book worm

Say "Hello!" to my summer reading list! It's not much of a list because I don't have much time to read with a practically-full-time job...

Tina Fey's "Bossy Pants"

I just finished it and it is SO GOOD.  The woman writes like she talks and she talks like I think.  Soul sisters.  Plus, there's an entire chapter dedicated to her Sarah Palin character and y'all know how I just love Caribou Barbie!  She's teaching me that a woman MUST be everything, embracing your flaws is key and that motherhood is messy and fab-o, especially if you work for SNL.  Lorne Michaels, here I am!

Timothy Keller's "The Reason for God"

I started to read this last summer but never really got to a place where I allowed myself to focus on something so heavy and important.  I'm about 70 pages in and I'm absolutely loving what Keller has to say.  The book takes every argument about why Christianity is failing, frivolous, useless and harmful and turns it on its head.  He explores other options and arguments from alternative religions and his research is unbelievably extensive.  I recommend it to those who are looking to dive deeper into the faith and to those who are looking to be proven wrong about the Savior.  Such an experience!

Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight"

Just writing the word "twilight" makes me cringe... vampires make me want to throw myself under a bus.  It's not the fiction, it's not the romance, it's the vampire.  I can do books like Harry Potter- no problem! It's made up, it's silly, but it's SO well written and sucks me in every time.  All of my sweet girl friends have said that about "Twilight" so I figure it's about time to see what all of the fuss is about.  Besides, this way, if I hate it, I can criticize it whole heartedly!

George W. Bush's "Decision Points"

Half of you love this decision and the other half of you want to laugh in my face but hear me out: Bush was President for a huge chunk of my life and this is important to me.  I'll also read Obama's book (I'm sure there will be several...).  I'll never read Clinton's book because I don't have much respect for the man (his wife, on the other hand, has some serious guts, politics aside!).  So let me read my book about Bush.  I'm actually really excited about it, I think it will be a good transition back into academic reading for August!

Anyone have any suggestions?  What are you reading this summer?

the nanny diaries

This is my second summer as a nanny and I love love love the kids I am with every day.  They are funny and quirky and moody and smart and silly and wonderful.  I learn new things about myself, about this job, about people in general and about my future every day, so for the past week I wrote most of them down... enjoy a small peek into my day-to-day life!

these are in no particular order so that the identities of  children who are the subjects of the silly anecdotes are protected :)

• Always carry a book…. Always.
• Playing “Guess Who” alone is pointless
• Watching yourself grow up is unbelievably eye-opening… bossy elementary school sisters crack me up
• A well organized gift-wrapping station is priceless
• Sarcastically saying “You’re Welcome” to a child doesn’t always elicit a sheepish “…Thank you.”
• Staring at a child long enough will always get them to obey
• Making a “Room Cleaning Competition” is the best idea ever.
• I actually enjoy scrubbing dishes as long as they don’t have ketchup, mayonnaise or ranch dressing
• Having Dr. Seuss memorized is never a problem
• Taking naps in a fort is always more fun than in a bed
• Using words like “cannibalistic” is impressive when you’re 7
• Behavioral breakthroughs are the bomb
• Bargaining about TV shows and settling on “Cupcake Wars” shows signs of maturity in a child and a sweet tooth in an adult
• Never ever move up North.  Ever.
• Dirt pudding rocks at any age
• Invent something to peel kiwis
• Spa days > TV

• Girls rule and boys drool, but boys are better at kickball
• “Miss Katharine, this looks too good to eat! It’s perfect!” is the best compliment I could ever get
• Learn to perfect the “Sandwich Assembly Line”
• “I don’t eat vegetable” doesn’t fly with me
• Handling 4 kids is not a problem so my dream of a family of 6 can absolutely work
• Teach your son the difference between temples and testicles so as not to alarm the babysitters….
• Hammocks are always a good idea… until they aren’t

• Sometimes every body needs a sick day but Yogli Mogli can cure anything
• Lots of love + lots of rules = lots of respect and lots of fun

strength

"The Lord gives strength to His people, the Lord blesses His people with peace"

Psalm 29:11

I'm not neglecting the blog, I promise! I truly don't have anything super interesting going on in my life... I'm at the lake most every weekend and I work 8-10 hour days with kiddies so there really isn't much to talk about!  All of the fun lake pics are on Facebook though- they are a hoot!

I am in my beautiful town, Tuscaloosa, for the weekend and there hasn't been much progress made.  Driving by the destruction really took the wind out of me again.

I am so sure that God will use this destruction for His glory so that the nation will see Him in the rebuilding of the South (the South will rise again! haha....).

In other news, I spent this weekend with sweet Julia and Grace!  I loved seeing my precious friends again and it makes me so anxious for the fall.

camera shy!

we made DELICIOUS brownie sundaes! 

i got "creative" with a ziploc bag

the whole dessert cost under $5 for 16 servings... money well spent!

More entertaining things coming soon, I promise!!