Christmas at Our House

We all had a wonderful day on Christmas this year. My Grandparents came in town and the Grandparents that live in town came to the Christmas Eve service with us and came over and spent all of Christmas day with us. I got up about 9 am on Christmas morning. We all gathered in the living room and my Dad read the story of the 1st Christmas from Luke. Then the opening of gifts began! With a family the size of ours, there is a mountain of gifts to open! It took us over two hours! We like to open them one at a time so we can see what each other gets and see the person's reaction to the gifts we gave them. This year, I got 3 Cds by Fernando Ortega, an Itunes giftcard, a couple of books (yay for books that arn't textbooks!), and several other smaller gifts including chocolate and a 2009 calender. The biggest gift was my parents gave our family a Wii!

That afternoon we all spent a lot of time taking turns on the Wii. It is so much fun both to play and to watch others playing. Then we sat down to a yummy dinner that included ham, mashed potatoes, salad, and more! Then we cleaned up, played more wii, visited, and had dessert (cheesecake and pumpkin pie). Eventually we all went to bed.

The time since Christmas has been fun as well. The day after, my Grandma and I went to lunch at Baker's Crust with a gift card that I won at the single's Christmas party. I got the Sa,nta Fe salad witch was very yummy. Today, my Grandma, Alexandra, and I went to Barnes and Nobles; when we got back we and Simeon went for a walk since the weather was nice.

Anyway, here are some pictures. They are not in order and some were taken before Christmas. Enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

My Favorite Christmas Song

"What Child is this, who laid to rest,On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate.
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,The silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,The Cross be borne, for me, for you:
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;Come peasant, king to own Him.
The King of Kings salvation brings;Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Raise, raise, the song on high,The Virgin sings her lullaby:Joy joy for Christ is born,The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the KingWhom shepherds guard and angels sing.Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary."

Words from http://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellaneouslyrics/christmassongslyrics/whatchildisthislyrics.html

Christmas

"...that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins"!

Matthew 1:20-21

Some Pics From the Single's Christmas Party

By the way...

Don't you think it is ironic that my "Technology in the Classroom" class is an online class?

Also, because I am taking that class online, I thankfully will not have as crazy a schedule as I thought. I will have classes Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9-2 (that's including a hr break for lunch)!

Wow, it has been a long time since I last updated

Well school is officially done for the semester. YAY! I am sooo glad; it is nice to have a break for a little while. Next semester I am taking Asian History, Political Science (U.S. Politics), Geography, Statistics, and Technology in the Classroom (an education course). As of now, I am majoring in elementary ed.

Tonight (or rather last night at it is now 12) I went to a single's christmas party/benefit at church. It was great! The food was yummy and the performances were wonderful. I will try to post some pics later.

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg EvErYoNe!

first saw this on Girltalk blog

This is long, but you should watch the whole thing...

Happenings

Last Tuesday I voted for the first time! Best of all, I only had to wait in line for about an hour and fifteen minutes or so. That is not long compared to the four and a half hours someone I know stood in line for!

Today my grandparents from Florida are coming in for a visit. They are bringing my 2yo cousin, Isaiah

Tonight I am being inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society at my school. It is for students who have recieved a certain GPA or better in their Freshman year.

I am counting down the days until the end of the semester! The week after Thanksgiving I have a big round of big assignments due and then the week after that I have two finals (yes only two) and then I am done and it is onto Christmas break. Wahoo!

On Tuesday Don't Forget to....

Free Fish

I am looking to give away free a red betta fish.

He comes with his bowl, aquarium gravel, artificial plant, water conditioner, food

Leave a comment if you would like to have him!

Some of my Art Projects

My drawing project on Value; in the upper left hand corner is the picture I copied (I did use graphs to help me draw this)

My Cubist painting project on shape

My collage project on color; we had to choose two complementary colors (red/green, orange/blue, or purple/yellow). We then could use any shade of the two colors and any mixture of the two. We also could use black and white (by themselves or mixed with the colors). I think my color choice is obvious:)

CrAzY ScHeDuLe!!

Ok, here is what my tentative schedule will be like for next semester. It will be my 1st time having an 8am class!

Monday/Wednesday/Friday
9:00 Statistics 101
10:00 Geography 101 (Cultural Geography)
11:00 Political Science 101 (American Politics)
12:00 Break
1:00 History 101 (Asia)

Tuesday/Thursday
8:00-9:15 ECI 430 (Instructional Technology in the Classroom)

Right after this class I will go straight to work to work for probably 5 1/2 to 6 hours

The things that I am most nervous about with this schedule is going to school every day (LoTs of gas and time driving) and also the fact that the ECI class is a 4oo level course! My advisor did think that it would be ok and I need to take the course as I need to begin taking the education classes ASAP in order to get into the program.

