12/31/07

Well, Happy New Year's Eve everyone!

I can't believe another year has gone... truly. It seems the older I get the faster life goes before me. It is just like what the Bible says... life is like a vapor. Here one minute and gone the next. May we treasure every day and know how we can use our days to glorify the Lord.

2007 was a good year overall.... The Lord blessed us and kept us. We never went without food, shelter or clothing. Mom continues to get stronger and has stayed relatively healthy compared to two years ago. I survived having my first surgery of the gallbladder removal. lol I also was tickled with myself for losing 28 pounds this year. I don't ever want to go back to what I was. I am so thankful for my friends, old and new, and cherish the times we have together. I am thankful for email, and this blog!, so I can communicate with those I love and miss because I don't get to see them often. I pray my blogs will continue to be numerous. My Father-in-Law gave me "strict" instructions this past weekend to keep them coming. lol I am also thankful that this past year I was able to learn so much more about photography and now have been able to do some "shoots on the side." It is always good to learn something new!

I am thankful this past year for the Lord showing me things through His Word. I know I do not know everything He wants to show me and I am thankful He is patient and understanding when I don't seem to "get" what He is trying to teach me. I have thought a lot about that in the last few months. God is so good!

We are spending New Years Eve with our wonderful friends with which we always celebrate the New Year. We are cooking steaks on the grill, having boiled red potatoes, salad and some grilled onions. It should be a fun night. I took the photo for today earlier. I have our party favors ready and our Sparkling Red Grape Juice for us to toast in 2008. I am sure the kids will do their best to stay up till midnight!

May you sit back tonight and reflect on what the Lord has given you this year. Happy New Year and may God bless all of you in 2008!! I'll be "back next year...." Hee heee

12/30/07

We had GREAT, soaking rain today!! It was wonderful to hear, see, smell, be a part of... I took some photos (imagine that) just so I could enjoy the moment a little more. I took the one of our Christmas tree through the window so that is why it has a bit of a "glow." The others are ones I shot from the front porch. I saw that car going by and saw the spray come up from behind and was glad to see it! We haven't had a good soaking rain like this in a while. It isn't going to take away the drought, but we are thankful for whatever the Lord sends our way!

I thought I would also show a few more pictures from Christmas. They are of Wesley, Mikayla and I making "reindeer food", the kids getting their milk and cookies ready for Santa as well as the note and lack of cookies and milk from Christmas morning!! I would show more but there isn't enough time to upload them all on here. lol

Steve still isn't feeling 100%. He thought he was "over the hump" yesterday but he started having a time again last night. I truly don't know what to make of it. I am just praying he is feeling better soon.

Today was lazy with the rain and all. I haven't gotten too much accomplished, but after all I have done in the past few days, I figure it is a good thing. lol

Off to work on some photographs. Hope everyone has had a wonderful day....

12/28/07

No...it hasn't been icing or snowing here. I don't know what to do with myself not being able to post Christmas pictures anymore. lol I just pulled up some pictures from last winter and "voila"... here ya go.

Have you missed me????? I have been posting so much lately that four days between posts is quite a lot. hee hee I have been one busy chick.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were tons of fun for us. The kids got a train from my aunt and uncle on Christmas Eve and then Santa brought them a "North Pole" Lionel train on Christmas morning!! The Lionel train is a Christmas train so they would only play with it during the Christmas season and it is for under the tree. That train is also a keepsake train that will be handed down to their kids one day. The train they got from my aunt and uncle are more for them to play with all of the time. Santa was a bit bummed that his "thunder" was stolen, but it has worked out alright.

The kids got lots of clothes and fun stuff. Wesley got new John Deere tractors and trucks that he collects. Mikayla got her American Girl doll named "Nicki" and she is adorable. They both got lots of clothes.

Steve got him some clothes and lights for the sidewalk in the front and back of the house. He has been a bit under the weather since the day after Christmas with a bug of some sort so he hasn't felt like getting out there to put them up. (Sal... does that take you back to two years ago!?? What is it with us, bugs and after Christmas?? lol) He also got the "Bourne" trilogy of movies. We are wanting to start watching them, but, again, he hasn't felt up to it.

I was blessed with some new clothes, a Live Cam for my computer (Anyone have one of those so I could use it with you????... I could have a conversation on the computer and see ya at the same time!) and Steve bought me a battery grip for my camera. I was quite tickled about that. I haven't had a chance to put it on my camera, though. Steve and I received a percolater (sp?) for our coffee from Mom and Dad. I was tickled and it makes REALLY tasty coffee. It is a twelve cupper, so we can actually do more than a couple of cups if we have guests. lol

We had our friends over on Christmas Day night and enjoyed spending time with them.

