2011 Book Review

Alas.....it is once again time for the yearly book review.  Okay, way past time, but at least I'm doing it.  And mostly for my dear friend Ashlee, because I know she is probably the one person who reads this post all the way through each year.  But in case anyone else out there needs a good recommendation, (or perhaps wants to know what to avoid) here it is.

This year I read:
Husband Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley- Good book.  Obviously for a very specific audience but should anyone be looking for a book of this genre.....Did it help me?  In the end, not at all.  I don't know that anything could have prepared me for that experience.  I do think that if you're interested in attempting this the key is to get your spouse, or whomever you choose to be as a support, to read it.  Because when it comes right down to it, you don't give a flip what a book said.  It hurts.  And that's all I could deal with.  I knew what the book said to do, but gosh dang it I couldn't do it on my own.

12 Steps to Raw Foods:  How to End Your Addiction to Cooked Food by Victoria Boutenko- Again, good book.  Lots of good info.  It wasn't quite what I was looking for however.  I wanted an itemized list of things I actually needed to do to really get into raw foods.  How to grocery shop, meal plans and ideas, preparation techniques.  There was nada of that.  Okay, to be fair there was some of that.  A recipe section at the end.  But really this was a 12 Step program in the true sense of the words.  Like AA 12 Steps.  How to emotionally deal with food addiction and what not.  Just not what I wanted, but again it did have some good info on why raw food is good for you.

Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman - 4/5 stars.  It really was a delightful read.

The Thorn by Beverly Lewis, (the first of The Rose Trilogy) - My first piece of Amish fiction.  And I loved it.

Alex & Me:  How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process by Irene M. Pepperberg - 2/5 stars was what I gave it on goodreads.  Looking back I'm not even sure why I gave it the two.  Really folks.  Here was my goodreads review:

 "A book I never would have chosen on my own, but rather read as a result of a book club. While I think it was good to branch out and read something a little different, this just didn't leave me caring to recommend it to others.      The author starts out by sharing her intense feelings of grief and letters of condolences for the passing of the bird she studied professionally for many years. While I felt some form of sorrow for her - there wasn't enough of an established connection for the reader to the bird to share these feelings right away. For me, someone who does value life in all it's forms...but in a more circle of life sort of way, it was a bit over the top and seemingly dramatic. The book then goes on to narrate the research done and time spent with the bird. This was all very interesting, but left me feeling a bit....."so what's the point?" The conclusion was also lacking for me. While I respect the author as a scientist and a professional, I just didn't get the vibe that one needed to be shown her research to be able to value life in all it's forms or to be able to respect animals and their capabilities or the planet itself. This book didn't leave me with any changed perceptions about animal treatment or the world we live in. My religious beliefs are enough to give me a respect for these things."

And to be completely honest with you, that was being nice. I won't even go there with what I really think.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua - Again, my goodreads review:

"This book isn't quite what I thought it would be.....I was expecting a discussion of parenting techniques, including both a "how-to" and a "why this is better" sort of thing. Instead it was really just a narrative of one mother's experience with a conclusion that to me seemed rather inconclusive. It didn't leave me feeling any different than before about either "western parenting" or "Chinese parenting". However, it was entertaining enough to read through to the end."

I've decided I'm a picky reader.  As for this book, I find myself wishing that the author would have taken a stance about her parenting one way or the other and argued a point.  Just as a narrative it didn't leave me wowed.

The Judgement by Beverly Lewis - The next installment of The Rose Trilogy.  I will say that as the series went on I liked these stories less and less.  The story became a bit predictable.  But it was still entertaining to be drawn into a world so different from my own.

The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin - This book was VERY comprehensive and I would recommend it to anyone looking forward to the birth of a baby.

