September 2020: Recap + On My Shelves

September 2020: Recap + On My Shelves

Oct 7, 2020

September passed in a blink, but it was a great month. We went to the mountains, started preschool at home for the big boy, and marked a big milestone with the baby. And through it all, we made so many sweet memories!

1. Labor Day in the Mountains – We hadn't been to the mountains since Father's Day, and we were all long overdue for a trip. My whole family headed up there for the long Labor Day weekend, and it was such a fun getaway. We kept it pretty chill – lots of eating, reading, and sitting on the porch – which is just what we all needed. Now my sister and I are planning a fall reading weekend in the next few weeks. Just us and a big stack of books. 

2. Starting Virtual Preschool – Our big boy is 4, and we decided to sign him up for an amazing virtual program that a local preschool was offering. We pick up a packet of materials every other week and have slides created by his teacher walking us through our lessons each day. We both love it, and he's learning so much! It's been great so far. It doesn't take very much time, but it's added a little extra structure to our days that's been lovely. 

3. Fresh Haircut and Highlights – The last time I got my haircut and highlighted was before my baby was born in February! So, needless to say, it was long overdue. My next appointment had been scheduled during Georgia's quarantine, and then I never rescheduled once that one was canceled. With all my postpartum hair loss and breakage, I was so excited to finally get a giant refresh by losing a lot of inches and going blonder.

4. Baby Starts Crawling – We spent a lot of September outside on walks, at the neighborhood playground, and just enjoying the gorgeous weather from our backyard. But at home, a very special milestone happened: our seven-month-old started crawling! We've been cracking up because he army crawls but he's fast and is getting into everything. He squeezes behind chairs, goes under the coffee table, and more. Time for baby proofing!

Read 9 Books | Favorites:

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Majesty by Katharine McGee

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

Busy Toddler's Guide to Actual Parenting by Susie Allison

“We tend to think that the future happens later, but we're creating it in our minds every day. 

When the present falls apart, so does the future we had associated with it. 

And having the future taken away is the mother of all plot twists.”

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

“Most big transformations come about from the hundreds of tiny, 

almost imperceptible, steps we take along the way.” 

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

“But we fell in love, day by day, he’d said. Real love comes from facing life together, 

with all its messes and surprises and joys.” 

Majesty by Katharine McGee

“Every married person he knew seemed desperate to chivvy others into matrimony, 

no matter how poor an advertisement they themselves were for the institution.” 

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

“I find I can get a more accurate measure of a man when he’s not aware he’s being appraised.” 

The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty

“Just remember it's all a phase. Whatever is hard or bad, 

today might be the last day of that phase and tomorrow, they'll grow out of it.”

Busy Toddler's Guide to Actual Parenting by Susie Allison

“Live while you’re living, friends.”

The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams

After a lackluster blogging spree in August, I had high hopes for a comeback in September. But it ended up being more of the same! I did post a few times, but nowhere near as consistently as I'd hoped. Will October turn over a new leaf? One can hope! I started September with my August 2020 Recap and then shared my September 2020 Goals. I was very excited to compile the 20 Books on My Fall TBR, my favorite post of the month. And then I wrapped it all with my reviews in the August 2020 Quick Lit post and my sister's reviews in Tales & Tiger Lily: August 2020. Thanks for sticking around even when my posting is slow and unpredictable. 

Favorite Song: "Thinking" by ELLIANA
I saw someone share this song on Instagram and thought it was so catchy.

I saved it on Spotify and it was definitely a September favorite!

The Great British Bake Off, Season 10, starring Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig – I continued to crave cozy, heartwarming TV in the time when I wasn't reading, and there's no better pick than The Great British Bake Off. I watched season 10 in September, which I loved up until my favorite floundered a bit and didn't win. I was so sad! It was still a delightful watch overall, of course. And now I'm ready for the new season. 

Enola Holmes (2020) starring Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, and Helena Bonham Carter – After Kelly and I watched Little Women together (long distance!) in April, we finally planned another BFF Movie Night with the release of Enola Holmes on Netflix. We both cozied up in our rooms with a bowl of popcorn and watched this delightful mystery, texting each other throughout. This movie was so fun and perfectly cast, too!

The Social Dilemma (2020) directed by Jeff Orlowski – I don't watch many documentaries, but this was trending on Netflix and the premise interested me. Welp, I almost wish I hadn't watched it. I don't mean that, of course, but it is the kind of discussion that makes you look at your phone and social media differently. Even if you know they're affecting your brain and actions, it's still disconcerting to hear some of these startling details. 