On Wednesday Steve and I got into the kids closets and purged! It has been needing it for some time now but that is something I can't do unless I am in the right frame of mind. lol We got rid of SO MANY clothes. It felt quite exhilarating. We took the clothes to a lady whose husband had recently lost his job. She has a boy who is five and a girl who is two... the two year old will have to grow into a lot, but I know how I appreciated hand-me-downs so I hope she does, too. The kids now have room in their closets for clothes that actually fit them.

After we dropped those off, I went to pick up Mikayla from my friends house (she had spent the night with their girls) and found my friend in the middle of cleaning out her kitchen. I began to help her and that got me thinking about my own kitchen... and the sad shape some areas of it had become because of the craziness of life. Well, when I left her house about 2 1/2 hours later, I decided to start working on mine. This was the day Steve was beginning to feel poorly so he had no clue what I was doing. ha! I began throwing out things, cleaning out cabinets that hadn't been touched in years and purging that area, too!! BOY, did that feel GOOD! My brother had given us a new set of dishes... cool ones, I might add... and I had to make space for them. (I'll have to take a picture of them and post it!) Anyway, I finally got rid of (and you are going to laugh at some of these...)

1. Plates we have had since we were married that looked like plates you get when you are first married

2. The bottle nipples from allllll of the bottles I used to fix for my babies when they were babies. Yes, I have kept them for seven years. Yes, I am so sentimental...

3. Sippy cups... all sippy cups my children have ever drank out of...

4. Plastic tupperware cups that would make your drink taste funny everytime you used them.

5. Old wall hangings that I haven't used in YEARS and kept for some reason.

6. Placemats that have only been used maybe once or twice. (I just don't use placemats much.)

Oh, the list could go on and on... I was making a serious mess and went through I don't know how many trash bags but it was good. We made a pile of stuff for the Vietnam Vets to come and get. They actually came to get that today. It was nice that we could box the stuff up and set it on the front porch for them to come by and get. :)

Yesterday we took down our Christmas decorations. I was SO bummed about taking them down this year. The tree was still in good condition considering it had been up for over a month. Even though it is nice to get the house back "in order" and not have that hanging over me, I am missing my lights and the sights and sounds of Christmas. It goes by too fast.

Today we finished cleaning in the morning and then headed out to run errands and take back a few things that didn't fit. Steve and I also decided to "bite the bullet" and buy a new stereo system. Ours we have now is fourteen years old. We thought we were SO COOL when we got the "Philco" brand stereo we have now... we were so up-to-date with the double cassette player AND CD player! Woohoo!! Well, it still works, but one speaker doesn't fully work right and the CD's seem to skip. lol We definitely can't complain about how well it has held up for us. And, yes, sentimental me will miss that stereo. It was one of our first Christmas purchases right after we got married. :) We got a Sony today. Steve had actually looked at one for us for Christmas but knew there were other things he wanted to get me. This new one actually plays three CD's instead of just one. lol I know that is old hat to most of you whose stereos can probably play 100 at a time, but we are happy with three. lol I'll have to figure out this new system. I don't do well with change, you know....

Well, when I get a few moments I'll download some of our Christmas pictures so you can see our fun. I can't believe 2008 is right around the corner. Have a blessed day!

12/24/07

The last couple of days have been super busy going different places. We had Steve's Mom's Christmas on Saturday and enjoyed a good time there. We then went out for my Daddy's birthday at the Angus Barn. Boy, was that wonderful. The first picture is of the tree and the "live elf" they had sitting near the top of it on a "shelf." It was WONDERFUL as always. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there as well as the meal. We actually spent three hours eating but it didn't seem like it!! lol It was late when we got home that night and the kids were so tired.

Yesterday morning we went to church. I have been taking photographs for the directory at church and I took some more yesterday since it was the service right before Christmas. I thought I'd show the shot I liked the most... it is of our pastor standing before everyone in the congregation. I love my church and for what it stands. There are people in our church, therefore it isn't perfect, but it is a solid church based on God's Word. I am so thankful for it.

Last night we went over to some of our best friend's house and had a great meal and time to open presents. We had a wonderful time of relaxing and talking. Usually we would go to Meadow, but since we did that earlier in the month, we had a more relaxing time. Yesterday was a bit rainy (thank the Lord for that!) and muggy. It was around high 60's/low 70's.

