Z is for zzzzzz....SLOR!

Okay so I'm too lazy to think of anything for Zz and I have no intention of doing it but to complete this craziness I thought I'd go ahead and keep the title. Last year my friends and I made a sled to help raise funds for a local boys home. Well this year we did it again. I only have a couple pictures worth showing but there will be more soon if I can bum them off my friends any time soon.

Y is for Y (Why?)........

I have always been a very inquisitive person. I don't know if I've mentioned this on here before but I was actually grounded once from asking questions (the only time I was ever really grounded). I was only five and my mother was very pregnant so you can figure out the rest. Some questions that I have lately have been:

Why has it taken me so long to get through the alphabet on this silly blog of mine?

Why don't I spend more time keeping in touch with the people that I love and don't see often?

Why do I need sleep?

Why haven't I started planting seedling yet for my garden?

Why is sharing my life with people so hard sometimes?

Why am I alive?

This question should be better explained. Last week I got into a very bad car accident. There was wintry conditions with slick roads. I was coming around a turn down a hill and lost control. My car turned sideways and rammed into a bridge where it then spun out of control and rammed into the other side of the bridge. I've only been in a couple accidents before and they were more of "doh" kind of accidents (insert bart simpson accent and context of show to understand). This one was much more serious and frightening. I pushed my way out of my car door and immediately thought 'God, why am I okay.' I don't know why He let me be virtually unhurt (only a few bruises and some soreness) but I know without a doubt that He has a purpose for me still. The title of this blog holds true more now than ever. Life is a gift! The most wonderful gift that we can receive. The only thing greater is life beyond this short time spent on earth, spent with the one who created us.

This question can only be followed by another and the wonderful ways in which God has blessed me.

Why am I so incredibly loved?

Monday morning when I walked in to work I was looking in my book bag to find my work keys so I could get inside and I found a wad of cash in with the rest of my junk. I don't cry easily but when I saw that money in my book bag I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with so many emotions. I walk in the door to my pre-schoolers who are all making birthday cards for me and wishing me birthday wishes. I didn't want to scare my kids by bawling my eyes out in front of them when they were being so wonderful so I accepted a couple cards and passed out hugs then went to the sanctuary to compose myself before I had to start work. I couldn't believe how incredibly blessed I was. Not only am I alive but I now have a good start to be able to afford a car that my insurance won't cover. I don't know who exactly gave me the money, I hadn't told that many people about my accident, and honestly I don't care who gave me the money. It is just an overwhelming feeling to know that 'I am loved' and have friends and family who take care of me when they see a need. To whoever gave me the gift if you read this THANK YOU from the innermost of my heart for your love and encouragement.

And to all of my family and friends whom I don't say this to often enough, I love you!

'xantho spider, xantho leaf'

My X is a lyric to a song by Mewithoutyou. If you ever get a chance to see them in concert it's very interesting. Actually the lyric is 'yellow spider yellow leaf,' but my friends and I changed it to 'xantho' when we were on a roadtrip one time going through all of the words that start with the letter x in the dictionary. Xantho is another word for yellow. Look it up if you don't believe me.

Sled construction has begun for this year's Wild and Wacky Cardboard Sled derby. I can't give you any details right now (top secret!) but I'll be sure to post pictures when we're done. There hasn't been a whole lot of snow to play in this year so far. Only one snow big enough to sled on (which I didn't have time to do) and another time with enough snow to have a snowball fight (which I did get to do!). I'm ready for some serious snow though. Especially if I'm going to be going skiing for the first time ever this weekend. I'll let you know how that goes for sure!

W is for Woman

Yes that's right woman. What does it mean to be a woman. What are the desires of a woman's heart and why are women the way they are? Don't ask me because even though I am one I can't answer these questions any better than you can.



A dear friend of mine just attempted her last chance for having a child through In Vitro fertilisation. Unfortunately the attempt didn't take. They already have one amazing child through this method for which they are very thankful for, but it's costs are so high that they decided that this would be their last try for another child. I don't know if they have considered the prospects of adoption or not but I know that they could be so blessed by it (just as the child would be).

