Lola and I messed around with the camera a bunch yesterday. I have lots of pictures (and even a video!) to share when I get my act together, but here are a couple interesting edits to start with.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Cheers
I was in the mood for something bright, fresh, and cheerful on my mantel. I think this qualifies. (It’s certainly better than the stagnant display that sat there all year last year!)
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
What We’re Reading
Levi:
For Christmas I gave Levi The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson, starting with On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure Peril, Lost Jewels, and the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree (how is that for a title?). The books came recommended by a friend of mine, and Levi (who took less than 24 hours to finish all three books) immediately placed them among his favorites. The author is also a Christian recording artist who seems to have storytelling imbedded in his soul. The reviews on Amazon of his music were so interesting to me that I also bought Levi one of his albums (Light for the Lost Boy) for his birthday.
In keeping with the musician-turned-author theme, Levi also received Wildwood as a Christmas gift. It was created by a husband-wife team, the husband being the lead singer of the Decemberists and the wife being the illustrator of the popular The Mysterious Benedict Society series, which I loved. The book takes place in Portland, Oregon’s Forest Park, which is the largest wooded city park in the United States. I think a field trip is in order! (Levi gives the book two thumbs up, but I’ve not read it.)
For his birthday Levi also received the next book in the Terrestria Chronicles. He is on book four, and it is another favorite series that came highly recommended by Rebecca at Renaissance. They are Christian allegorical fantasy.
Luke:
Luke received James: A Letter to the Scattered, the first in a series of graphic novels published by Olive Branch Books (the religious instruction imprint of Peace Hill Press). (You can read more about the book and see samples at this link.) (He is quite enthusiastic about The Action Bible, so I thought he might enjoy another graphic novel. I was right.)
Knowing how much he loved the first book in the series, I also gave him Nicholas and the Gang by Goscinny. Nicholas gets into so much trouble, I think Luke can relate. He says the Nicholas books are his favorites (and he finished this one in less than 24 hours).
Leif:
Finding books for Leif can be a challenge. He reads well, but he is picky and stubborn. I almost bought another Jenny and the Cat Club title (sweetly one of his favorites), but at the last minute I discovered The Imagination Station Books from Adventures in Odyssey by Focus on the Family. They are similar to the Magic Tree House books, which is one of the three series that Leif loves (the other two being Geronimo Stilton and The Magic School Bus Chapter Books). All three of the boys plowed through the four Imagination Station books Leif received, so it looks like I’ll have to purchase more!)
Russ:
Russ reads widely and quickly when he gets the chance, and it took him less than 24 hours to make it through 835 pages of Threat Vector by Tom Clancy. I used to love reading Tom Clancy books. One of these weeks I’m going to declare a “Mom’s on sabbatical, you’ll have to fend for yourselves” sort of reading week and catch up on all the Clancy books I’ve missed.
Me:
I have so many books on my to-read list, it’s ridiculous. Especially considering how I’ve failed to be intentional about my reading time the past year or two. But I’ve had trouble really wanting to read. I needed something just plain fun. Luckily, my sister gave me the last two books in the Squire’s Tales series for Christmas. I now have The Squire's Quest and The Legend of the King to complete my collection. These are perfect. Easy to read and highly entertaining. I originally purchased the others in the series for Levi, but I got hooked. My niece, Ilex, loves them as well. (They do have quite a bit of romantic affairs in them, as Arthurian legends are wont to have, just FYI.) The series is also available through Rainbow Resource.
Lola:
Not much, since reading requires sitting still. Her current favorite, though, is Good Night, Gorilla because she thinks it is hilarious when the zoo keeper’s wife finds the animals in her bed. Lola makes an awesome surprised face and then she giggles.
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By the way, I owe a large debt of gratitude to those of you who purchased through my Amazon affiliate links the past two months. Thank you!! It adds up quickly, and I am thrilled to be able to purchase more books for the boys!
It also is somewhat shocking to me how many of you purchase books and items I’ve recommended! I’m not sure I’m up for that kind of pressure. {ha!} I’d love to hear about what you loved (and what you didn’t).
Favorite Posts of 2012 ~ A Year in Review
Blogging is, for me, a multi-faceted, interactive journal. A journal that would never happen otherwise.
Looking over the past (almost) six years of entries, I am astounded. Astounded by how far we’ve come. Astounded by how much we’ve grown. Astounded by the friendships I’ve made. Astounded by the books we’ve read.
The thoughts, the hopes, the experiences. The low moments, and the highs.
I recently reviewed this past year and picked out my favorite posts as I went along. I’m sharing them today in the hopes that you’ll (re)enjoy them, too.
