I've been in a creative slump lately. 

I've been asking myself what is the point of blogging? 

And honestly, what is the point of most of what I do...

I was inspired by other bloggers to pause and reflect on this list.  I thought  maybe through the process of self reflection it could help me get out of the slump. 

So here you go... and yes I'm aware that it is past the challenge date. 

#1. I grew up...

I grew up in a rural community in Southern California. My parents owned a small ranch where we raised horses, dogs, a few goats and a random assortment of small animals.  Most of our dogs were strays...my Mom could never turn a stray dog or cat away. I have two biological sisters and three adopted brothers (...they were adopted after I moved out and got married). My sisters and I were homeschooled. When I turned nine, I was enrolled in our local 4-H club where I showed horses until I turned eighteen. I spent ten summers working at a summer camp as a horse instructor, counselor and programming director...which is also where I met my husband. And lastly, I graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching from La Sierra University.

#2. Someone who has influenced me is....

This is a tough one to answer. Of course, my parents and Dadi have all played a role in influencing and shaping my life and for that I'm an eternally grateful. However, if I have to pick one person I'd pick Dr. Siegfried Roeske - religion professor from college. It is because of Dr. Roeske that I am still a Christian and an Adventist. Sadly, Dr. Roeske passed away last December. He will always have a special place in my heart.

#3. A thing that changed my worldview was...

Going to college! My freshman year was an eye opening experience. I was woefully unprepared - socially and academically. It took a couple of months to get on my feet..ok maybe a couple of years...but I finally did and I walked away with my Master of Arts in Teaching.  

#4. I am strangely good at...

Snail mail! Love writing and receiving snail mail. There is something extra special about handwritten notes and cards.  

#5. I have mixed feelings about...

Should I leave my hair long and just do a nice side swept longish bang? Should I dye the tips of my hair teal blue just in time for the holidays? Or should I go short and bold with a sharp diagonal lines? 

#6. A defining moment in my life was when...

I found out that I was going to be a mama. I always knew that I wanted to have kids, but I didn't expect my oldest to come so soon. I didn't even know that I was pregnant until I was about thirteen weeks. I went to see my doctor for a routine check-up. The next day while I was teaching, the doctor called to give me the news. My husband and I had just talked the night before about starting our family in about five years. Little did he know that plan wasn't in God's plan for us...Just FYI, my husbands reaction when I told him about being pregnant was to go to Red Robin and eat his weight in french fries, then go to Costco and buy me earrings and fuzzy boots. 

#7. Recent discovery I can't stop talking about...

The Churro Place! Gilbert has some amazing places to eat and one of those places is the Dulce Churro Cafe. If you are ever in town...please check this cafe out! You will never be able to eat churros anywhere else. 

8#. Something I'm struggling with right now is...

In two years my youngest daughter will be starting kindergarten. I'm not sure what the next step in my life will be. My role as a Mama is changing..yes..my kiddos will still need me, but with both kids in school I'll have time on my hands. Do I get a job? Do I continue to stay at home? I'm not really sure what my plan is..but one thing I do know is that I need to figure it out soon. 

9#. My magical reset button is...

Being outside in nature. After living in triple digits for three to four months, I'm ready for cooler weather. It's time to get outside and explore Arizona..away from technology..and possibly my kids. Also, if I can't get to nature...Target and Starbucks alone is always a great alternative...the garden section counts..right? 

#10 In 3 months, will you ask me about...? 

In three months, I'll have lived in Arizona for one year! Feel free to ask how that is going. Also, ask me if I survived my first Holiday travel season. I'm curious to see how it is going to be traveling, visiting family and trying to see everyone in a short amount of time. I'm going to miss being home on Christmas morning. However, I'm also looking forward to making new memories and traditions as the years go by. 

Afterlife of Stars by Joseph Kertes

I have mixed feelings about this novel and would probably give it a 3 out of 5. It was beautifully written, poetic and thought provoking. However, I struggled to connect with the characters, felt that the story pacing was awkward and the ending contrived.

This book is about a Hungarian Jewish family fleeing the Russian's during the Hungarian Revolution. The story is told through the eyes of Robert, who is 9.8 (decimals are very important to him) and Atilla who is 13.7. The boys witness bloodshed, death and violence all around them in Hungary and during their escape to Paris. Once in Paris, the boys uncover a family secret. This secret leads the boys on a wild goose chase around the city, only to end in more tragedy. 

