I want a cowboy!

I want a man, not a mouse! In this Femi-Nazi world, where there are feminist women everywhere who want to be in control and want to were the pants in the family and seem determined to turn our men into mice and softies, a true man is rather hard to find. Not that I'm exactly looking, considering my age.....but still! I can't stand those 'guys', if you could call them guys, who let women boss them around and control their lives. I mean Neils was a pretty nice guy, but had he stood up to his annoying wife Harriot, his life would have been happier and better. (Little house on the prairie, for those of you uneducated people who don't know these things!) I want a MAN, people! A hard working, leader who will not let me manipulate him and control him and tell him what to do! I want a up with the sun-rise, pick-up truck(or jeep) driving, bull riding(okay not really bull riding) strong steady hand, wranglers, stetson man! I want a man who earned everything he's got by the sweat of his brow, from his four wheel drive to his cowboy boots(okay, he doesn't have to have cowboy boots either). I want a man who's tender but tough, simple and honest! And finding him could take awhile. Maybe I'll just sit back and wait for him to find ME! Or better yet.....maybe I'll wait till God brings him to me! Excellent notion! BRILLIANT!

Anyway, that was just what I happened to be thinking at the moment. And so I blogged about it! I'm so sick of this world trying to effeminate our boys and men!!!!!

Anywho, TTFN, Ta Ta For Now!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's eat!

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well.....Christmas has come and gone.....and it makes me SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAAAAAA!!!!! I waited all that time, and....and....and now it's over!!!!!! But I did get awesome stuff, so that makes up for it! Besides, I don't need Christmas to listen to Christmas music!!!!! Especially now that I got a new MP3 Player! (My brothers and father don't exactly encourage me to listen to Christmas music in the summer, or anytime that's not around Christmas! In fact, they generally discourage it anytime!) I had an awesome Christmas, full of fun, family, friends, and, best of all....FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
We spent Christmas Eve at my dad's mom's(Omi) house. Us kids stuffed our faces with chips and dips, and cookies, and fudge, and watched the end of Home Alone, Ice Age, and half of Ice Age 2! Then we opened presents!!!!!! I got my fabulous MP3 player from Omi, and I got a walmart gift card and CHOCOLATES from my Uncle, Aunt, and Cousins! I also got a wallet from my Uncle and Aunt who live in Alaska! Twas good. Every Christmas Eve we go to Omi's house to open presents from her and my Dad's side of the family. Omi's from Germany and apparently over there Christmas Eve is the big day! So we go there every year. Then on Christmas we open presents at home and then go to my grandparents on my mom's side and open presents! So we really get three Christmases! Yep, we're spoiled!!!!!!!! Anyway, Christmas morning was fantastic too! I got a box full of stuff: A Jane Austin piano book which I really wanted, a DVD, called 'Pamela's Prayer', a poem book by Helen Steiner Rice, a Christmas book, and a book called 'Feminine by Design', mechanical pencils(YAY!) fuzzy slipper socks, a guitar CD, and a Christian CD,(don't remember what it was called right now) and a pink shirt that says, 'Daughter of the King' on it!!!!!!!! In my stocking I got a bar of chocolate(!!!!!) and a 'True Love Waits' ring! I also got purple nail polish, four Cd's from Joey, and..............Fantastic, Fabulous, Awesome, Super Cool, boots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Life is so good!!!!! This year, since my grandma has a broken leg and hip, we did Christmas at my Aunt Lynn and Uncle 'Sock's' house. From my grandparents I got this really pretty dangly earrings, and a book I really wanted, called,'Princess Adelina'!!!!! And from my Aunty Lynn and Uncle Sock, I got a iron on t-shirt transfer, thingy, which is really cool, purple nail polish and the sticky undercoat, and shiny over coat to go with it, and three pairs of silver dangly earrings! So, I guess you could say that I had a good Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday night we went out to eat at Denny's, and then came home and watched Danny's new movie, '20,000 League's Under the Sea'. Today, we're just......well.....doing nothing. Anyway, why I just went through the list of every single thing I got for Christmas, I don't know, besides the fact that I love all the stuff I got, I'm a girl, and I'm a girl who likes to go into details!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

That's coming up now! So really, until New Years Eve comes, I can still listen to Christmas music!

One last note, WHY DO THESE PEOPLE GIVE A THREE YEAR OLD ALL NOISY TOYS!!!!!!???? He makes enough noise with out these things and now he has a noisy car, two microphones and a C.D player to help him make a complete ruckus!!!!!!!
HELP!

:)

Make a Smilebox postcard

Christmas Adam

Guess what? Today is Christmas Adam! Which means it's only two days til Christmas. Or actually, less then two days! Which would make tomorrow, Christmas Eve! (Get it now?!) Anyway, can't you feel the excitement in the air? Are you smiling yet? Are you bursting with the Christmas cheer and magic yet? No? Wrong answer. Let me ask again. ARE YOU BURSTING WITH THE CHRISTMAS CHEER AND MAGIC YET?!!!!!!! Yes? Good! Now I can move on to a different subject! :)

Yesterday we spent the whole morning baking for Christmas and Christmas Eve. We made chocolate truffles, chocolate chip, chocolate shavings, M&M, cookies, and Gingerbread Men! Can't wait to eat them..........! I love food, with a passion!!!!!! Well....maybe not a passion.....but....I like food! Anyway, after lunch yesterday, we watched The Santa Clause 2. Today we cleaned house(ugh!) and made more food for Christmas day. Later this afternoon, we're planning to watch 'It's A Wonderful Life', since we watch it every year. It's a family thing.
Sunday afternoon we went to the theater and watched The Tale of Despereaux! Twas very entertaining, and we all liked it. It was a cute movie. Though the veggie man was.......different!

Last Saturday evening, we had *Jane* and her brother Nathaniel, and Colette over. It was good to see Colette again! I've missed her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner, then we visited, played a cool game, and well....visited some more. About the game...........It was wrapped up and under the tree, before they got to our house. But after dinner, when we were sitting around talking, mom asked me if I'd like to open one of my presents early, because she thought it was something we'd enjoy doing right about then, or would I be sad on Christmas that I didn't have it to open. So, I opened it and we had fun with it that night! It's a charade game thingy, and is very entertaining.

Well.....that's about all that's been happening lately. Oh! We(*Jane* and I) did teach Walt how to comment on our blogs!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

SNOWBALL FIGHT!

Well, we have snow! And lots of it. And.....it's still snowing! Or rather slushing. And, since there has been snow this entire past week.....there has been a lot of fun happening here at our house. There's been some snowman making........

Egor the Snowman
Squishi the Snowman
(that's what I call him anyways. Nick might not approve of the name but.....he don't have a blog!)
Squishi
And some snow-face making.........
Smiley the Snow-Face
And, of course, some awesome sledding. Here's Samantha, sledding down our 'lawn'. Look quick, before she's gone!
Oops, ya missed her! Now this time, be quick about it, and look! Before she's gone again!
That's better!

