reading

Restful

We had a fairly restful weekend over here. Case in point: Jimmy and Niva shared a blanket on the couch for a little snooze one afternoon.

Husky sleeping on couch with blanket

I had come up from our basement and saw them laying together and thought it was adorable that they were sharing a blanket.

I also found Malcolm doing some sunbathing in the kitchen.

Black cat laying in sun

Sadie got in on the restful weekend when we pushed the couches together to watch TV one morning. TV first thing in the morning was a major treat for her!

Hopefully she doesn’t expect it every morning now 😉

Dad and toddler watching TV with couches pushed together

I did some reading. I started this book and it has been very interesting. There’s a lot I didn’t know about the brain, especially how a child’s brain develops and can be nurtured.

I’ve begun implementing a few of the strategies included in the book when Sadie is upset and they have worked very well!

The Whole Brain Child book

I helped Jimmy in the church sound booth on Sunday morning and got to hear my dad teach a lesson on money in the church. What a difficult topic to cover, but also very important.

My brother-in-law, Josh, preached in the evening and while I was teaching a class, I heard he did a great job. I’m looking forward to catching up on his sermon via Facebook!

Man preaching at church

Other weekend happenings:

  • A few Starbucks dates with Jimmy, Sadia, and Niva
  • We went to a dessert get-together at my sister-in-law’s house
  • Did some cleaning and real estate work catch up

A few of my favorite Bible verses on the topic of rest:

  • “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
  • And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
  • He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Tell me about your weekend!

Books and Baking

Books and baking. I’m pretty sure that could have been the name of this blog 😉

I feel like it has been a while since I last posted, but it has only been a few days that have felt like weeks due to a not-so-fun sleep regression and toddler separation anxiety. God is teaching me so much as I parent Sadie and something I’m learning lately is to let go of expectations.

Toddler sitting in window with husky

There are a million things I’d like to do, but the most important thing is that I serve God and my family. I’m right where He has me and that’s what matters.

Some days I just won’t get my real estate work done, or the laundry folded, or even get to shower. Some days the only accomplishment I have achieved is getting my toddler to take a stroller nap.

Toddler sleeping in Graco stroller

I’m realizing that’s okay. This is such a short, precious season of my life with a little one who is so dependent on me. I’m blessed to be with her each and every day and I pray I can always be present and show her the love God has shown me ❤

Parenting a child can feel so all-consuming at times. It’s the hardest, most rewarding thing I’ve ever done and I constantly feel God refining my character and pushing me to seek Him in every moment.

Onto the baking and books. We had a church fellowship planned for Sunday night and I made blueberry muffins with a cinnamon crumble topping!

Blueberry muffins with cinnamon crumble topping

Church ended up being cancelled due to a power outage, so we enjoyed the muffins after dinner. We’ve had some windy days here lately.

Jimmy had another long day at work in West Virginia yesterday. He left our house at 5:45 am and got home at 9:45 pm. Sadie and I whipped up brown sugar pumpkin spice cookie dough while he was away and we baked it tonight for us to all celebrate an evening together 🙂

Brown sugar pumpkin spice cookies

Sorry about the poor lighting… daylight savings life, lol.

Let’s talk books! Here’s what I’m reading at the moment:

Books I’m eying up next:

Books Sadie has loving:

Are you reading any good books?

What’s the last thing you baked?

What’s the weather like where you live?