~Hey, Howdy, Hey!!!~

This month we celebrated my younger brother's 12th birthday!!! :D

For his party this year, we decided to have a "Toy Story" theme...we had LOTS of fun preparing for it! ;)

When we are making plans to create a special cake, my younger brothers enjoy drawing a picture of what they would like the cake to look like, then Mom will normally bake the cake and I will decorate it!

Here is the completed project!

We invited our guests to come dressed up as a toy to add to the fun of the theme! Our cousins came as a doll and a Barbie and my brothers dressed up as Ken and Woody!

Picture time! :)

Preparing to light the candles and to sing "Happy Birthday". :) (Over the years we have learned several birthdays songs...however, in more recent years we have discovered one that has become a new favorite. The tune is the same as the traditional "Happy Birthday" song...you just change up the words a little! It says...

"Happy Birthday to you,

and to Jesus be true.

May the Lord's richest blessings,

abide upon you!" :) )

My youngest brother enjoyed trying on Woody's little hat! ;)

Along with the cake and vanilla yogurt, we prepared small servings of trail mix for an additional treat! :)

Opening presents!

We all had a very blessed day and were grateful for the time we were able to share together with relatives! :) I am SO thankful for each one the Lord has placed in my family! God is SO good! :D

By the entry way we posted a sign which read:

~Loyalty~

Loyalty is the bonding of individuals in a long-term commitment of sacrificial support and defense.

"A friend loves at all times..."

~Proverbs 17:17~

(In the movie "Toy Story 3" the Toys show loyalty to "their boy"!) ;)

Blessings to you all!

~Chloe~

~Merry Christmas!!!~

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

~Luke 2:11-14~

As many of you have probably noticed...I haven't been posting as much lately. That would be due to the fact that I started college in the fall and my time to type out all of the many happenings in life has become somewhat lesser in priority next to homework etc. :P However, the fact that things have been happening and the interest to post about them has NOT gone away...the updates are just a little delayed in their comings! ;) So, with that being said ;) ...Christmas break has come and I've decided to get you all caught up! ;)

This month (as well as the previous ones!) have been full of lots of activities...some of which have included (but are not limited to the following ;) )....

1. Finals Week

(Woohoo!!! One semester down...several more to go. :P lol! ) This semester I have taken LOTS of music classes...voice lessons, piano lessons, choir, vocal diction etc. It has been really fun and I look forward to exploring more next semester! (I'm excited about the opportunity to get to take violin lessons in the Spring!!! :D My desire in developing skills in music are to use them for His glory!

2. A Trip To See Christmas Lights

My older brother and I had the privilege to go with a group from one of the college ministries to go see Christmas lights early this month, it was lots of fun! :)

3. Caroling, A Christmas Skit and Games

Several families in our area, thought it would be fun to bake several dozen cookies per family, put them together on plates and take them to others in our community while caroling! So we did just that! :D It was loads of fun! There were 6 big vans, 1 mini van and 1 suburban...around 60 of us going caroling! :D It was SO neat to see the joy on peoples faces as we went from house to house!

Later that evening, we shared a meal together and then some of the children reenacted the Christmas story, which a sweet friend of mine helped organize! :)

Here were the shepherds....

and the wise men! :)

Here I was "standing with the angles"! ;)

We also enjoyed playing games! Here my older brother and friends had fun competing in chess! Some of the rest of us enjoyed playing a game called "Operation Telephone". (Similar to "Charades".)

4. Historic Dance Christmas Social

We also attended our historic dance groups annual Christmas Social where we all get together to enjoy fellowship and refreshments, play parlor games and dance "The 12 days of Christmas" (as sung by Miss Piggy)! We had a delightful time! ;)

5. Christmas gatherings with family and friends and re-tellings of the Christmas story!

This year I made up some delicious chocolate fudge to share while visiting relatives! (For the recipe, click here! :) )

First we were blessed to spend time with my dad's side of the family! We had a great time visiting, enjoying wonderful food, exchanging gifts, playing games and catching up with everyone! (I guess we were so busy enjoying our time together we didn't get any pictures to share this year :( ...oh well, we'll try again next time! :) )

Our family enjoyed a special meal together on Christmas Eve! :)

We also visited my mom's side of the family!

