Red by Ted Dekker

I just finished the second book in Ted Dekker's trilogy.  At first I had a hard time getting into it as it starts out with a lot of battle scene stuff.  But I must say that after a few chapters, I was definately enjoying the book.   This book has similarities in style with the Matrix or Lord of the Rings.  I didn't think I would enjoy books in this type of genre, but I am really looking forward to the next and last book called White.  It leaves you so curious with what could possibly be happening next.  If you are going to read the first book called Black, you will have to (and want to) read the next two.  Ted Dekker is definately an on-the-edge writer.  He really sticks out in the world of Christian fiction as a unique author.

 

Anybody else have any thoughts on this book?

 

Karen, I just saw your thoughts on my comments from last time and left you a note there, but I just wanted to say that I agree with you that once you get a little further into his books, you are hooked.

 

What would you like to read next (after White) on the classical side.  I have always wanted to read Uncle Tom's Cabin.  It is not in Honey for a Woman's Heart, so I don't know much about it, but have heard it referenced several times and now am curious about it.

Sienna Goes A Courting

Just wanted to tell you a funny story. 

 

Sienna came home from a neighbor's house the other day and began to tell me how the other girls were talking about having boyfriends and dating.  They asked Sienna about it and she said that she was not going to date, but court when she was older.  Of course, they didn't know what that was, so she began to explain it to them.   I don't remember the details of how she explained it except that she added on that "then the boy and girl go before a judge".  A judge?  Oh, honey, they don't have to go before a judge.  Where did you get that from?  She just assumed that courting would involve a judge, I guess.  Isn't that cute?  Of course, they do go before the Judge, the Lord, but that is not what Sienna was talking about.  I was proud of her for explaining her beliefs even though it was a little awkward for her.

 

I then told her of a time when I assumed something and felt a little humbled for it.

 

I told her my fifth grade experience on writing a report on Washington.  I wrote this report full of information from an encyclopedia, but just to give it that extra punch, I wrote that Washington D.C. was also in Washington.  Now how could the encyclopedia have missed that?  Well, Washington D.C. is not in Washington state as I soon learned when my teacher gave back my report after grading it.  I learned to verify my facts after that experience.

 

 

For Grandpa and a Couple for Grandma

Here are the promised pictures of the wooden boat show, Grandpa.  And we threw in a couple of pictures for Grandma.  Toby wishes you could have been there, though it was quite hot....which is why we let the girls swim for a bit afterwareds.  Love ya!

This Fiction Chick Wants to Read Some Books

Hey all!  I love to read and am going to be posting what I am currently reading to see if anyone else has read the same book or would like to read along with me. 

 

I just read Black by Ted Dekker.  It is a trilogy, so I am going to read the other two books next.  Has anyone read this book?  It is very different and leaves you having to read the next two books to get some things figured out.

 

After this trilogy, I plan to read a classic.  My mother-in-law gave me a wonderful book titled Honey for a Woman's Heart by Gladys Hunt.  Gladys gives her opinions on many great books of all different genres.  The subtitle on this book is "Growing your world through reading great books".  Of all the books out there it is nice to have a synopsis and an opinion from someone who has read a lot and is a Christian.  I will let you know what I decide to read first.  I would love for any of my friends to join in on the reading!  Let me know....

A Litte Vacation

We got to visit our family and some dear friends last week.  It was a great time. 

 

It was so neat to see my childhood friend (feels like a cousin), Cyrena and her husband, Dave.  They will soon be parents to a little girl named Gabrielle.  Our families met when her mom and my mom were pregnant with her big sister, Devona,  and my sister.  Cyrena would come a few years later.  I was 3.  I remember holding Cyrena in my arms and rescuing her from the playpen when we would visit.  We also got to see her parents, Dot and Johnny, and their grandson, Derek.  Really missed getting to see Devona.  If you read this, Devona, just want you to know that we missed you and think you have a very sweet son.  Sienna really enjoyed playing with him, so did Ellie.

 

Also got to see Jen, Mackenzie and Amy a lot this weekend.  They let us go seadooing with them.  Always fun to spend time with them.  See you soon on the roller coasters!!

 

And, of course, we always love spending time with our families minus Sylvia who couldn't come out, but we saw a couple of weeks ago. 

 

Sorry to all the friends we couldn't see this weekend.  The problem is we are blessed with so many good friends, and can't see everyone each time, tho' Sienna begs to go to the Engstroms!  Wish we could have said congratulations in person on the new baby to be!  How  very exciting!  Tho' whatever the Lord gives, I know you will rejoice, but we are hoping we can send a little pink dress your way in a few months!!!

 

Love to all and hope to talk with you soon!

Ok, so maybe 1 project at a time.

We made a realistic decision!  There is no way we can do the deck and tile in 3 days!  So, my dad and my husband are out working on the deck as I sit in the house where it is much cooler than the 95 degrees outside!  We'll figure out the tiling at a later date.  Ahh...the pressure has lifted!  Thanks for coming over dad and mom!

Home Projects!!

Well, after Toby gets off work today, he will have a week off!  Yeah!  He is soooo ready!  Unfortunately we have two major projects that we are going to attempt while he is home. 

 

Our first project is a deck for the backyard.  We are hoping my dad can make it over to get us going.    We've never built a deck before.  Next, is tiling our kitchen floors which requires the girls to go stay with my parents after they come and help with the deck.  Normally we wouldn't attempt two major things at the same time, but to have Ellie taken care of means our only chance to get it done without trying to keep her out of the kitchen! 

 

Pray for us and Toby as this will not be much of a vacation!  Then it is off to visit our parents' for the weekend and go and get the girls.  Don't worry.  Toby and I will go have some fun in the evenings when the girls are gone.  It's been a long time since we have gone out to dinner or shopping or movie or anything just the two of us.  Or how 'bout just sleeping in?  That will be nice, though we should get up and work on our projects....Ahhh....or we could actually take a nap during the day whenever we need a break...sleep...you value it so much more when you have kids!   Tho' I have been enjoying napping with Ellie lately.  Maybe I will get some pictures up of our progress on our projects soon!