Becky Kelley - Where s the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

This video was posted on one of my very  best friends blog and as I listened to it, tears filled my eyes and goosebumps covered my arms. It truly touched my heart.  My friend Zoey is always a wonderful source of inspiration on a number of things.  She taught me about the "3 Gifts" at Christmas-- A gift of want, a gift of need, and a gift of love.  My family has been following this little tradition for a few years now and by just doing something that simple, it has simplified Christmas for us in an amazing way. Zoey was also the one who taught me about Dave Ramsey and the wonderful "debt snowball"!! There are many other things Zoey has taught me and I can honestly say that my life and my family are better for knowing her.  And she has once again influenced my life is such a positive way. And so, taking an example from her blog of "things we can do to put Christ back into Christmas" I would like to say, "Thank you, Zoey. I am truly blessed to have you as a friend. Thank you for being you."

December Scrappin Club

Here is the layout for December's scrappin club titled "Happy Campers."  We are using Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, and Wild Wasabi, along with Under the Stars stamp set. Hope you like it!

Simple Joy

 You definitely have to be a child to think raking leaves is fun.

 As adults, we lose the ability to see past the work, 

and just jump into the leaves without a care about 

messing up the pile and having to re-rake it.

 Children don't care about the possible bugs...

 or getting dirty, cold, or itchy from the leaves.

 All they care about is the fun.

They have that wonderful ability 

to experience simple joy,

and they can always find the fun...

if we let them.

Thankful

 There are many things in my life to be thankful for. I have been so blessed. But above all other things I am thankful for is my family. We are not perfect. We do not always get along. We do not always agree with one another. But we ALWAYS support each other when things get tough and each one of us knows that with out a doubt, in times of need, family will always be there. I cherish each and every opportunity we have to get together. This Thanksgiving I was acutely aware of how special my family is. Why? Well, one of our own, my baby cousin Brandon recently enlisted in the Armed Forces and is currently away at boot camp. And even though I probably wouldn't have seen him on Thanksgiving Day, the thought that he was away from his family made me appreciate the fact that I was with my family even more.      

 Cordel, Shane, Sydnie, McKenzie

 Grandma Udene, Kleis (my mama), Aunt Debra, Aunt Lezlie

 Sydnie, and my sweet little niece Isabel

 Loves from Grandma!

Another thing I am thankful for....

 My family is FREAKIN HILARIOUS! 

Case in point--- THATS NOT A FLAVOR PACKET!!

 

 Dakota "D" and Gma

 

 We want PIE!!

Loves for the Hannah Bear from Teagan (my sister) and Gma Udene

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

A line with a hat and a foot

As you may know, Cordel is just this little smartypants 

who could spell his name, knew all the letters, letter sounds, 

shapes, colors, counting to 20---all by age 3. 

And, God Bless him, look what he's teaching his sister now!! 

He is so patient with her and I absolutely love listening 

to him teach her.

She's 3, and this is how the conversation goes....

Sydnie: What comes after "S"?

Cordel: "Y"

Sydnie: A line with an up and an up?

Cordel: Yes

Sydnie: What comes after "Y"?

Cordel: "D"

Sydnie: Down and around?

Cordel: Yes

Sydnie: What comes after "D"?

Cordel: "N"

Sydnie: Up, Down, Up?

Cordel: (sigh) Yes

Sydnie: What comes after "N"?

Cordel: "I"

Sydnie: A line with a hat and a foot?

Cordel: a little frustrated---Yes, sissy!

Sydnie: What comes after "I"?

Cordel: "E"

Sydnie: A line with three legs?

Cordel: Yes

 Sydnie: I did it!!

Breakfast at Ms. Kenzie's

I have 7 kids on average at my house on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

As you can see, it gets a little crowded but we manage!

At Swore Farms

  

Cordel, Madison, Sydnie

 Adorable Lil Punkins!!

It's a tradition to go to Swore Farms each year with our good friends Wendy and Madi. We've done it since Cordel and Madi were just barely a year old! This time of year has so much magic and fun in the air. Starting with going to the pumpkin patch right up to New Years Eve--- I LOVE it all!

The Last Harvest

When that time of year comes around, when you're not sure if it's gonna freeze, picking what you can outta the garden becomes necessary! This is our bounty. PLUS about 19 pumpkins! Seriously, could those zucchini's get any bigger?

First Day

Cordel's first day of school. 

Such a wonderful, exciting, 

 scary, fun, and confusing day! 

For me, anyway! He was just plain excited!

November's Scrappin' Club

November's layout titled "Together is the best place to be"

( scrap-lifted from one of various magazines... can't remember which one... 

but as always has my own tweeks to it! )

2010 Halloween Hilights

Optimus Prime? Awesome!


Look at that sweet face!


The cutest little purple butterfly in the world...


Precious!


Brother and Sister-- The best of friends


The Howell Family


Lots of friends!


Halloween drinks! On the left-FLAMIN Pumpkin pie shot and on the right-- Screamin Green Monster!


Trick...


or Treat!!


Pukin Pumpkin!


Who invited that guy?


Hope nobody got probed...

The Mario Kart Party!

Cordel wanted a Mario Kart birthday party this year, so we decided to actually build a go kart track in the driveway. We used spare tires, a wood platform, part of the grass for the "slow em down" section, a giant umbrella for a tunnel, some chalk, and various other things to create a track. I also had a large variety of vehicles to choose from, just like in the game. We had trikes, scooters, little foot powered cars, and even a stroller!


Racers, choose your vehicle!


I ordered some racing themed items from Oriental trading like checkered flags and pendants as well as little trophies for the kids. The kids also received a "Mario Hat" (a red baseball cap with craft foam white circle and red M) or a Crown if they wanted to be Princess Peach. The rest of the decorations were done in red and white.



First, we did "time trials" where the kids went thru the course one at a time and they each received a trophy. After that, they all just raced thru it over and over!

On your Mark......


Get Set.....


Go!!!


Go, Buddy, GO!!


Beep, beep!!


WOOHOO!!


Nice drift!!


Wait, whose drivin this thing?


Cool!


We had little mushroom cupcakes-- I ordered them sprayed yellow, green and red with smooth frosting and then put the dots on them at home. I also used a sharpie to make the little eyes.



Make a Wish!!



Mushroom, anyone? We've got "Biggies", "Free Guy", and "Gianties"! That's what Cordel and Sydnie call them... ;)


Happy Birthday, Cordel!! We LOVE you!!