I was given lots and lots of Karen Kingsbury books over Christmas. They were passed along from a friend's daughter. I've been trying to find a really good Christian author to read because the "real world" just wasn't cutting it for me anymore. They weren't bad books, they were good reads, but the characters just didn't live the life that a Christian tries to live.

My dear friend, Wendi, had written about the Christian author Karen Kingsbury on her blog and I thought I'd give it a try. I called my mom because I had a feeling she'd mention this name to me before and she had a few books. Problem was they were parts of a series and I wanted the whole thing if I was going to start down this journey. I was reading some Christmas books she had given me at the time, so I wasn't in any hurry.

Well, Christmas morning I started the first book in the firstborn series. I was hooked! I finally just had to set it down and promise I wouldn't pick it up until I got home the next day. It was family time after all. The next night as I climbed into bed I couldn't wait to pick it up again. I finished it within a week. I started the 2nd book and was done in 4 days. Finished the 3rd book in 3 days. Yesterday I finished the 4th book in 4 days. The funny thing is, I've never been a fast reader! Probably because the books I'd been reading really weren't as good as I thought they were. That and I'd only read at night, but these were so good I read at nap times too!

Yesterday I thought I was finishing the last book in the series, only to find out that there was one more and I'm left hanging now. I saw they have it at the Niceville library and plan to get it on Friday when I'm over there. I talked to Wendi to see if she had it and she didn't. Turns out there is a series that was written before this one with the same family involved, but it doesn't matter. Will only explain a little more now. The books are good at answering any questions you may have missed the answers to, but doesn't take too much time repeating it.

I better run because the kids are starting to get a little rowdy with the legos and I should try to step in before a fight begins. I hope I may have helped you if you are looking for a good read. It's my favorite thing to do in my spare time. (Besides blogging, which has now taken a second place!) Hope it's warming up a little where you live. It is here and I think we may actually head out to the playground with friends at lunch time. Yeah!!!

What do you do when the boots that you want so bad are now 50% off and you still don't have enough money left in your checking account to buy them b/c you have things like a van and medical school you are still paying for?? And if you asked your husband if you could get them he would probably say, "You already have boots in your closet, why on earth would you need more?" To which I would respond, "Because I bought those 6+ years ago, I didn't have any children, they have at least a 3" heel, and I don't know how to walk in heels anymore."

Are you trying to find something new to do with your children? Well, here's a game that every family must own. It's called Zingo.

What is Zingo you ask? Why, it's "Bingo with a Zing!" I was told about this game at a jewelry party one night and how fun it is. We took back a game Christopher got, and already had, and purchased this. It is fabulous! It says for ages 4 and up, but Sophie, who will be 2 in a few short days plays this game all by herself. All day long! She is crazy about it! She has learned so many new words and our whole family enjoys playing it. We even have a Zingo dance that we do when you win. (Also mentioned to me. I like to give credit where it is due.)

Now, I know some of you are not crazy about this next product because it involves tiny pieces and lot of work from you, but at our house it has been a HUGE hit! Think tiny little squares in shades of yellow, blue, red, green and black. You've guessed it! Legos!!! Now, I love to build things and put them together, but Brandon does not. So this toy is not for those who don't like to sit down and build one truck after another. But if you do, this will provide much entertainment. Even Sophie likes to join in and can build her own trucks. Well, sort of. She can stick blocks on top of each other.

And I hope it's true. I checked the weather this morning and was shocked to find out it is 18 degrees outside with a windchill of, get this, 8!! (My laundry room is 48 degrees, any wonder why I don't want to do any?) This isn't FL weather and I'm not liking it too much. But to get back to the light I saw. It's going to start warming up! By this weekend it should be, and remain, in the 50s and possibly get to 60 at some point in the next 10 days. Thank you Lord!!!

Yesterday I checked the weather on the Wii and was curious what the rest of the country was experiencing and to my shock it was warmer in the state of Washington, yes, that's the big one next to Canada, not the little political thing, than it was here in FL. Isn't that crazy???

Regardless of the weather, we had a great weekend. We woke up and went to the Donut Hole for breakfast and then to the outlets to walk around. We like going anywhere along 98 when the tourists aren't here. I've been trying to avoid it still so I wouldn't spend any money b/c once you get to those outlets it gets tempting.

We bought Sophie a little belt, so she could be like the rest of the family and it is glittery and colorful and she loves it. we came home and had lunch and then put the kids down for naps. I had a baby shower for a friend to go to that afternoon and it was so nice to have a couple hours with my medical wife friends with no kids. I think we were gone like 4 hours b/c we had so much fun!

