2009 Book List

In the beginning of 2009, I decided to write down all the fiction books that I read so I can see how many I've accomplished at the end of the year.. I was happy to see that I read quite a few and it's also a great journal to keep so I can always remember authors and past books I've read. I thought since today is the last day of 2009 I would share my list with you of the books I've read this year.. I look forward to adding to this list for 2010.

• "A Passion Most Pure" by Julie Lessman
• "A Passion Redeemed" by Julie Lessman
• "Between Sundays" by Karen Kingsbury
• "Ever After" by Karen Kingsbury
• "Just Beyond the Clouds" by Karen Kingsbury
• "This Side of Heaven" by Karen Kingsbury
• "A Love To Last Forever" by Tracie Peterson
• "A Passion Denied" by Julie Lessman
• "A Dream to Call My Own" by Tracie Peterson
• "When Love Blooms" by Robin Lee Hatcher
• "Take One" by Karen Kingsbury
• "Take Two" by Karen Kingsbury
• "Waiting For Summer's Return" by Kim Vogel Sawyer
• "Where the Heart Leads" by Kim Vogel Sawyer
• "The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper" by Kathleen Y'Barbo
• "The Sweetgum Ladies-Knit for Love" by Beth Pattillo
• "The Sound of Sleigh Bells" by Cindy Woodsmall
• "Farraday Road" by Ace Collins
• "Wisdom Hunter" by Randall Arthur
• "Leaving Carolina" by Tamara Leigh
• "A Fit to Be Tied" by Robin Lee Hatcher
• "White Picket Fences" by Susan Meissner
• "Thirsty" by Tracey Bateman
• "Loss of Carrier" by Russ White
• "Saint's Roost" by Terry Burns
• "The Christmas Lamp" by Lori Copeland
• "The Familiar Stranger" by Christina Berry
• "The Sheriff's Surrender" by Susan Page Davis
• "Leaving Yesterday" by Kathryn Cushman
• "The Silent Governess" by Julie Klassen

That leaves me with reading 30 Christian Fiction books this year. I am looking into taking the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge starting on January 1st. I would have to read a bit faster than I have this year to add another 22 books to my list in the same allotted time frame.. I think I could do it since I LOVE to read and lately I've been reading most of my books within a week's time. The last book I've read "The Silent Governess" which has over 420 pages, I was able to read within three days so I know I have it in me...

I've also had the privilege to be on a few publishers list to read some amazing books this past year and will continue again in the coming year.. I am excited about what I've accomplished this year and equally excited about what I will be reading in 2010.. Stay tuned...

Christmas Memories 2009

Finally got the photos off the camera and uploaded to share. I took a video of them actually opening the presents this year so I didn't have to keep asking them to stop and show the gifts. It's a bit long so I won't add it here this time but I did have them pose in front of all the gifts they got from relatives and us.. Here they are below..

We were so blessed by the many wonderful gifts that we received from family this year. The boys were so happy to receive gifts from their Uncle B and Aunt H and their cousins as well as my parents. They were so greatful when they opened up everything. It brings tears to my eyes to see them happy with whatever was in the box.. even socks which they were extremely happy to get because they asked for them.. go figure huh! (hee hee)

They had two favorite gifts from their grandparents.. Little Bear's was the soccer ball and the Ben 10 watch and Little Man's was the Ben 10 watch and the baseball glove..

From Aunt H and Uncle B they loved the paper airplane calendar where each day they make an airplane.. They can't wait to get started!!

My sister sent us gifts this year and she made two wonderful etched glass for my hubby and Little Man.. She is so talented.. Little Bear received some fun legos and has been playing with them everyday!

From us they're favorite gift for Little Man was the pool table we got him. It's a small tabletop one but he has been so thankful for it.. With Little Bear his favorite has been the Lincoln Logs since he loves to build things.

Hope you all had a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year...

Weekly Weigh In....

Since the start of my weight loss journey just a week ago, I am happy to report that I've lost 2 1/2 pounds. I love the new way of looking at myself and how to go about changing my life. I was so tired of feeling overwhelmed about large goals like weight loss and taking it one day at a time is the best decision I've ever made.

I am actually pretty sad that I hadn't thought about this earlier to be honest. So simple to do and so effective. I am now motivated to eat breakfast in the mornings where I wasn't before because I've made that choice each day.

I've been following a new blog called Eclipsed and it's a weight loss journey of another homeschool mom and I plan to participate when I can in her weekly meme's.. I was hoping to post this yesterday so I am day behind for her weekly Tuesday Weigh in.. She also has a Scale-less Saturday I hope to participate in as well to show my non scale victories over the week.. It sounds very motivating and that's what I need to keep going..

Menu Plan Monday

With my new journey to getting healthy one day at a time comes eating better. I've done this before in the past but I would like to start posting my weekly menu plans so I can be accountable for what I put in my mouth. I will just post my meals for dinner each week.. I am a day behind this since I was supposed to post it on Monday but here it is anyway..

Monday:

• Beef Stew
• Homemade rolls

Tuesday:

• Tilapia Fish
• Rice
• Steamed Broccoli

Wednesday:

• Grilled Chicken
• Steamed Zuchini
• Leftover Rice

Thursday:

• Slow cooked Chili
• Steamed Corn

Friday:

• Chicken Pot Pie

Saturday:

• Hamburger Patties
• Baked Potato
• Steamed Mixed Veggies

Sunday:

• Breakfast for Dinner~
  Ham & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Handmade Fishing Game How To

For Christmas, I made a fishing game for my nephew.. It was fairly easy to make and I thought I would share how to make it if anyone is interested.

Supplies:

5 Paint Brushes
White Paint

Any color paint you'd like

Paint brushes to paint with

Flower Wire
Glue

Glue Gun

Instructions:

• Take off bristles of brush by either pulling them off or cutting them off with a saw
• Paint the brushes with white paint. You will probably need two coats
• Allow drying between coats
• Use your imagination and paint different designs on both sides of brush
• Allow drying on each side before turning over
• To make the pole you will tie flower wire around top of pole and glue with glue gun to keep in place
• Make a hook by using a small amount of flower wire and attach to bottom by twisting it together.

Homeschooling is a Gift

I am sure as a homeschooler that you've come across people that don't understand homeschooling. I've come across a few over the past few months and one just recently so I thought for those who check out my blog and you DON'T homeschool you can find out what WE do and don't do as a homeschooling family...

• We don't homeschool in the dark with a flashlight with the drapes closed
• My kids ARE socialized and they DO have friends
• My kids LOVE to be homeschooled and do NOT want to attend public or private school
• My kids interact with other homeschooling families on a regular basis
• My kids are involved in 4H, weekly youth group at church, Destination Imagination and regular swimming lessons and plan to be on a baseball team and soccer team coming this Spring
• In the past they were involved in Cub Scouts, INCH co-op too
• They participate in swimming, roller skating, & playgroups
• I do NOT brainwash my children
• My children have their own mind!
• They learn each and everyday just as every other child
• My children have more free time to explore their own interests such as art, music, while using their imagination etc
• My kids have the freedom to learn about God
• They don't have socialism shoved down their throats at such a young age
• They don't have to be bullied at school
• They can act their age
• My kids don't have to sit in a stuffy chair for seven hours each day with 3 hours of homework
• We have the world as our classroom
• My kids learn what they want to learn, when they want to learn it instead of being forced to learn something they don't care about
• My children love to be homeschooled so please don't ask if they would rather be in public school with all the other children, so they can be socialized and have friends..
• My kids have friends, they are socialized and probably more than public school children will ever be!

So that is some things that came to mind as I typed this out.. It's a bit frustrating after six years of homeschooling to come across people that really can't comprehend or accept that homeschooling could be an alternative to schooling.. My children learn just like other children in different schooling situations but what makes my method bad and theirs good?

If we look back to the history of schooling in America you can see that we started with homeschooling with the Bible at the center and then when they got school buildings they did the exact same things as homeschooling with multiple ages in the same classroom..

