If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Pages

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Thankful Thursday

http://www.knitbygodshand.com/


It's Thursday which means it's time to be thankful. Why not write your own thanks and link up with Rebecca Jo here.

Today I am thankful for:

-- how God has been so good to me even through (especially through) the hard parts of 2015,
-- that tomorrow January 1, 2016 (and everyday) we can start fresh with God even if we messed up the day before, and
-- that I am so loved, forgiven, blessed, redeemed, aaccepted and adopted by my God. Being adopted makes me His child and since He is the King that makes me, as His child, a princess. I'm thankful for who I am in Christ and I pray that in 2016 I'll remember that truth better. 

So what are you thankful for on this last day of 2015?

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Wednesday Hodgepodge



1. Share a favorite memory/moment from the week of Christmas.
One of my favorite moments was our Sunday night service before Christmas.  We had candlelight, white Christmas lights on the alter and the Christmas tree.  Hubby offered an excellent message, then we had communion and sang Silent Night a cappella.  We were just a small group and it was so very special.

2. If someone wrote a book about your life based on the past year, what genre would it fall under? What would the title be?
The genre would probably be drama.  The title "Life is Hard (But God Is Still Good)"

3. What made you feel patriotic this year?
I love our country (even with all it's problems) and I think I always feel patriotic.

4. What experience from this past year would you like to do all over again?
I would love to repeat the month I spent in Myrtle Beach.

5. What song lyric sums up or is a reflection of your 2015?
I can't think of anything right now. 

6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate 2015? (10=stellar) Why?
I'd rate 2015 as a 5.  Parts were really bad and hard and parts were pretty special.

7. What part of the upcoming year are you most excited about?
I don't really have plans for the upcoming year, so I can't think of anything special.  But I am excited to see what will happen as the year comes and goes.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Looking forward to going to my brother's for New Years Eve.  Do you have plans for New Years?
 

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Pictures

Here are a few pictures from Christmas week.  I can't even believe I'm showing some of these, but this is my crazy, non-photogenic life.  lol

Hubby and I playing with the selfie stick

Kelli and I playing with the selfie stick

Kelli with hubby's parents

Kelli with her daddy's hand in the background (this girl never takes a bad picture)

My new laptop.  Finally got around to setting it up Sunday evening.

Lucy on Christmas morning in her pink party dress

Here it is from another view.

Kelli and her cousin doing the selfie thing with her camera.  I love this picture so much, so she sent it to me.
As you can see, some of us are photogenic and others...not so much!  But we have fun anyway!  lol




Monday, December 28, 2015

And Back to Work We Go...

Christmas is over and the weekend is over. It's Monday morning and time to go back to work. It was fun while it lasted, but it didn't last long enough. haha

On Christmas Eve, the 4 of us brothers and sisters and spouses and kids got together at my sisters house. There have been a lot of changes in our family in 2014 and 2015. I'm so glad we all took the time to be together and we had a really good time. Then a group of us went to visit with dad. Dad isn't doing the best, but he seemed to enjoy the cookie my sister brought him and I got this picture of dad and Kelli together.


We had a good Christmas. I think the girls liked what they got and hubby and I like our gifts. We had a good breakfast at our house (eggs, bacon, sausage and French toast or various combinations thereof). My sister came over and we enjoyed just sitting and talking. We don't seem to ever take the time to do that much any more. It was nice.

In the afternoon we all went to hubby's parents and had a good dinner and shared gifts and just enjoyed being together. 

Kerri had already left before we go to the pictures and yes we did use a selfie-stick for this picture.  haha

I love all my family and am so thankful for the time we've had together these last few days. We didn't get to spend as much time with Kerri as we had hoped, but I really enjoyed the time we had.  She has her new family to be with too and we understand that.   Kelli headed back to Florida this morning, but we had such a good time while she was here.  Things are pretty much back to normal now and very quiet at our house tonight.  But quiet is a good thing sometimes.

I hope you all had a good time these past few days also.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Thankful Thursday on Christmas Eve Day



If you'd like to join in' click here.      This week I am thankful for:

--Having both Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day off work. There have been many years I've worked and I know there are many who are working this year.

--Having Kelli home and having some good conversations.

--Plans to be with both my family and hubby's family. Feeling so very blessed.

--That Jesus came to earth in a very humble manner and loved us and died for us and then arose again and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ever-interceding for us.

Have a blessed Christmas everyone!


Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Early Christmas Fun

Last night hubby and I got to have dinner with these 3 cuties at Fazoli's.



It has been a couple of months since we have seen Carolyn and Carina and even longer since Kelli has been with them. We had so much fun talking and catching up. Here's Carina racing hubby to see who can finish their spaghetti first.


I love hearing her little giggle.


Then it was time for little Carina to open her gifts. I think maybe they were a success. :)









I'm so glad Kelli made the arrangements for us all to get together and that everyone was flexible enough to make it work.  Now looking forward to the rest of the Christmas festivities coming up.  I hope you are too!

