Every tongue confess...

Recently I went to the Dickens fair in SF with some friends. We walked through London in hoopskirts and ended off the day with a dance at Fezziwigs. The tradition for the end of this dance is singing the Hallelujah Chorus. Everyone was singing with such conviction enthusiasm! Let me remind you what this song says.

Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ,
And He shall reign for ever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

These words were being sung by people at an event that claim NO connection to Christ. Yet they were declaring that 'The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth!'. That the 'Kingdom of this world... is now become the Kingdom of the Lords!'

This isnt the only time this happens. We recieved carolers from up our canyon and I don't know what their religious standing is. If there is one. But we were singing songs about Christ our Saviors birth and it was sucha beautiful moment.

It just got me to thinking about how God uses people who to declare his glory. Isaiah 45:23 says

By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.

This is quoted in the New Testement in Romans 14:11

It is written:
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.'

It amazes me that even now
Every tongue will confess.

Merry Christmas!! Have a blessed day.

Life is good.

This is my motto. Recently, even when i don't actually think it, saying it makes it good. So i am going to play the blessings game and list whet i am thankful for. I know i'm a little late for thanksgiving... but thats ok, right? ;-) In no particular order, i am thankful...

That I have a supportive and loving family
-A mom who does so many things that I can't even pretend to list them... Makes amazing dinners, gets amazing Christmas cards together, drives us enumerable places, shops for things we need, and raises /rasied 9 kids!
-A dad who is so patient and provides for 7 children at home and 2 at college. and still has managed to get a pile of presents under the tree
-3 big brothers that love me and that I love. Adam is coming home soon, Brady is here and is a joy to have, and Jared is still always there.
-Hilarious younger siblings, who ought to keep me rolling on the floor laughing.

That I have amazing friends who don't care how dumb I am, but still buy me presents. even when I didn't get them anything yet. Who trust me even when I don't deserve it. And who will laugh with me. And sometimes cry. But still be my friends =)

That there is such a thing as coffee. And that I can drink it with my brothers and mom and be cheery and joyful. And silly I guess. haha.

That there is such a thing as dancing =D and that my brothers know how to do it; well. And that they dance with me in the kitchen and dip me and everything!

That God created a world that has un-countable beauties. That there is rain and snow and pretty colors in flowers and trees and that i live in a place that is surrounded with wonder.

That I have worm cloths that hide me from the seasons and keep me healthy and warm. For scarves and coats and sweaters.

That we have a car that can take us places. With warm air that magically blows on us. That can play music that magically floats through the air to the car. =D

That our country has clean water, warm and cold. Makes it very easy to keep clean and sanitary.

That when night comes I have a bed waiting for me with soft pillows and warm blankets.

And the list goes on. and on.
Count your blessing! And, if you can, add to others lists =)

I'm Asking Her to Stay (Sherwood)

I was tagged for this itunes quiz =)
The answers are all songs and they arethe first ones to come up on shuffle

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
When (The Listening)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
My Way or the Highway (Relient K)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Blurry Eyed (Fair)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Grab Your Coat (Fair)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Hosanna (Hillsong United)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Communicate (Jonezetta)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Echo (The Hush Sound)

WHAT IS 2+2?
All I Need (JJ Heller)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Free (Shawn McDonald)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Glory of it All (David Crowder Band)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
My Apologies (The Hush Sound) – That’s for True…

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
All Fall Down (Sarah Mason)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The End (The Listening) –

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Your Hands (JJ Heller)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Whoa (Paramore)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Our Happy Home (David Crowder Band)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Middle of the Night (Sherwood)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Dare Your to Move (Switchfoot)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Just Let Go (Mae) – Ah that’s terrible

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Brink of Disaster (Mae)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Come Clean (Eisley)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Spirit Fall (Phil Wikham) – That makes no sense =/

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
All Creatures (David Crowder Band) – Totally

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Go Away (Eisley)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
O Praise Him (David Crowder Band)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Redemption (Switchfoot)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
You Ruin Me (JJ Heller) - Lol

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
You Are the Answer (Point of Grace)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
The Only Song (Sherwood)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
I’m Asking Her to Stay (Sherwood)

Thoughts on Big Families

The best things...
-Instant playmates
-Parenting practice
-Cute photo models
-Kids to do all the odd jobs

The not so good things...
-Endless laundry
-Constant noise
-Mysterious messes
-Petty squabbles
-Not enough hot water to go around
-Children who end up in your bed at 2:00 AM

What Happened to Thanksgiving?

