Can't Wrap this.

After staying up late and wrapping gifts last night, I got a good laugh out of this ecard my mom sent me.
Check it out here
Merry Christmas!

LIGHTS!

OK - I am on my way out the door for breakfast with my husband before we pick up the kids at my mom and dads and I don't have time to post but I will do a quick link. Here is a little bit about High Country Lights. We went and watched the show last night. Check it out on Mike's blog.

Book Club - The Letters

Last month my blogging friend, Ainsley at Chattahoochee Mama, had the great idea for an online book club. We all read the same book and then post our thoughts.
The book for this month was "The Letters" by Luanne Rice and Joseph Monninger. It was great pick for December. The book is less than 200 pages so it wasn't overwhelming with all the holiday rush. The setting for the book is December and letters are written between a husband and wife, one in Alaska and the other in a little lobster town in Maine. Not only are Sam and Hadley seperated by the miles, but the pain of losing their 20 year old son, their only child, has also has driven a wedge between them. The letters are initiated by Sam as he strives to explain to his wife why he feels he must visit the place of their son's death - a plane crash site in the Alaskan bush. The letters they write to each other give them the freedom to say to each other what they have been too afraid and too hurt to share as their marriage has slipped to the point of their upcoming divorce.
In the letters they share their every day events - Sam's adventure to the crash site on dogsled and Hadley's renewal of her love to paint in the artistic coastal town - intermingled with deeply heartfelt pain and love.
The book had just enough twists and turns to keep it interesting and the right amount of feeling and emotion to make it authentic. It wasn't at all overly romantic or sappy but real love between two people that had experienced one the hardest things life can bring - the death of a child.
I enjoyed reading it and look foward to seeing everyone else's thoughts.

Elf Yourself

I created one of these last year and had fun with it. This year there are new songs and my kids look a bit different so I did another one. Enjoy - elf yourself and share it. I'd love to see it.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Tis the season

Mike and I are headed down the mountain to Winston in the morning for a day of Christmas Shopping. I still have a lot of shopping to do and wrapping to do. My goal is to be done by the weekend and have everything wrapped and under the tree. Next week -NO SCHOOL!!! Hopefully we will spend time baking, playing and celebrating and have all the shopping and wrapping behind us. How about you - are your presents wrapped and under the tree?

Can you hear the bell?

We were at Barnes and Noble last week and picked up a Polar Express pack with the book, CD, and a bell. It was a great deal - just $10. We opened it and the kids listened to the story while reading along and looking at the incredible pictures. It sparked this conversation about Santa.

Here is the Christmas Card picture

I ordered this card that the 4x6 slides into from Expressionary

Cool website with lots of personalized cards and gift ideas.

Journey to the perfect Christmas card picture

I finally sent my Christmas card picture to Wal-mart photo this morning and will have 60 prints before lunch today. It takes a lot of pictures and patience to get the perfect one. Here is the photo journey to the right picture. I started a week or so ago outside on the front porch. I liked the idea of outside but didn't like any of those. Last night I did the standard in front of the Christmas Tree. I would have loved to done something a little more creative but my kids are so darn cute - it doesn't really matter.

Christmas parade

Last night was the Galax Christmas parade. We opened up the church during and after the parade. Everyone enjoyed watching the parade from the big windows upstairs. We had a ton of kids and adults walk and toss candy and hand out cards inviting people to come by the church and warm up after the parade. We had a sweet couple from church and their newborn set up a live nativity in the display window on the street. Tyler borrowed the snow machine from the Conservatory for Dance and we had the street lamp covered in snow. Kids loved the snow!!! We had a TON of people come in for hot drinks, cookies and some live music from Chad and Richie.
Here are a few videos we shot with our new video camera. I'll post some pictures soon.

Disney on Ice

Here is where we will be on Thursday. We are going to the morning show but there is a 7pm show and you can get tickets and help a good cause. The Rooftop of Virginia has tickets for $10. They are $30 tickets and were donated to Rooftop so all of the $10 goes to support their community outreach programs. Great opportunity to go see a fun show and leave early and do a little Christmas shopping in Greensboro.

