November 8, 2009 - Happy Happy Joy Joy, Here's The Boy!
Samuel and Me
I'm In Love
Isn't he the CUTEST?!
©AmandaDixon2009
Nov. 7, 2009 - I've Moved!
Hello, friends. I'm not dead, can you believe it?! There's entirely too much to explain at the present time, but I have just today started a new blog. You can read about why I haven't posted since November and why I'm moving by hopping over to http://drgnfly1010.wordpress.com.
Thank you so much for reading my blog and keeping up with me and commenting.. I know I've been off-kilter not only since August, but even before that, but I'm hoping that that's all going to change now ;). So please check out my new blog and follow it! I'm still in the process of catching up on all of your blogs, as well, but I don't think I'm going to be able to catch everything, so if there's something particularly exciting or life-changing, let me know!
Goodbye for now,
~Bethany
November 7, 2009 - Tickled Blue!
I am so excited and very proud to say I am now officially the oldest of 9 children! :) Samuel Ira was born today! We are 20 years and 12 days apart. He is just precious and sweet! A true gift from God! I'm tickled there is another newborn in the house! :D Altho... there are so many people to share him with. LOL! Trying to snatch him anytime I can! ;) Will get some more up about him and pictures soon! :D I am just soo happy he's here!
I am so blessed by God to have another sibling to love, to watch grow up and to TRY to be an example of how to live as our Messiah did!
Thank you God for the blessing of this precious babe! Such an awesome Shabbat this has been!
©AmandaDixon2009
Nov. 8, 2009 - It was a bright and sunny morning...
It was a bright and sunny morning, and I was on my way to my flute lesson. My mom was driving, I was riding shot-gun, and Emma was sitting in the back seat working on her school. There were a few butterflies taking flight in my stomach, since I knew that I hadn't practiced much the past week, so I took a deep breath... and exhaled.
We turned the corner, where my mom dropped me off at my destination... the local highschool. This was where I would have my flute lesson with my wonderful teacher, Mrs. G. So I grabbed my flute and my books, opened the door and hopped out of the car. I walked quickly up to the big red doors which stood before me. Taking one last look behind me, I opened them and stepped inside.
Walking over to the blue door that opens up to the stairway, I looked to my right and saw another flute teacher and her student diligently working on a piece of music. Opening the door, I let it close behind me and started up the stairs. Skipping up rather quickly, for I was running a little late, I went to the first practice room. No Mrs. G. Looked in the second practice room, just the trumpet teacher and his student who looks vaguely familiar. Looked in the third practice room where Mrs. G. and I usually meet... no Mrs. G. So I looked in a few more practice rooms down the hall, but to no avail. Mrs. G. was nowhere to be seen.
Walking ever so quickly back the way I had come, I scurried down the stairs, through the blue door, down the hall and out the ever-looming red doors to the outside, with only a glimmer of hope that my mom hadn't left for the park yet. I looked around the parking lot and saw no tan mini-van in which sat my mom and sister. None at all. I leaned back against the brick wall of the highschool in despair, where I stood for what seemed like eternity. Then I figured that I would be safer inside, where there were people.
So I very nervously went back through those now-awful red doors, down the hall, through the blue door, and up the stairs ever so slowly... taking my time, as I now still had at least twenty minutes to wait for my mother's return. I took one last semi-hopeful glance into those starch-white practice rooms that I now so fearfully dreaded, and after seeing that there was no Mrs. G., nor would there be any Mrs. G. today, almost dropped all of my hope altogether.
And then I remembered that lyrics of a song about hope and where it can truly be found...
"In Christ alone my hope is found - He is my light, my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solid ground - firm through the fiercest drought and storm... What heights of love! What depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand."
...and also this verse...
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
And I knew that I wasn't alone. I knew that God was with me. But still the shock of being 'stranded' in a public highschool was very nerveracking, and I was afraid. It was like I was stuck in a living nightmare, and I was almost in tears. But I managed to hold it together, and when the trumpet teacher came and asked me about my presence in the school, I explained - with a bit of a shaky voice - that I was simply here for a lesson with Mrs. G. I asked him if she was here or not, though I knew the answer. He replied that he'd go ask around to see where she is.
