Books I read February

I did it this month and read three books. I only read one book from the on my list for February from my last post but I did still hit my goal of reading three books so that is good.

First book I read this month was actually an audio book. Talking as Fast as I can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham

It was so fun listening to the audio book because Lauren of course was narrating it. It just made it feel so personal, like she was sitting in the car next to me telling me her life story. I loved listening to her stories about college about trying to make it into the acting world. I loved her real life approach on trials, how not everyone gets it the first time as much as we think and how taking chances and risks tends to lead to the best things in life. Anyway, I highly recommend it if you love Lauren Graham and her work in Gilmore Girls as well as Parenthood. She is amazing and this book is just as amazing. The only downside to listening to it on audio was I didn't get the pictures that come with the book so when she would say take a look at photo 14 I was kind of bummed I was missing out on something cool. If you can get over that then this book is a must read, or listen to in my case. I am currently searching for my next audio book so if you have any recommendations let me know.

The second book I read this month was Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer.

 This was definitely a guilty pleasure book for me and something that I wanted to pick up because I wasn't getting through the other books on my list fast enough. I have been wanting to re-read twilight for a while now and for some reason decided to start with eclipse. I know the story is so cheesy and Edward is border line controlling and possessive of Bella, but I just love the whole world Stephanie created with her stories. The conflict of the love triangle with Jacob adds some interesting dynamic to the scene and I believe this is the first fandom that started the whole team thing. I can't remember it existing before then but people were either team Edward or team Jacob the whole time. Anyway it's a good read if you are into controlling vampires who sparkle in the sun.

The third book I read this month was Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer.

 I am currently 30 pages away from finishing it and I have to say I like what they did in the movie adaptation by adding the fight. Sorry if you haven't read the book or seen the movie and I am spoiling this for you but it's been out a long time so I think you are probably good. Anyway, the book was interesting still but adding that fight scene was so cool. The way they did it in the movie was awesome. I know I am probably the only lone twilight fan left on the planet but it's all good. This book was unique from the others because Stephanie added a section from Jacob's point of view. This brought on a different perspective and you could really learn how Jacob's world worked and evolved.
Stephenie Meyer did a great job with the books and if you love it like I do then you should re-read it sometime.

Books to read for March:
The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket (eBook)
Better Than Before by Gretchen Ruben (physical copy)
1776 by David McCullough (Audiobook)
Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern (physical copy)

I don't want to get to ahead of myself but this looks like a good list for now. Hopefully I'll be able to finish them still. Audiobooks are great for me because I can pull them up on my phone while I drive to work which is 30 minutes away from where we live.I can usually finish one Audiobook in about 2 weeks. Anyway what's on your list for March?

XO
Caitlin

Spiritual Reset

I need a spiritual reset in my life. I have gotten so mundane with how I am handling my relationship with Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ. I don't mind church, I really don't. It's just I have no motivation for it. I want to change that and I have this feeling that I need to change that. I keep longing to have a really good scripture study routine, to attend the temple, to say family prayer etc. I know that these things make me feel better and be better so it's time to set a plan. After reading this post by Danika I got some good ideas and felt that making a list of things I wanted to accomplish spiritually would make me feel better. You all know I love my lists.

1. Say my prayers before bedtime. I am not going to commit to saying my prayers twice a day. I know that sounds horrible to some of you but for me it's really good to start out small. This is a small goal I can do every day. I know that saying prayers brings more peace and direction in my life and I am craving that so much.

2. Pick up the Book of Mormon and continue reading where I left off. Reading the Book of Mormon really helps strengthen and solidify my faith in Jesus Christ. It helps me learn that all humans are the same; we go through periods where we are super righteous and awesome and we also go through periods where we are a little prideful and we forget to be humble. That's okay as long as we can repent and move on. Anyway I don't want to start off at the beginning of the Book of Mormon again because, well I have read it so many times. I am just going to pick up where I left off which is in Alma somewhere. I want to sit down without distractions for 15 minutes a day, to read. I am going to have to wake up early so I can do this but it will be worth it.

3. Read the relief society lesson each week. We are currently nursery leaders so I don't get to go to relief society. Which is a bummer because it's the Gordon B. Hinckley manual this year and I love him. He was my prophet growing up and I just want to reconnect with what he taught us about the gospel. Reading the manual book will help me feel that again.


Those are my goals. Oh also our family goal of attending the temple once a month. We missed January so we are trying to get back on track. I wanted to really keep my goals simple but writing them down helps out so much with that. I am excited to get started on these goals and I hope it provides the spiritual reset I so desperately need.

Thanks for reading.
XO
Caitlin

St. George Trip #2

We went to St. George again! My family actually went this time and it was a really fun weekend filled with a lot of activities. I wish I had taken more pictures but I was enjoying all the moments so these are the pictures and snap chats I got.

 These are pictures of the house we stayed at. Long story short my Husband's Aunt owns a few houses in St. George that she has turned into rental houses, we get to go stay down there because my Mother in Law helps her organize and set up the house which requires a lot of work. I am super grateful that we get to go down so much and enjoy the warm weather in the winter.

 We went on a four wheeler ride the first day and it was freezing out so we had to bundle up. Claire didn't have a hat so she got to wear a pirate bandana over her ears.

 Here she is in her car seat in the four wheeler. She was all bundled up and loved it. She kept saying yahoo, wee, yippee. It was so cute.

 Trying out a new restaurant Bishop's Grill. It was really yummy! Claire holding her bottle makes this picture!

 Cutie!

 We went on a hike Sunday afternoon to see some cool Petroglyphs. This Rock temple was in the background. It seriously looks like a temple. Anyway, it was a great hike!

Claire loved spending the weekend with her aunts and uncles and grandparents. She was one spoiled baby. Thanks Rachel and Jenna for entertaining her all weekend. I hit the jackpot when I got you guys as sisters.

It was a really fun weekend. Can't wait until we go back!
XO
Caitlin

Books I read January

I have a reading goal to read 3 books a month this year. I hit my goal last year and I am excited to read more books in 2017. If I hit my goal again that is 36 books this year that I'll be reading. In January I only read 2 and a half but I am kind of far ahead in my reading goal for February and we are going on vacation this month to St. George (again I know) so I know I'll make up for it.

First book I read was Forever and Forever by Josi S. Kilpack. I love these historical proper romance books and this one was really good. Historical romance novels are kind of my thing and this one was just like all the other ones I read. No matter how many times I read the same type of story line I still think that the books are great and make me feel those feelings of being in love for the first time all over again. She just had a new book come out in January which I am excited to read this month.

A series of unfortunate events came out on Netflix and before I watch it I want to read all the books. The series is going to be books 1-4 and in January I read The Bad Beginning which is book one.

This book is dark for a children's novel. Bad things happen to the kids and it's just really sad. It's nice to see that the kids are smart and try and figure everything out on their own. The series doesn't have a happy ending so don't read it if you are going to be mad at that but I think they are fun and I can't wait to watch what Netflix does for the books.

The other book I started in January but didn't finish was First Women.

This is about the challenging position of being First Lady and talks about the first ladies from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michelle Obama. I love it. Seeing the insight into the white house, seeing how these ladies dealt with issues is just empowering. I am working on finishing it and my goal is to have it finished this week. Really good read for those into American History.

On my list for February:
Lauren Graham Talking as Fast as I Can
Red Queen Aveyard, Victoria
Better Than Before by Gretchen Ruben
The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

What's on your list?
XO
Caitlin