I Have A 6 Year Old!

One of the best birthday gifts I ever received was getting to hold this little girl for the first time the day I turned 29. She was 4 days old, would have her heart surgery 2 days later, and all of the overwhelming emotions of the days since her birth just faded away as I FINALLY held her in my arms.
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This morning I got to have breakfast with a few family members on my mom's side, as my cousin Dana, her husband and three little girls were driving through on their way home to Gloucester, MASS. Tonight we'll spend the evening with some friends from church, and likely go to bed before the new year tolls. I don't know about you all, but I'm tired. A good tired, but still tired. :-)

Natalia's birthday was on Wednesday and we had a nice day at home as a family, relaxing and catching up on things after a number of busy days. She chose Mommy's baked macaroni and cheese with salad for dinner and requested a horse on her cake.

It was so much fun seeing her excitement--she could barely contain herself. Two more outfits for the doll she received at Christmas and a copy of the movie we went to see this summer. (It was and is the only one she's seen so far on the big screen and it made quite an impression!)

Natalia you are such a special gift to Daddy and me. You made me a mommy before I had any clue what a treasure that would be. You are strong, inquisitive, and fun-loving, and you seem to have an opinion about everything! I believe that as you continue to grow and mature, your concern for others and determination will be a tremendous blessing.

I love you Sweetpea!

What I Read In 2011

I didn't rake in as many books as last year, but discovered some really great ones!

My rating system:
* (1 star) It was okay. If not my cup of tea, maybe it's yours.
** (2 stars) Good. One to borrow from a friend or the library.
*** (3 stars) Very good. Well-written. Definately worth your time.
**** (4 stars) Excellent. On all levels. One for your personal library.

FAVORITE FICTION:
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer ****
LOVED this little book of WWII era letters! Despite being written during the most trying of circumstances, the correspondance is witty, insightful and endearing. I can't think of a better word to describe it other than delightful!
2. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom ****
A colonial period piece chronicling the life of Lavinia, an Irish orphan who is purchased by a plantation owner and grows up with the black "kitchen house" slaves as her only family...until she reaches maturity and is promoted to the big house because of her white skin. Vacillating between the slaves she loves and her master's family, Lavinia struggles to navigate life, love, and loyalty.
3. Gods and Kings, 4. Song of Redemption, 5. The Strength of His Hand, 6. Faith of My Fathers, and 7. Among the Gods ("Chronicles of the Kings" series by Lynn N. Austin) ****
This series is just superb--the first book had me immediately hooked. It gave me such a keen sense of what it might have been like to live and worship in Israel during the reign of the kings, and the only time I'd put the book down was to look up the psalms that King Hezekiah was quoting.
8. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay ****
Another favorite from this year! I referred to this book in a recent post because it was made into a movie, which I also enjoyed. But you HAVE to read the book! Click here to read a description of the story.
9. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith ***
I had never read this classic and I'm glad I finally did. An interesting and heartbreaking coming-of-age story set during the Great Depression.
10. Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann ****
A gripping Christian mystery that I could not put down. I immediately fell in love with the characters and all of their faults and foibles.
11. Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann ****
It includes some of the same characters from INDIVISIBLE, so read that one first and you'll appreciate this one even more. Same suspenseful tone, and just as thrilling.
12. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum ****
This one instantly pulled me in, fascinated and repulsed me, and weeks afterwards I was still thinking about it. A WWII piece but from a German viewpoint, it's hard to stomach at times, but you can't help but soften at it's sheer humanity. Read my review here to see what I'm talking about.