Whe he came back, he replied that she was home sick. When I asked him if there was a phone I could use to call my mom, he gestured down to one of the teachers who told us to come around to the office. There he called Mrs. G. and kindly asked why she wasn't there. He let me talk to her, and she explained that her eyelids were really hurting, and that they had some blister-type-things on them. Now I knew. But I was still at a public highschool... alone... by myself... but now I had a phone in my hand - the phone which was the answer to my prayer - the only way to freedom.
As I dailed my mom's phone number, I was deeply trying to control myself... I'm not gonna' cry... I'm not gonna' cry...
Then I heard it - heard the thing which spoke freedom - the thing which belonged to the person with the car. I heard my mom's voice...
"Hello?"
Saturday, November 7, 2009 - Party Post III: The Grand Event
Kaira was a very excited princess when the big day finally arrived. We were were joined by Lady Beverly, Sir Richard, the Bowman James, Lady Lorelle, the beautiful princess Kaitlyn, and the delightful jester Sirhc! The games were underway when the Royal executioner showed up, escorting a servant girl he had found fleeing the Manor of Lord S and Lady K.
The servant girl threw herself to the ground and begged the princess for mercy, and the executioner inquired what should be done with the servant, who was no doubt an accomplice in helping the Lord and Lady escape. Kaira looked upon the groveling servant girl in mercy and answered the executioner emphatically, "Let her have fun!"
And so, have fun we did. The games included a quest for the grail, tests of archery, musical chairs, and tiara and shield making. James the Bowman provided a demonstration of his skill, putting arrows through our bales with such force that we found broken shafts the next day! The Lady Lorelle even brought along her pet draglet, whom Kaira took to immediately.
Kaira's cousins attempted to present her with her very own prince, (who had journeyed all the way from Prague) but alas, her mischievous cousin, the wee jester Sirhc had enchanted the poor fellow and turned the Prague Prince into a Frog Prince. The counter enchantment required she recite "Prairie Frog Fairy Prince" seven times in succession before kissing him three times. (Seven plus three adding up to ten--her age, of course!) Poor Kaira failed to recite it properly each time, and he remained amphibious. Fortunately the fellow seems content to remain a pet. (She's too young for a real prince anyway, so I'm secretly relieved.)
"Kenneth O'Laughlan" read the Fools Prayer, and the wee jester Sirhc did a Sirhcus act for us! We feasted on shish kabob and raspberry cream filled cake.
I should have required a few guests stand still for a quick photo op. I didn't manage to capture my niece and nephew's beautiful costumes as fully as I'd like, and somehow the Lady Beverly managed to avoid the camera lens. I also neglected to capture my own wee knights, Sir Keegan and Sir Kieran before they shed their armor. (And, I was behind the camera instead of in front of it. Which is all very good and well.)
A good time was had by all! Huzzah!
Nov. 7, 2009 - Add hand-made jewelry to your Christmas gift-giving list!
Visit my dear friend Melody over at With the Fruit of Her Hands for all of your jewelry needs. I can personally attest to the quality of her work. While you're over there, join the contest she's currently having!
©2009 Adorning Grace
Nov. 7, 2009 - My 4th Blogoversary
Yes, three cheers for me for blogging for four whole years, right? I think so. I don't really remember what I thought of blogging when I first started, so I won't go into any of that. All I know is that now I love it.
So instead of all of the usual sap that people post about for their blogoversaries, I am just going to post link to some of my favorite posts that I have written over these past four years. Does that sound like fun? I hope so!
2006
- The Books Are Always Better
- Central Oregon 101 ~ A brief introduction to my hometown.
- None Other Than My Mother ~ A poem I wrote for Mother's Day
- Humans and Habits ~ Have a habit that you need to break? Read this!
- Avoiding Foolish and Ignorant Disputes ~ with a Lord of the Rings flavor.
- Another Poem ~ I wrote a lot more poetry several years ago than I do now!
- A Thoughtful Journey ~ Yes, another poem.
- Analogies and The Great Critical Thinker
- I've Got a Plan! ~ What do you plan on doing after you graduate?
