I know that February is the shortest month, but this February felt especially brief—especially after a January that dragged. We were home more than the usual amount this February due to recurrent illness (nothing dire, but enough that we couldn’t take the kids out) and weather-related cancellations of various activities. I was thankful for some warm days between cold snaps: those respites prevented us from going stir crazy indoors, and they have me looking forward to even warmer temps and the emergence of spring in the coming days. I’m truly giddy at the thought of our first (hopefully soon) bluebonnet sighting! But first, a look back at February.
|| READING LATELY ||
February was an excellent reading month, with SEVERAL five-star books including this children’s classic, this sweet story of found family, this book that aligns with my Word for 2025 (which I explored fully here), this inspirational look at motherhood, and this literary masterpiece that will be tough to top as my favorite book of 2025. Other notable books were this laugh-out-loud funny essay collection, this look at deconstruction that I found incredibly informative, and this latest from a favorite author. I’ll be sharing full reviews in a Quick Lit post in two weeks.
|| WATCHING LATELY ||
Homestead—In this post-apocalyptic film, a nuclear bomb is detonated in Los Angeles and the country devolves into chaos. We follow many separate stories, including that of an ex-Green Beret who escapes with his family to an eccentric prepper’s fortress in the Rocky Mountains where external violence and internal angst over supplies and apocalyptic conditions threaten the homestead and its residents. This is not the type of movie I usually watch, but I agreed to watch it with Luke (who is very into the idea of homesteading and prepping) and I really enjoyed it (though enjoy is probably the wrong word here. . . appreciated it? Found it entertaining and thought-provoking?) The premise is pretty terrifying, but the portrayal of violence and devastation is not gratuitous, and I appreciated the lack of profanity and the overtly Christian themes of community, redemption, and trusting God in crisis. Parts of the story are a little cheesy, but the acting is strong, and while I found the huge cast of characters overwhelming, it sets the stage for the television series released alongside/after the film that continues the movie’s storylines. My Rating: 4 Stars.
|| LISTENING LATELY ||
A few podcast episodes that inspired and informed this month.
A Drink With a Friend—”A stewardship of the past”
The Alisa Childers Podcast— #286 Think the Bible Has Errors? Here’s What You Might be Missing
Honestly with Bari Weiss—How to Find Love in 2025
The Matt Walsh Show—Ep. 1537 – Matt Walsh Interviews Zachary Levi (I also enjoyed Zachary Levi on Megyn Kelly’s show)
|| MONTHLY KID-ISMS ||
CHARLIE-ISMS:
+ Me: “Isn’t it weird to think that one day people will read about the year 2025 in history books?” Charleston: “Unless Jesus comes back. I don’t think there are history books in Heaven.”
+ “In every book I have to figure things out and have a reason for how things go. And in Harry Potter the reason is easy: Magic.” (His response when I pointed out a logical fallacy in the Harry Potter book we’re reading.)
+ Me: “You finish your work?” Charleston: “I wish I could say yes. I mean I could say yes. Just not honestly.”
+ “They need to make a dickel. It would be worth fifteen cents.”
+ Me: “You’re definitely an outside-the-box thinker.” Charleston: “Well, it depends on the size of the box.
+ Sully: “I never got to see any of our family as babies except for Nico.” Me: “You saw Kali as a baby. She was probably the very first thing you ever did see.” Charleston: “No, the first thing he saw was probably your spleen.”
+ Reading a book about Louis Braille: “Wow, what a coincidence. This guy’s last name is Braille, and he’s blind.” (Said sincerely and not ironically.)
+ Explaining how he had talked about doing something that frightened him but didn’t follow through: “I guess my brain is bigger than my guts.”
SULLY-ISMS:
+ “Why does the clock say a different time from my watch? I think mine is right, because the clock is old and my watch is new.”
+ His thoughts on why I chose “L-O-V-E” as Nico’s special song. “Oh, I get it. Because this song is about letters. And Nico has letters.”
