Better Late than Never

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we went to our dear friend Sarah's Birthday Party... JH had a blast and it was a GREAT way to work off some Thanksgiving food! Here are some fun pictures that captured the moment.

Oh another thing, JH calls everything "boy or girl". As in the other day we were passing Cici's pizza and Santa ( who he calls Ho Ho) was dancing outside holding the buffet sign, JH rolled down his window and yelled "hey ho ho boy, I want a monster truck for Christmas". So you will see Monkey Joe and yelled, Hey Monkey Joe Boy... how are ya today? This kid is a crack up and knows it... he will often look at me and say, I crack you up dont I mom?

First Snow

Not much to say, but I am feeling so accomplished today. We got so much done, despite the snow and JH and I even had a snowball fight while delivering Christmas cards. It has been a VERY long time since I felt like I was making dents in my to do list, but today was one of those days. I am not sure why, but I am SOOOO glad it was. We got to see Ho Ho in passing, tell him what we wanted (glad it has not changed, Monster Truck, McQueen bike from Costco, and drums) Oh he did add the dinaco helicopter... but we will have to check with the elves on that!

So the laundry is done, dinner is cleaned up, house is vacuumed, Eric is packed and the fire is crackling... we are settled in and making a list for tomorrow:)

The White Lilly

Hey yall... just wanted to let you know that I updated The White Lilly Store, with some new items. You can check it out at: www.thewhitelillystore.blogspot.com

DECEMBER SPECIALS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

3 shirts for $40.00

Must order by December 18 to ensure Christmas delivery!

Christmas Craft

Hey y'all, I thought I would share with you the Christmas craft John Hunter and I are going to do today or tomorrow. It is pretty fun and super easy with preschool kiddos!

Here is what you are gonna need:

- 25 strips of construction or christmas scrapbooking paper

- stapler

- Marker

- Header... you can save download this template or make your own, you get the idea!

With the 25 strips take the marker and write one name on each strip. Each night when you cut the chain that is the person you are going to pray for. The last link should read "everyone of God's Children"

Once all the links are labeled begin to make your paper chain. Once the chain is made, attach the header and place it somewhere where you child can see it and count down to Christmas, while praying for those he loves!

Enjoy!

Grateful Heart

We are in Gatlinburg and I have to say that we are having a blast. Away from it all, with our family and friends. Lots of fires, hot tubs, sports, food, go- kart riding, oh and I think I rode my last Tilt-A-Whirl, although JH loved it so i might do it again for him.

This mini-vaca has been amazing. Something about it has brought a great sense of peace to my heart. I am a little unsure of heading to Indy tomorrow for fear of so much to do, a house to live in, lesson plans to write, moving, Christmas decor, and the whole nine yards! But I know even here on the mountain he is preparing a place for us.

Truly this has been a mountain top experience for us. We are so grateful, content, and at peace. What else is there to be thankful for?

Here are a few pictures from the last couple days, I will post more later!

A Thanksgiving Post

Today (well really last night) I was reflecting on all of the things we are thankful for,however this post is not going to be a list of thankful things! This is going to be a post about a Thankful experience!

A year ago, was when this whole moving, wilderness experience started! When there was talk about moving to Indy, I was listening to the words of Selah's part the waters? Do you remember?

When I think I'm going under, part the waters Lord

When I feel the waves around me, calm the seas

When I cry for help oh hear me LORD, and hold our your hand

Touch my life, calm the raging storms in me!

I remember thinking of Moses walking through the Red Sea. The fear, the unknown, and the faith. No where am I a comparing myself to Moses, but I felt like leaving my home and all familiar was my own Red Sea experience!

Living in our rental house was a wilderness experience for me (well for us). The Lord provided our own form of manna, in neighbors who we cannot imagine life without, friends who he literally placed in our path, a church family that we would be lost without, and he has allowed our little family of three to be closer!

When were so excited when the LORD provided us renters for our Lexington house, so we started looking for our new home. From the beginning we prayed that God would open doors and close windows. We found a home after making an offer on 7 that we love! We were super excited to move, but then things started popping that were out of our control! And now we do not have a home, nor will it look like we will be getting one. We are now looking at renting another home for a year. When we got the news it was devastating. Another Wilderness experience for us, but we are confident that God has a plan. We honestly cannot imagine what it is, but we trust him. We know that He would not have brought us to Indiana without a home or purpose in mind! And today on thanksgiving, we are grateful for that!

Now we when we get home from our family getaway in Gatlinburg, we will begin our search for our new home, and trusting Yaweh each step of the way!

What's Cooking?

What are we doing today you ask? Well I am making this for a very special friend who has been so wonderful to me. It is sort of a trial run for Thanksgiving! I think you should try it too. Find someone that you are Thankful for and send it to them!

Ingredients

• 2 (14-ounce) packages gingerbread mix
• 1 (5.1-ounce) box cook-and-serve vanillapudding mix
• 1 (30-ounce) can pumpkin pie filling
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon
• 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping
• 1/2 cup gingersnaps, optional

Directions

Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cardamom into the pudding. Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, pretty bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding, and whipped topping. Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired. Refrigerate overnight. Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl.