11/30/09

Don't you just love this ornament???? If you love chocolate and truffles you do! This reminds me of Kevin because for the last couple of years he has gotten me truffles for Christmas and I have to hide them from my children. I do love me some chocolate. :)

11/29/09

Here is the up close picture first ornament on the tree this year! I love this little thing. :)


Here is a devotion I found today. Enjoy!

Take Comfort
Anita Corrine Donihue

II Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

Do you ever feel your trials are like wearing a crown of thorns? Be faithful. As you trust in God, your crown of thorns will be taken away and He will hand you a crown with stars instead. Remember to thank and praise Him.

Do you feel like you are overloaded, your hands filled with heavy cares? Be faithful. As you keep trusting in God, He will take away your heavy cares and place a harp in your grasp, so you may sing glory and honor to God for all He has done. Remember to thank and praise Him.

Do your garments feel soiled with dirt and grime from struggling in a sin-sick world? Stay faithful. He will replace them with clothing that is shining white. Remember to thank and praise Him.

Hold on and do not despair. There will be a time when you look back and your trails will seem as nothing in light of the many answered prayers, miracles and evidence of God's glory and grace.

When we meet in heaven, our adversities will become strangely dim in the shadows of God's unfailing love. Remember to thank and praise Him.

11/28/09

Yesterday we did our annual "get ready for Christmas" day. That day is always full of making memories. It excites me when I see Wesley and Mikayla get excited and how they have begun "carrying" on my traditions on "how to decorate."

Here are Steve and the kids with our tree in the back of the truck. I had to chuckle when we got it home because Steve said it "grew" from the time we saw it on the lot until we got it home. It really is a beautiful tree.
Here are the new Hallmark ornaments for the year. I have such an "obsession" with getting our ornaments each year. The kids each got three, Steve got his "Grinch" ornament, I found one about chocolate truffles and for Steve and me together I got us the old time telephone by Fisher Price. I love that they are doing those old play toys as ornaments. You will get to see all of these more up close in future posts. (I think I took individual pics of all of them. lol)

Mikayla and I worked on the lights while Steve and Wesley had to go get another tree for the kids. We always put one up for them in the office, but this year the "old" one literally broke. lol I hated the thing because it had flimsy branches and every time you tried to hang an ornament more than an ounce it would fall off. He found one that is much bigger, but nicer, too. You'll see it below.

Here it is! The kids are decorating their new tree. :)

Here are all of the Hallmark ornaments I have collected in the last 16 years. We have two full bins of them now. It is so exciting to see how the kids rummage through them to find their ornaments and get excited to see them again. Mikayla was so cute as I pulled out her different ornaments of Cinderella or her fairy series because she would play with them and they would all "greet" each other again. Wesley lined all of his up in neat rows.

Here are all of them... with a few that are not Hallmark thrown in there, too. Click on it to view it larger. The tradition each year is to hang the newest ornaments first so that is what we did again. The Fisher Price phone was the first to hang this year. Now that the kids are older I let them do more of the decorating than I ever have. Let's just say we have so many ornaments that I usually do not break out the regular ornaments that are just the shape of balls or such anymore. I don't mind... they always bring back sweet memories and that is one of the things I love about this season.

Steve and the kids are putting up their Christmas train. They love it!

Here is me photographing the ornaments. I knew I had to do it while the ornaments were easy to capture before we put the tree in place. I am photographing one of the balls that was given to me as a present from a student one year. I thought it was kind of funny. :)

Here is the den/office after we decorated. I did a few things differently on the mantle this year as I got that wreath from my students and parents last year. It is beautiful! Kevin has also given us four John Deere houses/barns, etc... to add to our lighted house collection. This year I used those instead of some of my older ones on the top of the TV area. Wesley added his own touch to the area that had a tractor. I love the house all lit up and shining.

11/27/09

One last look at "fall" before we move on to the next season.

