Belle and I were invited to make Gingerbread Houses at church.  I think Belle did a great job!!

Look at those blue teeth!  Mmmm..candy!

Close-up of the gingerbread house.

This is my favorite!!  The little snowman just cracks me up!

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When will it end???

Gus' First Christmas

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Claire left this Christmas poem in Gus' Caringbridge site guestbook.  I really appreciate her taking time out to send this to us... it's really nice!  This is Gus from last Christmas...

Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars,
reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description,
to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away,
We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,
from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory
of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious
than pure gold.
It was always most important
in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,
as my Father said to do.
For I can't count the blessing or love
He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and
wipe away that tear.
Remember, I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

~Author unknown

Love~ Claire www.caringbridge.com/visit/lakenroy ^i^

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I would like to introduce you to "Spike"...designed by my very creative nephew, Ocean.  Ocean's drawing of  "Spike"  does not look this mean...I'm not sure what I did or how to fix it! lol!!  This is "Spike" embroidered:

This is "Spike" embroidered and "Spike" the Softie as a WIP (work in progress).  He is missing part of his mouth....hmmm...I wonder if the dog ate it??

Look at those spikes on "Spike's" arm!  That's some of that polyester I was given awhile back...it makes great spikes because it doesn't ravel as much!!  WooHoo!!

Don't you love "Spike's" nose??  heeheehee!!!

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to "squirrel" Gus' things away and never get rid of them!  In fact, here are some pictures of Gus' stuff that I have found lately....and I have left them right where they are.   You see, when I come across these things sometimes I am sad and sometimes I am happy...all the time I rejoice that my sweet little son is in the presence of our Lord and no longer sick.  These things remind me that we will be spending eternity together....these things make my heart beat fast as I think about Home!!   I was inspired to post these pictures because a Gus' Gang mom had written that she still had breastmilk in the freezer that she is unable to throw away...I wanted her (and others who are grieving the loss of a loved one) to know that it is FINE to keep our loved one's things!   Here's a small bit of things I am keeping and I please over look the dirt and the blurriness!!

 Soothie Pacifier in the junk drawer

Two Soothies in the buffet

Yep...that's a "Sharps" container that I used to discard glass vials and needles.  I had to prepare Gus' TPN daily by adding iron, Vitamin K and multi-vitamins...I used a lot of needles and syringes.   I just can't throw these away yet...

Stripey sock that stays in the "sock basket"

Soothie and syringe (with out needle) in my basket hanging on my armoire

Betadine used along with alcohol to clean Gus' central line

Portagen formula...well, 4 cans of it!   These hang out under my project shelf in the studio/school room

I may get rid of these things one day...then again, maybe I won't!   For right now though, these are a few of my tools I use to do my "Grief  Work".   They are cherished items...especially the soothies...

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This makes my toes curl!

photo courtesy US Air Force

Be sure to check out this video too.   Joe Kittenger reaches Mach 1

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Tonight our Advent Activity was to visit The Toymaker and make some "toys".  These printable toys are so neat but they are a tad difficult for the young ones to construct.  In fact, I ended up putting all of ours together...I thought the kids would become very bored with me doing the work but I was wrong.  We ended up spending around 3 hours printing out and constructing the toys.  I would love to print these out on heavy cardstock and with a new color ink cartridge.  The colors are supposed to be rich and vibrant but with our almost dead ink cartridge, our "toys" were pastel! lol!!   These are just a few of the "toys" that you can make...

Tooth Fairy Gazebo

Puppet Theater

Flying Fish with Patrin

The Fairies Book of Fairly Good Manners

This may be my favorite!

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This is our advent calendar for this year.  It was inspired by Mrs. Wilt's advent calendar over at The Sparrow's Nest.  I found this wonderful branch outside on our back deck.  I love it's shape. Inside there are snowflakes with scripture written on them.  I'm still trying to figure out the best place to hang the snowflakes.  I really wanted my "envelopes" to be off white but I decided to use what I had and I really like how they turned out! 

