Going to the Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant concert tonight with 3 of the older kids, and will likely be hard of hearing when I return home.

NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible

The NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible is probably the best book I've reviewed for Thomas Nelson. I'm so impressed. The cover is beautiful---hardbound, without a dust jacket, so the photo you see is exactly like the actual cover looks. An heirloom piece.

What first attracted it to me was the idea of having an easier-to-read Bible available for our younger children. It doesn't look prissy or too valuable to tuck under your arm and tote around. It's very user-friendly. And while the translation is NKJV, the chapters read like a storybook. Yes, verses are omitted for the flow of the stories, but the truths remain intact. That said, it pays to remember that this isn't an actual Bible, but a book of Bible stories. There is a difference.

I highly recommend this book especially for families with children. What a wonderful book to have for snuggling in bed.

I'm a member of Thomas Nelson's blogger book review program and more information can be found at their website.

A cold, clear Saturday

Life sure is busy. As my mom says, "If it's not one thing, it's another." I have two friends who are dealing with cancer in a couple of ways. One is an old high school friend whose wife is in hospice care at home, and an old childhood friend who's suffering a relapse with lung cancer. A burden to bear, but lots of folks are praying. Have to remember that even in death, and maybe even more so, God is Sovereign.

That said, I'm so grateful for today. For a son who's been moved up the ladder a bit at work, thinking he'd be laid off for Christmas, but was given the surprise of a change to a different department (retail work can be such a drag!). Husband has a full shop and the surprise of chair repair work, which is wonderful, quick income when you need to buy groceries. :) All sickness is out the house, with residual coughs being the only proof that we've been sick.

Church tonight, complete with holiday music. Really looking forward to that! It's been over a month since we've been able to go, way overdo, so that'll be nice. Took the kids there, last night, to see 'Polar Express' in 3D...plus 'Charlie Brown's Christmas'. The least one had such fun, her eyes were all sparkly. For those who don't have children, you really need to get to know a kid during the holidays. They really do show the Christmas spirit in such sweet ways.

Now, off to write my grocery list. Must get that done so that when one of the older children gets back from running around I can leave.

Enjoy your day!

Violet, the attack Pug

Front door

Photography isn't my strength, but I think this one turned out pretty well. In an amusing way, finding ribbons that don't fight the pink door is a challenge in decorating it for Christmas. But, I think this works!

Around the kitchen this morning

December first

Woke up at around 6am, hearing our Shepherd, Opal, yawning (loudly) and shaking her coat---wanting to go outside, even though it wasn't time. Nuts. She's usually so good at telling time, knowing exactly when 4pm hits, since the dogs get fed a tiny, extra meal then. I mean, she gets it on the dot. So creepy. She'll walk to the dog food container and will just stand there until you either feed her or yell at her to go lie down. I often opt for choice two being that it seems that someone (furry ones included) is always instructing me on the next step I should take. Gets sorta tiresome.

That said, Opal needs to bone up on time-telling, being that they actually don't go out in the mornings until 6:30am. Yeah, half an hour does make a difference.

Anyway, am stuck at home today, which is a very good thing. Waiting on my truck tags which were paid last week, thinking they'll get here in the mail today. I have, in the past, driven on expired tags, and yes, have gotten tickets for it. One year I got pulled over twice---within a 2 week period. NOT going to experience that fun again. Court ain't no joke. I'm much more law-abiding now, let me tell you.

So now must be off. Much cleaning to take part in, and the house is still reasonably quiet---everyone's not awake yet, so can enjoy a bit of alone time. Oh, and the kids eat lunch with my mom tomorrow. My first major alone time in over a month. Now THAT I can get excited about!