Ponderings of the Heart

The Way of Love

2012-01-27T16:09:00.000-05:00

The Way of Love

¹ If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. ²If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. ^3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

^8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

¹¹When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

¹²We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

¹³But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

That last verse convicts me so much that I need to say it again.

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:

TRUST STEADILY IN GOD!,

HOPE UNSWERVINGLY!,

LOVE EXTRAVAGANTLY!

And the best of the three is love.

1 Corinthians 13 ~The Message

The pictures are of another idea I found on pinterest. I wish I could remember where I downloaded the art from but I can't ....sorry.

I love it so much that I might just leave it out year round instead of just at Valentine's Day.

in HIM--

Memorable Moments {from Last Week}

2012-01-25T14:07:00.000-05:00

1. Transformation of a Penguin!

Lillie has been learning about penguins in her class at school.

She had a homework assignment to disguise the penguin.

We thought it would be a good idea to make him into a box of popcorn.

Begin by cutting out the shape of a popcorn box out of card stock.

Then draw lines and color.

Add the word popcorn!

Glue on the popcorn

We did learn that glue sticks didn't work.

Real Elmer's glue is necessary.

This is one well disguised penguin!!

2. Gifts for Val!

Our friends were headed off on a 10-year Anniversary Cruise last week.

It was so much fun thinking of what to put in a basket full of goodies for her!

I love giving surprises!!!

My friend, Val, is one of our amazing singers in our Praise Band.

So we ambushed at the end of practice.

She was so surprised!!!

And I think she liked it!

Kandi, me, Val and Jenny.....

the three of us had the best time putting this gift together and surprising our friend!

3. Watching Brady play cars.....

He has a load of them......

and he loves them.....

4. Getting the BEST DEAL EVER!!!

Seriously, I got this sign for 90% off!!!!

It was $3.85!!!!

I am NOT lying!

And, bonus!!!

It is double - sided!!!

Total Awesomeness!

5. Our first sleep over!!

It was such fun -- there will be many more!

It was a great week!

What memorable moments do you have from last week?

in HIM-

Book Club....

2012-01-24T21:58:00.001-05:00

We interrupt these blog postings in order that I will finish this book

{which I just started last night}

by Thursday in time for my Book Club.

And with quotes like this......

"Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a
quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream. Cannery Row is the gathered and scattered, tin and iron and rust and splintered wood, chipped pavement and weedy lots and junk heaps, sardine canneries of corrugated iron, honky tonks, restaurants and whore houses, and little crowded groceries, and laboratories and flophouses."- John Steinbeck, Cannery Row

I'm loving every minute of it!

Which reminds me, I gotta find a sitter for Thursday Night so I can go to Book Club.

This is our first Book Club meeting since November and I didn't get to attend then, so I'm excited about getting back at it!

See ya soon!

in HIM-

Lauren's Vintage Toy Shower

2012-01-20T21:56:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday, I got to help host a baby shower for my step-sister, Lauren.

Lauren has been my "step-sister" since she was about 13 and I was 23, but I've known her since she was 6, which makes her more like a sister than a step-sister!

It was a privilege to get to do a shower for her!

Lauren is having a baby boy so we decided to do a Vintage Toy Theme.

Guests were greeted at the door by a Radio Flyer Trike.

Immediately inside were more toys around the gift table. Another riding toy that is an actual antique with balloons tied to it. The balloons all came from Celebrate Express.

A red wagon in front of the table which would be shortly filled with gifts.

Also, on the table is a drum that my son loves to play with and the favors to be handed out later.

Our favors were boxes of crackers jacks.

The sticker on the back said "Thanks for popping by to shower Lauren, Seth and JP with your love and sweet gifts! January, 14,2012" .

This is a shot of the food table. I made the banner for the table welcoming baby JP {WE can't wait til he arrives!}

The table clothes and runners were made by my mother in law and as soon as I can remember the name of her etsy shop, I will link it here. {sorry, it's late and I can't think tonight}

Up close shot of the center piece.

My Mom made this awesome flower arrangement as well as a corsage for Lauren.

We added a Little Golden Book, a Raggedy Andy, and a wagon with a Sock Monkey,a baby toy, some balloons

and voila!

I love how it turned out!

We filled these jars with more cracker jacks and blocks.

The little clock came from the attic at my dad's house. It was a gift for me from Santa the year I turned 1.

You can see the invitation here also.

We ordered these from Babyface Design. She did an amazing job!!

My cousin, Natalie, made these cute cupcakes!

They were red velvet with aqua blue icing to go along with out theme and they were delish!

A shot of the food table from the end......I just liked the way it looked!

Across the room, we had a drink table. On one end was a tub of cokes and root beer.

These great soda bottle length straws came from Bake Me Happy on Etsy.

We also had water bottles and cherry limeade soda.....

This is Lauren opening a homemade blanket from her Aunt Lisa.

Lauren and the gifts......

It was a great shower.

After it was over, we did a few pictures.....

Lauren (at 36 1/2 weeks pregnant) and her Mom.

Me, Lauren, Ginger {my sister}, and Natalie {my cousin}....

The girls and Lauren.

This was a super fun shower to put together and give.

It turned out beautifully, I think!

We love you, Lauren and Seth!

We cannot wait for JP to arrive!!

in Him-

Da Wockin' Song

2012-01-19T21:51:00.002-05:00

That's what Brady calls this song.....

I think it's a pretty Rockin' Song, too!!!

in HIM-

Blog Designers.......

2012-01-16T22:20:00.000-05:00

So, I'm thinking I would like a new blog design.
Especially, since the picture of my kids in the header is about 3 years old......
And I'm just ready for a new look. I don't have a lot of money to put toward it though.
So, who do you recommend?
Thanks!

in HIM-

Sneak Peeks and a Linky Party!

2012-01-13T10:57:00.001-05:00

Small sneak peek of the banner for the baby shower this weekend.

It's a Vintage Toy Shower and I cannot wait!!!

It has been so fun to plan!

Then, there is this......

My Valentine's Mantle!

This is it in its entirety. I feel like it needs something else......

Suggestions?!?!

I got the idea for the subway art and the free downloadable art from Pinterest.

I also adore the blocks that are on this mantle.
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to make those this year....Hopefully, next year!!!
But, I did find these cute little blocks at Target for $3!!!

I also added these pretty tulips behind the blocks.

I love them!!!

But I still feel the mantle needs something more......

what do you think?

Linking up here today!!! Go check it out and keep it going!!!

in HIM-

Why We Exist and other Thursday Thoughts!

2012-01-12T11:18:00.000-05:00

I'm just busy, busy this week doing a million and one things.

My hands and my mind are working 90 miles a minute to get it all done.

Here's what I'm working and thinking on!

1. I'm putting the final touches on stuff I've been making for my step-sister's baby shower this weekend. Here's a tiny sneak peek of the banner I finished last night from my phone.

I would show you lots more pictures (better pictures from my camera) but my computer has decided to forget that it has a card reader and nothing I do seems to make it remember. I even went and bought a card reader that attaches by cord to the computer through a USB port. It STILL won't read the card. Which is strange because we can put the pics on a jump drive and then get them on my computer. Just won't read anything to do with the card. Needless to say, it makes uploading pictures to my computer a pain ....

2. Which reminds me. Any tech savvy person out there have any ideas for me on how to solve said computer issue?

3. Due to the upcoming baby shower on Saturday, the kids and I are headed to Georgia tomorrow sometime. It's supposed to snow here tonight a little. The snow might not be a problem but apparently, due to the sudden and extreme temperature drop that is to occur this evening, we are going to experience flash freezing around here.

That could pose a problem for our travelling tomorrow.

4. Today is my Lillie's birthday. She is 7. I love my sweet, sassy 1st grader so much!!!

She is one of a kind and I love her for it. Brady and I are about to eat lunch and get ourselves ready so we can go to Lillie's class and take a cookie cake (her request) this afternoon.

We will then have a celebratory supper at Zaxby's just for her tonight.

Next, weekend she gets to have a sleepover with a friend for her birthday.

5. I plan on taking loads of pictures at these two events.

The fact that my computer has decided to go awry is so tiresome!

6. I have a new bible study starting next week! We will be doing Jonah by Priscilla Shirer.

I cannot wait! I know that the Lord has much to teach us and I cannot wait to get started.

Now, I just gotta find time to make a trip to Asheville to get the books. =) That's tentatively on my agenda for next Tuesday.

7. That makes me wonder. Is Lifeway Bookstore open on Martin Luther King Day? Maybe I can make a trip over on Monday instead......??? Hmmmm.

