New Year's Poem

{repost from 2005}

Twas the night before New Year's, and all through the house
Everyone was partying, even the mouse
The snacks were all out, with people beside them
And drinks were being poured, as fast as people eyed them.

The kids were all playing Monopoly and cards
And some were outside playing tag in the yards
While Dad and I were snug in the den
Sitting around and talking to good friends

When in our conversation, such a topic arose
To frighten the women and curl the men's toes.
Someone had the audacity to bring the word up
And the rest of us just stared at the ice in our cup

RESOLUTIONS the word was, that caused us to groan
And as they searched for paper and pencil, more intense grew the moan
We all had been there before, with our intentions grand
Only to fail miserably, everything we had planned.

The lost weight, the exercises, pilates and tae bo
Were forgotten as our waists continued to grow.
The plan of time spent with God and kids and friends,
Lasts until the new TV Season begins.

What went wrong, we ask ourselves, as we avoid making more
Knowing that new resolutions are something we all abhor.
As we sit and we think, contemplating our downfall
The missing element comes to me, as I think and recall

We never asked God to give us His life goals
Instead, we thought we were the bishop of our souls
And leaving Him out, we let in defeat
And year in and year out, this we did repeat

Instead, let us Listen, this year to our perfect Lord
And let us with the Holy Spirit be in one accord
God has great plans for us, when we listen and obey
So before another year of broken resolutions…..let's take the time and pray.

by Kahri Lynn 2005

Boot Camp Day Three

We are still working on the seven things that we have done the last two days. I am making a chart so the kids can show that they have helped each other each day. This is in response to: "We think of others first and put that into action by helping and encouraging each other." I hate to put it in a chart and see them do it JUST for the chart, but I am praying it will become a habit after much practice.

Our new thing today is showing gratefulness. We are going to continue to work on thank you notes and we are also going to make sure we notice and appreciate all the things everyone does for each other in this family. I think we will have a time at dinner where we thank everyone for specific things they have done as well as in general.

Each child also has been working on their individual issues and I think they have been doing really well! They aren't "cured" yet, but they are definitely on their way. I think next week's school will be much easier!

BTW, I have a list at Amazon of what I think the best child training books are.

Agreement please!

Springfield Missouri just came open for people to "opt in" for at Sam's. This is the store we have been wanting for a year! There are a few natural road blocks in the way but we believe that God can open all the doors for us and get us in there! Please join us in our prayers that we get this store (unless God is planning on opening up the doors in Edmond, which would be even better! LOL)

The kids have gotten so used to hearing us pray about Springfield that as soon as they heard the word today they started jumping up and down! LOL

Day Two of Boot Camp

Well day one was a big success, in my eyes! I already saw improvement in the children that needed improvement. And boy did we get a lot done. I was exhausted! (and I still am, considering it is 2:39 and I am up again....can't wait for our nurse to get back from vacation!!)


Day Two we will be concentrating on everything we went over on Day One PLUS
1. taking personal responsibility for the house being kept up
and
2. Choosing to be joyful.

We will also have meetings again to talk about how day one went and what we can improve.

WOOHOO! Things are shaping up! :-)

Beginnings of Babette Blanket

Here is what I have so far....

Brittany's is coming out really pretty too! I will get a picture of hers tomorrow!

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Chips and wise men in a santa claus box: all the necessities of an almost two year old!

Boot Camp Time

We are having "boot camp" around here again. What does that mean? Well, it means I have gotten lazy with my child disciplining (notice I said DISCIPLE-ING, NOT disciplining. There is a big difference to me!) at some point and we need to have a week of reminders. It is not only the children in "boot camp." I am right there with them. (so is Freckles, our dog! LOL)

We are using "Our 24 Family Ways" to help brush up, as well as other resources

Today this is what we are going to work on:

Attitudes:
1. We love the Lord with our whole heart, our whole mind and our whole soul.
2. We honor and obey our parents with a good attitude.

Actions:
3. We read the Bible and pray every day.
4. We do our chores well and without being told.
5. We think of others first and put that into action by helping and encouraging each other.
6. We obey immediately.

Okay, that is what we are working on today.

First we are going to have a bible study and devotional about these subjects. Then I am going to sit down with each child (excluding Ethan) and talk to them about an action plan and how they can improve. I am also going to make myself an action plan.

The rest of today will be spent cleaning house, doing laundry, writing thank yous and just getting things back in order. We are cutting back on electronics today, too. We are having periods of time with no TV and no computer. I think the worst hit will be the little ones. I will need to be very patient. :-)

I am excited to get things back on track and start working on some little things that have been getting by me lately. I am so glad the Lord forgives and gives me grace. Everyday is a brand new day full of new mercies.

