duo and they work for Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. If we go back and have our card punched a few times we get a free kids ticket to the circus. Andrew and Lexie loved it and I think it will be fun to take them to the circus!

Charlotte's Web

We finished Superfudge and have moved on to Charlotte's Web. We are sticking with it and I have really seen great improvements in there ability to sit and listen. I also find that I am enjoying reading to the kids more with chapter books. Even when I think they are not listening they will make a comment about it and I realize they are getting more than I realize. I had to be careful with Superfudge, because it would say stupid or shut up and every time I didn't gloss over the word the kids would say, "We don't say that." Too bad they don't remember we don't say that in the heat of the moment. I don't remember in the heat of the moment either. Guess I need to practice my self discipline. One of my good friends, Shauna reads from a chapter book every night with her six kids, and one of her boys told her it was the best part of his day. I hope my kids will take to this like that. Thanks, Shauna and Jess for the inspiration, I hope we will reap the benefits of reading.
P.S. Another benefit of reading: if you're lonely, which I have been a little bit, if you have a good book, no worries you can get lost in it.