8. I'm also working feverishly on Saturate 2012.

This is our Women's Retreat for this year that is coming up in March.

It's all about being saturated by the Holy Spirit.

I have not one, but two, amazing ladies coming to speak and we are traveling back to Pigeon Forge, TN.

It is going to be a blast!!!!

9. I'm also working on a Father/Daughter Dance. All I can say about this right now is that there is MUCH, MUCH, MUCH to be done in 4 weeks time.

My eye is beginning to twitch just thinking about all we have to accomplish.

10. One last thing. Last night, our regular Wednesday Night Gathering Meals began at church. Since the new studies don't begin until next week, Hubs did a short program on "What is the Church?" It was a great program. He showed this video and I wanted to share it with you all because it says so much!

"Why We Exist"

WE are the church. People are the church.

WE are the church.

Our church doesn't exist just for us....

it's for the world......to change the world.

We are the church.

Food for thought.

Yep, lots of things on my mind today.

What's on yours?

in HIM-

American Guilt.

2012-01-05T10:56:00.001-05:00

See this?!?

Caprice Metal Bar Cart

This cart would look great in my dining room. I have two corners in my dining room that are completely bare and really "need" something in them. This would fit the bill perfectly!

Now, look at this.....

Outdoor Throw Pillow -- except I want the Canopy Stripe Red and Sand color

I want 5 of these pillows in the Canopy Stripe Red and Sand Color to go on the Daybed that I have on my Sun porch. Right now, the daybed has no pillows.

It "needs" pillows.

I want them.

I really, really want them.

HOWEVER, I stop really short of saying I NEED them.

After looking at these and longing for them.

And being frustrated for a bit that I know we don't have the money to buy them, it struck me.

Well, God struck me.

He reminded me of all that I have.

I have a house to live in that actually has a dining room with a dining table and chairs to sit and eat the meals that I CAN afford to prepare for my family.

I have a sun porch in my house. And there is a table and chairs out there

and a daybed for me to sit on and have my quiet time when it warm outside.

NOT to mention the other 10 rooms in my house.......

I was then reminded of the people around the world who have so very little.

They don't have a house with 12 rooms.....They might not even have a house.

They might not even have food to feed their families.

Or electricity, or clean water,clothes to wear (much less closets overflowing with clothes)

or the freedom to worship as I do.

And that is when it struck me.

It's what I call American Guilt.

It is how we Americans are so wealthy compared to the rest of the world and still we want more. I am just as guilty as the everyone else I know.

So, today -I'm praying that the Lord would help me to be truly realize how much I really do have.

And that I would remember how much more wealthy I am than most of world.

To not want "more stuff".

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money {also the love of stuff!}, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you' " (Hebrews 13:5).

Today I have American Guilt.

I know it will continue to be a struggle for me.

Is this a struggle for you?

in HIM-

Always Be There For Her!

2012-01-04T23:53:00.001-05:00

I was going to blog all about my day with pictures but then my computer decided it wouldn't recognize my sd card {any thoughts on that?}

SO, instead --

I'm sharing this from Pinterest.

Source: blueberrylake.tumblr.com via Mindy on Pinterest

I love it.

That's all.

I love Pinterest.

Getting great crafty ideas there that I cannot wait to share!!!

in HIM -

Renewed Covenant

2012-01-02T22:26:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we only had one service at church due to the fact that New Year's Sunday being a day with low attendance typically. I hate that the 350 people who attended church on Christmas Eve weren't in attendance yesterday morning, because it was a service like none I have ever experienced before.

Hubs had mentioned to me that we were doing a Wesleyan Covenant Service for the first Sunday of the New Year and had even explained a bit about what that meant. But I didn't think much about it. Then I arrived at the service.

The front of the bulletin said this:

The John Wesley Covenant Service

In his journal entry for August 6, 1755, Wesley wrote: "I mentioned to the congregation another means of increasing serious religion, which has been frequently practiced by our forefathers and attended with eminent blessing; namely, the joining in a covenant to service God with all our heart and with all our soul."

.......The service should be a reminder of our condition as sinners, our solemn obligation to reaffirm our covenant relationship with God, and an opportunity for a fresh experience of the reality of God's promises and presence.

And then it began. A series of liturgical readings, scripture and congregational responses and prayers.

One of the first scriptures read was this one from Jeremiah 50 in the Call to Covenant.

"Come,let us join ourselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant".

Right there, I started thinking about the seriousness of what we were doing. Of the words I was about to say and I started praying that I would mean every last word of it from the very bottom of my heart and that it wouldn't be a rote exercise. I started praying that for all who were in attendance, too.

An everlasting covenant.

How many times have I reaffirmed my covenant only to be doing it flippantly and so not at all really?

How many times have I made that covenant meaning to keep it only to break it immediately or in fairly short order?

The service went on and it was time for our Confessions. I was struck again when the leader said these words:

Are we willing to say that? Are we ready now to make Christ our high priest?

I again started thinking about the seriousness of such a commitment. DO I treat Christ like he is my High Priest? I'd venture to say that sometimes, quite often, even - I treat him like less than the High Priest he is!!
The confession went on and I was very aware of my sin and how I do not treat Jesus as I should. I do not obey as I should. I do not submit as I should. I do not serve as I should.

The Leader asked:

Do we now despair of our own goodness? Do we trust in anything but Christ?

I know that I, in that moment, was despairing of the very thought that my goodness could get me anywhere and I confess that many times I've trusted everything but Christ.

We then prayed, throwing ourselves on God's grace and mercy. I thank the Lord for both of those things.

Thankfully, next was the Assurance of Pardon. We were reminded of His wonderful word that says : If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)

Lastly, we were asked to make a Commitment to HIM!
The leader asked that we give our selves totally to the Lord. As God's servants we should relinquish all control to Christ.

Again, I was struck by those words. I remember thinking, "Can I do this? Can I really relinquish all control?" And then we prayed again. I told God that I was HIS. That I dedicated myself to HIS service. Asked that he would make me what He would. Whether the more honorable parts of the Body or least. That He would put me to doing. That he would put me to suffering. That He would let me be full or let me be empty.

Then I said this and choked through it because, though, it is what I fully want I can't say it is always true of me.....I said these words:
Lord, I freely and gladly embrace your will for me without reservation.

That. is. hard. to. do.!!

This is the covenant I made yesterday to begin a New Year serving the Lord. TO fully recognize my sinful nature and to fully recognize my need for a savior. To be who HE wants me to be, where he wants me to be, how he wants me to be and to do it all because it is HIS will for me. It is a struggle to do this freely and gladly without reservation. But, this is my goal this year. That whatever may come, that I will trust the LORD fully. That I would ever freely and gladly embrace HIS will for me without reservation.

I honestly cannot get this renewed covenant out of my head. I so wish that every last member of our church could have been in that service making the same heartfelt covenant with the LORD.
If we all made that sort of commitment to the LORD, we could really make a difference in the world. We would be a force to be reckoned with! And the devil would shudder at the thought.

It truly was an amazing, scary, incredible service. I wish that we would all be so drawn to have a renewed covenant with HIM.

in HIM-

Snoozing = Losing!!!!

2011-12-30T10:38:00.002-05:00

In this case, I lose!!!

See this?

This amazing flannel leopard duvet cover was on sale for like two months in November and December. I love it. I want it. and I actually do need a new duvet cover. {Mine is old and looking pretty stained}.

It was on sale .

Like for $80 on sale.

I should have bought it.

It's now gone back up to regular price.

Dern!

Hate it when that happens!!!!

in HIM-

Smoothies

2011-12-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

My amazing MIL, gave me two things for Christmas. A set of my Christmas China {which I adore and force everyone who comes to my house to eat off of this time of year}

and a new blender.

Because a blender is what I told her that I wanted.

The blender that we got in 2000 as a wedding gift had finally bit the dust a while back.

By a while back, I mean probably a year or two ago.

Problem was only time I thought about it was when I would make soup that needed blending or when I was thinking about making smoothies.

So, I was super excited to get a blender for Christmas.

Today, I made my very first {EVER} smoothie.

It was called a Berry Healthy Smoothie.

This is frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and carrots.

Then, I added almond milk.

And Pom juice.

and ice......

Then I put the lid on and blended away......

It take a while to blend up all that ice!!!

But, it was delish!!!

I'm so super excited to have a blender to make smoothies in.

I am really interested in truly healthful smoothies.

So, I'm in the market for recipes!