Education:
In general, my monthly education reports are my favorites. Many days it felt as if we weren’t making progress, but keeping track of our book lists and lessons completed made me realize that putting one foot in front of the other each day truly works. I also loved collecting the quotes and links for inspiration and thought-provoking ideas.
Notes from one of my favorite Book Detectives meetings
Memory Master (I did it!)
I poured a lot of time and effort into this post detailing our experience with Classical Conversations.
Mt. Hope Academy ~ The Great Conversation (the first post in a homeschooling series that will be continued this month)
Reading:
18 Essential Books for 18 Years of Childhood
Living Life:
A Day in the Life~ Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 (Was that really a year ago?!)
Thoughts on Life:
The difference between lovely and reality
Billboards (one of my most-viewed posts of the year)
Lola’s World:
The Many Faces of Lola (20 months)
Lola @ One (a fun collage from her year as a one year old)
Photo Sessions:
Adventure:
It’s no surprise that my trip to see Susan Wise Bauer in Virginia, as well as getting to know some fabulous women and hanging out with Tsh Oxenreider, was a high point of my year: Day 1, Day 2~The B&B, Day 2~Touring, Day 3, and Day 4.
California road trip to see my Grandparents (I had bunches of posts with pictures, but the important thing is that we spend time with my grandparents!)
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I had a hard time narrowing it down to that long list! I’m surprised by how many lovely moments we had this year—which is the point of this blog. To remember. To speak gratitude.
And now I’m looking forward to a fresh year. A year full of wonderful possibility.
Have you chosen your One Little Word for the year? I hadn’t even been thinking of it when someone else mentioned it. My first reaction was that I had no idea how to go about picking a word. Then it popped into my head and I haven’t been able to get rid of it.
Onward.
Yes, one foot in front of the other and before we know it, we are on a journey. Who knows where it will take us.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy Birthday, Levi
Levi came into this world in a flurry of drama and excitement at 12:06 am eleven years ago. I wondered at the time if that might be his 5 minutes of fame, but it was only the beginning for this boy. Drama is his middle name.
Words. If I could use one word to describe him, it would be words! He loves anything to do with words. Reading, talking, debating, singing, thinking, imagining. I often wonder what his future has in store, but I doubt it will be a silent occupation.
For a boy who uses such words as tantalizing, vicinity, astonished, trample, formidable, and grievously in (constant) everyday conversation, I thought a vocabulary quiz would be the perfect way to celebrate Levi’s birthday.
I recently shared the link to the (challenging!!) 100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know quiz (and I’m fairly certain most don’t), but the 100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know quiz is just as interesting (and not quite as challenging, whew!!). If you get a chance, take the quiz(zes). Come back and let us know how you fared!
(Speaking of words, have you chosen your one little word for 2013? I think I have. Come back tomorrow, and we’ll chat about it!)
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Four for Four ~ Movie Reviews
Watching movies in the theater has been a rare event for me in the past years. Usually I log one or two a year. Some years, none.
This week? Four in four days.
Movie reviews are, obviously, not my forte, but I have one in particular (take a wild guess) that I’d like to talk about so I may as well mention all four.
#1: Skyfall
If you like action flicks (I do) and Bond movies (I do), Skyfall delivers. Russ and I enjoyed a date night on Wednesday with Holly and Casey at our local vintage theater. I think that is the first double date we’ve ever been on with them in 17 years. The movie was entertaining, though I apparently have a different rating system than the MPAA (shocking). But if you’ve seen Bond movies before, you won’t be surprised.
#2: Les Miserables
Do you hear the people sing?
In eighth grade I read the masterpiece by Victor Hugo. In ninth grade I memorized most of the Broadway songs. In tenth grade I went to see the musical live. The love-affair was inflamed, and I’ve had a passion for the story and music ever since. Glorious is the only way to describe it. I’ve spent the past years enjoying (singing my heart out along with) the powerful, emotional songs on DVD and on YouTube.
When I found out they were turning the Broadway musical into an epic film staring none other than Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe (two of my all-time favorites), words can’t begin to describe my anticipation. Would they slaughter it? Knock it out of the park?
Thursday evening I headed to the theater with my sisters, mom, and other ladies from my most awesome book club to finally watch the masterpiece.
Masterpiece it was.
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.
Anne Hathaway as Fontine was stunning. Hugh Jackman as Valjean, insane. He brought so much depth, raw emotion, tenderness, and reverence to the role. Outstanding. Eddie Redmayne as Marius grew on me. His "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" was phenomenal. My fondness for Russell Crowe and the epic cinematography while he was singing made up for his weak voice (comparatively). I adore the fact that they cast Colm Wilkinson (the original Jean Valjean, also starring in the 10th anniversary concert) as the bishop, and that they gave him a part in the very end of the movie (which was very moving and beautiful).