Here's my sweet grandparents! I am SO thankful for them! :)

We used the Wii for some recreation time! (Grandma even joined in for a round of tennis!) :D

After a wonderful meal, presents and fellowship, my younger brothers and cousin used the felt board to show the story of Jesus' birth while the Christmas story was read, then we joined together in singing some Christmas songs!

We have had a very blessed Christmas this year in remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I am humbled to think that my God loved us SO much that He would send His only begotten Son to die for our sins that through Him we might have the hope of eternal life! What an AMAZING gift!!!

In closing, I would like to leave a link to a song that has been a blessing to me, it tells about the life of Christ. I hope it is an encouragement to you as well! :)

In Christ Alone

May the Lord richly bless you all! :)

Rejoicing in the life of my Lord and Savior!

~Chloe~ :)

"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

~2 Peter 3:18~

~Happy Thanksgiving!!!!~

This year we were blessed to have our annual gathering with relatives and enjoy a wonderful meal together! :) Sometimes during the evening, the younger ones enjoy putting on a puppet show of the very first Thanksgiving, while the story is retold. In the past we have normally used a couch or some other object as a barrier for the puppeteers to hide behind. But one day as we were in a craft store we picked up a free paper that showed how to make your own puppet show curtains...soooo, this year Mom decided to make some! They turned out really well and we thought they really added to the presentation of the story. ;)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving as we count our many blessing and reflect on the goodness of the Lord! :)

With a greatful heart,

~Chloe~ :)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

~Psalms 118:29~

~Fall Break Adventures!~ :)

This week my older brother and I had the opportunity to attend a church retreat over fall break. The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather while there, which allowed for many outdoor activities! :) We played frisbee golf for the first time and also got in some competitive games of volleyball. :) Yesterday afternoon, several of us went on a hike and later we learned a new game called "Underground Church" (similar to "Capture the Flag") which was really fun!

We were also blessed with some enriching time of worship and Bible study. One of the songs we sang is titled In Christ Alone. (If you've never heard it be sure to click on the link above...it has a wonderfully powerful message!) We looked at the story of Mary and Martha and were encouraged to "spend time at the feet of Jesus" by reading His word and prioritizing the activities in our lives in such a way that we don't miss the things in life that are REALLY important! We also did a study on Colossians and found many encouraging truths as well!

I am thankful for the time we were able to spend in God's beautiful creation, and for the fellowship and encouragement we received while at the retreat! :)

*A special thanks to all those who prepared food, organized and planned for the event!!! Your efforts were greatly appreciated!!!

Hope you're all having a blessed autumn season, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord!

May God bless you all!

~Chloe~ :)

"Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."

But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;

but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

~Luke 10:38-42~

~My Birthday~ :D

This month we celebrated my birthday! My mom and younger brothers graciously spread a beautiful table setting for the occasion. :)

They also blessed me with many beautiful cards and presents! :)

One of the gifts I received was a lovely tiara! :D

Here's a close up of the cake...SO pretty...and yummy too! ;)

I was also given beautiful pink roses...ahh, and they have a wonderful fragrance! :)

I am SO grateful for the Lord's many blessings in my life, He has been so good to me! I'd like to take a moment to share just a few of the things I'm thankful for.

I am forever grateful for the Lord's grace and mercy in my life, for allowing me to come to know Him, so that I can have a personal relationship with Him, and most of all, for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, being sent to die on the cross for all my sins, so that through Him I can have the hope of eternal life!

I am also thankful for the wonderful family the Lord has placed me in! I love my parents and brothers dearly and am thankful for my Christian upbringing and for the fact that those in my family are also my special friends!

The list could certainly go on! I praise God for all He has done and all He will continue to do! I desire this year, to continue to draw closer to the Lord each day and I seek to glorify Him in all I do! May God bless you all!