Do you make smoothies?

What is your favorite recipe?

in HIM-

Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-28T22:05:00.002-05:00

Christmas Day was wonderful

The kids woke up at about 6AM.

Here are a few of my favorite pics of the day....

and some memories of the day.

Allie had asked for Molly's (her American Girl Doll) bed, a Magic 8 Ball, and a surprise.

Her surprise was a Nook. She was super excited! She has hardly put it down since.

This little boy was so funny.

The few weeks before Christmas, he told me everyday that he was getting something different for Christmas......other than what he has originally told Santa he wanted.

Originally, he asked for Rockenbok. Then in the days to follow, it was a skateboard, a rocket, and a turtle, among other things.

He was so excited to see Rockenbok under the tree for him. He also got a big John Deere Tractor and a Hot Wheels Car Keeper with several cars inside.

Miss Maggie asked for Marie-Claire (AG doll),an MP3 Player and a surprise

Her surprise was a Squinkies game for her DSI..

Lillie asked for a 3DS, a pink camera and a surprise.

Santa brought the 3DS, boots with a heel {which she said she wanted earlier}, and Bitty Baby Clothes. Nana got the camera and she received that later in the day. Actually, Nana got all three girls Vtech cameras. Lillie's is pink. The other two are orange.

This was my gift.

I was so excited about it but bummed that camera wasn't back from the camera shop yet. {IT finally arrived this afternoon -- squeal!!!}

Nana and Grandpap {Ken's Mom and Stepdad} came to have lunch and spend the afternoon with us.

As I said before, they got the girls cameras.

These are pretty cool cameras....they take pictures, video and have games on them.

They gave Brady another piece of Rockenbok.

We gave Hubs a sweater, a Polertec shirt, and a gift card to go be fitted for and buy a new driver club. He is super excited about that!

It really was a great day!

in HIM-

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Unto us a child is born!

Merry Christmas to you!!!

From the Curtis Family!!!

Isaiah 9: 2-3; 6-7...

The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation

and increased their joy;

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

Praises to HIM who ordained it all!

May your Christmas be wonderfully full of HIM -

365.51 and Happy Christmas Eve!

2011-12-24T23:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I still don't have my camera back.

Something about having to order parts....

It was shipped yesterday. Just not going to arrive in time for Christmas.

Yes, I'm a bit bitter about it.

So, I'm stuck with my little point and shoot and my cell phone for Christmas day.

oh well.

Here's what else has been going on lately.

12.18.11 - Sunday.... began just before 6 AM with Maggie coming into my room whimpering,

"Mom, I'm going to throw up"

I told her to run to the bathroom. Which she did but she didn't make it to the toilet.

SO, my day started with cleaning up the mess of my poor sick little girl.

Since Maggie was sick, she and I stayed home all day. She only threw up that one time all day.

She even ate a little bit but she was running a fever.

She chilled and watched Christmas movies.

I got a whole lot done that day. I addressed all of our Christmas Cards and did all of the dirty laundry. I put Maggie to bed that night thinking she was much better.....

12.19.11 - Monday....that is until she woke up at 6AM on Monday morning and threw up again.

Isn't that strange? She threw up twice 24 hours apart. Ran a fever in between and then was fine. However, since she had thrown up she didn't go to school that day.

She and I put out a PSA for twitterland and facebook....

Then I ran many errands that day and made Chicken and Rice for supper.

12.20.11 - Tuesday....I finished up my Christmas shopping. My friend, Kandi and her sister and I drove to Atlanta to finish our shopping.

We were too busy to take pictures.

12.21.11 - Wednesday....what a great day! I got ready for the day and ran a few errands then went to lunch with a friend at our favorite Wednesday place with our awesome waiter, whom we love! We gave him his Christmas gift.

And he totally blessed us by "losing our ticket" and by telling us that we do so much for him that it was the least he could do. SO sweet. THIS is why we love him! Not to mention that he really takes care of "his Wednesday girls" !

Then it was time for a short program at Lillie's school.

Right after that we were off to Greensboro to celebrate Christmas with hubs sister and grandmother.

These cups are one of the things the girls got from their Aunt Tamara.

ADORABLE! and they love them!

12.22.11 - Thursday.... My MIL and I went out to finish up our Christmas shopping {for real this time!} .

First stop, Starbucks, of course!

OH, salted caramel Mocha how I love thee.

We got our shopping done and enjoyed a wonderful lunch out together.

It was great fun!

Then it was time to head back home.

Once we were home, I went grocery shopping and came home and put together some homemade cinnamon rolls and breakfast casseroles for a breakfast that I was having the next morning.

12.23.11 -Friday.... I got to use my Christmas China and have 3 wonderful ladies over for breakfast! There were also 7 kids here, too. It was a loud, wild, chaotic, wonderful time!!!

We even had our very own version of Annie preformed for us by 4 of the little girls.

SO FUN!

Then I made some Parker House Style Rolls and went to an "adults only" dinner and a movie party at my friends house. We ate some amazing stuffed shells, salad and rolls for supper and watched "Christmas Vacation".

IT was a great evening.

Really, Friday {while busy} was really quite an incredibly wonderful day!!!

12.24.11 - Saturday....today is my 38th birthday. Hubs kissed me and said "Happy Birthday" as soon as I woke. We had a low key morning and then headed out for lunch for my birthday.

We went to Fat Buddies.

If you are local and like bbq ribs, I want to recommend Fat Buddies ribs.

They are delish!!!

We came home and hubs gave me JustDance3 as a gift.

He also gave

I am super excited to do this with the family!!!

And between that and the two new Jillian Michael's video's I just bought I am hoping to actually get in shape.

Then I wrapped presents for a couple of hours while hubs worked at church.

When he got home {for about 30 minutes before heading back}, the kids got to open one gift-- their Christmas pj's. For the girls, it was rather anti climatic which really made me sad. But, Brady was super excited to opening a present and for the pj's. I guess, 1 out of 4 isn't bad?

Then it was time to get ready for the Christmas Eve Services at church.

There are 3 of them. Hubs leads them all.

The kids and I went to two of them.

The 5:30 service was the Contemporary Service.

The 7:00 was a Traditional Service.

BOTH were incredible!

I took this pic at the end of the 5:30 service. This is Maggie, our friend- Polly, and Lillie singing "Silent Night" and holding up their lights.

I love it!

If you are local and you didn't make it to a Christmas Eve service,

and you leave right now, you can still make our 11PM service.

It is great! You don't want to miss it!!!

What about the rest of you?

Did you attend a Christmas Eve service this evening?

Ours are always wonderful and tonight was no exception.

Hubs always gives an amazing message about our Saviour and the music in all services are great.

In our 5:30 service, the band played this song.

What a perfect song for tonight.

some of the amazing words.......

...Noel! Noel!, God with us, Emmanuel...

You're here! I'm holding you so near.....

I'm staring into the face of my savior,

King and Creator.

You could've left us on our own, but You're Here!

Isaiah 9: 2-3; 6-7

The people walking in darkness
   have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
   a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
   and increased their joy; .....

.....For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
   there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
   and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
   with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
   will accomplish this.

Happy Christmas Eve!!!
in HIM-

Not That Far......

2011-12-18T21:38:00.000-05:00

The words to this song are really working on my heart tonight.

The second verse/chorus says this.....

Let us celebrate
As the christmases go by
Learn to live our days
With our hearts near to the child
Ever drawn, ever close
To the only love that lasts
And though 2000 years have passed

We're not that far from Bethlehem
Where all our hope and joy began
For when our hearts still cherish him
We're not that far
We're not that far from Bethlehem
Where all our hope and joy began
For when our hearts still cherish him
We're not that far, we're not that far
From Bethlehem

Oh, Lord that I will learn to live my days with a heart that is ever near to this child - Your son! Ever being drawn, and every growing closer to the only love that lasts......That my heart will always cherish you more. El Roi, let it be in me this day. Amen.

in HIM-

365.50

2011-12-17T22:11:00.000-05:00

I did better this week.

I actually took a picture each day {except one}

However, most of these pics were taken with my phone....so the quality stinks.

12.11.12 - Sunday....Sunday included church, lunch, and a wonderful evening spent laughing, sharing and praying with friends. Once I got home and sat on the couch, I look up and saw this.

I love Christmas Trees in the dark....beautiful.

12.12.11 - Monday...Monday was super warm outside.

The kids were outside riding their bikes without their coats after school.

One of the things I love about the south.

12.13.11 - Tuesday.... Tuesday was hubs birthday.

