Some good Reads!

I must say that I haven't been reading like I enjoy. I really do love a good book. Well last week with Megan being sick I read 2, and am starting another. Only because all she wanted me to do was sit and hold her. One was our book club read 'The five Love Languages of Children" by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, I really liked this book even though I didn't get it in time for book club it's one I would recommend to anyone that didn't get a chance or would like a great insight on how to learn to love your children in their own love language. They point out how by doing this one can really have a deeper understanding about ones kids and I will admit it really has helped me understand my son so much more. I have been applying all 5 that he recommends trying to really determine his main one. They say one can't determine your child's love language under 5 so I have just been applying all of them to my girls for now as well. They list the love languages as "Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, and Acts of Service" When you read the book you will gain a greater understanding on how to use each of these and how they apply. Anyway if anyone is looking for a great read this is a good one I am interested in several other books in the series and can't wait to get them from the library.

The other book I read was called "Counting Blessings" by Kerry Blair this was recommended to me by a couple people and I must say it was really great also. It is written for women and it is a lot of short essays that she has written. She is fun, witty and her writing keeps you interested. I couldn't help but find myself chuckling out loud over and over again. I loved her thoughts on the Wizard of Oz and it's metaphor on life. She points out that "we all need strength & character to make it back to our Heavenly home. The scarecrow needed a brain-Don't we all, then she points out the importance of staying on the Yellow brick road otherwise we take the risk of being pelted with apples and staying on the straight & narrow. The tin man needed a heart, the very essence of life and the Lion-courage, the scriptures say if we are prepared we shall not fear (are we)? Then she points out the witches and how easy they are to avoid in life but it's the flying monkeys that are hard. They get us, they are the t.v., sports, work, Internet, $, games, power, fame, whatever in the world that distracts us to take our eyes off the savior, even if only briefly. The Emerald City is like the spacious bldg. in Lehi's dream, bright, sparkling, and beautiful on the outside and a lot of fun. But inside nothing but sham. No power, no promises, few laughs maybe but no lasting joy. Maybe this is why Dorothy still wanted to go home after touring it. The funny part was going home was the easy part. Like us no power on OZ or earth is stronger than our power to pray, repent, preserve, and progress. If we have faith in the plan, stick together, and stay on straight and narrow (yellow brick road) there's nowhere to go but home. The slippers were just a fashion statement." Anyway she goes into more detail and it was really interesting as I thought about it and put it into perspective. She just has a way with words and I really enjoyed it.

Another part that I really liked was this, she says "glancing at the hymnal last Sunday, I noted that as sisters in Zion, we who are called to serve are all enlisted to go marching, marching forward because the world has need of willing men to all press on scattering sunshine. We wonder if we have done any good in the world today, because we have been given much and want to do what is rights, keep the commandments, press forward with the Saints, and put our shoulders to the wheel going where He wants us to go. However, as the morning breaks high on the mountain top, truth reflects upon our senses, and while we still believe that sweet is the work, we also realize that we have work enough to do ere the sun goes down. And thus we ask ere we part, where can we turn for peace?" I loved this I reread this 4 times and it just inspired me how creative she is as a writer. It helped me think about our hymns in such a different light. Anyway it's a great read if anyone is looking for a good one. Maybe even a good book club read who knows.

I am now starting Fablehaven, first day and I am more than half done, I have a feeling I'll be finishing it by tomorrow. Good read so far.