First "Hello" of 2014 :)...

It's been far too long since I blogged, haha :). Our Christmas time was very busy, although very blessed, and since then I've been doing everything but writing a long post about all that has happened while I've neglected blogging (oh, and knitting a baby blanket. I still have yet to buy the yarn for it...)! But both or those things will speedily be changed, I am hoping :). 

 

This passed three days, the yard has been covered with snow, much to the delight of all who think of snow as a two hour event, haha :). It also snowed about a week before that, novelty of novelties!

We've shoveled (and swept... haha :) ), made snow angels and thrown snowballs, taken pictures and had hot chocolate, quite frequently lately ;). 

Oh, and found rocks. We go into the snow to find rocks. Haha!

Last time it snowed, Tori made a snow Gandalf. Haha :P. There has been a good bit of Lord of the Rings around here, lately, with her reading the books right now.

Peter's first "real" snowfall :)!

And  made  snow ice cream, a family tradition :)... 

We were hit with colds right after New Years, but since then have been trying to settle back into a routine... or as close to one as you can get :). Among other things, I was able to work with Tori and Bethi on knitting earlier this month, which both of them picked up very quickly! Tori and I also worked on some of our "famous" hairpins for the Hidden Treasures auction coming up in February ;).

The study on Mark that Tori and I are doing with a group of friends is turning out to be a great blessing :). I'm working on memorizing the passage we are working on now, hopefully I'll get it all done before we move on! There have been some things that I have discovered that I'd like to share here... I'm waiting to get a chance to do that :). But before you see those posts, a Thankful Thursday is far over-due order, and will be arriving next Thursday, Lord willing!

 

We are greatly looking forward to the arrival of little Seaweed... just around two more months :)! Maybe less, if this baby decides it wants to break the pattern that we older children seem to have set of being late, some of us very ;). Mommy said the baby's movements remind her exactly of Tori, we're looking forward to seeing what personality the baby has/ who the baby looks most like :).

 

...Life is never dull around here, haha :)... everything must be creative, including kicking back and relaxing :)... Now, time to go work on some other projects that need worked on :)!

 

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

The King's Blooming Rose is Holding a Giveaway!

Sarah Bryant's magazine has greatly blessed me in the past several months. The magazine is beautifully put together, and the articles are both encouraging and convicting!
And, the King's Blooming Rose website is holding a giveaway!
In the giveaway is included $55 worth of goodies :)! Both of Miss Bryant's books, their cookbook, the magazine that my friend's picture placed in :), and a YEAR'S subscription to their magazine :)!!! I haven't  read Sarah's books yet, but they have been on my want-to-read list for a couple months now :). You still have three days to enter to win these to encourage in you or a friend in your walk with the Lord :)!

The December Hidden Treasures Auction...

...is up and running! Bidders have until midnight, December 7th, to win some fun goodies, with all the money bid going to help bring home Tony :)! This auction is getting pretty big already, and they are still taking donations!
I'll try to be back in the next few days with some real news (and, no, I haven't forgotten about our... umm... October... trip, lol!... pictures are coming, eventually! Haha :)...)... but in the meantime, you can enjoy browsing through the auction items :)... oh, and the fact that we got some yard work done today, during which Emmi took a flying leap off the 12 ft. high deck railing, and lived to tell the tale (and tell it she did!). Oh, my...

Mega Thankful Thursday Post... November's Thankful Thoughts on Thanksgiving ;)

~Chocolate fudge pie (you knew the first one had to be chocolate, right ;)?!).
~Memories brought back by a black-spotted ladybug :).
~An early(ish), quiet morning spent snuggling sleepy Peter before everybody else woke up.
~Books and time to read. I've been reading more lately, and several books have made it onto this list ;)!
~Time change... I like fall time better than summer ;). Remember, people, I'm a night owl ;)...
~Toasting marshmallows together as a family "just for" :)...

~Bethi's work on a hat for baby "Seaweed" :).
~The sight of Peter and Tori reading together.
~Letters from Granny. These have been a sweet part of my life for several years now :).

 

We children with Granny in October.

~Abbi's "medallion" watch. She is so proud of that thing :)!....

~Abbi and Emmi's excitement to help like one of the "big ones".
~Making new friends here.
~The beautiful colors on the road to our house....
~Blueberry muffins. Even if the blueberries turn the batter purple (which then bakes into a blue?! Whatever ;)...). But it was a pretty purple!!!
~Tori, and all the games played and baking done together lately :).
~"Spontaneous" walks as a family (as spontaneous as they can be, anyway ;)!).
~My friend Katie, who has been such an encouragement to me! We've been reading the bible together for over two years now... it doesn't seem like that long!
~And, the six month bible challenge, that turned into more like a year :P, that we are finishing up now :).
~Family dinner time! I love it when we all sit down as a family for dinner :)...
~The way Emmi loves to make beds and fold blankets :). And she does such a good job, too :)!
~Peter's first taste of oreo cookies.
~Socks. Especially since it's cold now! Haha :).
~And, on that note, hot water ;)!
~The way Abbi loves to rub Daddy's head during bible time.
~Bright, beautiful, juicy pomegranates. I love the taste as much as the look ;).
~Tacos. I'm not sure what our family would do without tacos. Especially one certain member of us...

