A few recently read items to share- a book, a cookbook, & an online article.

The book: Loving Our Kids On Purpose by Danny Silk
This book is geared toward parents although applicable to most anyone. The author focuses on parenting from our heart connection with our kids, consequences for actions vs. punishment out of fear, and so much more that it would be hard to keep the summary short! I highly recommend it! (Thanks Jen!)

The cookbook: Simply In Season by Mary Beth Lind. This book goes through storage, cooking, and other details of most veggies and fruit, as well as recipes by the season. The recipes are simple and straightforward, featuring fresh ingredients that are easy to find. There are quotes and thoughts on sustainable living, supporting local growers, eating in season, and much more. My project for the coming year starting this September is to cook through this entire cookbook, every recipe, and share the best ones on this here blog! Anyone want to join me?

The online article: A User Friendly Vaccination Schedule by Donald W. Miller Jr., Cardiac Surgeon and Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington. Whatever your thoughts on immunizations, this article is fascinating and clearly written. There is an alternative immunization schedule and list of recommended vaccines on the last page for those looking to shorten the list of necessary pokes in their kiddos.

I shouldn’t leave out Jude’s recent favorite book- ‘Blueberries for Sal‘ which is such a great story, we found it on tape at the library and have listened to it while looking at the pictures over and over since blueberry picking ourselves last Saturday!

Today has been a challenging one with Jude. He has been testing me and blatantly disobeying quite a bit in the last few days, leaving me frustrated and challenged to hold onto my patience and self-control. He is a pretty emotional kid and I really have to work on not matching his emotions when he’s upset, because one of us has to have self- control and it should definately be Mama! I love him so, and am keenly aware that even the best of parents have times when they question if their parenting is working, so I’m choosing to hand over my feelings of frustration to God, turn on worship music to calm my heart, and trust in God to help me mold and shape Jude’s precious character even when I feel inadequate to do so. Being a mommy is hard work, isn’t it? On days like this it’s good to remind myself that the work I do is not for a raise or a word of affirmation but for a lasting and eternal purpose of growing kids that know they are loved and know what they are created for. And now to go sip some iced coffee and read something refreshing to my heart… here’s to turning around a ‘bad day’!