The last few days...

We have been on the road alot these last few days. Back and Forth to Christmas Parties, Recitals, and last night a wonderful ball.

Down here in the South it has been in the 70's!!! So I am dreaming of a COLD Christmas!

Christmas Season

As this busy December continues to roll right along I have not found the time to post as much!
Here is a tag (I am about tagged-out!!!) from Hannah

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your family and friends.
Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!!
Change all the answers so that they apply to you.
Then tag a whole bunch of people you know. Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping with paper or gift bags? We do both.

2. Real or fake tree? Normally a fake, this year we have a beautiful real tree!

3. When do you put up a tree? Around the first week in December.

4. When do you take it down? Sometime in early January!

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My American girl Dolls.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Daddy!

8. Easiest person to buy for? My Mom, I pretty much know exactly what she needs!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail them.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A box of band aids.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Hmmm... Fallen Angel, Rudolph, Frosty, Borrowed Hearts, The Nativity. I have alot of favorite Christmas movies!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually in November, I also make some of my gifts.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes! Shhh... Don't tell!

15. Favourite thing to eat and drink at Christmas? I like Hot Chocolate and Fudge.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white ones.

17. Favourite Christmas song? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and There's a Song In the Air.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? A little of both.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Prancer, Donner ,Blizten(?), Cupid, Rudolph. I can't think of any others!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have a star that lights up this year.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Presents with grandparents on Christmas Eve, then with mom and dad Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The Commercialism.

23. Favourite Ornament theme or color?I like silver balls.

24. Favourite for Christmas dinner? My mom's sweet potatoe casserole! Yum!

25. Favourite Decorations? Lights.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? The Martha Stewert Cooking School Book, a new camera strap, and alot of books!

We've Been Picked!

As many of you know we have been in the adoption process again for awhile. Well, we have finally been picked!! But this time we have been picked by God, not a birth mother.
Yes, my mom is pregnant! 15 weeks to be exact. We are so excited and are looking forward to a new baby being in the family. Mom has been really sick these last few weeks and is just now starting to feel better so we have been really busy! Please pray that everything will go well and Mom and baby will continue to be healthy.

'mini ' Photo Shoot

Emma and Laura, Thanks, I had so much fun!

Just a Thought...

If we as Christians believe that working on the Sabbath (besides necessary jobs like preparing food and dishes) is against God's law, then why do we support people who do work on Sunday?? We stop at Walmart to pick up a 'last minute' snack for bible study or stop on the way to church for a coffee (guilty here!) , isn't supporting people who break God's law just as bad as doing it??

Just a thought.

Is Sunday Enough?

As we sit in the pew and listen to the sermon, do we take it all in? Do we really strive to listen, to learn? When the Pastor (or elder) dismisses us do we think about how to apply the message to our life or do we think about who we need to talk to.

So many times I think that 'Sunday is Enough'.
Enough....., what is the word I am looking for?

Enough Scripture, Enough learning, Enough 'Spiritual Bread' ,to get me through for days.

But is it?

'You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes....speaking of them {scriptures} when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.'

-Deuteronomy 11v18-19

I think that it is so easy to forget about our 'spiritual' needs. The needs that only God can meet.
It is so easy to get caught up in friends, blogs, books, and outside things, that we start to look to others (things) to meet our needs.
It happens to me all of the time. Instead of focusing on what is really important (God, Family) I start getting drawn away by simple things such as, the computer. Sure, I am not doing anything bad! Just looking at a few good Christian blogs, but a 'few' turns into more and more and more!
Consequently turning me away from God and Family. Those blogs have alot of GREAT things on them! Like minded girls, crafts, etc. but I am not going to accomplish anything they try to tell me if I am constantly on the computer.
I have started to wander from my point, so what I think I am trying to say is this:
Take Deuteronomy 11(18-19) to heart. Don't let Sunday be a one time event.
All week long meditate on God, Every morning, and Every night.
Whether it be a devotional or a psalms, give God everything you have, then go to the blog, friends, or books.

My Top Ten Favorite Baby Names:

Miss Serenity over at Femininity in a Feminist World is hosting:

She is hoping to get a list of 50 or more beautiful baby names together. Go to her blog and read all about it!

So without further ado here is my Top Ten Favorite Baby Names:

1-Ellie Kate (meaning noble and pure)

2- Isabella Rose ( Someone in our church family named their little girl this~ so cute!)

3- Elizabeth

4-Eli

5-Catherine

6-Cameron

7-Christian

8-Carmer (I read this in a book once and really thought it a neat name!)

9- Jane

10- Ian

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I could probably think of 20 or more! I love doing this kind of stuff!

