Filling My Mind: Intentional Reading

January 11, 2017January 11, 2017 / Stacie / 3 Comments

I don’t have to read these days. For myself, that is. I am not officially a student of any sort nor am I working in a place of establishment that requires reading (reading to and with my children is a completely different topic). But I enjoy reading and I consider myself a lifelong student of the world and so, with intention, I set out a reading list at the beginning of each year.

“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” Oscar Wilde

My list isn’t written in stone. Sometimes something strikes me mid-year and I obsessively pour over every book written on the topic; other times, I pass through a used book store and happen upon a special little gem and so my list grows. Sometimes I start a book on my list and find myself distracted or uninterested and so I set it aside and my list shrinks a bit. It’s a give and take. But, for the most part, it is intentional.

My time is precious. There isn’t much to spare these days and I have to make the most of the moments I have in this busy season of my life. But my mind needs sustenance…goodness, beauty and truth. Intentionally reading helps me achieve that goal.

I have divided my list into books for my mind, books for my body and books for my spirit (and I have now divided my post into three posts…mind, body and spirit…even I was feeling a little overwhelmed looking at my list in its entirety). There’s a whole slew of books that are just for pure pleasure which I’ve categorized under spirit since I consider pleasureful reading a boost to my spirit (many of which you’ll notice are youth books…I like to pre-read the books I plan to assign to my kids…that way I get a feel for whether it’ll be a good fit for each child) .

Please don’t look at my list as a benchmark. My intentional reading journey should look nothing like yours if it’s truly meant to be intentional. This isn’t a “print and do” kind of list. It’s a list simply to encourage you in making one of your own. If you borrow a title or two from my list, then it was worth my time to list each title individually (and if you don’t, well then hopefully I inspire you to create your own and that makes this post every bit as worthy!).

If you don’t currently have a habit of reading, start small. Aim for one book a month (Modern Mrs. Darcy had a lovely Reading Challenge checklist last year and I’m sure she’ll have one this year to help you narrow down the vast array of books available). Also, don’t forget about audio books. Lovely, lovely audio books. You can subscribe to audible or use the Overdrive app if your library offers it. Audio books make mundane tasks like folding laundry or washing dishes so much lovelier.

Without further ado, here is the intentional part of my reading list for 2017 that focuses on my mind. I include any heavy duty classic pieces of literature here since I feel that the content tends to be a little meatier, the vocabulary tends to push my brain a little further and the story typically plants ideas in my mind that give me something to stew over.

(Books marked with an * are re-reads for me because sometimes I intentionally do that…just to soak up something new or to enjoy something old)

Books for my Mind:

Books for Encouraging my Journey in Understanding Oneself:
- The Five Languages of Apology: I have loved all of Gary Chapman’s books but I missed this one. I’m intrigued to read and understand how people speak “apology” differently
- The Highly Sensitive Person: I became fascinated with the idea that some people are “highly sensitive” and after taking the test and learning that both Dax and I are “highly sensitive” people, I am eager to read about what EXACTLY that means
- The Enneagram Made Easy: I’m obsessed with putting people in their character boxes…it offers me insight into me and the way I interact with others
- Leaving a Trace: a book dedicated to journaling? Yes, please.
- Nurtured by Nature: another “put people in their boxes” type of book, this one being specifically for giving me insight into my children
Books to Nourish the Mind of a Homeschooling Mama:
- The Pleasures of Reading in the Age of Distraction: I just started this one and while I don’t agree with everything the author states, I do love his message that reading should be pleasurable
- *The Living Page: a closer look at the notebooks that Charlotte Mason, a 19th century educator, used
- *Consider This: another look at Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education
- Norms and Nobility: a look at classical education and what it offers for today’s students
- *Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child: Through humor and clever, biting wittiness, the author of this little gem guides us to do exactly as his title suggests if we want our children to be products of contemporary culture
Books to guide me down the Turbulent Road of Parenting:
- Calm and Compassionate Children: I don’t really remember where or why I picked this one up, but it’s been on my shelf for awhile and it does look interesting
- Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Just so I’m ready ’cause I know my time is coming when one of these little guys will start asking questions.
- Strong Mothers, Strong Sons: I like Meg Meeker’s books and her suggestions
- *Hints on Child Training: I loved this the first time and I imagine I’ll love it a second time. He wrote it over 100 years ago, yet his advice is still incredibly wise today
Classics to Nourish my Brain with Goodness, Beauty and Truth:
- Anna Karerina: Mostly because I just like Leo Tolstoy but also because I’m pretty sure I’m missing out on something when other famous authors refer to a book as “the best novel ever written” (William Faulkner)
- The Jungle: I’m not really sure how I missed this one so I plan to remedy that
- *The Pilgrim’s Progress: A classic allegory worth the time to re-read
- The Count of Monte Cristo: I’m in the midst of reading this one. I started it last fall and got distracted but I’m determined to finish. It comes highly recommended.
- Lonesome Dove: Because it’s time to decide if all the raving reviews are accurate

I would love to hear what books you plan to intentionally read this year. Really, I would. Mostly because I’m a book junkie and maybe you’ve got a great suggestion but also just because it’s encouraging to see that I’m not the only one with reading intentions.

