Mark of the Lion Series

I finished the second book in Francine River's Mark of the Lion series yesterday. Wow. I loved them! She is a fantastic writer and the history is so interesting to me! I could not put either of them down! 500 page books and the first one took me a week, the second only five days. I have never read a book that big and definitely don't usually finish them that quick. I hope after I finish the third one I can find another book as good.

Brother and Sister

What do you think? Brother and sister?
(Luke sure was a chunky guy at that age!)

First Time Playing In The Snow!

Putting our snowpants and boots on!

He wasn't quite sure what he thought of the snow. Although he did make the most precious little snow angel I have ever seen. I wish the picture was better. It was beautiful!

Chloe glad we were back inside with her.

And a nice warm mug of hot chocolate. This was a first also and he LOVED it!

Whipped cream and all...

Sleep Tight

Chloe let me rock her to sleep for her nap this afternoon. It was so nice. She usually wants to just be laid down. She is such a precious little girl.

Finished...Pilgrim's Progress

I did it...I finished Pilgrim's Progress. Many many months in the reading. I didn't dislike it, there was just so much to it! I was expecting more of a story (I loved Hinds Feet On High Places), but this was just different. You could almost take time with every section and think on it and work things out with it. Very challenging. I would like to read it again in ten years and see what new thing sticks out. Right now it makes me think of 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."

May my life be more than just "escaping through the flames".

Lasting

I just got off the phone with Rita, who I went to South Africa with. That was eight years ago and although we don't talk or catch up that often it's still nice. That was such a growing time for me that I feel this connection to her. Even though our lives have changed so much since then, there's something about someone knowing you in such a time of your life. Even if we just chat about the basic things...husbands, kids, houses etc. I still feel like I know her heart in things and she knows mine. What a blessing...

Beautiful!

It is absolutely beautiful out! Our Fat Albert evergreens and Blue Spruce (oops...sorry to whoever buys our house eventually...we weren't thinking) are covered in snow! They look gorgeous. I'm so thankful to be a stay at home mom and have a husband that is a teacher. Looks like we'll probably be getting snowed in tomorrow! Maybe we can learn the game Puerto Rico I got for my birthday.

Keep Snowing!

Christmas Morning!

Even Chloe is smiling at their Santa presents!

Merry First Christmas Chloe!

Chloe's the first one ready...Luke is still rounding up his cattle.

5 little kids, 7 big kids and 2 bigger kids...makes for a fun Christmas morning!

Tis The Season Pics

Baking Christmas Cookies

My excellent little Santa's helper...she was so happy and content for me! Yay!

My precious little boy...

These were attempts at pictures for our Christmas card...never got them put on the computer until today. Guess that's life with two little ones. :)

"Happy Jesus!"

(How Luke says "Happy Birthday Jesus!")