So what's on this weeks reading list:
Making HOme by Shron Astyk
Unconditonal Parenting by Alfie Kohn
The Artists Way for Parents Raising Creative Children by Julie Cameron
Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer-loving this one...
The Artful Parent by Jean Van'T Hul
Nurturing the Soul fo your Family by Renee peterson Trudeau
Creative Play for your toddler by Christopher Clouder
Remember that you don't need to read every page and every chapter.  Flip through the sections and notice what calls to your interests.  There are so many books out there that if you read through every page you would never get a chance to look at so many more.  Thats just my philosophy.
Sooo
The challenge of the week is to get the baby (almost 3) to sleep through the night (1) and in his own bed (2).
I will again begin the transition process by moving him to his room and sleeping on the twin.  I think I will also make him a chart that shows him his bedtime routine.  Here's hoping that by the end of Feb, everyone will be in their own rooms again.  I admit I love snuggling with him every night but he is a bed hog.

A dear friend of mine gifted me an online retreat called Hibernate with Heather Bruggeman witch lead me to joining in on a craft swap which led me to starting up my blog, which has not been of any importance to me until this week.  I find that it will be an interesting way to chronicle my life, much like a journal, but maybe I will refer back to it more often, not so much as a journal, but as a resource for things I find myself interested in, things I do, PINS that I actually complete.  So when I have moments of spare time, when I am not creating my family rhythms and meal plans on watercolored paper while my kids watch Daniel Tiger, I plan to write.
I finally realize (knock on wood) that life can be easier and I don't need to be so hard on myself. 
I really think my online retreat, my dear friend and finally finding some rhythm to my life helped me feel centered....at least for the past five minutes.
In all truth...Life is Good

My neighborhood this morning.  We never have snow days in Gunnison.  I feel sad that my kids will never have the joy of hearing the snowplow trucks and listening to the radio waiting for their school to be cancelled.  Almost two feet of snow out there.  I wish today was Saturday so we could watch the snow fly, watch movies and destroy the house.

A must read post from Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting.  I need to read this every day


http://www.littleheartsbooks.com/2013/11/29/the-gift-of-a-strong-willed-child/

along with this one

http://www.littleheartsbooks.com/2013/07/08/backtalk-is-communicationlisten/

documenting the quest

Much like my journal, my blog is incredibly outdated...well, with a new year... arrives new aspirations along with inspirations. So with two boys, a full time job and a ongoing never-ending goal of organizing,  simplifying and bettering our lives, oh and making time to have fun .... life is chaotic.  So this blog will chronicle the books I have read, advice I hear, ideas I have and bits of wisdom I have gathered all of which will help or hinder in attaining these goals.
So along with the words I write... here is a link to my pinterest account that visually documents "me"
http://www.pinterest.com/bookwitch13/

Slow family Living-Bernadette Noll
Drop more Love Bombs and Less F Bombs
Listen...Really Listen to what my kids are saying..Whining is not just whining but a sign of a greater need.
Sigh. Forgive. Let Go. Move On
Stop...Think...Make a Choice
Questions to Ponder...
What are my strengths as a parent?
Where do I fail?
Where do I get my ideas for parenting?
How should I encourage a stronger relationships with my kids?

My thoughts
How can I incorporate a Waldorf type rhythm to my life and parenting style.

My heart beats

Well our new foster baby, well not so new, has been with us for nine months.  We are again going through the possible termination/adopt process.  The universe has a strange way of granting a person what they want.  A baby is a wonderful thing to have, I just pray that he will stay with us forever.  We want to be his family, but that decision is out of our control.

Well time flies...

I have decided to keep this blog as a kind of baby book for my son and our current foster son-baby T.  I want to share wtih them the highlights of our life, the funny times as well as document the interesting moments of our lives.  I have tried journaling but this seems in a way faster and maybe I will actually keep up.  I can go back through the blog and highlight events when I do finally create the baby/boy book.
Well as it snows today, I document that it is baby T's first snow.  This week there has been a couple of firsts for the babe.  Sweet potatoes-two days in a row.  His first meals-cereal and sweet potatoes were not home made, but they were organic.  Yesterday while feeding him, he couldn't wait for his next bite, giving a little squeel to notify me that he wanted more.  One tablespoon each evening this week, next week-something new to stimulate his palate.
Tyler-is enjoying football and tonight we have our first open house at his school.
Last week during homecoming, I watched the football float and got all teared up while thinking someday he may be on that float. 
Quotes from my boy.
Mom teachers are smarter then grownups.  Are they smarter than mommies-Yes teachers are smarter than mommies.
Mom-Cows are good jumpers-They can jump over the moon. 
I am not the mom, or women I thought I would be as I await my 40th birthday-only 20 days away, but I am so blessed that I need to appreciate what I have and who I am.