Cover me in FALL

Fall is officially here!   And I am loving this cooler weather!  I am glad that this is the part of pregnancy where I feel great - so I can enjoy all the fun this season has to offer - hikes, a mountain getaway, lunch break walks - and a trip to Gettysburg this weekend.

But - one complaint: my cute fall wear is a bit limited.  I will be ordering a maternity puffer vest and I have a few maternity cord pants - but the truth is no pair of boots or blanket scarf can "flatter" or "hide" this bump, ha. Although, no worries - I will be trying to look at least a little cute and fallish (for the time being)!

Here is what I am loving for fall - some will work with my current figure- and some won't work as well, but even so, I am enjoying browsing!

(1) BARRINGTON TOTES

My sister introduced me to this website, Barrington Gifts and I am in LOVE.  I love these bags and purses.  The St. Anne tote is on my Christmas list. These two prints are my current favorites (especially the animal print) but there are so many cute prints to choose from! They also have some lovely leather bags.

(2) BLANKET SCARFS

I know, I am late to the game - at first, I was not a fan, but the more styles and "weights" I see, I really like them - and now want one!  I think I used to believe they were BULKY and HEAVY but this first one does not look to heavy!

In love with this scarf - if you see something similar anywhere, please tell me!!

UPDATE: Since posting this, I have been informed that the picture (from Pinterest) came from this blog post, I feel I should give credit to where credit is due - plus this blog looks super cute and I can't wait to follow! You should check her out too - and sadly, this scarf is sold out!)

(3) FRINGE BOOTS

Seriously, in LOVE with these - I may have to track them down. When asked if I was too old for them, my mom said they might be too tall for a mom- so I will have to think about it.  So, if you see a pair like this - minimal fringe, light brown color, but a little shorter - please tell me!  

(4) QUILTED VESTS

This trend does not seem to be leaving - and I, for one, am grateful. (or has this trend passed and I am just holding on to it? If so, please don't tell me....) In fact, I am about to order myself a maternity vest. (Super cool, I know...)

(5) UTILITY VEST/JACKET

I am really LOVING the utility vest/jacket look.  In fact, I may purchase a non-maternity piece and wear it open over the "belly" so that I can still wear it post-delivery. I would hate to waste money on a military pregnancy vest that probably won't still be in style when I have my next kid.

(bonus points for you if you noticed this picture ALSO includes a Barrington Tote!)

(6) THE STATEMENT CARDI

I have to admit, I LOVE the longer cardi look - but when worn over my big booty sometimes makes me look big - however, I have a couple springtime longer cardigans that are cute, so I think if you look hard, you can find the right long sweater for your body. Plus, as for maternity wear this winter, I am hoping that I already look big, so a big sweater can't do too much to add "bulk" haha. 

I have picked this long cardigan out at Old Navy Maternity and may order soon. It could be a fun fall addition to spice up my maternity clothing options.

(7) CAMEL COLORED EVERYTHING!!

I love camel in the fall- but sadly own very little of it (I have a camel wool coat and that may be it)  Although I love camel sweaters, I probably won't be buying one this year - unless it's a cheap maternity sweater on sale.  (My rules for maternity shopping: cheap or on sale, no need to spend a lot on temporary clothing  - UNLESS it's a dress for a special occasion - so this means most of the time, my color choices are limited to what's on sale...)

(8) DUCK BOOTS

I love LL Bean duck boots - and the moccasin version as well. I have no idea why I love duck boots so much - maybe because I live where it's cold and wet now? Maybe because my husband is a hunter? Who knows?? and I honestly have no idea when I would ever buy myself a pair because 130+ is way too much for me to spend on "weekend" boots - maybe I will watch the after Christmas sales? They are perfect weekend, cold wet weather shoes!

A cute plaid shirt, sweater, skinny jeans and duck boots - SCREAMS fall too me! LOVE!

