Thankful for lots of time to read this month.
In honor of International Literacy Day yesterday I thought I would take a moment and share my reads for the past month. 🙂 I was able to read a couple more books this month than usual since I went on vacation twice. All of these books were great! I highly recommend them all.
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder: Eli and I actually listened to this in the car this month while driving around. We spent more time than usual traveling this month and it was wonderful to have such a great story to listen to. I’m sure I enjoyed it much more than Eli did. I have such fond memories of curling up in my bed as a little girl while my mom would read me a chapter of this book. We are looking forward to listening or reading the entire series before Eli grows up!
Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick: I found this book to be very helpful and yet challenging in regards to my parenting. This was a great season of my life to read this book as Eli is really beginning to understand things a lot better. I really desire to do as the book says to give your children grace as you dazzle them with the love of Jesus. In the back of the book there are specific examples which are just excellent in helping you practically apply grace and the truths of the Gospel to your child. I’ll be putting this on my list of books to read yearly.
The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food by Jessie Hawkins: A wonderful encouraging book for those seeking to eat more whole/real foods into their diet. I appreciated how realistic the author was as she encouraged you to make gradual changes in your eating habits and those of your family. Brandon can attest that sometimes I have a tendency to get overzealous when it comes to whole foods. 🙂 The book also contained a good number of recipes in the second half which I look forward to trying in the coming weeks.
How to Start a Home-Based Tutoring business by Beth Lewis: Few of you may realize that we have been praying about the possibility of my starting a tutoring business. I have worked as a tutor most of my adult life actually and absolutely love it! I’m one of those nerdy people who thinks there is just nothing better than sitting down and working through complex ACT math questions. 🙂 So far this book has proven to be very helpful in pointing out many different areas that I would not have thought of. (By the way if you are live near me please pass along my name and contact information if anyone is looking for a tutor.) 🙂
Sew What Bags by Lexie Barnes: This sewing book is so cute that it makes me want to start whipping up bags for just about everything in my home. So far I have made 2 items from this book: a tissue pouch to hold tissues in my purse (ridiculously easy) and a tiny tote made out of dinosaur material for Eli to keep his little tractors in. He carries the tote around all the time and it is just adorable. I loved the fact that this book has no patterns to copy and cut out! You simply cut your material by the given measurements and go. The book offers many sewing illustrations and is geared a little bit more towards a beginning sewer. It is a great way to use up fabric scraps as many of the patterns call for less than 1 yard of fabric.
First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos by MaryAnn Kohl: This book is currently at the top of my wish list of books to own. I would have never dreamed that someone could write a 150 page book about art activities for kids 1-2. It has really helped me this past week come up with some great art activities for Eli while the weather has been so yucky. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the fact that most of the items for the crafts are items you already have in your kitchen. Love it! Our current favorite from the book is Jello Painting.
Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray: This book just makes me want to get out some fabric and start embroidering. It comes complete with a cd so that you can enlarge the designs and then print them. I’m currently having trouble transferring the images so I’m not sure if I am ever going to get that onesie embroidered. 🙂
What books should I add to this month’s reading list?
Emerson Family 
You need to add The Help to your list and watch the movie. I think you’ll appreciate it and it’s amazing.
I actually already read The Help this past summer I just forgot to mention it. I really enjoyed the book. Wish that the author had other books out. How is the movie?