My 2011 Booklist

So it's that time of year again. Time to create another list (I LOVE lists!)... time to weigh my options, to pick and choose... time to write and rewrite, scratch and add... time to actually complete a list for a change (it really is a novel concept :).

So this year, I'm making my list a little shorter. I still have a handful of titles from both '09 and '10 that I have yet to read, so they'll naturally flow over in to this one (though I won't bother to list them here). That being said... if anyone has a favorite to recommend... please, please, please pass it along! My reading time is very limited (anyone else feel that way?!), so I don't want to waste a single second of it on less-than-stellar titles. And thanks!

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt

War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles by Paul David Tripp

Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas

Taste and See: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life by John Piper

Forgotten God by Francis Chan

Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

What the Bible Says about Healthy Living by Rex Russell, M.D.

At Home in Mitford (and the rest of the series... again!) by Jan Karon

Bringing up Girls by James Dobson

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line by Abby Johnson

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Encore Provence by Peter Mayle

God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

The Ides of April by Mary Ray

A Voice in the Wind (and the rest of the Mark of the Lion series) by Francine Rivers

1000 Gifts: A Sunday ride

Weeks ago... nay, MONTHS ago... before the leaves started falling from the trees,

and before the frigid temps of winter set in,

and before the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season completely derailed

the bulk of my normal routine,

my littlest two enjoyed a Sunday ride (#918).

But now, as I look back at these photos, I can't help but wonder...

where HAS the time gone??

And why... oh, why... is it passing so quickly?

What I would give to slow. it. down.

So I scroll through again. And again. And again.

And I begin to panic.

Because these days are fleeting

and everything within me rebels against that reality.

Why must it be this way???

But then He whispers. And soothes. And comforts. And reminds.

And I pause. And relax. And breathe. And smile.

Because this is the way He planned it.

And His ways are always best.

And with that peace, I give thanks.

Because truly,

I wouldn't want it any other way.

and the list continues...

1000 Gifts: Looking back

So, I'm a little late to the punch. It's Wednesday after all, and Multitude Monday generally posts on Monday. Not to mention the fact that it's the 5th of January, and I'm just now getting a few Christmas thoughts online. Yep, I'm running late but hoping beyond hope that it won't be a trend that'll continue for the rest of 2011!!

As for getting back online... it has indeed taken a little longer than I originally thought. Needless to say, getting back in to our northern Virginia groove did not happen overnight. Quite the opposite, in fact. Regaining our momentum, truth be told, is proving to be a gradual sort of thing... an almost, but not quite, slow-as-molasses sort of thing. Because 1) returning to our studies and 2) facing the deadlines that await us... do not appeal to any of us. In any way, shape, or form. At all. Of course, a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous New Year didn't set the stage well for such things. On the contrary, they only made us long for vacation all the more. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end (or at least so I'm told), so school is resuming and projects are coming due and our life pace is changing once again. Hopefully, it'll slowwwwwww down as rest is a must and sleep-- even better. And everything else... well, it'll fall right back in to place. I hope.

So with that I'll add another page to my journal,

my account of God's goodness and faithfulness and grace... every single day.

This go round, I'm praising Him for Christmas (#917)...

and the birth of our Lord and Savior, 2000 years ago.

"It is good to praise the LORD and music to your name, O Most High,

proclaiming your love in the morning

and your faithfulness at night,

to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.

For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD;

I sing for joy at what your hands have done."

Psalm 92: 1-4

Christmas in the woods

with my hubby and my Mom and my Dad and Great Grandma

and my 4 favorite munchkins in all the land~

and peace

rest

redemption

forgiveness

forever

grace

love

life

and

Light

... Jesus Christ

"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men."

John 1:4

and the list continues...

Our Annapolis tradition

So I had to hop online one last time before signing off for the Christmas holiday.

Not only am I taking a blogging break; I'm taking a *computer* break...

and oh, how the mere thought sends shivers of excitement down my spine!

Before I do however, I want to share a few more photos from our weekend in Annapolis,

a few from a very favorite spot~

This is Chick & Ruth's.

Our favorite hang-out in downtown Annapolis.

And the home of our annual challenge...

the 6-pound chocolate milkshake.

We guzzled one last year-- my crew, my folks and Chris's as well,

and this year, we vowed to do the same.

Of course, a few in our bunch wanted to tackle TWO 6-pounders,

but alas, we settled for only one. Maybe next year~

Good to the very last drop... I promise!

So should you ever find your way over to this cozy little bayside town,

be sure to hop on in...

and give me a buzz if you do.

One more chocolate milkshake *surely* has my name written all over it :)

**********

See you next year~

and have a merry, merry Christmas!

We certainly have much to celebrate... this time of year and always~

"Arise, shine, for your light has come..."

Isaiah 60:1

1000 Gifts: Coming

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

In anticipation, we wait. And we rejoice. And we delight.

Because the King is coming...

0894

an afternoon for building gingerbread houses (and the many challenges that come with it :)

0895

walls that stand and roofs that don't sag-- even crosses made of pretzel sticks

0896

windows and doorways, shingles and sidewalks... even a marshmallow snowman with an M & M hat

0897

my budding architects

0898

math lessons with candy

0899

and leisurely hours spent with friends; the school books set aside

0900

Handel's Messiah at the Kennedy Center. Glorious... absolutely glorious.

"Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ;

and He shall reign for ever and ever.

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah!"

0901

the Gospel message... clear and bold... woven throughout that symphonic masterpiece

0902

and the curiosity of my two oldest sons (not to mention the constant pleasure they provide)-- WHY would I want to drive all the way in to the Kennedy Center to see Messiah when... surely... there are plenty of You Tube videos available for free?? (I still don't think they get it :)

0903

the first snow of the season

0904

boots that still fit, an extra pair of snow pants, plenty of mittens, and sleds enough to share

0905

pink noses and rosy cheeks

0906

snowball fights and a peacetime truce

0907

winter

0908

the boldness of my eldest son... who, compelled to make a difference, visited our neighbors and asked for donations to help families in the Dominican Republic... because love(is)action.

0909

(fabulous) potato soup

0910

dinner with friends & laughter around the table... our men en route to the wilderness

0911

3 days of camping (better them than me :) and mounds of gear...

all designed to keep. them. warm.

0912

3 days with Lollipop... girl time galore.

0913

and Christmas... the birth of our Christ and the call to celebrate every. single. day.

0914

the waiting

0915

this time to rejoice!

0916

and the glory of the Lord, revealed...

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming..."

Zechariah 9:9a

and the list continues...

Merry Christmas!!