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin - (Can you tell we had a baby?!) Mixed feelings about this book.  I for one did not enjoy the birth stories at the beginning and skipped to the next section.  Maybe that's just me?  Also, this book really sets out to vilify birth with an epidural.  It describes out of date medical practice in detail as if that is how things are still done.  Couple that with the over-sexualization of the birth process and I was quite put off by most of this book.  There was however some good information in the last portion of this book particularly relating to diet, and overall health during pregnancy.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall-Smith - If you haven't read any of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, you should.  They're nothing epic, but they are entertaining.

The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall-Smith - Another of the delightful No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - FIVE STARS!!!  For once I am glad I didn't not read a book based on it's popularity.  This one deserved every bit of attention it got.  LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!!!  If you haven't read it you should.  And no, the movie is not quite as good.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova - Get a box of tissues first, but read this book.  An insightful look into the world of a woman suffering from early onset Alzheimer's disease.  (I feel compelled to warn any sensitive readers, there MAY have been a swearword or two??  If I remember right??)

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drumond - Tee hee hee!!  Totally a brain candy read.  But a delightful one.  It's like kicking back with your girlfriends and a big ole bowl of cookie dough while you giggle over each other's love stories.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskill - FOUR STARS FOR ONE REASON ONLY.  THE ENDING STUNK LIKE A BIG FAT PILE OF MANURE.  Thank you BBC for improving upon the ending.  The rest of the story is fabulous.  I actually marked passages because they literally made me swoon.  Which was all the more reason for the let down at the end.  GAH!!!!

The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas - Meh.  Brain candy.  Kept me reading, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.  Some parts didn't flow smoothly and some of the story wasn't really well developed.  Or maybe my brain was just a bit bored with it and I didn't keep up with the story well?

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy - If you read The Geurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society skip this.  You get the same history without this trashy fiction that wasn't believable anyway.  The GLPPPS was a thousand times better.  If you haven't read TGLPPPS do so.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - 4/5 stars.  I enjoyed this book.  It was real.  That is all I ask from a book.  Make me feel a real emotion.  Make me believe the story you tell.  This one did that.

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flag - 3/5 stars.  If you are DYING (ka-ching!) for something to read....go ahead.  But don't have too high of hopes.  It's funny, it's quirky, but it isn't anything fabulous.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy - Add this to the list of classics that have been profoundly improved upon by the theater.  Not well written, the characters weren't terribly well developed.  I seriously prefer the storyline of the movie to that of the book.  And what a shame!!  The concept of the story is fabulous!!  In reference to the movie - the Jane Seymour version to be specific.  A MUST SEE.  Perfect for Valentine's Day in fact.  If you don't mind a little French Revolution in the midst of your love story.  But Percy Blakeney is on my list of fictional characters to be in love with.  Right up there with Mr. Darcy of Pemberly.

Kind of a hodge podge list of books when you look at it.  But all in all a good year of book reading I'd say.  Some good variety, and while it may seem meager to some, I'm proud to say I read 20 books this year with everything else we had going on.  Here's to more and better books this year!!  Got any recommendations??

We've Got Mail

P Doodle's schoolbooks have started to arrive in the mail, a few at a time. He is absolutely loving it! Of course, who doesn't love getting a package in the mail, right? We set aside a special shelf that's just for his schoolbooks, so he knows where they are and can get them as he wishes. He's getting to be such a big boy.

I have to say, I'm especially impressed with his Pathway Readers. They're great for any beginning reader, homeschooled or not. If you've been having trouble finding a "See Jane run" sort of book for your kid to read independently, look no further. I actually think that Parker is reading at a level above the first one, but it's still great. It's building his confidence that he can read other things beyond 100 Easy Lessons. He has yet to be comfortable reading in any public situation, and even reading for his grandparents has been a bit intimidating to him.

