Thanksgiving Week

We made it through Thanksgiving week and now even more appreciative of everything and everyone we have been blessed with. Last Monday our next door neighbor Bary suffered a massive stroke and several ruptured brain aneurisms. He is currently on life support and fighting for his life, we are reminded once again how precious life is, and every moment is truly a gift from the Lord above, whether we acknowledge it or not, that is the truth! We are continuing in prayer for Bary and know that God is still in the business of working miracles. Him and his wife Janice have been wonderful, supportive neigbors to my grandparents for many years, and now to us.

Here are some pictures of our first hosted Thanksgiving....




We used my Grandma Clark's china and flatware that was passed down to me. I really love how it turned out with the gold chargers. Plus we have enough kids now that we could have a kids table there in the background.


Playing in the leaves


We had a "thankful tree" where we wrote out what we were thankful for on paper leaves and hanged them up


OK so we haven't perfected how to use the lighting on our camera yet, but Nathan managed to get a picture of us with all the delcious grub!

Hallelujah!

"Hallelujah" is one of those terms you hear all the time in praise and worship music. Whenever I sing it I am thinking it means the highest praise, which it is, but it also is something deeper. Here is a post from John Piper's blog on what it literally means. Very cool.


Helping You Sing “Hallelujah” with True Exuberance

The English word “hallelujah” is a transliteration of two Hebrew words, "hallelu" and "jah". The first word, "hallelu", is the second person imperative of “praise.” The second word, "jah," is the short form of "Jahweh" (or "Yahweh").

So when we say, “Hallelujah!” we are exhorting others (people and angels) to join us in praising Yahweh.

What gives a punch to my singing, “Hallelujah,” is that Jah (= Yahweh) is not a generic word for God, but the personal name of the God of Israel.

To shout, "Hallelu Jah!" — "Praise Jah" — is like standing in the council of the gods and boldly saying, “Not to you, Molech!” “Not to you, Baal!” “Not to you, Dagon!” “Not to you, Artemis!” “Not to you, Zeus!” But to Jah, and Jah alone, I give praise. And I call you to join me! Praise Jah!

And not only is Jah God’s personal name, but it is the one he gave himself to distinguish himself from all the gods. And it is thrilling in meaning.

When Moses asked God what name he should use to identify God in Egypt, God said, “I am who I am. Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

The name Yahweh is built on the words “I am”. So God put his absolute, transcendent, self-sufficient being at the center of his identity. “All the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but Yahweh made the heavens” (Psalm 96:5).

So, the next time you sing “Hallelujah” pause for a split second between “hallelu” and “Jah” and say it like a name. We praise you . . . Jah! You are above all gods . . . Jah! Join me, all you heavenly hosts, and praise . . . Jah! He is! He simply, eternally, absolutely, independently, gloriously Is! Hallelu . . . Jah!

All or Nothing?

Do you ever have so much that you want to get done, that you end up getting nothing done at all? That's how I've been feeling lately, and putting way too much pressure on myself while I'm at it. Also we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year for the first time, and I am really excited about it.

Here is a list of the things I've been wanting to do:

1. Create an amazing Thanksgiving tablescape, the likes of which have never been seen in our family (setting the bar too high perhaps? I think so)

2. Paint our front door glossy black.

3. Paint our media cabinet some other color, any other color than what it is.

4. Get a nice throw blanket for our couch to cover up stains (why is it so hard to find one?)

5. Landscape our front yard planters to avoid being the eye sore of the neighborhood.

6. Organize all of my photos into albums (yeah right! why are albums so expensive?)

7. Go thrift store shopping and create an inexpensive yet incredible new wardrobe that doesn't look cheap so people can say, "what? you got that where??)

8. Re-model both bathrooms.

9. Read a book...any book.

10. Blog all the time about all the fun, creative projects I am doing.

I could go on, but it just feels good to make a list doesn't it? At the end of the day, I know the only thing I can do is be a good mom to my kids and a good wife to my husband, and any thing else that doesn't get done....well, it's just going to have to wait.

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.
For He Himself has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you " Hebrews 13:5

Thank you Lord for that!


Here is a picture of a tired but happy mom. :)

Dance class

This week Carys got to wear her costume to dance class. Needless to say, it was pretty dang cute!

Mental Vacation

Hello Fall

Every year I want to make a fall wreath, and I never do it. Well this year is different my friends. I was able to make this baby on a small budget with my trusty glue gun. The wreath was $4, the pinecones $5, the ribbon was $2 and the little owl was maybe $2, all at Michaels. Plus I already had the burlap. Welcome Fall! Now go away 90 degree weather, I am over you.

I got this little W too but it didn't make the cut, I didn't want to over do it.


Martha Stewart is that you?! Well not really, I totally copied one of the wreath ideas here: DIY Fall Wreath Roundup

Last week we went to the pumpkin patch to buy our pumpkins...

Some were less excited about it than others.

6 Months and Solids

Charlie girl just turned 6 months old! Its such a trip how fast these little things grow isn't it? In 6 more months she'll be walking, and talking, and doing long division (almost). She just started eating solids too and is loving it. I also decided to make my own baby food and so far it is super easy. I thought it would be a pain, but it's not at all. If you have time to cook your family dinner, you have time to make your own baby food. Trust me. Plus I am saving money and its fresh. Win!


Still working on my camera's manual settings...as you can see :)


She is happy that her feet are finally touching the ground in this thing


Look! I made this. Glorious carrots.