My 8 in 2008!

Hi Everyone,

I am joining the bloggy accountability group from Extravagant Grace. I'm hoping with God's help to see improvement or completion in the following areas this year! O.K. here are my 8 in 2008!
1. To learn to wait on God
2. To practice better hospitality
3. To speak truth in love and to stop gossip before it begins
4. To pray for others more. To pray for the salvation of my family (extended)
5. To take better care of God's temple
6. To study 8 books of the Bible
7. To memorize 8 verses
8. To organize all the closets, bookshelves and storage areas in my house.
I think that's it! May God give me the wisdom and strength to accomplish this and beyond.

Coming back to the land of the living!

Well today didn't start out to well, but I have to say at this moment the pain in my head is subsiding, and I am able to be among the living! Praise God, thanks for the prayers that were said on my behalf! Today was a good last full day of Christmas Break with the kids, even though I was on the couch alot! They really helped me out with chores and getting along with each other! Even though routine is nice, I do so enjoy having them home. I just wish I was better at planning non-money activities we can do together. Maybe next year! Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying each others company today OUTSIDE!!!!! Then they came inside and had some hot cocoa. In the picture they are trying to suck a melting marshmallow through a straw.

TURTLE UPDATE: The turtles are adjusting just fine. Champ seems to be adjusting too! Sorry for the obnoxious post the other night, he was pretty upset! The kids have named the turtles Kermit (bigger one) and sparks (little one). Right this minute Sparks is sitting on top of Kermit on the rocks. I have to admit it does look pretty funny. Maybe they will be entertaining after all.

Not a real gun, just so you know. I think Jeremiah found his air rifle out in the snow. He takes real good care of his stuff doesn't he!

Hopefully I will be back to full speed tomorrow.

It's way past my bedtime!

So, it's 11:38 on my computer clock and here I am posting! It has not been a good couple of days. Some of you know I've had back pain for the last couple of weeks. Sometimes severe, sometimes dull. Well yesterday it came back again, and just by coincidink a got my sinus headache again. Well today I pumped myself with all sorts of pills for sinus and back pain, and nothing and I do mean nothing has helped! My last resort was, are you ready for this Vicadin that I got from my gallbladder surgery back in April. Guess what, I am still in pain! O.K. I am now going to scream, you may want to plug your ears!!!!!
On top of all this I have been having one of these cluttered brain moments that my blog is described after. You would think the beginning of the new year would leave me refreshed and full of excitement. I really don't know why, but I feel overwhelmed by all the things going on in my head. It may be because I need routine, and since the kids are home from school we don't have structure like we normally do. I guess I am one of those people who need structure in order to keep things in perspective. I still don't think I can put into words what I'm feeling so I guess at this point I won't write it. Sorry I just needed to vent a little! I think I'll go back and watch Letterman! Please pray the pain away!

My Owner (Daddy) dropped a bombshell!

Hello,

My name is Champ, and I rule the roost where I live. You may laugh, but it is the truth! I have my people trained quite well. When I need to go out I simply stand at the door and one of them hops up and opens it for me. Sometimes I refuse to go down the steps outside because I have delicate paws and I don't want to get them wet, so I make one of the bigger ones come out with me to keep me company. I have many places that I choose to sleep all day, but my favorite place is on the back of the couch like any cat/dog. I live the life people, let me tell you! I have a basket of toys that rivals any other pooch. Oh sure there are times my people do things that bother me like: leave me all day to go off in that yellow monster, or blue mobile; sometimes they take me to a lady that tortures me and I lose my hair; sometimes I don't mind what they do, if I get to stay with my cousin Buddy! We have a ball together!

Anyway that's what makes this latest episode so disturbing. My Man (daddy) and my boy and girl left for a while today. My Woman (mommy) and I had a nice relaxing afternoon just lying in the family room with the wood burner nice and toasty. Well finally they come home and are carrying this bucket thingy. It smelled kind of weird! They seemed all excited, well all except my woman, she seemed slightly annoyed like me. So my woman lifts me up and what do you think I saw?! These thingies floating in water with a big shell and tiny head and feet! Here are some pictures of me trying to get a good look at them and then letting them know that this is my House not theirs! Can you believe they did this to me! How ridiculous! Why would they need these things around when they have me?! This had better not mess with my attention or I just may have to resort to using the basement again to relieve myself. I do wonder though if they plan on eating them, they smell surprisingly like Chicken!

