Photo-a-day

It's that time again!  Tredways are sponsering the December Photo Project '09!  Just for the love of December!  Pop on over and check it out!  I'll be posting and linking here for the next 31 days!  WooHoo!  I love a challenge!

slow beginnings

I've been struggling this week with what to post. Life is normal. Probably much the same as yours. We are waking up, making beds, getting breakfast, doing schoolwork, shoveling snow, going to work, making dinner, letting the dog in and out, and trying to stay in contact with friends and family from the warmth of our own home...
Kate and Kara came over to hang out with Tofer and Minda. But I'm falling down on my phototog-y-ness. I got no photos of them or of the muffins (I also added cinnamon and orange zest) I made for them while the played games. Nor did I phtotograph the process of making the Sundried Tomato/Garlic Hummus.
A new friend of Tofer's, Andrew, came over to jam while we were at small group - hence, no photos of them either.
I did manage to shoot a little snow removal, and Tofer helping out with worship at "The Gathering" last night. The Gathering is our churches vehicle to get new people together and plugged into small groups so they can build relationships. We worship, eat, and connect.
I love this shot. Tof just slipped on my grampa's old insulated long johns over his jeans! Nobody would have known they weren't snowpants, probably, if I hadn't said something, but it so reminded me of my childhood on the farm, I just had to say something!Minda bought snowboots! She hasn't owned a pair since we moved here 2 years ago. I had looked and looked for a pair for Christmas but couldn't find her size in my price range. She combined her other Christmas $ and what I gave her and bought these Kameks. :o)

Matt, Tofer, and Tanner led us in worship last night.

It's Saturday and we are going to try to get Christmas totally put away. I made Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast. The kids have their monthly game night at Luckey's tonight.

Life is rolling slowly along.

Pleasures of the Heart - Day 2

Two years ago today I got a call at 2 AM. It was the day after Thanksgiving and we were getting ready to move that morning (around 9 AM) to Montana. J. took the call. I blearily asked if everything was ok when he came back to bed. Pulling me close he told me that he had bad news. My daddy had died. I wish I could describe the shock and pain that rushed through me and continued to wash over me in waves as I burried my face in J's shoulder and cried. I still cry. Thanksgiving is difficult now. I miss him.

Strange way to begin this Pleasures of the Heart post, eh? There is a reason. Though pain is real, love is reaches through it. My greatest love comes from my family. Let me introduce you.

The Paul Ladies - Minda, Anna, Judy, Deea, Cassia

The Paul Boys - Fred, Tofer, James

Cricket Quidah of the Amber-dropping-hair RumplesnoutGreat Grampa and Grammy Linda

Celebrating Grama Ella's 90th Birthday in Forks.

They are amazing. They are God's graces that move me beyond pain to the place of joy.
(Not shown in photos: Brothers Kyle & Stuart, Brother-in-law Shaun, Nephew Conner)

Haven Swap!

I have been given the opportunity to participate in Monica and Carrie's famous Shoebox Swaps! This one is a 'Haven' theme. I can't wait to get to know a sister in Christ and bless her life in this way. Who will it be this time????
I'm pumped! I love, love, love giving gifts!

(edit) **** And the Winner is ~Dunt ~Duh-Nuh ~Nuh ~ Aubrey! Jump on over to her blog and get to know her with me!

Doug has posted again...

For those of you that are interested, Doug has posted for the first time in 6 months.... :O)

Bon Anniversaire!

Today is After-thought's 1st birthday.

Thank you to all of you who have become my friends through the

blogosphere and have helped me grow

as a child of God through both your comments

and your posts. What was begun reluctantly

has become a joy and delight.

Thanks for stopping by to 'listen' in on God's thoughts

in my head.

Cheers!

Yoo Hoo! yoo hoo!

Come out, come out wherever you are!

"It is true. Because it has been ordained by someone with the graphical capabilities to make a button, you are now required by your conscience to delurk." - Kim

Stand Up and Testify!! :) I lurk. I admit it. "Hi, my name is Deeapaulitan, and I'm a blog lurker." (hi Deeapaulitan)... whoo, boy, did that feel good. Your turn!! C'mon, don't be shy... I promise not to put you on a mailing list, or sell your vital stats to the greasy guys at the local computer chop shop! It's just nice to know you're out there. That you stopped in for a laugh or to be challenged... that I'm not all alone in the vast blogosphere of life.

Jerry Maguire: If anybody else wants to come with me, this moment will be the ground floor of something real and fun and inspiring and true in this godforsaken business and we will do it together! Who's with me besides... "Flipper" here?