I enjoyed a small amount of quiet time in the morning. I really love Christmas Trees.

I loved spending time sitting and drinking my coffee out of my favorite Christmas mug while looking at my tree.

Tuesday afternoon, our wonderfully sweet friends came and stayed with my kids so hubs and I could go out for his birthday.

We went to buy him some new shoes for his birthday and then to dinner and then to do a bit of shopping.

It was a wonderful night out celebrating him.

It was so much fun that I forgot to take our picture....

12.14.11 - Wednesday... Wednesday was our kids Christmas play at church.

I posted about that here.

This is one of my favorite pics from the night.

This is Lillie and her friend Polly.

Aren't they adorable?

12.15.11 -Thursday....Lille and Maggie had a PTA program. They did a fantastic job in their parts.

We got home and immediately asked the kids to get ready for their baths.

This is how I found Brady running around.....

12.16.11 - Friday....Friday was a really busy day. It was Baking Day with Kandi. We had a great time and made lots and lots of great goodies! Which I brought home and promptly served at our Neighborhood Christmas Gathering. We had a really great day.

12.17.11 - Saturday....Today we had another busy day. Lunch out with Grammy and Granddaddy. Then I went to see one of my favorites graduated from college. This is our sweet friend, Cassie! Then we got to attend her wonderful Graduation Party.

The only bad part is that she is going home for a while.

We are going to miss her sooooo much!

We wish her the very, very best and know that she do great things in her life.

{We just hope it ends up being close to us!!!}

We love you, Casstastic!!!!

Well, I FINALLY got my Christmas Cards so I'm off to get those addressed.

We had an incredibly busy week.

Here's hoping this upcoming week is less hectic {ahem.} and that my real camera arrives SOON!!!!

What have you been up to?

in HIM-

What Child Is This

2011-12-14T21:11:00.002-05:00

Tonight was our Children's Christmas Program at Church.

The play was called "What Child Was This".

They went for a more modern take on costumes. =)

Lillie and Allie were shepherds....

Maggie was Mary....

A group shot after a job well done!!!

This was our silly face shot!

The whole cast.....

Mrs. Courtney brought everyone a goody bag for working so hard.

But, Mrs. Courtney and Mrs. Valerie are the ones who really deserve a reward.

They worked HARD with these kids!! They did an amazing job and we love them!!!

My three stars.....

My girls and their friends, Samantha and Whitney.

And this is what little brothers do after the show.....

Play a game of ring around the roses with his buddy, Jasper.

Lastly, Lillie and her sweet friend, Polly.

It really was a fantastic play.

The kids were so cute sharing the Christmas story.

One funny story, the little girl who was sitting next to me was so funny during the performance.

She had never been to a play so before it began, she kept saying "I'm so excited!"

Then every time someone said anything about "the baby" she would yell "Jesus!"

She was precious.

It was a great evening!!!

PS -- sorry for the bad quality pictures....I cannot wait to get my camera back!!! Soon, I hope.

in HIM-

2011-12-12T00:13:00.001-05:00

Enjoying this right now. So. Much!!!!

In Him-

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like......{in lieu of 365.48 / 365.49}

2011-12-10T20:36:00.001-05:00

Christmas, of course!!!

Well, I guess since I have fallen off the Project 365 bandwagon.......I haven't taken many pictures in the past two weeks. At least not a picture a day and the ones I did take, you can see here and here and here. SO, instead of my usual 365 Saturday post, I'm sharing our very Christmas'y' day.....

We got up this morning and went to a local restaurant that serves fantastic breakfast. My kids were super excited about it. They love to eat there!!!

Then we headed on up the mountain to get out Christmas Tree.

I love living so close to the Christmas Tree Farms. It's awesome.

We walked all around.

and finally found our tree!

We drove back home and hubs got it in the stand.

While he did that, I helped the kids get ready to go see Santa

for the annual picture. I think we managed to get one with all four of them smiling.

That is a good thing!

We came home to change clothes and then walked downtown for the Christmas Parade.

The Parade was amazing this year.

Some great floats and some very creative ideas.

There were a lot of these birds.....

as in "here to stay is a new bird. He sings a love song, as he goes a long.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland"

And there were roller derby girls........

This picture was taken especially for my awesome Roller derby loving friends -

Cassie, Jenny and Emily.

A lot of my girls friends danced their way down the parade route with our

awesome dance company.

The beautiful Ms. Bonnie!!!

dancers....

This was one of the best and most creative floats.

The Kung Fu place in town did a whole Kung Fu Panda thing.

It was great!

Then there were these guys.

And I just love this picture.....

This is another of my favorite floats.

I like the balloon angel.

Brady loved the Monster Truck.

A couple of our great youth from church are cheerleaders and we were excited to wave at them in the parade.

Miss Carlee.....

Miss Rachel.....

And WCU's mascot --- Santa Paws!

This is our friend, Drew.

He is the band director in our town.

He had two bands in the parade and had to run from the front of the parade back to walk with the other band.

That is dedication!

And lastly, there was the big guy himself!!!

Yeay, Santa.

After that amazing parade, we came home to decorate the Christmas Tree.

It is truly beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.

Now, if I can just get all the shopping done......

in HIM-

Vegas, Baby!!!!

2011-12-08T10:31:00.001-05:00

SO, a week ago yesterday, I flew off to Vegas with much excitement and trepidation.

I'm always excited to go somewhere new and getting to go on a Girl's Weekend Away with a sweet friend just added to the excitement.

Trepidation due to the fact that I hadn't flown since my honeymoon.....11 years before.

Not to mention that one of the last flights I was on was incredibly turbulent. I'm not kidding when I say that even the captain said it was a rough flight.

Combine that with the fact that the Santa Ana Winds were blowing fiercely and traveling right on into Vegas, i was ~~a lot~~ a little bit worried.

The flights out were a bit bumpy but all in all they were good flights.

We landed very late in Vegas....like midnight. {Read 3AM EST}

This was a trip FULL of indulgent surprises. Things that I am completely undeserving of !

And things that I feel incredibly blessed by, also.

The first one was that Kandi, my friend, mentioned to me last Wednesday night that she had a surprise for me.
She said that she was still trying to figure when to give it to me.
I love surprises so I just waited {sort of} patiently.
Right before our plane landed on Thursday, she handed me an envelope.
I opened it.
I found a note that said this, in part:

"Mindy, Surprise! Several church members were so excited to find out that you were going to Vegas. ....several of them contributed to the contents of this envelope - all wishing to remain anonymous......"

Inside the envelope was money. A gift for me. I can't tell you how that made me feel. I was overcome with gratefulness and unworthiness to the point of tears and speechlessness. I felt so very blessed and thankful.
Kandi kept her promise and didn't tell me who any of these folks are, but if any of you happen to be reading this, I want you to know that I am so grateful. I can't even express what a blessing your gift was to me. Thank you.

THEN, Kandi's sister picked us up and drove us all directly to the Red Rock Resort, where we were staying. Imagine the surprise on my face when we unlocked the door to this:

another view.....

Kandi's sister had arranged for this incredible suite to be our room for the weekend. I cried....again. Such an indulgent surprise.
When we could settle ourselves down a bit, we went to bed.
We go up pretty early the next day, though, to go out an explore the town.

We finally made it to the strip around lunch time and ate brunch at Payard's. It was very delicious!!!!
We then walked around for a while to take in some of the sights.
This is Cesar's Palace....all decorated for Christmas.

We spent the day walking around, checking out the sights and then headed back to meet Kandi's sister for an evening event that she was hosting for the Rock & Roll Marathon. Kandi's sister works for the convention center in Vegas and spent most of the our time there working. I felt really bad that she did all this great stuff for us but had to spend so much of her time working.

Anyway, we stayed at the reception which was in the top of one of those amazing buildings {I can't remember right off which one} but the view of the town was breath taking. Some guy was talking on his phone standing right in the window almost the whole time we were there so I didn't get a picture to show you..... oh well.

We left there and headed out to see this show.....

The Blue Man Group. Great show -- even though, I thought they were just a might creepy....walking on the chairs, staring at everyone.

Maybe it's just me. I get kinda anxious when people don't smile.

See? He's not smiling.

The next day, after a nice brunch with Kandi's sister and her friend, we went back to the strip to walk around some more....

This is from the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Venetian. It is half the size of the actual Eiffel Tower in Paris, but look at the great view it offered of Las Vegas.

After the Eiffel Tower, we went to the Running Expo for the Marathon.

My friend Kandi is a runner so she loved it and got super excited about all the running gear.