Book of the Month: Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Bookstore & Pre-Orders: Someone to Romance by Mary Balogh, Majesty by Katharine McGee, Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie, Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith, and Busy Toddler's Guide to Actual Parenting by Susie Allison (not pictured)

Used Bookstore: Know My Name by Chanel Miller, Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano, A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler, and My Southern Journey by Rick Bragg

Audible: Majesty by Katharine McGee (not pictured)

READ POST

Tales & Tiger Lily: August 2020

Tales & Tiger Lily: August 2020

Sep 28, 2020

My sister recently joined bookstagram as @talesandtigerlily. Her name is Caroline, and Tiger Lily is her adorable sidekick (pictured above). Since she's discovered a love of reading, I've had the best time talking about books with her. Be sure to check out her introduction post to get to know her better. Once a month, you get a new installment of Tales & Tiger Lily. In each post, she reviews three of her favorite reads from the previous month and ends with a list of everything she read with ratings (and links to reviews, if applicable). Her top three from August:

THE COMEBACK BY ELLA BERMAN

“Maybe my mom was right about me when she said I wasn’t happy, but what she doesn’t understand is that since the age of fifteen, I’ve never even dared to want to be happy. I’m just trying to stay alive.” 

The Comeback by Ella Berman sounded like a book that was right up my alley. It tells the story of Grace Turner — a young actress who was completely under the influence of her extremely manipulative and abusive film director. Grace struggles so much with the burden of carrying her secrets, and she uses drugs and alcohol as a means to escape the pain. She doesn’t have much a family support system, and she makes a lot of choices that hurt her even more. How will she fight back and take charge of her life? And will she learn how to love and take care of herself amidst a world of people who just want to take advantage of her? 

In the U.S. alone, one in four girls will be victims of sexual abuse by the time they are 18 — and that is just what is reported. I think sometimes it’s easy to forget that every person has most likely gone through something terrible. Sadly, we often use things that hurt us even more to escape reality. And we may look at someone and judge them for their choices, yet we have no idea what immense pain they might carrying.

I LOVED this one. Ella Berman’s writing really clicked with me, and I couldn’t put it down. I look for books that make me feel — books that shine a light on the evil in the world. This one felt more character driven with an open ending, but that is my favorite kind of book. I really hope you buy a copy and enjoy it as much as I did. | 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

THE YEAR OF THE WITCHING BY ALEXIS HENDERSON

“Sometimes I wonder if my secrets are better swallowed than spoken. Perhaps my truths have done enough harm. Perhaps I should take my memories to the grave and let the dead judge my sins.”

The Year of the Witching is a story of a cursed child named Immanuelle Moore. She lives in the town of Bethel which is ruled by “holy men” who abuse their power. The town is surrounded by the Dark Woods where the condemned coven of witches live. Immanuelle is lured into the woods, and the events that unfold are truly creepy and suspenseful.

Blood. Blight. Darkness. Slaughter. These words are repeated throughout the book in a bone-chilling way. As she learns the truth about her mother who consorted with the witches and the horrendous acts of the leader of the Church, she knows that change must begin with her. I couldn’t stop turning the page to figure out Immanuelle’s next move.

I told you guys I needed a good witch story, and this one was perfect for my mood. The writing was so perfectly detailed, I could picture everything in my mind. I even dreamed about the witches in the woods with no pupils — just white eyes staring at you. So creepy and I LOVED it! Also, please excuse my tired look here. It’s August & I’m back to teaching third graders. I’m just trying not to hit snooze 15 times. | 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

THE MERCIES BY KIRAN MILWOOD HARGRAVE

“Many of them seem past caring what is true or not, only desperate for some reason, some order to the rearrangement of their lives, even if it is brought about by a lie.”

I don’t normally read a lot historical fiction, but the synopsis for this book sounded so good. The Mercies gave me similar vibes to Burial Rites, a novel I absolutely adored. It’s set in a 1600s Norwegian coastal village where a terrible storm has killed off all the island’s men. These women have to figure out how to survive not only this tragedy, but also deal with the new men who are sent to rid the community of alleged witchcraft.

The main character, Maren Bergensdatter, has lost her father and brother. In her loneliness and despair, she develops a relationship with Ursa, the wife of the man sent to kill witches. They bond and feel at peace in their silence with one another.

