Stuff for New Moms

Since my sister is having her first baby in March and I am having some emotional ‘baby fever’… however, on an intellectual level I am acutely aware that we are not ready for another child. So, to placate myself I came up with a list of things that are a new mom’s best friend.
Sleep deprivation is part of the territory so some tools to help you not look like the mess you feel are:
Benefit’s eye bright pencil. It works small miracles in making you look awake even when you don’t feel that way at all!




Some other life saving beauty products are dry shampoo and tinted moisturizer. It was a rude awakening when suddenly I couldn’t take a shower when I wanted to (or needed to) and so using dry shampoo saved me more than once. If you have dark hair, the best kind that I have found is this:
Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray


Not only does it absorb the grease but it adds volume to your hair so it doesn’t look so flat.

What makes tinted moisturizer so great is that when you don’t have time to really apply make up you can still rub this on real quick and it evens out your skin tone and also provides SPF protection. My favorite kind is this
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – Illuminating



As someone who has always been in school full time or worked full time (currently doing both), it was a hard adjustment for me to stay at home. I liked being busy and the tangible feeling of accomplishing something. While taking care of a baby keeps you pretty busy, it can be easy to feel like your life is a circle of diapers and feedings and things are never really finished. Once we got into a kind of routine, I decided I wanted to start tackling some projects, and that is when I learned to sew and knit and started re-doing some furniture. Finding these kinds of hobbies helped me gain that sense of accomplishment that I had missed and just provided an outlet for me to use up some energy. There are tons of great resources out there if you want to learn to sew or knit, some of the books I have used are:
One – Yard Wonders



What was cool about this book is that it included 100 patterns for all kinds of things you can make with only one yard of fabric. This book along with some online tutorials were what I used to learn to sew.
I had a friend who showed me the basics of knitting, but when I wanted to learn more about how make patterns I used this book. Stitch N Bitch



What was cool about this book is that it spelled things out for me really clearly. I’m just now learning how to use patterns, but this has been a good book so far. I have also referred to several youtube videos when reading doesn’t make sense and I need to see someone cast off or add a new ball of yarn, etc.
I don’t have a lot of other wisdom or products that will make motherhood any easier - just give yourself a lot of grace and try to remember that it really is just a stage and before you know it your baby will be doing something else you were totally unprepared for!
One of the classes I’m taking this semester is developmental psychology and we are learning all about psychological development from infancy to adulthood. We are only in infancy right now and one of the reoccurring themes is that our children teach us how to be parents. We carry around this weighty responsibility of taking care of them, providing for them, teaching them, etc. and all along at every stage of development, they are actually teaching us how to respond to their needs and be good parents. We just need to pay attention, be responsive and take care of each other. Take time for yourself to do the things that re-energize you, whether it is shopping, spending time with friends, reading, whatever it is… when you feel burnt out, give yourself permission to take a break – you will be a better parent for it. My son is only 2 and 2 months, so I still have no idea what I’m doing most of the time, but being his mom has been one of the greatest privileges of my life (preceded only by being Jeff’s wife and being a daughter of the King). Motherhood isn’t as glamorous as I thought it would be and I’m certainly not one of those parents that make it look effortless … but real life is so much better than perfection =)

Books Read in 2011

Here's my book list for last year (minus texbooks - blah):


The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by: Syrie James


This was the second book I read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Even though I didn't remember much of Jane Eyre and wasn't familiar with Bronte's other works, it was still a funny, engaging, portrayal of what Bronte's life could have been like and I'm now convinced it was not fiction but rather a really entertaining biography.

The Hunger Games by:Suzanne Collins


I read this book on the recommendation of the angst filled teenagers that I work with. I gotta say, I was not disappointed. It was just the right combination of thrilling plot, endearing characters, evil villans, heroic lovestory and yet it didn't leave me with a bit of cringe in my mouth like some of the other teenage literature out there. (coughtvampirescough)

Catching Fire by: Suzanne Collins


I had to immediately begin the second book after the first cause I just.couldn't.wait. Fortunately, I bought them all in a bundle from Amazon. Whew, that was a close one. I can't pick a favorite book from this trilogy, they were all so good!

