A brief moment

I had one of those brief moments of brilliance this morning.  You know the kind where you think "Wow, I should write a book and share my wisdom with others."  So instead of writing a book, I'll just record it here on the blog so that one day my kids, when they are trying to figure out the parenting thing, can read it and get some ideas and have their own moments of brilliance.  My kids hate going to the grocery store.  I really can't state this strongly enough.  It is perhaps their least favorite thing to do.  They would rather go to the dentist then follow me around our grocery store.  I think I spoiled them (and myself!) when I was just babysitting one child last fall and was able to get all the shopping done while they were at school.  Now that I have 4 kids, 3 and under, I do not venture out to the store while they are at school.  So, since everyone seems to be convinced that they need to eat 3 meals a day, I do have to drag them to the store.  And, yes, I mean literally drag them.  We came to one of those moments this morning and suddenly I had a light bulb go on. (I think there really was one that popped up over my head).  I decided that we would make personal pizzas today...regular pizzas and dessert pizzas...mmmm.  (Daddy's away so the mice will play!)  So I had them sit down and figure out what they wanted on their respective pizzas, make a list and then at the store, while I went down the aisles filling my cart, they would go together and shop for the things on their list.  Wow, is all I can say.  We had shouts of joy at the prospects of shopping by themselves at the store.  And, as a bonus, it didn't take me long to get everything on my list because I was by myself....definitely a win, win for everyone involved.  So, while we may not have personal pizzas every time I need to go to the store, you can bet I will definitely be dividing up the list and letting them do some of the shopping for me.

On the nightstand

I rarely read one book at a time.  I find that even with good books I need a break occasionally.  Thought you might like a glimpse at what I am currently reading.

Fiction:  I have a fluff mystery that I am reading on Joe's kindle. I don't remember the name of the book or the author and, since it is Joe's kindle, I let him take it with him on his fishing trip.  How kind of me, right?  ;) I just finished an Agatha Christie....I can't remember the name of that one either.  It was good, but not one of her famous Miss Marple or Inspector books.  It took place just after the Lusitania sinking.  Good read.  I love Agatha Christie.

Non-Fiction:

The Unofficial Guide: Walt Disney World 2012  Yes, we are headed to see the Mouse this summer.  I got this book before Christmas and looked through it then.  Last week (and this is the complete truth) I had a nightmare that we were at Disney World and I had decided to "wing it" and didn't plan anything.  It was awful.  I woke up in a cold sweat.  I got the book out the next day and am prepping for our trip.  (Joe thinks I may have a problem...supposedly most people don't have nightmares about Disney World)

Bonhoeffer:  Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas  I found this book in Joe's truck on my way to the doctor's office.  One of the dear women in our church had loaned it to him.  She has a rich German heritage.  I am really enjoying it and it is working my brain.  When you spend most of your days with babies, you need something that will work the brain. I am only about an eighth of the way through it and it is a thick one, so I will be reading this one for awhile. It gives a lot of his personal history and you get to see how his upbringing impacted the direction he went theologically.  And then those beliefs are what lead him to his actions. I am in the late 1920s and looking forward to getting to the point where he confronts the evil of his time.

The Good News We almost Forgot:  Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism by Kevin DeYoung This book is not nearly as "heavy" as it sounds.  Pastor DeYoung spent a year writing devotionals based on the Heidelberg Catechism for his church.  This is a compilation of those devotionals.  He writes his thoughts on each of the  "Lord's Day" questions.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  I have developed an appreciation for the catechisms as my children have been growing up.  I enjoy going through Big Truths for Little Kids with them and it has been a great tool for teaching them some theological truths.    And while I don't agree with all the teaching in the catechisms, they are designed so that it is easy to skip the ones I don't believe.  The Heidelberg Catechism is much longer and I have enjoyed reading Kevin DeYoung's thoughts on it.

Lately...

Ok, it has very obviously been awhile since I have posted because blogger has completely changed up their posting page since the last time I was on here.  Wow...looks totally different.  Okay, so onward to the post if I can get past the distraction.  Here is a little of what I have been up to lately....

• Traveling.  I got the blessing of traveling westward to Oklahoma to visit my only sibling and surprise her for her 40th birthday.  We had a great time as my parents came out and surprised her as well.  I pretty much cooked for them a little, played with my niece and nephews, and loafed the rest of the time.  All in all a great trip.
• Reading.  I have about 4 books (I think) that I am in the middle of right now.  I think I will just dedicate a later post to that and keep you in suspense as to what I am reading.
• Babysitting.  Yes, the job continues.  I was filling out some insurance forms today for the daycare and actually asked the agent what I should put as my title.  She replied "owner".  Oh yeah, I guess I am a business owner.  Still doesn't feel official even though I've been doing it awhile.
• Not taking pictures.  I dropped my phone on my sister's tile floor and, alas, the camera no longer works.  So I will get you a post later of the pictures I haven't been taking.
• Baking.  My bread machine broke.  Well, not exactly broke.  I lost one of the pieces so it no longer works.  At first I was greatly saddened by this development, but I have recently discovered the "art" of bread making and am possibly never going to buy another bread machine.  I love baking bread and trying new recipes.  Tonight we are having a cheese bread and it turned out really good.
• Watching some reality TV.  Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I watch some American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.  We DVR them and watch them with the kids.  I should use the term "watch" loosely since it is a rare show that we don't fast forward through at least a part of it due to the inappropriate nature...especially for my kids.  But we've been having a good time picking our favorites.
• Discovering Spotify.  I really like Spotify.  Unlike Pandora, I can pick an artist and only hear his/her songs.  Downside? I think it posts everything I listen to to facebook.  Being an avid musical fan, I officially apologize to my friends because I listen to music all. the. time.