Christmas Break!

Hello Blog Readers,

We will be taking the two weeks of December 24-28 and December 31- January 4 off.

We look forward to starting up again in 2013!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Esther Ruth

Esther Ruth..............

It's almost Christmas! Can you believe it?  I am so excited for this season!  The Lord has been blessing me and I am looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!

 My family had been memorizing Mary's song of praise.  It is very thought provoking and helps me remember how big of a deal it really was! 

Luke 1: 46-56

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
⁵⁰ And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵² he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵ as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Amy :: Christmas!!!

I love Christmastime!  

Our family has a fun tradition of picking names for each other and buying them a special gift that will help them grow in their walk with the Lord Jesus.

We also do a small stocking stuffer for this secret person each morning starting 7 days before Christmas.  This is a lot of fun :)

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

"For to us a child is born, 

to us a son is given

and the government shall be upon His shoulder,

and His name shall be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it 

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

Isaiah 9:6-7

Theme this week is.............

Christmas!

Week 10- Love through Suffering...

Love Through Suffering...

This christmas season, I have really been captured by this particular picture. From the time Jesus was born, until his horrid death for us he was always loving, always serving us, his people. We didn't deserve his gifts yet he gave. We didn't except his glory, yet he still came. This Christmas Season may you find yourselves with open hearts to him and be captivated in his arms.

Merry Christmas...

XOXO-Hanna  

          

"For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past."    ~Romans 3:25 NLT

Happy Birthday Jesus! ~ Tricia Week 10

Merry Christmas everyone!! It's JESUS'S BIRTHDAY SEASON!!!!! :D I don't know about your families, but whenever we have a birthday, our mom always tells us our birth story. When she found out she was expecting, how it happened, how the pregnancy went, coming up with a name, the first contraction, the first look at us, the first time she held us in her arms, etc. Well, it's getting closer and closer to Jesus' birthday and I ponder about doing the same with His birth story. It's all there for us in God's word. Every single piece mentioned above is written in The Marvelous Book. God lifts the latch to the window of His Son's story to let us not just see the facts of the story-the where and when-but to see the heart. The emotion. People are emotional creatures, made in the image of God, and wired to love stories. To connect to the common bond of experiences and emotions. And in this beautiful story we get to connect to the best, and most powerful birth story ever. The story that stirs our hearts to the Father. In some ways the majority of the Old Testament is the first part of Jesus' birth story. The stories of love and life that led up to that one very dear couple: Mary and Joseph. The preparation of the Savior of the World's birth. I have been doing the Christmas devotional by blogger and author Anne Voskamp. In it every day is another part of Jesus' "birth story". His family history. His people's history. I have so enjoyed this devotional and this look at the ENTIRE Christmas story. To realize that all of those other events and experiences before Christ's birth are leading up to the final stroke in the grand masterpiece. The music is swelling, violins begin dancing, and then the trumpets of the angels sound and The Lamb of the World takes His first earthly breath. The earth is still while we wait for our first glimpse of The Savior. Then He takes our breath away with His last, and awes us with His resurection. We are saved. Redeemed. Free. It all began with the creation of beauty and climaxes at the most beautiful picture of all~Christ laying down His life for His people. A Gift. The lights, the sweet perfumes of the season, the shimmering garlands, the colors of loving sacrifice and friendship (red and green), and the darling decorations everywhere you turn, is all celebrating His Story. The whole story. The love exemplified from Christ's first breath in the cold stable to His eternal breath He breathes into us. So let us celebrate well. Let us sing joyfully in praise of Christ's whole story. May every shimmering light remind us of the Eternal Light from above. And may we remember the entirety of the story and share it with all. Christ is born. He is risen from the dead. We are one with Him again. Come awake. Come awake! Christ is risen from the grave! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’” John 3:16-17

Enjoying celebrating with Laina, Melika, and Elliot (M's boyfriend)!! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Esther Ruth.....

                                                                     Peppermint Plate!
I made one of these last week. We were able to display it at our Open House last weekend!  Here is how to make one. Enjoy!!!!

I want to encourage you to remember what this season is really about! It is about remembering the birth of  Christ our Savior!

^{Luke 2:10-12 says,}
  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Amy...........

This passage is called 'Mary's Song of Praise' or 'The Magnificat'.  

It expresses her thankfulness to the Lord after the birth of Jesus was foretold.  

What a wonderful expression of worship and thankfulness

that can be an example to each of us today.