A Secret

A secret burns in my heart. I long to unlock it and let the whole world know. But if I do it will be ruined,stained,tarnished. If I tell, it won't be a secret anymore. If I let someone know, it will be discovered. So for now I will keep it inside, safe and sound.

Is this considered a post?? :-)

I was unofficially tagged by Jasmine
15 things I am not afraid to admit about myself:

1- It irks me that several radio stations are already playing Christmas music! Come on people, it is not even Thanksgiving much less December!!!

2- Like Jasmine, I have always wanted to get married early, and since I am only fifteen and a half I will still hold on to it for a little while longer! :-)

3- I get EXTREMELY nervous at recitals and speeches and I have one coming up in less than a month!
4- I am not a fan of peanut butter and chocolate (yes, that means Reese cups!). Actually, I really don't like mixing my peanut butter with anything (not even jelly).

5- Although I have always wanted to live somewhere where it snows and gets freezingly(is that a word??? :-) cold, I think I am happy right here where we get an inch tops.

6- While I am concerned about politics and I do care about what happens to our nation, it is not my favorite thing to talk about!

7-Most of my blog posts are in the drafts folder half finished!

8- I still cannot believe I deleted MY own blog.

9- Whenever someone asks me what my favorite book or movie is I can't think of it until much later (like laying in bed that night). I have read so many I am just not sure....:-)

10- I like riding around in a 15 passenger van, I am still working on driving the big thing!
11- I earn money by rubbing my dad's feet.....:-)

12- I rarely win anything, my brother is doing that for me! He has *won*
SEVERAL library contests, a free ride in a red baron plane (I would NEVER ride in that thing!), and numerous other things!

13-I have not understood football until this year! ( Go Bama!!!) :-)

14- I have friends of all ages!

15- My passion in life is to do the best I can at wherever God places me.



* I forgot to tag someone!!! Now let's see, who is up for this challenge?*I tag:

Hannah

Ana
Bria
Olivia
and
Sarah
Now maybe one of you will do it!

Some of my favorite pictures of the last few weeks~

Tagged!

Six Random Things About Me:

1. I love to organize yet my room is somehow very often messy!

2. I practice piano more than violin ( shhh.. Don't tell my teacher!)

3. Although I am a 'Whole Foods' girl I still eat junk!

4. I love to read!

5. One of my pet-peeves is not having four distinct seasons! (It gets warm, cold , freezing, and warm again all in the same month!

6. One of my best friends just joined the blogging community:
http://candidcreation.blogspot.com/

The Rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Write Six Random Things about yourself.
“Tag” six-or-so other people at the bottom of your post.
Leave comments on their blogs, letting them know they’ve been tagged.
Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve written the post.


I tag:

Ellie

Molly H.

Mom

Dad

and whoever else wants to join in!

Something as small.....

Something as small as a just-big-enough tree and a yellow worn out swing can influence a life. My littlest brother and sister run daily with glee to this swing for half an hours worth of amusement. There have been many tears shed over this precious swing, many golden kisses from the sun, many red noses from the wind, but still they go,bare feet and all. They go to the place they love. The much loved path way is no longer green lush grass, it is loose dirt that stains their little toes.
I think about this 'path' and wonder, isn't this how Jesus wants us to be? Every day running with glee to him? Wearing out the path till it is dirt? The wind stings, the sun burns, the rocks on the ground hurt, yet we still go. We go because we love Him. We go because He refreshes our soul.

Something as small as two hands, 94 years old, taking a much smaller pair ,12 years old, into it's own , teaching the rhythms of knitting, investing in a life. She didn't have to, it was late. She did anyway. Now ,three years later, anytime these two people meet, the older, wiser one asks "have you knitted anything lately?" and I reply "Yes!...." and go on to tell her of the latest half-finished scarf or doo-dad. I see her hugging my little sister and hope that one day I may teach her to knit, telling her the time when (great) Grandma taught me. I wonder, when I have been on this earth for 97 years, what will be my story? What will people say I did? I hope that they will say I was a follower of Christ, a loving daughter, sister, friend, a (hopefully) devoted wife and mother. I hope I have proof with many arrows to influence God's world, and if not, I hope that I can be a good example for my little brothers and sisters, helping to raise them for the glory of God.

Baby Stellan

PRAY FOR BABY STELLAN!!!!! Go to Mckmama's blog and read about this miracle baby...

'Orange' happy...

(picture)memories of the weekend....

Romance Novels part. 2

It has taken much thought to come up with a part 2!! I considered saying "Part 2 coming in a few years when I am married!" I felt like I had said all I could say.....

