Getting Back into Books

Since graduating with my Associate's Degree I've decided I need to start reading more on my own, especially books that I could really learn from, not just modern quick-read fiction. Last year I made a goal to read one biography or classic novel each trimester. I ended up reading more than just 3 books, and was so glad for the goal to jump-start me.

I began with Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." Just adjusting to the different (and I would assert more intelligent as well) way of speaking from that time period made me feel like I was furthering my own education. I really enjoyed the whit and humor in the writing as well as the plot twists and connections, though the ending fell a little flat for me. Overall I enjoyed the read, and felt like truly classic stories and authors (like Dickens) really do have a lot to offer. Plus I didn't have to worry about coming across anything inappropriate in my reading - a HUGE plus for me.

I think the next book I read was "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. We had gone to see Operation Underground Railroad at the theater, and Timothy Ballard talked about this being his favorite book and very influential in his beginning the operation. I also remembered hearing about it in The King and I while growing up, so I decided to get it from the library. It was such a fantastic book. The only thing that could have made it better was having my own copy so that I could mark the many passages that struck me. Seriously, SUCH a good book. She does a fantastic job showing the variety of views on slavery and blacks during that time period through words, thoughts, and actions of all the different characters. There were so many poignant passages about human nature, how we treat others, and trust in God all throughout the book.

After seeing Jenessa's recommendation on Facebook, I read "The Girl from the Train" by Irma Joubert. It's a foreign novel, following a young man and a little girl - from Poland near the end of World War II, down to South Africa amidst the prejudices there. It was really neat to experience so many different cultures through the characters in this book.

I'm pretty sure Jane Austen's "Persuasion" was my next book - which I absolutely loved. This was only the second Jane Austen book I had ever read. The first was "Emma" in high school, and at the time, I kept losing interest because of the long descriptions, archaic language, and huge age gap in the romance. It took me way too long to finish back then, and I think it kind of kept me from reading more of Jane Austen's work. This time around, I really enjoyed her writing style and the challenge of our language differences from then to now. Also, "Persuasion" has a great love story, and again, it was so nice to enjoy the book without worrying about content.

I checked out "The Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis from the library, but never finished it. There are a lot of profound passages in it, but I had a hard time delving into the book. I think it would have helped if it was my own copy that I could write and mark in, so that I could interact with it more, since there's not much of a story-line to follow. I really liked what I did read of it - C. S. Lewis was a brilliant man with such a wonderful understanding of morals and moral truths - and I definitely want to finish reading it at some point, because I feel like there is a lot to learn from it. At the time, I just wasn't connecting with it for some reason.

After that I ended up rereading the Harry Potter series, minus the last book. These were definitely just for fun (although I would say these books have become modern classics), but I was ok with that since I had already reached my goal of 3 classics for the year. I think that was actually my first time to reread them, which also meant it was my first time to read them one right after another, without having to wait for the next book to come out. They are such fun books! And there is just so much you miss out on in the movies. I loved the added depth and humor that I had forgotten about. Sometime during my reading the series I got "The Cursed Child" from the library and read that as well. It was a super quick read with a very different style (obviously), but I enjoyed it for what it was. The only reason I didn't end up rereading the last book of the series was because I got busy with other things and waited too long to start it, so by the time it was due back at the library I was separated from the story enough that I didn't bother checking it out again.

I've set my goal for 2017 at 1 book per month (again, going for more classic/educational books and biographies). I'm already a little behind, and there's still a LOT of time that I spend watching tv that I should spend reading instead, but I'm making progress!

Did I Really Just Do That?

That was my very first thought after I had stepped outside and shut the door to leave my house about a week and a half ago.

I had only been home for about an hour - just enough time to change out of my church clothes, relax for a few minutes, and eat some lunch after working in the temple all morning. Gabe and I were going to be dog sitting for a friend in just a few days, and she had asked me to come over so she could explain some of the ins and outs before they left. I was in a good mood and texting a couple of people as I got ready to leave. With my phone in hand, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door.

"I feel like I'm not taking very much...but I have my purse and my phone, and it's not cold enough for a jacket, so what else would I need?"

I open the door, lock the handle, step outside and shut the door behind me. As I walk toward the car, it hits me.

"...did I really just do that?"

Yes, I had grabbed my phone and my purse...but the keys were still hanging inside in their usual spot by the door...the door that I had just locked...without any of the spare house keys in my purse. I laugh at myself in disbelief.

"Well at least it's an unseasonably warm day for February, so I'm not out here freezing."

I message Gabe to tell him how silly I am, then begin thinking through my options.

"Ok, well the park manager has a spare key to our trailer, I'll see if he's home."

I walk over to his trailer. No sign of his truck outside, but I knock on his door hopefully anyway.

No answer.

Back to my house to review my other options. I pull the old Murfin's card out of my wallet and try wiggling the door handle as I move the card around. Clearly I have no idea what I'm doing, so I message Gabe again.

"How do you unlock a door with a credit card?"

He responds, "It doesn't work on that door."

Ok, so never mind. Let's try Plan C. I canvass the house and cross my fingers that one of the windows in unlocked. As I get to the back, I'm reminded of the time I was locked inside the house and had to crawl out of my bedroom window. Once again, I think of how bad this must look to passing drivers and laugh at the idea. I find a window that I can move the screen out of the way without breaking and get excited. I push the screen up, then try for the window itself.

