December 2013 part 3

 I have loved seeing Collin grow in preschool this year. It has made me once again just be so glad that we didn't send him to kindergarten. I have especially loved the preschool he is in this year because they SING! TONS of fun songs! I loved that about Collin's first year preschool too. This was a little program they put on for Christmas at the mall. Yep, became one of those moms. Doesn't he look so handsome?

 It was so dang funny to watch. Every song had tons of fun actions. Loved it.

 We also played in the snow every chance we got.

 We finally made a gingerbread house. No, didn't make the gingerbread, but we decorated it.

 Opening matching pajamas.

Apparently, the picture of the finished gingerbread house (that lasted not too long with little boys that love candy) comes at the end :)

December 2013 part 2

 Ryan bought the boys these fun Santa hats at Harmon's. Collin's looked like a reindeer with lights on his antlers and Liam's was Santa. They both LOVED them.

 It was our first time going to Zoo lights. We have been to the zoo lots of times, but never with all the lights on. It was actually really cool going all fall to see them put up the lights adn the sculptures but seeing them lit up was also cool.

 As you can see, we waited in line for Santa.... we randomly came back and there was a super short line. Liam wasn't quite sure how he felt about it, but then eventually he went on his lap. Collin was excited this year.

He was a very good looking Santa.

December 2013 part 1

 All the O'Berry boys (Ryan included) were SO excited to put up the Christmas decor.

 These are some ornaments one of Ryan's friends sent to us, she made them. One talented lady.

 The upstairs tree.

 This Santa in the potty is the "favorite" thing to put up of the boys. I find it hilarious. They think it's so funny. What's even more funny is I have had this decoration for YEARS!

 The boys often wanted to play Santa.....

 And we had a little elf that was found in all kinds of places each morning!

 This is how Liam came downstairs dressed one morning. He has got serious style.

 Liam got to go to the man store in December. We all went as a family. He LOVED it. Can you see the intense painting he is doing?

 We need a 10th layer mom.

 Collin went and talked to Santa this time. He is getting braver.

 Then we all went to the Festival of Trees. That was fun. The boys loved all the trees. We didn't last too long, but the Narnia tree was a hit, especially for Ryan.

And we did grill in December too!

Thanksgiving 2013

 We just spent Thanksgiving with our little family at home....it was nice. The boys watching some of the maceys parade, complete in Transformer Costumes. That was necessary.

 The Thanksgiving feast. Ryan made his awesome stuffing. And we ate a lot of other nice food (several months later I can't remember what), but it was a nice break and relaxing day.

 Later that night we met up with some of Ryan's family at his grandma's house for pie. That was fun too.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!

November 2013 in summary

 So.... my camera is not working flashwise, so the only pictures that work that I remember to take have to be outside, so I have slacked. We finally got some pics downloaded from Ryan's phone, and I'm now finally trying to catch up on journaling/blog time since Ryan is working nights this month. This little turkey in the above picture, holy cow, Liam's best friend the whole month of December.

 The thankful tree on the first day. Every day (we somewhat slacked this year) we would say things we were thankful for and put them on the tree. It is still up as of today (March 11, 2014).

 These are just cute pictures of Collin at the "blue man store" building with Ryan.

 The tree is getting more thankful.

 I just really liked these pictures, especially the one of Ryan and Liam.

 This year I made these little treat turkeys. Holy cow were they a hit, despite the frosting turning out more red than pink. I think I made them for a family home evening treat. Will have to do those again.

Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson Review Pups of the Spirit

I am always on the lookout for cute, tender stories to read to my two little boys. They love anything with animals and this book didn’t disappoint. The rhyming and structure is perfect for little ones’ ears. The illustrations are fun and exciting, which is a must for little boys.

I, as a mother, especially loved the different qualities displayed by the dogs. This book gave my boys and I a chance to discuss, in simple terms, what different qualities of the spirit are and how we can choose to become those types of people in our own lives.

My boys will read this book over and over. This is partly because of the fun rhyming, part due to fun illustrations, but I especially love the messages that the dogs teach of fruits of the spirit. There don’t seem to be as many little kid picture books out there that lend themselves to fruits of the spirit discussions, so this is a great book to add to our collection. I especially want to start bringing it to church or have it as a special book to read on Sundays. I appreciate the author’s efforts to help find good books for children. Good choice!

Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson review The Sinner's Garden

The title of this book intrigued me alone. I am always excited to see how titles “play” into books and this book was no different. That being said, this book wasn’t quite as good as I was expecting. I appreciated so much the power that God can have in our personal lives and the evidence that was shown in the character’s lives through the garden. Yet, some of the characters still didn’t reach out to me as much.

I admit it was a surprise that Rip ended up being the Secret Santa. I admit I had hopes that Rip would make it to the garden to heal. The most touching character was that of Andy himself. The first chapter and prologue where he received the hot water poured on him made me feel so much empathy for him. I didn’t feel the same empathy and connection to his mom (even though she had gone through abuse too), and I really didn’t connect with Heather.

Overall, the writing style was somewhat disjointed, but the theme was touching. I do believe in my personal life when we allow God in, He can work miracles, and that was definitely shown in the story. It just missed some connections with me. Could recommend to others, but not sure I would do it with full excitement. 

Thomas Nelson/Booksneeze Review Dear Mr. Knightley

I haven’t read much of Jane Austen, and I have tried to read Pride and Prejudice numerous times, but can’t get through it. This book, Dear. Mr. Knightley, is a play on Pride and Prejudice, and though I’m sure it can’t compare to the original, was very enjoyable. Call me a prude, but what I liked most about this book was the virtue of the main character. So many love stories seem to require skin and sex and it’s totally not necessary. This book was clean and that was my favorite part.

As far as an overall story and believable, not so much. I did enjoy the “quotes” from other books and there are definitely scenes that are tender. The premise that Mr. Knightley would take on a foundation grant and then fall in love with the receiver seemed a bit too much, but at the same time, it could happen.

Another thing I especially enjoyed was seeing (although this is somewhat unbelievable) about the main character pouring her heart and life and every action in these letters to a stranger. Yet, sometimes we are more open with strangers than with our family members I know. Despite some far-reaching stretches, Dear. Mr Knightley, was a fun read, light, but with some “make-you-think” moments. Would recommend, even if you aren’t totally familiar with Pride and Prejudice.