Have a blessed day everyone!!

My Babette Colors

I chose these colors for my Babette blanket. Brittany decided to make one also and she is using similar colors. Her only difference are, she is using brown and not the red and not the dark green. I have already done 10 little squares and 2 small squares. It is loads of fun!

Anyone want to make one with us? We are just using colors from our stash (which admittedly is larger than usual after making all our Christmas presents!)

Late to the party

Okay, while browsing Crochet Blogs, I found this post about a Babette Blanket. Apparently they were quite popular a few years ago. I know I am late to the party, but I am going to make one! I am so excited about how they look and how much fun they look to make! It took me awhile of searching to find the pattern, they are available at Interweave.com in a PDF file for $6.00. I can't wait to get started! It also looks like the perfect thing to work on a little at a time, in between other projects!

Check out the Babette Blanket Pool on Flickr. There are lots of beautiful examples!

New Blog

I am unveiling my new blog....

Peculiar Crochets!

I have been working on it for awhile, but it had to stay "hush hush" until after Christmas. Now I can share it. WOOHOO!!

I LOVE crocheting!! I haven't been this excited about a hobby in years!! (if ever!) I am just amazed that I can take a hook and yarn and make so many different things. It is amazing! :-)

Here is a glimpse at one of my favorites:

Simon's Monkey

The Christmas Extravaganza is officially over!

WHEW. I am officially done with all the Christmas crocheting. I got done at 8:40 Christmas Eve. WOW. What a wild ride. There has not been ONE day since Oct 25th that I have not crocheted in almost every free moment. I absolutely love crocheting but I have to tell ya, I am excited to take a few days off. I am also excited to have the chance to crochet without a deadline! I am looking forward to trying some of the projects I have been saving for "when I have time." I know my daughter, Brittany, is also looking forward to making her self some things.

I think I will start my Christmas list for next year now. I have some ideas and that way I could work on a project or two a month and not have so many at the end. YEAH RIGHT! like I will remember to do that! Well I will try....

I also have a friend who is due in the summer. I will start working on something for her little one as soon as I find out whether it is a boy or girl! I am excited about making something for a baby! I haven't made any baby things yet.

Merry Christmas!

Amigurumi Creations

I wanted to crochet presents for my best friend and her family. She has 7 kids so Amigurumi seemed perfect for some of them! I already had decided to make their youngest an alien. I had fallen in love with this little guy and had to make it for someone!



I asked her what her other youngest boys' favorite animals were. I got Monkey and Hippo. YEAH! I love both of those animals. I found only two hippo patterns and decided on this one. I think he came out really cute:



check out his expression:



I found a few free patterns for monkeys and few cute patterns to buy. I also got two books that had patterns of monkeys. I started one but didn't end up liking him very much. (although we had lots of fun hitting people over the head with a detached monkey arm! And the kids use his arm as a microphone now) I finally decided to mix and match my favorite parts of patterns and add a few of my own things. I ended up REALLY REALLY becoming fond of this guy. He was hard to send away. :-) I will have to make another one for our family real soon! LOL

Christmas meme

I saw this on my friend Danielle's page and, although I've done it before, I wanted to do it again! I love reading other people's answers too!


1. Eggnog or Hot chocolate? both

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? he never wraps them here.

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white? Colored on our tree. none on our house this year.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? there is some in nearby trees!

5. When do you put your decorations up? We try to do it the weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Cranberry Salad

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Christmas in California with it warm outside. Not really favorite memory, but a memory, nonetheless.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I have always known Santa is awesome!

9. So do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? usually

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? special ornaments that the children have made, friends have made or special ornaments that have been given to us. It looks very eclectic but it is very special.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it? Love love love it.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes...But it has been a very long time.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? not really

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Remembering not only the birth of Jesus, but what he lived and died for.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? It has to be pumpkin pie with cool whip. What else is there to have? (I like Danielle's answer)

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? wow, I like a lot of them. Going to Rhema to see the lights, driving around looking at lights, our nativities that the kids play with, singing Carols with the kids, making Christmas cookies and decorating them on Christmas eve.

17. What tops your Christmas tree? a crown of thorns.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? giving

19. What is you favorite Christmas song? Little drummer Boy, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Joy to the World

20. Candy canes. Yum or yuck? they are okay

21. What do you want for Christmas? peace. :-)

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? our church party

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's? this year will be church so we will be dressing up.

24. Do you own a Santa hat? no, but I got an elf hat for us this year.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? Our family celebrates in the morning by ourselves and then we are going to my mother-in-laws to celebrate with hubby's extended family. It is different every year.


I love reading everyone's answers....so join in and do it too, if you have some time!