It seems that the media wishes Thanksgiving didn't exist. They try many different ways to cover it up. By changing the message, or by just plain glazing it over.

Example 1: Christmas Kickoff
This local radio station is one that I like to listen to. Every Holiday season they play only holiday music. They claim the title of "The south bay's home for the holidays". This is fine. But what is strange, is that they kickoff the Christmas season the day before Thanksgiving! They wait until we are on Thanksgivings doorstep, then pretend its Christmas... I enjoy listening to the holiday music, but I find it sad that Thanksgiving is lost in the shuffle.

Example 2: Festive Focus
Dr. Laura every year on the day before thanksgiving, holds a corny joke day in place of her show. People of all ages call in with a corny joke, then Dr. Laura questions them on how they are celebrating Thanksgiving... which doesn't mean "What are you thankful for?" It means "Where are you eating turkey?" While this is a big part of the holiday, the meaning of Thanksgiving, is Thanks.

Incredulous

5 Things that make me gasp...

~1~
That the Election is over... (and that Obama is going to Be President)

~2~
That we are in the 11th month of the year... (where did the rest go?)

~3~
We are closer to Christmas then Labor day... (only 50 shopping days left!)

~4~
That Jared is going to be 18... (I could've seen that coming)

~5~
That God saved me!!! (Praise the Lord)

Feel free to add to the list =)

Best thing of the day journal - Week 3

Monday, October 27, 2008
Sewing
My sisters had a friend over and… well lets just say they weren’t getting along to well. Thankfully all three of them took kindly to the idea of sewing when I suggested it, so each of them sewed a pillow (with assistance). Memories in the making?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Jessica Hoefling
She is hilarious people. Once she impersonated the hair cutter. She was asked “do you want a haircut?” (in a chinese accent) Jessica said “no” and was refuted with “oh, yes you do.” It doesn’t look that funny on paper… but it cracked me up.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Hmm…
Everyone has bad days sometimes right? Idk...

Thursday, October 30, 2008
Rain
The best thing was most definitely the rain. I love how it smells, and sounds, and feels… and IS! Rain is certainly a beautiful thing.

Friday, October 31, 2008
A day with friends
Making cupcakes and decorating them,
Making masks and taking pictures with them,
A photo shoot in the backyard,
Getting candy,
Doing crazy acrobatics,
Spinning in the rain,
The list goes on…

Let That Be Enough - Switchfoot

I wish I had what I need
To be on my own
'Cause I feel so defeated
And I'm feeling alone

And it all seems so helpless
And I have no plans
I'm a plane in the sunset
With nowhere to land

And all I see
It could never make me happy And all my sand castles
Spend their time collapsing

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
Let that be enough

It's my birthday tomorrow
No one here could now
I was born this Thursday
22 years ago

And I feel stuck
Watching history repeating
Yeah, who am I?
Just a kid who knows he's needy

Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
And let that be enough

Am I washed by the water?

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

~Needtobreath, Washed by the water


I think sometimes... when a storm comes I tend to put up my umbrella and hide it out. I don't want to get wet, who does? If its a hot shower maybe, but not under a sky cracked with lighting and cold pelting rain. But
even when the storm comes i am washed by the water...
I don't think its automatic. Its a choice you need to make.
even when the rain falls...
Get wet!
even when the flood starts rising...
Swim! An open mind and a forgiving attitude is your lifesaver.

So I wonder. Am I washed by the water? Am I learning everything I can from each storm? I think I need to drop the umbrella...

