Friday, March 13, 2009

Books!

“A house without books is like a room without windows. No man has a right to bring up his children without surrounding them with books, if he has the means to buy them.” - Horace Mann


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Everyone is feeling much better today, so this morning I grabbed the kids and took them to one of our favorite places to visit. The library.

The kids have both gotten their love for books from mom and dad. There is this passion when they pick up a new book, this twinkle in their eye as they turn to the first page and immerse themselves in whatever story they are reading. In a book there is NO limitations, you can be in your bedroom one minute and sailing across the world in the next...or flying through an amazing rain forest surrounded by the most beautiful and colorful birds you've ever seen.

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A room without books is like a body without a soul. (Seneca)

One of their favorite rooms is the Children's area, with it's bright stuffed toys and pillows, tons of books everywhere, from tiny ones to child size and even a piano to practice on.

We always have this kind of ritual when we enter the library, our first stop is the Children's Room and then the Young Adult Room where Jasmine gets to browse the computers and throw herself into American Girl Books, Junie B. Jones and now....just you wait....NOW.....she's into Little House on the Prairie.

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My word I never thought I would be more excited to see my daughter reading the kind of books I have always loved and remember loving as a child. It was great sitting there side by side looking through them all and picking which ones to read.

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I also have Little House on the Prairie on my Netflix Queue and she wants to watch them when they come in. How fun will that be?

Let books be your dining table,
And you shall be full of delights
Let them be your mattress
And you shall sleep restful nights.
~Author Unknown


So we got a couple of those and Nicholas also picked up a bunch of books about animals and a huge Beatrix Potter Hardcover. I can't wait to read those to them.

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There's something so relaxing and calming about a library, isn't there? It's like life slows down dramatically, everything moves at a snails pace and no matter how busy you are outside of those walls, you tend to stop and take it easy inside.

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I could spend hours browsing the cookbook shelves and I have to force myself to keep my little hands off. If not, I would probably bring the whole collection home.

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We were in there for an hour and then headed out to run some errands. I had to post this photo because both kids look so out of it *snicker*
One is yawning and the other looks like she's already taking a nap.

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Back at home, the books go on the shelf in the entry way, this way I always know where they are and don't forget to return them to the library, on time.

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A closer look....I rechecked out the two Tana French books, I never got around to reading them last time.

In the Woods - Tana French
The Likeness - Tana French
Home to Holly Springs - Jan Karon
Little House in the Big Woods - Laura Ingalls Wilder
By the shores of silver lake - Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little Town on the Prairie - Laura Ingalls Wilder

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And to end this off I just want to say that I miss my husband...so very much. I know it has nothing to do with books, but the kids and I have been really missing him, these 13 and 14 hour days that he is working is resulting in us not seeing him at all. It's been about two weeks since we've shared a meal, sat down for more than 10 minutes and enjoyed each other's company.

To top it off, he has weekend duty which means, if they don't get everything done today, he will be working tomorrow and Sunday too.

So I miss him, I miss his hugs and his kisses and I miss his voice and his laughter. He looks exhausted but he puts on a brave face every day and heads off to work....leaving in our minds, one specific image....his uniformed back heading out the door.

30 comments:

window into our life of love, joy, and adventures! said...

My dear daughter and I also love the library, actually all three of our children do but the boys were working! I could spend hours and hours in the cookbook section as well! So many treasures in those books!

Anonymous said...

I too love to visit the library.. I can spend hours in there and couldn't care less whats going on outside the doors.
I hope your hubby got his work done today so he won't have to work the weekend.

Conny said...

1. Love the new blog look :)
2. Love books! In fact, I have 2 of the quotes you used framed & hanging on my walls...
3. My house is somewhat of a library...some day I'll blog about it. I'll let know if I do. Hubby loves books even more than I do!
4. Hang in there - sorry your husband is working so much. I've been told that sometimes knowing your husband is at work THAT CLOSE to you but you can't see him is almost worse than having him clear gone on a deployment.

Lulu said...

hi Sandra, its great the kids love to read..
Love the new look to the blog..
Its always so good to see a post from you..
hope you have a nice weekend..

Cheri said...

It's so hard when you're husband is working lots of hours.
Just think how sweet the reunion will be!
On a positive note- at least he has a job to be working all those hours in:)

Kirstin said...

we love the library too.....ours is pretty small. I need to take the girls to a larger one for more options (C:

We bought all the series of Little house on the prairie from Costco and we watch them daily.

Unknown said...

We love our books and library around here too! :-) I love all your book quotes too...your last sentence about your hubby's uniform back being a last memory...so sweet, it made me tear up! Blessings!
Amy

Unknown said...

OH yes, to loose yourself in a good book is just so much fun. We read alot here more than anything. Your children are very fortunate to have a mom like you to teach them the love of books. Pictures are so cute...

threesidesofcrazy said...

Glad everyone is feeling better. I love all these wonderful quotes, but especially the first one. I love being surrounded by the written page!

Susanne said...

Those long, long shifts are hard. On all of you guys. Hoping they end soon and you can get back to some kind of normal.

I loooove the library. When I say I'm heading there, hubby says, "See ya in a few hours."

Nicholas' face cracks me up. It looks like he looks really shocked because Jasmine's slip is showing or something. LOL.

Michelle said...

I'm glad everyone was feeling well enough to head out to the library. And I was sorry to read your post below about how that dr treated you and pretty much blew off your concern :(

Curt must be exhausted working those long hours...and you too for pretty much being a single mom. I hope they got everything done today so he's not working this weekend and you can finally relax and catch up as a family!

