The Joys of Family...

Family...there are many different personalities in our family...different likes/dislikes, many of us have very different sense of humors, different interests and different ways of doing things...but I like reminding my self that God placed each one of us in THIS family...and I'm so grateful that He did!

Yesterday, we all got together for our family Christmas celebration at my mom's house. Lots of wonderful food...appetizers like waterchestnuts wrapped in bacon, spinach dip, hot taco dip & chips...went well with the Steeler game.Then a delicious dinner of pork tenderloin, homemade rolls, augratin potatoes, carrots, green beans, and a family favorite, 'blintzes'...one of the foods that my girls say it wouldn't be a Christmas celebration without...and of course....COOKIES...and some wonderful chocolate mousse as if all of that weren't enough already!


This is the 'matriarch' of our family...the glue that holds us all together...my beautiful mother. I know...She does NOT look old enough to have a daughter my age...I think it's great that we are growing older together!
Here is a picture of my 19 year old niece, Lauren. She is in her second year of college at Penn State and will be studying in Italy next spring.

Here is my sister Lori, and our new nephew, Ty Robert! He is so busy...loves riding on this and he loved reading the new books we got him....he is so alert...it will be so interesting to watch him as he grows!

Here is my youngest sister Pam, with her 12 year old twins, Justin and Tina. Because they live over an hour away, it is always a treat to spend time with them.

Here is my hard working hubby going on just a couple hours sleep. He has been working one week night-turn (his usual) and one week daylight this month...and after working all night in freezing rain, got a couple hours sleep and was able to join us for the celebrations. ( as I'm typing this, he is working his second job fixing cars...he is one of the hardest working men that I know)

This....is our annual "Sister Picture"! Pammy and I love this....Lori tolerates it for our sakes, but we each have a special sister picture frame that we update every year....always reminds me of the special love that we have for each other. We are each so very, very different in most ways...but our love and care for each other is so strong...we don't know what we would do without each other!

Shayne, my nephew, loved his new afghan...he didn't put it down the rest of the day!

Anna loved her princess presents...now she has her very own "big girl" backpack and was thrilled with her "princess checkers game"!

Ronnie was so excited...he got the army belt and canteen that he had wanted so badyly from Vision Forum...and also got a 'Darth Vadar' laptop....all the games are educational and right now, since he can't be as active as he would like, this is wonderful! He is loving it!

Sara has been wanting a pink hoodie for so long now...she is so thrilled, that I don't think she has taken it off yet!

Meghan...I wish this wasn't blurry, but the expression on her face is priceless...she got her 'Pride and Predjudice' gift set...she never suspected that she was getting it!
I think our family had the best Christmas celebration together that we've ever had...and I pray God's blessings on each member of our family...for their health, well-being and happiness in the coming year...and may each one walk closer and closer to Jesus! ~Sue~

Joyful preparations....

Lots of busy, fun work going on around here lately! Seems everyone has been busy doing special things for Christmas...even our little ones.Ronnie and Anna made salt dough ornaments...(even Sara painted a couple)...they were fun as they were done in steps...so over the course of a couple days our little ones had fun painting away!

Here is a picture of the afghan I finished for my 17 year old nephew, Shayne...he's been wanting one and will be surprised when he opens it....lots of baking and crocheting slippers as well. Here are some pictures of the "fruit of our hands"!

Last night, Ronnie, Anna, and Sara made 'edible nativities'. How much fun!!! We were all sitting around our big table ( making our individual messes!)...While they made their nativities, Sara also finished sewing her ornaments that she made, Meghan had already finished her dishcloths she was crocheting, so she made our appetizer for our family Chrismas gathering today...water chestnuts wrapped with bacon and dipped, then carmelized in brown sugar and ketchup...YUM!....while I supervised, crocheted slippers and finished making individual name ornaments for family...had to make one for our new nephew, Ty...to add to my sister's tree. Lots of YARN in our home...I love it!