 "And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
 

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
 

And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
 

He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
 

he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
 

he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
 

as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” "

Luke 1:46-55 

Patricia

Well, Merry Christmas everyone! It's freezing cold and snowy here right now. And the world is just awful Christmas-y. :) I'm a sun flare addict so I love this picture....hehe. And now I'm off to work.

xox trishy

Christmas Music!! ~ Tricia Week 9

December is here and Christmas music is in full swing!! You hear it everywhere you go, malls, gas stations, grocery stores-everywhere! Not all Christmas music is created equal, but some songs are excellent. Those are the ones that stir your heart. Especially the ones that stir your heart to Christ. To His birth, love, death & resurrection, second coming, etc. From old Christmas carols/hymns to new contemporary songs, I love them. Some of my newer favorites are Welcome to Our World, This Baby, Winter Snow, One Wintry Night, Where's the Line to See Jesus, It's About the Cross, Breath of Heaven......this could go on and on. :) But one that I really, really like is called "A Baby Changes Everything" by Faith Hill. It starts with the Christmas story, and ends with how Christ has changed everything for her. Absolutely beautiful. I have to share it with you! This video splices scenes from "The Nativity" movie and the song, and I think it's really pretty. Please enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’” ~Luke 2:10-11

Esther Ruth.............

 My cute dog!  Isn't he cute?  We always joke that this is our dog's favorite Bible verse....(yes, he's very spiritual...can't you tell from this picture?)

  Matthew 15:27 says,
"But He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.' ”

Find the whole passage here! 

Amy.......

I am so thankful that the Lord has given us different seasons to enjoy!

Today it feels like springtime outside even though it is December :)

 

 "I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears."

Psalm 34:1-4

Esther Ruth..........

Over the last few weeks, I have been amazed at God's creation..... (once again!).  It really is amazing the detail of some of the smallest things on earth.... for example, this flower is about 2 inches by 3 inches big (approximately).  But then just one cell in our body is smaller than anything our eyes can even see...... if this doesn't blow our minds away, I don't know what will!  We truly serve an AWESOME God, don't we??!!!!

"The heavens declare the glory of God;  And the firmament shows His handiwork." Psalms 19:1

Amy :: My awesome brothers & sisters....

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We certainly did.  

I especially enjoyed spending time with my parents and each one of my siblings.  

I am so thankful for all of them 

and for their hearts to serve the Lord and honor Him.

These pics were taken last week...Thanksgiving time together :)

"Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul!  

I will praise the Lord as long as I live;  I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."

Psalm 146:1-2

Thanksgiving Day!! ~ Tricia Week 7

HAPPY DAY OF THANKS EVERYONE!!!! :D

I am thankful for many things. One of my favorite "lines" is what Dave Ramsey says whenever someone asks him how he is doing: "Better than I deserve." I am thankful that God has blessed me and my family so much. We are doing "better than we deserve". I am thankful for good friends, God's  many tender mercies and provisions this semester, my wonderful parents, my dearest darlingest sisters, this great nation born of freedom so many years ago, and most of all God's saving grace and sacrificial gift of His Son-how He loves. <3

So blessed. <3

Before I go, I want to share with you all this 'Thanksgiving Day Proclomation' written by George Washington in 1789. It has touched me greatly and I just had to share. It is such an excellent reminder of the original intentions of Thanksgiving-The Thanksgiving that turns us to our Heavenly Father with grateful hearts and awe-filled eyes. Please read and enjoy. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

George Washington – October 3, 1789 

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

 Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

G. Washington.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." ~Psalm 118:1

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Esther Ruth.......

                                     L-R : Amy, Me, Billy, Daddy, Mommy, Katie and Andy.

I am super duper "Thankful" for my wonderful family!  They are really awesome!  I have recently been appreciative of how much my parents love each other and sacrifice for us children.  My siblings are awesome; I wouldn't trade them for the world.  We always have the best times together! Thank you family for being there for me even when I'm not the best person to be around.  Love you Family!


“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord."  Jeremiah 17:7

Amy :: Thanksgiving

These are some photos of some of our family's fall decorations...

                                 I am so thankful for my family and for our home.            

         It has been such a blessing to grow up in a home where hospitality is important.

            
         "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for His steadfast love endures forever."
                                                             Psalm 136:1 

Patricia :: Thanksgiving

Here in Colorado the leaves are almost all gone. The trees are bare  now, which means Winter is coming. Brrrrrr. 

