• The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

    Recently I finished reading The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls.  The Long Winter is book sixth book in the Little House series.  The girls LOVE reading these books.  I try to read at least a chapter to them every night and they always want me to keep on reading! Glad the girls are enjoying this series as much as I did as a little girl.  This was probably one of the hardest ones to read because the Ingalls family went through a lot of tough things during this winter season (from near starvation, freezing, and more).  The book teaches a lot about being creative with the resources around you, helping others, and working together to get through the rough season.

    Laura Ingalls and her family continue their adventures in the town of De Smet, South Dakota.  They got their homestead, but didn’t have time to winterize the little shanty before winter so they moved into the town of De Smet to live in the building that Pa had built last year.  Thankfully they had a place to stay in town because blizzard after blizzard hit the little town and cut off all the supplies for several months, including anything that was suppose to be arriving on the train.  Pa, Ma, Laura, Mary, Carrie, and baby Grace did their best to enjoy each day.

    It was a hard winter for the family with low food supplies and the cold from the  blizzards.  The book introduces many new characters into the series from their interactions with people in town during the winter months.  Almanzo Wilder and Cap Garland made a dangerous journey to find wheat so the families in town would not starve.  Even though it was a tough season many good friendships were established during these months.   The Ingalls family was creative with their cooking, heating the home, and finding ways to stay entertained while they were stuck inside during the blizzards.

  • Happy Valentine’s Day: Every Love Story….

    I am thankful for an amazing family.  My husband is the love of my life.  Today is a great day to share just a few of the reasons why I love my man so much! 🙂

    • Jake encourages me to continue to grow and learn.
    • Jake cooks delicious meals
    • Jake loves me for who I am
    • Jake cleans and pitches in around the house
    • Jake works hard to provide for our family
    • Jake is my best friend and my life partner
    • Jake is the leader of our family
    • Jake is generous and kind
    • Jake is considerate
    • Jake is an amazing Daddy to our girls
    • Jake is the spiritual leader for our family
    • Jake spends time with our family
    • Jake can make me laugh
    • Jake knows how to make me feel loved and appreciated
    • There are many reasons why I LOVE YOU JAKE!

    Photo Credit

  • Book: “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” by Kate Douglas Wiggin

    Our girls LOVE books so we have been trying on as many nights as possible (when it is not too late) to read through a chapter of a larger book each night before bed and devotions.  My husband is currently reading the final chapters of Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin which is in the “Treasury of Illustrated Classics” series.  It is a story of a little girl who was forced to leave her home because her family was poor to go live with her aunts.  Rebecca is a sweet young girl with a lot energy.  You learn about her life and adventures throughout the book.  She wins the friendship of almost everyone she meets along the way.  The girls have really enjoyed reading this story and beg Daddy to read more.  If you are looking for a good book for young girls this is a great option to consider.

  • FREE Tag Book from LeapFrog!

    You can get a free LeapFrog Tag “Ozzie and Mack”, or a LeapFrog Tag Jr. “Animal Orchestra” storybook when you link your LeapFrog toy(s) or DVD(s) on the LeapFrog’s Learning Path site.  Free shipping included!  This book is totally FREE ($9.99 value)!

    • Go online and type in shop.LeapFrog.com/freebookk

    Rules & Information:  Limit one per household. The offer is valid from 7/1/10 though 3/1/11 or while supplies last. Valid only in the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and Canada, excluding Quebec. We are not able to ship to P.O. Box, APO or FPO addresses at this time.

    Most families have at least one of the LeapFrog toys, games, or DVD’s that will qualify them for this offer.  All you have to do is sign up and get your free book!

    We got the girls a Tag Reader for Christmas and they LOVE it!  They will be thrilled to get another book to read and I love that it’s free!

  • Movie – “Secretariat”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4wvRAjTbm0

    My husband and I had a relaxing evening together last night after a busy week of family visiting.  Having some quiet time snuggling with my man and watching a wonderful movie together was a perfect way to unwind.  If you enjoy animals, horses in particular, this is a great movie for you.  The neat part is that it is based on a true story of a family and an amazing horse.  The main character is a Housewife and Mom, Penny Chenery Tweedy, who after her mothers death takes over her parents Virginia-based Meadow Stables.   She goes against all odds with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin, a loyal secretary, a gutsy rider, and a talented horse “Red” who has a personality of his own.  Together they manage to navigate the male-dominated business and ultimately the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years.  The triple crown hasn’t been won since “Red”.  The only thing that made me twinge a couple times is her married name is “Tweedy” and when they said her name it sounded like “Mrs. Tweety” from “Chicken Run”!  Really enjoy sharing this movie with my man and recommend that you check it out if you are looking for a great movie to see in the near future.  Go here for more information about “Secretariat” .