Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me by Ian Morgan Cron (A Review)

Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me: A Memoir... Of Sorts is a true story written by Ian Cron.  Or, at least as true as he can remember it.  This book chronicles his childhood, growing up with an alcoholic father who also turned out to periodically working for the CIA.  Cron recounts heartbreaking tales of the times his father didn't show up, or, what's worse, did show up to any number of his boyhood milestones.  Early on, the Cron family hobnobbed with celebrities, politicians, even presidents, but because of the abuse of alcohol, ended up trying to live a quietly as they could, so as not to disturb the peace.  Despite the rocky family situation, Ian was constantly pulled towards God.  He didn't always head in that direction, but ultimately, the young boy who's only wish was to be loved or, at least, merely seen by his father, was drawn to the ministry, and today serves as a priest!

Though, the subject of alcoholism and it's toll on a family, is incredibly sad and heartbreaking, Cron takes a very up-beat approach to the memoir.  It is laced with humorous anecdotes and interesting pop-culture references, which don't allow for the reader to spend too much time feeling sorry for young Ian.  In fact, for a book written on such a sad subject, I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times.  It is an interesting tale of a boy who can only see his father as a monster, and yet finds out he has served his country well as a member of the CIA.  It is difficult to put those two realities together.  Unfortunately, there is no happy ending with Ian and his father, but this is a memoir, not a fairy tale.  Ian tells it like it is.  There is a happy ending, though.  Despite his circumstances as a child of an alcoholic and despite the fact that he, himself, nearly followed very closely in his father's drunken footsteps, Ian has risen above, made his own way, and succeeded.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Homeschool Mother's Journal

The Homeschool Mother's Journal: Summer Edition, a link-up with The Homeschool Chick.

In my life this week…
I started the new challenges for 31 Days to Clean, which are supposed to help me get into a more set routine when it comes to cleaning my house.  It felt good to clean things that weren't just revoltingly dirty (like the way it was before the firs round of 31 Days), so I'm thinking a routine would be a really good thing to have.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...
On Tuesday, my mom came and picked us up and took us to NRH20 to play.  We had so much fun!  The boys love the water!  We had a great time floating down the Endless River and getting thrashed about in the Wave Pool.  Preston had a good time on some of the little kid slides.  Callen was just in this daze of bliss... that boy just adores splashing!  I, unfortunately, did a terrible job of applying sunscreen to myself and came home with quite a burn.  Oops.  After that, Preston spent the nite with my mom and dad, so Callen and I spent a great evening together.  He was in such a good mood, we played and cuddled... it was nice to have him so happy (it seems like it's been a while!).  He also slept through the nite that nite!  I think he liked being an only child!

Things I'm working on...
I spent a few days this week working on stuff for next year.  I know, I can't seem to quit.  I found some adorable bookmarks I wanted to give to Preston. And since I busted out the laminator, I had to find MORE things to laminate.  Dear Little Laminator Machine, why are you so fun?  Which reminds me, I planned on blogging about the crazy MIA laminator experience.  I'll get to that soon!

I'm reading...
A book called Jesus, My Father, The CIA and Me: A memior... of sorts by Ian Morgan Cron.  Michael and I had a hilarious conversation about how I like reading real-life, non-fiction books and he prefers fiction, fantasy books.  We both explained that we like what we like for the very reason the other doesn't like what they don't like.  Or... something like that.

I'm praying for...
This week has been a heavy-hearted one, with lots of prayer.  I have had several friends who have found themselves in the hospital or E.R. this week.  One friend went to sleep and woke up in ICU, having no idea what happened.  She had a couple of seizures in her sleep, and turns out... she had a nearly 3-inch brain tumor that had to be removed!  They are still doing tests to see what the next steps are.  Praying hard for her and her family, they have two small children.

A cute anecdote to share...
Last nite I was preparing dinner as Callen was playing down at my feet.  I asked him "Do you want some toast with your dinner?"  He grabbed hold of my big toe.  It took me a few beats to realize he thought I was saying "toes!"  Then later, as we were sitting at the table, I told him to eat his toast.  He lifted his leg and wiggled his toes.  "No, silly, not toes... toast!"  He continued to do that throughout the meal.  Too stinkin' cute!


Speaking of Callen, he is 15 months as of today!

Summer To-Do Jar

I saw this fun (and much-needed!) idea from The Happy Housewife come across my facebook feed yesterday and jumped on it!  Since we're taking a break from school, and don't have much planned or structured for our days, I don't want Preston to just sit and veg in front of the tv or computer the entire day.  Though, that certainly is what I want to do!  I figured this activity would keep us BOTH from being bumps on a log since I'll most likely have to do whatever the activity is with him.

I had just cleaned and dried an empty mayonnaise jar and was gonna stash it away for future use, but realized it would be perfect for the activity jar.  I printed out the activity cards (free, yay!), weeded out the 'girly' ones or ones that didn't pertain to us, and cut 'em out.  Then I went through them with Preston, reading each one so he'd have any idea of what activities were available.  I highlighted the back of them with orange for outside activities (ride bike, water balloons, baseball, etc) and yellow for inside (build a fort, read, puzzle, etc).  The reason I did that wasn't for rainy days as Toni suggests, but rather because I don't want him choosing "play soccer" in the middle of a 105-degree day.  No way, not gonna happen.  So, sometimes the orange ones won't be an option.  Preston and I folded them and placed them in the jar, and I labeled the jar "Preston's To-Do Jar."  

He's pretty excited about being bored now!

Ok, we already had to do one... lol.  We made the phone with cups and string.  The boys love it!

Photo Prompt Challenge, #18: Got Skillz?

A Skill You'd Like To Learn

Ok, this is difficult because there are so many!  I could definitely use more 'skillz' to fall back on.  You know, like nun-chuck skills...  Ok, not really.  And they're all things I could easily learn if I just had the discipline, patience, time, will to learn!  

Image taken from here

One of the biggest is to learn to sew, either by hand or machine.  I have tried both, and well... I ain't quite got it down.  I'd love to be able to fix things, embellish things or just straight up create things.  I spend way too much time at Etsy.com being jealous of and drooling over everyone's level of creative awesomeness.  Why am I lacking in creative awesomeness?  Hmph.  Not fair!

[It's been a while since I did one of these Photo Prompt Challenges, here are some of my previous entries.]