On January 9th when Michael was four years old, he asked Jesus to come into his heart. We celebrated his spiritual "birthday" with Oreo ice cream cake.
Michael and I have wanted to get into geocaching for a while, but because of various technological issues--we have not. Then, I rediscovered--letterboxing.
Letterboxing is geocaching but with written clues that lead you to the location. A treasure hunt of sorts. Inside the hidden letterbox, you should find a rubberstamp. You stamp your log book with their stamp and if they have included a log book in the letterbox--stamp it with your own rubber stamp. Michael and I found some really cool stamps for our joint letterbox account.
You can find all the information and search for letterboxes in your local area at Atlas Quest.
Our first attempt was a bust. We looked and looked and could not locate the letterbox. So, we set out a different day with more than one clue in our hand to try again. Two more unlocated boxes and over an hour walking downtown, but then we found the box that went with our last clue!
Letterboxing is a great way to encourage older kids to get outdoors any time of the year. It builds logic and directional skills as well as perseverance! So glad we found a new hobby to share together!
Hike #7
January:
Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney
Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake by Sarah Graves
A Catered Murder by Isis Crawford
Murder at the Courthouse: A Hidden Springs Mystery by A. H. Gabhart
Murder Comes by Mail: A Hidden Springs Mystery by A. H. Gabhart
Dolled Up to Die by Lorena McCourtney
Murder is No Accident: A Hidden Springs Mystery by A. H. Gabhart
A Sheetcake Named Desire: Piece of Cake Mystery Book 1 by Jacklyn Brady
The Missing Golden Ticket and Other Splendiferous Secrets by Roald Dahl
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
A Pizza to Die For by Chris Cavender
Cake on a Hot Tin Roof: Piece of Cake Mystery Book 2 by Jacklyn Brady
Read Alouds:
The Witches by Roald Dahl
The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl
The Minpins by Roald Dahl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The Boxcar Children: The Mystery of the Midnight Dog created by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Books of the Bible:
Daniel
Romans
Hosea
Revelations
Acts
Ezekiel
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
January Total:
Books Read: 12
Read Alouds: 5
Books of the Bible: 11
February:
Books read:
Cookie Dough or Die by Virginia Lowell
Rest in Pizza by Chris Cavender
Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams
Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams
Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams
Murder in the Reading Room by Ellery Adams
Killer Crust by Chris Cavender
When the Cookie Crumbles by Virginia Lowell
Read Alouds:
Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment by James Patterson
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl
Bible:
Ruth
Esther
Proverbs
Isaiah
Ecclesiastes
1 Corinthians
Amos
Ezra
Matthew
Song of Songs
February Total:
Books Read: 8
Read Alouds: 2
Books of the Bible: 10
March:
Books read:
Ali Cross by James Patterson (audiobook)
The Missing Dough by Chris Cavender
When the Cookie Crumbles by Virginia Lowell
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson (audiobook)
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds (audiobook)
One Dead Cookie by Virginia Lowell
Framed by James Ponti (audiobook)
The Complete Guide to Fasting by Jason Fung
Rebel Without a Cake by Jacklyn Brady
Cookies and Scream by Virginia Lowell
Vanished by James Ponti (audiobook)
A Cookie Before Dying by Virginia Lowell
Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe by Jo Watson Hackl (audiobook)
Read Alouds:
Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith
The Trail by Meika Hashimoto
Max Einstein: Rebels with a Cause by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
The Shopkeeper's Story: Suddenly One Morning by Chuck Swindoll
Bible:
2 Corinthians
Mark
Jude
Joshua
Obadiah
Jonah
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
1 Samuel
March Total:
Books read: 13
Read alouds: 4
Books of the Bible: 11
April:
Books:
Cakes of Wrath by Jacklyn Brady
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs (audiobook)
Trapped by James Ponti (audiobook)
Gertie's Leap of Greatness by Kate Beasley (audiobook)
Checkmate to Murder: A Second World War Mystery by E. R. C. Lorac
Miss Julia Knows a Thing or Two by Ann B. Ross
Ghost by Jason Reynolds (audiobook)
Pepperoni Pizza Can Be Murder by Chris Cavender
Patina by Jason Reynolds (audiobook)
Read Alouds:
Max the Brave by Ed Vere
Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
Books of the Bible:
2 Samuel
Luke
Galatians
James
Joel
Habbakuk
Zephaniah
Nahum
Psalms 1-75
April Total:
Books read: 9
Read alouds: 2
Books of the Bible: 8 1/2
May:
Books:
Caught by the Sea by Gary Paulsen
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan (audiobook)
Nana Cracks the Case by Kathleen Lane
File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents by Lemony Snicket
Monsieur Pamplemousse by Michael Bonds
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan (audiobook)---even better than the book--which is one of my all-time favorites.