I really loved how this novel was inspired by real events of the Vardø storm and the 1620 witch trials. These women faced such cruelty at the hands of men — accusations, beatings, burnings at the stake. It was a sad, heart-wrenching story, but one I’m glad I read.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about The Mercies, but the second half was so wonderful I had to finish it in one sitting. I almost wish the book had been longer, or I could have tweaked the ending a bit just to get a little more from Ursa and Maren’s relationship. I still loved it though, and I highly recommend it. | 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

Recapping the Rest of Caroline's August Reads:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt | 🐶🐶🐶 • Review

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin (Re-Read) | 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The Margot Affair by Sanaë Lemoine | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney | 🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi | 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

The Less Dead by Denise Mina | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett | 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

Long Bright River by Liz Moore | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Beach Read by Emily Henry | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid | 🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine | 🐶🐶 • Review

All My Mother's Lovers by Ilana Masad | 🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The All-Night Sun by Diane Zinna | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella | 🐶🐶🐶.5 • Review

The Golden Cage by Camilla Läckberg | 🐶🐶🐶 • Review

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin | 🐶🐶🐶🐶 • Review

READ POST

Quick Lit: August 2020

Quick Lit: August 2020

Sep 25, 2020

 

We're almost at the end of September, and I'm just now talking about the books I read in August. Can you tell I've been in a rut? The worst part is that I've had all of these reviews written for weeks... I was just too lazy to finish taking photos for them! Whoops. I read 12 books in August – ten are reviewed below and then two re-reads mentioned at the end. If you enjoy this feature, check out other readers' reviews at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

IGNITING DARKNESS BY ROBIN LAFEVERS – What an epic conclusion! If it's been some time since you read the His Fair Assassin series, I highly recommend revisiting those before diving in to this spin-off duology. You'll want all the political and historical details from that series. This book picks up right where Courting Darkness left off, and I couldn't put it down from the second I started. I love LaFever's blend of historical fiction with hints of fantasy, and she does a fantastic job of depicting the political intrigue of the time period and infusing it the gripping personal drama of her characters. These characters have my heart! I was so invested in their fight for their Queen and for one another – the way they hope for love, friendship, justice, and a better life for all. I'm So Obsessed With It!

TRUE STORY BY KATE REED PETTY – I went into this book a little nervous but with high expectations based on the buzz I'd seen online. There was a lot of talk about the way it blended so many genres and writing styles into one story, and I was excited to see how that was done. I had mixed feelings in the end – it hooked me immediately but felt gimmicky, too. It seemed to have an inflated sense of its own cleverness and the end result was a disjointed, often confusing read that didn't effectively communicate the premise or point of it all. I kept thinking, "I get what you were trying to do here, but it could be been so much better." It just didn't feel like a full, cohesive story for me. I was personally So Over It by the end, but I think that other readers could easily find it more satisfying than I did. 

TODAY TONIGHT TOMORROW BY RACHEL LYNN SOLOMON – Two rival overachievers whose relationship changes over the course of twenty-four hours? Well, I'm a sucker for hate to love at any age. There were a few things that reminded me of my beloved Anne of Green Gables, particularly the academic rivalry that's born out of hurt feelings and inspires a ginormous grudge. And the Seattle setting and scavenger hunt to celebrate the end of high school were both delightful elements! However, I wasn't personally a fan of the casual attitude towards sex (especially for teens) or how quickly the relationship morphs from antagonistic to (seemingly) a committed, serious relationship. Additionally, the myriad of political/social issues discussed occasionally felt a little heavy handed. I So Liked It. 

KNOW MY NAME BY CHANEL MILLER – This memoir was on my radar before my sister raved about it, but her review finally gave me the push I needed to read it. And wow, I'm so glad I did. Miller is an incredibly talented writer, and I'm so thankful she decided to tell her story. She writes with so much honesty, insight and emotion about the sexual assault she suffered and the additional trauma of the trial and sentencing. I have not stopped thinking about Miller's story since I finished, and it's one that I wish I could make everyone read. It's infuriating and heartbreaking but infused with so much hope, too. I'm So Obsessed With It, have already bought a copy for my shelves, and hope to read more from Miller in the future, even if it's fiction. This is definitely one of the best books I've read in 2020.