+ Me: “Do you like the milkshake?” Sully: “It tastes like smooshed ice cream.”
+ After playing with his interactive globe: “Mom, I just learned the biggest country is Russia.” Me: “And do you know the second biggest country?” Sully: “Yes! Texas!”
+ The twins received medals after completing a gymnastics class. Me: “Ooh, look at that, you got a medal!” Sully: “No, it’s not a metal, it’s a plastic.”
+ Me: “When did you get so cute?” Sully: “Forever.”
+ “You want to know how they get milk from a cow? They kill the cow.”
KALI-ISMS:
+ While listening to music in the car. “Who made these songs? Did the car make the songs, or people?”
+ “Is that carrot from our garden? Or did HEB grow it? They did a very good job.”
+ “Nico, why do you keep looking at me with those eyes like you want to marry me?”
+ “I just like regular days. And nights.” When asked to clarify: “You know, I don’t like hot days, or cold days, I like regular days.”
|| HAPPENINGS & HIGHLIGHTS ||
We celebrated Luke turning 41! We had to celebrate a few days late because he spent his actual birthday on a Trail Life campout—something he never once complained about (what a great sport he is!). Part of our celebration involved our tradition of birthday candles in frozen yogurt . . . which led to a bonus gift for all of us in the form of perpetually ringing ears after the gigantic flames set off our smoke detectors, oops!
Speaking of Trail Life: Charleston had a great time on that campout (in a bamboo forrest!), and the day after he got back, he campaigned to be the Flag Bearer for his troop. He took the campaign prep very seriously: he wrote and typed out a (funny, persuasive) speech (it was his first time typing on a keyboard on his own and he did a good job); made campaign flyers; and even made signs, including protest signs in the event that he lost the vote. Well, those protest signs were not needed because he was elected Flag Bearer for his group. This boy has talked about wanting to be president of the country since he was three years old, and this seems like a great start to a career in politics.
We started solids with Nico last week, and it’s been quite an experience! His first food was mashed banana and he was NOT a fan: he made faces and initially refused to try a bite, and spit out the bite that he finally took. A few days later we tried freeze dried banana, which he loved sucking on, and two days ago we attempted applesauce which, after some initial hesitancy, he seemed to like. He’s still a nursing champ but it’s fun to be introducing him to something new; his siblings have been very excited about this new adventure.
My parents are in town for a few days this week and, as always, we are loving our time with them. We’re having some gorgeous weather so we’ve gotten to enjoy time outside in addition to playing games, visiting the library (where Nico attended his first baby story time), and going to a play place. This was a bonus visit, as they were in Texas for a cousin’s wedding, and I’m thankful for these days with them.
|| ICYMI: FEBRUARY ON THE BLOG ||
LIFE & REFLECTIONS:
A Few Things That Are Saving My Life This Winter “My world right now just feels hard. Not in an I’m-never-going-to-survive-this kind of way, but I would hardly say that I’m thriving. It’s helpful to remember that I’ve been here before. It’s also helpful to reflect on the things that are doing the heavy work of keeping me afloat in a tough season.”
Looking for God and Redefining Love (A different kind of Valentine’s Day post.) “We acknowledge that God is love, but instead of shaping our understanding of love to fit the character of God, we change love’s definition and try to reshape God to fit within these reconstructed parameters. Is it any wonder that our society looks anything BUT loving, when we’ve willingly forsaken the One who is love?“
Nickelson Ryan || Six Months Old
What I Learned This Winter About New Ventures, Early Bedtimes, Expectations, and Returning to Treasured Practices “This tendency towards obsession and self-doubt is why so much of my life—including blog content—is ritualized: it’s hard to get too in my head with things that have become routine. Getting out of a writing routine sent me back into that spiraling place that, if left unchecked, could have spiraled me right out of blogging altogether.“
BOOK CORNER:
Featured Book Review: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
JUST FOR FUN:
Throwback to 1925: 28 Centennial Facts, in Honor of my Grandmother
I hope that your February was a lovely one. What were some highlights?