Book Review: The Middle Matters

Hi Friends! I have the privilege of being on another book launch team this summer! What is that? Well, its a group of people who are given an advanced copy of a book to read and review and share with the world. It sounds fun because it is! And YOU are my world! So I get to share this brand new book with you!

The Middle Matters: Why that (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You, written by Lisa-Jo Baker is a great read. It's not a self-help or how-to book at all, instead this book contains short essays on all the aspects of life that we might struggle to find value in -- the middle of parenting, the middle of marriage, the middle of your living room, the middle of (my favorite) your muffin top and the list goes on.

There is excitement at the beginning of an adventure and the end contains a lot of glory and praise -- especially if you finish well! But the middle of nearly everything can feel hard, mundane, maybe even boring or unimportant. And Lisa-Jo's stories tell us that isn't true. She finds the treasures in the middle of life and calls us to find ours too. She says "The middle is the place where our lives really live. This is the place where we have grown into the shapes of our souls even as we might have outgrown the shapes of our jeans."

I might not be the exact target market for this book (still technically in the early stages of marriage and parenting) but I enjoyed reading this book nonetheless. I found her voice and the truth she spoke to be that of a mentor telling me of whats to come and I appreciated that more than I can say. I so desperately need more mentors in my life!

I enjoyed reading her book. She writes in an almost poetic, storytelling style which made me slow down enough to enjoy the beauty of words and really grasp what she was saying. I loved reading the chapters she wrote to her children. Reading them felt like I was seeing into a mother's heart like never before and being reminded of the beauty of my own children. And looking forward to seeing them get older.

As I read, I kept thinking of people in my sphere of family and friends who would most definitely relate to Lisa-Jo's experiences and stories. My mom friends who run to all the sport practices and games; the parents who are raising the passionate middle schoolers with big dreams; the friends who find their marriages on a plateau-- not bad but not as great as they hoped. The sister who has moved nearly as often as the author and just wants to make a home. Lisa-Jo has a story for each of you!

This book isn't available yet, but you can preorder! There's a pretty sweet preorder package offered too, so it's worth checking out! http://lisajobaker.com/the-middle-matters-book/

Hi Friends! I have the privilege of being on another book launch team this summer! What is that? Well, its a group of people who are given an advanced copy of a book to read and review and share with the world. It sounds fun because it is! And YOU are my world! So I get to share this brand new book with you!

The Middle Matters: Why that (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You, written by Lisa-Jo Baker is a great read. It's not a self-help or how-to book at all, instead this book contains short essays on all the aspects of life that we might struggle to find value in -- the middle of parenting, the middle of marriage, the middle of your living room, the middle of (my favorite) your muffin top and the list goes on.

There is excitement at the beginning of an adventure and the end contains a lot of glory and praise -- especially if you finish well! But the middle of nearly everything can feel hard, mundane, maybe even boring or unimportant. And Lisa-Jo's stories tell us that isn't true. She finds the treasures in the middle of life and calls us to find ours too. She says "The middle is the place where our lives really live. This is the place where we have grown into the shapes of our souls even as we might have outgrown the shapes of our jeans."

I might not be the exact target market for this book (still technically in the early stages of marriage and parenting) but I enjoyed reading this book nonetheless. I found her voice and the truth she spoke to be that of a mentor telling me of whats to come and I appreciated that more than I can say. I so desperately need more mentors in my life!

I enjoyed reading her book. She writes in an almost poetic, storytelling style which made me slow down enough to enjoy the beauty of words and really grasp what she was saying. I loved reading the chapters she wrote to her children. Reading them felt like I was seeing into a mother's heart like never before and being reminded of the beauty of my own children. And looking forward to seeing them get older.

As I read, I kept thinking of people in my sphere of family and friends who would most definitely relate to Lisa-Jo's experiences and stories. My mom friends who run to all the sport practices and games; the parents who are raising the passionate middle schoolers with big dreams; the friends who find their marriages on a plateau-- not bad but not as great as they hoped. The sister who has moved nearly as often as the author and just wants to make a home. Lisa-Jo has a story for each of you!