FLUFFY FICTION and/or the ones that FLOPPED:
13. Dear John, 14. Safe Haven, and 15. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks **
I enjoyed each of these for the simple fact that they were non-strenuous and sweet. Well, Dear John was bittersweet.
16. A Woman's Place by Lynn N. Austin **
An enjoyable story detailing the lives of 4 women from various walks of life, who end up working in the same shipyard during the early 1940's--all for reasons of their own.
17. True Devotion by Dee Henderson **
The widow of a Navy Seal struggles after almost drowning at sea, trying to save a boy she spots from her lifeguard stand. Her husband's best friend, also a Seal, helps her find faith and freedom in the aftermath.
18. The Still of Night by Kristen Heitzmann **
Okay, but not my favorite of hers, (probably because I'm struggling to sum up what it was really about). Ever read one of those?
19. Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann **
There were parts I liked, but I had trouble relating to the main characters, so most of it fell flat for me.
20. The Edge of Recall by Kristen Heitzmann **
This one was interestingly creepy, and I really enjoyed figuring out the bits and pieces that revealed the identity of the mystery character. But I struggled to understand the main character's obsession with labrynths and felt the end was tied up rather too neatly.

BIOGRAPHY:
21. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand ****
I read this one back in March and unabashedly proclaimed it to be my favorite book of the year! A long one and a heavy subject matter, but an easy read I found hard to put down. A truly inspiring story of survival, redemption, forgiveness and faith. READ IT!!!!!
22. The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz ****
The incredible account of a prison escape from Siberia, and the long trek south through the frozen forests and tundra, across the Gobi Desert, and into the Himilayas until finally reaching the lushness of northeastern India. I've discovered as I've searched reviews online that there is some debate over the authenticity of this book ...nonetheless, it is a fascinating read.

NON-FICTION:
23. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan ****
A re-read for me from last year. This time I took notes for my own personal reference.

SPIRITUALITY:
24. A Praying Life by Paul Miller ****
I finished it last year but re-read parts because the ladies in my care group were still discussing it. Excellent and enlightening!
25. The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller ****
This is the first of his books that I've read and from what I've heard they are all excellent! I'm hoping the book club I just joined will chose The Reason for God or his new one, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God.
26. Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness & Homosexuality by Wesley Hill ****
I will recommend this book wherever I go because I believe Wesley's story is one that desperately needs to be heard; by pastors, parents, siblings, friends, saved or unsaved, those who struggle with homosexual desires, and those that can't even fathom what that must be like. Intelligently written, with an unwavering commitment to Scripture, and yet heart-wrenchingly honest. It's a small book that you can read in a few hours. Add it to your reading list...better yet, buy your own copy because you'll want to share it!
27. Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst ****
In my opinion, the best book out there for those who struggle to practice self-control and good health habits. A humorous but thoroughly convicting "devotional" book that really made things click for me. I continue to go back to this one over and over.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE:
28. Stuart Little by E.B. White **
I found portions a bit dry and outdated, but hey, it was written in 1945! Personally, I enjoyed Charlotte's Web more, and no doubt will be reading that one to Natalia soon.
29. Little House In The Big Woods, 30. Little House on the Prairie, and 31. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder ***
I remember devouring these as a young girl. It's funny how your perspective changes once you become a mom. But, Natalia and I are both enjoying these as we read a chapter each night; we just started On the Shores of Silver Lake.

-and to end the year-

a CLASSIC:
32. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
I'm only a few chapters in, but so far I like it. I doubt I'll finish it by tomorrow night, so you'll have to wait till next year for a rating.

***I am so excited to finally join a book club! I know it'll stretch me to read an even greater variety of genres in the coming year. The thought makes me giddy! (I know, I'm a bit strange.)

Merry Christmas!

To those of you who faithfully read and leave comments on this humble little blog, or just stalk it... :-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our family to yours!

May the approaching new year bring great blessing and an ever-growing awareness of God's relentless love and grace, made possible through Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. When we trust in Him as our Savior we have an unshakeable hope!

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What a whirlwind weekend, but such precious time with family! I am reminded once again of what a blessing it is to live near the majority of my relatives.