Most rn (romance novels) end up with a marriage or a clear idea that the couple are going to get married. The kind of rn I read are historical. I have probably only read one or two modern day romances. What I find interesting is how in the historical romance the ladies are preparing to be married. They are serving their families. Learning to be wives and mothers one day, not just sitting around waiting for it to happen and going into marriage knowing nothing.

During these teen years we need to be learning all we can to prepare for being wives and mothers.

Learning to cook healthy, delicious meals.

Learning how to manage the household chores:

laundry, dishes, everyday cleaning.

Learning how to can and preserve food.

Learning how to be frugal in spending our dad's (and mom's :) money.

Learning how to take care of little children.

All of these are things we need to know to manage a household smoothly.

We need to be practicing serving our brothers and dad now so that when we get married we will have a good understanding of how to serve our husband.

Titus 2 verse 3-5 :

.........and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

I think this verse sums up what we should be trying to accomplish.

1. self controlled~ restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires

2.pure~ unmixed with any other matter (2): free from dust, dirt, or taint

3.working at home (homemaker)~one who manages a household especially as a wife and mother

4.kind~of a sympathetic or helpful nature

5.submissive~to yield to governance or authority

All of these are traits that can be practiced out right now.

I am reading a book, Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Goldy Wife and Mother by

Carolyn Mahaney

In this book Mrs. Mahaney goes in-depth to explain each of the virtues listed in Titus 2 3-5.

So as we are reading these wonderfully romantic books, lets enjoy them but also use them as a tool for learning how to prepare for marriage. Look at what the girls are doing in the books.

How are they helping their families? What are traits you admire? What are their faults?

~ Homemaking-being a full-time wife and mother-is not a destructive drought of uselessness but an overflowing oasis of opportunity; it is not a dreary cell to contain one's talents and skills but a brilliant catalyst to channel creativity and energies into meaningful work.~

Dorothy Patterson

Happy Birthday!

I just wanted to say 'Happy Birthday' to the VERY best father in the whole world.

I love you daddy!!!!

Dawn Awakening

I awoke this morning, in the warmth of a quilt, with a little body next to mine. The day, just beginning. A new day. A fresh day. One to right any wrongs done yesterday. One to ask for His help. Every day God gives us is a renewal time, a time to ask forgiveness, start over, do better.
I creep out into the cold, crisp air and snap a picture, a reminder, that today is new.

Romance Novels part 1

OK, I admit it! I am a romance novel guru......

Now please know that when I say 'romance' novel, I am not talking about the kind that you turn over at garage sales to keep your younger siblings from looking at the covers! :o)
I am talking about the simple kind of romance, The kind that follows families for generations.

Such as the Love's Long Journey series by Jeanette Oke. ( If you have never read the books but have seen the movies, just know that the movies DO NOT DO JUSTICE!!!)

In general people are all the time saying things such as, 'Reading any kind of romance creates ideals in your mind that aren't true' or 'Men really don't act that way in real life' or 'Marriages aren't like that at all'

Well.....no. and yes.

Sometimes it depends on the author, other times, the mind that reads the words.

I am fifteen year old young lady. I enjoy reading these stories (because that is all they are!)

I have tryed to be really careful not to let the, I'll just say 'sweetness' effect me. BUT,

I am afraid I am now a hopeless romantic at heart. Is that a bad thing??

As far as reading these books and them creating ideals, yes, they do. But not one that is necessarily untrue or bad. If you are reading someone like Jane Austen or Jeannette Oke you will know that it is not 'Love at first sight' blah Sometimes the people hate each other!

I HOPE that one day when (and if God allows it) I get married, I love the man I am marrying!

Now I know that he will most likely not sweep me up in his arms in the middle of a pouring rain or come riding up on a white stallion.

But, he will be my prince charming. It is all in the way you look at it.

No,most men do not act like the men in these novels.

Most of the so called 'men' out there in the world do not even act like men.

They were not trained to work hard, protect ladies, be the leaders of their family, etc.

But, there are guys out there who were trained to do that.

Now to point three,

Marriages are not like that at all'

What? Are you sure?

Because when I look at my parents I see everything that is sweet,lovely, and yeah, even a little

(as much as you can be with 6 kids) romantic.

My dad:

He opens doors for my mom

He sends her flowers for no reason

He rubs her feet every single night (!!!!)

He buys her small gifts about once a week (new watch, chap stick,new clothes)

He LOVES to be around her. (He'll go anywhere, as long as she'll go with him)

My Mom:

I see her tirelessly giving of herself to my dad.

She is constantly coming up with ways to serve him and make his load lighter.