Friday, December 18, 2015

Friday Four Fill-In

http://www.feelingbeachie.com/follow-friday-four-fill-in-fun-blog-hop-week-240/

I've been seeing this Friday Four Fill-In around for a long time.  I decided to join in today.  Click the button above, if you'd like to play.

The statements:
  1. ___ taste ____
  2. Have you______
  3. My ______________________ always gets mad at me for ____________.
  4. When my alarm clock goes off, I ____________________.

My Answers

1.  I love the taste of sugar cookies. 

2.  Have you seen the last Hunger Games movie?  No, not yet, but I hope to next week while Kelli is home. 

3.  My puppy always gets mad at me for ignoring her. She chewed up the paper on one of the presents under the tree when I ignored her last night. Now our tree looks like this temporarily. 


4.  When my alarm clock goes off, I lay in bed for at least another 15 minutes, whenever possible. 

 

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Thankful Thursday

http://www.knitbygodshand.com/2015/12/thankful-thursday-link-up-49.html


Today is Thursday, so that means it's time for Thankful Thursday.  I know it's late in the day, but I'm still thankful and you can be too.  Just write your post and then click the button above to link up with "Knit by God's Hand".

I'm thankful for this little Christmas tree in my office. Someone gave it to the employees here, and no one else wanted to put it in their office, so I get it have it.  Isn't it cute.  Thank you to whoever gave it.


I'm thankful for such a beautiful sunrise this past Sunday.  I'm thankful that I saw it and I was able to get this picture.  Thank you Lucy for needing to go out at just the right time.  :)


I am so thankful that this verse is so very true.








Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Wednesday Hodgepodge



1. What's your biggest 'first world' problem?
Honestly we really don't have any real problems.  But we do need to paint and put in new floors and we can't make up our mind what we want.  Hoping to decide soon and get it done early in 2016.

2. Each year Time Magazine names a 'Person of the Year', someone who has 'for better or worse...done the most to influence the events of the year.' It was recently announced they've named Angela Merkel Person of the Year for 2015. You can read more about this year's selection here. Your thoughts? If you were in charge, who would you declare Person of the Year?
Honestly, I know nothing about her and I'm too tired to read it tonight.  So no thoughts on whether she should be the "Person of the Year" or not. I also have no thoughts on anyone else that should be Person of the Year.  There are many I admire and who I think of done great things, but I can't really think of one that stands out above the others.

3. Do you have a nativity set in your home? If so share it's history and how you display the pieces.
I do have one, but did not set it up this year.  There really is no history to it, except that I like it.  This year, I just have a really small one out.

This is how I've displayed it in the past.

4. Do you make an extra effort to give back in some way during the holiday season? How do you encourage those who need encouragement this time of year?
I help with the Christmas Baskets at church each year and also hubby and I bought (along with my sister's help) gifts for 2 babies on the City's Giving Tree.

5. Who is your favorite person to shop for? Why?
Both of my girls because they always give me a good sized list that I can choose from.

6. What's the last delicious thing you ate?
Barbecue Ribs and Pulled Chicken while on vacation.  Actually, I had several really delicious meals on vacation.

7. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to be kind and loving to people.
or maybe Elf is right
from internet

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I need to get a Christmas gift for our dog and for our grandcats and granddog.  I haven't figured out what yet.  How about you?  Do you buy gifts for your pet/s or grandpet/s?  Can you give a girls any ideas?

My brother made this and it is displayed in the front of their church for the Christmas Season.  Isn't it beautiful!


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Christmas Progress

Here's where I stand on my Christmas List (which has mostly been in my head), but now it will be here for me to look at.



1.  Christmas tree -- up and decorated

2.  Other Home Decorations -- done (unless one of the girls wants to add something else)

3.  Church Christmas Dinner & Auction -- was this last Sunday and I'd say it was a wonderful success

4.  Present Shopping -- completed except for some aftershave & gift cards & stocking stuffers

5.  Presents -- all wrapped and under the tree  (except for the ones that go to other places)

6.  Handmade Gifts -- I'm in the process of making a gift for my family's gift exchange.  I really need to get myself in gear on this one.

7.  Christmas Cantata -- Hubby and I attended my brother and sister's church Sunday night and saw their cantata.  The music was beautiful and I enjoyed it so much.

8.  Watch "White Christmas" -- waiting on oldest daughter to come home.  It's tradition that we watch it together.

9.  Giving Tree Gifts -- bought, wrapped & turned in

10. Christmas Baskets -- working up to this, shopping for most will be done online & picked up at store, the rest hubby and I will pick up on Friday or Saturday to be given out on Sunday

11. Candlelight Service -- coming Sunday evening

12. Enjoy the holidays -- already in progress and looking forward to the upcoming days.

I'm trying so hard to not let the stress of all that needs to be done get to me this year.  I want to just enjoy the process this year instead of stressing over it all.  I hope you are enjoying your holidays too and that you are looking forward to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Monday, December 14, 2015

12 Questions of Christmas


I found this on Rebecca Jo's blog and decided to answer them myself.  You can read her answers here.