Mashed Potatoes

If you are like me you like to get as much done before Thanksgiving as possible. Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple - especially in the south when you have to put gravy on everything. These mashed potatoes are really good. I made them at Thanksgiving last year. Here is the basic recipe but if you want details, pictures and some humor go here.
The Pioneer Woman Cooks has some awesome recipes and her pictures and detail are amazing.

5 lb bag of potatoes (I used yukon gold) - peel them and quarter them
bring a pot of water almost to boil and throw them in
cook 30 minutes or longer until potatoes are very done
drain and put them back on the stove over low heat while you mash
turn off heat and add 11/2 to 2 sticks of butter
8oz block of cream cheese
3/4-1 cup of half and half
salt and pepper to taste (Lawry's seasoned salt is good too)
spread into a buttered baking dish
slice up some more butter about 1/2 stick and put butter pats on top
cover and fridge
remove from fridge to sit for 1 hour before cooking
bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes

OK - I didn't say these were low fat - it's Thanksgiving - a time for family, friends and real butter.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

SHARK!

Thanksivng 2006 we spent in Isle of Palms,SC with our friends Fred and Stephanie and their 4 girls. We had a great time walking on the beach, eating Turkey and all the fixins in our tropically decorated rental home and watching our kids have a blast. Not your typical Thanksgiving. Check out this link to see what washed up on the beach at Morris Island this week. In case you don't have time to click the link - it's a 13 foot great white shark. Glad he didn't join us for Thanksgiving!

Twilight and Temptation

I got away for a little while on Saturday night and went to see Twilight with some girls from our youth group. I don't think movies are ever as good as books but this movie did a good job sticking to the story line and characters. The only character that I thought they really messed up casting was Carlisle. Just not how I pictured him. One of the girls said she thought he looked like he should have been in a Dr.Seuss movie. Anyway, the movie was worth my $8 bucks.

Last night at youth Mike started teaching a series on temptation. The story of Bella and Edward is really one of temptation. Bella is Edwards greatest temptation. In the movie he tells her she is like heroine to him. He constantly fights the battle of being close to her and not killing her. He is able to overcome the temptation to have her for a snack because of his love for her. Bella on the other hand is completely unable to resist the temptation of Edward. She is unconditionally drawn to him no matter how dangerous being with him becomes. I had some good conversations with the girls about guys. Bella is resigned to the fact that no matter how hard she tries she can't stop what is happening between her and Edward. Makes for a good love story but girls don't forget that God has someone special for you. You may not have a choice about who you are attracted to, but you do have a choice about who you give your heart to. Make sure he is the kind of guy that God has planned for you. A guy that not only is after your heart but after God's heart.

Share your thoughts about the movie.

Weekend stuff to do

Stuff to do this weekend

I really want to get to the movies and see Twilight this weekend but not sure it's going to happen. It's not playing at our little 3 screen here in Galax. It is playing in Mt. Airy at Creekside just about every hour - they have 2 screens showing it.

One of our bands, Scattered, from Cornerstone is playing at Cloud Nine Coffee in Mt. Airy Saturday night. Come out and be their groupies and hear some awesome music - these guys are getting really good. I'm president of their fan club :) Cloud Nine was formerly Moby's and is in the shopping center beside Staples and Ruby Tuesdays.

Christmas Craft show at the Galax Recreation Center (4th floor basketball court) is Saturday from 10-4. My mom is selling her awesome homemade soaps.

Sunday night - the big season premier of 24!! There was no 24 last season due to the writers strike (and Keifer's jail time didn't help either). Looking forward to getting sucked into the life of Jack Bauer again.

Sitting inside with a cup of coffee and my book (just started New Moon(the Twilight sequel) and avoiding the firgid temperatures is going to be at the top of my list.

Have a great weekend everybody!!!!!!

Thankful Thursday

I know I have tons of things to be thanful for but today I only have time to quickly post the top two.