THE BOOK OF UNKNOWN AMERICANS BY CRISTINA HENRIQUEZ – I hadn't heard of this book before randomly buying a copy at the used bookstore, and now I'm glad this cover caught my eye. Henriquez has written a compelling, thoughtful story about two loving parents, their daughter, and the teenage boy who takes an interest in her. Woven throughout are the stories of the other residents of their apartment complex, which I adored. One of the things I love most about reading is how it reminds you that everyone has a story, and this book did such a great job of taking a topic like immigration and humanizing it. We see the pain of leaving the familiar behind and the hope for more that would cause someone to sacrifice so much. I So Loved It, and it was excellent on audio, too!

THE LAZY GENIUS WAY BY KENDRA ADACHI – Even though I haven't listened to every single episode, I'm a huge fan of the Lazy Genius podcast and was thrilled to learn there was a book coming out. I've had it pre-ordered for months! As soon as it arrived, I had to dive in. The genius (pun intended!) of Adachi's method is that it's practical, applicable to any situation, and doesn't require you to have the same goals or method as the author. Adachi genuinely wants you to be YOUR best self and to identify what matters to YOU. And y'all, I'm all in on being genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't. And I think that's what makes this book such a great read! I So Loved It and look forward to re-reading, a little more slowly and highlighter in hand.

A PLACE AT THE TABLE BY SAADIA FARUQI AND LAURA SHOVAN – I was browsing in the children's section of the bookstore (because of Kelly's recent Middle Grade kick, of course) and spotted this adorable cover. I can't resist food in fiction! A friendship that's formed in a cooking class sounded right up my alley, and the end result was just as satisfying as I'd hoped. I loved how the two girls came from different cultural and faith backgrounds (Pakistani/Muslim and English/Jewish) and how it sparked so many thoughtful discussions about what it means to be a true friend. I liked how both girls came from loving but imperfect families that were working through financial and mental health issues. This warm-hearted novel was a delight to read, and I So Loved It.

OLD LOVEGOOD GIRLS BY GAIL GODWIN – From the moment I saw this cover, I felt like I had to read it – and it helped that the summary sounded great, too. Sadly, it was an instance where my biggest issue with the book is that it didn't really match its description. I was expecting "a powerful friendship" between "two college friends who have formed a bond that takes them through decades." Everything needed more development. Because I didn't see the connection between the two women, I didn't really believe they were friends. The writing was slow and literary, which didn't bother me until it became more stream of consciousness in the later parts. I'm just So Okay With It because I've thought more about what it could have been rather than what it actually was.

THE COMEBACK BY ELLA BERMAN – This wasn't on my radar before I saw it on Book of the Month (referral link), but I I'm so glad I tried it! This was a timely, compelling story about growing up as a child star, celebrity culture, and how someone copes with pain and trauma. It fits so perfectly into the #MeToo movement, though Berman began writing it before that took off. It was such a heartbreaking read because I was so deeply invested in the heroine. The whole time I was reading, I was rooting for her to find her voice and to move towards healing. It's a more character-driven book, but I think that worked so brilliantly. And Berman's writing just sucked me in from the very first page! I thought the open ending was very realistic, and it's just another reason I So Loved It.

The only other new-to-me book that I read in August was Let Them Be Kids by Jessica Smartt, a book focused on ways to create a happy and healthy childhood. I liked how it talked about things like boredom, adventure, technology, and ways to equip your children for the future. There wasn't anything particularly new or surprising, but I still appreciated the reminders. I could see myself revisiting it or using it to explore some of the topics in greater depth through other resources. My biggest issue? The author writes as an expert when she has three relatively young children. She is writing from the trenches, so to speak, and has a lot of parenting left to do. I still So Enjoyed It, but I think that's partly because I already agreed with much of what Smartt had to say.

As for re-reads, I had two in August: Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers and Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin. They're both the first book in a series, which I picked up to refresh my memory before reading the recently-released sequels. I listened to both on audio, loved both just as much the second time around, and finished both feeling so hyped on YA fantasy and these characters + their conflicts. If you haven't read either one, I highly recommend both! Courting Darkness has the slight edge (I'm So Obsessed With It), but Serpent & Dove is a solid So Loved It.

What have you been reading lately?

READ POST

The Turning of the TBR in Fall

The Turning of the TBR in Fall

Sep 22, 2020

When I shared my Summer TBR in June, I was feeling very ambitious. I put 25 books on my list, and I'm wrapping up the season having finished only 15 of them. That's not terrible, but it definitely isn't my best showing either. Oh well! You'd think that I would have kept that in mind for my Fall TBR and yet... I've got 20 books on my list for today's Top Ten Tuesday topic, a few I've carried over from my previous list but most fresh new additions.

