Computer Trouble

Hello all!  I may not be posting anything with pictures for a while.  My computer is sick and so am I so I don't have the energy to figure it out right now.  Happy New Year!

Outside Christmas Lights

Today's theme is "nighttime" but I am choosing to do one I missed on the 16th  - "outside Christmas lights."

Since we live in an apartment, hanging outside lights isn't an option, but driving around to look at outside displays that others have created has always been one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season.  Below is a picture of one that I thought was pretty on our way home this evening.  

Ornament

"Ornament" was the theme for December 8th.  Since I didn't photograph an ornament on that day and couldn't quite capture something representing "grateful" today, I thought I would photograph this.  

The day we were leaving GA, J&BA presented each of us with gifts from Burkina Faso and Mali, neighboring countries in Africa.  This ornament is the gift that was given to A.  I believe it is a dried gourd that has been sanded and carved.  It is beautiful and the detail is amazing.  

Morning

Merry Christmas!

Favorite Part(s) Of Christmas Eve

Today's photo challenge was to capture my favorite part of Christmas Eve.  That is hard.  The first thing is not something that I could take a picture of.  After the service held at church this evening, DL said "Merry Christmas" to me.  This may seem like a small thing but when I explain, you will know why it is top of my list.   DL has Huntington's disease.  For her to say something that clearly is unusual and for her to choose to use those words with me is a blessing I am not sure how to articulate.  How could I capture that moment with a picture?  

Next on my list of favorite parts of Christmas Eve was sharing a meal with N&CP.  N is from Costa Rica.  One of their traditions is to share a meal with family on Christmas Eve at midnight.  So, the P family invited us to share in that tradition this year.  Several families from the homeschool co-op were there.  Because so many in the group have small children, they chose to serve the meal at 10:00 pm instead of midnight.  We arrived at 8:00 to play games and hang out.  I now know how to play chicken foot dominoes!  Then we had tamales and rice for dinner.  It was delicious!  Pictured below is N&CP with A(on N's lap), S(on C's lap) and J(standing); little I was already in bed when we arrived.  The picture was taken near the end of the evening, well past the typical bedtime for these amazing youngsters.  I snapped 30 pictures and yet didn't get one where S was sitting still. This was the best shot.  

As mentioned earlier, we had a service at church this evening as well.  It is the first Christmas Eve service that has been held at this church for as long as I have been attending.  It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the day this year.  Pictured is our youth pastor preparing to lead us in worship.  

Simply Sunday

Luke 12:23-24

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Snapshot Saturday - Our Trip In Pictures

More details to come after I am rested...

Tree Topper

Miracle made this when she was in pre-K.  As she got older, I tried to replace it with a more formal tree topper but nothing else seems right atop our tree.

Candy Cane/It Worked For Me! Wednesday

I got this idea off of Pinterest and Angelica modified it a bit to come up with a gift to give people.

Jesus is the Gentle Shepherd

and this cane of red and white

proclaims the humble story

born on Christmas night.

This cane, you see,

when turned around

begins His name of Love

and now becomes a symbol

of peace proclaimed above.

The lively peppermint flavor

is the regal gift of spice.

The white is His purity

and the red His sacrifice.

And so this cane reminds us

just how much He cares

and like His Christmas Gift to us

it's meant for all to share.

Stockings

Presents

Simply Sunday

This Simply Sunday is a bit different, other than the fact that it is late in the day being posted again, there is no picture, only a story...

A few years ago, when I first started driving a school bus I came in at the end of my shift and a supervisor asked me how my day went.  I told him it was terrible and the following conversation ensued:

Him, "Really?!? I didn't hear you on the radio. Did you get in an accident?"

Me, "No."

Him, "Did you hit a child?"

Me, "No."

Him, "Did you run over an animal?"

Me, "No."

Him,"Did you damage any property?"

Me, "No,"

Him, "Then it sounds like a good day to me."

Today was also a good day.... and I can say with certainty that if God had not answered our prayers and those of other people on our behalf, I would not be able to say that.  

Angelica was driving, we were just outside of Atlanta.  It was raining.  She was in the left lane of a three lane highway.  She turned on her signal, checked the traffic to make sure it was safe, and began to move into the middle lane.  At that same moment, a semi that was in the right hand lane began changing lanes without using a blinker.  Angelica reacted.  In fact, she over-corrected and the car began swerving back and forth across all three lanes of traffic.  The car swerved back and forth about five times before beginning to spin.  About two-thirds of the way around the second donut, the car began to rock side to side, resting on only two tires at a time before coming to rest on all four facing the oncoming traffic, just a few feet from the guardrail.  Below the bridge was another highway.  

