Book Reviews

The Chocolate Lovers' Club - This was silly chick lit. It was a fair read...I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. I always think stories set in England are fun, and also it talked about some cool chocolate. A fine book to take to the beach or to read if you're really bored and/or in the mood for chocolate.

Last Child in the Woods - I waited for this for over 6 months. Some professor had it checked out, and they're allowed to keep books for a really long time. It started out well, but I got lost in the academic drudgery somewhere around the middle. But it's definitely a read that I recommend. Definitely motivates me to get the children outside more. Some of the broad-sweeping societal changes that he recommends seem to difficult to attain though. I guess I was just interested on a more personal level...what can I do to connect my kids with nature. I'll leave the infrastructure planning and such to others. It took me a long time to read this though-it's rather dense. Do try to get through as much of it as you can though.

Seaview Inn- I really enjoyed this book. Light and lovely...I needed such a read after Last Child in the Woods. I'd never read Sherryl Woods before, and I was pleased with her. Perhaps she'll join Debbie Macomber on my go-to chick lit author list.

Playing for Pizza- This was a bit tough to get through because he spent so much time describing the technical aspects of football, going into detail on all the plays and such. I didn't care about any of that. But I LOVED his detailed descriptions of Italy, the culture, food, people of Parma. It almost made me feel as if I had visited. For that, the book was a totally worthwhile read. I think a guy would enjoy it even more. Also, it was neat to see John Grisham write on different subject matter...I had only read his legal books. Obviously, the man knows football and knows Italy as well. The only problem is that I really want to go to Parma, right now! If any kind donors can make that happen, I would be much appreciative.

Adieu to University

Two years of hard work have culminated in....Matt graduating! Woohoo! These were two challenging years - not the academic part for Matt so much, but balancing school, clinical, work, and family. It was crazy! Congratulations Matt...the whole Mafercason clan is proud of you. Now, go find a job!

Breakthrough

Whether it was the perfect water temperature, the layers of grime tucked into her various folds of skin, or the self-assuredness gained from a week alone with us, Madi made a bath breakthrough. She actually enjoyed bathtime! She splashed, she played, she washed Pablo the penguin. She scarcely screamed in terror, and she even sat down in the water. It had been more than a year since Madi had done anything but scream and wail in the bath, so this was a significant accomplishment. Good job, Madi!

Caleb Quote O' the Day

"I didn't know that stars could fly." Apparently, he saw a shooting star. How sweet!

Fairly Lovely Words

I came across this quote today, and thought that it was fairly lovely :)

"Love is fair when it builds up both the lover and the beloved, when it increases both and diminishes neither, when it brings them close and lets them be separate, when it nourishes both and leaves neither wanting. Fair love respects the boundaries of the other person's selfhood. It postpones our most legitimate desires to meet our loved one's needs. It declines every impulse to take advantage of a weakness. Fair love does not use ancient and forgiven wrongs against us. Our love is fair when we decline any pleasure that comes at the price of another's pain."
Lewis B. Smedes

Our Little Insomniac

Here is a perfect illustration of Madi's sleep issues:
I was just trying to get Madi down for her nap. I was nursing her, and started to sing Lullaby. After hearing only the first few words of the song, Madi started violently shaking her head "no, no, no," stood up, and started hitting me.
Now that's some serious sleep opposition! Not to worry though - her passion is not restricted to escaping sleep. She's equally opposed to baths.

Warning: Do NOT Try This at Home

Well, I thought that I would save money by taking the children's spring photos myself. If anyone is considering this method of frugality, I recommend that you weigh it against the cost of your sanity. I must say that Caleb was quite cooperative despite our mishap with the ant bed. However, the other banshee of a child as well as the incredibly frustrating camera were a bad combination. I got many photos of Madi's back and many more of a blurred floral streak running from the camera. A few of the pictures turned out nicely though, and the one of Caleb sitting in front of the azaleas made the whole maddening endeavor worth my while.