The Halls are Decked!

Well, maybe not the halls. But the rest of the house looks pretty snazzy. It took about two days, but the decorations are up and put away. Lyndsey and I took a break on Friday to go see "Enchanted." We both LOVED it and needed the popcorn-slash-butter boost to finish the decorating.

Check it out:

Our TREE...we've had the same tree for eons but I still love it. The ornaments are eclectic - there are some from every year (even some I got from my mom for Christmas thirty years ago!). We add burgundy bows and an angel on top. Usually I do clear or yellow lights but Lyndsey begged for multi-colored bulbs this year and I relented, since they were on sale at Hobby Lobby for $2 a box. Ha! I don't usually like the tree of many colors, but I have to admit, it turned out beautiful!



Kinda boring, I know, but it really does look pretty with the tree lit up a few feet away. Our entertainment center deserves to hold more than just the TV, stereo and DVDs. Now it holds pretty stuff too.


My snowman bathroom. I love it. My funnest room of all. And we all know there needs to be more FUN in the bathroom. (and oh, look! You even get to glimpse my ratty robe hanging on the hook. My husband hates that robe and I suspect a new one may be hanging there after Christmas. Hmmm.)

I usually add something new every year and this year it was my Snowman clock. It was a great deal...$2 from my sister-in-law at the garage sale. Do I find the bargains, or what? Her loss...my gain!


And this, folks, is only a taste of my Gingerbread kitchen. Rugs, spoon rest, ornaments, towels, cookie jar, and lots more. Christmas wouldn't be the same without my Gingerbread friends in the kitchen. They don't even tell on me when I sneak all those holiday treats....he he...


Well, I'll finish with my favorite picture. This is one of the two photos featured on our Christmas cards this year. My two favorite holiday decorations:

Lots to be Thankful For!

Do we have a lot to be thankful for, or what? WOW! Each of us made out our Top Ten list of the things we're thankful for.

Wishing all of our friends and family a Wonderful Thanksgiving! May you find a million things of your own to be thankful for.

ROB'S TOP TEN LIST:
(It might take you a while to get through his list. It's pretty wordy hee hee)

1. God
2. Lynda
3. Zach
4. Lyndsey
5. Other family
6. Church
7. Health
8. Job
9. My country
10. My home

LYNDA'S TOP TEN LIST
(I have to add here that I am VERY thankful my husband and son were actually willing to give their Top Ten lists)

1. JESUS! Okay, that's not such a random order. Jesus is definitely #1. Without Him, I would be nothing! He gently teaches me and corrects me and loves me even when I act like a total moron. Which is more often than I like to admit.
   
2. Rob - an amazing man and a wonderful husband!
   
3. Zach - Funny, talented, smart, sensitive...my son has it all. What a guy! I'm so blessed to be his mom.
4. Lyndsey - such a sweet and gentle spirit. My daughter is such a blessing to me.
   
5. ALL of my Friends - Ginger, you get a special thanks 'cause you're always there for me. Love you!
   
6. Rob's new job! Yay!
7. The writing doors that God has opened for me this past year. There are too many to mention so I'll just insert a big, "Woo-hoo!"
8. My Writing critique group and all of my online writer friends. I've gained so much insight and wisdom from you guys!
9. My awesome church where I continue to grow in my Christian walk - RES LIFE ROCKS!
   
10. The "extras" that I "have to have"...computer(s), DSL, Cell Phone, digital camera, etc. etc.
    

Since I could never limit my thanks to just ten things, here are some other random things I'm thankful for...my family (special hi to Mom... I LOVE YOU!) my beautiful home, a great car, heat that blasts from the registers, the food that's falling out of our cupboards and refrigerator, my part-time job at Jack & Jills, my family's health, my kids' schools and teachers, the snow...the changing leaves...the summer sun (and swimming pools)...budding flowers and trees...chocolate, eBay, FaithWriters, my Bible Study (and Besy - the best Bible Study leader ever!), online shopping, books, coffee, lattes (is that the same as coffee?), Kohls, Family Christian Stores, ice cream and so much more... Thanks to God for His immeasurable goodness!


ZACH'S TOP TEN LIST:
(Typical 13-year-old guy, his list contains all the IMPORTANT, can't-live-without things in life. But, hopefully, they are in RANDOM order because we know family has to come before his PS2 :-) And hopefully, one day, his list will look a little different. :-))

1. PS2
2. Home
3. Friends
4. Family
5. My Nintendo DS selling on eBay
6. Clothes
7. TV
8. Computer
9. Tennis stuff
10. PSP

LYNDSEY'S TOP TEN LIST:
(Lyndsey couldn't narrow it down to ten, so she added a bonus #11. Oh...and she picked the color pink for her list because that's the color of most pigs.)