We all ran by Yates Mill today and it looked so barren compared to a month ago. Wesley commented that fall is so short and you really don't get to enjoy the colors very long. How true... I'm so glad I capture bits and pieces of every season with my lens....


Now, it seems we are on to....

Christmas!

We have been busy all day with decorating and such. I will share those memories tomorrow and as the days go by.

I hope you and your family have continued to enjoy times together and being thankful for them all. Moving from Thanksgiving to Christmas isn't really that different. We are still thanking the Lord for His Son and all we have to change are the colors. :)

11/26/09

Thanksgiving Day.

A day set aside to thank the Lord for all of His goodness.

I find in our world today that many are choosing to complain and only want more gain in their lives instead of being THANKFUL for what they have. Every day should be Thanksgiving Day in our hearts. We are so blessed.

Here are just a few of the things for which I am thankful today and every day:

My Lord - His tender grace and mercies are new every day. He is faithful, just, loving and in control of all of my life. I thank Him for His patience with me as I continue to grow in Him.

Steve - this should be no surprise. ha! I have been blessed with an amazing husband. What a blessing to know I am married to my best friend.

Wesley and Mikayla - What riches I have found in this life since becoming a mother. The things I am learning from my children help me to be a better parent to them! I am so thankful to the Lord for these two He has given to us.

My parents - I have a wonderful heritage and example that is set before me still today. I am so thankful for their words of wisdom and how they are here for me/us anytime we need them.

My brother - He pushes me to do things I don't normally have a desire to do .... or even if i don't think I can do it. He is my "walking encyclopedia" and gets me thinking. :)

My ability to teach - I know God has placed me where I am for a reason and my talents are from Him.

Photography - I love being able to capture moments in time or personalities in people. I am still learning much from this ability, and wishes there was more time to do it, but I love the "stress release" this gives me when I hold the camera in my hand.

Home - I am thankful for the contentedness that the Lord continues to show me. I don't have to have the latest and greatest of things because I know things do not really make you happy. My home may not always be perfect for we do LIVE in our house, but it is our HOME and the love that is within is why I am so blessed.

I could go on and on... there are so many things I have that I just praise the Lord for in many ways.

I hope you take the time every day to thank the Lord for his goodness because without Him you have nothing.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

11/25/09

Psalm 95:1-3
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

11/24/09

Some parsley from the Farmer's Market....


In reading my devotions last night I thought this was so interesting not only from my teacher point of view, but a different twist to the "Pilgrim" story we all hear each year. (At least I do because I teach it each year!) It spoke to me even again tonight as I typed this. I got this from my devotion booklet and this one is by Jacob Ward.

Enjoy!

Keep Hanging On

In the fall of 1620, the Pilgrims were floating in the Atlantic - far from any land. On this particular day, they were caught in a storm and the Mayflower was being tossed about like a toy. The crew of the ship manned their posts, and the Pilgrims stayed below deck in their living quarters.

Of course, "living quarters" makes it sound like they're on a cruise. In reality, the ceilings were only 5 feet hight, and 102 people were crammed into one, not very large, open space. People were sea-sick, no one had bathed for a month, and there were no bathrooms. A little revolting, don't you think?

One man - John Howland, about 21 years old - was tired of being cramped below deck. Maybe it was not being able to stand up straight, maybe it was the awful smell, but he couldn't take it anymore. He opened the hatch, climbed onto the top deck, and found himself in the middle of a ferocious storm. He was very quickly thrown over the railing into the sea.

But this was not the end of John. He caught hold of a rope on his way down and held on. And he kept hanging on even while he was more than ten feet under water - in the Atlantic, in a storm! Crew members eventually pulled him up.

John Howland shouldn't have survived, but somehow, he did. What have you been through lately? Do you feel like you're barely hanging on? Don't ever give up! God is there with you.

Romans 8:24-16 says:
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

When you feel so low that you don't have the words - the Spirit speaks for you. What a comforting thought!

