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Current Book Stack

August 24, 2016August 24, 2016Shanna2 Comments

(This post contains affiliate links).

You guys. My stack of current reads is getting a little out of control. I already had several on deck and in my “rotation” when I ordered four more from Barnes & Noble the other day. Oops.

And then while I was writing this post I remembered two more and just Amazon Primed them.

I have a problem.

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Anyway, these are the ones I’m currently working through:

Present Over Perfect – Shauna Niequist
I’m just getting started on this one but so far – it’s great. It’s all about her personal quest to pare down her life to what’s really important, and stop falling back on the self-imposed excuse of “I’m so busy.” I’m different in that don’t aspire to busyness (like, AT ALL), but I do have the disease to please, and those are all things she tackles in this book.

Nobody’s Cuter than You – Melanie Shankle
Melanie Shankle is one of my very favorite authors. (If you’re a mom or soon-to-be, you need to read Sparkly Green Earrings. I read it while I was pregnant with Ave and it made me so pumped about motherhood.) But this book of hers is all about friendship and I kid you not, it makes memories from my childhood come flooding in, one after another. I’ve been blessed with truly beautiful friendships (both new and some that have spanned decades) so this is a really sweet reminder for me to cherish those relationships.

Falling Free – Shannan Martin
I’m on the launch team for this book, and I am not exaggerating when I tell you I’ve devoured my copy (an e-book, so not pictured). I won’t lie to you – this is a hard read. It’s confronting and convicting, but in the best ways possible. It’s all about how God turned Shannan’s family upside down and gave her a new perspective on doing life wherever God places you, however He directs you. All about surrender. (Which is my “word” for this season while I’m waiting on baby #2).

Recently finished books:

Even if Not, by Kaitlyn E Bouchillon : thumbs up; easy quick read.

Wild and Free, by Jess Connolly & Hayley Morgan (thumbs up with a head’s up: it’s a good read with so many applicable truths to women today, it just took me a while to work through and digest.)

Looking for Lovely, by Annie Downs: thumbs up; honest and quirky.

And here are the books I just got in the mail/ordered today off Amazon (seriously, I have a disease):

Bittersweet – Shauna Niequist

When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi, *probably the one I’m most looking forward to.

Giddy Up, Eunice: (Because Women Need Each Other) – Sophie Hudson

You & Me Forever – Francis Chan

Missional Motherhood – Gloria Furman

So there are my updated lists! Ridiculous, I know.

Oh! One more thing. I’m currently on the lookout for a bible study for a small group. I want to host a study group in my home this fall, but I have to narrow down my choices. Do you have a recommendation? PLEASE tell me if so! And if you know me personally and want to join in on the study (women only), I’d love to have you. 🙂

beloved weekly shares { 3/52 }

January 18, 2016May 21, 2016ShannaLeave a comment

Week 3/52: Beloved Weekly Shares

Three weeks in and I already missed week 2. Ha! It happens. Welcome to my perfectly imperfect blog. 🙂

I loved reading this wisdom from a mom looking back over her last 20 years of mothering. This is a really sweet read for those of us with littles, especially in the beginning of a new year.

I listen to just a few different podcasts, but Jamie Ivey’s “Happy Hour” is probably my favorite. This past week she chatted with Korie Robertson and it was really interesting to hear from her.

Two tips from The Nester to keeping your house tidy. Really smart.

From a healthcare standpoint and as a mom, I found this article really intriguing. Aven was estimated at 7 1/2 lbs on her last ultrasound, and the next day was born at 9.4 lbs! (I am SO glad I was unaware of her size or it totally would have messed with my head!) I wish more doctors would remember that it’s only an ESTIMATE when discussing method of delivery with expecting moms.

I have a goal to read 30 books this year and many of these book recommendations are on my To Read list. I’d love to hear any of your recent favorite reads.

The Nester (my favorite home blog) has an amazing course in home design called The Cozy Minimalist where she covers all the basics and teaches you how to build a room step by step while using mostly what you already have. I loved going through this course, and registration is open again, but only for a few more days.

hope everyone has a great week! I’m hoping to kick this sinus infection to the curb.

xo,
Shanna

beloved weekly shares { week 1/52 }

January 6, 2016May 21, 2016ShannaLeave a comment

Guess who’s back? Back again…

First, Happy New Year!

Back in October when I jumped on the #Write31Days bandwagon, I left my Beloved Weekly Shares in the dust. But I’ve missed sharing my favorite finds and links every week, so I’m starting off the new year with my first post of 2016 and a new round of BWS!

Welcome to week 1/52:

In this piece, I see myself as I am now: mom to a toddler, oftentimes frazzled and just trying to get through Target with everyone still smiling. But I also see my future mom self; who I’ll be when my babies are grown, and what I’ll say looking back over the most precious years of my life.

These fox flats. I die. So much so that I bought another pair a size up for Aven because her current ones are a little too snug. *P.S., they are on sale right now. 🙂

Sleep is important. I could have confirmed that for you right about Day 3 of Motherhood, since you really learn this lesson when it’s TOO LATE, but this article actually backs it up scientifically. Pretty interesting stuff.

Sometimes I get on an organization kick, and I love my house so much when everything is in it’s place. (I just wish it came naturally to me!) Scrolling through this list of Jen’s top organization posts makes me want to spend ALL DAY getting things in order.

Thanks to a mom on a mission, so many children with Down Syndrome in China now have the chance to join families and flourish. This makes me smile, all the way from my heart to my face.

And if you’ll let me, I wanted to share a piece of my own. It’s the first piece I’ve had published somewhere other than my own site, something I hope to do more of in this new year. I snapped this Instagram picture several months ago when my new North Face jacket arrived in the mail….and was promptly hijacked by my toddler. It made me realize all the many, countless ways we moms give of everything we have.