Today, Christmas Eve, has been so nice. We didn't have anywhere to go this morning and so the kids and I slept in. I actually slept in a lot later than I should have, but I figured we all needed it. I chose to make this a "lazy" day and we have done pretty much that! The kids have played with some of their toys they got at Steve's Mom's house and I have caught up on some pictures and such for church. I also read to the kids out of our "Little House on the Prairie" series since I haven't been able to read much lately. We then had a reading time together so they could get their school reading minutes in. I enjoyed that as much as they did, I think. It was nice to be able to all sit together and read. We were in our pajamas for most of the day (at least Mikayla and I were!) and just relaxed. Steve worked all day. He just got home and it is after 4:30. We'll be going to my Aunt's house soon for Christmas Eve supper.

Enjoy the other pictures I posted. These are some I wanted to post before Christmas and hadn't gotten around to it yet. It is a hodge podge but part of our wonderful Christmas memories. The stained glass church for my village was one that we got when we were first married. It is one of the first parts of the village I put up every year.

My manger scene is in our dining room. I have been constantly reminded on how I need to keep Christ the focus this season. We love Santa and all the fun that goes with it, but Christ is the true reason for the season. I was reading in my devotions this morning that Christ was probably born around September. It would make sense. I have known for a while that this time of year was probably not when He was actually born, but a wonderful time to celebrate it all. I am so thankful for the gift of God's Son. I can only imagine how Mary felt that day when she gave birth to her Savior as well as mine. Just think: If Christ had been born in a palace, where Herod thought He would be born, no lowly shepherds could have come and worshiped Him. Jesus was laid in a manger for a reason... He came for ALL, not just royalty, but for all walks of life. He is the great Redeemer. Thank and praise the Lord for His birth!

Well, I need to get off of here. Time to do our fun stuff like make Reindeer Food and get ready to go to my aunt's house. The kids are excited about all that Christmas morning will bring.

May you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS. I will try to post how our fun goes tomorrow. Enjoy this time with your family and friends. Much Love!!!

12/22/07

Today is my Daddy's birthday. We are going to celebrate him tonight when we go out to eat at the Angus Barn. This is our tradition for him so that his birthday is special. Having a birthday near Christmas can "stink" because of the festivities already going on. It will be a FUN time... and I can't wait to eat some steak!

Steve and I wrapped all of our presents on Thursday night. It took around 4 hours! I wanted to get them all done so I could fully clean the house yesterday without having that hanging over me. It was a relief but I must say my "bones" were feeling it. lol I just can't sit on the floor in one position anymore. I used to laugh at people who would get up from sitting on the floor and have "issues".... I should not have done that. lol Now, it is coming back to get me. ha!! I must say I love the picture of the presents around the Christmas tree. It has a warm, cozy feeling to it. I don't think Steve and I have ever had all of our presents wrapped like this before Christmas. If we have then it has been a long time. We usually are wrapping as we go, kind of a thing. :)

Ashes enjoyed the wrapping as much as we did. She cracked us up because she was right in the middle of us all night. Steve would have to call her over to him when I was trying to unroll some paper and I'd have to do the same. Sometimes she didn't care and plopped down on the whole present. I love my kitty and love how she wanted to be near the fun.

Yesterday was a cleaning day. It took us all day long to work on this house. So much had gotten disorganized from Christmas presents from school and the busyness of school/life that I had to work on finding places for the "stuff" before I could actually clean. The kids were great and worked hard on cleaning the office, den and their rooms. It felt SO GOOD to have my house more in order. I truly wish it would stay that way!!!!!!

I want to say "HELLO" to Mary-Claudia... a friend of mine. She wrote in her Christmas card that she reads my blog every day. I am so glad she still knows the crazy happenings of our life. I MISS YOU and hope to hear from you soon!!

Last night we got together with some friends at church and went out to eat Mexican for our "Feliz Navidad Fiesta"... we had a great time together. After they left I got in my pajamas and passed out on the couch by the fire. Boy, there is just NOTHING like that. I truly hate to get off of the couch when I go to sleep like that. That is some good sleeping.

Today we are going to Steve's Mom's for Christmas with her and Steve's brother and sister's families. It is cloudy and cold so it should feel Christmasy. I hate it when it is hot at Christmas. I know it will be a good time!

I included a few more ornament pictures. I realized today that I still had lots to show and I don't have a lot of time left to show them. That is quite unfortunate that this month has already gone by so quickly. We have had our tree up now for a month and it doesn't seem like it. I'm not ready to think about taking it down...

