Pat the Bunny

It finally felt like spring today--BEAUTIFUL! So we played outside as much as we could. Olivia had a very definite opinion as to where the bunny should go this spring...she kept giving this very cuddly, concrete bunny hugs and kisses (yuck)!

I'm Still Here!

Just time for a quick post before the little sweetie gets up from her nap. I got a cute picture today that I wanted to post for Aunt Melissa to see. I think Olivia looks very "grown up". I also got a little video of the game Olivia and Papa play at lunch time when she is here. If he leaves the table she gets this grin and yells Paaapaaa...then he comes running to giggles and grins. I think she could get him to do just about anything!

A Visit from the "Greats"

Great Grandma and Grandpa Dean came for a visit today. A fun time was had by all.

Papa's Little Helper

We had a doggie toy emergency today...Annie's favorite green ball was under the china cabinet. Papa came to the rescue, but not without help. Olivia was so cute laying down beside him with her little arm underneath trying to be just like Papa.

Happy Day!

Nothing special--just a day with Olivia makes for extra smiles. She came this morning wearing a super cute sweater that Great Grandma Dean gave her for Christmas, so I took some pictures of her doing her favorite activity--feeding Annie with a spoon! Surprisingly enough, Annie loves it! Hope you are having a day with extra smiles too!

New He{art} Class

My blog friend and teacher Wilna Furstenberg has a new online class coming up in February. I took her last class and it was AWESOME! Her blog is one of my favorites with lots of creative and spiritual inspiration. Here's the link to more info or click on the pic in the sidebar. I am really looking forward to the first 14 days of February for some fun, learning new techniques and awesome inspiration.

Scripture Memory Challenge

I am participating in the Scripture Memory Challenge over at the LPM Blog. We have committed to memorizing two scriptures each month for a year. We start a new one on the 1st and 15th of each month. The first verses I chose were Psalm 119:35-37

"Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart towards your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthles things, preserve my life according to your word."

There have been many times during the last two weeks that these verses have been just what I needed to focus on.

The new verse I started on today is Isaiah 33:6

"He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him."

I can't think of a better verse to put my focus on while being constantly bombarded with the world's unstability.

I haven't spent alot of time concentrating on scripture memory for a while, so this is a great challenge for me. I like that the focus of this challenge is more on understanding and using the verses, not just memorization.

One more thing...I saw this great tip on Dori's blog for making memorization easier--haven't tried it yet but plan to and thought it was worth sharing.

It's not too late to jump on the bandwagon and enjoy the accountability and encouragement of a huge number of Christian women taking God's Word into our hearts and minds.

Happy Birthday Surprise for my Sweetie!

Facebook | Terry Dean Felix

2008 News in a Musical Review

I can't say I agree with every point of view, but overall this is pretty darn funny!

Top Ten Favorite Photos for 2008

My friend Jules at the Roost is hosting a Happy New Year party linking her readers top ten favorite photos for 2008. Boy is is hard to narrow it to ten but here goes (in no specific order because I keep screwing that up).

The whole family together Christmas Day
My son and his sweet family
This was the first day Papa and I took Olivia to the park. I love the look of pure joy on her face.
Stopping to smell the flowers-- we've done that alot more this year.

We finally got a self portrait where we don't look ridiculous
Reading stories
Bed & Breakfast in Wisconsin
Meeting Great Great Grandma
Papa and Olivia--don't they look happy?
Love those chubby baby cheeks!

Guess Who Liked Her Present!

Merry Christmas!

One of my favorite artists, Travis Cottrell, singing one of the most awesome Christmas songs ever. Hope your Christmas is filled with joy and peace.

Lots of Randomness!

I really did not think we would wake up to a warm house this morning. The power was flashing before we went to bed and the storm had just begun. But we woke up snug and warm to this...
Snow day today for Olivia's mommy, so I will have to just enjoy this from last week.



Lastly for Melissa--the baking/decorating is underway...

How About Some Good Music

The following is a song by one of my all time favorites Steven Curtis Chapman from this year's Billy Graham Christmas special. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Another Good Idea

This video was made by a friend of a good friend of mine. My friend Mandy and her husband are missionaries in Malawi. The people who made the video run the orphanage down the road from them. I think it is a clever way to get the message out that we can make a big difference for starving children with a pretty small sacrifice on our part.

Here's a Good Idea

My friend Heidi from Freehand Scraps posted this link and I thought it was too good not to share.

Almost Done

No time for blogging lately...every spare minute has been spent decorating. Each year when I begin, I wonder if it is worth the time spent, then I get it all in place and am always glad I took the time. I love spending a little time in the evening with just the soft Christmas lights and some Christmas music, it is so peaceful and good for my spirit.

I changed up a few things this year, partly to move some of the Dicken's Village up a little higher because of a certain darling 16 month old's curosity, and partly because it was time to do something different to the mantle. Since we have been here, we have hung the stockings on the mantle. This year I have moved them around the corner and (thanks to blog inspiration) made a garland.



We used to have the Village all set up on either side of the fireplace, but have moved it to several locations this season.


I have a few things yet to do, but right now it is time to get off the computer and go make some supper for my sweet, hungry hubby.

Another Thing That Makes Me Smile

Makes Me Smile!

