Christmas Books

I just love to get the latest sappy, wonderful Christmas book and read them at this time of year. It is just my way of 'getting into the Christmas spirit'. I love to sit up late, drinking tea and reading wrapped in a nice warm blanket with the lights of the tree on. And no we have not set up our tree but that is my ideal. The Christmas books don't tend to be in the library at Christmas time and so I start early so I get to read them before Christmas - and I save the money on purchasing them.

I just finished the latest one by Donna VanLiere titled The Christmas Secret and it was fabulous. A warm, touching story. Full of all the good things and feelings that make us feel so good about Christmas. Great story - easy, quick read. It has a great moral about how God calls us to relationships and that we are to help out others less fortunate than ourselves. An especially great message at Christmas.

I have also decided to start reading our Advent stories. (I know I am rushing the season!) What I found last year was that we never finished Tabitha's Travels which so disappointed the children. Jotham's Journey was the highlight of the season for them the year before. But it is during hockey season and we end up with tournaments out of town during December. Plus we have practice most nights of the week and rarely is the family all at home together. I kept putting off the readings so all would be present. And we never got to finish the book. This year I have decided to start earlier and therefore if we need to miss a day or weekend due to travel and practices - we can still finish the book. Well, that is my goal. What is important is the message and not when or what date the message is delivered on. So we are modifying the Advent schedule. It does feel like I am rushing the season, kind of like the retailers do to squeeze every last dollar out of the buying public. Although, clearly my reason for rushing the season is not as much of a negative. Although I do feel badly that somehow we weren't able to make a family advent reading a priority last year. In my heart it was but that didn't seem to carry through to the schedule. I am striving to be better this year even if it means starting early.

Sadly, I have to confess I have also started the Christmas shopping but that is because financially spreading out the purchases is easier on the budget than doing it all at once. Plus I found deals and knew the person I was buying for would love it.

I wanted to read Bartholomew's Passage since I got that one new this year. The kids wanted to read Tabitha's Travels since we didn't finish it last year. So we compromised and are doing a reading from both each night. Hopefully, that won't mean that both books end up not finished this year. Wouldn't that be a sad ending to my over-diligence!! Maybe, by blogging about our readings I can stay more faithful. We did such a good job with Jotham but as my kids get older their sports schedules get far more demanding. The saving grace is that it will count as a full credit for phy ed on my oldest's transcript! I have to keep reminding myself that when I feel like it is getting in the way of school and learning. It is school, too!

Well, now that this post has rambled from books, to Christmas, to school - I have no real idea of what category to put this one in. Hmmmmm!

But for any of you looking for great Advent reading with your children - I can highly recommend the series - Jotham's Journey begins the series and then Tabitha's Travels and Bartholomew's Passage. They are extremely good for children of all ages and my children really love them. Bartholomew does have some darker themes and can be 'scarier' for littler or more sensitive children. The other two are not. All are great Advent stories and help to stay focused on Jesus during the season. Ultimately that is the goal and honestly, staying focused on Jesus for two months instead of just one - might turn out to be a real plus! Of course that is all dependent upon actually finishing the books - otherwise I have just stretched it out to no avail.

book review - The Shack by William P. Young

This is a very, very good book. An interesting look at God. Challenges you to really look at your relationship with Him. The main character in the book is Mack. He is a father who was abused as a child and whose own daughter is abducted and killed. God first appears to him as a female and God specifically states that it is because he is not ready to have a relationship with a Father --- Mack does not have a good view of what a father is since his own father was so abusive. I have to admit that I was challenged by God as a female but the book is not trying to be feministic. It is trying to get us to realize that we are made in God's image - male and female. He is broader and so much more than our limited view allows.

The book addresses forgiveness. Mack is asked by God to forgive the man who abused his daughter. I really recommend this book. The concept of forgiveness is addressed very well in the book. This is a quote from the book, "Forgiveness is first for you, the forgiver, ... to release you from something that will eat you alive, that will destroy your joy and your ability to love fully and openly."

6 year olds are so funny

Alot was going on --- my husband was washing dishes, the oldest was packing his hockey gear, the middle child was talking (as always - non-stop) and the 6 year old sneezed. No one heard it.

All of a sudden he says "is anyone listening to me?"

My husband says, "No, J. What do you need?"

The 6 year old responds, "I sneezed and had to bless myself."

Dairy Free Cinnamon Rolls

Sorry for the delay - we left town for a wedding. But honestly these are the absolutely best cinnamon rolls and they are completely dairy free. Here is the recipe. (The original version came from Taste of Home but I modified it to be dairy free.)

4 1/2 cups bisquick baking mix

1 1/3 cups rice milk

Filling:

2 tablespoons Smart Balance Light buttery spread (there is no dairy in this one - but in most other varieties of Smart Balance dairy is present - read the label - it should say 100% Vegan and dairy free right on the label)

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup raisins, optional

icing:

2 cups confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons Rice Milk

1 tablespoons Smart Balance Light buttery spread, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a bowl, combine bisquick and rice milk. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 8-10 times (I actually did this for 8 minutes as that is what the bisquick box calls for). Roll the dough into a 12 x 10 in. rectangle. Spread with butter. Combine sugar, cinnamon and raisin if desired. Sprinkle over butter.

Roll up from a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 slices; place with cut side down on a large greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, combine the icing ingredients; spread over rolls. Serve warm.

These were absolutely fantastic!

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell

I got this as a book on CD. We listened to this on the 6 hour drive to and from the wedding. We had lots of time! First, while all my kids did listen to the story, I am not so sure it is really advisable for younger kids. It graphically tells the story of the Seal Team 10 in Afghanistan in the spring of 2005. Everyone dies but Marcus. Many children can't handle that type of story. Further, the story is told by Marcus and although he is very much a Christian, he is also a soldier. Many military men due to the type of job they live and do every day, just have a more graphic vocabulary. There is swearing and God's name is taken in vain. We talked about this as a family and my kids know that just because others use the words doesn't make it right.

Now having said that - wow, what a powerful story. He clearly blames the deaths of his 3 comrades on the 'rules of engagement' that have been forced upon our military. It has made it hard for the military to do their job. It has made them feel like their actions are constantly being second guessed and that they are under attack from our liberal media. It is a powerful story and one that I am glad he told. Marcus Luttrell is a hero. Our whole family were honored to hear his story. He is an amazing man. I highly recommend reading this book or as we did - listening to it on tape.

forgiveness

Very powerful video.

Forgiveness is not done for the sake of the forgiven but for the sake of the forgiver.

Wedding

Isn't this a great picture - my sister, the bride and my oldest son! (And he did have a tie on - but by this time in the evening both he and his father decided the ties had to go!!)