Welcome to December

Checking my lists, and checking them twice... or thrice

• Sunday's budget meeting, then late supper out at Pancheros to celebrate the day {with the kids}of our 19th anniversary!
• Cyber Monday shopping {after an ALL-day Black Friday outing 10am-8:30pm}
• Cyber Tuesday?  And a trip with Tim to take the cattle to market.
• Cyber Wednesday?
• Sense the pattern?
• EOM reports
• Jeans to mend {for hire even}
• Yesterday was another Black Friday of sorts... DesMoines with Tim to pick up his new suits and do a little in-store shopping.  Home long enough to grab kids and cooler for a trip to Ames for piano, Wal-mart, Sam's, and other shopping/errands.
• Today was practice for tomorrow's cantata {after Tim chased the cows back into their proper place}, an oil change, and a little shopping while we were out in the rain...Ironing, more accounting work, burned broccoli for soup.
• Shopping online EVERY day?!  Seems like I've done a few other things... like laundry, reading a few blogs, thinking about a daybook, but not doing it.  Can you see why?  
• I *did* indulge in a few hours of vacation reading Monday - Let's see, it was Coming Home by David Lewis.  It must have been Thursday that I plowed through the pile of school papers with my red pen.  I also did some of our history reading aloud a few mornings at breakfast.
• One of these days I will upload the bzillion pictures from my camera too... so much going on to record for the memory book.

End of substitute daybook.  And good night!

{after the pathetic Badger game is over}  It's a Wonderful Life is on too ~ and much better!  : )

Christmas specials

 

Christmas is coming!  You can enjoy some great stories and music from a Milwaukee radio station by listening online here.  {Remember to adjust for central standard time zone}

Our kids have especially enjoyed the audio version of Treasures of the Snow {book written by Patricia St. John}, which begins December 15th this year.  Highly recommended and emphasized below!  :D

“Christmas at Home” which airs at noon on Sunday, December 4th is what our choir will also present that same evening for the Christmas cantata.  {Note to my mom:  Tim, the Cattleman & I will read the parts of the Doctor, Emmanuel & Elizabeth; three older kids will be singing; Kate & the Popper will sit with Grandpa!}

A couple of our favorite programs air on Saturday, December 17th – “Christmas Comes to Pleasant Hill” is a Sugar Creek Gang story; “Amazing Grace” is a great story of forgiveness.

 

2011 VCY America Christmas Schedule

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26
3:00pm “Star Quest”
5:00pm "Call Him Jesus”
6:00pm “Tell the Story”

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27
12:00pm "Born to Die”
5:00pm "Exceeding Great Joy”
9:00pm "Gloria”

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
12:00pm "To Seek the Child"
3:00pm "Goodwill To Men
5:00pm "Then Jesus Came"
6:00pm “An Old Fashioned Christmas”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4
12:00pm "Christmas at Home"
5:00pm "The Gift”
9:00pm "Trail of Two Kings”

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10
12:00pm "There's A Christ in Christmas"
3:00pm "Richest Family in Town"
5:00pm "Son of the Highest”
6:00pm “God’s Love Gift”
7:00pm VCY Christmas Rally (Network only)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11
12:00pm "He Gave Everything"
4:00pm "Wow, It's Christmas" (Kids)
5:00pm "Where Love Is”
9:00pm "Born A King”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14
5:30pm “You Are There Christmas” Pt. 1

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15
5:30pm “You Are There Christmas” Pt. 2
8:00pm "Treasures of the Snow" Pt. 1

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
5:30pm “You Are There Christmas” Pt. 3
8:00pm "Treasures of the Snow" Pt. 2

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
12:00pm"Christmas Comes to Pleasant Hill”
3:00pm "Amazing Grace"
5:00pm “From Christmas to Calvary”
6:00pm "The Messiah" – VCY Rally featuring Choir from
Maranatha Baptist Bible College

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
12:00pm " If Jesus Had Not Come"
4:00pm "A Gift For Jesus"
5:00pm "A Child is Born"
9:00pm "Come to the Manger"

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19
12:00pm "Hanukkah: Feast of Dedication”
5:30pm “You Are There Christmas” Pt. 4
8:00pm "Treasures of the Snow" Pt. 3

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20
12:00pm "One Star"
5:30pm “You Are There Christmas” Pt. 5
8:00pm "Treasures of the Snow" Pt. 4

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21
12:00pm – “Christmas Memories” – Joni Tada
5:30pm “You Are There Christmas” Pt. 6
8:00pm “Treasures of the Snow” Pt. 5

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22
12:00pm “Name Above All Names”
5:30pm “You Are There Christmas” Pt. 7
8:00pm “Treasures of the Snow” Pt. 6
9:00pm "The Story of Christmas”

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23
12:00pm “Seed From the Sower Christmas Special”
2:00pm “Christmas Stranger”
5:30pm “You Are There Christmas” Pt. 8
8:00pm “Treasures of the Snow” Pt. 7
9:00pm "The Promise of Christmas”

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
12:00pm "A Very Special Birthday"
2:15pm “Christmas Carol”
3:00pm “Prince of Peace”
5:00pm "Christmas At Our House"
6:00pm “Ten Thousand Hallelujahs”
9:00pm "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25
12:00pm "The Greatest Gift”
5:00pm "The Good Shepherd"
9:00pm "A Classical Christmas”

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26
2:00& 8:00pm “The Lamb of Bethlehem”

(Note: Schedule subject to change)

www.vcyamerica.org

 

PS – You can listen every Saturday morning to some great children’s stories – like we did today – such as “Fables of Faith” or “Ranger Bill”  {they were old when Tim was a boy!}  You can find the regular schedule listed at VCY.