I will let you know when my schedule is finalized!

Brrrrrr

It's COLD outside!

Thanks and a Request

First of all, thanks to all who commented on the previous post (and if you have not feel free to still do so) i just thought it would be fun to see who reads my blog :)

Second of all, I would like to ask you to pray for me for the Lord's leading as to what major He would have me get. Right now I am thinking Elementary Education. I do not have much time left as I have run out of gen ed courses pretty much so next semester I have to take courses related to my major. I am meeting with an academic advisor for the Education major on Friday to discuss my classes for next semester and I do not want to take classes for a major I end up not doing if I can help it! :) In conclusion, please pray that the Lord would make it clear to me what he would have me do (Elementary Ed or another major).

Thanks!

I know you're out there.....

Ok, quick poll...if you read my blog (especially if you have never left a comment or if it has been a while since your last comment) please leave a comment now and let me know you're reading!

Whew!

I have just finished a big round of assignments and tests in school. On Wednesday I had a speech for Public Speaking and a midterm for American Literature. I also had two art projects due (one of which I had finished a little while before and the other which I had to work on the day before). Today (Friday) I had a 5-6 pg History paper due and I took an online, open book test for my Intro to Criminology class (which we could take anytime between last Monday and Sunday night). Now I have a little bit of a breather as far as major assignments and tests go. Yeah!

On the 31st I will meet with an academic advisor to discuss classes for next semester; I register for classes on November 13th! It is hard to believe that so much of the semester is finished already! There is only about eight weeks left (including exams); that means I am halfway through the semester!

Some Things I Like About Fall

I decided to copy a few other bloggers in making a list of things that I like about fall

Seeing all the leaves changing colors

Crisp cool air

A change from the heat of summer

Thanksgiving!!!!!

School (yes I actually enjoy it)

Fall decorations (pumkins, gourds, fall colors etc.)

Christmas is almost here!

Another Fun Video

These guys are real musicians and they each have CD's

Watch This

I found this on Lizzie's blog. It's really neat!

20 Things

Here I am putting 20 things you may or may not know about me. Please copy this list, erase my answers and put in your own answers for your blog! Its ok if you leave some blank. Leave a comment if you use this on your blog!

1) Favorite Season: Probably Fall or Winter although that may change when the next seasons come around!

2) How many classes are you taking this semester (or year if in High School)? : 5

3) Which is your favorite: Probably American History

4) Which is your least fav: Intro to Criminology

5) Why: I think the classes are boring

6) What is your major: Not 100% sure, but thinking of Elementary Education

7) Are the windows open at your house currently: yes

8) Where are you right now: At my desk in my bedroom

9) What has taken up the majority of your day today: I was at work

10) How many days are you at school: 3

11) How many at work: 2

12) Favorite Starbucks drink: Java Chip Frappacinno

13) Favorite (non-starbucks) drink: Coca-Cola

14) Favorite Holiday: Christmas

15) Favorite day of the week: Saturday

16) Least favorite day: If I had to pick I would probably say Monday or Tuesday

17) Favorite Type of shoe: Flip-flops

18) Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks: Salty

19) at least one movie you really want to see: Fireproof and Prince Caspian

20) How many poeple in your family: 9

No Power...No Problem

Last Sunday my family and I arrived to a dark and somewhat stuffy church building. The power had gone out! Several of the guys in our church set up outside and we had a somewhat shorter service outside. It was fun (although warm). The main downside was that although the power came back on by the end of the service it kept going out so the Family Meeting planned for that night had to be postponed :(

First Day of Fall

Today is the first official day of fall, and the weather is acting like it! It has been soooo nice to have cooler weather and I hope we have seen the last of hot days until next summer.

Other fun things having to do with where we are in 2008

As I am starting the 5th week of school, I am almost 1/3rd of the way through the semester.
Only a little more than 2 months until Thanksgiving!
A little more than 3 months until Christmas! (i need to start shopping :) )

Big Debut

Check out Kaitlin's blog!

School Days

Hi everyone! Well here we are at the end of the 3rd week of school. Everything is going well so far and I am liking all my classes and have good professors. Here is a quick synopsis of stuff going on in each of my classes.

American History
We are currently in the American Revolution. There is a lot of reading that goes along with this course. Also, I have a paper due Monday that I need to write on a book I read for the class. the first part is answering questions and the second part is writing a book review/report kind of thing.

Intro to Art
I am enjoying this class, it is a lot of fun. We have finished our 1st project (a gestural painting) and have now started on our second (a cubist painting). I may post some pics of the projects later.

Public Speaking
My professor in this class is a Christian which I think is really neat. Next Wednesday I have my 1st graded speech. It is a demonstration speech (we have to show a process or how to do something). I am partner with a girl named Krystal for this speech and we are demonstrating how to make tissue-paper flowers.

