an excellent read

One thing I really enjoy doing with my boys (glasses or no glasses) is reading.  I think it is a no brainer when they are younger because they love any age appropriate children's book.  We have some old favorites, but through about the age of six, we could pull random books off the shelves at the library and they would be happy little bookworms.

The Hunter and Sauce are getting a bit trickier.  Sure, they love the ever popular "Magic Tree House" series as well as "The Boxcar Children."  They will often take these to bed and read to themselves at bedtime.

But I work to stretch them and broaden their horizons.  I like to go to the library by myself and scan the chapter books for something that I know they will really enjoy, but that they wouldn't necessarily choose themselves.

And then, because I know they are going to love a certain book, I read it aloud to them.

I'm selfish like that.

I LOVE to hear their giggles and gasps and, "Oh man!"  I get such enjoyment from the begging for just one more chapter.  I cherish the moments when I'm tucking them in and they ask me who my favorite character is or what I think will happen next.

We just finished reading one of those books that we will likely remember for years to come.

"Because of Mr. Terupt" caught my eye because as I flipped through the 260+ pages, I could see that the chapters were randomly titled with the same seven first names (Peter, Alexia, Luke, Jeffrey, Danielle, Anna, Jessica).  The summary said that the story revolved around one phenomenal fifth grade teacher and seven (very different) students from his class told the story.

I knew that a story led by a creative, enthusiastic teacher would catch my big boys' attention.  They are in the thick of experiencing the ups and downs of classroom learning, both socially and academically.  Often, they will question WHY they must learn a certain concept.  Other times, they will come home with a story of how another student said something mean for no reason at all.

I know that kids can be just plain mean for no reason, but I thought the different points of view would really open my sons' eyes and give them perspective that their fellow students are often more than meets the eye.  Also, I knew they would enjoy the creative and dynamic teacher that Mr. Terupt would prove to be.

I was right.  We finished the book in a grand total of four days.  In every spare moment, they were asking me to read "just one more chapter."  I had to hide the book when we had a babysitter one night because I knew they would finish it without me. 

They laughed out loud at Luke's "dollar word" habit (you'll never guess).  They started out hating Alexia, and then they learned to understand her.  They cracked up at the plant experiment and seeing the principal's wedgie.  All so perfect for elementary boys.

Although we are an in tact family, I know that many of their friends are struggling in broken homes.  I loved the real life "behind the scenes" perspective it gave them on grief, loss, judging others, and freely giving to those who may appear not to have anything to give in return such as special needs kids.

Although painful at times, this story dove into all of those topics without dealing my kids anything that I felt was inappropriate for their ages.  I felt it was so valuable to process through these types of feelings through a fictional experience.

If you have a third grade level reader or above, I emphatically recommend this book.  I was so glad that I didn't just hand it to one of my boys to read alone.  There were so many life lessons and discussion starters and we are all a bit more wise and compassionate because of it.

no particular topic

I have been so scheduled this school year that I'm very much enjoying the randomness of summer.

Have I mentioned that summer has arrived in Park City???  Have you heard my "Amen!" from the mountaintops?

I have many "facebook-esque" updates, not one being worthy of an entire post - so here they are.

• We bought our community pool membership for the summer.  I've realized another great benefit to not having any itty babies - naps are optional!  I can see that we are going to be poolside nearly every day this summer.

• Except when we're beachside, which is just one month from tomorrow!!!  I cannot wait to be with my siblings and my nieces and meet my new nephew.
  
• Isn't he adorable?  He's smiling because my brother just told him that he gets to meet me next month!!!
  
• Speaking of vacation, my sister and I are trying to lose a few lbs before we plant our butts in the sand.  We've both had success with this before.  It isn't easy or a magic potion.  It is about making food choices that keep your blood sugar relatively constant throughout the day.  That plus the 30 Day Shred - I'm one focused girl right now.
  
• It is hard to quit my sugar addiction.  I miss sugar.  Oh, and white bread and chocolate chip cookies.  I'll stop there.
  
• I've also given up my nightly occasional glasses of wine.  I (jokingly) told my beloved that when we are at the beach I'm going to drink like a sailor.  He said that he is all for it.  I have no idea why ;-)
  
• My big boys have been staying up too late and getting up at their regular time.  Pretty much a formula for grumpycrabbybickeringandfighting.  My solution has been to give them a 1 mg tablet of Melatonin with dinner.  Asleep by eight o'clock.  Thankyouverymuch.
  
• My in laws were here visiting and thank the Lord for them because my boys got to get all things their mom doesn't do adventurous and messy and anything to do with gardening out of their systems.  I love my mother in-law because she exposes my children to things that I have absolutely no creativity energy gift for.  She comes out to visit with a well thought out plan of the memories she wants to make with the boys and I get a rest they all have a hoot.  Today was a sad day when we all had to say goodbye.
  