So homeschooling is not wierd or unnatural. It's how our country started schooling in the first place.. Before the government got involved and told us how we needed to teach our children.. So for those out there that are not sold on us homeschooling, Please note: We LOVE HOMESCHOOLING.. and don't ever plan to change that!!

Choices One Day At A Time

I have started reading a wonderful book called One Day Way.. It's a book about weight loss. I am scheduled to do a review on this book on January 4th so stay tuned....

Over the years when I've needed to lose weight.. mainly from having a child, I've always looked at the amount of total weight I needed to lose and the amount of total time it will take for me to reach that goal. Pretty overwhelming you might say. No wonder it's hard to reach a long term goal each and everyday.

So I am trying something new. I am taking one day, one moment at a time. I am not worried about what the scale is saying to me or if my clothes fit or don't. I am taking one moment at a time as I make one choice after another, one at a time. I am not promised tomorrow or three months from now or a year from now. God has given me today. What am I going to do with it? What choices am I going to make right now to better myself? My health? My fitness? My attitude? etc..

So I am going to celebrate small victories each day. Things that I've made a choice to do that day. Like for example.. two days ago, my victory was I chose NOT to eat the brownie and pick up an apple instead. Yesterday, I chose not to eat ice cream with the family but have a cup of tea instead and for a snack I ate some carrots and cheese instead of something sweet. Small goals and small choices. One day at a time..

I am happy with how this is working out for me mentally and spiritually. and physically I've lost 1 lb. Which is excellent news for me! It sure is easy to only think about today and not worry about tomorrow or yesterday.. More to come...

"Leaving Yesterday" by Kathryn Cushman Book Review

"Leaving Yesterday"

by Kathryn Cushman

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About this book:

Her prodigal son has returned!
But has he truly left the past behind?

The police car outside triggers Alisa Stewart's worst fear--her son, Kurt, is dead, his life lost forever to addiction. Instead, the officer is just following a lead on a crime. And when Kurt calls to say he's checked himself into rehab and found a healing faith, Alisa feels a hope she'd given up on.

It's like her son has been brought back from the dead.

But then the cop returns, asking dark questions about the murder of someone Kurt once knew. Alisa is terrified. Her boy is different now. He's changed and deserves a second chance. But as his old life refuses to stay buried, Alisa finds herself facing an impossible choice:

• Keep silent and keep her son or
• Risk everything in a quest for the truth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Thoughts on the book:
I was hooked on this book from page 1. I couldn't put it down and was finished in two days. I was on the edge of my seat as I followed the lives of a husband and wife separated over a tragedy and another tragedy that could possibly bring them closer together. Full of God's guidance and inspiration. Tough choices a Mom must go through to help her son as well as tough decisions to glorify God.. I would highly recommend this book!!

You can purchase this book from the publisher here or wherever paperbacks are sold

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author:

Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. After practicing as a pharmacist, she left her career to marry and begin a family and has since pursued her dream of writing. Leaving Yesterday is her third novel. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California. Visit Kathryn's Web site at www.kathryncushman.com

Had Fun This Christmas

We had a really nice Christmas yesterday. Opened up presents and then spent time together as a family. I was so proud of my boys yesterday when they opened up their gifts. Even the small things they loved.. even the socks they received they showed gratitude.. My boys have grown so much over the past few months. I am just amazed at how 'grown up' they are already. My baby is 8 and my middle child will be 11 in three short months.. It's just amazing how we try so hard to hold onto them and keep them young and they grow anyway!

We played games and I found out that I am getting older since Twister was actually painful.. hee hee. Hubby played many games with the boys and had fun. I was the designated spinner.. We also played a ton of Guess Who? I love that game. The boys entertained me with playing several with me, even Daddy did too.. We watched a movie and had Lasagna for dinner. I just couldn't fathom having another turkey dinner when it took forever for it to leave my refrigerator from Thanksgiving.

Since there is only four of us we just can't eat that much turkey. I like the lasagna idea.. It was yummy too.. I hope you all had a blessed Christmas. We surely did... I hope to get pictures off my camera tomorrow as I am taking the day off. Just thought I would pop on here with a quick post..Will post some hopefully tomorrow..

