Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

What kind of blogger would I be if I left you hanging ALL through Christmas and then neglected to send you Happy New Years wishes as well?!

We've had a wonderful couple of weeks. Stressful at times, yes. Chaotic, check that box too. But, wonderful nonetheless.

Scott and I actually both agreed that it was one of our favorite Christmases in a long time. I'm not sure that we could pinpoint exactly why, except to say that our girls are at a really FUN age for celebrating Christmas (i.e. they get excited about the load of $5, $10 or $15 presents we gave them, and are not asking for Uggs, or i-pods, or $80 jeans, or other sorts of ridiculousness that I've heard about from mom's of older children...my girls are NEVER going to be that way, or request those sorts of things...I'm sure of it!).

Besides our girls being at an incredibly fun age for things like holidays and birthdays and the many other annual celebrations, we were surrounded by a LOT of family and it was wonderful.

This is our second Christmas back in Buffalo and I have to tell you that Christmas alone was worth the move back. It was always one of the holidays that, while we were in MA and traveling back here for Christmas, made us think 'maybe, just maybe, someday, we will move back. Not because we like Buffalo all that much, but because we miss the closeness of family.'This was a year that made it all worthwhile.

Without getting into all of the long details (that would certainly only be interesting to me! Like making people watch your old home videos!) Scott's mom came in on the Thursday before Christmas and was able to help me with the girls while Scott played guitar at 4 (yes, I said FOUR!!!) Christmas Eve services-- a HUGE blessing.

Christmas morning through the eyes of two toddler's is exciting; smiles and shrieks and a flurry of wrapping paper. My parent's came over for lunch, we all took naps in the afternoon, we went to my mom's for dinner and then to Scott's dad's to hang out for the rest of the evening. It was just very, very nice to have been able to see everyone while still being able to wake up, nap and return to the comfort of our own home throughout and at the end of the day. I wouldn't have changed a thing.

So what else is going on in my life?

Well, my doctor says I have irritable bowel syndrome so I've been eating yogurt like a mad woman. I'm sure you really, really, wanted to know that. (Believe me, I've spared you some of the nittier, grittier details of my intestinal habits since last week!). She says I ate way too much junk, and got too stressed and this is my payback....Great.

I think I am currently reading 5 books...yes, I do believe I have adult onset ADD sometimes...seriously! Here's a quick list for other bookies who are curious:

Reading Little Bee for book club. I have to say this is one of the DARKEST books I've ever read. Honestly, if it wasn't for book club, I would have taken it back to the library already. It is very well written...but seriously, when I read, I'm usually looking for an upper, not a downer. Not so much with this one so far. Hoping it is redemptive in the end!

Just read Naptime is the New Happy Hour. If you have toddlers and are looking for a quick and VERY funny read, this book will have you laughing aloud! Slight warning, if you are a bit conservative in your lifestyle and beliefs, like yours truly, the author's honesty and candidness in some parts of the book are slightly off-putting and you may find yourself briefly offended, but the humor makes it worthwhile in the end!

Started The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Dr. Tim Keller before Christmas. A very good book. A short book (I should have finished it by now!). A spin on the prodigal son story that really allows you to see God in a bigger, broader and more profound way. I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a short, but well-written book on the Christian faith.

Finishing Without A Word.  This is the Jim and Jill Kelly story. For those of you who don't live in Buffalo, Jim Kelly was a well known quarterback for the Buffalo Bills for a number of years. Not surprisingly, all of his fame could not buy the family happiness...it was through having a son, born with a life-threatening and eventually fatal disease, and losing that wonderful little boy, that brought that family to their knees and changed everything for them. Jim and Jill are now speaking at churches and spreading the word about their faith journey.

I'm currently reading (and by far my favorite book at the moment!) Momma Zen: Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood. While Miller and I may not agree when it comes to our theology (she is a Buddhist priest), this book is a reminder that motherhood is such a universal experience that you can have absolutely NOTHING else in common with someone and still feel that you connect with them on some level if you are both mothers. Miller does not push any sort of theology on her reader, she simply offers poignantly written experiences about bearing children and being a mother. It is VERY well-written  and one of the best books I've read on motherhood to date. If you've ever struggled with the challenges of motherhood, the tireless hours, the tedious tasks or the loss of self, you will find this book incredibly refreshing. Miller is able to confess her own similar feelings, but in the end encourages the reader that it is all ok-- that you're going to make it. Every time I finish a chapter I feel  SO much better about myself as a mother and about my parenting! The chapters are also relatively short, which is an added bonus when you're a mom!

alright...enough book stuff for today...I have a major stack of 'want to reads' as well...and also have some thoughts about New Years Resolutions for the year, which I'll save for another post in the next day or two.

Hope you are all well. Happy New Year!!

If you are reading and have good book you are currently reading, particularly on Christianity or Motherhood, leave a comment with the title! I love new book suggestions as do your fellow bloggie readers!