Somewhat Silent

Kevin just pointed out to me that it's been awhile since I've posted on A List Maker's Life.  Yes, I guess its been quieter than normal. 

There are times I have ideas swirling through my mind endlessly, just waiting for the kids' nap time (my me time) to put them together here. 
Other times ideas swirl just as effortlessly, but I think more about keeping them for myself.  Processing more carefully what I want to share in detail, I think about our family and friends taking interest in conversation with us rather than reading our life like a list.  Does that make sense?  Maybe only to me, but that's where I'm at today. 

Although I may not be writing about it all, we're doing well and life is happening.

~We have a brand new, chubby cheeked, fuzzy headed, yummy smelling nephew.
~Anne Hope had her 4 year "get ready for school even though we don't have know where the heck she'll be going" physical.
~Gibson is gearing up for ear tube surgery later this week.
~ABC & 123 is anticipating a 1 year birthday in a few short days and I'm looking forward to celebrating and to making some little changes there.
~There's another little project I've been working on that I look forward to showing you soon.
~Our snow is melting!
~I enjoyed  reconnecting with some sweet sisters Friday and a date night with Kevin on Saturday.
~We recently attended Gavin's parent teacher conference and are currently weighing our options for his first grade placement next year.

Good life and Life life, it's happening. 
Hope this finds you living life too!

Building Relationships

I've been reading two new books about developing stronger relationships - relationships with our mothers, daughters, and our Father - Mother Daughter Duet & Dancing With My Father .  Through biblical insights, and real-life stories, these books are an encouragement to find joy in both earthly and eternal relationships.

Mother Daughter Duet by Cheri Fuller

Award-winning author Cheri Fuller and her daughter, Ali Plum, have discovered the keys to a healthy relationship. In Mother-Daughter Duet they share their story—each from her own perspective—in which they have experienced distance and tension, growth and challenge, and, ultimately, acceptance and harmony. Filled with personal anecdotes and based on several basic principles (letting go; listening; respect; setting boundaries; and more), Mother-Daughter Duet helps moms repair the breach so that daughters want to draw close.

I found this book to be current and relevant.  In the chapter on generational differences I read descriptions of my generation that I found to be spot on.  They explained that mothers who are critical would view our generation as unable to communicate face to face because we choose to share important conversations via text, not as hard working as previous generations, and unable to face reality.  Yet, an encouraging mother would focus on the strengths of our generation: the ability to talk about issues with honesty, a lack of pretense, a refreshing lack of focus on physical appearance, the desire to stay closely connected with girlfriends by planning regular getaways, and a clearer sense of boundaries.

As I read this book I couldn't help by but incredibly grateful for the way my mom has built our adult relationship.  Her example should be a model for me in my future relationship with Anne Hope, however since she hasn't written done all of her secrets to success I'm glad to have the wisdom from this book.

Dancing With My Father by Sally Clarkson

The reality of living in a broken, fallen world can leave women feeling overcome by fear, guilt, and weariness. In the midst of it all some women develop  numbness to any sense of joy.  With the voice of a wise and kind mentor, the author reveals how, by getting in tune with the rhythm of God’s presence, women can nurture an inner attitude of anticipation and celebration even in the stressful seasons of life.

This book is set up like a devotional in that it incorporates scripture, discussion questions, and reflection prayers with each chapter.  Dancing with My Father is truly an encouragement to read as defines a true purpose and refines passions -especially in the midst of the daily routines and sometimes overwhelming to-dos. I really enjoyed the chapter that addressed how our own joy is made complete when it is shared.  There is also an important reminder in the message that happiness often focuses on me and what I am able to have and do, where joy is about what I am able to give to others.  Sally also speaks right to me when she encourages being fully engaged and dancing through daily duties, instead of trudging with drudgery through the things that seem mundane.

BOOK GIVEAWAY
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group has provided a copy of each of these books for giveaway here on A List Maker's Life.  To be entered to win this 2 book set, please leave a comment on this post before Thursday, March 11th at 10 PM EST.


These books were provided for my review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Get Back Up Again

Early this winter Gavin expressed an interest in ice skating.  Kevin took him to our friends' backyard rink where he confidently found his way around the ice pushing a small chair.  When his school sent home a flyer inviting the kids to a lesson at a local indoor hockey rink he made sure we added the event to our calendar.  

When we arrived we were all a bit overwhelmed to see how very many children were also interested in learning to skate, likely fueled by the Winter Olympic hype.  Anne Hope completely freaked opted out as soon as she saw the crowds, leaving Gavin to brave it alone.  Brave it he did, even without the safety of a chair to push.  We were so proud of his effort and his willingness to keep at it.

Fast forward to this weekend.  Gavin's great buddy, Jeremy, was looking out for him when a copy of tobyMac's newest album Tonight came across his desk at the radio station.  He set it aside to be sure we had a copy.  When he brought it over and we were all pretty excited.  Gavin put it in right away and a family dance party ensued.  The catchy tune to song #2 became a quick favorite.  After listening a few times Gavin happily explained, "You know that song is so true.  It's like when things go wrong we can just get back up again and God will help us do it.  Like when I tried ice skating."

We lose our way,

We get back up again

It's never too late to get back up again,

One day you will shine again,

You may be knocked down,

But not out forever.