Internet Troubles Fixed

I tried to upgrade my Internet Explorer yesterday and instead ended up deleting my internet. Not sure what happened and not sure if it was even Internet Explorer I was downloading but I am happy to say that I deleted the program and I am back online again. I am not computer savvy by any stretch of the imagination and when this froze up and I couldn't even click on the IE icon to get online I didn't know what to do. Even hubby didn't know what to do and he usually can figure things out..

So I said a little prayer and I felt God telling me to delete the program. I was afraid too because I didn't know how to add another one without internet access but God is faithful, even in the tiny things and He came through for me today.. My little prayers answered post..

God is with us everyday and every minute because He cares for us and loves us.. even with little internet mishaps, He knows.. God is awesome!!

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you on this glorious day.. His birth..

Melted Snowman Treat

I found this cute little treat at Gourmet Mom to Go. She gave it the cutest name "Frosty the Snow Puddle.. They are fairly easy to make and yummy too...

Supplies:

Donut Holes

White Melting Chocolate

Mini Chocolate Chips

Fruit Roll Ups

Orange Candies-I used Orange Slices Candies and cut them in half

Rolos

Pretzels

Wax Paper

Instructions:

• Melt chocolate according to package directions
• On wax paper, place donut hole and pour chocolate over to form 'puddle' over the hole
• Before the chocolate hardens place your 'accessories' around the donut hole which is the bottom part of the snowman
• Let harden completely before pulling off paper

Advent Day 24-Night Before Christmas and Minty Snowballs

Day 24 of 24 Book and Activity Advent

This is our final day for the Book and Activity Advent.. I can't believe we are finishing up our 24 days of fun. It seems like we just got started but so many days have already passed. I wanted to do this last year but didn't find out about this wonderful idea until half way through so I saved it and waited. I am so glad we did. We had a blast everyday getting together, reading and doing an activity. It sure helped us grow closer as a family.

The original concept of this book and advent came from The Bella Dia. I adapted it to fit our needs and our library book selection as well as craft supplies on hand. Not all crafts and books were from the The Bella Dia. I found a lot of my ideas on the web..

Hope you enjoyed making some crafts and reading with your kiddos this Christmas Season. If you participated at all I would love to hear from you.. Merry Christmas !

Book:
The Night Before Christmas

by Clement Clarke Moore

Activity:
Minty Snowballs

Supplies:

4 teaspoons Peppermint Extract

3 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
One Egg

Instructions:

• Separate egg white
• Place egg white in mixer and whisk until before the egg gets too stiff
• Add peppermint extract
• Add egg white to sugar
• Form into little balls
• Lay down on parchment paper overnight
• Perfect for gifts- you can place in clear cellophane bags

  (This was originally posted on my other blog)
  

Getting a New Bike

For Little Bear's birthday he received a bike from us. He learned how to ride one over the Summer using his brother's and he really wanted one of his own. It's hard having a birthday in Winter since he now has to wait until we thaw here in the Arctic North...

He was so happy when we brought in the box for the bike.. It came unassembled and that was perfect for Daddy and son bonding.. They put it together yesterday and here is some photos of them working hard.. Now he can't wait to ride it..

Fall into Reading Challenge Wrap Up

Over @ Callapidder Days, I participated in her Fall Into Reading 2009 Challenge. I made a list of books I wanted to read and tried to accomplish that goal. December 20th was the last official day to read for this challenge and I am posting to share how I did..

Here below is my original list and I marked what I completed..