There has also been some snowflake catching/eating!

Nick and I had a smashing snowball fight on one of this week's 'snow days'. But...I don't got pictures of that. I was too busy dodging snowballs to take pictures. I can tell you that I became the reigning snowball fight champion though. Nick might tell you other wise, but....don't listen to him! He doesn't know what he's talking about; Had one too many snowballs beam him in the head, ya see.

Jackson absolutely loves the snow, and haves a blast every time he gets to go out and play in it. The first time we went out in the snow, he really wanted a snowman, towards the end. But he was also freezing! So, I took him inside, and promised to make him a snowman, while he drank his hot Coco. Then I went outside and got to work. Once the mini snowman was finished, I took him inside the front doorway, to show Jacko.

He was very thrilled! Though he was sad that he couldn't take it inside and play with it.

He's a cute little snowman, ain't he! I think I'll call him Raisin.

So.....yeah, this week has been a fun, happy week! With lots of snow playing, warm, cozy, delightful fires, hot chocolate, and peach tea(thanks sissy!) and well.....good times!

And it's only getting better. Colette is coming home from college TODAY! And she makes everything better, right? Right! (well....almost everything.....) Love ya C.C!

(Now, sing it at the top of your lungs people! I wanna hear you!)

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell rock

Well the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.......

Well.....it's snowing here! And I'm enjoying the warm house and fire, with a warm, gooey, home-made chocolate cookie and a bag of chortles. I would cheer for it to continue snowing, but our church has it's Christmas musical tonight, and if it snows too much, they probably will cancel it, so.......Let it snow after tonight!

I love snow! I love winter for that matter, and I absolutely love Christmas! It is my favorite season, my favorite holiday, my favorite period!

This morning, I helped in the nursery during the sermon. Twas fun, as I am a baby-holic and absolutely love them. I love children, love kids, love babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really can't wait till I become a mom! I can't understand all those girls who want to have 'a career', and get all their degrees and enjoy life before having a kid or two! It just blows me away when teenagers and young adults say that, and think that way! Can't they see that that chubby rosy cheeked baby is a precious gift from the Lord?! Can't they see that that the little toddler sitting there on the floor playing with their toys is a beautiful, innocent gift of love from God?! What is wrong with them!!!!!??????? But, then, I do know what's wrong with them. Having eyes, they see not, having ears they hear not. They have been blinded and have become hard hearted. They refuse their God given role in life and their God given responsibility; being a mother and wife. That is what they were created for. (besides honoring and praising God!) But, I digress. By the way, did you know I want 25 kids?! Yep! That's me! Your crazy, baby obsessed, radical, Christian teenager!

Anyways........yesterday, I went to the practice for the musical that's tonight, and afterwards, I went home with *Jane* and her family. We baked cookies(you don't need to know about the disastrous oatmeal cookies! Sorry) put lights on their Christmas tree and decorated it. Then we had pizza for dinner and watched a chick flick! Twas great fun, and I loved it! Thank you, second family!

Well....I guess I'm done rambling for now. I could go on and on about the kid/baby/children/motherhood topic for forever, but I won't do that to you! :)
TTFN! Ta ta for now!

Elizabeth Bennet

TADAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, thanks to *Jane* over at 'Endless Rambles of a Christian Conservative Mind', I have fixed the first verse of my song/poem. She pretty much did the first two lines of the verse. Thank you Jane! (She really is a very poetic thing, that Jane.) :)
Here is the new first verse:

Christmas time has finally come,
But, some forget what happened.
How it was that first Christmas day,
how sin's curse was lost that day.

BTW....

By the way....pretty cool blog background, huh? Good, I thought so too!

:)

Because Of That First Christmas day......

Okay, so today I wrote a song. Well......not exactly a song, since it isn't set to music.....I can't write music, don't know how. But.....anyway, I wrote what I hope to be a song eventually, if I can get mom to write music to it. Or Colette....like she needs more work, being a college student and all! But, I'm getting distracted. What this post was suppose to be about was my song.....er......poem. I can't get the first verse right. So, I figured that the like.....what is it.....three....four.....people who read my blog, could maybe give me suggestions.

("Cara......hello.....come in, Cara.......earth to Cara.....")

("Huh, yeah? What?")

("There's only one person who reads your blog, deary!")

("HUH!? Oh, uh....yeah.....okay. Well, then the one person who reads my blog.")

(that would be you!)

("THANKS!!!!!")

Anyway, here's the song/poem.

Because Of That First Christmas Day

Christmas time is here once again,
another year has passed by,
and I can't stop thinking of You,
and how you saved the world.???????????????

(HELP THIS POOR LITTLE VERSE! make a new one up completely or make it rhyme!)

~
You came to earth, a tiny babe,
You dwelt among sinful men.
Jesus, you became man, from birth,
thirty-three years, on this earth.

~
Oh, and You bled and died for those,
who mocked Your holy name, Lord.
Love shined in Your eyes for those men,
and You took away their sin.

~
And as that whip flew through the air,
when it cracked upon Your back,
Oh, You forgave them, even then.
As You were whipped by those men.

~

And it's because You came to earth,
a precious, tiny, baby boy.
Because of that first Christmas day,
I am forgiven today.

~
And it's because You came to earth,
a precious, tiny, baby boy.
Because of that first Christmas day,
I am forgiven today.

~
Oh, you could have walked away,
you didn't have to come down to earth.
But you did it for my sake,
For the world, you died and broke death's sway.

Simple things.......

I love the simple things in life.

I love our families morning walks(despite my complaining each day). I love walking in the crisp(very crisp now a days) morning air, whilst watching my baby bubba run through the leaves on the side of the road, squealing with joy. I love watching my siblings joining him in the leaves. I love watching Jacko trying to race Nick.

I love watching Jack run away like a little elf, with a wicked grin on his face as he runs away from mom, who is holding a Christmas gift box, that was under the tree, that he opened! I know he shouldn't do it, but his face.....I love it!

I love it when Jack breaks in to song, when we're all practicing the songs for the Christmas songs we're sing at church in a few weeks. I love hearing Jack pray his adorable prayers, in which he starts out with, 'Dear Lord, thank you for Jesus".

I love just watching Nick carve, and inhaling the beautiful aroma of wood! I love watching Samantha read Jacko books. I love watching my siblings wrestle together(while flinching, and wincing, terrified of them killing each other)! I love just sitting outside in my favorite tree and thinking, enjoying the beauty all around me. I love when Jackson and I play playdough together.

I love mom's homemade apple pie, and her homemade cinnamon rolls! I love sticky fluttering baby kisses, loving friends and family and radiant blue skies. I love the hugs and laughter of good old friends and family, smiles and children, innocent babies, and grandparents, and the faith of little children.