When Mr. Howland boarded the Mayflower, he was just a servant. He eventually bought his freedom and set up an estate in Plymouth. If you walk through the Burial Hill in Plymouth today, you can find Mr. Howland's gravestone, as well as the many gravestones on his 10 children and 88 grandchildren. He became an important man in Plymouth and was buried with honors. His gravestone reads:

He was a godly man and an ardent professor in the ways of Christ. He was one of the first comers into this land and was the last man that was left of those that came over in the ship called the Mayflower that lived in Plymouth.

Keep hanging on! You don't know what your future holds. There's always a thread of hope.

Psalm 147:11 - The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

11/23/09

In the midst of trials or times of sadness, I find most people turn to the book of Psalms for comfort. A couple of weeks ago my Pastor brought up a point about the Psalms that I had never thought of before.

King David went through a lot of hardships in his life. Some of those hardships were because of choices he made, some were choices made for him, and yet some were just totally out of his control. Through all of those things he learned to have a heart for God and it is so evident when you read through those scriptures in Psalms. They were written so long ago but still apply to us today. If David had never gone through those experiences we would not have that beautiful part of Scripture to glean from when we have our own needs.

King David wasn't perfect, and neither are we, but God used him in his trials to help others by speaking words of wisdom from God.... his writings have helped countless people through the ages!!

We don't all have the same pathways in life, but I take great comfort in knowing someone has "walked in my shoes" before. Just knowing someone is there praying and encouraging.... what a blessing.

Each time I read through Psalms that is what I find. There has never been a time I read through them and walked away thinking I didn't learn a little something. God's Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. May we praise Him for His Words and how they are so useful for us even today!

Psalm 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psalm 119:103 - How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Psalm 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:114 - Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Psalm 119:133 - Order (direct) my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 119:143 - Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

11/22/09

Psalm 92:1-5
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

11/21/09

I saw these leaves blowing in the breeze today and needed to capture it. In the midst of something yucky there was beauty. If you click on the photo you will see.... dead leaves are all around these colorful "alive" leaves. I took this later in the day after what happened.....


Today started out like any other day. I had plans, Steve had plans, but God had other plans.

Steve got outside in the yard with the kids. They are earning money to buy a toy for those less fortunate. We do this at school every year and I started with my students a few years back that they are to earn the money to buy this toy to get a new appreciation for giving to others. I want Wesley and Mikayla to do the same each year so that it isn't just "something we do" but something from the heart and hard work.

I was inside folding "Mount Everest" of laundry, washing sheets and then I was going to scrapbook as fast as my hands could do today to get at least get through 2008. I am so behind and it frustrates me.

I had just gotten going on the scrapbooking when Steve calls for me to come to the garage. He had a sound in his voice that I knew was not good.

Steve noticed last week when he mowed the grass that an area around the back of the house was really wet but we had had so much rain he figured it was because of that. Today, he found out otherwise. We haven't had much rain this week and it was sopping wet in that area.

We had a water leak and it was pretty bad.

What is the first thing that goes through your mind when you have issues like this?

"OH GREAT. THAT is going to cost a lot."

With Christmas coming up Steve and I thought, "Well, Merry Christmas to us!" Plumbers on a Saturday "ain't" cheap.

I honestly didn't know what to think and Steve didn't know where to begin.

Steve was fearing the worst, I was hoping and praying for the best. I just kept praying that the Lord would help us know what to do.

We began to think through how to find a plumber so I called Mom since they have had MANY experiences with this over the years with the farm and such.

She calls Daddy to find out some plumbers and Daddy was just arriving home.

Daddy gets here and begins to help us figure out what to do. He tells Steve not to worry that they can figure it out. He was so calm and acted as if it was an everyday occurrence. Daddy has learned over the years with all they have been through that there is no need to panic. HA!

Daddy had lots of things to do today but instead he goes home and gets his shovel, Steve finds ours, and they get to shoveling lots and lots of water and mud.


They found the leak.

They found the electrical wire by the piping so it wouldn't be cut by the shoveling.

