Fiesta numero uno fin de semana

(By the Way, the title is 'party number one this weekend')

We just got home from the party for Courtney's 18th birthday party! It was so much fun! I spent it with my closest friends and best friend, Sara, for the whole day. In the morning, after arriving at their house at ten o'clock, we talked for a little bit and then had a delicious brunch. (I could kick myself for not bringing my camera!) The table was set beautifully-all matching (of course!)and very elegant. The food was delicious; they made stuffed sausage garlic bread, mini egg quiches, gourmet coffee (my favorite!), ham, and fresh grapes. We all did so much talking we didn't eat much! After that we kept talking, but moved into the great room for Courtney to open her gifts from us. Then we all had petite slices of a tiny cake that was really a child's smash cake but just small enough to be used after the brunch! After this we all bundled up and drove to a nursing home in Mckeesport to sing a few Christmas hymns for the elderly. They were all so sweet and nice. I think they really liked us coming and singing and I'm glad we blessed them.

After this we travelled back to the house and helped get ready for the birthday dinner for Courtney and Lila. We all chatted while we cleaned up, baked, cooked, etc. So it really took hardly any time at all-and it was fun! We all got a chance to hang out for the rest of the night and talk to each other-a whole day with one's closest friends doesn't seem sufficient to me! When my dear friend, Michaela, left with her family I still felt (even after being with her all day) that the visit was too short! Courtney and Hannah, being assistant hostesses, looked to be tiring out when Mum, Sara and I left at about quarter past nine. This day is going to stand out to me for the rest of my life as one of the most memorable and fun days with my friends. I got to spend a whole day with, Sara, Courtney, Hannah, Michaela and Morgan-and yet when I left I still felt the visit was short. Time flies when you're having fun. I am so glad the Lord blessed me with all these kindred spirits! Here are some pictures from the party, taken by Sara. She took some great ones!

Courtney and I

Sara & I

Mrs. Sames and MumMichaela and Morgan Williams

Some of my blessings....

My three "Little Women"....I am so blessed! I love this picture of the girls...not only are they my daughters, but also my best friends.....honestly, there is no one else I would rather spend time with than Ron and all 4 of my children! Anything we do as a family is always better than if we do it seperately, or with anyone else!

One of my greatest blessings...my wonderful hubby! After 22 years together, he is still (and always will be) my special guy...my world revolves around him...and my children.

These are just 3 of my blessings...Ronnie, Anna, and my incredibly cute nephew, Ty in the middle! In our house, we call ourselves the "Ty Fanclub"...when he is here, none of us can concentrate on anything else...he is that cute! The most alert, nebby baby I've ever seen...wants to look at everything at the same time....just thought this was too cute...had to post!

I am blessed...I have all that I need! ~Sue~

Nothing else I need...

The words to a Jeremy Camp song are filling my head this morning..."and you fill my life, you're everything to me, and there is nothing else I need anymore..."

God has been so gracious to me recently (everyday, actually...if I pay attention)...in making His presence with me and my family every minute of the day felt so strongly...there really is nothing else I need, but Him. He is my Savior, my provider...He provides everything I need, including hope, comfort, peace and trust...that He is in control of the world...all of our circumstances...and He loves us.

Ronnie is better today...we thought we might have to take him back to the hospital for re-hydration, he had been so sick and lethargic...but by last night, he was acting better and now he is fine...Praise God!!! Now if only Anna doesn't get it, too! Again...I keep telling myself, that God is in control and I simply need to trust Him with my children's health...and not worry about it. ( I AM keeping a large supply of gatorade in the pantry, though, just in case!)

Today is a special day...my wonderful nephew, Shayne turns 17 years old! He is such a great guy...hard to believe he graduates next year....he is one of those kids who really never gets into trouble...minds his own business, would rather shoot hoops with his buddies than go to a party...he has a good head on his shoulders and we're very proud of him. Happy Birthday, Shayne! (we'll celebrate as a family on Sunday....along with his beloved Steeler football game!)

We actually have 3 birthday celebrations this weekend. Today, Meghan and Sara are at a special birthday "Day" for their dear friend, Courtney's 18th birthday...starting with a birthday brunch, then a special trip to a nursing home that Courtney ministers at to sing and visit with the special people who live there...then back to Courtney's for a special birthday dinner...a wonderful, full day!