Cons: They pushed the envelope as far as they could with the prostitution and innkeepers scenes and still maintain a PG-13 rating (though I wouldn’t consider it appropriate for early teens). The prostitution scene emphasized the theme of redemption in a fallen world and adequately portrayed Fontine’s shame rather than glorifying the situation. (To quote my friend Jessye, Victor Hugo did such a good job portraying how disgusting a society is that leaves women no other option than to sell herself. It would be a shame to lump that idea with "just another sex scene.") I personally have always disliked the scene/song with the innkeepers, and it was more crass and cringe-worthy “in your face” in this film version. (You can read more discussion on the subject at CiRCE Institute, in the comments as well.)
I missed the full effect of "One Day More" when they had to switch screens quickly to show each character singing, and the general shakiness of the filming drove me crazy a couple times. There is virtually no spoken dialogue. This may be a drawback to some (especially men, or viewers who don’t realize that going into the film), but the music is the story.
Overall, I thought the film was outstanding. Les Miserables is such a shining picture of grace and redemption, and the film did not back down from that at all.
Oh, and I loved the fact that a couple of the emotional songs were filmed up close and personal. It was all about the emotion of the character. The oft reappearing candlesticks were a beautiful reminder of Valjean’s redemption. Also, I adored the touching scene right after Jean Valjean gets Cosette from the Thenardiers (blech!!) and they are driving away. Is there anything Hugh Jackman cannot do?
If you want to read an excellent review, this one came as close as possible to my own opinion of the film.
The clash between law and grace is well known. Javert is the man of the law; his moral compass is like the stars in the heavens, unbending and unyielding: "So it is written on the doorways of paradise / that those who falter and those who fall / must pay the price." His is a closed universe, cloaked in strict justice: it is karma in which he believes, that fate that provides a world "that can hold" together. Javert's worldview cannot account for grace. Grace moves, as Bono of U2 sings, "outside of karma." It upends our facile assumptions about strict cause-and-effect justice. Law, in Javert's worldview, freezes an individual for all time as one who obeys the law or a lawbreaker. He has no room for real mercy and real transformation, such as occurs in the life of Jean Valjean. Javert cannot understand or deal with a man who forgives others and shows mercy to the "miserables" of this world. And, when shown mercy himself by his dreaded enemy ("The man of mercy comes again!" he derisively sings), chooses not to live in such a world any longer, a world "that cannot hold." He "escapes now from that world / from the world of Jean Valjean." Karma and grace cannot coexist. One either lives perfectly by the whole law, or one casts himself upon God's mercy in Christ. Those are the only two options, and that is why so many Christians the world over have loved and cherished this musical. It presents the options as clearly as anything.
Please read the rest by Brian Mattson at this link.
#3: The Hobbit
On Friday evening I took Levi and Luke to watch The Hobbit. I chose an older theater, not 3D, and we sat toward the back. Levi has read all of the Tolkien books several times, as well as watched all the Lord of the Rings movies at home. He re-read The Hobbit to prepare himself for what creatures would be in the movie. He is a little on the sensitive side, but fantasy in general, and Tolkien in particular, are his thing. Luke is my non-sensitive, action- and gore-loving kid, and he has watched the Lord of the Rings movies as well, so I knew he would be able to handle it.
The movie is beautiful and epic…and intense and grotesque in parts. The boys hid their heads a few times, but they did really well. (I would not suggest taking sensitive children to this movie. There is a reason it is PG-13.)
As for me, I strongly identified with Bilbo Baggins at the beginning of the film, and the voice of Richard Armitage carried me through the rest (insert swooning smile). I have confirmed that fantasy isn’t really my thing. And that’s okay. (I reserve the right to make exceptions, such as the Narnia series/movies.)
#4: Here Comes the Boom
Have any of you even heard of this one? It almost seems sacrilegious to mention a Kevin James movie after Bond, Les Mis, and Tolkien. But, sometimes ridiculous (clean!) humor is just what the doctor ordered. So, after watching the trailer, I suggested to Russ that we should go with another couple up to the cheap dinner theater and watch it on Saturday. Surprisingly, every one of us loved it. Laughing my head off is exactly what I needed yesterday, when I was feeling a little burned-out. And Russ is taking the boys out of my hair today to watch it again at another cheap theater so that I get a quiet day to myself. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!! Bliss!
(Please don’t think less of me.)
Friday, December 28, 2012
Christmas Day
Our family has the same Christmas Day traditions each year. We do breakfast and stockings at home then load up to spend the rest of the day down the road at my parents’ house. All of my family is together every Christmas day. (We had a wonderful evening celebration with my in-laws a few days earlier, and they spoiled us rotten with a lovely dinner and piles of gifts!)