(9) PLAID

This will always be on my fall list, even when it's not trendy - this preppy girl LOVES some plaid.  I have a couple checked collared maternity shirts - but I may have to buy a plaid one too - since my flannel plaid shirt for sure won't be fitting this winter.  Luckily, plaid is everywhere during the fall - so you can spend a lot or a little, depending on quality and brand. 

Old Navy Maternity Plaid - nothing fancy, but could get the job done for a season. Also, currently, only $19 :)

ALSO, the #1 Fall Style I will not be participating in - flared jeans.  A) My sister gave me a few pairs of maternity jeans so I feel no need to buy news ones and B) Extra weight on the middle and extra fabric on the bottom of my legs too? This seems like a huge disaster!

So, that's what I am daydreaming about for my fall wardrobe this weekend - what about you? Any must haves? Any new trends you love or hate? Do you go for the trends or stick to the fall staples - cozy sweaters, cords and plaids?

October 15th

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Awareness Day.  Tonight, at 7 pm, many will participate in remembrance ceremonies - and even more will light a candle at home in remembrance of their lost children.  There wasn't a big ceremony in my region - which makes me a bit sad as I never really had a memorial or service for our Baby R - and we will be at small group during the designated lighting time - but when I get home, I do plan on lighting a candle for our son or daughter and praising the Lord for all 12 weeks of that little life.

I also thought that in honor of this remembrance day, I would do a few blog posts on pregnancy loss- a topic I have been hesitant to touch upon - because it seems taboo and I am scared of judgment from others for "over-sharing."  Also, I don't want to suddenly take up "miscarriage" as my cause.  I have had enough causes in my life - and honestly, at the ripe ole age of 31, I want my causes to be Jesus and people. I want to share about miscarriage so that hurting women don't feel alone and so that others know how to respond - BUT, I also don't want to ever present miscarriage as the greatest loss one can face. Often times, when we take up a cause and demand so passionately that our hurts be noticed, we miss the many broken hearts surrounding us.  It's a broken world and you may not have experienced a miscarriage, but you might be facing divorce, unplanned singleness, illness, job loss, marriage problems, sick children, loneliness, discrimination, addiction, infertility, broken families and so many other painful situations. Let's see each other's deep hurts and not compete for which broken pieces of our lives deserve more attention.  And let's love each other through those hurts and help one another see Jesus through our tears.


So over the next week, I will talk about making it through a miscarriage and how to support and love someone going through pregnancy loss.

But, today, I just wanted to say: If you have lost a child recently (or in the past), my heart goes out to you.  You are a mother in every sense of the word and have every right to mourn.  Know that I see your pain and I hurt for you. Know that our Savior sees your pain too - and came, died and rose again so that you will one day never face such pain again!

Also, I feel like October 15th should celebrate all of those who have lost little lives or are waiting for little lives. If you have faced infertility, are in the long adoption waiting game, are longing for a husband and children, or feel your chance at children has passed, you are in my heart and prayers today too.  There are different ways to mourn lost babies and the lost hope of babies - whether it's an empty nursery, another negative pregnancy test or a ring-less finger.

To our sweet Baby R - We miss you so much and think of you daily! You will always be our first little love. We take comfort in knowing that you are in a place with no more tears. Like King David said about his lost son, you cannot come to us, but one day, dear child, we will come to you. (2 Samuel 12:23) Oh, and guess what? You have a sister!

Finally, I just wanted to post this article by Gospel Coalition- the best article I have read about miscarriage - probably because it points the reader to the Gospel, which is the only real comfort in life. I wanted to share a few excerpts today because it is far more encouraging than anything I could ever say.

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbirth,” God said to Eve as he delivered her specific punishment, and again, “In pain you shall bring forth children” (Gen. 3:16). How personally this aspect of the curse is felt by those, like myself, who’ve lost babies in the womb. For us, the pain God decreed for the female sex isn’t confined to the terrifying yet passing moments of childbirth—later compensated with the blessing of a baby to love and cherish. No, for us the physical pain of childbearing is followed only by the aching horrors of a cradle that will never be filled. In the case of miscarriage, the curse inherited from Eve robs women of the fruit of the womb entirely.

