That One Time Where I Link You Up: It’s Getting Colder Edition

Read this in one of my new favorite books, Sticky Faith by
Dr. Kara Powell and Dr. Chap Clark

It’s getting cold.  I’m getting grumpy.  I’m one of those big time fall haters.  I am a summer girl and fall just means the end of happy to me.  And also- fall is a giant tease.  Around here it lasts approximately 3 hours and then BAM.  Winter.  And the only thing I hate more than fall is winter.  I don’t like coats or sweaters.  I’m constantly in search of the perfect mittens/scarf/hat combo and every season I’m disappointed.  I hate being cold.  Give me flip flops and sundresses.   

Anyway.  This week felt cold.  I busted out the winter coat for Monster and he instantly became obsessed with his mittens and hat.  That kid looks forward to school every day just so he can wear his winter gear.  Again, sometimes I question his maternity. 

We’ve got jr. high youth group and birthday bonfires tonight and then we’re headed up to a lake house with some dear friends for Saturday night.  Our weekends have been rich and full these past few weeks and this one is no exception.

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For you’re weekend reading pleasure I’ve got a few of my favorites from the week (or two- it’s been a while since I posted links!)

I loved reading both sides of this competitive sports argument (NY Times).  For the record, I’m pretty sure I don’t want my kids to get too involved in the intensely competitive sports field (unless Monster or Toots is the next hockey wiz kid).

I loved this parenting tip and have already employed it with my kids.  Each night I tell them one thing I loved watching them do that day. (The Talent Code)

Kristen over at Rage Against The Minivan always makes me think (and has my favorite blog name of all time).  This post was particularly compelling for me.  (Rage Against the Minivan)

If:Local may be the single greatest thing that has happened to the Christian conference of all time.  The women planning this conference realized it wasn’t accessible to everyone so they tore up the ticket price, made it pay what you can, and opened it to everyone!  All you need is an Internet connection and a gathering of people and you can have access to the webcast of the whole conference!!  Any of my friends want to get together for an If: Local? (Jen Hatmaker)

And finally, this was beautiful in the most haunting, aching way.  (Laura Ortberg Turner)

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Have a great weekend pals!  What are you all up to?  Hoping your weekend is rich and full as well!

That One Time When I Link You Up: Late to the Game Edition

It’s Friday night and I’m watching West Wing (duh).  Seriously man, this show.  As my husband says when the credits roll of every single episode, “this is the greatest show of all time.”  We’re waiting for two of our dearest friends to land at O’Hare from the west coast.  Their flight is two hours late.  Stupid O’Hare. 

I’ve got a few great links from the week for your weekend reading pleasure. 

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I’m not one to read obituaries, but this is perhaps the best picture of life lived sweetly and fully.

I love Louis C.K.  I love this clip.  Good comedy should always have a dash of philosophy.

This new Pope, man.  He's a little bit rebellious and a lotta bit social justice-y.  He almost makes me want to return to my catholic roots.

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Enjoy your weekend friends.  It’s been a long week and everyone’s ready to relax a little.  We’ve got lots of fun plans in the city with our friends including dinner at one of my all-time favorite restaurants.  I’ve been dreaming about it all week.  Mostly I’m just looking forward to sitting across the table from our good friends and enjoying their company.

Be well pals.

That One Time Where I Link You Up: Distracted Friday Edition

It’s Friday, Hallelujah!  This morning I poured coffee in my cereal and watched it happen for several seconds before what I was doing registered.  Then Charity and I attempted to take a Piloxing class at the gym (Pilates + boxing apparently) but the instructor never showed up so we ended up jumping in on the class next door.  I can’t even remember the name of this class but I will never, ever forget the 25 minutes of jumping, lunging, mountain climbing torture that I endured today.  Seriously, if you want to feel like an overweight fifty-six year old smoker who hasn’t worked out a day in her life, take this class.    So anyway, that’s the kind of day I’m having.  Thank goodness for the weekend! 

And now, for your weekend reading pleasure, here are some of my favorites from the week!

