Amy Scott's Thoughts

What I’m Reading

• It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst –  This was a good read; filled with lots of powerful reminders from my own seasons where I felt things were turning out all wrong.
• Leveling the Praying Field by Donna Barrett – I had the chance to meet Donna in person. I’ve been inspired by her leadership in our fellowship (Assemblies of God). My husband was gifted a copy of her book at a prayer meeting. It was a good reminder that prayer is not an elite few, but for everyone.
• Like Ice Cream by Keith Ferrin* –  This book is about sharing a love of God’s word with the next generation. It’s a quick read, but it’s packed full of information, resources, and inspiration.
• A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks* – I read this book in high school and it’s been a book find myself revisiting throughout the years. It’s a sweet love story.
• Party Girl by Rachel Hollis – I’ve read two of Rachel Hollis’ books so I decided to give her fiction a try. This book was a based off her party planning experience in LA. It was entertaining and interesting.
• Finding Alice by Melody Carlson* – This novel follows Alice has she develops schizophrenia. The book is from Alice’s perspective and gives a fascinating look at genetics, homelessness, and recovery.
• Return to the Canadian West Series by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan – This three book series is the inspiration for Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart. I’ve read a few of Janette Oke’s books series and I watch When Call the Heart, so I figured this would be a good pick.
• The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins* – Once the world started falling apart, I figured I could use a reminder that things could be worse.
• Christy by Catherine Marshall (Not Pictured) – I read a digital copy of this book from the library.  It took me a while to get into it, but eventually I found a good flow and got intrigued to see how the story would end.

* Books that I have read before, just not in the last year.

Things I’m Loving

Flowers – I kept one flower from the wedding bouquet. The bouquet was all white so when this flower started to bloom pink, I had to give it a chance to blossom! I love keeping flowers in the kitchen as a small reminder of beauty throughout the day. More than ever, I need small visuals that bring joy.

Church at Home –  I’ve been loving church at home. Jeremy is able to sit with us through the whole gathering. Owen sings along to the worship songs and it makes me almost cry. We get ready with enough time to eat a sit-down breakfast together. After years of getting the boys ready by myself, grabbing a quick bite, and rushing out the door, I am thankful for a change of pace and extra time as a family.

Communion at home – apple grape juice and oyster crackers.

Marco Polo – I’m relatively new to the app. It works like a walkie-talkie with video messaging. I record a message to a friend and when they have time, they reply with their own video. In a season where I am not seeing friends face-to-face, I’m thankful for a chance to see my friends through a screen and keep up-to-date with their daily lives. Seeing a face right now feels like a deeper connection than just a text message.

UP Faith & Family Free Trial – I signed for the two week free trial of UP Faith & Family. I used to watch Bringing Up Bates on UP when I had satellite years ago. I decided to get the two week free trial to watch the most recent season of the Bates.

Reasons to Celebrate – March has been full of reasons to celebrate. They build excitement so that each day isn’t just like the last. We’ve been able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of spring, Jeremy’s birthday, and tomorrow will be the second anniversary of moving into our home.

Walking – My fitbit loves me! I’ve been walking everyday and getting my steps in. When possible, I walk our long driveway. When it’s rainy, I pretend I’m in a Jane Austen novel and take a turn about the room – aka I walk laps around my living room.

Baking – I’ve been keeping our family well supplied with baked goods during our time at home. Over the last two weeks, I’ve made cinnamon rolls, scones, brownies, a cherry dump cake and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. It’s a good thing I’m taking walks daily to counterbalance all the sugar!

Here we are! The last week of February! And it’s a Leap Year! Do you have any special plans for your February 29th? Since the end of the month is in sight, let’s talk books and things I’m loving from February 2020!

Books

• You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins – a fast but practical read that was recommended to me by an author friend.
• Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend * – I’m currently working on this book, but should have it finished by the end of the month, so I included it. I’ve owned this book for years and I am re-reading it as a refresher on the principles.
• Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island by Susan Page Davis * – You’ll find that I love anything PEI. This is a lovely story about when Prince Albert visited the island.
• For the Love by Jen Hatmaker * – I read this book when I was pregnant with Graham and I remember laughing so hard while reading it. I figured it was time to revisit it.
• Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory –  This book and the next one on the list came recommended by an author I follow on social media. Both books were a little too steamy and had too much language for me to recommend them to others. I’m fairly conservative when it comes to entertainment and these books were a little too PG-13 for my personal taste.
• Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes –  see my description of Royal Holiday.
• The Anne of Green Gables Series (minus Anne of Windy Poplars) by L.M. Montgomery * – As you can tell, I love re-reading my home library. It had been a while since read the Anne books. When I read the Anne books it’s like visiting an old friend, a kindred spirit. I’ve decided that Anne of the Island is my favorite because Anne realizes she loves Gilbert and they get engaged at the end. Anne of Windy Poplars fills in the three years between her engagement and her marriage. The plot line doesn’t move forward in this book, so I skip it!

* Books that I’ve read before; just not in the last year.

Things I’m Loving

Keepsake Quilts from Nana – I’ve been in the process of pairing down baby items in my house over the last year or so. I had this idea for making keepsake quilts out of the receiving blankets the boys used. We had SO many! My mother-in-law is a quilter and she took up the task for me. The boys got a sneak preview of their quilts about a week ago and the finished products were delivered to them yesterday. These quilts are such a precious way to preserve a part of their baby days. Graham’s blue blanket has pieces from blankets that Jeremy and his brothers used as babies. Nana even went the extra mile and made the boys matching pillows to go with them!

 A New Planner – I was gifted this new planner by an author friend to help me on my journey of planning and writing this year. I’m currently using it to keep track of my editing schedule. It’s a dream planner so it has spaces to dream for the year and it also breaks things down into quarterly goals. I learned very quickly when I started to use it that I should write in pencil and not pen. Plans change!

Girl Scout Cookies – It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  I have a wonderful Girl Scout in my class of Wednesday night girls and I am happy to support her desire to go to summer camp by buying as many cookies as Jeremy will let me!

Samoas are my favorite Girl Scout cookie! Do you have a favorite?

I love adding Thin Mints to my brownies! Such a good combination! 

Honorable Mention:

• Unsellable Houses on HGTV – One of my close friends knows the twins who host this show. They actually helped her family buy and sell their house a few years ago. I love watching home shows that feature the PNW. And I’ve got Jeremy watching it with me, so that is a bonus as well!
• Doctor On Demand – I was very pleased with my experience this last month using Doctor On Demand for my sinus infection. I loved that I could video chat with a doctor from the comfort of my home during nap time. As someone who never takes time to go to the doctor, this app is a game changer!

Now for some photos from the last week:

Grandpa met Owen at the bus stop last week and gave him a ride home on the lawn mower. Such a fun treat!

Poor Graham has been under the weather this last week!

Owen and I tagged along on an adventure to help Grandpa buy a new truck. Owen loved being included in the process. 

Watching space videos while resting in a giant pile of stuffed animals.