Farraday Road-Completed
by Ace Collins

Wisdom Hunter- Completed
by Randall Arthur

Thirsty-Completed
by Tracey Bateman

White Picket Fences-Completed
by Susan Meissner

Leaving Carolina-Completed
by Tamara Leigh

Fit To Be Tied-Completed
by Robin Lee Hatcher

Leaving Yesterday-Completed
by Kathryn Cushman

Watch Over Me
by Christa Parrish

Things Worth Remembering
by Jackina Stark

Levi's Will
by W. Dale Cramer

The Christmas Lamp- Completed
by Lori Copeland

The Familiar Stranger-Completed
by Christina Berry

The Sheriff's Surrender -Completed
by Susan Page Davis

Loss Of Carrier-Completed
by Russ White

Saint's Roost-Completed
by Terry Burns

I am very happy with what I've accomplished. There was only 3 books I didn't get to.. They should all be completed by the end of the month.. My favorite book that I read would have to be "The Familiar Stranger" by Christina Berry. I had that book read in about 3 days and it held me from page one. So much I couldn't put it down until I was done!!

I discoverd a lot of new authors over the past three months. Reviewing books for publisher's allows you the opportunity to read books from new and seasoned authors.. I can't wait until Spring 2010.. Our next challenge awaits...

Advent Day 23-Legend of the Candy Cane and Candy Cane Craft

Day 23 of 24 Book and Activity Advent

Book:

Legend of the Candy Cane

By Lori Wallburg

Activity:
Candy Cane Craft

Supplies:
Red and White Pipe Cleaners 2 each color
Red Ribbon

Instructions:

• Twist one red and one white pipe cleaner
• Bend in the shape of a J
• Do this to the other set of pipe cleaners
• Tie in middle with red ribbon

Come back tomorrow for our last and final book and activity for this year. We'll be reading "The Night Before Christmas".

Tomorrow's Supplies:
Powdered Sugar
Egg
Peppemint Extract

(This was originally posted on my other blog)

It's Time For A Change...

This is a tough post to write about.. To be truthful because I really want to see changes.. This is the time for it. For me... I started a blog a few months ago that was not connected to any of my other blogs. I guess mainly because I didn't want to admit to myself that I needed to do this.. So do I have you guessing yet? (smiles)..

It's weight loss.. Back in 2002 I lost 31lbs. Baby weight.. After having my son in December 2001, I gained 40lbs then lost just 9lbs. So I still had 31 to go.. I lost it all within 6 months. I ate good, exercised regularly and it came off. Now 7 yrs later it slooowwwwlllllyyyyy creaped back on. Almost all of it. I hate to admit that. That was really hard because back then it looked differently on me, if that makes sense. I could tell that I had that much weight on me. Now, not really... it's hidden very well so I was shocked when I went on the scale to find that I now have to lose 25 lbs.

So why did it come back on? A few things really. When I lived in Idaho back in 2005, I had a huge family blowout at Christmas. This took a toll on me in more ways than one. I hit a huge depression that lasted months. So bad that I went on antidepressants for about 3 months. With the depression and the pills I gained about 11 lbs.. It's amazing what your mental state can do to your body.

So what accounts for the other 13lbs. Moving... Yep, that's right. Since 2005 we've moved 5 times. Washington State to Kentucky.. Kentucky to ID.. In ID we moved three times and then we moved to MT. It's amazing how much stress moving puts on your body and mind.

I am ready to make a change. This is NOT a New Year's Resolution. I don't believe in those. I just need to type this out and be accountable for this. I need to do this for myself. I am tired of coming up with excuses on how I got here and how I 'can't' do this. No more.. I've always thought of my weight. I never was fat or even close to it growing up.. Actually my grandmother always said I ate like a bird.. I am not sure why I've always thought I was heavy even when I wasn't. I need to not only change my weight but also change the way I see myself skinny or not..

So today is a new day. Today is the first step for change. One step at a time.. One change at a time. From food to exercise to thinking.. one at a time until I reach my goal. I am reviewing a book called "The One Day Way' by Chantel Hobbs.. I am very excited about reading this, not only for my book review but I want to change 'me' and I think this book will give me the courage and help I need to get through this.

I know losing weight 8 yrs ago will be different than now since I am 8 yrs older in my mid 30's. So I just have to retrain my thinking and my eating habits and my exercising.. I can do it!! I need to do it.. I need not be ashamed of who I am.. Just focus on what I can become! This goal is not out of reach. It's doable and I can do it!!

