Summer Reading Follow Up

/ Sara Vincent / 1 Comment

So, here’s my book list from the beginning of the summer.  It was ambitious, but I think I did pretty well, all things considered!

The list is taken directly from my former blog.  Each entry is followed up by how I did in getting around to it.

  • Arguing with Idiots by Glenn Beck – check; entertaining and very interesting; say what you will about Glenn, I admit I find him intriguing sometimes.
  • Parenting is Your Highest Calling: And 8 Other Myth by Leslie Leyland Fields – check; excellent book; you can find my thoughts on it here.
    • an Ann Voskamp “suggestion”
  • Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris – didn’t get to this one; hopefully this fall/winter.
    • I read somewhere about someone reading this aloud to their kids.  I’m going to read through it this summer and then do that with the girls if it seems like something they would respond to.
  • I Will Carry You by Angie Smith – check; a beautiful story that will definitely make you cry but also rejoice over God’s provision.
    • another Ann Voskamp recommendation
  • Safely Home by Randy Alcorn – not yet.
    • my mom’s been trying to get me to read this for years; she finally had a copy I could borrow that wasn’t loaned out
  • Simple Devotion by Judi Brower – also, not yet.
    • recommended by one of our Sunday school teachers
  • Pray and Watch by Neal and Judi Brower – tried to start this one and had trouble getting into it; loaned it to a friend and just got it back.  I hope to read it at some point.
    • The Confessions of Saint Augustine – LOL
      • okay, this one’s been by the bed for a while; not sure I’ll make it through it this summer! 
    • A Chicken’s Guide to Talking Turkey with Your Kids About Sex by Kevin Leman – nope
    • Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel – no; started to pick it up and felt like I really needed something else, so laid it back down.  Still, always an excellent book.
      • this one is a re-read; read it for the first time a few years back.  Great book.
    • Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp – no
      • I’ve read this one several times; always good to go back through
    • The Gift of Good Manners by Peggy Post & Cindy Post Senning – no

    The Well Educated Mind by Susan Wise Bauer was also on my list, with the first book to read being Madame Bovary.  I bought the book and never touched it.  I think this is an idea that will have to be worked at very slowly.

    There were also some books I wanted to read through with Grace…

    So, out of nineteen books that I had by my bedside at the beginning of summer, I made it through eight, plus a couple of books that weren’t on my list but that jumped quickly to the top of the pile.  Considering all of my other responsibilities, I think I did okay!

    What about you?  What did you read this summer?

    Random Wednesday…

    / Sara Vincent / 3 Comments

    …when I write about whatever pops into my head.

    I love the way she still lays all over me. Most of the time.

    And I throw in some pictures for good measure.  Today’s photos are some summer leftovers that never made it off my camera until today.  Let’s savor these last moments of summer while we’ve got them, eh?  😉

    I love green

    • I fought stainless steel water bottles for quite a while, and I’m still not willing to move entirely away from plastic.  Too many little hands, too many cups used in a day – I’d never be able to keep up with all the broken glass and I’d never have enough room in my cabinets.  Stackable plastic is still my friend.  Still, I was looking for an alternative to disposable water bottles for the girls to take with them to ballet and games and wherever, not so much because I’m environmentally concerned, but because I got tired of throwing away 14 oz of that 16 oz bottle of water.  A couple of weeks ago I found stainless steel bottles on sale at WalMart for $2 each, so I picked up a few and what do you know?  The water actually tastes better from them!  I’m still not abandoning my plastic cups, but I have come around on those darn hand-wash-only stainless steel bottles.

    This is our old couch. We had it for eleven years. It wasn't much to look at, but ohmygoodness was it ever comfortable.

    • My beloved, nearly silent dishwasher has started making a disturbing noise.  I don’t like it.  Not one bit.

    I miss this couch. Not the looking at it, but the laying on it. *sigh*

    • I’m so excited because I may have purchased our winter supply of chicken this week.  Dillon’s was having a sale on it, half the price of Sam’s.  So I stocked up.  Woot!  Now if my freezer would just cool back down from being defrosted, we’d be in really good shape.

    Not at all sure what they were looking at...

    • I’m always amazed at how some school days go ever-so-smoothly and some are like a slow death by mental torture.  All things being equal, I cannot figure out what makes some days go so much better than others.

    Marching along with the band

    • I’m considering signing up for another half marathon.  In Austin.  In February.  My thought is that it will keep me running through the nastiness that is a Kansas winter.  My other thought is that it will keep me running through the nastiness that is a Kansas winter.  I can’t decide.

