Month: June 2009

This was a really great read. I have been skeptical about the Duggars at times and some of their things make me cringe (no hugging before the wedding, clothing choices, and an aversion to dancing, anyone?), but as I’ve watched the show I’ve noticed that they always have a very sweet spirit with each other and with people outside the family. Their joy as a family is evident and “gracious” is the word that comes to mind when I think back on how they treat people — especially people who have different values (like cousin Amy, lol).

A lot of times when you read a book about a tv family or personality, it’s just a rehash of what you see on the show, but the Duggar book goes into great detail about how Jim Bob and Michelle started their lives together, the growing of their business and their family, how they got into politics, and how politics eventually led to their TV show. I loved reading about how God blessed them financially when they were patient and determined not to go into debt: How they lived in 900 square feet on a used car lot with 5 (!) kids. How they wanted to buy a commercial property and God brought them the right property in the right time. How Jim Bob’s ingenuity and frugality helped them turn 2 broken busses into one great vehicle for their family. How they ended up building a house themselves because they couldn’t “afford” one big enough for them. How they started the project with no knowledge and lots of help from the kids (including teaching 12 and 14 year olds how to run a bulldozer).

So I went from being a reluctant viewer (who watched to see how crazy Christians were being portrayed on TV) to a genuine fan. I’m hoping to take away from the book Michelle and Jim’s philosophy on anger: A gentle answer turns away wrath. They interpret this verse as the gentle anger turns away their own wrath! When they feel angry, they resolve to talk *softer* and in doing so, find their anger dissipating. I noticed while watching the show how Michelle always seems to talk sweetly to all of her children and I thought she must be on some serious meds to seem so even tempered all the time, but I’m determined to practice and see if this yeller can tame her tongue. 🙂

So Bob went to play with the girls across the street yesterday and he came home with his nails painted (fingers and toes), eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick and hair dyed pink. Yikes!

The problem with his hair is that in addition to coloring it with a washable hair dye, they also put pink lipstick in his hair and glitter nail polish. So he looks like he has and overabundance of glittery pink hair gel in his hair. Picture to follow.

Poor kid was so embarrassed, he wore his hooded sweatshirt all day today so no one could see his hair. I think it’s cause all the girls on the block fussed over him and made a big deal about it.

plowed through Jon and Kate’s “Multiple Blessings” yesterday. Next up, the Duggars “20 and Counting.”

Ok, I cheated. I didn’t read book 2 and I skipped a little bit in book 3 cause it was about the boring stuff in book 2 that didn’t matter, but I finished. It was a very satisfying read.

I ended up skipping the Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen because the library notification came that book 3 was being held for me and I raced on over to pick it up. Hmmm, what shall I read next? I’m thinking a light biography like John and Kate . . . or maybe I’ll put reading on hold and pick up my tree quilt . . . decisions, decisions. Like deciding if I want coffee or chocolate ice cream, win win, win.

Finished Pamela Aidan’s “An Assembly Such as This,” book one of the Mr. Darcy trilogy. I really enjoyed seeing Pride and Prejudice through Mr. Darcy’s eyes. I have the next 2 books on hold at the library, but according to reviews, I’ll be better off skipping #2, since it deals exclusively with the time that Darcy spends away from Elizabeth.

My next choice may be “Suspense and Sensibility,” book 2 of the Mr and Mrs Darcy mysteries, but I don’t know that I’m up for another Gothic novel. I’d rather have a plain old mystery without any elements of magic. :eye roll:

Maybe I’ll start “The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen.” :running to check Amazon reviews:
Yes, this will be my next read — more positive than negative from the tough crowd at Amazon.

Coming up in the que: More biographical/autobiographical non-fiction family books.
The Duggars, John and Kate plus 8, another Jenny McCarthy book . . .