Best thing of the day journal - Week 2

Monday, October 20, 2008
Shopping at Mervyns
Mervyns going out of business. Big storewide sale. Ye-ah

Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Dandelions
At the Park with Asher there were beautiful dandelions and I taught Asher how to blow them into the wind. It was getting to be close to evening so the flowers cast long shadows on the grass. I wish I had my camera.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Reading on the porch
I took my history reading outside today. It was the perfect temperature and there were birds singing.

Thursday, October 23, 2008
Autumn walk
I walked about two blocks in the city, and adored the crunch of leaves under my feet. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the leaves sitting in the sun on the side walk. Way too beautiful.

Friday, October 24, 2008
Bathtub Talk
Late night with two good friends and we wanted a place alone in our hotel room =P We decided on the bathtub. I can’t remember what we talked about… but it was good.

Saturday, October 25, 2008
Fireproof
I saw a late night showing of Fireproof. SUCH a great movie. I just was crying over and over (a had to use my sweatshirt as a handkerchief =P). Seriously. Go watch it.

Sunday, October 26, 2008
Generosity
Kit and Wanda Reichow came all the way to my house to bring me to day7 (because Jared was gone and couldn’t take me).

Grosgrain: GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Best thing of the day journal - Week 1

This is a new journal I started. Each day I write down the best thing that happened that day. It forces you to look on the bright side of things. Here is the pilot week...

Monday, October 13, 2008
My Apple Crisp
My mom turned on the oven in the morning to warm up the kitchen, and asked me to bake something. Since we didn’t have eggs I couldn’t do muffins, so I made an apple crisp. There was Granola in the topping and honey mixed in with the apples. It was delicious.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Government Class
Mr. Winther discussed the economy, mostly inflation. The economy is a scary thing... Even though He wasnt discussing Happy things, it was my favorite class so far.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Seeing the world sparkle in the morning
In the morning, all the trees were covered in diamonds of dew. They sparkled when they were in the sunlight.

Thursday, October 16, 2008
Mackenzie's Quote
“Bethany look, a green spider… with antlers!”

Friday, October 17, 2008
White Chocolate Mocha
It was just Nathan, Jared and I at home and Jared brought me a White Chocolate Mocha from Los Gatos Roasting Company. Paradise in a cup…

Saturday, October 18, 2008
Symphony
Jared was given two free tickets to the San Jose Symphony by his violin teacher, Susan Stein (who plays violin in the symphony). He and I went to see the show, in the California Theater in Downtown San Jose.

Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Sun
Driving up Redwood Gulch on the way to church, opaque sunbeams came through the trees in front of us. Gorgeous…

Order From Chaos

I decided that creating order from chaos is one of my stronger points and its also a sort of stress reliever. Over the last week or so I have been cleaning my Moms office/craft room. There is a Whole lot of stuff in there... Old photos in random places, drawers stuffed to the brim with nothing in particular, many many unfinished projects, and a nice blanket of dust. Not to say that is some ancient castle that never gets used. We use it a lot, but because of the former description it isn't very convenient.
So I've been cleaning it out... It is a kind of sanctuary for me to just go there where no one else is and clean. Bit by bit it is coming together. I'm actually almost done!

Also a couple days ago the sink was full of chaos. It is a very grimy thing. =P Dishes and yucky water and food scraps and silverware and washcloths... Another chance to create order. Nathan washes dishes, but I cleaned out the sink and stacked the dishes in an orderly fashion. It was a satisfying sight ^.^

Anyone need help cleaning your room? (actually after saying all that my room should be spotless. =/ oops)