Simple Woman's Daybook Dec 22, 2008

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FOR 22 December 08

Outside my window... it is bright and shiny. Unfortunately it is only 15 degrees with a windchill of 4.


I am thinking... how blessed we are. Hubby is home recovering from surgery, everyone is able to be home together. We are warm, cozy and full of love! Four of us are also having symptoms of sickness so we are standing on our healing!


I am thankful for... Jesus. Not just the baby in the manger. But the man who died on the cross 33 years later.


From the learning rooms... still closed. Jesse Tree is suspended due to stress. Trying to read Christmas stories every day.


From the kitchen... red beans and rice for lunch, chicken and wild rice for lunch (guess it's gonna be a ricey day)


I am wearing... capri sweatpants and a blue sweatshirt with flowers


I am creating... Emily's Christmas present and finishing up Britty's present. Also making my friends' presents.


I am going... to drop off a trach aspirate (don't ask what that is, you don't want to know) at Kaedra's doctor and picking KD up some Tylenol.


I am reading... A Sounding Brass by Shelley Bates and Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee. I am reading Spiritual Authority with Brody from church.


I am hoping praying... everyone feels better soon! I also have a good friend who traveled out of town for a house closing. I am praying they have favor and that they have everything they need when they need it and that everything goes smoothly!


I am hearing... three children crying!?!?


Around the house... Brittany is upstairs reading, Ethan is asking for more milk, Kaedra is waiting for my nails to dry to put on her pants, Emily is playing spygirl and Michael is watching court TV. They just got done making a gingerbread house.


One of my favorite things... is purple. Purple anything. OOOH a purple platypus would be cool...


A few plans for the rest of the week: work on projects, church on Wednesday night, Michael's mom's house on Thursday evening. Hopefully some time with Sherria.


Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Making a gingerbread house!

Easy, Quick, Mindless Poncho...did I mention Cute?

I found a few ponchos and shawls that I wanted to make for Kaedra (my 4 year old), but I really needed something that was easy, quick and mindless. Something I could do while doing thirty other things. I found this pattern:



I did it with an "h" hook but kept almost everything else the same. I didn't put the fun fur at the top because I didn't want it inhibiting her trach. It came out great! I can't wait to take a picture with her in it. (but that will have to be after Christmas!)



I plan to make me one when I have some time. I thought maybe in this yarn:

Inability to stick with patterns

I don't have many actively crocheting friends so I don't have anyone to ask, but I am hoping this is a normal malady -- I seem to be unable to stick with patterns! I search and search for patterns and then end up mixing and matching several to make what I want! Well, at least I am able to eventually get what I want! LOL. I don't know who to credit with the final product, though, seeing as I have used AT LEAST 2 patterns for each of my recent creations! Some of them I have taken from up to 4 patterns! And at what point do they become my pattern?

Such are the random thoughts of a new crochet addict.

Trip to North Pole?

So Kaedra was acting up this morning and I said "do you want to go see Santa?" in a "if you don't act nice, you won't get to see him" voice. She said, "YES!" I said, "then you better be good."
A few minutes later she said, "I get out at North Pole? I get out to see Santa at North Pole?"

Heehee.



It ended up Bass Pro was nearer.

Michael in surgery

Surprise!

Yes, another thing for which I didn't plan. This HAS to stop happening! LOL

Michael's stomach started really hurting last night and he ended up throwing up several times. He took just about everything in our medicine cabinet and we prayed over it, of course. He ended up going in to work thinking that maybe he could "walk it off." Soon he was in the emergency room. His blood pressure had skyrocketed and he was a bit freaked as well as still not feeling well. They did an EKG and took blood and found that nothing was wrong with his heart at all. They did an ultrasound on his gall bladder and found that he had stones.



They decided to admit him today. They wanted to keep him overnight to make sure nothing was wrong with his heart and to see if they could find someone to take the gall bladder out. Apparently they found someone, they are taking it out as we speak.

I am not at the hospital. Sherria (the only adult that knows how to take care of Kaedra) is at work so I am here with the kids. Michael brothers are at the hospital with him and are keeping me informed. I am going to go back up tonight after Sherria gets off of work.

Okay, that is all for now. I am expecting only good reports and am not worried at all. We have prayed and believe we have received and I am just looking forward to him feeling better and being home!

Making Arm Warmers

While out with Sherria (my niece) on her b'day, we discovered some arm warmers at Target. They were very cute and fuzzy. I told her not to buy them, I would make her some. I have searched and searched online and didn't really like anything I found. My favorite one was at this blog. I couldn't get it to work with the fuzzy yarn I had, though. In the end, I am just winging it. I love how the first one came out. I am hoping to match the second one (I didn't write it down as I went) Pictures to follow...