Next up will be my Intentional Reading List for the Body…any good suggestions? I’d love to hear them!

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A Journey Begins with One Intentional Step

January 9, 2017January 8, 2017 / Leslie Ann / Leave a comment

I am always busy.

There are days where it feels like I don’t sit down from the time I get up in the morning until the time I stumble into bed at night. I cross off checklists daily and fill them just as quickly. And yet for someone who does so much, it often feels like I accomplish very little. I spent the past couple of months contemplating what I had intended to do during 2016 and what I actually did, and it turns out, I strayed from my path – often, and far. I don’t always think that’s a bad thing, but when there is no intention to it, it becomes harder to justify precious time spent on fruitless efforts.

The holiday season arrived this year with the usual set of expectations and long lists of things to do so that we would be prepared to celebrate all of the traditions we do together as a family. But we found our plans changed in many ways with an unexpected early admittance to the hospital for my mom for a major surgery that kept her in the hospital from the day after Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas. Unlike in the past, I didn’t want to just try and cram everything into our schedule and hope for the best. I’ve been there and it isn’t a place I wanted to go again. The last time we found ourselves working through a hospital stay for my mom around the holidays it led to exhaustion and an overwhelming desire to just get through the holidays and be done with it.

I missed the joy that year, but more importantly, my family felt that absence and this year I had a seven year old who needed to see that life gets in the way no matter how hard you try to plan for it, but it is how we choose to work through it that ultimately determines how we feel about it.

As I organized my thoughts and prepared to journey into the busiest time of the year with my mom almost two hours away in the hospital, a high volume of work coming up for my job, a second grader to teach daily, and a home to maintain, I experienced my first real taste of what life is like when you choose to live with intention.

It. Was. Life-Changing.

I found myself simplifying my daily to-do list and then I decided to choose only a few of the most important holiday activities, the ones that would make the most impact, and let the rest go. Suddenly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by all of the things we had coming up that still needed to be done. I didn’t spend my time in the present worrying about how I was going to get everything done in the future. I invested all of myself into those well-chosen moments and for the first time since my son was born, I enjoyed so much more because we did so much less, but we did it with intention and purpose.

I knew then that 2017 would be my year to enter into a life lived with intention, a life where I choose what I will do AND how I will do it and to move forward with a purpose beyond completed check lists and days filled with hurried, unmemorable moments. This will be my year to begin the journey towards building up the memories that will live on as a testament to the kind of life I choose to live. I am delighted to have you join us here at With Every Intention as we share our journeys down this intentional path!

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{this moment}

January 6, 2017 / Stacie / 1 Comment

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Bike Trails of South Texas

January 5, 2017 / Stacie / Leave a comment

Gone are the ribbons and bows, the wrapping paper and holiday bags. Now all the gleaming toys sparkle as they wait to be used. Chances are pretty good that in that pile of stuff, one of your kids may have received some new wheels… a bike, a scooter, rollerblades. In a city of sunny days and beautiful weather and bike trails to explore, there’s no excuse not to get out there with your child and make the most of that new gift.

For those of you in the South Texas area looking for hike and bike trails, head over to the Corpus Christi Moms Blog to see which trails we’ve been exploring!

Daybook

January 2, 2017 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Outside my window…I hear the roar of dragons. Katie is playing with her mama and baby dragon and Andrew has made his own daddy dragon out of paper. Thankful for little people and big imaginations.

I am remembering…our night of Christmas caroling. This little choir of angelic voices sang their hearts out and we were humbled again by the beauty of something so simple.

I am thankful for…Christmas with my family. Mom made it home from the hospital about a week before our celebration and we had the opportunity to practice compassion as we helped care for Granny.

Mom and Dad’s house was decorated beautifully (despite the fact that Mom spent the 3 weeks prior to her homecoming in a hospital room in San Antonio), the meals were delicious and memorable and the company was, of course, delightful. It was beautiful and special and my heart is happy that we shared another holiday all together.

