The Year

First, let me take a minute to think about the resolutions I made last year.........huh.......huh.....I didn't really make any.

Now, let me say it's been a great year. I have enjoyed so many blessings over the past twelve months.

Here's just a few "2010" things that come to mind.

*Traveling (with family and friends)
*Surgeries (Sinus and gall bladder.... these were blessings because they were successful!)
*Great memories/times with the family
*Bible studies with special friends
*God's love, grace, and mercy

Pics of Glory and Jonah in January 2010

Have a great and safe New Year's Eve. Oh, and don't forget to get your black eyed peas!

One Blessed Family

We had such a blessed 2010 Christmas that I have delayed posting because there is so much I could and should share.  We did all the things you did......eat, open presents, remember Jesus's birth, play games, and just spend time together.

For now,  I will share these few pics. (I'll post Marilyn, her family, and Uncle Tim later; those pics are on a different camera that I will have to confiscate.)

Papa and His Kiddos

Oh, and my mom would be proud. All Christmas stuff is packed away. Will be getting it out in about ten months. Does anyone else feel like this process comes around way to quickly each year?

2011............here we come!!

Blessings!

1. These are pictures from the sunrise I mentioned a couple of days ago.

2. Lunch today with a special friend.

3. Plenty of prescribed meds today to help this "junk" go away. I already feel 100% better thanks to a shot.

4. Celebrations around the corner........so

Merry Christmas!

Where's the Line to See Jesus?

Silence my playlist at the bottom and listen to one of my newest favorite songs. We were blessed with it this past Sunday morning. Even if you've heard it before take a few minutes to do so again.

Free Random Stuff

First bit of randomness......I just came across a very generous offer for free sewing patterns! Just go to HomeSpun Threads, where all the patterns are free. Not sure how long this will last, but it's a great deal if you need some projects!

**************

Second bit.......These bring me simple moments of pleasure five or ten minutes at a time.

Third bit of randomness....this video which my brother sent me. Family and friends...please watch "Old Barns and Old People" (silence my music first).

And finally.....

I'm watching the sunrise this morning. Absolutely breathtaking! Enjoy the beautiful day God has given us!

 Annual Girly Party

Keelie hosted her annual girls' Christmas party last night. It's such a treat. She prepares the main YUMMY food! We also do a cookie exchange. Marilyn always brings everyone homemade jellies (that's what's in the wire basket on the table). We do a small gift exchange and play a couple of games as well. Miss Glory got to participate this year. Oh, and one of the best things we now always do......come in comfy PJs or the likes there of!

My kind of fun.......family, friends, and food!

(some of the treats)

(my family)

Once upon a time......

Happy Anniversary, Rick.

"I've thought about how long I'll love you.....And it's only fair that you know, forever's as far as I'll go."

Christmas All Year

I love this by Charles Swindoll. I hope it blesses you!

Matthew 1-2

Have you ever thought about giving something away every day of the year leading up to Christmas? These daily gifts could be called our "Christmas projects," one per day, every day till Christmas. Just think of the fun of being able to say "Merry Christmas" in July! 

Here are a few suggestions: 

Mend a quarrel. 

Seek out a forgotten friend. 

Write a long overdue love note. 

Hug someone tightly and whisper, "I love you so." 

Forgive an enemy. 

Be gentle and patient with an angry person. 

Gladden the heart of a child. 

Find the time to keep a promise. 

Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously. 

Release a grudge. 

Listen. 

Speak kindly to a stranger. 

Enter into another's sorrow. 

Smile. 

Laugh a little. 

Laugh a little more. 

Take a walk with a friend. 

Lessen your demands on others. 

Play some beautiful music during the evening meal. 

Apologize if you were wrong. 

Turn off the television and talk. 

Treat someone to an ice-cream cone (yogurt would be fine). 

Do the dishes for the family. 

Pray for someone who helped you when you hurt. 

Fix breakfast on Saturday morning. 

Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly. 

Encourage an older person. 

Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or live near. 

Offer to babysit for a weary mother. 

Let's make Christmas one long, extended gift of ourselves to others. Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or hypocrisy.

This is Christianity, isn't it? 

When you give yourself, the gift never has to be returned.

The list goes on and on. Make it a great day!


And....Happy 9th Anniversary to Justin and Keelie.

"The Gift" for Girls' Outing 

The girls ( and one special little guy) had a Christmas outing yesterday. We went to Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano again this year to see their Christmas Pageant. It is always such a blessing!