Simply put.....I love my life! Yes, I have my trials, yes, I have my pains, and unwanted things in my life. But so what?! To heck with them! I have an awesome life, cause I have an awesome God, an awesome world, which my God created, an awesome family, which God has blessed me with, and awesome friends, which the Lord has bestowed upon me! What more could a girl ask for!? I know the world's going to pot, that we have an evil, baby killer who is soon to become president, my country is going socialist, and then Communist. But.....I'm not going to worry. I'm just going to enjoy life while I got it! Because, (in a veggie tales tune. and come on, you gotta sing it, when you read this!) God is bigger then Obama, he's bigger the this country, and the evil congress men, Oh God is bigger then Obama, and he's watching over you and me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watching.....watching......watching.......over you and meeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah!

Okay, so I'm a kook! So what?! No one's forcing you to read my blog! :)

Amazing Grace Techno.....

Amazing Grace Techno - Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.

Note....Turn off green playlist on the right before playing video.

Radical Christianity

Radical Christianity
It seems like everybody these days thinks you can be a Christian and still be an ordinary person. You don't have to be so different from the world, you can in a sense blend in. They act like being a radical and and extremest is totally wrong. 'You should you, you can be like everybody else'. And everyone seems to be eating it up, glad to hear such false doctrine. But didn't Jesus stick out in the crowds? Wasn't he a little Radical? I mean he died for us! We are suppose to be lights in the darkness, and we're suppose to stick out and be different. We should be forever shining forth the Lord's love and light! As His children, as His followers, He told us the world would hate us. To be a Christian, to be the Lord's, means to be Radical, Extreme, Different. The world should see a profound difference between us and them; a Radical difference. Radical means departing markedly from the usual or customary. Should not we be markedly different from the usual, the world, and sin? We are told in Romans to be transformed, and NOT conformed to this world. We are strangers in this world. This is not our home, we do NOT, should NOT, speak the same language as the world, wear the same clothes as the world, do the same things as the world. We should speak the language of Christ, which is love, wear the armor of Christ, and pursue the things of above, rather then the things of this world. As Pastor Jim Feeney says, “I once heard a preacher thunder from the pulpit, "Let's stop pussyfootin' around!" He is exactly right! God's call upon His people is for radical followers — radical in commitment, radical in faithfulness and prayer and devotion to the Lord and His work on earth.” If you aren't radical, you have faith issues, and spiritual issues. For Christ is radical, and if Christ is in you, you should be radical. This wimpy, go to church on Sunday, read your Bible every once in a while, pray a ten second prayer before you go to bed, Christianity, that we have in America, and across the world is so totally against scriptures and faithless. To be a Christian means to be Radical. But I guess the watered down, wimpy, tolerant of sin, false doctrine of today, which is being preached everywhere, is a lot sweeter to eat than the truth. It always seems to be that way, unfortunately. No one wants to hear the truth. People like to have God there to call upon in times of need and trouble, but no one wants to have to die to self, or get uncomfortable.

Philippians 2:15 ... That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Colossians 2:6-7-As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

If any man professes to call himself a child of God, a disciple of Christ, or a citizen of the kingdom, and yet is bereft of this radicalism, he would be well advised to take a long hard look at his Christian profession. Can it be real gold without this hallmark? [...]The radical Christian [...] is not a special Christian. He simply qualifies for New Testament normality.

~ Arthur Wallis, The Radical Christian, p15~

Revelation 3:15-17— I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ``I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.''But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Philippians 1:21-24— To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

My Amazing Mom!

So, I know lately, I've just been posting alot of poetry, and videos, and not that many updates. But, the video's were cool, and I'm a writer. I write poetry and songs, they aren't that good, but so what, I enjoy it, it's what I do, so....yeah! Anyway, for those of you who like poetry, if ya'll want to read an awesome poem, and want to read the blog of an awesome song and poem writer, head over to my mom's blog. I will say that it is a very depressing post, but....what a poem! So, there ya go, you poet's out there. Read and learn! Who knows, ya might learn how to write magnificent poetry, by reading such stuff as that poem!

Trust Him........

Trust Me, Child

I stare down the road, straining to see,
terrified of what might be around the next bend.
I stop uncertain, wishing that I
could see around the daunting curved bend.
~
“Lord, is it safe, what's around this bend ?”
“Trust me, child, just hold my hand, and I'll walk with you.”
“But will I hurt, will there be a storm?”
“Just trust me child, I'll never leave you.”
~
And so I take a few tentative steps,
but then I stop, so afraid of what might happen.
“will the path be rocky, hard to walk?
Lord, I trust you but, what will happen?”
~
Then He gently takes my hand and smiles,
a sad, soft smile, as He looks at me and He says,
“Take my hand, it'll be alright, child.
Just trust me, little one, and be led.”
~
With faltering steps, I follow Him,
trembling with fear, holding tight to his kind hand.
Slowly, I lift up my eyes to his,
and follow him, still holding His hand.
~
The wind hits me full blast, the rain falls.
I take my eyes off of His, and look about me.
As the tempest rages, strong and hard,
with the thorns and branches scratching me.
~
“Lord, why don't you stop this storm for me?
You told me it would be alright, but look at me.
The waters keep rising each minute,
Lord, my heart is cracked, just look at me!”
~
“I told you, you'd be alright, that's true,
But, my precious child, you are alright, I am here.
Take my hand again, and follow me.
I'll walk through this storm with you, I'm here.”
~
“The pain and the scars, they'll disappear,
And you'll be so much more beautiful after this.
You'll see the light at the end of this,
My precious child, you will get through this.”
~
“Now trust me my little lamb, again.
Here's my hand, lift your eyes to mine once more, my child.”
And His hand takes mine again, with love.
“I'll trust you Lord,” through my tears, I smile.

I don't understand, Lord.....

Lord, I trust you, I know you know what's best.
and I'm not questioning whether You're right,
I know you are, and our lives you have planned,
I'm not doubting You, but I just don't understand.

~
Why her? Why my best friend,
Why must she go through this again and again?
Lord, why must she go through all this pain again,
Oh, Why now, why again, why her, my friend?

~
I know that You know what You are doing,
You have a reason for everything, Lord.
But I don't understand, why this trial?
I wish I knew, why she must go through this trial.

~
Why her? Why my best friend,
Why must she go through this again and again?
Lord, why must she go through all this pain again?
Oh, why now, why again, why her, my friend?

~
I see her tears and they tear at my heart
I want so bad to take away her pain.
But I don't know what to say to her, Lord,
I know you're omniscient, ease her pain, You're her Lord.

~
Why her? Why my best friend,
Why must she go through this again and again?
Lord why must she go through all this pain again?

