THE WAY WE ARE

GIVEAWAY WINNERS, AND OTHER THOUGHTS

2012-01-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have a feeling this post might be ALL over the place as there is much on my mind…But first things first.

CONGRATULATIONS to Janette from Janette’s Sage. She is the winner of my Valentine’s give away. For those of you who do not know Janette, (but I think most of us do!) she is an absolutely delightful, spirit filled woman who blesses me every time I visit her blog (which is pretty much any time she posts something new) She is wise, funny, creative, and loving and she is definitely one of my very favorite friends to visit in blogland. So if you don’t know Janette, pop by for a visit and I KNOW you’ll be glad you did. Now I have to tell you that while Janette did win my BIG giveaway (it’s really not that big Janette, haha ~ but there is a surprise or two besides the coasters) I decided that since I had soo much Valentine fabric that I just couldn’t resist, that I would just go ahead a make up one extra set as well. Sooo, Cindy from Letters From Midlife has won that set. Congratulations to you! Now Cindy, (for those of you who don’t know her) is a wonderful Christian woman whose well written blog is always a blessing to me. She is also VERY creative and talented and makes beautiful gift cards and gift tags that she sells at her Etsy shop. I consider Cindy a kindred spirit in many ways. It was harder for me to do a giveaway then I thought it might be as I kind of wanted everyone to win, haha. If I had my way I would have picked you all. Anyway ladies, send me your addresses in an email, and I will get those off to you as soon as I can.

And then I wanted to mention that I have been a fan and an avid reader of Karen Kingsbury for quite a while now. I just love the way she writes. Her stories and style of writing have always seemed to really touch my heart. Can’t tell you how many of her books I have cried my way through. Well, a few months back I had purchased two in her new Bailey Flanigan series but for some reason or another had never gotten around to reading them. Well, since New Years I have read them both and was very excited to find out that there are two more in the series; actually only 1 is available now, and the other will come out in the spring. I purchased book 3 today! YAY!! I am soo looking forward to reading that. I also purchased a new Bible. I felt kind of wild, haha; but here are my thoughts on that. A few years ago after I lost (I won’t go into that sad story now) the Bible that I had carried for years and years, I had decided I wanted to get a small Bible that I could just carry around in my purse if I wanted to, so that I would never be without it, should I need it. Seemed like a wonderful idea. However, since the time I purchased that it has become harder and harder for me to read the tiny print even with my reading glasses on of course. I have found myself straining and struggling. So I decided I needed to break down and get myself a LARGE print Bible. I quickly found out most of them were HUGE!! Too heavy to lay in bed reading, or to tote around easily, BUT! The sweet gal at the store helped me to find a smaller type one that I think will be just perfect. I am soo pleased for some reason.

And then, I wanted to tell you about the thoughts I have had as I have been studying through the book of James in my devotional time. Oh, and btw, it certainly works out well that my DIL will be teaching this book at the women’s Bible study group when it starts back up in February. It will all be very fresh in my mind. : ) But I regress….I have always loved the book of James. I have read it soo many times of course that I could never really count them up. Pastor Dave from our old church taught for several months on the book as well and I remember it well. But I love how no matter how familiar some scripture is to you, the Lord finds a way to bring a new insight or thought to your mind; or sometimes just another focus. Now truthfully of course this is not a new thought for me, but rather a never ending challenge and struggle; the power of the tongue.

James 3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

What others say to us and what we say to others can last a VERY long time, for both good or for evil. The casual sarcastic or critical remark can inflict a lasting injury on another person. Proverbs also speaks of the person who doesn’t consider the destructive power of his words.

Proverbs 26:18-19 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

WOW…I have been dwelling all day on how many times I have been guilty of that. The fire of the tongue has been used to burn many. Children are told, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” But that child’s rhyme isn’t really true. The pain of word spoken against us can hurt us for a lifetime, long after a broken bone has healed.

James goes to talk about the contradictory character of the tongue as well. How the very thing that can spit gossip, cursing, and hurtful remarks, can also bless God and others. The well-timed encouragement or compliment can inspire someone for the rest of their life. I love these next couple of verses.

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.

I guess what I am trying to say here is how much more I want to focus on what I say. And truthfully what I write for others to read as well. The ONLY one with the power to control the tongue is the Holy Spirit. So I am going to make that a part of my daily prayers from now on. I want my tongue to bless others and spread the sweetness of Jesus. I have (at times) prided myself (always a mistake) with being able to “speak my mind”. Well I read today in a commentary, “If your talent is to speak your mind ~ God probably wouldn’t mind if you buried that talent.” A VERY good idea!

Hope you all have a wonderful week-end!

THIS LITTLE CUTIE IS ALREADY 4 MONTHS OLD! HE IS GETTING SOO BIG! GRANDMA CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM. DOESN'T LOOK LIKE HE IS MISSING ANY MEALS. KIND OF LIKE GRANDMA ; ) MEL SAID HE HAD HIS FIRST SOLID FOOD MEAL TODAY, SOME RICE CEREAL, AND HE LOVED IT! NOT SURPRISED.

P.S. The girls won last tonight! The losing streak has been broken! YAY Mom!!

NEW WASHER AND DRYER, AND! A VALENTINE'S GIVEAWAY

2012-01-23T14:39:00.000-08:00

Hope you are all enjoying your Monday. It is raining here in California, and I am totally enjoying it. Seemed like the perfect day to catch up all my laundry in my BRAND NEW WASHER AND DRYER!! Yes, we have finally broken down and replaced the pair that have faithfully done our laundry for the last 12 years. You might remember a while back I told you I had a repair man out on the washer and he told me that her days were definitely numbered. Told me it would cost WAY more to fix it then it would to just buy a new one. Let me tell you the laundry has been a definite challenge ever since. I had to open the washer lid and manually give the tub a spin (not an easy task if you are wondering) to get it to MAYBE go into the spin cycle. It was taking me ALL day to do the wash (which just shouldn't be the case when there are only two of us, and one of those people has the majority of their laundry go to the dry cleaners considering he wears suits and ties to work, haha) as sometimes it never would spin....meaning I had to wring out the clothes and put them WAY TOO WET into the dryer which then made the drying time take just forever not to mention was killing my arms. Anyway, on Sat. we shopped around at a few places we decided to check out, and bought the new ones. They actually delivered them on Sun afternoon, so we sped home from San Diego and church and a yummy lunch and by 5:00 they were up and running. I have been practically giddy. The new ones are NOT the biggest (don't need that anymore) NOT the top of the line (not necessary) and WITHOUT all the bells and whistles, (who cares?) and yet are all I need them to be and more. I am sooo grateful; thank you Jesus. It is funny how you take for granted something as basic as a washing machine until you no longer have one that works. Other than that, our week-end was pretty uneventful.

I mentioned I was going to do a give away and the time has FINALLY come. For years now my mother has made coasters out of fabric. I remember when she first told me about them I thought to myself, "how in the world would that work? Surely they would get wet, and therefore be pointless" haha...But when she gave me a set and I tried them out I was pleasantly surprised. They are by the far the best coasters I have ever owned. They are the perfect size, you can make them to match your own personal decor, and they are definitely unique. In addition to that I have a set that go with my Fall decor, another set for my Christmas decor, and now a new everyday set. I have also made a set for a Valentine's day decor. They are really pretty cute. I have also made some new ones for Mel's everyday decor. Let me show them to you....

A CLOSE UP VIEW OF MY NEW ONES...THEY ARE PERFECT FOR ME AS MY COLORS ARE OLIVE GREEN, BURGUNDY, AND CREAM

EACH "SET" INCLUDES 4 COASTERS

ONE IN USE...

CLOSE UP VIEW OF THE ONES I MADE FOR MEL....HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM MEL?

THE BACKS OF THESE ARE JUST ONE FABRIC

YES, HER SET IS STILL NEEDING ONE....I WAS SHORT SOME FABRIC, SO I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE STORE

THE VALENTINE SET

THE BACKSIDE

WORK SOO NICELY

Soo, I have decided to put together a little "Valentine's" gift for someone, and a set of the Valentine's coasters will be part of it. Not necessarily this particular set, but maybe, who knows?? If you are interested in this gift, just leave me a comment here. I will let hubby pick a name this week-end, so that I can get it to whoever might win this BEFORE the first of February. I have been wanting to just bless one of my readers with a give away for some time now, but it just never seemed to work out. These are nothing all that spectacular, but they will definitely be made with love. OH, and for any of you gals who do your own sewing out there, if you are interested I can definitely show you how ridiculously quick and easy these are and then you could always whip yourself up a set to go with your own decor. If I didn't have my Fall and Christmas ones packed away for now I would show you those too. They are really quite cute.

Hope you all have a wonderful week! My dryer is buzzing, so I am off to switch loads... : )

AN OLD POST, AND SOME NEW THOUGHTS

2012-01-19T18:10:00.000-08:00

Ecc. 33:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.

This is one of those verses that for me is so packed full of profound truth, it is hard sometimes to really get my head around the simplicity of it at the same time. As I have moved through the various seasons in my life, I have found myself both looking ahead to what is still (God willing) to come, and the ones I have left far behind. But one thing ALWAYS remains the same.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

God moves on an eternal time table that is not always readily evident to His people. He works within seasons, and time frames for His own purposes.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

It is right and good to plan. It is necessary for it gives direction and allows us to set priorities. However, yielding some time on our agendas and in our hearts for the purpose of God to prevail just makes sense if we want to live our lives as He would have us. This may mean we may have to re-adjust from time to time. But that's OK...In whatever season in life we find ourselves in, we should move forward and plan, and yet yield to the will of God and His purposes, and we will do it all in the power of the Holy Spirit...

I originally wrote this following post a couple of years ago. Back when I first started blogging and I am not sure if I had any readers at all, haha. I was reading back through my blog books this morning when my mom was trying to remember when something happened and I came across this post and I thought it might be worth posting again.

I have been going over to Greenbelt Park recently on the days that Nina comes, and getting out and sitting on the picnic tables there and working on my Bible Study. The day started out kind of foggy and cold, so I was concerned I wouldn't want to sit out there today. But it wasn't long when the sun burned it's way through, and it was a beautiful 72 degrees. There was a slight breeze blowing, just enough to ruffle the leaves on the nearby trees. I sat there working for about an hour and half without another person in sight. I enjoyed the solitude which seemed strange somehow, as I was outside and in a public place. Just as I was finishing up, I noticed a mom and her young daughter making their way toward the play ground. The mom couldn't have been more than at the most 25, and the daughter was probably close to 3 or so. It was a toss up who seemed more excited to be heading towards the equipment. I watched as the young mom put her little one in a swing and began pushing her, and the little girl squealed with obvious delight ~ simple pleasure, free to anyone who chose to use the park. A few minutes later, a little old man so hobbled and bent it was a wonder he was maneuvering his frail body down the side walk at all, made his way to the bench sitting by the sand, and took up his post watching the small child on the swing. He laughed aloud at her undisguised enjoyment. I was struck with how life changes from one stage to another as quickly as the weather it seems. One minute your the young child in the swing completely dependent upon your mother for all your most basic needs, and the next you find yourself the young mother herself caring for her family. A couple of blinks later and your me sitting on a bench in the park wondering how I could have possibly reached this stage in my life so quickly. And finally the little old man hobbled and shuffling in what is surely his last little while here on this earth. Time races by and things inevitably change. My eyes wondered and I noticed the softball fields off in the distance. How many times did I come to this park, and sit in those stands and watch Melody play a game of softball?! Too many times to count that's for sure. How I enjoyed watching her play. I closed my eyes and could hear the girls chanting their little cheers, and the sound of the balls hitting their gloves as they warmed up for a game. I could even smell the nachos in the snack bar and feel the excitement I always felt as a game was about to start. Those days have come and gone, and today I miss them. I miss her. I miss being the young mom with a large family to go home and prepare a big dinner for. But I was struck with something else today that I don't usually think of when I am in a nostalgic mood. There is going to come a time in my life (hopefully) when I am the old man sitting on the bench and will remember what it was like to be the Grandma with all the young grand kids and kids still in their early 20's and 30's. Still living in the house they all grew up in and wondering if we will ever afford to retire. Yes, life goes quickly I have found, but I am no longer in a hurry, and I intend to enjoy this stage in my life and savor it for all it's benefits and pleasures. Because no doubt the time will come when it will all change and other's will find themselves standing in my shoes, and I will be the little old lady hobbling along (I kind of hobble now haha) waiting for the Lord to call me home....

Yes, "seasons in our life" come and go and we all find ourselves on that roller coaster ride called life. Sometimes we are going up and the climb seems non-ending and overwhelming, other times we have reached the mountain tops and the view from the top is exhilarating and majestic, other times we find ourselves plummeting downward at a breath taking speed, our hearts and minds busy with just the hanging on. But I find my comfort in knowing that Jesus is always there, always the same, never moving, my rock.

Psalm 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.

I found it interesting how things have changed for me in just a couple of years. We are no longer living in that house and we have found ourselves a little closer to that retirement. I no longer find myself longing for the days when my kids were all at home and I was a busy mom. I no longer dwell on the fact that Melody has moved away and started her own life, not that I don't still miss her of course, but in a different way. I am so much more content with my life as it is now WITHOUT my kids living with me. It does have it's perks, haha. But some things just never change. Life moves on....seasons come and go, and change is inevitable. But God is ever faithful and eventually we settle into our here and now. Hope you all have a wonderful week-end.

I am linking up today with Spiritual Sundays, join in and be blessed by all the wonderful posts!

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

It is time for Hodgepodge Wednesday. I soo enjoy this. You can join the others who participate HERE.

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night - did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be? No, I did not watch it, though I wouldn't have minded. As for what my talent would be? A VERY good question, haha.... I suppose IF I were going to be such a contestant, I would brush up my piano....I use to play a pretty good Moonlight Sonata. I loved many of Beethoven's pieces. However, since this is all just a random "what if" dream anyway, I guess I could always sing (like Carrie Underwood to keep the dream REALLY good) How Great Thou Art. Oh, and I guess if I am going to sing like her, I might as well LOOK like she does too... : ) This video (I know I have shared it before) ALWAYS brings me to tears....How I love this song. And she puts her whole heart into this. Perfect worship song. Give it a listen if you have the time. The end of it is truly spectacular..

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake? Over the course of the years I have had MANY real houseplants. I love them. But I just DO NOT, and let me repeat that, DO NOT, have a green thumb. I just sort of end up killing everything. Right now I have two African violets in my bathroom that are still doing pretty good. I sooo love them. I also have MANY (too many to count, haha) fake flower arrangements, plants, trees and bushes. I LOVE LOVE LOVE fresh flowers in my house too, and I look for excuses to buy them.

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student? This seams like a pretty simple question, but as I REALLY thought about it, I realized it really kind of depended and varied on the subject. If we were in any of sort of math class, (and this was true of elementary school right on through college) I hid and prayed I would NEVER be noticed or asked ANYTHING, haha. But when I was young I LOVED to read, or to be asked to read etc. so my hand was always waving wildly in the air. I also loved Religion class or Bible class and loved to get "my opinion" or thoughts out there. I loved anything having to do with writing and again I couldn't wait to share. I hid in History, (never could remember anything very long), Spanish, (oh soo bad here), and Economics and Government (I was a complete disaster in those), lol. So there you have it. I was a DEFINITE mix.

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year.......what you order when someone suggests Chinese food?
Oh how I LOVE Chinese food....there are sooo many favorites, and truthfully I almost never have it anymore. BUT! If I could order a plate of it right now and didn't have to care if what I wanted was not healthy or low in calories, it would be....(goodness am I even going to know the name of what I like)....let's see....I love chow mein, sweet and sour pork, broccoli and beef, egg rolls, cashew chicken, I could go on but you get the drift...I LOVE it.

YUMMMM....DOESN'T THIS LOOK DELICIOUS?

5. What would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle? I think I consider anything that COULD NOT happen outside of the power of God a miracle. A phenomenon that defies the laws of nature. And by strict definition - whether you are a believer or not - an act of God. I think that a changed life is sometimes the biggest miracle we all might ever see. God can take a person who has been say for instance a drug addict and living the life that goes along with that, and change them into a completely different person through the power of His Holy Spirit. I have actually seen this happen more than once, and it is definitely a thing to behold. I have also heard stories of someone whose doctors had done all they can do, suddenly become well after prayer too. From the Bible's perspective, miracles are gracious and mighty works of God that display His unique power and dominion over all creation, including life and death. They are "gracious" because God in His mercy chooses to reveal Himself supernaturally in a way that displays His willingness to interact with mankind. OH! And then His very creation is a miracle if you ask me....the way the sun, the moon, and the stars light the sky. The waves crash into the shore. The mountains inspire many with their beauty. And don't even get me started on the way the human body works. : )

6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck, you'll find a list here...Oh there are a few I just love....but my favorite I think would be from Beauty and the Beast....Be Our Guest. We saw this play several years ago, and I will never forget the performance of this song. One of the best things I ever saw. I remember the entire audience gave it a standing ovation when it was over. Love it...

If you have the time take a listen to this....it ALWAYS brightens my mood..

7. I should have_______________yesterday. Goodness I hate to get started on that thought, as there are SEVERAL things I "should have" done yesterday. If I must name a few it would be.....I should have EATEN LESS yesterday...I should have SPOKEN KINDER to my mother yesterday. I should have DONE SOME GROCERY SHOPPING yesterday. I should have SHOWN MORE OF GOD'S LOVE yesterday. sigh....