In Christ,
~Chloe~ :)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

~Psalm 118:1~

~Summer Ball 2010~

Yesterday we attended the Summer Ball! Here are a few pictures from the lovely occasion! ;)

Getting ready...

I decided to go with an "up-do" this time. :)

Upon our arrival, meeting and greeting was done and dance cards were filled. We started the evening off with the Grand March! :)

There were a total of eleven dances in this years program, the titles of them are as follows:

Grand March
Friendly Waltz
Miss McLeod's Reel
Free waltz
Brown Jug Polka
Money Musk
German with Star
Caladonians Quadrille (which included three sets)
Portland Fancy
Around the House and Mind the Dresser
Sir Roger de Coverly

Dancing the Grand March...

...and Miss McLeod's Reel. :)

Our sweet cousins. :)

My dad and me. :)

There were many tasty refreshments to be enjoyed during the breaks. :)

The music, dances, fellowship, and food were all superb, we had a delightful time! :D

"O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

~1 Chronicles 16:34~

Marie-Madeline Studio...

is hosting a giveaway for a fat quarter bundle from their Flower Sugar 2 collection! To enter or get more details, visit their site at www.mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com !

Many blessings!

~Chloe~ :)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight."

~Proverbs 3:5,6~

~Happy 4th of July~

This year we were blessed to attend our friends annual 4th of July gathering! :) We had a wonderful time of fellowship, shared a meal together, played volleyball, played water games, (which included relay races, a sponge ball toss as well as a water balloon fight!) sang patriotic songs, pondered the blessings of freedom and shot off fireworks! It was great fun! :D

There were 100 people in attendance!

We are SO grateful for our friends hospitality, we all had a wonderful time! :D

May God bless you all and may God bless America!!!

~Chloe~ :)

P.S.

Below are the links to a couple of songs I really enjoyed this Independence Day, hope you enjoy them as well! :)

Let Freedom Ring http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CqPMT-BhGs

The Star Spangled Banner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgJJXWGNGbc

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

~Gal. 5:13~

~Happy Father's Day!~

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers."

~Psalm 1:1-3~

Dear readers,

As we approach yet another Father's Day, I've begun to ponder the many attributes of my Dad for which I am truly grateful, and for which I highly admire in him. I should like to take a moment to share a few of these qualities with you, in his honor. :)

My Dad is a man of God. He loves the Lord greatly and strives to please Him in all he does. He desires to share his love for the Lord with us, his children.

My Dad is a man of character. He is a hard worker and he has a servants heart. He looks out for the interests of others and goes out of his way to see that their needs are met.

My Dad is a good provider. He faithfully goes to work each day even when one might feel like doing otherwise.

My Dad is a good protector. He carefully thinks through scenarios and gives advice and cautions, as he sees them, so that we are kept safe from harm.

My Dad is loyal. I am SO thankful for my parents love for each other and their wonderful example in being faithful to one another!

My Dad is a gentleman. :) He is often opening a door when needed, or offering to carry something that is heavy etc.

And the list could certainly go on! ;) I am SO blessed to have such a WONDERFUL father...I love you Dad!!! <3

May God richly bless you all this Father's Day, as you seek to bless your father (and grandfather's) this year! :)

Love in Christ,

~Chloe~ :)

"But who can find a trustworthy man?

A righteous man who walks in his integrity--"

~Proverbs 20:6b, 7a~

~Birthday Fun! Part 2~ :)

This month we also celebrated my older brother's birthday! :D Mom baked a double layered yellow cake and I decorated it. :)

Here's my sweet parents and brother... :)

...and my three brothers and me. :)

Happy Birthday Travis!!! :)
I am thankful for the Lord's hand on your life! Your love for the Lord, and steadfastness in Him is such an encouragement to me! May the Lord bless you abundantly as you continue to seek to glorify Him every day! We love you!

Love in Christ,
~Chloe~ :)

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers."

~Psalm 1:1-3~