WellRead Recently & Black Sheep

A WellRead post written pre-Gwen, published post-Gwen.

We’re t-minus two weeks away from baby #2. There is an unassembled crib, a bathroom under construction, loose ends to tie up at work. I have been praying for a late baby, a day or two or seven past due date would be fine with me. And yet as I ask for this, I am once again reminded that this new life is not in my hands.

But as we await the arrival of this new addition, we are doing our best to reflect on (almost) two years as a family of three. Years full of healing and hope as I’ve continued to see improvement in the strengthening of my smile and experienced the world through the eyes of a toddler.

Eliza “documenting her findings” of the sheep put in her care at school.

Someone told me recently that the best decision he had ever made for his family was to localize their life. I often find myself trying to do it all, to be everywhere, to commute wherever--Atlanta's only 40 minutes away after all. Yet what if we are meant to be where our feet are? What if we find true community when we work and rest and do life in one place. While maybe we can't localize all of our life right away, maybe we can start somewhere, maybe we can lean into our neighborhoods. The best place to start localizing life? The library.

Baa Baa Black Sheep ★ 1/5

Eliza has recently become infatuated with sheep. (Although she was less than impressed at seeing one in real life; she prefers the illustrated version.) We rounded up all the copies we could find at the library. Can’t say it’s my favorite book, and I’m not sure what she sees in it. Yet I think it’s rubbing off on me because I found this overpriced sticker and had to have it.

Taylor Swift x Parable? Yes please.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt ★★★★★ 5/5

This story left me with a deep reading hangover. I did not want it to end, and when it did, I had a hard time finding another book that could hold a candle to this one. In honor of Marcellus the octopus, we named our pool-thermometer (also an octopus) after him.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Siittenfeld ★★★★★ 4/5

The cutest love story involving a fictional SNL writer and a pop star icon. A sweet, light read, but heartwarming and hilarious.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan ★★★★ 4/5

Not the best book I’ve ever read, but a solid page turner. I read it in just a couple of days (and I’m not a fast reader). Enjoyed the story, didn’t love the ending, but did love the honey recipes included in the back.

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk ★★★★ 4/5

A dense nonfiction book that I listened to and probably could not have read. An eye-opening account of how our bodies physiologically process trauma.

Good Inside by Becky Kennedy ★★★★★ 5/5

Haven't finished this one yet, but the most inspiring methodology to raising humans. Also great advice for working with humans in general.

How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber ★★★★★ 5/5

Where Good Inside is more philosophical, this book is a practical, applicable strategy. We have already begun speaking to Eliza using some of these tools. And even though she's not yet two, they miraculously seem to work.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy ★★★★★ 5/5

A heartbreaking and inspiring memoir. I listened on the way to work everyday and regularly walked into the office in tears. Ultimately redemptive and inspirational.

The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith ???

Waiting for baby 2 to enjoy this one. I LOVE the Strike series, and I know once I get my hands on #7, I won’t want to do anything else. So I’ve been waiting for maternity leave to begin to start J. K. Rowling's latest installment.

And finally, I wanted to leave this here: I Love My Church | A Message from Andy Stanley