Friday, November 30, 2012

Friday Letters

Dear Christmas Cookies,
You are really not good for me. Please stop tempting me.
After I eat this one.



Dear Grocery Shopping,
You are so exhausting.
The planning, the shopping, the unloading.
Let's make the hubby do it next month.
Deal?



Dear Pinterest,
Thanks for making me laugh this week.
I needed it.



Dear Christmas Card Writers,
I found this vintage card at a local thrift store.
It's is going to go to a new special friend.
Isn't it pretty?



Dear Erin,
You are my hero for what you are doing for little Isaac Strong.
Rock on, girlfriend.





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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Generous Tuesday - Cancer Battle

Did you know that today is Generous Tuesday?

Yeah, me neither.

I learned of it from Sara over at
It's Good To Be Queen
and Hannah at
Happy Days.

It's when you look for opportunities to help others.
It can be anything from making dinner for your elderly neighbor, taking the kids so the frazzled mamma can get an afternoon to herself, to volunteering at your local shelter.
The sky is the limit.

Go here if you want to learn more about it.


I have decided that I am going to join with Erin
over at Living In Yellow to help the family of a little
boy named Isaac who is battling cancer.



Isaac was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor last year.
He overcame.
He became a cancer survivor.

Until now.
Now the cancer is back.
Not just back....but back with vengeance...all over his spine and brain.


I read through his parent's journal.
My heart was breaking.


 I am so thankful for Erin jumping right in to find something that can be done for this family.
She is talking about it and what you can do to help over at her blog.

One thing that is needed is monetary help for the family.

Erin set up a donation widget for those of you who want to help out the family.
Here is what she said about it:

"Monetary Donations.
I realize that no amount of money is going to heal Isaac and his family's heartache right now.
But it can help alleviate the stresses of every day life.
All I am asking from you is a $5 donation.
I wanted to ask for $1, but this widget doesn't allow $1. Smart widget I suppose.  
Listen up--thousands of you show up to this blog daily (why I am not sure, but today I am extremely grateful). If those of you who can afford $5 today are willing to give....we can make a HUGE dent in their financial needs. Here is how the money will be broken down:
The first part of the money will go towards gifts for Isaac and his two siblings. You all made it pretty clear that you want to make sure this Christmas knocks all of the others out of the water.
We want to make sure it does as well.
The second way the money will be spent is on gas gift cards. Traveling to and from the hospital can get dang expensive and we don't want them to have to worry about it.
The third portion of the funds will be used to have food catered in from local restaurants.
Good, quality, nourishing, hot meals. At their doorstop.
Donating is simple by using this little tool below.
You can also click on "add to site" and you will be able to add it to your blog if you so desire.
The more people spreading the word...the more blessings we can give" 
So I am setting up the donation widget here on my site also.
If you feel lead to donate, please do.

I ask that you please pray for this family.
And all the families who are heartbroken in the wake of this disease.

Let's flood the throne room of Heaven for little Isaac.
Let's also show his family the love of Christ in the terrible time.






Monday, November 26, 2012

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Ahhh...Christmas.
It is my absolute most favorite time of the year.

I love the decorating, the baking, the traditions.
The chaos.
With our brood there is always a fair amount of pandemonium this time of year.
But I love it.
Remind me of that in a couple of weeks, ok?

 Our family always waits until after Thanksgiving
to get busy with the Christmas decorating
and shopping and holiday music.

And since Thanksgiving is now over, we can get to the good stuff.


Oh, wait. Thanksgiving had the good stuff.
Banana pudding.
That was my husbands choice for a Thanksgiving dessert.
It didn't even last the day.
I barely got any.
I think I will make another one and hide it away.



With Thanksgiving behind us, we decided to go ahead
and get the house decorated for Christmas this weekend.

Everyone voted on the color scheme for the tree.
Trina was the loser, she was the only one who voted for blue and gold.
The rest of us voted for red, blue, and silver.
Better luck next time, kid!



While the kids were busy hanging ornaments on the tree
and Jerry was hanging the lights outside,
I decorated the rest of the house.








It's our family tradition to let the kids take turns putting the star on the tree.
Trina was very happy that it was her year to do it.
I cannot believe she is tall enough to stand barefoot and reach the top.
Stop growing, child!


The kids finished it off with the candy canes.
I better get mine now before they are all gone.
Which will be within 2 days, I am betting.


Jerry finished up with the lights after dark, so it made for some pretty good pictures.




How about you?
Do you already have your Christmas decorations up?
What are your families traditions?
Do share, I love all things Christmas!


and
 then, she {snapped}

Sunday, November 25, 2012

SHS 11/25



Home or Thankful
Next year we will be home again with the entire extended family,
so we decided to celebrate small this year.
It was a good Thanksgiving.


In The Kitchen

 My little man insisted on carving the turkey.
They are so handsome!


Couple

 My new favorite hobby.
Jerry is so patient and helpful with teaching me.


Bubbles

 I could not live without my Coke Zero.


Trees

 The only tree in our yard.
And they are cutting in down.
I am so sad about it.


Next week:

Missing
Numbers
Purple
Music
Bracelet



and
 then, she {snapped}

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

World War III


World War III started at my house this weekend.
Everywhere you went, there were bullets flying. 












There is entirely too much testosterone at my house.



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Sunday, November 18, 2012

SHS 11/17

It's my favorite day of the week.

Sunday.
That means time with family, worship at church, and no chores.
Yes, definitely my favorite day of the week.

It is also when I get to do the Scavenger Hunt.
Ashley picked my prompts this week and I knew exactly what to photograph.
So, here we go...


Vision

 Do you ever notice how many people had visions in the Bible.
Look it up, it is a lot.
I wish God talked to us like that more often these days.


Strong

 Daddy isn't going to be able to do this much longer.
Pretty soon, the boys are going to be as tall and strong as he is.


Buttons

 I knew exactly what I was going to use for this prompt.
I have collected a lot of buttons from thrift stores and such.
I think they are so pretty and unique.


Map

 Our current duty station in Ft Bliss.
Soon, though, we will be across the state in greener pastures.


Favorite Fruit

 There is nothing in the world better than strawberries,
except chocolate covered strawberries.

Next week:

Home or Thankful
In the Kitchen
Couple
Bubbles
Trees



Friday, November 16, 2012

Friday Letters 11/16

I said yesterday life is going too fast these days.

Today, I feel that even more.

I lost a very close friend to cancer yeaterday.
It renewed my resolve to slow down, to enjoy every moment I have with my family.

Steve was a soldier and his wife was a fellow Army wife and close friend.
So, I dedicate today's letter to him.


Dear Steve,
You were such an example of humor, grace, and servanthood.
I cannot wait to see you again when I get to Heaven.
Keep the gates open for us.



Dear Veteran's Day,
I loved the parade. Especially all the kids and teenagers participating.
It gives me hope for our future.



Dear James,
I am so proud of you for honoring our country.



Dear USA,
I am so blessed to live here.
To have the freedoms for which brave men and women have fought and died.






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and
 then, she {snapped}