Thanksgiving Family Forum

We might have stayed at home to watch if we knew the Family Forum was available online at Citizen Link.  However, we did go.  And it was good.  We are watching it again here with our kids.  And you're invited to watch as well.  As Mr. Luntz promised, it was nothing like the debates we've watched previously.  No timers.  No camera/microphone hogs.  Just dinner table conversation with lots of articulate people ~ who each professed to need God's help to lead this nation.

http://www.citizenlink.com/2011/11/19/thanksgiving-family-forum-complete-video/

 

We still aren't sure who our favorite GOP candidate is.  I wish they {the six involved in yesterday's forum} would learn from each other, and we could have some sort of composite candidate with each of their strengths.  Not likely, but I do pray that we will have a GOP candidate I can vote for with good conscience, unlike last time.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  

As Mr. Gingrich pointed out, in the 18th century, the pursuit of happiness was about wisdom and virtue, not hedonism and acquisition.

...So help me God.

days of thanks week 3

 

In light of the Seemingly Endless To Do List and the fact that my brain is a bit bleary {and the fact that I’ve been invited out of the house for an overnight date with my hubby tomorrow}, this will be the rapid fire {or hit & miss} bullet edition of Days of Thanks…

I thank God for…

• My grandma who I know prayed for me through my crazy high school and college years of nonsense and worse.  {She’s been in the presence of our Lord for more than 15 years now.}  Her physical birthday was last week ~ the same day as my spiritual birthday! 
• God’s faithfulness and abundance of blessings.  The truth of Scripture.  The liberty of living in the USA. 
• Two friends who have been telling me about essential oils.  I am looking forward to learning more first hand.
• Many friends who plan to join us for Thanksgiving Day.
• The prompt arrival of the Azure Standard truck tonight ~ and the other hands who unloaded it before I arrived {not so promptly}.
• Safety driving lately ~ we had a deer cross our path on Monday, and have seen others too. 
• Alicia, our flexible and sweet and hospitable piano teacher, who gave the kids their lessons on short notice yesterday.
• Brenda, a helpful friend I ran into at Staples tonight when I was shopping for paper for Kate’s project.  {24# bond is the same as 60# offset, or something like that}
• Kate, who is stripping yet another turkey tonight ~ happily.  : )  Tomorrow I will enlist the youngers to help prepare some of the Azure apples for sauce.  I think they will be happy to help make such a treat ~ and eat it too!
• My folks, who picked up the much bigger second turkey for me yesterday on their way home from the airport.
• Enough cash in my purse to get what I needed at Sam’s Club tonight, including a bag of pecans.  Which my husband will enjoy in a pie next week hopefully.  {and maybe he will even share with me!}
• My mother-in-law and family ~ I’m thankful that Tim’s brother is able to be with her tonight as we enter another time of figuring out how best to care for her as she approaches the 90 year mile marker.

 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.  Hebrews 13:6

 

Our God is good!  Link up with Conny here!

daybook 11/16/11

 

FOR TODAY  

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

 

Outside my window...

the Cattleman is doing cattle chores {his nickname fits well, eh?  ;D }

it was a lovely day in spite of the brisk north wind

 

I am thinking…

I should feel guilty sitting here while Kate is doing my dirty work ~ stripping the turkey

          

 

I am thankful to God …

that Kate likes to pick apart the turkey  ;D

that my folks have arrived home {Iowa} for Thanksgiving.

that my hubby is splurging on some quality time with me this weekend.

that I won this drying mat in a blog give-away recently.  Merry Christmas to me!

{thanks also to Tara at Feels Like Home and Envision Home!}

 

I am praying for...

… Hiromi in Japan (near the Fukushima nuclear plant) 

... the Rettigs & the church in Prague ~ Praising the Lord for a new building!

… the sale of my mother-in-law’s home

… Amy W., a young wife/mom with cancer

… Sarita & Jeff &family

… the A Family, on furlough from their field of ministry ~ We’re looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with them here!

… Lea’s dad ~ in the midst of a serious health crisis

… H & A’s marriage 

… for direction for our church, for our family

… Laura

… and especially marriages ~ meant to last a lifetime

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

 

From the learning rooms...

A Beka is not the perfect curriculum in all ways or for all people, but I am SO thankful for so many quality teachers our kids have enjoyed via their DVDs.  Today I’m thinking of Mr. McBride who teaches Life Management {this semester’s Bible class}.  We learned the other week via the PCC magazine that he is also the pastor at the college church ~ That is a huge selling point, if you ask me!

 

From the kitchen...