• REVIEW BOOKS •

1. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (September 8) – I just adore Backman's writing and am so excited to have something new to read from him! I just started it a few days ago and am hoping it will be a 2020 favorite.

2. The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty (June 30) – This was on my summer TBR, but I didn't get around to reading it, mostly because the length intimidated me. I'm carrying it over to this list so I'll finally pick it up!

3. Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams (June 30) – Williams' past few books haven't been wins for me, so I've been a little hesitant to read this recent release. But I think it's time to rip the bandaid and give it a chance...

• NON-FICTION •

4. House Lessons by Erica Bauermeister – I saw Annie B. Jones rave about this one, and it sounded really interesting. I love the idea of a memoir focused on renovating a home and exploring what that place means to you.

5. The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan – I loved Hilarie Burton on White Collar and Jeffrey Dean Morgan on Grey's Anatomy, but truthfully I picked this up because their farm life intrigues me. I can't wait to read it!

6. Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl – When looking up foodie memoirs recently, it appeared that Reichl is a staple in the genre. With several to choose from, I decided to go with the most recent (and prettiest cover).

7. The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams – My sister bought this because it was a pick for Jenna's book club, but she hasn't felt motivated to read it. It sounds great to me, however, so I decided to borrow it.

• FICTION •

8. Someone to Romance by Mary Balogh – I haven't been in a historical romance mood this year, but I can't resist to latest addition to this series that I love so much. Balogh rarely disappoints, and I'm hoping that's the case here.

9. We Are Not Free by Traci Chee – Books set during WWII always interest me, especially if it covers an aspect I'm less familiar with. This YA release focuses on the Japanese internment camps in the US and sounds fantastic. 

10. I'd Give Anything by Marisa de los Santos – While this wasn't on my summer TBR, I did intend to read it then. But since I didn't, I figured it would be a nice contemporary option to break my historical-heavy fall TBR!

11. Little Universes by Heather Demetrios – This sounds like a very emotional contemporary YA. I'm always drawn to books about sisters and have only read one other book by Demetrios, so I'm excited to try another from her.

12. The Secret Place by Tana French – I've had mixed feelings on this series, but I have to try this one since I'm on a mystery high after reading the latest Cormoran Strike installment. I'm so hoping this one will be a win for me.

13. The Night Swim by Megan Goldin – My sister and Kelly both enjoyed this book, so you know I've got to try it for myself now, too. I borrowed my sister's copy so that I'll be extra motivated to pick it up soon!

14. Miss Austen by Gail Hornby – This was on my summer TBR, and I don't know why I never got around to it. Luckily, it feels like a perfect fit for fall. I'm trying to keep my expectations low, but the cover is just too gorgeous...

15. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner – Another carryover from my summer TBR! I was so excited for this book that I bought it as soon as it released, so why haven't I read it yet?! I have absolutely no excuse. 

16. The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline – When my sister and I were browsing at the bookstore, I was immediately drawn to this cover. And then once I read the summary? Sold! This doesn't sound like anything I've read before.

17. Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie – I bought this on a whim one day after spotting it at Target. The cover appealed to me, but the fact that it's set in post-WWII Japan is the reason I had to take it home. It sounded so good!

18. Betty by Tiffany McDaniel – Here's another "the cover caught my eye." My sister and I both bought ourselves this book while in the mountains one weekend, and she's raved about it so much that I can't wait to read it. 

19. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano – I can't even remember what this book is about aside from the fact that it involves a plane crash, so that probably tells you that, once again, I bought it partly because of the cover. Whoops?

20. Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden – When the September Book of the Month (referral link) choices were announced, this one snuck up on me. The more I read about it, the more I had to try it for myself.

What are you hoping to read this fall?

READ POST

September 2020 Goals

September 2020 Goals

Sep 10, 2020

After seven months of progress and motivation, it was probably inevitable that I'd hit a lull. There wasn't any reason that mood struck in August, but it came on strong. I didn't read as much, neglected some of my household chores, lost my blogging mojo, and totally forgot about several of the goals I'd written down. I mean... what?! And I got more and more frustrated by the fact that I didn't feel like doing anything. Generally, I don't mind stalling out in one area if it's due to focusing on something else. For example, I don't mind falling short of my blogging goal if I was on a reading binge instead. But when it seems like I'm not productive in any area of my life, I get annoyed. 

