The holidays are over.

And though I love the holidays,

I’m ready to settle down.

It’s cold outside.

We don’t have much snow.

And it gets dark early.

It’s time to snuggle in until Spring.

 

So, in order to keep busy, we’ve been:

 

Playing Games:  

(we have a large bookcase full of games,

so we have plenty to choose from.)

Some of the ones we’ve played recently are

Clue, Battleship,

Apples to Apples,

Whoonu,

Rummikub and Rummy.

 

Doing puzzles:

 We love Ravensburger puzzles.

I bought one sometime last year.

And then, we got a Christmas one.

Not a lot of pieces, but fun.

We did it 3 times over Christmas.

Then the younger 3 girls each got one for Christmas.

We are currently working on Rosie’s puzzle.

 

Watching old TV shows:

(we have Netflix and use it all the time.)

We’ve been watching:

Leave it to Beaver

(Alli and Abby enjoy this one.)

The Dick Van Dyke Show,

(Bob & I like this one.)

And since Bob’s gone in the evenings,

I have started working my way through 

some old 80′s Tv series….

Cheers, Wings,

Magnum P.I.

Watching old movies:

Two Saturdays ago, Bob and I watched 

an old Clint Eastwood movie, Joe Kidd.

This past Saturday, Bob had a headache and 

was resting, so I watched Three Coins in the Fountain.

I also watched an old Audrey Heburn movie,

Sabrina.

And a few newer favorites:

Once Upon A Time 

& 

Psych….

And we’ve been doing more reading.

I’m currently working my way 

through

City of the Bells.

 

Today, it’s a full day back to schedule for everyone.

First day of classes for the new term for

both Nikki and Aaron.

Hopefully, a bit of homeschooling

for the younger 3.

Alli went to bed w/ an upset 

stomach and a headache last night.

Rosie also went to bed w/ a headache.

Bob had one most of the day yesterday.

Nikki is fighting a head full and headache today.

She has a full day…out of the house from 7:45 am and 

gone til about 10pm tonight.

I’m trying not to worry, but am 

so fearful we are going to get the rotten flu that everyone

seems to have.  It really seems to be a tough one.

 

 

Okay, time to get moving….

Only one pic for now…
  

 

~Have A Great Week~

 

 ~We took alot of pictures in December.~

I’m playing catch-up, 

trying to get them uploaded to 

Photobucket.

After I get that done,

(if I ever do, our internet is soooo slow),

I’ll be sharing some here.

I know some family members have already 

seen some of these on Facebook,

but still want to share them here too.

 

Here’s a couple pics…

 

~A pic of our new car.  Bob went out a few days 

before Christmas and drove a few different styles.

We really wanted something bigger, but

once Bob drove this one, he really liked it…

 

   

~*~*~*~*~*~*   

~A pic of my most favorite Christmas present.~

~From all my kiddos.~

                    

 

~Okay, back to work downloading my pics.~

~*~*~*~*~*~*

~Hope everyone is having a good Friday.~

The week may have been a shortened one due to 

the New Year holiday, but I’m still glad it’s Friday.

Have a good weekend~

 

 

 

 

Our Dear Sweet Bethany Anne 

is celebrating her 7th heavenly birthday today.

Happy Birthday Bethany~

You are forever and always a part of us.

We never forget about you.

We can’t wait for the day 

when we will be together again.

Every night, we pray:

Dear Jesus, please give Bethany 

a hug from all of us.

Today I pray:

Dear Jesus,

please hold my sweet Bethany 

a bit closer today

for me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

Psalm 105:4

I know alot of people choose a new word as kind of a theme for them in the new year.  While I didn’t sit down last year and give it alot of deep thought, I remember when reading about everyone choosing their word, the word “Joy” coming to mind for me.  Throughout the year, Joy came to mind several times, so I guess it was my word for 2012.  I thought of it often, reminding myself to find the joy in all things…..to keep a joyful heart…… I love many Bible passages w/ the word Joy in them.  

While I’m not ready to “give up” the word Joy, another word came to mind this morning, so I will be adding it to Joy….hoping that during the New Year, this word comes to mind during the times when I will need it most….

My word for 2013 is “Peace.”  

Peace in my heart.

Peace for my mind.

Peace for the family.

A life of peace.

A world of peace.

~There are so many Bible passages about peace, that I could list them on and on..here are just some that I found…..From time to time, I write passages on notecards and keep them in a little box w/ my devotion books…The kids laugh and say that I have probably copied most every verse in the Bible and put them on notecards, lol..I’ve even been known to tape them around the house.  ………..I think I will do that w/ verses about peace.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.

~Psalm 4:8

 ~*~*~

The Lord gives strength to his people;
    the Lord blesses his people with peace.

~Psalm 29:11

~*~*~

 Turn from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

~Psalm 34:14

~*~*~

 But the meek will inherit the land

    and enjoy peace and prosperity.

 ~Psalm 37:11

~*~*~

 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;

    a future awaits those who seek peace.

~Psalm 37:37

~*~*~

 I will listen to what God the Lord says;

    he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
    but let them not turn to folly.

 ~Psalm 85:8

~*~*~

 Her ways are pleasant ways,

    and all her paths are peace.

 ~Proverbs 3:17

~*~*~

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.

~Proverbs 12:20

~*~*~

 A heart at peace gives life to the body,

    but envy rots the bones.

 ~Proverbs 14:30

~*~*~

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
    than a house full of feasting, with strife.

 ~Proverbs 17:1

~*~*~

 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;

    they will bring you the delights you desire.

 ~Proverbs 29:17

 ~*~*~

atime to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

 ~Ecclesiastes 3:8

~*~*~

 You will keep in perfect peace

  those whose minds are steadfast,

    because they trust in you.

 ~Isaiah 26:3

~*~*~

 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;

    its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

 ~Isaiah 32:17

 ~*~*~

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.

 ~Isaiah 53:5

~*~*~

 All your children will be taught by the Lord,

    and great will be their peace.

~Isaiah 54:13

 ~*~*~