I had a good time walking around and seeing her excitement!

We then did some shopping in the stores on the strip and I got to shop at an H&M for the very first time. I love it.

One thing that really surprised me was that it gets dark in Vegas at 4:30PM right now.

So, by the time we were done shopping, it was beginning to get dark.

I love this picture I got then.

That night, we got to attend the Carbing it Up Dinner for the Runners and eat some fabulous pasta.

Then, we were going to see the Michael Jackson Cirque de Soliel show....

I don't want to talk badly about a show, but it was just kinda strange......

HOWEVER, we were upgraded to seats in a suite and that was fantabulous.

Another incredible {and this one was a fun treat for Kandi's sister even} surprise!!!!

The Marathon was to be Sunday evening so the strip was to be shut down most of Sunday.

SO, Kandi and I drove out to see The Hoover Dam.

Look at this beauty God cooked up!!!!

The Hoover Dam, One of the 7 Man made Wonders of the World -- with Lake Mead in the background.

Just breath taking!!!!

We had plans on the Strip that night, so we made our way back to Vegas pretty early in the evening. One thing that I had asked to see was the famous Vegas sign and they indulged my desire.....

love it!!

We then went to an awesomely amazing Mexican Restaurant for supper. Seriously. It was delicious!!!

After that we saw The Lion King. THAT was an incredible show!!!!

On Monday, we drove to The Grand Canyon. The 4 1/2 hour drive was TOTALLY worth it.

God is amazing!!!!

I think that when he created The Grand Canyon he was showing off BIG!!!!

It was 25 degrees and there was a foot of snow on the ground at The Grand Canyon.....

but just look at this beauty.

I was so excited to find this sign on the side of one of the rock faces.....incredible.

The earth truly is full of HIS riches!!!!

We enjoyed our time at the Grand Canyon and then drove back to Vegas to get some sleep before heading home on Tuesday morning.

I had such an amazing time and came home feeling blessed by so many people.

I'm especially indebted to my sweet friend, Kandi, who invited me to come on this trip and to her sister who put together so many wonderful treats for the two of us.

And to my hubby, who took care of the girls and came home early each afternoon so I could go.

To my Mother in Law who kept Brady for the weekend.

And to the folks at church who gave me a sweet surprise.

I thank you all.

I don't think I will ever be able to express my gratitude or what a blessing this trip was to me.

I love you all!

in HIM-

Fantastically Homemade!

2011-11-30T21:34:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, I saw this adorable thing on Pinterest.

I posted it to facebook, I loved it so much!

My MIL saw the post and offered to make it for me.

I was so thankful and in full agreement and so excited about it.

Last night, she called me and asked if I could meet her to pick it up.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to spread this out and see it!!!

It. IS. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I cannot wait to get my Christmas Tree to put this around!!!

When I arrived today, she has many more amazing surprises for me!

Just looks at these pillows she made for me.

LOVE THESE!

AND these for my girls. These are made out of the fabric from their bedding which she also made for them. THEY were super excited about the pillows!!

And THESE Christmas shirts for the girls.....

I know you can't see it that well, but that tree?

Its made out of their names.

And the sparkle just adds to the cuteness!

Here is the one she made for B.

A little less frilly but just as cute!!!!

He loves it.

In fact, they all love them so much that they are wearing them to school tomorrow!

Seriously!

I am so, so, so exited to show you this stuff because she is about to open her very own Etsy store.

If you are interested in any of the things you see here, you will be able to go there and order it.

It will be open next week. Be sure and be on the lookout for it. I will definitely post it for you as soon as it opens. I know you want these amazing pillows and these adorable shirts for your kids!

Lastly, I am soooo excited about my treeskirt.

I went ahead and got out the new stockings I got last year.

Just LOOK at how great they look together.

I cannot wait to get all my decoration up!

But, it'll all have to wait until next week.

Why, you ask?

Well, because I am headed to Las Vegas tomorrow.

Yep, that's right.

This PW is headed to Las Vegas!!!

My sweet friend, Kandi, invited me to go out and visit her sister with her.

I am SUPER excited!!! But I'm also quite nervous..

I haven't flown since my honeymoon.....11 years ago.

And these days, it's always just a little tough to leave my kids....

BUT, I know that they will be well taken care of and I am so glad to be getting away for a bit!

SO, if you don't mind, will you say a prayer for us tomorrow and next Tuesday for safe travels.

And maybe for me and my nervousness, too!

I can't wait to see Vegas decorated for Christmas!

See ya next week!!!

in HIM-

Lillie's Thankful Quilt

2011-11-29T22:13:00.001-05:00

Lillie has been reading books from the Magic Tree House Series at school.

Her teacher had her do a Thanksgiving Quilt like the people had in one of her books.

Her list for this year.....

"my family, my friends, my grandparents,

my pets, my church, Jesus,

Holy Spirit, manners, everything!"

I am so proud of my sweet girl!!!

My six year old is thankful for the Holy Spirit.

The very idea that at the age of six, she thinks about the Holy Spirit amazes me.

in HIM-

365.47

2011-11-26T21:29:00.001-05:00

11.21.11 - Sunday....We took a trip to see my sweet friends. Great day!

11.22.11 - Monday....volunteering at school, work at church, kids to dentist.

This is my favorite picture of the day. Brady ready for his first ever cleaning....

11.23.11 -Tuesday.....We had planned to leave for Georgia on Tuesday afternoon but things happened and we didn't get to leave. So, we went to supper at a local place. The kids love this place because we can sit in a booth and they can watch tv. Hubs and I love it because we can sit in a booth and keep them contained. =).....

11.23.11 - Wednesday....We finally drove to Georgia. We hung out at my Mom's for a while and then went to supper with my dad. My Dad had gotten Brady a new jacket for a really great price. He loves it!

11.24.11 -Thursday....Thanksgiving was a great day. We went to lunch at my Grandparents House.

Then we came back to my Mom's for the evening. My sister was unable to attend Allie's birthday party back in October so she brought Miss Allie her birthday present. Lots of goodies from Bath and Body Works. Allie loves it.

11.25.11 - Friday.....Black Friday shopping was done for a bit, but we didn't leave until around 9 AM and came back at 2PM. Then we went to a Thanksgiving Gathering for my Dad's Family. These cousins had a great time with each other.....I really wish they could visit and play together more often!!!

11.26.11 - Satuday....Today we drove home. This picture was taken by Allie before my camera batteries went dead. This is my Step Sister, Lauren. She is expecting a baby boy in early February. Sister and I are working hard on baby shower for her. We can't wait for the shower and we are even more excited about meeting this sweet baby boy!!

That's what we did this week!

What have you been up to?

in HIM --

Blessings of Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T15:39:00.001-05:00

We loaded up the car early yesterday morning and headed west.....

Well, more like south west, but we landed in North Georgia with my family.

We have just finished a wonderful Thanksgiving Day lunch at my Grandparents house.

I am so very blessed to have my Mom's parents still here with us. My aunt said today that my Pa was looking out the window at the crowd of us and said to my Granny, "Just look out there at that bunch we made.".... My grandparents have six children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great grand's thus far. I think they feel blessed and I know that we feel blessed to be so close as a family and to still have my grandparents here!

Today I will cook some more whoopie pies and potato salad for tomorrow, because after Sister, Mom and I do some Black Friday shopping tomorrow, it's off to be with my Dad's Family.

That's what Thanksgiving is all about!!

I loved this picture cloud of Thanksgiving Words.

You'll notice that they word Family isn't on there in written form.

But, if you look closely you'll find it. It falls into the word blessings!

I am incredibly blessed!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your blessings!!!!

in HIM-

Miscellany Monday

2011-11-21T21:27:00.001-05:00

1. I had an incredible weekend! On Friday, I got to have Girls Night Out. It was awesome.

On Saturday, I collected shoe boxes and then ran to the grocery store, and made pizza for supper. Then it was time to get ready for Sunday. On Sunday, a couple of friends and I drove over the river and through the woods {of the mountains} to visit our friends! It was great time. So blessed to have all 4 of the people in this picture in my life!!!!!

2. I've decided Monday's are the busiest of all days!!!

Today, I.....

volunteered in Lillie's First Grade Class.

Collected some shoe boxes.

Went to lunch with these two and my friend, Kandi.

These two were soooooo excited to be going to lunch together.

Though, I'm not sure the rest of the restaurant were as exited as they were.....