They figured out how to fix it.

Total cost.... around $25.00/$30.00.

What could have been a serious panic moment for us turned into something very muddy/messy, but MINOR.

We are blessed by Daddy and his knowledge and time he gave us today.

Steve worked the rest of the afternoon to get the repair done. I was so appreciative of his hard work and "know how".... I would be so clueless.

I am blessed to have my sweet man.

In the middle of it all, what is Mikayla doing but reading in the middle of the yard. She knew nothing was majorly happening. Daddy and "Poppy" had everything under control. That is peace in the midst of a storm!


The Lord continues to use events and happenings in my life to teach me thankfulness in ALL things.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks:

11/20/09

Not sure what this is a remnant from but it was interesting so I photographed it. lol


Today I:

1. Successfully graded all papers before I came home. Whew!

2. Was so happy my house was cleaned last night so I could come home and take a nap! ha!

3. Enjoyed a wonderful lunch provided by parents of one of our classes. They do this for us every other Friday and it is such a blessing.

4. Talked to a friend (parent from last year) I hadn't seen in a while. She shared some sweet news of something in her family that continues to show us that God can take something bad and turn it into a blessing. It was nice to hear.

5. Set sail on the "Mayfowler".... a cardboard box and an imagination can go a long way. I love to surprise my students. (SHHHHH.... it is a secret....)

It was a busy day but lots of fun. Thankful it is Friday and I can spend some time with my family.

Here is a thought I read today:

The poorest of all are those who don't know the One to thank for the sunshine or to trust in the dark.

11/19/09

We all have days where we are tired and don't cherish the thought of all that awaits us when we get home.

Here is how I felt today but how I changed the thought from a whine to a praise:


I am tired
- I had a fulfilling day at my job that I love.

I am going to clean this house tonight then I have to help with homework before grading papers.
- I am blessed to have a home!
- I am blessed to be healthy enough to clean my own home!
- I am blessed that my children can learn.
- I am blessed that I can work from home instead of stay at school until it is all finished.

We had to run to the grocery store after school.
- We have enough money to put food on the table.

Steve has to work late.
- He has a job!

Supper is going to be leftovers upon leftovers.... again
- We have food.

We are blessed with so much from the Lord that some days we just forget to see it all. Take the time today to take a "whine" and turn it into a praise for what the Lord has given!

11/18/09

Another bit of purple... rosemary blooming. :)


I found another poem as we are getting ready for Thanksgiving. It fit the teacher in me!

An Inspiring Alphabet

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in happy giving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without God's love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking God for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of "Self Complaining"
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P rayer can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o "thank" is a command
U ntil we get blessings
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X pect from God most high
Y es, there will be some bad times and there will be some good, but...
Z zzz peacefully at night... you're in the care of God!

Author unknown

11/17/09

A splash of purple today among all of the fall things. Believe it or not, these were blooming a couple of weeks ago!

With Thanksgiving fast approaching I thought this poem was fitting. Enjoy!

Count your blessings instead of your crosses.
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes.
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears.
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean.
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth.
Count on God instead of yourself.

~Author unknown~

11/16/09

Another view of Yates Mill. I just love this place....



Here are a few things I "learned" today, this Monday, November 16 of 2009.

1. My life becomes a standstill when the internet is down at school. Little do we all realize how much we depend on a computer!

2. I have a lot going on this week at school and sometimes I wonder if I am "crazy" trying to do so many things. (probably not seeing as I love surprising my students...)

3. A bowl of cereal DOES NOT sustain you through the morning like a bagel/cream cheese or 2 eggs. I wanted to dive into some of my student's snacks around 9:00 this morning. I think they may have had a problem with their teacher grabbing their snack from them yelling "It's MINE, all MINE!"

4. I really don't know what to do with myself when the internet is down at school. (Can you tell I had issues with this one?!)

