Currently

loving: this truth...

 

reading: just started The Garden of Burning Sand by Corban Addison 

blog posts I've been thinking about:

•  What a "Hands Free" Summer Looks Like (the small things: so simple, yet so beautiful)
• Dear Children: Let Me Explain This Thing Called Summer

waiting for: quiet. I'm hoping Ella will stop throwing a tantrum in her crib and fall asleep anytime now. Shhhh....please.....you're tired I promise. 

excited about: being poolside Friday and settling into family vacation at one of my favorite places in the world, quality time with Mama, lots of family time, late night Uno tournaments with my baby brother, our day at Disney, breakfasts by the water, quality time with Jesus in my favorite spot, Ayash coming to visit, just "being"

working on: the last Bible study for the group I've been facilitating on Tuesday mornings. We have been studying The Gospel Centered Life and God has been using it to remind us of the depth of His love and forgiveness for each of us. When that really starts to sink in, or it sinks in new and profound ways, there is so much freedom and rest in our personal relationships with Him. His love continues to transform me in new ways everyday.

using:  

• The Beautiful Mess App (a photo app with lots of fun filters, collage features, fonts, borders, doodles) 

•  The Bible App for Kids (a free interactive and animated Bible experience for kids)

new recipe I'm trying this week: Not sure I got the OK to make it again or often, but I thought it was yummy. Ella and Joe enjoyed it. Abby was very skeptical, but tried it. Overall, I thought it was a great quick (15 minutes) and flavorful (basil pesto, spinach, tuna, parm cheese, gnocchi) dinner option.  Baked Pesto Gnocchi with Tuna 

wearing:  fun orange shorts, a white crocheted tank and a fresh sunburn (oops!)


planning: the girls' airplane bags. The other day when Abby was telling Ella how much fun going on airplanes is I heard her say, "Ella, it's the best. Mommy packs us surprise bags filled with the best things for the airplane....yummy snacks, coloring things, stickers and usually a lollipop. I can't wait!" I love those glimpses when I get to hear how much the little things mean to them.

singing: I seriously can't get these two songs out of my head and it is SO good for my heart. Oceans by Hillsong and I Am by David Crowder 
 

needing: new sandals because our puppy keeps sneaking off to chew all of mine up! Little Oliver has a thing for my pretty size 9 sandals. Note: He does not touch Joe's.

learning: 

• what it means to quit living for the approval of others, while resting in the freedom and joy that comes from remaining anchored in God's love
• what it means to embrace my preferences and truly delight in the good gifts God has given me

enjoying: these summer moments...

wishing: lots of little elves would clean my whole house tonight while I sleep. They can pack for us too! 

questions I'm pondering: 

• What would life look like if I talk to God as much as I talk about Him everyday? 
• How did I forget to put sunscreen on myself today?
• What brings you sheer delight?

dreaming of: giving Mama a big hug on Friday and the poolside breakfast I'm going to enjoy on Saturday morning

 

Summer Reading List 2014

I am a total bookworm. I learned to read when I was four and have been reading ever since. Not just reading really, more like devouring books.  Certain books and book series define entire seasons of my life. When friends were complaining about not being able to read books in college because of all the required reading they had to do, I was still reading books. When the librarian knows your name and probably had your phone number memorized growing up, I think it's safe to wear the bookworm title proudly.

An afternoon in Barnes and Noble is my happy place. Getting a box full of new books in the mail makes my day. Smelling a new book...ahhhh-mazing! Don't knock it before you try it...if you have never sniffed a book, you don't know what you are missing! Books have enriched my life in countless ways. Fiction, nonfiction, different authors and genres. Who am I kidding...give me a newspaper and I'll be happy to read it. Some books are life changing. Some encourage me. Some challenge me. Some are just fun and entertaining. Even when I don't agree with the concepts or dislike characters in a book, it can sharpen my thinking and teach me something new. If nothing else, books reveal layers of humanity in characters and the authors themselves. I just love to read.

I have a running list of books to read at all times. I pull names from best seller lists, friends' recommendations, blogs, the library...I'm always gathering new information about books. My list for the summer might seem long to some, but the looks of a long book list excite me. I'm ready to create a little more space and time to read books in the sunshine or in my hammock. So, what better way to start the summer then to share some of the books that have peaked my interest and made their way onto my list?

• The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful by Myquilyn Smith 
•  Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need for Approval and Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes by Jennifer Lee Dukes
• The One and Only by Emily Giffin
• Where'd You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple
• What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
• Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff 
• Delicious: A Novel by Ruth Reichl 
• The Garden of Burning Sand by Corban Addison 
• Speak Love: Making Your Words Matter by Annie Downs 
• Packing Light: Thoughts on Living Life with Less Baggage by Allison Vesterfelt
• Still Alice by Lisa Genova
• Beautiful Outlaw: Experiencing the Playful, Disruptive, Extravagant Personality of Jesus by John Eldredge
• The Emotionally Healthy Woman: Eight Things You Have to Quit to Change Your Life by Geri Scazzero
  

I might even share my thoughts on some of them as I read them!

What books are you reading this summer?