Criminal Justice
Class going well. Have not had any graded homework turned in yet. We have to do a 2 page paper on a video we watched in class (about criminal profiling) for Monday so that will be our 1st graded assignment (she is making it somewhat like mandatory extra credit, she just needs to have a grad to post for our grade as 100 and 200 level courses are required to post a grad by a certain point so students can see how they are doing).

American Literature
This class is almost keeping the same pace as my history class as far as the time-period goes. I have the same professor that I had last semester for an English composition class which is good because I really liked her.

Well those are my classes. I hope to post a more interesting post soon!

Extreme Bedroom Makeover (Finally here!!!)

Our new lamp
My desk and chair (already had these)


A picture Alexandra painted for our room that we are going to hang up

New bedspread


Since I took these pictures we have also hung a few shelves and also hung a mirror

Our Nautical Adventure

To celebrate her 19th birthday, my friend, Laura, invited Kaitlin and I to go on a two hour cruise with her on the American Rover in Norfolk. Despite its being a little chilly we had a blast!

After the cruise we went to Laura's house for a dinner that included salmon, hush puppies, and Brunswick stew. We then watched a Horatio Hornblower movie (nautical movie if you haven't heard of it), spent a long time talking, and then slept (for a few hours anyway :))

Happy Birthday Laura!

Lyrics

With what can we repay, this immense love That You gave your life for the sinner In exchange you only receive this humble offering This humble offering, Lord Jesus Christ, of my heart And when the night extends its shawl With my weeping eyes, I will focus on you Raising my eyes I will see the stars I know that behind them, such a Loving Father You watch over me

I cannot repay you with gold or silver The great sacrifice you gave for me I have nothing to give you for loving me Please receive this song, mixed with this weeping, and my heart.

Children of the Living God sung by Fernando Ortega

They're Coming...

We hve finished painting our bedroom and I have taken the pics. I just can't find my camera cord! I hope to find it soon and post pictures of our "bedroom makeover"

Look Whose 2!!!!

This picture is from a few months ago

Happy Birthday Caleb!

The difference a hundredth of a second can make...

...it made the difference between winning gold and silver in the men's 100 meter butterfly tonight. If you did not see it you should look it up on nbcolympics.com and see if you can see the replay. It was amazing! Phelps came up in the last few feet and won by one one hundredth of a second! Phelps now has won gold in every event he has entered in these Olympics so far! That means he has seven golds in this Olympics alone, tying Spitz for the most gold medals in a single Olympics! He has already set a record for the most career medals and he could set a record for the most gold medals in a single Olympics Saturday night when he swims in the men's relay.

BEDROOM PAINT PICTURES COMING SOOON!!!!

We are in the process of painting Moriah, Alexandra, and my bedroom! I will post pics when it is all finished

Wow

I just watched the opening ceremonies for the 2008 summer Olympics. It was amazing! One of the really neat things was the lighting of the Olympic flame. The last runner was lifted into the air by cables and "ran" in the air around the top of the stadium! I would be so afraid I would drop the torch or something (wouldn't that be embarrassing?)

On Monday it will be exactly two weeks until I start my 1st semester as a sophomore! I am actually looking forward to going back to school. I am taking Art, American Lit, Public Speaking, American History, and Criminal Justice (this fulfills my Social Science requirement and I thought it sounded like fun).

If you are attending school in the fall (whether college, high school, or whatever) , what classes are you taking?

Williamsburg!

Last Monday, my friends Kaitlin, Laura, Liz, and I all went to Williamsburg for the day! We packed so much stuff into one day, and it was so much fun.

We're off!

First we went to an antique mall (I don't have any pictures of that). That place was so huge and so full of stuff we could have spent hours in there! Next we went to the Prime Outlets where I bought a necklace from American Eagle.

After the outlets we went to lunch. The Old Chickahominy House is a really neat place. It is only open for breakfast and lunch, and t has a neat multi level shop in it as well. I ordered ham on biscuits and a salad. The ham and biscuits were delicious!

Laura and Kaitlin
Liz and I

After lunch we went to the Colonial Williamsburg area. We walked around, looked in lots of neat shops, and saw many colonial style buildings.

Then we drove to Yorktown to go to an outdoor concert thing on this beach by a river that Kaitlin had heard about.

On the Colonial Parkway

It turned out that the concert was really more for a restaurant. We were able to hear some music though and it was lots of fun to picnic on the beach and walk around. We saw this ship out in the water giving cruises.

While walking around, we came across this...

It was kind of spooky inside as you couldn't see much inside because it was dark in there!

The inside lit up by my camera flash
The ship came up close and stopped at the dock



Williamsburg was so much fun. Thanks Kaitlin for thinking up this idea, doing all the planning, and for driving!