Reading Update- four books read

I finished Matthew Kelly's, "The Rhythm of Life".  He is a great speaker and has written several books.  It is inspiring.   From the back cover.

"Everything is a choice.   This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson.  It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power to live the life of our dreams.  It is a hard lesson because it causes us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now." 

I will probably reread this one a few times.  This book has lots of good insight, challenges you to think about your life and choices, and it is easy to read. 

I snuck in a Tracie Peterson novel, "Dawn's Prelude" and read another easy romance this weekend.  (Too much serious reading- needed my book fix.)  Can I count the easy books in my quest for 52 books this year?  I think I will.

Pinewood Derby

Isaac had a great day at the Pinewood Derby yesterday.  I am so proud of both Isaac and Brian.  Last year, they had purchased a precut car.  This year, Isaac and Brian, participated in a cutting day workshop and Brian downloaded a pattern to cut.  They painstakingly sanded and painted, put stickers on, and glued the Lego man to a block on the car (so he can be removed later.)  I had prepped Isaac emotionally before the race, "Hey buddy, just because you got a trophy last year, doesn't mean you'll get one this year.  You know that, right.  No tears.  Be a good sport."  All set to race. 

READY...SET... GO!!!

Isaac ended up with 1st for the Wolves and 3rd overall Pack finish.  We are so happy for him.

Little brother posing too.

FINIS

I have officially finished one of the books on my book list.  (51 more to go.... a little behind the curve already - not all should be as challenging as this book, though some will be harder no doubt.  Hmmm, maybe I should revise my goal to 12 or 25 good books.  We will see.  I am not one to give up this early.)

I struggled with the language style for the first 180 pages or so but the book became easier to read as I went on and I was able to read the last quarter of the book last night.  (This just shows how many easy readers I must truly read when it so taxes my mind to read something a little different.  It was a good story and I should like to reread it one day-especially the last half of the book.)  Hopefully I have awakened a few brain synapses that haven't seen use in a while. 

My favorite quote this read was, "But I have always observed, that they who are good natured when children, are good natured when they grow up;..." Mrs. Reynolds - Mr. Darcy's housekeeper.

BTW, isn't this a yummy copy.  Leather bound, with 22kt gold accent - borrowed from my friend's collection of  "The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written", published by The Easton Press.  I heart great pretty book collections.  It reminds me of my cousin Alice's (like a grandmother to me) wall full of great books when I was growing up.  I didn't know anyone else who owned so many nice books when I was a child.  She was a retired schoolteacher and a wonderful lady.

Date Night

Hannah and Brian enjoyed an evening out at the Girl Scout Ball this Saturday. 

Zoo trip

With Brian's day off on Monday, we took a quick trip to the zoo.   Feeding the birds was a highlight....

This little clown fish, kept going out, and back in again, just like in a movie I know...

Fun day.

Goals 2010

A little late....but if I aim at nothing... I will hit it.
 Family goals/relationships
• 1 date night/month  2 already for Jan
• 2 family game nights month - Saturdays
• read aloud chapter book -1/month-read 5 nights a week
• read next Sunday’s reading aloud to kids and discuss – Wed nights
• set up Chore system by Jan 30

Books I want to read:   I would like to read 52 in 52 weeks- not all just fluff
1. Read bible in year
2. The Well Educated Mind, Susan Wise Bauer
3. The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom
4. Gifted Hands, Ben Carson
5. Pioneer Women Cooks, Ree Drummond
6. In Defense of Food--- starting now
7. You on a Diet,
8. Emma, Austin
9. Pride and Predjudice, Austin - now
10. Mere Christianity, CS Lewis
11. Screwtape Letters, CS Lewis
12. The Container Kitchen Garden
13. Take Three, Karen Kingsbury
14. Take Four, Karen Kingsbury
15. Teresa of Avila - 'Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself'
16. Augustine 'The Confessions'
17. Homer 'The Iliad and the Odyssey'

Financial Goals
• Use cash for entertainment/eating out/groceries
• save more and give more than last year
• Fund emergency fund by March 2010

Mind/Spirit
Read bible daily
Start or join catholic couples study or women's study
Research homeschooling (for oldest child)

Health and fitness goals
Take vitamins every day
Run 5 K in February
Run 10 k in April
- Run four days a week

Leisure goals
Scrapbook – once a month workshops
Take pix and read photography books/blogs - new lens

Christmas

Our computer was down throughout the Christmas holiday.  It was great because it prevented me from spending too much time on the computer - not that I would ever do that....

Anyway, here are some of our Christmas highlights in pictures.