Simple Woman's Daybook Dec 16, 2008

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FOR 16 December 2008...

Outside my window... snow in patches on my grass, it is grey and cold and dreary

I am thinking...that this is far too late in the season for allergies.

I am thankful for... Michael having today off and for his "new" job still giving him 2 days off a week during the holidays

From the learning rooms... they are still closed until after the new year. However, we are doing our Jesse Tree and reading from Christmas books.

From the kitchen... absolutely nothing yet. Kitchen is still closed this morning.

I am wearing... capri sweats and a flowered t-shirt

I am creating... still working on Christmas presents but I am mostly done with the out of town people. Now I just have my own family and some friends here. I still can't tell you what they are. Since they are presents, I can't share. :-) After the holidays I will have a new blog with my new hobby and it will show what I have been working on.

I am going... probably nowhere today. It is very icy.

I am reading...Double Blind by Hannah Alexander

I am hoping... to get done with all my presents soon. I am also hopingpraying it will be a better day today.

I am hearing... Ethan squeal.

Around the house...kids are making Christmas cards.

One of my favorite things... reading and watching movies on cold stormy days.

A few plans for the rest of the week: none at the moment. The kids want to see Santa so we should do it this week before everyone is out of school. Amanda is coming for dinner Thursday night. I think that's about it! oh and finishing up my Christmas presents and wrapping everything. (notice I said "wrapping" not "rapping:" I made Christmas presents, yes I did, I made them for each and every kid, We celebrate Christmas by remembering Jesus, In Him we live and move and trust!" That was my Christmas rap for your enjoyment. :-)


Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Brittany's hand in 1998 and now.

"Church Soup"

Since today is "Church Day" it seems appropriate to have the soup we call "Church Soup!" Especially since the kids are in the Christmas program tonight and we only have a few hours between the church services. Michael asked, very nicely, if we could try to eat sometime before 9:30pm so I am accommodating him. Aren't I a great wife? Heehee.

This soup is SOOOOO good and SOOOOO easy, I had to share the recipe with y'all. In case you have these kind of days and need something quick and easy and yummy!!

Church Soup

1 can ranch style beans
1 can minestrone soup
1 can beef broth
1 lb. ground beef cooked
1 can rotel (diced tomatoes and green chili) (you can just get diced tomatoes if you don't want the spice)

Mix all together and warm.

My notes:
~I usually cook my ground beef with a little diced onion and garlic.
~I highly recommend doubling it, you will want leftovers

That's it!


Oh yeah....
1 more step......


ENJOY!!

Changing my mind about the hat

Couldn't get the spiral pattern of that hat to work. I am frustrated and I need to be working quicker (Brittany is gone today and I need to get the bulk of her presents done while she is gone). I am switching to plan B, er Hat B.

My favorite Newsboy Pattern

I have searched and searched for a good newsboy hat for Brittany. This is my favorite. I haven't made it yet, so I don't know how well it will work, but it looks very cute! I am going to start it today while she is gone and hopefully get most of it done tomorrow before she gets back.

Posting Pics

Okay, I am posting pictures of my completed projects in the sidebar. I don't have them all there yet, but there is a sampling of things I have done in the last 6 weeks. I will try to eventually link them to where I got the patterns or ideas. If it links to a book, I got the pattern from the book.
The beanies I pretty much did free form, so there is no link. I will post my pattern at some point.

Thanksgiving Placemants

We wove some Thanksgiving placemats for our Dinner decorations. Brittany had decorated the house while Kaedra was in the hospital. She had put up loops of Thanksgiving colors in a chain. It was very pretty. She has bunch of paper leftover that she had already cut into pieces, so we used that for our placemats. It might just have been the easiest craft ever!

Friday Fill-ins #3

1. Friends are blessings in my life each and every day. They are like presents God gives me, each one unique and different and oh-so special. I cherish my friends dearly.

2. Good health; it's becoming a priority for me.

3. I'm ready for whatever the Lord has in store for me!

4. My husband's Hugo is one of my favorite perfumes or aftershaves or smells. In face, when he goes away, he sprays my teddy bear with it, for me.

5. The oldest ornament I have is --wow, I have many old ornaments. I wouldn't even be able to tell you! I inherited all of my grandma's ornaments. I have some really precious ones in there.

6. Take some Kahri and Michael, 4 kids and lots of laughter , mix it all together and you have our home sweet home.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to playing Bunco with my homeschool group, tomorrow my plans include working on Brittany's Christmas present while she is gone and Sunday, I want to go to church twice and enjoy the Children's program and teen skit!

Cell phones and water don't mix!

