Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Monday, December 29, 2008

My Christmas Weekend


Christmas was pretty good actually! I've been sick since Christmas Eve, but otherwise it was an enjoyable weekend. We had a candlelight Christmas Eve service at church. After which we had the traditional Christmas Eve dinner of pizza! yay! Dad also got the camera out and took some family pics.
Christmas I was full blown sick, Dad too, but we just sat around and watched movies and ate ham and gingerbread house..... too much sugar basically! It was nice not to think about the sugar intake for a day. (I'm paying now, though!)
I worked all day on Friday (10 hours.... ) and Saturday was one last hurrah for me and Becci. We hit the mall and did girlie things, with me STILL sick as a dog. (not gonna let a nasty cold get me down!)
So here's hoping yours was Merry and Bright!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Birthday Fun!

Hey all!
Much apologies for not posting... It was my birthday, and I saw no computer until I came back to work today. (okay, I did play way too much Tetris, but I had to keep Becci off the top of the leaderboard...) Anyways, I had a great weekend! Shopping in Philly with Becci and Andrea on Saturday and dinner at Bahama Breeze. Yum! Shopping in Philly with the parents and Becci on yesterday and dinner at PF Chang's! Yummy!
I got everything I wanted- perfume, leather gloves, biscotti from Starbucks, and an Aaron Rodgers jersey. (I know, all ya'll are like "who's that?" He's the QB for the Green Bay Packers, satisfied?) :) Yes, I love sports!
Has anyone else run across the sales I have? Even Tiffany's had a sale! Still couldn't afford anything! I have never seen prices like this! 3 pairs of shoes for under $20. Enough said. :)
So this year I'm thankful for family and friends, wishes granted, shoes on sale.. jk, heated seats, and gift cards!
Love to all ya'll out there, and may all your prayers be answered, dreams come true, and wishes be granted! Treasure this time with family, and don't forget the true meaning of Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas!
God bless us, every one.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Update

Just wanted to let ya'll know.... drumroll please..... The tree is decorated! Presents are wrapped! 3 kinds of cookies are baked! And, I'm not losing my job! yay! Wasn't really that worried about that last one, but with all the hype going on in the media and some layoffs in our area.... ok! I did wonder... :) But, everyone in our office is staying, and we are actually gaining an employee! Isn't God great?? Just pray we last thru the next three years, huh? :)

In totally happy news, I get off early tomorrow, and am off thru Tuesday! yay! On the schedule? Shopping in Philly and eating at my new favorite restaurant P.F. Changs! yummy.... :) Have a great weekend!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Freedom!!!!

Ahhh.... :) Isn't it wonderful??? I am done with my Christmas responsibilities and free to enjoy the season. :)
So now, I officially have no excuse for not wrapping my Christmas presents... :) Oh yeah, and I have to start baking those cookies..... And decorate the Christmas tree...... At least the shopping is finished! :) I know! Work is a good excuse, right??? Come on..... please...? :)
This holiday season at work has been busier than I've ever seen it, but we all get along really well so it actually makes it kinda fun. (if you call working fun...) We have our work Christmas party on Friday, and instead of everyone cooking this year we decided to get one of our customers who owns a restaurant to cater for us. We are also going with the quite eclectic blend of Nachos, Quesadillas, Grilled Chicken sandwiches on Focaccia bread, and one hamburger. (for the pregnant girl, who will change her mind at least 3 more times before Friday.) :)

So, thanks to everyone for their prayers! Cantata went well. I didn't mess up too terribly bad! :) The kids were adorable, even when Grady fell off the stage, and Charlie, who can't read, read the cue card that said "smile!" on it! It was right at the end of their song and he says loud enough for everyone to hear "hey, that says smile!" :) It got a big laugh!
Ok... must stop rambling.... must do something constructive, like baking! :)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The Busy Season

Hey ya'll! Just wanted to let you know I haven't and won't abandon ya'll. Tis the season, right?? between parties and Cantatas and being short staffed at work it's amazing I have time to sleep! :) I'm just holding out for January 29th! (sorry Becci! I love you, I really do!)
On a brighter note, last night was the Women's Missionary Society Christmas Party. What was a long week of preparation culminated in a great party! Decorations, food, punch, and gifts all turned out great!
Pray for me on Saturday and Sunday all ya'll in cyberland! The church is having their annual Christmas Cantata and I am playing the piano.... Not so terrifying to me anymore since I've done it the last two years, but the scary part is that I've had little to no time to practice this week.. :o So just pray for my nerves to be calm and fingers to be sure at about 6pm EST on Sunday! :)

P.S. Pray for my friend Shauna on Saturday! It's the big day!!! love ya bunches girlfriend!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

A Day Which Will Live In Infamy

Today is the 68th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Take a minute and thank God for men and women who answer the call to defend our country every day, for those who gave their lives on that day, and for those whose heroic deeds saved lives and helped a nation to get back to their feet. So the quote for today is actually the transcript of President Franklin D Roosevelt's speech after the attack.


Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

President Franklin D Roosevelt


To the men and women who were there that day-Thank You, your heroism, sacrifice, and commitment will never be forgotten.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Quotes From a Grateful Nation: Day Eight

OUR DEBT TO THE HEROIC MEN AND VALIANT WOMEN IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY CAN NEVER BE REPAID. THEY HAVE EARNED OUR UNDYING GRATITUDE. AMERICA WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICES.
President Harry S. Truman

Friday, December 5, 2008

Quotes From a Grateful Nation: Day Seven

THE HEROISM OF OUR OWN TROOPS...WAS MATCHED BY THAT OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE NATIONS THAT FOUGHT BY OUR SIDE...THEY ABSORBED THE BLOWS...AND THEY SHARED TO THE FULL IN THE ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENEMY.
President Harry S. Truman


P.S. In other happenings... Let the Birthday celebration begin!!!! I received my first gift tonight! A lady in our church shares the same birthday as me, and so we exchange gifts each year. My gift? Tickets to the Woodstown Candlelight Tour. Thanks Lynn!
Now, "What?", you may ask,"is a candlelight tour???" Basically since we live in an area where every other house is over a hundred years old and something historic happened in at least 3/4 of them, people like to restore these homes to their former glory. And what is the point of restoring said homes without a chance to show them off right??? :) So every Christmas many of the towns have these events where lots of the people in town have open houses all on the same night, and you pay the local historical society to get a ticket to see these houses. The drawback??? It's Christmastime.... in New Jersey people!!!! Yeah, COLD!!!!! Can any one say 25 degrees tonight??? I lie not when I tell you I had on 2 pairs off gloves and 3 pairs of socks! (and my snow boots!) Now the upside... free cocoa, coffee, cookies, and wassail! You also get to meet the interesting characters who own these houses (many dress up in period clothing), and many places have free entertainment. So a fun time was had by all, and feeling is staring to come back in my nose...... :)

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Quotes From a Grateful Nation: Day Six

WE ARE DETERMINED THAT BEFORE THE SUN SETS ON THIS TERRIBLE STRUGGLE OUR FLAG WILL BE RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM ON THE ONE HAND AND OF OVERWHELMING FORCE ON THE OTHER.
General George C. Marshall

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Quotes From a Grateful Nation: Day Five

WOMEN WHO STEPPED UP WERE MEASURED AS CITIZENS OF THE NATION, NOT AS WOMEN...THIS WAS A PEOPLE'S WAR, AND EVERYONE WAS IN IT.
Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby


THEY HAVE GIVEN THEIR SONS TO THE MILITARY SERVICES. THEY HAVE STOKED THE FURNACES AND HURRIED THE FACTORY WHEELS. THEY HAVE MADE THE PLANES AND WELDED THE TANKS, RIVETED THE SHIPS AND ROLLED THE SHELLS.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt


P.S. I know... Two?? But, they just seemed to go together, ya know?? :) By the way, in the way of answered prayers.... you ever have one of those moments when you think "hey I might need to think about budgeting for that soon" and then God just drops it in front of you?? Totally happened yesterday! I had just mentioned to my mom about getting a bedroom set. (I have bits and pieces.. just what I need to exist basically. Dresser, bookshelf, mattress.) That night, my mom tells me someone wants to get rid of their whole bedroom suite! I mean there is enough furniture for 2 rooms! And they just said "take it, here, its a gift!" (okay, maybe not in those words exactly...) Don't you love how awesome God is?? :)

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Quotes From a Grateful Nation: Day Four

THE WAR'S END
TODAY THE GUNS ARE SILENT. A GREAT TRAGEDY HAS ENDED. A GREAT VICTORY HAS BEEN WON. THE SKIES NO LONGER RAIN DEATH - THE SEAS BEAR ONLY COMMERCE - MEN EVERYWHERE WALK UPRIGHT IN THE SUNLIGHT. THE ENTIRE WORLD IS QUIETLY AT PEACE.
General Douglas MacArthur

Monday, December 1, 2008

Quotes From a Grateful Nation: Day Three

THEY FOUGHT TOGETHER AS BROTHERS-IN-ARMS.
THEY DIED TOGETHER AND NOW THEY SLEEP SIDE BY SIDE.
TO THEM WE HAVE A SOLEMN OBLIGATION.
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz


P.S. Today officially kicked off the holidays in Port Norris. The Sunday School Staff had their annual Christmas party and gift exchange. Of course we all acted like responsible adults and waited 'til after the meeting to open gifts.... and then acted like children! lol! :)