42 is Not Just a Number by Doreen Rappaport
Can you Crack the Code? by Ella Schwartz
Sunny by Jason Reynolds (audiobook)
Read Alouds:
Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick
The Boxcar Children: The Mystery of the Alamo by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Books of the Bible:
Judges
Genesis
Exodus
Psalms 76-150
Jeremiah
John
May Total:
Books read: 10
Read alouds: 2
Books of the Bible 5 1/2
June:
Books:
Miss Julia Happily Ever After by Ann B. Ross
The Bluebird Effect by Julie Zickefoose
Storm Warning--The Story of a Killer Tornado by Nancy Mathis
Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons
Lu by Jason Reynolds (audiobook)
City Spies by James Ponti
Legends and Lore of East Tennessee by Shane S. Simmons
Forgotten Tales of Tennessee by Kelly Kazek
What Stands in a Storm by Kim Cross
Charlie Thorne and the Lost City by Stuart Gibbs
A History of Alabama's Deadliest Tornadoes: Disaster in Dixie by Kelly Kazek
On the Horizon by Lois Lowry
The Religious Body by Catherine Aird
Read Alouds:
Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
The Home-Run King by Patricia Mckissack
Books of the Bible:
Lamentations
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
Micah
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
Job
Zechariah
Malachi
Leviticus
Nehemiah
June Total:
Books read: 13
Read alouds: 2
Books of the Bible: 12
Accomplishments of 2020:
Total books read: 166 with 37 read alouds with Michael.
Miles clocked on my Fitbit: 1850.46
We have remained healthy so far throughout the pandemic.
More time to connect with family especially my two adult college students.
Weekly date nights with JP.
Remembering to bring a mask with us most of the time.
Joined a new in-person Bible study.
Met quite a few new people and had regular times together outdoors getting to know other people better.
High Points of the year:
JP got a promotion at work and a new schedule AND got four backyard chickens.
Tera made the Dean's List twice, got certified as a group fitness instructor and started a young adult Bible study.
Daniel won first place at the regional chess tournament, graduated, got his first job and won a full tuition music scholarship to attend Maryville College.
Michael spent a lot of time outdoors, placed 5th in 4-H Wildlife Judging, his Clover Bowl team made it to the semi-finals, won 1st place and 2nd place in the two Lego contests at the library, and went monarch butterfly tagging.
Lowest Points of the year:
Losing a dear friend to Covid in September.
Election and pandemic stress due to the oversaturation of social media and news.
Postponing Daniel's senior trip.
Missing Fred's 90th birthday due to Covid concerns.
My "word" for 2021 is "Healthy"--mind, body and soul.
2021 Goals:
Participate in the Tennessee 4-H 2021 miles in 2021 virtual race--I'm already signed up. YAY!!! (Almost 6.5 miles clocked today)
Complete the 52 Hike Challenge. (I'm on hike #6 already)
Log hours for the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge (I'm pretty sure I won't reach that goal, but I've enjoyed being outside so much during the pandemic--I want to encourage myself in that habit!)
Reading challenge--Michael wants to up our read aloud total to 40 books. I'm still looking for a personal reading challenge, but will log my "books read" anyway until I decide.
Continue Bible studies--one-on-one and group studies, be consistent in my daily devotion times, start daily scripture writing again.
Healthy habits--try to lower cholesterol, resting heart rate and weight. Hoping my exercise challenges will help with these goals!
I just really want to work on being healthy this year and doing things that help me be a better person for myself and those I love!
The game Uncle John and Aunt Christy sent was a huge hit!!!
Jackson Bend Branch Trail
a little under 5 miles--in and out
Hike #6
