My first post of 2010?

Just stopped by to say, "Hi!" It's been a long day and now it is time to turn in. I will try to post more frequently. I think my aunt has stopped checking to see if I've posted. Good night.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

This week my mom, niece, nephew, and I went downtown to see the lighting of the Christmas wreath and see the Festival of the Trees. I parked my car in the parking garage and then walked to Taco Bell to meet them for supper. On my way to meet them, I stopped by the convention center and saw the Christmas villages that were on display.

After supper, we had fun while walking to where the wreath would be lit.

We were too late to see the Santa & his reindeer light display lit; we did get to see the wreath (my favorite) lit. This year they switched to LED lights and gave out a strand to 200 families. I got one and mom got one.

At the Festival of Trees, we got to see Johnny Appleseed as well as the Mad Ants mascot (further below).

My favorite tree was "Reindeer Games" which was decorated with many different games.

"Santa's Big Scene" tree was sponsored by my mom's employer and featured children's letters to Santa. My niece's letter was right at the top.

We also got to meet Santa. He was a very nice Santa and took time to talk with everyone.

My 2nd favorite tree was this one. It featured music and even had pipes that would play the notes that were played on the keyboard on the table next to it.

This tree was sponsored by DeBrand Chocolates...

YES, it did have ornaments made of real chocolate!!!

We had a great time!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday 8

Today I want to share another hymn giving God all the glory. I love how singing this song always puts me in a great and worshipful mindset. No matter what I am dealing with, when I sing this song I can't help but worship Him.

This week in review...

Last weekend my sister and niece came for a visit. We went to one of our favorite chinese places to have lunch. Then we came back to my house to bake apple pies.

While the pies were baking, we played several games of Apples to Apples. I think we each won at least one game. Then we played a Disney trivial pursuit game. That evening, my sister left to go visit a friend and my niece stayed with me. She wanted to go trick-or-treating which started in a few minutes. I don't celebrate Halloween and didn't have a costume for her. I decided to take her and she decided she could wear the pajama's that my aunt had given her this summer. I put her hair up in pigtails with pink ribbon to go with the pink panther pajamas.

While trick-or-treating, we saw Snow White. We also saw a cute costume: A boy was dressed as a hotdog vender and his dogs were dressed as hotdogs!

It was nice to see them 2 weekends in a row!

Sunday after the service, I was waiting my turn to enter the isle to leave when an older (not old) lady stopped to let me in. She looked me in the eye and sweetly said, "I don't believe we've met. What is your name?" I responded and then asked her what her name is. She told me and I recognized the last name...it is the same as the pastor's last name. I discovered she is his mother! We had a nice chat as we walked out together.

Monday I went to work and then to Bible Study; we are doing the Beth Moore Study on the book of Esther. It has been fun meeting so many ladies at church that I wouldn't have met otherwise. It is a great group and we are learning a lot! I'm learning things that I never learned in Sunday School about Esther.

Tuesday I got my hair cut again. I can't believe how much it had grown in just 5 weeks. It was almost 2.5 inches!

On Wednesday, I went to lunch with some former co-workers from the college I used to work at. It was nice to catch up with them.

Friday afternoon I stopped by to see the alumni director to catch up on what's going on. There is quite a bit...the office even has to move locations!

That is the updates for this week.

Baby Isella Jelaine

The last week and a half have been a really rough week for some friends of mine. They have been anticipating this month for a long time. Their little daughter (their first child) was due to be born. On Sunday, October 18th, baby Isella was born and rushed to a children's hospital. It was very unexpected. By Wednesday, she had passed away at only 3 days young.

Almost 7 years ago I attended my first infant memorial service. I had hoped it would be my last. However, on Monday I attended Isella's service. She was so beautiful. Please join with me and many others praying for this couple as they face this difficult time.

Below is a song written and performed by Selah. It was written for the Smith's daughter, Audrey Caroline. I want to dedicate it to my friends.

Isella, you are loved by your mommy and daddy. You are also loved by many others as well. You will be missed, but we know we will see you in Heaven.

Fall Fun

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the smells, especially the smell of burning leaves; I love the colors; I love hayrides followed by a bonfire of s'mores, hot chocolate, and cider. I love the cool crisp weather. This week I took time to stop by a local park and capture some of the fall beauty.

Last weekend my sister and niece came for a visit. I asked my niece what she missed doing here in the city. She quickly responded, "Going to the mall." I took her to the mall and we saw her friend that runs the Carousel. We got to ride it. I rode one of the horses while she chose the teacup as usual.

Later that afternoon, my mom, niece, her friend, and I went to a pumpkin farm. We saw several pumpkin exhibits, found our way through a few different mazes, and enjoyed pumpkin donuts. It was cold and rainy, so we didn't stay as long as we would have liked.

As we passed through town, we saw many murals painted on the sides of buildings.

Sunday morning as I was driving to church I enjoyed this wonderful display of God's artistry in the sky. Once I got to church, I took time to photograph it before going into the service.