After lunch, Brady and I ran to get the girls and headed to the the dentist. Yes, you read that right. I took all four of them to the dentist at once. It was Brady's first time to actually get his teeth cleaned. He was so funny. He covered his eyes every time she squirted water in his mouth. So funny.

Then I came home and finished up supper.

All these folks plus me, and two more ate at our house.

I really enjoyed having them all here.

Even, though, as you can see....

it. was. chaos. =)

3. I am desperately trying to finish reading this book. I'm not really enjoying it, too much.

Having a hard time getting through it.....

4. I need some new blue jeans.

I hate buying blue jeans. I have had 4 children. I cannot wear teeny bopper jeans. I do not want high waisted granny jeans.....any suggestions?

5. I am watching The Sing Off again. I love this show. Everything about it.

I'm wondering where they get that super sparkly, glittery eyeshadow.

And, I'm wondering if I'm too old to pull it off......
oh, and GO PENTATONIX!!!!

6. I'm linking up here....

Now, if you'll excuse me -- I'm off to go read my book. ahem.

in HIM-

365.46

2011-11-19T23:23:00.001-05:00

I finally bit the bullet and went to taking pictures with my small camera.

I miss my Nikon......

but here's what we were up to this week.......

11.13.11 - Sunday.....Busy and Business as usual. During the 11AM service, we don't do Children's Worship yet, and Maggie and Allie are too old to go to Children's Church, so they sat through the sermon. These are Maggie's notes.....

11.14.11 - Monday....Monday morning I went to school and volunteered in Lillie's class. But , my day of volunteering was cut short because I went to church to help with this....

It's been a busy week of collecting shoe boxes at our church. After shoe boxes, I worked on some house stuff, picked up the girls, walked with Courtney for some exercise, and then had a meeting at church....long day.

11.15.11 - Tuesday....I did some house cleaning, got groceries, picked up the girls and went for a walk to get some exercise with Courtney. Then it was time to cook supper and get everyone ready for the next day.... I was too busy to get any pictures apparently.....

11.16.11 - Wednesday....Wednesday was volunteering at school, lunch with great friends, and then preparing for my final meeting of Believing God with my Wednesday Night Girls.....

Here they are. I love them and appreciate them so much for sticking it out in such a hard study!! SO, so sad to see this study end!!!

11.17.11 - Thursday.....Lillie begged me to come and eat Thanksgiving lunch with her at school. And while I thought that $4 was a LOT for me to pay for that particular Thanksgiving meal, Brady and I went and ate lunch with Maggie and Lillie and their friend Payton. Allie was on a field trip so I didn't get to eat with her.

11.18.11 - Friday..... Yesterday, I had a great girls day and NIGHT out!!! I was lovely....

but the only picture I have to show you is this one....my water cup from the restaurant....

sorry about that. BUT, I will say that we had supper at the Good Girl Eatery in Asheville and then went on to the Twisted Crepe for dessert. Where I ordered the Reese's Crepe....with peanut butter and nutella . It was delicious!!!!

11.19.11 - Saturday...This morning it was back to church for more collecting shoe boxes. These three girls were there and kept me laughing the whole day. AND they were great shoe box collectors! My afternoon/ evening was filled with making pizza dough, getting groceries, making pizza, getting kids in bed, doing laundry, and making pumpkin whoopie pies. Which I learned are very easy to burn....grrrr.

That's what we've been up to this week. What have you been up to?!?!?!

in HIM-

Countdown

2011-11-16T22:13:00.001-05:00

SERIOUSLY!?!?

....It's 38 days until Christmas.

..... 37 days until my birthday.

....30 days until our friends Christmas party.

....29 days until our neighborhood Christmas Carolling and Cookies.

....27 days until the girls Christmas Play at church.

....26 days until the Hubby's birthday.

....24 days until my Open House.

....14 days until my 5 -day Girls Vacation.

....8 days until Thanksgiving.

....6 days until we leave for Georgia to be with my family for Thanksgiving.

....4 days until Accountability Group Field Trip.

....2 days until Girls Night Out.

....exactly 24 hours until I have Thanksgiving Dinner with my girls at their school.

Now, if you'll excuse me, with only 38 days until Christmas and so many things {albeit a lot of incredibly wonderful things} in between, I've got to go get started!

Feeling a little panicky!!

in HIM-

Today.....

2011-11-14T21:35:00.001-05:00

*I woke to freshly made Pumpkin Spice coffee by Dunkin Doughnuts. My sweet hubby makes my coffee for me everyday. I love that he does that for me!!! It is so good and so perfect for these cold fall mornings we are having. I notice that they have two other seasonal flavors. I will be trying to find those, too.

*I went to school and volunteered in Lillie's class. We began making some turkey artwork. Today we painted the body using potatoes as stamps. The kids loved that. Lillie was the leader of the day. The leader of the day gets to write a "Leader Sentence" on the white board that they will share with the class. Lillie's sentence was about how she got to go see Peter Pan last Thursday with just her family. I knew it was a great surprise!

*I left school and went to church to help with Operation Christmas Child. We are a collection center and will be collecting all the shoeboxes from our county. So, glad to be a part of this!!! Does your church do shoeboxes? If not, you can totally do them all by yourself and impact the lives of children around the world. A lady who came in today and dropped off boxes that she and her family made, said that about five years ago, they got a letter back from the family who received their box. GUESS where it came from. Madagascar!!! Madagascar, y'all!!! Incredible! I hope we get a letter like that!!!

* After our time was up at church for the day, Brady and I made a marathon trip to get groceries. We hit two store in one hour. Yes, we were running. Almost.

*Made a dash to the school to pick up the girls and headed home.

*I then got to go for a walk with my friend Courtney. Great exercise and time out in my crazy day.

*Then we headed back to church for a meeting. Once that meeting was over, hubs had a second meeting. So, the kids and I did the drive through at Zaxby's for supper. Then it was bath time and bed time for all of my little people.

*I've done some laundry. Though, admittedly not enough. I will be in laundry overload tomorrow....

*I'm now watching The Sing-Off. If you are a music lover, and haven't yet, you MUST check out this show. It is AH. MAZ .ING!!!! I love it. Also, I've decided that the Pentatonix are my fav. I hope they win. Check out this video.

*And, now that I know that my favorite group lives to see another week in The Sing-Off, I'm off to do my Believing God Bible Study before doing a bit of reading and heading off to bed.

It's been an ultra busy day to start out what looks like an ultra busy week in an ultra busy season in our ultra busy lives. I enjoyed every minute of it, though. And, hope I can continue to enjoy the small moments in these ultra busy day.

Hope you do, too!

I'm linking up here.....
I
In HIM-

365.45

2011-11-12T21:18:00.001-05:00

I did a TERRIBLE job taking pictures this week. It's really hurting only having a telephoto lens. Really, I need to go ahead and send my camera in to get an estimate on how much it will cost to fix it, but I'm having a hard time parting with it......

Anyways, here are the pictures I got this week.......

11.6.11 - Sunday.... A very normal which equals a very busy Sunday. I didn't get any pictures that day.

11.7.11 - Monday...It was a really warm day outside on Monday, and our friend Jasper came over to play. The boys had a fantastic time playing in the front yard, riding bikes and playing cars. These are a series of pictures of Brady racing down the hill on his "motorcycle". LOVE these.

11.8.11 -Tuesday.... Hubby had the honor of going on an Honor Air Flight. It was a wonderful thing for him but he had to leave at 4:30AM and he didn't arrive home until midnight. My sweet friend, Kandi, offered to watch Brady for me so I could get my house cleaning done. I wouldn't have finished without her!!! So, it was a day full of cleaning and then things got super crazy when the kids got home so no pictures on Tuesday....

11.9.11 -Wednesday.... I began the day with a meeting and then lunch with sweet friends. After that, it was time to get the girls. Then, I got a bit of exercise and went for a walk with Courtney. I am hoping to make that a regular part of my day a lot more often, Then if was off to church so no pictures on Wednesday.

11.10.11 - Thursday... I did some housework on Thursday and then picked up the girls from school and had another meeting. After my meeting, we surprised the kids and drove to a playhouse about an hour and a half away to see a youth production of "Peter Pan". They loved it and it really was an awesome production! No pictures.

11.11.11 - Friday.... Friday was Veteran's Day and a day out of school. Maggie wrote this letter to my grandfather who is a veteran of WWI. It is just the sweetest thing....

11.12.11 - Saturday.... Today, we've been to a birthday party for a sweet little girl in our church and then we went to our friends house for supper. The kids got to feed and pet the goats and had a blast with their dogs. It was a busy, but very fun day!!!

