I'm back! Did ya miss me? ;D

I just got back from one of the most amazing experiences EVER! DISNEY WORLD!

Oh, and I also fulfilled two of my 50 in 1001's. Numbers 14 and 48. Yay! ;)

Here are just a few random pictures from our trip...I took over 1,000 pictures but thought I'd spare you... ;D



This was our lovely 3 bedroom 3 bathroom house we stayed in for the week. :)





First time on test track. Kinda nervous but then hooked. The sis and I rode it 3 times!





Yes, I was almost to short to ride the simulator. Don't laugh.





Sourin was one of our absolute favorites! We rode it twice.





Lion King was a-mazin!!




So, how do we look as bugs? 3-D glasses...so becoming.:)




*sigh*





We just couldn't resist a TOMS picture. ;P





About to ride Pirates of the Caribbean....





People just don't read signs nowadays....




Why does there always have to be a line at the ladies bathroom? :D





We're supposed to look tired...but, we look like were about to bust out laughing...which we were. Hehe!





Italy's pizza in Epcot was wonderful!




This was a real gingerbread house!!




My best friend for the week...my ticket. ;)




Do you love it...or what?!





Exhibition Everest...I loved this roller coaster so much, I climbed aboard 5 times!!




Our safari guide, Josh...he was SUPER funny!




Yes, we did.




Us girls waited in line for about and hour so that we could get our picture taken with the princesses.





It was SO worth it!!




The fireworks show in Magic Kingdom...





There she blows...the Tower of Terror.
After the first time, I was hooked. The sister and I rode it 3 times. :)




The auto stunt show was amazing! I mean, who doesn't like flying through fire?!



Do you see Mickey?



You know you are in Disney World if...there are Mickey power poles...;D

 That's all folks....
And I'm missing the roller coasters already.

so long. for now.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

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I will be back soon......

Posing for the Christmas Card

Ok.

This is it....

All of the pictures that we took for our Christmas card this year. Welll, maybe we didn't use the silly ones, but I just couldn't resist posting them too.;D

We sent the card out last week, so it is safe to post these... I was going to post them earlier, but certain family members got on to me for that since some of you, my blog readers, would receive a card. We didn't want to spoil it for ya. ;D


Sooo, what do you think? Which one is your favorite?




Like the hands on hips, or what!?




Crazy brother...



This is the one we ended up using... :)



Love the background on this one...;D
The place we have dubbed "The Cat Shed" since that is where A LOT of our kitties have been born over the years.=)
(FYI, we are down to one cat that actually was born at a different location. hehe)



I got em'! I got em'!

And I absolutely LOVE them! 

A dream come true and another 50 in 1001....completed. ;)

Fight Another Day

Note: Just a suggestion...but you might want to scroll to the bottom of the blog and pause the playlist. ;)

Standing on the Promises

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

2 Corinthians 1:20

Russell Kelso Carter, author of this hymn, was an athlete, educator, rancher, preacher, and physician. Here is his condensed story:

From my birth in 1849, I was surrounded by Christian influences. My father stood for nearly half a century in the rank of Christian workers in Baltimore; by his side I had the example of a patient, loving mother. I cannot remember when I was not subject to deep convictions of sin; yet as a school boy, I wandered from the truth until age fifteen, when, under the influence of the cadet prayer-meeting in the Pennsylvania Military Academy, I repented and dedicated my life to Jesus.

But I made a common mistake; I didn't forsake my old companions and habits, and for fourteen years I lived the up-and-down experience so familiar to the average church member. I never enjoyed myself so much as when working in Mr. Moody's meetings in Baltimore; yet even up to that time I was continually slipping and falling. My soul cried for deliverance, and God's unlimited promises stood out like stars above me. But I wasn't willing to pay the price.

In the summer of 1879, my heart, which had been chronically diseased for seven years, resisting the remedies of physicians, and, refusing to grow better even after three years of sheep-ranching in California, suddenly broke down so seriously as to bring me to the verge of the grave. I had heard of the "power of faith" for healing, but I felt persuaded it would border on blasphemy to ask God for a strength which I didn't propose to use wholly for Him.

Kneeling in my mother's room, I prayed. All doubtful things were swept aside. I meant every word, and I have never had any doubts about it since. A quietness came over me and I found the Bible wonderfully open and marvelously satisfying, as it had never been before.

Feeling all the more impressed with God's healing promises, I concluded to go to Boston and ask for prayer and anointing. I was terribly weak, but I went. I will only add that I returned in three days, walking by faith, and not by feeling, resumed my college work in September, and at once engaged in all kinds of religious work. I was healed by the power of God alone. Praise the Lord!