I was cleaning out some old files today, not having a ton of fun, until I came across a piece of random memorabilia...

Apprently it made me smile years ago when my darling girl left it for me since I thought it important enough to save and I'm glad I did.

Twenty-Nine Years

Twenty-nine years ago today, we pledged our love to one another forever. We believed in love and each other and the faithfulness of God. We were so young and had so much life yet to experience. Life filled with ordinary days, with moments too wonderful for words, and a few days almost too difficult to bear. I can truly say not one day has passed in these twenty-nine years that I have not thanked God for so wisely choosing you for me.

Today we are much older and hopefully much wiser and still believe in love and each other and know much more fully the awesome faithfulness of God. I love you so much more today than I knew was possible and can't wait to begin twenty-nine more years of tomorrows...

The More I Seek You

To end a busy week and start a busy weekend... Just listening to the beautiful music and lyrics I can't help but feel relaxed and surrounded with peace.

Trying Something New

I decided to try something new by making a page with ScrapBlog. I am very much a traditional paper scrapper. I LOVE the process of creating with paper as much as the finished project. However, I am intrigued by digital. I thought this might be a way to get my feet wet without investing any cash. The jury is still out...

Election Day-- I Voted, Did You?

The following is a post from the Living Proof Ministries Blog by Beth Moore. I LOVE what she has to say about today and tomorrow...

A few things I'm so thankful for on this election day, regardless of the outcome:

*We live in a democracy where we have the right to a vote and a voice. We have the God-given responsibility to use both wisely and in the way that best reflects what God conveys through Scripture.

*God "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will" and "according to the plan." Ephesians 1:11

*Not only does God work out everything in conformity with His will, He has promised to work out everything for the GOOD of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

*God sets up kings and deposes them and gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21

*We, the beautifully diverse family of God, are never - not at any time - powerless. Nor are we ever victims of a system. Believing prayer takes us through doors we'll never be invited to enter and into judges chambers we'll never grace. Take a look back at Genesis 18 once again with astonishment over the dialogue between God and His servant and friend, Abraham. Rejoice that God is ever mindful of a faithful remnant. The Judge of the Earth will always do right.

*Even if persecution should await believers in Christ or harrowing circumstances hound us, God will use hardship to bring unity and purity to a people who need it desperately. The best of circumstances do not always produce the best in the Bride of Christ.

*The living God is firmly established upon His Throne and there at His holy feet we can always find grace and mercy in our time of need.

*No matter what happens today, we are GOD'S elect. He has elected us to show His heart and to walk in His ways in the culture that surrounds us. We are called to walk in the challenging balance of grace and truth.

May we be filled with Christ's Spirit today and our mouths given to praise and to believing, receiving prayer. God IS faithful and He has us firmly in His hand. We will not fear. We will not doubt. We will not hate.

"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

Here is another link to a post with the perspective we need entitled Walk Peacefully With Me from the blog Your Word is Life to Me. It is worth taking the time to read.

Because our God is big enough...
Terry

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Just time for a quick post to wish a very Happy Birthday to the special girl who stole our hearts away 26 years ago today!

Happy Birthday sweetie--we love you bunches,
Mom and Dad

Little Cook

Olivia and I had so much fun on Friday. We brought up a tub filled with Melissa's old Fun with Food toys and Olivia LOVED them! She played literally for hours. We cooked and tasted everything. I love the Mmmmmmm...


Olivia and Papa shared apples...


We made cupcakes...



We had corn...


And soup...


The little cook comes back in the morning for another day of cooking and tasting and I can't wait to see what's on the menu!

While I'm Waiting . . .

We have been to see the movie Fireproof twice and LOVED it. If you haven't seen it--you should. While the movie had an awesome message concerning marriage, the part that touched me the most was a song by John Waller called While I'm Waiting. God used this powerful song to speak to me about something that has been weighing heavily on me for quite some time. See if it doesn't speak to you as well...

WHILE I'M WAITING-John Waller from The Blessing

I am waiting; I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful; I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting; I will serve You
While I’m waiting; I will worship
While I’m waiting; I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting; I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful; I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy, no; But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

And I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting; I will serve You
While I’m waiting; I will worship
While I’m waiting; I will not faint

I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
I'll be taking every step in obedience, yea

While I’m waiting; I will serve You
While I’m waiting; I will worship
While I’m waiting; I will not faint

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

Two Posts in One Day!!!

I rarely post twice in one week, but I managed two in one day today. We took Olivia to the park this afternoon and had a ton of fun! She LOVED the slide and wore us out! Gotta take advantage of this beautiful weather while it is still here.

Buddies

So Papa is in the pits of dispair about his beloved Cubbies and their dreadful post season showing so far. One of the few things that can generate a smile is--you guessed it--a visit from his sweetie girl.













Olivia and Annie played ball this morning for a long time. They both had a lot of fun. Every time Annie would get the ball Olivia would squeel with delight. Then she would grab the ball and run with Annie fast on her trail. Papa and I enjoyed it every bit as much as they did. Annie is not too fond of children as a rule. They move too quickly and she is very cautious around them so it makes us very happy to see them becoming buddies.


When she wants Annie to come, Olivia stands and pats her leg, just like Papa does when he wants Annie to come.