In The News...Breastfeeding

I read the most disturbing article on the headlines today. Not about Obama, not about the war, not about a rapist or murderer... it was about breastfeeding. Now that I write that it seems so petty, but let me tell you, this was disturbing on so many levels.

I am not a mother, but I know many mothers, I have friends and family that are mothers. Oh yes, and I have a mother. Some may say I have no room to talk and those people are probably breastfeeding their school aged child. Is this a normal thing mothers do? According to the statistics it is... most mothers breastfeed until the age of 4 1/2 - 7 years of age. I don't know any women that breastfed their child after 2 1/2 years old. Just because I didn't breastfeed (me and my mama) until I was in elementary school doesn't mean I don't have a bond with my mother or am sick and missing certain nutrients, right? What is going through someones head when their 8 year old is in their lap breastfeeding. Uh uh.

If and when I were to have children, I would want to breastfeed but NOT until my kid can tie their own shoe or get on a school bus.

What are your thoughts on this?

**Deb removing herself from the soapbox**

Exciting Mail...

Coming home from a long day out shopping to find this in the mail...

I knew what it was right away! I hadn't been looking for it since my mind has been somewhere else these past few weeks, but looking at the writing and the name, I knew it was from Dee.

For those of you that don't know who "Dee" is, she is an incredible author in the Christian Fiction world. Her books are well written and her characters come to life off the pages. I've had the pleasure of getting to know her over the past couple of years and helping out in her chat room as a moderator. This package is sent to all three moderators as a perk for helping out. I think I have the better end of the deal for sure!

This is what was inside...


Her new book comes out in June, but she gets ARC's (Advanced Readers Copy) and sends them out and does a giveaway on her blog.

Now this will come as a shocker to all you that know how much I LOVE to read. I haven't read a fictional book since November! Gasp. Yes, November. I've been wanting to read and I have new books sitting on my shelf calling my name, but I was trying to finish a devotional book that was very deep, therefore it took a lot longer to read. I'm still not finished, but I made the "mistake" of opening and reading the first chapter of A Bride in the Bargain... and I was hooked.

I truly feel sorry for all the Dee fans that have to wait until June. I've already got a line forming for my ARC... It.Is.Good. VERY GOOD!

And one thing that just made me giggle right off the bat, there is a character that talks just like my blogging buddy, Becky's toddler son. What's even funnier... it's an elderly lady. You'll be laughing out loud!

So what did I think of the book? One of Deeanne Gist's BEST yet! And one of the BEST books I've read. GOOD STUFF!

Okay then...

Some avid shopper can be happy about the economy...

"The Economy Sucks Sale"

I saw this and grabbed my phone. Too funny.

Family Photo Session

I did a family photo session with a family in my church. They have four beautiful girls who I just love. We had so much fun, tons of laughter and craziness. Definitely not your normal professional shoot since I am so close to them. I was able to say, "Knock it off" "Be quiet" "Pay attention" "Open your eyes!" "Look at me not at them!" lol. I'm sure a stranger would take it well if I told their kid, "Shut up and look at me!", something I probably should work on. =)

You can click on the images to enlarge. Feel free to give me feedback, I'm always looking for encouragement or to improve!

It's a Crazy World

Goodness! It's been over one week since I last posted. I haven't even been keeping up with my photo blog like I KNEW would happen.

Life is busy, I haven't had one free night this week. Monday we had ladies prayer at my house, so good! Tuesday we have community groups, at my home. Wednesday - It was my week to teach the kiddos at church. I had a mini breather on Thursday, got a much needed pedi and then had to pack for the weekend.

I'll be a little lonely the next week and 1/2. My sis is left for an adventurous trip and I am already feeling a little lonely... okay a lot lonely. =( But I'll survive.

::

What else? I am supposed to be on Weight Watchers but I.can't.get.motivated. Maybe tomorrow... but then again there is too much going on... (shame, shame, shame).

