Does this count?

My youngest wanted to make a snowman, but the snow was not the kind of snow that allows you to make a cool snowman. I am from Florida, and was very surprised to find out that you cannot always make a snowman when you want to... you need wet snow, and not the powder kind...Who knew?

Well, this day my son wanted to make a snowman, and the snow wasn't cooperating, but we at least got the head of the snowman built... a momma with skills (OK, I am sure no skills are required for this, but let me think I did something cool :)

New Year, New Look, New Vision

Happy 2010!!! God willing, this year will be different for me.

My title refers to a new year and a new look. The new look refers to my blog design. I am in the process of getting my blog redesigned in hopes that it will reflect my "New Vision" for 2010.

2009 was a year that kept hitting me with the truth that everything I do should be to the honor and glory of God. Now I know that I will never attain perfection in my life, and have EVERYTHING in my life honor God, but it has to be my goal. So with this idea I am going to attempt to honor God with my blog.

Although I would like to think this blog does honor God, I know it has not at times, because this blog has been a stumbling block for me. HOW?

- This blog has been a place where I have sought the affirmation of men (women).

-This blog has caused me to covet what others out there in blog world have.

-This blog has led me to jealously, insecurity, comparison and pride.

OK, I think you get the picture. Really anything in my life can cause the above sins to surface, but at times these sins surfaced through my blogging experience. I am thankful that God allowed me to see these sins, because now God can free me of them if I repent.

On the other hand, this blog has been a wonderful experience for me. I have got to know some very special blog friends. I know it sounds crazy, but if you blog you understand. I have been encouraged and challenged more times than I can count by others in the blogworld.

This blog has also allowed me to keep up with family and friends since I moved five years ago. I think the most important thing about this blog is that for the most part it has been a spiritual journal for me. Amidst the crazy posts about my life and the countless pictures of my family and friends, there have been a handful of precious blog entries that documented my experiences with the Lord. Experiences I don't think I would have written down. Experiences that might have been forgotten as I age (this old mind is a slippin :)

So this year, this blog (and many other things) will be under evaluation. My goal is that only the things that will help me grow closer to God will remain in my life. I am a stubborn woman, and my human nature can be so strong, but God willing I will make the choices that will honor Him, and help me TO KNOW HIM better.

Happy New Year!!!

PS. Thank you Holly for a wonderful new design... If you are looking for a new blog design, click here to visit Holly. She is wonderful and loves the Lord :)

Questions to end 2009

Is there something (or more than one thing) that you felt Jesus wanted you to do in 2009 that you did not do? What was it? Why didn't you do it? Will you tackle it in 2010?



God willing, I want 2010 to be a year of action for me when it comes to the things that the Lord has in store for me. I hope the same for all of you too

Snuggie Love...

This year we gave into the Snuggie Craze... The boys love their Snuggies... My hubby was not so crazy about them :)

Even Opa enjoyed his...

What's this I see??? My hubby in my Snuggie...

365-#198-211 (Christmas Memories) thru 1-8-2010

Hot Cocoa Fun...these boys look so funny with coffee cups :)

Does this toy bring back some memories? I did this picture :)

Moose joyful to have this football Jersey...

Snake so happy to get a real Bible for Christmas...

Terminator gets the Bakugan sphere...he doesn't know what to do with Bakugans, but he likes them anyhow..

Dad reading the Christmas story before we open presents...this has been a tradition for awhile...

The boys and I made a Happy Birthday Jesus cake this year...This will become a new tradition for us.

What I did on Christmas...

Later on in the day, I pulled out the old family videos... I watched videos of my oldest from birth to about 1 1/2 year old... I miss the "little Moose" days...

Do Not Open Until Christmas...

The Shake it Method..."Terminator" is shaking the present so hard you can't hardly see it :)

Listening for sounds...

When all else fails, just open it. I had to put the camera down and intervene here :)

Before I close I want to share what my middle child said about the presents under the tree that were his... He was of course trying to figure out what they were, and then he said with such frustration "these (referring to the presents) are my enemy"... A pretty profound thought coming from an eight year old... Temptation is our enemy... I get that..