Virginia Weekend

Hi all,
As most of you know, my mom and I visited Brady in VA this weekend. He is a Student at Patrick Henry College which is a wonderful Christian school started eight years ago by the founder of HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). Michael Farris also founded the speech and debate league I am in. Patrick Henry has been referred to as "God's Harvard". It has very high academic standards as well as moral.
We flew in on Thursday and a kind friend of Brady's picked us up at the airport to bring us to our rental car... [enter problem] The rental car place closed at 6:00, we landed at 6:30. Not a good situation. We ended up having our ride take us all the way back to the college. He was so funny. He came from Chicago area... "ChicAgo". I love the way local say that ^.^
So we were at PHC Thursday night which was the night of the big VP debate and there was a big dorm party to watch it. That was fun. All the students had their lappy's and would IM while the debate was going because it was rude to talk. I thought that was pretty clever.
We were at a Bed & Breakfast! Basically a hotel held in someones house. Much more homey and comfy. And of course you get a homemade breakfast. I decided that when I retire I am going to run a B&B. ;-)
On Fri. homecoming weekend officially started. There is chapel 3 times a week at PHC, and Fri. is one of the days. It is basically a short church service; there is worship, announcements, a speaker and more worship. After that Brady had a class in the morning. It was a literature class and they were discussing the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelly. The Professor was so funny! I loved him. He often closes his eyes when he is making a comment. I guess it helps him think =)

On the way there a lot of people commented on how much my mom and I were alike. One lady especially, as I was getting off the plane, said "Never cut your hair! It is beautiful long." And earlier she had been telling my mom how it is so rare to see mother/daughter matching long hair.
I got to see DC for the first time! On Sunday afternoon we drove in to Washington DC (w/ our nifty little GPS leding the way). We ate lunch at 'America', a restaurant in Union Station. They take classic dishes from around the country and compile them into their menu. e.g. "San Diego Fish Taco's" After lunch we walked to the Mall (the place with all the museums). My mom had wanted to see the National museum of art, so we walked around in there for a while. The only Leonardo De Vinci painting in the US is in that museum. Very cool.

After that we didnt want to walk any more so we went and got our car and saw the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial (and the Washington Memorial, but that was from the steps of Lincoln).

We left Monday afternoon and there was just enough time to see the start of one of Brady's soccer games. It was kinda too bad because he was playing when we left so we didn't really say bye =/ As we were leaving we remembered we wanted to go the the gift store and I got a sweatshirt.

I think thats a record for my longest post... ttyl (type to ya later) ;-)

Scrapbooking

Hi all, back again.

In 2006 I was in a Gilbert and Sullivan play, HMS Pinafore. (The picture isn't of us, its just a random picture) It was my favorite play I've been in, I think (not that I've been in that many...).
Recently my mom handed me a scrapbook and a pile of pictures from that play! And she told me I could scrapbook it =D I am having so much fun with that. When it is finished I will prolly scan the pages and post it here. Ginny was one of the starring roles and Hannah and Sarah were in it as well. I was an "aunt". The storyline of the play is a little weird if you think about it to much, e.g. This lady ends up marrying someone she had nursed as a child... o.O However it is still fun.

School is finally back

I know I am kinda weird in that I prefer the school year to summer, but I do. First, I much prefer the weather of Autumn and even winter to the hot sticky summer weather. Yes you can swim and that is fun... but then you have to be wet afterwards =P Also, I don't mind the school part of the school year. One thing about me is I like things to be regular not sporadic. I prefer know that every Thursday "this" will happen, and every Tuesday "that" will happen as opposed to the more offhand schedule that summer brings. I like to do math for kinda the same reason. Every problem has one answer that is right. You either get it right, or you get it wrong. There isn't any maybes.

So I am very ready for this year to begin.

(thanks strivin for giving me something to post about ^.^)

Even though I dont really like coconut

You Are a Coconut Flavored Popsicle

You are easygoing. For you, summer is definitely a time to kick back. You are a peaceful soul. You shy away from drama and stress. You are a warm and compassionate. You give everyone a fair chance. Your tastes tend to be simple. You rather have a few high quality items than a bunch of junk.

