Fall

Fall is here and it is absolutely beautiful. I love being able to walk around my yard and see all of its markings. There is just too much to take in at this time of year I think I'm going to miss some of it. Now is the season for bonfires and snuggling up with blankets and a crochet or knitting project. It's also the time that I feel more inspired to create so hopefully you'll start to see pictures of things that I'm working on (now watch the desire to make leave me and you'll see nothing all winter long).

Do you ever wish for things in life? I'm trying to stop wishing things so much and living them instead. Lord help me to live for You!

how AWEsome!

I just read my cousins blog about some exciting news that they are sharing and couldn't resist to share it with you (whoever you are), because it was such a cool way to share the news. Lots of love to the Larcey's and prayers and praises sent up for you.

check it out:

www.thelourceys.blogspot.com

My momma

Today we celebrated my Mom! She is only the most amazing woman that I know. Although it's not actually for another week, we went ahead and celebrated her 50th birthday with family since she was going to be away for her birthday. She was probably exhausted from being at work until 5am the night before and then having to get up at 7am for church but she was gracefully grateful and joyous even with her tiredness. She's such an inspiring person to grow up around because of her earnestness to try new things and find new ways to enjoy life and also her ability to share those things with others. Her newest adventure is fishing and she's got pretty much the whole family joining in on her fun and relaxation. I know that she doesn't always think she such an amazing person and has a tendency to notice her own faults more than her accomplishments (we share that in common), but mom you are a treasure and I love you.

how to be a beautiful woman......

My mother sent me this poem in an e-mail recently and it's worth sharing here:






For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.


People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.


-as told by Audry Hepburn when asked for advice on being beautiful

On Holiday

This weekend I went with a friend to go and visit the island of the ponies. Assateague Island that is, on the coast of Maryland. It was the first time that I have ever visited a beach in MD and the first time in over 3 years that I've been to any beach. I have to say that I really enjoyed this trip but it was probably one of the strangest holidays I've had ever (that's not something I can share on here though).

Here are some horses that we saw when we first arrived. The momma and baby are absolutely precious to watch together.

We couldn't find a campsite along the beach as we had hoped because of the holiday and lots of people being there but we found a wonderful place at Pocomoke State Park.

Katie went to the store to get some things while I read for a while.

The next morning we went to the beach on the VA side (we had seen the MD side the day before and this was closer to Katie's home, so her drive would be shorter going back).

Some reading done on the beach.

Went swimming in the ocean and thought of the Bible study that we're doing in James right now. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1:5-8

I tried standing in the waves firmly on the ground and felt a constant tugging back and forth unable to stay any one place. I've felt this before many a time but this time I thought about it in relation to what we'd been reading and I instantly thought about the house that was built on the solid rock and the house built on sand. One house stood on the foundation of truth that is God and the other was like a wave of the sea, easily tossed about and soon crushed. How can we be single-minded with Christ if we get so caught up in our own ideas and those of this world that only want to pull us apart.

Father God, thank you for your truth and the strength to stand firm on it with you.

Just Be

Not a whole lot to say right now but 'Good Morning' and enjoy the day. Let your day be surrounded and filled by the one who created you and everything around you (Let everyday be that instead of in a downward spiral around yourself).

Some pictures of a recent trip to Chimney Rocks near Waynesboro, PA.

Count Your Blessings

I had forgotten that I hadn't posted about my car until my cousin Elizabeth asked me about it in an e-mail recently. This is my car. It doesn't have a name and I haven't even cleaned it yet since buying it (you know, to officially make it mine), but it's mine. This past winter I had an accident. One in which my car was totalled and I was left very badly shaken and sore. In a previous post I mentioned how God had blessed me with a gift of money from some mysterious friends. My insurance didn't cover any of it and I had to start all over with buying a car. This was something I hadn't had to worry about for a while because my old car had been paid off for a few years now. I didn't know how I was going to be able to afford another car payment but with this mysterious gift and borrowing a car for a while from my dear daddy I was able to save up enough to buy a new car free and clear. It took a while to find a car that was in decent condition and affordable. Plus, I really wanted a car that was 'stick' because I had just learned how to drive since my old car had wrecked (out of necessity). One day I was looking at Craig's list and found this little gem for just my price and I have been driving it for 3 months now. This is the car that I prayed for and God provided just like he always does. It may not always happen the way we want it or in our time but He always takes care of us. Just wanted to share that as an encrouagement to anyone who may need it (myself included because it's so easy to forget the things that God does for us in this world).

Totally Tea!