      One of the few things I make that I am "proud" of. I make these for the girls on their birthdays.

    Well, I think that’s about it for me.  What about you?  What’s on your mind today?


    She melts me.

    Have a fantastic Wednesday, friends!

    ~ Sara

    Summer Fun Lists – A Retrospective

    / Sara Vincent / Leave a comment

    Well, with summer officially ending on Thursday, it’s probably time to look back on how we did with some of our summer goals.  First, the Summer Fun List.  Later this week, my summer reading list.

    This was the first year we tried a summer fun list.  Some of the goals were pretty crazy, some were quite manageable.  I will defend myself up front by saying this was one of the hottest, most oppressive summers I can remember.  I love, love, LOVE hot weather, and even I couldn’t go outside for more than a few minutes some days.  I remember texting friends with whom we had swim dates and saying “I think it’s actually too hot even to swim.”  It was that hot.  So, a lot of things that may have gotten marked off during a “normal” Kansas summer, just didn’t this year.  Making the list was fun, nonetheless, and we’ll definitely do it again next summer.

    So here’s what the girls put on their lists: (Items accomplished are marked through; my commentary is in parentheses)

    • swimming – a lot!
    • have a friend sleep over (I’m a deadbeat for not making this one happen; summer just got too busy 😦 )
    • watch movies as a family
    • go to a park
    • camp for three days (here’s where the obscene heat comes in handy as a good excuse)
    • go to an actual beach (technically, this would only qualify for Grace, and that’s only if you call Lake Michigan going to a “real” beach)
    • go to a swim park/sprinkler park (none here in town; never made it out of town to find one 😦 )
    • buy a play set (Really?!?!  Perhaps these children haven’t noticed the miniature size of our backyard.)
    • buy flowers for the girls (Should have made this one happen.  Such a simple thing to do!)
    • have parades
    • get a drum set and take lessons (I’m not even going to apologize that this didn’t happen; I’m no dummy!)
    • read The Sign of the Beaver
    • have a friend over to play
    • go to Colorado
    • read
    • have lots of fun
    • go to Mexico (what can I say?  My kids like to travel and they have really good ideas for destinations!)
    • go swimming with Coco the Labradoodle (three words why this didn’t happen:  wet dog smell)
    • re-organize bedroom
    • go running with Coco (technically this one happened, but only with me.  Who wants to run with four kids and a spastic dog???)
    • go North to see our favorite goat farmers
    • walk with Coco (see the spastic dog reference above)
    • go to San Diego (again with the travel)
    • bike rides
    • concert in the park
    • dinner on the patio at our favorite Mexican restaurant
    • hollow an egg

    That’s our Summer Fun List review.

    Did you set any goals for this summer?  Were you able to meet them?

    In other news, I had (as usual) an entertaining conversation with Ellie this weekend…

    Ellie (as she’s putting old birthday cards into her purse):  I’m going to keep getting birthday cards until I’m twenty.

    Me:  Why only until you’re twenty?

    Ellie:  Because then I’ll probably die.

    Me:  Why?!?!

    Ellie:  Because I’ll be an ooooold granny. (with much emphasis on “old”)

    Nice.

    Have a great Tuesday, friends!

    For His Glory ~

    ~ Sara

    Early

    / Sara Vincent / 1 Comment

    Last Wednesday, I woke in the 5 o’clock hour, like I do every Wednesday.  I clicked the weather app on my Blackberry, making sure the rain was still going  to hold off.  Clear skies, it said.  Weary, I rolled slowly out of bed and began to dress to run.  I ate my breakfast, tended the dog, and strapped on my watch.  I grabbed my water and went out to the truck and started driving west, toward our meeting place.

    And then I began to see lightning.  A little at first, then more frequent and more threatening looking.  I texted back and forth with my running partner and we finally decided to cancel our date.  I did what any logical person would do at 6:30 in the morning, I turned toward Starbucks.  🙂

    Out of my truck windows, I began to see the color rising in the east.  Reds and oranges like I had never seen before.  And I was speechless.

    As much as I wanted to sleep in that morning, as exasperating as it was to get up and get ready and NOT run, I knew this was why the forecast on my phone had been wrong.  I needed to see that sunrise.  A heavenly reminder as I began my day that He is here, He is enough.

    And while He is enough in and of Himself, He gives graciously and abundantly.  And I count the gifts.

    0792.  six miles

    0793.  conquering the beastly hill and reaching our summer goal

    0794.  a quiet afternoon in my room

    0795.  a change of pace

    0796.  indescribable sunrise

    0797.  texts from friends as I prepare to speak

    0798.  speech completed!