Keeper of the Home said...

I am such a fan of the library. What a great way to spend and afternoon...among the words, thoughts and places that only books can take us. Way too many youngsters nowadays are so occupied with the computer or video game consoles that the art of reading has been dropped by the wayside. It always saddens me when I stop in and browse our library and see hardly any children or youth in there (unless of course they are using the free internet.) There is so much that they truly are missing out on.

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for a great post about libraries...they are great places! The quotes you found about books are wonderful, too. I see you're going to read Home to Holly Springs...I just finished it (really enjoyed it), and it takes place just a few miles from where I live now in Mississippi! When you read it you will get a very good idea of what it is like to live in the Deep South, it's VERY true to life!

Sorry you're missing hubby...you are taking care of the home front beautifully, and his work takes care of the rest of us :) Thank him for me, and you for taking care of him.

Melanie said...

I heart the library, too. My hubby doesn't understand it. :)

Hang in there with the long days your hub is working!

Pamela said...

What a great post! I'm never happier than when I'm at the library.

Love the first photo - it's Kit's bookend, isn't it?

Elenka said...

Yes, the library is truly a magical place. The love of reading wasn't instilled into me until high school. My parents didn't speak much English, so English books were not around very much. I have to thank my English teacher for making us read paperback books, ie. Raisin in the Sun, Cry, the beloved country, Grapes of Wrath etc.

april @ faraboverubies said...

I have a great love for books too. I also have a well documented love for Laura Ingalls Wilder and her books, even a section label on my site for "Little House on the Prairie". Love your writing!

Linds said...

Books - my home is full of them. I absolutely love books and reading, and isn't it weird - if I go to a home where there are no books about, I simply can't relax!
Your husband must miss you as much as you miss him, Sandra. These days will pass soon. But it is hard. I remember them well.

Anonymous said...

Hello! I think this is my first time to comment on your wonderful blog but I have really enjoyed coming here to visit you. I love all of your posts. Thank-you so much for sharing your pictures and thoughts with us.

I, also, want to thank your husband and his family for serving our country. I know you are all making great sacrifices for us. I do appreciate it.

Love, Debbi faustx2@yahoo.com

JMRCH said...

My favorite place is the library too! We love going to story time where the sweet librarian reads to my 2 year old, and others, then we all sing and have a silly parade! I loved your comment about how the library is a type of safe haven, taking away the pressures and high speed of the world! I completely agree!

I hope you and your husband are able to have some time together soon! Long days are no fun for anyone.

God Bless,
Meg

vwestermeyer said...

What memories this post brought back. I adored taking my kids to the library when they were young and the books they brought home. It was such a joy to watch them develop the same love and affection of books that I have.

I also want to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I've spent the last bit reading thru some of your old posts ... in a few days I'll have gone thru the last couple of years with you! When I read your blog everyday it's like visiting with a friend.

Unknown said...

That is awesome that your kids love to read! I use to read a book a day when I was pregnant with my oldest. Now I don't get to do that since I have the mom duties but I make a point of getting just a little bit of reading for myself done so that I can relax. My kids love to read as well. Im taking my boys to the library next weekend so they can pick out a book or two.

Glad you all are feeling better. I hope these long days end soon. I know my DH is working 12 hour days and he hates them.

All My Blessings said...

I love good books too! I'm reading "The Boy In Striped Pajamas" I just started so soon it will be lil ole me and my book...Kae

Renee said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip to the library! Glad to hear y'all are feeling better. Hope you all have a good week and you get some quality time with your hubby soon.

The Raggedy Girl said...

What a neato library you have and I loved your choice of books...happy reading.

Roberta Anne

Christina said...

I have to say I loved this post. Being a book fiend myself I can appreciate these pictures of your kids at the library. The place you are at now has one really cool library. I love the pillows and soft chairs for the kids. I am going to steel your idea about the books on a shelf in the entry way. I put ours all together on a entertainment center, but I think having them on the way in and out would be a better idea. Thanks. I thought I was the only one who checked so many books out at once, but that doesn't seem to be so. You check out a lot too. One thing I have to say about the Air Force is they have great libraries. I go here to the one in my housing area, and one on Schofield and one on Shafter, but I must say that the Hickam Air Force library seems to have a very update selection compared to the others and offers many more Christian books by authors like Beverly Lewis and Karen Kingsbury, so obviously I favor this place.

Vickie said...

Oh we love going to the library and it's not that we don't have plenty of books already here at home. The kids rooms are filled with books. It seems like we have the same problem at the library I love searching through the cookbooks. It wouldn't be a trip there if I didn't bring a couple home. Take Care :)

Mariel said...

Libraries are so fun! Lots of great pictures!

www.oneshetwoshe.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Sandra
I too love the Little House Series, and it makes me THRILLED that my little girl likes it too. She just turned 8, and she loves reading so much; just like her mama, and that makes me so happy.
I saw you got Jan Karon. I love all of her books; especially the Mitford series. Have you read them? I can read them over and over!
Andrea

Kayren said...

I just stopped by for the first time. Mari always participates in your Slow-cooker Thursday and I just popped over from Bonnie's Homemaker Monday. That one I think I could possibly manage...

My husband just retired from 20 years in the army. My thoughts go out to you as you and your kids are missing him so much right now. It's especially hard when they look so tired and you just want them to be able to get some rest and they can't. I hope the weekend went well...don't know since you haven't posted yet.

Blessings,
Kayren