1. God...because He's blessed me with an awesome everything!
   
2. Jesus dying on the cross...because it's great to know that I'm forgiven.
3. Mom and Dad...Without them I wouldn't be happy (or exist at all!)
4. My brother, Zach...we do fight a lot but I still love him.
5. Other family...they support me when my parents aren't around and even when they are!
6. Food and water...Without food and water I would die. And that would be very sad.
7. Shelter...my house keeps me warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
8. Friends...Alexis, Jordan, Paige, Cassidy, Mary, Dakota, Nathan
9. Clothes...I have so many cool clothes that I'm thankful for.
10. My Bible...it teaches me the most important thing of all. The love of God.
11. Pigs...No, not to eat them! Because they're so cute, they make awesome noises, I love watching them roll around in the mud, and I love them!

Random thanks...church because it's so big and amazingly awesome, computer, MP3 Player, the teachers at my school (Hi, Mrs. U'Ren!), a toilet (I have to go!) , a toothbrush, my health and Dr. Kruggel.

A NEW JOB FOR ROB!

Ok, for the last couple years, Rob has been doing some major soul searching. We've been praying that he would find a job that was perfect for him. A job where he feels challenged, motivated, appreciated, fulfilled, and that pays the bills! (And dental insurance and a company car would be great too!)

Well, we think he's found it.

Rob started on Monday at his new job with Cedar Crest Dairy. He will be in charge of marketing their milk and other dairy products. The job is a complete God-send. He got the job through a recommendation from his former employer and God's favor on the whole interviewing process has been powerful and undeniable.

Even though it's only been two days, already he feels "at home." The people have been so nice and encouraging - Rob said he only hopes he can live up to the high expectations they have for him! And we know he can because, in business, he rocks! We all know Rob is a people-person and his business relationship building skills have proven to be awesome in every job he's ever had. This one will be no different!

So besides the company car, great insurance (yes, plus dental!), the good pay, the nice people, and the challenging position, wanna know the best part?

You know where I wrote "milk and other dairy products?" Wanna know what the other is?

ICE CREAM! WOO-HOO! YUM YUM! MMM-MMM!!!
Sorry. I digress.

Ok, so maybe the fact that ice cream will now be so readily available isn't the best part for someone trying (and mostly failing) to stay on Weight Watchers. For someone wanting to lose thirty pounds. For someone who LOVES ice cream...could eat it three times a day, no problem. Who struggles with self-control and likely won't be able to resist if it's RIGHT THERE in the freezer.

Sigh.

If you don't know who I'm talking about at this point, you must be a stranger. Because anyone who knows me at all, knows of my secret love affair with ice cream.

BUT...my weight and ice cream issues are for another blog.

THIS one's about Rob! We are so proud of him for pursuing God's best so that he can not only provide for his family but use the talents God gave him to the very best of his ability to fulfill the purpose God has for his life. We give Him (God) all the glory and praise for this awesome opportunity!

The ice cream is just a bonus (or not.) :-)

CONGRATULATIONS, ROB!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROB!

Yes, the Big Kahuna turns 43 on Sunday, November 18. Rob isn't the least bit upset about turning 43 because, according to him, everywhere he goes, people can't believe he's a day older than thirty-three.

Ummm...okay, we'll take his word for it.

I have to admit, though, he really doesn't act --I mean, look--his age.

So tomorrow, my dad and Kathy are taking us to Red Lobster for his birthday dinner, which happens to be Rob's all-time favorite restaurant and the corners of his mouth are already pooling in anticipation.

Then tomorrow night Rob and I are going to the Newsboys and Kutless concert at the VanAndel. The best part about that (besides the fact that we love the Newsboys AND Kutless) is that the tickets were FREE! His sister, Michele, won 4 tickets from a local radio station and invited us to go along with her & Dave (thanks, Michele!)

That, in addition to the peanut butter pie I made him and the presents stacked up on the floor, indicates that he'll have a pretty darned exciting 43rd birthday. Which he so deserves.

BIRTHDAY HUGS AND KISSES, HONEY! May this birthday bring you all your wishing for and more!

Love, Lynda

ZACH BRACES HIMSELF

This morning was the start of two years of life with braces for Zach. He was a little nervous before going in but afterwards said it didn't hurt (much). I have to say his clear brackets look much better than my full metal mouth did twenty-five years ago.

So now he's a little sore...at the moment he's nibbling on french fries and sipping a chocolate shake. Looks like Ramen noodles for dinner and oatmeal for breakfast tomorrow morning. Along with a couple of Motrin tablets, of course.

Now comes the challenge of brushing correctly (and often enough). Also, he'll need to be much more careful when eating those apples!

Did I say apples? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

What I meant to say was he needs to keep his patties away from Skittles and gum and popcorn and hard pizza crusts. Now THAT'S what I call a challenge!

I'm sure by next week it will seem like Zach's been wearing braces forever.

So begins two years of orthodontist appointments, breaking brackets, poky wire and lots of pain for Zach, as well as for our checkbook balance. But, most importantly, today marks the beginning of the two-year countdown to that brand new smile...