Good Reads

A few good books I have read lately.

"These is my words: the diary of Sarah Agnes Prine 1881-1901" by Nancy E. Turner

This book has been my favorite so far this year. It is a fictional account of a woman who lived in the Arizona Territory from 1881 to 1901. I loved how it was written as a journal. It made it easy to stop and put down because the entries were fairly short. I also have a greater appreciation for living now, with all of our modern amenities. As I was reading it I thought of my own grandmas who grew up in Arizona and what life was like for them. I know my grandmas did not live in Arizona before it became a state yet they lived in small towns and how to do a lot for themselves. I especially thought of my Grandma Taylor because in the book Sarah writes how her neighbors speak Mexican, not Spanish. My own Grandma Taylor use to say this all the time. I just laughed to myself and kept reading. In the book Sarah writes how she has to deal with rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, and so much more. Again I am grateful I only have to deal with scorpions, which is bad enough.

"Sarah's Quilt" and "Star Garden" by Nancy E. Turner

These two books are a continuation of Sarah Agnes Prine's diary. I didn't enjoy them as much but I liked how it kept the story alive. In "Star Garden" Sarah writes about rain and how for most people rain is a dreary thing but here in Arizona it is an answer to prayers. I thought even now that is true. I can't even begin to tell you the number of times I have prayed for rain and the number of times I have been grateful for it. These are good books but "These is my words" is by far the best of the three.

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

I really enjoyed this book. It is set in Mississippi in 1961-1964 the height of the Civil Rights movement. I loved the characters that are in the book. I really felt like I was there. The story is about two black women and one white woman. The white woman wants to write a book about what it is like to be a black housekeeper. Of course they have to keep it secret because it is not a good time to be helping each other out. But the book really brings out how alike people are. Of course we have differences yet we all want to same things in life. I really enjoyed this book.

If anyone has anymore suggestions for books I would love to hear them. I am always on the look out for great books.

Sad, yet Happy

This week I have been cleaning out my house, getting rid of toys the kids no longer play with, DIing clothes that don't fit, taking down the crib and getting Kate into a toddler bed. Things like that. As I am doing all of this I feel a little sad. The crib has been set up since Jack was born, eight years ago, and now it is down, never to be set up again. The train table that Jack loved is gone, but we kept the trains and train tracks. This means he is growing up and I am a little sad about this. The cute dresses of Kate's that I loved no longer fit her so they went to the neighbor who just had a baby girl. I hope they will be loved there. All of this makes me a little sad, yet I am happy. I know my kids are growing and it will be so fun to see what they become. Jack will always love trains but now he loves football and basketball more. Kate will get new dresses and maybe even sleep in her toddler bed from now on. Jay will continue to grow and find other things that he loves. I know it is a part of life but it still makes me a little sad to see my kids grow. I love the ages they are at now, but I know as they grow older I will love where they are at and how much they are learning.

The countdown is on!!!

Disneyland here we come!!! In two weeks we will be at the happiest place in the world. I don't know who is more excited me or the kids. I am leaning toward taking Kate to the princess breakfast or lunch. She is free and I think she might enjoy it. I am sure the boys would like it too but not enough to pay for them. I can't wait and I hope we have a great time and great weather.