After reading this book, I learned that the author Mr. Kertes escaped the Hungarian revolution with his family in 1965. It made me wonder how much of this novel was fictional and how much of it was based on events he witness as a child.

I wish Mr. Kertes gave the reader more background information about the Hungarian Revolution. I don't know much about what happened during this revolution, and think that it would have been helpful to know what was going on.

I didn't like the overly sexualized scenes with Babette. I wasn't sure if the author wrote the scenes for a purpose or just because...it was weird.

I hate to say this but...I felt that I've heard this story before - Jewish family narrowly escapes, family is hiding a deep dark secret, family endures much adversity only to arrive safely at said destination.

In Paris, when the boys discover their family's deep dark secret it felt forced. I was less interested in the Beck's family secret and more interested in the life of Great-Aunt Hermina and her husband.  Great-Aunt Hermina's life story would be an interesting read! Maybe a future novel??

Lastly, the author's tone didn't fit with his young protagonist. I had a hard time buying Robert being only 9.8. His stream of consciousness fit more with a mature adult who overtime has been able to process the tragedy and bloodshed. This is what led me to research the author, and I wonder if maybe it is his way of processing everything he experienced as a child through the matured brain of an adult. 

Who knows.

Grandparent's Day

The older I become the more I understand that family is everything. In our home, my husband and I do are best to instill in our kiddos the importance of family. Both kiddos have close relationships with their grandparents, and moving away was hard...for the kiddos and their grandparents. Thankfully, Arizona isn't too far away and Dadi and Dada are able to visit whenever they wish. This Grandparents Day, instead of the usual day spent with Dadi and Dada, we facetimed over the internet...modern technology for the win. Although it wasn't the same, the kiddos enjoyed chatting with their grandparents, sharing about their day and asking for new toys (working on that).

This week at the library we gathered four of our favorite books about Grandparents. Our local library has quite the collection and I've loaded up my amazon wish list for future purchases. I'd love to expand my book collection on this topic and would love recommendations.

Four Favorite Books About Grandparents:

1. How to Babysit A Grandpa by Jean Reagan

Babysitting a grandpa is fun - if you know how. This adorable picture book is written from the perspective of a small child. Written in a "how-to" style, the narrator - the grandchild - shares tips for how to babysit a grandpa. Some of my favorite tips are: Snacks for a Grandpa,  How to Wake up Your Grandpa and What to Draw For a Grandpa.   

A couple of years ago, we gave this book to Dada for his birthday. My oldest son loved reading this book with his Dada. He is older now, but when he saw this book tucked away in my library bag he suddenly asked me if I could call his Dada for a quick chat. The relationship between a grandfather and grandson is special. Having a son, I love finding adorable picture books that show the love between a grandfather and grandson.

2. Because Your Grandparents Love You by Andrew Clements

This picture book is all about the unconditional love between a grandparent and grandchild. I love that this book is set in the country. It reminds me of home. The little boy and little girl in this story make little mistakes here and there..."when you run into the pasture and step right into a big cowpie and you yell GRANDMA!" The grandparents are patient and kind, and absolutely adore their grandchildren. Highly recommend this book!   

3. What Can Your Grandma Do? by Anne Sawan & Sernur Isik

What a fun story! At school, Ms. Appleyard announces to the class that they would be having a special Grandparents day talent show.  Jeremy loves his Grandma, however he isn't sure that she has any special talents to share. Stella's Grandma is a doctor, Celeste's Grandpa is a baker and Theo's Grandpa is an artist. What is Jeremy going to do? What is his Grandma going to do?

The message of this book is that everyone has a talent, no matter how young or old. We can all do something really well. For Jeremy's Grandma it is basketball. And although, Jeremy didn't think that basketball was Grandma's special talent...he soon realizes that in fact his Grandma is a talented player and that talents come in all shapes and sizes. 


4. Llama, Llama Gram and Grandpa by Anna Dewdney

My daughter loves the Llama, Llama book series. We picked this book up several months ago, and since then we have checked it out more then a half of dozen times. It is Llama's first time sleeping over with Gram and Grandpa's and he is a little nervous. Gram and Grandpa help Llama feel at home, however Llama forgets his fuzzy llama and becomes upsets. Instead of brushing off Llama's feelings, Grandpa shares with Llama that "he also had a special toy...Big or little, young or old a llama needs someone to hold."

Happy Grandparent's Day!

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

"These days, loneliness is the new cancer - a shameful, embarrassing thing, brought upon yourself in some obscure way. A fearful, incurable thing, so horrifying that you dare not mention it; other people don't want to hear the world spoken aloud for fear that they might too be afflicted, or that it might tempt fate into visiting a similar horror upon them."

