If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

In December a group of moms got together for a Christmas cookie exchange and we had a White Elephant gift exchange. I'm assuming you know what that is. If not, sorry. Anyway, one of the rules was you had to say three nice things about the gift after you opened it, whether you liked it or not. (homeschool moms encouraging one another to lie?) Well, I thought that was a good idea and I'm going to attempt to think of three nice things to say about a horrible trip that Rob, the kids and I took to Wonder Works in Orlando. (otherwise known as the "Upside-Down House")

1. As a family, we had a nice time together. You know, no bickering and such.

2. Some honest soul returned our "found" camera to the staff and we got it back. (even if it WAS late at night and Rob and my Dad had to drive from my parents house to Wonder Works to get it back.)

3. They had this really cool upside down tree.

CHRISTmas Bell

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom.. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good ÿ(Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph.. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13 )
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor.. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?

Jesus is still the Reason!

2009 Hobe Sound Christmas Parade

At first glance, this first picture portrays a typical annual tradition.


It had been raining that morning, and we thought that surely the parade would be cancelled. People lined up, however, and it soon cleared up enough that we all thought the worst was over. Then it started in again about 30 minutes into the parade.


We stuck it out because Rebecca and Elijah were marching with their Tae Kwon Do school. Can you see Elijah here, drenched to the bone? (wearing black shoes and looking at the camera)


The rains came down.


Candy was ignored for the sole chore of trying to keep dry.


Unbelievably, it started coming down in sheets. Looks like a hurricane, huh? This Martin County Sheriff's posse bravely plodded on.


Afterwards, except for our heads we were all soaked to the bone and the kids were getting the chills.


We won't soon forget this years parade! After this one, next year's has nowhere to go but up! This was supposed to be the largest ever parade. In the end, all the bands cancelled but one. There was very little music playing, but plenty of good humor! What a way to kick off the Christmas Season!

"Present time, present time, open the present, see what's inside!" ~Blue's Clues

Due to a crazy schedule this month for all parties involved, we decided to have Christmas with my parents this past weekend. It was a great weekend to do this since we had a full plate of Christmas activities to make it feel more like Christmas! (two Christmas parades and an awesome program at Hobe Sound Bible Church...The Singing Christmas Tree.) So, Saturday the 5th found us gathered around the tree in the living room, ready to unwrap!


Mom loved her monogrammed canvas tote bag from L.L. Bean. She never finds anything with her name on it so she was one happy gal!


I found a great book with "then and now" Bible maps. It also included a CD rom so Dad can print out the maps for his Sunday School class.


Grammie made these aDORable bear shaped blankets for Nate and James. They LOVE them!


Zack and Elijah both received a box full of art supplies. Paper, assorted art pencils and cool design books.


Both boys love to draw, so these were a BIG hit!


Dad went shopping for the men in the family and bought Rob a very nice set of drill bits. I don't know much about tools, but apparently Dad picked out a good set!


Can you believe we made Rebecca wait last to open her gift from her Grandparents??? We are SO mean! Actually, we all enjoyed taking our time and savoring every minute. Anyway, Mom crocheted this huge snuggie for Bee. Her favorite past time is to cuddle up in a blanket with a good book. This is way better than a blanket... it's a blanket with sleeves! How cool is that?


What? There aren't any pictures of ME opening a gift? You are right! My parents didn't think I behaved well enough to get one. Lump of coal for me! Just kidding of course. Mom (good listener that she is) remembered me saying that I would love to have a Mennonite Cookbook so she had her local book store order one for me. LOVE IT! (and just for good measure, she threw in a box of Rubbermaid storage containers, to boot!) Since there aren't any pictures to PROOVE that they bought me a gift, you'll just have to take my word for it!