In reflecting on their situation and trying to put myself in her shoes I wonder why it is that women want to have children so badly. There's lots of reasons that people have for having children:

- sharing life
- they make life interesting
- child labor (just kidding, sort of)
- laughter
- loving to love
- you get to act like a kid again
- a squeeze around the next (I love kid hugs)
- fulfillment of husband and wife
- producing a blood line (passing on the family name)
- it's what we're made for (among other things)
- entertaining
- the experience of being pregnant (and it's closeness to God's creation)

While I know that there are many other reasons for having children I don't think that having your own biological children is the only way to experience the joy that children bring to our lives. There are so many many children out there who need to be loved, taught, and cared for because their own biological parents can't take care of them (for whatever reason). I wonder if more of these children aren't adopted into families because our reasons for having children are so messed up that it's not so much about the child but about fulfilling something in ourselves.



Don't worry I'm not thinking of having/adopting kids any time soon (I'd have to be married first), but these are just thoughts that I've been turning over and over in my head this week. I love children dearly and hope to have my own some day (in one capacity or another) just not now. I am surrounded by children everyday where I work as it is, and they are more than enough for me to love on right now.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
- James 1:27

V is for V v v v ......

I don't know what V is for and to be honest I can't believe I'm still doing this encyclopedia of me. I started this out hoping I'd be done in August but here it is January already and I've still got 4 more letters to do.

Aside from whatever V may before I want to wish all a Happy New Year with many good wishes your way! I am starting this new year with a new job as a Pre-K teacher at the same place I'd been before.

Lord help me to be a guiding light to these little children of Yours. Help my actions to be a visible reference of who you are to all I come in contact with.

U is for Unexpected gifts......

Okay so usually I'm not one of those people to go bragging about the gifts that I got for Christmas, but there's one gift in particular that I'm kind of excited about and wanted to share. My sister bought her husband a new ipod for Christmas, so she in turn got his old one and they were trying to sell hers. I've wanted an mp3 player for a while and this seemed just as good. Well my mom surprised me completely and bought the ipod for me for Christmas. I was actually really surprised by it. While opening Christmas presents I even told her that she must've confused someone else's gift with mine because it was a itunes gift card, but she said it was for me (after saying "oh you shouldn't have opened that one yet").

While I'm not the biggest person on music or anything I do enjoy a good book (don't get me wrong I love music I just don't have to be listening to it all the time to feel alive). I've always gone to the library to borrow books on tape there but I haven't been able to in a while because where I live the house is so open that everyone would hear (whether or not they wanted to). That and I've been terribly busy, and my cd player is on the fritz so it's kind of annoying to get into the first chapter of a book and it suddenly decides to stop working. But now I can listen to a book while I'm sewing or cleaning and not have to worry about anything.

I've already got a few classics that I haven't read in a long time on my ipod as well as a few new ones, but they'll have to wait until I get my reading done for school first (oh priorities).

Thought you might like to hear this

Just hit pause on the music below and hear what this 13yr old boy has to say about God's son. I heard this this morning from a friend and I had to share.

T is for Time and Thought......

I can't believe that there's only a week before Christmas and then another week until the new year. Time is such an abstract concept for me sometimes (I think I get that from my Dad, 15 minutes usually means an hour and an hour is like 4 hours, i love you Daddy!). It's hard for me to think about plans beyound a week and how that actually effects what I should be doing during this week. I try to be a good steward by planning trips to get everything that I need done at once so I'm not wasting gas by taking several trips to get what I need. I'm even worse when it comes to having other people involved with future plans and communicating everything that they need to know (or maybe would just like to know) with regards to our plans.


I was talking to a co-worker of mine today (yes another story about work and kids, how unpredictable), and we got onto the topic of children and their manners (or lack there of). Parents are so busy running around trying to take care of things NOW and not considering how it's affecting their childrens future. The results in children learning poor management and planning in their lives and a constant need to be moving and doing all the time.

