farewell old friend...

Last week today, we said good-bye to a dear friend, the Golf, after a tragic and unexpected death on Circle Drive.

The Golf was a beautiful car inside and out, loved by all it's drivers and passengers. It provided warmth on cold days with it's heated seats, and cool fresh air with it's sunroof. It was never a burden to it's owners, and when gas prices sky rocketed it did not break their wallets, instead, it took them all sorts of places on very little money. It will always be remembered for it's loud diesel purring, it's pretty blue interior lights, and it's very high and irreplaceable cost that will continue to be deeply grieved.

It made a home in the hearts of many, and will be sadly missed. We love you Golf,

love,

your family

My Christmas idol and it's worshiper

Oh christmas tree Oh christmas tree

I want so bad to touch you

Oh christmas tree Oh christmas tree

but my mom won't let me

I've been told no, some times before

but I keep coming back for more

Oh christmas tree Oh christmas tree

I want so bad to touch you

lyrics by 'mommy'

Quiz stollen from Christy

1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now?
Dial Grapefruit -(Me), Axe Kilo -(Hubby), Gerber Grins and Giggles Milk and Honey -(Son), L'oreal Kids Orange Mango -(Daughter)
2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator?
No.....isn't that a summer thing? Notice the snow outside? ask weird questions much?
3. What would you change about your living room?
Am I only allowed ONE thing? If so, I would want new furniture. If not, I would want new furniture, and I would change the wall color to something a little more neutral, and I would change the painting over the couch, and put a skylight in the ceiling. Does the huge stupid pine tree outside that blocks my view of the street count as part of the living room? If so, that too. If not....well whatever.
4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty?
Clean
5. What is in your fridge?
Oh my goodness are you serious? I would rather not disclose that information. Let's just say, food, some good, some bad.
6. White or wheat bread?
Whole wheat all the way all the time. I hate white bread. Right now I'm back to W.W. whole wheat, at a whoppin $2.59 a loaf! Where do they get off?
7. What is on top of your refrigerator?
A big bucket of protein mix, a small bucket of carb mix, napkins and a paint brush.
8. What color or design is on your shower curtain?
Big bright and boldly colored squares, like pink, orange, blue, green, and other colors you would think wouldn't match, but so do.
9. How many plants are in your home?
LOL, I'm in Christy's boat. I kill plants, all plants, and yes, even cactus's. Or is it, cacti?
10. Is your bed made right now?
No, if I do make it, it's usually not until a couple of minutes before my hubby gets home.
11. Comet or Soft Scrub?
Both, depending on my mood.
12. Is your closet organized?
Which one? My son's? no. My linen closet? no. My bedroom closet? no. My daughters? kind of....oh sheesh, well my front entrance one is!
13. Can you describe your flashlight?
Again, weird questions much? It's black, and actually I don't even think it's ours, I think my hubby lifted it from my dad.
14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic more at home?
Glass, goblets to be exact.
15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now?
No, I'm off iced tea, and back to sugar free.
16. If you have garage, is it cluttered?
No garage, no shed, no nothin. I have planters full of weeds, does this answer the question?
17. Curtains or blinds?
Both.
18. How many pillows do you sleep with?
One, but we sleep with two seperate blankets. *To any wives out there sleeping with a blanket hog, please note, two blankets is awesome!*
19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night?
We leave one on in the living room, we have a night light in the bathroom, in the hall, in my girls room, and in my sons room, and our Christmas lights, which my hubby hasn't turned off for days.
20. How often do you vacuum?
Again, I would rather not disclose this information.
21. Standard toothbrush or electric?
Both.
22. What color is your toothbrush?
Mine is purple and green, and the one I steal from my hubby all the time is blue.
23. Do you have welcome mat on your front porch?
uh, I have a mat, but it doesn't say welcome, it says "go away!" no just kidding.
24. What is in your oven right now?
A whole lot of nothing. Had you asked me this question yesterday around supper time I could've said a chicken roasting away to perfection with some potatoes and carrots soaking up all the yummy chickeness.....and yes it was awesome. I'm cheating aren't I?
25. Is there anything under your bed?
Yes.
26. Chore you hate the most?
LAUNDRY!
27. What retro items are in your home?
My fridge and stove....well maybe not retro, but old and ugly none the less.
28. Do you have separate room you use an an office?
Not yet, but soon enough the extra room downstairs will one day be used as an office.
29. How many mirrors are in your home?
Two in the bathroom, one big one then three other little ones in our room. Yes I'm vain.
30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home?
We did, but we bought a new emergency couch.
31. What color are your walls?
Green living room, orange bathroom, blue bedroom, pink girls room, yellow boys room, deep purple basement.
32. What does your home smell like right now?
I dunno, who can smell their own house?
33. Favorite candle scent?
Fresh Linen!
34. What kind of pickles are in your refrigerator right now?
Spicy
35. Ever been on your roof?
No way man. But my hubby took my daughter up there when he was putting up the Xmas lights. I was freaked.
36. Do you own a stereo?
I like how in this day and age of buying on credit, and not actually "owning" anything in our home, that this survery actually asks, "do you OWN a stereo". Yes....I own a stereo.
37. How many TV’s do you have?
One
38. How many phones?
3 cordless phones, and one cell phone.
39. Do you have a housekeeper?
No I'm the keeper, but I am not my brother's keeper, for all you good book fans.
40. What style do you decorate in?
I don't know, nice stuff.
41. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints?
Both, depending on the print.
42. Is there a smoke detector in your home?
Of course.