These are our Advent Activity Boxes...they are matchboxes covered with scrapbooking paper.  I first saw this idea at Kiddley.  Each box contains a daily activity that we do as a family.  So far this is what we have done:  1) had hot chocolate with marshmallows, 2) tired to go to the Christmas Parade but we were unable to because I had hurt my ankle...we rented a movie instead! and 3) we went driving around to see the lights.  Each night we open a box to find out what we will be doing the next day...tomorrow night we are having a Fondue Dinner!  

Next year I want to make these little envelopes for advent.  I think they're wonderful!!  Be sure to check out Allsorts free Christmas Dangles...this is such a neat site!

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"Joyful Hearts" Quilt from Thimble Works

Today, Pete and I attended a Candlelight Memorial hosted by our local funeral home.  Of course, I started crying immediately...it was the pianist playing a beautiful arrangement of "It is Well, With My Soul" that opened up the tears.  This song is really special to me because I sang it often to Gus, especially when he was in the hospital this last time.  I can honestly say that "it is well with my soul" for the Lord has given me this gift of grief without bitterness.  I never thought I would ever be able to survive the loss of a child yet the Lord has taken me on that journey and here I am...hopeful and doing more than surviving!  Don't get me wrong...not everything is perfect!  I am still very tired and need to nap often...grief work is hard but God has been my Comforter and I know that He will continue to comfort me.  Knowing this and having the hope of Heaven bring me great joy.  I will always miss Sam and Gus and some days are going to be impossible to get through.  Nonetheless, I eagerly await our reunion in Heaven!!

"It is Well With My Soul"

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

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Check out Linda's "My Scary Day" post over at her blog Musings of a Domestic Goddess.  You will have to scroll down a bit but it is worth it!  Enjoy!

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Cute handmade animals by Natashe Fadeeva..Cute!

I was just over at Callapidder Days reading a great post about books.  Katrina asks what we prefer to read...the quick "McNovel" or the literary fiction novel?  Her question was inspired by a Jodi Picoult quote she recently read. 

Personally, I tend to lean toward the more meatier fiction but the McNovel is good too.  I read McNovels when I "Clean and Read"...that's where I clean a bit then reward myself with a quick chapter!  I usually have several books going at one time.  Tonight I am reading Deadline by Randy Alcorn.  This book is kind of going slow for me but there are some sections that are just wonderful!

 What are you reading??

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Milo joined us this evening for our Advent Reading.  At first, he was a little fiesty but after Nik started the doggie massage therapy he did well! lol!!  And when we prayed he lowered his head...no lie!  We couldn't get him to do it again though!!

Here's a link for Dog Massage  so you can make your pooch happy this holiday season!

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A few things seen Up the Hill...

Inspired by Wassily Kandinsky.

Inspired by Georges Seurat.

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Mia over at One Hour Craft blogged about making kanzashi.  These little Japanese flowers are so fun and easy to make and I think they look great.  I think the next batch I make I will use kimono like fabric.  Mia has linked to a great photo and video tutorial that you have to see. 

More kanzashi links:

Craftlog...very pretty double kanzashi pin

Kanzashi Yumminess...links about the history of these flowers

Ciao! Cimba...two examples

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Check out Emily Lakdawalla's review of Jim Bell's new book Postcards from Mars over at The Planetary Society Weblog. 

I have seen a few of the photos on a news show and they were very impressive.  What wonderful things God creates!

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Around here we say "Awwww"!!

Go visit Things That Make You Go Aahh.  I noticed that the last post was in May...I do hope they post some more cute pictures.  Enjoy!

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...for those who think we no longer "do school"!!  This has been a fairly light day because sometimes you just need those kinds of day! lol!!

Nik:  **Today we reviewed finding the area & perimeter of hexagons

         **Discussed Job and the advice that Job's friends gave him.  We are

              studying the Books of Poetry in the Bible.

