Grandma

Today, January 31, marks the fourth year since my sweet Grandma died. She was almost 97 when she died and had lived a very long and full life. She was a very interesting woman and way ahead of her time.

I talked to my cousin the other day and I said that I am done crying--mostly. But that I have so many very happy memories of my Grandma--a life time of memories, that I am done crying and am going to concentrate on remembering the fun stuff and all the good stuff and quit concentrating on her death.

My Grandma was such a special person in my life. I was very very close to her all my life.

So, today I am remembering my grandma with a smile instead of so many tears.

Kindergarten

As I was driving home from picking up my son from pre-school, I thought to myself, "next year will be different."

Next year my little tiny 5 pound baby will be starting kindergarten.

It's official. We signed him up and put a down payment on the tuition. Took the tour of the private school and got a bunch of info for the fall.

We still have the parent interview to go through in April, but I have no qualms about that at all.

The little guy has been going to a pre school and a school readiness program for the last two years so I am confident he will do well in school in the fall.

Did I mention that it's all day everyday kindergarten????

Thankful Thursday

Today's TT post marks one year that I have been posting Thankful Thursdays.
I've enjoyed it and it has given me a moment each week to ponder what I am thankful for.

This weeks topic is security. It has made me wonder about my security in Jesus.

To have security in Jesus means to have a firm foundation in the Lord. A strong foundation in Jesus brings perfect security. Security comes with perfect peace and the protection of the Lord. Man will always be there to bring you down and make you feel insecure, but remember who you are in the Lord.

So many times in recent years I have been brought down by fellow humans, but I know that in Christ, I have all the security I need. It is my faith that guides me and sustains me. It brings me through the dark times.

Most of the time I try to put all my trust in the Lord but at times I fail.

I am thankful for God's peace each day and knowing He is my security.

I am thankful that my God never leaves my side.

I am thankful that I can talk with my God and he listens every time, no matter how big or small the conversation.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hebrews 13:6
So we may boldly say:
“ The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

Today in History....

*January 27, 1888 National Geographic Society founded

On January 27, 1888, the National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C., for "the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge."

*1945--Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland.

Wow, I didn't know this. I've been to the Yad Vashem Museum in Israel and it was breath taking. The childrens part especially. It made me cry.

*1967 The Apollo I fire killed astronauts Grissom, White, and Chaffee during a simulated launch at Cape Canaveral.

*1973 The Vietnam peace accords were signed in Paris.

I remember watching the Vietnam war reports on the TV.

*1984 - Carl Lewis bettered his own two-year-old record by 9-1/4 inches when he set a new, world indoor record with a long-jump mark of 28 feet, 10-1/4 inches. The track event was held in New York City.

I've always loved watching the Olympics and watched these Olympics that summer.

*2006 Western Union delivered its last telegram.

yellow Blanket

I made this baby afghan for a woman having her first baby. They are not finding out the gender. This just stumps me!

I wanted to know the gender with both my children. I needed to be prepared in every way possible since I am a planner. It is so foreign to me that people don't want to know!

Anyway, it's made with Red Heart yarn. White mixed with pale yellow. It is 33 inches wide by 38 inches long.

I hope she likes it!!

today I will make a difference----Max Lucado

Today I Will Make a Difference
Max Lucado

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful.

I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom.

I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble... . I will get up. It's OK to fail... I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference.

Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failure. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on.

Memory Verse Week 4

Proverbs 3:1-2 (New King James Version)


1 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

Thankful Thursday

Another edition of Thankful Thursday.

Today Iris over at Thankful Thursday is talking about Prayer.

Prayer plays an important role in my life as well as my family.

I teach my son how to pray and he has learned.
I can pray for internet friends that I have never met--and I do, sitting right at my computer I can say a prayer for healing, illness, death, life, or comfort, or anything else that is needed.

I know that at any time, any where that I can pray to God and He hears me, and that brings me comfort. I can pray for anyone at anytime and God hears my prayers.

Today we went out to lunch. It was just a fast food place but it was good food. we pray before we eat and my husband lead the prayer as he usually does. When he finished, there was a man sitting in the booth behind us and he approached our table and said "excuse me, it is nice to hear someone thank God for their food". We were somewhat surprised, and pleased.