Enjoy the moments God has given you this Christmas season. May you share them with family and friends and make wonderful and cherished memories!

12/19/07

Lots and lots of pictures today. It has been a busy couple of days since I posted last... but a good busy. :)

School is officially out for a couple of weeks and I am thrilled. We all need a break! I still have some shopping to do but will work on that tomorrow. Then, I'll have to work on wrapping all of it because I haven't done ANY of that yet!

On Monday night we went to see Santa. Wesley and Mikayla cracked us up because they were rolling out the "list" of what they wanted. It was quite sweet. I got one shot of them on Santa's knee. Good memories for us...

Yesterday we had Wesley and Mikayla's little Christmas program at school. They made these snowmen on their sweatshirts with their feet. They were the cutest things. I was SO PROUD of Wesley as he performed. In the past, he has not always focused during a performance of any kind. This time, his eyes were on his teacher all of the time (except when he was seeing us) and he did all songs and motions. He's coming along, y'all.... Their program was really cute and afterwards we had their Christmas party. I was able to stay for all of that but then had to go back upstairs to tend to my own students. Steve took the kids "shopping" for a bit and then they came back to school to get me.

We then went to the Imax Theatre in downtown and saw Polar Express in 3D!! Notice how awesome we look in our 3D glasses. :) There wasn't supposed to be any photography there but who can resist us looking like that. We took the pics quickly before the show started. We had seen it that way a couple of years ago and it was SO good again. We enjoyed every minute of it. Steve wants to start the tradition of seeing it that way every year. I am not sure if they play it every year but it would be great if they did.

After we finished the movie, we came home and the kids put on their pajamas and Steve and I put on comfy clothes and we set off to see Christmas lights. I must say, there were some "Bah-humbug" people out there but then we saw some doozies. lol We enjoyed the time together as a family. When we got home the kids were definitely ready for bed. One of the houses we went to had their lights blinking to the music that was playing in their yard. I think that was my favorite. That is the one that is pictured here. You also see our "family pic" of us traveling around in the van. What a lovely moment that was. lol

With today being the last day of school we had our party. It was a crazy day but a good one. I was glad to be able to walk out of there and go see one of my friends. It is my friend Kathryn that I don't get to see very often but every time I do it feels like coming home. Mikayla had gone home with my best friend and her daughter to do a cookie bake-off. More on that in a minute. So, it was just Wesley and myself traveling to Kathryn's house to enjoy a bit of time together. They were so sweet and invited us to have lunch with them. I just love my moments there. She had more fruit on her table (remember the blueberry/cherry/banana picture from this past summer I took there???) Well, I had to break out my camera and capture the fruit of the season. These are pomegranates, lemons and oranges. I loved photographing it. Kathryn just laughed at me. We have decided it is now a tradition for me to photograph fruit when I go to her house. lol What do you think? I can't decide which view of them I like more... horizontal or vertical. I was so in my element. Our time with them was too short but such is life in the busyness of the holidays. I just cherished the time we had today. (Love you, Kathryn!!)

After we left there it was off to help my friend with her cookie bake-off. She said I could come over anytime and hang out. I figured that would be a fun way to spend the afternoon. :) I helped her with the kids as they made their sugar cookies. It was quite humorous to watch them decorating. They all put flour on their faces to show they had "worked hard" at the baking. We had a fun time playing around with the flour and sprinkles. Can you tell by the look of those cookies????

We are off to church in a few minutes. We have our Christmas party with the Awana kids. I am not eating supper because I have nibbled on so many things today! I know I'll eat more tonight as well. Just nibbling, though... :)

Have a wonderful evening as we continue to celebrate the birth of God's Son! Enjoy it with those you love.... I surely did the last two days. :)

12/17/07

The first picture today is of Mikayla's Rudolph ornament. I can't remember if it is Clarissa or Clarise that is Rudolph's "girlfriend" but we thought this was cute. We love watching Rudolph so we figured this would be good for the tree as well.

Saturday was BUSY, BUSY, BUSY... I couldn't believe how crazy it was. On top of baking all day I had to take the kids to their Sunday School Christmas party, then we had to make an appearance at a drop-in celebration for a friend who had earned his Master's Degree. It took us around 12 hours to do all of the baking we needed to do. It was a fun time but, as I said before, definitely my labor of love since this isn't my greatest talent. My brother helped me the whole day and was telling me so many different measurements and such that at one point, I thought my head was spinning around. lol (I am exaggerating, but just go with it...) He loves to find new recipes and help me make new and exciting gifts for people. We wanted to taste more than we did but there wasn't enough to spare. Mom and Daddy also came down later and we worked on sausage balls. Actually, they had their little system going and by the time Steve and I got back from the drop-in celebration, they had finished all of the ones I needed to make! I just began washing dishes and putting them away. I surely did appreciate their help. We finished up around 10:30 that night and I was quite pooped!