The Pathway Readers were developed for Amish parochial schools; therefore the content is sure to be nothing offensive or crazy - heck some of the stories even have a moral! Has anyone else noticed how many children's books are just crap these days? Like even if there's nothing that makes you raise your eyebrows, there's just nothing to them? So far, each chapter has a parent story to read, (other than that the print is quite a bit smaller, P Doodle could actually probably read these himself) then a story for the child to read independently. Each chapter can stand alone, but they build on each other for an overall cohesive story. We also got the accompanying workbooks that have about two pages per chapter of exercises to encourage comprehension and understanding. They're nothing flashy, but they are sturdy and a great value for what you get. The readers alone would be great for practice, or with the workbooks between school years even to keep reading skills sharp.

If you've even bothered to read the post this far, you can roll your eyes at me for this part...but I have to brag about P Doodle's reading. Check out what he read to me yesterday from one of the last of the 100 Easy Lessons:

A beagle is a dog. It has big ears. And it likes to hunt, hunt, hunt. The beagle in this story liked to hunt more than other beagles. This beagle was Biff. Every day Biff went out hunting.

And that was just part of the first of three paragraphs. I know, I know, I'm gushing with parental pride. I just can't help it. He's four! And he is just dying to learn more. He loves being able to ride in the car and read signs along the road as we pass. I think it really bothered him to know that all those letters mean something, and he just didn't know what.

Besides being the smartest kid around, P Doodle is dying for spring to come! We have new toys at our park and he's eager to try them out. He knows it's going to be a long time before the snow melts, (or the temperature rises above freezing) and he hates it. He's also been talking to Daddy about playing baseball and going fishing. Another "to-do" on our list this summer is to take the boys to the racetrack. We may live in a tiny little hick town with not much to do; but hey, you can't watch stock-car racing just anywhere can you? Jealous?

In other P Doodle updates, he's also learned how to, (sort of) cartwheel. Apparently he learned it from one of his cute little friends in primary. Her mom was embarrassed to find out that she'd been cartwheeling in her dress at church, but I thought it was absolutely hilarious! Hey, if that's the worst your kid does in public, I think it's okay. ;)

P Doodle also is loving being the big brother. He is so sweet, especially to his sisters. He and the Princess seem to have a special bond and can usually be found making mischief together. He also loves to help Claire by giving her a bottle or snuggle her on the couch. As much as he loves his sisters though, he's hoping that Baby #5 is another brother. There's just something about brothers, isn't there? He and Babycakes have really started to have a lot of fun together now that Babycakes is coming out of his shell a bit and communicating more with us. The only problem with being the big brother is that he thinks that means he's the boss as well. Something we need to work on. But we all love our P Doodle boy!

2010 Book Review

A new year means time for a new booklist! I didn't get to read quite as much as I'd hoped in 2010, but hey....it's not easy to find time for that with 4 kids. And by the time they're in bed, I'm so pooped I'm not always up for it. To be honest, I didn't even keep up with my online bookclub, but I did start a real live one with friends in my area! I much prefer live interaction. Hello... are you really out there? But, anyway, here's a rundown of what I did manage to read; each title will be accompanied by a rating out of 5 stars. Keep in mind, the really terrible ones never even manage to make the list. I'm not one to waste my time on something I consider - well, for lack of a nicer term - worthless. Without further adieu.....the 2010 list:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society-***** An absolutely delightful read. Finally something that proves that not everything written in the last 50 or so years is trashy; and that a dark time in history can be addressed without being graphic or "shocking". Do you think me prudish? That's okay. I can handle it. I have to admit, I am a sucker for historical fiction, WWII times especially.
  