8. Insert your own random thought here. The rest of my week should be a busy one as I am to spend the day at my mom's tomorrow. She has a few things she needs me to do for her. I am happy to help her and am looking forward to the day. On Thursday I hope to get all the fabric I need to make up a couple of nighties and receiving blankets for my sister Diane's daughter Michelle who is to have a baby boy in May. My sister had only 1 child...a girl. She has had 2 daughters. Sooo, this is to be the FIRST boy in that family. They are all very excited. And then my sister is coming over on Friday so that I can help her make a couple of nighties herself as she wants to crochet all the edges of her nighties and receiving blankets. Lots to get done before her "sprinkle" in March. Just so you know, I had no idea what a "sprinkle" was until my daughter was pregnant last year. : ) For those of you who don't know, it is just a little shower (or a sprinkle) for a woman who is having her second or third etc. baby, (especially if that baby is of another sex) lol. I think it is a wonderful idea. But then I just love an excuse to get together and celebrate almost anything.

Hope you are all having a good week!

MONDAY'S THOUGHTS

2012-01-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I am soo loving the weather right now. We FINALLY have some cooler weather and even a little rain. I was beginning to think that winter wasn't coming to So. California. Our week-end was low key but wonderful. On Friday I went out to take my little grandson Jeffie to the docs. Poor little guys leg had been bothering him for 3 days so we decided to have it checked out. Mama and daddy are both working so I picked him up from school and headed on over to the docs. She couldn't find anything wrong so we had to get a blood test just to check a little further. Jeff was VERY brave...I felt bad for him. Soo afterwards we headed over to Target so he could pick out a little something for being such a good boy, haha. His leg was feeling just fine the next day, (naturally) but still glad we had a little time together. We stopped for a frozen yogurt and I took him on home. His mama was home by then so I visited for a while and left for home. We decided to skip cards at my parents house as dh was coming down with a little cold and we didn't want to expose them to anything. We put a fire on and a movie and had a nice quiet evening. On Sat. we spent the majority of the day doing some chores around here. Actually dh did the chores and I kept him company. : )
In the late afternoon we decided to go and see a movie and saw The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep. It was a pretty good movie and we both enjoyed it. She was just a stun in it. I love her though in almost anything she does. Such a good actress. After the movie we did some grocery shopping and came home and bbq'd some wonderful fish for dinner, and watched some football that dh had taped. Yesterday we went down to San Diego and went to church and then over to my son's house for lunch and more football. Just a nice afternoon.
I plan on doing some sewing and some laundry today. Nothing really very exciting I guess. Hope you all have a good week. I am struggling getting my head into my diet, but I am giving it my best effort. I do love traveling around blogland and reading about your wonderful recipes for dinner and sweets though. A gal can dream can't she?

Psalm: 17:8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

Love this!

2012-01-15T07:32:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to run out the door for church, but just had to share this for any of you that may have missed this....It was just soo exciting to see this commercial played on public television on a commercial that literally millions viewed. My hubby and I's jaws dropped when we saw it and had to run it back a couple of times. How darling these children were and how powerful to hear the word coming out of their mouths. I do feel badly the Tebow lost yesterday, but his impact with his testimony for Christianity is unforgettable. Have a WONDERFUL day.

WEDNESDAY'S THOUGHTS

2012-01-11T13:02:00.000-08:00

I had a really nice day with my mom yesterday. We went to lunch at one of our favorite places, The Corner Bakery, and had a light little meal. After that we went over to Bed, Bath and Beyond as my mom wanted to look for a new comforter. And we found one! Soo pretty, just the perfect colors, and one of those complete sets in a bag. And! On clearance. Doesn't get much better. She was soo excited. I got a few goodies too. My hubby got a new Keurig for his birthday as you might recall. Well, I needed a way to display his coffee choices, so I got a really nice spinning display shelf, AND a large box of coffee choices, AND! a basket that you can put into it which gives you the option of using your own coffee grounds.

I really like the way it looks. After our shopping we came back to her house and put the new comforter on her bed to see what we thought. It was great! My mother has made me (and all of her children) sets of cloth coasters that are just the BEST coasters in the world. I have a set for my living room, and also a set for Fall decor and Christmas decor. But I was really needing a set for my family room. So I asked her if she had any in "the works" that might work for this. (She hasn't made any of these in quite a while) She pulled a set out that was all cut and ready to go. The colors are perfect. All I have to do is sew them. I am hoping to get around to this later on this afternoon, or maybe tomorrow. When I get them done I will be sure and post a picture or two so that you can see just how cute they are, and how perfect. I am thinking I am also going to make up a set for Valentines day decor, and maybe some for the 4th of July as well. THEN!! I am finally going to do my give away. I know I have mentioned give aways before and then not carried through, so I probably shouldn't say anything about this yet. But I can never keep myself quite. This time, it IS going to happen. I will get some sets made up, and then let you know the details about the give away.

Last night as I was laying in bed praying it occurred to me that "IF" and it is a big "IF" we get out to see Sam in Feb. like we plan, he will already be 5 months old!! 5 months!! I can hardly bear it. He was just a sweet little newborn the last time I saw him, and in the blink of an eye he is already a few months old. I feel like I am missing soo much. It is hard I am not going to lie. I want to hold him REALLY bad!! But this morning when I woke up my daughter called and told me she had posted several new pictures of him. She sends me quick little videos of him almost every other day, so I have heard him laughing etc. too. Thank goodness for all these ways to keep connected. It is not the same of course, but it sure beats the way it used to be. She does not have access to Skype yet, but we are working on it. Meanwhile, I just HAVE to share his latest photo session with his mama....He sooo looks like her in many of these pics.

3 AND HALF MONTHS....HOW ADORABLE IS THIS?? SUCH A HAPPY BABY

HIS MAMA'S PRETTY EYES

THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE....SOO SWEET...LOOK AT HIS LITTLE HANDS!

HE DIDN'T LAST OVER 30 SECONDS SHE SAID, BUT STILL!!

HE LOVES THIS NEW LITTLE JUMPER

ESPECIALLY THIS LION..

SAM AND THEIR DOG BAXTER....BFF'S, HAHA

I REMEMBER THIS SAME EXPRESSION ON HIS MAMA'S FACE

Well, I guess my "break time" is up, and I need to get busy on a few things. Hope this finds all of you enjoying your week, and finding joy in His blessings!

One last one....

LOVE HIM!

FARRELL'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR

2012-01-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

Monday morning again....such a FAST week-end. And let me tell you, I enjoyed every minute of it. I am kind of tired this morning, but it is a good tired.

Friday night found us at my parents to play cards. What with the holidays and everything we had going on we had not been there for that in like six weeks. Time goes soo fast. I enjoyed the game and the company, despite the fact that us girls got beat AGAIN....Just can't figure it out mom...It is our turn to win!!

Saturday I left here early (leaving my hubby happily watching football and just generally kicking back) and picked up my two grand daughters Annabel and Lindsey. Annabel will be 15 on Wed!! 15!!! I honestly can't believe she is already that old. HOW can I have a 15 year old grand daughter?! Anyway, I hadn't had a chance to do anything special with Lindsey either for her birthday, so I decided to just combine the two of them for some special time with grandma. I enjoyed every single minute, but in the future I will try a little harder to give them both just some one on one time. Anyway, we headed over to Victoria Gardens which is a HUGE mall which is more like a little city in that it is all outside and there are about 3 full streets of shops. I LOVE it, but right now with my knees it is a LOT more walking than I can really do very easily, so we did a little less shopping than I think the girls would have liked. Lindsey anyway, haha. But, we started with lunch at our favorite sushi place. Then we did some shopping. We took the trolley a couple of times which did help me out quite a bit. What fun we had. The girls made quick work of their choices and I enjoyed watching then trying on clothes and just generally enjoying themselves. Lots of the stores had some real sales going on as they are trying to clear out things from Christmas. After a couple of hours of this though, Grandma was really starting to feel it badly in these old knees of hers, so we decided to hit a movie. We picked a pretty "girly" one and the timing was perfect. We all enjoyed it. After the movie we headed over to Farrell's Ice Cream parlor where the rest of their family (and Grandpa!) was going to meet us for a birthday celebration dinner. I don't know how many of you remember this restaurant, but they were popular years ago and had closed down. Well, they have re-opened a few of them and what a business they do! Oh my goodness. There was to be an hour and a half wait for a table as big as we needed it (there would be 9 of us) so we put our name in and settled in to wait figuring the rest of them could meet us there when it got closer to time. Believe it or not we all enjoyed our "waiting" time. There is much to see there, and lots of noise and entertainment going on. And the girls picked out an occasional cute boy or too as well, haha. The rest of the family arrived just as we were getting beeped to sit, so it worked out perfectly. Soo fun. They have a guy who comes around and makes you balloon hats so of course we got a few of those. The birthday girls got free hot fudge sundaes and had to stand in their seats while being sung to by a crowd of at least 10 waiters and waitresses. They sang it in hip hop style and made the girls dance etc. It was hysterical. Grandpa taped it and if I could figure it out, I'd post it. But for now I give up. Anyway, here are a few of the pictures we did get.

"POSING" AFTER DINNER

THE GIRLS WITH THEIR HELLO KITTY BALLOONS, AND JEFFIE WITH HIS MONKEY IN A TREE

16 YEAR OLD EVAN WITH HIS DUCK HAT...HAHA...HE WAS A GOOD SPORT

All in all it was a VERY fun day, but I won't be going to Farrell's anytime too soon again, haha. VERY difficult food choices when you are watching your calories. I did eat a salad (with Jenny Craig dressing) and had only a couple of bites of hubby's sundae so I didn't do too badly, but it was just hard. And then there is all the bells, whistles, and noise too. Definitely a birthday celebration place, but that's about it.

Sunday after church and a great message we went over to my youngest son's house and had a wonderful lunch and watched the BIG football game, haha. My hubby and son were really into of course, and the rest of us did watch some of it too as well. We were ALL glad to see Tebow win.

I am going over to my mom's tomorrow and I AGAIN need to address these grey roots so my week is starting to fill up. Hope you all have a good week. Many blessings wished for you all....

COULDN'T RESIST THIS LATEST PICTURE OF SAM....SOO ADORABLE!

JANUARY MUSINGS

2012-01-06T14:04:00.000-08:00

Well here we are a whole week into January. I have done A LOT of just plain old relaxing this week. Our holiday "season" was a busy one and I think I was just tired, haha. But I am ready now I think to get busy in this new year.

I headed back to Jenny Craig this morning and let me tell you it was with VERY mixed feelings. I lost 40.4 pounds last year and it was VERY difficult. Very slow, very deliberate, LOTS of whining and feeling sorry for myself, and a lot of soul searching along the way as to why this is always such an issue with me. But last Halloween I just kind of got sick of it all. Not just of the food, (thankfully I LOVE that) but the whole concept of HAVING to watch every little thing. I fought and fought. And prayed and prayed. And finally I decided I would take a little break through the holidays. Stupid really...no one had to tell me that. My plan (crazy though it was) was to somehow get through all the parties, events, gatherings and FOOD and somehow just maintain. And then in January I would begin in earnest again. Well, it started out fine. Believe it or not by Dec. 1st., I had only gained 2 pounds. And what is 2 pounds right? But as I say, "I kicked the giant" and the next thing I knew I was kind of out of control. Now truthfully not as bad as I have been sometimes in the past, but out of control nonetheless. It was with HORRIFYING fear that I climbed on that scale today. A total gain of 7.4 pounds!! Now most people I know for a fact would be hysterical at a 7 pound gain, but not this gal. 7 pounds doesn't seem that bad for the degree in which I have been off. I think I can take that 7 pounds anyway off again in a couple of weeks. I hope so anyway. Last January when I stepped back on that scale I had gained back 40 of the 55 pounds I had lost the year before!! Sooo, this was much better right?! lol Anyway, the break is over, and I must continue on. I am not going to focus sooo heavily on it like I did last year as I think I spent more time beating myself up than anything else. I will do the best I can do WITH the Lord's help. I know without Him I'd have no hope of any control at all. I will try my best to make this my lifestyle and not "my diet"....I will try and focus on seeking God and growing closer to Him and not worrying so much about my failures OR my successes.

MATTHEW 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you...

I do plan on doing some sewing next week, and I am looking forward to that. We did not get to Melody's over New Years, and I am really missing her and that little man of hers. We are hoping to go in February.
Annabel's birthday is coming up and I am hoping to spend some time with her this week-end. Cody and Donatella's birthdays are both coming up in February too. I picked up Jefffie and Lindsey yesterday after school (Thursday are their early days) and took them to see "We bought a zoo." We all enjoyed it, but I think it was a little over Jeff's head. He is the lover of all animals though, so he enjoyed that part of it. He told me after the movie, "Grandma, I am going to go home and get out all of my animals and build my own zoo. Only this time I won't build cages, I will be "enclosures"....haha See the movie to understand this. How I love that little guy! We are going to play cards with my parents tonight for the first time in 6 weeks. I am looking forward to that too. The weather is just glorious here is the only way to describe it. Sunny, warm, mid-70's during the day, and chilly enough for a light blanket at night. My windows are all open with a wonderous breeze blowing through. I imagine winter will be back as this is weird even for So. California for January, but in the meantime, I am enjoying it.

Hope you all enjoy your week-end....

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

What are three words you would use to describe your 2011? Well the first one that pops into my head is BLESSED....just so many things that I felt were direct answers to prayers. (see post below) The second word might be BUSY...the year flew by and I had so many things that kept me blessedly busy, haha... all the sewing I did for the new grand baby, the trips to Texas and New Mexico, and then there were the parties, showers, and celebrations that seemed to fill this year. The third word could be CONTENTED...It took me a while to settle into my life as an empty nester I am not going lie. A while to work into my daughter living so far away from me, a while to feel like this new house was home. A while to accept that I had indeed had cancer and to know deep in my soul that these kinds of things can and WILL happen to me. But I can say now that the Lord has truly helped me to understand that true contentment does not come from circumstances or from simple things that can and do happen every day, but from a relationship with a living God that fills your heart with a peace knowing that He is always there for you, and meets your every need. That through Him, I truly can do all things. Even those things I felt impossible. I don't know what trials 2012 might hold, or how I might react to them, but I do know that He is sufficient for whatever that might be.

Phil 4: 11- 13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared? Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE shrimp! I am not sure if there is any way this delicious food could be prepared that I wouldn't like it. I love coconut shrimp, grilled shrimp, shrimp cocktail, garlic shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp salad. I could sound like Forrest Gump's friend here really easily, haha. I guess my favorite would be barbecued shrimp. Did I mention I like shrimp?

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down? Yes, it is all down and put away. Always a BIG chore, ALWAYS somewhat dreaded, and ALWAYS glad when it is done even though it makes me feel somewhat sad at the same time. We took ours down on the Friday before New Year's this year. We usually tackle that job New Years day for some weird reason, but this year New Years fell on Sunday and what with church and all didn't seem like a good idea. It took us ALL day. My hubby finished up taking down the outside lights yesterday afternoon, so we are all packed up and stored away for another year; ALWAYS a good feeling.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies? NO!! Though I guess maybe it depends. I don't mind suspense, but I STRONGLY dislike anything Satanic, bloody, or heart stopping. I guess maybe I just plain old don't like them.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy? Well, this California girl doesn't really do ANY of those things. We did have a cabin in Big Bear Mountain when I was growing up though, and then I LOVED sledding; couldn't ever seem to get enough of that. Ice skating was fun, though I have only done it a handful of times. And now? Don't do any of it... : )

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it. I guess I had to think about this for a while and the answer is I didn't really have a hideout. Didn't even really have my own room most of my growing up years. I escaped occasionally in a good book. I could transport myself almost anywhere that way.

7. What's a place or space that motivates you? I am motivated I think primarily at church. It challenges me to DO something worthwhile for God and for others. I am also frequently motivated visiting many of you here in blogland. It just seems like soo many of you are on so much. Creating things and spending your time on such worthwhile endeavors.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 2012 is here and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store. I am praying that it finds me AGAIN busy and blessed. I want to do soo much more for Him this year.

I soo enjoy doing this hodgepodge posts. To view the other hodgepodgers, click HERE and enjoy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

I don't think I ever put the last of the Christmas decorations away without a certain feeling of nostalgia, and today as I finished this task was no different. Another Christmas come and gone... and another year as well. 2011 was a good year. It brought much laughter and memories, just a few tears and lessons learned, and as always MUCH answered prayer. My youngest son was made the senior pastor of his church. My daughter gave birth to her first son. My husband got a new job and the Lord is blessing his efforts. I got another clean bill of health. My mom continues to move along and has not had another stroke. My step-dad is still with us his despite the ugly cancer that grows in his body. My husband celebrated 60 years on this earth. I could go on and on with the list that the Lord has blessed us with, but for now I will stop with these. 2012 lies ahead of us now waiting for it's pages to be filled with our lives. There is always a certain feeling of excitement for me, mixed with feelings of uncertainty and wonder. What will this new year hold? One thing I know for sure is no matter what may come, the Lord will be with us, the one constant and unchanging thing we can always count on. My desire for this new year is that I might know Him in a deeper and more meaningful way. I pray that He finds ways to use me for His glory. I pray that I might love others as He does. And I pray as we begin this year, that I press on, filling the pages of my life, running the race He sets before me with diligence and grace.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Hebrews 12:1...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnare us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..

1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4: 16...God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in Him.

I treasure my on-line friends, and ask the Lord to bless each and every one of you with His richest blessings in this coming New year! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE 2011

2011-12-27T11:37:00.000-08:00

Can it be that ANOTHER Christmas has come and gone? haha How I have enjoyed these last few days. I will "TRY" and just give the highlights, but you know me, that is easier said than done. But after looking back on my printed books of past years of blogging yesterday, I am more convinced than ever that this is just the perfect way to remember how we were. Sooo, here we go...