Some of my most precious moments as a child are the ones that aren't so busy. I can remember distinctly the feeling of lying on my bed with the sun shining on me with absolutely nothing to do. I was gloriously bored. I can't remember when the last time was that I felt that. I've got a list of things to keep me busy now that's at least a century long (if lists were measured in time). Wouldn't it be nice if we took the time to just be with out family, friends and selves? Try it this holiday and see if you don't enjoy yourself a little more.

S is for Sick, Snow, Salary, and Singing......

I've been dreadfully sick this past week. I was so sick I was referred to as the tissue monster by a few. I finally feel like I'm getting toward the end of it though!!! It's been a busy couple of weeks working on Christmas projects with my kids at work and trying to keep up with the Christmas stuff at home as well. I finished my class at school in Art History II and I will be starting my last class tomorrow (after this one I have my degree!). I'm both excited and apprehensive about the class I start tomorrow. It's called Culturally Diverse Literature and it sounds really interesting, but it's an on-line class and I'm not always the most discipline with school work so hopefully I'll be able to stay on the ball with this class and not get behind at all.


Walking inside this evening from running errands was the first time that I actually felt like looking forward to winter! I've felt kind of saddened by the coldest thus far but while walking in I could almost sense the snow. I got really excited and felt the urge to go for a walk in the cold and blowing wind. The moon was shining and the clouds moving fast. In less than a minute there were snow flurries blowing around everywhere. It won't amount to anything on the ground but being there when it first started was very exciting! I can't wait to see the creek freeze over and snow piled high around the banks (picture below is from last year). I know I'm supposed to be an adult and not like these sort of things, but honestly I get just as excited about going sledding and snowball fights as my kids at work do. I can't wait!

Some exciting news for me at work is that I'm going to be starting in a new full time position where I work after the first of the year! Yay, my first big kid job where I'll be getting a Salary and Health Insurance. My cup is overflowing with the goodness of God. I'll be working with a wonderful woman and some amazing Pre-K kids that I've been blessed to get to know over the last few months. This means that I won't be seeing my school age kids as much and that saddens me, because they are so creative and interesting to get to know. I know that the teachers that are still with them care about them a lot and will continue to be there for them.

Last night, our family on my mom's side gets together almost every year to go down to this small little church (hardly bigger then my parents bedroom and living room combined) called 'The Woods' and sings. Usually Symphony sings, Melody plays something Mom plays a piano piece, her sister and children do lost and my grandparents will play a piano duet. This year we went but it was a bit different. Symphony's in Texas, Melody was sick, David had to work and Grandma wasn't feeling well. We had the gathering and Mom, Lauryl and Lauren sang and played and I SANG! I never sing in front of people, unless it's worship or fun with friends who I don't care if they hear me sing. Singing in front of a large group of people that you don't know a song that you only just learned the day before is a bit of a scary thing for me. I sang but I was a shaky nervous wreck the entire time. Just a few reminders for myself:

- Don't sing a song you don't know very well in front of a group of people
- Don't agree to sing a song you don't know very well in front of a group of people you don't know when asked the day before (okay the week before but we didn't get to practice until the day before)
- Don't agree to sing a song you don't know very well in front of a group of people you don't know when asked the week before and you have the sniffles
- Relax! It's not worth getting nervous over.

R is Really for Rest.....

Rest. What is rest? Do we ever truly know what rest is? I think I've experienced it before but I don't remember what it's like. Can someone remind me what it means to rest? This time of year is really busy for me and I've been super busy trying to get my final projects done for school, stuffed toys made for an art sale at school, lesson plans written out, and a plethora of other things that I think I have to do. While I enjoy this time of year immensely with all of it's family gatherings and festivities I have to admit that it's not even December yet and I'm feeling a little bit in need of a rest. Hopefully once classes finish (not this Tuesday but the next), I'll be ready for the Holiday.

As for other R's...

- I try to reflect on what I am doing daily and see what I should be thankful for and how I could have done things differently that day (you know learn from your mistakes instead of making them over and over again). This is especially important with regard to working with kids, and so many of them at that, because you want to remember how each one tics and how best you can work with them.