    0799.  feeling one thousand pounds lighter

    0800.  the completion of another family wedding

    0801.  a Saturday to recover

    0802.  sleeping until 10 am

    0803.  Sunday morning worship

    0804.  Sunday evening at home

    Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

    ~ Ephesians 4:29

    May your words and your actions today encourage one another and point to the Giver of all good gifts.

    By His Grace ~

    ~ Sara

    **Photos courtesy of my good friend Angee who took these out on her land on Wednesday morning.

    Week in Review

    / Sara Vincent / Leave a comment

    Today started at 10 am.  Of course, yesterday finally ended at 1 am.  So the sleeping in was wonderful.  Even the girls were obedient and stayed in bed until 9 this morning.  Or they were at least quiet enough that I didn’t hear them.  This week was defined by a speaking opportunity and a family wedding.  It was a great week, but I was so happy when Esther and Regan walked back UP the aisle last night, knowing that all the pressure was finally lifted and we could all just relax.

    First, go here for a video that I shared with the moms I spoke to on Thursday…

    Last, a few photos from the wedding….

    I love this picture of Esther and Regan for so many reasons, but most of all because it is so totally them – always being climbed on by children.  And loving it.

    There are so many things wrong with this picture, that are all my fault, but we won’t get into that.  We’ll just be happy with a picture of the six of us.  Together.  And mostly smiling.  And then there’s Chandler’s expression.  🙂

    Regular posting *should* return next week, with a possible series on time and balance coming up.  Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

    For His Glory ~

    ~ Sara

    Here. Enough.

    / Sara Vincent / 4 Comments

    God is here. God is enough.

    That has been my mantra today. It was on the white board as we did school. It was on the chalk board in the kitchen. It was on my Facebook status.

    He is here. He is enough.

    I needed to know that today. As I was distracted by so many things to do, urgent tyrants screaming for my attention, while true priorities struggled to be heard, I needed to know He is here, He is enough. As I continued to assemble thoughts and plans for the presentation that I give in a little over thirty-six hours and I wrestled with feeling unprepared and wholly inadequate, I needed to know He is here, He is enough. As I fought for motivation to keep working when the day grew long and waking up at 3:30 started to reveal itself under my eyes and in my muscles, I needed to know He is here, He is enough.  And as I face tomorrow and its particular trials and temptations, He doesn’t change – He is here, He is enough.

    As you face your day, your week, your private struggles, may you rest in knowing that He is here, He is enough. Have a blessed Wednesday trusting in His presence.

    Dreams Fulfilled

    / Sara Vincent / Leave a comment

    Four years now she’s watched and tagged along as older sisters came and went each week, disappearing into a cloud of pink and lavender and green.  They would slip on pink slippers and leotards of pink or purple or black.  Once a year they brought home delightful costumes and she would twirl around in them for months to come.  Four years she’s waited for her day, her turn, to enter this world of pink fluff.

    On Thursday her time finally arrived.  Countless times she reminded me, “Today’s my first day of ballet!”  At noon she asked if she could get ready; class didn’t start until 4:30.  Excited doesn’t describe her emotions.  She nearly floated into the studio, not needing me to walk her.  She’d seen this walk countless times, she knew exactly what to do.

    Another ballerina has been born in our family.

    And I give thanks for another ballerina, more pink fluff and ballet slippers, and all that these girls are to us.  I give thanks for all this and more….

    0778.  new storm door

    0779.  foregoing grocery shopping for an hour at the park

    0780.  little girl hair cuts

    0781.  going to God when you feel mistreated

    0782.  birthday wishes and greetings

    0783.  early mornings with my Beloved

    0784.  coffee from a friend

    0785.  thoughts put into words

    0786.  wondering what God is doing

    0787.  33 years

    0788.  another ballerina

    0789.  humbling

    0790.  time to finally relax and have fun with my girls

    0791.  small group prayer time


    Reflecting – This Week in Review

    / Sara Vincent / Leave a comment

    It’s Friday night. I lay in my bed listening to the thunderstorm pass over us. Girls are tucked in tight. Beloved is celebrating with another soon-to-be brother-in-law. The week was good, but exhausting; fulfilling but sometimes overwhelming.

    Friends from St. Louis visited over the Labor Day weekend. We laughed and ate and got food poisoning and laughed and took it easy on some of the eating. We went to our first Royals game of the season, and the first “real” baseball game for some of the children with us. It was a perfect day and a great time. First time I’ve been to a game they won! 🙂

    Tuesday was back to real life and we met with tears and frustration over school. One downside of home education, I’ve decided, is that there’s no fear of public humiliation, so we just have tears whenever. I could do without that part.