Thanks for listening and letting me vent! Please try to talk some sense into these people! They do not realize the turmoil they are throwing me into! I could become neurotic ( Oh wait I already am!)

Champ

Blogging Christmas Celebration!

*** This is a "sticky post" and will remain at the top of the posts until January. Scroll down for new posts.***

I saw this on Melissa's blog. I thought it would be fun too! She saw it on Laura's blog. Everyday in December, Laura will post a new "Christmas Favorite". Then those of us participating will post our "Christmas Favorite" that falls into that category. If you miss a day, just make it up next time you log in. For more details, you can visit her site. If you want to play along, you can make a "sticky post" to stay at the top, or post it in your sidebar. Link to Laura's button (above) so new people can join in the game. This will be a really fun way to learn more about our blogging friends. Have fun and Merry CHRISTmas!!
Dec 1- Favorite Christmas Song - Hallelujah Chorus
Dec 2- Favorite Christmas Flower(?) - I guess mine would be the Christmas Tree - Frazier Fir to be exact. I usually kill all other plants. I have to say though that I have gotten some very beautiful Pointsettia's from our MH at church. Receiving those have always made me smile.
Dec 3- Favorite Christmas Smell - That would have to be the Christmas Tree too, and maybe Cinnamon
Dec 4- I have two - My dad and mom made these Merry Christmas blocks before he died. They used to do crafts alot and mom hasn't done any since. They are very special to me. I hope to someday have a mantle to put them on. The other are several Christmas Tree ornaments that a friend of mine got Steve and I for wedding presents. She went out and pick blown glass ornaments that had special meanings. I won't go into all of them, but the cucumber is hidden in the tree on Christmas Eve and the first child to find it on Christmas morning gets to open a present first. These are treasured ornaments!

Dec 5- Favorite Christmas Color - I think burgandy and cream together! It's so rich looking!
Dec 6- Favorite Christmas Drink - Hmmmm! I don't know if I have a favorite. I do like sharing a glass of wine with my husband after the kids go to bed, sitting in our big chair with only the lights of the Christmas tree and Trans-siberian playing!

Dec 7- Favorite Christmas Movie - I would have to say Elf or The Polar Express.
Dec 8- Favorite Reindeer - I would have to say Prancer because I liked the movie Prancer. I'm a big fan of Sam Elliot (the father in the movie).
Dec 9- Favorite Christmas Candy - I guess right now it's the little M&M pretzel candies you make with the Hersey's Kisses. Bekah and I just made some the other night.
Dec 10- Favorite Christmas Quote or Saying - I guess the only one I can think of is "Everytime a bell rings, an angel get his wings" from it's a wonderful life.

Dec 11 - Favorite Christmas Ornament - The ornaments my kids have either made or purchased for me from Santa's shop at school!

Dec 12- Favorite Christmas Cookie - My mother's frosted sugar cookies. I could eat them til I bust. I'm to lazy to make them though because you have to roll them , then cut them out!
Dec 13- Favorite Christmas Decorating Style - I honestly don't think I have one. Simple and uncomplicated I guess. My poor children are not going to have great decorating memories!
Dec 14- Favorite Christmas animal/creature- The poor little donkey Mary road on!

Dec 15- Favorite Christmas store- I don't think I have one.

16- Favorite Christmas gift ever received- The gifts I get from my kids. I will treasure them always.

Dec 17- Favorite Christmas gift ever given-The little gifts I've made for people, like the Coasters, glass block wrapped present, and the birdhouses I gave to my Mom and Tena last year.

