Update

We have been enjoying our holidays so far!! It was great seeing family and spending time with cousins and grandparents. We even got to see some snow. Today I'm off for my glucose test and a checkup for baby. She has been quite active lately which has been fun!! The kids love feeling her squirm around in there :) Hope everyone has a very blessed new year!

Christmas book ideas!

Our kids opened some Christmas presents early and what a treat they have been!! We absolutely love these 3 books in particular and have read them several times already!

By Jeannie Bishop: is about a young princess who is safely guarding her 'first kiss'. She has been given this precious gift to do with as she wishes....either give it away or save it for the man who is worthy of it. This book teaches the value of purity for young girls and was such a wonderful read!!

By Karen Kingsbury: this is a book about a young knight who learns the true meaning of being a great leader. While all the other knights give in to cheating, stealing and lying, this one brave young knight stands for truth and is rewarded.

Another book by Jeannie Bishop: is about a young squire who sets out on a journey to recover the stolen Lantern of Purest Light from the evil dragon. There are many traps along the way, but this squire remembers to keep himself pure in thought, sight, and action, overcoming all the obstacles set before him.

And don't forget this book that we absolutely LOVE!!! (I've mentioned it several times before on my blog)

By Susan Hunt: You will see Psalm 23 in a whole new light. Taken from the view point of the sheep(child of God), Sammy walks you through the 23rd Psalm, describing what it is like to be cared for by a gracious, loving, and protective shepherd (Almight God). One of the BEST children's books I have ever read!

Elf

The kids saw their cousins in action and pleaded that they get theirs done!! So here they are....thanks Jess :)

Homeschooling

I have started reading Teaching the Trivium by the Bluedorn's. I have heard alot about their book and finally got myself a copy! Now everyone knows I love homeschooling but it is not something I push onto people....that is for the Lord's leading in their lives. When I come across some good info though, I do like to share it! Here are just 2 passages so far that have really stuck out in the first 2 chapters.

No true education can take place without reference to God. Education is for a purpose. If the purpose does not have God in view, then it is godless education, and it will eventually produce godless results. The objective of education is not service to self, the community, business, church, or state, but service to God. Education which does not serve God is an empty education, and that emptiness will be filled by other gods to serve.....

Children are placed under the authority, and protection, and tutelage, not of the government, nor of the church, but of the parents. Parents are accountable to God for how their children are raised. Barring unusual and unavoidable circumstances, we- the parents- will answer to God for who raises our child, and for how they are raised. God is not going to place the primary blame for any failures upon the government, or upon the church, but upon us, the parents.

We have been given such a privilege to be able to teach our children at home. To hand over our children to the school system is really denying ourselves and our children a blessing that God has given to us!

Christmas Party

Tonight was our first staff Christmas party for Answers in Genesis. There was anywhere from 400-500 people in attendance :) It was nice being able to meet many of the people hubby works with outside his computer department (we know most everyone in his group). It was so funny watching our 4 yr old say "There's Ken Ham!!!" or "Where did Ken Ham go?" They have only ever seen him on videos or in the books we have.....so I know they enjoyed getting to meet him tonight and shake his hand. We also were able to go on a ferry ride across the river there and back again. We even were able to sit next to some volunteers that just happen to be our good friends from church back in South Carolina! They have come to volunteer for the week, so it was great being able to see them again. The supper was very good and the kids were zonked by the time we got home! A very enjoyable evening......

Christmas photo

I don't know why I attempt this alone! I should learn from year's past to wait for hubby to get home to help me take our Christmas photo of the kids!! But anyway, last week I lined them up and between our 2 yr old wanting to do some rather elaborate posing, our 6 year old squinting, our 4 year old not liking to smile for pictures....well, I think we will have to try again when daddy is around to help :) Here is one good shot I got though.

Birthday celebration

Here are some birthday pics from last night. All my cake supplies are still packed away, but I managed to find this pooh bear mold handy.....and since our girl likes 'pooh bear' it worked out perfectly :) She enjoyed her cards from everyone and was very, very excited about her baby carriage!!

Birthday girl

We now have a 2 year old! Where has my baby gone??? She is such a big girl now and has developed quite the sense of humor. Her vocabulary took off after our move several months ago. She loves to do everything her big brothers and sister do! ..... and she is definitely the most mischevious one of the bunch so far :) She is mommy's girl for sure (which I love) and we still have yet to figure out if she is a lefty or a righty! She constantly switches hands for eating, drawing, coloring etc. Here is a pic of our big girl! Birthday pics to come later...

Quick update

Not much new going on around here. We did get the Christmas tree up. Our little miss has already been into the tree and broke one non-glass ornament. Our 4 yr old is not happy that his zebra now only has one leg!!
The kids were also able to feel baby sister move last night for the first time. I love how their eyes got so big when a kick was felt.
I've also been enjoying cooking and baking. I have made homemade chicken noodle soup twice now and it was delicious!!! I think we'll be making more banana bread today :)
I've done a little Christmas shopping online....I love that I don't need to be at the malls, just wait for the package to arrive at the door!
Here's a pic of the kids after they finished decorating the tree.....

Best ever Banana Bread

Tis the time for baking for alot of us. Here is a recipe for banana bread I found on All Recipes. I tweaked it according to one of the reviews from a lady who has been baking for over 40 years. It was fantastic and our family gobbled it up....very delicious and moist!!
(this makes 2 loaves)
Ingredients
1 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3.5 cups all-purpose flour
1.5 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
2 cups mashed bananas
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 9x5 loaf pans.
In a large bowl, cream butter and add white sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, mix well. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix into the butter mixture until smooth. Fold in sour cream and bananas. Pour evenly into loaf pans. Bake for 60 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 mins before removing to wire rack. Cool completely before cutting!

You will love it!!!!