2013 Reading list

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The books I have chosen this year seem to fit appropriately with my focus for 2013, which you can read about (here).  I've already peeked into several of them and they seem full of wisdom, advice and practical ways to help me grow in the areas that I'm trying to in 2013.

I know the amount of books I've chosen might be pitiful to some of you out there, but I'm choosing to make my goals within reach with the season of life that I am in. Growing up, I was never an avid reader and it just so happens that within the last several years (when I have the least quiet/down time) I have immensely enjoyed reading and can't get enough.

Now, it's a matter of finding moments here and there to pick up the books that I'm dying to read ; )

Last year, I did fairly well with my list, but as I told you in the fall, unfortunately our kids got Pertussis/whooping cough : ( .... so many things got put on the back burner for a few months so that I could nurse my family back to health.  Raising little ones is all about priorities and flexibility! Can I get a shout from the mommas?!

Anyway, here is my list:

January/February/March

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living

Disease-Proof Your Child: Feeding Kids Right

The Husband Project: 21 Days of Loving Your Man--on Purpose and with a Plan

April/May/June

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

Super Immunity: The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body's Defenses to Live Longer,  

Stronger, and Disease Free

Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The 
Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders

July/August/September

Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care (I have begun this book, but I need to finish reading it soon.)

Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World

October/November/December

A Love That Multiplies

Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment (This book was so impactful, I want to try to read it again this year - possibly do a womens group study on it?!)

Throughout the year, I'd like to finish these:

Audio Books:

Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women

Ebooks:

21 Days To A More Disciplined Life


I'm so thankful that our local library has almost all of the regular books in their system...yay, free reads!!!  Otherwise, I will be using my Swagbucks to buy the others on Amazon.  (Click here if you don't know what Swagbucks is?)

What about you? Do you have any good reads in mind that I may add to my list?!

This and that: coffee sack art

I wanted to share a recent project that my husband is actually working on.  We have often seen these large burlap sacks that coffee beans are transported in and really liked them, but we never had a clue what we would do with them.  We like them for two reasons: they remind us of our travels to Central and South America and our addiction  enjoyment for coffee : ) 

Well, thanks to the creative mind of a friend (thanks TJ!), we will soon have some on display in our house.  

On a recent trip to a large discount store in our area, my husband spotted the burlap sacks and they were only 99 cents.  Woo hoo!  You can still smell the scent of the coffee beans.  He also found the near perfect frames large enough to display them for $4.99 each.

All he did was cut the sack to fit the frame.  He then placed the glass behind the sack to keep it in place and wrinkle free.  Yes, it was that easy!  We have one more that is not finished yet, so I will post an update later.  

So...we will have a nice coffee sack display for less than $20.  Thanks babe!

Less in 2013

"In 2013, my goal or focus for the year seemed to be summed up as "less is more".  That goes for every area of life:

* less clutter

* less spending/excess

* less stress

* less preservatives, GMOs and toxins in my body (and my family's body)

* less "noise" (literally and figuratively) probably more figuratively being 
   that I have four children ages five and younger ; )

* ultimately...less of me, more of Jesus

I really want this year (and many years to come) to focus on a bit of a life detox, if you will.  We definitely need to de-clutter our home, our spending and my body and soul continue to need de-cluttering, as well.



1. The home:

                                                                      photo source


After moving in and out of different apartments, condos and homes 12 times in our 12 years of marriage, we finally bought a home that we may plant roots in (for awhile at least?!).  In 2011, were blessed to find a great deal on a home that needs a lot of updates and minor repairs with more square footage than we have ever had (complete with an extra room for homeschooling - yay!).  This, of course, means that more STUFF has made it's way into this house and filled it up.  Although I'm very thankful for this house, I admit last year was a bit stressful managing it all with four young children. 

I am more than ready to simplify in order to free up time for more important things like relationships, serving at church/ministering to others and extra curricular activities.


In her book Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living , Tsh Oxenreider describes "stuff" like this:

"...I've come to realize that those things are just things, and that while they aren't inherently evil, they can actually erode my family's purpose in life - or at least water down the potency of our choices.  They can multipy the surfaces I need to dust.  They can dwindle my checking account.  They can even cause stress.  And they can keep my family from living life to the fullest because we've slowly allowed our stuff to own us." 

Hence, we begin to simplify! (I just hope you don't see us on an episode of Hoarders LOL).



