2012 Book Hit List

Since the last time we posted, we found out some crazy news! We're expecting a BABY! It was sort of planned, but a surprise at the same time, if that makes sense. =) We are doing great. We're expecting our special delivery around early June. This presents us with so many challenges. One of which is to obtain the most basic baby knowledge and parenting skills, as well as keeping our marriage as happy as ever, and training our puppy. 

Hence this list of books I hope to read over the next year. My aim is set low. Twelve months to read 6 books! We'll see how it goes!

1. On Becoming Baby Wise - Gary Ezzo

2. The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

3. The No-Cry Sleep Solution - Elizabeth Pantley

4. **Steve's Choice** We enjoy reading together a lot! Sometimes it's easier if he picks. ;)

5. The Proverbs - All 31 Chapters - Verse by verse.

6. Baby-Led Weaning - Gill Rapley & Tracey Murkett

What are you reading this year?

Beatrice Taylor - Domestic Marvel

Andy Griffith Day was yesterday, if you were so unfortunate to not have known. It was the anniversary of the first airing of the pilot episode of "The Andy Griffith Show". Such a great show! If you've never seen it or you miss it, catch it on Netflix!

Beatrice Taylor, or Aunt Bee as she's affectionately called by the entire town, is such a beautiful character. I love her! She's kind, gentle, loving, witty, wise, and a domestic marvel - especially in the kitchen. She has many, many different roles, from matriarch of the Taylor household to cook & female attendant at the jail, and especially mothering anyone in need - a wonderful portrayal of biblical truth - she having no children of her own (Gal 4:27).

We celebrated by having fried chicken & apple pie, among other small dishes with iced tea. It was fun to celebrate such a rare gem of entertainment while watching the presidential debate.

:: Congrats, Mr. Romney on a well-done job! You showed yourself approved! ::

:: Congrats, President Obama, on 20 years of marriage! Hope you have many more to come! ::

And I hope you have a blessed day!

Summer Sun

The three of us enjoyed sleeping in (at least Steve & I did) and a 5-mile walk at Minto. Now we're all hungry and Biggs is heading downhill to crash land in Napville. :)

Things I've Learned From German Shepherds...

We watched two German Shepherd pups overnight this weekend. Bigsby was elated! Here's what I, a non-German Shepherd person, have learned from them:

1. We're German. We're stubborn and opinionated and somewhat war-like, just like the people.

2. No matter what size or breed you are, we will try to win. Again, we're German.

3. If all humans are out of site for more than 2 minutes, commence pitiful whining.

4. If there's a ball, there's only a ball. Nothing else exists.

5. If your opponent (or even your teammate) is nearby, never drop the ball.

6. Stare at humans for awkwardly long amounts of time. It's funny to watch them squirm.

7. Food is good.

8. Pretend you're deaf. It gets you more attention.

9. Equality is essential. If you have something, so should I.

10. Learn "normal". If anything deviates from this, freak out and bark loudly. Humans like this. Most humans. Ok, maybe just our masters at our house...

11. We love to love. Kisses. Hugs. Cuddles.

Little Finds

More vintage finds for $2 or less!

Fail

I have never used the slang term "Fail"... until today. I woke up at 4am to a whining puppy. To spare Steve lost sleep, I got up.

Back to bed at 5am.

Woke up at 6:15. Looked at my nightstand. Thought I was hallucinating. Rubbed my eyes. No hallucinations. There really were baby spiders crawling all over. Scream.

Got out of bed and ran downstairs to grab my clothes out of the dryer. Opened the laundry door to a pond that ran out the back door and also out into the garage all the way to the driveway.

On top of that, my fridge hasn't been working right.

Later we (dog & I) stopped at Steve's office to take a walk with him. I dropped my first dime in the parking meter. Nothing. Dropped my last coin in. Nothing. I jiggled it. It displayed this message "FAIL. Out of order." How did it know that perfectly described my morning so far??

Off to my doctor's appointment. Let's hope my touch doesn't break anything or anyone there!

Lord, help!

Bigsby & Me

Probably the best portrayal of our relationship. "Does this hurt, Kari?"