Oh, why now, why again, why her, my friend?
Why now, why again, why her, my friend?

~
Tag:
I don't understand, but then, You never said that we always would,
Please, Jesus, ease my friend's pain, heal her hurt, like You said you would.

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas...

Drivers...Start your engines!

Well, yesterday night was the big night. The exciting, super-duper, awesome, Grand Prix race, at AWANA. The racers were raring to go, the cars revving up, and I must say...it got kinda wild in that there church! :) Sure the cars were made out of wood....so what. Samantha and her patriotic Flag car, got a trophy, for design, I believe. And Nick also got a trophy for the same thing, with his sea dragon car, which, by the way, was awesome! Becca's 'Daddy's Nap' car, shaped as a bed, complete with a doll house man, pillow and blanket, got a thumbs up too, and she took home a trophy. Joey and I didn't get a trophy, but it was still fun. Sissy Jane, came in second place! Mitchel, of course, as always, came in first, but....we'll get him next year. It was an exciting night filled with fun, despite the glitches in the computer program. Besides, the glitches and problems made time for Mr. Burkey to entertain us. And entertain us he did. He is very good at that though, so that shouldn't be surprising. We got to see Devin show up his fast hopping, and Burlie show off his skills, by doing the worm! Not only that, Mr. C (I have no idea how to spell his last name, and I'm too lazy to go look it up, so you'll just have to deal with the C.) was called up there on stage to do some awesome moon walking; even if he had no idea what he was doing, it was still good!

So, yes, it was a very fun, entertaining night! And we'll be back! We shall be back and we will win!(or we'll lose, and...and then we....we won't....) :)

Letter To My Best Friend's Boyfriend...........

Well hello sir, I hear you're interested,
in getting to know my friend better.
Before you dive into this thing,
do me the favor of reading this letter.

Oh, If you break her heart,well then I'll break your bones,
if you make her cry, I'll make you cry too!
If you do her wrong, boy, you sure is gonna regret it,
So I suggest that you don't be untrue!

Well, sir, you say that that sounds like a threat,
Ya better believe it is, buster.
Oh, I just thought that you should know,
before you do something that you will regret.

Cause, if you break her heart, well then I'll break your bones,
if you make her cry, I'll make you cry too!
If you do her wrong, boy, you sure is gonna regret it,
So I suggest that you don't be untrue.

(yes I was bored when I wrote this, and yes, it's random, but then, that's me. I'm wierd like that!) :)

Catching Up.....

So watcha ya'll think of my new Winter/Christmas blog?! Purty cool, eh? I thought so. I love winter and Christmas, so I figured I might as well make the season last as long as possible. So I changed my template.

Anyway, I don't have alot to say. Nothing much has been going on here, but school. Karate was fun Thursday. We had tag-team sparring, which was very fun. Samantha beat everyone she sparred with into a bloody pulp and had them shaking in fear in the corner. You can tell she's my sister, because she's just as violent, if not even more so, then me. Gotta love her!

Can't think of much else that's been happening lately here though. The Kings have disappointed me by losing their past two games. They aren't behaving for me at all! But such is life. Besides they have a game tomorrow at five. They might win it! Lets be optimistic here, okay?! Besides, I can tell it's gonna be a great year for the Kings. After all, they can only go up from last year, right? And they have a whole new, young, healthy team. I mean, they got Beno Udrih for crying out loud. Not to mention Spencer Hawes, who's pretty awesome himself. And the Thompson guy? I heard that he's gonna be a star! Plus, when you got Kevin Martin on your team, you are on your way to success! He is awwwesome! Now if he'd only heal up so he can play!

Well, enough of the Kings spiel. Um......yeah, can't think of much else that's going on. Just looking forward to AWANA Wednesday, and Karate Thursday, as always. Though I'm not sure I really am looking forward to Karate, this week. I mean, my muscles have been in constant pain ever since Thursday. They've just started to feel better. (and now, ladies and gentlemen, this is the place were Nathaniel would be saying, "Where's Colette and here violin?").
Anyway, I guess that's about it. Ain't I interesting!

Kevin Martin (K-Mart)

Beno Udrih

Jason Thompson

Spencer Hawes (very complimentary picture, don't you think?)

It's A Slow Fade.......

Um......make your own title for here.....I don't got one.....

I guess it has been awhile since I actually posted something(other then the awesome Hampster Dance video, that is!) Exactly two weeks ago I got my wisdom teeth pulled. 'OUCH!' Let us just say, it wasn't the most pleasantest time of my life. Or, if you prefer sarcasm, it was an awesome day, and the only thing that surpasses that enjoyable time in my life was either when I dislocated my knee cap, or when I broke my arm!!!!! The Valium was a plus though! I mean, it made me all loopy and gave me a fuzzy, warm feeling, a feeling of lightheadedness! I did NOT feel good the next day, and so, decided not to attend AWANA. I didn't attend Karate, either, as my face hurt, and my cheeks were swollen balloons! I lived through it though. One of the holes in my mouth isn't healing quite as fast as the I would like, but, the Dr. says it's doing alright, even though it is being wierd. I aren't swollen anymore though, and it doesn't hurt hardly at all now.
....Moving on...........Last Thursday, our family, minus Dad and Danny, went to the house of a family from our church, for lunch. It was a very fun afternoon, one which all members of our family(and hopefully theirs) enjoyed. The two girls in that family are such sweet girls, and I love them both to death. Twas very fun. Then, Friday, our family celebrated Reformation Day! No holloween celebration for us, if you please. We'd rather celebrate the Reformation! Friday was an extremly fun filled day. See my mom's blog for pictures of our Reformation Day celebration.
Sunday I sang 'Shout to the Lord', at church; and didn't faint!!!!! So that was good! Then, later that afternoon, our church youth group went bowling, which was fun! So, yeah, life has had it's ups and downs lately. Or should I say, downs and ups? Either way, life is good, God is good, and yeah, life is good!

Time for some good comedy.....................

The Hamster Dance

PSAT.........and my weekend with Aunty

Today was the big day. I took the dreaded(horrible) PSAT. The good news is I didn't faint or pass out or get sick or anything like that! and the bad news.........well, I haven't gotten my score back yet, so I can't tell you the bad news. All in all though, it twasn't that bad and I got through it alive. Thanks to my AWESOME God that is!



