Merry Christmas

A few of us singing.

Love Ya, God Bless

Baby books- and my debut blog post

In my Maternity and Women's Health nursing class this semester we were each assigned a novel to read and then present to our clinical groups. What? Read a book that isn't heavier than some people's dogs, didn't cost more than $80, and won't be tested over during finals?! In nursing school?! How do you deal with that? It's quite easy to shove textbooks aside when you have an excuse (or not) and when I sat down on the couch to read this book with it's fair share of teenage and medical drama I could convince myself that it was actually homework and that I was not sinning by putting off studying- no guilt necessary. The book I was assigned was Midwives: A novel by Chris Bohjalian. I liked it- entertaining, fairly complex, lots to think about, and made for a fun presentation. (I almost bought it, but couldn't bring myself to because of the small "Oprah's Book Club" symbol on the cover. Yep, that was truly the deciding factor; couldn't own something with that much baggage...Ah well, maybe someday.) It's a fiction novel set in Vermont in the early 80s and tells the story of a lay midwife who works with women wanting homebirth. The main plot has to do with a particular homebirth that goes terribly wrong in pretty much every way possible, medically and otherwise, and shows the midwife's family's experience as they go through a criminal trial relating to the bad outcomes of the birth. It was fascinating- I keep wondering what I would have done in the same situation. Would I have had better foresight? Could more have been done? Then again, the same situation is highly unlikely to happen in the first place- but, what if? It gave me a lot to think about, but even at the end I feel that every family just has to choose what they feel is best for them and birth can be risky any where, any time, and with any attendant- physician or midwife.
Though this is the only one I read, some of the other assigned novels sounded pretty interesting too- add these to the list of books to read before I die: Children Who Sleep by the River, Down Came the Rain, Handle With Care, and especially Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife.

Posted by Chelsea Jordan

Expelled - No Intelligence allowed

I wanted to write a review of the movie that Ben Stein did called "Expelled - No Intelligence allowed" We found it at the local library of all places. It was amazing. He delves into the academic world of biology and shows what happens to anybody who even hints at disagreeing with the theory of evolution. He does not try to show the holes in the theory as much as he tries to show how we are in a dangerous place because scientists are now not allowed to question. It is excellent. I think everybody should see it. At least everybody who reads this blog should see it. Hey, who even reads this blog.

(This was written by Matthew Jordan)

Are you ready?!

It's almost time! It's almost here! I'm overwhelmed with heart-stopping anticipation! Here's my problem. . . The book comes out the day before school starts! Aaaarrrggghhh!!! How can I possibly stay up all night reading when I'll have to be coherent enough the following morning to get my kids to school on time, with all their supplies, and get them into the right classroom, which means I'll have to be dressed and looking presentable. Aaaarrrggghhh!!! I think that we should have a Hunger Games party the Friday following the book release. Don't get me wrong, anyone who wants to buy it at midnight and read straight through 'til dawn, be my guest! But on Friday, those poor souls who couldn't manage that can get excited about the book, start reading it, and have fun with fellow fans. What do you guys think?!

Sarah Beth

Sidenote: We have this song I like called "Sarah Beth" and I really like the way those names sound together, so I thought I'd start using the moniker to distinguish myself on posts such as this.

Suzanne, YOU ROCK!

Matthew and I just finished book two in the Hunger Games trilogy and OMG(that's "gosh" on the G there) it was AMAZING!! What a heart-rending, hair-raising, super-amazing experience. Suzanne Collins is a wicked sick genius!!! (That's a good thing.) I don't want to give anything away b/c I know that several in the family haven't read the books yet, so I will end with this. . . I don't know that I have ever read a set of books that so thoroughly enveloped my life as to leave me feeling like I'd run an emotional/mental marathon at the end. WOW!!

As I looked on Goodreads and saw all the books I was currently reading I decided it was time to actually finish a few of them. I loved Fablehaven. It was a lot of fun to read it with my sweet husband. When Heather and I went to Spokane to surprise Sarah for her birthday I picked up her copy of Inkheart. That is the book I finished next. It was a good book. Not great, but good. After that I finished the book And They Were Not Ashamed. It is a great book on true intimacy. The last three chapters are about how and when to teach children about intimacy. I have it here for anyone who would like to borrow it. Then I finsihed Forest Born. This is the fourth book in the Bayorn series . I loved the way Shannon Hale brought all the stories together in this last one. I just started reading the first book in 39 clues. I am looking forward to this fun journey. I also ordered a bunch more books just in case I run out. Anyone who would like to check out my collection you are more than welcome to borrow them.