Even with the lack of pictures, that's what we've been up to this week!

What have you been up to?

in HIM-

Shine Like the Dawn

2011-11-09T22:27:00.004-05:00

Source: care-to-look.blogspot.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Let it be in me, Oh Lord!

in HIM-

One of my "loves"!

2011-11-07T22:33:00.000-05:00

Music is a very, very important to me. I love, love, love music. I have always loved music. I couldn't help it. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting in my Pa's chair singing with him. He was a Bass Singer in a Gospel Quartet and he had me singing with him and attending singing schools and singings, and directing when I was a preschooler! And my Daddy his son has always loved music , too. So, I come by my love of music honestly! It's just in my genes!!

However, I venture to say that my musical taste is much different than my Pa's or my Daddy's tastes. My taste in music is incredibly eclectic. I like everything from pop to rock {especially if it's from the 90's or before} to some rap . All kids of contemporary christian, christian rock, gospel and good old hymns. Even bluegrass, jazz and oldies.

Besides gospel (the southern sort that my Pa sang) and church hymns, the genre that I've longest loved is country music. I especially love the country music of my childhood but a lot of today's country is great music. Country music often has incredible harmonies and there is nothing I love more than good harmonies! {Which definitely comes from my early introduction to southern gospel and singing schools!}

This is one of my favorite's right now......

I would almost betcha that they will be playing this song on the CMA awards this coming Wednesday night. I will be watching. Will you?

in HIM-

365.44

2011-11-05T21:57:00.000-04:00

Another week of Project 365. Most of these were taken with my Nikon. But not all...as I'm sure you can tell. I will be so glad to get my camera fixed but I'm dreading sending it off for 2 weeks plus...... oh, well....Here is our week....

10.30.11 - Sunday.... On Sunday we had out Trunk or Treat.

It was amazing! One of the most favorite things was the hayride.

10.31.11 - Monday.... Sadly, I have no pictures from this day. I volunteered at school, then came for for a bit and did some laundry, then headed to the hospital in Asheville to be with one of my mothers- in-law as she had back surgery. I didn't take pictures at the hospital and hubs didn't take any at home. Due to the fact that the kids had gotten PLENTY of candy at our towns Treat Street the previous Saturday, and our Trunk or Treat on Sunday, they didn't go Trick or Treating. Instead, they stayed home, dressed in their costumes {for the 5th time} and handed out candy to those trick or treating at our house. =)

11.1.11 - Tuesday... Brady and I did the grocery shopping, which as you probably know takes a lot longer with a three year old "helping". It was such a busy day of running errands that we decided to eat out that night. The rest of the family had Taco Bell, but I had sushi. They wanted Taco Bell; imagine that!

11.2.11 -Wednesday.... I snapped this picture Wednesday afternoon before heading out to church. Brady had asked for an apple. He took it and sat at the foot of the stairs and ate there.
So cute.

11.3.11 -Thursday....It turned into a rainy,messy afternoon on Thursday. I was supposed to go walking with a friend but since it was nasty out, I took Maggie to get a surprise. She has been asking for a feather for a month {or two} now. She loves it!

11.4.11 - Friday.... This was a really nice day. Hubs and I had a breakfast date. Then I went to a friends house to do our Believing God Study , and she fixed us lunch. It was yummy, thanks - Courtney! Then after everyone got home from school, I took Miss Allie to the local bookstore to use the gift card she got for her birthday. She bought 2 American Girl Mysteries and Mathilda. I think I will be reading Mathilda, myself.

11.5.11 -Saturday.... This morning, we had our Operation Christmas Child Packing Party at church. We packed well over 100 boxes {YEAY!}, then had a little downtime where I learned to make storyboards such as the one below. I LOVE IT! Then our friends, Jenny and Cassie invited us to go to the WCU game with them. We had a blast! Thanks for taking us, girls!!!

That's what we've been doing!

What have you been up to?

in HIM,

Decorating via Pinterest

2011-11-04T21:24:00.001-04:00

DO you use Pinterest?

I love it.

I have been searching for decorating ideas for Christmas.

Just look at what I've found thus far.....

These cute presents.

Source: s151.photobucket.com via Mindy on Pinterest

Maybe Mason Jar Luminaries this year.....

Source: theinspiredroom.net via Mindy on Pinterest

I have 3 perfect apothecary jars for this.....

Source: craftydesignsanddecor.blogspot.com via Mindy on Pinterest

And an amazing birdcage for this....

Source: s151.photobucket.com via Mindy on Pinterest

This is just the tip of the iceburg! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to search for more cute Christmas Decorations!!

in HIM-

Mindy

(yes, I fooled around and deleted my signature. grrr....)

Thoughts on Thursday....

2011-11-03T21:46:00.003-04:00

*This morning, I cleaned my bathroom. As I got the cleaning tub out of the cabinet, I realized that someone {and by someone I mean my husband and daughters} had stuck used cleaning rags back in with the clean ones. yuck, now they are all dirty. I must discuss this with them.

*I went to lunch with some incredibly Godly women.

I am so thankful for all the love, laughter and encouragement that was shared!

*This little boys muscles..... { smile and sigh}

*I love sitting in the car line each afternoon. Brady, invariably, falls asleep between home and school. I then spend my time waiting reading my bible. Today, I was reading in Deuteronomy.

This is my second time through the bible and I'm very excited about that.

*How sweet it was that my MIL sent the kids coupon books for free mini frosty's from Wendy's.

We stopped on the way home for school for a special treat.

They love getting to do this. Thanks, Nana!

* I planned to go for a walk this afternoon and get some exercise, but since it rained - plans changed.

Instead, I took Miss Maggie to do something she has been begging for for months now.

She got a purple feather in her hair.

She was SO excited!!!

*I'm so glad that organic steaks were on sale this week at the grocery store.

We had the best supper of steak, baked potatoes, and Roasted Asparagus.

YUM! And I

*I love it that Allie told me this afternoon that she learned a lesson from the books she just finished reading. She said that she learned to "let the little things go" because the girl in the book got killed by her brother because he pushed her over something little.

While I'm glad she learned the lesson and hope it carries over for all time, I think I might need to check into this book called The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall.

*I spent part of the evening cleaning out the cabinet where I keep the cleaning stuff,

because I also found evidence of a mouse in there.

Gross!

Let's just hope we catch it tonight.....

* The frustration I'm feeling over this....
I videoed Brady and Ken reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar at bedtime tonight on my phone.
And how I couldn't get my phone to recognize and connect to wi-fi so I could upload it to you-tube. At the very least my parents would want to see it. =)

*I feel like I'm getting a cold. Scratchy, sore throat and a headache.

Think I'll call this Thursday a day.

*....and it was a great day....*

in HIM-

WINNERS!!!!

2011-11-01T21:22:00.001-04:00

Another busy day here in our house. Grocery lists were made, grocery shopping was done in 2 places with Brady, groceries were brought home and put away while Brady napped in the car, raced out from there to get the girls, picked up Maggie and Lillie, went to get gas and eggs from the local place {local eggs, yea!} , and back to school to get Allie.
Dropped Maggie at dance on the way home. Switched out the laundry and helped Allie and Lillie with homework. Picked up Maggie from dance, and went to pick up some supper. Came back home and ate supper, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher and cleaned the rest of the kitchen. Put away all of the Halloween decorations while the girls took bathes. Got all 4 kids in bed and then folded 3 loads of laundry. I'm a little bit tired......

SO, without further ado, here are the winners of the 25 free Christmas cards....

1. LeeAnne Curtis (no blog)

2. notsoperfectpw

3.Elaine

CONGRATS, ladies!!!!

Now, I'm headed off to relax a bit and go to bed.

in HIM-

Time - It Eludes Me (And Maybe YOU,too!)

2011-10-31T13:36:00.002-04:00

We had our Trunk or Treat last night at our church. As usual, it was awesome. It was HUGE, and I am beat!
Monday's are incredibly busy around here and today is even busier as one of my mothers-in -law is having back surgery this afternoon. So, I will be headed to the hospital shortly. I would love it if you'd pray for her surgeons and her recovery.!

I wanted to take just a minute, also, to remind you about the chance you have to get 25 FREE Christmas Cards!!!! The giveaway ends at midnight tonight and I will announce the winners tomorrow! GO check it out, now.

Have a blessed Monday. I'm off to do some laundry, make a menu plan and a grocery list before heading to the hospital for the evening.