I love my cell phone. It isn't fancy or anything like that. But my friends live in it, it takes great pictures, it alarms all day for different Kaedra events and it has a built in mirror. What more could a girl want?

So, people who know me in person know I always have a large cup of water near me. My cups come from the hospital and have lids and a straw.


At night, I take my cup of water upstairs with me as well as my phone, which has an alarm that awakes me in the morning before the nurses need to leave. I usually turn the alarm off and place my phone on top of my cup so I don't forget it when I come downstairs.

Yesterday morning, my cup didn't have the top on it.

you know where this is going, don't you?

Yup, I turned off the alarm and plopped my cell phone directly into my huge cup of water. I immediately got it out and started trying to shake the water out and praying over it. After I came downstairs I took the battery out and kept shaking it. Michael researched online what would help and it really did work. My phone is back to 100%!!!! I want to post it here for anyone else who needs help drying out their phone!

Here is how to do it

Two notes:
1. Take your battery out IMMEDIATELY. I didn't do that. I was blessed and it is okay anyway, but you need to do that FIRST!

2. There may be a little circle on the inside of your phone (near your battery) that will tell you if your phone is water damaged or not. The circle is supposed to be white. If you have water damage the circle will turn red. I just wanted to give you hope. My circle is red, but my phone works fine! :-)

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Lights at rhema

Simple Woman's Daybook Dec 8, 2008

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FOR TODAY 8 December 2008...
Outside my window.... dusk, a pretty sunset, swaying trees.

I am thinking... that it's still a long way to bed.

I am thankful for... my kid's getting along and liking each other. For them playing so well together and preferring each other's company and the company of their family.

From the learning rooms... they are closed down for a month, but we are still reading everyday (right now, Max Lucado's An Angel Story), doing crafts, keeping up with Emily's reading and math, exercising, and lots of reading

From the kitchen... roast, potatoes, carrots, and rolls. Still deciding on the veggies

I am wearing... sweats and a long sleeve t-shirt

I am creating... lots of cool presents! I can't wait to get back to them. It is hard to put them down.

I am going... to enjoy tonight with my family playing games and watching a movie with hubby.

I am reading... An Angel's Story by Max Lucado

I am hoping... to be done with presents by next week (for out of towners) so I can send them. Actually this week would be even better! :-)

I am hearing... dog softly growling, Brittany cleaning up, Kaedra and Emily playing, my fingers tapping the keyboard

Around the house... It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

One of my favorite things... Reading books to my family

A few plans for the rest of the week: Michael is off 3 1/2 days before Sunday!! How awesome is that? So I plan to spend lots of time with him! I think we are going to go look at the lights at Rhema, drive around and see lights, rent some more Christmas movies, play some games, just have a wonderful time with my family

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Emily a few years ago, as an angel...doesn't she look angelic?

Upside Down

Got this from a friend today, I hope you take the time to watch it...


Upside Down from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

Friday Fill-ins #2

1. Snow is meant for skiing, sledding and playing in.


2. I'm looking forward to where do I start? I am looking forward to everything!! God has great plans for me and I am looking forward to walking them out!


3. Being a wife and mom is the best job ever!


4. One of my favorite old tv shows is Quincy.


5. I'm done with drama.


6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is a whole month to concentrate on giving.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a date with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include a Christmas party, prayer at church and the big OU game and Sunday, I want to enjoy church with my family and relax with my hobby in between!

Join us with your Friday Fill-ins!

Brag on my husband time...

So Michael called me this morning to tell me that he is going to have to start working overnights in January. He said it would hopefully only be for 3 months. Three months sounds like forever to me.

(For those of you who don't know me well. I really like my husband. I mean, really really like him. He is my favorite person to be with. And I really don't like not seeing him. I'm just funny that way.)

So, I was trying to be stoic and not sound upset. Of course, it didn't work and as we got off the phone, he must have heard the crack in my voice. He called me back about 10 minutes later.

The man is awesome.

He reminded me of all the good things God has done for us. He reminded me that we have favor. He reminded me of God's love and God's provision. And through it all Michael's love for me was just shining through.

How wonderful to be loved so much by a man who loves God so much.

Posting this song for him, it is one of his favorites:

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Have you ever REALLY paid attention to these words? They are truly awesome. This isn't my favorite Christmas carol, but it is very close. I have to say that these are my favorite lyrics of a Christmas carol.

Here is the story being the song...
Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.
from Carols.org

And here are the lyrics:


Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hark the herald angels sing

And in case you don't want to sing it yourself, here's Jewel to do the honors...

Lookie here!