Go For Gold

As the 2010 Winter Olympics closed ceremonies last night the US Olympic team had 37 medals - an impressive first place ranking in the medal count.  It has been exciting to watch the athletes excel in many winter sports. Since the opening ceremonies two weeks ago, I have been experimenting with a bit of an Olympic challenge myself and I'm ready to hand out another medal for performance excellence. 

While we typically use cloth diapers for our {almost} 16 month old, I was thrilled to give the new Pampers Dry Max technology a try.  They have redesigned the Cruisers diapers for higher performance.  They've made them significantly thinner (20%), yet they work better than ever.  The new material included is called Dry Max and Pampers claims it locks away wetness for up to 12 hours. The diapers have a soft outer cover for comfort, they have a tapered design, and are decorated with Sesame Street® characters.

I was impressed with how thin the diapers really were.  We saw a big difference in the way Gibson's clothes fit in comparison to his big ol' cloth diaper bum - which meant we got a little extra wear out of the 12 month jeans I thought he'd outgrown!  In all honesty, before cloth diapering our youngest we used every brand BUT Pampers. Simply because I have a difficult time with the way they smell (before they are loaded...). However, the convenience and performance of the made over editions might just help me get over my scented diaper issue.  I was pleasantly surprised at how lightweight the diapers felt when "full."  In fact, I think I left him in them up to 2 hours longer than our typical diapers because they never seemed wet. 

GIVEAWAY

Pampers with Dry Max officially hit store shelves in March, giving you with diapered babes a chance to try them for yourself.  However, they are also offering a reader of A List Maker's Life a redeemable coupon for a free week's supply of the all-new Cruisers with Dry Max AND a Liz Lange diaper clutch.

To be entered to win, leave a comment here! 
I'd love to hear what diapers you currently use and/or what excites you about this new option.
Entry will be open to US Residents only until Friday, March 12th at 10PM EST.

Many thanks to Pampers and American Pop Digital for allowing me to participate in this trial and giveaway.  The samples they have sent were not sent with the intent to be a payment for my favorable review, instead as a chance to hear my honest opinions.

Easy Tea Party Cakes

In planning for last week's princess tea party I had it in mind to make cupcakes with small crown toppers.  However, after picking out the perfect tea party dishes I realized a full size cupcake would be the only thing to fit on the little ladies' dainty {that's the fancy word for delicately charming} plates.  So, we went on a grocery aisle search for a sweet alternative. 

With a little scoping Anne Hope and I found just the right ingredients for our own version of petits fours glacés{that's the fancy word for bite size, iced confections served as desserts}. 

The Shopping List

~Oreo Cakesters {we used the yellow cake version in the 100 Calorie Pack size}
~White chocolate melting candy
~Icings & Decorations

The To-Dos

~Melt down the white chocolate in a double boiler over medium-low heat {if the water touches the bottom of the top boil pan and/or boils, the chocolate burns quickly}
~While you're waiting, unwrap the mini cakes and lay them out on wax paper
~Dip one Cakester at a time
~Spoon around in chocolate to fully cover
~Fish out {completely un-fancy word there, 'huh?}with a spoon and tap on the side of the bowl until covered smoothly
~Leave to cool on wax paper
~Once cool, decorate petits fours with icings and more.

Appréciez!

{that's the fancy word for Enjoy}

It's Shaping Up to Be Quite a Special Day

In celebration of our Anne Hope's 4th birthday we have a little princess themed tea party taking shape.

{circles}

{rectangles}

{flowers}

{stars}

{spheres}

{my heart}

This post is linked to You Capture: Shapes. Even if it is a bit of a stretch...

All Things Hidden by Tricia Goyer

All Things Hidden is the eighteenth book in a continuing series called Home to Heather Creek.  Charlotte Stevenson, who is raising her grandchildren on the family farm, with the help of her circle of friends and her husband Bob gets caught up in a mystery of history.  While cleaning out the basement of Bedford Community Church Charlotte comes across a tattered and yellowed newspaper article. The clipping, published more than a century ago, implicates her great-great-grandfather in the loss of funds intended to help finish building the church. Now, she feels as if the past has come back to haunt her.

Meanwhile, her grandchildren are busy making history of their own.  Sam is spending time with a new girl in town-and is keeping secrets about where they go. Christopher is trying to get an article published in the local paper.  Emily reluctantly partners with a foreign exchange student on a class project and eventually comes to see that they're not that different after all. Throughout their activities, old secrets are brought to light and the entire family is reminded that the truth is sometimes more complicated than it seems.

The author, Tricia Goyer is the author of many books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. She writes for publications such as Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family.  She also speaks to women's groups nationwide, and has been a presenter at the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) national convention.

I found All Things Hidden to be a simple, lighthearted story.  As it bounces between the experiences of two different generations, it would be an appropriate read for both teen and adult women.  Tricia's style of creating setting and building the plot drew me in to the book. The lessons I will take from this heart warming story are to look for clues in life, pay attention to wisdom from unexpected people, take time to listen to myself, and figure out where all those clues lead.

All Things Hidden is available for purchase at Guideposts.

Thank you to LitFuse for sending me a complimentary copy of All Things Hidden for my participation in this blog tour.