Dec 18- Favorite Christmas Activity - Probably getting our tree, and decorating it together. Steve and I started cutting down our own tree before we got married. We took the kids for several years where it seemed like they didn't like it. Now we are all excited about going, even the Great White Reindeer Champ!
Dec 19- Favorite person to buy gifts for - Besides my kids every year I make my mom a calendar of our year in pictures, mostly of the kids. I don't know if it's one of her favorites or not, but I love doing it.
Dec 20- Favorite way to wrap a present - My gifts don't look very pretty. This year I know I have some bows somewhere, but I can't find them in the mess which is our storage room, so the gifts look pretty plain. Bekah has helped me this year though, that's been fun!
Dec 21- Favorite time of Christmas - Christmas Eve after the kids are in bed, Steve and I get all their gifts out of hiding, put them under the tree, then turn the music on, sit in our big chair, and share a glass of wine together while listening to Tran-Siberian and Harry Connick Jr. (I always want him to dance with me to the song "What are you doing New Years Eve". Sometimes he humors me!
Dec 22- Favorite Part of Christmas Dinner - Well I have two things - #1 - just like the post below describes, Kam and I and our families have a Prime Rib dinner sometime before Christmas. It is soooooooooo gooooood, tender and yummy! On Christmas morning I always make a egg casserole for Steve and I, and get the kids cinnamon rolls.
Dec 23- Favorite Christmas Celebration (Big family, small family) - I love it when it's just the 4 (oops 5) of us. We usually get either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day just for ourselves and it's just a great relaxing time.
Dec 24- Favorite Christmas Place (in front of fire, tree, snowy window) - I've said it before, but sitting with my husband in our big chair with the only lights from the Christmas Tree and other decorations
Dec 25- Favorite Christmas Verse - Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Isaiah 7:14)
Dec 26- Favorite Christmas Tradition - Getting our Christmas tree and decorating it. Giving the kids their new ornament for the year. They love getting all the past ones out and putting them in order from oldest to newest.
Dec 27- Favorite Christmas Lights - The lights on our tree. I love it when the lights of the house are turned off and their the only ones on. I also like seeing the tree when I am coming home, and I can see it through the window! It's warm and inviting.
Dec 28- Favorite Christmas Memory - My favorite Christmas memories really all started when I met and married Steve. Our 1st Christmas together we went out to California to visit Steve's brother Bern and his family. My favorite memories involve getting our Christmas Trees and all the traditions we have started as a family.
Dec 29- Favorite Christmas Leftovers - You mean there are some! Just kidding! I don't get it often, but I would have to say my sister Kam's cheese cake. It is delicious beyond words, and I'm not exaggerating!
Dec 30- Favorite Time to take down Decorations - Usually a few days after Christmas, but this year New Years Day! We didn't get our Christmas Eve picture of the family on Christmas Eve so we had to keep things up until we did! Mom is a bit obsessive about these things!
Dec 31- Nothing here except to say: HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND MAY YOU BE TRULY BLESSED THIS COMING YEAR!!!!!!!!!

"I AM" Bible Study Lesson 8 - Instruments of Wonder!

What a way to start out the new year, continuing my "I AM" Bible Study! I can't thank God enough for bringing me to Lisa at The Preachers Wife blog. Her Bible Study has enriched my time with God and I am truly grateful! Do you know what else?! In the lesson today she actually mentioned my favorite Preacher Man! You ladies that know me know I don't have to tell you who that! If you don't know, go to her blog for this lesson or comment and I'll tell ya, and no it isn't Alex Trebek!

1. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to 'go back' to a place of shame or ridicule? How did that make you feel? I haven't had alot of terribly awful experiences outside of the issues of school, and being ridiculed there. I do not have any desire to go to High School reunions because of that! I hated my school days and don't like to remember them.

2. Is there any circumstance in your life that still has you running for cover? Share if you feel comfortable. There is one I don't feel terribly comfortable mentioning, but just let me say, Satan tries to throw it back at me, and I have tell say "Satan, I am forgiven, and you no longer have power to use this issue in my life! I am covered in the Blood of Christ, Hallelujah!!!" For me it's the memory that can haunt sometimes. I wish that I could go back and not have done it. Do I know God can use it, yes. Do I wish it never happened? You bet!

3. When is the last time you felt like an over comer? Each day God shows me another truth!

4. If you have not yet taken the serpent by the tail, are you willing to stop running, take hold and trust God to transform it into a tool for wonders? Definately! I desire to be His willing instrument!

5. I would like for you to write down this statement based on 1 John 2:14 somewhere you will see it often this week: "I am strong, the Word of God abides in me, and I have overcome the evil one." Memorize it. Say it over and over until you believe it. Will you do this?? Most of the time, there are no right or wrong answers, but on this one, I'm expecting a 'yes'! YES!

A New Year, Another contest!

I love free stuff, and Sue over at Praise and Coffee is having a contest this year. You can sign up the first of each month, and the winner is announced on the 10th. Sounds like fun! I will wait in expectancy to see if I win! (have you had enough of those two words yet?!) See my sidebar for the button that links to the contest.

God Bless you this Year!