• Three Cups of Tea-*** I really, really did want to give this book 5 stars. Truly a great, moving true story about a man who has worked to build schools in remote villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Awesome subject, horrible writing. I hate to say it, but there it is. The "voice" of the story was confusing. Sometimes it was 1st person, sometimes 3rd, sometimes it felt like a brief newsclipping. It was disjointed and really took away from the subject matter. I would love for better author to get their hands on this story and do it justice.
• Book of a Thousand Days-*** Intended for juvenile audience; a fairytale type of story. It was good brain candy, but to be honest, just didn't really light my fire. To be fair, juvenile fiction has never been my favorite. Certainly not a bad read, but I wouldn't put it on a "must read" list.
• The Second Comforter:Conversing with the Lord through the veil-*****WOW. Enlightening. I had to take breaks in between chapters to digest what I was reading, but I loved this book. Will read it again I'm sure.
• A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family-***** Great practical advice on how to handle a large family efficiently. Honestly the suggestions could be applied to a family of any size, so don't think you have to be aiming for anything out of the ordinary! I follow a blog written by the author of this book, which was what got me interested in the first place. She is raising a large family by today's standards and homeschools her children. See my interest? To get a taste of what she's about, check her out here.
• The Backyard Homestead-**** I quickly found that this wasn't a read cover to cover sort of book, but more of a manual on all things "homestead" from growing your own food to canning it, etc. Some of it wasn't quite as step-by-step as I'd hoped. The book assumes you have a basic level of gardening knowledge, which I didn't. Not a "dummies" level book, but a lot of good info and a great resource to have on hand.
• A Town Like Alice-**** Again, historical fiction. With some romance to boot!
• Jane Eyre-**** Definitely a well-written book with a crazy twist in the middle that left me raising my eyebrows a bit. I'll admit I was wondering if this book may have been considered a "novel" back in the day. The content surprised me a bit for having been written so long ago. Nothing bad, just a bit strange. I think the strangeness of it all threw me off a bit, and that's what kept this book from getting a 5th star, (sorry Ash!); I am giving it another go right now though.
• Eat to Live-***** If you dislike my vegetarian lifestyle, you have this book to blame. Read it before you judge me and see if it doesn't make sense though. Really. Trust me. And I only wished I lived up to what it teaches completely because I do believe in it. Baby steps!
• Disease Proof Your Child:Feeding kids right-*****By the author of ETL, with a spin on why this lifestyle is important for kids. Also geared more towards those not necessarily looking for weight loss, but an overall healthy lifestyle. If ETL scared you off, try this approach to the same exact thing.
• The Westing Game-** Sorry, I don't remember liking this as well as I did when I was a kid. Really, I just don't love juvenile fiction! The characters were hardly developed, the scenes were short and choppy like a soap opera, (another of my dislikes) and it just felt rushed. Like it was written specifically for someone who didn't want to invest a lot of time in the story. Which I guess it probably was.
• The Hunger Games Series-*** I'm going to lump these all together although I might rate them each a little different separately. I did honestly enjoy #1. The first piece of juvenile fiction I've read lately that didn't feel like a blatant ripoff of something else. Not to point fingers, but isn't Percy Jackson remarkably similar to someone else we all know and love, (cough, cough, HARRY!!)? I did wonder if the subject matter was a little heavy for juvenile lit, but I don't think it's bad to introduce uncomfortable/hard ideas to our children if done appropriately. #2, was a ripoff of #1, though. I was reading the same book all over again. And #3? Was she on a deadline to finish or what? All this drama and buildup for an overly rushed ending that left me highly unsatisfied. Will not read this series again.
• At Home in Mitford-*** The first in a series; a delightful read proving again that not everything recently written is trashy, and some authors will even willingly allow God into their novels! I will say though, it was pure brain candy. It didn't make me think at all, something I really value in a true good read. It didn't leave me dying to read the rest of the series. And as of yet, I haven't.
• Steady Days:A journey toward intentional professional motherhood-** Honestly I didn't even finish it. It probably shouldn't have made the list, except for that it wasn't HORRIBLE. Good info, but it felt like a compilation of everyone else's work. The same parenting advice you hear over and over, and in brief synopsis. Not even expounded on as it could have done extensively. I was disappointed.
• The Blue Castle-**** Again, a delightful read. Pure brain candy, but of the Anne variety. If you're a kindred spirit you'll know what I mean. ;) The ending is a bit too over the top in the happily ever after sort of way, but it was still enjoyable.