It was exciting to be able to play "Santa" yesterday and today and give out all of the goodies we had made. I truly hope the people loved them. I put pictures of the day on here. The goodies that look like muffins are actually mini cakes made with almonds and sugar... and other ingredients of which I can't remember right now. lol The cookies that are round are raisin and nut cookies. We also made bean dip, homemade pita chips and pecan bars... a new recipe that was great. We only got scraps of that. Wesley and Mikayla helped as well. Wesley helped me with the pita chips and Mikayla helped wash dishes. They both were really sweet. Our next baking adventure will be to make chocolate chip cookies for Santa. :) (That will be later in the week, probably...) I enjoyed licking the spoon, bowl and beaters of one of the cookie doughs. I thoroughly enjoyed that...

My friend Sal has been commenting in his blog on how rude people can be during this holiday season. Well, Steve and I encountered that ourselves on Friday. Two young "chicks" were going around the same parking lot we were to find a space. We came upon one and were waiting for the person already there to leave and these "chicks" come wheeling around, saw us there and gave us the finger because we were getting the space that we had waited for!! I couldn't believe it. Poor things... they had to park a little further away and WALK. I saw them when they got out of their vehicle and told Steve those were the ones who so RUDELY gestured to us. Steve got out of the van and yelled "Do you have a problem with your finger!?" He was hot and rightly so. Those "chicks" just laughed and thought it was the funniest thing. We were thankful we didn't go into the same restaurant as they did, but as we were eating, Steve decided to go move the van in case they decided to come out and key the van or something. You just never know these days. That was a moment that did not set well with Steve and myself. It made us want to make sure we raise Wesley and Mikayla to RESPECT others even more.

On a better note, though, I was in a store on Saturday and got to overhear the nicest lady spreading "Christmas joy" to those around her. She was kind and considerate to the lady who was waiting on her as well as those in line behind her. She said "Merry Christmas" to everyone as she left. It made me so thankful that she was willing to give a smile instead of being rude. She made me smile with just the simple things she said and did. I thanked the Lord for people like her, actually. :)

Sunday was a cold and windy day. We had our Children's Christmas program at church. It was cute and we all enjoyed it. Yesterday was busy in the afternoon preparing for my gift giving activities of today. I gave my students their ornaments. I think they liked them. lol You always have some that look at it like "OK"... and then they go for the coupon book. Amazing what a few pieces of paper with coupons saying "No homework" or "Skip a problem on the board" will do for a kid! ha!!

We are off to visit Santa tonight. Tomorrow is our annual Christmas excursion day where we go see a movie with the kids and then go see Christmas lights in our pajamas tomorrow evening. :) Since we are on half days now at school it will be a lot of fun!

Enjoy the Christmas evening God has blessed you and your family with tonight. I know I will...

12/14/07

These are not the greatest of pictures today but they "get the point" across. lol The first is one of Mikayla's Barbie princess ornaments. The other is one of Wesley's new ornaments he found this year. We actually found this one at Lowe's, too. There is a button to press on the back and it blinks lights on the tractor. I love the barn and silo with the tractor inside. He fell in love with it.

Back to work today. I had a lot to do since I was gone yesterday. I felt a bit overwhelmed at the beginning of the day, but the Lord helped me get everything done. I even have my desk back to some neatness considering it has looked like a "disaster" area for so long with everything going on at school. lol

The kids did OK today. Wesley complained that his stomach hurt a bit and he didn't eat a lot of lunch. Since he was sicker than Mikayla I am not surprised. I know when you get back into eating "real" food that your body still has to adjust. I talked with a couple of parents who also had sick kids and found out Wesley and Mikayla had a light case of this stomach bug compared to others. That made me even more thankful. I hope and pray that germ is out of their classroom. When I got home today I had the urge to go around with a can of Lysol again. Not sure if I still won't do that tonight. lol After we cleaned up the house yesterday I did that... I sprayed it on everything I could see and find. I may start a daily ritual of that!!! I know germs are a part of life and we have to live with them, but those kind of germs I would rather they stay away!