And yet this particular manifestation of the curse is only a small portion of the suffering humanity experiences as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin. After addressing Eve, God turned to Adam and explained that their bodies would now begin to decay, eventually returning to the dust from which they came rather than living in unhindered fellowship with their Creator forever.

Since that day, death has been the enemy of every single person to walk this earth. Pain and suffering are common experiences for each of us, as our bodies groan under the devastating effects of the fall. This is why the apostle Paul said our bodies are “wasting away” (2 Cor. 4:16) and awaiting their coming redemption (Rom. 8:23). Though the worst consequence of the fall was certainly spiritual death (outside of salvation in Christ), there were also painful and fatal implications for our physical bodies.

Every human’s DNA has been compromised as a result of sin—our material bodies are broken at a foundational level. Not even the smallest, most helpless of our race—those yet to be born—are immune from the pull of death’s cold and unmerciful grip.

When a woman experiences a miscarriage, then, she isn’t simply suffering a random “pregnancy loss.” She’s experiencing, in stark reality, the extreme depths of our fallenness as a human race. She’s partaking bitterly of the inheritance purchased for us by our first parents; she’s experiencing the horrid wages of sin, which is death (Rom. 6:23).

But sin and death and loss isn't the end of the story.....

For we know that in that same garden where Adam and Eve received the curse that led to the existence of tragedies like miscarriage, they also received a promise. It was the promise of a Serpent-Crusher. God, being rich in mercy and abounding in steadfast love, didn’t leave humanity without hope on that terrible day. He assured Adam and Eve that a man would be born into their world who would defeat the snake and reverse the curse (Gen. 3:15). He would be the second and better Adam—living in perfect obedience where the first had not, and then dying a death he wouldn’t deserve. He would be the perfect substitute for fallen men and women. He would bring life where once there was only death (1 Cor. 15:45).

By the power of God the Spirit, Mary’s womb bore the God the Son. He entered this world on a mission to save sinners and to conquer death. And in everything he succeeded.

And, finally....

There is hope for the woman who has miscarried since a baby was given to her more than 2,000 years ago. He lived for her, he died for her, and he will return for her. And on that final day he “will wipe away every tear from [her] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things [will] have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

So, on October 15th, we can have hope, because we do have a Savior that will overcome pain and loss! So light a candle tonight and remember your baby or the babies that other have lost - and know that we serve a King who has CONQUERED death!!

LIVING ON A PRAYER: the halfway point (weeks 17-20)

As I previously told you, no weekly updates from me, ha - maybe I will update more often closer to the end when we are on baby watch!  Instead, here is an update on weeks 17-20!  Little miss Anne Douglas did lots of growing - and although she is making mommy fatter, she is not making me so sick anymore - so, we will consider it a fair trade.  We have started looking at nursery items and called a local daycare which we plan to visit next week!  It's crazy to think that in 20 weeks or less, we will be a family of 3!

18 weeks!

20 weeks!

How Far Along: 

20.5 weeks - over half way there!

 Baby Size:

At 20 weeks, Annie D is the size of a small cantaloupe or a banana (depending on which fruit you prefer) - 10 inches from head to heal and almost 11 ounces!

Maternity Clothes:

Yes - I still have a few non-maternity tops and dresses that I mix in (mostly a size too big, bought that way to function during early pregnancy) But, mostly, it is maternity clothing! 

Sleep:

Not too bad. I wake up some, but not too much yet.

Movement:

I feel like I have felt a couple taps but I still don't know for sure. Once it's clear, I know I will go, "oh, so that's what has been happening..."  I have an anterior placenta which means it's on the front, blocking me from feeling baby girl's kicks so strongly.  Most people start feeling kicks in this time frame though - so I feel like it will be soon, even if I am a little on the late side. Can't wait!

Best Moment The Past 20 weeks:

No more morning sickness - and very few food aversions.  It is nice to eat a bigger variety of food again!  And, I have a clear bump now, not just chubs.