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

EW, Ew, ew... ew

So I just finished lunch, and had the most disgusting thing happen to me since... oh I don't know. Since a LONG time ago. I had a sandwich and some potato salad my mom made a couple days ago. Lately at our house (as is usual in summer) we have had a lot of flies. They are everywhere. Now as I was eating this delicious potato salad, a Huge, Fat fly crawled out from under one of the the potatoes!!!! For reals here? I assume that that fly had been living in the potato salad since it had been put away! EWW. >.< I squirm just thinking about it. It couldn't fly because its blood was cold from the fridge (flies are cold blooded as you know), and because it had gorged its self on my potato salad fro a whole day! Meh! why does everything always happen to me.... sigh. So I went and killed the fly. Then I wished I could go and kill it again because I resented it so much.

"Trade places?"

A couple of days ago, Asher and I went for a walk along our road. It is a very hilly road, and on the way back I would sometimes let go of the stroller and let it roll on its own. Then I would run and catch up and once I caught it I'd keep running at the bottom of the hill. Now one thing I love about little kids is their logic and brain process. One time when I did that Asher told me how fun it was, then said (with many ums, pauses, and repeated words) "If you were as big as me and you went in the stroller and I was as big as you and I was pushing you in the stroller... and if I did that to you, would it be fun for you when you were little in the stroller?" I told him it would be and it seemed to make him pleased he had suggested it. =]

Dandelions by Five Iron Frenzy

In a field of yellow flowers underneath the sun
Bluest eyes that spark with Lightning,
Boy with shoes undone
He is so young, so full of hope,
Reveling in tiny dreams
Filling up his arms with flowers
Right for giving any queen,

Running to her, beaming bright
While cradling his prize
A flickering of yellow light
Within his mothers eyes,
She holds him to her heart,
keeping them where they'll be safe,
Clasped within her very marrow,
Dandelions in a vase,


Chorus
She sees love where anyone else would see weeds.
All hope is found.
Here is everything he needs

Fathomless your endless mercy,
Weight I could not lift,
Where do I fit in this puzzle,
What good are these gifts?
Not a martyr or a saint
Scarcely can I struggle through
All that I have ever wanted,
Was to give my best to you

Chorus
Lord, search my heart,
Create in me something clean.
Dandelions-
You see flowers in these weeds.

Bridge
Gently lifting hands to heaven,
Softened by the sweetest hush,
A father sings over his children,
Loving them so very much
More than words could warrant
Deeper than the darkest Blue
More than sacrifice could merit
Lord,I give my heart to you,

You Should Rule Saturn

Saturn is a mysterious planet that can rarely be seen with the naked eye. You are perfect to rule Saturn because like its rings, you don't always follow the rules of nature. And like Saturn, to really be able to understand you, someone delve beyond your appearance. You are not an easy person to befriend. However, once you enter a friendship, you'll be a friend for life. You think slowly but deeply. You only gain great understanding after a situation has past.

What Planet Should You Rule?

Rainbow

We had the most amazing Rainbow at our house today. It rained earlier I heard, and although we didnt experience the rain in the canyon, we got the best of the rainbow. I have never seen one that was so brilliant, and pronounced, and big! It was beautiful. Here are some pictures I took... to bad it doesnt look at beautiful on the screen.

Flower of the Month

The August birth flower is a Gladiolus. Pictured below...























They are different kids I think. I mean different kinds of Gladioluses

Welcome to August

We are almost done with summer already! Welcome to August. Time to do your last big summery activities, prepare schedules and, for some, go back to school. No need to "rush" ;) Love it while its here thats all.

August at the Ranch is pear picking time. They are big and green and beautiful and shiny if you rub them. I can't wait till I can eat a juicy pear!