Sunday was Brandon's turn to get away. We went to church and then in S.S. found a couple guys that wanted to go to the movie as well and you would have thought they were little boys just given a bunch of quarters and let loose in Aladdin's Castle. It's was hilarious! They went to go see Avatar in 3-D and Brandon loved it. Everyone says it's great, but I'll just have to wait and see I guess. Not much for Sci-fi myself.

Now the kids and I have to get ready to take them to mom's day out and then I'm going to come home and do some stuff around the house. Nothing exciting. We have company coming this weekend, so I need to clean a little, but I know it will only be dirty by the time they get here so I'm a little torn. But don't worry, I have a long list of to-do's, so I'll find something to accomplish, even if it's just shower and put supper together for tonight. We have a busy week and I'm looking forward to it. I have felt very house bound lately and miss getting out to do things. I hope you all have a great week and are staying warm!

Brick was out with us watching the kids ride their "tractors" around in the driveway when he took off between two houses. By the time Brandon got to him he'd caught another squirrel. Two pounces and it was over.

Brick: 2
Squirrels: 0

Brandon took photos, but I will spare you them. He's quite proud.

Today Christopher has mother's day out and so Sophie and I get to hang out together. We haven't had one of these in a while and they can be nice. She has quite the little personality and knows exactly what she wants and how she wants it. I don't really have any big plans for us, other than going to the commissary. We are flat out of milk and juice and the kids are thirsty. Maybe if someone would stop giving the little man so much to drink at night we'd have some left over this morning and I wouldn't have two sets of sheets to wash today. (I love you dearly, honey!) Yup, two days in a row he wet the bed. Thankfully it was just enough to wake him up and make it to the bathroom, but still.

Oh, and our cable is officially gone now. I still have some show for the kids saved on Tivo. I recorded a whole bunch knowing this day would come. And I fully welcome it. I miss being able to turn on the weather. And now that Diane Sawyer is gone it's easier to not turn on GMA. But I still miss Robin Roberts' face too. They just seemed so sweet! I'm almost done with my third book in the series I'm reading and hope to finish it today during naps. I think I'm starting to ramble now. Maybe it's b/c Sophie climbed up here and is getting into everything she can get her hands on, most of which she wants to eat. So, happy day to you all and happy weekend! I have a baby shower (kid-free too!) to go to tomorrow and I can't wait. : )

Last night Brandon told me that they had to shut down the operating rooms at Eglin due to the cold weather. It's so cold there is no humidity. (Can you imagine, a South without humidity?) But this is actually bad. Or maybe inconvenient. The humidifiers for the OR won't work due to the lack of humidity from the cold so there's a chance of sparks literally flying. Labor and delivery can't deliver any babies now because if they have to go to c-section, it's too dangerous. Those poor women have to pick a different hospital and be delivered by Dr. Stranger because it is too cold in Florida.

On a totally and completely different note, I decided to try a little experiment this morning. When Christopher crawled into bed with me this morning we turned on the weather to see what today was going to be like. It's 23 with a wind chill of 15. Brrrrrrrr....!!!!!!!! I told him that tonight we should set out a cup of water to see if it freezes from the cold. He didn't want to do that. He wanted to set out Brick's water bowl. (We'll have to have a talk about that later.) Then when I went into the kitchen I realized. It's probably cold enough for it to freeze now. So we set a cup outside the door and we are going to check on it every 30 minutes to see how long it takes, if it takes, for it to freeze.

Finally, we are saying goodbye to a "friend" today. Cable. I know, I know, you think we are crazy, but it only seems to my our lives more frustrating and we fight more because we can't hear or see what is on. The last few weeks I've been watching less of it and reading more and I feel much happier. The kids only watch it because we turn it on and are content playing anyway. We got a new tv for Christmas, but we are playing Wii a lot more now and it's fun because the kids are finally old enough to play with us... sort of! We are also going to start having game night on Wednesdays and pizza/movie night on Fridays. Don't worry, we joined Netflix, but I see Brandon using it more than me. Did I mention I've been reading? Karen Kingsbury is my new BFF. I read my first book in a week and last night finished my second book in only four days. It's not a race, it's just that good!!!! If you are looking for a great Christian author, I highly suggest picking up one of her books. You won't be able to stop!

(I know I change my background constantly, but when I saw this warm brown it made me feel like I was by a fire with a warm brown blanket over me and my next Karen K. book in my hand.)