I got an award!! A new friend blessed me with this award and I am so touched! thank you so much! The first time I had ever heard from her was this award...it was a great way to meet a new person, let me tell ya! :-)


According to her blog, "This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

So now I have the hard task of picking 8 writers. I am going to concentrate on the word "charming" and "aim to find and be friends."
1. Penless Writer: They may have written the award specifically for Susan's blog. There is no other blog that fits the criteria as well.
2. The Zandi Zoo: Although she is my best friend and I would always read her because of that, I promise that's not why she is getting the award. I really love what she has to say and her children's blog entries are certainly charming!
3. South Breeze Farm: this is where I got the Thanksgiving Challenge. Leah's blog is funny and I am enjoying reading it.
4. The World I live In: Cindy's blog is wonderful to listen to and it fits the rest of the criteria, too!
5. My Tiggery Life: Denise's blog draws you in and makes you feel like you are right there with her.
6. 24/7 Low Carb Diner: I love Lisa's recipes as well as her way of writing. Makes you feel like you she is a special friend, helping you through your journey. (which she is, but that is beside the point)
7. Just a Little House: Julie's blog is fun, interesting, full of great ideas and just makes you want to hang out with her.
8. the garber family: a sweet, loving, Christ oriented blog that I always feel blessed after reading.


Okay, those are my choices. That was grueling. Now I bequeath that challenge to y'all. It is my Christmas gift to you....MWAHAHAHAHA..

Simple Woman's Daybook Dec 1, 2008

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FOR the first day of December 2008
Outside my window... Darkness, reflection on the pond and little waterfall

I am thinking... that this has been a great day.

I am thankful for... new ideas for how to keep Christ in the season of Christmas.

From the learning rooms...they are all quiet at this point.

From the kitchen... I am reheating some "church soup" and Brittany is getting hubby a piece of pecan pie

I am wearing...an argyle shirt with a white button down under it, jeans

I am creating... my control journal, Christmas presents, A Jesse Tree, A Birthday box for Jesus

I am going... to bed soon

I am reading... Understanding: How to fight the good fight of faith by Kenneth E. Hagin

I am hoping... to get a babysitter on Friday night

I am hearing... a movie

Around the house... Kaedra is watching the Grinch with her nurse, Michael and Brittany are watching a movie, Emily is going to bed and Ethan is asleep

One of my favorite things... Raindrops on roses :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Put up the tree tomorrow, church on Weds, Friend over for dinner on Thursday, Out with hubby on Friday?

Here is picture thought I am sharing..


.

Today is the Day

Just heard this song for the first time tonight and I love it! It is so *me*!

End of Thanksgiving Challenge

Just got done with the Thanksgiving Challenge. I loved doing it. Thank you to Southbreeze farm for suggesting it!

Just in case you didn't see it on my sidebar, here is what I was thankful for this last month:


I am thankful for...
1. Fall, pumpkins and bags of candy
2. home church and a day home altogether
3. Election Lapbook
4. The right to vote
5. Sweet children
6. Kaedra and her many healings
7. Kaedra getting her picc line out
8. My girls' best friends.
9. the talent at my church
10. a new school week
11. My wonderful grandmother and her influence on me
12. My husband's day off and a new budget plan
13. a new nurse.
14. a friend's new pregnancy!
15. A weekend day that seemed like one
16. the Word
17. A Great day of School
18. A Husband who adores me
19. A Church that teaches the Word
20. My niece, Sherria
21. A system that, for the most part, works
22. A Clean house
23. Music that praises and worships the Lord
24. Michael's job
25. Marrying into a family where I get a great friend in the deal
26. an impromptu field trip
27. Our Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth
28. Friends that know me really well
29. Bountiful amounts of food
30. A strong marriage

Friday Fill-ins

This is my first time doing Friday fill-ins. I hope your father feels better, Janet. Thank you for the meme!

1. My stomach is queasy for some reason.


2. Cranberry Salad is what I ate the most of on Thursday.


3. The yard is covered with leaves and rather messy.


4. Home is where I'd rather be at any given time.


5. The smell of pumpkin reminds me of fall.


6. A steady tummy is what I need right now!


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with Paula this morning, putting up our tree this afternoon, tomorrow my plans include cleaning house and working on Christmas presents and Sunday, I want to praise the Lord!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to my wonderful friends! I hope you all have had a blessed day and that you have a joyous holiday season.

I know this is "old school" but there is no better "Thanksgiving Song" that I can think of, than this one:



Thankful Heart by Petra
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving Craft

Ethan has one too, but tore it off and refused to wear it. Oh well. :-(

Give Thanks

Why I started Crocheting again

Kaedra, my daughter, was recently in the hospital for pneumonia. I stayed with her the whole time, which ended up being a week. I kept wishing that I had some crochet with me to work on. I had some un-finished projects at home, but none of them interested me anymore. I didn't really have time to find a new project and go get the yarn and hooks and take them up there. It was driving me crazy. For some reason, I couldn't get crocheting off my mind.

