My Favorite Book...

So, I love to read. In fact, a little known fact (until now) is that my parents sent me to a therapist as a kid becuase that is all I did. I know, I sound like a real winner! I have a couple of favorite books. Two are fantastic, but not real pick-me-ups; The Catcher in the Rye and The Bell Jar. But, my all time favorite is a little book called "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It's a short book; a memoir of a mother of five who spends one week a year in solitude. It is the most incredible, empowering book I've ever read. She talks about our relationships, as women, throughout life's course, and how we really need to take care of ourselves first in order to best take care of those we love. I hope you'll all read it. It is the best! What are some of your favorites?
A little more about this amazing author...
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
A gifted and insightful writer, Anne Morrow Lindbergh was born in 1906 in New Jersey, the daughter of U.S. Senator Dwight Morrow and poet and women's education advocate Elizabeth Cutter Morrow. She married Charles Lindbergh in 1929, and began a life of flying. Ms. Lindbergh was the first licensed woman glider pilot in the United States. She was awarded many honoraria, including the National Geographic Society's Hubbard Gold Medal.
Gift from the Sea
As the New York Times book review stated, "Gift from the Sea is like a shell itself in its small and perfect form . . . It tells of light and life and love and the security that lies at the heart." In her warm and inspiring collection of sea-side meditations, Ms. Anne Morrow Lindbergh writes about life and its circle of relationships. The classic Gift from the Sea (review or buy), continue to enchant readers around the world.
This is the review for O Magazine by Maria Shriver
My mother gave me this book when I was in college, and I'm embarrassed to say I didn't read it until my forties. Even though Lindbergh wrote this back in 1955, her message is still relevant today Married to an American hero, she suffered a huge public tragedy when her son was kidnapped and murdered. After that she went on to rear her children in private and to forge an independent and successful career as a writer. This book is about her search for simplicity within the complications of modern life: motherhood, marriage, jobs, and friends. She also offers a lot of valuable lessons about feminism and being a wife. I especially like the following passage: "Woman must come of age by herself. This is the essence of 'coming of age'-- to learn how to stand alone. She must learn not to depend on another, nor to feel she must prove her strength by competing with another.... She must find her true center alone. She must become whole."

Little Buddy

Have I mentioned how great our little buddy is? He is such a special little boy! He woke up from his nap this afternoon singing the Barney song. You know the "I love You" one? I love it! London is going on hour three of a nap, so Beck and I have some much needed alone time. All he ever wants to do is play balls. Today, it's basketball. He found that he can reach the rim of his little tykes basketball if he stands on his little chair. He yells "dunk!" and throws the ball to the rim. Too cute! I just love this little boy!

A Tantrum to Remember!

So, I've got a three year old. Enough said, right? Well this particular episode happened right before Christmas, but I forgot to post it. London was REALLY upset over something. I have no idea what it was- probably had Pink Baby taken away or something. She was tired and it was bedtime, so we just put her in her bedroom. As Matt and I left her room, I remember saying, "we'll have to take a picture of her wherever she falls asleep." We did just that. The best thing was that we really couldn't find her when we went into her room. We looked under the bed, in the closet, and finally we heard a tiny snort; she was curled up behind her hamper. So great! That was the first and so far the only time she's fallen asleep mid tantrum, but I'm sure we'll see more in the future!

President Gordon B. Hinckley

"You were generals in the War in Heaven and one day when you are in the spirit world, you will be enthralled by those you are associated with. You will ask someone in which time period they lived and you might hear, 'I was with Moses when he parted the Red Sea,' or 'I helped build the pyramids,' or 'I fought with Captain Moroni.' And as you are standing there in amazement, someone will turn to you and ask you which of the prophets' time did you live in? And when you say 'Gordon B. Hinckley' a hush will fall over every hall and corridor in Heaven, and all in attendance will bow at your presence. You were held back six thousand years because you were the most talented, most obedient, most courageous, and most righteous". Elder Boyd K. Packer

I think this quote sums it all up. He is an amazing man and how lucky are we to have lived in the same time as him. He will be greatly missed.

I stole this quote from Becky's Blog. I was so emotional reading it! I just think of all that is going on in this world, and how valiant we really must have been to been put on the earth in these times.

Quiet Time

So, after a great 3 1/2 year run, naps are about over for the Londerbug. Since I LOVE my "me time" when both kids are napping, I still insist on quiet time. She either plays in her room, or watches a show in the basement. I went downstairs to check on her today and she was being so cute sitting there, coloring me a picture! I had to capture the moment!