5. Sometimes one minute in the microwave is not enough to warm up your lunch. Unfortunately, by the time you realize that fact you have already walked across the cafeteria and don't want to get back up again because you will lose your 5 minutes of lunchtime. SO... you choose to eat it more coldish/lukewarm.

6. Teaching the songs for the second grade play can be a bit unnerving when you are trying to do it without the actual music. Especially when you are an individual that sings an octave lower on a good day. Thankfully, kids don't realize if you hit the wrong note or not. I have also learned that I sing from my throat and not my diaphragm like you are supposed to do and that causes some issues in the voice department. Hmmmm.... God is stretching me to learn music better.

7. I was glad when the internet started working again at school. It was like I had found my long lost friend.

8. I found Egg Nog in the grocery store today. This will make Steve extremely happy and I bought him some. Gotta take care of my baby.

9. Showing kindness to someone, even in the smallest of ways, can speak volumes.

10. I am so blessed by the Lord in my life. I am thankful for His mercy, grace, understanding, love, compassion, and pricking of my heart to be all I can be for Him.

11/15/09

More rain droplets...

Psalm 42:1-2
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

11/14/09

Raindrops... you know how I love them. I would have liked these better if I had had my tripod, but handheld was all I had that day. I like how you can see the texture of the leaf in the second one through the raindrops even though it isn't as crisp as I like.


Wardrobe update.... went shopping with Mom today and found several things. (Mom laughed at my indecision, though. :) ) I got a lot of great deals so that made me feel better about letting some of those dollars loose.

On to that High School reunion tonight.... I have been told by Steve to NOT take my camera. lol

Here is a poem that Mom showed me today. It is precious.

Drinking From My Saucer

I've never made a fortune
And it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don't have a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loved ones around me,
And that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
And the mercies he's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
And the sun peeped through again.
So God, help me not to gripe
About the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy
To help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

-John Paul Moore

11/13/09

I have forgotten about my Farmer's Market pictures lately so here is another shot of some pumpkins.
I loved these leaves... you can click on it to view the detail of that center leaf better.
Tomorrow night is my twentieth high school reunion.

I have a lot to wear..... but much of it is "school" clothes, if you understand my meaning.

Steve was in need of a few new work shirts and wanted me to meet him to help him pick some out. I decided this would be a great opportunity for me to get a new top or something to go with my "basics" in my wardrobe.

I am not one that goes out and buys things for myself very often. I realized why tonight.

I hate to shop.

I realize I am in the minority when it comes to this because *most* women I know love to shop.

I just do not fit into that category and I believe there are two reasons.

1. I do not like to spend money am very frugal.

2. When I finally do decide to spend some money shop I have no idea what looks good and decide it probably won't look good so why try it on and I walk away.

It drives Steve crazy to go shopping with me because I wander around aimlessly, look at price tags, turn my nose up at some of that stuff out there and talk myself out of purchases more times than I actually buy something.

My Momma always taught me to get the basics and then add to with some splashes every now and then. I just take that to the extreme sometimes.

I am not "fru-fru".... I would say my style is more tastefully simple.

I try to step it up a notch at times, and can surprise myself by actually buying something that is a bit more "not the usual me" but that is RARE.

SO.... tonight I walked out of the store with nothing.... AGAIN.

While I am realizing I am so blessed and have enough clothing to choose from there is something in the back of my mind that makes me want to look a little more spruced up tomorrow night.

Mom said she'd go with me tomorrow to see if I could find a little something/something to go with my basics. We'll see if that turns into a repeat of tonight.

Either way, I shall not complain for I am blessed beyond measure and I know I do not look like I did 20 years ago. THANK GOODNESS.

Well... except for being 105-110 pounds... I might could go for that again. lol

11/12/09

Reflections and fall beauty... I love that combination!


Here is a funny from today.

I was teaching the children about the Pilgrims on the Mayflower and shared with them some of the things they ate. The book I am reading was talking on one of the things that is called "hardtack" and it is a hard biscuit. I thought that was what it was, but before I told them incorrectly I wanted to check. While I was "researching" quickly one of my kids said:

"Oh, yeah, I know what that is! That is what killed Michael Jackson!"

