birthday day, and building blocks.

 Happy birthday to my Mom today~ I love her so very much, and am so glad God made her my Mama. She is such a sweet, loving, fun, funny, lovely person. She is so much fun to be around, and we have the best times together! She is my best friend, and a wonderful mama.

I love you Mama~ Have a wonderful year being --. ;)

O.P.I nail~polish.

I am smitten with this nail-polish. For once there is kind that doesn't chip of the first time you touch something. I call that good nail-polish. I might actually paint my nails now, and not have to clean them off because they got all banged up while doing stuff.... amazing.

Building blocks.

The perfect activity to entertain yourself with on a rainy afternoon. When it rains the hours in the day seem to be linked together with sleepy eyes, and coziness. When the ground is to wet, and soggy {unless you have rain-boots... which I don't} to play outside, then pulling out the wooden bocks with brightly colored letters engraved on them, and build and stack till your hearts content. There will be castles built, sstatements made about how you 'wish you could be making a sand castle, and put a flag on top of it', and blocks crashing down to the floor because of a one year olds lack of patience to see the finished product.

Lately I have become a fan of pictures "with motion". {usually called blurriness, but what's the fun in that?}  They are more realistic, because really- unless you spend your picture taking time yelling at everyone to "be still! Look at the camera!", then you are very unlikely to get a picture that isn't blurry. Especially on a rainy day, when there is no sunshine coming through the windows to help the lighting out. I prefer to let them do their thing, and if you catch the perfect shot, well then- good for you. If you don't, that means your shutter speed is too low. ;)

"I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen." — Louisa May Alcott 

Rain~drops.

 I like seeing the trampoline and play house on the side of this picture. On rainy-days, when you can't play outside, you can just look out the window and see all the play-places, where many hours of sunshine happiness have been spent. Whether is be the jumping contests that were held on the trampoline, or the mud-pies that were made in the playhouse.

Children's books.

Childrens books... you gotta' love them. I am familiar with the childrens section in the library, because of having younger sibilings. I actually have favorite children's books. I love the one called "Too many pumpkins", oh- that's really a great one. But my #1. fav would have to be "All the places to love". That is my top pick to read when I am putting Levi to bed. The illustrations are gorgeous, and look like someone pulled out a camera and taken the pictures.

I am almost 100% sure that we aren't the only ones who have book baskets with stray toys in them, and toy baskets with stray books in them. We're doing good if the books and toys are in baskets... I'm just being honest.

                                                         
                                                             Foggy Hills.

I snapped the picture below this afternoon. You couldn't see the hill this morning when I woke up. The rain, wind, and dark skies completely put a dark mask over everything. I was lovin' it! ;)

Whether you have sunny skies, or dark clouds hanging over you.. may you find the perfect activity to fill your afternoon. Building blocks are always a good idea, and if you have the key to your castle may you be able to unlock it~.....

{a mix of things}

Well, Friday afternoon went well and I like my haircut!
I don't have the before and after pictures uploaded yet, but as soon as I can I will post them..
and all about the head massage. ;)

Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday {happy birthday Mama!}, and she and my dad went to the city near us for the afternoon/evening to do some shopping, and go out to dinner.
The town that we live in DOES NOT {i repeat, does not} have good shopping, so we have to go to this city to do it. Which is fine I guess, because you can make a day of just shopping- plus their mall is really good. One of my favorite stores is "William Sonoma"... be still my heart. :) I wish I had the money to spend in there!~

Another one of my favorite stores, is "New York & Co.", love.love.love their stuff~
Something that would make the mall even better, is if they would add a "Anothropoligie" store. I would probably leave the store with a broken heart, because I couldn't afford anything. Oh, but it would be 100% worth it!

Anyways... Mama brought me back a bottle of O.P.I nail polish, from Ulta! I have heard really good things about this kind, and I am really excited to use it!

                                              {Here are my toe-nails painted for Valentines day.}

I was on goodreads.com and found a paragraph from a book, and I thought some of the things that were stated were really good. In the beginning it is talking about how God has so many followers, with so many different backgrounds. He was people that once worshipped gods, and were the worst of sinners. Here is what struck me as really good:

Does that mean," asked Mack, "that all roads will lead to you?"