Since we're on the subject of food. I must share this recipe for the BEST stuffed mushrooms. You cannot get any easier than this. Look at the picture... drool a little and then make it yourself! You will love them.

RECIPE

Button mushrooms, cleaned with edge of stem cutoff and stems removed (and saved)

Filling:(approx)
8 oz Cream Cheese
2 tbs of bacon bits
2 tbs of green onion
2 tbs of chopped mushrooms stems
3 tbs of shredded cheddar cheese (I use sharp)

~Fill mushrooms and place on baking sheet. Cover (sort of smoosh down) with chedder cheese

~Put in oven at 375 for 10 minutes or until cheese is starting to brown on top.

~You can add anything else that you think you make it better - Onions, garlic, spices...

Get ready for a party for the buds!

::

Onto other news, I did my first family shoot on Saturday! I had some families at my church approach me about doing their family photos after seeing my cousins photos that I did for Christmas. I was so excited because, of course, I now had JW and we can really get some great shots with his help. (Reminder to self: stop referring to your camera as a "him".) I'll share some of the photos once I get the "ok" from the family.

::

Check out my photo blog for some shots around town during our rain storm - The Daily Photo

Weird Art

Some people view things so different. We live close to Ripley's Believe it or Not and as a kid/teenager my parents used to take us there whenever we had guest or someone new showed up in the area. At our Ripley's there is a wedding portrait made out of lint. Entirely of lint. Someone put those loads of laundry to good use. The same artist was recently featured in our newspaper. I couldn't figure out why they featured a picture of sushi on the front of the local page. After reading that she was a lint artist, I gasped and proceeded to show everyone that came by.

How would you like to receive this box of chocolates from your honey? One good thing, there truly is now fat here. Ha! Maybe just an asthma attack.

Another odd thing that is one of my favorites at Ripley is the Last Supper Portrait made completely of TOAST. I love it. Now they have tools ans such, but this was done long ago without tools, just a crazy mind. I wish I could find it and show you, but this will give you an idea... makes me want to try it.





So, next time your overloaded with wash, think about saving your lint. Better yet, find ways to see other things as art, such as your dogs hair, dust balls, cob webs, chewed gum and your kids boogers... you never know what they can form into.

My Sister My Friend

Happy Birthday SONIA!

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday. It's been almost nine years since I met her. It seems more like twenty.

Sonia is my best friend, one of the people that I have in my life that I would be lost without.

Sonia,
Have the best burfday ever! I'm so glad that Peter talked you into dating
him nine years ago, we would have a much less eventful life without you!

I love you!

Deb

Everlasting Place

The past couple of months I've filled myself with uplifting music about the greatness of God, His love, mercy, grace and care for me. The moment I get settled in at work each morning, I turn on my music - "Blessed in the City" "You're Grace is Enough" "From the Inside Out" "Mighty to Save" "I'd Rather Have Jesus"... this music rings in my ears all day long and gets me through the days. Sometimes I am so moved at my desk that I feel it bubbling inside me to the point that I just want to have some church right there!

I was listening to one of my playlist from long ago and heard the words from an old song by Nikki Leonti. I listened to this song over and over as a teenager. For some reason today it spoke to me and I heard things that I'd hadn't heard before. It became new and fresh and made my soul long for that Everlasting Place.

I can see beyond

The meadows and the fields

I can see forever

I can tell you now

That His love is real

And holding me together

And I won't tell you that

Life is always easy

But I've found better days

Waiting there for me

:::::

I can't count how many times I've seen dark days that seemed like they would never end. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. But it always, always came to end. God never left me there. There were always better days around the corner.

Don't you wanna come with me

To an everlasting place

No tears And no pain

Forever we'll remain

Forever in the arms of love

Sheltered in the wonders of

Such a beautiful place

It's an everlasting place

::::

When you're in the middle of the dark days, it's so easy to forget that it's all for a purpose. This is only temporary. One day soon those dark days will be over... forever. No tears and pain? Can you imagine that?

