Book Review: Not this time. It's too late.

I actually have an honest to goodness, for real, actually been read, bonafide book review to write.

But it's getting late and I don't want to do the book a disservice with off the cuff writing for the sake of writing.

But, I promised Celeste I would write a new blog post, so she's getting the best of the very best in off the cuff writing for the sake of writing.

We went to a baseball tournament last week. I don't know what funk is in the Dallas air, but 3 out of 4 of my kids got sick. It's been a real ball of fun.

Here's how it went down:
Immediately upon arrival in Dallas,  #4 came down with a virus that gave her a 2 day fever. Then #3 came down with a different virus 2 days later. #3 gave her virus to #1. Then, #4 gave her virus to #3. Praise the Lord that #2 has stayed clean and clear. As of now, #4 is recovering, #3 is also on the mend, #1 took a pretty hard hit and is just now moving about, and I stand firm that #2 had better keep herself out of the lineup!

Nurse says to lay low for a few days because "with that many kids sick, someone is bound to be contagious." Brilliant. Couldn't have said it better myself. Really, who would have thought it?

Cabin fever has settled in, so I've started doing some crazy stuff. You'll soon see that sheer insanity has taken hold of me. I have had some books in bags for about 2 months. I got so crazy today that I rearranged a shelf and... wait for it... put the books away. That's only one of two crazy ideas I had today. I also wanted to take the kids twin beds and make them bunk beds. It only took me about a year to make this decision. One can only imagine that since I've made the decision to bunk, I cannot find the bunking pieces. Of course.


What do you do to break cabin fever?

Book Review: Ok, I haven't actually read any lately...

My husband is a serial book reader. I used to be one... pre-kids. Now, when I read, I pretty much fall asleep. Or, I don't grant myself the time to read grown up books. I do love me some Llama, Llama Red Pajama though. That's one book I'll read anytime, anywhere.

I think it's been at least a year since I've been asking my husband to write reviews on the books he reads. Since he hasn't actually written a review yet, and I haven't actually read any books lately, I thought we could team up.

He reads. I write.

Perfect.

Books he's currently reading: Dying to Live by Clayton King. He's started about 4 others, but he's moving right along in this one.

The book I've been trying to finish for about 365 days: Radical by David Platt. I'm workin' on it, people. I'm workin' on it.

So far the review goes like this: Dying to Live talks about why Jesus is Lord and why is that significant? Early Christians had to pick their Lord. Either Jesus was Lord, or Caesar. Big deal. Big, big deal.

Radical is convicting and pretty much makes me want to sell everything I own to go tell it on the mountain. Platt has definitely written a few chapters just for me. Remember I'm not done reading it, but so far, I'd say you need to read it, too!

Well, that's pretty much it. I know, you're very impressed with our first book review. The depth and insight is earth-shattering. I promise, next book review will be on one we've actually finished reading.

Dumb Things That Keep Me Awake

If you've ever noticed my time stamp at the bottom of a post, you'll note it usually says something in the early morning. Early as in middle of the night.

My reasons for staying up late vary from night to night.
1. Sometimes I do dumb things like drink coffee at 8 pm.
2.  I'm self-employed. Play with kids during the day = work at night.
3. Undiagnosed ADD. Really, I am "Queen Dilly-daller" as my husband calls it. My days are so crazy with the kids that it takes me forever to wind down to get focused to work in the evening. Thus, 1 am blog posts. Eventually, I realize it's too late to be productive and "work," so I blog instead. Real responsible, I know.
4. Big projects I put off until the last minute. When you run your own business and you are the only employee, sometimes the job gets backed up. And then I have so much to do so sleep is the thing that gets cut.
5. Can't flip the switch. Probably happens to you, too. I lay in bed with my eyes shut, and my thoughts plowing full steam ahead. I do ridiculous things like write entire novels in my head. Oh, and facebook posts. I write mental facebook posts. Especially at 1 am. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Told ya!

Last week when my husband was out of town, I "stumbled" upon this verse that has changed my perspective on late night after late night awakenings. 

Psalm 127:2
It is in vain that you rise up early
   and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
   for he gives to his beloved sleep.

I felt a great deal of conviction over this verse.

Having a full plate, loaded with things to do- especially if some of the things are dumb (because sometimes we just assign ourselves dumb, purposeless things to do)- does not make you/ me a better woman. 

OUCH.

More on this to come. After a good night's sleep, of course.

When the kids are scared...

My husband has been out of town for the past 11 days! Well, he had one night at home in there somewhere, but the stay wasn't even for 24 hours. My son, who is generally very comfortable with bedtime, was afraid to go to bed while daddy was out. (He's home now).

There was one night in particular where I saw myself in him--- a natural worry wart. He was afraid someone was out of the window or that a bad guy would get him. Can I just say how heartbreaking it is to watch your child be scared to tears? I was a worrying, fearful child- in elementary school I had to take medication for stomach ulcers. You should not have to take medicine for stomach ulcers at age 10!

Anyway, the daddy reminded me about the very first Bible verse he ever learned. It's a great one to go to sleep to, especially if you are afraid (or have a scared child). That night, we talked through superT's fears, prayed, and talked about a variety of promises found in the Bible. Here's the verse that brought comfort and eventually tried his tears:

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
   for you alone, LORD,
   make me dwell in safety. 

After repeating this verse several times, the boy slipped into a peaceful sleep.

And then, it did the same for Mama...  :)