- Since the year is almost over I've already begun thinking of resolutions. The thing is that I never make New Year's Resolutions. I think they're silly. If there's something in my life that I need to or want to change for the better I should make that proactive choice to change it as soon as possible not waiting until an appointed time by society to make that change. I guess the end of the year just gets me re-evaluating all the changes that have happened in my life in the past year and whether or not they've been for better or worse.

- It's nice to know that I have "roots" where I live. I've gotten to know a lot of people and I can go to a parade and run into people that I know and catch up with them.

- Rising early in the morning is something that I've always wanted to be able to do consistently and I'm finally able to do that with my job. I've always needed at least 8hrs of sleep or I get grumpy, stressed, and irritable. I know 8hrs seems like a lot to all of you sleep deprived crazies out there but I know that I am a better person when I get enough sleep. I'm much more likely to be a person that I'm not ashamed of when sleep well, and that's huge. Especially since I want my life to be one that strives to be like Christ.

R is for Review (movie review that is).......

First of all scroll to the bottom of this page and pause the music so you can hear the preview below.

Okay so my family and I went to see August Rush tonight and I have to say that it was a wonderful movie. Somewhat korny at times (but who doesn't love that), a bit of a fairy tale (but you're warned about that to begin with), but completely inspiring. There's nothing in it that would make you want to look away, a very clean movie all around (a huge plus in my book, I really dislike when there's just one part in a movie that you could totally have done without and really didn't add to the story at all). Hearing the music in the theatre is the only way to hear it I think (unless you've got some really nice surround sound system at home). I think I'll be seeing this one again (something I never do).

Day of Gratitude

Are you thankful? Or do you just assume that you're thankful and not fully appreciate all of the little things that we are given or blessed with? Too often I take for granted that I'm thankful for the little things. I wish it wasn't once a year that I forced myself to think about all the things that I truly am thankful for. This should be a daily thing, to count my blessings! I am so very thankful for so many things. I know last year I wanted to write one thing down that I'm thankful for each night. I never actually did this but how inspiring would it be to go back and read this thankfulness journal and see all of the amazing things that I have to be thankful for over the past year. I really do want to do this and if you're reading this and you know me ask me about it sometime as a way to keep me accountable (I might seem disapointed in myself if I haven't followed through like I hoped, but I'll be thankful that you brought it up so I can get back on track)! Anyways looking back this past year here are some things that I am thankful for:

- a place to stay after moving back from school

- being back home where I'm closer to those I love

- a new addition to the family who makes my world turn!

- relationships with my sister that have grown so much since our more pugnacious years

- being able to know people where I live and having a history with them

- cows that follow me to the mailbox

- friends that will stay up to the not so wee hours of the morning with me playing games and talking

- friends who let me play with their horses and hang out with them

- people who care about our earth and it's preservation

- to be able to release my thoughts out into the world and have friends hear them and understand

- the use of my hands and my ability to work with them

- children and the many joys and lessons that they teach us in life

- adults who are willing to share their stories and wisdom with others

- all those in-betweeners who are desperately trying to figure out who they are in the context of our world

- music that touches the innermost part of you and you don't know why

- laughter in all its various voices (especially giggles adults and kids alike!)

- deer that silhouettes against a moonlit sky

- and most importantly a God who provides me with every thing that I could possibly need (Thanks!)

Q is for Quiltmaker

Yes, I'm only 23yrs. old and a quiltmaker. There's no rule that you have to be an old empty nester to be a quilter (or an old maid for that matter). When I was 12 yrs. old my Grandmother taught me how to make my first quilt. I haven't been able to stop since. There's something about the ability to maneuver the colors of fabric around to make something beautiful and warm that someone will wrap themselves in. Now I haven't made many quilts but I've dreamt of them. I've planned for them, even bought fabric for them. It is my goal this coming year to complete many of my unfinished quilts that are waiting around to be finished. Let's see if I will follow through.