Now, since I did say in my last post, that I would post about the weekend at my Aunt's house, making my Harvest Party costume, I guess I'll do that now. First and foremost I wanna say.....MY AUNT ROCKS MY SOCKS AND I LOVE HER TO DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU AUNTY LYNN! Now, getting on with my story. Last Saturday, Daddy drove me down to her house and we got to work. She, awesome aunt that she is, had already cut out the pattern and fabric, which cut down on the work. It twas a long, long, long day. Oh, did I mention long? But it twas also very fun and I enjoyed it immensely. We had it almost completely finished at around 7:00 or 7:30; somewhere around there, I don't remember. My grandparents even came over and helped! Then my totally awesome uncle took us out to eat.(after coming back from a hard day at work and blowing off and clean the back patio and back yard. AWWWW..............He's such a good husband.) Anyway, we went to Ramono's(or Ramone's, I don't remember which) Macaroni Grill to eat. I absolutely loved it there!(even though they didn't have Macaroni and Cheese!) Before going to the Macaroni Grill though, we stopped by WalMart and Joanne's Fabric Store, to pick up some flowers and beads for my dress. Then we headed back to my Uncle and Aunt's house, where my aunt and I stayed up late and sewed on the flowers and beads on the front of my dress, as trim. Well, that is to say, she sewed and I worked on the belt, which wasn't that much work. We worked til like 1:40 a.m. and I was exausted when we quit. But it twas almost finished, so I was happy. The next day, after I finally emerged from bed, and got ready to go, I went to my Aunt and Uncle's church. I had a good time there. Then we went to my grandparents to celebrate Joey's ninth b-day. My costume is finished now and I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will post a picture of it later. It twas a good weekend though, and I'm so thankful to my Aunty Lynn for helping me or, in reality, pretty much making it all herself for me. I am also grateful to my Grandma for helping altar the front of my dress. THANK YOU! Now I am fully prepared to go as 'Elinor Dashwood' to the Harvest Party, with my sister 'Marianne' by my side!

I'm back.....FINALLY!

Well, last week we went to the beach. Pismo Beach, to be exact! Twas very fun. I love the ocean and beach, so I of course had an awesome time!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is something about the ocean that is so full of mystic beauty. It is so beautiful, in my eyes. From head to toe, every inch of the ocean is faultlessly beautiful! Mysterious, beautiful, and.....and....there is something else there as well. I can't find the right word to describe it. I just love the ocean, and the Awe-inspiring God which created it! But back to the glorious week at Pismo.
We got there in the early evening/late afternoon last Sunday. The beach there is really cool cause you can drive on it.(and do doughnuts and cool things like that!!!!) It was a bit windy and cold there but for the most part the weather was fine. Nick and I did alot of body surfing in the icy ocean waves and I think I would have just lived on the beach the whole time, had it been up to me! :)
Daddy had WAY to much fun spinning out and doing burnouts and doughnuts on the beach and just driving on it!!! I got tons of sand in my hair and got to fly on the waves(makes me wish I knew how to surf and had a board! I always wanted too). I got bit by a clam too! I was digging in the sand with Nick helping him get lots of these creepy looking crab things, and I thought I had got one, but when I pulled it out of the sand it turned out to be a clam. It closed up when I grabbed it, and pinched my hand in the process. The little bugger! Wednesday we went to Sizzlers, which is one of my favorite restaurants now, by the way! It was really good and Daddy was awesome to take us there, especially with the price that that place has and having nine people to buy for!!!! Poor Joey stuffed himself so much he almost....well....threw up.....at the beach the next day. On Thursday(our last day) morning we went to the outlet stores. Daddy and Nick were thrilled! After that we went back to the campground and had lunch. Then we headed for the beach for the last time. That was the day I got bit by a clam.
We came home Friday, to my great sorrow, but it tis a wonderful memory and I had fun, so I'm not to sad. To sum up the camping trip, it was a week full of fun, sun and the sand!!!!!
Saturday, I went to my Aunt and Uncles to spend the night, cause my Aunt was going to help me with the costume I wanted to make. But I'll go into detail about that in the next post, as that deserves a separate post! Well, must go. TTFN! Adios! Hasta la vista!

Congradulations

Okay.....fine. The rest of the people who tested are cool too and are important. So............

CONGRATULATION'S DANNY, NICK, NATHANIEL, THOMAS, COLLIN, WILLIAM, RHONDA, LIZZY, AND.....AND.....

Well, I can't remember if anyone else took the test right now, so that will have to do for now! If I missed someone, well......nothing disastrous is going to happen just because I forgot someone. If something bad happened everytime I forgot something the world wouldn't exsist anymore. It would have been destroyed because I happen to have short term memory loss. It runs in my family. At least, I think it does. Hmm.....family.....where are they.....? :)

Anyway, Congrats, to all who passed. They all rock!(Okay, so none of them are actually reading my blog, but, I was being nice to them. I mean, I couldn't brag on my brothers and totally ignore the rest of the class, could I? Well.....I could have, but.....I didn't)

Enough rambling. TTFN. Ta ta for now.

Bad To The Bone.......

(Warning....serious bragging. Read at your own risk.)

I just wanna let y'all know out there, who read my blog,

MY BROTHERS ARE BAD TO THE BONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And they'll kick you's butty too!!!!!!! They is GREEN belts now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last night was the belt test at the KSW dojo. I didn't test, since I wasn't quite ready for it. My Kata's need a little bit more work, and so does my self defense. But....I got bragging rights because my brothers tested....and passed, so I'm not too disappointed. Anyway, they both passed with flying colors.....okay, so I don't actually know if they passed with flying colors, but, since I don't know that or not, I can say what I want. This is my blog, and they are my brothers! So they passed with flying colors, and everyone in the class is terrified to death of both of them!

Oh, wait....what...oh...okay. Okay, fine, the class isn't terrified. But......everyone on the street is. Oh yeah, tis a good day to be Danny and Nick's sister!!!!!

Now, I would show you pictures of my awesome, sneaky, bad to the bone ninja brothers testing, but.....I don't got the pictures yet. Nathaniel did tell me he'd give me them, though. So, I'll post the pictures soon. I promise! (I think)

Oh, by the way, the others that tested all passed, but.....they aren't important, so I won't spend time talking about them. Well, they aren't my brothers that is. They're important, just not my bad to the bone brothers. And they aren't related to me.

I am studying hard, so I can be ready next time. Can't let my brothers get too ahead of me on the belt ranks. =)

Well, I guess that's enough bragging for right now. Can't think of anything else to say but, MY BROTHERS ROCK, MY BROTHERS ARE AWESOME, AND....

MY BROTHERS ARE BAD TO THE BONE!

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Baby Noah

I realized last night, after I went to bed, that I forgot to give the link to Noah's family's blog. So I figured I'd do that now. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourquiverfull/
Please continue to pray for Noah and his family!

What you talkin' bout', Willis?

