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reading goal for 2014 ~ fiction books

January 12, 2014Written by Joy

As I am sure y’all have noticed, if you follow me on my A Journey of Joy on Facebook, I love to read. Reading is a passion of mine. I read because it helps me to relax. I can sit down with a book and totally shut everything out (just ask my family) and immerse myself in the book.

I will read fiction or non-fiction, but fiction is my favorite, especially the Christian fiction books. My favorite ear to read is the 1800’s, especially the settling of the Old West.

I always try to set aside time and a goal for me to read. On Goodreads.com, they have a book reading challenge. I joined it last year with a goal of 52 books. While I didn’t keep very good track of all the books or ebooks that I read, I do know that I passed that goal, because of all the free ebooks and books that I had ordered. This year, I set my goal of 100 books. Since I passed 100 last year, I know I can meet that goal this year. I just need to remember to add them to my profile!

January Fiction Books for 2014

I have already read several books this year that I need to add. The picture above also shows some books that I just received that will be used towards my goal. I also need to add the books that I have on my Kindle. I have a list of non-fiction books, I will be sharing those in another post.

So what books am I starting the challenge with? Here they are with the author and a link to where you can purchase them. {This is an affiliate link. Any purchase you make, helps to support this blog and our homeschool journey}

Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings

The Sheriff’s Surrender by Susan Page Davis – Book #1 in the Ladies Shooting Club Series

The Gunsmith’s Gallantry by Susan Page Davis – Book #2 in the Ladies Shooting Club Series

Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson

Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas by Janice Hanna

I am also reading a series by Mona Hodgson. It is the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek. There are 4 books in this series. I only have two of the books in the picture above; Too Rich for a Bride and The Bride Wore Blue. The books I am waiting to arrive are, Two Brides Too Many and Twice a Bride.

Do you love to read? Have you made any goals for how many books you would like to try and read? I would love if you would join me at Goodreads.com and join in the reading challenge with me!

2014, family 2014, books, fiction, goals, Janice Hanna, Melanie Dobson, Mona Hodgson, reading, Regina Jennings, Susan Page Davis

Christmas 2013

December 30, 2013Written by Joy

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We woke up to a beautiful day, to celebrate Jesus’ birthday and our love for one another.

Christmas Morning

While we missed our extended family that lives on the east coast, we still enjoyed a wonderful day with just our children. I am very thankful and blessed that the grandparents sent the kids gifts, even though we couldn’t be there with them. Even though they weren’t with us in person, they were definitely with us in spirit.

Our tree this year, did not last long at all. It was a fire hazard by the time Christmas day arrived. The needles had already started turning brown. In years part, we always left our tree up until mid-January, however, it came down the day after Christmas. We still loved looking at the ornaments and talking about where they came from and who gave them to us. The memories our tree could tell you.

Christmas Tree 2013

I always enjoy watching our children open their gifts and this year was no different. We always ask a few months in advance for the kids to make us a list of a few things they would like. We have been blessed to be able to get the kids a couple of things that they wanted. As you can see on their faces, they were surprised and very thankful.

Samuel opening Legos

Michael opening books

Sisters looking at favorite gifts

Another thing I love about Christmas, is seeing what my children want to give and make for their siblings. We have been blessed with children who love to give and do for others. This year, my oldest daughter surprised her siblings with homemade light sabers. Her creative mind is constantly moving and she always creates amazing things. This year was no different. I think the younger children enjoyed these gifts, as much as the store bought ones.

A loving sister making her siblings a gift, lightsabers out of paper tubes.

I also got a surprise this year. My wonderful and amazing hubby surprised me with a Kindle. He knows I love to read and I have been having trouble reading ebooks from my phone. The print is just too small and it gave me headaches to read from my phone. He knew that and bought the Kindle, so that I could enlarge the print. It was definitely a wonderful surprise and one that I won’t forget any time soon.

a surprise for me from my hubby

I am truly blessed with an amazing family. I love their hearts and minds. They know we celebrate Christmas because of the beautiful gift that God gave us, His son, Jesus.

So while Christmas has come and gone, we will still continue to celebrate Jesus and do our best to follow in his footsteps all year long.

How was your Christmas? Do you have any special memories or special gifts from this year? I would love for you to share them with me.

2013, family 2013, celebrate, children, Christmas, family, Jesus

cold and snow in Colorado…

December 8, 2013Written by Joy

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We have been in Colorado a little over a year, now. We have already experienced one winter here and are working on the second one. While we have had some cold weather since it has been fall, this last week, I do believe fall has left and winter has arrived. Last Tuesday, we had a cold front come through that brought not only snow, but some of the coldest weather that Colorado has seen in several years. Our highs have been in the low teens and single digits. The lows, we have been in the negative temps.