However, I keep reminding myself that everyone needs to rest. That sometimes my brain and my body need to slow down and have quiet. So, I'm choosing grace over guilt as I look back at my progress in August and set new goals for September. I'm writing this post almost seven days later than I'd planned, but that's okay. Each morning is a fresh start! I factored in my current mood when setting goals for this month. My motivation will return eventually but, until then, I'm happy to keep it lowkey and relatively easy to accomplish.

On My Calendar:
– A trip to the mountains for Labor Day weekend

– The start of virtual preschool for my big boy

– Finally getting my haircut

– The beginning of fall and (hopefully) cooler weather

Currently Obsessing Over:

– I've been on a major Great British Bake Off kick and can't stop watching it in the evenings. It's just so soothing and charming, especially for the mood I've been in lately. I don't enjoy baking but love watching other people do it.

– When I got an email that a pricey robe I'd been eyeing recently was temporarily 40% off, I pulled the trigger and treated myself. I got the short robe from Weezie and am obsessed. I love putting it on after I've showered while I'm doing my hair and makeup. It's the perfect length and thickness, especially since I usually feel so hot getting ready. 

– My big boy went from hating getting water in his eyes to opening them underwater in just days, but the biggest joy was watching him learn to swim and float over the course of a month. We loved his ISR lessons! 

– As for the random-but-useful, I love these new laundry hampers we bought. They solved a problem we were having with our dog! And my mom recommended this Dawn dish spray, which is another new favorite.

Yearly Goals:
(These should stay the same all year, so I'll just do month-to-month progress reports!)
– Read through the Bible in one year.
– Read a devotional every morning.
– Track my spending in the Goodbudget app.
– Blog 2x per week.

August progress: 
– I was doing great for the first few weeks of August, and then I got majorly behind and still haven't caught up. Oof.

– Still on track with this goal, however, and glad I've been able to maintain consistency here. 

– I wasn't adding things to the app immediately, so I lost the real-time look at our balance. Working on it now!

– NOPE. I think this is the first month I completely failed at this goal. Whoops! Let's hope September is better...

Revisiting My August Goals:
– Schedule a monthly planning session. / Complete! One of my favorite things I've started in 2020.
– Complete Six Months in the baby's journal + take monthly photo. / The monthly photos are my favorite, even when I'm a few days late. And I love the practice of sitting down and writing about the past month!
– Complete Six Months in my big boy's journal. / I will forever wish that I'd found this journal when my big boy was a baby, but I'm glad that I'm getting caught up in it (to the best of my memory). Such a great keepsake.
– Cull, download, rename, and backup July 2020 photos. / Done! One of the first things I do each month.
– Celebrate our baby's half-birthday! / I'm checking this off, though we didn't totally celebrate. We did share our favorite moments from the past six months and get cute photos of the baby, so it feels like good enough.
– Have a one-on-one date with my big boy. / This was one of my favorite things from August. We went on a few dates: picked up books at the library, got a cake pop at Starbucks, bought a prize for completing swimming lessons, went to the pool, and starting reading chapter books before bed. I can't handle the sweetness!
– Brainstorm family traditions to implement. / I'm so glad I made this a goal and loved reading a few social media and blog posts about other people's family traditions. I got so many great ideas and created a list to reference. 
– Complete three 20 in 2020 items. / We were so close! I checked off two items in August: we walked a nearby hiking trail. and we created a new family tradition when we're sitting at the dinner table each time.
– Read one 10 in 20 book. / Whomp, whomp. There's a good chance I won't finish my list this year...
– Make a screen time plan for myself and my big boy. / I totally forgot that I'd made this a goal. Haha!  
– Start a new evening routine. / I want to add more steps eventually, but for now I'm really pleased with the way I sit down with my planner at bedtime and review the day + make a plan for the next one. It's been so helpful.

My September Goals:
– Schedule a monthly planning sessions. 

– Complete Seven Months in the baby's journal + take monthly photo.

– Complete Seven Months in my big boy's journal.

– Cull, download, rename, and backup August 2020 photos. 

– Make my Fall TBR.

– Start new learning routine with virtual preschool.

– Research family photo books.

– Re-evaluate finance goal. 

– Complete three 20 in 2020 items.

– Start planning Christmas gifts for my boys.

Do you have any goals for September?

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