Happy Birthday - Abbie "20 Today"

March 9, 2013 - Abigail Constance Burnham is 20 today

Yesterday Morning the girls got up at 7am to run before school

Last Summer - Abbie and the girls counselors at Mountain Meadow  Bible Camp

Last Weekend Abbie got her acceptance letter to the Anthropology Dept at Sac State

20 Years ago I went into labor a month early due to catching a ground ball at a Jr High Girls Soft Ball game, with my stomach. I was setting on the ground too close to home base apparently. As we walked home I felt the first pangs and by the following evening, I was holding my "preemie" who weighted in at 7 pounds 10 oz.

She will be graduating with about a 3.8 at Shasta College in the Spring then transferring in as a Junior. History and digging around in the dirt are her passions. As a small child she wore a dress everyday, and love to collect worms in a flower pot in the front yard. I encouraged her digging toward planting flowers.

It wasn't until her senior year of High School that she took her first  college Archaeology class and the rest is history.

                                                HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ABBIE-0.

Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Home…

Saturday morning. I work all week, so Saturday morning is when I stay home. Take a shower, throw a load in the washer....Abbie makes pancakes...Ian puts on the Christian- Children's radio programs  that we have listened to while smelling pancakes since there was only one child in the household, because the others weren't born yet. (Mary is almost 22 and listening to the radio in her own home.)

Johanna is off early for AWANA games practice and will be coaching a team in Sac next Saturday. Ian come's out and sports his latest hair-do.

JR-Corgi, is bagging pancakes under the table.  Reruns on Adventure in Odyssee, then"Liz and Lucille" the Lizards are talking in their funny voices on the radio. Years and years we have celebrated this Saturday morning routine.

It has been whole wheat, plan white, rye, barley and (for me) Gluten Free Rice pancakes today.

STOP.

                                                      HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ground Hog Day 2013

Well, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow today. So, "HELLO SPRING". This is easy for me to say when it is suppose to be in the 60's where I live. My friend Deena  in MI had a different reality today.

19.6 °F

How can it snow and be that cold? We get snow when it gets about freezing. Living in a place that gets about 26 inches of rain a year and maybe 2 inches of snow.... that is amazing. I was raised in snow country on the other side of the  Southern Tip of Cascade Range. I grew up seeing the other side of Mt Lassen.

High Dessert

The elevation is almost 3,500 feet and it would snow 3 feet or so in the winter. The town had 7,000 friendly people according to the sign as you came into town, on the hill side, and I always wondered how many were unfriendly people.

Looking at Lassen from the West Side

For 27 years I have lived on the West side of Mount Lassen. Our place is almost at sea level in the valley. Orange trees and lemon trees can grow in Redding. Mosquito can be found almost year around. I never completely loose my tan. (Though my Irish hide is mostly freckles that have grown together, it looks tan in the winter)

This is the reality of our weather. I doesn't seems to be such a big deal, now that I work full time and the only thing that I am concerned about is what shoes to wear to the van.

For those of you that are following me, the van is running again. Thanks to John, a faithful friend. He put his spare time for weeks into giving it another lease on life. I still don't know what was exactly wrong that is quit on me over 2 months ago. I just know that he fixed all the things that seemed to be wrong and it runs. By the grace of God and John, it runs.

Since this seems like as random a blog as I have every written, I will add the big news of the week.

NEW WHEELS MOM

Johanna bought a 2000 Kia Sportage this week. Just the thing to get her to University in the fall. It needed a new hose right off the bat, but the fella had just replaced the tires and 4x4 hubs and she seems good to go.    Congratulations Johanna!

Mary at Graduation May 2012

Mary, who got her Diesel and Welding dual AS degrees last May, has also got her class "B"driver license.

She is now a full time bus driver and will be happy to fill in as a mechanic and welder. She was given her own Route this week and is ready to get her kids into shape for a safe trip to and from school.

Congrat's Mary!

Those two announcements tie into the topic for 5 minute Friday...Afraid.

