Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I'm still here.  It's been a looong time, I know.  It has been hard trying to find time to just sit and write a post...I have thought about it though, does that count? 

I can't believe Thanksgiving is here already!  That only means one thing...well, maybe a few things, one: I've blacked-out over the last month because I don't know where it went, two; It's time to be thankful and eat a bunch of turkey, and three; CHRISTMAS is just a month away!  I'm going to pretend I didn't say that last one, and I'm not going to think about it till tomorrow, if that's ok with you. 

Anyway, it's good to be back.  We have so much to be thankful for, even if we aren't receiving the blessings that we think we should be getting. At least we're not receiving what we deserve.  God is so good to allow us the gift of life and breath.  We have a beautiful house, great kids, food on our table, and of course, shoes on our feet!  Remember to stop and give thanks for even those things we take for granted each and every day!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I'm dreaming of a WARM Christmas.

The weather this week has been crazy.  This is supposed to be Georgia, not Indiana!  It started out unseasonably cold, like down in the teens, and ended up in the 60's.  I mean... I'm not complaining about the 60 degree weather, but the teens!, you northerners can keep your cold weather, thank you very much!  As for me, I'm dreaming of a warm Christmas ♪♪♫ ...just like the one we had 2 years ago...♫♪♪

We've had a busy but fun week though.  After braving the extremely cold weather on Monday to go to the store, we did some Christmas cookie making on Tuesday.  All the kids took part...even little Liberty.  As you can see in the pictures, she is in nearly every one of them, trying to get her hands in the dough {and the dough into her mouth}.  It was memories in the making!

If you'd like to make some too, here is the recipe.  You can do A LOT of different variations with this recipe, so experiment and have fun!  My favorite was adding lemon extract.

Butter Balls {snow balls}

• 1 cup butter
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• optional ingredients:  pecans, almonds, food coloring, *flavors or extracts {I used 1 tsp. lemon extract} 2 tsp. cinnamon {the cinnamon ones turned out really good too}
• powdered sugar {enough to cover cookies when cool}

Beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, beat until fluffy. Add flour, and beat at low speed until well blended, stir in extra ingredients if you are adding them.  If you add flavors or extracts, you may have to add just a little bit more flour if dough is sticky.  Shape into one inch balls. Bake at 325 degrees on  ungreased cookie sheet for 20 minutes. Remove and put on wire rack to cool. Roll in confectioners' sugar when cool.

 {Click on picture to view bigger}

My Heart Overlows...

Don't you just love those mornings where you actually get up before anyone else?  I know I do.  My day seems to run just a little smoother as well.

2 weeks until Christmas.  Actually less than.  Am I finished with my Christmas gifts?  I was supposed to be, BUT.... I'm not.  That's not to say I haven't been busy.  I feel like I'm becoming one with the sewing machine, I have been in front of it so much here lately :).  I do have to say though, I think I have more done now than I did last year at this time, if that is any consolation.  But that doesn't help me get done any faster....I was supposed to already BE done!  I really enjoy making things, it's just the stress of "am I going to have everything done in time" that stresses me....  :)

I have been finding ornaments on the Christmas tree in "clusters".  Liberty LOVES the tree and the ornaments, she's just not supposed to be touching them.  So it is amusing when I find ornaments clustered in groups of 3 or more on the same twig.  Her excitement puts a smile on my face.  I received a gift in the mail yesterday and I put it under the tree {the first gift under the tree} and Liberty laid on the floor on her belly with her head in her hands and kept looking at it.  She's only 16 months and even though she had her first Christmas last year, this one will be even more exciting!

I was reading over my girls' blogs {3 of our daughters have them} and it hit me real hard this morning how much they have grown.  I see it every day, 3 of them are as tall as me {one of them slightly taller....but I'm not going to admit it} but when it hit me this morning, it was a different feeling, one with mixed emotions like melancholy, sadness, I'm getting old, ... but also joy in seeing them become Godly young ladies.  They make me so proud.  I am so proud of all my children.  God has blessed me FAR more than I deserve.  When I was my oldest daughter's age, I said I didn't want ANY kids... in those words.  But God in His love and mercy changed my heart and gave me 8 beautiful children, I am so unworthy yet so thankful!  I am so thankful that God doesn't see me as me, but sees His son, Jesus Christ.  Where would I be today if not for His love.

Have a Blessed Lord's Day!

Send out the Christmas cheer!