If it's hurting you

Choices that you've made

Regret is your companion

Just lift your eyes and pray

He'll receive you now

You are not abandoned

I don't care about

Things you used to do

Cause I see better days

Are waiting there for you

::::

One thing I choose to remember, no matter how far I fall, how far I drift, how much I ignore Him - He stand waiting with open arms. Ready to wipe away all the wrong and let me start new and fresh. What a loving God we have!

My soul has one goal. To see this Everlasting Place, to get everything I can out of the dark days and be forever with the One who picked me up more times than I could count.

My Sig

HisGirl had a fun party at her place for her 300th post! Of course, be the wonderful giving person that she is, she gave away a custom made signature to each person that left a comment. Thanks HisGirl!

The snazzy sig below....

I Have Three!

I am having a moment of nostalgia. Maybe it's the "women emotions" or it could be the fact that I looked in the mirror and thought, how am I aging so fast, where's that young skin elasticity? Is it just me or does my chin look lower? Where is the time going?

Either way, I found these pictures of me with my sisters. Let me just tell ya, these girls rock! I would rather be with them than anyone else. We have the same interest, there's really no odd ball out here, and we all love to spend time together. But it wasn't always like that...

When I was younger my sister Catherine and cousin (who I've adopted as my sister) Eileen always hung out together. They fought, laughed, shared secrets, egged each other on and spent every moment together - all with me hanging underfoot whining and crying that I WAS old enough to go out with them.

Catherine and Eileen

Eileen's Grad Party - 1972 (haha, more like 1991 ?)

Once I jumped into the teenage years, I was invited in. Oh joy! But I must say, I still had to run the errands and was told, "You tell mom or dad and you're busted." Do you want in on a lil' secret, most of the time I did end of spilling the beans, most of it was too good to keep inside my thirteen year old head.

When I was seventeen, my brother met a girl that I just-did-not-like. The first time I saw her I think I stared, said a quick "Hi' and moved on. She was eighteen, skinny little thing with lots of hair. Her name was Sonia and she would never leave me alone again. Of course I fell in love her too, it took some time, but it happened.

Now that we are all adults we can relate so much better and the years melt away, most of the time. Sisters are truly the best gifts, everyone deserves one. How blessed I am to have three!!!

Our Greatest Need

I read this today and wanted to share... So glad He clothed Himself in flesh just for me!

• If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator
• If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist
• If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist
• If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer
• Our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior - Himself!

Ssss is for...

Jenster at Jenster's Musings was tagged and I begged her to tag me and she did. Isn't she sweet, kind and all around vonderful?

Rules: If you want to play, leave a comment on this post, and I’ll assign you a letter. You write about ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter, and post it at your place. When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain continues on and on...

Jenster gave me "S"... Because, well, I'm so snazzin' cool like that.

10 things I loooooove

Savior - Need I say more?

Smiles - from babies and little tykes and sometimes old people with no teeth

"Sure Bob" - If you're around me long enough, you'll hear this several times... don't ask because I really don't know

Starry Skies - Nothing like pitch black in the middle of Death Valley with a blanket of stars and silence...

Sounds of the sea - Comforting yet unnerving... Hmmm

Sandals - I'm a Cali girl, gotta have those toes showing

Sunny Days - Who doesn't love sunny days?

Stars Hollow - Gilmore, Lukes, Taylor Doose, The Dragonfly... don't know what I'm talking about? Please move on to #9 (it's okay... we all make mistakes.)

Speedos - HA! so joking, for real.... seriously...

Smelly cheese - heehee

If you want a letter, you've gotta leave a comment... Who's first?

I did it - The Daily Photo

I finally, after who knows how long, had the opportunity and time to start a Photo Blog! I am going to sign up with a daily photo organization, but for now, it's just for fun.

You can find random pics of my town and beyond. Maybe I'll sneak in a few random portrait shots... who knows.