Daniel 10:19  (Daniel 10)

And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}
3. Go leave some comment props for the five minute artist who linked up before you {and if you love us, consider turning off word verification for the day to make it easier for folks to say howdy}

Afraid

GO!

Big Breath

My job was a bit to be afraid of at first, but now I feel the need to show excellence and I have my music to tell me "Fear Not, for your God is with you where ever you go"

This last week I had some fear.

When things get Topsy Turvy at work and I feel that up is down and down is up.

Then I remember who I am working for..."do all thing as unto the Lord"

When Johanna was driving around in her new car the first night...yep I had some fear.

"She is your child Lord, and you will take care of her."

When Mary told me she was driving a bus load of kids around town and I know how kids act when they have  a new driver....

"Her boss put her there, because she had faith in Mary and you are her pilot, so I know you will take care of her and her  bus load of rowdy munchkins.

So, what should I fear?

I only need fear the wrath of God.

I am under  grace through faith in  Jesus Christ my Lord.

Therefore, I have nothing to fear.

This weeks memory verse:

the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(Romans 3:22-23 ESV)

Opportunity - 5 minute Friday

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Opportunity…

GO

Breath

Breath again

Bigger Breath

I am now in an new Opportunity

3 weeks ago 3 of us were hired

Now there are 5 people gone from those we were hired with and only 3 left with the 3 of us

On Monday or Wednesday, I don't remember, I was moved into one of the peoples desks that is gone

I cleaned it and disinfected it within an inch of it's life

How could a person live in a desk with an inch of dust?

Why did she get chosen to leave and I got chosen to stay?

I am God's chosen...I don't think she was a believer and now I wont get a chance to find out.

My Opportunity to share with her was brief.

Did I glorify God with my actions and speech?

Now I feel more intentional to live Christ to the ones who are left.

Not in a preachy way, but in a way that pleases God.

Actions, Deeds, Helping when I can.

Meanwhile, I am new in an organization that I know little about.

Watching my P's and Q's.

The opportunity is amazing to show Christ it a lost and dying world.

Read about my New Years ideas in the Jan 1st post.

My post will be brief and few as it seems working on a computer for 8-10 hours a day Blogging will be a little harder.

STOP

New Year 2013

The family Christmas Day in the Rain

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 12-14

Peak 331 Challenge on Roo

"I think my goal this year is to just live fully where I am and to be content. I’ve learned to plan, but hold those plans loosely, knowing that the Holy Spirit will guide me and direct my ways."

"I want to assess my Proverbs 31 qualities by asking questions like Am I virtuous, trustworthy, energetic, industrious, God-fearing, kindhearted, unselfish, economical, prepared, giving, charitable, honorable, prudent? THIS could take me a whole year to assess. "

Joy-Filed Days

"Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come." Proverbs 31:25 (KJV)

Dear Lord, give me the ability to live the honeymoon life with my husband. Help me to stop focusing on the what if's of the future and to start focusing on loving to the fullest today. Help me not to have any regrets of how I've lived out my married life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Proverbs 31 ministry

My One WordChange Your Life With Just One WordBy: Rachel Olsen
Next book on my want list 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

We have snow in Redding today and even had some fall here in Cottonwood.

It was amazing to see snow, even when you are told it will come to see it in the yard is so surprising.

I went to the grocery store at 10 this morning and it started to rain as I left, the snow came down about an hour later and it is still snowing in the area.

My girls went to Redding to see a movie and took the camera, I am looking forward to Jo's photos.

My new job is going well, it is a real change to be working a full 40 hour week.

I am so thankful to have a job when so many are unemployed.

Our Christmas celebration is small and I really never know what we will do for Christmas.

So many people have this grand plan and many gifts to buy, many parties to attend, and many fancy food to eat.

Our Christmas is simple. 

The tree is small.

The gifts are often homemade or necessities.

The parties are church celebrations with cookies and caroling.

No fancy clothes or food.

I made Latkes and Applesauce for the kids and Wes for Friday night, I wouldn't be home in time from work, so I made them the night ahead.

Last night we went to the Anderson Cottonwood Neighborhood Church annual caroling and cookies.