We had our anatomy scan yesterday - baby girl is growing right on time and has all her parts - but she has a big booty (girl gets it honest though - takes after mommy!)  We couldn't get a good view of her heart because little miss stubborn wouldn't flip over, so we will have another ultrasound in 2 weeks.

Food Cravings:

Sushi (preferably the raw items I can't have....), some sweets, light popcorn, occasionally salad (I don't know if this a craving per se or just an item that I am glad to welcome back into my diet again!)

Food Aversions:

I can eat a little of most of my previous aversions -- a little spice, a little mexican, a little eggs, a little seafood.  They may not still be my favorites but no huge aversions at the moment.

What I Miss:

Wine and sushi.

What I Am Looking Forward To:

Starting the nursery! Enjoying our last few "just the two of us" moments.  We are thrilled to be parents - but the reality of losing all our time together is starting to hit me.

Milestones:

"Oh we're halfway there, oo-oh, living on a prayer"

Pregnancy Symptoms:

 ITCHY SKIN! Round ligament pain, acne, occasional trouble sleeping, some swelling (my face is suddenly huge)

Also, the past 4 weeks have been a growth spurt. I was hungry ALL the time! But, I try to pack healthy snacks and meals at work so I don't eat junk all day.   I went from being up just a few pounds to being up almost 10.  I hope this slows down!  But, weeks 16-20 are huge for baby girl and her development so I am glad she is growing as she needs to be!

Gender:

A sweet baby GIRL!!! 

Weight Gain:

9 pounds. My goal was to only gain 6 pounds at the halfway point - so obviously, I get a big F.  But, to be fair, at almost 16 weeks, when i made this goal, I was only up 4 pounds so it seemed reasonable - but baby girl hit a growth spurt.  However, I asked the doctor about my gain and she said it's right on track, so I won't worry much and keep eating as healthy as I can manage.

2015 Fall Reading List

Who is excited it's fall? ME, ME, ME!!   I will openly admit that I have a glass half empty approach to Fall. I mean, on the one hand, I LOVE FALL. I love the leaves and the pleasant weather and the pumpkins and sweaters and apple picking and decor and yummy soups and pastries.  Oh, and of course, I love the football. (Okay, so I really love most everything about fall - except pumpkin spice lattes, those drinks are nasty with a capital N)  But, I also start to get nervous when fall comes around - because we all know which season follows fall...nasty, cold, dreary winter.  Truthfully, winter isn't always bad. I mean, there's Christmas and Mardi Gras - and this year, there's Annie D's upcoming birth day. (20 more weeks - or less - but, who is counting? haha)  But a few months of cold wet weather is a bit depressing.  However, I am TRYING my best not to let me fear of winter rob me of the joy of fall. (probably a good lesson for life too, not just the seasons...)

One thing I am VERY excited about is diving into a few news books.  Good books and cozy sweaters and warm banked goods go together like white on rice. I envision myself curling up with a good book by a toasty fire with a blanket or sweater and pumpkin candle and hot cocoa or warm homemade treats! You know, imagine me in a pinterest picture...

In reality, we don't have a fireplace and although I love the idea of a cozy knit blanket and cup of cocoa, this will be what a lot of my reading looks like... (Thank you, Lord, for KINDLES)

But truthfully, what better way to survive your commute than a good book? Am I right?

Anyways, I read a lot of books during the 4 months I called summer, but now, my morning sickness is gone, I am travelling less - and my "fall time frame" is a bit shorter (just 2 months) so my list is a little shorter this time.  I hope to read 6 books over the next 2 months - and just like last time, I will try to enjoy a book from each of my 4 categories: parenting and marriage, fiction, sequels and nonfiction.  The categories are a bit more broad this time - but hey, it's 2 months, so I can't over commit!

