New Years Resolutions

So how many of you make New Years Resolutions? I have in the

past and sometimes when I think back on them I find that yes, I have partially

accomplished that.

Well, I'm going to admit that I have several "goals" in mind for this year.

1. "Come here and listen to me! I'll pour out the spirt of wisdom upon you and make you wise. Proverbs 1:23NLT

This verse is a goal for my new year....that the Lord will slow me down when I

get too busy. That I will listen and hear His voice. That I will focus

on God's voice in all situations.

2. I am going to attemp:

Project Life.

Okay, so I love to scrapbook and take pictures but I seem to get so far

behind on what I'd like to have accomplished. So this project is suppose to be

simplified...by this I mean that it comes with most all that I'm going to need for this

scrapbook. I will just need to discipline myself and write on my calendar things that happened each day. AND take a picture a day (at least one!! if not more)

Check out the site...,.its a great way to have a scrapbook at the end of the year.

With a bit of organization it should be fun.

3......Well, I have a couple that I will keep to myself.

So tell me, what is your New Years Resolution for 2011?

Merry Christmas!

May you have a Christ Filled Christmas!

(Okay, so I like pink!)

December Brings......

Lots of things---busy schedules and beautiful things

to deocorate with.

This month has been so busy and full but enjoyable.

Decorating, Baking, Shopping and making memories with family.

Below are some pictures of this months activities.

Had a cookie bake at the beginning of the month. Made over 3300 cookies.

My 2 sister-in-laws along with our girls made these in 2 days. We made:

Ladylocks, peach cookies, chocolate crinkles, peanut butter cup,

thumbprints, cocanut cookies, apricot, nut rolls, amish cookies,

peppermint bark, buckeyes and snicker fudge.

Alyssa has been selling little Gingerbread Houses on her etsy store.

They are so cute.

Some of Decorations around the house.
Countdown (Below) And I love this Handmade Christmas

tree!!!! Got this from Melissa Phillips

Alyssa Making Popcorn/Cranberry strings for the

Christmas Tree.

My snowman picture that I made several years ago.

I have been so blessed this month with TONS of orders from my

scrapbook store. Been VERY busy but I'm thakful.

Decorating for Christmas

Each year the kids take turns setting up the manger...Shalene

set it up this year.

And Clayton set up the village!

Always have a mess before the end.

Here is one of the ornaments that Alyssa has for her tree. The kids have their own trees in their rooms....but this year they put all of their ornaments on the main tree.

I decorated the kitchen with my whitwashed decor~ Love it.

This is such a cute mix...Read the little card that is in the photo....

I still have a couple strands of lights to purchase since all of mine seemed to decide not to do what I wanted this year. We plan to make some homemade cinnamin ornaments and gingerbread village yet. And string some popcorn and cranberries. But basically I am finished. What a good feeling.

Renaissance Faire

For the past several years we have gone to the Renaissance Faire with the Cyber School. The smells and sights are wonderful....keetle cooked popcorn and HUGE turkey legs along with monsterous pickles are a few favorites. The girls and I love the masks and hats along with all of the scents.....herbal mixes and all. Waxed dipped roses and full skirts. Clayton loves the baby dragons and swords along with the jousting. Here is a picture (first ont) of the final event where the knights are fighting. Shalene was able to get a picture with
Queen Elizabeth...,.and the final picture is the crew that went along this time. It was a long but very fun day.

Bella

A few weeks ago Bella was this shaggy cockapoo with a mop top and beard...she went for a hair cut and this is what happened. Since its been getting cold out and we haven't turned on the heat yet we find that Bella shivers....so we foun this preme sweater at the thrift shop for 75 cents....hey, it works.

If Life.....

If life is in fact a box of choolates,

I am in big trouble -

because I ate all mine!

When Life..........

When Life Gives You Lemons.....

Make Lemonade!

South Carolina Visit

We were able to finally visit my parents in South Carolina this weekend.

Had tried to get there through the summer and just made it.

I must say we were a bit lazy this time around....hanging out around the house.

Clayton really enjoyed taking the boat around the pond, I think he was

able to get us all in for a trip around at least once. He did do a bit of fishing with Steve

and papal.

Dad always feed his fish and they are quite large.

Clayton also really enjoyed driving the golf cart - which we were all

taken on rides for that as well. I tried to talk him into letting me drive but I never did get too. Alyssa enjoyed the puppies.

Shalene and Alyssa both ended up getting a massage.

The guys spent a lot of time hitting golf balls, not sure how many they lost in the pond

but I believe it was a good bit.

Me, I enjoyed hitting up a couple craft stores and outlets.

Now, it is back to the old routine. I must say that I am a person

who enjoys the routine in life. Its the small things in life that we often

take for granted that we miss the most. There is something

very comforting in the everyday coming and goings.

Normal Schedule???

School starts today - now grant it we cyber school but hey, I am hoping

for a normal schedule here soon.

Alyssa started her college coarses last week. Yeah, I know, she

is a Senior in High School -- but she is taking some college classes at the

Harrisburg College. She has some buddies she is carpooling with. Getting up

at 5:00 a.m. UGH!!! And I gotta pack lunch. Well, I'm just

thankful that she is still at home. She goes every other day and fits

her high school coarses in as well. AND, she is hunting

a job.

Clayton and Shalene started today, so I am hoping that now we can get

a bit of a schedule going and more will be accomplished. My POOR

house!! This summer has been so rough on it. And we won't even start

on the flower beds. The worst they have ever been.

I keep waiting for things to slow down.

Summer Update:

I will try and get some pictures posted of the missions trip here

soon. Like I said - not sure were my summer/time

has gone.

Shalene has been diagnosed with gall stones. We go tomorrow for

a consultation and schedule the surgery.

Clayton seems to have grown a mile high this summer, growing out

of everything.

Alyssa - well, I wrote about her above.

Steve is still having problems with his eyes, nothing seems to give

him complete clearness in his eyes. It is quite depressing -- Please continue to

pray that he can just heal on his own and all will go well.

And finally, me....I survived the busy summer schedule.

We Are Back

Visit Eric and Hannah to see some photos of our missions trip.

I will try and post some soon -- just trying to get caught up!

Missions Trip

The girls and I will be leaving this Saturday to go on a missions trip with our
church. 26 total will be making this trip. You can visit the missionaries
here who we will be helping.
Sounds like they have lots to keep us busy...2 VBS services, preaching in the
evening, hopefully visiting an orphange...etc.
We would really appreciate you prayers for this endevor...that we
all may be a blessing!

As a side note: Steve & Clayton will be at home --
Clayton decided that he should have a lesson in doing the
laundry before Mom left. It appears that he had
need of some items while I was away last time--
so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Congrats to Allie & Matt

My neice Allie was married today!!!

Congrats!!

My Fisherman!

Steve has been doing a lot of fishing as of late. Takes turns taking the kids with him on the small boat. This past week, somehow he got out of the house by himself -- he came home with this bass.

Catching Up - Reptile Land

I know, I know, its been a looooooooooong time since I have posted!!!!

Clayton and I took a date to "Reptile Land"

Now, this was not my type of date, but it was for my little

man. My favorite part was the butterfly garden. (Below)

Clayton really enjoyed feeding the turtles -- and touching

the animals.

Proud Owner

Alyssa is the proud owner of a Toyota Forerunner.

This is her very first car/truck.

I must admit that I was expecting her to choose a smaller

vehicle but hey, this is what she liked!

Looks a bit happy here!

It needs a little bit of work done on it but Steve thought it

was a good price & a safe vehicle. Now Alyssa has more space to load

up all of her belongings. Won't be long till the back of it is loaded down!