So today was the glorious 'Tea Party' and while not every one who was invited could show up we had a blast none the less. My sister Melody took me a little too literally on the Tea Party thing and wanted all kinds of hot teas to drink and had to have croquet (which was totally fun by the way), but to me a tea party is just an excuse for people to get together and hang out. There may be tea (even though it was a little warm today for hot tea) but that's not the point. I'm glad that all of the wonderful women that came today were able to come out and I know that there were a good many that wanted to come but couldn't and I understand that. That just gives me the excuse to throw another one so that those who missed out can get in on the fun next time. Summer's not over yet!

Affirmation

Okay so I know I may seem a little crazy but I prefer to call it freakishly weird. Well anyways, at church this past Sunday the speaker spoke on Elijah and Elisha. He explained how Elijah was tired. Tired of not being able to see the fruit of his labor, tired of being chased by God haters, tired of feeling alone so he ran. He ran for his life and hid in a cave and when God found him he showed himself to Elijah through a whisper. God had already shown himself to Elijah in fire, wind, and rain throughout his ministry. It was through this whisper that God was telling Elijah that he wasn't done and he could do even greater thing through God then he'd done before. How many times do we feel too old and too tired to continue doing God's work (I'm not that old yet but I do get overwhelmed sometimes). God is not done with us yet or we wouldn't still be here. He has a plan for us and we shouldn't just sit around like bumps on a log waiting for it to happen. We should listen and do, live and love, and get over ourselves.

Tea Party! Why not!

Okay so if you're checking this blog out either you're a relative or perhaps you've received a postcard from me or someone about an upcoming Tea Party at my house. If that's the case then you're awesome (If not you're probably awesome anyways)! You also might be thinking that this crazy girl came up to me in church/work/on the street today and invited me over for tea (is she crazy or normal?- what is normal anyway). While the tea or beverage of your choice is cool and delicious, the real reason for a tea party is to have fun, get dressed up (if you want to, which if you're honest with yourself you really do!), and get to know people better.

Well if you don't know who I am I am sorry because I should definitely be getting to know more of you all the time but I find it hard to approach people unless I have a purpose in mind so here's my purpose. I want to get to know you, and have some fun in the process! You're worth it. Some of you I may already know and I want to get to know you better too.

I figured that this would be a fun opportunity to get to know more females in the community. I don't know about you but I can be a bit of a loner sometimes and hide in a hole instead of put forth the effort to get to know new people. So here's me coming out of the rabbit hole! Oh and if you need directions go here. Hope to see you next Sunday!

Spring is here and I am outside!

Ever since good weather has arrived I would rather spend my time out of doors then inside on the computer. I've enjoyed kayaking with friends and family, recitals, bike rides, family dinners and picnics, mowing, climbing trees, and getting my apartment painted and pretty. It's been really busy and today has been a nice and slow day to reflect on what's been going on this past month.

My family and I were really blessed to have our cousins come visit us a couple weekends ago, Shannon and Elizabeth! I don't know if they were expecting to be dragged every which way when they came to visit. They of course got dad's house tour and then the rest of the time we spent visiting Harpers Ferry, kayaking, grilling, and just hanging out. It was wonderful to see them both before they leave to go to Prague coming up at the end of this summer.

We climbed dangerous trees out into the Shenandoah River

Contemplated life the universe and everything

Snuck down secret passageways

Identified trees

Waited a really long time to eat lunch with family

Learned about the Civil War

And enjoyed unexpected adventures

The weekend before their visit we had the annual National Pike Festival wagon train that comes over the bridge on our property. We had all of our family that could come over for a big brunch before the wagon train came. It lasts all of 5-10 minutes for the wagons to go over our bridge but it's interesting to see. It's always such a blessing that I get to spend so much time with my extended family. They are so much fun to be around and so full of wisdom and laughter!

The horses and their wagons going over the Wilson bridge

Jeremy practicing for when he has six of his own!

Mostly though I've been spending my time on the creek by my house with people I love. I hope to be on it a lot this summer and with lots more people too. There's just so much to do and see on the water.

Mom's got mad skill

Melody styling the cool straw hat

Me acting like a monkey

Tons of turles just chilling on fallen logs

And the reality of new life all around.

I hope and pray that God is showing you how wonderful His creation is in it's people and world each and every day!

Tag! I love that game.....

Okay so to say that I love playing tag is a true statement (and I honestly play it daily with my pre-schoolers), but being tagged on-line is a totally different thing. Never done it before so I don't know what it's like yet. Here goes, my cousin Emily tagged me to share these things about me:

10 years ago I was:

I was 14 years old and just finishing my freshman year of high school, I swore like a sailor and thought I was the coolest.

5 years ago I was:

Working on my associates degree in Education and working at a Fabric store (without the potty mouth and with a much stronger relationship with God).