Well that wasted a good chunk of my morning. Cheers!

Do you know what today is???

A new day, with new mercies, new challenges and new ground to take!

Step by step I'm moving forward, little by little taking ground,

every prayer a powerful weapon, strongholds come tumbling down.

Not by might or power but by His spirit, watch me fly.

*zoom! zoom!*

dirty shoes, adult teeth, and giving up

Have had lots on my mind lately, some good stuff, some not so good stuff, but still feeling encouraged to know that God is good, no matter what.

Son:

Is doing much better, thanks to those of you who lifted him up in your prayers, what a blessing. He's back to his normal self, getting into everything, making messes everywhere he goes, playing with dirty shoes and so-on. His form of play is so pointless, and it's funny to watch him go from thing to thing with no rhyme or reason.

Little Girl:

Is doing awesome in school. Her reading is getting better and better everyday, and it's so cool to watch and help her learn and grow. She lost her very first tooth! and is very excited to see a big-person tooth already coming through! She says that everything she does now will be that much better, because now ladies and gentlemen....she's an adult.

I love her to death and have been blessed to keep my eyes focused on God's vision and purpose for her life and ministry.

Hubby:

The most amazing man I've ever known, am so priveledged to be his one and only. He recently moved offices and is now in a bigger one with more windows, yay for shopping for new office pictures and decor. Walking along side him in this growing process of being life group leaders has been amazing, and I'm excited to see all that God has in store for our marriage as He builds our love and unity.

Me:

Some say it's rules and regulations,

and trying to always be right

no room for mistakes, in the choices we make

only the strong survive.

But it's not about perfect performance

or resolution of will.

It's all about surrender

giving up.....being still

It's only for the weak, for the faint of heart

those driven to their knees, those who live with scars

there's power from beyond, we're certain where it's from

and that's our source of strength.

Before we follow Christ, we need to be advised

it's only for the weak.

He welcomes the worn and weary

All who are wounded by sin

And just as we are, we can fall in His arms

Rest and find shelter in Him

Seems like each day is a battle

With burdens and struggles to face

Only in our losing

Do we really see how much we've gained

-Avalon-

Feeling very weak, and desiring so much to give up my control. With so many things spinning outside of my control, I know I need to choose to rely on Him. Some days I'm pumped with faith, others, completely on my face in discouragement. I thank God for His patience with me.

My Mom:

Please continue to pray for her as the spirit leads you.

Her health is still very poor and her heart still weak.

Please pray for me today.

I am very sick with croup. I'm tired and grumpy, and coughing and stuffy, and snotty and achy. I really want to feel better soon, so I can play toys and giggle and go shopping at my favorite store, Walmart. I was making funny barking noises last night, so my mommy and daddy got me out of bed at 1am, and wrapped me in blankets and towels and took me outside to breath in the cold air. It helped a little bit.

Please say a little prayer for my mommy too. She loves me so much and I can see in her face that it's hard for her to see me like this. I think she might miss playing with me too.

Thank you very much.

Love,

Daniel