I will post often about my weight loss journey here. I need somewhere I can talk about it. Hubby doesn't want to hear about it anymore. He loves me for who I am and finds me beautiful the way I am.. That's not the problem. I don't like what I see and I don't find myself beautiful and he dislikes me talking about myself that way.

Day 1-I've admitted I want to change and that I truly want to lose my weight!! One day at a time...

Simplifying Christmas Day 15-Christmas Crafts

Today's topic is "Christmas Crafts" over @ Heart of a Mommy

Christmas crafts. Something we've been doing a ton of this past month. I guess instead of posting all about what I've done, I think I will just give you some links to the blog posts I did over @ Learning By Living.. my homeschool blog. It has all the pictures and information on what, and how we put our crafts together this month...

Book and Advent Crafts

Once a day from December 1-24 we are making a craft while reading a specific Christmas book

Christmas Crafts

Here is a link to a few crafts and fun things I've done with the boys this month..

Advent Day 22-Christmas Humbugs and Votive Holder

Day 22 of 24 Book and Activity Advent

Book:

The Christmas Humbugs

by Colleen Monroe

Activity:

Festive Votive Holders

Supplies:

Clear Votive Candle Holder
Mod Podge
different colors of tissue paper
paint brush
scissors

Instructions

• With your scissors, cut the tissue paper into a variety of small pieces
• Brush Mod Podge on your glass
• Apply a layer of tissue paper over modge podge
• Do this around the entire glass
• Let dry
• After dry completely put a coat of Modge Podge over tissue paper to seal and protect
• Let dry

Come back tomorrow for the next book and activity. We'll be reading "Legend of the Candy Cane".

Tomorrow's Supplies:
Red and White Pipe Cleaners
Ribbon

(This was originally posted on my other blog)

Advent Day 21-Shortest Day and Paper Ornament

Day 21 of 24 Book and Activity Advent

Book:

"The Shortest Day-Celebrating Winter Solstice"

by Wendy Pfeffer

Activity:

Paper Ornament

Supplies:
Scrapbook Paper Scraps in different designs
Glue
Styrofoam Ball
Ribbon
Modge Podge
Brush

Instructions:

• Cut several pieces of scrapbook paper in little rectangles.
• I used about 6 different patterned paper styles and cut them about 4-6 pieces each
• Using hot glue or quick dry glue start placing scraps on styrofoam ball in different directions until ball is covered
• Let dry completely
• Using Modge Podge cover the entire ball with it and let dry to seal and protect paper
• After completely dry cut a piece of ribbon to loop around ornament then make a handle and tie a bow on top
• Making two separate bows with more ribbon, Glue onto ornament

Come back tomorrow for the next book and activity. We'll be reading "The Christmas Humbugs".

Tomorrow's Supplies:
Clear votive candle holder
Mod Podge
different colors of tissue paper
paint brush
scissors

(This was originally posted on my other blog)

Homeschooling and Committments for 2010

I just realized today that I have just a little over two weeks to get my act together and come up with a game plan for school for 2010. I keep gravitating towards August-May and then I get lost somewhere around November.. Ugh! Last year I tried to do a Jan-Dec schedule then I got sucked into the school schedule that everyone in the area followed..

Well, no more. It's time to break out of my shell and out of the 'normal' flow of traffic and make my own path. I loved that I took December off and spent enjoying the kids and reading, doing crafts, baking and just enjoying the birth of Christ. So it just seems natural that we start in January. We won't work through the Summer each day but I plan to keep schooling over the summer but using a more relaxed approach.

Field trips, hands on activities is what I am thinking for the Summer. I guess it also depends on when we get our new daughter with our adoption. It's all in God's timing so we have to find some flexibility in that if that happens this year. Our homestudy is completed and on it's way to being finalized which should be within the next couple weeks.

So what's been on my mind.. School schedules, different ways to teach, am I doing enough? am I doing too much? It's hard sometimes teaching your children at home. You don't just think, what do I fix them for lunches so they can go to school for seven hours a day.. NO, you have their education to think about on top of what do they eat for lunch..and many more things..