Once we got home, I think within 24 hours, I had found some projects and started crocheting. I decided to make all my friends and family crocheted items for Christmas. I have been working non-stop since then and have virtually forgotten to read! I am not going to make this blog public yet because I don't want my best friend to see what I have made for her and her family. :-) I will have to make it public after Christmas.

I have a list of projects I want to do that's about a mile long. I am going to have to figure out how to get stock in a yarn company. Right now, Brittany and I are dreaming of going to a yarn store....we are hooked. HAHAH. Okay, dumb crochet joke. I have come up with a lot of those lately too. :-)

Anyway, this is a place where I am going to share what I have made, what I hope to make and what I am working on. I have recently discovered a love of crochet blogs. I love seeing the cute projects people have done! I hope that my blog inspires people as well! :-)

Simple Woman's Daybook Nov 24

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FOR November 24, 2008...

Outside my window... calm peaceful scenery, a pond that looks like glass, a (still) green field and a pretty white picket fence

I am thinking...of all the ways I am thankful to God. Of all the wonderful things God has done for us. Of endless blessings and an abundant life in His promises.

I am thankful for...My husband and all the hard work he does, my family and how we love to be together and work together and play together

From the learning rooms...nothing yet, but soon you will hear Thanksgiving hymns, you will see Thanksgiving crafts and you will hear verses about Thanksgiving being read.

From the kitchen... spiced chai latte in my cup, 3 envelope roast in the crockpot

I am wearing... my pink nightie with flip flops on it.

I am creating... a myriad of Christmas presents.

I am going...to run by church and drop off some things. To go to Walmart and pick something up.

I am reading...Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets and Created to be His Helpmeet.

I am hoping... my hubby has a blessed day at work, the Zandis have fun at Knott's Berry Farm, our day is peaceful and joyous

I am hearing...Emily's incessant sweet-chatter, Ethan's bottle almost emptied, Kaedra's little giggles, Brittany upstairs on the squeaky floor

Around the house...my room needs to be cleaned and clothes put away, we are going to decorate for Thanksgiving, our dog is being fed.

One of my favorite things...Peace and joy in a new morning

A few plans for the rest of the week: Cooking for ourselves on Thanksgiving, some of the family going to Mother in law's while Kaedra and I stay here (she can't be around smoke), decorating Christmas tree on Friday after Michael gets home from work and takes a nap (he has to be at work at 3am)


Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Kaedra decorated our faces!

We give Thanks.

Give Me Your Eyes

After going to the Twilight midnight movie last night (which I will write more about later) and people watching/hearing for 2 hours, this video is really hitting me this morning. I realize that I didn't have "HIS" eyes last night. What would I have done differently? I can't think of anything right off hand, but it does make me think.....What did I miss?

Daybook Entry for Nov 17th

From The Simple Woman's Daybook

For the 17th Day of November
Outside my window...beautiful leaves, sparkling pond, birds playing
I am thinking...of how beautiful fall is
I am thankful for...so very many blessings
From the learning rooms...Brittany is reading about Women during the American Revolution, Emily is practicing her reading and getting ready to learn about Ben Franklin
From the kitchen...Broccoli, Potato, Cheese soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
I am wearing...capri sweatpants and a t-shirt with flowers
I am creating...lots of Christmas presents
I am going...absolutely nowhere today
I am reading...Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets
I am hoping...Michael has a peaceful day
I am hearing...Children playing
Around the house...messes are being made by little people
One of my favorite things...yarn
A few plans for the rest of the week: taking Sherria to dinner and movies on Thursday night for her B'day (which is next week), getting flu shots and going to the Social Security office for Brittany
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
a picture Brittany painted.

It's the Year of Jubilee!

God has brought this song into my life lately. I first heard it a few weeks ago and, since then, it keeps coming into my life and mind. Today we even sang it at church for the first time! The Holy Spirit is really speaking something to me!

Days of Elijah

Pumpkin Spice Muffins Saga

I had a can of Pumpkin Pie Mix in my pantry and I really wanted some Pumpkin Muffins this morning. Seemed like an easy enough deal.

So I start searching on the web for Pumpkin Pie Mix + Muffins. Hmmmmmm. Harder than I thought. Especially since a lot of the recipes I found said NOT "pumpkin pie mix."