Okay, first off, let me say that the title of this post has nothing whatsoever to do with this post! That having been said, I know it's been a while since I last posted. But I've been busy.
Anyway, last weekend, my family went camping at Hope Valley, with my awesome Aunty Lynn and Uncle 'Sock'. We had a very fun time, despite the bitter cold. We fished, ate good food, and had an all around good time. Becca caught her first fish, as well as Joey. Nick caught some too. We played a rousing game of foot ball, with Uncle 'Sock' and we even saw a beaver, in the creek. Twas very cool! And best of all, I got to talk with my Aunt, and spend time with her. She is so awesome, and I am very blessed to have such a godly example for an Aunt. I love you, Aunty
Lynn!!! ( My mom has pictures of our camping trip on her blog, which is Houseful of Blessings and I have it in my favorite links.)
Thursday, I skipped Karate class, and went shopping for fabric with my sissy, *Jane*. We are making costumes for the harvest party together. She was able to find hers, though I didn't. But I didn't mind too much, since I got a Jumba Juice. Thank you Sissy!!!! It was worth all the scolding I got from Sensei and Sensei Mike! :)
Today we went to my grandparents. My Aunty Lynn and Uncle Scott live like three minutes away from them, so Dad and Nick went to their house to help Uncle Scott lay wood flooring in their house. After lunch, Aunt Lynn, Samantha, and I went to Joanne's to shop for fabric for my costume. After a long search, and a horrible time of making a decision between a blue satin and a green satin, I had my fabric and supplies. I had a good time today, though I am extremely tired for some reason. I got to see my grandma and grandpa, and my Aunt and Uncle. Twas a good day.
Well, I guess that's all for right now. I better go to bed, so I can get up tomorrow and go to church. TTFN. Ta ta for now!

Please Pray for Baby Noah

Please pray for Baby Noah. He is a little boy who is extremely sick. He has serious health problems ever since he was born, and right now he is in the hospital.
Here is the latest post, from today, off of the blog, 'Our Quiverfull'.
~We are rushing to the Greenville ER. Noah is vomiting, shaking uncontrollably, and running a fever of 103.5. He is extremely sick. Please ask everyone you know to pray. I'll update when I can.Kate~

Please pray!

Friday

Friday afternoon, Nick, Samantha, *Jane*, Nathaniel, and I went to my slightly crazy, goofy, funny, awesome in spite of his nuttiness, humorous, adopted brother, friend, Jason's house to help him clean up his yard. It was a, dare I day, fun time. Even though it was work, I got to hang out with my friends and it was cool! Jason, there! I mentioned you on my blog. To the others reading this, Jason found out I have a blog, and wanted to be put on it, because he wanted to get famous. Somehow, I don't think that's going to happen, but.....oh well!
Friday night, Nick and Samantha and I went to game night at our church. Twas VERY fun! We played 'Scene It' and then played a game outside that was kind of a mix of kick the can, sardines, hide-and-seek, and spot light. I missed my Colettie though!

Today, we watched Fiddler On The Roof, which I absolutely LOVE!!!!! Mom is feeling sick, has been all day, so she probably won't be able to make it to church tomorrow, which is a bummer. I hope she feels better soon!

Well, that's about all for now.

A Suicide Story

My fish commited suicide the other night. I don't think I can bear the shame of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He must have done it during the night while I was sleeping. When I got up the next morning, I couldn't find him. I search his tank, but to no avail. Then, to my horror and shock what should I see but his body!!!!! There he was, laying on the counter, flat and lifeless! His blackened body was dry and crispy. All hope was gone for the poor fellow. He was dead! As I carefully wrapped him up in a pure white paper towel, I held back the tears! How could he do such a thing!? I am crushed and full of sorrow! Jumping out of his tank to end his short life! How can I face anyone? My fish commited suicide! Was it something I said? Something I did? I am crushed, that's all there is to say!

Carl....

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in ourneighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. Thelone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he maynot make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with itsever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity. When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteersfor caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded inhis characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up. He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had alwaysfeared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gangmembers approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked,

'Would you like a drink from the hose?'

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, 'Yeah, sure,'with a malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm,throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousingeverything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and hiswallet, and then fled.

Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on hisbad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came runningto help him. Although the minist er had witnessed the attack from his window,he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. 'Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?' the minister kept asking as hehelped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.

'Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday.'

His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick upthe hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water. Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked,

'Carl, what are you doing?'

'I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately,' camethe calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the ministercould only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threatwas unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his handand drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered offdown the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one anotherlaughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth givingsun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering. The summer was quickly fading into fall, Carl was doing sometilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer to rmentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.

'Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time.' The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarredhand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from hispocket and handed it to Carl.

'What's this?' Carl asked.

'It's your stuff,' the man explained. 'It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet.'

'I don't understand,' Carl said. 'Why would you help me now?'

The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease.

'I learned something from you,' he said. 'I ran with that gang andhurt people like you . We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate' He stopped for a moment. 'I couldn't sleep after we stole yourstuff, so here it is back.'

He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. 'That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess.'

And with that, he walked off down the street. Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride who still smiled back athim from all those years ago.

He died one cold day after Christmas that winter.

Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn'tknow sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said,

'Do your best and make your gardenas beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.'

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: 'Personneeded to care for Carl's garden..' The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one daywhen a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooedhands holding the flyer.

'I believe this is my job, if you'll have me,' theyoung man said.

The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returnedthe stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said,

'Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honour him.' The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done..In that time, he went to college, got married, and became aprominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it. One day he approached the new minister and told him that hecouldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile,

'My wife just had a babyboy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday.'

'Well, congratulations!' said the minister, as he was handed thegarden shed keys. 'That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?'

'Carl,' he replied..

~

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE THERE

~

'The happiest people don't HAVE the best of everything.....they just MAKE THE BEST of everything.'

PSAT

Thursday, the blands and I are going together to sign up for the PSAT at Amador High. My thoughts on the subject and the fact that I have to do the PSAT are anything but agreeable! I don't want to go to a strange place, where there are lots of strangers, and take a strange test. I don't want to do it. I am naturally shy and don't like to be around people I don't know. I don't even like to talk to the Pizza guy to order pizza for crying out loud!!!!!! Or talk to the UPS man, when he drops off a package. I know it's probably a good thing for me to take it, but.....I don't wanna!!!!!!!!!! But, as Nathaniel likes to say, "Whaa!". I'll live....I guess! I just...I just don't wanna. I'm nervous and scared! But, oh well. I'll live.


Note:
My mother mentioned that all the people who disagree with homeschooling are now going to say that I'm unsocialized, since I said that I am shy and don't like to talk to people I don't know. I just want to let those people know, if they are reading this....DREAM ON! I have a tongue, and I can use it. Let anyone say I'm unsocialized and they'll hear it from me. I have six siblings; is that not enough socialization? I am around eight people 24/7 most days! I think I'm okay. Disagree with me on something, and I'll talk! Trust me!!!!!!!!!!!!! Agree with me on something, and I'll talk! Definitely!

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,

and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;

And at the end of my heart's testing,

With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,

Let me love You even more.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;

And at the end of my heart's testing,

With Your likeness let me wake.