I am making a list and checking it twice and it has nothing to do with Santa and Christmas.. I am trying to make sure that I have some sort of goal for this coming year. Some things I have on my mind are:

• Little Bear's reading program
• Little Man-catching him up somehow with Language Arts and Spelling
• Science and History for Little Bear (Re-evaluating what topics to teach)
• Lapbooking or no lapbooking for Little Man
• Timeline for science and history

Then there is my committments.. Do I want to continue with what I have committed to.. I didn't realize how much I've got going on outside of homeschooling. So much for simplifying my life like I'd hoped.. So it's now time to make a list.. Stay or go? I am amazed though at how much I can accomplish and how much I get done. I have many things to do and no deadlines get unpassed.. and almost all are done much before their due dates.. So what do I do other than homeschool you may ask?

• Heart of the Matter Contributor
  I write monthly unit study extenders
• The Curriculum Choice Author
  I write bi-weekly reviews on curriculum we've use(d) in our home
• TOS Research Panel
  I write reviews for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine when they need someone. It seems at least once a month they need someone and sometimes more
• TOS Reviewer for Download and Go Series
  I am reviewing a Download and Go unit Study once a month from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
• Christian Fiction and Non Fiction Book Reviewer for the following publishers
  -Zondervan
  -Blog Alliance
  -Random House
  -Bethany House
  -Thomas Nelson
  -4th Day Alliance
  -Nav Press
• Cloverbuds Co-leader for my boys' 4H group
• Monthly Stamp Class
• Bi-weekly Homeschool Group- I've actually been neglecting this group since it's hard for me to get to it on my hubby's day off.. We are typically running errands or doing things together and it's hard to break away. Also it seems to line up with my monthly stamp class and I end up missing a meeting or getting the dates messed up. I do want to find a way to make this a better priority because I need Mom time..

Starting in January I will be helping out with our church MOPS group. I know that I don't have any preschoolers anymore but this organization has really blessed me so I would like to give back. Not sure exactly what I will be doing. I will be talking to our children's pastor in the coming week hopefully to find out the details. I am thinking maybe a Mentor Mom since all my children are school aged. We will see..

Then you have to add on what the boys are involved in since that also takes my time.. So what is that exactly?

• Destination Imagination- this is weekly on Thursdays for an hour and a half and will run through February
• 4H- meeting once a month but really need to work on my oldest books since I hope to have him enter things into the fair this Summer.
• Swimming Lessons- this is normally six weeks at a time, once a week for an hour.. We will see if I will put them in again after the New Year.
• Wednesday Night Youth Group- for an hour and a half every Wednesday. They are on break until the middle of January for the holidays.

Then their is my health. I very much want to lose weight this year. The pounds have slowly and steadily been adding up and I can't handle it anymore. So I need to get series about that as well. I'd ideally like to lose 20 pounds so I want this to be first and priority in 2010. I had a weight loss blog over the past year but neglected it like I did losing weight.. I think I will post on here from now on. I think that will be more motivating for me and I need to be 'real' with myself and on my blog. I turned 35 this year and I am not getting any younger so I will have to work a little harder but I know it's worth it..

Well that's enough of my ramblings. It's nice to get this down so I can really think and pray on it..

Advent Day 20- Polar Express and Snowglobe

Day 20 of 24 Book and Activity Advent

Book:
"The Polar Express"
by Chris Van Allsburg

Activity:
Snowglobe

Supplies:
glass bowl, cup, etc. that is easy to see through
batting
cardboard from a box
marking pen or pencil
scissors
miniature trees, animals, people, etc. for decorating
glue

Instructions:

• Trace upper edge of glass onto cardboard and cut out
• Place cardboard circle on batting and cut around it a little larger than the cardboard
• Glue batting to cardboard circle
• Arrange miniatures on batting and then glue down
• Put glue on rim of your bowl, turn upside down and glue into place

Come back tomorrow for the next book and activity. We'll be reading "The Shortest Day-Celebrating Winter Solstice".

Tomorrow's Supplies:
Scrapbook Paper scraps in many different patterns
Styrofoam ball
Ribbon
Glue

(This was originally posted on my other blog)