Tomorrow is my annual Christmas baking day with my brother. We prepared some of the batter last night. I know it will be fun but it will be a long day and I think the oven will be on all day. I told my brother last night that people truly need to understand that is a labor of love when I cook for them.... Y'all know that isn't my specialty. lol

Steve didn't get home until 2:20 this morning. He only got around 3 hours of sleep! He seems to be alright, though. I am just glad he is HOME tonight. It feels good to have the whole family here. I have no idea what we are doing but I don't care as long as we're together.

I think I am going to go spray some more Lysol...

Have a wonderful evening and enjoy all that Christmas brings to your family.

12/13/07

Sing with me... "You're a mean one... Mr. Grinch..." :) Here is Steve's ornament I bought him this year. I am carrying on the "Grinch" theme with him. I found that they actually have another one at Hallmark this year as well, but I haven't gotten that one. I'll have to check and see if they still have it in the next couple of days. When I bought this one from there, I didn't see two.

We have been under the weather the last couple of days. Mikayla began throwing up yesterday morning around 12:30. She only got sick once but felt badly throughout the early morning. Wesley began throwing up at 3:15... we didn't get much sleep. He actually was sicker than Mikayla but not as badly as others I have heard about. I had to get up at normal time to get to school. We had our Second grade play yesterday and I needed to be there for that. I didn't feel really good myself, but made it through the play. The students go bowling after the play and I only lasted through part of that before needing to go home. When I got home Steve was able to get to work.

I am at home today as well. The kids are feeing much better. I am getting there. I actually just slept on the couch last night so Steve wouldn't catch anything we may have had. I also found out yesterday that 11 kids out of Wesley and Mikayla's class had it. They apparently all started getting sick about the same time of the morning. That is something, huh?

Since the kids are feeling better, I believe we are going to work on cleaning this house. It needs it after us being gone so much and then the sickness. Steve has been so sweet through it all trying to help out where he could. I feel like I need to open all of the windows and doors and "fumigate" the house. I know ours was not as bad of a sickness as others I have heard about, but it still makes me want to make sure this place gets rid of all of it!

Steve is working late again tonight. I feel like I haven't seen him all week.

I got to talk with my friend, Sal, in San Diego yesterday evening. He was sitting by the outdoor pool watching his daughter at swim practice. I just laughed because that is so foreign to us here in December. Of course, with the weather we have had this past week, it wouldn't be too far fetched! It was great to talk with him and hear about how things are going for them. I still miss them... and told him. I know they are going to read this so... I said it again, didn't I, Sal?? :) (Thank y'all, again, for our wonderful treat delivered UPS!!!!)

Well, I guess sitting on this computer isn't getting my house cleaned/fumigated. Onward we go...

12/10/07

I needed something cheerful and fun in my picture today. This is the Santa music "box" I had when I was a little girl. I used to LOVE winding it up and listening to it as it would wind down. When Mom gave me this years ago it was quite precious to me. It doesn't work anymore, but everytime I look at it I think of how Christmas used to be when I was a little girl.

Today was a bit rough. It was one of those days where everything went "wrong" from the time I left home. Could my day have been a lot worse??? Oh yes... but at this time of year it was just one more thing to deal with. I will be glad when this week is finished. I truly am not trying to rush anything because my days are precious, but my nerves aren't going to be able to take much more. lol I know the Lord is handling it for me so I really do need to "let go and let God.."

Speaking of that, in our devotions at school today the person that gave it showed us a video that was awesome. I couldn't tell you who the man was but I do know he is a pastor in Michigan. He gave the analogy of walking with his one year old son around a lake one day. When they reached the halfway point there came a big thunderstorm. He had his son in a back pack type carrier and put his hat on his head. The pastor didn't realize his son had taken it off. The storm became really bad and the baby began to screech and cry out. The pastor spoke that our lives are like that... "rain" comes pouring down on us whether it be sickness, bad news, etc.. and we wonder where God is in all of it.

He went on to say that just as he had taken his son out of the back pack carrier and held him close in his arms whispering the whole way "I love you, son... We're gonna make it"... that is what God does to us during those times. Those are the times we are closest to God because He is bringing us through the trial. He never leaves us to fend for ourselves. I had seen that video a couple of weeks ago and it still brought tears to my eyes today when we saw it. God loves me THAT much. He doesn't expect me to be perfect. He doesn't expect me to have my "act" together all of the time. He wants me to depend on Him and grow closer to Him by giving all of my "stuff" to Him.

I had to remember that as my day went on. In fact, I am still telling myself all of that. Again, not that I am going through a major trial in my life but the busyness of life right now is about to drive me bananas. I just keep remembering God is in control and He's leading me. I need to learn something and keep moving forward.

