My parents went shopping...
...and Jon and Joe got a drumset! (It's mostly for Jon - Joe's getting other stuff - his 11th birthday is on Wednesday); It's a professional one - I might take a pic of it soon (depending on if Jon gives me Dad's camera sometime soon).
...and I just might be getting a phone! =D
My family and I never really have celebrated Christmas (I tried to do something last year - gifts, traditions, and all)- it's viewed as a pagan holiday, perhaps because it's overly commercialized (and because celebrating someone's birthday was always a taboo in my family). But I love this time of year - not Dec. 25 as a day (I'm sure that there's some sort of history behind that day - I've read it before; I'm gonna look it up again when I get the chance - but it isn't really Jesus' birthday) - but the winter as a whole. Snow, more time with family because of vacation, baking, decorations, etc.
I've changed the background of my desktop (cute pic, huh? Thank you Google Images!) and I changed the layout of my blog (I wasn't quite willing to do that yet - but I had to, seeing that I really don't have time within the next couple of weeks). I'm not ready to let go of the fall Thanksgiving-y look of my room, either (my brothers, my mother, and I have a Thanksgiving Wall in my room - where we taped leaves to the wall of things we're thankful for - and it's been such a blessing) - so I'm not really going to take down the decorations in my room just yet. But, eventually, I will - I'm thinking of snowflakes (maybe with verses of joy, peace, and happiness?).
This is soo much fun! =D
I've been making this quickie for awhile now - haven't perfected it yet, but it tastes yummy nevertheless (just don't make this too often as it isn't all that healthy).
What I do is take a small chunk of cream cheese and pour in some milk (about half as much as that chunk of cream cheese) and I mix it...not thoroughly, but just enough to coat the chunk of cream cheese. I add a little bit of vanilla extract and brown sugar (as much as seems necessary, really). I beat it with a whisk till it's smooth and creamy (you may use an electric mixer - I do it by hand, so it takes awhile). And...then, chop up some apples and serve them apples with the dip and you've got...Apples n' dip =D. I make just enough for one or two apples.
For those of you who want proper measurements, Tammy over at Tammy's Recipes has an awesome recipe.
Ah! Sweet Thanksgiving Day! So much better than I expected! I expected to go to church, be bored, eat some food, come back home and sleep.
Thankfully, we didn't go to church (last minute decision - and a good one)! Instead, Mom and I are in the kitchen, making a Thanksgiving meal: yellow rice, stuffing, green beans, baked chicken, and apple pie so far. We made small portions of each - so it really isn't much, but just enough for each of us. But we're happy making it. Last year was our first time ever to cook anything for a Thanksgiving meal at home. We don't invite relatives to our home (they go over to friends' houses or to church) and they don't invite us over either. But I'm grateful for my family...I love each of them very much!
The boys (my brothers) are out helping my father take down the gazebo - having some quality father-son time. My mother and I are in the kitchen, having quality mother-daughter time (I'm just taking a short break right now - working all day in the kitchen can be tiring - a happy tiring).
...maybe I can convince my parents to play UNO with us later on - talk about some awesome family quality time (something we hardly have!).
Update: The meal was amazing! We had a mix (because of my dad and my grandmother - they *need* their authentic food), but to add to the above list, we had shredded beans (for my parents and my gramma) and mashed potatoes with gravy. What made it amazing wasn't the food, really (though the apple pie came out reaaallly good - one of the best to ever come out of our oven). It was the family together time. We laughed and talked (we had a ball trying to make our serious dad smile =D). I cherished the moments we had because it's soo rare. I am indeed blessed to be a part of such an awesome family!
...we still might get to play UNO - I dunno - we're about to take a nap. Dad is doing so already - he's soo tired...and full! =D
Oh - such a beautiful day (outside and in)! This sounds corny - but the sun is shining outside and in all of our hearts - our whole family is actually quite content. And for that, I am so grateful!
I find myself just overflowing with joy right now because of just the way God’s been working in my life despite my failures. We’ve all heard this phrase many times: “God’s been so faithful though I’ve been unfaithful” – and I can’t think of a better way to put it when it comes to my lifestyle.
Lately, I’ve been going through some dry moments – the confusion overwhelming, stress at times unbearable, temptation powerful, etc. And it came to the point where I just wanted to throw my hands up in there are and ask God where He was. In fact, the other night, in a moment of incredible loneliness, I wept into my pillow, just pouring out my heart to God in short bursts. If you’re reading this, never think that God doesn’t see your tears. He does. And don’t think He doesn’t speak when you ask. He does. Don’t think He doesn’t love you. He does. And…after all this time, I finally understand how I know: see, when God brings us through the toughest times and is testing us, He’s doing that because He loves us. It’s better to be chastened by God than ignored by Him. He’s not ignoring us if He’s working on us.
I have so much more to share, but time and my current presence of mind is not permitting it. But – I’m grateful to God for all of you out there who are praying for me (you know who you are). Thank you all oh so much!
