WWRW: Surprised by Motherhood

Surprised by Motherhood by Lisa Jo Baker

   This week is again brought to you by a wonderful memoir written by an author whose blog I have followed and enjoyed for many years.  Where Lisa Jo specializes in pep talks and supportive pats on the back on her blog; Surprised by Motherhood reads like a wonderful weekend retreat where she shares how her life in South Africa and losing her mother at young age lead her away from motherhood, and how a boy from Wisconsin and life in the Ukraine led her back.

   This is a lovely read that at first feels very light and easy but I found her thoughts about family life, faith, mothering, and how we are parented effecting how we parented stayed with me throughout the day and even after I'd finished the book.  She writes of 'life in the trenches' of mothering three littles in a way that you find yourself smiling, nodding and suddenly feeling from one trench to another someone so gets it.  Thanks I needed that.

Please head over to Housewifespice for more WWRW hosted by Jessica

A question for you

or two or three.

   As I'm getting back into the swing of posting regularly and trying to plan ahead to maybe have a few posts ready for posting while we are busy moving I want to know

What would you like to know?

What would you like to see more of, less of?

Topics you enjoy talking or reading about; perhaps over a cup of tea

Thanks in advance.

WWRW: Something Other Than God

Linking up over at Housewifespice to share what I've been reading:

Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler:

I knew from following Jennifer's blog what a wonderful and witty writer she was, but still this book took me by surprise.  It is so much more than just her conversion story; it is a story of coming of age and grappling with the major questions you face as you decide who you are and what you will value in life.  Jennifer graciously takes us on her journey starting in 5th grade, as she grows up and ponders ideas of science, nature, and how belief systems affect friendships growing up.

Jennifer takes us masterfully along through college and her twenties, as she picks a career path and meets her spouse.  Most critically, we follow as her questions and growing understanding of God changes her and her husband's definitions of sucess, happiness, and love.  As she introduces us to other touchstone people in her life, ranging from her great-grandparents to jazz legends, she discusses issues of suffering, service and hope. As she starts a family and encountered health issues, she has to make hard choices which called firmly held beliefs into question.  Also interesting was reading how as a couple they both separately and together journeyed to find their way to a profound and deep faith and a life lived according to the tenets of that faith.

With a writing style that kept me engaged and kept the story moving, but never skimped on the details, Fulwiler explains how her faith in God, and living out that faith as part of the Catholic Church, answers each of her questions.  The conclusion was familiar to me as a reader of her blog, but I throughly enjoyed the journey with her, and would happily recommend it to anyone interested in stories of discernment and conversions of faith.

   I wrote this review of Something Other Than God for the free Catholic Book review program, created by Aquinas and More Catholic Goods.

             Aquinas and More is the largest on-line Catholic bookstore.

 I receive free product samples as compensation for writing reviews for Tiber River.

Quick Takes #155

1. Once again a week has gone by since my last post; sorry readers.  The funk is actually starting to lift but I think having gotten out of the habit of posting regularly those muscles are stiff and feel awkward not to mention the mind-games of self doubt and worrying about having anything worth reading to say. Anyhoo ~ if still here and reading; thank you! I hope to be back in the swing of things very soon.
2. Part of what I love about this weird wonderful blogosphere world is the great likelihood of finding a post that says exactly what you are feeling and trying to put into words yourself.  Rachel of Testosterhome's excellent post earlier this week says it all.
3. Mother's Day was lovely with a good balance of time to rest and recharge and time with my favorite littles. Added bonus we were able to go out for a birthday dinner for a good friend who also happens to be Caitlin's Godmother.
4. Speaking of birthdays; A very happy birthday shout-out to my guy, Dr Daddy ~ who as far as I know doesn't read here but whatever.  
5. Caitlin still isn't walking independently but is standing all the time. It always amazes me how much older babies/toddlers seem once they want to be upright all the time.  Another sign of her quickly joining in with the Bailey Kid Culture; her vocabulary includes 'Bots' and 'Heat' for Heatwave one of the Rescue Bots ~ her brothers FAVORITE show.
6. Said big brother finished up his nursery school year this week; overall is was a great year with him really enjoying his time with his classmates and teachers.  I have seen really growth in his problem solving and number knowledge; he however did not at all bend to peer pressure regarding potty training.  That and letter recognition is on my agenda for the summer with him.
7. Have a wonderful weekend; mine is hopefully including time with friends visiting from out of town, yard work and getting older :).

Please head over to Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes

Quick Takes #154

1. My book pile overfloweth happily Surprised by Motherhood and Something Other than God stacked there and my sister's newest Sawyer Says waiting on my Kindle. What do you think the chances are that my Mother's Day present is hours and hours to read in peace.
2. May goals are going well overall; I'm not neccessarily remembering everything everyday but am getting back into some good daily habits and am feeling better in general come the end of the day.
3. Chaperoned my first field trip yesterday as Lisbeth's class visited Longwood Garden.  Liam and Caitlin were able to come also and a great time was had by all. The weather started a little yucky but improved quickly ~ the kids had a blast in the tree houses and the flowers were gorgeous.
4. Definitely not her main approach to movement yet but Caitlin was officially encouraged/cheered into taking her first independent steps a few times this week.  At almost exactly the same age as her brother ~ 16 months +/- a day.
5. Serious-ing up the list for a moment; the names of 180 of the reported 276 Nigerian girls who were kidnapped are know and this site listed them and encouraged readers to pick one and pray for her safe return by name. I'm praying for Magret Shettima.
6. Wonderful mom posts this week: Kendra's, Lisa Jo's and Bonnie's
7. Photo Dump:

Happy new stepper

Learning how different plants thrive in different climates

Field trips are exhausting!

Please head over to Conversion Diary for more of this week's Quick Takes

5 Minute Friday: Mess

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

 Mess

Start:

     
    Finding order, finding balance and staking out some ground and the courage to say 'this is our mess and you're welcome to it'. I've been prone to clutter always (as is my husband) and adding three littles has only aggravated that except where it has helped tremendously.  

    Where motherhood has forced me to let go of old stuff to make room for their stuff, not to mention my new role and new dreams.  Where motherhood has forced me to get more organized so that there is time for play and we still have clean clothes and yummy food.  Where motherhood has given me the courage to say 'this is how we parent' and 'this is how we keep house' and it works for us.

Stop.

    
Please head over to Lisa Jo's for more 5 Minute Friday

New Month ~ New Start

    Spring and sunnier weather has been taking a longer time than usual to settle-in in these parts which has had me a bit down which in turn has lead to letting several 'take care of me' projects to slide to the side ~ and that is good for nobody.

    So I'm making use of the new month and as I turn the calendar page turning the metaphoric page as well and recommitting to:

• wash my face everyday
• take time to pray everyday (morning offering, 3 minute retreats, & examen being the current game plan)
• daily moisturizer with SPF

In addition to these daily goals I also will try and read at least three books, introduce the Rosary to Elisabeth and put together our game plan for packing.

May is my birthday month; here's to starting my personal new year off right.

Want to cheer me on?