personal blog
And the winner of the 2009 Motivated Moms Planner is…..
Here are your random numbers:
215
Timestamp: 2009-02-02 00:03:12 UTC
Rhonda
Rhonda requested the 2009 full sized page per day planner w/scheduled bible reading.
For all of you who entered and did not win Motivated Moms has offered a $1 off coupon for their 2009 planner. The coupon code is “giveaways.” Click here to purchase your planner!
Today was our “recover from the 15 hour car trip day.” We basically relaxed at my mom’s house and visited with family. The kids had a blast playing with their cousins and I went out to lunch with my sister-in-law. Tonight we headed to my in-laws house since they live a few minutes from the Magic Kingdom gates. We will home base from here as we go to the parks this week.
We planned out the week and tomorrow we are heading to the Magic Kingdom. One trick for the Magic Kingdom is to work your way from the back of the park to the front of the park. Most people start at the beginning and work their way back, so the back of the park is always less crowded at the beginning of the day.
Tonight we are addicting my in-laws to the Wii Fit
Here are a few pictures from our first day in Florida.
The orange tree in my parent’s back yard.
Picking oranges for some fresh orange juice. It cannot compare to anything you have ever purchased at the store.
My parent’s living room. Doesn’t it look so Florida and relaxing?
You can read Day 1 of my Florida Vacation here.
For more Talk about Tuesday visit Lara’s blog.
I realize that most of us have taken down the tree and put all the decorations away. I have even posted my 2009 goals. But, I would regret not sharing this amazing arrangement of Carol of the Bells with you. I have always loved this song and this arrangement is awesome. Even more powerful was the poem that flashed across the screen as the song was being played. Unfortunately you cannot see all of the poem in the video so I have posted it below.
Poem by Clare Sera
It’s time.
Hushed, the frost of heaven.
Twinkling, the eyes of God
Roam. Search.
It’s timeLove
Love
Drops like snowflakes
Tenderly
…to touch our faces…
Restless to arrive
In fullness.Gabriel, Go!
My beloved is ready
My perfect dove.
It’s time.Without hesitation
Gabriel flies to earth
Furrowed holy brow–
For whom does he seek?
How will he know
This favored one?A rush of wind as
In pursuit he flies
East
A sea of faces
West
A throng of bodies
Which one? Who? Where?Until
One looks up
And
Gabriel is foundHe falters at her gaze
Surely not this childHow can she, so frail, so human,
love enough to say–Yes.
Yes to God.
Yes to Joy!
Yes!Yes
to submission
Sacrifice
Pain
A path of tears
A sword that pierces
Choices
that rend the human heartNo
to the world
Yes
to GodGabriel,
struck by one so weak
choosing grace to be strong
DepartedAnd all around her “yes”
Mankind moves on, oblivious
To the option
Of Grace
Of Yes
Choosing Comfort
Without Joy
Spending time buying time
Pressure hardened against
TimeAll the while…
His eye still roams
The angel still calls
A holy wind rushes above us
Do we hear it,
Can we feel it
Does your heart not pound
Does it not burst
With the call…Hail favored ones
Look up
Look up
It’s time
It’s timeBut how does a mere mortal say yes to God?
How can one so weak be strong?
How?
How?GOD. WITH. US.
“Carol of the Bells” from Northland Video on Vimeo.
I must brag just a little as my brother did the audio mix for this song, you go Todd!
my true love gave to me….
Gingerbread Graham Cracker Houses
A long time ago in a land far, far away I was a perfectionist. Then I had more children than I could count on one hand. I stopped worrying about perfection and became more interested in the “fun” factor. It is much more fun for my kids to make lopsided, over frosted graham cracker houses than it is for them to watch me make a perfect gingerbread village.
The kids had a blast making these houses and they learned a little in the process – If you cover your “roof” with gumdrops it will probably collapse. Maybe one day they will grow up to be home builders or architects.
For more of the twelve days of Christmas visit Sprittibee’s blog.
I truly had planned a little blogging break this week, but I just have too much to say! A few more posts today and then you won’t see me again until next week. Well, I guess you don’t ever actually see me…
After a day of sitting in traffic and shopping with the entire state of Maryland I needed this little pick-me-up today.
Enjoy!
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28GUU1YbP_E]
The winner of the Motivated Moms 2009 Planner is….
Here are your random numbers:
31
Timestamp: 2008-12-22 15:51:06 UTC
That would be Chelle! Chelle requested the full sized planner to help her keep track of her two kiddos, plus one on the way.
The winner of the Progressive Dinner Apron contest is…
Here are your random numbers:
18
Timestamp: 2008-12-22 16:01:55 UTC
Jawan is the winner of the apron!
Thanks to all who entered the contests! It seems many of you need to get organized and start wearing aprons so I plan to have more giveaways in the new year!
I’ll be emailing the winners soon!
Exciting news, everyone…we’re having a party, and you’re all invited! It’s a progressive dinner, blog-style. Here’s how it works:
Please join us at our bloggy homes the week of December 15-19 as we celebrate the season. Stop by for some great holiday recipes. Mr. Linky will be all set up so you can share your own holiday recipes, party ideas and tips, and decorations if you feel so inclined. Link up each night if you’d like, and share a recipe that goes with the evening’s theme. The more the merrier! We hope you can make it!
See you next week!
One of our family traditions is to cut down our Christmas tree each year. This tradition was pretty easy to start when we lived in WV, because there was a Christmas tree farm close by. It was a little harder in Virginia Beach, but we found a farm and cut a smaller tree than normal. I found a farm last year in Maryland that is beautiful and we plan to go again this year.
If you would like the excitement of cutting down your tree you can visit the Pick Your Own Christmas Tree website which lists Christmas tree farms all over the world. This website has lots of other information regarding how to pick a tree, how to make your tree last, as well as a list of farms that give sleigh rides.
Cutting your own Christmas tree is probably not the most frugal Christmas idea (unless you live in WV where the price of a seven foot tree is $18), but it is definitely the most fun. We usually make a day out of it. We bundle up, play Christmas music in the car, get hot chocolate or hot apple cider at the farm and then come home to decorate. We also stop at the bait and tackle store for more fishing line, but that is another story.
Here are some pictures of our Christmas tree cutting fun…
For more Works for me Wednesday visit Shannon.
Shiver me timbers and avast me hearties, tomorrow is National Talk Like a Pirate Day.
I am not a big fan of pirates but I thought it might be fun to incorporate some pirate-y things into our day. Maybe a treasure hunt or a scouring of the poopdeck. We could all make eye patches and use only one hand, since the other one would be a hook.
This would actually be a great opportunity to work on directions (north, south, east, west) while you hunt for a treasure.
If nothing else you can all sing The Pirates the Don’t Do Anything song and enjoy some pirate pancakes for breakfast.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaWU1CmrJNc]