~"Joseph and the Gospel of Many Colors". It was a really good book!
~Enjoying time outside,
~Making leaf piles.
~In sweaters :). I love it when it gets cool enough for sweaters!
~Some organizing done.
~Peter "playing" the harmonica :).
~11/12/13... fun date for it to....
~SNOW! :)
~Mommy's delicious chili.
~Our Christmas kick-off.
~The little chairs that Gramma gave the little ones for movie nights.

~"Worship: The Ultimate Priority". This book by John MacArthur was really good, too :).
~Emmi's simple comment that "I took my ponytail out, because I wanted to look just like you!"
~Abbi's little arms around my neck in a gentle hug.
~Emmi's excitement to be able to find the items in her "Look and Find" book, all by herself :)...
~Peter's trying so hard to put on his own pants by himself, that was so cute :). He finally resorted to using Andrew, but he made a good effort!
~Math-U-See. I really wanted to use Mommy's math curriculum, but since the videos (the only means of instruction!), didn't work, we decided it would be best to get something I could actually learn from ;)!
~Milk Duds, Root Beer, popcorn, and a movie from Gramma :).
~Daddy's call from Granny.
~Peter's calling chocolate chips "green". Because Gramma sent a wonderfully large amount of chocolate chips home with us last month :), and  they got put in the green container she also sent home with us, and Tori says "Oh, he saw the green thing!" whenever he wants a chocolate chip, we believe he now thinks they are called green!
~Comforters and bedsheets.
~Daddy's wonderful photography and computer skills, he has made some beautiful inspirational photos lately :).
~How Peter claps after everybody repeats the catechism question answer. Sooo sweet :)...
~Granola bars for Sunday.
~"Practical Religion", by J. C. Ryle. Although it took me forever to read it. Haha :). It was very good, but I found it hard to read without thinking hard, haha ;).
~A play set at church that the little ones enjoyed :).
~That whatever stung Emmi while we were outside a couple weeks ago wasn't something she was allergic to!
~The way windows look so bright after they are washed :).
~"If", by Amy Carmichael.
~The little side-pony tails Abbi and Emmi wore that, when they side by side, they looked like a two headed monster ;). A cute one! :) I'll share pictures after I find them... haha :).
~And I heard that somebody can't get on alone with a quiet time without me... Awwww :)... I enjoy quiet times with you, too, Tori ;)!
~Waking up to Abbi on one side of me, and Emmi on the other :)...
~Peter's sitting on his bed looking at a book waiting patiently for Tori to get back, just like she told him to :)...
~And his little "woo-hoo" when he wants something ;). I love it :)!
~The girls' eagerness to have me do their hair.
~Emmi's love for (boxed, haha!) mac'n'cheese... haha :). She is hilarious!
~Gramma... I'm thankful for "Feliz Navidad" ;)...
~My new glasses :)! There has been a little bit of a learning curve, but they've been a blessing :).
~That all the Christmas outfits are out and found.
~This story about a little boy using his art to bless others...
~The sound of bible pages turning in a group of believers.
~The wintery feeling that comes with a bowl of soup :).
~Times of fellowship and counting the ways the Lord has blessed us.
~And for all the prayers that others have prayed for our family this past year! Thank you all sooo much!
~The extra heater Daddy placed in our room as it continues to get colder... haha :).
~Peter's begging for a "Coo-ie, coo-ie!!!". Stinker ;).... he has had far more than is good for him lately ;)!
~Daddy and Andrew working together on fixing projects :).
~That the hand mixer, that is older then me, was repairable.. Daddy fixed it last Sunday, and we should be using it for several more years! Ya :)! It's the only hand mixer I've ever used at home ;)!
~Scrabble :).
~ That the maple twist I made yesterday came out right the first time! (If you don't count the fact that I used the wrong flour... but I wasn't told we were using different! Haha :).)
~Bethi's yummy supper she made for us last night :).
~Emmi's little pony tail, it's so cute as it swings around :)!
~Pie crusts made ahead of time.
~The smell of fresh, warm cranberry sauce (although the taste could be better... nothing is perfect, haha!).
~The Pilgrim's devotion to God, the way they listened to his word, and paved the way for those of us in America to be free under God.
~The movie "Monumental", that tells the story quite clearly.
~And that our family is together for Thanksgiving this year... last year we were not! So much has changed in this year, but I am so happy that we are finally together again!!!! With another little one on the way :)...
~This day set aside to give thanks :)...

"Praise the Lord!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!"

                                        ~Psalm 106:1

Today, as We Prepare for Tomorrow, a Day that Our Nation Sets Aside to Give Thanks on...

... to give thanks for family...
...and friends...
...and love...
...and salvation...
...and so many other things...

Barton  still needs a family. 

Please, pray for him. Help spread the word. He needs a family just as much as any of us! And his time is running out! May the Lord use this situation for HIS glory!