1. My mom - today is her birthday!! She is an amazing lady. She is a wonderful mom, nini and friend. I am so thankful for what she has taught me and the loving home I grew up in - it seems rare these days. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA!!! I love you.

2. A day with the girls! I am headed to Charlotte with 3 awesome chicks to the Southern Christmas Show. Looking forward to shopping but most of all hanging out with the girls and finding a Starbucks.

Weekend update

What a whirlwind of a weekend.

Here's a wrap up:

Started our life group back on friday night - awesome time starting the Fireproof Your Marriage study. We have 12 couples - it was fun to hear everyone's story of how they met - some were sweet, some funny, some you wouldn't believe if I told you:)

Saturday night we had our very first Saturday night service - it was THE BEST Cornerstone service I have ever been to! You don't want to miss our next one on December 13th

Sunday after church the kids and I got to relax a little in the afternoon and I finished reading Twilight. Looking forward to the movie that comes out on Friday. Then I'll be on to the next book - New Moon. I hadn't read a good fiction book in a while(except for the Shack). I really enjoyed the escape. Most of my reading usually has to do with church stuff, parenting, recipes, etc. I think we all need a little romance and vampires every now and then.

How was your weekend?

Got any ideas?

Since our church is now in the Downtown area we are planning to participate in the Christmas Parade and open up our church for coffee and cider and a place for people to hang out and warm up. We want to walk (children too) in the parade and hand out something to let everyone know about the "open house" at Cornerstone after the parade. I have an idea for some cute shirts to wear as we walk but I don't know what to hand out with the information, candy canes seem so cliche - any ideas? What has your church done to outreach?

Madagascar 2

After church on Sunday we were all a little grouchy and tired after an exciting weekend so we headed down the mountain to Mt.Airy for lunch at Ruby Tuesday and caught the afternoon show of Madagascar 2.
Cute movie. My kids loved the first one. I don't know if I have ever sat down and watched the entire movie so I was a little lost at the beginning of this one but I caught on soon. The foursome of Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer, Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock) and Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) head on a journey trying to get back to their home in NY City but crash in Africa and become reunited with Alex's family. Their journey to find acceptance in their native setting with animals of their own kind has you laughing all along the way. Great movie to go see with the whole family.
My kids are anxiously awaiting Bolt and The Tale of Desperaux to be released. I am looking forwar to Twilight (just started the book last night)
What movies are you planning to see this winter?

Halloween pics a little late

Sharpay (from HSM)
Presidential Candidate John McCain and His Secret Service body guard.

Cornerstone Youth Rock!!

I have been involved in youth ministry for about 12 years. I just realized that I haven't really blogged about it very much. Besides being a Christ follower, wife to my amazing husband and mom to my way too cute kids - it is what I love the most. I have to say that right now at Cornerstone we have a group of teenagers that have as much potential as any group I have ever worked with. God is doing something incredible at Cornerstone and I am so blessed and humbled to be a part of it. We headed to Charlotte this past weekend to the Planet Wisdom Conference with 24 teens and had a blast. As always the conference was just what our students needed. Great teaching from Mark about heroes throughout the Bible, awesome worship times (Dutton was the best band PW has had in a couple of years), and hilariousness from the Skit Guys.

Thankful Thursday

Ok - it's late and I have tons to do - so here it is quickly
1. My Savior - I can not imagine how meaninigless my life would be without Him

2. My kids - they have been so much fun this week

3. My husband - the man who puts up with me and seems to enjoy it. I love you!

4. My friends - ya'll know who you are - I love you - you keep me sane

5. My parents - for giving me such a great foundation and for being awesome grandparents

6. My in-laws - Jeff and Doris for raising a great son and being such loving grandparents and Lee and Micky for spoiling our kids rotten

7. My teenagers - OK they aren't really mine - but I am looking forward to spending this weekend with them at Planet Wisdom in Charlotte.