Deena

The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayak

So, I don't know if you know this about me but I've been trying to read alot and learn about history and politics and what not. I've heard for quite a while now alot about The Road to Serfdom and so I finally got around to reading it. I highly recommend it, especially if you want to understand what true/classical Liberalism was really all about. The word has been so tainted, misunderstood and abused that society at large as little to no understanding of it. Liberal has that same root as liberty. Hayak does a great job of explaining his position and the importance of Liberalism in Democracy. I have a lot of respect for Classical Liberalism.

Hayak wrote the book as WWII was ending. There is quite a bit in there about how Nazi Germany came about, and how much of the same philosophy that led to Nazism had been already spreading around Europe. Sadly much of that trend has continued though with less horrific results.

He being Liberal and I being Conservative there are some things that I didn't exactly agree with :) But, it was really valuable to read that real Liberal perspective and there was a whole heck of a lot that I did agree with. Here are some quotes that I found to be spot on. On the importance of having freedom to succeed and to fail, "Either both the choice and the risk rest with the individual or he is relieved of both." On Humility, "Individualism is thus and attitude of humility before the social process and of tolerance to other opinions and is the exact opposite of that intellectual hubris which is at the root of the demand for comprehensive direction of the social process." On morals and freedom, "What our generation is in danger of forgetting is not only that morals are of necessity a phenomenon of individual conduct but also that they can exist only in the sphere in which the individual is free to decide for himself and is called upon voluntarily to sacrifice personal advantage to the observance of a moral rule."

Excellent read.

Fablehaven's Final Book Rocks!!

Done!!! Thank you to Bill and Deena for indeed hurrying themselves through the book. It was a good read. Totally couldn't put it down and finished it in 2 1/2 days! Kudos to Brandon Mull to get a confirmed non-fantasy reader to devour not one, but five fantasy books. Sarah

Fablehaven Rocks!!

I just finished reading books 1-4 again in the Fablehaven series, so I could prep myself for the GRAND FINALE in book 5. Brandon Mull is an excellent writer! Rarely does reading a book a second time capture my attention. This time, I couldn't put them down and read them all in a week! I was hoping it would take me longer so Bill & Deena could finish reading their copy, but I couldn't help myself! That being said, and with all due love and respect: Bill and Deena, my most wonderful in-laws . . . HURRY!!! Love, Sarah

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison

Hey Family...

Did anyone know this was out?? I just found out yesterday. I hadn't heard anyone chatting about it...so I just thought I would share that it was out!

Now, if I am behind, please excuse me...this happens often...

So, since the library is currently allowing others to borrow the book...if any of you have read and own the book and are willing to let us borrow it...let us know. You do know how to get a hold of us~

Luv,

R

Percy Jackson and The Olympians - Series

Well, I got started on the series not too long ago, and I was pretty quickly hooked. I finished the last book a couple of days ago.

I thought the story was very creative. It uses the backdrop of Greek mythology very well. The author did a great job bringing in all sorts of elements and modernizing it.

There is plenty of action and excitement in it. There is also a lot of humor. I like that the stories are narrated by Percy. It adds to the humor as he explains things the way a teenage boy would. Even some of the chapter titles are quite humorous.

I liked all the books, but the last one was definitely my favorite. The author did a great job of tying the whole story together with a big ol battle at the end. My favorite part of the book was actually the message of the last Olympian. It's a reference to the keeper of hearth. In the end it is the people that you care about that really save the day. Just a great message.

I definitely recommend the series. I have all the books if anybody needs to borrow.

My Sister's Keeper (the book)

I have wanted to read this book for a while, actuallly I have actually blogged about this! Well, I finally did. I got it off amazon for $.01+ shipping.

I loved it. It was really intriguing. It really made me think how I would be if I was faced with a child with cancer. I think what I liked the best is that each chapter is written by a different person in the story, so you really get ripped from point of view to point of view. It also explores the family dynamic in a family torn with this type of problem. And then of course, the end twists and is so different than you think.

Read it. It is good. You will cry! (unless you don't have a heart)...(or you just aren't pregnant!)

Enjoy!

R

When I watch the movie, I will let you know about it!