         **Play practice for "Everyman Jr." which is a morality play.  Nik is playing   

             the role of "Everyman" at the Jonesborough Repertory Theater.  We

             are not allowed into the auditorium while the actors are practicing so we

             haven't seen Nik perform yet!!  I am getting excited...

Jake:  **Jake and I reviewed shapes, planes and dimensions.

          ** A few chapters in The Hurricane Mystery were read.

          ** A mini poster titled "Proverbs" was created and several verses were

               added.

          **Jake reviewed for an upcoming grammar quiz

          **and attended his Webelos meeting

Belle:   **Reviewed addition facts and reviewed number words

           **Learned the letter "Gg" and practiced handwriting

           **practiced "squishing " some words together...like mat, pat, sat...

           **practiced her memory verse John 1:1 and colored a William Tyndale

               picture while I read a story about Tyndale.

Me:   I found a few neat sites this morning while I was drinking my coffee...

Kiddley...this site is waaaay too much for one sitting!  Claire has created such a fun blog where she shares "everyday ideas for you and your kids".  It is one of those blogs that I go to and say "ohh..I want to do this.." after all the posts!  I think I want to be her when I grow up! lol!!  And guess what!  She has another wonderful blog too...LoobyLu.  I love that name.

My Minutia has posted directions for a wonderful advent calendar using a baking sheet. 

Mighty Goods is the answer to all my Christmas shopping woes...I think I'll get all those "hard to buy for" people that lovely Yeti ornament!  I don't care who you are, you have to love it!

Enjoy!

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Judi tagged me...

A - Available/Single? Nope, married 13 years
B - Best Friend? My Husband

C- Cake or Pie? Chocolate Cake

D - Drink Of Choice? Diet Vanilla Coke
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? my glasses
F - Favorite Color? reds

G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? Gummy Bears
H - Hometown? somewhere in East Tennessee!

I - Indulgence? Mocha Frappuccinos from Strabuck's

J - January Or February? January

K - Kids & Their Names? Nik, Jake, Isabelle, Sam and Gus

L - Life Is Incomplete Without? My Family

M - Marriage Date? September 11

N- Number Of Siblings? 1 sister
O - Oranges Or Apples?Apples

P - Phobias/Fears? worms and snakes.  I used to be afraid of gnomes! lol!!Q - Favorite Quote? "My barn having burned to the ground, I can now see the moon."

 R - Reason to Smile - the hope of Heaven
S - Season? Spring
T - Tag one person...   Pete 

U - Unknown Fact About Me?  I was a drum major in high school

V - Vegetable you don’t like? beets

W - Worst Habit? eating too much
X - X-rays You’ve Had? MRI

Y - Your Favorite Food? Crab Legs from the Crazy Crab
Z - Zodiac Sign? Libra

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photo courtesy c20th

"Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children's minds. It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day."

chapter 1 Peter Pan, J.M.Barrie

I have just started reading Peter Pan to Jake.  I love the quote above about Mrs. Darling "tidying up" her children's minds.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could really do that...not to be nosy but to truly "tidy up"  We could get rid of all those awful words they have heard or the horrible things they have seen and "put things straight".   Well, we can't do that but we know someone who can...God!  Let's pray for the "tidying up" of the minds of our children!  And while we are at it, let's pray that our minds will be "tidied up" too!!  I sure could use a good "sweep"!!

Check out this fun link...Peter Pan

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I just submitted my novel at NaNoWriMo to be validated (50K words) and I received my "winner" logo and certificate! WooHoo!!!  I really enjoyed writing this month and I look forward to writing again next November.  You should join us!

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 My parents and grandmother came up early so they were able to get their cooking done the night before too.  This is my mom...I like this color on her!  Be sure to check out her earrings.  She made those herself!!  She does a lot of wonderful beadwork.  She is very talented.  She will not be happy to see herself on my blog.....

Then this happened.....a big dog fight in the den!!  This is Milo and his brother Duffy and they played like this the whole time.  There was only one time that there was a real true fight and that was when Milo helped himself to Duffy's food.  It was not pretty...