So what did you read this year? Faves/least faves? Any must reads for 2011 I should know about? I'm dying to know! I don't have much on my to-read list yet!

For Ashlee

I know that many of you are screaming for more posts of the kids.....but not much I can do until I get my camera fixed. Sorry folks. In the interim, I'll fulfill a special request from my BFF Ashlee. My dear friend was interested in a book review of things I read last year. To be honest, I wasn't too good at keeping track until the last half of the year, but if I can't remember it, it wasn't really all that noteworthy right? Or I just have a "mom" brain. Take your pick. So without further ado, I will list each book read with a star rating, (out of 5) and a quick "whadyathink?":

• Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskill - **** If you like Jane Austen, you'll probably like this. Not quite up to par with Austen in my opinion, but still a good read. And if you don't want to find yourself angry like I did, note that the author died before finishing the book.......so get over it and make up your own ending.
• The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori - **** A bit of stuffy reading.....much science, some of which is a bit outdated, but overall an interesting read. A big insight into why kids' brains work the way they do; and how we as parents, (or other influencers......like that vocab?) can work with them, instead of against them to unlock their potential. Definitely worth a read. Skip the science if you must.
  
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - **** Weird. And a bit disturbing, but VERY thought provoking. If you don't think our society is headed to hell in a handbasket, you will after reading this, (or you'll just think I'm nuts for thinking we're not terribly far off from this). Interesting that the author had the insight to write this almost 70 years ago.
• The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis - ***** Wish I was quite smart enough to understand all of the symbolism. It's one to read more than once. Who doesn't love C.S. Lewis? To read further thoughts on this book, read this post here.
• The Mommy Manual by Barbara Curtis - ***** This book is exactly what it boasts to be. One I like to read each year. Not so much a "how to" guide as a "how to figure it out" guide, because really, what two kids are alike? Also a very uplifting read. You're going to finish this book feeling warm and fuzzy and enthused to try more and do better, not feel like crap. One section I particularly enjoy talks about how to pick good reading material for your kids. Ever noticed how many kids books are just crap? It also gives reading suggestion lists based on age group.
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - ********** THE BEST BOOK EVER. The end. You want drama, romance, action, comedy, the whole works without the sleeze of today? Read this. And read it again and again.
• David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - ***** Another good read by the Chuckster. You just can't go wrong with Dickens. And you will laugh, I promise. And fall in love.
• Little Britches by Ralph Moody - ***** Loved it. The author was just so good at getting you into the mind of a little boy. I could totally picture my brother or my little boy doing and thinking everything Ralph did. I laughed and I cried. That usually gives a book 5 stars for me!
• Pride & Prejudice - ***** Another annual read. If you like the movie, YOU WILL LOVE THE BOOK. So much more. The only line that is better in the movie...."You have bewitched me body and soul. And I love....love.....I love you." That gets me every time! I swoon actually. But every other line in the book is soooo much better.
• The Book Thief - **** I'm going to give it four stars only because the ending left me hanging a bit. I'm not sure why......I just felt it was missing something. But I loved all the rest.
• The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura - ***** I know I'm going to get hate mail from the female population reading this, but I love Dr. Laura. I mean really, her attitude of "you can only worry about what you can do to make a situation better" is so right. Plus really, doesn't our belief system advocate a man/woman relationship like the one she describes? I know things work better for us that way, so I pledge my allegiance to Dr. Laura. Hate me if you must.
• The Twelfth Angel by Og Mandino - **** Okay Ash.....I know I'm letting you down with this one, but I do like cheesy. And I'm a bit surprised that you don't. I sobbed like a baby through most of this book. And I liked it. In fact, add another 1/2 star up there. But know that Brandon sides with you on this one.
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - * Picture me blowing a big fat raspberry. Harry Potter has so been there and done this. And about a thousand times better. I'm glad that Greek Mythology is getting a little limelight, but it could have been done without ripping off another story.
• Persuasion by Jane Austen - ***** Notice a theme yet? When I don't have anything to read, I pick up my dear friend Jane. This one is super romantic and I like it.
• The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne - **** Another kind of weird book. I wasn't sure where the author was going with this one until the end, and then I still kind of went, "huh?" But maybe I'm just not smart enough for Hawthorne. It was entertaining though. I like the way he writes. Remember reading The Scarlet Letter in school? I haven't read it since, but I remember really liking it then; which seems to be contrary to most others I talk to.
• Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto - **** Could have been written/referenced a little better, but good, good info. I've heard his earlier book, (sorry, too lazy to get a title for you.....google it) is better. When I read this I was already looking into the advantages of homeschool, and this sealed the deal for me. I know, I know, I should walk around with a stamp on my forehead letting everyone know how weird I am. But you still love me, right? (Ash.....this means you....I'm sure you're the only one still reading.)
• The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by Raymond and Dorothy Moore - **** A bit of a yawn....in some parts. But a pretty good manual for homeschool parents. It gives you a heads up for what you're really in for and some excellent advice on everything from organization to curriculum. And not just about school, but family life in general.
• In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms by Dr. Laura - ***** Really, most women should start out reading Dr. Laura with this book. It feels more like she's on your team. And she is!! Oh, she is! Another book to leave you feeling on top of the world, and ready to do better.

