Merry Christmas!

May you all have a very Merry Christmas!!  Many blessings to you and yours in the coming year!!

Fall Into Reading 2010: Wrap Up!!

Well it is that time.  Time to wrap-up our reading challenge.  I have really enjoyed it.  It has made my reading this fall something to work towards.  It has kept me accountable, as well.  Thus, I have been reading far more than I would have otherwise!!

Some things I have learned:
 - I do not need to read everything I think I need to read (i.e. Catcher and the Rye)
 - Also, just because a book is a classic does not mean that it is GOOD (i.e. Catcher and the Rye)
 - Sometimes it is nice to just read for pleasure, simple easy books!!
 - I don't think I will ever be ready for the 'post modern' novel...

So with all of that under my belt, here is my final list!!

1) The Short 2nd Life of Brie Tanner - Stephanie Meyers (Read)

2) The Hangman's Curse - Frank Peretti (Read)

3) Your God is Too Safe - Mark Buchanan (Couldn't get into it)

4) Catcher and the Rye (Could not get into!)

5) Guardians of Ga'Hoole Series (have read 5 of the 8 books)

6) Round Robin (Elm Creek Quilt Series) - Jennifer Chiaverini (Read)

7) Blue Corn Murders - (read)

8) One Hundred Million Hearts - Kerri Sakamoto (read)

9) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Barabara Robinson (read)

Fall Into Reading 2010: An Update

I have added and removed books from this list.  I will continue to change it as the time goes on.  I am loving all the reading I have been doing!  It's been awesome!!



1) The Short 2nd Life of Brie Tanner - Stephanie Meyers (Read)


2) The Hangman's Curse - Frank Peretti (Read)

3) Your God is Too Safe - Mark Buchanan (Couldn't get into it)

4) Catcher and the Rye (Could not get into!)

5) Guardians of Ga'Hoole Series (have read 5 of the 8 books)

6) Round Robin (Elm Creek Quilt Series) - Jennifer Chiaverini (Read)

7) Blue Corn Murders - (read)

8) One Hundred Million Hearts - Kerri Sakamoto (Currently reading)

9) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Barabara Robinson (Currently Reading with son)

Manders' Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside My Window...traffic is rushing by.  Cars are speeding to work and trucks are making their deliveries.  It is just beginning to get light outside.  I can't wait until this weekend when we move our clocks back an hour...One final attempt to hold onto as much sunlight during the day as possible.

I am thinking...that it is nice to not have to drive my son to school today because he is sick.  It should be a nice relaxing day.

I am thankful for...God's faithfulness and His teachings to me this fall through my study of the Psalms of Ascent.  I am learning a lot and being challenged in the process.  God is good.

From the learning rooms...See the one above.  Beth Moore has been teaching us about the Feasts in the Old Testament.  This is really useful knowledge.  I love her teachings so much!

From the kitchen...Emma and I have been baking a lot of things lately.  (And it shows on my waiste line...LOL!)  She loves it and it has challenged me to bake, even though I do not like to bake as much as my Mother and Sister.

I am wearing...sweats and a t-shirt.

I am creating...a Christmas cloth or two from some lovely Christmas wool I found at Wal-mart.  The first one is a Santa cloth.  It is turning out pretty good.  I may try a Snowman shaped one next.

I am going...to a conference for Children's Ministry this weekend.  I am very excited.  Last year it was so good.  I even got to paint (see below) and we started doing Family Night once a week.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for me this year.

I am reading...nothing at the moment.  I want to find my Harry Potter books...

I am hoping...that all of the rides at Disneyland will be open when we go at the end of January.

I am hearing...the furnace, the kids playing in their rooms waiting for Mommy to get them up, and the coffee pot...

Around the house...cleaning has been happening in preparation for Christmas.

One of my favorite things...is Christmas.  So we are entering my favoritest time of year.  I love it.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: a conference, church, small group and some baking.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is the painting I made at the Conference last year.  It speaks about worshipping God.  We send our praises up (the color) and He sends His love down (the gold).  Worship is something so near and dear to my heart.  I love leading people in worship, especially kids.