Belle helped create our centerpiece and I think she did a great job!  Do you see how she added popcorn kernels to the votive cups?  And yes, I know that the silverware is not right! lol!!  I was just happy that we actually had enough silverware...that is certainly going to be the next thing I purchase for our home!

We added quotes about thankfulness to the table.  I had originally planned to have a lot more quotes around the table but I ran out of time!  I also wanted to sew the placemats together with big chunky "X's" to bring in some more black but I just plain forgot to do that! lol!!

And here's the "good stuff"...

                         Drink table                      Green bean casserole that I still hate!

        Dad's Close Encounters Potatoes                     Jake's Deviled Eggs

               Cranberry Pear Relish                    Dressing...Secret Family Recipe!

We always ask the adults to go first when we have a buffet-style dinner.  We do this as a way to show honor and respect for them.  The "Great-Grands" go first followed by the "Grands" and so on down the line.  This is a photo of all the lovely young ones waiting ever so patiently...with honor and respect...on the adults to get their food!  And before you leave a comment asking about the brown bottles...yes, it was beer...root beer!!

I just love my new white dinner plates and salad plates!  My mom and grandmother brought these to me and I am so pleased.  Doesn't the food look so pretty on it??  I started using white plates a few years ago because I like the way food looks on white..except when it is on my new white t-shirt! lol!!

The only thing that would make this photo of my mom perfect would be if one of those "brown bottles" stood where the Diet Coke can is.....lol!!  This may be my most favorite holiday picture yet!!

We all had a wonderful time and really enjoyed each others company.  I guess I'll ask all of them back since they behaved so well!!!  I hope you all had a wonderful day too!

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This spring when we were in Knoxville, we studied how to write a haiku.  I found this wonderful book at the library that encouraged us to not focus on the 17 syllables because 17 Japanese syllables did not translate to 17 English syllables...made sense so we gave it a try.  Here are some of Jake's haiku...

A chihuahua puppy

running in the summer grass

gazing at the shiny sun.

Photo from Tucson Tea-cup Puppies. 

Be sure to check out the Chinese Crested puppies...I love them!  Maybe a puppy would make a nice gift for Christmas??? 

Miracle Whip

running across the black railing

jumping to the trees.

Miracle Whip was a squirrel that we watched often.  He would run around and around on the black railing surrounding the play ground...then he would jump on a tree.  He was named Miracle because the kids were amazed that he didn't fall off the railing...I'm not sure who added "Whip"!

Photo from Photographing Squirrels. 

Please check out this site...it is so funny!

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Thirteen Things on Today's Shopping List

1. carrot peeler
2. tablecoth...for Thanksgiving table
3. pumpkin...for table centerpiece
4. red berry garland to drape around pumpkin
5. fresh candles...both tapers and votives
6. coffee
7. laundry detergent
8. cloth napkins
9. a dress for me!
10. black mary janes for Belle
11. tights for Belle
12. trouser socks for me
13. lipliner

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"My mommy wants me to sign "mommy" first..."

"So I signed "daddy" first!"

Oh I just can't be wordless today! These pictures are of my son Gus who was bilaterally profoundly deaf and Pete and I decided that we would all learn ASL.  Gus was a candidate for a cochlear implant however, he died on May 31st of this year awaiting a liver/small bowel transplant.  We miss him but look forward to seeing him again!  Please discuss organ donation with your family.  If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me and I can give you some links to explore.

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and even though I am smiling I did not enjoy this one little bit!  Walking in a circle using a big long wooden stirring thingy???  I just about croaked.  Maybe if I had controlled the stirrer better it would not have been so bad.  But I couldn't so I probably ruined the precious butter/gold...hmmm....maybe if this had been a big vat of cheese being melted for nachos I would have done a better job! lol!!

By the way, this is my photo for the His Temple, My Body Challenge over at Smalltown Homeschool.  I have not been drinking water like I was before and guess what, I am no longer losing weight like I was before!  So, tomorrow I am going to be hitting the water again!!  And no, I am not going to eat the apple butter because it is way too sweet!

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