Anyone who has ever driven in Atlanta knows that the traffic is non stop, even on the weekends.  Today was no different.  By some miracle, no one ran in to our car.  The traffic all went around us, no matter where we happened to be at the moment.  We didn't run in to anything and no one ran in to us.  We are all OK.  Sore, but OK.  

Psalm 91:11-12

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Angelica typed out her version of events over on her blog.  She was understandably quite shaken and might need a bit of encouragement.  I would appreciate if you all would pop by her blog and leave an encouraging message.  

Favorite Holiday Song

I received this CD with a box of diaper wipes when the girls were little.  We didn't even own a CD player at the time.  We smile every year when we pull this CD out and listen to it.  Our favorite song is Tigger's version of Jingle Bells.  

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh - hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh - hey!

Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing a sleighing song tonight

Oh - Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh - hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh - hey!

A day or two ago, this story I must tell
I went out in the snow and on my back I fell.
Little Roo was riding by, in a one horse open sleigh
he laughed as in the snow I lie and asked if I could play

Oh - Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh - hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh - hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh - hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh - hey!

PS I decided to take as many pictures for the photo challenge as possible before leaving home and schedule them to post while we are away.

Christmas Tree

Family

The picture is poor quality and the lighting is bad but we had fun with the pose.  We are all busy packing and I didn't want to take much time to capture today's moment.  This is my family in its entirety.  There is not extended family although there are quite a few people in our "framily" ie those people that are closer than friends but not related by blood or adoption.    I am not sure how blogging will look for the next week or so. I know I will keep up with the photo challenges but I don't know if I will post again until we get home.  I will catch up with a "post a day" then.  Take care and  Merry Christmas!

A Beautiful Sight/It Worked For Me! Wednesday

The snoman display is probably my favorite thing we put up every winter.  It goes up after Thanksgiving and stays until after Valentine's Day with a few modifications as the winter wears on.  For the entire time it is up, it brings a smile to my face. 

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A few weeks ago, Pastor said on a Sunday morning that they would like some snowflakes to decorate the front of the church and I quickly volunteered.  I remembered from a few years ago that the trick to getting a good snowflake was in the fold; specifically the paper should be folded in multiples of three, but I couldn't remember those specifics so I turned to Pinterest.  Sure enough, I found this tutorial and together the girls and I made snow flakes for church.  We were greeted with compliment after compliment about how pretty the snow flakes were when we attended church this past Sunday.  Definite success!

Green

Today's photo challenge was green.  I started the day with the intent of making a collage of every green thing I saw.  That plan derailed when the camera went dead.   Here are all the green things I photographed before that happened.  

Wrapping Paper

Today's topic is "wrapping paper."  I always try to have a very specific variety of wrapping paper at home.  These include snowman or winter theme, ornaments, something that represents my faith, something that can be used as birthday paper in a pinch, and Santa.  I think I might be a bit OCD about the wrapping paper.  

There are a few more shots in the collage above that need explaination.  The snowman on the right is an empty shoe box that was wrapped the year that Angelica was in a skating program.  It was a prop that she used.  It brings a smile to my face every year so I can't bring myself to get rid of it.  

Bottom center is a box that was wrapped in a variety of papers that were left over from a Girl Scout event.  We wrapped gifts in a patchwork pattern for years just trying to use all of the leftovers up.  

The blue one in the center is a close up of the paper that represents my faith that we currently have.  

Top center is a box that Miracle filled and wrapped for me the Christmas she was four.  It has never been opened and always goes under my tree.  I am a bit sentimental.  

Top left is the most important box that goes under our tree each year.  It has been wrapped in that paper since 2001.  Each year, we take some time out to decide what gift to give to Jesus.  It is often the ugliest part of ourselves, the thing that we most need for God to change. Then we open the box and read the gifts we gave to Jesus the year before.  It is a reminder of how much we have grown and how much God has brought us through.  It is a gift given to Christ, but ultimately a gift for ourselves as well.  

Wrapping paper is just something to decorate a box and hide what is inside, to make a pretty presentation but much like us, the outside isn't what matters.  The gift inside is what is important.  Jesus knows that and He chose so very long ago to come to earth as a baby knowing He would ultimately die a gruesome death.  God was willing to do all of this so that we could spend eternity with Him.

Simply Sunday

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: rejoice!

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In participating with the photo challenge, today's word was "What You Are Reading" and the truth is with the fog that my brain is often in from the lupus, I am not currently doing much reading aside from what is required for teaching the girls and scripture. I can't remember the last book I read and I am not in the scriptures as much as I would like.  This passage in Philippians that Angelica has memorized this fall is one I keep mulling over and re-reading.  I need to hear what God is saying in these verses.  I don't know if anyone else is really blessed by the Simply Sunday, but I know it is something that I need.  I am sorry if anyone came looking earlier and it wasn't there.  I will try to be more on top of things.  I have just been so tired from the lupus lately that lots of things are slipping by me. God bless.