Let the treasures of the trial

Form within me as I go -

And at the end of this long passage,

Let me leave them at Your throne.

May this journey bring a blessing,

May I rise on wings of faith;

And at the end of my heart's testing,

With Your likeness let me wake.

That is the beautiful song, by the Getty's called 'Jesus, Draw me Ever Nearer'. I have fallen in with that song, and this morning and evening at church, *Jane* and I sang it as a duet. Then, this morning, Becca also sang, 'God is so Good' during the offering. She did wonderful! After church this morning, *Jane* invited me to her house, which I gladly accepted. We hung out for a bit, then we went to Walmart, watching 'The Lion King 1 1/2' on the way there and back. This evening at church Mom and I sang the song that we wrote together, called, 'Thank You, Lord'. I almost fainted, but it went well. Walt, our music director wants us to sing it next Sunday morning. *groan* Hope I don't faint then! Well, tomorrow is school, so I gotta got to get some sleep.



Yours truly,

Elinor Dashwood

(in other words, Cara)

My baby boy's three now! He's getting soooooooooo BIG!!!!!!! Saturday the 31st was his birthday, though the week before that was when we had the b-day party at 'gwanma's'. Since it was his real birthday, I decided to make a cake for him anyways. Samantha wanted to make him one too, so Jackson got four birthday cakes. (if you count the two cakes from his party). The above pictures are of the Birthday Boy on the day of his party! Ain't he cute?!!!!!!!!(and don't you dare say 'no'!) Here are the pictures of his cakes on his real birthday.

The cake I made for Jackson

The cake Samantha made for Jack
The Birthday Boy!

He is such a darling brother, and I love him so much. He can make me laugh when I want to cry, make me smile when I'm down! Yes, he has his bratty moments, but....who doesn't?! He is my precious angle from God, my awesome gift from God and I love him so much! I prayed two years for him, and God heard my prayers and blessed my life with another brother.....another 'baby'!

In other news, Last Wednesday was the first 'real' day of AWANA. It was very fun! The high school group played games first, for the first time ever! We played the most amusing and fun games that night. The first was a game where you linked arms and back to back, sat down and then tried to stand up, without unlinking your arms. Twas very....shall we say, amusing? The game after that was called pretzel and you had to all group together and grab a two different people's hands with your hands, and the hands which you grabbed couldn't be attached to the person standing next to you. Then you had to untangle yourselves and form a circle, with out letting go of the hands you were holding! That was VERY amusing, as well as loads of fun!!!!!!!!Twas a very fun, entertaining night!!!!

Then the night after that was Karate, which was also fun, though more exhausting!!!!!! (especially when your a fat, out-of-shape chick like me!) We sparred that night too, which I absolutely love, though I don't know why, since I stink at it, and it tis quite painful!!!!!!! I got the bruises to prove it!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I have nothing else to say, so I'll end this post with a poem I wrote for Jacko's B-day!

Three years ago you came into this world.
Brand new and innocent, you were a miracle from God.
Now you're growing up, your life is being unfurled,
You're three years old, my bubba, my precious gift from God.

Jackson Ralph (last name), I love you so,
Where ever you may go, what ever you may do,
remember my baby boy, I love you!

Soon you'll be doing school, you'll be such a big boy,
Next you'll be graduating, then driving, and you'll be grown,
You'll be going to college, maybe get married
My baby brother, he'll be all grown up, he'll be an adult.

Jackson Ralph (last name), I love you so,
Wherever you may go, what ever you may do,
remember my baby boy, I love you!

My wish for you, my bubba, my brother,
is that you'll follow God, and your life is full of joy,
May you obey Christ and worship no other,
Oh, that is my wish for you, though, right now, you're just a boy.

Jackson Ralph (last name), I love you so,
Wherever you may go, whatever you may do,
remember my baby boy, I love you!

Pachelbel Bedtime

OH YEAH!!!!!

Gossip Town

Have you ever heard of "Gossip Town."

On the shore of "Falsehood Bay?"

Where "Old Dame Rumor," with the

rustling gown,

Is going the live-long day?

It isn't far to "Gossip Town"

For people who want to go,

The "Idleness Train" will take you down

In just an hour or so.
~

The "Thoughtless Road" is a popular route

And most folks start that way.

But it's a steep down grade and if you don't

look out

You'll land in "Falsehood Bay!

"You glide through the "Valley of Vicious

Folk"

And into the "Tunnel of Hate"

Then, crossing the "Add-To-Bridge," you

walk

Right through the City Gate.

~

The principal street is called, "They Say"

And "I've Heard" is the public well,

And the breezes that blow from "Falsehood

Bay"

Are laden with "Don't You Tell!"

In the midst of the town is "Telltale Park"

You're never quite safe while there,

For it's owner is "Madam Suspicious

Remark,"

Who lives on the street "Don't Care."
~

Just back of the park is "Slanderous Row"'

Twas there that "Good Name" died,

Pierced by the dart from "Jealousy's Bow"

In the hands of "Envious Pride."

From Gossip Town peace long since fled,

But Trouble, Grief and Woe

And Sorrow and Care you'll meet instead

If ever you chance to go!
~
Author Unknown

Without You

Without You

Imagine me without you,
Oh, I would be so confused
Life would have no meaning then,
I'd be sad and full of sin.
Oh, imagine me, without you.

Imagine me without you,
I'd be wretched, hopeless too.
I'd be on my knees in pain,
My life would be one big stain.
Oh, imagine me without you

Imagine me without you,
Wouldn't I be oh, so blue!
I'd have no real joy or peace,
My agony would not cease.
Oh, imagine me, without you.

Jesus imagine me without you.
Oh, I can't even imagine me,

without you!

Cool, huh?

My mom and I made a song. Ain't that cool. I mean, your average mom and daughter don't write songs together, now do they? I had written a poem, and my mom saw it when she was at the piano, and using her amazing piano playing skills, talent, and ability, she wrote music for it. So now we're a team. I write the lyrics, she writes the music. Now that's cool!

Thank You, Lord

Oh, Lord, you've done so much for me.
You died to set me free.
And when You hung upon that tree,

You became heaven's key.

Chorus:

Thank you Lord!
Thank you, Lord!
You bled and died to rescue me,
Opened my eyes, that I could see,
Thank you Lord, for saving me.

I've sinned against you o'er and o'er,
but You just love me more.
Lord, You have made my heart to soar,
Tis You, whom I'll adore!

Chorus:

Thank you Lord!
Thank you, Lord!
You bled and died to rescue me,
Opened my eyes, that I could see,
Thank you for saving me.

Lord, Your love is amazing,
and it is so unchanging.
Your mercy is unfailing,
You are so worth praising!

Chorus:

Thank you Lord!
Thank you, Lord!
You bled and died to rescue me,
Opened my eyes, that I could see,
Thank you Lord, for saving me.