1.  What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Getting up early Christmas morning and opening presents with our girls (and now Charlie too) and fixing breakfast and just enjoying the morning together.   I dread the first time when one of them won't be able to be there.
 
2.  Where do you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve with my family.  Plans are to go to my sister's and then we'll all go visit dad.  Christmas morning is with our girls and Charlie and then to my husband's parent's home for lunch and family time.
 
3.  What is your favorite Christmas song?
I can't name just one.  Probably Away in the Manger and Silent Night for traditional carols and I love Mary Did You Know and Silver Bells and, of course, White Christmas!
 
4.  Do you decorate before or after Thanksgiving?
This year it was after Thanksgiving because we were out of town.  Last year it was before Thanksgiving.  However, when we decorate before Thanksgiving, we keep the blinds closed and just enjoy the lights ourselves.  Blinds will be opened Thanksgiving evening to share the lights with anyone driving by.

5.  Tinsel or garland?
As a child we had tinsel, but if we use either, it's garland.  Tinsel is prettier, but so messy and probably not ideal with a little dog.
 
6.  Who are you most excited to see this Christmas season?
Kelli, because I haven't seen here since April.

7.  Do you own an ugly Christmas sweater?
No, not any more.  I used to have several (but I didn't think they were ugly, but others may have).
 
8.  What is one Christmas food you cannot live without?
My sister's or sister-in-law's cheeseball.
 
9.  Peppermint or gingerbread?
I'm not a fan of either one.  But if I had to choose, then peppermint.
 
10. Have you ever tried a fruit cake?
Not that I can remember.  They just don't tempt me at all.  So I figure, there are too many calories in the things I love, so why even try it.  I might like it and I just don't need it.  I feel the same about pecan pie.
 
11. What is one thing you asked for this Christmas?
A new laptop

12. If you could be any Christmas movie character, who would you be?
Rosemary Clooney's character in White Christmas.  I would love to be able to sing like her. Plus aren't these dresses beautiful?!?




I wasn't actually tagged in this, but just enjoyed the questions and answers when I read Rebecca Jo's and decided to answer them myself. If you enjoy this and decide to answer them too, let me know so I can read you answers.


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Wednesday Hodgepodge



1. Many families have a story they love to tell every year around a holiday. Does your family have one? Are you the star of that story, or does another family member take center stage? Share your story if you want.
The one that is told the most is the Christmas of the 6 black purses. That year mom had told everyone she wanted a black purse. We girls got some of our old purses and wrapped them and put Mom's name on them. All five of us kids gave her a black purse. The more she opened the funnier it got. She tried to be so gracious about each one. Then we finally told her what was going on and gave her her real gifts. The first one she opened was mine and it was her new real black purse. 

2. Are you afraid to speak your own opinion?
Depends on the topic and where I am and who I'm with, I guess.

3. Pantone has announced the color of the year for 2016, and for the first time have chosen two shades-rose quartz and serenity. Hmmm...did you know serenity was a color? You can read the thought behind their selection here, but essentially it's blending the warmth of rose quartz with the tranquility of a very soft shade of blue. So what do you think? Are these colors I'd find in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in these shades to either place in the new year?
No, I didn't know serenity was a color.  They are currently not in my home or wardrobe.  However, I especially like the serenity color.  That could possibly show up in my home (as we are planning to paint) next year.


4. If you could be in a Christmas carol, which one would you choose? Why?
As long as it was temporary, I'd like to be in "Silent Night".  I would love to see Christ's in the stable and the angels and wisemen and shepherds worshiping Jesus.

5. December 9th is National Pastry Day. Will you celebrate? When did you last purchase something from a bakery? What's your favorite treat that falls under the heading of pastry? Do you make it yourself or buy from the professionals?
Never heard of National Pastry Day and no I don't plan to celebrate.  My birthday maybe and we bought a cake.  Favorite pastry treat is probably hot fudge cake and I get it from our local Frisch's Restaurant.

 

6. When it comes to holiday decorating I don't really enjoy the process, but I love the results.
 
7. When did you last laugh so much it hurt? Explain.
I've had trouble thinking of something. But maybe when I just went and saw Chonda Pierce's movie last month. There were parts that were very funny. But there were alsoparts  that made me want to cry. She is one incredible lady. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.
The sky was absolutely gorgeous tonight.  Here are a couple of pictures from my back yard.
  


Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Christmas Decorating

Well, the tree is finished except the bow on top. I'm really not even sure I'm going to use a topper.


The stockings are up too. 


The wreath still needs to go up and then I'm done. Anything else and one of the girls will have to do it. 

I love Christmas and all the lights. However, decorating is really not my thing. lol

How about you?  Do you like to decorate?