2. The budget:

                                                                      photo source 

Our finances/budget is always in need of review and tweaking.  Although, I would consider our family fairly frugal, there is always something we can cut back on or give up in order to give more.  I have not only heard about, but I have seen extreme poverty with my own eyes around the nations of the world.  I will never forget the precious children that raced into a restaurant in South America to eat the scraps that we had left on our plates.

The simple fact that I own a vehicle (2 for that matter) and a refrigerator puts me among the top 6% of the world's wealthiest people.  Most things we Americans believe we "need" to live - we don't.  They are luxuries.

On that note, in an effort to give and save more, we prepare to once again grab hold of the reins and cut spending.  



3. The soul:

I want to continue the lifelong journey of allowing people to see less of Tonia and more of Jesus.  This requires a detox of self.  Cleaning out the revealed and hidden corners and ridding the things that break the heart of God, cause others to stumble and slowly derail me from my life purpose. 

Daily, there are the stresses of life, worries, temptations and sins that creep in and choke out the life that is within us.  We have to be intentional about allowing God to search our heart and soul and "clean house". 

I was so excited to find that there is actually a book entitled Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World and it is written by  Pastor Craig Groeschel, whom we used to listen to online. Yay! I will be reading it. 

Excerpts from Soul Detox:

"We will never discover lasting happiness, significance and security in the temporary things of this world because we weren't made to live a temporary life."

"When we truly change what we believe, we'll gladly change how we behave."



4. The body:
I'm so disturbed the more I research and read about the toxins and preservatives that are in many modern food choices.  Even choices that appear to be "healthy".  Although, I would consider our food choices above average on a healthy scale, we still have a lot of work to do in what our family puts in our bodies.  In an attempt to start a more healthy journey, my husband and I began the New Year with a dextox/cleanse that I saw on the Dr. Oz show.  I will share more about that experience in another post. (Click here to print a copy).  

My desire is for our family to be healthy and live life fully from the inside out! We begin by being careful and intentional about what we choose to put in our bodies in 2013. 


So friends.  That is my focus for the year.  Tweaking these areas of life - a total life detox.  

I look forward to sharing this journey in 2013 with you.  Are you doing any detoxing in the areas of your life this year?

This one thing

So, I have several blog posts prepared for the New Year....goals, lists, ideas, projects, etc.  I'm looking forward to sharing them with you.  However, I can't help but come back to the central theme at where I want to center myself this year -- every year.

I, like many people, get excited about a fresh start and new beginnings.  I realllllly like setting goals, dreaming and making lists in anticipation of moving forward.

In the depths of my soul, I know all of these things (my lists, dreams, goals) are in vain and, dare I say, foolish without acknowledging that I can't do them in my own strength.  That really hits home on the days that I find myself wishing for more hours in the day, additional hands or more energy, [ahem...less laundry or clutter].

In my own strength, I cannot even begin to fully be the wife and mother, home educator and friend, daughter and sister, citizen and helper of the poor/hurting, housekeeper and cook and so on.  It requires more than one can give.  It's exhausting just thinking about it!  When my focus is right, I can wake up and put my trust in the Lord knowing that He is my help.  My strength. Everything else falls in the shadow.

This passage in Psalm 27:4 says it all:

I'm asking God for one thing,

only one thing:

To live with him in his house

I'll contemplate his beauty;

I'll study at his feet.  (Message)

*or a more familiar version*

One thing I ask from the Lord, 

this only do I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the 

my whole life long.

Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

and seek him in his temple. (NIV)

You know that I'm not saying all of my housework and the childrens' lessons will do themselves if I sit and pray all day.  Nor will dinner cook itself.  It just changes everything to truly know the reason why and how I do what I do.  Knowing that I CAN'T do it all. No one can.  Everything changes when my day rests in seeking that one thing.

Particularly for moms, I found this great resource to print out and post as a reminder of the heart behind what we do and where our true strength lies.  I hope this will refresh you and be a daily reminder of who you really are.

Click here to print Super Mom vs. Abiding Mom.

The best of 2012....

What a wonderful year 2012 was.  Like many other years, it did not come without its challenges and obstacles, but it was another year to be extremely thankful for.  I do, however, have to ask where it went?!? Is it me or do the years seem to pass more quickly with little ones?

I thought about posting my favorite moments of the year, but there are waaaaaay too many to list.  So many priceless memories with my awesome husband and four little girls.  Great times with family and friends were too numerous to count. I am continuously in awe of those blessings! Therefore, instead of listing those, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite inspirations of the year and a few things that just made life a little sweeter.