Music

I know I've said this before. But piano is my new addiction. I don't know what it is but I'm turning myself into a musician. Jared just gave me the sheet music for Come and Listen by David Crowder and in the last two days I've been learning it. Such a beautiful song. The only thing is its a lot of sections that are pretty different. So I can play all the parts now, but its hard putting them all smoothly in a row to sound like a whole song. But its still very very fun. I've definitely caught the bug. I decided recently to learn guitar also. So I've been keeping my dad's electro-acoustic Gibson guitar in my room. I can play How great is our God on it. But thats all so far. =/ It is a very hard instrument to just jump into. It takes a whole lot of getting used to at least. And coordination. I just need to keep at it thats all. I don't know what to learn next though. I always need something to learn, it keeps me going. Any suggestions would be welcome. I was thinking of Landslide by Fleetwood mac because I like that song... but it has a lot of finger picking and I just want chords. Thats all I can do right now.

Jared has a microphone that he uses for recording. We tried it on the piano and it sounds reallllly good, so we want to take a day sometime to record my song. And others of course. We want to learn a song by Sherwood called What Lucy found There. I think its Narnia inspired =) We would record that to if we learn. (Joshua just now informed me that "What Lucy found there" is a chapter name from The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe). Also a couple days ago we were jamming in our living room(we brought the drums inside for a little while). We played Love Song by Sarah Bariellis (I don't know how to spell that =P). I was on the Piano, Nathan was on the Drums, and Jared was on the guitar. It was very fun and sounded pretty good.

So that was a very long post... about not very much stuff... but thats ok right?

It's Beatrix Potters Birthday!!!!!
Beatrix Potter books are such a childhood memory. We have the whole collection and I love them very much. I've tried to decide my favorite, but its hard. I really like The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-winkle and The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse. Both are great. And of course you can't forget our dear Peter Rabbit. Here is a link to the book complete with pictures: http://wiredforbooks.org/kids/beatrix/p1.htm
Have fun with those memories!

Silhouette

These are the lyrics to a song I wrote. I don't know how I wrote a song, considering my lack of musical knowledge, but it just happened.

V1
Treetop conversations
Share our hearts and watch the world go by
Together
Painting pictures of our life

As the days go by
I see you slowly fade out of view
Pretty pictures
Covered over in black, till you’re a…

Chorus
Silhouette, you are a
Silhouette, why did you
Run away
Details gone
Where are you, Silhouette?

V2
What a diorama
Now your life’s just pictures on a screen
I’m watching
From a distance

And the days go by
Many figures circling round you
A pretty picture
Who no longer recognizes me, you are a…

Chorus

V3
Treetop conversations
Just a memory distancing with time
Companion
Intimacy ever gone

The days go by
And you wear a smile just to hide
The emptiness inside
And the outline of your silhouette

Chorus

Piano

Now, you must understand that if someone asked me "Do you play any instruments" I wouldn't tell them "Yes". I don't consider my self a piano player... But this make the following accomplishment all the more special =D

I have fairly mastered The Call - Regina Spektor on the piano! Personally, I think its pretty good. And I don't say that because I think I'm so good at the piano, but because I know that I don't play, and that fact I can do any song at all is pretty cool. So next time you see me in a place with a piano ask me to play it. As of now I'm so infatuated with the fact I can make beautiful sounds on an instrument, that I just keep playing it over and over.

Top seven songs

This is in response to Hannah's post
Here are my top seven or at least the first seven I thought of to post.

1. Love Song - Sarah Bareilles
2. The Call - Regina Spektor
3. Boys grab your Girls - Always Rushing By
4. Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
5. Dance with my Father - Luther Van Dross
6. For the Moment I feel Faint - Reliant k
7. I'm not who I was - Brandon Heath

There =D

Collection of Thoughts

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

=) There we are (a little bit small...)

Like Hannah said, if you drag it to your desktop and open it you can see it bigger.