She makes it a point to make his favorite meals.

She will be the first to admit that she has a lot of learning to do in this area. (although I think she is doing great)

Now, I say all of this not to prove whoever thinks or says the above things about novels is wrong.

I am just simply stating my opinion on the matter. :o)

-taylor

Blue Jean Overalls......

Wow! You Have Got to Listen to This!!!!!

The days of fall are coming.

I can feel it. the way the wind sweeps my hair off my back or twirls with the bottom of my skirt.
It sways the trees and grasses, pulling them along with it. Cooling me off in the heat of day.

I can see it. in the leaves that are already beginning to turn red and orange and yellow outside my window.
I can taste it. in the spice bread that is in the oven, which by the way, I can also smell.....



ahhh fall.

When Ruth Bell was a teenager, she was sent from her childhood home in China to school in Korea.
At the time, she fully intended to follow in her parents' footsteps and becoming a confirmed 'old maid' ministering to the people of Tibet. While at school, however, Ruth did give some serious thought to the kind of husband she might consider. As she tells in her book A Time for Remembering, she listed these particulars:

"If I marry: He must be so tall that when he is on his knees, as one has said, he reaches all the way to heaven. His shoulders must be broad enough to bear the burden of a family. His lips must be strong enough to smile, firm enough to say no, and tender enough to kiss. Love must be so deep that it takes it stand in Christ and so wide that it takes the whole lost world in. He must be active enough to save souls. He must be big enough to be gentle and great enough to be thoughtful. His arms must be strong enough to carry a little child."

Ruth Bell never did become a full-time missionary in Tibet. However, she did find a man worth marrying: Billy Graham. As his wife, Ruth Bell Graham became a missionary to the whole world!


from- God's Devotional Book for students

I loved this!!!!

Chocolate Eyes

As his chocolate eyes look up into the sky, I am thankful. Thankful for his sweet smile. Thankful for his laugh. Thankful for him.

I love you Jo!

Bread comes with crumbs

I sweep the crumbs into my hands from the table. The bread which was kneaded by my hands, was eaten and now, the remains, crumbs. Bread comes with crumbs. Crumbs that are under your feet. Crumbs that get stuck to the floor. Crumbs. I hate crumbs. I love bread.
Life comes with crumbs.......
Things that get in our way. slow us down. stress us out. These are times when we have to stop and pray, asking God for a fresh new start....

just a thought....

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Somewhere deep inside my heart
There is a yearning to come and be a part
Of the worship flowing from the lips
Of Seraphim and Angels to the one who always is
We were meant to be free
To love and be loved to trust and believe
We were meant to be free
To soak in a river of everlasting peace

(Pictures by Taylor)

(Lyrics from the song, we were meant to be free, on hayovel)
(The waller family :)

How to make whole wheat rolls, a tutorial

First, take your ingredients:


Whole Wheat Flour (8 cups),Honey(1/3 cup),Oil(1/3 cup),Yeast(2 tsp..),salt(1&1/2 tsp.),water(not shown,2&1/2)




Next take your mixing bowl ( I am using a Kitchen-Aid) and warm it up (just run hot water in it):

Pour 2&1/2 cups warm(not hot,not cold :o) water into your bowl. Then add 2 tsp. yeast:



This is what it should look like
Now, add the honey,salt,and oil and two cups of the flour:



mix for 1 min. at a low speed:
Let rest for 5 minutes:

Now set a timer for 4 min., and mix in the rest of your flour (around 5-6 cups) or until the dough forms a 'stretchy ball'...(Turn your mixer off after the timer goes off)


now take your 'ball' and form two loaves, place into a bowl,


let rise until doubled in size (around an hour) Sorry no picture!
Then roll the dough out on the counter and shape into balls,we used a jar top to make sure we had the same sized rolls :o)Then we rolled them into balls:


Bake at 350 for around 10-12 min. *If you want golden brown rolls brush with butter about 2 minutes before they come out of the oven* Yum!











Thanks Ali!





Here is the recipe:

2 1/2 c. warm water
2 tsp. yeast
2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. oil
1/3 c. honey
8-9 c. Whole Wheat flour
Warm up bowl. Put in mixing bowl first five ingredients, and 2 c. flour. Mix for one minute and let rest for five minutes. Set mixer to speed 2 and set timer for 4 min. Add remaining flour (around 6 c.) until dough forms a stretchy ball and does not stick to the sides of the bowl. Turn off mixer when timer beeps. Shape dough into 2 loaves and place in bowl. Let rise an hour or so, until doubled in size. Roll dough out on counter top and shape rolls. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10-12 min. Yum!