Books, books, we love books!

On the sidebar you will see a list of books. There isn't room for me to explain this list there so I'll do it here.

These are books that we have started reading just since living in the travel trailer. The books at the top of the list marked by an asterisk ( * ) are the books that we have started and finished reading since living in the travel trailer.

When I look at the list I am a bit amazed. I wonder if you think we have books glued to our faces or something. Nope, we don't. We don't sit around reading all day either, as much as Guys and I might wish. We typically only read school books during the day, and read all the rest of the books in the evening, after the babies go to bed. No, we don't stay up all night either. Most nights, anyway. Some of us happen to be pretty fast readers. I would say speed readers, but we don't actually have any speed reading certificates so I don't think we can claim that title. We just really love reading.

It also really helps that we don't have a t.v.

Since we read so many books and they are books you typically cannot find in the library, we are always on the lookout for bargains. I just found out that if you agree to post a book report on your blog, certain publishers will give you books for free. FREE. That is just the right price for me.

So, you will be seeing some book reports around here.
I will be sure to make it clear which are the books that I am actually recommending and which are the books that I have to report on so you don't think I just love every book I read.

Becoming a Woman of Simplicity

A book report.

“I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NASB)

If you walk into any book store you will find shelf after shelf of modern day cures for the overwhelmed and frazzled superwoman, the so called Christian Book Store is no exception. These cures are just a band aid, they only temporarily cover up the superficial wounds of running around with too much to do and no purpose for doing it. Becoming a Woman of Simplicity isn’t a superficial band aid. The author really gets to the core of the issue, the lack of being simply and purely devoted to Christ. While other books will encourage you to take more “me time” or hire a professional life coach or trainer, you won’t find those lies here.

Cynthia Heald cuts out all of the “psychology this” and “feelings that” and leads you through an in-depth and thorough bible study filled with the truth, the scriptures and her own thoughts written in an encouraging “Titus 2” format.

This book fits right along with cutting out the crud and getting down to what really matters, what actually counts in life, and that is right up my alley.

If you have ever felt like the pressures of life are suffocating you, this book will get you going in the right direction and reveal the simple truths needed to get you back to breathing.

I really enjoyed this book and I hope to complete it as a study with other women.

Finished Reading!

Hey, so we finished a couple of books recently, that we wanted to talk about. We kinda have a late push to get done all that we can before I start working full time this Monday!

Mom and the children finished King of the Wind. It was the first book in the "History of the Horse" curriculum set. We did a lot of drawing maps, including Morocco, France, and England, while we followed Sham through his adventures. We also are learning how to draw horses from another book that came with the set, we drew several Arabian horses, and I think they were all very satisfied with their improvements.

Mom just finished a Beverly Lewis book, Summerhill Secrets 1, that she got for her birthday. She loves the Amish, and says she wants to be like them. I think she's crazy and reading books about them will have to suffice.

Mom and I also just finished From Playpen to Podium too! It was an excellent Christian book about creating a very communication friendly and encouraging environment. Surprisingly we found that many of the tips they give you for encouraging communication in babies and toddlers are things that we've always just done! Maybe this attests to how quickly our little ones start talking and getting involved. We also like many of the tips for teaching the older children how to start looking at the world around them and actually analyzing it and trying to understand the messages conveyed. We recently did and exercise when my son asked me what a certain billboard was showing. We got to discuss all kinds of things about: Who made the advertisement? What are they selling? How are they trying to sell it? Is it effective? etc... It was an excellent experience.

We'll see how many books we're able to read now that work is back on. Well, I'm sure that mom and the children will be able to continue at a good pace, but I maybe fairly slowed down. Oh, well. We'll keep ya'll posted.

-Mr. Pilot

My Birthday

I turned a year older last Saturday and I wanted to share what a wonderful birthday I had this year. I received hugs, kisses, cards, some cash (yeah!), a Beverly Lewis book, and other very thoughtful gifts from my family and friends.

I got real Cowboy boots from my darling hubby. I have always wanted some, and now I have them. I love them. He actually gave them to me about a month ago and I have been wearing them ever since, but they were for my birthday.

While we were in Florida my wonderful Culburrito friends made me a part of their family birthday tradition, a sweet surprise for me. The Mission Impossible theme song clued everyone in that the celebration was starting and their children all started yelling "A birthday!" Then I was handed a birthday card that contained the first of several rhyming clues, written by the 1 Teenager, and I started off on my very own scavenger hunt. What fun!

I finally found my present buried in the backyard. It was really fun digging in the dirt in the dark with 10 of the 12 children just as eager to see my treasure as I was. My gift was the "Two Alike" Willow Tree figure. It made me cry.

When we got back inside the house my hubby and Mr. Culburrito had the candles on my cake lit. As 3 Adults, 1 Teenager, and 9 Children sang me Happy Birthday and I blew out my candles I cried again. No, I wasn't sad for the blazing fire of candles representing how old I was, I was crying because I dislike cake very much and it wasn't cake.