Bright/Snapshot Saturday

Once again, I am dong the wrong word.  Today's word is "ornaments."  We actually got most of the tree up, but the ornaments I most wanted to photograph are still in boxes and I was able to capture some really fun moments with the girls playing with the lights, so I am choosing to do "bright" today.

Favorite Holiday Movie

OK.  First off, today's challenge was "Bright" but since I'm not feeling well, and since I made it a point to stay home today, and since the weather was a bit overcast, and since our tree isn't up yet.... I couldn't find anything "bright " to photograph.  

So... I decided to look back at the photo challenges I skipped over on the 1st and the 2nd and chose to do "Favorite Holiday Movie."

This is my favorite holiday movie for a few reasons.  I can sit down to watch it feeling down and by the time it is over, I am happier.  Mostly because of the memories it brings up.  We got this the first year Angelica participated in figure skating.  She was so young and so happy even though life was chaotic with her illness.  That year and the year after we went through some really hard things, but when I watch this movie I am not reminded of the difficulty of facing those events.  Instead I am reminded of the wondrous love of God that brought us through it all.  

Shopping

We went to the store today and this is all we bought.  We have things in the freezer to compliment these things and added together it will make three dinners.  Not bad.  We are blessed to have such abundance.  

Today's Temp/It Worked For Me! Wednesday

WOW!  It's December in Nebraska and we aren't wearing coats!  It feels like spring or fall but not Christmas, that's for sure.  

*I realized after posting this that it is Wednesday.  What can I say?  I'm not feeling well and details like that are slipping by me... Anyway, I figure that these posts I am making work as a Worked For Me! post because it started as a result of something I saw on Pinterest.*

Joyous

Any time the sun is shining and the weather is nice enough for a picnic in December is a joyous occasion.  The sound of the Salvation Army bells ringing in the background just adds to that moment.  

Red

I spotted this link on Pinterest and thought I might enjoy participating so for the month of December, I will hopefully post a daily photo to fit with the theme.  Enjoy!

Simply Sunday

Psalm 121:7-8

The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  

Snapshot Saturday

September 2012

Setting up the tent for camping

It Worked For Me Wednesday!

Angelica here.  Mom's not  feeling well, so I'm doing the It Worked For Me Wednesday. I'm going to highlight a recipe from my Pinterest.  A few days ago, I had a friend over and we really wanted some cookie dough.  So, we Googled and found this recipe.  Today, we decided to make it again, seeing as how it was so good. One recipe of chocolate chip and one of sugar cookie.   

Simply Sunday

Philippians 3:20-21

But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  

Ever so often, I need to be reminded that what we see on this earth is not the end.  Whether in life or death, sickness or health, riches or poverty, no matter the situation, what we are experiencing here is only temporary.  

Snapshot Saturday

July 29, 2012

Miracle had the opportunity to work at the Washington County fair this past summer.  She helped a friend of mine man the craft booth where local folks displayed their handiwork.  She had a ton of fun and was able to earn a little bit of money to spend at nationals, too.  She hopes to do it again this year.  

It Worked for Me! Wednesday - para cord storage

Earlier this fall, we went camping as a test run for a planned camping trip.  I was anticipating being in GA for most of the month of November camping as well.   In preparation for that, I searched on Pinterest for tips that would make camping easier.  One that I found was an easy way to store para-cord.  This works great! No more tangled cord!  Para-cord is a strong cord that has a multitude of uses.  It comes in a variety of colors.  I use a bright color for visibility.

Edited to add:

1. Find a plastic jar with a lid that the cord will fit into.  The jar you see was the second attempt since the first jar I tried was too small.
2. Drill a hole in the center of the lid. 
3. Poke cord through lid.
4. Screw on lid.

Simple as that.  Thanks, Autumn.  I hadn't realized I didn't list out the instructions. I was supervising the girls preparations for Thanksgiving dinner when I typed this out earlier and was a bit distracted.  :)

Simply Sunday

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Snapshot Saturday

Yesterday we went to Penney's and had a family portrait made.  It is the first time in 9 years that we have had family pictures taken.  This was only made possible because JCP is having a special this month that allows each family to have their portrait taken, including sitting fees, gives them a free 8x10 of the favorite image, and a low resolution digital copy of that image.  All for free with no requirement to purchase anything. Additional sheets are available for $4.00 each and although I would really like some of the other photos taken, we will not be ordering any.  

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.

It Worked For Me! Wednesday - glitter shoes

Do you remember my post about homecoming?   As I said there, Miracle wanted to make a pair of glittered shoes for the event. 