So that's my two cents for what it's worth. Know that I would recommend anything on my sidebar for this year so far to anyone still reading and interested. (Book of a Thousand Days is definitely directed for a younger audience, but still good brain candy reading.) Click on any of them to see my GoodReads rating.

An Attitude of Gratitude

The other day I read this post at Apron Girls for an FHE on "whine flu". So clever. Some points that got me thinking:

• "Whining and complaining shows ingratitude."
• "Just as we wash our hands to prevent germs, we can prevent whining and ingratitude by counting our blessings."

Add to that this, that I read recently in Dr. Laura's In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms:

• "...when you get into the ....'Poor me, I'm giving so much of myself and getting so little,' or 'where is the me time?' complaints you're surely in self-destruct mode. And when you self-destruct, the whole family goes down with you, because, accept it or not, the woman is the center of the universe, the very breath of a family."
• "The key of perspective is that what you feel is put second to what you've lived. You can feel severely tired after a long day and gripe about the aches, pains, and pure exhaustion, or you can say to yourself, 'you know, at the end of the day, it's kind of great to feel this worn out - it means I've experienced a lot today.' Share the experiences as a blessing, instead of cursing the aches."

I love being a SAHM, but I do lovingly remind my husband often that he would never last a day in my shoes. What I need to remember is that I wouldn't last a day in his either, and I'm grateful that I don't have to. I would so much rather do load after load of endless laundry, sweep and mop the kitchen floor after every meal, and wear a booger-encrusted shirt all day, getting the snuggles and giggles from my kids that come with it, than go to work and deal with all that goes with that. Or, have to deal with the pressures of work and still have to come home and deal with laundry, and chores. So thank you Honey, for being a husband that gets it.

Looking forward to the holidays is an excellent time to remember gratitude for what we have. So in order to prevent ingratitude, I've decided to post one "blessing" every day from now until Christmas. I hope you enjoy it, and whether or not you publicly announce yours, I hope you will think to count yours also.

Today I am grateful for: Appreciation for what I do.

• The aforementioned book from Dr. Laura was a gift that I was given recently from my father-in-law. It came in the mail unexpectedly, (with a lovely note) and for no reason at all other than to say, "It made me think of you." It was heartfelt, thoughtful, and wonderful. Definitely in the top 5 of all the gifts I've ever been given. Maybe #2 next to the snicker's cake from Brandon while we were dating, but nostalgia won't ever allow anything to top that.
  
• My husband often brags to others about the things that I do for him at home. While he often paints things better than they really are, it is the boost that I need to do better. It is wonderful to know that he sees the things that I do as important.

Book Review

I've done some very thought provoking reading lately, and I wanted to share. The first book is C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce. It offers an allegorical glimpse of the afterlife, and one individual's journey from "hell" to "heaven". What I loved about this book is that the individual had the opportunity to watch others also on the journey, and see how their decisions affected them. Each of these individuals had a specific "vice" or downfall that needed to be overcome in order to achieve the highest realm. Many simply could not overcome their weaknesses and chose to return to their stagnant positions in "hell". What struck me about this is; first, that these people were offered every opportunity to choose to stay in "heaven" and it was only their own unwillingness to change that kept them from glory. I believe that we have a loving Father in Heaven that truly wants us to live to our divine potential, and that through our Savior, Jesus Christ, he has given us every opportunity to overcome obstacles in our way. He wants us to return to him.....it will be our choice if we don't.

Second, some of these vices were a bit surprising. There was one that represented most "sins" as we think of them. Addictions, habits, things we do that keep us away from God. It was represented by a man with a lizard on his shoulder, that controlled him. He was the one out of all the figures represented that was able to overcome and "move on" so to speak. When he allowed his lizard to be destroyed, it turned into a beautiful white stallion. This reminded me of the scripture in Ether 12:27, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." It was interesting to note that all of the other vices represented were things that we might not normally think of as sin. One was a mother who loved her son, but she loved him to the exclusion of all else, making life miserable for her husband and daughter after his passing. Another was a man with a problem of self-pity. All of these characters except the man with the lizard, chose to return to "hell" although they didn't see it as such. It was a place where they could hold on to that which they couldn't let go of, although it kept them stagnant. It was too uncomfortable for them to let go of what they had held on to for so long. It was pointed out that sometimes these sins are harder to recognize and let go of, because they may start with good intentions. It is good to love your son, but not to the exclusion of everyone else. It is good to recognize fault in ourselves, but only to the point that it helps us improve. Guilt and pity do not come from God.

Reading this made me want to take a closer look at myself. What is my pet vice? Is there something, maybe even with good intentions, that I cling to that keeps me from progressing? This book was very thought provoking, and I highly recommend it to all.

The second book that I want to mention may be a bit out there for some of you, but it brings up some good points. It is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. The author describes a society, hundreds of years from now that is being controlled by those in charge. The interesting thing is that they are not controlled by force like most futuristic reads. This society doesn't necessarily withhold information from it's citizens, rather it provides so much entertainment that they don't want it anymore. This society makes everything easy for people. They are genetically engineered so they no longer age, have health problems, or the "burden" of a family. However, every time the government steps in to make things "easier", the people lose a bit of liberty, until eventually, they don't even know the true meaning of the word. They are free to enjoy themselves, but that's about it, and that is about all that they desire as well.

This made me think about all of the distractions we have these days. All of the entertainment that we become slaves to. All of the things that are so easy and fun to do, that keep us from doing anything of real value. And the way our society currently looks for the easy road to get out of any trouble. Free healthcare, bailouts, and unlimited welfare to name a few. The more we do for ourselves, the more freedom we truly have. I've also been thinking that so many of these distractions really prevent us from listening to the guidance of the Spirit. I've noticed that the Spirit works best on me bit by bit. When I'm trying to improve myself, I am given direction on how to do so, and then a way to improve upon that, and so on. When I allow myself to become indolent and complacent with life, it is harder to be guided to improve.

A little food for thought for a Sunday morning.

Join the Club!

If you're like me and you love General Conference, but a few weeks after it's over the talks all start to mush together in your brain, and you have a general idea of how you felt inspired and want to better yourself, but can't remember for sure what inspired you....this is the club for you! To check it out, head over to Diapers and Divinity every Sunday to find the talk for the week, (links are provided to the text) read and study, then join in the discussion. I think it's going to be a great way to really learn and grow from what we're taught, rather than have a nice warm fuzzy for a few days and forget about it. Are you in?