My 2011 Reading List

One of my goals for 2011 was to read more. I was shooting for one book a month. I read 13. And honestly - there was a month when I read 5 or 6 books (when I was reading The Great and Terrible series...seriously, I couldn't put them down!) and months when I didn't finish a book at all! But this is what I read last year.
A Mother's Book of Secrets by Linda Eyre and Shawni Eyre Pothier is an excellent quick read for any young (or not so young) mother! It offers hope and helpful suggestions for ways to be a better parent and gives insight on seeing your children in a different way - and maybe looking at parenting in a different way. And I loved the pictures of their children that are in the book. I would also suggest you check out their website: The Power of Moms at www.PowerofMoms.com. I would also check out: 71toes.blogspot.com

While My Sister Sleeps - it's a bit of a love story, entwined in a families struggle to understand one another and cope in the midst of a crisis.

The 17 Second Miracle may just change your life a bit! I enjoyed this book a LOT.

And if you haven't read The Help yet - you should!

One Week in December - interesting book - I have conflicted feelings about it - but overall, it was an ok read.

I read this series of books called 'The Great and Terrible' by Chris Stewart. It is an Excellent series of books that I would HIGHLY recommend.






Water for Elephants - loved the book although it does have a few raunchy passages in it. I was glad they didn't bring those out in the movie - but overall I liked the book.

The Message - another interesting read.

Not sure how my reading list for 2012 will end up - but I am looking forward to continuing the trend! I didn't quite finish reading The Book of Mormon again, and I've started reading 'Heaven is for Real'. What's on your reading list for 2012?

HELP!

I need your help. I'm speaking at a Mom to Mom group at a local church in a couple of weeks. I've read, I've studied, I've pondered and prayed and I think I've finally kind of, sorta narrowed down what I want to say. But I would love your feedback. If you are a mother - I know you had visions of what being the perfect mother would be like. Share with me how that vision and the reality of motherhood differ - and what are your goals this year to be a better mom? Will you take more time for yourself? Will you say no less often? Will you 'not sweat the small stuff'? I would love your feedback.
Thanks....
...and the women at Mom to Mom thank you also!

The best gifts of all!

Sometimes - the best gifts don't come in a box, or a bag with pretty tissue paper. They aren't found under the tree or hanging in a stocking. The BEST gift is the gift of family ~ of being able to spend time together. To laugh ~ to cry ~ to pray. To enjoy His presence in those relationships is truly the best present! Christmas 2011 brought the BEST gifts to our house - our family! What fun we had!



Millie and Casey were able to skype with Casey's family on Christmas morning and visit with his siblings who are serving missions for our church in Russia and England. Technology can be such a blessing.

It seems that elves were busy a lot at our house the week before Christmas!

Millie learned how to cut Casey's hair. Don't you agree that there is a lot of trust in a relationship when you let your spouse at your hair with scissors and clippers when they don't know what they are doing? She did a good job. I bet he lets her cut it again!

Dusty was loving having company and lots of attention. She was always hoping for a bite of someone's food from the table.

Don got a remote-controlled helicopter for Christmas.

Playing games is serious business at our house. This Christmas lots of the old favorites were pulled out. We played Twister, Aggravation, SPLAT, Pass the Pigs, Farkle, Mormon Bridge, Dominos, and Five Crowns - plus some new ones that Santa brought this year.

We had a wonderful evening at the Smokebox Cafe in Kansas City. Dustin was able to cross KC BBQ off his bucket list! It was quaint - the food was served on styrofoam plates with plastic utensils - but it was AmAzInG! When we go again - I plan to have the burnt ends and the pulled pork...soooooo good!

Merry Christmas!

I had such grand plans to share a few favorite recipes, favorite songs and such. But instead - we've been enjoying our grown children and their spouses who came to spend Christmas with us. So suffice it to say - not much time for blogging! We have enjoyed some good Kansas City Barbeque, movies, games, LOTS of good food - oh - and did I mention games? Pictures will come - but for today and tomorrow - the focus is going to be on on Savior - on Christmas - and on our family.

So to each of you - Merry Christmas! In whatever circumstance you find yourself in - know that there is a Father in Heaven (God) who is aware of you - who loves you - and who wants you to come back to His presence. He has given his Son, Jesus Christ that this might be fulfilled. Moses 1:39 says: "This is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Through the atonement of Jesus Christ - His suffering for all of us in Gethsamane, being crucified and giving up His life - then claiming it again after three days when He rose and created an empty tomb - we truly do have the opportunity to return again to His presence.

Have a blessed day!

Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

This is one of the sweetest Christmas songs I've heard in a very long time. It helps put the meaning of the season in perspective.
Enjoy!