I'm baaaa-aaaaaaaack!

John picked out and bought a camera for me last weekend!! It's WONDERFUL. I have a lot to
learn (not many automatic settings on this puppy) but it's so much fun!!
I'm so much more inspired to blog when I have a picture to go along.
Isn't this little guy adorable. I don't know what kind he is but he's my favorite. Often the Cardinals and Blue Jay's come flapping in and scaring this tiny pudge away but he always returns.

This wonderful book John bought me is about the size of Grudem's Theology but it's so well written. If you ever want a guide to digital photography I definitely recommend this man's books, David D. Busch. He is thorough without being over the top and adds his own comments and jokes along the way. It's been awhile since I've wanted to sit down at 10pm to start reading something that challenges my brain. :-)




John and I enjoying the fire while we take turns with the camera and interrupt each others reading with new shots.

The kids and I love watching the birds on our feeder at breakfast.

Goosey Gander

There was a branch rubbing up against the house making a huge racket outside John Patrick window that sounded strangely like a goose honking. I told John Patrick to just pretend it was a goose living on the roof all snuggled up in it's nest and I called it "Goosey Gander". Today I thought it would be a good idea to cut the annoying branch off. When I told John Patrick I cut the branch he said, "you mean Goosey Gander?" He looked so hurt. I can just see him up there dreaming away about an adventurous goose on our roof and I just murdered it. At least I didn't cut it too far back to so I could tell him it will probably be back. :-)

Too much fun

We are having so much fun this Christmas. School happens in between talking about the gift of Jesus and baking, shopping, celebrating and cleaning up from all of the above. John Patrick read, "mad at me" today. This is a blessing considering about every third day he forgets what sound half of the letters say. :-) I've been assured by an old home schooling pro that this is just boys and the key word right now is RELAX. If he can't read a word until he's 8 but loves to learn he'll get it. "Encourge him in the love of learning" she said. If she hadn't home schooled 3 boys herself (very successfully I might add, they're brilliant) I would think she was crazy. The child she said is her most brilliant didn't read much of anything at all until he was 8. encouraging.

Character building is ramped up for mommy as I remember my high calling in life. Mary said it best, "let it be unto me as you have said." It's so easy to stress over things being hectic during the holidays but I'm working hard at patience and taking advantage of what life brings each day instead of planning it all out to perfection. That never worked anyway.

Anella has a new "stand your ground" motto for life. Only one short month after my post about her sweet and angelic personality. :-) I can't blame her though, a girl can only stand to be picked up and drug around the house as the pretend puppy so many times.

This is the first year we have had to take a stand on Santa. I'm not opening a debate here, we're not calling the shots for anyone other than our family. We found a great book about St. Nicholas that I love. It helps me show John Patrick who St. Nick was when he asks questions and it shows how he gave gifts out of his love for Jesus. Then I tell him that Santa Claus is another nic name. We just try to use Santa to point to the one who really does see you when your sleeping and know when you're awake. Tonight we delivered a meal to a family and then John Patrick said, "mom, we're glorifying God just like St. Nicholas." :-) Now if only we could get this to apply to sharing toys with your sisters...

The Senate is voting as early as today on an amendment to the health care bill being offered by Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) which will ensure that abortion is not funded by government dollars.
Please call the U.S. Capitol switchboard NOW at 202-224-3121 and ask your state's two U.S. Senators (McConnell and Bunning) to vote for the Nelson Amendment on abortion funding.