My Bangs Look Good and Other Lies I Tell Myself

Susanna Foth Aughtmon ROCKS!
I know that's not how Book Blog Reviews are supposed to start and I don't care.
I love to read.
Fiction, Non-Fiction, Magazines, Newspapers, Blogs, Biographies, and really, I'll even read the back of a hairspray can while waiting for my kids to get out of the bathtub (I don't want book pages or my Kindle to get wet). But, as much as I love a crime novel or a sweet story, I have never experienced an author that resonates with my spirit and soul as much as Sue does. I feel like I know her; I feel like we're friends! And the truth be told, even though I know her dad, and she used to go to my church (before I did), and I read her blog faithfully, and I saw her speak once, and I met her once for like 5 minutes, and I have girlfriends that know her (and I am kinda jealous), I don't know her in person the way most people think of knowing someone. But let me tell you, Sue lets it all hang out. She is transparent in a way that most people can't imagine. She communicates about REAL life and REAL relationship with Jesus like Nobody's Business. Her writing is amazing and conversational. She's brave enough to put things on paper that the rest of us try to pretend we don't think about let alone do.
Sue's first book, All I need is Jesus and a Good Pair of Jeans, was awesome and her newest book, My Bangs Look Good and Other Lies I Tell Myself, is even better. As you guessed from the title, this book is about 23 of the lies we tell ourselves (and let the biggest Liar confirm for us); my favorites were 2, 15, 16, 18, 21, & 22. No I am not telling you what they are because you need to get the book. What I will say is: This book is GOOD. Good like: I laugh & cry every time I pick it up (because I am in harmony with the highs and lows), I am sucked in immediately, I can't put it down, I am letting my kids stare at the TV and eat Oreos for dinner kind of good.
If you are a woman, Christ-follower, mother, church planter, sister, daughter, teacher, volunteer, chocolate lover, jewelry lover, bargain shopper, dreamer, independent thinker, tired supergirl, or ever told a lie to yourself or someone else...I'll stop, that covers all of you, You Need To Buy and Read This Book. I guarantee you'll like it.

* Available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
**This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing. ---The FCC makes me put that on here, but I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT ANYWAY!

The Year of the Marathon

David and I have recently decided that we need to start picking something from our 'Bucket Lists' to focus on each year. I know, we have 4 kids and therefore VERY little free time, but if I don't want the bucket to be overflowing in 30 years, I need to find time to do some of them. Consequently, this year is going to be the Year of the Marathon!
I have wanted to run a marathon since my early 20s. I have run a half-marathon and several other medium length races but never a marathon. I started training once about 6 or 7 years ago and had an injury that put a stop to that. And, before I knew it 2 more kids and a few more years had come and gone. But the marathon fever is still there- and if Oprah can do it, I am SURE I can (of course I won't have a coach, a chef, an assistant, a staff, and I do have 4 kids...). Right?!
I started looking at marathon options in December and trying to decide which one I would run. I don't like running in the cold or rain, so I was hesitant to consider anything here in DC. When I started looking at warmer destinations, I immediately thought of San Diego and Hawaii. I turned 35 a few weeks ago and since 35 is a milestone year of sorts, I strongly considered running in Honolulu since I was born there. It could be great fun and definitely cool to tie such a significant accomplishment to my birthplace. Unfortunately, David informed me that the dates conflicted with one of his biggest projects of the year- I didn't want to go without him and the kids and I also don't want to put this off any longer- 26.2 miles isn't gonna get easier as my body gets older.
I decided ultimately that it was more important to have my friends and family around than to have great weather so on Wednesday, I registered for the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon which will be on Sunday, October 31st. Guess what, when I checked the website, I discovered that this is the 35th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Marathon---so we'll commemorate our 35 years together. I Like it!
Now, if I could just make time to go get my new running shoes and if I could figure out a way to have my kids enjoy 2 hours in the double jogger, the training plan would be easy (ok not easy, but easier). That might not happen soon, in the meantime, me and the treadmill have regular dates!

