What I'm Reading

Honestly, I haven't been reading a whole lot.  I did finish a book for book club last month but, even though it was a good read, I would not recommend it to anyone else due to the language.  I skipped a lot of it; I wouldn't have finished reading it if it wasn't for book club!

I did read book three in this series by Terri Blockstock.  This book did not disappoint and was the perfect ending to a three book series.  I would highly recommend these books if you like a little suspense and mystery in what you read! 

This month I've challenged myself to read more.  I do have a book club book to read and I'd like to read a book or two on my shelf. 

Sunday Worship - The Lord's My Shepherd

We sang this song in church back in May and I knew the moment we sang it that it would be the song I'd sing at the Family Reunion.  It's such a beautifully simple song!

Our Week in Photos #26

Here's a snapshot of our week!

We started last weekend with the family reunion and it was awesome.  We got to spend time with lots of family we seldom see PLUS we got to spend so much time with my niece Alicia and her family.  We spent some time at the beach and got to eat with them - it was just amazing.

 Josh and Hayden had fun decorating cookies

 Nate and my cousin Carrie discovered a common interest - the family tree.  They worked together to make a current family tree.  It was so fun to watch this little friendship work. 

Six of the 9 siblings - one couldn't make it and then 2 are gone (My dad being one of them)  It was a bittersweet moment taking this photo for sure. 

My brother and his family arrived at my mom's on Sunday night and stayed for the week.  On Monday, we swam and then had dinner at our house.  My niece, Kate stayed the night and hung out with the boys which they just plain loved. 

 On Tuesday after swimming again (they loved having Kate at the pool!) we went to my mom's where Kate and the boys played board games for hours.  The boys stayed the night to get more time with Kate. 

 Good Golly Miss Molly.  

On both July 4th and 5th, we swam and then hung out at my mom's house with my brother and sister-in-law.  The boys took 15 games over to play with my sister-in-law who loves games.  Somehow Twister seemed to reappear every day HA!  

It was really a great week with so many fun things going on.  Family is so very important and I'm so thankful for so much of that time over the past week!

Weekly Menu

Last week was great - I didn't have to cook much :-)  My mom cooked several meals since we had family visiting which was a nice treat!  Now, it's back to a little bit of a quieter week coming up on us which means more cooking HA!

Friday - Tonight is a total leftover night.  I have pulled pork, beans, salad, and chips.  I'll fill in with anything else needed (like Mac and Cheese or something)

Saturday - I have a crock pot/pasta dish I've been meaning to make and have all the stuff to make so that's the plan for tonight.

Sunday - Roasted Pork Loin, Crash Potatoes, and a veggie of some sort.

Monday - Spaghetti and garlic bread

Tuesday - Homemade Chicken Nuggets and Fries

Wednesday - Tonight is a leftover/pizza night

Thursday - Tonight the boys have Theater class and my mom and I want to go to a book signing in Grand Rapids so we night have to squeeze a quick dinner in between the two for all four of us if Darryl can't make it home in time :-)  (the boys have gone on book signings before - they tolerate it for me HA!)

Summer Week 5

First of all - Happy 4th of July! 

I feel like this summer is slipping away faster than I want it too!  Maybe it's because it was so unseasonably cool through much of June that has made it feel like we missed part of summer.  Granted, now that it is hotter than all get out, I'd kind of like those cooler temps back again!

Here's a breakdown of our summer fun this past week!

Thursday - It's Library day, Theater Class, the last night of VBS and I'm meeting a friend for coffee before she leaves for Florida.  Every single thing happened :-)  We were running like crazy in the evening to get it all done but we did it! 

Friday - We are leaving for a family reunion. We hit the road, turned in school books, stopped for lunch, checked into our hotel, had dinner, went to my nieces campsite, and walked around seeing family at the campground. It was a great day. 

Saturday - It's Reunion Time! Another amazing day.  It was all about the family reunion! 

Sunday - More Reunion Time! Another great day! The reunion wrapped up today and we headed home. 

Monday - My brother Ken and his family are in town so we are going swimming and having dinner at our house. Swimming was perfect, dinner was good, and we laughed alot.  Plus my niece stayed the night with the boys and they were thrilled. 

Tuesday - Spending more time with my brother's family. We unexpectedly got to swim in between storms.  Then dinner at my mom's house where the boys stayed to have another sleep over with their (current) favorite cousin! 

Wednesday - If the weather holds, we will swim.  Then Fireworks in the evening.

Sunday Worship - Spirit of the Living God

The boys and I heard this song recently driving to piano lessons.  It really is a simple song but with a good message.

Our Week in Photos #25

Here's a look back at our week in photos:

 On Sunday we met friends from out of state for lunch.  I haven't seen them in 29 years.  It was such a special visit!

 On Monday, Nate tested for his Green belt.  This kid loves Tae Kwon Do and it shows. 

 On Tuesday, we met friends at our local state park beach.  Those three standing WAY out in the distance - those are three of the kids HA!

 On Thursday we got to see Snakes at the library.  Nate loved it; Josh liked it; I tolerated it!!  (Snakes are not my thing!)

 Thursday night ended VBS at our church.  the boys had a great time! 

It was a fun busy week with swimming thrown in a couple of days too.  Now we are looking forward to a family reunion, my brother and his family coming to visit and the 4th of July holiday!