Thanks for what you've done for me,
for setting my soul free,
Thank you Lord, for ransoming me,
and helping me see.

Chorus
Thank you, Lord,

Thank you, Lord

You bled and died to rescue me,

opened my eyes that I could see,

Thank you, Lord for saving me.

Tag: Thank you Lord, for loving me.

He Keeps on Running

I wrote this poem about a year ago. It is dedicated to one of my relatives, who is unsaved.

He Keeps on Running

He keeps on running
headlong in the wrong direction
He will not heed the pleadings from
the ones who care.
He will not listen, he shuts his ears,
he closes his eyes so he will not see.
Like the Jewish pharisees
He ignores the obvious truth
he keeps on running
headlong in the wrong direction.

Upon their weary knees
they offer up many a plea.
in tears over an open Bible
entreating for God to help.
For though they set him
an example to follow
and show him the wonder
of Gods loving grace and mercy
He takes no notice,
he plunges on through the brambles.
Like a dog enjoys its own vomit,
So he enjoys his sin.

He keeps on running
headlong in the wrong direction
He will not be reached;
he will not take heed.
He continues to hurt those who love him;
he ignores their prayers and pleas.
Stubborn and stupid,
a fool and a punk
an idiot and a jerk
He continues his brainless run
headlong in the wrong direction.

Please dear God, oh please
help this foolish wanderer
the prodigal son in modern time
this sinful unsaved man.
Please do what it takes to
bring him on his knees,
to bring him to You.
Please save this foolish wanderer who is running
headlong in the wrong direction.

Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of my heart!

Be Thou My Vision

Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;

Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;

Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Elea­nor H. Hull

Catching Up

Well, It's been awhile since I've blogged, hasn't it. I guess I'll start with last Friday. Last Friday, we had a party. It was a Colette's leaving, school is starting back up, summer is ending, youth, shebang. We ended up having like over 20 people in all, counting my family. Hayley, Tyler, Colette, *Jane*, Nathaniel, Jason, Andy, Hayley and Tyler's three new neighbors, Andy's friend, and Bo. It was a fun time. We had pizza for dinner, and then after that, we waited till it was dark to have a treasure hunt, which mom had done for us. That was really fun, and the prize was candy, so we were happy. Hayley and Tyler, along with their friends had to leave early though, so they couldn't do the treasure hunt. I was sad about that. After the treasure hunt, we had fun playing outside. Then Danny, Colette, and Bo jammed on their instrements,(Colette on Violin, Danny on harmonica, and Bo on electric guitar), before everyone went home. It was a fun time.

The Sunday night after the party, we played Canon in D for the church. We were going to do it in the morning, but Danny had to work.
Monday, Colette,*Jane*, and Nathaniel came over at night. Jane and Nathaniel came to the pool with us for a while and Colette met us there. They stayed the night at our house, and at 2:30 a.m, I believe, Danny woke us up and we went to a place twenty miles away from our house that had a good view of the sky, to watch the meteor shower. It was awesome. Not to mention FUN! (despite the tiredness). After the sunrise we came back home, stopping to drop Nathaniel off at hi home. Jane was coming home with us, and Colette stayed for a while and then she had to leave; for college. It was very hard to see my Colettie leave. I was fighting tears as she drove off. After she left, Jane helped us pack for the camping trip that me and my family were leaving for the next day, which helped to take our mind off of the fact that Colette was gone. That night after we were done packing, Jane straightened my hair, with her hair-straightener, that she had brought. Thank's Jane!
Jane's family picked her up after Nathaniel's Karate class. Then came the hard part. I had nothing to do to occupy my mind and keep me from thinking of Colette. And I had no Jane to comfort me. I went to bed and cried! I missed my Coco, and I wanted her to come back. (I still do.)

Moving on, before I start crying again. Wednesday we drove to Donner State Park(or is it Donner Lake State Park? I don't know). It was a wonderfully fun camping trip. We spent alot of time in the lake, which was awesome, since it was HOT there. And we spent the evening's gathered around the campfire, roasting marshmellows. And the party animals that we are, on Friday night, we stayed up till. . .NINE O'CLOCK p.m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHOOOOHOOOOO!
Twas rather boring at night though. I mean, there were no guys' overdosing on drugs, no women screaming for help in the middle of the night, nothing. =) We got back Saturday, and I was rather tired, but it was worth it. Twas very fun!

Sunday, we had church, as usual. But, there was no violinist, no violin, no Colette. And that made me sad. I stayed after church, because I had told someone at my church that I would wash the dishes, with Jane's help, after everyone was done eating.(we're baptists. we eat after the morning service). After we finished eating and cleaning, Mr. Bland, or 'Daddy Bland' as I call him sometimes, offered to take me home. Then Jane suggested maybe they could take me to her house, and then when they took Mr. Bland to the airport in Sacramento(he had to go somewhere for his work) they could take me with them. Mrs. Bland, or 'Mommy Bland' and Mr. Bland consented and I got permission from mom, threw on a change of clothes and hurried back to the Bland's car. We hung out at her house for a bit, while she pack, since her, her mom and Nathaniel were going to Tracy the next day. Then it was time to take Mr. Bland to the airport. On the way there, we stopped by Jamba Juice, where they were kind enough to buy me half of one(Jane and I split one). THANK YOU, second family!!!!!!!!!! After we dropped off 'Daddy B.' at the airport, Mommy B. had some shopping to do, so we did that. After that, we eat In-And-Out for dinner. It was around nine thirty when I got home, and I was tired. But I am so thankful and grateful that they took me. They are one of the nicest families I know, and are very kind to me. THANK YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday we started school. *sigh* It wasn't that bad though and I actually didn't mind too much. Well, I am running out of things to say, and since Blogger is being a pill, and won't let me post pictures, I will end with a poem I wrote for my dear friend, Colette.

For My Awesome Friend, Colette.

You were always there to listen to me,
my rants, my joy, my problems.
You were always willing to advise me,
and patiently listen to my whims.

You lit up my life, you were a true friend,
my problems and issues you'd mend.
On you I could depend,
and you I will always defend.

You could always make me smile
And you could make any one like you.
Oh, you always went the extra mile,
and you were fond of things from Belgique.

You were impossible to rile,
at least most the time,
You were always full of style,
Oh, yes, you were sublime.

I will miss your smiles, Colettie
I'll miss your good natured teasing.
I will miss you Colettie,
You were everything pleasing.

I want to be selfish,
I want you to stay,
It fills me with anguish,
knowing you will soon be away.

But I must say goodbye,
I must let you go.
Though I want to cry,
You'll succeed in everything, I know.

I love you Colette,
don't you forget.
I'll never forget you, Colette,
You're a friend I'll never regret.

God Bless You and Your Life.