This week I intend to do some real blogging for the first time in several weeks. I'll be reviewing a book or two (if I can finish them!) and sharing some things God's been teaching me lately. In the meantime, here's a little update on our "real life" here in Nashville:

My oldest started Kindergarten this year, and we've all adjusted to it now, although I worry every morning that something will happen to my car on the way to school and I'll have to get out of the car and expose everyone to the unseemly sight of my son and I in our pajamas. So far, so good. Last week I went on a field trip with my daughter and let me just say, I have so much respect for kindergarten teachers. I was exhausted after just 3 hours with 19 kids. Having our kiddo in school has opened the door for a lot of good conversations, and we're thankful she loves school so much.

I'm enjoying the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with my youngest. He is really coming out of his shell now that he has the opportunity to express himself without his loving, helpful sister always speaking for him. We spend our days having coffee dates with friends, doing chores, going to Bible study, and visiting our local children's museum. And watching TV...that happens too.

Speaking of Bible study, the ladies in our church study are going through Nancy Guthrie's The Wisdom of God: Seeing Jesus in the Psalms and Wisdom Books (Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament) and it is excellent. She is a wonderful writer, and there are no softball questions in the discussion guide (you know, the awkward questions that everyone knows the answers to, but no one wants to say it). We use the study guide in combination with lectures from women in our own church, and I have been privileged and challenged to teach two of these--on repentance in the Psalms and on Proverbs. More on that later this week, as God used Proverbs to teach me quite a bit.

I'm generally an introvert, but the Lord is stretching me and helping me come out of my shell and spend my days in conversation with others. I love seeing the unity of hearts as we share what He's doing in our lives. And I love the reminders to lean on His wisdom and not my own, something I frequently get wrong. He has encouraged my soul through some sweet friendships--some new, some old--and I'm thankful for this season of being able to spend time during the day with other women.

I'm resisting the urge to participate in any kind of early Christmas activities. My son insisted on listening to Christmas music a couple of weeks ago, but thankfully that was short-lived. I have to confess that I get burnt out on Christmas as it is, so starting early only serves to make it worse. We're trying to take our time and enjoy Thanksgiving this year, but I know I'm just one peppermint mocha away from losing my resolve.

So what about you? Do you indulge in early holiday festivities? Read any good books lately? What's going on in your life?