Miracles

According to dictionary.com, the definition of the word Miracle is:

mir·a·cle [mir-uh-kuhl]

–noun

1.	an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.

2.	such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God.

3.	a wonder; marvel.

4.	a wonderful or surpassing example of some quality

Pastor Mark Batterson has recently challenged the congregation at National Community Church to take time during the season between Easter and Pentecost (May 23, 2010) to fast and pray for miracles.

I have firmly believed in miracles for as long as I can remember. But I fully acknowledge that we often forget to believe that God is miraculous except when we find ourselves in crisis (personally, professionally, financially, relationally, or by association to someone we care deeply for who is in crisis). Yet, he performs miracles in our lives and circumstances every day whether we acknowledge them or view them as miracles.

I am thrilled to remind myself that big or small, there are many things in my life that exist by divine appointment and intervention and there could or should be a few more. Now, I am not talking about treating God like a genie that grants wishes. I am talking about supplicating the desires of your heart, knowing that God is omnipotent, and then submitting those desires to His perfect will.

I look foorward to sharing this journey with other NCCers (especially my ladies small group) as we seek God for amazing things personally and corporately.

Book Review and GIVEAWAY-- Here Burns My Candle

I have not done many blog tours/book reviews this year since having my 4th child---I wonder why?! But when the opportunity to review this book came up, I couldn't pass it up. Liz Curtis Higgs is a wonderful writer and with books like her Bad Girls of the Bible trio--she has intrigued me before. Well, let me give a resounding endorsement, Liz Curtis Higgs has done it again (written a fantastic book that is)!

I have always been drawn to the story of Ruth. And now, there is a awesome fiction book with a Scottish twist to bring this fabulous story to life in a completely new way. The story of Ruth is about love, loss, culture, family, connection, loyalty and so many other deep human emotions. Who better than an acclaimed author like Liz Curtis Harris to deepen a readers connection to those emotions (especially in a Scottish setting)?
Here Burns My Candle drew me in with it's language, characters, and the themed quotes to start each chapter. I have to admit that I was worried a bit about how I would enjoy the Old Word Scottish speak; I didn't want to feel like I was reading a high school English class assignment---and I didn't! I don't know if it is the ease with which the story flows, the connection to the characters, or my love of stories that give a picture of history, but I was glued to the pages and actually enjoyed the dialect. Liz does a great job of using history and detailed setting to support her characters and bring the story to life. The weaving of this story is amazing.

Publisher's Summary:

A mother who cannot face her future.
A daughter who cannot escape her past.

Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her.
Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips.
His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.
One by one the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown.
A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flickering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, Here Burns My Candle illumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.

GIVEAWAY: You should read this book AND I have one copy to give away free!
If you aren't the lucky winner, no worries, you can buy it here.
Leave a comment on this blog or on my FB note and I will randomly draw a winner on Thursday (April 1st).

**This was book and the giveaway copy were provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Thoughtful Thursday

Here is a great picture of "My Guys"-- aren't they adorable??


This picture was taken this week after Colin's Area Orchestra Concert (post to follow).

Wordless Wednesday

Cooper's 9-month Check-Up

Almost 2 months ago, I took Cooper to the doctor for his 9-month check-up.
His stats were:
Weight: 18lbs-12 oz (25th percentile-this is BIG for our kids, they are usually 10-15th percentile)
Height: 28 inches (45th percentile)
Head Circumference: 17 1/2 inches (25th percentile)

He had his 2 lower teeth by this visit. He was crawling well.
He was developmentally on track. He feeds himself, plays with his feet, babbles, and all such things.

Update:
Now, at 10 1/2 months old, Cooper can crawl up the stairs (all of them) of course we stand with him with protective hands ready just in case. He says Da-Da and Dow (Down from the high chair). He uses sign language for milk, food, more, up, and down. He has 2 more teeth coming in (total of 4). He eats everything: mac-n-chz, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, grapes, bread, turkey, cheerios, green beans, carrots, etc. Cooper is a cheerful child. He loves to laugh and is ticklish. He cruises the furniture quickly and is trying to balance standing on his own. Now, if we could just get him sleeping thru the night.

