One Night in Winter

You guys. One Night in Winter is the best book I've read in a long time! I recently scored it along with a bunch of other books from the Dollar Store and it's pretty much the best dollar I've ever spent.

Based on a true story, this book takes place in Russia just after World War II. We are introduced to a group of kids who go to Stalin's prestigious school. All the kids' parents are the elite within the government, and they have a love for the Romantic Literature class, taught by a beloved professor. The kids love a Russian author named Pushkin and celebrate him with a club they've created which I would compare to the Dead Poets' Society.

 They do reinactments of his literate, but everything goes wrong when they are reinacting a scene with pretend guns, which have somehow been replaced with real guns. Two of the kids end up dead and  what started as a child's game is turned into a conspiracy to overthrow the government, after their club's book is found with some controversial information inside.

This novel gives a pretty intense view into what life was like under Stalin's Russia and will keep you up reading late into the night. You should definitively add this to your must read list today.

Clothe Yourselves with Compassion

Recently in church we had a guest pastor who spoke with us about how to treat others. He referenced these verses:

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

I'm not going to lie, I LOVE these verses and the power behind them, as they impact how we treat others each and every day. I also know that sometimes it's easier said than done. 

The verse that stuck out to me was "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." The pastor went onto to talk about marital counseling he does. He talked about the pre-marital counseling and how the two love birds can't seem to have enough good things to say about each other and truly see each other through rose-colored glasses. Then he talked about those who are deep into marriage and the rose-colored glasses are long gone-they can sometimes struggle to even think of one good thing to say about the other. How time had changed them. 

I think a lot of us can relate to this, either within our married lives, with our kids, with our friends, or with our extended family members. It's the ones we love the most who we can show the least love, compassion and forgiveness too. 

I think it's time to view things the way our heavenly father does. He forgives, when we don't deserve it and he is the ultimate example for us to follow.  We all have bad days, but taking it out on those we love or holding past wrongs against them not only hinders our relationship with the person as well as hinders out relationship with God. We end up focusing on the wrongs we perceive them to have done towards us and we forgot all the good things about them. 

I'm working to let past wrongs go within all my relationships and working to clothe my self with compassion, kindness, humility, and gentleness and those are the best things to wear!

Spring Style

Today I'm doing something I haven't done in a long time, I'm sharing an outfit post. I just got this dress from Pink Blush and adore it! Back when I was pregnant with Hannah I shared with you a number of maternity clothes from Pink Blush's maternity line, so I was excited to get to collaborate with them again and share this dress with you.

It is super stretchy and flattering and obviously of good quality. I also love that it has sleeves, so I don't feel like I HAVE to layer it. Our weather is beginning to warm up, so I know I'll get to wear this soon. I think it'll be perfect for Easter too!

Five Simple Tips for Decluttering Your Home

I'm going to level with you. I feel like I do a pretty good job of keeping house, but there have just not been enough minutes in the day to declutter the way I'd like to. Luckily, Gordmans has some great bins and totes to help me get organized and decluttered.

Today I thought I'd share five tips to help you get decluttered in your home too.

The Art of Fielding

Over Christmas my book club did a white elephant book exchange and it was the best idea. I ended up with The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. It won book of the year a few years back and I'm surprised it had never made it on my to-read list before.

This book revolves around a small college called Westish near Lake Michigan. We learn about the lives of multiple people, mostly revolving around the players on the baseball team. We see how their stories are connected, what friendship are love look like, and how the choices we make not only impact us, but others around us too.

I really enjoyed this book and wish we'd done it as our book club book as I think it would spark some great conversations. It'll make you think, for sure.

Self-Care

In super cool news, I have gingivitis. I guess it's a nice thing that I made it 37 years without flossing on a regular basis, but that time has ended. I've made excuses as to why I don't floss or use mouthwash-mostly because I'm tired and/or being lazy, but I really don't want to get periodontal disease, so flossing and mouthwash it is.

This trip to the dentist really made be stop and think about how I do and don't take care of myself. Reality is, I'm not going to be a good wife or mother if I'm always driving around like a car with it's gas light on.

So, today I thought I'd share some self-care tips and things I'm working to do or currently doing. We as moms have to take care of ourselves!

Life Lately

Here's a look at Life Lately!

I've been wearing a lot of easy layers lately. Loft is definitely my go-to for work clothes. These ankle pants are my favorites and I have them in a few colors. They are perfect with pretty much everything.

Hannah

I feel like so many things have changed in this past month or so with Hannah. She got her tubes at the end of December, and now that she's feeling well, it's obvious how much her darn infected ears were impacting her each day.

Saving Money with ThredUP

 ThredUP continues to be one of my favorite places to shop when I'm in need of clothes.  With so much "fast fashion" out there, the amount of waste created by clothing continues to climb, so utilizing places like thredUP, where you can buy gently used or new clothing is not only better for the environment, it's also easier on your wallet.  

Today I thought I'd share how I shop thredUP and show you some of the things I scored too.

Valentine's Day Gifts for Toddles

Since getting to work with The Baby Cubby during Christmas, I have become the biggest fan. Hannah is loving all of her birthday and Christmas gifts from them, so it only made sense to look to them again for a Valentine's Day Surprise.

We don't go all out, but the kids do each get something special, along with a card. Today I thought I'd share some of my favorite things that would be great for your toddler too!

Siblings

Brian went out of town for work, so I had to mom it alone for five days, a job that is never easy. On Saturday we went out to the outlet mall to exchange something for Grant and ate at Mc Donald's for a treat. Hannah was totally distracted by the table next to us and the mom asked how many years apart Grant and Hannah were. I responded 5 1/2 and she went on to say her kids are six years a part, with the older sister away at college. She went on to say how she hadn't planned the age gap, but she was thankful for it.

I can totally relate. Taking care of two kids is no joke as it is, and I can't imagine how much more  complicated it would be if we had only a two year age gap the way a lot of people do. On any given day Grant helps me out with about a million things, and although he has tried to assert his independence by shutting his door to play (which is totally unsuccessful as Hannah just stands outside the door and cries), he really loves her and is a great brother.

I have to remind myself not to expect too much from him, as he is only 6, but I am so grateful for Grant. I look forward to Grant and Hannah's friendship blooming and all the memories that are to come.

Cuddle Up with a Good Book-Must Read Love Stories

Today I'm posting over at  Target Made Me Do It to share some must read love stories. These aren't just the usual love stories though, come check it out!