The Love Dare by: Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick


This was a great book I hope to re-read at least every 5 years. Every married couple should read this book at least a few times a decade to gain some fresh perspective on loving your spouse and some practical ideas and challenges. Jeff & I didn't read this book together, which I think was actually better - makes things more surprising for the other person. Now I can't wait for Jeff to read it... =0)

Leota's Garden by: Francine Rivers


I heart Francine, and so when this book came up for free on Kindle I decided to download it to my phone and read it. Turns out I love reading books on my phone. Since I sleep with my phone by my bed it is like having a built in book light. Even though it was a little slow at times, I totally cried and fell in love with these characters.

The Heart of the Matter by: Emily Giffin


I love this author and loved this book. I also read this book on my phone and definitely stayed up past my bed time and read it on my lunch break. What I loved and hated about this book was that it all seemed so life like and real. I can appreciate a story without a perfect ending, so that made this book more endearing to me.

Mockingjay by: Suzanne Collins


Things got pretty intense in book 2 of the Hunger Games Trilogy, so after a brief hiatus I was ready to come back and finish it up. I will totally read these books to H when he gets older... and he will LOVE them! I can't wait for the movies to come out!

Happiest Toddler on the Block by: Dr. Harvey Karp


While I liked this book, I can't say that the discipline behaviors in it worked for us. I didn't find it overly helpful in that area, but it did give some really good ideas for providing positive feedback for your children and reinforcing good behaviors. Other than that, I wouldn't recommend this book.

The Help by: Kathryn Stockett


I also read this book on my phone and love, love, loved it! I finished it just in time to see the movie, which I actually really liked. Usually after reading such a good book the movie is a disappointment, but both were done really well! Great read!

Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage by: Madeline L'Engle


L'Engle is one of my favorite authors and it was so fascinating to read her account of her courtship and marriage. This is not only a terrific love story, it is a great account of the sacredness of marriage and the grief of loss. While saddening at times, it was very inspiring and of course beautifully written.

Stress-Free Potty Training: A Commonsense Guide to Finding the Right Approach for Your Child by: Dr. Peter Stavinoah


While I can't say potty training has been stress FREE, this book certainly helped give me some practical direction. I bought this as a .99 download for Kindle, and while I wouldn't read this book again, it was certainly worth what I paid for it!

As a Sunday School Class we read a book on Managing Money in your Marriage, but I can't find it on Amazon. I also seem to have misplaced the book. However, it came at a good time in our marriage (after just purchasing our first house) and has helped us make some better choices.

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by: David Platt


This was the next book we read with our Sunday School Class and I loved it. It was very challenging and even though some of the theology in the book was pretty deep stuff, he managed to make it very understandable without watering it down or making excuses. I enjoyed his somewhat in your face style and appreciated the experience he was bringing to the table, as opposed to just telling you how to live. Christians, read this book. You will probably like it, hate it, and believe it is the Truth.

Searching for Meredith Love by:Julie Christensen


I read this book post finals because it was a free Kindle download and I wanted something to read on my break. Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars. It took me a while to get into it and sometimes the writing style was a bit distracting from the plot, but I did end up caring about the characters and wanting a happy ending. Not bad for a free book!

The Devotional I started reading this year (in July so I'm not finished yet) is Jesus Calling by: Sarah Young


Although I'm not finished yet, I have so loved this book. I got the journaling one with places to journal each day and it has been really good for me. Honestly, I usually find devotionals to be kind of cookie cutter, slightly cheesy and I quit doing them because I just don't feel like it is encouraging me at all. This one is different. I find it to be challenging but uplifting and I like that it is written from the perspective of Jesus.

So, that's what I read last year. What should I read this year?

Books Jeff read in 2009

Hello All!

Since I have yet to post on our new blog I figured that it was time for me to post seeing as how Erin went to the trouble of creating a new blog. I wrote this back when Erin was posting about all the books she had read, so here are the books I read in 2009.