We are blessed with such a wonderful group of friends! Along with everything else we need, that He provides for us, He also has provided us with just the special, like -minded, kindred spirit friends that He knows we need in our lives...for each child. It will be interesting as Ronnie and Anna grow older, to see who the Lord brings into their lives...I'm already seeing some special friends for Ronnie...friends that they can encourage each other in right behavior as well as just having fun together and enjoying each other's company...

I pray, everyday, that I always remember that there really is nothing else I need....He knows my every need, thought, and even desires of my heart...and He will provide what I need....from rest, to comfort, to joy, to protection and provision....He, alone, is all any of us need.....especially during this Christmas season....let us all remember that He has already provided all that we need...and He tells us so in His love letter to us! May you all have a very blessed day! ~Sue~

What do you think?

I did it! I crocheted this scarf for my friend's birthday and it turned out beautifully! The fringe is all even, the edge is straight, and it looks so pretty (if I do say so myself!) The pattern is really simple, and it takes (without procrastination) probably a few weeks. All I did was I chained nineteen, then did doubles. At the end of the row, I chained two and started the next row. It's that simple! I was thrilled when I finished it, because I now need to crochet satchets for christmas presents! (By the way, if it curves in and after it's done you look at it and say, 'that don't look right!' it's really simple to fix: on the wider end, edge with a single. On the smaller ends, edge with a double. Add some fringe and voila! A wonderful scarf for a wonderful friend!

Much Love,

Sara

Christmas Tag

I was tagged for the first time! Thank you Jessica McDonald for allowing everyone to be tagged by you! This tag is my answers about Christmas, which is fast approaching. Christmas happens to be my favorite time of year, so how could I pass up a "Christmas Tag"? *smile*

Here I go...
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, without a doubt. Otherwise, wheres the fun of ripping it open and throwing it all over the living room :P

2. Real tree or Artificial? Definetly real. Artificials just don't feel right to me (sorry anyone out there that has one!)

3. When do you put up the tree? It varies, this year it was the beginning of December, methinks the 6th...

4. When do you take the tree down? Early january

5. Do you like egg nog? No... I don't really like the taste

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My microphone when I was six. It was a plastic mic with a applause button I was in heaven!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Me personally? Nada. Our family has a few.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My parents! I can never think of what to get them!!!
9. Easiest person to buy for? Anna. Anything pink, princess, or fairies is perfect for her!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail... except for the price of stamps. = )

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't remember ever having a bad christmas gift!
:-)12. Favorite Christmas movie(s) ? The Nativity Story, The Toy that Saved Christmas, and White Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November??? I am a procrastinator.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I dunno

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? BABALKI! Little bread cubes with saurkraut! Yum

I now tag Julia, Laney Lou, and Ella: tag you're it!

Our 'Love Letter' from God....

As I was starting to read the book of Revelation this morning, in my Bible is a devotional taken from Stormie Omartian's book " Just enough Light for the Step I'm on."....it stood out to me so much, that I wanted to post it for you....it was funny....it was exactly what I was telling my children just the other day! (of course, I'm going to have them read it as well....that's what mothers do!LOL) So...here it is:

"People who say the Bible is not relevant today obviously don't know the Author. They read it like a storybook or a history lesson, having no idea of the power behind it. They don't hear the Shepherd's voice because they have not become one of His sheep. But those of us who immerse ourselves in it, who press in deeper and deeper, know its power. We love His Word like a love letter that we read over and over because we desire to be close to the one who wrote it. We long to connect with and remember everything about that person. We want to understand how He thinks. We yearn to hear His voice again in our mind. We crave His touch. When we hunger for those same things from God, we learn to appreciate His love letter-the Bible- in that exact same way.

Of course, if we don't love the person who sent us the love letter, it is meaningless. It holds no life for us. The key to receiving the full message in God's love letter is to love God. Because I love Him, I hear His voice speaking to me when I read His Word. If I read it often, the words find residence in my heart and bring me life.

God's Love Letter guides us. He has provides a guide for us as we walk and to keep us from falling into the pit. Those of us who have read the Bible cover to cover have to be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that the light we had last year, last month, last week, or even yesterday is enough to keep us safely on the path today. Neither can we read God's Word just once and then be finished like we can with any other book. The Light that we recieve from God's Word must be renewed, revitalized, and solidly reestablished daily.

God's love letter defends us: When satan came to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus spoke the Word of God to refute everything satan said. Jesus told him that we live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4 If God's own Son refuted the devil in that way, shouldn't we do the same? Only God's Word in our mind, on our heart, and out of our lips will burn away the darkness of untruth and arm us with a double edged sword more powerful than any weapon the opposition can use against us. Who does not need that?!