This book isn't available yet, but you can preorder! There's a pretty sweet preorder package offered too, so it's worth checking out! http://lisajobaker.com/the-middle-matters-book/

Toddler B2: Three Years Old

We celebrated Stephen's 3rd birthday this past weekend, but his actual birthday was a week ago. We worked hard all year to get him to answer the question "How old are you?" but as a 2 year old, he never quite got it, but when the answer became "I'm 3!" he has no problem answering! I'm hoping a lot of other things click this year too!

Stephen is a happy child with a lot of energy. He loves basketball, climbing, running, playing blocks, construction trucks, garbage trucks, sand boxes, painting, and getting out his toy tools anytime dad is fixing something. He loves bothering his brother and sometimes enjoys playing nicely with him too. The only thing he really dislikes is a nap. He hasn't taken consistent naps since we moved and got bunk beds for the boys.

That's right, he now has big boy bed. This transition didn't go as smoothly as it did for William but we knew that would be the case. This second born of mine doesn't sit or lay still and he doesn't like being told to stay put. When nap time or bedtime rolls around, he doesn't really come out of the room that often, but he does get up to play, open the curtains, sneak under the bed or as of yesterday climb the dresser . . . 

With William in school every day, Stephen and Mom got some one-on-one time this year. And lots of it! We did a lot of trips to the playground and took swimming lessons. He does really well in the water and recently became brave enough to try swimming with a life vest (without mom holding on!) He was a champ and so proud of himself! He isn't crazy about going underwater yet.

He loves going to the zoo and the California Academy of Sciences. He enjoys taking the bus and does much better sitting still than he did a year ago! He also likes getting around via scooter and shows off his balancing skills while zooming down the sidewalk with one foot held up in the air. The stroller is only used occasionally and on really long distance walks. He likes the idea of his balance bike but doesn't quite have the patience to master it yet.

He is an excellent eater and eats a wide variety of foods. At the top of the list of favorites is cake. He was begging to eat his birthday cake the moment it came out of the oven and again two hours before the party started.

He is growing just fine -- he is 37.75 inches tall and weighs 31.5 pounds. He might not be the tallest basketball player one day (although maybe he will be) but he has the best shot of any 3 year old I know. We're making friends with our new neighborhood recreation center staff as we ask to rent a ball every time we come!

His favorite books at the moment are "Lift the Flap Airplanes," "Tonka Trucks," and the "Biscuit" (dog) series from the library. He really loves going to the library now and has a lot more interest in sitting with me for a story. This year he also started singing along with me -- Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace and This Little Light of Mine are the most common and in the car he will always request dad's "Of Monsters and Men" CD.

Many of our friends were able to join us for a party on Saturday. We celebrated with a brunch at a nearby playground with basketball themed decorations. We bought Stephen his first Warriors T-shirt that fittingly says "Born to Play." I'm sure he felt loved by all the attention, good food and playtime. I know I did! I love our community and I love excuses like 3-year-old birthdays to get everyone together!

We celebrated Stephen's 3rd birthday this past weekend, but his actual birthday was a week ago. We worked hard all year to get him to answer the question "How old are you?" but as a 2 year old, he never quite got it, but when the answer became "I'm 3!" he has no problem answering! I'm hoping a lot of other things click this year too!

Stephen is a happy child with a lot of energy. He loves basketball, climbing, running, playing blocks, construction trucks, garbage trucks, sand boxes, painting, and getting out his toy tools anytime dad is fixing something. He loves bothering his brother and sometimes enjoys playing nicely with him too. The only thing he really dislikes is a nap. He hasn't taken consistent naps since we moved and got bunk beds for the boys.

That's right, he now has big boy bed. This transition didn't go as smoothly as it did for William but we knew that would be the case. This second born of mine doesn't sit or lay still and he doesn't like being told to stay put. When nap time or bedtime rolls around, he doesn't really come out of the room that often, but he does get up to play, open the curtains, sneak under the bed or as of yesterday climb the dresser . . . 