Culture Shock- A good book for getting ready to move overseas.

Total Money Makeover- While I agree with being debt free I disagree with a couple of parts of this book.

Same Kind of different as Me- I think this was my favorite I read. I don’t recommend books very often but I did recommend this to a friend and he too loved it.

Pillars and Prophets- This was a great book but I left it on the plane at least once. It was a good thing we had something like seven extra copies that we were wanting to give away.

The Richest Man in Babylon- This is another money book that tells a story. The basic idea is spend less than you make, 1/10 of what you make goes to giving and 1/10 goes to savings. Also, don’t invest in something you don’t know anything about unless you consult a third party who knows something about what you are investing in.

The power of a Praying Husband- If you are married or engaged read the book.

Playing for Pizza- My first John Grisham book. It was recommended by a friend and I loved it and started reading some of his other books.

The Irresistible Revolution- A friend let me borrow this book and I loved it. I need to give it back.

Knuckleheads- Yes, this is a children’s book. My sister sent it to me in Iraq and I cried cause I laughed so hard. If you want a funny book to read pick this one up.

The Millionaire Next Door- I found this book and thought it would be interesting and then a few weeks later my uncle offered to get this book for me. It was very interesting. Most millionaires do not live like they are millionaires hence the reason they probably are.

Three Cups of Tea- I loved this book. Part of it may be because I have been in this area and can picture a lot of what is being talked about. Either way read the book it was amazing.

The Expectant Father- Good book for dads to be.

The Summons- Couldn’t put the book down. This was my second John Grisham book.

The Testament- Same as above.


Well those are the books I read in 2009. I enjoyed them all. Have any of you read some of these books or wanting to add any of them to your list? I do realize that I probably enjoy books that some of you would fall asleep to but there are a few I think everyone would enjoy!

Books Read in 2007

Well, 2007 was the year of Jeff.  It was the year we started not-dating again, then dating again, then we got engaged, then we got married... all in the same year.  I also went to Iraq in there somewhere and got my first real job... so, it was kind of busy.  My reading list reflects that.

1. Passion and Purity by: Elizabeth Elliot
This was a re-read from 2003.  The first time I read this book I threw it across the room.  I thought it deserved a second chance and I liked it a lot better.  I think I needed to grow up a little bit before I could really appreciate her wisdom.

2.  Celebration of Discipline by: Richard Foster
This was also a re-read, but I read this book in 2001.  I did this book as a study with a bunch of college leaders every week....at 6:30 in the morning.  It was rough - for everyone.  I love this book though, especially the second time I read it.  It is a great breakdown of the basic disciplines of the Christian faith and how to practice them in everyday life.

3. The Day Christ Died by: Jim Bishop
I read this book in preparation for Easter and it was really meaningful.  It is a historical and biblical breakdown of the days and day leading up to the death of Jesus.  It helped me get a fresh perspective and really meditate on the beauty and horror of Easter.

4. Catch 22 by: Joseph Heller
This book was really hilarious.  I have always wanted to read it and I really enjoyed it.  It wasn't a quick read for me, but even though it took me a while to finish it kept me entertained.  I will read this again someday for sure.

5. For Women Only by: Shanti Feldhahn
I really wasn't a huge fan of this book.  It was one of the first that I had read about men and women and relationships and can't say that I gleaned a whole lot from it.  It was entertaining and funny at times, but that was about all I got out of it.

6. Blessed Child by: Ted Dekker
This book was really disturbing to me.  It is a series and I ended up returning the second book without even reading it because I disliked this book so much.  Up to this book I had really liked Dekker and I think it was just the plot that was too sci-fy and kind of disturbing for me to really get into.

7. Bondage Breaker by: Neil Anderson
I loved this book!  I think everyone has baggage, whether or not you identify it as spiritual baggage or not.  I was so challenged by this book that I had to put it down several times and do what it said before I felt like I could move on.  I will return to this book - I already have to certain parts of it.

8. Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by: John Piper
This was the first book about sex that I read.  I read it shortly after Jeff & I got engaged and I'm glad I started with this book.  I love John Piper and I love to read about/hear about him talk about marriage.  This was a really meaningful book that I think about often.

9. Terrify No More by: Gary Haughen
What an incredible book!  It was written by the director of the International Justice Mission and it chronicles some of the missions they have gone on to free people from different forms of slavery and human trafficking.  This is the best book I have read on the subject that gives a really graphic and true picture of what is going on in the world.

10. Sense and Sensibility by: Jane Austen
This book was so fun!  It is so clever and I laughed out loud several times.  This book is why I love Jane Austen.

11. Falling into Love by: Ned Erickson
I loved this book!  It's an average guy's love story.  Parts of it are so disastrous you can't believe that could really happen to someone and yet the best part is that you can tell it is so true.  Reading this love story made me love the love that Jeff & I have even more.

12. Saving your marriage before it starts by: Les & Leslie Parrot
Jeff & I read this book together and met with several married couples to talk about some of the principles in this book.  I think we both benefited from reading this and talking through these things with others before we got married.

13. Sacred Marriage by: Gary Thomas
This was my favorite marriage book.  I really resonated with what the author put forward as the premise of the book - that marriage is not about our happiness but about our holiness.  After marriage this book really helped humble me when I needed to be more teachable and willing to sacrifice.

14. Sheet Music by: Kevin Leman
Of the sex books I read, I think this was the most ummmmm.... helpful?  I appreciated that it incorporated a biblical view of sex while still giving practical advice/information.

15. The Act of Marriage by: Tim & Beverly LaHaye
I was given this book as a gift and probably wouldn't have read it otherwise.  I think after the first 2 books I read I could have done without this one.

16. Kite Runner by: Khaled Hosseini
While this book was kind of disturbing, I'm glad that I read it... I maybe shouldn't have read it on our honeymoon... but I really recommend it.

I was looking back on my lists and was surprised to find that I read over 30 books every year until I got engaged and got married.  That was also about the time I stopped regularly journaling.  While I miss all the reading and the writing... I sure love being a wife and a mommy.

Books read 2008

I decided to count down the previous years of Books Read lists for you.  I've been keeping a list of books I read each year since 2004, but I've never posted the lists before.  So, here's 2008 for you:

1. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by: Syrie James
Jeff's sister gave this book to me for Christmas.  She is a children's librarian and reads hundreds of books every year...thousands?  Anyway, I really loved this book!  It was a fictional tale of Jane Austen's life and how her novels came to be.  If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will love this book.

2. Dear John by: Nicholas Sparks
This was a pretty good read.  However, I recently saw the movie trailer for the movie they are basing on this book and it looked nothing like what I remembered this being about.  So, either I don't remember this book or the movie is a loose interpretation.

3. To Become One by: Chris Seay
This book was a gift from my sister and I really enjoyed it.  It was written by a relatively newly wed guy as opposed to most of the other marriage books I had read.  It was funny, relevant, and challenging.  I can't say it was foundational or shaping in our marriage but I would recommend it for someone who isn't a huge reader but would like to grow in their marriage.

4. The Princess and the Goblin by: George MacDonald
Such a great fairy tale!  I love this classic story and I love how MacDonald tells it.  He is very C.S. Lewis in his ability to entertain adults with smart, morally challenging tales.

5.  Return of the Prodigal Son by: Henri Nouwen
What an amazing book!  I read this book twice and it was so convicting and freeing.  Nouwen is one of my favorite writers and this might be my favorite book of his that I've read.  This is a pretty quick read, but don't mistake the length for lack of content... it is a heavy book, but simply heavy - which is why I think he is such a fantastic writer.  Not many people can approach these weighty matters and yet make it something true and yet digestible if that make sense.

6.  Love & Respect by: Emmerson Eggerichs
This was a really challenging and shaping book for me.  It was a tough read for me during our first year of marriage, but it really helped me understand Jeff's needs better and how I can better respond to those for both of our sakes.  This is a great book, but it is not easy reading.

