October's Reading List

I have picked up my reading this month as I have been making a conscious effort to be mindful of my electronic usage. I still have a long way to go until I feel comfortable with the amount of time I am on electronics, but the progress I have made so far is making me hopeful that, with commitment, I can accomplish my goals.

Here are the books I read in October:

I am fascinated with all Native American History, but particularly the Lakota Sioux history. This is the first book that I have read from a Native American perspective and I loved it.  

I have read this book before, but I was waiting for a library book to come in and picked this one off of my own book shelf. I really enjoyed it the first time I read it and I feel the same way this time too. 

I read this book over a decade ago and just finished another book by the same author called "Half Broke Horses" I wanted revisit this book because it follows the story of the same family. It did not disappoint. I loved that it was set in West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. 

I cannot tell you how many times I have read this book, but what I can tell you is that it is one of my favorites. I imagine that I will read it many more times in my lifetime. It is probably one of my favorite books ever. 

Sarah has been asking me to read this book for months. She listened to it and loved it. I was hesitant at first because I didn't think that I could enjoy it, but I did. What I enjoyed even more though were the discussions that it prompted between Sarah and I as I made my way through the book.

This book captured my attention while I wandering through the aisles of Barnes and Noble a month or two ago. After I read the jacket I know that I had to read the book. It was a fascinating book.

I am currently reading:

I loved Khaled Hoseini's two other books: "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns". I loved them both so much in fact that I've read them both multiple times and also read them both as read a loud's to Sarah. I am not as impressed by this book. I am hoping that the ending is going to be fantastic and is going to make me change my mind about this book, but I don't think I would read this one again. 

A Space Of My Own

Something that I have really enjoyed throughout my life is creating a space that speaks to me. I had a bedroom when I was younger and dorm rooms my freshman and sophomore years of college that were really cool because just about everything in those spaces inspired me. That inspiration was contagious and leaked out into other parts of my life as well.

I love being inspired. I feel like I am at my best when I am doing creative work. At this phase in my life my creativity comes out in my mothering, homemaking, and homeschooling.  But a lot of times I forget that I love living inspired  and instead live my life with a list of tasks and to dos.

Sometimes the quiet voice within is a whisper. In fact, I would say that most of the time it is this way for me. But every so often the quiet voice within will shout something at me and I know that I cannot ignore the words spoken. And something that wasn't even a thought in my mind suddenly becomes urgent.

Yesterday morning, I was talking downstairs the quiet voice within - which I believe is the voice of God - strongly advised me to create a sacred space using the loft of our home. I don't know why the voice chose to speak to me at that moment about that space, but it did. I have passed by that space hundreds of times in the last 6 months and thought nothing of it. But for whatever reason this space went from being some random square footage in the house to a space that I knew I was going to make my own. Right before my eyes the space went from bland nothingness to a room full of possibilities.

 I spent about an hour pulling different pieces from my house to create a space all of my own. Every piece in this space is something that speaks to me. I chose each item for how it makes me feel. Anything that didn't stir me and weren't items that I loved did not make the cut. I am so excited to spend time in this space. It doesn't matter that it isn't a traditional room with four walls. As time goes on, this space will ebb and flow depending on what is going on in my life. I will add things as I see fit and perhaps even take things out. I just want to feel moved every time I see or spend time in this space. I want to feel inspired to live my best and most authentic life. I want to feel refreshed and rejuvenated in this space. And I will.

I have had spaces like this in the past, but it has been a truly long time since I have one. I am not sure why this is. I guess I got too busy taking care of everyone else that I forgot to take care of me.

This space is goodness for my soul. I am so happy I created it.

 Here is a peak at the space I created. It isn't fancy or grand, but it is more me than anything else in this home. It reflects the truest parts of myself.  I absolutely love it.

Three of these pictures are of New Mexico: Soledad Canyon, the Organ Mountains, and the famous RoadRunner. The fourth picture is of me looking up a tree while visiting the Redwood National Forest in California. I remember that moment clearly. I had no idea Bobby was going to take my picture, but I remember that moment because I can remember how at peace I felt and how at home I felt among those trees. That trip was unforgettable for me in both good and bad ways, but I will never forget those trees and their quiet majesty. 

This painting was given to me by Bobby for Mother's Day in 2016. It is by a Las Cruces artist. I love the trees in this painting. I love the colors and the mystery of it. I love that at first glance I see a brambled mess of chaos, but if I look deeper at the image I can its beauty and depth. 

I need the sun. Like air and food and shelter, the sun is a necessity for me in order to thrive. Without the sun, I wilt and shrivel. Without the sun I feel like I am either suffocating or drowning. It one of the strongest reasons I feel such a pull to New Mexico. Indianapolis has more sunny days than both Portland, OR and Cuyahoga Falls, OH which is good, but it still has a long way to go to ever wish to compete with the Southwest, so in its place in order not to wilt I have created my own sunshine to look at on the dark and cloudy days of the Midwest.  