If awards had been given, Dad would have won the Most Creative Gift Given award. He put 25 $1 gold coins in a little pirate bag for each of the kids. The kids are still lugging around their coins in their little bags, pretending they are sneaking away with their loot, all rich within their imaginations.

I am watching…Season 2 of The Man in the High Castle on Amazon Prime. I have been sucked in even if I do end up a little confused at some points.

I am listening…to North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell on Overdrive.

I am laughing…at this photo. I missed snapping the photo of Dustin opening his gift so this was a reenactment…his acting skills are an accurate reflection of his enthusiasm.

I am reflecting…on being intentional. You have been to visit our new website, right? If not, hop over there now and sign up to receive our posts by email. We promise you a year of thoughtful reflections and hopefully insight into being intentional…at least that’s our intention ; )

In the schoolroom…it’s a new year and a new semester. We have lots of brilliant books on our reading lists. 2017 is going to be lovely.

Around the house…we are enjoying the fruits of our labor (literally) from both canning and the garden.

In the kitchen…New Year’s French Canadian Tourtiere. It’s a tradition from my father’s mother’s side. It’s a meat pie that combines ground pork and beef, potato and carrots with delicious spices and wraps it all up in a flaky pie crust (who can resist anything wrapped in pie crust?). It’s a bit of work but well worth it when I imagine myself reconnected to the women that made it long before I was ever a thought on the horizon. A simple pie suddenly is transformed into some kind of spiritual connection with my ancestors. That thought makes it totally worth the effort (plus the pie is incredibly delicious).

I am wearing…shorts. Because it’s a piping 81 degrees here today. Weirdest.weather.ever.

We recently enjoyed…a Hanukkah party we attended. It was so well thought out and the kids not only had a marvelous time dancing and singing and playing, but they learned so much.

Someday I am going to miss…watching these two with their Legos.

I am reading…a slew of books as we prepare for a new semester. Trying to get a bit ahead on my boys’ readings so we can have real conversations. And I’m working on my personal 2017 reading list which I promise to share soon over at With Every Intention.

I am amazed…by this kid. He plays the guitar beautifully.

One of my favorite things…visits to the Texas State Aquarium. Glad we’re members again so we can soak up all the fun they’ve added since the last time we visited. A touch tank of sharks and another of jellyfish plus a shark exhibit and a Caribbean exhibit soon to come. Even though Katie has been dozens of times, it’s been long enough now that I’m pretty sure it was as if it were all new to her. She delighted in watching the blue crab dance across the tank, giggling as the crab attempted some form of handstand. We also managed to collect three pink roseate spoonbill feathers and one beautiful duck feather to add to our nature treasure box.

A peek into my day…

Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

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With Every Intention: Here’s to 2017

January 1, 2017January 13, 2017 / Stacie / 5 Comments

2017 is upon us and here at With Every Intention, we truly have every intention to make 2017 a year to remember and we want to invite you to join us. This isn’t a sneaky ploy to get you to make and keep resolutions. It isn’t a goal-making guide or a step-by-step solution to being more organized, more perfect or even healthier. It is a journal of our individual journeys, our swim upstream that we want to share with you. We want to show you that intentionality breeds beauty, truth and goodness and we want to show you how we strive each day to live our moments with every intention. We want to encourage you in your own intentional journey.

I am not a resolution maker. In fact the few times I made resolutions, I sat down and demanded goals of myself. I waited for the first of the year and then I sunk under the lofty weight of my own goals. It felt like so much pressure.

But while I fail at making and keeping resolutions, I am learning to excel in living intentionally.

The root word of resolution is resolve, which, by definition, means to decide firmly on a course of action. On the other hand, intend, by definition, means to design something for a particular purpose.

I delight in that thought…to design something for a particular purpose. It sounds poetic and lofty without the weight of a firm decision. My mindset morphs from something to struggle beneath to something to strive for just by changing a word.

Living intentionally isn’t the same as carpe diem. Carpe diem is a Latin phrase meaning seize the day, but the meaning is meant to apply to the present only; to not be concerned about the future, whereas living with intention is living with a purpose. Living with a purpose implies that it isn’t just about the here and now, but it’s meant to lay the path for future days.

So what does living intentionally actually look like? For me, sometimes it includes lists of intentionality (the act of being deliberate) such as the books I plan to read, the projects I mean to complete, the design I hope to follow, the food I fill my body with; other times it is as simple as being present in the moment, delighting in the idea that as I live deliberately, I am marking the path for my future, the future of my marriage, the future of my children. Living intentionally is an opportunity to slow down and savor the goodness, the beauty and the truth of all that surrounds me. It is an opportunity to cultivate gratitude as I appreciate the little moments that mark the passage of time.