7.  True Believer by: Nicholas Sparks
I don't remember being on such a Sparks kick last year, but apparently I was.  I also don't remember anything about this book and had to go back and read the synopsis.  And even after that the plot sounds like that other book of his I read last year...so...

8. At First Sight by: Nicholas Sparks
This is apparently the sequel to the previous book.  But I only remembered that by looking back at the synopsis - and then I still couldn't remember how it ended.  I enjoy his books while I'm reading them and won't remember them until the movie comes out I guess.

9. Angels and Demons by: Dan Brown
He may patronize or even vilify the church in his novels but by geeze does he write some entertaining fiction!  If you can consider his writing fiction - which is what it is - then I think you can enjoy yourself some Dan Brown.

10. The Shack by: William Young
It took me a while to decide that I liked this book.  But then I really liked it.  This is definitely a book that sticks with you and I have continued to think of it randomly even though it has been over 18 months since I read this book.

11. What was Lost by: Catherine O'Flynn
 This book is about the disappearance of a little girl and then fast forwards 20 years to show the effects of her disappearance on those involved.  This was a really entertaining book, haunting at times, funny and witty with really great character development.  I still think about this book too.

12.  Can you Keep a Secret by: Sophie Kinsella
I read this on a plane to somewhere and it was a great plane book.  It was entertaining enough that I didn't want to put it down.  The characters are pretty hyperbolic in their stereotypes, but it was a funny, feel good kind of love story.

13. Something Borrowed by: Emily Giffin
I happened across this book in a second hand bookstore and thought the plot sounded interesting enough.  This started my Emily Giffin obsession and I continued to read every book she had ever written.  This has been by far my favorite chic lit series that I have read.

14. Something Blue by: Emily Giffin
This is the sequelish to the previous book.  I say ish because it elaborates on the previous story by telling it from another character's point of view.  If you fall in love or hate with the characters in the first book, then keep reading because it only gets better.

15. Baby Proof by: Emily Giffin
This is a whole new story with new characters to love... and I did.  I totally fell in love with this couple's love, separation, divorce angst.  I've read a few chic lit baby books and this one is definitely different.

16. Love the One You're With by: Emily Giffin
I remember expecting more out of this book but it was still a pretty good read.  It's like the movie you should have waited until it hit Red Box, but wasn't a total waste of 2 hours.  Or the week it took me to read this book.

17. Chasing Fireflies by: Charles Martin
It took me 100 pages to really get into this book, but once I did I really enjoyed it.  I didn't even mind the library fine just so I could finish the last 50 pages.  This is a great redemption story with all the elements of love, forgiveness, murder, mystery and suspense.  I think this is considered Christian Fiction and as such I thought it was as really well sculpted story, like maybe it had to be true.

18. Three Weeks with My Brother by: Nicholas Sparks
While I appreciated the change in pace from Sparks, this was actually a true story about him and his brother, I kept waiting for the good part.  I don't remember there really being one, so maybe I'll stick to the predictable romances from now on.

19. Same Kind of Different as Me by: Ron Hall
This was my favorite book in 2008!  I've told most people I know that love to read about this book.  It is so fantastic and made even more fantastic by actually being a true story.  I don't want to spoil anything about this book, but I will say that I cried in the car for about 7 minutes while reading this (don't worry, Jeff was driving).

20. Twilight by: Stephenie Meyer
After mocking Chelsea and others who were obsessed with these books I got sucked into the vampire vortex too and totally loved it!  I think I read the first book in three days or less, good thing I went ahead and ordered all 4 because I was hooked after page 43...okay, 13

21. New Moon by: Stephenie Meyer
I didn't like this book as much as the others, but maybe because I was always Team Edward... sorry Jacob.

22. One Year Bible New Living Translation
I had never read this translation before and really enjoyed it.  I have done several different 1 year reading plans and really liked having my Bible be the plan, it really helped me keep up.  If you are trying to read though the Bible in one year and might need some help staying on track you should totally invest in this, it is a great resource.

So - that was 2008 in books.  Next up, 2007... it will be interesting to see how many of these books I can actually remember reading?