Fall Into Reading: The Results

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The Fall Into Reading Challenge is over and I'm posting my results today. Sadly, all my ambitions to read every parenting non-fiction book I own met a sad end. Fiction, well, that's always another story. Here is my original list of books that I wanted to read.

Did you finish reading all the books on your fall reading list? If not, why?

On my non-fiction list I did actually read and fully complete one book. One. Uno. And that book was wonderful! How to Be a God Chaser and a Kid Chaser by Tommy Tenney. It's because I liked the book so much that I became distracted from the rest of my non-fiction list and bought/swapped to get a few other books by Tenney which I am in the middle of reading and thoroughly enjoying: Finding Favor with the King. One is a daily devotional and the other a book based on the story of Queen Esther.

My fiction list fared extremely well and there were several books that were even added to the list. While I didn't finish reading one of the books (I did start it....) I found at least five other books (which I forgot to record) and then re-read several of my old one too. What can I say?

My non-fiction list:

Professionalizing Motherhood by Jill Savage
Skydiving for Parents by Jane Bullivant (about 1/2 done)
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Rivers of Grace by Mark and Patti Virkler
Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Lehman (one chapter)
How to Be a God Chaser and a Kid Chaser by Tommy Tenny
Dreaming with God by Bill Johnson
Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver
The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson

My fiction list:

Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
The Shack by William Young
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell (about 1/2 finished)
A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks
The Longing by Beverly Lewis
A Lady of Hidden Intent by Traci Peterson
A Daughter's Inheritance and An Unexpected Love by Judith Miller/Traci Peterson

Why didn't I finish all my books?

I mentioned in my first post that fiction books are very hard for me to read. I think it's mainly due to the fact that it requires my undivided attention. Something that is extremely difficult for me. Generally the non-fiction books I read have to be done in small chunks because they require processing and if I have to put a book down....well, I get sidetracked.

Did you stick to your original goals or did you change your list as you went along?

I printed off my list of goals, but I did add several books to my fiction list and definitely changed my non-fiction list. I still want to read the multitude of parenting books on my list. Someday.

And my goals of rewarding myself with a fiction book when I finished a non-fiction...well, let's just pretend I got sucked into the fiction realm and not that I lack self-discipline, k?

What was your favorite book that you read this fall? Least favorite? Why?

Favorite non-fiction is the one I still reading: Finding Favor with the King. I love the story of Queen Esther and how Tenney relates our lives as Christians to the life of Queen Esther.

Favorite fiction: The Shack by William Young, a book I'm going to have to re-read because it was chocked full of things that I am still processing. I have pages earmarked and places underlined because of some of the thoughts and ideas he presents in the book. Loved it!

My other favorites were the series I started by Judith Miller/Traci Peterson. Although that also leads me to frustration since there is still a third book in the series. They are historical fiction and I love period fiction. :)

My least favorite was Cranford. I am still reading this, so perhaps it will pick up a little, but I'm just having trouble finishing it up (and shhhh! I think I'll be watching the movie and be okay with this one).

Did you learn something new because of the Fall Into Reading challenge?—something about reading, or yourself, or a topic you read about?

Pushing myself and setting a goal for myself was great because I was determined to read something on that fiction list and through reading at least one, I found the two books that I am reading and loving now.

What was your favorite thing about the Fall Into Reading challenge?

Meeting new bloggers and seeing the books and suggestions on everyone else's blogs. I didn't end up reviewing any of the books (although I might do one in the future on some that I'm still reading). But...definitely reading other's blogs and meeting you all!

Check out how everyone else fared during the challenge by visiting Katrina's blog Callapidder Day's.

Kid's Winter Reading Challenge

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Winter starts tomorrow and so our fall reading challenge with the kids is wrapping up today. The kids still think they have 5 more books to read so they are scrambling around reading to each other.

Truthfully, they have probably read more than enough books and it's probably due to my lack of recording their reading - but I'm not complaining! They've been cuddling up on the couch with each other and reading books to anyone who will listen.

They asked what the winter reading chart is going to look like, so I pulled one together last night and it's posted below in case you are interested in using it with your kids.

I'm hoping to get my Fall Reading challenge list posted tonight or tomorrow and report in on my success (or lack thereof) in checking off books on my list.
Winter Reading Challenge

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Early Education Education

A Letter to My Husband

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Dear Rick,

Before I go any further I would like to say a HUGE thank you for being so willing to let me go out tonight and have a "girl's night out" with the group. I appreciate it ever so much. And even though I was not at home, I did try to remain available at all times (via cell phone) should any problems arise.

That said (and in my defense) I was only trying to be extra-conscientious when out and about in making sure my cell phone was handy at all times.

And after bearing you four beautiful children, my bladder can only take so many glasses of iced tea (and maybe a glass or two of wine) before certain things become...well, necessary.

The good news is the toilet had just been cleaned. The bad news is the cell phone didn't really care, it still just jumped in (ok, jumped may be a little strong, but I can say it definitely wasn't pushed).

The good news is I hadn't gone to the bathroom yet. The bad news is it still fell in the toilet.

The good news is I worked diligently for the rest of the night shaking out any excess water.
The bad news is EWWWWW!!

The good news is the phone still is powering up, dialing, and seems to be working (you might notice a call on your voice mail at work as a test run). The bad news is that certain numbers seem to want to dial themselves along with a few friends...so we may have to either get that fixed (or find friends with different phone numbers).

Or...since you just got a new phone perhaps you might consider one for your lovely wife. Because you know that everytime you need to use it from now on you might want to remember where it has been.

I'm just sayin'.

I love you!

I Love You As Much As...

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Yesterday Zachary climbed up in my lap and put his little face right in front of mine and asked me, "Mom, do you love me when I toot?"

That, dear friends, is a loaded question.

"Yes. I love you even when you toot."

"Good. Because I just tooted." And oh.my.word - yes, he did.

And then McKenna pipes up from the other side of the room, "Zachary, I love you as much as you toot and stink - and that is A LOT!."

Amen.

Please Check Under Your Chairs

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Yesterday morning as I was driving Zachary and a friend's son to preschool and listening in on their conversation, I was scrambling for paper to record their words.

Because 4 year old's get deep like that.

They started off with a rousing round of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (complete with wild and crazy hand motions) and then were quick to let me know "We're not singing our special song for the Christmas program (wink, wink)."

Then the banter started back and forth innocently enough - quickly becoming a "I can one-up" you deal.

Although I don't think I'm all that proud of all my son can do.

Silas: I can buckle my own seatbelt.

Zachary: Remember, I kill spiders at home.

Silas: (in a hushed voice) I know where boogies come from...your NOSE!

Zachary: I pick my nose and put my boogies under chairs. Or on windows sometimes.

Just in case we've been over your house recently, you might want to check under your chairs. You know I will be at our house.

Be sure to head over to Mary's at Not Before 7 for some more (less-gross) Tiny Talk Tuesday.

If Your Kids Still Believe in Santa...

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Zachary might not be the best one to let your kids hang out with, specifically if you are trying to keep the whole "Santa" thing alive and well with your kids.

And my heartfelt apologies to any of the parents in his preschool class if he sent your child home in tears last week, shattering their Christmas dreams of Santa.

The teachers sat down with the kids to make Christmas cards for the parents and asked the kids what they wanted to write inside the card. This was mine:

Thanks Mom for all the presents. I know that there isn't a Santa. Love, Zachary