1/2 Cake

Jared and I figured out that today was my Mom's 1/2 birthday! Having previously had the inclination to bake something, I deemed this the perfect excuse to bake a cake. So as soon as I got home from tennis camp I made a cake. Sadly, I can' t tell you that I made it all from scratch... it's from a mix. But I did add a personal touch... an egg =) I've always heard that a cake needs an egg and since the mix didn't call for one I did it of my own accord. The mix made one layer of a cake; one 9" round.
Now this was my creative spark. On someones birthday you make a cake, right? Well on a 1/2 birthday, wouldn't it make sense to make a 1/2 cake? I cut the 9" round in half and layered those into a half circle cake. A 1/2 Cake for a 1/2 birthday! I wanted to make some frosting too, but didn't have any powdered sugar... so I logged onto Google to find some advice =) There was a few recipes that were long that didn't include powdered sugar, but they were to complicated >.< style="font-style: italic;">did do from scratch) and it worked out fine. A very delicious cake ^.^

Tennis

Monday to Friday this week Nathan and I are participating in a tennis camp. 3 hours each afternoon we do drills and games. Its really fun, especially so because it is walking distance from a Jamba Juice © The instructors are very fun and patient even though a lot of the kids (including me even though I'm the oldest) aren't the greatest players >.<

Misery ends

Tuesday marks the end of my misery! Braces OFF! Yayayay. Actually it wasn't to much of misery, and I really like my orthodontist. She did an amazing job. Of course even on Tuesday I'm not done. I still have to wear retainers. But still its exciting. Its especially good because it is three days before a dance I'm going to =D so for all you who wont see me on sunday; you will never have the priveledge of seeing my metallic mouth again. Thats all for now =D

More Hebrew

I forgot!! I was going to put this on the other post, but I'll just do it now =)

This is my name in Hebrew:

שׁלּוֹהּ

I ♥ Asher!

Asher is one of the cutest things. He pretty much has his own fan club. Here are some facts and stories about and pictures of my favorite kiddo...

1. My Mom and Adam are learning Hebrew at right now, and (among other things) they have learned Hebrew songs. Asher (a very quick learner) Now walks around the house singing "Hyom hy shishi/ hyom hy shishi/ ahashoba ahashoba hyom denuma" (just to let you know i have no idea how that is suppose to be spelled or what it means. i just wrote it by hearing it) It is quite humorous.2. Asher and Joshua (when they aren't having a scuffle) are the best of friends. Joshua loves playing legos in the loft. Right now he is in the middle of constructing all of the star wars sets that we have. After completing a couple, he makes set ups and does fights and such... Well Asher know all about it. He knows he's not suppose to mess the pieces up, and (just like Joshua) loves playing with them and carrying them all around the house.
3. Going back to the fan club idea. Some friends of mine have "5" contests with Asher. He isn't a very consistent player though. One day he's Anneliise's buddy and only gives her 5's, then he decides he like Bob better... but then he doesn't know who either of them are the next time! Only wants my shoulder... aww
4. When ever I have charge of Asherand have him in my room, there is one thing Asher likes best. He says "Let's do happy birthday boxes!" He gets this name from the fact that it plays happy birthday. They are two music box/snow globes. One features a young girl with balloons at a birthdya party (and plays happy birthday; thus the name) the other plays swan lake and has a dancer. And that is what asher lieks to play with.

WE LOVE YOU ASHER!!!

He Loves Us

Lately I've felt slightly dead; out of it; dormant... But at the worship service at our church they played my favorite, favorite song which just brought me to tears. lyrics below:


He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us
Whoa, how He loves us
Whoa, how He loves us
Whoa, how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

That he loves us,
Whoa, how He loves us
Whoa, how He loves us
Whoa, how He loves


It's hard to take almost. How on earth could he love... me. Me who

1: Bickers and squabbles with and scolds siblings at the drop of a hat
2: Neglects odd jobs and such, yet still patronizes others who do the same
3: Thinks to much about what she can do for her own happiness, and not nearly enough about what others think
4: All of the above

Put that together with John 14:15 - If you love me, you will obey what I command.

Think about it. Every time you sin; disobey God's commands... you are causing pain to one who loves you SO so so much. It's heart wrenching.
Hopefully I've woken up to Gods love and have quit taking it for granted. I had a great time dancing after wards, and feel very refreshed.

Regina Spektor, The Call

This is my new favorite song. It is played after Prince Caspian (the first song in the credits).