Today, we are all looking forward to a special, fun family get-together with my sisters, mom and nieces and nephews...although I get a special visit with my nephew, Tommy, on Tuesday...special, because it is one on one with him.May you all have a special, blessed, joyful Sabbath day!!! ~Sue~

P.S. A special cookie post will be coming featuring a special, heirloom ( to our family) cookie book. ( they have now re-issued it and you can buy it again!)

I had to post what I found!

This website: www.cryptogram.com/hearts is really cool and I wanted to make this for our blog. Comment on what you think of it!

~Sara~

Fruit Gusher Moment

You know what I'm talking about: the feeling like your a fruit gusher with too much juice inside and someone squeezes you one more time, you'll pop and spew juice out on everyone? Well, I just popped. The Christmas season is here and though I had bought all my presents, I still had to make eight ornaments for some people (not telling, just in case they read this blog). Very easy to make, but I need to sew them up. On top of that project and desperately needing to get a shower, I forgot to do my math for yesterday because I was babysitting in the morning and again in the evening, so I have two math lessons on my plate today :(

Because Meghan and Mom had to finish shopping for gifts (Meghan is buying mine as we speak...) mum asked me to load the dishwasher from breakfast (normally Meghan's job, but she didn't have time). I agreed, but then the realization hit me: I HAD TOO MUCH TO DO! When my dad nicely reminded me to finish the kitchen, I blew up. I broke down on my bed and cried huge tears of self pity. A scripture ( I don't know the reference, sorry!) came to me in the middle of my tear fest: 'Be still and know I am God'. No matter what we have on our plate, we need to do just that: be still and know He is God.

So the next time you eat a fruit gusher ( which I doubt many of you do... but I'm just sayin), remember that the next time you're like that piece of chewy candy waiting to spew, just simply BE STILL AND KNOW HE IS GOD!

PS: By the way, Merry Christmas! ; )

My Maidens of Virtue....

A couple of years ago, my daughters and I along with many other mother's and daughters started a monthly study/get-together for Bible study, book study, encouragment and fellowship. The book that we started with is called "Raising Maidens of Virtue"...so our little group was christened our "Maidens Group". Well...we've worked thru that book and are about 2/3 of the way thru the book "Beautiful Girlhood" and the study guide. The most mothers and daughters that we've had has been around 20 but the average meeting has about 16 each month.

This group has been such a blessing to all of us. We've dug into God's word to see what He says about Biblical Womanhood ( and girlhood, of course), we've had wonderful discussions where all of us ( moms included) have been able to support, encourage and exhort one another in our walk with the Lord, in our parenting, and in our marriages...and the girls are all learning at their mother's side...sometimes along with us. It is fun to see quite a few of the young ladies bring some form of handwork to do as we talk...knitting, crocheting, embroidery...it is not required, and not everyone does it, but it is fun to see what the girls are all creating. It is also fun to see how many pairs of sisters there are: usually if all are attending, there are four sets of sisters. Three are pictured. :)

Sara and Meghan

Hannah and Courtney

Michaela and Morgan

This past Monday, we had our December meeting/ Christmas party. We read a chapter, prayed, discussed and prayed some more...then we had an ornament exchange with the girls...what fun they had! There was lots of wonderful food...from stuffed mushrooms, ham hordeovoures, bruschetta on homemade toast points, pistachio cake, citrus cake, Mrs. W's famous dip and chips, homemade chocolate confections ( the oreo trifles were amazing!) and of course the ever present popcorn! Afterwards, each girl had a chance to make a beautiful ribbon board ( courtesy of the Goettel's!) to take home as a special keepsake that they had made with our Maiden's friends...all in all, it was a very special, memorable evening!

We're so gratedful for this group of friends...moms and daughters alike! I so appreciate the kindred spirits that I have found and the fellowship that I need as much as the girls.