I found a great looking recipe for Pumpkin Oat Muffins but it was a vegan recipe and I didn't have any of the special ingredients and didn't want to keep finding substitutes. I did find a recipe that said you could mix Pumpkin Pie Mix and Spice Cake to make muffins. I knew we didn't have any spice cake mix, so I kept looking. Another recipe I found (on the Libby's site) sounded great but needed baking mix. I only have 1 cup of baking mix at the moment. I also found substitutions for baking mix but didn't want to use ALL my flour for making the baking mix! Apparently you have to make baking mix in large quantities.

Not one to give up, but also not one to waste ingredients by trying to create things that might not work, I kept looking. Nada. Nothing. Okay, back to my pantry. Maybe I had some pumpkin hidden somewhere. nope. WAIT. Is that Spice Cake??? Where on Earth did I get spice cake? And Why? Okay, who cares, back to the 'net. Let's find that recipe again.

Guess what. Yup, couldn't find it.

Okay, there has GOT to be a recipe on here with pumpkin pie mix and spice cake. I eventually found one. I did. I actually found several. I decided on one I liked but still had to substitute things and I ended up combining a few different recipes. The batter was delicious. I mean, take a spoon and eat it all up delicious. (not really a good idea with raw eggs, I know) Luckily, the baked muffins were just as good. :-)

So, here is my made-up, spliced together, substituted recipe.


1 box of spice cake
1 30oz can Pumpkin Pie Mix
1 3.4 oz box butterscotch pudding
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
2 tbs. sour cream
1/2 c. veg. oil
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
brown sugar

Mix cake mix, pudding and pumpkin pie spice. In separate bowl mix pumpkin pie mix, sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and oil. Combine the two mixes and stir until well mixed. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. If desired, sprinkle tops with brown sugar. For small muffins bake in a 350 degree oven for approx 25 minutes. For large muffins bake in a 350 degree oven for approx 30-35 min. (or until toothpick comes out clean)

Yummy!!!
Got lots of oohs and aaahs.
We will definitely be making this one again.

Amazing Lilly

Check out this little girl, Lilly, who knows more places on the map than my whole family combined. She was 23 months old when this was made!



Guess who's putting a map up at a lower level, very soon???

Easy Test Maker

Just found a great online test maker. I used it to make Brittany's vocabulary test. I have to tell ya, I haven't been big on giving Brittany tests up until this year (except for spelling tests). I didn't really see the point; I knew exactly how well she was doing. I have given her a few open-book in the past, but no other kinds. This year, I realized I needed to get her ready for high school. She took a short answer test about a month ago and did great - a 96%. Tomorrow she has a vocabulary test. I was just about to get started making it on MS Word when I decided to search online. The first site I found, Easy Test Maker, is great! I just made her a 50 question test. 25 Multiple choice, 23 matching and 2 short answer. It was quick, it was easy and it saves it for me! (did I mention it was free???) I highly recommend it!

I'm not sure how well Brittany will like it...I'll let ya know. ;-)

What is Blogging?

Brittany has to write a poem today called a "Definition Poem." She is struggling with it. I am trying not to give her too many ideas. So, I decided to jot my own poem down to keep out of her hair.

What is my Blog?

• An opportunity to be creative
• A way of keeping in touch with friends
• A journal of events
• A living testimony of God's goodness
• A list of movies we've seen
• A way to meet new friends
• Prayers
• A place to keep my friend's blogs
• A soapbox
• A place to be silly
• A place to share videos that amuse or touch me
• My personality manifested

That is my blog.

Kaedra's Fourth Birthday

I want to write something really wonderful and sappy about how blessed we are to have her and that she defied all the odds and that doctors said she would never walk, talk or have any kind of quality of life and how wonderful she is and how wonderful God is.

However, the blessed child wants me to play Hungry Hungry Hippo, AGAIN.

Nuff said.

What's Cooking

I just had to tell you about the wonderful smells in my kitchen:

Crockpot Chicken topped with Monterey Jack and Stuffing

and my super dee duper yummy spiced green beans (that Michael doesn't like but he's closing tonight so we are going to have them!)

saute green beans in olive oil
add garlic powder
italian seasoning
and allspice.
Saute until crispy.

Oh my.....my kitchen smells fantastic.

C'mon over, I'll make more.

Election Lapbook Pictures

We got our election lapbooks from this wonderful site. I am so grateful to her for making this wonderful lapbook! It was a breeze to use, it looks great and I didn't have to think! WOOHOO!!!

They both have this as the cover (but we put it on the back)


Here are pics from Emily's book:



(we folded up her electoral map and put it under the map index card)

Here is Brittany's:




as you can see, Brittany has a lot more in her book. The blue vocabulary book at the top middle is taped in so it made it's own page, you can move it back and forth. She also has her map in the index card pocket and has a venn diagram (comparing and contrasting McCain and Obama) behind her candidates.