I guess we will have to go back to last Thursday. Even though I still had a few things to get done, I decided I just wanted to have a "fun" day, and do something Christmasy with some of my grands. Soo, I went over to my oldest son's house, picked up Jeffie and Lindsey and headed out to meet my sister with her grandkids and daughter to Bass Pro Shop. Every year they do up not only a nice display of Christmas decorations, but they have games, rides, and activities for the kids to do which includes a free picture with Santa. In fact, all of it is free. They have an absolutely wonderful restaurant right there next door to the shop as well, and the kids all eat for free. Now my sister has done this with her grands ever since the store opened, but this was the first trip for me. What a wonderful time we had! It was VERY full of people for sure, but it never seemed to be an issue. The kids just had a ball. Most of the activities were geared towards kids more in the age range of about 6 to 12 in my opinion, which worked perfectly for me considering Jeff is 7 and Lindsey just turned 11 yesterday. They raced cars, shot bow and arrows, rode the Christmas merry go round, colored, worked remote controlled cars, and took turns at the shooting range. They enjoyed the fish, the wishing streams, and all of the HUGE fake animals that were just everywhere all over the store. We had an ABSOLUTELY delicious lunch (they have the most wonderful sugar bread) and finished it off with a picture and visit to Santa. We were there a little over 4 hours and it cost me just 8 dollars (for my lunch) don't think you could do much better. After we finished there the kids and I decided to see the new Chipmunk movie to really make it a full day, haha. The kids LOVED the movie, and I was actually pretty entertained too. These are just the best kind of days in my opinion. Nothing to do but to enjoy the pleasure they got it in all, and make memories. I arrived back home around 6:30 that night, tired, but sooo glad I went. Here are a few of the pics I got.

SEE THE BEAR IN THE BACKGROUND?

On Friday I finished up the last of the wrapping and baking and preparations and then we left here around 3:30 to pick up Jeffie and Lindsey again and headed down to San Diego for the candlelight service in the park with our church. Again, what a wonderful time. It DID take us quite a while to get there as everyone it seemed was heading out of town, but we enjoyed the ride down nonetheless. We play guessing games in the car which we ALL enjoy, and the time passed quickly. We grabbed a quick dinner and arrived to join Larissa and the kids and quickly found our seats in the outside theater area. It was COLD....I am not going to lie, but somehow it added to the fun even for this grandma. We were all bundled up in our coats and hats and scarfs, and huddled under a blanket. There was special music and a wonderful praise band to enjoy, and then my son gave a Christmas message that was both inspiring and thought provoking. We all got our candles then and we sang a few Christmas carols together. How beautiful it was, and the kids enjoyed every minute. I have only one picture of this which I ~~stole~~ borrowed from facebook, haha...I was GOING to get a picture of all the kids with their candles, but somehow I was lost in the worship and forgot all about it. It was a wonderful night, and again, I was soo glad we went. A Christmas service praising God and rejoicing in the birth of His Son, is what it is all about.

SOO MANY PEOPLE BRAVING THE COLD WEATHER ANXIOUS TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH!

Then on Christmas Eve, Jeff & I enjoyed a LARGE and totally yummy breakfast together and planned and organized our day. We still had the food to pick up for the next day, but that was really about all with the exception of a tiny bit of house cleaning. We got it all done with plenty of time to spare, and left here around 3:00 and headed over to my oldest son's house for a TOTALLY WONDERFUL prime rib dinner. Oh my goodness...how GOOD it was. There was garlic mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, rolls, and a Caesar salad (which was all I brought). We opened presents, celebrated Lindsey's birthday (which is the day after Christmas) and just generally had a wonderful time. How I enjoyed myself! With the exception of Cody (who is not quite 3) these are my "older" grandkids. I LOVE hearing the stories of what is going on with them in their lives, and was struck at one point at how quickly it all goes. Two of them are already teen-agers!! How has that happened?? We visited, and laughed and just generally relaxed and before we knew it we were headed home again. We got comfy, lit a fire, and put our annual Christmas Eve movie on...George C. Scott's, the Christmas Carol. We made a bet who would fall asleep first, and as usual it was me, haha...

JOE & LEAH'S KIDS...JEFFIE, ANNABEL, LINDSEY, & EVAN'
(minus Cody who is still camera shy)

JEFFIE WITH HIS BIG SISTERS

THIS PIC WAS OUT OF FOCUS AND I COULD HAVE JUST CRIED...THIS IS JEFFIE IN HIS NEW CAR JAMMIES THAT GRANDMA FINALLY GOT MADE....HE LOVED THEM!

HAD TO SNAP PICS OF CODY WHEN HE DIDN'T KNOW, HAHA
HERE HE IS WITH HIS NEW CAR

11 YEAR OLD LINDSEY!!

Christmas morning was spent VERY leisurely as Jeff & I decided not to exchange Christmas presents this year (though he did tell me he is having ON STAR installed in my car...soo exciting) and we decided not to travel down to San Diego for church as we would be turning right around and coming back anyway. So we made a nice big breakfast again (this is soo over) and then dressed and just relaxed until the kids starting arriving around 2:30. This allows them all to enjoy Christmas morning with their own families, and follow it up with a trip to Grandma & Grandpa's...perfect. James & Larissa got here a little before the rest of them (which was part of the plan) as we had not exchanged our presents with them yet. There are sooo many of us, and with the smaller house it worked out MUCH better doing this family by family this year. This will soo be the way we do it in the future. Here are a few pictures of this group of grandkids.

DONATELLA, CAPRI & JD, AND THEIR DOG BRUNO, (WHO WAS NOT COOPERATING WELL WITH THE PICTURE TAKING, HAHA)

LOVED THE GIRLS DRESSES, SOOO DARLING

PRESENT TIME

After presents, the others began arriving and we had dinner. Sooo much easier on paper plates and nice and easy. Plenty of time to just enjoy everything. John & Yolanda were the only ones left for presents and here is a picture of them enjoying theirs.

After dinner, we relaxed and had coffee and just enjoyed each other. The kids got together and did a little show for us singing Christmas songs etc. Lots of fun. Yolanda made us all one of her traditional Christmas desserts (sorry, I can't remember the name of it) but it was really yummy. All in all a WONDERFUL Christmas. How grateful I am. We missed Mike & Mel and Sam for sure, but we still "MIGHT" be going there for New Years. We will make that decision today.

THE KIDS READY TO PERFORM...CODY WAS STANDING IN THE PICTURE, BUT WE WEREN'T QUITE QUICK ENOUGH...HE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND COVERED HIS FACE WHEN HE SAW THE CAMERA, HAHA

ELVIS SNUGGLED UP BY JAMES CHRISTMAS NIGHT..

SAM ON CHRISTMAS EVE...HIS 3 MONTH PICTURE TOO

ENJOYING HIS PLAY TIME

LOOK AT THOSE CHEEKS AND EYES

MEL SAID HE REALLY ENJOYED PRESENT TIME

READY TO GO TO CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THEIR FRIENDS HOUSE

SAM WASN'T COOPERATING ON THEIR FAMILY POSE, HAHA

Our Christmas gift this year from James & his family was a calendar using all the pictures from their latest photo session...I just LOVED it. They ended up spending the night Christmas night (though that was not planned, but we soo enjoyed it) and James loaded all the files from the pictures onto my computer so I can now share a few of those with you....they were just sooo cute. A couple of them are magazine proportions (or is my Grandmaness showing? haha) here is the best of them, though it was soo hard to pick...

I LOVED THIS

THE JAMES CLASS FAMILY 2011

3 OF THE CUTEST KIDS EVER!

CAPRI ANGELINA 7 YEARS OLD,,,SOO PRETTY

JD 5 YEARS OLD....SUCH A DARLING BOY!

DONATELLA VALENTINA 2 YEARS OLD....LOOK AT THOSE GORGEOUS EYES!

My cup truly runneth over....Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too. I am looking forward to visiting you all and seeing for myself. Sorry this was sooo long to those of you who stuck around, haha.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:11-14 "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you; you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

I have been reading this portion of scripture at Christmastime ever since I was a young girl, and I never get tired of reflecting on it all. As I have gotten older I have thought about what it might have been like to have been Mary's mother. Here is your young, unmarried daughter, out traveling a long distance from home, about to give birth without you around to help. Or any other woman for that matter. How anxious she must have been. Or to be Mary herself. Suddenly finding yourself ready to give birth to who you KNEW to be the promised Messiah, and yet unable to find any place to be except for an old stable full of animals. Or Joseph...here was a young man doing his best to find a place for his young betrothed wife to give birth, no doubt anxious and concerned, and wishing there was some place else to go. And yet, it was all as it was suppose to be. God's Son, the King of kings, came into this world in a lowly manger in Bethlehem to save us all from our sins. I love to think of what the sight and sound of those angles praising God that night might have been like. Unbelievably glorious I imagine.

The angels are rejoicing over the reconciliation between God and His eternally beloved creation!

I want to wish all of my blogging friends a glorious and joy filled Christmas! Enjoy the time spent with your family and friends, and my prayer would be that we all grow closer to Him in the coming year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

2011-12-20T14:25:00.000-08:00

1. Are you cooking Christmas dinner? How many will be round your table this year? What are we having? Well, I am having Christmas dinner this year, but I am not doing much cooking, haha. After last year, I promised to keep things simple, quick and easy. So I will not be setting up tables, getting out china and crystal, and spending the day cooking. We will leave for Christmas morning service with baked beans in the oven SLOWLY cooking. (and that is ALL that will be cooked at my house that day!) I am also having honey baked ham, rolls, potato salad. and the lime green salad (this is a wonderful salad that was a Christmas tradition at my house growing up, and I have carried on the tradition with my own kids). We will serve it all on paper plates with plastic forks and throw it all away when we are done. : ) We will have pies, cookies, candy and chips to snack and munch on for the day as well. I am having just my kids and their families this year. We will have 19 altogether.

2. What is one must-have Christmas cookie in your house? For me it is Pecan Balls, but for ALL of my kids and grands it is decorated sugar cookies....There will be both available on Christmas day. : )

3. Santa likes a glass of milk with his cookies. Do you? What kind of milk is on tap at your house-skim? almond? soy? full fat (Gasp!) I love a cup of hot tea with my cookies, or ice cold water. Most of my kids would chose milk. And low fat is what you'll find in our refrigerator.

4. Time magazine recently named their 'Person of the Year' for 2011. This is the person the editors believe had the greatest impact, for better or worse, in the past year. This year they chose 'The Protester'. Your thoughts? Who would you name Person of the Year for 2011? When I read this question I considered not doing this Hodgepodge at all as it would mean I would have to expose myself for what I am....And that is someone who follows world events and world news and world or media or political thoughts VERY little. Now, I have always felt like I should, but somehow or another it has never happened. I am not really sure why I guess. Maybe it is because I find it all soo confusing. I can never remember names, find the majority of it very depressing, and just generally feel like I haven't much to say on most of the topics due to my ignorance of it all. I find I can only cram so much information in my head and hope to retain it in any useful way, and this subject is just never really high on my list of priorities. Sooo, having said that I really have no idea who I might have in this position. I have considered just asking my dh as I am sure he would have someone as he does follow ALL of this very closely. I think maybe I have relied on that over the years too. He lets me know what is going on when I really NEED to know, and fills me in with information when he can or I ask. Now I don't want any of you to think I don't care what goes on in the world, or that I don't inform myself and vote in important elections etc., because I DEFINITELY do. I have very general ideas of what is happening and am very aware of the fact that things are in very sad state of affair. My heart does ache for those people who suffer great losses in natural catastrophe's and support and pray for those who help them. I am very proud to be an America and I pray and support our troops for their dedication and service to our country. To me the person of the year could be different in everyone's mind and heart and could be someone the rest of the world will never know. The child who suffered with a terrible sickness and endured more in their little life than any of the rest of us might ever know, and yet smiles and brings joy to those around them. Or the ordinary man who works hard day in and day out so he can feed his family and put clothes on their backs, but still takes the time to enjoy and play with his kids when he would probably rather be relaxing. Maybe it's the missionary who sacrifices everything he could have, so that he might bring the gospel to those who will never hear it any other way. Sorry this answer is so long and really doesn't answer the question, but this is where my head goes on things like this. As for picking the protesters I have to freely admit I don't get that...it seems to me that to be Person of the Year you ought to be someone who done something that made the world a better place....just saying.

5. December 21st is National Flashlight Day... when was the last time you needed a flashlight and did you know right where to find one? The last time I needed one was last Fall when the electricity suddenly went out in the park. And yes, thanks to my hubby, it was right in the top drawer of the desk where he insists on keeping it even though I have pointed out it is a strange place to keep a flashlight, haha.

6. candy canes...yum or yuck?Truthfully I have mixed feelings about these things. I have to REALLY be in the mood for candy canes, AND they have to be the really good ones. But even if I am really in the mood and they are really good ones, I will only eat a little bit of one and I am done, haha.

7. What Christmas carol lyric means the most to you? I love love LOVE the lyrics to the song Mary Did You Know? I just feel that it best sums up the reason we all celebrate His birth. Here they are....

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

I especially love this version of it done by Rascal Flatts who are one of my very favorite Country groups. ENJOY

8. Insert your own random thought here. I am looking forward to the rest of my week as I have managed (imagine that? haha) to keep things MUCH simpler this year. I have just a little wrapping to do, 1 pair of jammies to make, and a little bit of baking left on my list. Friday night we are going to a candlelight service in the park with our church and I am really looking forward to it. Christmas Eve will find us at my oldest son's house sharing dinner with them, and Christmas Day after church our family will join us here for the day. I will miss my Melly and her Mike and Sam, but hopefully we will see them soon. Here is the one of the most recent pictures of this cutie....

This was taken at a Christmas party they went to last week-end...

Hope you are all having a joy filled week. I hope to get in one more post before Christmas, so we'll see how that goes.

Oh! I just had to share the little video I made using the elf people. (thanks for the link to do this Kimberly!) Sooo funny. Or maybe it just is if you know all of us, haha...Anyway, click HERE to enjoy that...

To join the others who have linked up for Hodgepodge, click HERE. You will be soo glad you did...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!

2011-12-17T15:22:00.000-08:00

WHEW....What a busy last couple of days it has been. But what a GOOD couple of days. Memories were made that won't soon be forgotten.

I have a few people to thank for the success of my hubby's 60th birthday party yesterday, so let me start with that. First of all sooo many thanks to my sister Diane who as always is someone I can count on to lend a helping hand. She came down from the mountains where she lives and spent the night with me, not only so that she could help me on some of the treats I was preparing, but also because my dh decided to go and pick up his dad from Arizona so that he could come to the party, and I didn't know if I felt like spending the night alone. ; ) He lives about 4 hours from here and so he drove out on Thursday night, and then drove back Friday morning. They got here around 2, so had plenty of time to rest up before the party. Anyway, back at home, we made candy (which I forgot to take a picture of our chocolate Santa heads, but they were both tasty and darling) and then put on a Christmas movie and chatted our evening away. The next morning started early and never stopped until 11 last night....We made our Santa hat cookies which Melody had found on-line and had made a couple of times and had assured me they were both delicious, and SUPER easy. Right up my alley. They proved to be true on both counts. If anyone is interested in how to make them let me know, though you can figure it out by just looking at them, haha. Then... my son James arrived around 10:30 and we went over to the clubhouse to continue the preparations. We set up tables, arranged the room, unloaded drinks and snacks, made hot cider, meatballs, the centerpieces etc. etc. etc. I was originally going to make popcorn snack gifts like the ones Lois made at Walking on Sunshine, (such a GOOD idea Lois!) but decided there just wasn't enough time, so my son James picked up some ready made GOURMET popcorn that was just positively delicious, and we bagged it up. I bought snack bags, and made tags, and tied it with ribbon. They were darling, and a big hit. He also brought chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint bark, and the vases for the centerpieces. They were made REALLY simply and inexpensively with fresh cranberries and water and candles, and looked beautiful with a few scattered scented pine cones. His wife Larissa made some of her WONDERFUL Pumpkin pie dip. I am going to have to get the recipe and post it on here sometime soon, as it is the BEST tasting dip in the world. You dip both apples and graham crackers in it. Soo good. James did all the fetching and carrying yesterday, and TRUST ME there was a ton of it. We even moved around some heavy chairs and tables in there to make more of a comfortable "chatting area". The jute box that was to come with the clubhouse was not working, so James bought a speaker system for his phone and hooked it up and we had lots of Christmas music, and also some other kinds occasionally as well on the night. Somehow or another we got everything done around 4:30 and people began arriving around 5. It was such a GOOD night. The extended family doesn't get together very often anymore, as there is just too many of us. But there were over 40 of us there last night. I think just Mike & Mel and Sam, and Donna and Todd and their two kids were the only ones missing. OH, and my two nephews were both working. The food was SOOO good. We had a delicious tri-tip, herb chicken, garlic mashed potatoes (these were to die for) bread sticks, and a Caesar Salad. The delivery guy arrived right at 6 and set the food up and within minutes we were eating. But not before James prayed not only for the food and the evening, but for his father. Mike & Melody picked up the tab for the food as their gift to Jeff, and again, it was MOST appreciated. When our kids were growing up on Diana court (where we lived for 25 years) most of the neighborhood kids spent their time at our house. A few of the kids over the years had become very attached to Jeff. A couple of them even called him dad. Well, I did invite these two guys to come as well, as Jeff considers them almost family. Only one of them could come (the other was working) but he brought his family and that was really nice. The two guys got together and bought a really nice football and signed it with really touching and nice wishes. When Jeff set down to open his gifts, we started with the book I had put together for him. To say he was blessed, would be an understatement. He told me later he felt like Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life"...haha. The bottom line is that he is just that kind of a guy. I wish I could share EVERYTHING everyone wrote, but it would simply take too long and the posts aren't mine to share. BUT!! I can share mine....

