New Year

Came across this and thought it was worth posting.

A DEFINITION OF THE NEW YEAR

The new year is a door
By which we reach new fields
Of service for God and fellow man:
A door by which we can explore
Wide spheres of usefulness
Our world to bless,
And reap the sheaves God's word of witness yields.

The new year is a task
Set by the Master of our souls,
A little part of our life's work below:
And so we ask holy wisdom which alone controls Our labor,
teaching what and where to sow:
That the year, at its end,
May show God's glory and man's profit blend.

The new year is a book
With many pages, and as yet all white
On which to write
The history of thought, and deed, and word
In this new group of days.
We pray thee, Lord,
As thou shalt look upon the book,
When written over, may all be to Thy praise.

~~Author Unknown~~

Happy Birthday Jesus!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas at your home.

We had a great day thankful for the gifts from our Lord and Savior.

Children's Christmas Video

Yesterday we spent the day shooting pictures for this video. It turned out so well..Thank you Pastor John!

Christmas Vacation!

Well the day finally came...We are officially on Christmas vacation! Once I catch my breath from the busy week I will sit down and post some pictures from our week. It has been busy but I count it all blessings! Still a lot of baking to be done and a few crafts to complete but we are well on our way to having a very Merry Christmas. Better get to bed the kids have rehearsal in the morning for the Christmas program at church Sunday.

Lil' David

Just wanted to share this sweet baby smile. He is such a sweet baby and oh my goodness I love being his Grandma! His Gramcracker (a wonderful woman at church) as the kids call her made him this beautiful quilt for Christmas. She also made Grace and Jeffrey the most wonderful pillow cases. The kids just love them! Oh and yes we opened them early because Gramcracker said they could :)

Snow~

Today was our first snow of the season..which is a bit late. It sure is pretty! So it worked out nice that today in 5th grade we decorating gourds as snowmen. They turned out so cute and the kids loved them. The theme kept going as we then made snowmen out of paint sticks. Great idea thanks to Christie! And they were a big hit as well. Here are few pictures.

Christmas Candy

This past Saturday would have been mine and Jeff's 24th wedding anniversary. It's been nearly five years since he passed and while it does getting easier there is still a knot in my throat in moments like this. So, this year I thought I would have some friends over to make Christmas candy. It was a good diversion for me and we had a great time!

We made Lollipops, butterscotch candy, peppermint bark, chocolate covered pretzels and attempted a Pampered Chef candy that well didn't turn out :( But we had a good time and the kids loved all the goodies...so did we!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Spelling Bee

Big news at our house! Grace and her bestest friend Ashton were finalist in the school Spelling Bee!! Which means that they placed over the 4th-6th graders and that they will be going to the county Spelling Bee at COS in January!

Now while that is so incredible..The thing that stands out the most was this. These two were so nervous as they only had their words for two days. I had told Grace to study and pray about it. Well, just before the bee was to start these two sweethearts bowed their heads and prayed right there in the gym! Cassie happened to see them and I was able to catch it..a priceless moment between friends and the Lord they love. Now If you can imagine it got even better! Once they were announced winners they were thanking the Lord and not saying yes we did it! Nope they gave God the glory. I told Grace how proud I was of her giving God the glory for her success and she proceeded to tell me how could she not because without God she is nothing.

Being a widowed Mother it is a daily struggle hoping that I am doing as the Lord would have me to do with my children. And, trusting him that he is overall. We are doing a bible study on Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp and the whole point is really to have children have a heart for the Lord. It is in moments like these that I see it happening. Not to say there are not struggles or rough roads ahead but I hope the foundation that I am laying is strong in the Lord...because without him I am nothing!

Philippians 4:10-13
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with my folk's this year it was nice to get away and spend some time with them. We had a wonderful dinner..Mom does the best! And we also went to see Old Dogs while down there. Hilarious movie! We all laughed through it. Here are a few pictures...oh and David learned how to use his hands and went for Cassie's dinner plate! Great moment :)

Up way too late!

I find myself trying to get done what computer work I have after the kids go to bed and thus..find myself up way too late!

Life has been very busy around here lately. I will make time tomorrow to sit and catch everyone up on our comings and goings. Hope you are enjoying the Christmas season so far. Merry Christmas!