Daddy time...

I couldn't resist posting this pic - Allyson loves to cuddle up to sit by dad.  They are both watching something else, otherwise I would never get this shot.  :)

Cheesecake

I have to brag a little.  This is the first cheesecake I made from scratch.  Since I made this one, I have made several more - they are soooo yummy!  

Yes - there are cracks in it - guess what - they are supposed to be there - with this recipe - it is supposed to crack.  Love that - imperfection!  

Can't wait to find more recipes to try!  Yum!  

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

I was recently introduced to the author Colleen Coble through another review.  I loved that book, so wanted to read more by her.  

This book did not disappoint!  Blue Moon Promise begins in the year 1877 with the character Lucy Marsh.  She is determined to take care of her younger brother and sister, after their father dies.  With diminishing funds, and less than a week to find a different place to live, Lucy chooses to lean on her faith in God and accepts an offer for a proxy marriage from an old friend of her family.  Sight unseen, she travels to Texas to begin her "new life" and meet her husband, in hopes to find a safe refuge.  

After arriving in Texas and meeting her husband, Lucy is determined to prove her worth and be a help on the cattle ranch.  Nate Stanton, is surprised to find his father has returned with a wife, and family for his son.  Seeing Lucy, Nate's impression is that she is small, and will not fit in on the cattle ranch.  

Both determined to give the marriage a chance, they return to Nate's home.  Lucy and Nate have many adjustments to face in their new situation.  After facing dangers, Nate finds that he would do anything to protect his new wife, and her siblings.  Through trials, and faith in God, Lucy and Nate learn to live as a family.  

I look forward to the next book in this series.  

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

Sisters of the Quilt Trilogy by Cindy Woodsmall

When I began reading this book, I assured myself I would give it a fair chance.  It didn't take much convincing.  After reading the first chapter, I was hooked.  This book kept  me interested until the very last page.  I love that it has all 3 books combined in one volume - no waiting to get the next book.  

The book about an Old Order Amish community focuses on the life a a seventeen-year-old girl named Hannah Lapp.  She is forced to face questions that her family, her fiance' nor her faith can easily answer.  After trying to protect the ones she loves, and dealing with her own losses, and rejection, Hannah leaves her Amish community to enter the Englischer world, in search of finding herself.  She deals with the stark differences of what she knows and her new reality.  As Hannah begins to make a life for herself, she begins find herself, while working on healing from her losses.  Keeping no ties to her family and friends back home, they continue to deal with the aftermath of her leaving.  After several years, Hannah returns to the Old Order Amish community in hopes of helping her sister.  After finding the truths about those she loves, Hannah chooses the path for her life.   Does Hannah stay in the Englischer world, or return to the Old Order Amish ways that she was raised?  

 

You can purchase this book here for a great price.  

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

Journaling

Allyson came home with this paper of what she wrote during class yesterday.  I couldn't resist sharing.  

It says... 

I like to play wii.  I am going to my cusins hows  my cousins will be meen to me to.  I like my little cusin to.  

Cub Scouts Turtle Race

Caden participated in the Cub Scouts turtle races last night.  He and dad had a fun time painting and decorating the turtle.  Caden was insistent that he wanted a dragon on his turtle.  

Caden placed 3rd in the race. There was a string that you put through the hole on the top of the turtle, and you have to "walk" the turtle on the bottom 2 legs (where Caden's hands are in the above picture) and see which turtle gets to the finish first.  

Dutch Dress Up

While cleaning out some things in my Grandpa's storage, some Dutch costumes were found.  They need some TLC, but we had fun trying them on and taking some pictures.  The kids clothes were the perfect size for Caden and Allyson.  A question from both kids was..."they really wear these kind of shoes?  They are hard and not very comfortable."

Moments of Truth by John MacArthur

This is a devotional book that is designed around the calendar.  Each month has a different topic.  January - Beginnings, February - Love, May - Parenting, September - Work, November - Money, Giving, Discipline, and Self - Control, December - Jesus' Birth and Life.  
When I received this book, I was hesitant, as I have read my share of devotionals.  I was pleasantly surprised as I began reading - at the beginning - January.  WOW!  One of the first days topic is titled "Don't Give Up the True Beginning".  It addresses the worldly ideas and beliefs that Genesis 1-3 is not true.  Absolutely NO! MacArthur goes on to give support of why this is not true.  
In the Parenting section (May), MacArthur has a devotion titled "Teach Your Kids to Guard Their Minds".  I love this as it challenges readers to think about what kids and even parents are putting into their minds via television, internet, etc.  "What do you do to model the type of heart guard your child(ren) need?"
The above quote is taken from the May 19 devotion.  I love that each day ends with a thought question to ponder.  These questions really made me think.  
I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a devotional book.  You can read this on a daily basis and start at the beginning, or you could start in the June section that discusses Marriage, or any topic that  you wish.   I love that this book has some flexibility for the reader.   


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

Taekwondo

Caden wanted to try out a new hobby this winter.  He started Taekwondo and loves it.
He did his first testing on December 17.  He wasn't at all nervous to do the testing.  I was more nervous during the testing than he was.  He did so well (that's mom talking).  He is so proud and reminds me frequently that while it was his group's turn to test, that the judges told him "great job with the Kin-Yea's, Caden".  (apologies for the spelling - I have no idea how to spell, them)  
He passed his first testing and has now moved on from a white belt to an orange belt.

Proud of his orange belt! 

Showing off a kick.

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.