One of the exciting things to me during the Christmas season is giving and receiving Christmas cards.  It brings back something nostalgic from when I was a child.  I always waited in anticipation for the mail to arrive to see if we had any Christmas cards.  It was exciting to see the shelves in our home fill up with Christmas cards during the month of December.  To this day, I still wait in anticipation for Christmas cards from family and friends.  And yes, I do enjoy sending them out as well.  I only wish I could do more.

One place to find great cards is Shutterfly.   They have a vast array of cards and styles and the best part is that you can add your own photos and make them uniquely your own.  I have used Shutterfly before to order prints, and they were exceptional!  I am excited to try their Christmas photo cards this year.  I have been looking through their cards and have found several I really like.  Christ Wishes is one of my favorites.  One of the most important things to me when I send out Christmas cards is “does it honor Christ?”  He is our peace and hope and everything we do should bring glory and honor to His name.

Shutterfly also has an array of other fun cards.  If you are having a Christmas party, then the Christmas invitations are just what you need.  They also have cards for all the holidays, birth announcements, birthdays, etc.  Give them a try.  I’m sure you’ll be pleased.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” - Luke 2:14

O Christmas Tree

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.  God truly is good, even amidst our failures and shortcomings.  Even when we seem to overlook the many things He blesses us with each and every day.  Why are we so prone to take our MANY blessings for granted?  We don't deserve His mercy and grace.  But that is one of the many things that makes our God an AWESOME God!  "His mercy endureth forever."

With Thanksgiving past, the wonderful, joyous season of Christmas is here!  I LOVE Christmas!  We were able to put a real tree up this year, a Leyland Cypress!  Thanks to our good friends {who have good connections}.  It is beautiful!  We make a big to do about putting the ornaments on the tree, so it takes quite a while to get it all done.  Everyone gets involved.  I also like to make a new ornament every year for each of us and this year we used the age-old shrinky dinks!  We had a lot of fun making them, especially watching them shrink!  I got a little carried away and made a few more, but they turned out great!

Liberty also had fun playing around with garland and ornaments.  She thought she was a little angel. 

After all was said and done, we turned off the lights, had devotions, and sat there for a while, just looking at the tree.  Isn't Christmas wonderful?

Just around the corner!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is almost here?  I cannot.  It seems it sneaks up on me every single year... a little faster each time, and every single year I say the same thing..."Can you believe that Thanksgiving is almost here?"  And in another week I'll be saying, "Can you believe it's only 1 month till Christmas?"  So it goes.

Anyway, now that Thanksgiving is almost here, we are preparing 2 Thanksgiving dinners; one on Sunday and the traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner on Thursday.  I am looking so forward to it!  And then there will be so much anticipation for Christmas.  We all love Christmas time around our house.  Not one Scrooge among us.  I think we are getting a real tree this year too, I love having a real tree!  It makes it that much more special to me.  The kids have already been 'secretly' listening to Christmas music in their rooms.  They know I don't like to have it going all through the house until AFTER Thanksgiving, {I know, I'm peculiar that way} but they are anxious to listen to it at the beginning of November.  

We are officially off of school now for a whole week!  We like to take a week long break for Thanksgiving and 2 weeks for Christmas.  So everyone is all excited today!  Clara said she would like to take off for 4 years.... ahem, I don't think that is going to happen.  But she can dream.  Poor girl...still has at least 10 years of school left.

We also started up an Etsy shop {Away Down South} this week, and it's going great!  We've already made 2 online sales and 2 offline sales.  All of our items are on sale from now until Thanksgiving, so head on over and see if there is anything you might like.  If you'd like a custom order, just send me an email and we'll see what we can do.  You'll never know till you ask!

I hope and pray y'all have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving.  May all of our hearts be turned to the One who has given us so much to be thankful for.  HE is our life and our salvation, our God!

Faith, Family, and Friends

Wow. It's been a while.

We've had a lot going on over the past couple of weeks.... and yes, I know, it's been more like 3 weeks since I last posted.  But never fear, I'm back again!

We had a wonderful visit with family - my mom, sister and her family two weeks ago.  But of course, it seemed like it was over before it began.  We enjoyed each others company, went shopping, and topped it off with some good ole' Tim Hawkins!  A visit isn't complete without Tim Hawkins.  He is funny with a capital "F". 

Our church also celebrated our 1 year anniversary and Reformation Day.  It was a grand occasion.  It was a blast dressing up and "trying" to play games and such just like they did back then!  We are looking forward to next year already!  You can view more Reformation Celebration pictures on our Church website.