All those trees (well I guess we don't have a ton of them here) without leaves just looks so different to me. 

It looks: strange.different.odd.wrong.  Something just isn't right. But when I look at a tree these days, I remember the leaves it had during Summer and Fall, how beautiful it looked, and I know it's just part of God's plan.

We love beautiful things, but if everything was beautiful, we wouldn't even KNOW what beauty is. Funny how that works out. It's kind of a picture of how if we were perfect as humans then we wouldn't need God. Or even know that He is perfect. 

So I'm thankful for the leaves that go and come. And I'm thankful that I'm NOT perfect, so that's God's glory and perfectness can shine through me. 

xox trishy

Theme this Week........

It's Thanksgiving week! Our theme this week is something we are grateful for!

May you all have a blessed time with your families this Thanksgiving!

~Esther Ruth

A Father's Love ~ Tricia Week 6

This is week is show week for the musical I'm in. We're putting on "The King and I", and my thoughts, actions, and voice have been filled with King and I influences all week long. :)

In this show there are many, many children who must follow their father's (the king's) commands to the tee; otherwise they could get killed or something else awful.

As our director is reminding us continually, this is in stark contrast to Our Heavenly Father-The King of Kings. How He tenderly, and mercifully loves His children.

 

 

It is lovely to be reminded of that, and be surrounded by SO many dear little children!! :) I have so enjoyed being apart of this show!! Have any of you seen the King and I?? Movie or play??

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!..." ~1 John 3:1

HAPPY THURSDAY!!! :D

Esther Ruth.........

                                                                        
                                                                          Apple sauce!

I have enjoyed making several gallons of apple sauce and apple butter this fall!  The Lord has been teaching me to serve my family with a joyful heart!  I am praying He will mold me into the women He wants me to be!



"A joyful heart is good medicine,  but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  - Proverbs 17:22

Amy................

 Both of these signs are hanging in our home...we love

having Scripture in sight as we go about our everyday tasks.  

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

This Week's Theme..........

....... is black and white photos.  Enjoy!

Friend Time!! :D ~ Tricia Week 5

I get to spend this  week with my dear friend Kathryn while my parents are out of town. I met Kathryn only a few short weeks after we moved to Kansas and it has been a blessing to know her ever since. :) So thankful God had us meet!

Thankful and excited for this week together!! :D

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.... Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. " ~1 Thessalonians 5:11, 16-18

Have a JOY-FILLED Thursday!! :D
Love,
Tricia

Esther Ruth..........

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Amy...Week 5

I took this photo on one of our trips to Colorado this past summer...the mountains are so beautiful

 and they speak of the glory of the Lord!

As today is our Election Day, we have the privilege to vote for whom we choose.  As Christ-followers, we need to vote biblically and honor the Lord in all our choices.  We can know that the Lord is on the throne in heaven and He ultimately is sovereign over whatever happens, even in who wins which election. 

"Daniel answered and said:

'Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, 

to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons:

He removes kings and sets up kings:

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have understanding;

He reveals deep and hidden things,

He knows what is in the darkness,

 and the light dwells with Him.' "

Daniel 2:20-22

Hanna... A little piece of Spain

A Little piece of Spain...

MARTA GARCIA

This summer my family and I had the chance to visit with our great

friend from Spain, Marta (American: Martha). She loves America

and we took her to Wal-Mart for the first time in her life! She

said it is way too big and "How could someone even need

all this stuff?" She loves chocolate and while she was visiting we made

                  about 4 batches of chocolate chip cookies... not to mention our fondue

night!

L-R... Marta Garcia, My sister Breanna and My Mom

Marta had never been so close to a horse before!

She came with us to our county fair...

 ...And we went to the Rodeo.

L-R Hanna, Emma, Marta, Breanna and my little Night in shining armor... Bryan

 ...Again... Chocolate can never get tiring!

Bryan and Marta love marshmallows!!!

 We had a huge girl sleepover! Marta's second favorite thing!

Bryan loves Marta...

 The next morning after the sleepover... We ate chocolate chip

waffles with chocolate sauce, whip cream and strawberries!

L-R, Hanna Breanne Lane, Marta, Madison Otto, Emma Helgesen and Breanna

Happy Weekend!

XOXO-Hanna

“Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.” ~Mark Twain

"All ye little children..." ~ Tricia Week 4

Last night I had the joy of visiting with my 2 little cousins. These 2 little girls are some of the sweetest you will ever meet. How dear they are.