So, I looked on Pinterest and found a tutorial.

Step 1:  Gather shoes, glitter, tacky glue, and paintbrushes.  Either go outside or find a way to protect the area and contain the mess.  

Step 2: Paint a section of the shoe with glue and cover in glitter.  

Admire and wear the finished product!

Things we learned:

1. Actual glue works better than the spray kind.
2. Use both the glue and the glitter generously.   
3. Work in small sections so the glue doesn't dry before the glitter is applied.  
4. A spoon is helpful when sprinkling the glitter on the shoes.
5. The texture of dress shoes hold the glitter better than canvas in the end.  The canvas shoes lose glitter every time they are worn.  
6. Fine textured glitter makes a more formal looking product.  We used regular size glitter found at Hobby Lobby.  They also carry fine glitter.  Next time we do this, I will buy the other glitter.
7. Everyone will comment.  Be prepared to graciously explain how you made the shoes when you wear them.  

Sojourn Sunday

The youth at our church led the service this past Sunday.  

M was on the worship team.  

A gave a dramatized quoting of Philippians 3:1-4:9.

The yp had a really neat idea to paint the face of Jesus on a bed sheet and to have the kids write a one word testimony on the other side.  Then they cut it in to pieces and each walked up sharing their testimony.  When they were all in place, they turned the sheets over to present the image of Christ.  It was powerful.  

It was nice to see all of the teens growing and using their talents to glorify God.  

Lisa Schroeder - in The Day Before

I don't like

the memories
because the tears
come easily,
and once again I break
my promise
to myself for this day.

It's a constant battle.

A war between
remembering and forgetting.

Overwhelmed No More

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to go to a pie social being held as a housewarming party for one of my friends.  I rode with another friend to get there.  She is quite a bit younger than me but wiser in so many ways.  She is currently pregnant with her fifth child.  Her oldest is 6.  She made a statement that I think might just change my life.  

She said that she wouldn't allow herself to be overwhelmed because God would not give her more than she could handle and if she is feeling overwhelmed she re-evaluates those parts of her life that she can control to see what she is doing that is out of His will.  

That is profound.  She is standing on a promise of God, believing every moment that it is true, and aligning her life to the scriptures.  

I have been thinking about this since Saturday and attempting to apply it to my life.  There is a lot going on in my life that is out of my control.  A lot of things that even individually seem overwhelming but put together seem to be more than I can bear.  In fact, overwhelmed is a word I have used frequently in recent days to describe how I feel.  Yet, now that I am beginning to acclimate to her viewpoint, I am feeling it a lot less.  

I can't find a scripture that states this view exactly, but a few come to mind that talk about the choices we need to make regarding our attitudes.  I will leave you with those.  

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the LORD always, I will say it again, rejoice.  

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.

FYI:  I backdated a post about youth convention here.

Simply Sunday

Isaiah 40:30-31

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Snapshot Saturday

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Last Sunday, the zoo in Omaha had free admission so we went and walked around after church.  We miss having a zoo pass.  We visited the outdoor exhibits.  The weather was perfect.  

Near Miss

I am teaching both girls to drive right now.  

We drive a stick shift.

They rotate days.

Angelica drives on odd numbered days and Miracle drives on even numbered days.

Miracle was doing quite well yesterday and had actually clocked over three hours of drive time.

She was set to make a left turn off of a county highway and she stalled the car.

This usually isn't a big deal when it happens but at that moment a semi was barreling down on us.

I saw it in the rear view mirror and froze.

There really was nothing we could do.

It stopped less than an inch from our bumper.

We all breathed a sigh of relief that we are alive.

When I finally caught my breath, the first words out of my mouth were a prayer of thankfulness to God.  

God is truly amazing.

There is something about realizing you could have died and feeling overwhelming gratitude that you are alive that decreases depression.  

God is truly amazing.

Youth Convention

The girls went to youth convention this past weekend.  Here's a video their youth pastor put together of the highlights from the weekend.

It Worked for Me! Wednesday - kitchen tip

For this Wednesday, I have a kitchen tip.  Angelica pinned this.  Angelica put it in to practice.  I followed suit.

The picture is pretty self explanatory but I will outline the steps anyway.  

1. Cut the top 2-3 inches off a bottle with a lid.  Try to get the edges as smooth as possible.  We have also realized it needs to be a rather wide mouth bottle.
2. Cut the top edge off of whatever bag you are needing to close.
3. Push the bag opening through the bottle mouth.  
4. Screw the bottle lid on.  

I was pretty skeptical at first.  I wasn't sure the idea would work.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Now we have several bags staying closed this way.  

Simply Sunday

Hebrews 11:3

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.