Dear Jeff

I don't think I could come up with a favorite memory (like I told everyone else to do haha) if I tried. After almost 37 years together, there is simply WAY too many to choose from. We have gone from kids really, to "senior citizens" haha, and everything in between. Though many of our moments together might seem very ordinary, together they've made a whole lifetime of memories that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. So then I began to think about what words I might use to describe you, and our life together best, and the first one that popped into my head was strong. Not only unbelievably strong physically of course, but strong in every way I needed you to be. Strong spiritually, strong emotionally, and strong in all the ways it is important for a man to be strong. Someone I could count on no matter what life might be happening to throw our way. The next word might be helpful. I know it seems like a weird word, but it just soo describes who you are. Always, and I mean ALWAYS ready and willing to help me with whatever it is I was needing. I will freely admit I have always been a little high maintenance, lol, especially in these last few years where I honestly don't know what I would have done without you. From doing our grocery shopping, to keeping my car full of gas, to making sure I have all of my "supplies", to cooking for me, and right down to letting me control the TV remote, haha, the list seriously could just go on and on. But it goes beyond what you just DO for me to be helpful, it would have to include how you are always willing to talk me through something, cheer me up when I need it, and encourage me with whatever it is I am trying to accomplish. You just have a servants heart, and I have basked in the benefits of that pretty much our entire life together. The next word I would chose would have to smart! Now I know it isn't something I have probably let you know too much, smile, but it is just so true. I guess I don't have to explain to you (of all people) how "challenged" I can be in some areas, and it always made me feel good to know, that you just KNEW IT...The next word is provider. This is an area I know that I have never really given you any where near enough credit for what you truly deserve. The fact that you have always worked hard, is just that... a fact. Your hard work provided us with a standard of living I really appreciate, and enabled me to never really have to work outside of our home. I love that you always just considered it your responsibility and never seem annoyed or irritated when you came home from work (this has been just in the last few years of course, haha) and found me lying on the couch watching TV and still in my PJ's. Now for any of those who might be reading this, it doesn't happen very often, but it HAS happened, and he greets me with a laugh saying, "Looks good to me." I guess I could go on and on but I imagine it is time to nip this, so let me just say this, My life with you has just been blessed. That truly is the best word to describe it. I love you soo much more now than I ever imagined I could, and I thank God everyday for you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And may the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you, now and always....

Debbie

There was a wide variety of posts somewhat similar to this one, and a few that were quite funny. But together they made a very nice book. After dinner we chatted and visited and took pictures. It was just wonderful. There were MANY little ones (4 two year olds alone, lol) and the noise level was large. They ran around and had a ball enjoying each. I put together a video of the best of the pictures, and with my new internet connection it really went pretty fast too. A couple of the pictures wouldn't fit in the space they provided for the video so I will post them here. It will be hard not for me to narrate every picture, lol, but I am very sure you will get the idea.

Jeff & I with 7 of our 9 grandkids. We were missing just Samuel and Cody. Cody was there, but is camera shy and just couldn't be swayed about getting his picture taken. Oh well, someday I will pull it off and have them ALL in one together.

This is a pic of all the "older ones" haha...From left to right they are my bil Greg and my sister Diane, my brother Dave and his wife Rhonda, me and Jeff. We have all been married over 30 years and together through much of life's events.

Jeff & I and our parents

The sign in Dave's present

Hello Mr. Salesman

Just had to explain these two pictures....My brother and Jeff have worked in the same line of business for years, with a few occasions actually working for the same company. How they enjoyed working together. They kept each other amused with their own brand of humor. One of their standing jokes YEARS ago was that SOME day they would be 60 years old and wearing plaid colored sports coats (a horror sometimes in the sale world according to the both of them) and soup stained ties, haha. Jeff opened the gift and found the sign, and then the old sports jacket and tie.....sooo hilarious.

Pretty much all of our kids stayed and helped clean everything up. AGAIN, such a BIG BIG help. Thanks to you all!

Soo much fun. But I was soo tired and hurting soo bad last night when I finally climbed into bed I couldn't even fall asleep at first. But I did finally manage, haha. Today Jeff and his dad have watched old movies and visited away, and I have worked on these pictures. In about an hour or so my parents are coming over and we will go to the Outback for a yummy steak. (not all of us Mel, I will have fish I promise!) Then we will come back here and have pie and coffee and they will open their Christmas presents from us. Jeff's dad will then go home tomorrow and I think I will try and finish up with my Christmas shopping. I am almost there.

How blessed I am. Hope you all are having a good week-end. ENJOY the video...be sure and turn your speakers on (I usually leave mine off) and hit full screen and then escape to get off.

This free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND CAPRI'S BIRTHDAY

2011-12-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

I have spent the last couple of times I have been online touring all the BEAUTIFULLY decorated homes in blogland. I love Christmas decorations. I will confess however that with each passing year as I am taking them all down and putting them all away I think to myself, DOWNSIZE....CUT BACK....LESS IS BETTER, haha...But I end up with all my old favorites nonetheless. What is it that comes over me I am not really sure. Probably the fact that there is so much tradition and memories attached to these things that it is hard to let go. I especially love our tree as the ornaments go as far back as our first Christmas 37 years ago. Each ornament brings it's own special memory. From the ones I made as a newly wed, to the precious ones my kids made at school, to the ones I collected in series over the years, the ones given to me by special friends, they are all there. I was always going to have another tree and decorate it with a theme as soo many of you do, but somehow it never happened. Now I would have no where to put it. I will share a few of our decorations, and I will try to have some different views from last year as I think I did a pretty thorough tour then, lol....

This is the ornament that James & Larissa brought back for us from Italy. I LOVE it...soo different.

Love this one given to my by my lifelong friend a couple of years ago.

I have about 20 of these little angels that I collected over a few years...I love them!

This wasn't taken in front of our tree, but last Sat. at Capri's birthday...how cute are they?

Lindsey and the birthday girl Capri!

Sweet Capri on her 7th birthday!

The boys enjoying their lunch

Capri enjoying the jumpie

JD on his 2nd cupcake, haha

Time for the candy!

More decs....LOVE this area

Lights up and tells the whole story of the night before Christmas....notice the Santa pic of Mel to the left....I LOVED that pic of her.

I change up the top shelf of my china cabinet with my pretty Christmas china...Mel picked this out for me a few years ago...I LOVE it, plus it always makes me think of her

Top of the bookcase in our family room

Notice how I slipped in a few pics of Capri's birthday party? haha Soo me. I have a few last minute things to do to get ready for my dh's party tomorrow. I have just been soo busy. I did get to have lunch and exchange Christmas presents with my good friend yesterday and how I enjoyed the break. My dh's dad will be joining us from Arizona for the week-end and I am soo glad he will be able to share it all with us. My brother and his family are coming from Arizona too. I was thinking last night as I laid in bed with my mind whirling over all I need to do that this is the VERY first time Melody will not be here AT ALL during the Christmas season. She did miss one other Christmas day, but she was there the week-end before Christmas so it wasn't too bad. But this year she won't be here at all. I could have let myself feel very sorry for myself had I let my head go. But the Lord reminded me of how many there really are who have NO ONE at all during this season. And I have been blessed by soo many. So I quickly turned those negative feelings off. I do feel the enemy does his best to steal our joy whenever he can. How grateful I am that He who is in us is stronger than he who is the world. Hope you all have a GOOD week-end. I know I am looking forward to mine!

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

2011-12-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

1. Do you put Christmas decorations in every room of your house? If not every room, what rooms do you decorate? I decorate just the main rooms of our home...kitchen, living room, family room and dining room. The outside is always thoroughly decorated too...OH! and the front porch and door. : )

2. If you could visit one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) which one would you choose and why? Well, I guess if I was being REALLY honest, I wouldn't visit any of them. I am not much of a traveler, I don't "do" airplanes or boats (So HOW would I get there?) And there are still sooo many places here in America I want to see. But if I didn't have these obstacles in my way I think I would choose Sweden...I am imagining it is just breathtakingly beautiful.

3. What does the word faith mean to you? WOW...this question could take a while... ; ) There are soo many verses in the Bible that speak of faith. When I hear the word faith though, my mind goes immediately to

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith t is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

My faith in Jesus Christ is the single most important thing in my life, for it is my salvation from what I deserve, and my hope for what lies ahead. It is what fills my heart with peace, and the essence of what Christianity if all about.

4. You can go back to your childhood for one day...what day and age would you choose? Uummm, I think it would be any one of our MANY trips to our cabin we had in the mountains. How many trips we made up there could never be counted. But they were all times of simple relaxation and great family time. No TV, no one (usually anyway) but us. We played games and cards, took hikes, fished in the summer time and played in the snow in the wintertime. My dad was always soo relaxed up there he was a very different man really. I often wished all of life could have been lived that way. We had the cabin from the time I was around 9 or 10 until I was about 16. Many WONDERFUL memories were made up there.

5. When did you last have 'punch'? If it's not too much trouble share your favorite punch recipe. I think it must have been at Melody's baby shower. Seems as though much of the punch I have ever drank has been at one shower or another, lol....My family has always used this simple SIMPLE recipe. Take a half gallon of lime sherbet and pour two bottles of 7-up over it. Soooo yummy.

6. Do you fill stockings at your house? Are stockings opened before or after the bigger gifts? I did when my kids were living at home. I never got into it the way I wanted to though. I was always going to get lots of little things etc., but most of the time I filled them with their favorite candies and gum, and chap sticks and little cars...things like that. They were opened after everything else was at the end of present time. I have never filled stockings for my grandkids. And now there are sooo many of them, it is really out, haha,

7. What takes your breath away? Oh there are MANY so I will just list a few....majestic mountains covered in snow....A lake, smooth and glistening in the sun....giant waves crashing on the shore at the beach...the birth of a baby....the first kiss between a man and a wife....a smile offered to you from a baby....there are many more, but you get the idea.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I woke up this morning just full of gratitude for sooo many things in my life. I am just feeling so blessed. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Join the other bloggers participating in this fun event HERE....soo much fun. I really enjoy getting to know others this way.

ENJOYING THE SEASON

2011-12-13T17:44:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to figure out how to down load photos from our new camera...but I will eventually I am sure. Meanwhile, I thought you might enjoy these photos of Mike & Mel & Sam. Grandma is missing him today. I have sooo many plans swirling around in my head for my hubby's party that I hope I can sort them all out. I am so grateful that my kids are helping out so much. I could never do it without them. I am happy with the book, but I wish the pictures would have come out bigger. Hope you are all enjoying the season as much as I am.

I'M BACK!!

2011-12-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been one WHOLE week with NO internet connection!! Did anyone notice I've been gone?! haha Oh my, I had NO idea just how much I would miss the internet world. Not only my sweet blogging friends, but NO email, NO facebook, and NO internet shopping (a real problem right now what with it being Christmas time etc). And on top of all of our internet problems my phone line has been soo messed up for weeks, I may have forgotten how one is SUPPOSE to work. : )

It all started a few months ago when my hubby decided he was going to switch our telephone and internet connections to some other company. We won't go into WHY or that I TRIED to tell him not to, haha, the bottom line was he did. And ever since then my phone has had numerous problems....from ringing with no one on the line, the caller ID was not working, I could hear full on other people chatting on my line etc. And no matter who we complained to, nothing was fixed. Finally after 2 months we gave up and switched back. Well, the line was STILL giving us problems and AGAIN we just got the complete run around. We have switched again, (to the one I wanted to use in the first place I might add ~ just saying, lol) and 4 hours (yes, I said 4 HOURS ) later it is up and running, and so far so good. I am soo excited to have it all back. Oh the things we take for granted some times. I will not lie. My patience has been sorely tested. I am soo behind on all of my blog visiting I am not sure how long it might take me to catch up. I have soo missed you. I may not post more than once or twice a week, but I visit you all every day.

So much has happened in this last week I think I will not even try to catch it all up. We did have a wonderful week-end and celebrated sweet Capri's 7th birthday! I honestly cannot believe she is already 7. Such a sweetie. I am also moving right along with my preparations for my hubby's party on Friday. The book I had printed for him arrived today just minutes before he did. I was soo pleased I wasn't caught. haha. He is never home during the day so it is not usually a problem, but he wanted to be home today while the cable company was here. And thank goodness he was as there were numerous problems. I haven't had time to check the book out yet, but it is next on my list. All of our Christmas decorations are up, and most of my shopping is done. I have totally simplified my shopping this year, and I am soo loving it.

I will try and download some pictures later from our new camera. I am soo pleased with it. It was not real expensive, but it is definitely much nicer than the one we had and is almost up to the same quality as the professional cameras. I am quite grateful for our early Christmas present to each other. OK, I am off to do some much missed visiting. : )

ALREADY DECEMBER 2ND!

2011-12-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

Well the calender pages have turned to Dec., and it is already Friday! What a fast week this has been...

On Tues., I spent just as much time as I possibly could holding Sam. His sweet cuddly little body took his naps on Grandma's lap, and I did my best to soak as much of it up as I could, as I am not sure when they will be back. I tried to talk her into coming back in a couple of weeks for her daddy's 60th birthday party, and to spend a little "Christmas" time with us, but she has decided against it. She was not comfortable with all the sneezing and coughing at the airports and on the airplanes, and I can't say as I blame her. On the other hand, she is a typical (in many ways) first time mom and is therefore somewhat paranoid. Sooo she is trying to talk us into going out there for New Years. We will see. He did really well on his plane ride home and was happy and talking and entertaining all those around him, so I was quite happy for her. She was afraid he might break into a crying spell or something on the plane and bother all those around her, but he was a good boy....She sent me a pic of him in the air which of course I have to share.

LOOK AT THAT HAPPY BOY!

Wed. morning I got them off to the airport for some tearful goodbyes, and then I spent the rest of the day running errands. My hubby's 60th birthday party is the next big event on my calender, and I had done very little to prepare for it. I got the invitations in the mail on Wed., and began searching places for the food. We did book the Club House here in our park, (not sure if I mentioned that or not and I just don't have the time to stop and look it up, haha) so I at least had that much done. We (by "we" I mean Mel & I and my son James who are helping me out with everything) finally decided on a great menu from a place that has WONDERFUL Tri-tip. We will have chicken, tri tip, garlic mashed potatoes, Caesar salad, and bread sticks. They will deliver and set it up for us so that sounds wonderful to me. I think I will add green beans, and macaroni and cheese (mainly for the kids) to the menu as well. I still need to order a cake, but Costco has yummy ones pretty inexpensively. All then I will have to add is some ice cream, and the drinks. The club house comes with a party coffee pot, 2 refrigerators, ice, and a jute box! There is also a room that has 6 pool tables in it so it should be a fun night. My brother who lives in Arizona is going to try and make it out with his family, so it should be a pretty big crowd altogether. AND! I sent the memory book off to the printers today. It was quite the undertaking I am not going to lie! But, 25 different people participated and I think it will be REALLY nice. There were just soo many nice things said. I am very excited about it. I will share at least my two posts another time for you to see. The only part that is somewhat of a concern is that the book is not scheduled to arrive until the 14th, and the party is the 16th., and this of course was with the express shipping. Otherwise it wouldn't have got here until Jan. Obviously, I should have been on this long ago. Soo me. I will pray nothing goes wrong to delay it, as I soo want him to get it when everyone else can see it too.

I also re-made Jeffie's jammie top yesterday as his was not working at all. I had some left over fabric from his (can't remember now why) so I just got a different pattern and made him another one. I would love to do it for JD too, but I can't find any of his fabric anymore. Like I said before, the Christmas flannel is ALWAYS gone right away...sigh. Anyway, I think this new one should be perfect.

Tonight I am going to the women's Christmas dessert at the church and I am soo looking forward to it. My dil Leah is going with me and I am just as excited about that. We will leave early enough to travel down to San Diego and have dinner somewhere before going over to the church. We haven't spent any real time together in a few months as she is always so busy with work and all, so this will be a good opportunity for some nice long chats.

We have not put up a single Christmas decoration inside our house yet. Very unusual for me, as mine are almost always up by the first of Dec. We haven't even dug the boxes out of our shed yet. Hopefully our halls will be decked before the week-end is over though...or at least the large majority of it. : ) I need to make up Evan's Christmas jammie bottoms as his were the only one I didn't get done before Thanksgiving. They go pretty quickly so I think I wiil get off of here and whip them up so I can take them with me tonight when I pick up his mama.

My plans for a SIMPLE Christmas this year are being somewhat challenged with my husbands birthday party and all, but I think it will be worth it. I have visited several of your blogs and seen so many pretty Christmas preparations going on. It really is started to look a lot like Christmas. Hope you all have a wonderful week-end!

OUR WONDERFUL LONG WEEK-END!

2011-11-28T15:23:00.000-08:00

So much has happened in the last few days I can't quite decide how to post it all. Maybe I should just make it short and sweet as I honestly doubt many want to hear all the details anyway, haha, but then again this blog is SUPPOSE to be a journal of what goes on in my life so maybe I am just feeling tired and am therfore looking for an excuse to make it quick. Either way, I will just do the best I can. I worked LONG and as fast as I could on Wed. to get everything all ready. I baked our pies, made the salad, set our tables (never as quick a chore as you think it is going to be either, haha) wrapped up all the Christmas jammies for the grands, and got the house as ready as I could .

THIS WAS THE CENTERPIECE ON THE KIDS TABLE...SOO CUTE. IT IS SETTING ON THE RUNNER THAT MY MOM MADE FOR ME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. THE FLIP SIDE IS CHRISTMAS PRINTS, HOW I LOVE IT! WE GOT A NEW CAMERA....CAN YOU TELL? I SURE CAN ; )

ADULT TABLE

CLOSE UP OF A PLACE SETTING...

INSIDE OF THE NAME TAGS.....

JUST ANOTHER VIEW OF THE TABLE

GIFTS FOR GRANDKIDS....THE LITTLE BLACK BAGS HELD THEIR NEW CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS..(I FORGOT TO TAKE A PIC OF THEM) THE GIRLS ALL GOT GINGERBREAD GIRLS WITH THEIR NAMES AND THE DATE ON THEM, AND THE BOYS GOT GINGERBREAD BOYS....THEY WERE REALLY CUTE!