So, if your interested in photography or just like looking at pictures, the latter is better since I am no professional, link me or stop by and tell me what you think.

The Daily Photo

~ Deb

Giveaway - Check it out!

If you are a Julie Lessman fan, follow this link for a chance to win one of her books and read a great interview about her past two books and books to be released.

Cornhusker Academy

*Crossing my fingers for ya!**

You can read my interview with Julie here - Julie Lessman Interview with the Daily Bee

RANDOMNESS - Food, FB, and Cristian

I've discovered this new eatery, Lee's Sandwiches, that is so odd and parts of the menu make me cringe, but it sure is good. When you see an avocado smoothie and a cured pork and pate sandwich... what is your first thought? AVOID

I don't have the nerve to try either of these or their sardine sandwich - cringe. I have found that their Baguettes are so delicious and their mocha smoothies make you want to head to the drive-thru every.single.day.

They have these fruit smoothies that taste like heaven... if you live in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona or if you live in Korea, Vietnam, or China - Try one of their smoothies or sandwiches. You'll want to stop by, like me, every.single.day.

As a matter of fact - I will be seeing Lee today for one of those Watermelon smoothies... I just can't help myself.

::

I've been so slow at work and spending 99% of my time on Facebook. Whoever thought of this did a good thing... It is so fun to "see" people from so long ago and keep in contact with distant family and friends. Even my kindergarten teacher is my friend on FB! Bizarre. If you don't have one GET one - and if you know my name... haha... we can be FB friends too! =)

::

My nephew, Cristian, is a character these days. We went out on Saturday night and he was so entertaining. Auntie Cacky, my sister, kept giving him Maraschino cherries... let's just say he was spinning out of control and needed a candy sobriety test. I caught the evidence with my phone camera...

His first taste of a Maraschino cherry or as he calls it "Candy"

Aunt Cat's Cherry coke made him yell "Mooooooore!"

Bowllickinggood ice cream.

That sums up my exciting, edge of your seat random post - It's all good in my end of the world this week...

Honest Scrap

Amy from My Amazeing Journey, whose blog I enjoy reading, was tagged and awarded the Honest Scrap award. She tagged whoever wanted to join her and I figure we haven't passed around one of these in a while - so why not?


The rules...
1) Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.
2) Show the 7 winners names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with "Honest Scrap." Well, there's no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.
3) List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

I'm not even sure if I regularly follow 7 blogs... I stick with the few that I really enjoy since I don't have that much blog hopping time.

1. Eileen at Say What?!
2. Becky at Stuck in Frump
3. Jenster at Jenster's Musings
4. Angela at Lighten Up
5. Cat at The Queen's Castle
6. Sony at Purely Sony
7. Anyone who wants to join... =)

::10 Things about the Daily Bee::

• I started my own business at 19
• I was born and raised in the same church
• I sing in a trio and chorale - Soprano
• I love taking pictures of anything and everything
• I laugh at myself often
• I am afraid of cats - very afraid
• I have a birthmark on my leg that looks, to me, like North and South America - lol
• My left foot is 1/2 size bigger than my right foot
• I am a nervous person - yes I admit it - sometimes I drive myself crazy
• I've always wanted to be an astronaut so I could see the universe

Who Knew - Bubble Gum is the Enemy

As a kid, did you ever hear your mom say, "Don't get gum in your hair!" or "Stop snapping your gum!"? I heard this plenty of times... but those warning didn't stop the peanut butter from coming out to fix the fact that I had blown too big of a bubble and now gum was intertwined with the hair. Oh Vey.

I am not a gum chewer. I'd rather have mints. I love the taste of gum but it's too exhausting to chew. I got a little stash in my stocking for Christmas this year and there was a cute little roll of Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape with a little Santa on the front. Enticing.

