There is too much to catch up on and so I was avoiding writing because I knew that I didn’t have time to record everything. However, to prevent this blog from dying, I will have to just press on and write from here on, even if I don’t get time to include everything that happened before.

We’re home from all of our holiday travels now and looking forward to the New Year. Joe has been on vacation since the 23^rd and it has been a rare treat to have so much time with him. He heads back to work tomorrow (yes Sunday—remember he’s a pastor) and I will miss having him here. The boys and I have both enjoyed the extra time with him.

We took advantage of the parental double team to try to potty train Joseph, but without success. He will go almost any time that we put him on the potty, but doesn’t ask to go himself and still has accidents. I know he is capable, he just doesn’t mind the accidents yet.

I’ve just finished reading The Way Home by Mary Pride. It wasn’t at all what I expected. I had visited enough pro-family sites online to know generally that it was a book that encouraged motherhood and more conservative Christianity (home schooling, stay at home moms, parental responsibility, “quiverful” parenting, etc.), but I was expecting more flowery encouragement and less thoughtful critique. It read almost like an academic text much of the time with reviews of feminist literature, sweeping connections between feminism, abortion, socialism, and careerism, and exegesis of Biblical passages on womanhood.

I really enjoyed the first part of the book but breezed through the second half. I tried to read it on New Year’s Eve while I was sick and the TV was on (waiting for the infamous ball to drop). I’d like to read the whole thing again so that I can get more out of it. When I read something that I like I tend to devour it and though I leave with a general feeling of fullness, I fail to taste the subtle flavors of the text. So it was with this book. I hardily recommend it though and know that any Christian would be challenged by what Mrs. Pride had to say. Challenged to examine one’s views on womanhood, children, and the family in light of Scripture and not through the cultural lenses that so color our views.