Then dh and I headed out to the airport. They were landing at 6:20 so this meant of course we were jumping on the freeway at PRIME time traffic, the Wed. night before a holiday week-end. NEVER good in Southern California. Needless to say we were CRAWLING in bumper to bumper traffic. My excitement level at that point was sooo huge I honestly felt like I could get out of our car and just begin jogging my way to the airport. I quickly became somewhat hysterical as I was just sure it was going to take us hours and I had visions of them standing at the airport with a screaming unhappy baby. BUT!! We actually made it in perfect time (I should have just listened to dh and saved myself the worry) and I soon had little Sam in my arms. He did wonderfully on the flights, so that was an answer to prayer. We quickly headed over to Mike's grandmothers and Mike's mom met us there too, and we all visited and played with the baby for a couple of hours.

PLAYING WITH MOM AND DAD

SOO HAPPY

HOW DARLING IS THIS?

MEETING GREAT GRANDMA TEVELDE FOR THE FIRST TIME!

HE SPENT A GOOD DEAL OF HIS TIME SLEEPING RIGHT HERE ON GRANDMA! I LOVED IT..

Thanksgiving Day was just sooo good. Everything went soo well. No fires this year, haha. Honestly, the food was yummy, and having my family around the table and enjoying the conversations was just priceless. We read our scripture cards and even Jeffie, Capri, and JD joined in this year and were soo pleased with themselves. Not as pleased as Grandma was though. Everyone eventually signed our Thanksgiving tablecloth, and that new tradition will be appreciated in years to come I am thinking. My wonderful dil's cleaned the GIANT mess in the kitchen after dinner and I was able to sit and visit with my kids and grandkids to my heart's content. The kids had such a good time playing together. It was a noisy day I am not going to lie. But listening to the silence today, makes me glad it was just the way it was. The day eventually came to a close and another Thanksgiving went down in memory.

I LOVE THIS ONE OF HIM!

SAM WAS GETTING TIRED OF PICTURES

MEETING AUNT LARISSA

AND UNCLE JAMES

KIDS TABLE, THOUGH I CUT OFF TELLA'S FACE, SOO SAD...THE OLDEST, EVAN, SAT AT THE BAR

THE ADULTS...EVAN TOOK THIS ONE AND DIDN'T QUITE KNOW HOW TO FOCUS IT, BUT YOU GET THE IDEA

I PUT TOGETHER A BIG BOX OF CRAYONS, MARKERS, WRITING TABLETS, STICKERS ETC. AND THE KIDS ENJOYED IT FOR A LOOOONG TIME

MY KIDS...MELODY, JOE, JOHN & JAMES

Friday Mike left for a while to visit some of his friends, and Mel and I and Sam and Grandpa hung out here. It was just a nice day too. I spent a GOOD deal of the day just sitting and rocking Sam, and he seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.. : ) My parents stopped by for a while as they were anxious to meet Sam and knew that the next day at the open house there would be LOTS of competition to hold him. That was nice too.

MEETING GREAT GRANDPARENTS!

GREAT GRANDPA JOE & SAM

Somewhere in the day I did bake brownies, oatmeal cake, fudge, and I tried the new oreo cookie pops I read about on Jennifer's blog to serve the next day at the open house. We all went to bed kind of early knowing the next day would be a long one. And it was, but just as good. Sam was able to meet my sisters and their families, and many cousins. There were around 35 in all. My WONDERFUL WONDERFUL dil Larissa made many of the snacks and was such an enormous help on the day I am not sure what I would have done without her. She not only made the snacks, and they were SOOO good, she set the table of food up, kept the dishes full through the day, and then if all of that wasn't enough, cleaned it all up for me too. I was sooo grateful as by this point I was REALLY REALLY tired, and I just know I couldn't have done much more. THANK YOU SOO MUCH LARISSA!!

SOO CUTE....SAM WAS GETTING READY FOR A REALLY LONG SNOOZE HERE...

COOK LARISSA

SOOO MANY YUMMY SNACKS

SHE EVEN ADDED NAME CARDS!

Add caption

THESE TWO WERE BORN JUST 2 DAYS APART....SOO CUTE!

COUSINS KATIE & TABBIE

HE WAS COOING AND SMILING HERE....SOO PRECIOUS

READY TO GO TO VISIT HIS OTHER GRANDMA...

There were WAY too many pictures of the Open house to share. Soo many cute ones, but you get the idea I am sure. All in all it was just a wonderful day. On Sunday Jessie came over to do Mel's hair which had not been done since July. It was much easier than trying to take Sam into the shop. And since Mel is exclusively breast feeding he pretty much has to go where ever she does, haha....After she was done they headed off to Mike's mother's house to spend a couple of days....This Grandma is missing him today for sure, but is resting up as they will be back tomorrow for one last day.

Last night hubby and I went over to my oldest son's house to help celebrate his 39th birthday!!! I honestly can't believe Joe is 39 years old. We picked up dinner from a wonderful Mexican restaurant near their house, and then sat and visited with all of them for a couple of hours. Lindsey made him the cutest card/gift full of his favorite candy (Joe has SUCH a sweet tooth ~ wonder where he gets that??!) and Jeffie made him a darling banner for the wall. I got a couple of pics of them in their new jammies too. I am NOT liking how the neck of these jammies came out. I am going to have to fix Jeffie's somehow as he is quite thin and they are literally falling off of him...sigh. Someday I will have all the kinks out.

PRETTY LINDSEY WITH HER GIFT!

JEFFIE'S BANNER

CODY PLAYED SOME FOOTBALL WITH GRANDPA

THEIR JAMMIES

This post is just WAY too long I know, and for those of you still with me, thanks for sticking it out, haha. I have soo much to be thankful for with this week-end, that I am not going to focus on the fact that Mike, Mel & Sam will be heading home on Wed., and probably won't be back until next June.... : ( Honest I am not.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2011

2011-11-22T10:19:00.000-08:00

Psalm 26:7 I will proclaim with the voice of Thanksgiving, and tell of ALL of Your wondrous works!

Any of you who have followed my blog for a while, know that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It goes of course so much deeper then the day itself, and into the real heart of being Christian. A gratitude that can only come from a deep and meaningful relationship with Him, that came about only through forgiveness, and the knowing of what that relationship means to ALL who belong to Him. It amazes me every time I really let my mind meditate and dwell on it, that the God who put the stars in the sky and called them by name, would love me and desire that kind of a relationship with Me! Would provide a salvation from what I deserve and instead bless me with all the richness that is His. Would comfort me, encourage me, lead and guide me, every single day no matter what the circumstances.

Psalm 147:4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.

I have spent the last several days dwelling back on all the Lord has blessed me with this last year. It is hard to try and break them down day by day, as at times it seems they are more like minute by minute, but I have tried listing them there on the sidebar of this blog. I have been dwelling too on what I am going to put on our Thanksgiving tablecloth to go down in the records for one of my top blessings of this particular year. It has been MOST difficult I assure you, as I have many to chose from. I think I have decided to go with the birth of Samuel. His very life is such a direct answer to prayer, and one I will always be thankful for. Sooo many physical obstacles could have prevented this from ever happening, and yet the Lord chose to bless our family with this sweet little life.

My preparations for the day are coming along S L O W L Y but surely, and I know before I know it my family will all be here and ALL together for the first time in a year. I am so happy about that. I think it is suppose to rain on Thanksgiving, and even that doesn't bother me one little bit. Our porch btw, (just so you know) is STILL leaking, sigh, haha. But it is MUCH BETTER than it was, and it isn't suppose to rain on Saturday which is the open house for Samuel, and a MUCH bigger deal if those ; ) guests arrive wet...soo guess it is all good.

I want to wish all you my sweet blogging friends, a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! How grateful I am for each and everyone of you who enrich my life with your wisdom, laughter, and friendship. May we all remember to turn our eyes towards the One who blesses us all!

2 Cor 2:19 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

I just had to add an interesting side note....My hubby got up this morning and told him me that he ran across a scripture last night in his reading, that mentioned me....

Judges 5:12 "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake and break into song!

He said, "So the next time you are dozing on the couch when we are watching TV I am going to quote scripture at you!" haha I LOVE it.

HITTING DELETE.....

2011-11-19T18:11:00.000-08:00

I am not sure how many of you caught my post yesterday before I deleted it, but delete it I had to. It was not me at my best. How many times I have done and said things in my life that I WISH it was as easy as hitting "delete"....It just makes me soo grateful again for my God. My God who never tires of me begging for His Mercy and His forgiveness. Who understands my heart, and leaves room for my mistakes, and my foolish ways. Who loves me just the way I am, unconditionally, no matter what.

Dan 9:9 "To the Lord our God belongs mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.

Romans 8:38, 39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have had a busy last couple of days and I am checking things off of my list one by one. Tomorrow is DEFINITELY going to be another busy day, but it is also one day closer to having my family all together to thank Him for all the things He has blessed us with. I pray that I will let the Lord keep my heart and mind fixed on Him, and there will be a lot less reason to hit DELETE. ; ) I will leave you with this darling picture of my grand daughter Capri at her Thanksgiving feast at school. Hope you all have a wonderful week-end.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

2011-11-16T07:42:00.000-08:00

I am not quite sure why I am TRYING to get this post done this morning when I have a million things to do, and I have to leave here shortly to run to Newport Beach and get my hair done. I've gone 7 weeks this time trying to get closer to Thanksgiving etc., and the grey roots are looking RIDICULOUS...don't think I will be doing that again, haha. Anyway, I LOVE these random questions so I am going to try and QUICKLY play along...

1. What song reminds you of a specific time in your life and what is it about that song that makes you remember? there are soo many, this is going to be hard. I think it is one of the things I like best about music. You can just close your eyes and listen and be transported back to a certain time in your life. I have ALWAYS loved "oldies" for just that reason. But now let's see if I can come up with a specific one.....The Beatles, the Stones, the Doors were all HUGE when I was in high school and almost any of their big hits can transport me back to those times. But I especially loved Elvis Presley which was not a popular choice when I was in high school, but I didn't really care. What ended up being funny was my dh was just as big a fan as I was (one of the hundred of things we had in common, haha) We had been married about 10 years (which meant I was around 30) and we were living in the first home we had just bought and had 3 young wild little boys, lol. One night we put Elvis on the stereo and hubby and I danced to his hit "Can't Help Falling in Love with You", and swayed slowly around the Living room much to the delight of our sons. Can't even hear this song now without thinking about that night and time in our lives... : )

2. What's something you've given up on? Well that's easy.....weighing 120 pounds again, haha!!

3. What's something you'll never give up on? My faith and and hope and love of my God.

4. If you had to cook something from scratch in the next hour what would it be? A loaf of pumpkin nut bread....oh I can almost smell it!

THIS HAS A YUMMY GLAZE ON IT TOO!

5. Have you started Christmas shopping? Decorating? Listening to Christmas music? Well, if shopping for the fabric to make the Christmas jammies for the grands count, then I have started shopping, though I will give them to them on Thanksgiving so they can enjoy them for the whole season. And hubby has started putting up the outside lights, though they are not lit up nor will they be till AFTER Thanksgiving. And listening to Christmas music? NO! I love it, but it just belongs during the Season (which starts Dec. first in my opinion). I am a HUGE Thanksgiving and Fall lover and I want to savor this season right now.

6. What do you know about your parent's wedding? Sadly, not much at all. I have seen the pictures MANY times and know that they were both really young, and sooo thin and tiny. My mom only weighed about 92 pounds, and my dad didn't look like he weighed much more, haha... My mom is only 5 ft. 2 and my dad was 6 ft. 2 so they were funny that way too. My mother was soooo beautiful! Still is really. And I know that they were 20 years old and got married in a church in Nebraska.

7. I can't believe I ___________________.

Wow, I guess I could insert MANY things here.....but I think I have settled on, I can't believe I am as blessed as I am in sooo many different areas of my life! Certainly in the husband, kids and grandkids department. With my health, comfort, and circumstances. With a God I can count on every moment of every day to get me through. I could go on and on here, but I will restrain... : )

8. Insert your own random thought here. Well as always there is alot on my mind, but this morning I am thinking how I need to keep my head focused as we go into this holiday season on what is important and what is not. I ALWAYS tend to get busy and rushed and then stressed and flurried and neglect my quiet times with the Lord. NOT going to do that this season....I am going to put Him first where He ALWAYS belongs!

OK, this took a little longer than I hoped so I will have to get cracking now....Hope you all have a wonderful day. I will visit as many as I can later, after Jessie works her wonders! ; )

Be sure and join the others that have linked up for this! Soo fun! Click HERE

HAPPY MONDAY!

2011-11-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

Well, by keeping our noses to the grindstone, dh and I put in a LONG week-end, and got quite a bit done, haha. My poor hubby spent most of Sat. on the patio cover roof again, and we THINK we may have the problem solved. Let me put it another way, it is as good as it is getting! lol. It was raining occasionally on him as he worked, and rained pretty hard after he finished, and for the very most part there was NO water anywhere. Certainly the front door and the mat stayed completely dry, so that's a REALLY good thing. Like I said in the very beginning, what really needed to be done was a complete tear down and start all over kind of thing to have done it right. But this was a very close second. It "looks" fantastic, and sooo improves what we had going, I am a happy camper. And if I am a happy camper, he is a happy camper, lol. While he worked on that, I did my sewing. I finished my blanket, and it was as my sisters told me, SUPER EASY! Now I may make more. But not right now...I am a little over-extended with what I have going on (imagine that?) and I will be lucky to keep all my balls in the air, haha. I have finished everyone's PJ's but Lindsey's and Annabel's, and they are just getting lounging PJ bottoms, which I can make up in about a half hour a piece. I do need to run and get a pattern before I can whip those up though, so I am on a break, haha...Here are some pics of my week-end projects....

I think it is not only darling, it is REALLY warm!

Cody's & Donatella's

Cody is totally into this movie Cars, and I thought this was just super cute fabric!

Tella's Christmas kitties

On Sunday we went to church and then over to my son's house where Larissa whipped us a delicious lunch. We headed home right afterwards though so we could finish up some more of our projects. Hubby began hanging the Christmas lights, and I (guess what?) sewed, haha. He did barbecue some yummy burgers for dinner and we relaxed (finally) with a little TV. A long but productive week-end. HOWEVER, there is still much to do. I am organizing not only Thanksgiving, but Sam's open house which will be the Sat. after Thanksgiving. We are not serving a meal, and yet, we will be having appetizers, snacks, some sweets and coffee of course, and drinks. Lots to do to get this all ready. THEN....on Dec. 16th we will be celebrating my dh's 60th birthday. We have been married 37 years (well almost 37) and I have only had one other birthday party for this guy. Now it's not that his birthday is not celebrated, but it is just very low key. A special dinner, cake, maybe a gift, and that's about it. Dec. 17th is just a hard time to have a birthday. Everyone is always soo busy this time of year and another get together just seems wrong somehow. But this birthday is a BIG one, and I just decided months ago I wasn't going to let it get by. Well, the 17th falls on a Sat. this year so it seemed perfect and I told everyone to try hard to save that date. But when I went to make a reservation at a restaurant, I found that everyone was completely booked for that large of a group for that night. There will be around 45 people or so. I was somewhat frantic, and decided OK, maybe I would just rent out our clubhouse here. It is BIG and beautiful, but it would require a lot more work on my part than a restaurant would have to pull off, so it was my definite second choice. HOWEVER, they were booked for every Sat. and Sun in the month of Dec. More panic!! Finally, I settled on a Friday night. Not ideal, but it is doable. And my youngest son has promised to come up early and help me get everything set up. Whew.... Melody (as her gift to her daddy) is going to pay for all the food, so I have LOTS of help. I am BEYOND grateful. AND THEN....I decided several weeks ago I wanted to do something special for his birthday. He is a special guy truly who rarely thinks of himself, and I just wanted to have a special way to honor him. Soooo, we are putting together a book of wishes. Everyone who has been invited is writing there favorite memory, funny story, and good wishes up in a blog post complete with pictures etc., and then I will have it printed up in book form and give it to him. I am very excited about this project, but it is somewhat stressful I am not going to lie. Everyone seems excited about this, but getting them to all to DO IT by my cutoff date will be quite the feat. Mine is done, but so far that is it, lol. Oh! It is safe to write about this here, as he NEVER reads this blog, haha.. THEN....I need to get our extra bedroom rearranged so we can set up a portable crib, nursing area etc., for Mike & Mel when they come with Sam next week. AND!! Christmas is coming too so I am trying to get my head into my shopping for that too. I am keeping that VERY easy this year, and VERY low key, but I do have 9 grandkids to buy for, haha...None of this would be as difficult as it is sometimes if it wasn't for these knees of mine. How I wish I could do sooo much more than I can sometimes without help. But I am grateful that I have been as healthy as I have been, and have had the strength to do all that I have. Soo, that's all I have to say about being busy, haha

Melody took little Sam to a pediatric cardiologist today as his doc had heard a slight heart murmur on him on his last visit, and he wanted to check it out. Melody was a little overwhelmed as this required her to drive into Lubbock which is a good two hour drive one way for her. Mike has LOTS of issues going on right now at the dairy with his employees, so he wasn't able to go with her. One of those times for sure that I wished I lived near so I could have helped. Well, the drive went well, but Sam DID NOT like his visit, haha. He worked himself up into quite a state. They did a couple of tests on the baby and discovered that he does have a VERY small hole in his heart which is causing the murmur. Now Melody and I both have heart murmur's with no problems whatsoever, certainly no holes, so we were kind of expecting to hear the same thing here. Her doc did assure her however, that the hole is very small. In fact it is sooo small that she said with less sophisticated equipment you probably wouldn't have even seen it. She is sure it will just close up on it's own, but the baby will have to be monitored in the meantime. He is to be seen again in a month. I would soo appreciate a prayer or two for little Sam's complete healing of this. He is continuing to gain....He is up to 11 pounds 2 ounces!! All of her doc's seem quite pleased with his progress. I am thinking he might have to slow down soon or he will be an enormous baby by a year if he keeps up this pace, haha.