Here I am enjoying a quilt by the fire with friends this past year. The quilt was made by my mother and the qulited pillow made by me.

Some other Q things about me:

I'm not very quiet most of the time. I really try to be but when I get excited or find something funny it's hard to hold back.

Oh this is a big one. I am a walking question. I'm constantly asking questions. I know my family gets tiresome of it because that's the reason for my one and only time of being grounded. I was asking a lot of questions in the car when I was four and my momma was pregnant with Symphony. The questions were just too much for her nerves so she begged daddy to do something about it so he grounded me from asking any more questions. I'm not exactly sure how long I was supposed to be grounded for but I'm quite positive it didn't last very long.

P is for all the Pretty Colors!

My Grandmother and I have an ongoing joke about how I love the color orange just a little bit too much. Don't get me wrong I don't have favorites or anything, but this time of year how can you not appreciate and just absolutely fall in love with the color orange!!! Here's some pictures that I took at the city park yesterday that are decent enough to put on here.

Other P things about me....

I don't like posing for pictures (I feel so fake when I do), however, I love watching other people getting their picture taken. Go somewhere famous and people watch to see how ridiculous some people look when they're getting their pictures taken.

Peanut butter and bananas are yummy (as well as peanut butter and honey sandwiches).

Poppies are probably one of my favorite flowers, especially icelandic poppies (they're best in the garden though, I've tried to make a bouquet of them and they don't last more than a day).

Peonies are another fun one and they do look good in bouquets!

I would love to paint more but it's just too messy for my life right now (watch me start painting tomorrow now!)

I'm the pickiest non-picky person you'll ever meet (ask my cousin Jeremy about that).

Have a "Pleasant Day"!

O is for Obedient

A friend of mine told me that his niece has discovered the words "I don't want to," and will say it to any suggestion before it's even said. It may actually be something that she wants to do but she won't change her answer (most of the time), because she's already said no. She may be missing out on something that she would enjoy just because she has to stick to her silly rebellious attitude.

How often do you say no to someone just because it's them asking you to do something you don't want to do, whatever it is that they are suggesting or asking or even telling you to do (be it boss, parent, sister, friend)? I'm like this more than I'd like to admit (rebel at heart). For instance, all my sister has to say to me is "you should...." and immediately I shut down to whatever it is that she thinks I "should" do. It may a great idea, something I agree with but because SHE told me I should do it I really don't want to agree.

I've been wondering a lot lately if I have this same attitude with anyone else. Do I have this same sort of rebellious attitude even with what God wants me to do with my life? Don't get me wrong I want mine to be a life that is God honoring and following the path of His will, but do I sometimes dismiss what he tells me because I really don't want to do it? I'm not sure if this is making any sense but I have just been wondering how mature I am with my ability to listen and obey to what God has in store for my life. If my childishly rebellious attitude with my sister telling me what I "should" do is like this, how am I with my attitude in other areas of my life.

Lord help me to never be blind to the areas in my life that need work and help me (with Your help) to overcome them. Help me to grow up to be Your child, open and obedient to Your will.

N is for National Adoption Month....

Did you know that November was National Adoption Month? I found this out while I was trying to find out fun days in November for my kids at work. I also found out that the 13th is the World Kindness Day, the 16th is Button Day, the Slinky was invented on the 26th in 1943, and on the 30th it's Stay at Home Because You're Well Day (I definitley remember taking a few of those days growing up:).

At work for our bible lesson we talked about November being National Adoption Month and I found out that quite a lot of the kids at our before and after school program were indeed adopted. It was so neat to hear this and then talk about Moses in the Bible who was miraculously adopted by the very people who were trying to kill him. God works in truly amazing ways. I am really looking forward to hearing about the kids own stories of adoption and just their stories in general. Kids are amazing story tellers if you will just listen to them (true and false alike).