Well, didn't mean to depress you on that one but I hope it lifted you up a bit and helped you see how God is holding you right now, too.

Steve is working late again tonight. He worked pretty much all day Saturday, for 18 hours yesterday, working late tonight and has to work late Thursday night. I surely miss him. I hate it when he is not around. He and I really need to go on a "date" again soon. That busyness of life I was just talking about can get between you if you let it. I won't...

Saturday night we went to see A Christmas Carol. It is performed by a local theatre but people from all over come to see it. It is that awesome. We had a great time together. I think it was the best one we've seen so far and we see it every year for the past 7 or so years.

I also shopped a bit more on Saturday. I am still not finished with all of my shopping but a large chunk is done. I finally finished all of my Christmas cards so that is a big "check in the box."

Last night, I worked on the ornaments I give my students every year. I hope they cherish them... you never know sometimes. I have made ornaments for 11 years now. I often wonder if my former kids still put them on their trees. lol

I need to go do flashcards, read to the kids, put them to bed and grade papers. I know that last one shocked you.

Have an enjoyable Christmas evening. Remember, if you are going through the rain... God is there....

12/07/07

Thank the Lord it is Friday. Boy, has it been a wild week. I am thankful to have a couple of days to do some other things but I know they will be crazy as well... just a different crazy.

Today we saw one of the most beautiful sunsets. We were on the way to our friend's house and I told Steve we had to pull over so I could capture it. The clouds were in the sky and had just enough space between them to allow the sunlight to shimmer through them as it set. WOW was all we could say. These pictures capture it pretty well. (I just hate the power lines...) They actually made the sunset I photographed the other night look "pale" in comparison so I just deleted those!! lol I took several shots of it as we sat by the side of the road. lol Steve said it perfectly when he said "Nothing like that could happen by chance... it was created by the Creator!" I thank the Lord for being able to see that today. It went down quickly again... just like the other night. I had to capture it while I could.

We went out with our friend's down to Meadow, NC where they have the "Meadow Lights." It is actually just this little place out in the country where people have set up lights and you go on a train to see all of them. It is basically an old farm field. lol They add something new to it every year and it is quite popular. We normally do that when we get together with them for Christmas but we decided to do it earlier this year so we wouldn't feel so rushed. It was a great time and a wonderful idea to do it early this year. We got to ride the train and then went into their "country store" to buy "old fashioned" candy. It is a tradition that has become precious to us. The kids love it and so do we.

All this weekend Steve has to work. I am not looking forward to being without him. I realize this is "overtime" but it means nothing when I can't be with him. He is a hard worker, though, and does his best to provide for us. I will not complain. He is so good to me and the kiddos. I know I say this often, but I am so blessed to have him.

Tomorrow Mikayla is going with her friend to the "Highschool Musical" on ice. We have never seen that movie. I just don't get into it. Not that I think there is anything wrong with it... we just don't get into watching all of that stuff. I am sure she'll enjoy it, but she'll probably be a bit clueless. lol Since it will just be me and Wesley, we will be going shopping for Christmas presents. I know he is thrilled. lol I am actually looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with the little guy. I will miss Mikayla, though. It is so hard when I only have one of them because I have been so used to having both with me all of the time. I would love to get DONE with Christmas shopping tomorrow. I am not sure if that will happen or not!!

Well, it is late and my body is telling me to get to bed. I hope you can enjoy a special Christmas tradition at your home this weekend. :)

12/06/07

Since I did Cinderella yesterday I decided to do Wesley's new John Deere Hallmark ornament. I get him one every year. He was quite tickled over this one because it had the "new wheels" on it. I believe he put all of his tractors around the same place on the tree. :)

Today I took home one of my friends kids from school. The younger one used to be in Wesley and Mikayla's class and I taught the other one last year. They are great kids and have had a blast. However, I realized all too quickly that my mellow moments would not happen today. They have been quite intense in the playing. My nerves were a bit shot to begin with, but now they are really out there. I was hoping to get the kids in bed early tonight because by Thursday they are usually quite tired, especially after church the night before. Not sure if that is going to happen, though. I really and truly do not mind having the kids. It is just that after teaching so many alllll daayyyy looonngggg that I want to crawl in my shell and have a moment.

Steve is working late, we haven't had supper yet because I wasn't sure about eating with the friends being here, and the kids have yet to have their baths and wash their hair. lol This too shall pass.... Right now they are making up some concoction in the play "kitchen" area. I believe Mikayla took some of my powdered bubble bath and that is what they are using for "cinnamon." It seems to have a flavor I recall smelling.