One of the professional newborn pics she had taken....soo precious!

Such a happy guy....one more week, and I will be kissing this cutie!

I know it probably seems sometimes that I write A LOT of information, and I am sorry....BUT! I am doing this blog mainly as a personal journal of my life, and that comes with lots of details. ; ) Hope you all have a WONDERFUL week...

MY UNRESTRICTED LIST

2011-11-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

Can it possibly be Thursday again already? WOW is all I can say to that....As I reflect everyday (for the month of November's daily challenge) on what I am especially thankful for that day, it is truly difficult to narrow it down to just one thing. I am happy today that I can do my WHOLE post on thankfulness and I do not have to be restricted to just one thing, haha.

My week has continued to be busy, but it has been a good busy and I am S L O W L Y getting more and more completed. I DID find the Hello Kitty fabric. After searching a couple more stores with my mom, and chasing ANOTHER false lead, I finally decided to just go on line. WHY I didn't start there I am not really sure. I simply typed in Hello Kitty Christmas flannel fabric, and up it popped. Ten minutes later I had ordered my yard, and it should arrive on my doorstep tomorrow. Doesn't get much better. Now, the fabric was NOT on sale like it was at Joanne's, but as my hubby pointed out, (bless his little heart!) I still would have saved money if I had just started there, when you consider the gas I used on my wild goose chases. But all is well that ends well right? haha Sooo out of this mess I am thankful for the internet and online shopping!

I also completed all my invites for Sam's open house, and they will go into the mail today. Thankful here for Costco and programs for such things that are both easy to work and sooo affordable.

Couldn't get the glare off no matter what I did, but you get the idea...

And! thankful I completed JD's jammies yesterday. Only 4 more sets to go!! YAY! And really it is only 2 more complete sets, as I am only making lounging type PJ bottoms for the two older girls.

JD's jammies

I spent all day Tues at my mom's. She had a doc appointment and has to schedule a couple more tests. My poor mom. But I am grateful that her doc seems soo compassionate and caring and thorough. We were there a LONG time as the doc was soo far behind (he doesn't hurry anyone) and waited WELL over an hour to just get into the little room to wait AGAIN. This meant that by the time we had completed her other errands, it was too late to begin our study. She is soo tired in the afternoons, especially after a day like that. But we will get to it. But this one is easy....I am grateful for time spent with her (she was actually excited to help me search for the fabric some.....soo cute!) and for compassionate doctors.

I don't know if it will really work well into the context of this post, but I wanted to tell you about the message we heard on Sunday at church. It was just sooo good. I have found myself really dwelling on it all week, which is what a good message will do right? It wasn't on anything new, or anything really that I haven't heard about MANY times, but it was presented in a different way, with a different thought for me, and really got me thinking and soo blessed my heart. He is teaching through the book of Mark right now and we are in chapter 2. He goes through a book verse by verse (like many of the Calvary Chapel pastors do). It is the story of where the man who is paralyzed is lowered through the roof and Jesus heals him. I am sure most of you are very familiar with this portion of scripture. I will NEVER be able to present it the way he did, and I am not even going to try. He has a way of setting the scene and presenting the story that makes it come alive and current. Suddenly your in the crowd, living it all with them. But the point I came away with was this. Where Jesus is at, people are drawn. They can't help themselves. They will go to any length to get near Him and draw from Him His power and His love and His compassion and His healing and strength. These 4 men were willing to literally remove the roof on Peter's home to get their friend in front of Jesus. His question was... are people drawn to Jesus in us? They should be. Do they sense His Holy Spirit living in us? Do they long to know more about this Jesus who gives us His peace and His love and His mercy? Do they truly sense something different, even if they don't really know us well, or more importantly maybe when they really do? It was a good question. I have wondered all week just what others see. My desire is soo that all would know Him. Know of His salvation and His love. His next question was....How hard do we seek Him? Can imagine if we heard that Jesus Himself was actually here, teaching and healing in a house somewhere that we could get to? How hard would we try to get as near as we could? How hard would we try to actually speak to Him and hear Him answer our questions and desires personally. The point is of course, that He IS here! We do have that kind of access. He does answer our questions personally, and heal our hurts and our bodies. Sooo, guess I am grateful here for Jesus. And for good messages.

And finally (I know this is getting toooooo long, lol) I am grateful I was able to go to my youngest sisters last night to help celebrate my nieces twelfth birthday. Such a sweet, happy girl. Happy birthday Katie Lynn, and may all your dreams come true. I am grateful here for my time spent with my sister, and for her darling little kids whom I love and enjoy so much.

Cute Katie with her load! haha
Notice her kitty checking things out too, haha

Katie requested the famous Oatmeal cake that I make. I was happy to make it for her, which allowed me to smell it's WONDERFUL aroma yesterday while I sewed. It really has become MANY family members favorite cake. I have shared the recipe before, but I will share it again, as it is quick, easy, and REALLY good.

You boil a cup and quarter of water and add a stick of margarine and one cup of quick cooking oatmeal. Cover and let stand 20 minutes. Then, you add 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of white sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. of baking soda, 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1 and half cups of flour. Mix everything together well, and pour into a 9 by 13 pan and bake for 35 min. at 350. Upon removing from the oven you pour the yummy topping over the cake, and ENJOY!

Yummy topping...

2 tsp. of margarine
1/2 cup of brown and white sugar
1/2 cup of evaporated milk
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1 cup of chopped walnuts

Today, I hope to make Cody's jammies, and the fleece blanket for baby Sam. My sister gave me instructions last night on how to do this, so hopefully I will not have any problems with it. ; ) Hope you are all enjoying your day, and reflecting on all of your many blessings too!

I will leave you with these darling picture of sweet Sam smiling at you!

Soo sweet...how much I want to kiss those little cheeks!

A heart breaker for sure!

BUSY BUSY DAYS

2011-11-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

I have decided I must be doing something wrong as I just can't seem to get my posts up as quickly as soo many of you do or something, as it seems as if I am lucky if I get a couple a week up and MANY of you post close to everyday. I think I just must be S L O W !! haha

Anyway, the time is whipping by and while I am fine with that as I am getting very excited for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holidays, I have as usual gotten myself a little TOO busy. I have completed Sam's blanket bag (it's adorable!) (OH, except for the snap ~ never done one of those and I am just waiting for the right moment to attempt it, haha) and 7 new burp cloths. Melody couldn't seem to make it through more than a day or two with her supply as poor Sam does seem to be somewhat of a spitter. I didn't mind at all making him a few more as they are quick and easy. Just my kind of project, haha. Then, I have also made Jeffie's pj's and was moving right along with Capri's when I ran into somewhat of a problem. I originally had purchased the fabric (Hello Kitty pink Christmas) for Donatella, when I heard that it was Capri who has a special love for Hello Kitty. Sooo of course I decided to do Capri's jammies with that fabric. Well, it wasn't quite enough but I thought I could make it work....I usually can in these type of cases. Well, I hadn't accounted for the fact that it is a one way fabric and therefore it just wasn't happening. I am short one leg for the bottoms. I decided to go ahead and make the top and THEN go out and get the extra fabric. They had a TON of it when I bought it. Well of course, that was a very dumb move. They were completely out. I guess Hello Kitty is still popular...especially when it is Christmas fabric and on sale. Anyway, the nice gal at the store began calling around for me trying to locate some somewhere. She finally finds a yard at some store in a city I had never heard of (never a good sign) and I decided to just whip on over late yesterday afternoon to pick it up. Well, almost 40 min. later I was there (she gave WONDERFUL directions) It was a beautiful city and I would have loved to look around, but I needed to hurry as it was getting late. Well, bottom line, it was the WRONG Hello Kitty fabric! She felt bad and I was somewhat hysterical, haha. I had driven a long way. Sooo, I decided I might as well look around right? I mean I was THERE afterall. Well another 40 minutes later and I left with yet more fleece to make Sam a Christmas blanket. The fabric was just tooooo darling to resist. So I will make (my first ~ surely I can do these...I have heard they are easy) one of those tie together fleece blankets. Just what I needed (yeah right) another project. It was late and I needed to get home but quickly realized I was a little dumber than I thought as now I would be driving home in rush traffic going the way EVERYONE else in So. California was going to get home. WHAT was I thinking? An hour and half later I was FINALLY home....sigh....and with NO Hello Kitty fabric. What we do for grandkids huh? I have not given up though. I will find the fabric. Some time today I will check online. SURELY someone has it right? Oh, and I also spent quite a bit of time making up the invitations yesterday for Sam's open house which will be the Sat. after Thanksgiving. That was A REALLY REALLY REALLY LONG and horrifying story, but I will spare you the details of that. It is done is all I will say, haha. Oh, and I did all our laundry yesterday too. Now today I have to go to my mom's and get her to her doctor's appointment, run an errand or two for her, and IF there is enough time left over we are going to start a Bible study together, She is having a hard time reading still, so we thought this would be a good way to get her back in the Word. I am looking forward to that. Whenever I go to my mom's I drive home in RUSH HOUR traffic too, so guess I will be doing that two days in a row, haha. I do thank God that I do not have to do that EVERY day, as I know MANY do. Soooo, all of this and I haven't even posted about what I wanted to.....I will sum it up fast.
The week-end was FAST and wonderful. I sewed most of the day Sat. while hubby climbed back up on the roof. Bottom line, the cover is MUCH better, but STILL not perfect. More work this week-end on that. And Sun was wonderful. The message was just sooo good. I am still dwelling on it. And when I get more time later this week I WILL post more about that. Soo now I will post a couple of pics of my finished projects, and then jump into the shower and get moving on this day. I praise God today for the ability to be busy!! Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

SAM'S BLANKET BAG...,SOO DARLING!

CLOSE UP
kind of blurry but no time to fix!

BURP CLOTHS

A CLOSER LOOK AT ONE

HE NEEDED SOME CHRISTMAS ONES, HAHA

JEFFIE'S FINISHED JAMMIES
I had to start with the biggest one first as I am using the same pattern for 3 of them and then adjusting accordingly! ; )

CUTE FABRIC

CAPRI'S HELLO KITTY ` STILL BOTTOMLESS, LOL

HOW CUTE IS THE FLEECE FABRIC??

THE BLUE FOR THE BACK

YOU GOT TO LAUGH

2011-11-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of quick things....First, upon waking up to the sound of rain POURING on our roof I felt that warm good feeling you get knowing you are safe inside, snug and warm under your blankets. You know which one I am talking about? I laid there thanking the Lord for the day, and planning out all I have to do. Sewing today sounds REALLY good as I love to sew when it rains (kind of like baking). I got up, quickly made my bed and got right into the shower. Then, as I walked out of our bedroom it occurred to me, "OH, check and see how the new cover on the patio by the front door worked!" So I scurried (as fast as arthritic knees let you scurry) to the front door and whipped it open. SIGH....it didn't work! Water dripped off the door, and pretty much everywhere. Back to the drawing board I guess. I called my hubby who had left early for work this morning to see if he too had noticed. Of course he had. At first we bemoaned the futile efforts we had expended last week-end, but ended up in hopeless laughter. How I thank God for humor. It smooths out sooo many of the rough edges in life. Good thing we don't make a living in construction. However, my hubby has another plan! Hopefully, it will work.

And then I came upon this picture today on Facebook and I just HAD to post it here. It's sooo what is happening I think, haha...I am back to Jenny Craig this morning....Not looking forward to it, I won't lie.

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL week-end!

THIS SEASON IN MY LIFE

2011-11-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Ecc. 3:12

I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,

Well since today is Thursday I have decided to do a Thankful Thursdays post which I haven't done in quite a while. I gave quite a bit of thought and some prayer about linking up with the gals who have decided to take the challenge of posting or listing their list of blessings and thanks during this month of November, but I have decided that while I WILL keep a list of my thanks on the side of this blog, I am not going to do link up with the others this year. I feel like I should (even though it is a self imposed feeling) be able to follow along and comment regularly with all the other participants if I do, and I simply don't have the time. I think I get WAY too carried away sometimes with my comments (and my blogging) and it does tend to take alot of my time. I am not sure why...maybe I am just too gabby, or think I have always got something to say, haha, but truthfully I think it is because I truly feel like I know sooo many of you, I don't want to miss anything, and visiting is just something I love to do. But whatever the reason is I have A LOT to do this month, and I am not going to tempt myself by meeting and reading new and no doubt wonderful blog posts. Sooo, having told you all that, if you would like to read my blessings, they will be listed there on the side underneath my thanksgiving girl. I am going to try to do a full post on thanksgiving each Thursday during the month of November though.

I feel like every time I get started on one of these posts I could go in soo many different directions with it, (because honestly there is just soo much I am thankful for) that I am never quite sure what I should say. I feel like I want to dig deeper and list those that aren't as obvious and that I haven't posted about before, and usually more than once. But even though it goes without saying I will say once again that I am soo thankful for my God, my family, my husband, and all those special little grand kids, my friends, and all of you. I pray I never take any of them for granted, and that my love for them all will be felt and known. So with those blessings put aside, today I am grateful for this season in my life. Now I know that sounds kind of weird, but stick with me for just a minute and I will try and explain. For the last couple of years especially, I have tried to figure out just where I belong, what with my nest finally being empty and the next 20 or so years (God willing) lying in front me waiting to be filled. What was I supposed to be doing anyway? What does God want me to be doing? I DID NOT want to let go of a season that I had been in for years and years it seemed. Truthfully most of the time all I could do was look behind me and long for a time that was long gone. Where my children and my home kept me sooo busy there was really little time for much more, let alone pondering about how to fill my days. Wasn't that about all I knew about anyway, or certainly what I knew the most about? How did I get to be in my mid 50's so fast? I'd watch the REALLY young mom's and think I was pretty sure I didn't want to go back quite that far, haha, but I wasn't quite ready to let go of having any at home either. And yet as I have stumbled along this new path I have found MANY things that let me know that God still has much for me, and this "season" may be the best yet. I actually REALLY enjoy living alone with my hubby for one thing. I didn't even get that when we were first married, but that's another story (that I think I have shared before anyway) We have settled into our little routines and activities that we both love and just make us who we are together. I love spending a day with any of my grandkids, and yet still be able to come home to the quietness of our little home and not be responsible for the TONS AND TONS of work that go into the job of child rearing. I love being able to spend the day with my mom even if we have things we must do such as doc appointments or grocery shopping, without worrying about who is filling in with my absence at home. I love picking up the phone and hearing one of my kids voices on the other line and knowing I can settle in for a long chat without worrying that I need to get to work or take a kid somewhere or cook dinner for everyone or a million other little tasks that might need to be done. I love being able to make all the grand kids Christmas jammies and know that I can take my time, and still get the job done. I love being able to have lunch with a girl friend and chat the afternoon away, something that when I was knee deep in kids just seldom or never happened. I love an afternoon at a grand kids ball game, and time to just ENJOY them at a movie or a special one on one day with me. I love being able to take a little nap in the afternoon if I need to, without thinking or worrying about what I am not doing. Dinner with friends, more time to study and read God's Word....I could go on and on, but I am sure you get my point. I think the Lord knew just what He was doing when He created seasons. Not only in our weather, but in our lives. This season in my life could take a shift or change at any moment. Illness, accidents, financial troubles etc. could come at any time and change everything as I know it. Maybe He will have some specific plan for me that will require work, time, and effort. I am certainly open for that should the occasion arise. But for now, I am grateful for THIS season in my life.

Ecc: 3: 1-8

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up

A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

A times to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silent, And a time to speak;

A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war and a time of peace.

A WEEK-END PROJECT....AND MORE GRAND KIDS PICS (SHOCKER!)

2011-11-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Well here we are to Tues. morning and it is my first opportunity to catch you up on my week-end. Time is just whipping by. It is November first too!! YAY!! Nov. is always a busy month for us, but I love it.

Friday night was our weekly card game with my parents, and I am not sure what the deal is, but us gals just keep getting beat! haha...Truthfully though mom we are going to have to get our game on, because this is getting old. My stepdad is recovering from his surgery but is still out of breath pretty much no matter what he does. And now he is starting to have a problem swallowing. He has a doc appointment later today, so hopefully we can get some more answers. I am afraid the lung cancer may FINALLY be making it's ugly presence known. He was diagnosed 3 years ago this month and they gave him 4 months at the most to live. Guess he beat those odds now didn't he? Only proving in my opinion that no one knows the day or the time our souls are required but our God.

Sat. was a both a fun date time with my hubby, and a partial work day, haha. We went to lunch at Panera Bread and had a yummy bowl of soup, and then went and saw the movie Courageous. Let me just say if you get the chance... GO SEE THIS MOVIE!! It was wonderful. It is soo seldom of course that you get to see a movie where the Christians are the hero's and God's Word is freely preached, but on top of that the message of the movie's towards the responsibility of a father is totally right on . I'd love to get all of my sons to this movie....OH, and bring tissues, I cried through a great deal of it. After the movie we went to Home Depot as we needed to figure out a way to correct one of the few problems we have discovered after living in this house for a little over a year now. And that is the front porch. It has a patio cover on it. But it is one of those patio covers that is more for show than anything else as it is open and provides no real coverage from the sun, which is no big deal, but also from the rain, which is the problem...In the wintertime when it rains there is no protection at the front door. The door get wet, the welcome mat is wet, and therefore anyone coming in and out or just standing at the door is wet. Oh, and also tracking wet, sometimes muddy feet into the house. All not good. And if this wasn't enough of a dilemma, the porch itself was not put in right either as the water does not drain off it properly and there is an area where a LARGE puddle accumulates and sits. This happens even in the summertime etc., whenever I water my large Sega palm as well. And even if I could live with that, right on the other side of the puddle in the house, in the entry way of our home, we had to replace the floor boards and wood that were rotted from water when we were putting in the new tile. We wondered at the time WHERE the water had come from, but we know now... : ) The truth of the matter is what we REALLY needed to do is to tear out the porch and the cover and start over. But WAY too BIG of a project right now, and WAY too much money. Soooo, we came up with a brilliant solution I think. My hubby built somewhat of a ramp on the cover itself (up against the roof) and put in plastic ridged covers that drain off the end of the cover. It will work PERFECTLY for when it rains, and yet lets the sunlight through to the windows that are all around it. On top of that it was clear and you can't even really see it at all. It won't do anything for when I water my Sega Palm so I guess I can either move the palm somewhere else, or simply sweep the water off when I am done watering. Think I will do that for now....He got the whole thing completely done too, though it did take ALL of Sunday afternoon as well. We did not travel down to San Diego for church as my son wasn't there (still in Italy until Thursday) anyway, and this gave us the extra time. We turned our internet on and listened to our old pastor who you can always get live. It was a GREAT message as always.