With William in school every day, Stephen and Mom got some one-on-one time this year. And lots of it! We did a lot of trips to the playground and took swimming lessons. He does really well in the water and recently became brave enough to try swimming with a life vest (without mom holding on!) He was a champ and so proud of himself! He isn't crazy about going underwater yet.

He loves going to the zoo and the California Academy of Sciences. He enjoys taking the bus and does much better sitting still than he did a year ago! He also likes getting around via scooter and shows off his balancing skills while zooming down the sidewalk with one foot held up in the air. The stroller is only used occasionally and on really long distance walks. He likes the idea of his balance bike but doesn't quite have the patience to master it yet.

He is an excellent eater and eats a wide variety of foods. At the top of the list of favorites is cake. He was begging to eat his birthday cake the moment it came out of the oven and again two hours before the party started.

He is growing just fine -- he is 37.75 inches tall and weighs 31.5 pounds. He might not be the tallest basketball player one day (although maybe he will be) but he has the best shot of any 3 year old I know. We're making friends with our new neighborhood recreation center staff as we ask to rent a ball every time we come!

His favorite books at the moment are "Lift the Flap Airplanes," "Tonka Trucks," and the "Biscuit" (dog) series from the library. He really loves going to the library now and has a lot more interest in sitting with me for a story. This year he also started singing along with me -- Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace and This Little Light of Mine are the most common and in the car he will always request dad's "Of Monsters and Men" CD.

Many of our friends were able to join us for a party on Saturday. We celebrated with a brunch at a nearby playground with basketball themed decorations. We bought Stephen his first Warriors T-shirt that fittingly says "Born to Play." I'm sure he felt loved by all the attention, good food and playtime. I know I did! I love our community and I love excuses like 3-year-old birthdays to get everyone together!

Big Boy: Five and a Half

April 1st is always known in our house as William's Half Birthday. I think when he woke up this morning he was expecting a bit of a fanfare, but settled for a hug and a few new shirts added to his closet. As has been his norm, we adjust his wardrobe to the next size right around the half-birthday mark.

We were talking about what color his eyes are -- I said blue, he said green. Then we walked by this wall that matched them exactly -- sort of a green-grey.

William is nearly done with his first year of school - Transitional Kindergarten. He has been doing really well! Big accomplishments at school: Counting to 100, learning to read, write sentences and playing well with others. He has even started to write his own books.

I brought home some "Who Would Win?" books from the library and he hasn't stopped talking about animals fighting since. When I suggested (per his teacher) we try writing a story and drawing pictures, he immediately asked to write a "Who Would Win?" book . . . and has written at least a dozen since then! He makes up the facts -- how fast a beaver runs, how much it weighs and draws what he thinks the animal's teeth look like and then writes the fight. The bear bit the wolverine, but the wolverine bit back. And today the wolverine won. . . stuff like that. It keeps him busy! And it is so fun to watch him be creative with his drawing (and spelling) and story telling.

He has made such terrific friends at school too. And during spring break last week we were able to fit in a few play dates with them too. Hoping to do more of that during the summer. Maintaining these friendships sort of falls on the parents since once out of TK everyone will be going to different schools in the fall. William just got in to one of the Spanish Immersion schools and if all goes well, he will be there thru the 5th grade (and be bilingual)!

He just started playing soccer this spring. So far seems to like it. He loves running and claims he can run 30 miles an hour. He even asks to be timed! He rides a tag-along bike to school with Chris each morning and we are hoping to get him riding his own bike (with dad at his side) this summer. Family bike trips might be in our near future!

He handled our move really well. I was surprised at how matter of factly he took it. And last weekend we put bunk beds in the boys room with Big Brother on top! He was fairly hesitant about the idea at  first but after showing him a few floor models at a nearby furniture store, he seemed to be pretty excited about it. And he has no trouble getting in and out in the middle of the night for any reason . . . water, bathroom, just to talk. Typically he does well to stay in bed but there are some evenings where he just isn't tired or can't seem to calm down to sleep.

He has been an excellent napper until this year. Which makes sense as he's older and probably doesn't need them most days. During the week we just put him down a bit earlier to bed but on the weekends we try to have him rest for at least an hour or two. And typically he does great with that. My current frustration is more with the little brother who doesn't let big brother fall asleep!