Not at all," smiled Jesus as he reached for the door handle to the shop. "Most roads don't lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you."

Isn't that true? I loved the way it was put.
~.~.~.~.~.~

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."  — C.S. Lewis

{another one that I think is so wonderful.}

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Abigail made chocolate cheesecake for my mom's birthday tomorrow... we are thinking about diving into it tonight. That wouldn't be so bad, naughty, and wrong of us would it? Nah, I didn't think so! ;)

Have a happy week!

I might go into deep depression tomorrow....

...But that depends on whether or not I like my hair cut or not. ;)
I am going at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon, to get it cut. I am a bit worried.
I have had the same hair style {if you can even call long hair w/ some layers, a hair style}, for 2+ years, and I think I am going to miss it.... even though I am getting sick of my drab hair.

{sorry it's a bit fuzzy... the original size was rather small, so it got blurred when I made it bigger.}

I am taking that picture to show the hair stylist. I am going to ask for about two inches cut off the end, more layers, and bangs. Eeek. The bangs part scares me. :/

The last time I got bangs, it scared me for life. I looked like a sixties freak.
I think I have already mentioned that in another post, though~ ;)

My mom has been to this salon before, and she said if nothing else the head massage that the lady gives completely is worth it. She has a way with comforting people like that. ;)
I'm just hoping that the hair cut {and massage!} will go well, and I will walk out of the place, with a hair cut that I like~

I will get a before and after picture, and put them on here... that is- if I like the end results! ;)

Fellowship of the Unashamed

"I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded, I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions, are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let go, or slow up until I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes; give till I drop; preach till everyone knows; and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, because my banner will have been clear."

-------------------------

I find that so inspiring. The parts that I put in bold-face are my favorites.
My mom printed it off this morning, and read it to us when we had Bible study.
I remember a preacher reading that one Sunday. I had forgotten how good it was!!

I think I might hang it up in my room~ It would be a good thing to wake up and read every morning! I like knowing that my past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and that my future is secure.

-----------------------------------

I am reading "More than a Carpenter", in the morning for my bible study. I was reading something in it one morning, and it said-

"Christianity is not a religion. Religion is humans trying to work their way to God through good works. Christianity is God coming to men and women through Jesus Christ."...


I honestly had never thought of religion in that since before.

I had always thought, and called Christianity a religion; I hadn't really thought twice about it.

another thought from the book::~

"The very name of Jesus seems to bother people. It embarrasses them, makes them angry, or makes them want to change the subject. You can talk about God, and people don't necessarily get upset, but mention Jesus, and people want to stop the conversation.

Why don't the names of Buddha, Muhammad, or Confucius offend people the way the name of Jesus does?"

I don't know the answer to this question. Maybe it is because Jesus is so much more personal than all the other "gods". I seriously doubt you can pray to Buddha, and you immediately feel "his" presence with you.


Josh McDowell had a very interesting story. He tried religion. He went to church every time the doors opened. Religion never did anything for Him. He tried other things that he thought would bring purpose to his life. Nothing ever did.

Religion isn't something that will bring purpose to your life. I don't think anything will be able to fill that certain place in your life, except Jesus Christ.

---------------------------

Do you think that Christianity is considered a religion? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the only thing that can bring true purpose to your life? Please let me know what you think about this...

a picture is worth a thousand words...

 

our Valentines day...

We had a fabulous day yesterday!!!

We did just a little school and then watched these great history videos, called "America: The story of us". They make you feel so proud to be an American! :)

Sunday night my dad made red-velvet cupcakes for us, and to take some to work the next day. They turned out great! He was very proud- we told him he needed to go to "Cupcake Wars"! ;)

Aren't they pretty?! I thought he did a pretty good job with the piping, considering that it was the first time he has ever done it~

 For lunch my mom made brownies, and we had brownies and ice-cream for lunch!
It only happens once a year~ why not go all out?!?! ;)

Our day was filled with sweets! We made up for it by having vegetable soup for dinner!
I was going to start a 75% raw food diet today, with my mom and sister... but when there was still brownies, and other sweets left over today, we decided to just try to eat more raw food, instead of doing a whole raw food diet. ;)

So far all that I have eaten raw today is two pieces of fruit, and carrot juice. I haven't gotten "the glow" like all the raw foodies say they have. I'm not really sure why! ;) haha....