Jonah's comments kept me smiling before and during the show.

Before:
Nanna, are we going to get to see what God and Jesus really look like?
Hey, will Santa be here?
What about the reindeer?
Will Jesus be big or little?
Is it time to start?

During:
Why do those angels keep coming down?
That's the real Santa, isn't it?! (He came down from the rafters in a sleigh.)
Look, Nanna. Frosty!
Why are Joseph and Mary so still?
That's a real horse.
Hey, Nanna, can we go camping in two weeks?
When is Jesus going to grow up?

He smiled, conducted the orchestra music, clapped, sang, and took in SO much.

As we left the church, he even noticed that way up in the top of the church foyer his name "JONAH" was there (biblical characters in glass). It just amazes me what little ones pick up and notice. He blesses my heart!

FA LA LA...... FRIDAY

* A Christmas Luncheon at work

* Keelie made chicken tacos for us last night (She's the best cook!)

* More Christmas lights with Keelie, Jonah, and Glory

"Never let your praying knees get 

lazy and love like crazy"

These words in the following popular song always jump out at me. I think the two lines speak volumes! 

In fact...I love the whole song!

Love Like Crazy

(Lee Brice)

They called them crazy when they started out
Said seventeen's too young to know what love's about
they've been together fifty-eight years now
that's crazy

he brought home sixty-seven bucks a week
bought a little two bedroom house on maple street
where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed
now thats crazy

just ask him how he did it
he'll say pull up a seat
it'll only take a minute
to tell you everything

be a best friend
tell the truth
and over use i love you
and go to work
do your best
don't out smart your common sense
never let your praying knees get lazy
and love like crazy

they called him crazy when he quit his job
they said them home computers,
boy that'll never take off
well he sold his one man shop to Microsoft
and they paid like crazy

just ask him how he made it
he'll tell you faith and sweat
and a heart of a faithful woman
who never let him forget

be a best friend
tell the truth
and over use i love you
and go to work
do your best
don't out smart your common sense
never let your praying knees get lazy
and love like crazy

always treat your woman like a lady
never get to old to call her baby
never let your praying knees get lazy
and love like crazy 

they called him crazy when they started out
they've been together 58 years now
ain't that crazy

Have a great Friday and love like crazy!

Gotta Love Them!

A Sure Thing...You Need It!

Oh my gosh....These are so good!!!  The bonus is there are no fancy ingredients. You can probably make them without even going to the store. I did. Well, except I was a few pecans short. So I just crushed some almonds and threw them in with the pecans. YUM! (Here's what mine looked like before I cut them in squares with my pizza cutter.)

Cleta Bailey's Toffee Squares

Ingredients

• 2 sticks Butter
• 1 cup Packed Brown Sugar
• 1 whole Egg
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla
• 2 cups All-purpose Flour
• 2 cups Chocolate Chips (milk Or Semi-sweet)
• ¾ cups Finely Chopped Pecans

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and flour and mix until combined. Spread on cookie sheet with an offset spatula until thin. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle on chocolate chips. Return to oven for 1 minute. Remove from oven and spread chocolate thinly over the cookie layer.

Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Cut into squares.


I first heard of these through Pioneer Woman. Well, say no more. 

Blessed at a Mall Food Court

If you haven't seen this, watch just a couple of minutes at least. If you have seen it, well...I watched it several times! (Go down and turn off my music first.)

Lifetime and Lights

Have you had one of these? I got one recently. I'm talking about a great unexpected treat!

Mine was the chance to curl up on the couch to watch a Christmas Lifetime movie and enjoy the tree.

AWE...SOME!

"Let There Be Peace..."

".....and Let It Begin With Me."

It's All about Him! Marilyn, my sister, said it so well she is my guest writer for the day!

It's All about Him!
Marilyn, my sister, said it so well she is my guest writer for the day!

Last year, the week of Thanksgiving in our Victory SS Class an extreme need was brought to our attention. We had a handicapped, widow lady that was living in a house that was BAD. I will not dwell on this, other than our class was convicted to do something about this. Our SS teacher became our fearless leader. Praise God for Godly teachers.

One year and one week later we are handing over the keys to a brand new house built by God's people. God says that he gives different talents to others, and we are all different parts of the body to be one. This house is God's way of showing this. Many people and businesses donated materials, time, food, money, and talents for this to come to fruition. I am very careful about what I write, because I do not want us to take any of the credit. It is truly "All about Him." God just allowed us to do His work for Him for us to receive the blessings.