Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year ~ 2014!

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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 
plans to give you hope and a future." 
~ Jeremiah 29:11


I just love this verse and it is so true.  God wants so much for you and me to walk with him and see his way, instead of our own.  It is so hard to give everything over to the Lord.  I like to feel in control most of the time.  I'm SLOWLY trying to give it up to the Lord, but that devil is so good to whisper in my ear.  Satan knows my buttons and fear is one of them.  Fear of tomorrow, fear of where this government is going to take my family and I.  Fear of all of my insecurities.  Ugh!  I have to constantly tell myself that God has a plan for me.  I have to walk with him and talk with him in order to find out what plan he has for me.  He has always taken care of me, even when I'm scared to death.  Of course, I'm always in my comfy bed asking for forgiveness because I allowed the devil to put that fear right back in my thoughts.  God won't harm me, but mold me to be more like him.  I don't think it's a physical image, but spiritual, love and kindness.  No matter how bad it may seem, there is hope for the future.  God is hope because I KNOW he is on his way back for me and you.  I have faith and His Word that reassures me of His coming.  If there is one thing I could wish for you today on this New Year's Eve is . . .
LOVE, FAITH AND HOPE

for a better 

TOMORROW

  Mirya

Sunday, December 29, 2013

We Wish You A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas holiday.  We had a wonderful time, enjoyed the parties and family gatherings.  God continues to bless us.  He is such an awesome God and incredible Savior!  Because of Christ's birth, I had a chance to be truly free.  You know, you really don't know happiness and eternal fulfillment until you have Christ in your life and how much you strive to be more Christ-like.  For the past few years, my New Year's Resolution has been to be more Christ-like.  I can look back in the years past and I can see some change.  I fail a lot and come short, but it's not easy being Christ-like.  I  hope to be the beacon of light that God would want me to be for Him.  Please keep me in your prayers.  I pray this year, God will make your year awe-some and filled with happiness.   

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Kids preparing Santa Cookies

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Colton prefers having a little cookie with his icing - Katie showing her masterpiece

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This has been the scene for a few days, especially during the rainy and very cold days - Lu wants to come in the house and warm up as well

We had a few days of nice, warm weather, but not many.  The kids have enjoyed being outside, playing with the neighbor girl.  They've had a good time.  I love the fact that my cat chases the little girl's dog out of my yard.  LOL!  We've had lots of movie days, due to cold or wet weather.  This past weekend, we pulled out the kids' new movies that they got for Christmas - "Monster's University" and "Dear Dumb Diary".  For all parents that have girls in the 3rd and 4th grade, I recommend "Dear Dumb Diary."  The main character, Jamie, is my daughter up one side and down the other.  She may not act like her entirely, but I can see that she will in the future.  So funny!  I believe my mother-in-law laughed from the beginning of the movie to the end.  Katie has read most of the "Dear Dumb Diary" books and loves them.  I've bought her one of the newest series. She loves funny series.  For Christmas, she asked me to get her "Stink and the Midnight Zombies" and "Magic Reindeer." She said that she is loving the Stink book.  


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Colton received some very cool toys this Christmas - lots of Nerf guns, sword & shield, castle with knights and armor.  Very Cool! 

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We had to make Colton wear his sunglasses during the Nerf battles between he and his sister.  Mom and dad got tired of telling them over and over "don't shoot in the face!"  Our next purchase is Colton some safety glasses.  

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Can't you just see the sweet revenge in her sweet little face? - My mom embroidered every one of my sisters a pillow or wall hanging.  She started YEARS ago.  I never thought I would ever see mine.  I got such a sweet surprise this Christmas.  My sister told me that she encouraged my mother to keep up the good work.  My mother will be 77 years old this February, so her hands are not as good as they once were.  Mom knows how much I love the color purple.  I love it so much that I've painted two rooms in my house purple (different shades of course).  Now, I need to decide if I'm going to hang it up in my bedroom or bathroom.  Hmmm.  Everyone will be able to see it more in my bathroom than the bedroom.  

Christmas Morning - HO! HO! HO! 

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Colton said that he wanted a large chocolate Santa for Christmas.  To his surprise, Santa Claus left him and Katie large hollow chocolate Santas in their stockings.  While we had sausage balls for breakfast, Colton just wanted his chocolate Santa and milk.  Who can argue with that on Christmas?  He ate half of it by lunch time.  He said it was so good!  LOL!  I was surprised that he didn't get sick.  

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Colton asked Santa Claus for a BIG Superman, just like his Batman.  Katie asked for a Lalaloopsy.  Santa gave her a beautiful collector's edition (not shown).  We gave her the new baby Lalaloopsy that she is holding.  The kids had a great Christmas and us parents had a very relaxing and enjoyable vacation.  

  Mirya

Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas

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Our family would like to wish yours a very
Merry Christmas!

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We've enjoyed preparing and celebrating this time of year.  We visited Santa's Village last week.  The kids loved getting to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.  They could not wait to tell him what they would like Christmas morning.  They didn't ask for a whole lot just a couple of things.  I hope Santa doesn't disappoints, but I don't think he will.  Below are a few photos from our experience.  

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We witnessed a man making a nail for Santa's reindeer's shoes.

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Santa's reindeers were relaxing after a hard trip down South.

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This momma has been busy baking truffles, cookies and other goodies.  The kids are having a hard time containing themselves they are so excited about Christmas being right around the corner.  I can't keep Colton out of the gifts under the tree.  Last night was our annual sleeping under the Christmas tree and watch Christmas movies until late.  I can tell Katie is getting older because when the television went off, she was ready to get in her own bed.  She told me that she didn't know what was wrong with her, she just likes sleeping in her own bed.  I assured her that it was okay, as long as they had a good time in the Living Room until then.  Colton jumped in bed with me and his dad until he fell asleep.  Colton said this morning that he wanted to do that again.  Not until next year! He wants to catch Santa if it is the last thing he does.  

We hope you have a safe and magical Christmas.  We love you! 
  Mirya