Catch Up

When you have been gone this long from blogging, where do you even start????

I have no idea! So, I will just jump in with a little summary of life.

David- doesn't have to travel too much with work now (as compared to previous seasons of life) but over the last month, he has been very busy. The first week of February he stayed in DC for the week in order to support the President's National Prayer Breakfast and to work. DC isn't far away but his schedule is so packed during this week that it just makes more sense to stay downtown. The next week was Snowmagedden for us in Northern VA. Here at the house we got 30+ inches. Then David's travel went in motion. He spent 8 days in Germany, had 30 hours at home, then went to Columbus, OH for 4 days. He had 3 days at home and then spent 3 more days in Columbus.
He is home now and it is SO NICE. We miss him when he's gone.

Colin- He is doing well in 6th grade. He loves school and loves playing outside. He is participating in Area Orchestra (experienced students from 6 Elementary Schools). Their concert is in 2 weeks. Colin is prepping for Spring Soccer Season and already starting to plan his birthday party (he can't wait to be 18, so 12 needs to hurry up and get here). Just a couple of weeks ago, I attended the Parent Orientation Night for Colin's move to middle school next year. Colin has been attending Youth Group at The Falls Church since January. He loves it. There are about 200 kids for the first hour and then they break out into small groups of 12. He has a great group of 6th grade guys and 2 awesome leaders (we are thrilled that he likes it and BONUS- it's only 15 minutes a way!).

Connor- is ready for Travel Soccer Season to start. He has enjoyed Winter Training (for the last 6 weeks on Friday nights) but he is ready to be in fully engaged in the season. His team attended a Pre-Season Scrimmage Event last Sunday and went 2 and 2. In the last game, Connor scored the winning goal! Since he normally plays midfield or defender. He has had many assists but this was his first goal in a game since starting Travel Soccer. It made it that much more special to him that it was the game-winner! Connor is also doing well in school and enjoys it. He starts learning the recorder this month and can't wait for next year when he will be learning Violin.


Sybella- loves preschool and is ready to start swimming lessons. She has the vocabulary of a much older child and is quite certain that she is the "first born," it must be that 6-year space between her and Connor. She is a wonderful helper and so smart. I am constantly amazed by the conversations we have. She is truly a blessing to me. The highlight of Sybella's month is that while dad was gone to Germany, Sybella's room went from white (with marker drawings) to Lime Green (or Lemon Green if you ask her, she can't remember the word lime). Last week she wore her 'Cat in the Hat' Hat to school to celebrate Dr. Suess' Birthday. She loves Dr. Suess books, especially Apples up on Top, One Fish Two Fish, and The Cat in the Hat.


Cooper- This child is ON THE MOVE. He can crawl up the stairs (all the way to the top). He can surf down our short staircase (5 stairs) on his tummy. He uses sign language to communicate: milk, more (as in food), and down (when he's done in the high chair). He is trying to stand independently, cruises our furniture with ease, and will soon be walking. He has the cutest curls in the back of his hair and his eyes have stayed blue. He is starting to try to say words: DaDa, Dow (for Down), and shakes his head No whenever he doesn't want something. He has a contagious smile and is definitely going to be trying to keep up with the older kids! He has 2 bottom teeth and the top 2 are coming in now. The only thing he doesn't do that I am READY for him to do is.......you guessed it, Sleep Thru The Night!

Sharon- I am busy staying at home with the kids. I have taken on a role as the Connections Ministry Leader at our church. I have taken on a project for the PTA. I still attend Community Bible Study in McLean once a week. I am leading a Video Teleconference Small Group this semester (a new role and total experiment that I love-- post to follow soon). I am the treasurer for the Travel Soccer team. I am working diligently on weight loss. And drum roll........since I turn 35 this month, it is the year of the Marathon (post to follow)!