One of my favorite stories of all time is The Three Questions, a story by Leo Tolstoy. In it, there is a king who realized that if only he knew the right time for every action, the most necessary people and the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he undertook. So he called for all the wise men to come forth and answer his three questions. After listening to these supposed wise men (and all of their contradicting answers), the king decides to go and seek the wisdom of a hermit. After various events that day, the hermit concludes with this advice:

“Remember then: there is only one time that is important–Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else: and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!”

There it is. The heart and soul of living with intention: being present in this moment right now, being present with the people you are with at this moment right now, and doing good at this moment right now. In other words, living this moment with purpose and intention.

A lofty goal, but an achievable one that reaps rewards through every fiber of one’s being. Mind, body, and soul.

Please come and join Leslie and me this year as we begin a new year filled With Every Intention.

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A Surprise For You (and no, it’s not a new baby!)

January 1, 2017 / Stacie / Leave a comment

I am so, so excited to share this with you. My sister, Leslie, and I have just launched a brand new website and we are thrilled to invite you to join us. It’s all about being intentional and we plan to spend our days reflecting, guiding and inviting you to join us in our journey. Please grab a cup of tea and pop over to With Every Intention. We can’t wait to see you there! While you’re there, be sure to sign up to receive updates by email or head over to our Facebook page, like us and follow our journey that way.

Just so you’re not left wondering…I’m not leaving my beautiful space here where I am Standing Over Running Water. This will continue to be my space to reflect on all the blessings in my life. Our new website is dedicated solely to living with intention. Since I’m not a perfect intentionalist (yet), I’ll use this blog to continue to journal all the unintentional moments in my life!

Happy New Year…

December 31, 2016 / Stacie / 3 Comments

Dear friends,

The end of 2016 is upon us and tomorrow we’ll be ringing in a new year. 2017 stretches before us over here in Corpus Christi like a fresh canvas and we can’t wait to fill it with beautiful, intentional moments.

I have always been inspired by The Three Questions, a story by Leo Tolstoy. In it, there is a king who realized that if only he knew the right time for every action, the most necessary people and the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he undertook. So he called for all the wise men to come forth and answer his three questions. After listening to these supposed wise men (and all of their contradicting answers), the king decides to go and seek the wisdom of a hermit. After various events that day, the hermit concludes with this advice:

There it is. The heart and soul of living…living with intention: being present in this moment right now, being present with the people you are with at this moment right now, and doing good at this moment right now. In other words, living this moment with purpose and intention.

I spent the greater part of 2016 learning the art of intention. I slowed down a bit and savored the moments. The simple moments like watching Joey’s passion for Shakespeare grow in his homeschool co-op, seeing William’s delight in the adventure of camping, joining in Andrew’s pure joy in losing three teeth in quick succession, witnessing Katie’s sweet, caring nature bloom as she sat by Granny’s side after a recent surgery. Then there were the bright moments of the year that I tried my best to be intentional about: the opportunity to travel by train to Missouri with Dax, the kids and my parents, the camping trips, the birthdays, the holidays, the family gatherings. I did my best to soak it all in, to memorize the beauty and wonder of each moment and to gather those thoughts in my mind with deep, heartfelt gratitude.

Yet despite all intention, I still face the end of the year wondering how we have already finished another year. My beautiful children are all one year older, blooming right here where they have been planted. My marriage is one year stronger, holding tight to the one strand that keeps it strong: love. My life is one year brighter, filled with old and new friends, beautiful memories, and the hope of an even more intentional 2017.

Dear friends, I pray that as you ring in the New Year, you prepare to find the wonder and beauty of all the intentional moments that fill your days. I look forward to hearing about those intentional moments and sharing mine with you at the end of 2017.

Blessings to you and yours,

Daxson, Stacie, Joey (9), William (7), Andrew (5), Katelyn (3)

{this moment}

December 30, 2016 / Stacie / 1 Comment

Rediscovering the Joy of Motherhood: Gratitude

December 12, 2016 / Stacie / Leave a comment

The joys of motherhood often get lost in the daily drudgery of this little journey we call life. It’s hard to show gratitude when we’re knee deep in diapers, bad attitudes and dirty dishes.

The pile of dishes stacked beside the sink causes us to groan in frustration, knowing that it is up to us to clean them while the muddy footprints on the floor remind us that it is time to clean the house.

Our stomachs growl and we sigh in resignation knowing that the only way dinner will be served is if we stop whatever it is we’re doing (paying the bills, folding the laundry, tending to a child) and dedicate the next bit of time to cooking…

Head over to Corpus Christi Moms Blog to finish reading and to find out how to rediscover joy in motherhood.