Tongue Tied

Inspired by my pal Jared's blog, I've decided to compile a list of my favorites this past year in the various forms of media. I know you were just dying to know. Sorry I don't have cool graphics like Jared did. Books, fiction: The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers While I love reading, I admit that I can be a bit put off by a series. I don't like feeling pressure like I HAVE to read this many books. I don't know why, I think it's because I'm extremely lazy by nature. But, after reading everything else by my favorite author, I knew I'd have to bite the bullet and read the much-acclaimed trilogy. Ironically, I had started the first book once before and given up after about 60 pages, but my sister insisted that I at least give it to about page 150. She was sooo right. Never before has fiction affected me in such a way and helped me see my faith in such a light. Anyone who's read these knows that parts are not pretty--there are some very intense

I openly admit that I am very glad that 2008 is over. Done. Behind me. Gone. It wasn't my favorite year so far. I don't mean to complain or sound bitter, it's just that so much of what happened this year was a trial of some sort. Just about every aspect of my life was challenged in one way or another. Seth and I both lost our grandpas within a week of each other. We faced questions about job security. We dragged around the burden of our growing financial mess. We were forced to adjust to a difficult schedule of Seth working two jobs. We lost relationships. Our parenting decisions were challenged. Our marriage was tested. Oh, and of course the life changing diagnosis of Diabetes. Countless trials. Thousands of tearful prayers. Overwhelming questions. A few of these trials were expected--even old news for us. But I can say there were two that really blindsided me. One was diabetes. We went from being two completely healthy, rarely-using-our-insurance people, to regular doctor