8. My home - I have cleaned and planted flowers and cleaned some more and just when I think it is finished I turn around and it's a mess again but I am thankful for a beautiful place to live

9. My country - I am proud to be an American this week. Whether you voted for Obama or not this is a historic time that I have enjoyed sharing with my kids, explaining to them about God's love for all people and how much our country has changed over the last 150 years. God bless America.

Vote for Coffee

Not that it does all of us here in Galax alot of good but just in case you are headed out of town or are fortunate enough to have a starbucks close by. . .

The most awesome youth group in the world

We really have a great group of teenagers at Cornerstone. I love hanging out with them and last night we had a great meeting. Abi, Luke and Richie led the worship time (they did let Mike play guitar and I can't leave out Mark the awesome drummer!)
I used my camera and took a couple of videos. Check them out. Can't you tell I am really proud of them?

Ghost of Halloween Past

Here are some fun pictures I ran across a few days ago while I was looking for Star Wars costume pictures to send my sister. I love dressing my kids up. This year we have Sharpay (from HSM of course), John McCain (Luke), and a secret service agent (Drew). We'll be downtown at the Halloween Bash - come by the Cornerstone booth and get some candy!

Awesome video

I saw the "Lifehouse" skit a while back and thought it was awesome. I think there are some rather lame "Christian" skits and dramas out there - not trying to be critical - just saying.
But, I think that this particular skit is very powerful. Here is a video production of the same idea and song. I thought it was amazing and very well done. Check it out.

Recipe

I found this recipe for Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies at one of my favorite baking sites, Bakerella.  Haven't tried them but they look really yummy.  I think maybe if I make these I won't eat Halloween Candy.  It's worth a try

Ladies - listen

I have had a long couple of days - we all have them.  

I knew that Perry Noble at NewSpring was doing a series for woman.  As I stayed up late trying to clean and get caught up I decided I needed a little encouragement.  

This was just too good to keep to myself.  

Go to NewSpring and click on the current series "Beautiful" and listen to the sermon "Me, beautiful?"

"The King is enthralled with your beauty"  Psalm 45:11

Just thought somebody might need to be reminded of that.

Snowman time

It won't be long before it's time to take down the scarecrows and put up the snowmen.

Win this adorable snowman print here. Just leave a comment and you'll be in the drawing.

Weekend fun

We had a busy weekend and it has taken me until today to get caught up. Still not actually caught up but thought I would blog anyway. All work and no play . . .

My sister and her family decided to come up from South Carolina for a quick weekend trip. My kids were thrilled to get to spend time with their cousins. My sister and her husband took advantage of having family around and spent Saturday night and Sunday at a cabin on the parkway for a much needed break. That meant we got to have sleep overs, play, carve pumpkins, play, go on a hay ride and play some more. The Galax Farmer's market had pumpkin carving Saturday morning so we enjoyed carving pumpkins and leaving the mess there. They were so proud when we lit the Jack o lanterns before bed.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for . . . 

1.  Fall - as I was driving home around sunset this week I noticed how beautiful everything looked especially here in the mountains - everything looked like it was on fire.  I love the beach and summer is my favorite time of year but I have to admit you can see the hand of God here in the fall.

2.  Having Emma home for the day today.  It was report card and teacher work day.  She had a great report card and public school is going well so far.

3.  The excitement that is building at Cornerstone.  Come see us this Sunday!!

4.  The way that God is stretching us as our church grows - I pray that we are obedient.

5.  Our life group is meeting tomorrow night!!!  We have had a long break and I am looking forward to getting together.

6.  My wonderful husband who has fallen asleep watching the World Series.  He's so cute when he's asleep.  Who can blame him - baseball has got to be the most boring sport ever.

7.  Getting to see my sister and her family 2 weekends in a row.  They are heading to Galax to visit.  My kids are so excited to see their cousins!