Cute Story: Last October he saw a cool costume that he really wanted. And he kept this in mind for months. I had told him if he saved up his money he could buy it for himself. Well, four months later, with the help of Christmas cash, a generous grandma, and working on some extra chores around the house had enough and bought it! I had no idea he would keep his eye set on the prize for so long and save so diligently.

He still loves being read to, still loves to cuddle up close and hug. He loves helping dad and doing things with "just the boys." He does love helping me in the kitchen when I let him. He is very generous when playing with Stephen but can be easily upset by any injustice. Usually they play very well together.

We are working on getting him back into helping with chores and earning allowance so he can save up and keep learning about money. Our move sort of thru us off our track.

The California Academy of Science has "Dino Days" happening all month.

He loved the animatronic dinosaurs (very different response from two years ago!)

April 1st is always known in our house as William's Half Birthday. I think when he woke up this morning he was expecting a bit of a fanfare, but settled for a hug and a few new shirts added to his closet. As has been his norm, we adjust his wardrobe to the next size right around the half-birthday mark.

We were talking about what color his eyes are -- I said blue, he said green. Then we walked by this wall that matched them exactly -- sort of a green-grey.

William is nearly done with his first year of school - Transitional Kindergarten. He has been doing really well! Big accomplishments at school: Counting to 100, learning to read, write sentences and playing well with others. He has even started to write his own books.

I brought home some "Who Would Win?" books from the library and he hasn't stopped talking about animals fighting since. When I suggested (per his teacher) we try writing a story and drawing pictures, he immediately asked to write a "Who Would Win?" book . . . and has written at least a dozen since then! He makes up the facts -- how fast a beaver runs, how much it weighs and draws what he thinks the animal's teeth look like and then writes the fight. The bear bit the wolverine, but the wolverine bit back. And today the wolverine won. . . stuff like that. It keeps him busy! And it is so fun to watch him be creative with his drawing (and spelling) and story telling.

He has made such terrific friends at school too. And during spring break last week we were able to fit in a few play dates with them too. Hoping to do more of that during the summer. Maintaining these friendships sort of falls on the parents since once out of TK everyone will be going to different schools in the fall. William just got in to one of the Spanish Immersion schools and if all goes well, he will be there thru the 5th grade (and be bilingual)!

He just started playing soccer this spring. So far seems to like it. He loves running and claims he can run 30 miles an hour. He even asks to be timed! He rides a tag-along bike to school with Chris each morning and we are hoping to get him riding his own bike (with dad at his side) this summer. Family bike trips might be in our near future!

He handled our move really well. I was surprised at how matter of factly he took it. And last weekend we put bunk beds in the boys room with Big Brother on top! He was fairly hesitant about the idea at  first but after showing him a few floor models at a nearby furniture store, he seemed to be pretty excited about it. And he has no trouble getting in and out in the middle of the night for any reason . . . water, bathroom, just to talk. Typically he does well to stay in bed but there are some evenings where he just isn't tired or can't seem to calm down to sleep.

He has been an excellent napper until this year. Which makes sense as he's older and probably doesn't need them most days. During the week we just put him down a bit earlier to bed but on the weekends we try to have him rest for at least an hour or two. And typically he does great with that. My current frustration is more with the little brother who doesn't let big brother fall asleep!

Cute Story: Last October he saw a cool costume that he really wanted. And he kept this in mind for months. I had told him if he saved up his money he could buy it for himself. Well, four months later, with the help of Christmas cash, a generous grandma, and working on some extra chores around the house had enough and bought it! I had no idea he would keep his eye set on the prize for so long and save so diligently.

He still loves being read to, still loves to cuddle up close and hug. He loves helping dad and doing things with "just the boys." He does love helping me in the kitchen when I let him. He is very generous when playing with Stephen but can be easily upset by any injustice. Usually they play very well together.

We are working on getting him back into helping with chores and earning allowance so he can save up and keep learning about money. Our move sort of thru us off our track.

The California Academy of Science has "Dino Days" happening all month.

He loved the animatronic dinosaurs (very different response from two years ago!)