2.23.2011

books that are our favorites


We are still battling the monster sickness called the flu over here.  We just love each other so much we decided to share.  And no amount of scrubbing with bleach or slathering hands with germ-x or washing linens several times a day has been able to keep it from spreading.  I really thought we were completely over it and I was surprised that Astair hadn't caught it.  But my hopes were short lived and my pretty little girl is now the last one under the weather.

I made homemade chicken noodle soup.  Used the last of our silver shield.  Packed the fridge with fresh berries and broccoli.  Replenished our supply of emergen-c.  And by the way, would you have any home remedies you would like to share?  This tired and desperate mamma will try anything!

I think I've avoided writing this post for some time now because I knew I would be tempted to throw myself a pity party.  Write an "It's my blog and I can cry if I want to" type of post.  A sick house= a humongous work load.  And I haven't been keeping it all together as well as I would have liked.  Okay, that's not entirely true.  The truth is I have failed miserably.  Miserably.  And I don't handle failure (in myself) very gracefully.

Thank God He does.

And He had to remind me that I haven't disappointed Him.  I can't disappoint Him.  He knows what I'm made of.  He remembers that I am dust.  It was HIS breath that filled my being and made my lifeless form pulse with life.  When I am the weakest, when I've reached the end of my strength and I readily admit it, that's when grace flows and His strength knows no bounds.  

It's almost like God releases a sigh of relief, "Phew.  I've been painfully watching you struggle and I've been waiting for you to hand it over to me!" 

So, I'm handing this house over to you, God.  And my weary mommy brain as well.  Come show us what you've got!

(What you just read was only the intro i.e. a much needed mommy venting.  Now on to what this post is really supposed to be about...)


We've been snuggling a lot and reading libraries of books.  My mom sent me a family collection of Vintage Little Golden Books and Wonder Books that my dad had back in the fifties.  We LOVE these old books! Every one is a priceless treasure.  We never tire of them.

We have several other favorite books as well.  Here's a few:


I think I could write an entire post on this amazing book.  I still might do that.  My kids are enraptured by every story.  And I can't read it without weeping.  I've been known to sneak away for my devotions carrying only this book with me.  It's the stuff our souls are made of.

I remember memorizing scripture for Sunday School as a little girl.  It amazes me that I can still remember those verses.  They truly are written on my heart and God brings them to my mind when I need them the most.  I want that deep well of Life to be available for my children.  This book makes it easy and fun!  Thaddeus, at five years old, has already memorized scriptures.  Some of the verses are a little long for my two year olds to remember, but they are growing just by hearing the Word of God.

The Christian Mother Goose Trilogy by Marjorie Ainsborough Decker

Okay, so maybe this one is really just my favorite.  Astair likes it, too.  But she likes it more for the pictures then anything else.  The pictures are so imaginative and playful.  And the rhymes are anything but ordinary.  I grew up reading these books and loving them.  The stories are delightful and yet full of moral muscle.


We've loved this book.  It reveals the heart of our Father toward His children in a way every little kid can understand.  We never look at rainbows without claiming them as a gift, a very personal gift from a very personal God who loves to give us gifts.


I'm learning that sometimes those gifts are wrapped up in ordinary days and unassuming moments, just waiting to be unwrapped for the treasures they are...


17 comments:

PaisleyJade said...

Praying for a quick recovery for you and your precious family!

Kristin said...

I hope you are all feeling much better soon! I think the flu is enough to make any momma weary!

Unknown said...

i am completely tracking with you.
i HATE sickness.
good job finding a bright light in the mess.

ps.
oh for goodness sake...the curtains. LOVE that fabric.

danielle @ take heart said...

i, like shuana, am dying over the curtains ;)
happy day, my beautiful friend!!

Theresa Miller said...

Books are great! I feel like if I falter in every other area, at least we read lots of books! :)

Your little guy is growing! I remember we were pregnant at the same time and it's hard to believe mine will be one soon!

What a joy! Yours are precious!

BTW, my baby has the middle name Joy.

Theresa

Maria Trochelman said...

Wow! Legend has grown soo much! Hope you all feel better soon!!!

Unknown said...

We have a nasty cold floating around over here. NO FUN!! Just beats you up. I pray that healthy days are close for your dear family!

miranda said...

Our days are looking very similar, sickness and books! I can so relate. It's so nice to know that we can rest and just take the time to cuddle and get better.
Stayin' in pj's and drinking lots of Emergen-C is my only home remedy. My kids are 6,5, and 2 so they get half of a pack instead of a whole one like me and my hubby. Hoping my 2 month old will get enough from nursing to keep him well. This sickness is wicked, don't know if it's the flu though.
Hope you are better soon!!

Leslie @ top of the page said...

lovely post. we're all sick here too, and thanks for the reminder to break out the books. i think b/c my kids are 5 & 8 they now wear me down on just wanting cartoons or computer time because i'm stingy on screen time under normal circumstances. they both love to read, but when i get overwhelmed, i forget to provide quiet book time. thanks for sharing your heart.

Traci Michele said...

thx for sharing! <3 TRACI

Linda Bowman said...

Hi-we use the Jesus Story Book Bible at our church for our children. (In NZ) It is beautiful-the never ending, never giving up love story and the great Rescuer! Such a fantastic way for them to get the right God image.
Hope you are out of the worst!

Unknown said...

Oh my, Joye! You wrote my heart today! Eric, Molly and baby Lucy are all sick with some winter cold virus and I am the only "healthy" one but I am so worn out and feeling like "oh my word, if someone came over right now I would be so embarrassed by my house, my lack of showering, my etc..." I have rejected help bc I have been so ashamed of the physical aspects of our life right now. But I came to your conclusion this morning and I just told God to take it all. I am too exhausted to do it any more and I should have done that all along!! Praying for health for you all!!

ricebabies said...

Glad to see you post again. We spent end of Jan sharing a cold, then recovered just to get a virus two weeks later. The last run lasted about 2 weeks, and somehow passed me, to which I felt blessed.

Unknown said...

Hope everyone feels better!!!

Cute lil kiddos:-)

Lisa said...

We LOVE the Jesus Storybook Bible too.
Hope your little chica gets well soon!

Anonymous said...

I hope everyone is well there this week. Thank you for the reminder that as a momma we have Someone to give all our troubles over to. Even in health, being a mom can get overwhelming. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Crystal said...

Oh I needed to read this so badly today! I found your blog through you & your sister's Etsy and she knows about my story. Thank you so much for using your blog as a ministry <3

Crystal
Domestic, But Not Martha

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