We spent Christmas Eve with my mother-in-law and a few of her friends, Skyped Pete's brother, Wojtek, in BELGIUM and got some face to face time via the webcam. We were excited to congratulate him on his recent engagement to Ula. Here is a picture of the two of them from when they visited the States earlier this year in April.

We're so happy to see them making this commitment.

On Christmas Day we enjoyed a semi-relaxing morning. The kids were obviously still hyped up from the festivities of the night before and awoke early. But, I put the Baked French toast dish I had prepared the night before in the oven, along with a quick and easy Vegetable Frittata, and then the kids opened their gifts while things were cooking.

So far the kids have enjoyed much of the same things, so the LEGOS were a big hit as a combined gift.

Don't you just love the raised eyebrow?! Makes him look so much like his daddy. :-)

Pete and I notoriously pick out our own Christmas gifts, usually before Christmas, and this year was no exception. We went for practical gifts and purchased a 3 quart yogurt maker and 8 cup food processor while the deals were hot, and have wasted no time in trying them out.

At lunchtime we headed to Mom and Dad's for the rest of the day, savoring one of our family's favorite meals:

Gene Wenger's hamloaf

gourmet potatoes

succatash (baby lima's and sweet corn)

Mom's homemade cresent rolls

cranberry sauce

local homegrown celery

applesauce &

lemon sponge pie

The kids burned off some energy outside while the littlest one caught a short nap, and then the building excitement could be contained no longer!

Adam got so warm that he ran around bare-chested for the rest of the day.

Just relaxing and being our usual silly selves.

We are staying home today to decompress and just breathe. :-)

This coming week we'll celebrate Natalia's 6th birthday on Wednesday and my 35th on Saturday. (My niece Morgan turns 7, and we are anticipating a new niece or nephew in the next few weeks too--maybe before the new year! Surely we can squeeze a few more birthdays into this month, right?!) A few more family dinners and time with friends...lots of fun in store before Christmas break ends!

Happy Birthday Adam!

My baby turned 3 on Tuesday...all I can say is "wow". This little bundle that made my heart melt...

...still turns me into a puddle!!! (I mean, come on! Those eyes and cheeks slay me on a daily basis.)

Adam, you are such a joy!

You are one intense little boy who startles me with your bursts of crazy energy, and your periods of zoned concentration.

I love those moments before you settle down for bed, when you just chatter away, telling me things like: "ARMA-DEE-YOS" have bumpy backs, and GIRAFFES have wealwy wong necks, and FROGS wike to sit on wocks."

I love you, squirmy wormie!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

(He wanted a CARS cake, so I made a 6" Silver White Cake with Raspberry jam layers and creamy chocolate buttercream. Cookie "tires" on the sides, crushed cookie racetrack, green sprinkles for grass, and some homemade toothpick checkered flags.)

Movie Recommendations

A few nights ago Pete and I watched THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU, a PG-13 drama, action, mystery, sci-fi, romance. (That's a lot of categories, but it truly is all of those!)

Matt Damon plays the character role and is just superb as David Norris, the youngest-ever New York State Representative in the running for a Senate seat; a man who is confident and assured that his future is firmly in his hands. Then he unexpectedly meets a young woman named Elise...and soon after learns that his choices have very little to do with how his life pans out. Why? Because, the Adjustment Bureau is a group of fedora-wearing suited agents that ensure that we all stick to The Plan, laid out by The Chairman.

The questions the movie asks are substantial and universal. Do our choices matter or is life ultimately scripted by a higher power? Do we have free will, and to what degree? What about chance?

I won't go into the plot more than that (you can find a trailer online if you're interested), but I will say that it was a film that both of us really enjoyed. It was delightfully funny and emotional, while provoking more thought than the tradional Hollywood fare.

