Ringing in the New Year ~

The way we typically ring in the New Year. Home with our kids, yummy food, enjoying the family. Love it! We made our own Chinese food tonight and I tried a new recipe . . . . Cocoa Cake. Sooooo good!

"Instead of making a New Year's resolution, Consider committing to a Biblical solution, your promises are easily broken, empty words, though earnestly spoken. But God's Word transforms the soul, By His Holy Spirit making you whole. As you spend time alone with Him, He will change you from within." M.F.

Useful Wall Art

My New Closet

My hubby "built" me a new closet in our now spare bedroom! I feel very spoiled, but it is so nice to be able to have everything in it's place! I can now go in pick out my clothes, find my shoes (without searching for that missing second shoe!) I can be organized and fussy and keep my things color coded and neat. :) He built me a frame for my jewelry as well, I will take a picture of that and post it later. It's a place where I can hang all of my necklaces and easily see the perfect one for the outfit I am wearing.

Give Thanks . . . . With a Grateful Heart

189. The season of Christmas and all that goes with it.

190. Successful bazaar

191. Lots of time "creating" for the bazaar with my daughter

192. A day away with hubby yesterday

193. Christmas cards in the mailbox each day

194. Visiting with friends from the past

195. The laundry is caught up with :)

196. Phone calls from Mummu and the encouraging words that go along with them

197. Memories of a friend who was always there to listen, encourage and support

198. Lindt Truffles :) And the new coffee filled ones. Mmmmmmmm:)

199. Provision

200. Hot sauna before bed

He Alone is My Rock and My Salvation ~

Burdened above measure and strength, Hard Pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down . . . . .

Do not be crushed ~ do not despair ~ I won't be forsaken ~ I will not be destroyed.

Do not focus on the seen things that are temporary ~ only the unseen and eternal ~

He will work out everything for the good of those that love Him ~

And then there were Seven ~

~ Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad in It ~ Wedding Day

On October 15th, our oldest son got married to his sweetheart. It was an exciting and bittersweet time for us. Letting go of our oldest child, but so proud to see him starting his life with his bride.


"I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm

living ~

my baby you'll be."

I can't believe how quickly 21 years have passed ~ and today is the day that you will marry your love. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital ~ our firstborn. Or exclaiming over your first tooth, your first word, your first step. Just yesterday weren't we sitting at the ball field watching you play baseball? Or sending you off to driver's ed? Watching you graduate? Go off to your first college class?

We have watched you grow into such a fine young man. We are so proud of you and are so happy for you on this day. It's surely bittersweet, you will fly out of our little nest here to begin your own life with Ariel. The house will be different! Waiting up for you each night, I could always hear your truck as it came over the hill and turned into the driveway, and I would sigh a prayer of thanks that you made it home safely. Then I would hurry to meet you as you came in the door. How I will miss those quiet chats we had while the rest of the house was asleep.

What can I grab hold of ~ To slow the spinning of time? To slow the turning of the page? A sequel for us all. I have no doubt that it will be a wonderful sequel ~ and though I try to linger on the pages of this book, the time has come, the page has turned. I do my best to embrace it ~ and with much love and prayer, joy and tears, we are blessed to watch as your new story begins. As God has ordained it.

On this day and always, be the man that we know you are. Show your strength and your love and your humor. Continue to grow in Christ, never let go of your love of learning. Always rememmber how much you are loved ~ and we will always be here with an open door for you and your new bride. Love Ariel as Christ loved the church. And remember to cherish each moment, as they all go so quickly.

"Be strong in the Lord and, Never give up hope, You're going to do great things, I already know, God's got His hand on you so, Don't live life in fear, Forgive and forget, But don't forget why you're here, Take your time and pray, Thank God for each day, His love will find a way, These are the words I would say."

Love You Both! xo