Well, not quite, but you have the idea. I'm sure some of those Pilgrims eating it thought they might have one as hard as they were to eat! :)

In devotions in our teachers meeting this morning one of the teachers spoke on this verse::

II Corinthians 12:9
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ my rest upon me.

She challenged us to find ways where God's grace is sufficient for us, so here is mine.

God's grace is sufficient for me when....

I feel so inadequate to be all I need to be for my sweet husband, children and my students.

I make mistakes in life.

I realize I cannot do it all.

I forget my faith in the Lord because I'm too busy looking at the circumstance surrounding me.

I have a bad day.

I have to help someone who is hurting and I don't know what to say.

I am hurting.

I think I have figured out how to solve a problem with my children and they change it up on me!

I get upset with the kids and have to "step away" for a bit.

I find that my "routine" has been messed with and I have to "wing" it. (perfectionism at its finest)

These are only a handful of ways God's grace is sufficient for me, but I challenge you to do the same. If you have a blog consider yourself "tagged" to show how God's grace is sufficient for you. If not, write them out on a piece of paper. It's like counting your blessings with a twist. :)

11/11/09

On this Veteran's Day I am so thankful for those men and women who have given so much of themselves for our freedom. Some have given of themselves with their life, others by being away from family, friends and their own dreams and wishes. They give so much.... all so I can sit here tonight in a warm home surrounded by my family without the worries that so many others around the world are feeling at this moment.

Here is a poem I saw today at school for our Veteran's Day chapel. I loved it and searched online to find it. It gives you something to really think about...

The Soldier

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

By Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

11/10/09

Do you realize if you look at the date today you are counting backwards.... 11, 10, 9? Yeah, I like stuff like that. lol

Well, today was the day our Wes got his glasses.

What do ya think?

I think he looks adorable.

Steve took Wesley to get them and said Wes was smiling from ear to ear when he got them because he couldn't believe how much clearer everything looked!! (I remember that moment when I was his age.) When Mikayla and I came home from piano and I was able to see him for the first time. He was sitting there like studious little thing reading by the lamplight.

Here he is with his Momma.... his genetic cause for those glasses. :) What is so funny is the fact that I "tried" his glasses on and, well.... couldn't see a thing. I have coke bottles for glasses so that shouldn't surprise me. :)

11/09/09

It is around 7:15 tonight.

We just got home.

We left around 6:30 this morning.

Need I say more? :)

Oh yeah... one more word.

HOMEWORK.

11/08/09

Psalm 51: 10, 12

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free (generous) spirit.

11/07/09

I loved the contrast in color when I saw this beautiful red leaf on the bed of moss. Simple yet bold. :)


Here is something I heard in devotions on Thursday and my Mom shared with me the next day! I felt it was definitely something worth posting. You may have read it before, but it is worth reading again.

"Wet Pants"

Come with me to a third grade classroom. There is a nine year old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives....

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer: 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.'

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!'

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else -- Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. "You've done enough, you klutz!"

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants once, too.....'

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good....

11/06/09

I found a little splash of color among the leaves that had fallen. It's always nice to have a bit of color on a "dull" day.


I have a poster in my room that says "A day without laughter is a day wasted." (can't remember who actually said that... it's on the poster) The Bible says in Proverbs 17:22a "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." I can say that when laughter is around, it takes your mind off of your troubles. God wants us to laugh and enjoy life!

Have you laughed today?

If you have, good... you didn't waste the day. :)

11/05/09

Oh the beauty of the earth.... (click to view the majesty of those colors...)

Kevin and I are off to see South Pacific tonight. Should be a great evening... I just hope I stay awake. lol

I was singing this song the other day in preparation for the second grade Christmas play. This song is "intertwined" with another song in the play. I have been working with the pianist to get the music right since I have to teach it. (Any of you that have heard me sing in real life, I do not need comments on that right now...LOL)

I realize this song talks about spring, but I felt it could go very well with the beauty of fall. Enjoy the words to this hymn today:

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer
Who makes the woeful hearts to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be thine.