I took it to work and decided to chew a little strip... mind you I was bored to tears since work has been slow. I chewed that little bit and decided that I needed more. So there I was, chewing on a big mound of Hubba Bubba gum. If someone had told me that I would have injured myself on gum, I would have smiled, maybe giggled, maybe even choked on the gum a little. But alas, there was no warning from mom ringing in my ears, "You'll hurt yourself chewing gum!". I will be the first to admit that I am a little bit accident prone.

It started with a little twinge... that turned into a BIG twinge. I somehow pulled or ripped or angered something in my jaw/neck area. It screamed at me and yelped in pain - all.night.long.

I babied it all day today, took some trusty Advil and prayed for myself - hoping that it won't cause me to have to see the dreaded doctor over something so silly. I can just hear that conversation:

Doctor: So what are you here for?

Me: I was chewing gum

Doctor: And?

Me: I angered something in my jaw. Maybe pulled a muscle?

Doctor: (silence... staring... thinking - "dumb girl.")

I've come to one conclusion in all this - GUM is the enemy!

Letter Boxing

I have always wanted to go letter boxing, if you don't know what that is, go here (letterboxing)and try it out. I have a cousin who has been doing this for years... just seemed like something that was fun and the best part - inexpensive!

A friend and I were trying to figure out what we could do on Saturday and things being tight, I went online in search of a letter box close by that we could attempt to locate.

Since this is an open blog and there is a massive community in the letter boxing world that is not private, I'll refrain from telling which box we found... lol. It was so fun and so easy... the first one that is. My mom tagged along and we set up on a little table as we stamped and wrote little notes.

We got in the car and drove to the where the second box was supposed to be... We wandered around as I kept asking, "what are the clues, again?" They just seemed so vague... Hmm... I checked the website and sure enough, It was a word of mouth clue! In other words, we were on a wild goose chase... So much for our day of letter boxing fun!

This is a great family activity or individual activity. Try and let me know how it turns out on your end!

Think Positive Thoughts!

Thinking Happiness

Think of the things that make you happy
not of the things that make sad
Think of the fine and true in mankind
not its sordid side and bad
Think of the blessings that surround you
not the ones that are denied
Think of the virtues of your friendships
not the weak and faulty side

Think of the gains you've made
not the losses you've incurred
Think of the days of health and pleasure
not the days of woe and pain
Think of the days alive with sunshine
not the dismal days of rain
Think of the hopes that lie before you
not the waste that lies behind

Think of the treasures you have gathered
not the ones you've failed to find
Think of the service you may render
not of serving self alone
Think of the happiness of others
and in this you will find your ownby

Robert Farley

God Saves

This past weekend we had a special speaker at our church, we'll call him Bro. L. He was incredibly funny and a powerful preacher.

Most of my long time blog readers know of my bible study that has serious addictions and issues. She has been struggling so much recently and I've been getting, gasp, frustrated, wondering if I was supposed to be reaching out to her or if I wasn't doing what God wanted me to do. She says she wants to come to church with me but when it comes time for church something always comes up. I've been pulling for her to come and calling and praying, but nothing seems to happen...

This past Sunday our special speaker told a story from when he was a youth and was in a car with his youth leader. A woman, thin and frail and apparently a prostitute knocked on the car window and asked for money. "My kids are dying, they haven't eaten for 3 days.", she said. The youth leader told her that he didn't want to give her money because she would abuse it. She pleaded with him to just buy food for her kids. They followed her to an alley where a cardboard box was covering 3 kids that could barely hold their heads up. They bought them food and watched as the kids hungrily ate.

They begin to tell the woman about Jesus. She said, "I've tried everything. Nothing works." She showed them her arms, they were covered and scabbed from needles. She told them she didn't want her kids taken away, she had no where else to go.

The youth leader and Bro. L gave her their church business card and told her to come.

Weeks went by, no sign of the woman. One service, Bro.L's father was preaching and the back doors flew open and in comes a woman yelling, "JESUS!" The ushers tried to sit her down but Bro. L recognized her and told his dad who she was. They led her to the front and she begin speaking in tongues as God filled her with the Holy Ghost!