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Momastery is always, always my favorite.  This will restore your faith in humanity.

This one from A Deeper Story will make you long for Jesus to come and fix it all, while still being humbled by the author’s grace.

Hollywood Housewife is probably the first blog I ever truly followed.  I’ve been reading her for a few years and she always makes me want to hear more.  She wrote two things I loved this week.  This one is honest and vulnerable and this one will make you laugh.  I have a feeling she and her husband interact in ways very similar to Tommy and I. 

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We have youth group kick offs, school picnics and family parties this weekend.  Lots of good stuff.  Hope your weekends are delightful pals! 

That One Time Where I Link You Up: Labor Day Edition!

sick little puppy

Happy Labor Day pals!  Labor Day usually means a trip to the Farm around here, but poor Toots was sick all weekend.  She and I stayed home while Monster and Tommy trekked up to Wisconsin.  The Farm is mecca to our Monster; it's a safe bet that he didn't miss us.

at the farm so he's happy...

Hey remember that one time when I loved all the good things the Internet has to offer?  Oh yeah.  Every week.  I've long wanted to do a weekly link up but it seemed sort of silly since no one was reading this blog.  But, according to my comments, there are at least 5 of you checking in from time to time now.  And so, inspired by my friend Catie’s recent link up, I think you should know about the Internet awesomeness I've discovered.  I'll likely do link ups on Fridays (for your weekend reading pleasure) but as it's a holiday I thought we'd start today.  So get the kids in bed (if you have them), put up your feet and forget that you have to go back to work tomorrow.  Enjoy a few of my favorites from the week!

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Jen Hatmaker remains one of my all time favorite writers.  This post filled my whole heart with joy.  Mamas out there- you're doing a great job.

"Whether you are a sweet mama imagining the spicy mamas have all the fun (not true...we're mostly breaking up fights), or a spicy mama assuming the sweet mamas have all the tenderness (they don't...they are mostly, um, I'm not actually sure, I've never been in a sweet family):
 

If you are worried about being a bad parent, you are probably a good one.”

Around here we’ve been talking a lot about cochlear implants.  Because I’m an extreme feelings person I can tell you all about the emotions Monster and I are going through with this transition.  I am particularly bad, however, at explaining anything technical with regards to Monster’s implant.  I recently came across this blog (viviymyfam) and these parents do a fantastic job relaying the technical stuff.  Their daughter Vivian lost her hearing at age 3 and received implants at age 5.  I particularly enjoyed this, which has a great video that shows what things sound like to people with different levels of hearing loss, and this post about Vivian's reactions when the implant was activated.  It was similar to Monster's but because she is older she could give words to everything that Monster could not.  (You may only care about this if you know my Monster and are tired of all my “feelings” post about his situation but it does help to explain more technically what Monster is going through and what things sound like for him.)

My friend Catie (the same one from above) wrote a fantastic post about how to engage your kids about their day.  I’m storing this away for when Monster is able to answer questions after school and I don’t have to guess how his day went based on the half eaten remnants of his lunch and impossible to decipher art work.

“In the morning, give them an assignment.  Things like:

‘Be on the look out for what brings you joy today.  When I pick you up, I want to hear all about the different things you've seen or learned or heard that made you feel super happy inside.’

OR

‘Find the funny, today, kiddo.  When I pick you up, report to me all the funny things that happen through out your day.’

OR

‘Today I want you to be a secret agent of kindness.  Find a few ways to be extra kind to another kid or teacher and when I pick you up, tell me about it, okay?’”

I LOVE what Laura Ortberg Turner is doing with her “Growing up Evangelical (and being so glad for it)” series!  It’s honest and as a parent who also works in a church I am taking lots of notes so Monster and Toots don’t write their own memoir one day about the horrible plight of growing up a church worker’s kid.  Check out part I, II and III (and keep an eye out for the rest of the series!).

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Enjoy these last bits of summer friends.  I am decidedly not in the “excited for fall” camp.  I mourn the end of summer with everything in my being.