Name your tune!

When I was a kid, I loved to have things with my name on them. Pencils or bookmarks or wall hangings - I couldn't get enough. My favorite was a set of books my cousin bought me for a birthday present - the publisher had come up with a great idea - tell a story, and insert the name of the individual kid into the story. The main character in my copies shared my name, my town, my age. I loved them, and I've kept them to this day!

While I didn't have an unusual name, most Catherine's went by Cathy, or spelled their name with a "K." It was the rare item that was marketed to "Catherine." So when it came time to name my son, I kept this in mind. Ironically, the name we settled on is much less common than mine was.

Which is why I'm so excited about Name Your Tune. Now, you don't have to rely on what's popular - you can have items custom made with your child's name. You can purchase a CD full of favorite children's songs, specifically with your child's name inserted! Instead of McDonald having a farm, its your child. There are fourteen fun songs on my cd, and the best part is seeing my son raise his head curiously when he hears his name being called out from the speakers.

If you'd like to buy one yourself, or get more information, here's where to go!

Name Your Tune

info@nyt.ca

http://www.nyt.ca/

NAME YOUR TUNE The Personalized CD for Children is an iParenting Media Award Winner for Outstanding Product 2006!

i heart my in-laws

i (heart) my in-laws: falling in love with his family - one passive-aggressive, over-indulgent, grandkid-craving, streisand-loving, bible-thumping in-law at a time. By Dina Koutas Poch

The cover of this book promises "a practical, laugh-out-loud guide to adopting your man's family" and I couldn't think of a better description.

Laugh out loud? Definitely. I lost count of how many times my husband said "what's so funny?" or how many times I said "OK, I just have to read this to you!" Practical? Well, yes and no. On the one hand, if I'm really struggling to forge a relationship with my in-laws, I probably already know not to dye my hair purple and wear a short, tight skirt to the first meeting. And if I'm wondering how to broach the topic of a pre-nup, this is not exactly the information source I'll turn to.

But "his family" really is something we all need to learn to adjust to, learn to love, learn to understand, learn to make yourself understood. And it can be a complicated and intimidating process. Poch discusses real troubles and real fears and real disappointments in such a light-hearted and disarming way that you feel safe to evaluate what you need, what you hope for, what you've lost out on, and what mistakes you may have made. And you realize once and for all that you're not alone.

Its a quick and easy read, not a lot of deep wisdom or new ideas, but you'll feel encouraged to keep learning and loving your in-laws.

Babywearing!

A ring sling is something I recommend to absolutly every parent, without exception. This one piece of baby-gear has been a life saver to me again and again. When my baby was a newborn, this was a place he could sleep, or just hang out, close to my heart and curled up tight and close to me. During a stage of colic that he experienced, it was the only place and time that he would not cry. Whether he was awake or asleep, he was cared for, we were close, and I still had my hands free to do other things.

Now that he's older, we use it differently. It helps to carry him long distances when my arms are tired, gives him a place to hang out when he can't be running around (like in church!), or a place to sleep if we don't make it home for naps.

At any age, I really can't imagine what having a baby would have been like without my sling.
My friend Farrah makes and sells slings like the one I have. She sells them near and far, so don't worry if you live far away. If you are pregnant, have a little one, or even a bigger one, or just know someone who does, click here for more information.

Media update

Books

Life of Pi. by Yann Martel
This book was referred to me by my friend Mary, and it blew me out of the water (please scroll down for my disclaimer on referrals). In so many ways, this fictional narrative met my criteria and surpassed my expectations. Throughout the pages you find yourself swept away by a well told story, beautiful at times, difficult at times. Only within the final few pages do you realize that there was so much more going on. The punchline hit me like a...well, a punch, and it stayed with me for months. I laid in bed for weeks ruminating, and re-read the book before finding peace. This book was just what I needed, just when I needed it.

Eat, Pray, Love. by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book was also referred to me by Mary, and it did not let me down. This is the true story memoirs of a thirty-something woman who spends a year traveling in Italy, India, and Indonesia searching for pleasure, devotion, and balance. Her honest, witty, and insightful writing kept me glued to my seat. It also reminded me deeply of who I am, and why, encouraging me to be true to this and not to lose sight, ever. I savored every page of this book like a ripe nectarine on a cool summer day (can you feel it?). Again, just what I needed, just when I needed it.

So Much More: An Invitation to Christian Spirituality. by Debra Rienstra
This book I actually found on my own (although, only after my friend Ashley got me hooked on the author). While neither fiction nor narrative, this book served as the perfect completion to the trilogy of Life of Pi and Eat, Pray, Love. Debra, an English professor/author I've grown to love summarizes her faith and the impact it has on her beliefs and lifestyle in the tone of voice you would expect to hear from a friend. As a theology buff, I typically approach books like this with a gleefully critical eye; Debra, however, is winning me over with every point. It is both a casual, easy read and a deep and impacting explanation of Christian faith. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in, new to, or old-and-comfortable-with Christianity.

Music

The shadow of your wings: Hymns and sacred songs. by Fernando Ortega
I've always been a Fernando fan, but he has really outdone himself on this one. It only took one listen through to fall in love with these songs. Grace and peace to you, from God our Father. Listen to it, if you can.

Film

An Inconvenient Truth (Documentary)
Whether you are "into" documentaries or not, this is absolutely one you must see. It is well done, informative, never boring, compelling, factual, without manipulative techniques. Inconvenient, yes. But true. Watch this. Visit this website for more information.

Baraka
One review I read stated that this movie is a "sensual and spiritual experience" and it is certainly that. There is no language or spoken word in this movie, yet you sit spellbound throughout and wish it would continue when it is over. Created in 1992, I managed to live 15 years without knowing of it; I am grateful to have found it at last. HBM writes of "puncture"; there is no better way to describe this movie, and puncture is what it is from start to finish. Breathtaking. Beautiful.