God's love letters give us Hope: There are no times so hopeless in our lives that God's Word will not shed light on the situation and bring us comfort. If you find yourself struggling with hopelessness, loss, sickness, or temptation, make God's Word an ongoing presence in your life. Hook up to it like an IV and let it flow continually through your spiritual veins. Its light will burn hopelessness out of your life.

Hunger for God's Word like food. Thirst for it like water. Soak in it like a jacuzzi. Put it on like a grament. Weave it into your soul so that it becomes part of the fabric of your life. When you do, you won't just be trudging up the trail. You will be dancing in the footlights."

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Rough day so far...I NEED to rest and soak up His word...even if it's only for a few minutes...I HOPE we will have a quiet night ....(I spoke too soon....there is a Penguin Hockey game on TV tonight...lots of yelling at my house during hockey games!) Maybe the guys will watch downstairs and the four of us "ladies" can light a fire and work on our crochet and embroidery gifts for Christmas while watching a Christmas movie....Anna wants to do her own "crafts"....can't say anymore, not sure which family members are reading! Gotta run....I'm being "paged"! LOL ~Sue~

Thankfulness.....

I am thankful! And...I have need to remember to count my blessings! Ronnie wasn't feeling well today...he seemed very tired and had an on/off headache...what was really bothering him was that everywhere he had adhesive on him, his skin was raw...poor guy...he no longer needs bandages, and can shower tomorrow...hopefully, he will continue to heal quickly. I'm thankful he is healing as quickly as he is...I'm thankful for good friends who have brought us meals, (tonight was fettucine alfredo....it was SO GOOD!!!), I'm thankful for my friend who is a busy homeschooling mother of 3 girls as well as a pediatric nurse who is always available to reassure and pray....I'm thankful for our pastor...who took the time to call today and check on Ronnie....and I'm thankful that this tired, hurting body is typing this from the comfort of my quilted rocker...on a laptop! I'm especially grateful for the good friends who blessed us with this...and came over to set it up, show me how to work it and a fun visit, as well.

Not only does God ALWAYS meet our needs in our family....but frequently, He gives us the desires of our hearts....wow....I marvel at how very much He loves me! I am in awe of all of His creation...of the seasons...of His gift to us of creativity...and the many ways that this creativity comes out in each one of us...God is so good to us!

I was talking to a friend today who has one little one and another blessing on the way, about this Christmas holiday season...we try very hard to stay as 'uncommercialized' as we can here...just very simple and making memories. Ronnie piped in with " we haven't had any of that 'kapusta' for a while!"...cracked me up! The kapusta he was referring to was sauerkraut...we always say " Daubre Kapusta"....or "Good Cabbage"....that is a memory my children will have...sounds silly, doesn't it... but to me it is precious. We are looking forward to cooking and baking up some traditions and memories coming up soon. My mother's homemade Kielbasi...what fun to mix just the right blend of spices with the pork and fill the casings...nothing tastes better! Making some of my Baba's orange cookies and 'Bobalki'...some of my mom's mom's blintzes....my older girls say it wouldn't be Christmas without all of these things...and our advent wreath and devotions, our cousins's cookie bake/decorate party, watching "White Christmas" and "It's a wonderful life". For my little ones, they love the tree and are constantly looking at all of the ornaments...finding "theirs", and they love the "star of Christmas" lit up on top.

For all of these, my wonderful children and hardworking, handsome husband and a multitude more....I am thankful tonight. I pray that all of our loved ones will know how much they are loved and be blessed tonight, too.~Sue~

Knowing God: Reflecting on Chapter Ten

Tonight Meghan and I are going over to a church couple's house for a study. At our church, we are having a high-schooler's book study and we're studying the book 'Knowing God' by J.I Packer. Very hard book, but digging deep is good. Beware grammar nuts, he uses HUGE run on sentences, but they're jam-packed with good food for thought.

Today we had to read chapters 9 & 10 and chapter ten was the best by far. The subject was: God's wisdom and ours. J.I Packer writes, " It is to be feared that many Christians spend all their life in too un-humbled and conceited a frame of mind ever to gain wisdom from God at all. Not for nothing does scripture say, 'with the lowly is wisdom' (Proverbs 11:2)" We must remember that though we shouldn't belittle ourselves, we must be humble to receive wisdom.

More later after the book study!

~Sara~