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine...or so she thinks. Socially awkward and quiet, Eleanor is all alone in this world and doesn't have any friends. Her weekends consist of pizzas and vodka. That all changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the IT guy at her work. Raymond becomes a friend, and slowly shows Eleanor how to open up, and encourages her to face her inner demons head-on.

Eleanor's bluntness is both quirky and honest. Ms. Honeyman kept the character real without going overboard. In addition, I was happy that the relationship between Eleanor and Raymond wasn't romantic.  I appreciated that.

After finishing this book, all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around Eleanor and give her a hug. Something that at the beginning of this story, Eleanor had never experienced. This led me to wonder about the Eleanor's in my own life and how by taking the time to be a pal (like Raymond) I could make a difference.

Please, if you haven't taken the opportunity to pick up this book I'd highly recommend it.

Mr. Lucas Goes to First Grade

Today this guy started 1st grade. Technically, its his first day...everyone else's second day.  We are starting a day late due to a family wedding in California. However, the first day was just a half day and his teacher insisted that missing the first day wasn't a big deal.

The weeks leading up to school starting, Lucas was excited. He was ready to go. He had his backpack, shoes, lunchbox and uniform all picked out. However the night before school started he suddenly decided that he didn't want to go...it was a combination of nerves, exhaustion from driving from California to Arizona and missing his Dadi and Dada. Although we got him to bed on time, he didn't fall asleep for at least 40 minutes.

Thankfully, the morning went well. Once he saw his friends from Kindergarten and his new teacher everything was ok.

I'm looking forward to seeing what this year holds for Lucas. First grade is an exciting time...learning to read, and do math...but also meeting new friends and becoming more comfortable in his new home environment.

I'm also looking forward to having some more one-on-one time with my girl. I have two more years until she starts school...that's going to be hard for me...so I need to soak up as much Mama Alara time as I can.

Please pray. 

PS. Happy Seventh Anniversary to me!

final trip of the summer

Today is the first day of school, and we are currently driving across the California desert towards home. This was our last California trip for the summer. My husband's cousin got married over the weekend and we drove out to attend.

It was a beautiful wedding. Alara was so excited to be the flower girl. Her reaction when seeing the bride for the first time was to exclaim "I'm matching you!" She loved being in the wedding and didn't want it to be over. After the ceremony, both kiddos had a blast playing with their cousins. I took a back-up dress just in case it was needed, but nope..not only was Alara careful while playing...she didn't spill anything on the dress during dinner.

In addition to wedding festivities, it has been a busy week.  The kiddos and I spent a day with my Mom in Laguna Beach, Richard and I took off for San Deigo for the day and in-between all of that my sister came to have lunch with me and Richard got to catch up with old work friends. All in all...a great..but busy way to end our summer.

Wish us luck tomorrow for the first day of the second day of school. 

July Summer Reading

With temperatures hovering in the triple digits, it has given the kiddos and I ample of time for reading. Mostly picture books about Curious George or Peppa the Pig, or short chapter books about superheros, however occasionally I do find time to read a grownup book for myself. This month I consider myself lucky that I was able to finish three grownup books. I choose The Great Alone and Hillbilly Elegy based on several recommendations from friends and fellow bloggers, and Rembrandt's Shadow at random from the library bookshelf.

I finished The Great Alone in one weekend. I could not put this book down. Leni has lived a fairly chaotic life. Her father,  Ernt is a Vietnam veteran and former POW. He struggles with anger issues, depression, and is unable to keep a steady job. After loosing yet another job, Ernt decides that his family needs a fresh start and they move to a small remote homestead in Alaska. At first everything seems to go well, Leni and her family enjoy the hard work on their homestead, their neighbors are friendly and Ernt is happy. However, as the Starks say - winter is coming- and it is during those long cold dark months of winter when things go south.

This book is heavy. It deals with abuse, depression and what happens when "biggest danger of all was in her [Leni's] own home."

Hannah does a fantastic job moving this story along, giving readers just enough light to get through the dark and ending on a semi-happyish note.

The Hillbilly Elegy was an interesting read. And my final read for July was Rembrandt's Shadow, the story of how one painting saved the lives of 25 Dutch Jews in WWII.  

I really know how to pick a sad stories. 

I'd like to write in more depth about Hillbilly Elegy  and Rembrandt's Shadow at a later date.

Also, I'd like to point out that we have lived in Arizona for six months now.