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas...

365-#185-197 (12 Signs of Christmas edition) thru 12-25

Need I say more???

Ornaments passed down that are about 70 years old...

Rats on trees :)

My sister gave me this ornament several years ago... when we think of Jesus' birth, it is always tied to his death...this hardware store nail is but a tiny symbol to turn my thoughts to the cross...

This ornament is a new one that came on the scene a few years ago, or at least I saw it a few years ago... I love how Santa bows to the baby Jesus...A nice reminder to put the real reason of Christmas at the front of my thoughts...

This snow buddy was given to us by Oma and Opa...it has quickly become one of our favorite decorations...

A poinsetta that needs a little drink..

O Christmas Tree....

The top of my new blanket given to me by a parent of a student in my class.

The entire blanket in its beauty... I love it... I love these colors...

One of the many school crafts coming home this season...

The Reason for the Season...

Fill in the blank...

It is almost time to celebrate the most wonderful birth in history. The birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords...Jesus Christ. Are you ready?


Familiarity can be a good thing, but familiarity with the Christmas story can be negative if you just listen to the story as one that you have heard hundreds of times before...a story that no longer engages your mind and moves your heart toward love. Personally, I have fallen into the trap of treating the Christmas story too casually and have forgotten what the baby in the manger truly represents. This Christmas, I don't want that to happen, so let us pray together to see and hear the Christmas story with new eyes and new ears.



In the Bible, John writes "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14-first part of verse). As many have said, Jesus was born to die, but the story did not end with his death, but a wonderful resurrection. Oh we have so much to be thankful for this season. No, we have so much to be thankful for everyday.


Today, my question is more of a fill in the blank question. Feel free to leave your answers in my comment section. (I finally filled in the blanks with my answers...just replace your answers where the blue section is)


The night that Jesus was born_Peace, Fulfillment and Pure Love came to the World.
The night that Jesus was born longing, meaning, purpose, and Truth came to my life.


Let us see with new eyes and hear with new ears this Christmas.
Merry Christmas!!!

(will be Cafe Chat question on Thursday too)

Video from Matt

Video from Matt (click here and you will be directed to video...it is about five minutes long, but worth the time)

I was so convicted and challenged by watching this video today... If you know me or have read this blog for a period of time, you would know that my number one stronghold is Fear. This pastor is walking through a situation that is one of my worst fears, and he is walking through it with the strength of the Lord...there is nothing more beautiful then when one of God's children enters into a dark time trusting him (that is at least my opinion).



Just a note, the pastor had his surgery and the results were not good...his tumor couldn't be fully removed and it is malignant... Pray for Him to walk through this trial bravely with our Lord. If you want to know more of the story, you can Google his name and find out more about him.



Be challenged today...

Blessings, Kim

Did you Know?

365-#180-185

Flashback picture from 2005... Snake and Terminator :)

My middle son got his tooth knocked out in school... If he loses the other then he can sing the song "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."

Oma (Hubby's mom) playing Wii with the boys...

Oma's reaction to playing Wii with the grandsons...She is wonderful...

I love this shirt...me after a day of teaching :)

I love the look Moose gave me, even if it is blurry :)

365-#178-179

My mother in law took these pictures on Thanksgiving...my kids were being a little squirrely but hey we got all of us together...The picture above is actually on our Christmas cards, so some of you may be seeing it again...

365-#169-177 (thru Sat.)

A new tradition started this year... "The Thankful Basket". We have done something similar, but this year it took shape and form, and will be at least one of the traditions we will keep for our Thanksgiving celebration.

Oma reading a card from the "Thankful Basket"

Me and the Terminator...my big little boy wrote his own thankful card this year :)

Moose's turn...

Snake's turn...

The Patriarch, Opa reading a thankful card...

Dad and Snake...

Our simple centerpiece for our table this year... I guess teaching Pre-K for 3 years is starting to rub off on me :)