    Wednesday was my day to cry. We were leaving my sister-in-law’s house and turned out of her neighborhood, apparently into the middle of a school zone. I saw the school zone sign, hit my brakes, and then saw the officer with the radar gun. He pulled me over and I told him my sad story, but to no avail. He was nice enough about it, but he still gave me a ticket.  I’ve deserved every ticket I’ve ever gotten, and probably quite a few that I didn’t, but I honestly felt this one was unjust. It was an honest mistake on my part. But what do you do about it? I bawled like a baby all the way home. 😦

    Thursday I was spoiled by family and friends as I celebrated my 33rd birthday. It was rainy but wonderful. I am so blessed.

    Today we loaded up to check out the new American Girl store in Kansas City. It was a fun treat; an afternoon spent with friends and just enjoying all things girlie.

    And tonight I did what I’ve been wanting to do all week. I ignored the mess that is certain parts of my house, sat down on the couch, and relaxed with my girls. It was good.

    There were moments this week I wasn’t sure I’d make it through. And others I wish could go on and on. But isn’t that life? And you just have to push through the bad and savor every moment of the good.

    Praying you have a weekend full of moments to savor!
    ~ Sara

    Why I Must Count Them

    / Sara Vincent / 3 Comments

    We file in to royal blue stadium seats, high up in the nosebleed section, calves burning from the climb.  Hours of labor traded for hours of relaxed enjoyment:  tickets bought for us and friends; a perfect Sunday afternoon to spend at the ball park.

    Third inning and my Beloved hikes down to the concession stands.  Nachos and sodas, a pretzel, and a hot dog; arms heavy laden with traditional treats for the family.  Unable to keep it all straight, he brings the hot dog for ketchup-only child prepared for ketchup-mustard-relish child.  Ketchup-only wails.  Baseball fans around us move to empty seats a little higher up or out.  I set aside my nachos and my pride and haul out ketchup-only for a pep talk.  I remind her of her father’s gift to her today – an afternoon out, instead of naps; a treat; good gifts.  She sobers and remembers.  This day is a gift, even the mustard and relish.

    We return to way-high seats.  We settle in.  She looks at her Daddy and says, thank you.

    And so I too must count daily – because I get too hung up on the parts I don’t care for and miss the fact that everything is a gift from the Heavenly Father.  Daily counting, and weekly sharing, reminds me that everything is for His glory.  And my good.  Because He is good.

    0761.  NeilMed sinus rinse

    0762.  out of town guests coming

    0763.  motivation to finish projects

    0764.  dinner with seven young ladies

    0765.  back yard triathlons

    0766.  easy school days

    0767.  a clean house

    0768.  folded laundry

    0769.  getting out for twenty minutes

    0770.  clean sheets

    0771.  Starbucks pumpkin spice latte

    0772.  friends from out of town

    0773.  a night in Lawrence and a real-life interaction with Coach Bill Self

    0774.  Royals baseball win

    0775.  a beautiful day

    0776.  last day at the North pool

    0777.  the encouragement to count these gifts

    He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power.

    ~ Hebrews 1:3a


    Week in Review

    / Sara Vincent / Leave a comment

    It’s been a normal week, nothing extraordinary.  Sometimes the normal weeks are just what we need.  School rolled along quite nicely, except for Thursday, which we’ll chalk up to Mama not being able to tame her own attitude.  😉  The weather is fabulous, except for Thursday, which was too cloudy.  (Maybe that at least partly explains the crabby disposition???)

    Tonight we went on a long over due family bike ride.  It was good soul therapy for all of us.  Between the heat of summer and Matt’s endless nights of painting, we needed some quality family time.  We stopped for a picnic dinner under the bell tower…

    …and had a great night overall.

    I want to let you know that posting may be a little sporadic for the next few weeks.  I need to organize my thoughts into words for a group of moms who want encouragement in how to balance their time and commitments and one of Matt’s sisters is getting married, both events within the next two weeks.  It will be a good kind of busy around here, but I may have to prioritize some other things.  I have made a personal challenge to myself to post five days a week.  It seems the writing comes easier if I do it daily.   But I have to practice what I’m going to preach and recognize the limits on my time.  I’ll definitely be here to count blessings and to do my weekly review.  Thank you for checking in often and being patient if I go off the radar for a short time.

    May your weekend be filled with wonder and joy!

    ~ Sara