She came to church with her children for a few months but then disappeared... no where to be found.

Years later Bro. L was in another country preaching and a man came up to him and said, "Bro, your the man that witnessed to my wife." The women came to him and asked him if he remembered her and he said no. She said, "I'm that women." and she pointed over to where her three kids were praising God, "and those are my kids..."

God can do incredible things in ones life! I was so overwhelmed and stung at the thought that I was feeling frustrated and about to give up. God works form the inside out. He knows the heart, when you work in His kingdom it is not in vain. I know that He will save my bible study and He's working on her.

It's all in His timing... just wait on Him.

Funny Faces Always Bring a SMILE

Phone in hand, I was sitting behind these kids in church on Sunday night.

New Years BASH

I've been going and going since Wednesday. This new years started off with a bang! We had a houseful. My SIL's entire family, minus one sister and her family, came over to share New Years with us and some friends. We had a potluck style dinner with homemade enchiladas, chicken cordon bleu', mashed potatoes with gravy, pasta salad, chicken wings, homemade bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos, meat and cheese tray, tortilla casserole... not your normal dinner but it was delish!

We played games, laughed, chatted about anything and everything and just had fun. Close to midnight we passed out Martinellis and non-alcoholic champagne and toasted as we counted down with Dick Clark and let off fire crackers which left me jumpy and worried about all the long hair in the room. Yikes.

Around 2PM I, being the 80 year old lady in a 25 year old body, was ready to crash while the kids were still running about. Everyone crashed at our house. Our living room, family room, bonus room, plus two of our bedrooms were full to the point that you had to step over people on the floor. So much fun... that is if you remove the person that snored in my face all.night.long!

My SIL's one-year old niece hammed it up for the camera, I had to share these photos with you...

The next morning we woke up and ate the potluck food again... who needs eggs when there's enchiladas with fresh green sauce. Mmmm.

I am at our Holiday Youth Convention. I haven't been to a youth convention since I was a teenager. I was going mainly to see my brother's band play, but ended up enjoying the music and service for myself. It's so exciting to see blood bought teenagers excited about living for God! Being the forgetful person that I am I forgot to charge JW (my camera) and had to take a pic with my phone. Here is my brother Peter on the big screen leading the band.

Closing out 2008 and Walking into 2009

Is it just me or is everyone breathing a sigh of relief that 2008 is about to be history? I thank God, you have no idea how much I thank Him, for 2008. I can honestly say that this year has been the toughest year of my life. I feel like I got hit on every side, everything seemed to fall apart. Loved ones passing away, sickness in the family, and dark days. BUT I've made it through alive!! Through it all, I learned that my God is faithful and He truly cares for me. He was and still is moving and taking things off so that I can be the person that He needs me to be in 2009.

If I didn't go through the things I went through I would never have known God like I do. Every day He's opened me up to a new part of Him. I feel so humbled that He loves me enough to work on me and make me a better person.

I have made resolutions for the coming year, I have my "lose weight" one of course, but these are my top three. I don't share my resolutions to just anyone, but for some reason I just want to here... seems right somehow.

First and foremost - I want to trust God like never before. I want to put my faith in Him and cast all my cares upon Him. Give up control... (Lord, help me with this one! haha)

Second - I want to be a witness of Him more than ever before. I want to be used by Him to show people that this world we live in isn't all there is. We don't have to worry about the economy or the crime and evilness of the world we live in. He's prepared a place for us, where there is no worry, no fear of tomorrow. He's prepared it for all, but only those that are filled with His spirit, baptized in His name and covered in His blood will see it and "live" there forever. I want to show people that they can make it! God's word says that He desires that ALL would be saved, but He's left the choice up to us. I pray that He shines through me in 2009.

Third - I want to be content in whatsoever state I am. I pray for the blessings of God, but He knows what's best for me. He blesses me in how He sees fit to. I want to be content and not wish or want for something better all the time. Content in the life He's given me and accept every blessing from Him along the way.