"Love you much always." Never have truer words been spoken. I will always have that man's love. There is nothing that I can ever do to make him not love me unconditionally. I love my grandfather fiercely. I carry a piece of him withing me and even though we live 900 miles apart he is always with me wherever I am.  

I plan to fill this wall with quotes and things that inspire me. I imagine that after some time you will no longer be able to see any of the wall. I have this map on the wall to always remind me of where I have been and where I am going. And to have a visual reminder that this country is an amazing place that I always want to adventure in. There is so much beauty to be found to those willing to risk the opportunities to be had by stepping out of one's comfort zone and exploring. 

My first quote - grabbed from the school room wall downstairs. 

Although I am terrible at it I really enjoy knitting. It calms me down. 

Of all of the flowers to choose from the sunflower is (and has been) my favorite for as long as I can remember. (I had a bedroom decorated in sunflowers when I was in middle school - that's how long I have loved the for. )

I saw this plaque when I was second hand shopping with my mom and the girls when we went back to Ohio a couple of weeks ago for a quick visit. It is easy for me to get stuck in the hum-ho of my days. Easy to get pulled under into the every day tasks of living a life. I forget all of the time, that each day I get to CHOOSE to live the kind of life I want to have. It doesn't matter where I am or who I am with - each day is my choice to live as I want to. I want to live a life of inspiration and awe and wonder. I want never stop seeking adventure. I want to open my heart to all that this crazy life has to offer. I want to remember that each day is a gift. That I don't really have a choice as to whether I live or die - that is in God's hands - but I DO get to choose how I am going to live the life I have been given. I want to make it real and true and authentic. THAT is the life I imagine.  

I love this candle holder. I love the color and the pottery. It was a surprise gift that I have adored from the moment I received it. 

These flowers are one of the first crafts that Sarah taught herself how to do after she lost her vision. She would ask Elizabeth to help her find the right colors and then she would create these bouquets. These flowers remind me that there is always Hope to be found. That beauty still exists even when I don't think I can find it. They remind that there is always Light after the Darkness.

The pottery on the right was made by Josh in public school. I love the colors and I love the handmade feel of the cup. It houses a very important rock (see below). The flower was made by Sarah while she was in public school. I love that the stem is crooked. It reminds me that life may not always turn out how I would like it to, but it can still be beautiful. It can still sparkle in its own way. 

I found this rock while hiking on 'A' Mountain in Las Cruces. It immediately reminded me of the shape of the state of New Mexico. 

It is too cold outside for my Phoenix flower, so I brought it inside to collect sunshine within the warmth of our home. (I know that is not what it really is, but the plant almost died and I was able to bring it back to life, so I think of it as my Phoenix flower.)

My mom's dad built this desk by hand over 30 years ago. It is strong and sturdy and built to last. My grandfather passed away 30 years ago, a week after his 50th birthday, so I don't have many memories of him. He was a carpenter by trade and built many beautiful things this desk included. I find comfort in sitting at this desk and think of him often when I am using it. 

Cleveland MetroParks Zoo

This squirrel was making such a racket with his nut. Plus, we haven't lived in places with gray squirrels for the past 4 years, so this guy was kind of a novelty to us. 

The zebra were supposed to be in this exhibit, but were inside instead. I took this picture instead.

This tiger was made entirely out of hay. It was so cool. 

The girls and I headed to my mom and dad's house a couple of weeks ago to spend a few days with them and my sister's family. I hadn't been back to Ohio in several months, and not knowing how long we will be this close to family before we are transferred again, wanted to take advantage of the close(ish) proximity while we can.

My sister and I decided to take her two youngest kids (her two oldest were in school) to the zoo with my girls. The girls and I haven't been to the Cleveland zoo in several years and were surprised to see that several exhibits have been beautifully upgraded. I have mixed feelings about zoos. I understand why people don't like them and feel they are cruel. I feel this way too sometimes. But more often than not my selfish pull to them wins me over and I end up visiting them anyway despite my misgivings.

One of the best things about homeschooling is that you often get a glimpse of places like the zoo in a way that most traditionally schooled children do not. The zoo, on the day we went, was quiet and there were very, very few people there. The kids all got to go as close up to each exhibit at they wanted to and we were almost always the only people looking at the animals. We could take our time and just be with each animal for as long as we wanted to without having to share the space with others. Sarah didn't have to deal with people not paying attention to where they are going or people pushing and shoving to get a glimpse at any one animal. She was able to roam freely which at places like the zoo during non-school hours/days is not always the case. It was a pretty peaceful day. It was a bit chilly and the girls and I got tired, so we didn't stay for too long, but I would definitely go back. I would love to spend several more hours there than we did that day. Even Sarah, who loathes zoos, said that she had fun.

I didn't take too many pictures. I was too busy looking at the animals myself and kept forgetting to take their picture. But it was a fun time and something we will definitely do again.