I'm about to go push Lily Kate in the jogger, and walk. Sweets certainly don't make you feel very good about your figure! ☺

hat's off to St. Valetine...

Who is the reason for the wonderful tomorrow~

We love Valentines day at our house. We always have cinnamon buns for breakfast. Last year we had fondue, and it was simply L-O-V-E-L-Y. This year we are going a little different, but still staying with the chocolate theme, of course! ;)

I haven't even gotten my Valentines made... and I'm sitting here on Valentine's Eve. That's pretty sorry.
I spent a lot of time on extended family Valentine's, that I kind of put my {family's} V-day cards on the back burner.
I'm a sorry Valentine.

I hope you have a wonderful, LOVEly day tomorrow. Eat plenty of chocolate, it makes the day more memorable!

and of course- with all love,

Lydia
xoxoxox

{welcome to our kitchen at lunch time}

At about 12:30 p.m everyday, a tornado comes through our kitchen. Everything one puts the school books down, and heads to the kitchen to eat lunch. We don't really have a fixed meal...

Everyone just kind of comes in and does their own thing. {besides the younger ones, who can't do it themselves.}

The oven is used, pots and pans are dirtied, and the sink gets filled of bowls, and plates.

I told Mama that I was going to take some pictures of it before I cleaned everything up, and she requested that I also take after pictures! ;) ....just so you know that our kitchen doesn't always look this way!

~*Before...

~*After....

There's just something about a clean kitchen that makes me smile!

 No more dirty dishes in the sink- except for the pot that had to soak, because someone burned something in it~ ;)

~

Going to bed on Thursday nights, you think about how tomorrow is Friday, and Friday's are always so much easier than the rest of the week.

Well, it usually goes that way... But not this Friday. Nope.
It wasn't a bad Day at all. It was a good day. Everyone seemed to be in good moods, we didn't have as much school work to do. It was a good day!

But... it was the things that happened that were kind of crazy.
For starters, the phone wouldn't work. {they hadn't been working the day before also, but a little while later they did start working.}

I was up in my room getting ready when I heard this bomb sounding sound go off, and the power goes out. I look out my window to see a little down our street, smoke going up in the air, and a electricity pole on fire.
The fire went out a few minutes before the firetruck came. naturally. ;)
The boys would have loved to see them put it out!

We all ate cereal, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, in a dark dining room~ :)
...and then huddled under blankets in the living room during Bible study.
We ended up not freezing too much!

A couple hours later it came back on, so it wasn't too bad... just a little Friday morning chaos!

Here's to a happy weekend, and clean kitchens!

~Lydia

{valentines edition}

I just had to put up a few of the V-Day pictures from our photo shoot yesterday.
We had been wanting to do them for couple of weeks, but just never got around to it~
So yesterday was the-DAY. I have to be honest and just say that I wasn't looking forward to the photo shoot itself... I never do! I don't think any of us do.

It always takes us FOREVER to get out the door. It was all kind of jumbled mess. Our conversations were yelled, and they went like this~

"Where's your coat?"
"Make sure that you dress warmly it's cold out there!"
"No don't wear that hat. Go brush your hair!"
"Two-minute warning!"
"Did you get Lily Kate's sweater?"
"Where is the dog?"
"No, don't wear those shoes, go get the other ones."
"Everyone come on!"

It was just a little bit of a zoo. ;)

I think the boys go into a state of panic, or something like that, when the camera comes out!
In the car I told them. "Alright, now. Everyone is going to be good! We only have to do this about three times a year, so behave!"