I've been blessed to know a family of amazing proportions from my church who have adopted 12 children and have just been aproved to adopt 5 more (not to mention they have five biological children and a grandbaby - not all living with them of course)! I can't think of another family whom God has used to bless these amazing children. I'm so grateful to know them and be able to be a part of their lives. Right now I am teaching the school age children Art once a week and really enjoying coming up with the lesson plans as well as working with a small enough group of kids that it's not so overwhelming (like at work sometimes).

It's amazing how big the family of God can be if only we let it.

M is for MINE!

I went with my sisters yesterday to check out two new stores in hagerstown Fivebelow and Best Buy. Well, while we were in Best Buy I found the camera for me. My heart fluttered when I read it's information. This camera was there and I was completely amazed at how close to being perfect for me it was. If you read its information you'll see that it's water-freeze-shock-and crush-proof! The only down side was that it had digital image stabilization instead of optical image stabilization (and it was a tad too expensive for me). This camera is perfect for my accident prone lifestyle. I've already been too rough with two digital cameras in my life. The first one I lost to the ocean (St. Petersburg, FL where we were kayaking and the bag I placed it in was faulty), and the other to hard use (I think it got dust/dirt in it causing the lense to not open properly). I still need to take my camera to a repair shop to find out if there's any hope in repairing it.

My title makes it sound like I'm one of those totally spoiled little kids that think they can get anything they want if they play their cards right. While this does not accurately portray my temperment I have to admit that I do feel that way sometimes. Most often when it comes to my life and how I life it. I am constantly having to remind myself that this life is not my own but God's and everything in it belongs to Him.

Another L post!

I was thinking up this post for quite a while and when I finally came to write it I realized that I had already written up an L post but hadn't posted it yet due to lack of pictures. Well it ties in really well with my idea of L is for Lost.....

I feel completely lost sometimes without my camera. I keep coming up with ideas for posts and then not following through because I haven't had the access to a camera for photos. It truly is amazing how visually dependent I (and I think a lot of other people out there too) have become. It's like something is not worth giving your interest if it is not visually appealing (which is definitley not true by the way). I'm trying to save up to either repair my current camera or get a new one and if I have to continue on without photos or using old photos than so be it. I enjoy this medium of expressing myself (blogging that is) and something as silly as not having new photos isn't going to stop me.

I lost myself in my thoughts yesterday hiking up a familiar trail. The colors of fall are all around right now and I have been feeling drawn to go enjoy them all week. Work and rain made that impossible though so I'm so glad that I was able to get out yesterday and be surrounded by it all. The feeling of my heart beating as I was hiking up the mountain was just the reminder of living life that I needed.

L is for life

How often to we try to fill life with things that we think we're supposed to do but really they're not all that important?

I want my life to be one filled with the most important things out there:

God, Love, Family, Giving, Breathing, Learning, Being, Creating, and Living.

Still working on trying to prioritize what things need to be done (eating, working, cleaning, sleeping), with things that are fundamental to wholeness. I tend to focus on one thing at a time and forget about the other important things that I should be doing when I'm focused on a task.

k is for kids!

Kids are an absolutely awesome part of my life. They always have been and always will be. They are the reason that I act the way I do most of the time (I'm very much like a kid myself most days, completely crazy, loud, and annoying, but also creative, fun, and full of love). I'm working a job right now where I'm surrounded by kids at work. It's a before and afterschool program where I chill with the kids either until they go to school or their parents pick them up (before and after school).

The first few weeks I struggled with getting down the rules that the kids follow and dealing with kids trying to tell me otherwise and being thrown into classrooms not knowing any of the kids names or temperments and being expected to teach them. Those situations have been trying but the people I'm working with have been very helpful. I've gotten to know about half of the students already and will hopefully learn the rest here before the month is over.

It truly amazes me how different each and every one of these kids are. They're so amazing and unique to get to know. I'm truly blessed to be working with them.

One thing that I hadn't realized about kids (either because I've always worked with smaller groups of kids or because it's been so long since I was in elementary and middle school myself) is that they're LOUD! Volume control is difficult with a bunch of kids who've just gotten out of school and all they want to do is wild and be loud (or so it seems). I have to admit that driving home in my car without the radio is absolutely blissful.