On My Nightstand II

Books
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
Eighteen Months: Sister Missionaries in the Latter Days, edited by Melissa Baird Carpenter
The Moms' Club Diaries, Notes from a World of Play Dates, Pacifiers, and Poignant Moments, compiled by Allyson Condie & Lindsay Hepworth
On Becoming Babywise by Garry Ezzo and Robert Bucknam
Grumbly Bunnies by Willy Welch, Illustrated by Tammie Lyon
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

Magazines
May issue of Parents
June issue of Parents
May issue of Cookie
Summer issue of Do It Yourself (A Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication)
June issue of Lucky
half of the May issue of Lucky
May issue of the Ensign
June issue of Martha Stewart Living
May/June issue of Lowe's Creative Ideas for Home and Garden

I think I have way too many magazine subscriptions! But I love them all.

May Writing Contest at Scribbit

I have been faithfully reading the blog, Scribbit - written by Michelle about cool & fun family stuff. She has lots of ideas and giveaways and even hosts a monthly writing contest. This is the first time I actually put fingers to keyboard, as it were, because I was very inspired by this month's topic, shoes. This is a FICTION piece (little controversy over that last month) but it is strongly influenced by my own life.

The Shoes That Brought Me Here

I came into this world barefoot, but after that – it was the shoes that brought me here. My parents welcomed me with love and a little trepidation (I was the first girl after three boys) and immediately slipped a pair of pink, crocheted, baby booties over my feet. Since then, my life has been a blur of shoes – slippers, mary janes, tennis shoes, sandals, heels, flats, boots, and flip flops. Sometimes I think I can remember every pair. And they each tell a story.

White Leather High Tops

11 ½ months old

This walking thing is harder than it looks, but I’m determined to make it to that toy over there. I don’t know why Mommy keeps moving it farther away but I guess she knows what she’s doing.

Pink Canvas Keds

5 years, 3 months old

I just know my new Kindergarten teacher will love the new shoes Mommy and I picked out. I hope the other girls in my class like them too. Maybe they will play with me and we can be friends!

White Patent Leather Mary Janes, with a heel

12 years, 4 days old

I’ve been looking forward to this Sunday for a couple years now. I’m finally leaving the church primary and going to the Young Women’s class. Mom bought me my first pair of high heels especially for this week and she taught me how to shave my legs. Some of the girls have been doing it for a while but I had to wait until I was twelve, just like getting my ears pierced. I hope my ears stop hurting soon. I wonder if Adam will notice me today.

Black Ballet Flats with sparkles

14 years, 6 days old

I hate being the youngest in my class! My friends have been going to the Saturday night dances for months while I stayed home. Finally it’s my turn and Dad is driving us all tonight. Mom even got me those cute shoes I’ve been wanting. Maybe Rob will ask me to dance – or should I ask him? If nobody asks me to dance I’ll be so embarrassed!

Softball Cleats

17 years, 4 months old

Oh, I’m so nervous! The team has worked so hard this season and we are finally going to the state tournament this weekend. I hope I can get a few hits and I swear I’m not letting anything past me in the field. Kalli is hoping the scouts will see her and she will get some scholarship offers. I’m not sure I want to play forever, but free tuition sounds pretty good to me.

Brown Leather Birkenstocks

18 years, 3 months old

I can’t believe I’m finally here in college. I’ve been so ready to get away from my family for a while and they dropped me off at my dorm last week. And now they haven’t even called me in like two or three days! I miss Jason and my friends; thank goodness Laura is here with me. The girls in my dorm seem pretty cool and I’ve actually seen a lot of cute guys around.

Black Heels

25 years, 9 months old

Well, after seven years I’m finally graduating. It was worth it, I guess. I definitely loved college, I just wish I could have finished a few years ago. Oh well, neither of my engagements worked out so at least I finished before getting married. And I’m pretty excited to start my first real professional job. Mom and Dad seem proud of me and Dad says I don’t have to pay him back for the car, since I actually finished.

White Satin Slippers with rhinestones

26 years, 8 months old

Today is the big day – I can’t believe Matt and I are starting our life together! Our families are here and everyone is so excited. All the details seem to be in place for the reception and it should be beautiful. Matt has the honeymoon all booked but won’t tell me anything; he wants it to be a surprise. He is such a sweetie! I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

Navy Flip Flops

28 years, 11 months old

Wow, my feet are so swollen! I had no idea pregnancy could change your feet two shoe sizes. I can’t wear any of my cute shoes anymore, just flip flops. Okay, so that’s what I usually wear anyway. But I even have to wear them to church. We’re getting pretty close now and I can’t wait to meet my beautiful little girl! I have her room all ready and our bags packed for the hospital. I bought her the cutest pair of pink, crocheted, baby booties.