8.  The way little boys smell when they come in from playing outside in the cold air.

My weekend

I had a great time this weekend in Charleston with my mom, dad, sister and her family. I left on Friday morning and rode down with my mom and dad - sitting in the backseat of the car reading, talking, listening to my ipod was a big treat. I am used to a car full antsy kids singing "Are we there yet?"
I got to spend some time with my sister, brother in law and niece and nephew on Friday night.
We were up early Saturday to head to the Lowcountry Race for the Cure at Daniel Island. It was pouring the rain! The rain stopped right before time for the race to begin and it was a great experience. Being able to run with my mom and a pink tag on my back in celebration of her life was special - a day I won't forget. So many people there had said good-bye to their moms, sisters, and friends. I am thankful to have my mom and sister there with me. Here are a few pictures. Yeah - we were that wet!

Our first service downtown

Here are some pictures I stole from Mike's blog. We had a great first service.

Pictures of Drew

Drew had some pictures made yesterday at Portrait Innovations.
I have some cute pictures of Emma and Luke hanging in my hallway that I had made when they were 4 years old so I thought Drew needed his space in the art gallery too. I had a hard time choosing and bought way to many pictures but they were all so darn cute. These are some of my favorites.

Pepitas

Here is a link to an amazing cooking website - Pioneer Woman Cooks. Pepitas are toasted pumpkin seeds - so don't throw those pumpkin guts away - make pepitas.

One more fun zoo thing

While looking at my zoo pictures I ran across this video of the Galapagos Turtle moving around. What a strange prehistoric looking creature. You gotta listen to Drew's song in the background. It goes something like this "turtle, t -t-t-t turtle I love you so much I want to marry you"

A few more pictures

On our way home from the beach a few weeks ago we stopped at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. It's a great zoo. I probably like the NC Zoo in Asheboro better but it is SO huge that it is hard for little ones. Riverbanks is great for small kids and it doesn't take all day to see it.

Drink Coffee Do Good

I am a little sad that I won't be going to Catalyst this week with my hubby but so is the life of a busy wife and mama. Now that it is getting cooler I wore my long sleeved Drink Coffee. Do Good. that I bought from Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee last year. I always get so many comments on my shirt - because people love coffee and doing good - I guess. Several people have asked me for info on Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee so I thought I would put it here on my blog. After Catalyst last year our church made the switch. It is really good coffee (you gotta try the coconut) and it has a really good cause behind it. Watch this video to see how healing is coming to Rwanda - through coffee. Check out their website for the full story or to order coffee for yourself or your church.

Thankful Thursday

1. My two little ninjas that have been playing in the fall air today and somehow brought a dead tree from the woods into my garage.

2. That Emma is doing great in school and really likes it. She is becoming so responsible and motivated.

3. All the people that have sponsored me for Race for the Cure - thanks!!

4. Getting together with some awesome ladies this week to talk about children's ministry.

5. Moving into our new facility - I'll have to post some pictures soon. Greater things are still to be done in this city . . .

6. Even though I hate to see summer go - the leaves are beautiful.

7. A great time at the trail with Mike last night - jogging in the cool air is a little hard on the lungs but my ankle didn't hurt - yeah!

8. Pumpkin Spice Latte's from Cones and Coffee - maybe we don't need a Starbuck's in Galax after all.

You gotta love 4 year olds

I love something about every age my kids have been (I don't have teens yet - so you'll have to ask me about that in a few years.) But there is just something about 4 year olds. The pics are of my kids when they were four. They are old enough to go to the bathroom, feed themselves, sleep all night, and be a little more self sufficient but the still like to cuddle, think their mommy is an angel and say the cutest things.

Drew is turing into quiet an animal lover - which is strange because we are not really animal people. Luke has a bearded dragon and Emma has hermit crabs - not exactly cuddly.

A couple of months ago he had a melt down at the Japenese resteraunt when Emma gave him some of her shrimp and said "Here is a good baby one for you" (it was a tiny little shrimp)

He put it to the side of his plate and kept eating his other food. He then asked me to wrap it up and take it home so that when we went to the beach he could put it back in the ocean and play with it. Why I didn't just do it and hope he forgot about it - I don't know. I tried to tell him that it wouldn't come back to life and it would get nasty and stinky before we went to the beach. He cried and cried and cried. I finally did wrap it up and he forgot about it before we left the resteraunt.