Here's my FALL 2015 READING LIST:

Parenting/Home/Marriage: books to guide me in being a mom and wife (including a book on healthy eating during pregnancy)

The Sh*t No One Tells You: a Guide to Surviving your Baby's First Year by Dawn Dais

Basically, I woke up the other day and realized that I was halfway done with my pregnancy and had done NO PREP work.  The first trimester (and part of the second trimester as well), I was just surviving!  The first half of the second trimester, I was celebrating feeling well again. But goodness, only 20 weeks (or less) to get ready for little AD?? Time to get busy - starting with reading books. This one seems perfect - I want to know the nitty gritty on parenting a newborn- ups and downs and surprises!

Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman

I am about to be a mom and I love all things French - so this must be the perfect book for me. Plus, it has been rave about - so of course I need to read!

Trim Healthy Mama by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison

I have a general understanding of this eating plan -- healthy carbs, proteins and fats, very little sugar - and ideally, you pair your carbs, proteins and fats together a certain way.  You can do this diet intensely to lose weight - or a more gentle version to stay healthy during pregnancy.  The past few weeks (and the first couple weeks pre-morning sickness), I have *loosely* followed this plan, so maybe followed it 50 percent? I felt it was time to actually read the book and try to follow it a bit more rigidly. Although, by rigidly, I meat 75 percent. The reality is that I am STARVING and sometimes going to eat CAKE or PIZZA --haha, but the rest of the time, I can eat healthy. I don't want to deprive myself - as I am not dieting - just limit myself to not always "splurge" in the excuse of pregnancy!  I don't want to be HUGE - and also, I want to stay pretty healthy to help with delivery, swelling, etc. Hopefully, once I finish this book (about 50 pages in so far), I can form a game plan for the second half of pregnancy!

His Needs, Her Needs for Parents by Willard F. Harley, Jr.

I am so thrilled about our sweet baby girl on the way. Dave and I can't wait to be parents!  But, a part of me is sad to see our "just the two of us" stage of life coming to an end (or an end for the next few decades ha!)  Moving far away during the beginning of our marriage truly taught us to rely on each other and be the best of friends.  We bicker and irritate each other, but we didn't have the luxury of staying mad at one another because we needed each other! I know our relationship will change as we have children, but I am interested in finding ways to fight for it to still be good, possibly even better.  

Some type of baby sleeping book (TBD)

Dave works. I work. We don't have moms nearby. Please, Lord, let our baby be the type of child that can sleep train or get on some kind of schedule!  There are several sleeping advice books, so I have no idea which one I will read.  Honestly, I will probably read a few theories and find what works for us. But, seriously, please baby girl, be a good sleeper!

Fiction: you know, the fun books. :)

The Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly

I love Little Women - it was one of my favorite childhood books (on the same level as the Chronicles of Narnia for me which is a HUGE compliment to Miss Louisa May Alcott).  I loved Jo - and always related to how she felt different and awkward in her family and in the world.  I admired her passion, desire for justice, and spunkiness. So, when I found out there was a book about her great grand-daughters living in London who discover her letters in the attic, I knew I would have to dive in.  Confession: I read this book already (on the plane to and from Mississippi this weekend) and I loved it!!!

A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable

This book was on my list for the summer- but I never got to it.  A co-worker just shared how she knocked it out in one day because it was so good, so I knew I had to eventually get to it. Maybe I will tackle it this fall!

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Likewise, this book was also on my summer reading list.  It is written by the author of What Alice Forgot which is a book that I really enjoyed.  So, hopefully, I am able to read it soon!

Sequels: follow ups to books I enjoyed this summer!

China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan

If you remember, I read the first book this summer for book club (Crazy Rich Asians) and it was entertaining fluff - set in Asia which made it all the more interesting!  This is the sequel - and I can't wait to dive in!

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

The first book, The Rosie Project, was also a summer read for me - and I loved the quirky characters and sweet love story.  I felt like the book also had a happy upbeat message among a lot of the trash or negativity we read these days - you can't choose who you fall in love with and sometimes that person may not be "perfect on paper".  I know I will enjoy this sequel!

Non-Fiction: religious, self help or good ole fashion snarky humor (while dispensing life advice!)

Nice is Just a Place in France by the Betches

This is probably not a book I would have picked out for myself - but it is our book club pick for October, so I look forward to diving in. Some practical advice mixed with a little humor and sarcasm - I think I will enjoy! (I love my book club - the theme is best sellers - so it ranges from sassy books like this one, to biographies like Unbroken to beach reads to acclaimed literary works like All the Light We Cannot See.  ALWAYS a good variety, and definitely not too serious!) 

Prayer by Tim Keller

This book is mandatory - as it is our small group study book for the fall. I am already enjoying it!  I love Tim Keller - and I love how this book seems to be a summary of what other great Christian heroes say about prayer (and what the Bible says about prayer) - rather than his personal opinions.  Dave thinks it is a bit dry, like a lecture, but I am nerdy and love reading the theological and historical points!

For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards by Jen Hatmaker

I love Jen Hatmaker - but only recently started following her, so I have not read very much of her work.  Everyone is speaking highly of this book - and I think the topics of Grace and high standards (with myself and others) is something I could really relate to - and probably feel convicted by. Plus, the book was already on the family Kindle account. (Thanks mom)

So, there it is - my book list for fall. Here's hoping that my list motivates me to keep up my reading habit - even with visitors and a couple fun getaways planned and Saturday football! There are so many good options on this list that I don't know which book to start next!

What about you? Any books you have read this fall that you love? Any books you are planning to read?

***If you like this list, you can read my 2015 Summer Reading list here (final list with all my additions here) and the 2014 Summer Reading List here.

Little Daily Joys

It's midweek  and work has been crazy - the type of crazy where I have worked in the evenings and on the weekend and during lunch.  And it feels like I have worked a lot and am meeting all that is required of me-  YET everyone seems grouchy (which is probably because they have worked a lot too but always makes me stress like I have done something wrong!!) On top of that, I am at that lovely stage of pregnancy where you start to grow a lot and I HATE watching the scale go up and my belly expand! (I, obviously, want baby to grow - but truthfully, I wish I could keep her fairly small until the last month and she could do all the major weight gain THEN haha) We are in the process of making Christmas plans which is always stressful (why can't we live in a Christmas version of groundhog day so we can spend the holidays with each family and no one sacrifices any of their traditions?)  And, yesterday, a picture fell off the wall at night knocking a vase over while we slept - leaving watermarked wood for me to find in the morning (any tips for dealing with that??)

So - life has had a few *minor* frustrations - but let's be honest, nothing horrible - just the hum drum and stress of each week. With rainy weather and lack of sleep (Thank you, dear daughter!), it's easy to be grumpy if I don't remind myself of the MANY MANY little joys in my life.  Yesterday, popular blogger, Kelly at Kelly's Korner, wrote about the things that bring her joy and I thought I would join in!!

Things that bring me JOY today.....

(1) Coming home to this sweet guy! Neither one of us had a meeting or obligation last night and I was super excited for a lazy night to cook breakfast for dinner (almond flour pancakes and bacon --it's my go to pregnancy meal) and curl up in front of the TV with him!

(2) our sweet LITTLE GIRL!!  I keep having to pinch myself because - eek, I am having a daughter!! Although I ADORE my nephews, our family needs a little pink!  SO --I was not so secretly hoping for a girl -- and I am over the moon thrilled that R2 is a little lady!  Even though she sometimes makes me sick - and she's making me fat, each day I can't help be smile that she is all ours and is own her way!

(3) my sweet MISSISSIPPI friends.  This weekend, I am heading to Mississippi for my friend, Claire's bachelorette! I am ecstatic that I get to celebrate her upcoming nuptials and that I get to do so with all my favorites.  I love DC and the wonderful friends I have made here, but a huge piece of my heart misses the great friends I had back home. I always feel rejuvenated and full after I spend time with them!

(4) OXFORD, MS!  Oxford is one of my FAVORITE towns - so many fun memories (and a few bad ones: law school finals, yuck!)  I haven't been to Oxford since we moved to DC.  Luckily, that's where the celebratory weekend is - and I can't wait to see sweet friends and enjoy all the good food, shopping and wondering around this picture perfect town! (Maybe Annie D will end up with some new Rebel gear!)

(5) OLE MISS REBELS ARE #3.  Woohoo, now if we can just keep winning!

(6) DATE NIGHTS!  During first trimester, Dave and I spent so many evenings at home, watching TV and going to bed early.  Summer usually includes a lot of baseball games, morning walks, restaurants and our favorite, OUTDOOR MOVIES (we didn't see one single outdoor movie this summer!)  So, this weekend, when we decided to go to a Friday night movie, I felt like I was in the land of the living - plans, on a Friday night? woohoo! We saw The Intern which is super cute and I highly recommend it!

(7) FALL.  Leaves are turning and the air is cooler. Fall is here! There are pumpkins and mums everywhere!  We are going apple picking in a couple weeks and Halloween candy fills the grocery store aisles. My current favorite thing about fall is that boots still fit you even when you are pregnant!!!

(8) New TV. Okay, this makes me a boring person right - but I was excited to have some new TV shows/new seasons starting in September!

(9) Good books and my KINDLE!! I just started a wonderful book on the metro yesterday. I love that Kindle and the Kindle phone app allows me to read anywhere - even on boring metro rides!

(10) Baby Clothes.  I have hardly bought anything, just a few items in France. But, I am having so much fun looking up darling outfits for Anne Douglas! Aren't little girl clothes just the cutest things ever?


See, I found 10 things that bring me JOY - some major (baby girl!) and some minor (good tv shows) - in a matter of a few minutes! What about you? What is bringing you JOY today??? And if life is feeling stressful, how can you take a few minutes to enjoy one of these things that bring you so much happiness?

Late Summer Book Reviews

This was the FINAL couple weeks of my summer reading. As you know, I gave myself a long "summer reading" list (so I would have "options") and also gave myself a "long summer time frame". It lasted from Memorial Day Weekend until the week we arrived home from our France Vacation (so almost 4 months....) My goal was to read 15 books (of various categories) at the very least, but I actually ended up reading 20 books - and tackled at least one from each category! (Thank you, morning sickness, for giving me so much downtime at home to read books! Silver lining, I guess!)

Here are my final 2 book reviews for the first half of September.  I plan on putting together a MUCH shorter fall list and diving in soon!

You can read my June through August reviews here, here and here!

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

Rating: 4 stars

I loved this book - it was pure fluff and super entertaining!  It was about an American girl, Bex (short for Rebecca) who did a year abroad at Oxford during college and fell in love with the prince and future King of England.  She didn't even recognize him at first and certainly wasn't some love sick American chasing him (they were both dating other people) but slowly their friendship grew to something more.  They kept their relationship private for awhile and then faced the cruel media scrutiny and royal attacks once they went official.  This book follows their life from the beginning of their relationship all the way until their wedding day (I am not ruining any surprises for you as the book opens up on their wedding weekend....so you are fully aware that they end up heading towards the alter)  The book shows the complications of a public relationship and the stress, disagreements hurt feelings that adds, but it also shows the couple who loves watching cheesy tv together, who has their own memories and stories the press doesn't know, who go through fights and make ups, etc.  They both make mistakes and do damage to the relationship and have to learn how to move forward.

Some reviewers don't like the book because it's supposed to be loosely based on William and Kate and well, although you see some similarities, it really isn't. I am not William and Kate obsessed so I didn't take insult to it. I just read the book and enjoyed the far fetched idea that an American girl studying in England could end up the future Queen of England.

You won't be any smarter for reading this book - and it also won't win any literary awards, but it is an amusing story that pulls you in. You get to know the characters (prince, future princess, their family and friends) and follow them through several years of college and post college life.  This would be a perfect beach read or now that its fall, a great book to curl up with on a chilly Saturday!

The Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner

Rating: 4.5 stars

I actually started the book in August (at around 12 weeks pregnant) Honestly, in my humble opinion, this book starts out slowly - and actually when I first began reading, I felt like it didn't really apply to me. The author spends time at the beginning talking about how we over commit and are too busy and need time for ourselves - and I thought, sure this is true, but (a) this is not a new concept and (b) although I do sometimes over commit, I am currently pregnant and have spent the summer purposely NOT overdoing it with LOTS of rest and down time, so this may not really apply to my stage of life.  Even so, I kept reading as I do have a tendency to overdo AND because I thought, these will be good tips for the future - for balancing work and husband and baby and friends and volunteering and church, etc!

But, then the book got REALLY good. It wasn't the same ole advice of "don't commit to too many obligations" or "learn to say NO" or "you can't do it all"  I mean, those pieces of practical advice were there, but this book went further, teaching women (especially busy career ladies or stressed moms) to carve out time for themselves by using their "fringe minutes and hours" for things they love.  This means not wasting time - the time spent on the metro, waiting in the doctor's office, the 30 minutes you have at lunch, even the time you spend drying your hair (the author flips through magazines during this time).  It also means choosing not to waste the little minutes of free time you have throughout the day - OR thinking that you have a lot of time to do something you enjoy.  The author uses scrap booking, one of her hobbies, as an example. During the day, she may have a couple different periods of 10-20 minutes and she could easily assume that it's not enough time to do anything she enjoys and just choose to play on Facebook or check her email or flip through the channels - OR she could scrapbook maybe one page for her newest album.

This is the part of the book that really challenged me - the reality that I waste "pockets of time" throughout my day. Sure, I very rarely have several full hours on a weeknight to do something I love, but I often have pockets of time throughout my day.  What I also noticed is that there were already ways that I did use my "pockets of time" well - and at the same time, many more times when I didn't. An example of using my pockets of time well: I love reading.  It entertains me, de-stresses me and sometimes, it makes me feel like I am still learning.  I sometimes read while drying my hair and I almost always read on the metro.  Occasionally, I will also read while eating my lunch.  I don't have time to sit down for an hour each evening and read - BUT by finding times throughout my day where I can read a few pages, I find a way to bring myself joy by squeezing one of my hobbies into these fringe moments. 

What if I found fringe moments for other hobbies and interests, not just reading? How would I become more productive? How would this enhance my life? There is so much I could say about this book - so I will probably do another post.  I want to figure out what activities bring my joy and satisfaction and find ways that I can squeeze them into my days and weeks.

Summer Reading List Final Summary

So, here is what my final list looks like (books I read crossed through)   I read so many good books - including a few that weren't on my list! And, sadly, my list still has some wonderful books I didn't get to read! (hopefully in the future!)  In total, I tackled 20 books in about 4 months. I found out I was pregnant just a few weeks into this list (which helped give me the time to read so much!) And, without knowing it, I turned my first trimester into a chance to use fringe hours for something I love.  I felt too poorly to do much of my normal summer activities - baseball games, outdoor movies, fun brunches, etc - but I was able to use that time to dive into some good books!! I can't wait to pick some fun fall reads! Any suggestions???

Book Club Books 

1. The Stranger by Harlan Coben

2. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (and *possibly* the sequel, China Rich Girlfriend)

ADDITION: Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave (my July book)

Home and Marriage

3. The 7 principles for making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman

4. Eight Twenty Eight by Larissa and Ian Murphy

5. A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman

Southern Fiction

6. Natchez Burning by Greg Iles

7. The Right Thing by Amy Conner

8. My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh

French Reads

9. Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz

10. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

11. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

12. A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable

13. The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan 

ACCIDENTAL ADDITION: Paris Hangover by Kirsten Lobe

General Fiction

14. The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

15. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

16. The Girl on a Train by Paula Hawkins

17. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

18. Paper Towns by John Green

19. The Life Intended by Kristen Harmel

20. Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand

Religious Reads

21. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Quireshi

22. Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist

23. Undone: A Story of Making Peace With an Unexpected Life

ADDITION: Forgotten God by Francis Chan (We read this book for our dinner club/small group Bible Study)

NonFiction

24. The Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner

25. 11 Principles of a Reagan Conservative by Dr. Paul Kengor