No luck.

I'm running out of ideas, what else can I do? Gabe has a spare house key with him, but he's at clinic and I have the car...which I just locked the keys to inside the house... And even if he could get a ride home, he wouldn't be done for another hour and a half.

I give up on being able to remedy the situation myself and text the friend that I should currently be in the car on my way to see.

"So I was just about to head your way...and then I decided to be a genius and lock the door and leave my house without keys..."

After fully apprising her of the situation, she says she'll be over soon to pick me up to bring me to her house, and then pick up Gabe when he's done and give us both a ride home. What a lifesaver! I walk to the front of the Trailer Park and sit on the bench as I wait, thankful for good friends who are willing to save me when I make a silly mistake, and thankful, again, that it is so ridiculously warm for a February afternoon in Missouri.

Playing House

Gabe and I babysat for a family in our ward for a week last month. We stayed at their home and took care of their 12, 9, 7, and 3 year old kids while they went on a work trip/vacation together. Although we had never watched these kids before, overnight babysitting is definitely not new to us. Honestly, this time almost felt like a piece of cake since most of the kids were old enough to be gone at school all day and then help with chores at home. They really are good kids, and we enjoyed playing around with them for the week (and living in their luxurious home - who wouldn't enjoy a fancy bathroom and kitchen and a big tv?). Also the money is super nice. :)

Obviously things are not exactly the same with babysitters as they are with the parents at home, but it is always interesting stepping into another family's life for a period of time and seeing how they function at home. I think that's one of the things I love most about babysitting overnight - reflecting during and afterward with Gabe about how they run their family, and the things we want to do the same or differently. (Ok, so I just realized what I really love MOST is seeing my husband play and interact with the kids on a daily basis, and getting a glimpse of what he will be like with our kids someday. That is really priceless. But back to my other favorite thing...) :)

There was a lot that we really admired about this family and their home, as well as other families we have stayed with in the past. We really liked how well these kids helped with chores each day. They each had a small afternoon and evening responsibility (wiping counters, vacuuming, straightening the living room, loading/unloading the dishwasher) and then some bigger Saturday morning chores (cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms, and play room). And they were really good about doing their jobs when asked with very little complaining or whining. It was also nice having everyone sit down together for dinner every night - at a table and without tv (someday that will happen for us). I've also found while babysitting that the kids usually want you to interact and play with them as often and in whatever way you are willing. I hope when we have children of our own I will be able to recognize and be responsive to that. Even just postponing what you're doing to color, play board games, or jump on the trampoline with them when they ask. It's not necessarily always the most "fun" thing as an adult, but it really is touching to see how much they want to spend time with you and how much it means to them. And sometimes it really is a lot of fun - kids can be quite entertaining. :)

One thing we are always reminded of when watching other's kids is how important daily family scripture reading and prayer is to us. Some families are better with morning prayers, others with evening. Some families have a set of scriptures for each kid during family scripture reading, and some families just read to their kids. Again, this is an area that I'm sure is not necessarily the same with the babysitters as opposed to the parents, but it is always an opportunity for reflection for us. I love the opportunity it provides to bring everyone together to start and end the day - the unity from that alone is a great blessing. I also really want to encourage our kids, even at very young ages, to have their own personal prayers and read (or listen) to scriptures on their own each day.

On a much less important level, it's also fun to look at their houses and think of things we would/wouldn't like in our dream home someday. Like, this family had central vacuuming. I didn't even know that was a thing, but it's pretty sweet. Especially for wood floors (I hate sweeping) and for stairs cause it's super light. They had a beautiful kitchen, too, with a large island and bar stools, a 5 burner gas stove with an optional griddle, and of course double ovens. (I used to think that was so superfluous...until I tried to cook meals with multiple things that needed cooking in the oven...) I also enjoyed their fancy bathroom with the walk-in shower. They're house was beautifully decorated - like magazine picture worthy in every room. But Gabe and I are so practical that we actually find some of that to be a nuisance - like having 50 pillows on the bed or otherwise useless decorations on the kitchen counters or living room ottoman. Don't get me wrong - they look great, they just also get in the way sometimes, and we definitely value function over form. :) We'd also rather have scriptures and pictures of temples, landscapes,the Savior, and our family hanging on the wall instead of random quotes and pictures you get from like Hobby Lobby. And this family had both, and again, it looks beautiful, we just like meaningful art, so we don't have any desire to buy the other, because we have no connection to it.

As fun as it was staying in their nice home and playing Mom and Dad, it always feels good to come home to your own bed and get back to your normal routine. The cutest thing though was how the 9 year old didn't want us to leave, and when her parents asked how it went and if we'd be willing to do it again, she jumped in with a "YEEEESSSS!!!" Also super adorable is seeing the 3 year old at church on Sundays. When she notices us and we wave, she has to get her parents' attention so that she can show them it's us. :) Oh, and she totally cracked me up when I had the 9 month old baby over that I babysit once a week. He was having a rough day and crying a lot for no reason, so every time he would start crying she would get surprised and confused and say, "He's crying AGAIN!" haha :) Anyway, it was a good experience, and the money is so helpful right now, but I so look forward to the day that we're no longer "playing house," but living it every day with our own kids.