Those are my top three things that I want God to accomplish in me this year. This year holds so much for us, get ready to grasp the blessing of God and look forward to what He has in store for His own.

I wish you all a prosperous and blessed beyond belief New Year!

Better than a Red Ryder

Christmas morning my siblings and parents gather in the family room around the tree and fire and open our gifts. Many, many gifts. I always feel the need to explain to people that come over why there are so many gifts under both trees and even in corners. Since we all, my siblings and I, started making our own incomes some as long as 18 years ago, we have always splurged a little on each other. A little sibling love to last throughout the next year and maybe even to make up for the hard times we put each other through as any good sister or brother would do.

My parents are no exception, we love to spoil them with all the things they wanted but didn't buy for themselves. They've always done the same to us.

This year, with the way the economy has been, everyone was pretty tight. We still tried to spend the same amount as we always do, but knew that we couldn't expect (for lack of a better word) too much. I expected to have a meaningful Christmas but nothing prepared me for the feeling we had this Christmas morning.

After all our gifts were opened from each other, my parents brought out a gift for each of us and multiple gifts for my SIL. (She had not put anything grand on her wish list)

I opened my gift and gasped. I had the feeling of when Ralphie opened his Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Words flew out of my head and I cried. Yep, cried. There it was in my lap. A Nikon. Not just any Nikon, my dad went to buy the Nikon D40 I wanted and came home with a Nikon D60. Beautiful and sleek and something that I'd given up on.

I looked up to see my siblings crying. Even the tough boys. It was wonder and disbelief, but not because of what it was, what it meant. I was overwhelmed that my mom and dad, in this desperately tight year of recession, would give me something that I've wanted for so long. I was so grateful yet felt so undeserving.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matthew 7:9-11

Below are some pictures that I took while taking JW (new name for the camera) out on the town for the first time. Keep in mind, I am no professional photographer. =)

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Oh Baby!

Oh boy, oh boy! He's believed to be the biggest baby born in Orange County. The weight of a medium sized turkey. 14.2 pounds, 21" long.

Born by C-Section on December 23rd, two doctors had to pull him out.

How would you like to carry this big boy in your belly?

Merry Christmas Greetings

I am stuffed with turkey and oh so content with life right now. God's given me another wonderful Christmas, what joy!

Merry Christmas to all my bloggy pals and those that sneak by... you know who you are! =)

I wish you many blessings on this day that we celebrate the most incredible birth of all.

JESUS - Who are we to deserve such love? I am so thankful!

Starbucks is the BOMB

There just something about a good, hot eggnog latte on a chilly morning.

My sweet sister surprised my SIL and I at work with Starbucks. Mm-Mm GOOOD.

It's about 55 degrees here and I am freezing. This girl is not cut out for cold weather!

The Spirit of Christmas

Christmas. One of the most beautiful and stressful times of the year.

I used to favor Thanksgiving because, well, the food was good. Over the past few years the 4th of July has been near and dear to my heart. This year, I feel a closeness with the Christmas season this year. My eyes have seemed to open up past the merriment and stress. I look back at past Christmas' and feel so blessed. When I read about families that don't have anything-food, presents, warm homes, decorations, joy-I feel so blessed and a little guilty.

God's been good to me.

My parents taught us at a young age that it was always better to give than to receive. Give to the kingdom of God, give to those less fortunate, and give to each other. I cannot count how many times I've seen my mom and dad give to families in need; see the faces of children smile as we gave them Christmas presents that they wanted but didn't dare ask for. The times I've heard the story of my dad teaching the homeless man about Jesus as he bundled up in a cardboard box in our car port, or my parents helping a family with medical bills, or inviting families in our home to share our meal on Christmas Eve when they had no family in the area. This was and is the way of my life and I hope to carry that with me throughout the rest of my life. I want to give back because He's given me so much.

This is the spirit of the season.