11/04/09

Wesley and I found these mushrooms growing on this log when we walked through Yates Mill the other day. It is always neat for me to see things growing like this. Click on them to view more detail.


Remember this song from the late '70's/early 80's: "She's got Betty Davis' eyes...."

Do you have the tune in your head now?

Good.

Sing these words to the tune instead:

"Wesley's got his Momma's eyes!!"

Before you start thinking that he has large "cow eyes" like his Mom, that is not what I am meaning.
(He does have large cow eyes like me, his are just in blue instead of brown, but I need you to move past that.)

NO..... here is the reason:

MY BOY HAS TO GET GLASSES.

OY.

Now, I realize this is something that happens to people every day.

I realize my boy needs to be able to see and do his work.

This is also what I realize:

I know what life is like to be "blind as a bat" and everyone is blurry. I hate that he has inherited this from me.

I know that my sweet child has a hard time keeping up with many things. Glasses are now on that list.

I know that I will be reminding him of those glasses -- A LOT.

I was so hoping that both our children would inherit Steve's 20/15 vision.

Genetics stink sometimes.

It's going to be a long time before he's ready for contacts.

I need to hush and be thankful that other than his eyes being a little bit *off* he is healthy and glasses are not the end of the world.

Please remind me of that last point when he can't find his glasses..... ha! :)

11/03/09

This is a picture that really needs to be "clicked on" to get the full effect. I just always think it is so lovely to walk along a path and look up, so that is kind of what I did. That walk in those woods with my babies was a simple pleasure that God gave us that day.

On the way back home from piano lessons after school we were stopped at a stoplight and saw a couple of flocks of birds going to and fro all around the sky above us. It was the neatest thing to watch as the leaders changed directions and all of the birds followed. Wesley and Mikayla were loving it.

When we got home we had a lovely meal of Wendy's fast food. It was just one of those nights.... We had a simple pleasure of watching a cooking show while eating our junk wholesome food. The kids got our their blanket and sat in the middle of the den floor. It was great to have a break from the hurry scurry we normally experience every night.

Simple pleasures in life... sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness that we forget to see them. Did you have a simple pleasure from the Lord today?

11/02/09

This is from a devotion I have read. These are not my personal words but I needed this today so that is why I posted it. Maybe you can use it as well.

Psalm 86:1 - Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

In Psalm 86, David talks about his distress and overcomes it through praise and worship - through prayer. You could pray this psalm during those times of pain in your life.

The first verse is one of my favorites! Notice that just as a child whispers into the ear of a parent, David is asking God to bow down His ear and hear him. We need to remember that God cares about us and loves us. He is not so big that He cannot bow down to hear us.

When we are weak, sick, and despondent, our mighty God will have respect for our prayers and our faith - and He will listen to us.

11/01/09

If you look closely in this first picture you can see Yates Mill.... you may have to click on it to see it.
This weekend has been crazy and we've not been home very much. Yesterday we went around with the kids all dressed up to various areas and let them enjoy the moments.

Mikayla was "Kirsten" the American Girl Doll. She wanted to be that one because Kirsten is being retired at the end of this year.

This outfit she is wearing was actually mine. I wore it in second grade... over 30 years ago. It is actually a "Czechoslovakian" outfit from a play we did, but we made it work for out west in the 1850's. lol Her hair was so cute to me.... loved it.

Wesley wanted to be a Revolutionary War soldier again. This time he looked a bit more authentic than at school.

He was loving the rifle....

Both of my cutie patooties.

This one made me laugh because right when I was taking the picture and Mikayla put her arms around him, his hat hit the rifle and was pushed down. lol

:) We had a good time yesterday. We enjoyed seeing as many people as we could.

Family shot before we left to gallivant all over creation.