Here are a few of my favorites from 2012:

Book:

Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment

Quote:

"Wise people limit their freedoms to protect others."  ~ Pastor Ben Lamb

Song:

Workout:

Zumba class (with my sister-in-law). Woo hoo. What fun!! You almost forget you are working out.

Blog Posts:

The Battle for Joy

Organizing Important Documents

Ebook:

21 Days To A More Disciplined Life 

In the Kitchen:

Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
I've recently learned the awesome benefits of cooking with coconut oil. Not to mention, the benefits for your hair and skin.  I always wondered why women in India had such shiny hair when we were visiting there.  Now I know!

Cleaning:

 

Eureka Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer,313A

What a deep clean without the harsh chemicals! Yay!

Documentaries :

The Daniel Project
This documentary is a journey and explanation of the signs of the times and Biblical prophecy.  Quite eye opening, I must say!

The Gerson Miracle 
Controversial, but extremely informative about health issues, treatments and prevention.

IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity in America

This one really gets you thinking about school environment choices?!

FOR THE KIDS

Homeschool:

My Father's World From A to Z: A Complete Kindergarten Curriculum

This curriculum is working out great for us.  It's very cute, too!

Music:

Buenas noches mi sol

Precious lullabies in Spanish.  Some of my favorite new songs ; )

Love Out Love DVD/CD

Great worship for kids with graphics and creative backgrounds.  We love the lyrics and the kids sure rock out to the beat!

Books:

Big Treasury of Little Animals (Random House Picturebacks)

This book is such a sweet learning tool about pets and farm animals.  Looks like we'll be getting a duck in the spring?!

 

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
Our favorite kids Bible.  It truly does whisper the name of Jesus in such an understandable and beautiful fashion.

I hope 2012 had joyful and inspirational moments for you, as well.  We'd love to hear about some of the ways you spent the year, too! Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!

Shop in your jammies and earn!

I hope you all had a restful and special Thanksgiving with your families and friends!  What a great time to rest, reflect, and count our blessings (hopefully we do a little of those daily anyway?!)

Only days after and Christmas (and shopping) are in full swing.  If you are like me, you are avoiding the lines, the hustle and bustle and early mornings in the cold weather.  Shopping online seems to be one of the great revelations of recent times.

You may have seen my past posts about Ebates. If you are not familiar with Ebates or you don't know how it works check out my previous post here.  It's a free rewards program that earns you rebates for shopping with your favorite retailers through their search engine.

We are "remodeling" what Christmas looks like in our family this year  so we won't be doing a lot of shopping, but that's another post for another time. Some of the shopping we have done or will be doing is through Ebates and I wanted to share some of their "secrets" with you.

Ebates current offers for new members (membership is free):

- $25 for your first referral and $5 for each referral thereafter (that adds up quickly)

- $10 earned for $50 spent


Some of my personal favorite deals are:

**Ebates is now offering 4% cash back on most Amazon.com purchases (I buy many of our 
homeschool items and books here as well as birthday and Christmas gifts).

**20% cash back on orders from Snapfish.  In addition, Snapfish is offering a free 8x11 photo book and 100 prints for new customers and 60% off of photo books through 11/25 using the code TWINKLE60.  (I use Snapfish to create our family photo books and love them). 


If you want to check it out and start earning, click here.

Peek-a-boo!

Hi guys.  I'm still here and I'm still alive and well.  It's just been a few months since I've shown my "face" on this blog.  A lot of life has happened in the last few months (mostly good, but a few setbacks) and something had to take a back burner.

Along with the busyness that comes with raising four little girls and being a home educator, my laptop went on the fritz (thankfully it's a fixable problem) and whooping cough ran its course through all 4 girls (yep, you read it right....whooping cough/pertussis).  This was a crazy thing that happened to us even though we have chosen to immunize in the past  It's a horrible and yucky virus and it was so hard to see them go through this - not to mention EXHAUSTING! I'm soooooo thankful it's over.  There's no wonder they call it the "100 day cough" : (   I'm happy, however, to report that everyone is well!

So, thanks to those of you who have missed me (a.k.a my posts) or if you don't have a clue what I'm talking about and you didn't even know I had a blog....no hard feelings ; )  I've truly missed writing and connecting with you all.  I look forward to sharing more of our beautifully chaotic lives with you and adding some fun and hopefully inspiring posts very soon.