  
  
• I watched my boys tried to ride an old baby tub down our stream (which is ice cold snow melt) in their underwear.  Video to come.
  
• I've realized (again) that there aren't any television shows worth watching in the summer.  I am on a mission to read three books.  Book reviews to come.
  
• My baby Squirt is turning THREE this month.  He has been telling anyone who will listen, "My bir-day is Elmo bir-day!"  Aunt Louie is coming from Atlanta for the big day and that is the only reason I can't wait.  When I ask him who will be my baby if he is a big boy now, he says, "I don't know." in the cutest voice you have ever heard.  Little does he know that he'll always be my baby.
  

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

girlfriends rock

When I first received this video from a friend in an email, I had no idea who this woman speaking was. 

I Googled Kelly Corrigan and found that she is an author and breast cancer survivor.  Off to the library I went and devoured her biography, "The Middle Place," in about a week.  She is as well written as she is well spoken.  She is funny, HONEST and REAL (love that).

She does drop a few "f-bombs" in her book, but when you're a young mother dealing with an ugly thing like cancer, I think you're entitled to that.  Plus, she is F.U.N.N.Y.

I am blessed to be able to identify with what she says in this video.  I have women in my life who walk with me through the valleys and celebrate on the mountaintops - and I am really grateful.

You know who you are.  I love you girls.

I can't do this life without you.

A night I won't forget

I regularly reserve books online from the library's website and a month or so ago I saw that the homepage advertised that Stephen Nasser was coming to speak on March 4th. No, I had never heard of him either, but his book "My Brother's Voice" was also displayed on the web page. I read the description, found that there was an available copy, and before I knew it I was engrossed in his story. Mr. Nasser is a Hungarian Jew, who at just 14 years old was liberated from Hitler's holocaust. I have never met a holocaust survivor before. Anyone who does the simple math can tell that soon there won't be any left to meet.

First, his book... I can't say, "it's good" because it's not. It's horrific. I had to read it with a box of tissues nearby. The events that surrounded his childhood can't be paralleled with words. I pray that our world never again knows such evil, but even as I type these words, I know that less publicized horrors are happening in places such as Darfur. Mr. Nasser witnessed the murders of several of his family members (including his baby cousin), and was subjected to the horrors of Auschwitz. After getting shipped out to a work camp, he nearly starved to death and held his older brother in his arms and watched him succumb to death.

I feel a responsibility to our world and especially to those who suffered through the holocaust to hear stories like these. My family and friends and I live such a blessed and charmed life of freedom and prosperity that I must make myself aware of those that don't. I guess that ties into my heart for orphans too... having compassion makes me appreciate life more.

Kenyon happened to be out of town when Mr. Nasser was to speak, and I almost didn't go. Childcare was going to be an issue, but my friend Christa generously allowed me to drop the boys off at her house so I could go. I'm glad I did.

I already knew a lot of what he told he audience, many of them had not yet read his book. But, some of what he said was not in his book - and he was inspiring. He spoke of freedom and how it isn't free. He said that whether or not you agree with our military involvements at any given moment, you must have an appreciation for our brave soldiers who go wherever and whenever they are told to. They are ready and willing to sacrifice the greatest possession any of us have... LIFE. He thanks God every day for the brave American and allied soldiers, who played a role in his liberation and ending the war. I'm proud to say that my Grandpa August Possehl was one of those brave men. He's still fighting today, in his 80's, but luckily, he's fighting weeds in his garden in Atlanta.

After living through the nightmare, Mr. Nasser holds life as precious. Any life. He reminded us that people are created in different colors, creeds and ability levels, but all are precious. He has witnessed firsthand calloused murders by Hitler's henchmen and the helplessness and despair that starvation and physical labor not fit for animals brings. His message: CELEBRATE LIFE, CHERISH LIFE. It is precious. Respect each other and love one another. I was also struck by the fact that he doesn't question why God allowed him to go through it. He refers to God as his, "best buddy" (imagine it said with a thick Hungarian accent) and has an amazing faith that has withstood more than anyone else I know has endured.

During the question and answer time, a young girl in the front asked a couple of insightful questions, I would guess she was about ten years old. She was obviously touched by his story, as was evident by her battle with her tears. Afterward, she waited in the long line of people who were waiting to meet him and get his autograph or picture. She stood in front of me in line and when he shook her hand, she tearfully whispered something into his ear and then handed him a cough drop because he had an obvious tickle in his throat during his speech. She was precious and it was so good to see the next generation changed by history.