I completely agree with the conclusion that PLUGGED IN ONLINE reviewer Adam R. Holz shared:

"So how far you go down the path of equating The Chairman with God may well be the determining factor in how you react to The Adjustment Bureau—both positively and negatively. But as you react, you'll realize that this film, which is based on a short story by sci-fi maestro Philip K. Dick, has managed to elevate itself to the status of rare big-budget Hollywood production: One that strives to deal intelligently and entertainingly with one of the stickiest subjects in human history. One that strives to leaves audiences thinking and talking about something significantly more substantive than cool special effects."

It is PG-13, so if you want to read Holz's full review, click on this link.
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Another movie I recently viewed is based upon the popular book by Tatiana de Rosnay, Sarah's Key.

Earlier this fall I was a crazy woman and read the entire book in one day. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night. It was just so compelling, sleep didn't seem to matter, no matter how blurry and dried out my contact lenses were getting.

It's two stories in one, alternating between 1942 and 2009.

The first story centers on the Starzynski's, a Jewish family living in German-occupied Paris, FRANCE during WWII. On July 16th and 17th, 1942, they are rounded up by the French police with 13,152 others, largely emigrated Jews and their French-born children and grandchildren, and held in the Velodrome de Hivre (an indoor track) without food, water, and toilets. From there they are taken to Auschwitz. But as the roundup is taking place, Sarah, age 10, hides her 4-year-old brother, Michel, in a secret closet in the bedroom, and after promising to return for him, she locks the door and takes the key.

The modern story is of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist who is married to a Frenchman and living in Paris. She is familiar with the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup, as she has researched and written about it before, but suddenly she discovers Sarah and Michel's names are not listed among the deceased from Auschwitz. She begins her own investigation and makes a startling connection to the property her husband's family owns.

I found the movie to be a pretty true snapshot, albeit abbreviated as all film renditions are, of the novel. What really impressed me was the young actress who played Sarah! Oh my. She showed such depth and command of her emotions, I totally believed her! And Kristin Scott Thomas was wonderful as Julia, though I've always liked her as an actress.

An excellent book, and a heart-wrenchingly beautiful story. You must check out both!

Christmas Tour

I thought I'd post some pictures of our holiday decor, even though I don't decorate with very much. Another blessing of a small and cozy house--not as much room...not as much stuff to put away!

Potted tree and window candles...come on in! It's cold outside!

Entryway wreath.

Every year I use the same things, for the most part. The last few Christmases we've stuck with a small tabletop tree for a number of reasons...his name is Adam. :-) This year I sensed that it wouldn't be such a temptation and frustration for all parties involved to put up the big tree, and I'm happy to say that has rung true.

I just love my Christmas tree ornaments. Traditional Polish straw stars and snowflakes, various shades of red glass balls, strands of wooden beads, white lights, a big ribbon bow on top, and my newest bargain find: wooden filigree crosses and hearts. I found them in the unfinished wood department clearance bins at Michael's for 25 and 75 cents each! Added some red embroidery floss and voila!

I added Scrabble letters to my nativity scene atop the china hutch. Now if only I could find someone to play SCRABBLE or TAKE TWO with me. My husband is not a board game fan and, well, the rest of the family is still learning how to spell their name. :-P

This tin had some tasty treats in it and now doubles as a candle holder; a gift from my mother-in-law after her trip to Poland this fall.

My music box nativity, a gift from my dad one year.

It plays "Silent Night" and one of my favorite things to do as a kid was to sit in the living room with only the Christmas tree and manger scene lights on, and wind up the ceramic musicbox angels we kept by the tree that played the same song.

Now, if you'll excuse me, my gifts are all wrapped and I've got a hot cup of tea and a book calling my name.

Christmas Children's Book Collection

Over the last 2-3 years I've been gradually adding titles to our Christmas collection of books for the kids. Some are simply fun winter books, but the majority are a wide range of Christmas titles. And I've been pleased to find new or in good condition used copies on amazon--sometimes for pennies.

Here they are in no particular order, along with a few thoughts. (See any of your family favorites?)