Me and the older of the 2 cousins playing tea party last Christmas. :)



Me and the younger of the 2 cousins this Spring. :)

Love those girlies so much! :) Whenever I play with them, or with any little ones, I am always beautifully awed by the sweet innocence, purity, and joy they possess. No weight on their shoulders, no distraction of comparisons, just complete freedom. Does this remind you of anything? It does me. In Christ, we have those very same gifts. Christ has given us freedom from sin. Christ will share our burdens with us. We can be secure in our identity in Christ. Through Christ's death and resurrection on the cross, he has cleansed us and made us innocent and pure. And because of this freedom, we have complete joy in Him.

"Praise Him
Praise Him
All ye little children.
God is love.
God is love."

Don't you see? We are still the "little children". The little children running into their Father's arms, and experiencing joy. I am thankful for God using little children to remind me of who I am in Christ. Always a good reminder. :)

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" ~Matthew 19:14

Have a joyful Thursday!

Esther Ruth.......

My Dad, Mom and I had the pleasure of visiting our friends Emily and Stephen (I wrote about them here).  They were very hospitable and we had such a wonderful time with their family!  Enjoy!!!!!

Here is a video of some cute birds at the beach.  They are way too cute when they try to run away from the wave!!

                                                            A jellyfish we saw on the beach.

My Dad and me at the beach!!!!

 The Blue Angels (the Navy's jets) were practicing while we visited the beach.  It was amazing to say the least!

  

   OK, can you guess what these are????......it's something you eat........ this was my first experience of ever seeing them!!! I didn't try them, but my Mom and Dad did, and they said "It was very...hmm...interesting!!!".

                                                 Good friends gathered together at the local coffee shop!

L-R : My Dad, Stephen, me, Stephanie, Olivia, Emily and Dillon. 

The beautiful, amazing and gorgeous view from the airplane!

ONE OF THE BEST TRIPS EVER!!!!!!!

Amy.......

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."  

Proverbs 22:6

This photo was taken when I was

3 years old.  

It is fun to look back at old photos of yourself 

and see all the changes :) 

Patricia :: Cats

Eeeeeeeee! I'm late. And I'm sorry. Way back when we first started this blog, I was Tuesday, and I now I can't get it out of my head. Ahh well.
 
My picture is of a cat. Specifically a cat named Bella who lives in my grandparents neighborhood. She doesn't belong to anyone, but everyone feeds her. She roams around and often times turns up with some big cut or other. Quite the fighter. :) Besides that she is very affectionate, purring deeply  when getting stroked or when she's rubbing herself on your legs.

I like her. So THIS is Bella.

xox trishy

Hanna...

I love this website! It has everything you could ever want to make! They

have super cute anthropology inspired skirts and scarves, baby carseat covers, 

holiday potholders and more. If you love crafting like me go to:

http://www.allfreesewing.com

Have a blessed weekend

~Hanna :)

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the lord. Plans to prosper you,

not to harm you."

Sister Time! ~Tricia Week 3

Guess who's here today?! My sister, Laina, is home from college for her Fall Break!!! How dear she is. There are some things in life that you ponder how on earth God ever saw fit to give you such an incredible blessing. My sisters are one of those. I am blessed beyond belief to call them my sisters. So thankful  for all the times we have shared together.

So glad to haver her with us this weekend!! :D

Laina and I goofing around at an antique store. :)

Love this silly girl! To give you a taste of my hilarious Laina, here's a video from her last birthday, where we told her that in reminiscence of her 1st birthday she had to eat her cake with no hands. :) Enjoy!

Have a joyous day! :D

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'" ~Psalm 126:2

Esther Ruth.........

I graduated from high school this year.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship with all of my friends!  Our good friends came for the weekend, and it was a special time with them!

L-R : Emily, Stephen, Myself and my brother Andy.
Our friends who came to visit for my graduation!  This was at a steakhouse right before the graduation.

This is my parents and me when I received my high school diploma. Behind us were all my fellow homeschool graduates!

This is my very good friend Elaine and the gift she gave me with one of my favorite verses (see below)!

L-R : Daddy, Mommy, my brother Billy, my sister Amy, Emily, Steve, Myself, my brother Andy and my sister Katie.
This was the last night Emily and Steve were with us - we went out to frozen custard!!!! It was a ball!


 "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." -2 Corinthians 1: 9-10