I tried to take a few pictures before the rest of the crew arrived. Lola was being difficult, as two year olds can be.
Ben and Shannon walked over from next door with the best Christmas present ever (who, even though itty bitty, did not fit in the doll cradle my dad made for us when we were little).
Holly and Casey and kids arrived with the prime rib (which Casey cooked on his Traeger grill) and baby Jesus.
We finally settled in the living room to open gifts. We open packages one at a time, youngest to oldest. The adults draw names at Thanksgiving, and gifts are simple and thoughtful.
Aunt Shannon found the sweetest vintage books for each of the nieces and nephews. Luke spent time between gifts reading his. I’m so excited about the vintage Chitty Chitty Bang Bang she bought for Leif.
Bambi and Poppy gave Levi arrows and a fabulous quiver to go with the bow he received from his other grandparents. Bambi also made beautiful aprons for Luke and Leif who love to help me in the kitchen. The boys also received Playmobil sets from Bambi and Aunt Holly.
Holly gave us a dozen eggs from their chickens and jars full of dried apple slices which my boys look forward to every year. Ivy made each of us personalized book marks.
One of my most favorite gifts was the first installment of the book Ilex is writing for the boys, The Chronicles of the Realm of WilloWood During the Age of Macer Queen Simylene. They each have characters in an ongoing fantasy world (WilloWood) that they “play” when Ilex comes to spend time with them, and she is turning it into a written story.
I have an awesome family. So awesome it brings me to tears.
After gifts, the living room is cleaned up, furniture moved, and the room transformed into a dining room to fit our whole crew at “one” table.
While the last minute dinner prep was going on, the little people were getting some baby-holding time. On our short drive that morning, Leif (who hadn’t seen baby Rilla yet) had sweetly been talking about how he was going to hold her. “Oh, I hope she holds my finger!” (He was so sweet, it almost made up for his terrible attitude while opening gifts—just so you know it isn’t all perfection.)
Dinner was next on the agenda: prime rib (thanks to Casey), bread dressing (Mom’s tasty creation), cheese potatoes, homemade bread, and our traditional jello salad (my contributions), green salad, and sparkling cider. (We gave Shannon the holiday off, considering she had major surgery just five days prior and was caring for a newborn.)
Since the weather cleared for a short time right after dinner, we snuck outside to snap a few pictures. We had to get one of all the ladies of the family.
I was glad Lola was feeling more cooperative.
After cleaning up the dinner mess, the boys played Poppy’s new WWII Monopoly, we watched Take Peace - A Corgi Cottage Christmas with Tasha Tudor, and everyone ate delicious pie (my mom made gluten free apple and chocolate pecan pies, I made Greek walnut pie and brought a Costco pumpkin pie, and Holly brought cupcakes for their traditional birthday cake for Jesus).
Then we packed up and drove the two miles home to fall into our beds.
Lovely.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
All I Want to Do Is…
…Snuggle up in a blanket and read my new books (while eating leftover Greek walnut pie topped with whipped cream, of course).
But…the kids and hubby finished most of their books in less than 24 hours. And the house needs to be cleaned. Laundry needs to be done. Christmas decorations need to be put away. Rooms need to be organized. Pictures need to be blogged. Birthday party needs to be planned. Movies need to be watched (Skyfall with hubby tonight, Les Miserables with book club girls tomorrow evening, The Hobbit with Levi Friday evening?).
Meanwhile, I still have children who need to be parented. {imagine that} And they don’t seem to want to spend the whole week quietly snuggled up with books. Especially the two year old:
And the six year old:
Would anyone like some post-Christmas children? I promise they make life very…exciting.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Wishing You a Warm, Homey Sort of Christmas
It is always a bit full and busy around our house during the days leading up to Christmas, and then we are at my parents’ home all day on Christmas Day. I don’t have many extra minutes to post about what we are doing…because we are busy doing and just spending time together.
Today has been a busy day of baking and cooking. I love the smell of Swedish Limpa bread, all yeasty with fennel, molasses, and orange.
I’ve also snuck in some lovely baby time. Rilla Grey is just like a little doll. So peaceful, she almost doesn’t seem real!
I’m looking forward to a relaxing, glorious day with family tomorrow. I’ll try to post pictures the next day (and of course there will be some baby sweetness to share!).
I wish all you dear readers and friends a lovely Christmas!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Welcoming Rilla Grey
I don’t think Ben’s feet touched the ground all day. He and Shannon are utterly smitten.
Rilla Grey was born by scheduled c-section on Thursday at noon (due to her frank breech position). These are pictures from later that evening. My mom has some beautiful natural light pictures from yesterday.
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