Taken from the book: Then Sings My Soul

girls + apples

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Girls

are like apples on trees.

The best ones are at the top of the tree.

The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt.

Instead, they get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy.

So the apples up top think something is wrong with them, when in reality they are amazing.

They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Which "apple" are you?

-Borrowed

Rules for Successful Living

Make few promises.
Always speak the truth.
Live within your means.
Never speak evil of anyone.
Keep good company or none.
Never play games of chance.
Drink no intoxicating drinks.
Good character is above everything else.
Keep your own secrets if you have any.
Never borrow if you can possible avoid it.
Do not marry until you are able to support your wife.
Keep yourself honest if you would be happy.
When you speak to a person, look into his eyes.
Make not haste to be rich, if you would prosper.
Save when you are young to spend when you are old.
Never run into debt, unless you see a way out again.
Good company and good conversation are the sinews of virtue.
Your character cannot be badly hurt except by your own vices.
If anyone speaks evil of you, let your life be so that no one will believe it.
Never be idle, if your hands cannot be employed usefully, attend to the culture of your mind.

-Borrowed from former President James Garfield

15 things you might (or might not) want to know about me =)

 My sweet, sister passed this fun thingy on to me...enjoy...

Note: You might wanna scroll to the bottom and pause the playlist. :) That way, you won't have to listen to Celtic Women and me talking all at the same time. hehe

your gift.

Guess what?

Everyone is blessed with a gift and God wants you to use it for His Glory.

Sunday night, at church, our minister preached a lesson on the gifts and talents that God has given us. He presented four questions that were thought-provoking:

Question One:
Have I identified the gifts and abilities God has given me?
We all have gifts...whether we know it or not. God was so clever when it came to gifts because he made such an amazing variety of them. :)  Teachers, Evangelists, Prophets, Exhorters, Givers, Leaders, etc. (Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:4-8)

Question Two:
Am I putting these talents to use in my community and in the Body of Christ to the Glory of God?
When we recognize our gift, are we using it to the Glory of God? Are we "equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ?" (Ephesians 4:12)

Question Three
Am I doing all I can do to make my talents function in a cohesive manner?
Do we use the talents God has given us to help encourage others to draw closer as a Body, "till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God?" (Ephesians 4:13)

Question Four
Am I willing to make changes in myself to help the Body of Christ function better?
Are we willing to take our abilities and use our talents for Christ?
Using my God-given abilities benefit me as well as those I try to influence!
(..speaking the truth in love, may we grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ....according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15-16)  


I pray that you will be able to recognize your gifts and remain faithful to Him as we strive to work toward the same goal...Heaven.

Yup! You heard me right...Popcorn Cake!

This is a favorite here at our house. The cake is even famous at our church with people asking me to bring them one! =) It is super easy and can be super messy to make but very fun to put together. ;) Enjoy!

What you will need:
~ 1 package (16 ounces) regular marshmallows
~ 1/2 stick of butter
~ 1/4 cup vegetable oil
~ 16 cups popped popcorn (about 2 bags)
~ 1 can (12 ounces) salted peanuts
~ 1 cup M&M's
Optional: chocolate chips, teddy grahams, or anything else you can think of that is good with marshmallows. :)

1. Go ahead and pop your popcorn because melted marshmallows harden SUPER fast. After it is all popped, pour it into a bowl big enough for all of the popcorn.

2. After dumping the 2 bags of popcorn into a bowl, measure out 16 cups into another larger bowl. This bowl is what you will mix all the ingredients in. Why do you have to put it in another bowl? Because you may have some leftover popcorn and that will not work in the recipe. :)

3. Go ahead and measure out 12 ounces of peanuts in with the popcorn. Stir. Set aside.

4. Now for the fun part....In a large pot over medium heat, combine marshmallows, butter and oil.

5. Stir constantly until marshmallows are melted. Then pour over the peanuts and popcorn and stir quickly. Warning: Your hands will get very messy and sticky while doing this. :) That is why I didn't get a picture of this step. :D

6. Pour M&M's into the popcorn mixture and stir.

7. Press popcorn mixture into a greased 10-inch tube pan; pack firmly.
Let set for about 30 minutes.
Unmold into a serving plate.


Well, whadya know! I didn't even get a picture of the finished product on the serving plate!
Let your imagination wander with what the finished product looks like....I hope you like it!