This week’s menu ~ lasagna, BBQ ribs, chicken packets, soup bone soup, pizza, tacos or dumplings, beef roast, chicken enchiladas, chili, goulash...

Yesterday’s Mother Load ~ bread, butterhorn rolls for a family feast next week, granola, date pinwheels, and maple date cookies.  Thankfully, the Cowgirl likes to help with chicken packets {supper}.

 

I am creating...

Lists of Christmas gifts.

{and last week I used my sewing machine to do a good pile of MENDING!}

 

I am going...

with Tim to the Thanksgiving Family Forum to hear several of the GOP candidates.

“I promise this won’t be like anything you’ve ever seen. No gotcha questions by the panel. No spin by the politicians. Just an authentic discussion among the people who seek to lead this great nation. It has the potential to be the most important forum of the primary presidential campaign.” ~ Frank Luntz

 

I am reading...

should be finished with both Jeremiah & Hebrews, but I got sidetracked by a couple other books  ;-)

When Crickets Cry was one of them ~ and wow! did I ever learn a lot about open heart surgery!

 

I am hoping...

we can find a new suit for Tim while we’re out shopping this weekend!

 

I am hearing...

Dvorak, Miss Ludington {the Popper’s language teacher}

 

Around the house...

an stash of gifts is accumulating  ;D

 

One of my favorite things...

a complete turkey dinner {turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, praline sweet potatoes, butterhorn rolls & honey butter, fresh cranberry sauce, homemade applesauce, sweet corn, and real whipped cream for the apple/pumpkin/pecan pie(s)}

 

Pondering these words...

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Proverbs 4:23

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Tonight ~ church

Thursday ~ Azure Standard delivery {which means I should be clearing out the basement fridge before I bring home 50# of apples!}

Friday ~ an overnight get-away with my hubby!  to celebrate early our 19th anniversary.  All I know is that we are not staying in the $300 suite.  : )

Saturday ~ the Thanksgiving Family Forum

next Tuesday ~ soup & pie at church

next Thursday ~ Thanksgiving Day with a house full of friends!

next Friday ~ JoAnn Fabrics for my annual ton of flannel purchase {hoping they continue their annual Black Friday sale!}

next Saturday ~ combined Thanksgiving/Christmas feasting and grab-bag fun with some of my extended family

 

Here is a are more pictures for thought...

     

Can you tell what’s missing in the second picture?!

 

  ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:17

  ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~

days of thanks week 2

 

For inspiration I decided to review my Days of Thanks posts from 2010.  Possibly I should read this post on a daily basis.  Oh my.  So much to be thankful for in just one month’s thoughts.  What would a review of this year reveal?

• Babies, babies, babies.  Born, home from NICU, or home to heaven.  What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
• Fellowship ~ What a blessing to spend time with Christian friends and family.
• Life and Life Eternal.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  Psalm 139

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2

• Food for body and soul.  Such as Azure Standard organic apples and good preaching.  : )
• Missionaries of the Gospel who are also counted as friends.
• Music.  I love to hear our children at the piano or singing their hearts out!
• God’s provision.
• The privilege of prayer.
• Mayo West.  My parents’ home away from home  ;-)
• Kayleb and Jeremy’s help with house construction ~ and just the fun of having them here!
• Photo books.
• Swagbucks.  Especially the day we ‘earned’ 3600 swagbucks for signing up for a Discover Card.  {that converted to $40 in Amazon gift cards}
• Kate’s photo shoot with Sarah.
• Real stair steps!  {replacing the construction treads}
• {Those scrappy 2x4s are going into the construction of Luci’s doghouse now}
• Help from true friends.  First with butchering, then with grinding the meat.  {Thank you, Dave & Deanna!}
• Kate’s graduation party.  More help from friends ~ Jill & Theresa ran the kitchen, Aunt Karen ran the carousel ~ So nice!  {and my hubby insisted we rent the shelter house at the park!  smart.}
• Food in the freezer that left time for balloons.
• Again and again I will say how thankful I am for God’s grace in our marriage.
• K-A-D’s trip to Brazil with the youth group ~ service, safety, and overwhelming sunburns.
• Productive garden. 
• Meeting the Rettigs in person while they were here in Iowa.
• Driver’s education for K&A.  Safety with student drivers.  And an excellent {patient} instructor! 
• Berries from The Berry Patch.  Yum.
• Homemade hummus.
• Tractors to borrow.
• Air conditioning to endure this summer’s heat.
• Meeting Conny & her family in person in Missouri!  and the fast-paced family vacation that allowed that meeting.  Mini-golf, Civil War re-enactment, fresh peaches, Sonic.
• More than one crop of beautiful hay.  Help from friends to put it away and store it!
• Luci Lou ~ finally we found a dog!
• Water in the creek.
• Christ lives in me!

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

• No fear.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  Isaiah 41:10

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

 

 

What’s on your list?  Link up with Conny here!

fb funnies

 

A friend {Jessica} posted both of these on facebook this morning ~

I’m thinking about getting a tee for Tim like this:

 

And I should probably check snopes on this one…  It’s almost sad if true ~ even if the ham came from Iowa.  Please tell me that you get the irony of this: