Gifts, Christmas Specials, and The Best Children's Bible Ever

We finished making the last of the gifts for our teachers and staff
at the big girls' two schools.  Super cute, yes?

 Bill found some Christmas shows for the girls to watch after dinner and baths:

Surgery Highly Doubtful...

...my favorite words of the day!

I'm so excited that this girl

 had a fantastic eye doctor's appointment this morning.  Thanks to those of you who were praying for us.  Her chances of having the same surgery that Espy had when she was five years old are getting

Thankful (27)

Thankful for children's books

Photo by: Cory Connor

 and our girls' love for them.

Thankful (17)

Thankful for fantastic books.

Photo Source

Non-fiction.

Fiction.

I'm a nerd like that.

To the Daddies

our girls and their favorite man

I read this last night and had to share:

I have watched daughters talk to fathers.  When you come in to the room, they change.  Everything about them changes: their eyes, their mouths, their gestures, their body language.  Daughters are never lukewarm in the presence of their fathers.  They might take their mothers for granted, but not you.  They light up - or they cry.  They watch you intensely.  They hang on your words.  They hope for

Lifetime of Learning

The forever nerd in me loves this post. 
Read on fellow nerds,
and be encouraged to pursue a lifetime of learning.

Photo by: D. Sharon Pruitt

Simply Amazing

Please read this book.

And follow this blog.
And this one, too.
Be humbled and amazed.
Be inspired to love the way He loves.

At The Moment

.:READING:.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Like my friend told me,
Don't watch the trailer until you've finished reading the book.
My advice is the same.
SUCH a good book.
Thanks for letting me borrow it, Derek!

Also,
Radical by David Platt
I just started reading this one (suggested by The Husband).
Has anyone read it yet?

.:KEEPING:.
Isabella from falling off anything & everything.
The child loves to climb and has no fear.
Not a good combination.

.:BAKING:.
I LOVE BLUEBERRIES.
Please make these.
So simple, but so good.

Photo by: Wanda

.:WATCHING:.
Brothers
Not for the faint of heart.

.:TRYING:.
new cloth diapers soon.
I'm excited!

.:MAKING:.
plans for the fall.
The Husband & The Girls keep things busy!

.:CONGRATULATING:.
a friend on being a superstar.

What are you up to these days?
Leave your thoughts, I'd love to know!

Good Ol' James (II)

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
.:James 1:13-18:.

The husband is speaking on this passage today.
James is awesome.

Photo by: Filipe Ferriera

Good Ol' James

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
.:James 1:1-12:.

The husband is preaching on these verses this morning.
Sweet.

Photo by: Worapol S.

Mommy Things

It may sound trite, but I am at a point in my life where I'm trying to keep things simple. I could go on and on and on about that - but we can talk about that later.

I love reading all sorts of blogs - but,
that's another post for another time as well.
I enjoy reading other people's thoughts on motherhood. Simple Mom in particular is great for my new desire for simplicity.

Speaking of Simple Mom, she's having a great giveaway of Jamie Martin's new book Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood.

To all my mommy friends: stop by her blog to enter the giveaway.
I did!

Photo by: D Sharon Pruitt

At the Moment

You might remember me doing this in a previous post.
Here's what I happen to be doing these days:

.:READING:.
James
also known as
James: Christian Living for Dummies by my friend, Rachel.
Awesome, awesome, awesome.
If you haven't read it, you should read it. Right now.
If you have read it, you should read it. Right now.

Also,
Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit
by Francis Chan
Good, good stuff.

.:KEEPING:.
my new piece of jewelry clean.
(Yay!)

.:BAKING:.
Apple Dumplings - possibly for the third time in two weeks.
I love them because they are so easy to make and so amazing to eat.
SO. AMAZING.
If you make these, I promise you'll love me
and The Pioneer Woman forever.
Promise.

Photo by: Ree Drummond

.:WATCHING:.
The Wiggles
(Isabella's favorite these days)

.:TRYING:.
to get up early in the mornings.
It's so hard, but the alone time is so very worth it!

.:MAKING:.
a coffee date with a sweet friend.

.:CONGRATULATING:.
an adorable family on the birth of a new baby girl!

What do you happen to be doing at the moment?
Leave your thoughts, I'd love to know!

At the Moment

I saw this on another blog and wanted to share with you.

.:READING:.Everybody's Normal "Til You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
for the third time - it's that good.

.:KEEPING:.
track of all my ToDos - there's a lot going on, isn't there?

.:BAKING:.
a Brownie Mosaic Cheesecake for the second time - it's so yummy.

.:WATCHING:.
The Proposal (Grace's Choice)
Taken (Bill's Choice)

.:TRYING:.to figure out how to get addicted to running like Bill.

.:MAKING:.fun plans with friends.

.:CONGRATULATING:.
a sweet family on the birth of a new baby boy!

What do you happen to be doing at the moment?
Leave your thoughts, I'd love to know!

Not Normal

Read this.

It is so true - don't you think?