They actually turned out well... Everyone DID behave, and we had a good time. Besides the fact that we were a little chilly~ It was snowing after all. {you just can't tell in the pictures, we have a good 3-4 inches now.}

 We have had the same profile picture for... I don't know how long! A long time. It was taken about three years ago. We figured it was time for an update... :)
 There were several that ended up looking like the one above... I look like I've been sucking lemons... :/

Have a LOVEly evening~

{going green}

If you are a Packers fan, go ahead and pat me on the back. ;)
I think you would be very proud to know that I wore green today~
Yes, I know... I don't even watch the Super bowl, but I just *had* to do something!

I've never been one to get into football, or any sports, for that matter...
That's not really my thing. I might just go look at the screen for a few minutes, so I can say that I DID watch a little~ :)
That's not cheating, is it?

The reason that I chose to wear the Packers colors was because::

1.) I knew their colors.
and
2.) I didn't know the Steelers colors.

;)

By the way, if you are going to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, it just might be a good idea to make sure you know the words, before singing it to the country.
That came across as a little tacky, Christina Aguilera.

Have a super Super Bowl Sunday!
Go Packers~ {I never thought I would say that.}

Love,
Cheese head :)

{horses from my window}

***Pieces from the {day}...

I stepped out onto the front porch today and saw the horses out across the street..
They were finally let back out, after being cooped up for a while with all the cold weather!
It was nice to see them back~ Lily Kate enjoys watching them, when I hold her out there.




I was listening to the radio this morning and heard about all the blizzards/and snow that some people are getting.  So glad we aren't getting it- I'm done!! {those last two words remind me of the ending of a veggie tale's song on a CD that we have, said in that quirky accent that one of the veggies has!} ;)

This evening this is what my dad got home with~ it was surprise... to the boys...

                           
everyone but the three boys new about it. They were shocked~ and thrilled.
They've been wanting a dog for a LONG time now, and were completely surprised when my dad walked in with this little guy in is arms. ;)

At night when the boys were in bed we would talk about names for him. We debated about a few... here are some that were one the list, and who suggested them::

-Charlie- Abigail and I.
-Boone- Mama
-Theodore~ Theo- Me {I love quirky names!}
-Roscoe- my Dad {pronounced Raw-scoe}
-John Henry {that was a name that my dad has always wanted to name a dog... he tried to talk my mom into naming one of the boys that, but it never worked!} ;)

In the end, after talking about it, and much pushing from my dad.... ;)
We ended up naming him Roscoe.
Not what I would have picked, but then again, it isn't my dog!!

He is so adorable, and sweet. Very laid back, and gentle. I'm sure he will feel right at home in no time!~ :)

.............................
{written on Wednesday... 2/2/11}

I'm sitting here in the dark laundry room typing this. I look down the hallway and into the boys room to the sleeping puppy covered in a maroon blanket, sleeping. I think he is liking his new home... thankfully!
He slept good during the night, until about 3 a.m, and then Titus got up with him and stayed with him the rest of the night. So glad it wasn't me that had to! :)

He really is a very sweet little thing. It still kind of amazes me that there is  a living creature in our house. Not that "we" as a family aren't living creatures but.... you know what mean~

I am not a huge animal person. I would never be one to have a animal sleeping with me. That's not my thing! Now I might allow a cat to sleep at the foot of my bed, but never IN the bed with me. :)

I really wouldn't like to be in charge of an animal.
So, I guess you could say that I like animals, as long as I don't have to take care of them!!
Now, that's not wrong is it? ;)

I hear the boys cheering Roscoe on for "going" on the "going" paper. :)
He has had quite a few accidents today, but the boys haven't complained about having to clean it up too much.

{written Wednesday evening...}

 

"I saw horses from my window, they were watching all the cars go".....

 

I found these quotes on love and thought they were worth sharing~::

"Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity. Love like there's no tomorrow, and if tomorrow comes, love again." ~Max Lucado

"It is not how much you do, but how much Love you put into the doing that matters."
 ~Mother Theresa

"People need loving the most when they deserve it the least."

I especially loved the last one. How true.
I think about when I have given someone love when they didn't deserve it.
Or, even more, when someone has given ME love, when I haven't deserved it!
It feels good to love, and be loved. When you give love, joy, peace, and patience, get thrown in there too!~
                     



“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” ~C.S. Lewis

Have a wonderful evening!