Thanks in advance for your prayers!

in HIM--

365.43 and Treat Street

2011-10-29T22:05:00.000-04:00

I am really missing my lens and my camera. I do think the camera is messed up. Whenever it is focusing I can feel a motor running inside the camera that I've never felt before, so I think something is wrong inside. Since, I don't have my "regular" lens, ,most of these pics are taken with my phone. Definitely not good quality, but still getting one picture a day.....so here goes.

10.23.11 - Sunday..... A "normal" Sunday around here. Church until noon, lunch out as a family, home for a bit, then back to church for meetings and bible study. Didn't take any pictures that day.

10.24.11 - Monday.... On Monday, I did go to volunteer at the girls school and did laundry and picked up kids and did homework and got kids to dance. Typical Monday. But, after all of that - my friend and I went to a nearby town to get groceries. While there I found this big cookie. Yep, that's gizmo.

Blast from the past.

Makes me want to go watch the movie.

10.25.11 - Tuesday.... Another typical Tuesday. It was a super nice day outside so when the kids got home from school, we did homework outside.

This is one of the pictures that I took of my yard.

I love how it turned out.

10.26.11 - Wednesday....On Wednesday, I again volunteered at the girls school, then went to lunch with some sweet friends, home for a bit, then went to pick up the girls at school. On the way out, I snapped this with my phone. A picture of some of the pumpkins in my yard. I love them.

10.27.11 - Thursday.... My Thursday was full of friends,mentoring and good food. I went to Asheville to meet my mentor and ate a great lunch at the Tupelo Honey Cafe. I came home and made supper for the family and then went out for dessert with another sweet friend.

This is a picture of my Apple Pie Crepe that I ate that night.

It was delish!

10.28.11 - Friday....The girls had a Halloween Party to attend on Friday evening, so this week boy helped me make pizza's for his dad, me and himself. We then ate our pizza and watched "The Lion King" together. It was sweet time.

Then I got to go to the college campus and watch Harry Potter 7.2 with some of my young friends. Great evening all the way around!

I did learn one thing, though, attending a movie on a college campus.

College kids laugh at things that aren't really funny......

10.29.11 - Saturday....Today's been busy, busy! Lillie attended a birthday party and then it was our town's annual Treat Street.

The kids love to go so this afternoon, we headed out in costume to go Trick or Treating Downtown.

Here is Miss Maggie. She is being a "Chinese Girl" for Halloween.

Tomorrow for our Trunk or Treat, we will spray her hair black.

Allie is being Laura Ingalls for Halloween. I love this picture.

Do you see her lunch pail at the bottom of the picture?

Lillie is Minnie Mouse. She looks adorable in red dots and ears. =)

Brady is Spiderman.

He's a pretty cute one, I think!

Downtown, we went from store to store trick or treating.

The coffee shop downtown was handing out hot chocolate instead of candy.

Sweet!

At one shop downtown, they had made some sidewalk drawings.

I loved them.

The family walking down the street.....

We ran into Maggie's friend, Whitney.

She was a "Grand Supreme" winner. I accidentally cut her tiara our of the picture. oops.

Trading and checking out our bounty.....

I tried hard to get a good group shot. But Brady was not being very cooperative by this point.

He was "hungry". Which was code for "I wanna eat all my candy now".

{which he didn't get to do. He did get to eat a couple of pieces, though}

Tomorrow, is our churches' annual Trunk or Treat.

Loads of work and fun to be had!

See you then!!!

in HIM-

I Will Yet Praise Him!

2011-10-28T17:14:00.003-04:00

I love it when God has something for me to read at exactly the right moment, don't you?

I have been very discouraged in ministry lately. For many, many reasons. Yesterday afternoon, I got some more news that seemed like it was just the icing on the cake. The proverbial straw that broke the camels back.

I was pretty weepy all morning and then I came home around 11AM to do my Believing God Study. And in today's lesson I was asked to read Psalm 42. I looked it up in several versions and found as I did that in most Hebrew manuscripts that Psalm 42 and 43 make up one psalm.
This is what the Lord had me read today......

As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food
   day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
   “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember
   as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
   under the protection of the Mighty One^[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
   among the festive throng.
⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God.
⁶ My soul is downcast within me;
   therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
   the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
   in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
   have swept over me.
⁸ By day the LORD directs his love,
   at night his song is with me—
   a prayer to the God of my life.
⁹ I say to God my Rock,
   “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
   oppressed by the enemy?”
¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony
   as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
   “Where is your God?”
¹¹ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God.

.....and Psalm 43

¹ Vindicate me, my God,
   and plead my cause
   against an unfaithful nation.
Rescue me from those who are
   deceitful and wicked.
² You are God my stronghold.
   Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
   oppressed by the enemy?
³ Send me your light and your faithful care,
   let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
   to the place where you dwell.
⁴ Then I will go to the altar of God,
   to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the lyre,
   O God, my God.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God.

Wow. Did that ever hit home. It describes exactly how I've been feeling! The trouble is that I haven't been doing the last part -- refocusing myself on HIM for who HE is and for all that He does and hoping for all that He will do.

SO, I'm choosing right that I will yet praise HIM, because He is my Savior and my God!!

in HIM-

PS -- Don't forget the Christmas Card Giveaway!!! Go comment to win, now!

On Jesus and Sharp Things.....

2011-10-26T20:58:00.002-04:00

For rememberance sake - A conversation at bedtime with my sweet boy......

Last night, Brady and I were finishing up our "regular" bedtime routine. We had read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and a story out of the Children's bible story book. Last nights story was on The Spies who went in to Jericho.

I had just finished reading when Brady said, "Wheyah is my haweet?"

I pointed to his chest - pointing to where his heart is.

He said, "Je-sus (emphasis on the 'sus') and Gawhud (God) live in my haweet"

I smiled and nodded.

He said, " Je-sus and Gawhud awah in my hawett and teeph awah in my mouph and my teeph are shaweep"

I chuckled and grinned and asked: "Jesus and God are in your heart and your teeth are sharp in your mouth"?

"Yep! ", he replied. Completely confident of all that he had said.

I love how his little mind works!!

Don't forget my giveaway here --- you don't want to miss it.

in HIM-

Allie's Costume Party

2011-10-25T21:45:00.001-04:00

On October 20, 2011 my Allie turned 10 years old....and the next night we had a costume party in our yard to celebrate. She dressed as Laura Ingalls.

I had so much fun planning this party and getting ready for it. Actually, I had TONS of help and wouldn't have been able to do it without any of you!

A carved "Welcome" pumpkin greeted everyone as they arrived.

We used loads of pumpkins in the decorations. Some were glittered and others were carved.

We used owls, cats, and candy corns.....

The table for gifts.....black tablecloth with purple tulle overlay. The pumpkin in the center has the word "gifts" carved into it.

A candy corn banner with the words "Happy 10th Birthday, Allie!" hung from the fence.
The food tables were also covered with black tablecloths.
Since Allie loves candy corns, a lot of our decor was candy corn themed.

We put adorable owl, ghost, pumpkin and cat stickers on the cups. We served "Purple Potion", " Oozing Orange Owl Juice", and "Whomping Willow Water" to drink.

Even the cupcakes were made to look like candy corns....

Since the party was held outside in our front yard, the time was to be from 5:30 - 7:30 so it wouldn't be too dark on us.
So, we served pizza for supper along with these apples.
I used some great mini Halloween cookie cutters to cut the shapes out of the middle.

We made our own version of "Monster Mash" and served it in homemade popcorn boxes.

I made signs for the tables to label all the food items, and made cupcake wrappers for the cupcakes.

These two pictures are of my front door and steps.
I love how the pumpkin topiaries turned out as well as the glittered pumpkins.....And I adore the little white owl, too!!!!

We hung various homemade pompoms in the trees.....

As well as a couple of these adorable lanterns with owls on them!!!

The goody bags were filled with candy, vampire teeth (something Allie insisted on), Halloween rubber duckies, halloween silly bands, spider rings and candy....

During the party, our sweet friend Cassie led an awesome game of Blind Man's Bluff....

We had many costumed kids and adults.
We even had two princesses --- Cinderella and the Snow Princess.

It was pretty chilly out , so we lit the firepits and the kids sat around them as they ate.
Then, we roasted marshmallows.

The near by university was having a homecoming parade literally a block away from my house, so we walked down and took it all in. Our crowd of costumed kids were the best cheerers of all!

Our three smallest guests!

Part of the group as we began toward the parade.

We came back and opened gifts and by then it was time to go home.

Allie had a wonderful evening surrounded by family and friends.

I think that a great time was had by all!

in HIM-