On Sat. morning EARLY I got a call from Melody telling me that the baby was sick, and that she had been up ALL night....Poor Sam, and poor Mel! One of the many things that is hard about her living soo far away is that there is just nothing I can do to help besides pray and be an ear to listen. I occasionally have my words of wisdom to offer, but in this case there really wasn't much to say. He is thankfully doing MUCH better, and I am soo glad he chose last week-end to be sick, as this week-end Jessica is coming out to see them. The girls are both soo excited, and I happy for them both.

Yesterday, I did a little sewing and ran a couple of errands and then headed over to my oldest son's house for dinner and to see the grands in their costumes before they headed out for a night of fun...I OF COURSE got some cute pictures. Here they are....

Jeffie as Indiana Jones

Lindsey as a clown....LOOK at those eyelashes, sooo fun

A closer look

My sister Diane's grand daughter Priscilla as a darling little cow

The whole gang...minus Cody

Cody wasn't sure he wanted to be anything at all, haha

The girls love to "pose" They all looked soo cute!

James & Larissa's kids are staying at their other grandparents house (they live 5 min. from them, so can easily get them back and forth to school etc.) while they are in Italy. I stole this pic from her facebook, haha...This is right before they left for the harvest party at church. The girls were wearing make-up! I am sure they were giddy!..soo cute.

And of course baby Sam as a tiger....he didn't go anywhere of course, but he was DARLING just the same!

He has soo got his mama's mouth, and it looks like he might have her big blue eyes too!

Pretty much the cutest tiger ever I am thinking...

His watching football outfit, haha

Right before his one month old check-up here....he looks soo big already, though he only weighs 8 pounds 13 ounces....a nice growth for just a month though.

Stole this picture too off of facebook just because I love it.....My oldest son's 3 sons....Evan, Jeffie & Cody

I will leave you with this video of Capri reciting the books of the Bible that her other grandmother posted on Face book. Soo cute. I am getting to be brilliant (jk!) lol and have AGAIN figured out how to steal a video and post it here....I am not sure I could do it again yet....but I am getting closer. : )

Well now I decided to add on a few of our travelers....what a WONDERFUL trip this looks like it has been!! How blessed they are....Two more days till they are home....ENJOY

I LOVE this! Tuscany..

How GORGEOUS is this??

Looks pretty perky for this meal doesn't he? haha

My son seems to be eating his way through this country, lol

FLORENCE

Dream trip!! Her face says it all again...

HAPPY TRAVELERS, A GOOD DEAL AND A VIDEO OF SAM!

2011-10-27T17:28:00.000-07:00

Just had to share a couple of quick things. As I told you already my youngest son James and his wife are in Italy celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. This has been a dream of Larissa's (who is half Italian) since she was quite young and something that they wanted to do for their honeymoon but didn't quite work out. Then it was going to happen our their 5th, but babies got in the way. I am soo happy she is FINALLY getting to go. But what I am REALLY happy about is how technology today makes it possible that they can be in another country TODAY and post pictures about their adventures on Facebook TODAY and I can see everything through their eyes NOW!!....sooo amazing. Anyway, I wanted to show you just a couple of pictures of how it is....

Her joy is just written all over her face don't ya think??

How GORGEOUS is this? Looks like she belongs there I am thinking....

Sooo pretty!!

Soo neat!

Darling!

In front of the Spanish steps.....LOVE this!

And then I had to tell you about my trip to Joanne's today. A week ago I hit Joanne's with my sister Diane and got enough Christmas flannel fabric to make all of my grandkids Christmas jammies....except for baby Sam. It was all on sale for 50% off. Then, if you spent a certain amount (which I did of course) then you got a 30% off coupon that was good for your ENTIRE purchase this week (and here is the real kicker) rather or not the fabric was already on sale or not!! Pretty good huh? Soooo I went today and got some darling fabric to make baby Sam a Christmas blanket sack and matching hat AND! Christmas fabric to make up several aprons....It was already 30% off and so with my coupon it was 60%!! In addition to this I bought thread, a 40% off pattern, a zipper, and some snaps that were all already 20% off and got another 30% on top of that. Seems practically free now, haha. Anyway, I've decided I am going to make up a couple of the aprons as a give away here on my blog. I will post more about that later. I do have MOUNTAINS of sewing to do now so I will be busy for the next couple of weeks or so on that.

And finally I wanted to show you a video that Melody posted of baby Sam on facebook last week of him ALREADY rolling over...Yes, at just shy of 4 weeks he is already rolling over!! She said he is doing it now pretty much whenever she puts him on his tummy. It took me FOREVER to figure out how to post this so hopefully it even works. The funny this about this video is how happy he is when he finally manages to roll over. She feels bad letting him cry on his tummy, but he had already done it a couple of times so she knew he could and wanted to capture it on video for grandma, lol. I think she may have a crawler on her hands at a very young age, haha!

Hope you are all having a GOOD week! I know I am! and so are James and Larissa! Thank you Jesus....

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

2011-10-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

I decided to try and "quickly" do (haha) Hodgepodge Wednesday as I love random questions...both reading others answers, and writing my own. I hope I don't regret this as I have lots to do today...OK, here goes. To join in with the other click here.

1. What gives you goosebumps?

Oh, a few things.....A heartfelt testimony on the power of God in someones life.... Patriotic music.....many voices raised in worship.

2. Halloween-are you a lover or a hater? Okay, that sounds harsh...Halloween-yay or nay?

I think I will have to be careful here or this question could take me HOURS, haha....My feelings for Halloween can be somewhat mixed. I guess I would have to say overall I am a nay. I do love the little trick or treaters in their little costumes and desires for candy and some fun. But the with the origin of it all being from the occult and full of evil, it is hard to get totally on board. I'd like to think that a lot of that is not still being practiced today, but I would be naive to believe that. I don't decorate, I don't "celebrate" it per-say, but have always enjoyed the little ones, and passed out candy to the kids. I missed that last year since moving to the senior citizens park we don't have trick or treaters anymore, haha. When my kids were young we hit the Harvest parties at church. They got to dress up and get candy and have fun, and the scary evil stuff was left out of it. I think there is always a way to redeem the time.

3. Can you respect someone you do not trust, and can you trust someone you do not respect?

This question too may take some time, lol. I guess I would have to say that I think they go hand in hand. However, I think I can respect someone's ability let's say without being able to trust them necessarily. But for me to truly trust someone I MUST respect them.

4. Apples or oranges? Yes, you have to choose.

Oh, an easy one....It would be apples for sure....A juicy good apple is just hard to beat. But when you add in apple pie, apple fritters, apple crisp, cider, applesauce, I could go on but I won't, you get the idea.

5. What is something you wish was in your town? (shop, restaurant, attraction, etc)

Well truthfully I live right smack in the middle of some of the best restaurants to be found, every store you can imagine, a HUGE wonderous Mall etc. But I WOULD love to have a Hobby Lobby by us...They have one our by Mel's, and I loved it.

6. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?

I have ice packs in my freezer that I used pretty much every day on my knees... : )

7. Are you at all superstitious?

No, not at all. I guess again to believe in superstition would be contrary to my Christian beliefs. I believe that nothing happens outside of the will of God. He controls our very breath and the whole universe all at the same time. We have our free wills, and therefore make our own decisions and choices everyday, but as Christians I do not believe we are controlled by some other mysterious force or power.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Again, random thoughts for me are such a common thing, haha, but I will try and pull out just a couple or so for this morning. I am loving the weather again recently. Cool mornings and evenings, and lots of warm sunshine during the day. I am getting my thoughts together for Thanksgiving (all of my kids are coming, YAY) and making plans for the "Meet and Greet" party for Sam. I can't wait for everyone to see him. I am praising God this morning that he is up to 8 pounds 13 ounces and is doing soo well, and also that James and Larissa have arrived safely in Italy.

OK, I did pretty good for me....sometimes a post takes me soo long. I am off to my mom's! Hope you all have a wonderful day!

A GRAND KID KIND OF WEEK-END!

2011-10-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but my week-ends have become so busy I need a day or so to rest, haha...

I guess I will go all the way back to Thursday and tell you I picked up my 10 year old grand daughter Lindsey after school and the two of us went to see Annabel play another volleyball game. What a good time we had! Lindsey will be 11 in Dec., and what a little grown up girl she is becoming. She chatted non-stop and filled me in on all she has been up to. Her progress report brought all A's! She is also her class president right now (they get to do it for one quarter of the year) and I am soo glad she is soo focused and into her school work. Annabel's team lost (booo) but she did VERY well. She chatted and visited with us for a while after the game. How I thank the Lord for both of these girls, and that I can do things like this with them.

On Friday Jeff came home a little early so we could get dinner out before going to my parents to play cards. I enjoyed a delicious sea food salad at my favorite restaurant (Market Broiler) and we split a Salmon roll...soo yummy. I think I could eat seafood everyday. : ) Then we went to my parents where us girls got sooo ruthlessly beat that I am surprised we didn't just throw in the towel, haha, instead of going to the very bitter end like we did. My stepdad is doing much better, but he is still kind of weak and his stomach is still somewhat bothering him. I am really hoping he feels better soon. He has just gotten sooo thin. My mom continues to have different problems too...sigh....growing old is just plain old hard sometimes.

On Sat. morning Jeff & I went over to my oldest son's house and visited for just a bit and then took Jeffie with us to travel down to San Diego to see JD's last soccer game. We have been wanting to do this all season but it just hadn't happened yet. But grandma and grandpa both REALLY wanted to see him play. How glad I am that we did! He was just adorable (sorry my Grandmaness shows pretty frequently) JD just turned 5 of course but he is bigger than most 6 or even 7 year olds....He played goalie most of the season I guess and I got to see why. He'd dive on the ball with such gusto, oblivious to the fact that the other little players would kick him when he was down there in their excitement to get the ball. It was just hysterical. I was also reminded why they call it "bunch ball" at that age as they all run along in a pack, haha. I have no idea who won that game, lol, as I don't think they were even keeping score. JD's coach soo favored him she was hard pressed to keep it from showing to the others. She just gushed about him after the game to his parents and my hubby and I saying he was a coaches dream as he was not only just flat out talented, but has such a sweet little personality you just want to squeeze him. Couldn't say I disagreed in any way....haha She sent the goalie jersey home with him to keep. Soo cute. Here are some pics of this.

ALL READY!

One of his many dives for the ball!

Hi Grandpa! Such a cutie!

Getting watered down by daddy! It was soo hot!

Lots of water breaks!

Cooled down and ready to go again!

Fan Jeffie

Tella's seat on Grandpa

Fans! That's Grandma under the umbrella, haha

JD and his sweet coach!

After the game we headed over to the Pumpkin Patch that is becoming somewhat of an annual event for us. The kids just LOVE it. The place is HUGE and there is soo much to see and do. I did have a hard time walking everywhere there was to go, so I took lots of breaks on hay bales that were pretty much everywhere.
Everyone had a wonderful time, including their little dog Bruno who came along as well. After we were through we went back over to their house and enjoyed a home made chicken soup that Larissa had left simmering for supper in the crockpot,. It was sooo good. We let the kids play for a little longer before we made the drive back home. Such a LONG, but fun day! There were soo many cute pics to chose from that I decided to just put together a quick little video of the day....but I decided to share a couple of my favorite pictures as well

TOO MANY TO CHOSE FROM!

THEY HAVE SOO MUCH FUN TOGETHER!

This free picture slideshow customized with Smilebox

And finally, I had to share the latest pics of Sam. I promise I will TRY not to constantly post new pics of him (but don't count on it) as I beg her for several a week (How else is this Grandma suppose to watch him change?) But they are just soo cute!

SWEET LITTLE SMILES

READY TO GO TO MEET HIS TEXAS COUSINS

ONE MONTH OLD TODAY ALREADY!! HE LOOKS LIKE A MINI VERSION OF HIS DADDY HERE

GETTING FESTIVE!

MELODY'S GOOD FRIEND WHO MARRIED MIKE'S FIRST COUSIN....MEETING SAM FOR THE FIRST TIME

6 MONTHS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW, HAHA

HE LOOKS SOO TINY IN HIS CRIB....HE LOVES HIS MOBILE!

On Sunday we went to church but forced ourselves to leave right after service so we could get back home to do some grocery shopping etc. Jeff enjoyed a couple of football games, and I enjoyed a brief nap, haha, Well guess I better end this for now...sorry it is so long. I do thank the Lord for all of the sweet blessings I enjoy in my grandkids. They do keep me busy. I am going to begin my Christmas sewing tomorrow, and the next day will take me to my mom's to help out there with some doc appointments. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY ~ added a new smiling pic of Sam!

2011-10-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

I decided to join up with Hodgepodge Wednesday even though I really don't have to the time to do so, haha....I have the font soo messed up on this post I should really just throw in the towel, but I refuse so it is what it is...I really don't know how I DO these things, or WHY I can't fix them, but again...it is what it is. I enjoyed this.

1. How do you typically react in a sudden, extreme, pressure-filled crisis? Would we want you nearby in an emergency? I think I go into a mode of a "do what you have to do think later" feel and handle things pretty well. As a general rule, yes I think people would like to have me nearby. HOWEVER, I do remember one emergency involving my precious dil Larissa where a karate demonstration went wrong and she was hit in the face with a weapon. I just sort of flipped out and became somewhat hysterical. Soo not me in many ways, but I was soo sure she was REALLY hurt. She was OK, as it turned out, (though she was carried off in an ambulance) but it took a while to recover...

2. Caramel apple-caramel sundae-caramel corn-caramel macchiato...of the four, which caramel treat would you choose? Oh, it would definitely be caramel corn!! Love it, though I honestly can't remember the last time I had some... ; )

3. Is there such a thing as destiny? Explain.

WOW....I may have given this one to much thought...I guess I don't know what I really think about destiny. I understand it to be something that is just MEANT to happen somehow. Where you don't have much of a choice or a decision in the process. I believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us. And yet we have our free wills to chose what we want. We can change the course of our lives by making choices and decisions to live them in a certain way.

4. What's your favorite piece of furniture? I'm referring to something currently in your possession as opposed to something on your wish list. I actually have several favorite pieces of furniture....could it be my soft leather coach where I curl up every night to watch some TV with my hubby? Or is my recliner where I sit EVERY day as I read, blog, talk on the phone, and spend time with the Lord? Maybe it is my soft comfy bed? Or the beautiful bedroom furniture that reminds me of Mel every time I walk into the room? (it was her's originally) It might be my new buffet.....But I guess I will settle on my dining room table. I just LOVE it for some reason. Soo pretty. And has been the gathering spot for my family for MANY family dinner and holidays and occasions.

LOVE THE COLORING AND DETAIL ON THIS TABLE

CLOSE UP OF SOME OF THE PRETTY CARVINGS

ALL SET FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER 2010

5. Wednesday night marks the start of the 2011 Baseball World Series. Did you know? Do you care? Will you be watching? Ever been to a professional baseball game? If you're not an American do you find the title 'World Series' annoying or amusing?
Didn't know, don't care, won't be watching, haha...Yes, I have been to MANY professional games and I ALWAYS love them. Can't say I find the title the list bit annoying, nor have I ever given it any thought one way or another... : )

6. A sound that takes me back to my childhood is____________.
I think it would be the sound of a few different TV shows music....You know, the theme from the Flintstones, Bewitched, Leave it to Beaver.....Or it might be my mother's voice. I hear it all the time. "Kids, it's time to eat." haha Or "Debbie, it's your turn for the dishes..." haha

7. On average, once you've linked your hodgepodge post to mine how many other participant blogs do you visit? Do you ever come back to the Hodgepodge later in the day or even the day after to read posts? I usually come back later in the day and read a few of them at least.

8. Insert your own random thought here....My head is soo full of random thoughts, it is hard to pull just one of them out, haha.... I guess this morning I am thinking that I miss baby Sam and would love to hold him and love on him some today. Mel said he is starting to smile at her....Time goes by soo fast. I am glad I am going over to my mom's this morning though and how grateful I am that they are both doing a little better. I am also thinking I love this time of year and can't wait until it is cool enough to turn the heat on. I am looking forward to another one of Annabel's volleyball games tomorrow. I am hungry for ANYTHING pumpkin....See? I said my head was all over the place....Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Mel sent me this pic this morning. The "grins" are soo quick she has to be fast, haha, and his eyes shut before she could get it....but how darling is this???

Just wanted to wish a happy anniversary to my youngest son James and his wife Larissa! Married 10 years ago today. Soo happy for them both. They are leaving in a week or so to celebrate in Italy!