A couple of days ago Luke was reading Drew a book about dolphins and the baby dolphin died (it's a little facts book) and he cried for several minutes because the baby dolphin died. On the same day Drew caught 3 caterpillers and an earth worm and made a home for them in a couple of rubbermaid bowls of mine. One of the caterpillers escaped and as I was walking in the kitchen I saw it on the floor. I didn't look at it very well before I said "Drew I found you caterpillar" As he came around to look at it I looked closer and realized there was some yucky stuff running out of it - I had squished it - tears again! He told me I need to watch where I was stepping. Important information if you have loose caterpillars in your house.

New Presidential Candidate - Jennifer Morris

Check out this video and vote for me on November 4th!!

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=357563&altf=Kfoojgfs&altl=Npssjt

(thanks to Katy for the website)

I've been tagged

My blogging friend, Ainsley, tagged me so here goes . . .

These are the rules . ..
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 6 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4. If you are tagged, just do it, and pass the tag along.

Here are 6 random things about me . . .

1. I really hate feet. They are very functional and I am glad I have some but I just don't like to touch other peoples. I think that being a podiatrist or working in a shoe store would be awful. The only cute feet - are baby feet.

2. I love to cook pretty much anything. Mexican is my favorite and I put cilantro and mushrooms in everything.

3. One of my favorite dates with my husband is riding bikes on the New River Trail and then having dinner on the deck at Bogeys. I love being outdoors.

4. I always want to move everywhere I visit. I like to go to new places and it's not that I am discontent in Galax - I just like visiting other cities and I am a little irrational at times. There have only been a few places that I have said I wouldn't want to live - I won't tell you those because I don't want to hurt your feelings if you live there:)

5. An embarrassing moment: While I was in college at Virginia Tech I was running across the road to get to a meeting and twisted my ankle and fell right in front of a HUGE Blacksburg Transit bus. It was almost dark and thank God the driver saw me and stopped. He opened the door and asked if I was OK as I hobbled, humiliated to my meeting.

6. When I was a kids I wanted to be a waitress when I grew up. My Granny worked part time in a restaurant and she would bring me home little order pads so I would take everyones order for hours.

Okay Boni, Jenny, Holly, Misty, Katy, and Sonda - you're it.

Stuff to do this fall

Now that the air is crisp and the weather is cooler it's time to start making plans for fall fun. Here is a website that can give you some ideas.

(this picture was taken off my front porch in October 2004)

In Virginia check out You'll love autumn in Virginia

Since gas prices are crazy some of the North Carolina stuff might be closer to home

In North Carolina 10 Fall Experiences in North Carolina

Also - you gotta check out Groovin' on Grayson Friday night - last chance this summer to check it out. Cornerstone will be there doing kids activities.

USS Yorktown

Here we are being tourists. We have been to Charleston a lot but had never toured the aircraft carrier - I must admit - pretty impressive and educational. It gives you a better appreciation for our soldiers and thankfulness for our freedom.

More pictures

Our morning in Charleston.

My first 5K

It's official - I have signed up to run in the Lowcountry Race for the Cure at Daniel Island, SC (near Charleston) on October 18th. This will be my first 5K. I have really enjoyed running this summer to get ready for the race and it is for a great cause. My mom was diagnosised with breast cancer at the age of 35. I was only 15 at the time and now see how young she really was - I turned 35 this year! The best part is my mom is running too! It was her idea! She fought her battle with breast cancer with strength and faith and is still here to keep fighting this disease by raising money and awareness. You can check out my personal Race for the Cure page here.

You can also send me your running advice because I have a sore ankle right now. I am hoping it's just from running in the loose sand at high tide and it will go away soon. I'll keep you posted.

A few pictures

I have about zero time to wirte but I am going to put up a few pictures of our trip over the next couple of days. Here are a couple from our eco-tour of the inlets around Isle of Palms and Capers island. We had a great time and learned alot about coastal ecosystems.