Winter.

I really do like winter.

The way frost covers the trees and makes everything all white and lovely.

It is beautiful.

most of the time anyhow... :)

...

:)

Your Money God's Way: Overcoming the 7 Money Myths that Keep Christians Broke by Amie Streater

I really enjoyed this one.

This book is bold and to the point about using your money wisely and in a way that is pleasing to God -

Getting out of debt, building wealth and gaining financial freedom.

She spends time talking about tithing and giving and the differences between them,

saving, enabling others and many other things.

The chapter layout is nice. It covers the topics in many ways. It has real life stories,

It has the "Myth" and the "Timeless truth", a prayer and it lumps together the important points to take away from the chapter and then "Solution steps" to use.

In the back of the book it has budget plans, and how to make one work for your lifestyle/needs and /or debt.

It is slightly written for people who are already in debt but I found it helpful in pointing out ways to avoid debt.

Would I recommend it? Yes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

...

Have you ever felt like doing something ridiculous? If you haven't, you should.

Have you ever felt like dancing in the middle of the freeway? If you haven't, you shouldn't.

Have you ever felt something so special and silly it made you giggle out loud? If you have, I'm glad.

Are you thankful for the friends you have? If you aren't, you should be.

Are you thankful for sunshine, rain, snow and delightful skies? I hope you are.

Do you miss someone so much you feel your heart kinda hurt?

If you have, It's okay.

Do you smile at others even though you don't know them? You should, It is encouraging.

Can you sing at the top of your lungs? You should try.

Can you dance like my brother? I think you could, maybe even better.

Do you know the One who created this world? He knows you.

Are you wearing socks? If you're not, thats fine. :)

The News for today....

Aaron lost a tooth.

and so now instead of a tooth sticking out at an odd angle adorably, he has a nice empty space.

Cute kid.

I love big holes in kids mouths. this kind anyhow.

He finally got it out as he drank his hot cocoa this morning. :)

Yesterday was my birthday.

I didn't take very many pictures.

But it was a lovely day,

First thing in the morning we went to Caribou Coffee, Because I had a coupon for a free drink on my birthday. That was fun. Peter and Holly, Nic, Aaron, Jaten and Kaitlin came along.

and of course Luke.

Then was Church, Song service was lead by Luke and Dad and Peter played their instruments.

It was a very lovely service.

Darrell had a good sermon on love.

Then fellowship dinner. There was yummy food and good visiting.

After that some of us went home and took naps while some others went shopping and some went to a wedding.

I had gotten material and a pattern for PJ pants from Emily for a birthday present so I started on those and I would have got them done but my sewing machine decided not to work.

I think Dad got it fixed now though.

Before Church Luke wanted his picture taken for a new profile picture on Facebook, so I took that and this cute one right here.

At church we had a good study about the Holy spirit and then after church we all went out to eat. We ended up going to McDonald's. I wanted to go to Country Kitchen as I would have gotten a free meal and dessert but since nobody else would have it would have been more expensive.

and yes. It was a very happy birthday.

I think I would like to do it again next year. :)

Love, Keren

p.s. I didn't take very many pictures. And so I am going to try to write more. I may not be able to write as well as take pictures but I am going to try to practice more. Sooo... You my friend get to read it. Or not. :)

Again...

Jaten really likes her Uncle Luke.

She is pretty sweet...
~

Jaten Rae...

...is here. :)

Rollag Steam Festival.

Today we went to the Rollag Steam Festival.

We met Peter, Holly, Nic and Jaten there.

It was a chilly day but there was lots to see and good company.

Lumber Mill.

Peter and Jaten.


Big tractors in the parade.

Dad stepping out of the old time print shop.

Riding the little train.

Jaten and Nic.

Taking pictures... or chewing on the camera... :)
Some people just decided to take their nap in the middle of everything.

It was kinda funny.

Travel mates. Most of them smiled nicely.

It was a very interesting place for the guys. I can't say that it is my favorite place to go, but I did enjoy myself.

Jonathan..

Jonathan had a birthday on Sunday.

He turned 9 years old.

Here is a post that Abbi wrote. I really liked it.

Jonathan W.C.


Megan, Minnie, a baby and Aaron sitting on Megan's house's roof. :)

Jonathan's Birthday "Cake". It was yummy.

Book review:

You can be everything God wants you to be.

by: Max Lucado.

This book is about showing you how God made you unique and has given you special gifts in

which you can use for your one special job. He calls it your "sweet
spot".

*****

I honestly had a hard time making it through this book, but once I got started it did challenge me to think about how I have expertise in some areas and how I could use that in my life.

He told stories about different people that were interesting and inspiring like Moses, David and others. About how God called them to do different things.

Would I recommend it? Not really, It wasn't fascinating or neither did it convey something that I am terribly convicted about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Don't worry.

It's still summer here.

A green hallway. Otherwise known as appliance graveyard. If you look to the right of the picture you can see the deceased ovens and washers. :)

Tomatoes are getting ripe. That is very exciting. I ate about 10 on Saturday.


Our herd of goats.

New pipeline! This picture is facing west. We were riding on the back of our property.

I love a good blue sky. It makes me feel happy.

( Luke makes fun of me for saying things like that. )

( Yet I persevere)

Love, Keren

Because.

Just in case you were missing winter,

Here are some pictures of it.

Icicle.

Snowy post.
One thing.... Sunsets are better in the winter. Or maybe it is because they are earlier on the day I notice them more. :)

Elf Gregory.


Gloomy, gray snowy day. This was Christmas day actually.:)

In January I posted pictures of summer, so I thought that since it is the middle of summer I would post some of winter. :)

Love, Keren

p.s. I don't miss wintertime.

A few of my favorite things...

So. I have a few pictures to share with you.

of a few things I'm a fan of.

that I LIKE.

that are cool.

yep.

Just kidding. Not all of them are cool. or do I like. or am I even a fan of.

Okay... Actually I like all of them.

yep. This is also part of my series... that I've kinda haven't posted about in a long time.

my Thank-ful list.

I'm a fan of thankful, by the way.

It is a very healthy thing.

Healthy for your soul, and I believe that the healthier your soul is, the healthier your body.

whew.

I think whole wheat is also healthy, and green beans and bananas. But now we are totally getting off track. :)

Luke found a four leaf clover. That was cool.

I painted my fingernails an obnoxious shade of pink and I didn't really care for it at first, but now I kind of like it.

I'm a big fan of silly.



I rode a Ferris wheel. That was cool.

I almost got run over by a cart. I'm thankful I am here to talk about it today. :)

I saw some really sweet piglets. Are they not the cutest!?!

SO sweet.

Kendra

Fairy Bea.

Rebecca...

Bea girl. I really like this picture. I like shadows in my pictures. the right kind of shadows anyhow.

My lovely Anna Marie.

Gregory.

Margaret

Sarah.

It was a big bee.

On the way home from the cities we stopped at Cabala's and Bea and I played checkers at one of their fake living rooms in the furniture part of the store.

I did some of the chores while Dad and Mom were in IA, I gathered eggs. and fed and watered chickens and watered goats and .... That's about it.

I like going home new ways, Sometimes when we go home from church I will ask Luke if we can go a different way. It is fun. and today after bible study, I went a different way and had to go on a detour past a second hand shop, so I decided to stop. I had the most delightful time wandering through it.

so.. Moral of story- Do try different routes.
It's fun.

Last night, since we were home alone, Luke and I decided to go out to eat for supper, We went to Mariachi, a new-ish Mexican restaurant. The food was kinda gross, but I like the atmosphere and the company. And it was really cute, 2 different kids at different times peeked in our window when we were eating. That was fun.