Abbie played her violin at the end with Ellen. 

I love to hear them play together.

My favorite part of the caroling is coloring a picture for my friend Molly.

For the last 3 years I have colored her a picture and made it a Christmas card to her and she puts it on her refrigerator.

Christmas is truly simple to me.

Tree in the corner

Cookies in the jar

Fire in the wood stove

Cozy robe and Slippers

Jr (Corgi) eating popcorn tossed to him by Ian

Carols in the background

Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The highlight of the Christmas season is going to church on Christmas Eve and listening to the story and scriptures while hearing the old traditional carols and some newer ones. I hope Ora will sing "Mary did you know" this year some time.

That is what I like about Christmas.

This year I will be working  Christmas Eve and December 26th, so on Dec. 29th, I guess I will take down the tree and things and clean for the New Year. Some times I will leave the tree up until January 1st. We will see.

Additions to yesterday

Just when you think it is all working out, something happens to put a bend in the design

That is the way it is with me and my phone pictures

They look great when they are 2 inch squares...

But on my blog they are a blur

The tree below is an example

These pictures warranted retakes as they were some special parts of the Christmas Decor

My Grandma made these carolers and their sled in 1979 for my first Christmas away from home

The retake of the tree is leaning a little

actually, I think it is leaning,
because the sewing machine should be  level
under the shawl from my wedding day
Oct. 17, 1987
25 years ago

We have never been big on Santa
We read the stories and
told the History of Santa Around the world
My children know that all gifts come from God
The nice St. Nickolas from ancient times
gave gifts provided by God


AND WE HAVE THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(Luke 2:1-21 ESV)

How Many Days Until Christmas?

My Mom's Christmas Decorations

   Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those upon whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14





My decorations are up and now we wait.

Clean around the decorations and wait until Dec. 26th or January 1st for the deep clean again.

My son said, "Mom, why are you decorating so early?"

"Because I can?"

Son, "Why didn't you decorate earlier before?"

"Because we had school, then I would go into a rush of getting things up before Christmas."

Son, "Why is it different this year?"

"Because I am not teaching you (my children) or going to school myself. This is the first time since 1996 and before that I had a baby and toddlers running around".

WOW! I would not have thought that out if he hadn't asked.

This year I cleaned all the kitchen shelves with the Baking Makin's and cookware using old Christmas wrapping paper for shelf paper.

I cleaned the windows, deep cleaned the dog crate area (including de-flea spray), washed and blow dried the dog before the rain hit and gave him a de-flea treatment, and put away most of the non-Christmas nic nacs.

Then the Christmas box came out last Saturday night.

Johanna's Stocking was on top where it had been put when we found it this summer.
(It was lost last year on Christmas and we had to improvise) 

The stocking are hung behind the wood stove on
Mary's welded horse shoe bookcase side pieces

Snow People came out the week before
This cutie was a secret pal gift when Debbie was my  Prayer Pal

I can't remember where we got him, but he followed someone home
to go with the lady, cuz he has a hat like Wes (Giggle)

I could just have this up and would be happy.
My menorah with the white candle to represent the
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
and
the nativity I made my mom in 1975

Mandy and Rachel are Abbie and Johanna's American Girl Dolls
They now will become Christmas Tradition to set on JR's Crate
(He is hiding in has little den)

I bought this little set when I was 14.
Mary is in the picture  behind, age 6.
The kids use to make Lego and block stable and churches
for these 3 pieces.

Finally, my choir boys again.
One Christmas after my mom's death
my Dad and Step-Mom brought me
these along with a number of my mother's
other decorations.

So, what are we waiting for?

I am not waiting. I chose to celebrate Christmas and Resurrection Sunday every day. 

The exchange of gifts are not going to be a stressor for me this year, I chose to bless everyone I can all year around. "See a need, ask God if He wants me to do something, meet the need."

Blessed Holiday Season.

P.S. Special Offer on Tracie Miles Book, Stress-Less Living. The Book is only $14.99 and you get 7 free gifts.