Wordless Wednesday

So Many Books...So Little Time

I have a never ending list of books that I want to read. I have about 8 pages of books on one of my Amazon wish lists...and on my Kindle there are about 12 pages of books I have downloaded, but haven't gotten to yet.

And, as great as it is to have books instantly in my fingertips, some are still a bit pricey - especially for an electronic edition. My latest splurge was on Life of Pi (read it over the summer and cannot WAIT to see the movie!) - I think it was listed at $12.99 at the time. I can't do that with all the book I want to read.

Luckily, I came across a new site, thanks to Money Saving Mom, for us who love to read on the cheap! Crystal and Ashley, from FiveJs, have teamed up to offer the best free and cheep books available to download to your Kindle or your Kindle app on your smart phone (also available via PDF file). Stop by eReaderGirl to check out what titles are available today. We have a nice long weekend ahead of us, maybe it is time to get your reading on!

For more ways to stay connected with ERG and see new deals posted every day, just follow them!



Disclosure: The opinions in this post are 100% mine. I have received no compensation for this post. This is a great site that I wanted to share. 
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Reading Nook Ideas

I have always wanted to make a spot somewhere for our little guys to have a reading nook. The only problem was...where? Lucky for me, I didn't have to worry about that. See, Andrew and Alex have been mischief makers now that Alex is in a toddler bed, too. At first it was the nights...getting up, messing with each other, turning on the lights and getting out their toys.

Um, no. It's bed time.

So, the toys have been removed and are secretly put back in (just a box of current favorites) before we go to bed.

Well, now they had this big space in their closet. I couldn't hang clothes there. Those would come flying down in no time... So, I just left it and went on.

One day, I hear giggles and grunts, and, then, a closet door shut. And, quite. Hmmm...what are they up to???

 Yep. That's right! My boys took care of things themselves and made a reading nook all on their own!

And how cute is it??

 How stinkin' cute! They even have "shelves" in there!! 

LOVE it!!

There are a few things I want to add in there for them. See, on the top shelf it is covered with storage stuff (bigger clothes, shoes, diapers, etc) so the lighting in bad. So, I may add some of those stick-on tap lights. And maybe a mini map? I dunno. We shall see what happens to this magical little space of theirs. Andrew told me it should be all blue the other day. So, who knows what will be done! :)

A Little Bit of ME Time Goes a Long Way

For the past few weeks, I have started a new routine for myself - waking up at the crack of dawn. Well, I wake up at 5:45 am, so it is just before/right at dawn these days. It was extremely hard the first few days. I had to make myself get off the computer at 9pm telling myself I have to finish that book. Of course, Life of Pi, was an exciting book, so I had to make myself stop reading by 10pm - giving me enough time to get myself in bed by 10:30. Done! I'm now on a great sleep schedule (when I can fall asleep, that is.)

I'm excited to wake up because the morning is so wonderful. It is a different quiet than "nap time quiet." Everyone is still asleep, including our dog. Yes, I LOVE our children and my husband, of course. But, I would love to not be summoned for a moment, you know? I would love to have a peaceful way to start the day instead of rushing people to eat their breakfast to get out the door (or whatever it is that the day calls for that morning). It has been so wonderful.

via

Here's my morning:

5:45 am Wake and make a lovely cup of coffee! Sometimes, if I'm lucky TWO CUPS!


While sipping on my coffee, I'm reading a chapter or two of whichever Gospel I'm working on - currently, I'm almost finished with Mark. This is part of my "game changer." (See post here about how Catholics can change the way we are viewed by Catholics and non-Catholics in the modern world. It is quite interesting what I have found out these past few months about what other denominations think about us. Why, I have no clue... But that is another post for another time.)


 
Now that I have time to start my day with God instead of the stresses of motherhood, I can actually think better. Seriously.

If I have time, I catch up on a few emails/blogs.

I get breakfast ready and start the waking of the house LOL

Jason's up by 7-ish and the boys are getting dressed.

I'm dressed and have a clean house. WOW! (I do that the night before - just pick up here and there)

This is only Wednesday, I know. But, this has been the best week ever! I haven't yelled at anyone (except when it's across the house - gotta work on that still) and I am FINALLY starting the process of getting OFF the anti-depressants (No more happy pills?!  What's this all about? see post here).

If you are a mom (or even someone who is under a lot of stress for whatever reason), consider getting up before everyone else. I have NEVER been a morning person - until now. Jason learned over the years to not mess with me if I am sleeping. LOL, I get really annoyed when I'm woken up. Ok, I used to. No, I still do - I think. Not sure really. It's been a while since anyone has woken me up in the middle of the night. And, no. I was never annoyed with the children for waking me - I knew that was going to happen. I mean, the unexpected waking up in the middle of the night stuff. That's annoying.

Anyway, I have learned through this routine change that:

A) I actually get better sleep
B) I get to enjoy 1 full cup of coffee without having to microwave it for even a second.
C) I get to start my day off with God.

Good things, people. Good things.

Where/how do you enjoy your "me time" during the day?

Summer Reading

Andrew loves books! And, Alex is learning to love books. I signed Andrew up for the Summer Reading Program at our library and we are doing the Summer Reading Challenge via PBS Kids. I have a basket full of books that I change out every month or so in our living room. We have read probably every book of theirs a thousand times. That probably isn't even an exaggeration. LOL. Ok, fine...but it is a lot. I know most of the books by heart. So, if there is fussing in the car, I just start "reading" Andrew's favorite book.

When Andrew is having snack time, that is usually when Alex will have tummy time. He won't get run over that way... You think I'm joking? Andrew's favorite new character is the Road Runner. He runs through the house saying, "Beep Beep!" just like him, too. He's cute, but, oh, he's a mess! Ok, so Alex is doing tummy time and I prop up some toy for him or whatever to get him to look up and strengthen that little neck of his:

Then afterwards, Andrew gets down from the kitchen table and Alex is with me while I get his "snack" ready. I come back into the living room and this is what Andrew is doing:

HAHA! He is sooo silly :) Now, when I cant read him a book, that is what he does to red by himself.

Oh, and then the other day, I was watching KLG and Hoda, while Alex was chilling out in his little seat. And, Andrew decided that he was going to teach Alex about trains.

This is why I keep my camera in my hand ALL day. I love cute little moments like these!