1 year ago I was:

Finishing my degree in Art and getting ready to move home.

5 things on my to do list today:

Paint the kitchen

Call about a canoe

Find a car

Feed the butterflies (which I forgot to do, they're not butterflies yet I just hope they don't come out of their chrysilids before Monday)

Catch tadpoles (we're studying sea life next week in my pre-k class, how can we do that without looking at actual aquatic life)

5 snacks I enjoy:

slush (a frozen mixture of pineapple, orange juice, and bananas)

breyers vanilla ice cream (plain jane style)

cut up fruit and vegetables (watermelon, pears, bananas, cantelope, strawberries, pineapple)

cheese and crackers

no bake cookies

If I were a billionaire I would:

Pay off all my families debts, Buy the house next door and then open up my own pre-school to teach a small class of students through exploring the world around them in a safe environment. I'd buy more kayaks so I could invite more people to go kayaking with me and not have to borrow other peoples boats (not that they mind but I don't want to become burdensome). Help the people in my neighborhood to repair their homes. Make sure that I always had food with me to feed anyone that I met that was hungry. Buy the racetrack next to my house and turn it into a community center with fields to play in and dirt to grow with if you want, an awesome rock climbing facility and a recreation center for kids to come to when they're done with school so they have a safe place to hang out (but it wouldn't by any means be just for kids). Have a place for animals to be kept and grown; sheep, cows, goats, chickens, and pigs. Take my Grandparents out to visit their family out west. Travel to visit all of the people that I've been wanting to visit but couldn't because I had to work or couldn't afford it. Then go visit all of the other places in the world that I want to see (Israel, Egypt, Ireland, British Columbia, New Zealand, Sweden, Zambia, Alaska, Iceland and the list goes on).

5 bad habits:

-remembering to brush my hair :) (the finger stroke gets me by pretty well)

-procrastinating

-either not getting enough sleep or gettting too much of it (not a good balance there)

-not being considerate enough of the people that i care about the most (it's too easy to say that i know they'll love me anyway)

-getting back to people in a timely manner (phone call, e-mail, what have you)

5 places I have lived:

Jacksonville, FL

Hagerstown, MD (back there now)

Chambersburg, PA

Grantham, PA

Greencastle, PA

5 jobs I have had: (just five?)

Newspaper girl

Joann's Fabrics cashier/stocker/keyholder

Ponderosa Steakhouse waitress/cashier/cook/dishwasher

Roofer (volunteer work in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and then paid work with my daddy)

Pre-K Teacher/Art Teacher (current position and loving it)

The Perfect Day!

While it's not a day that I could have ever dreamed up on my own today was one of the most enjoyable days I've had in a very long time. The sun was shining bright and warm and everyone in my family was itching to be outside working in it so we did. Melody, Christina and I worked outside cleaning up the flower beds around the house. Then we all helped dad pick up the thousands of sticks that have fallen over the winter and collect them so that Dad could mow. And to finish the day off I built a fire pit with cinder blocks and we enjoyed smores together. It was a glorious day for sure. Here some pics of my day and hoping you had a day just as wonderful!

Mom enjoying the newly cleaned back porch.

Dad enjoying his new toy!

Melody's new patio table, umbrella, and candles.

New things everywhere to discover!

The backyard with the lights from the race track going through the trees.

Head in the clouds

In case you didn't know this already I am a Pre-school teacher and my job entails playing with kids 5 days a week. Well this past week our lessons were on the weather and clouds. For a fun project we painted clouds on blue paper with white paint throughout the week and then today while my kids were taking their nap (which we do for 2 hours everyday and I must admit that this is such a wonderful thing not only for them but for me as well) my co-teacher and I hung up all of their paintings, as well as a few of our own, on the ceiling of our room so that when the kids woke up they'd be able to see all sorts of things in the clouds. We were going to have a day outside where we all lay in the grass and looked up to see what we could see but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. Don't get me wrong we had a couple beautiful days this week but either no clouds or clouds too big to picture anything, so we made our own sky filled with all sorts of creatures.

I loved (still love) to look up at the sky and make pictures out of the clouds. Even making up stories about what I saw up there. Just ask my friends, I think I've tortured them enough on our road trips where I tell stories about what I see in the sky (it's their own fault for having a sun roofs in their car).

If you get the chance spend some time outside now that the weather is getting nicer and enjoy the wonderful world above us. Oh and if the weather doesn't cooperate check out the book Sector 7 by, David Weisner from the library and enjoy his wonderful book (also check out this one if you get the chance!).

To get started here some pictures for your imagination.......

Oh and just for fun some clothes on the line now that it's warm enough outside!