- The Better Blogging Movement #1
- The Better Blogging Movement #2
- How Important is the Pencil ~ Do you take the pencil for granted? Read this and gain a new perspective on one of the most little thought of writing instruments.
- Protecting Little Knees ~ Older siblings, we have a responsibility towards our little sisters and brothers.
- My Graduation Speech
2009
- No Fishing Allowed!
- Lament of the Stars ~ Are there no, truly good actors out there?
- Hardships of Friendships ~ Another lament, of a more serious sort.
- Only Jesus...
- Don't Waste Your Time! ~ Do you waste time of things that only have worldly value?
- Sweetness is...
- Living on Charity ~ Did you know that we are all living on charity?
Finally, these last two are from the last two months.
- The Church in the Wildwood ~ How I long to hear those old hymns sung in a church setting!
- Whose Leaves Were Fair
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
Saturday, November 7, 2009 - Party Post II: Attendants Respond
After mailing out the invitations, Kaira was delighted to see her courtiers respond. Here are a couple of the more interesting replies:
To the Attention of Princess Kaira,
It is my grievous duty to bring a matter of utmost importance to your attention. Reliable sources have informed me that the party invitees of (Lastname) Manor are planning to be late for the festivities. Such blatant disrespect for the royal Princess needs to be dealt with quickly and harshly to keep order in the kindgdom. Therefore, on the appointed date, I will personally apprehend the culprits and bring them in haste for you to make a ruling on their punishment. I pray this will not cause too much disruption in the roayl festivities.Signed in my own hand
X
His Majesty's Royal Executioner
And a little later, from her Aunt:
Thank you, dear PrairieFrogs, for your delightful invitation.Your unfortunate messenger, a drunkard no doubt, first delivered our summons to a dwelling two kingdoms away, the Court *Edinburgh.However, the royal family there discovered the mistake and kindly hired a more reliable carrier to complete the letter's journey.And so at last, we (Lastnames) of the Court *Capella did learn of the wondrous celebration to be held in honour of our beloved cousin, the Princess Kaira!With great glee, we are preparing ourselves for the day. The wee jester Sirhc, the young princess Kaitlyn, the bowman James and I shall travel north at the appointed time to partake in the festivities!With thanks and much affection,~Lady Lorelle(*Street names changed for the blogosphere)
Stay tuned: Photos and party recap next!
Friday, November 6, 2009 - Party Post Part I: The Invitations
She sent invitations: sealed in wax, and delivered by national courior:
Most PrairieFrog birthdays are quiet affairs, with just our own little family. Every ten years, however, for the entire duration of their childhood, we'll treat each child to a party with other guests!
This year, as Kaira celebrated the completion of her first decade, we hosted our first such event!
I'll confess that the date gave me pause. Although we do give a nod to Reformation day, the 31st of October is typically just another day for us. We don't recognize the event our neighbors celebrate, or do any "alternatives". But, with Kaira's birthday falling on Sunday, the day prior became a perfect choice. (I think we've celebrated Ken's birthday on that date as well--He was born on October 29th--but it was a quiet family affair.) Hosting a costume party on the 31st was new for me!
Stay tuned, for the courtiers' responses!
Nov. 6, 2009 - NaNoWriMo: Progress and Location
It is now day 6 of NaNoWriMo, I believe. For the most part is is gong very well, and I am rather pleased with my progress. I have written almost every day, and I am well above the average word count per day, which is a good thing. It means I'm ahead of schedule.
There was one day that I wrote hardly a thing. I wanted to write, but I wasn't sure what to write next. I keep harboring suspicions that my plot isn't big enough for 50,000 words. Yet here I am, still plugging away. Well, plugging isn't exactly the right word; I am enjoying myself.
Just in case you wanted to know, there is now a meter on my sidebar that will tell you my current word count. It updates when I do, so, if you are interested, be sure to keep checking back!
I am quite in love with my bedroom/studio. I would like to think of it as my studio, at any rate. It's where I do almost everything! I wanted to show it to you, so here it is!
So, that's it! You had a peek into my charming attic bedroom and workspace. The poor thing is simply yearning for Christmas decorations, but have yet to make any. I have an idea for a garland...but that is not what this post is about.