MY THINGS I DO NOT DO LIST

2011-10-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

Well here we are in mid Oct., and I can hardly believe it. I have been thinking for a while now that I would love to come up with some "new" material for my blog. I honestly can't believe how entertaining and creative soo many of your blogs are, while it seems as if I am always saying the same old thing in somewhat of a different way, and only if I try REALLY hard. Isn't there more than just the day to day story of my life on my mind? haha I was going to try the meme that my friend Jennifer did at Trading Ashes for Beauty, but I honestly don't know if I can even think of 10 things I don't DO (I think I will try doing just 5)....which sent me down another whole train of thought, but I will leave that alone for now. I seriously hope I don't just come up with a list that proves I am a little more neurotic than I thought. : )

Jennifer you started with a food that you don't DO or dislike, so I decided I would "try" starting there. But it made me hit a blank wall right off the bat.....There is NO food I don't DO....sigh. Honestly I love almost everything. But upon deep reflection I did come up with..... I no longer DO donuts. Now this has nothing to do with my not loving donuts, or my knowing that they are really not good for me in ANY way, but more to do with the fact that I have FINALLY learned (over the course of MANY years) that I always end up sick when I do, haha....Just kind of heavy headed, slow, tired, and downright bizarre. Obviously just too much sugar and fried grease.....VERY yummy, but just doesn't work for me.

Now my next one is something I have decided to change VERY VERY soon...but at the present time I do not DO airplanes. This is do to my extreme claustrophobia, and therefore the just knowing that this would require being in a sealed place for an extended period of time, and not the fear of the plane crashing. Sooo not good in my book. This has caused me some HUGE problems over the course of my life, and now with both a daughter AND a grandson living as far away as they do, something I really do need to change....sigh.

This is one is also kind of weird, but I do not DO sleeping in. Not since I was in high school anyway. My body just doesn't seem to want to for some reason. I don't care what time I went to bed, I pop up at around 6 (or even earlier) pretty much no matter what. I would love to think I might just even occasionally spend a morning laying around in the comfort of my bed, but I really have my doubts as to rather or not that will be happening anytime soon.

Ok let's see....I do not DO multiple pairs of shoes....really random I know, and also pretty weird. But I just never have. I find a pair of shoes that are REALLY comfortable, and (now there is one pair for warm weather, and another one for cool) then I wear them pretty much everyday, everywhere I go until they either fall completely apart or look completely disgraceful. I told you this post would make me look pretty neurotic...lol. I DO try and branch out or at least have a couple of different colors or something even if it is the exact same shoe but I have found that I don't even really DO that very well.

I DO not DO turtlenecks....my reasons for this are simple. Again, the claustrophobia comes into play, and I am ALWAYS hot. Not sure if this is because I am overweight, or because I seem to be in a continual state of menopause...

OK, I guess that is 5. lol. This was kind of fun, but I probably took it a little toO literally. There are MANY MANY MANY things I don't do often, but not very many I just don't DO at all.

My week-end was good. My sister Diane and I got together for the WHOLE day (starting literally with breakfast at Coco's) on Sat. as Jeff went to the men's retreat. It was nice to "hang out" as we don't get much of that anymore. We did go over to my mom's for a while. My step dad got out of the hospital on Sat. even though it didn't seem as if he was really ready in any of our books. But I am sure you all know how that goes anymore. If you are even thinking about you might be getting a little better, they toss you out. He is still of course barely moving along but he is getting a tiny bit better everyday, and we are all grateful. I still covet your prayers for his recovery. We also hit Joanne's moonlight madness sale and I got Christmas flannel to make 7 of my grand kids Christmas jammies. The lines were LONG, the crowd somewhat crabby, but it was all worth it for the money I saved, and the prospect of some really cute PJ's. I will post more about this later, and show the fabric of course.

I have another busy week coming up so I guess I better get busy as I am already over my time allotment (I try to be somewhat disciplined about my computer time) for this day. Hope you all have a wonderful week! Until next time.....HUGS!!

Debbie

Just FYI....I "somehow" erased my usual signature, and didn't know how to get it back...hopefully, it will just be erased for this post... ;)

PRAISE REPORT

2011-10-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Boy is it warm here in So. California!! High 90's and even over 100 in some places. Whew, I really hope this is our last little wave of summer heat. I was sooo enjoying the cooler Fall temps and the need to curl up with my soft little throw blanket for TV at night.

I did want to let you know and praise God that my step dads surgery went very well on Tues. He is S L O W L Y recovering of course, but so far everything looks good. He managed to keep some broth down this afternoon, so I think he is moving along as they expected. Please pray he continues to improve and will be able to go home soon. : ) My mom is somewhat lost without him but Joe's daughter is here to of course see her dad and is staying with my mom and getting her back and forth to the hospital etc. We are all VERY grateful for her help. I spent all day Tues at the hospital and most of today as well and it is hard to see him just lying there in his bed, (he has always been soo active and self sufficient) but he is still managing to crack a joke or two (when he gets awake enough that is, haha). Anyway, thank you for all of your prayers for him.

Soo many of you are posting yummy recipes for pumpkin bread, soups, and other Fall comfort food. Right now I guess it is one thing I can be grateful for about this heat...it doesn't sound nearly as appealing. (see there is always "something" to be grateful for, haha) I am having a HARD time keeping my head on the page of dieting right now. I am still "on it" but I could soooo easily tip off, haha...Hope you all have a wonderful week-end, and count your many blessings.

WEEK-END WRAP UP....

2011-10-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

We had a really busy week-end, and truthfully I just enjoyed every minute of it, but I am kind of tired today, haha...

Friday night we went to BJ's to celebrate Jessica's 25th birthday. It was a really good time. How I thank God for this young woman. Beautiful, sweet, helpful, giving, funny, talented, creative, and full of life are all words you simply have to use to describe her. Her younger brothers are twins (not identical) and are pushing 22 now and I honestly couldn't believe how OLD they look now. Where oh where does the time go? Seems like it was just yesterday and they were all running around with Mel just being kids. I did get a picture of them having a good time. The guy right next to Jess is her husband Phil. Already married a whole year, and they just celebrated that in Hawaii. How fun....

Sat. Jeff & I sat around and enjoyed coffee and a LONG chat. We haven't done this in 3 weeks and we had both really missed it..(the SITTING and coffee part, not the chatting, haha) After that we got ready and headed out for lunch and a movie. We saw Moneyball with Brad Pitt. I REALLY enjoyed it. But then I usually love a sport movie of any kind, especially if it is based on a true story. This one was especially good in my opinion. After that we got the car washed (after the L O N G drive it was REALLY bad, and then did a massive grocery shopping. Jeff barbequed for dinner and we watched a little television and headed off to bed.

Sunday we headed down to San Diego for church and the day. It was good to catch up with them. The service was wonderful. After service we decided to go to lunch to celebrate a belated birthday for both me and Larissa. Our birthdays are just two days apart so this is turning into a tradition. We settled on sushi. I was soo in the mood, haha. After a yummy lunch we went back to their house and the guys put the football game on and Larissa and I hung her new curtains that I had finished making BEFORE Sam was born, but hadn't gotten a chance to get to her yet. I had enough left over fabric to make a small runner for the table, and then I got her a center piece to go with it....There is a LONG story behind the curtains, but I will give you the short version, lol. Let's just say, I had a senior moment and cut them shorter than I intended and went into a total panic that I had ruined the fabric. Larissa was never worried for a moment as she was sure I'd figure something out! Well, the finished product looks good, but they are not like I had originally envisioned them. She is thrilled with them, so that is all that matters. Here is a couple of pics...

Soo cute!

This pic is kind of dark, but you get the idea... : )

A closer look at the fabric

We hung out the rest of the afternoon visiting etc., and then I was supposed to go to the women's craft project at the church that Larissa had arranged, but I was tired and my back has kind of been bothering me after our 16 hour car drive so we headed home. Looking at the finished product on Facebook this morning made we wish I had stayed. They were soo pretty.

My step dad's surgery is tomorrow and I will go the hospital and hang out with my mom for the day. I have a feeling it will be a busy week of this. I am praying that all goes well, and that he gets the relief he is so desperately looking for. The weather is GORGEOUS and just feels soo much like Fall in Southern California. WARM during the day, but nice and cool in the morning and evenings...I am loving it. I am fighting the urge to throw the towel in on my diet sooo badly. I just want to relax, and bake, and cook, and OK... EAT!! But I just can't do it. I know I will regret it. If I start now I will eat right on through the holidays and gain back who knows what. I am going to press on but I will admit that I am doing some whining over here....sigh. I am also missing baby Sam. I could tell he was gaining weight from the last couple of photo's Mel sent, and sure enough she took him to the doc's today and he is already up to 7 pounds 5 oz and is 20 inches long. This means he has gained, in a little less than 2 weeks, a little over a pound and half and grown a whole inch! WOW!! He is just doing great! Melody's MIL and Mike's sister have been there for the last couple of days to meet Sam. I am happy they are getting this visit. They helped Mel give Sam his first tub bath as he had to wait until his cord came off before he could do so of course, which meant I had already headed home before that happened. I am soo glad they were there to help out with that first time experience. They sent me a couple of darling little pics of the event. Here is one....the look on Mel's face is again priceless.

I just can't express enough how happy I am for her that she is holding her baby in her arms. God is sooo good. And after MANY years of female issues, I honestly feel this is a direct answer to prayer and a miracle to behold.

Hope you all have a good week....much love to you all!

CATCHING UP....(sorry, this one is kind of long!)

2011-10-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

SUCH a miracle!

Well, sooo much has gone on in the last couple of weeks, I am just kind of behind everywhere. I have had such a busy week. Sometimes I am afraid that you all think that I must think that I need to keep you aware of my every movement, haha, but I guess I will just say again that I write this blog mainly as a journal of my life after my kids were raised. You will never know how much I wish I had done such a thing when I was raising my kids, and how I envy all you young gals who are doing so now. I have also found that I "do" pictures in a whole new way now too. After 37 years of taking pictures, I have boxes and boxes of pictures that are not in albums. I started off doing pretty good, but somewhere along the line it got away from me. Now I have more than I could ever possibly sort through, and truthfully what is the point of countless photos, some of the same old thing just with a different turn of the head etc., haha. Now I take my favorite pictures and put them on my blog which is then printed into a book. The only pictures I develop are for the ones I carry in my purse (grandma's brag book) and a VERY few chosen few I display in my house. The rest are stored in folders in my computer. I print my blog into a book at the end of a year and it is set aside just in case any of my kids or grandkids might be interested someday. I have actually found myself looking back through the books myself to see what went on for certain holidays and birthdays etc., or even where I might have had certain seasonal decorations placed in my house etc., haha. Guess the old memory is going. Anyway, having said all of this I will attempt to catch up here with what has been happening, and where my head and heart are at.

My 10 days at Mel's raced by and I enjoyed every single minute. Saying good-by to Mel (and Mike) is always difficult, but I am afraid having added little Samuel to the equation it will now be worse than ever. I felt very good about how they were all doing however, I just know they are going to be wonderful parents. It was fun watching them both discover the wonders of a sweet little baby. We drove straight through on the way there and back this time and now I wonder why I haven't always done so, haha. Soo much better. We were taking 2 days to get there, and 2 to get back, which meant 4 days of travel. Really cuts into your time. And I honestly think Melody had a good way of describing it. "The drive is just long and boring and BAD....It is definitely a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being just awful. But at least it is over in one day. To do it in 2 days it is still an 8. So why have 2 days of an 8, when you can have 1 of a 10??" haha I couldn't agree more. THOUGH....16 hours in a car, is a LONG LONG time. Anyway, for as long as I am able, I will do it this way.

Mike & Mel have decided to come for Thanksgiving this year instead of Christmas and I am kind of a mixture of feelings on that. Mainly good, so I guess I will fix my mind on those. It is closer than Christmas for one, and it is my year to have my sons. Years ago I got all of my boys to get on the same schedule of spending every other Thanksgiving with their in-laws. That way both families get their times, and we can all be together every other year. I always felt bad for those people who had to rush from house to house on a holiday, and never really relaxed anywhere, so this has worked well for us. And believe it or not, my whole family has not been ALL together since last Christmas. I cannot begin to tell you how much that bothers me for some reason. Now of course I see them all on a pretty regular basis, but putting us all together for a meal just doesn't happen much anymore. I guess they are all just busy with their lives, and we don't exactly live close by each other, so it is what it is. But needless to say, when it does happen, I will be grateful, and guard the opportunity with my life. It is one of those things that I honestly never saw happening to me or my kids, but it has happened nonetheless. I think we will get one other day while they are here to have a Meet and Greet for baby Sam where all of the rest of the extended family can come by and meet the baby. There are just soo many of us that I don't want to include it all on Thanksgiving Day, as then my family wouldn't get their time to be together just us. Do you know what I mean? Anyway, I am looking forward to this, and already have begun my mental anyway, preparations for it all.

We got back late on Sun. night and it was soo good to sleep in my own bed. On Mon. I unpacked and did laundry, a little grocery shopping, and caught up with everyone on the phone....Tues, I got my gray roots done, haha, and then went to my grand daughters volleyball game. She is doing soo well, and I am so glad she has had the opportunity to play. It is weird being back in the gym where Mel played for 4 years, and where both Joe and John played basketball as well. How times does fly. Here are a couple of pics of her...


It is kind of dark, but you get the idea....she is the tiny one, number 3, lol


She plays back row (like Aunt Mel)...waiting here for the serve

Practicing her serves


Down & ready!

Oh, and my new cleaning lady came on Tues. I had to let George go...I felt bad for him, as I think his crew will probably lose a lot of business for him while he recovers from his stroke, but not only weren't they good, they were quite rude. Sooo, that was that for them. I discovered this new woman and so far I just LOVE her. By far the best I have had since Nina. She is a hard worker and definitely wants to please me, which is working well. ; ) Guess we will see how it goes, but when I got home on tues. night and discovered she had cleaned out the INSIDE of my refrigerator, I felt like it was like the good old days. I won't lie, I am excited!

On Wed. I went to my mom's. I took her out to lunch and shopping to get slippers for my step dad. We also ran to the bank, and to the pharmacy. It was good to see her and catch up a bit. My step dad is to have surgery on Tues., and I covet your prayers for him. They have discovered cancer in his small intestine, and without the removal of it he will be in a lot of pain and discomfort. They surgery will be difficult in that he is 87 years old and does have lung cancer as well, but most of his discomfort in the last few months have been coming from this. So we are hoping this will improve his quality of life for a while. The surgery will take 3 hours and he will be hospitalized for at least a week. Most of my time next week will be spent there.

Yesterday, after a little shopping, (suddenly I needed some warmer tops in a SMALLER size) I went to have my nails done and then went and picked up my grandkids Lindsey and Jeffie and went to go and see the movie Dolphin Tale. We ALL loved it. It was an inspirational, feel good, kind of movie that I always like. I enjoyed seeing them and catching up with their lives a bit. Lindsey is class president again. Such a student she is, and I love to see her taking such an active interest in what is going on. She is getting to be so grown up. I just had to tell you something Jeffie said to me. "Grandma," he says, "Did you have a happy birthday?" After assuring him I did I said, "Jeffie, do you know how old Grandma is?" and he said, "No, but probably pretty old." haha So I said, "Well how old is pretty old Jeff?" and he said, "Oh, I don't know....28?" lol Soo of course I said, "Your right!" haha

I just had to tell you really quick too that my wonderful hubby FINALLY got our wireless internet connection set up so that my connection is sooo much better. I have been sooo frustrated as I just kept getting thrown off, or it would just take forever downloading pictures, or just getting from one thing to another. I have just not been able to visit and comment as much as I would like as it was just taking soo much time. I am sorry if it has seemed as if I haven't been by some of you. I have, I promise. But now I shouldn't have any excuses.

Today I have to leave for Jenny Craig in a couple of minutes (who knows how I have done with all the time away....how I hate dieting, but that is another post!) and then I need to pick up a gift for my niece Jessica who is 25 years old today. We are having dinner tonight with them to celebrate her day. The week-end looks just as full, but guess I don't need to post about that until I have lived it, haha. I will say I am sooo looking forward to church on Sun., and seeing that other set of grandkids. I've missed them.

How blessed I am. How grateful I am. What a loving and mighty God we serve. May you all enjoy this GORGEOUS Fall weather we are having (at least we are here anyway) and remember to praise the One who blesses us all!

LOVE this one....

Oh, of course I put together a little video of baby Sam....How I love him, and miss him sooo. : )

Free picture slideshow made with Smilebox

REJOICING!

2011-09-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Well it is already Thursday morning and little Samuel and his mama and daddy are doing GREAT! What an eventful last few days it has been. As a first time mom Melody is going through all the typical emotions I think that go with the territory of motherhood. Anxious if he is out of her sight, and jumping up at the slightest sound of his stirring, I was beginning to think she was never going to get any rest herself, haha. Wondering if she is really ready for the enormous responsibility that lies ahead. Filled with such an overwhelming amount of love for such a tiny little being that is 100% dependent upon her. But she is S L O W L Y beginning to realize that he is really here, and that he is indeed just fine, and knowing that God has blessed her in one of His most loving ways. Looking at his tiny little fingernails, soft pale lashes, and listening to his sweet squeaking sounds that can quickly escalate into demanding cries of hunger, it really is a miracle to behold.

Psa 139:14

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

I am soo grateful that I have been able to spend this time with her. We took little Sam in for his 4 day check-up yesterday and he has only lost a few ounces. He now weighs 5 pounds, 14 ounces. Sooo tiny. I never had a baby that weighed less than 7 and half pounds, and a couple of them weighed over 9, so he just seems especially tiny to me. I guess those last 3 weeks in the womb would have put on a little extra weight, but again, I am soo grateful she carried him as far as she did. He is just bordering on Jaundice so he is busy taking his sun bath even as Grandma types this. We will have him checked again tomorrow, but I think he is going to be just fine. His coloring looks much better this morning already. Yesterday was my 57th birthday. What an incredible gift I feel I have received. I thank each and every one of you who prayed for Samuel's safe arrival, and for all the good wishes and love I have felt from you all.

I have a few more pictures to show you. Sorry if my "grandmaness" is showing, haha... ENJOY

Time for his sun bath

Can't get enough of this little face!

Getting his first sponge bath from mama...look at her concentration... : )

Already for his first trip out to the doctor's...such a face

Soo sweet

Psa 98:4

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song,rejoice, and sing praises