Must read. Now. LOVE DOES.

So as is normal for me, I already gave away this book without finishing it...oops.  That is the way I roll. If I am reading something remarkable and feel someone needs it more than me I either give away my copy or go and buy ten more copies and give those away.

This is another one of those books.  

LOVE DOES. by bob goff

Go purchase this today.  If you want to laugh, hear stories of what it would be like to actually live a life fully alive, then read this.

Here is the youtube video:

Did you buy it yet?  Trust me on this one (and all the other ones). And no, I haven't read Hunger Games and I really don't think I ever will...I get nightmares from stories like that.  

xoxo, Anna N

PS: I am now going to buy another so I can actually finish the book :)

Gallimaufry

gallimaufry: one of my favorite words

-also means hodgepodge

-also exactly what life is right now

Cooking this:

Emerils Turkey Burgers

With my new obsession of making homemade brioche buns (recipe here):

i made slider size buns last night!

Reading 
(finished yesterday-MUST READ)

LOVING

Miss Punkie Bean (grandma's nickname)


EIGHT weeks:
-she still is not that into sleeping...eek.
-she loves her mornings and smiles and coos and giggles all morning
-she doesn't like her carseat or car rides. I thought all babies liked those!!!
-she loves her daddy and he can make her giggle
-she has the most adorable, big, blue eyes
-she doesn't like to fall asleep without being held or rocked (oops)
-she loves sucking on her hands and really wishes she could fit both of them

Kind of in love (like a lot)


xoxo, A lady trying to figure out how to be a momma and a wife

Friendship.

I will do a recap on the "party-life" we lead in the next few days but I just read something that touched me so much that I had to share.  One of the pastor's wives at our church writes a blog and today she posted on marriage and the necessity of friendship.

Please go here. :)

As you can tell, I am a HUGE (literally, 39 weeks preggo, pic below) fan of great marriages.  My husband and I last night were talking about how we feel so blessed to love being married and were pondering what we were called to do with this. After all, we are all blessed only to go out and be a blessing to others.

I always tell people that marriage is for friendship (this is also ALL over the Timothy Keller book we are reading, "The Meaning of Marriage).  I not only love my husband-immensely, I also really, really, really like my husband.

To be honest-for all of you single gals, this makes dating a lot easier.  If you are looking for a great friend, so much pressure is taken off.  God is often quite great and often throws in the fact that your "great friend" also happens to be ridiculously handsome and can make you laugh like no other :)

Please enjoy the article and here is a pic of the wee one with one week left...

Don't you wonder who is in there??? Ruth or Henry???

Oh, and here is my best friend/lover/husband/confidant/protector/etc.

xoxo, Anna N

Less than 3 weeks...

In theory.  The doctor said my body was "doing nothing" in regards to getting ready for having the wee one and I am quite alright with that. I know that my body and the wee one will decide at just the right time when to make the big (hopefully not "too big") reveal.

Crazy, huh?  There is nothing in the world that can prepare for your entire identity changing in the blink of an eye (with labor of course...).  Kind of in the same way that one moment Matt and I said "I do" and the next minute I went from being Anna Wright to being Anna Norman. An entirely new identity-an unconditional commitment (praise God for coming up with marriage-I quite adore this man).

Here are a few things we have been up to:

1) This used to be a lion painting (see below).  It is very large...5'x4'.  It is being transformed into something a little less jungly.  I had the initial idea but of course the brilliant husband came up with even more ways to make it such a fun piece and more artsy.  Hopefully it will be done within the next few days...I know the Lion is awesome but my design imagination couldn't go that big.

2) Husband is taking me walking.  I know you might want to hear that I worked out all of my pregnancy but that would be such a farce.  I have literally been on 6 walks since being pregnant.  Yes, I can count them on two hands.  I so plan on getting back into this working out thing after baby arrives.

3) I found Juanita's chips in large bags: also known as, "Fiesta size."  If you know my husband, you might know these are one of his favorite things-EVER.  I make sure the pantry is always stocked but thankfully, a once a year trip to Winco, revealed that I don't have to put them on the list as often.

Does anyone else feel that place feels like the old TV show, "Supermarket Sweep?"

4) My husband's recent reading-well one of the many books he has been reading. This book is fantastic and a must for any new dad. I just wish there was a mommy version...I am relying a little too much on God's grace and the intuition He gives.

5) You. Must. Read. This. Book.  Single, dating, married...it is incredible.  You might have noted I am a LARGE Timothy Keller fan (technically with the belly I am now "large" in the literal sense:)).  This book is amazing whether you are a Christian or not. Such an amazing perspective on selfishness, marriage, independence, culture, etc.  We read it each night before we go to bed.  It is lovely.

You are lovely, too.

xoxo, Anna N

MUST reads.

I am going to recommend this again (and a few others).  These are three of my current faves...all can be ordered on Amazon!

I have blogged about it before.  I can't tell you emphatically enough, that you must read this.

And this one, too.  Another true story. Another guaranteed tears book.

Almost finished with this one. I have a copy from 1925 and I am LOVING it.  Such a wholesome story!