Most of our girls have been friends for almost 10 years now...and they are all such wonderful young women...I'm so glad they have each other for support, encouragement, accountability...as well as fun and friendship! Just had to share another one of our joys of this season! ~Sue~

Some Links...

For some very good articles! I will be making more lists of our favorite websites soon!

This first one made me laugh-it is great and so true! I love it!
http://www.empoweredtraditionalist.com/2008/12/10/3-ways-to-be-a-feminist-in-disguise/

This is just a great website overall! It is chock full of very convicting and thought-provoking posts.
http://visionarydaughters.com/

This is also a wonderful website run by Jennie Chancey.
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/index.shtml

This is the archives to all articles in the wonderful Christian women's magazine Above Rubies
http://rubies.articledirectoree.com/articles/

More links will be coming soon on the side of the blog! I just have to set aside time to copy and paste the URL's. :)

Family...

We had a wonderful family get together yesterday at my sister's house for my nephew's 17th birthday...of course, it was a Steeler party as well! It was so nice to see everyone, lots of great food ( way to go, Lor!)...and it was Ronnie's first outing since his surgery 12 days ago. He did well....he's trying to do too much, though...have to rein him in since he feels so good!

Sometimes, family is not just blood relatives...sometimes, we can have special friends....old friends or new friends...kindred spirits, someone who you just know God brought into your life to be a special friend....someone who feels like family....

We had a treat yesterday...our old friend ( goodness...she's been my sister's best friend since 1973!) Debbie was there. Deb is so sweet...and so funny! Who else but a really old friend, would remember the silly things you used to do as a child, and will sit and sing all the old songs with you (Deb, I promise you can sing lead...I don't mind singing backup, now!) ...remembering all the old school friends you both know and laughing hysterically about some of the things you used to do. It's always special when we get to spend time with Debbie.

Well...off to the craft store for paints and glitter for our saltdough ornaments. ( after getting some laundry started, of course! LOL) Will post pictures of our creations when they are done...Ronnie and Anna are so excited! One thing we're doing this year is helping Ronnie and Anna make 'edible nativity scenes'....we did this when Meghan and Sara were little and they were so proud of their creations and it is every bit as much fun as making gingerbread houses. We'll have to do a seperate post for that activity! Hope everyone has a very blessed day! ~Sue~

Proverbs 17:17

"A friend loves at all times." This was one of the first verses I memorized when I was little, and recently I've been reminded of how the Lord's blessed me with such wonderful friends.

All day Friday I spent time with my 'kindred spirits' and I think we all spent more time giggling and talking than anything. Saturday I woke up feeling 'blah' with a pounding headache, a stomach ache, chills and shakes. (Odd, because I hardly ever get sick)No fever but I dosed off most of the day. I was so bummed I couldn't go to Tori's Sweet 16 party that night but I told Sara to take pictures and tell me everything. Later that night, at around seven thirty that night, Alaina called and a bunch my friends who were there told me how much I was missed and to 'get well soon.' I put down the phone after her cell phone lost reception and I teared up. (For those who don't know me very well, I tear up over a lot of things.) As tired and yucky I felt, I felt like I was being showered with God's blessings and goodness. The night progressed and all I was left with at midnight when I went to sleep (after watching It's a Wonderful Life) I was left with some aches and pains and a lingering headache. I stayed up to finish watching It's a Wonderful Life and began crying at the end.

When George Bailey picked up the copy of Tom Sawyer his 'guardian angel' Clarence had left him, he read Clarence's note and then reads, "No one is a failure who has friends."

Mum and I were talking about me staying home from the party last night. As bummed as I was, I felt so blessed after Alaina called and I heard her message, I opened and read a letter from a dear friend, I thought about the party this past Friday. I am so blessed-with friends from church, friends I've never even met and friends who are truly kindred spirits. Proverbs 17:17 came to mind as I thought about writing this post and I was struck by it's applicability. It's short, simplistic yet meaningful. I thank the Lord for all my friends!

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.