Some Favorite Books from 2012

I enjoy looking at other people's book lists- what they are going to read, what they read last year.  It's fun to see titles I've read, too, and even more fun to find ones I haven't read but now plan to.

It's hard to remember all the books we've been into this year but here are a (very) few favorites from 2012.

Jack:  The Mark of Athena Danny Dunn books, Hardy Boys,  The Bronze Bow

Kayla:  Understood Betsy, Meet Caroline,  Nancy Drew, The Littles,  Betsy-Tacy books

Sammy:  Billy and Blaze books, Earl the Squirrel, My Father's Dragon, The Story of Ping, Charlotte's Web

Lucy:  Earl the Squirrel, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Richard Scarry Books, The Little Fir Tree

For me:

Window Poems by Wendell Berry

A Place in Time by Wendell Berry (which was added to my WB collection this Christmas!)

Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield (an excellent non-fiction read)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

The Hobbit by Tolkien

The Envy of Eve by Melissa Kruger (another great non-fiction read)

 

I'll have to ask Brian for some of his- I know he's read some good ones.

 

It bugs me that I can't remember more but there's a taste.

Friday After Christmas

We came home the day after the ice and wind hit.  Here's what we found.  Thankfully the playset wasn't damaged.  Brian spent a good part of Friday cutting up the tree and ended up with poison ivy.

While Brian was working on the tree the kids and I went to visit Grandma Lucy.  We spent a lot of time looking through her boxes of old, old pictures.  I LOVE those boxes.  Hopefully some of those photos will show up on the blog soon.

One more picture before we hit the road.  That was a sweet day with Grandma, Mom, and Dad.

The Waters Christmas

We also had Christmas with the Waters!  Brian's sister and her family came to VA from Ohio.

Lucy and Joel waiting for presents.

Mary and Jack

Post-opening.  I think they had fun!

Getting into the popcorn tin.  Joel knows a good thing when he sees it.

Reading a new book with Granny.

Caroline, Sammy, and Kayla were watching the bird feeder and enjoying more popcorn.

It was a fun weekend and a little sad when the Ohio cousins left for home.  We'll all look forward to the next time!

January 1

Happy 2013 to you!

We have spent this first day of a new year putting away Christmas decorations.  As much as I dislike  the process, I am always glad to have it all out of the way.  I'm kinda ready to move on!

I never make New Year's resolutions. I'd forget them by tomorrow anyway.  One thing I hope to do is keep a running record of all the books we read this year- either aloud or on our own.  We'll see how far we get with that.

I got a lovely bird feeder for Christmas that hangs off the back deck now.  Lucy was watching it this morning and said, "Hey Mom- those birds are playing ring around the rosey by the bird feeder."  Cute.

Also this morning, from another room, I heard Kayla helping Sammy learn Psalm 121 verse by verse.  He hung in there for a while, then was done. That was a nice thing to hear in the new year.

Christmas with the Crouses

Christmas 2012 was a little different this year.  We spent it at Mom and Dad's instead of at Grandma's.  (We got to see her a few days later.)  Mom knocked herself out with decorating, presents, and a lot of really good food.  My brother and his family were there.  The kids had a great time playing together.  It was a Christmas to remember.

Stockings on Christmas morning.

I think this was from Christmas Eve- gag gifts.

Elijah's first Christmas

Waiting

Games

Sammy with Uncle Jeff setting off a rocket

All the cousins

Enjoying some down time with a new book, Hokie blanket, and pillow pet

All tuckered out after a fun day.  This made Papa just a little happy.

Christmas Parade

Trucks, motorcycles, more trucks, a few Santas, and some horses.  A little candy.
That sums up the Christmas Parade last week.  We had a great time with friends at our spot in front of the local coffee shop.

This is Mr. Sanders, one of Lucy's favorite people.

A Great Blessing

It is cold and windy and even a little white outside.
Perfect in my book.
The kids are all on the couch with popcorn and a Christmas movie.  I have plenty to do around the house- just the normal stuff plus wrap some presents.  For now, I'll sit with the kids and my coffee and the tree- and recount some of what I am thankful for this Christmas.
Last Sunday night we had an advent service at church.  We worshiped together and it was beautiful.

Can you see the worship team?  We are so blessed.  And of course there is Brian- the pastor (!!!) of this church plant.  I loved that six months ago we were not meeting yet and here we are having our first advent service.  For some reason it was a little surreal.

A few of the kids even sang.

I count this church plant as one of our greatest blessings this year.  For the church itself.  But also for the people.  Most weeks I leave somewhat overwhelmed and grateful at the many people who serve week in and week out, to set up chairs and the sound system- then take it all down again.   For those who teach Sunday school, who set up and serve in the nursery.  For people who sweep up and empty trash.  For those who stuff bulletins and welcome people in.  For those who plan and lead worship. For those who lead home groups and for those who go to them.  For those who bring food and coffee.  For those who encourage their pastor.  For those who meet during the week.  For every person that comes on Sunday morning.  For our mother church that sacrificed greatly. For the leadership.

 For those who pray.  

For the truth of the gospel that is held out to all every single week.

For Jesus- this is His work and He is faithful to grow us all and change us by His grace.

"To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen."

1 Timothy 1:17