Today I am thankful for:
*prayer
*my family
*fresh food available to us
*exercise--I always feel better after I exercise
*my freedom

Roe v. Wade

Thirty-six years ago the Supreme Court ruled on Roes v. Wade.
Here is the Wiki entry for it.

Think of all the babies killed.....................

God knew us before we were even formed and born. It's incredible to me that people think a baby isn't a baby from conception.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeremiah 1:5 (King James Version)

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

A hat

I made this hat for my mom because she liked my nieces hat.

Prayer Shawl

This is a prayer Shawl I made for a woman I know that has cancer.

The sides are folded because I couldn't get the whole thing in a picture.

It is made with Lion brand Homespun yarn in Cobalt. It is 98 inches wide from arm to arm and 48 inches long from neck to tip.

Memory Verse Week 3

Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV



1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.

Genealogy

Today I saw documents my cousin made from my fathers side of the family.

It is fascinating to see my family tree.

Some things I learned today:

*my Paternal Grandfather was an Electrical Engineer
*my paternal Great Grandfather was a model, among other occupations
*my ancestors were farmers in England that mostly stayed in the same area for generations
*I know who my ancestors are as far back as the 1500's so far
*some of them were illiterate and signed with a mark
*throughout the generations there are a lot of the same names
*my Grandparents were married in Trafalgar Square, they came to the USA in 1929

I also know a few interesting facts about my moms side:

*my maternal Great Great Grandfather left Luxembourg when he was 17 yrs old
*he fought in the Civil War with a company from Illinois!!
*my maternal Great great Grandmother was from Lyon France
*my maternal Great Grandma died on her 86th birthday--I was 13 She was a sweet lady
*these are all my moms and my special grandmas family
*my other Great grandparents were from England too!

Build a Bear.....

And a dog!

We recently went to the Mall of America and happened across Build a Bear.

We were there two years ago and made a dog and a bear then too.

The dog was a border collie for my little guy and the bear was for our baby we were expecting, but alas, we couldn't keep that baby. You can read about that bear here

So the little guy decides he would like a bear, so he chooses his bear and we are waiting to get it stuffed. I look over and see a dog. Not just any dog but a Jack Russell dog.

I debated for a while if I was going to get it and finally decided yes. So here is my special stuffed dog. I named him Otis 2 and he lives along side my Teddy.

Little guy got a bear that says "I love you, I love you" and now he sleeps with his new bear!

Those we love..............

Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us everyday.
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.

Thankful Thursday

Today is another winter Thankful Thursday. It's been very very cold and snowy here.
But since I have lived here my whole life, I am used to it.

Today I am thankful for:
*The heat in my house
*my mom
*my husband
*Wii fit
*sunshine in the middle of winter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Psalm 119:114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

1 Corinthians 2:12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Pray for our President

I was reading Bethany's blog here
and am reminded to Pray for President Elect Obama and his family.

I am also reminded to continue to pray for President Bush and his family.

Max Lucado has more info here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Wii Fit Update

Ok, it's 13 days in to the new year. I have been exercising almost everyday. I take off one day a week.

The first week of the month I did the elliptical but except for Sunday, I have been using my Wii Fit. I really really am liking it a LOT.

I've been doing mostly aerobics and YOGA!! I still have no rhythm, but I am working on it. My balance is getting better too. I am trying new yoga positions and it's exciting for me to be able to balance better. I never quite understood yoga until now, and I see why it is popular.

I am determined to stick with the exercising and The Wii makes it somewhat fun while working out.

And we are all still bowling with the regular Wii!!

Memorial blanket

I made this Memorial blanket for another woman I know that lost her baby daughter.
I just cannot imagine that at all. It breaks my heart.

It is made with Lion Brand Homespun baby. It took six ounces of yarn to make this blanket and it is 15.5 inches wide by 18.5 inches long.

Sunday Song

the LORD Reigns Bob Fitts

The Lord reigns
The Lord reigns
The Lord reigns
Let the earth rejoice
Let the earth rejoice
Let the earth rejoice
Let the people be glad
That our God reigns

A fire goes before Him
And burns up all His enemies
The hills melt like wax
At the presence of the Lord
At the presence of the Lord

The heavens declare
His righteousness
The people see His glory
For You O Lord are exalted
Over all the earth
Over all the earth

Our God reigns
Our God reigns




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Psalm 99:1

The LORD reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.

Psalm 97:1
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.