New Year ~ 2012

We are well into 2012 so it is probably about time I get back into blogging.
I love looking back at the blog posts and reading about our family events, and day to day life.
I hope to do a little better at posting here this year.  Maybe I can make a goal to post once a week.  You can help keep me accountable by commenting - I love to read your comments, and it gives me incentive to continue posting, as I know you are reading.  :)  Thanks in advance!

As part of our Christmas present for the kids this year, we spent New Year's eve in a waterpark/hotel.
It was great away time, and the kids had so much fun.  We enjoyed being away with just us 4.

Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble

Lonestar Angel is an excellent book!  I rate it 5 stars!
This book is an excellent story of love, loss, and learning to trust.
The book begins 5 years ago when Eden and Clay Larson's baby was stolen and never found.  Eden blamed herself and Clay buried himself in his work.  Their young marriage ended, or so Eden thought.
Eden moved to Indiana and is moving on with her life.  She has found her faith, and met a nice,christian man that she plans to marry.  During an evening out, Clay interrupts their dinner with some shocking news.  1.  They're still married, and 2.  Clay never gave up searching for their daughter Brianna, and now believes he has found her, in Texas.
Eden and Clay go to Texas to a youth ranch where they believe their daughter is.  They work as counselors at the youth ranch for the children.  In doing this, they discover so much about themselves, their families, all the while trying to determine which of the 4 little girls is their Brianna.  Danger is close at hand as the couple rediscovers their love for each other.  They are up against snakes, storms, fire, and kidnapping.
In the end, they discover the truth about that horrible day 5 years ago, and their real daughter.  How can they turn their backs on the 4 girls they have grown to love?
Read this wonderful story to find out.
I couldn't put this book down.  My only issue with this book is that I want to read the rest of the series, and that I have been introduced to an amazing new Christian author!  

Disclaimer:  I received this book for review purposes.  No other compensation was received.  All views expressed are my honest opinions.  

Restless in Carolina by Tamara Leigh

This book was a fun book to sit down and read.
The story begins with Bridget, a widow who has lost trust in God.  After being a widow for 4 years, her family thinks it is time for her to move on.  They need her help in selling the large family estate.  Bridget is an Eco-friendly nursery owner, who cares very much about the future of the family estate, and doesn't want to see it sold to the highest bidder to be made into single family homes.  She takes on this challenge, and has sought out J.C. Dirks as the developer with a good reputation for his green developments.  After meeting, she is hopeful for the sale.  J.C. comes to look at the estate.  Meanwhile, Bridget's father introduces her to his friend's son who is also interested in purchasing the estate, and maybe a relationship with Bridget.  Being a widow, Bridget has been out of the dating scene but she finds herself with 2 potential buyers for the estate, and 2 potential relationships.
Both Bridget, J.C. Dirk, and Caleb have to let go of their pasts, in order to move on to the future.  In this process, 2of the characters find themselves back in the church.
Read the book to find out who wins the purchase of the estate and who wins Bridget's heart.

Disclaimer:  I received this book for review purposes.  No other compensation was received.  All views expressed are my honest opinions.  

1st Snow of the season

The kids are enjoying the first snowfall of the season. They are so excited to play in the snow.  The temperature is in the 20's and there is little wind - which makes it perfect for playing outside.  

Fall Sunday Afternoon

After church this morning, we went to enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon outdoors.  We roasted hot dogs and had lots of good salads for lunch.  Then we went on a hike.  What a beautiful day.

Trent with some of the kids...

 Allyson and Mom

Caden

 My beautiful kids

Hailey, Caden, Allyson, Carly, Hannah

 The hiking group

 3 generations - Dave, Jesse, Chase

Pumpkins

The kids had pumpkin day at school on Friday.  This was the treat that Allyson and I made for her to share with her class.  

There were enough for everyone in the class and even a couple extra so both kids could enjoy one as an after school snack.  

Happy 80th Birthday!

My grandpa celebrated his 80th birthday this week.  We helped him celebrate with an open house on Sunday afternoon.  Lots of family and friends came to wish him birthday wishes.

Campground Trick or Treating

The first weekend in October, we went to the campground to trick or treat.  The weather was warm and the kids had fun.  

 Uncle Dan dressed up as "Phil" from the movie Hangover.  He borrowed Allyson's tiger to complete his costume.  

 Allyson, Carly, Elsie

Broc, Caden and Eli trick or treating

 Eli and Caden

The Crossing - Book Review

The Crossing by Serita Jakes

This book was a book that had me interested within the first chapter.  It kept me intrigued until the very end, and trying to guess the conclusion.  

This is a not what I would call a traditional christian fiction book.  I would certainly recommend this book for more mature readers.  The characters in this story deal with some real issues, including anger, drunkenness, depression, greed, adultery, abuse, and many more.  

A high school cheerleader, Claudia was riding the team bus home after a Friday night football game.  While at a railroad crossing, a masked gunman comes onto the bus and murders the bus driver, the cheerleading coach, injures one of the football players.  

Fast forward ten years, and the murder is unsolved.  With the help of Officer Casio Hightower,  the football player who survived being shot that dreadful night, Victor Campbell, Claudia's husband, sets out to solve this mystery and help put the demons and nightmares to rest.  Claudia suffers from PTSD from this incident where her best friend dies and Claudia is there to not only witness, but sit by her side through her last breaths.  

As the story unfolds, and the investigation of what happened at the railroad crossing ten years before continues, each character has their own "crossing" to deal with.  Will they be able to find the truth of that night, and more importantly find the truth of Christ?  

I look forward to reading more books by Serita Jakes.  

Disclaimer:  I received this book for review purposes.  No other compensation was received.  All views expressed are my honest opinions.  

The Baker's Wife - Book Review

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

This book was a great read.  I love books that have some suspense, mystery, and a christian theme, and this book had all three.

The book begins with a pastor, Geoff and his wife, Audrey doing the Lord's work.  On Geoff's day off, they bake bread together,  and then Audrey delivers a loaf of bread to the individuals she feels the Lord has placed on her heart to visit and pray about.  

When a scandal forces the pastor leave the church, this husband and wife duo open a bakery.  During a foggy, early morning drive to the bakery, Audrey's car hits a scooter belonging to Julie, a teacher in town, and the police detective (Jack's) wife.  Jack is a council member of the church where Geoff is the former pastor. There is no body to be found, but lots of blood.  The police detective blames Audrey.   Jack searches to find out what happened to his missing wife, with little evidence.  Convinced he is doing God's work, Jack takes the bakery, with those inside, hostage.  He makes an impossible request, for Audrey to bring his wife to him, or he will kill her husband and son, held hostage in the bakery.  Audrey must work together with an ex-con and a unbelieving teen, to unravel the mystery of where Julie is and convince Jack of the truth before he does something to hurt her family.  

Audrey tries her best to follow God's guidance to help her loved ones held hostage in the bakery.

Healy covers many different issues including...loss, acceptance, love, and forgiveness.  I enjoyed this book because it had a great story, kept me coming back to the very end, and challenged the reader to define a sincere christian life.    

Disclaimer:  I received this book for review purposes.  No other compensation was received.  All views expressed are my honest opinions.