I need a Calgon moment.

Ever have a day where you just want to scream and scream until you think you may feel better... eventually? Well, that is the point I am at now. I am sure you have seen it coming in my small remarks on my posts. My days are just crazy, crazy right now....

Did I mention Steve is working late tonight? lol

Did I mention how much I am really wanting to chill out about now?

Have I whined enough in this post????

Enough whining. I plan on having a QUIET evening once the kids go to bed. QUIET sounds so nice. :)

12/05/07

This week is getting long. lol I feel like it should already be Friday and it is only Wednesday!! Geesh...

I just thought I'd post another picture of our Christmas ornaments. Here is Mikayla's Cinderella ornaments. She got the Cinderella doll ornament for her birthday and the shoe is from last year. It is still one of my favorite ornaments on our tree. :)

Still didn't get around to finishing those Christmas cards last night but I am getting closer. I will probably not get them all together until this weekend. Then I can check that box off my list!! :)

I actually had my cup of coffee last night. It was tasty. I think I want to try some Starbucks coffee when this kind runs out, though. I am trying to learn all of them now. lol I used to never drink coffee without cream in it. Last night, I just put some sugar in it and had it black. I couldn't believe I did that... it wasn't bad at all. :)

Steve has started reading my blog. I have been after him to do that for a long time and he is finally doing it. He says he likes my pictures... I think he is just saying that to be "nice." HA!! :) That is my sweet man...

Well, off to grade some papers so I don't have that hanging over my head when we get from church tonight. Hope you all enjoy your evening.

12/04/07

Oh my... another crazy day. I know it is normal for this time of year but sometimes I would like a "normal" Christmas season... whatever THAT may be! ha!!

Here is what I used to put on my mantle. This is from my grandmother as well... I found out that yesterday's manger "scene" and this one were my maternal grandmother's. I need to remember that for the kiddos!! Anyway, the one for today used to be in the center of the mantle. It is definitely beautiful and one that makes me nervous because I don't want it to break. The kids are older now so I don't worry about that as much, but I know how clumsy I can be at times!!

It was COLD today. Not frigid but cold... and it was great. We have the fire going and Steve is working on supper for us while I work on homework with the kiddos. We are having meatloaf with tomato gravy like his Mom fixes. I appreciate that man so much. I know I am "lucky" as many people like to say, but I just choose to say "blessed" and thankful for how much he helps me. I would be lost without him!!

We got the results back on Wesley's testing. They came back inconclusive, which is how I figured they would. It was a great relief to me. I must say, going through this has put another new perspective for me as a teacher. It will help me know how to help my children and parents more. I know the Lord had me have Wesley for a reason... (This is the same son who is in the bath right now blowing bubbles in the water. I am laughing as I type this....) He brings so much joy and laughter to our lives. What a "hoot" he is. Getting back to the testing, though, I know in time it will all "click" with him as we have seen it do at home. I am not going to stress over this but will do everything in my power, with the Lord's help, to help him be all he can be. Thank you all for your prayers. They have meant so much.

Still need to work on my Christmas cards... Last night I literally passed out on the couch, woke up in a "stupor" and went right back to bed. ha!!! I didn't even have any coffee!!! Maybe tonight...

I got to see one of our friends today that I don't get to see often enough. (Hey, Kathryn!!!!!) I miss them terribly and long for those days of hanging out at their house all day and taking photos of fruit. he hee Life is so busy that we don't always get to be with those we would like to see.

I saw a BEAUTIFUL sunset today. I took a picture of it and may post it later, but it didn't really do it justice. I missed part of it because I was right in the middle of something and couldn't get my camera in time. It is amazing how quickly the sun goes down. Makes you think of how quickly a day passes.

Well, I need to get busy with other things. Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas evening. :)

12/03/07

Not much to say today. Kind of a tiring day. I have papers to grade tonight, I'll work on Christmas cards and then I'm going to rest my weary self. lol I thought I'd show another couple of pictures of my mantle today. This is the center. :) I did the "creative" shot and then the straight on shot. I tried to focus on baby Jesus each time. This was one of my grandmother's sets... I believe it was my Dad's Mom's. (I really need to find out, don't I?) It is very special to me. I remember long ago looking at this when my Mom put it out. I was touched when she gave it to me years ago. I cherish it and it is always one of the first things I put out. I used to have it on my foyer table but switched things up last year. I'll show what I used to have in the center tomorrow, if I remember!

Hope you enjoy these. I am going to go crash. I may need some coffee tonight. :)