Christmas preparations

Well Christmas is fast approaching.  I wish I was as prepared as these photos would lead one to believe.  We spent the days after Thanksgiving getting the house decorated.  The new tree is a bit big but beautiful.  Not sure how my dear Terbear got her shoulder length hair wound and tangled in the curtain, but she is extremely gifted.

This past weekend we enjoyed a wonderful Saturday baking and candy making with my dear childhood friend, Linds, her mom, my mom, and the 3 big girls.  Our creations turned out oh so cute and we had a wonderful time together.  We made peanut butter reindeer cookies ( I think over 160), melted snowman cookies, famous sugar cookies, Christmas mice, and turtle candy.

Thanksgiving

We celebrated a great Thanksgiving.  The family traveled just a bit for a big family celebration of pot luck lunch that did not seem to end.  So many things to be thankful for...my Lord and Savior Jesus, my family, my wonderful husband, the dear precious girls I have been blessed with, friends,...I could continue and never fully express my gratitude for all that God has graced me with.  

Do they get cuter?

Watch out

My two karate stars.  Watch out world we have trophies and orange belts now!

Big girl day

My eldest and I went to enjoy some facials last week, thanks to a dear friend.  It was a first experience for her and some of the procedures were new for me too.  She's face were so smooth, she couldn't stop touching it.  We went for a nice lunch date and enjoyed visiting.  My dear daughter is growing up, excuse me while I cry ;.(

    

I am updating all our recent field trips and learning experiences.  A few weeks ago we went to a local gem, mineral and fossil show.  The girls really enjoyed the mad scientist demonstration.  The different scavenger hunts were educational and fun.  She was fascinated with a jeweler that was turning marbles into extravagant looking jewelry.  Ter was most intrigued by the fluorescent minerals.  Lolo and I were awed at the couple who had a total kitchen table with food galore made entirely out of rocks and minerals.  It was a sight.  The beauty of all the creations in nature that we saw that day made us marvel at the creation He has made for us.  

Ter the fossil excavator searching for treasure

 She found two dinosaurs, a few jewels, and learned the valuable lesson to hit the screwdriver slow and steady because it sure hurts to keep hitting your hand!

Lolo found a petrified wood fossil

Ren fest

We took a little field trip to a local Renaissance Festival recently.  They have a couple of days set aside during the week for schools to visit.  It was a little tamer than I remember and I liked it.  The girls loved watching the area theater groups do the performances.  Lolo went all out in a jester costume (love that kid), girls rode several rides, including an elephant.  

Little hands helping

My dear Terbear in an effort to assist with chores put the cups up.  I guess they will all get used anyway.  Love her practicality.

The coach

My dear husband coached an all 4th & 5th grade girls soccer team (what does he not have enough estrogen around him at home?) this past fall with our Upward league at church.  After a competitive toiletry drive to stock our church food pantry, our team came in first place.  The reward...my husband wrapped completely in toilet paper.  The baby cried hysterically thinking they were hurting her daddy.  What a sport.  I love that man.

A spooky boo at the zoo

We traveled to the local zoo for some fun fall activities.  We had a scavenger hunt for animals, decorated pumpkins, played carnival games and had a good time.  The weather was a bit cold, but the company of friends was great.  I love field trip days.

Add and her painted pumpkin

Lolo and her look alike

She and a happy smile

Ter and her masterpiece

Sister's apple sure looks good, she won't mind if I have a bite because its nice to share

Friends and animals

A good read

I recently finished another great historical fiction book, A Lasting Impression, by Christian author, Tamera Alexander.  The vibrant detailed setting of the Belmont mansion was breathtaking.  Tensions from the recent Civil war are apparent and the currents of conflict are plausible as they interplay within the characters.  I was left with a desire to know more about the mansion and the real life characters that inspired her work.  I also found a new favorite author and am looking forward to getting my hands on another of her masterpieces.    

School moment

One of my many favorite things about homeschooling...history lessons on the lawn.

Reading time

I am usually much more of a fiction reader but I recently finished, Behind the Veils of Yemen, a fascinating autobiography.  The author's testimony and honest questions were inspiring and real.  I found myself pronouncing the dialogue and visualizing the environment.  The book fueled my desire for missionary evangelism and gave me a compassion for a group of woman around the world.  It was a refreshing break.

Fun times at the park

We spent the day getting submerged in Texas history and had a great time.  A local ranch had a Texians Day with activities, demonstrations, and homes from the 1830's to 1960's.  I think She found the times and activities alluring and left the park looking to volunteer next time.  Lo had a hard time getting the seeds out of the cotton, but was great at the printing press.  T-bear was a champion hoop & stick player and even speculated on how to adapt the game for items currently crowding the garage space.  Add liked the pigs, chicken, horses and animals that were roaming everywhere, but jumped every time the guns or cannon was fired.  The girls made some Victoria rag dolls and plan to host the activity for a service project soon.  The architecture progressed from practical to gorgeous but the only thing I can say for the 'no air conditioner era' is thank the Lord I am here for such a time as this.  

Book Review

Recently a friend shared with me a way to get my hands on some enjoyable reads and I jumped at the chance.  I have always had a passion for books.  The latest enjoyment was a Christian historical fiction jewel, Wings of a Dream, written by a skilled author, Anne Mateer.  This is her first contracted book, but she is definitely talented.  The book is set in end World War I era, with several dramatic ties to the characters.  The main individual has all her dreams and future plans mapped out, knowing she wants so much more from her life for her future.  Events beyond her control force circumstances to change and she finds herself in a situation she could never have dreamed up.  Through multiple chapters filled with adventures and adversity she must re-evaluate all she previously thought she wanted.  Anyone who has gained insight from life can certainly relate and with a foundation of faith this book is a marvelous treasure.  Now I eagerly await the next page turner.