My husband also spoke at a Pre-Election Prayer Rally.  He did a wonderful job, {be sure to watch}.  Before we will ever see any results of God's blessing on our land, we must first humble ourselves and pray and repent.  God is still full of mercy, and His arm is not too short that it cannot save.

Lastly, we had a great time of fellowship with some dear friends last night, where we also got to meet a whole host of new friends!  It was such a blessing!  After the food and fun, we were able to enjoy an evening of singing and music.  God has truly blessed our dear hostess with the gift of hospitality.  She is such a delight to be around.  Her son is starring in a new film to be released in December called Jimmy Valiant: Scions of Danger.  It was nice meeting him and the crew that are dedicated to making films that bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ.  We were blessed by meeting several new families and bits of families :)  God is Good!

That's where it OUGHT to be!

I long for the day when the precepts of the Christian religion shall be the rule among all classes of men, in all transactions. I often hear it said, “Do not bring religion into politics.” This is precisely where it ought to be brought, and set there in the face of all men as on a candlestick. I would have the Cabinet and the members of Parliament do the work of the nation as before the Lord, and I would have the nation, either in making war or peace, consider the matter by the light of righteousness. We are to deal with other nations about this or that upon the principles of the New Testament. ~ Charles Spurgeon

 

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..." Psalm 33:12

 

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

A Tribute to MY Hero

My Husband, James Brown Jr.

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem."

Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985 

Ode to a Marine
By Jeannie Salinski

 

In a crowd you're bound to spot him, he's standing so very tall
Not too much impresses him; he's seen and done it all.
His hair is short, his eyes are sharp, but his smile's a little blue.
It's the only indication of the hell that he's gone through.
He belongs to a sacred brotherhood, always Faithful 'til the end.
He has walked right into battle and walked back out again.
Many people think him foolish for having no regrets
About having lived through many times others would forget.

He's the first to go and last to know, but never questions why,
On whether it is right or wrong, but only do or die.
He walks a path most won't take and has lost much along the way,
But he thinks a lot of freedom, it's a small price to pay.
Yes, he has chosen to live a life off the beaten track,
Knowing well each time he's called, he might not make it back.

So, next time you see a Devil Dog standing proud and true,
Be grateful for all he's given; he's given it for you.
Don't go up and ask him what's it's like to be in war;
Just thank God that it's your country he's always fighting for.
And thank him too for all the hell he's seen in that shade of green,
Thank him for having the guts to be a United States Marine

Monday is Memorial Day--Our soldiers and veterans deserve our thanks.

Semper Fidelis

Always Faithful

Happy Birthday, Robert E. Lee!

Many people celebrated MLK Day yesterday...unfortunately.  But people have been duped into thinking he was a good man.  If you want to know more, HERE is a good place to start. Anyway, we need to give tribute to men who deserve it, such as Robert E. Lee!  Hope you had a wonderful Robert E. Lee Day!

 

 

Week in Review...

Well, we had a great Thanksgiving...our first in Barnesville, and our first with the Maddox's.  I am so thankful beyond words for what God has done in our lives.  In so many ways...as the song says, "Thank You LORD, for Your Blessings on Me."

Wondering what to do with your leftover turkey?  Here is what we did for our Sunday dinner... Turkey Stew.  I also added sausage for a uniquely different flavor!

We started Advent on Sunday as well.  (I ask again...where has the time gone?)   We had a good service.  I am glad we can place our hope in the Good Shepherd, our Savior Jesus Christ!

Monday we put up the Christmas Tree.  That is always a delight to the children.  James has them line up and they each take turns putting ornaments on the tree.  (I only had to rearrange a couple of them this year...LOL)  It looks pretty....I love a Christmas Trees!

Over all it has been a busy week, but what week isn't!!

Mid-week Peek....

Well, tomorrow's the big day!  We have much to be thankful for.  We are breathing aren't we?  " I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." ~ Psalm 37:25.  I may not be "old" yet, but I have yet to see God forsake his children.  That is something that keeps me afloat right now, knowing that God will NEVER leave us nor forsake us.  Even in rough times like these, He will not leave us....what an awesome promise!

Anyway, back to the peek....preparing for Thanksgiving!  We still have a lot to do.....so I guess that means I need to get busy.... running to the store for last minute items, trying to decide on another dessert, can't wait to sample as I cook.....the list goes on and on....Oh, and laundry...ugh!  Hoping and praying y'all have a blessed and marvelous Thanksgiving!  Give thanks with a grateful heart!