Saturday, April 15, 2023

A bunny

The oldest son has been asking for a rabbit for over two years. So for his birthday we drew up plans for a rabbit hutch and his them at the end of a treasure hunt. Jared and he went to Lowes and picked up all the supplies and built the hutch over the next few weekends (which is why the mudroom has on hold since February).  The rabbit was 8 weeks old and able to leave her family this week. She is the sweetest and softest thing. 

Ps. Your kids are going to like different things then you. Remember how much I disliked the Green Ember… it made it on my dislike list of books for the year a few years ago (2019 I think).  Well, it is one of the oldest sons favorite books. Originally this rabbit was supposed to be a boy, but the litter was all girls. So instead of being named Smalls Jupiter, he changed the name to Heather Longtreader. Welcome, Heather! 

Pps. My vote for a name was Pickles Folger from Redwall. 

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Books of 2022

 I am just a bit late posting my list of books for 2022...

2021 List (There are links to lists from 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 in that link)

A few notes:
a) I read:
70 books. 
17610 pages
48 pages a day

b) My top three read authors were:
Dale Ralph Davis
E. Nesbit
George MacDonald

c) We really loved E. Nesbit books and they were a balm to our souls when we were sick for half the summer. Literally half the summer (24 days in May, 7 days in June, 21 days in July, and 14 days in August).

d) 39% were fiction (27 books).  26 of those books were read to the kids. I read one fictional book for myself - Our Mutual Friend.  It was excellent. 

e) Winter Holiday, The Enchanted Castle, and The Princess and Curdie were my favorite reads to the kids. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them.  The Swallows and Amazons Series is such a treasure of a series. I love it more and more. Books 2,4, and 6 have been my favorites. But they are all such gold.  Anne of Green Gables was also a fun read and Charlotte's Web is always a favorite! 

f) I abandoned books again this year and it didn't bother me. 

g) 46% of my books came from the library. 

h) I didn't borrow any books. I guess all my reading-the-same-type-of-books-as-me friends live in other states now. 

i) I focused on books that we had around the house and only bought 5 books this year. 


I am dividing this list into favorite books that I read to myself and books that I read to my kids. 

My Favorite Reads (In no apparent order)

The Dawn of Redeeming Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent - Sinclair Ferguson

1 Samuel: True Word for Tough Times - Dale Ralph Davis

Joshua: No Falling Words - Dale Ralph Davis

Judges: Such a Great Salvation - Dale Ralph Davis

Suffering Is Never for Nothing - Elizabeth Elliott

Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken - David Powilson

Parenting by God's Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace - Joel Beeke (A reread)

Safe and Sound: Standing Firm in Spiritual Battles - David Powilson (A reread)

The Bruised Reed - Richard Sibbs (maybe my book of the year...)

Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God - Tim Challies

Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality: Empowering Your Kids to Understand and Live Out God’s Design

Happiness - J.C. Ryle

Matthew (Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, #1) - J.C. Ryle

Reformed Worship: Worship that is According to Scripture

What Happens When We Worship

Our Mutual Friend - Dickens


My Favorite Reads to My Kids

The Princess and Curdie (Princess Irene and Curdie, #2) - George MacDonald

The Enchanted Castle - E. Nesbit

Winter Holiday (Swallows and Amazons, #4) - Ransome

Anne of Avonlea (Anne of Green Gables, #2) - Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1) - Montgomery

Heidi

God's Wisdom (Making Him Known) - Sally Michael

Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems

Brother Andrew: God's Secret Agent

Nate Saint: On a Wing and a Prayer


*** Lastly, I don't have time to organize the whole list like I have in past years, but if you want to see all the books I read you can 1) friend me on goodreads and I rate all the books there (if I really hate a book or love a book sometimes I review it) or 2) here is my google file with the list super unedited and rough.