1. THE TALE OF THREE TREES: A Traditional Folktale ~retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
This one never fails to choke me up! Three trees, each with dreams of what they'd become when they grew up, and how God's plan for each of them turned out to be very different (but far better) than they ever dreamed.

2. THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY ~Susan Wojciechowski
Our ex-library copy came with a CD narrated by James Earl Jones--which the kids just love. And I could stare at the beautiful watercolored illustrations for hours. They are breathtaking. It's a story of a hardened man rediscovering the meaning of Christmas.

3. THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING ~Rick Osborne
A simple story about selfless giving with a sub-lesson on Saint Nicholas and the origin of hanging Christmas stockings.

4. THE CRIPPLED LAMB ~Max Lucado
The illustrations didn't grip me as some in the other books, but the message that God has a special place for each of us, no matter how different we are, is a treasure.

5. MR. WILLOWBY'S CHRISTMAS TREE ~Robert Barry
This one is just so much fun! Mr. Willowby's tree is too tall for his fancy parlor, so he asks his butler to chop off the top. That top becomes someone else's Christmas tree, but alas it is too tall for their space,...and on and on. My kids ask me to read this one over and over!

6. THE CITY THAT FORGOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS ~Mary Warren
This was my favorite Christmas book from our church library some 30 years ago! It seemed much larger back then. Doesn't everything seem smaller than you remember it as a kid though? It's the story of a carpenter named Matthew who happens upon a village that no longer celebrates Christmas, and how he brings the message of Christ's love through carving a life-sized nativity.

7. THE VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS ~Paul L. Maier
Phenomenal illustrations, true depictions of the ethnicity of Jesus and the Middle Eastern region, and lots of biblical "footnotes" included in the story as it's related from a mother to her son. I found the dialogue between the mother and son distracting and a bit awkward in parts, but the richness of the biblical account totally makes up for it.

8. KATY AND THE BIG SNOW ~Virginia Lee Burton
For the train/tractor fans in your household, you can't go wrong with this story of Katy coming to the rescue for the city of Geoppolis.

9. HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS ~Carol Heyer
The first page contains the most amazing close-up of Humphrey's beautiful, long-lashed, and luminous eye. The second page elicits giggles everytime. Humphrey is the most awkward, goofy-looking camel you ever did see, and his thoughts are only for himself until he encounters the King of Kings. My only qualm with this book is that the three wise men visit the newborn Jesus in the stable, not later as the scriptures teach. A cute book none-the-less. Who can help but fall in love with the unlovely Humphrey?!

10. BEAR SNORES ON ~Karma Wilson
A wonderfully sychopated rhyme of a hibernating bear whose cave becomes a haven from the wintry weather for a gaggle of furry and feathered friends...that is until the bear wakes up! Another book with marvelous illustrations!

11. ONE WINTRY NIGHT ~Ruth Bell Graham
This Christmas book is really an abbreviated account of Creation through the Resurrection; eleven chapters that are for the attention span of at least a 5 year old. The thirty-some beautifully detailed, full page illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson are a feast for the eyes. Only minor details of the text left the impression that the author, Billy Graham's wife, was loosely paraphrasing. I have not yet shared this book in it's entirety with Natalia, but hope to this Christmas. A wonderful tool to bring the BIG picture into focus this holiday season.

12. FROGGY GETS DRESSED ~Jonathan London
This one is just plain silly. Aside from us asking the kids why it was wrong of Froggy to ignore his mother's admonition to go back to bed (frogs hibernate during the winter) this book illustrates the maddening exercise of getting dressed for the cold weather only to forget something!


What are some of your favorite winter/Christmas children's books?

I've picked up The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and want to re-read that one before I decide when to share it. And though it's a chapter book I remember reading Treasures Of The Snow as a young girl. (I am discovering how differently I assess books from my childhood, now that I'm a mother.) I'd also like to get a book that deals with the legend of Saint Nicholas more in depth.