It was mashed potatoes with gravy for icing. I super love my friends.

I thought we were having mashed potatoes for supper, but they had cleverly told me that Mr. Culburrito dropped the mashed potatoes on the floor while mashing them. It is a good thing I believed them, I am notorious for ruining my own surprises.

The Navy Ball also happened to be on my birthday this year. I love the Navy Ball!

We got all dressed up and had a lovely night out.

I won the beautiful table centerpiece with very sweet smelling and gorgeous Lilies. Almost a week later and they are still looking and smelling delicious.

To end the night I won a $50 door prize!

Yes, this was indeed a lovely birthday. I have so much to be thankful for in my life.

PS~ Don't bother trying to count the candles on my cake, I am not yet 30, that is all that matters ;~)

Memory Journal

Mom thinking out loud as the shelf came crashing down ~ What in the world?

Butter ~ Oh, no! I will get Dad!

Butter to Dad ~ Dad, quick! The World!

Dad ~ What?

Butter ~ The World!

It is truly a JOY to raise little ones.

I just ordered special blank journals, one for each of my children. I want to write moments like these down, so they don't get lost in life. It is my plan to keep a record for each child of the funny things they say, special milestones and moments, along with the struggles and trials they experience. I will also include specifically chosen Bible verses and the prayers that we pray for each one of our children.

We will then present to each child their own journal sometime later in life, maybe on their 18th Birthday or their wedding day...

What a special way to pass down the memories!

Our Adventure for Leif Erickson Day

I don't like when so many days pass without a blog post because then I have a ton of posts floating in my head and don't know which ones to share.

We woke up on a couple Friday morning's ago and saw that it was Leif Erickson day. Since Dad wasn't on the schedule for work and we are about to finish our study on Leif, we decided to take a voyage. See, when you homeschool and aren't tied down to your stuff you can wake up and decide to do completely spontaneous things and have fun adventures.

So we got in our Viking Ship (big van) and set out to explore a new world. Somehow or another the new land we discovered was Milton, Florida. More specifically, it was at our friends, aka the Culburrito's house. Funny how that worked out. It's a 3.5 hour drive and the kids didn't start asking if we were really on a Leif adventure until we entered Milton. They knew we were on the road to Florida, but I think they thought we were going to the ocean or something. We played as thought the waves were taking us where the wind blew all the way until we pulled in the Culburrito's driveway. The children giggled at our surprise.

We planned on staying the weekend and we ended up staying for a whole week. We might be getting addicted to all the sugar they feed us. Actually, we just like how awesome they are and how much we learn from them. I think they learn from us too, though I am not sure what.

4 adults, 1 teenager, 9 children, 2 babies, 3 dogs and 3 cats.

In a 4 bedroom house.

Relaxing.

Bet you don't believe me. But, seriousely, it was totally calm, laid back, and fun. And in the words of the 1 teenager - is was awesome, totally awesome.

Since we said goodbye to them in Milton back in July, we only had plans to see them for Thanksgiving. We have something big planned. We have actually seen them three times already, and are really glad for it.

The 3.5 hour drive is nothing, but it's going to be so sad when they transfer off to the other side of the country for their next part of flight school...

An A Family Update

From the A Family Blog

Baby Steps and Legos
I just wanted to thank all of you who have been praying and loving on my family during this season of our life. Some of you I may never know but I will remember by the peace you helped provide me through your prayer, confirming God is in control and we have an awesome God!

Today I got to go home. Yeah!

Now I look forward to playing Legos with my boys. They are going to enjoy playing with dad. Who knew it would be the simple things like this that will help reprogram my brain and rehabilitate me back to a full recovery.

I have a lot to relearn, and so much to be thankful for. With baby steps and Legos I am on a path to a full recovery!

In His grip!
Mr. A

I hope you enjoy seeing God's answer to prayers in our friends' lives as much as we do! Thanks for your prayers.

Sorry for the Delay!

I have been very busy, but will get back on track this week. When people start calling me to ask where my posts are, I know I am behind. You will hear from me soon!

Another A Family Update

From The A. Family Blog~

We spoke with the neurosurgeon this evening. He was very positive, and said Mark is doing great!

We asked him very specifically if we had to worry about this tumor being the kind of "cancer" that could either spread to other parts of his body, or had come from somewhere else. He immediately and emphatically answered, "No, it's not that kind of a tumor."
He also said that, barring any random microscopic cells or something, he was able to remove all of the tumor.
So that was reassuring, to say the least!

I will keep you posted!

Surgery Update #3 for Mr. A

I just got a text from Mrs. A that says Mr. A came through surgery just fine. He will have a follow-up MRI later today or tomorrow to make sure, but they think they got it all. Thanks for your prayer!

That is good news! I'll post what I hear tomorrow. Thanks for going on this journey with us!