On Wednesday morning, I had a medical appointment that we did not want to cancel. I was so thankful that my husband drove. The roads were awful as the snow fell, but watching the snow fall, it was just beautiful. A 45 minute drive took us 1 3/4 hours. During that time, not only was I praying, I was able to get some pictures of the snow.

There is just something so peaceful about the snow. I love to just sit and watch the snow fall softly from the sky.

Isaiah 1:18

18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

2013, family, photography cold, Colorado, photography, snow

Colorado Symphony ~ field trip

November 26, 2013Written by Joy

A couple of weeks ago, the kids and I were able to attend a program for kids, put on by the Colorado Symphony. We went to a program last year and loved it, so the kids and I were really excited about the concert this year. Music is a big part of our family and any time we have a chance to experience different types of music, we do our best to attend.

Colorado Symphony

This year, the Colorado Symphony played a tribute to Latin Music, Musica Latina: A Symphonic Celebration of the Americas. The conductor, Scott O’neil did an amazing job explaining the different types of beats and rhythm of the songs they played. I was truly excited, because I had never heard any of the composers or songs that the did play.

In the hour long program, they played 7 songs; Alberto Ginastera -“Los trabajadores agricolas” from Estancia, Silvestre Revueltas – Sensemayá, Arturo Marquez – Danzon No. 2, Joaquin Rodrigo – Allegro con spirito from Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar, Traditional – El Mosquito, Jose Pablo Moncayo – Huapango, Alberto Ginastera – “Malambo” from Estancia.

Samuel and Claire waiting for the concert to start.

Once the music started, Scott O’Neil and the Symphony held our attention to the very last note. From the beautiful solos of the guitar and the percussionist playing an all wooden Marimba, the sound was truly amazing. We are truly blessed living in an area, where we can experience the sounds of other cultures.

I highly recommend checking in your area, to see if their is a program like this. It is truly an experience that you soon won’t forget and will be counting down the time, until you can attend another program, like it. I know our family is looking forward to being able to attend another concert soon.

2013, family, field trips, homeschooling Colorado, Colorado Symphony, family, field trip, homeschooling, Latin Music, Marimba, Symphony

My Christmas Wish: A Devotional Prayer Journal for Kids ~ review

November 25, 2013Written by Joy

Disclaimer: I received this ebook in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own thoughts. Affiliate links are included in this post. If you purchase anything, I will get a small percentage. This does not affect your price at all.

As a parent, it is important for me to teach my kids the true meaning of Christmas. While we talk about Jesus being the true meaning of Christmas and we read the bible to show the kids, sometimes, it is nice to have something for the kids to write and look at on their level. This is where Heather Bowen and her “My Christmas Wish: A Devotional Prayer Journal for Kids“, come in.

So what is My Christmas Wish: A Devotional Prayer Journal for Kids? This devotional is a fifteen day journal that will help restate what you have been teaching them. How does this Christmas journal help reiterate what you have been teaching your children? Over the 15 days of this journal, you and your children will read scripture, pray, games, puzzles, journaling, crafts, baking and even service projects.

I mentioned that one of the ways your children will be learning about the true meaning of Christmas, is through journaling. Heather uses an acronym WISH (write, investigate, share and hear). For example, on the first day, the kids will write ways they can obey, they will look up scripture to investigate more, they will share with someone what they have learned and then will hear more from scripture when a parent reads to them.

My Christmas Wish: A Devotional Prayer Journal for Kids is a 69 page devotional that is written for ages 4-12. However, it can be adapted for any age. I found myself enjoying reading the journal. While I haven’t started using this with my kids just yet, I am truly excited to have found a fun way to help the kids understand even more, the true meaning of Christmas. I am looking forward to digging more into scripture, sharing with my children and learning with them ways to not only for us to focus more on Jesus during this Christmas season, but learning ways of sharing with others, the true meaning of Christmas.

Heather, at UpsideDown Homeschooling is having a sale right now for My Christmas Wish: A Devotional Prayer Journal for Kids. You can purchase this great devotional for you and your children for $2.99. Be sure to look at her Gratitude journals while you are at her blog. I know you won’t be disappointed in the product!

2013, family, God, review Christmas, Heather Bowen, Jesus, Journal, My Christmas Wish: A Devotional Prayer Journal for Kids, review