Theresa's First Simple Woman Entry

FOR TODAY
December 28, 2009
Outside my window...it is dark and chilly
I am thinking... of how I really need to get the kids to bed
I am thankful... for my family
From the kitchen...way too many cookies
I am wearing...a comfy pair of black yoga pants and a long sleeve t-shirt (Lands End, of course!)
I am creating...?
I am going...to bed soon
I am reading...Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George (again)
I am hoping...to get back on my eating plan
I am hearing...my children playing
Around the house...the christmas tree is lit
One of my favorite things...
A few plans for the rest of the week: To spend some time planning school lessons, organizing the toys, cleaning out the basement
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

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Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. It has been a very busy time getting ready for the celebration of our LORD's birth. We had a delicious dinner of prime rib, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots and sparkling cider. There were plenty of cookies for dessert. We skipped the cake this year and put the candle in a cookie to sing Happy Birthday Jesus instead. This year I baked chocoloate chip, M & M, thumbprints, wedding cakes, maple walnut balls, raspberry torte bars, and sour cream cookies. We still have a bunch of cookies left and we have been enjoying them. I am so glad I got the Wii Fit Plus for a present. I am going to need it!

Snow, Snow Everywhere!

These are a few photos from this morning. It snowed all night and looks like we got lots of it. I haven't been out yet (beyond my back steps) but my husband has been out clearing the driveway for almost an hour. The snow was between his knee and thigh when he was snowblowing the driveway. I couldn't open the front door, so took some pictures through the window. My husband shoveled a path out the back door so some pictures were taken from the back steps. It is so beautiful out.

Here Comes The Snow

The first blizzard of the season is upon us. The snow has started and they are forecasting 12-18 inches for us. The heavy snow is supposed to fall during the night. I did some baking today and took out the snow gear. The kids are so excited. We are watching Frosty The Snowman and there is an excitement in the air. There is something wonderful about the first snow. I love to look at the fresh fallen snow and how clean it is.

"Come now, and let us reason together,"
Says the LORD,
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool."
Isaiah 1:18

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Getting our Christmas Tree

Today we went to cut down our Christmas tree. It is the same place where we went apple picking just a couple of months ago. This is the first time we have cut down our own tree and I think we have found a new tradition. We had a lot of rain this past weekend so there was lots of mud. We walked quite a way before finding the trees. There were so many of them. We would find one we thought looked great and then as we got closer we would see there were too many holes in it or it wasn't the perfect color. Finally we found the one. My husband cut it down very easily with the saw and the kids yelled "timber" as it fell. We then put it on the wagon that we brought (smart move). We walked out to the dirt road and waited for the tractor to come. Then they tossed the tree on the front of the tractor and we sat on the back. It was starting to get really cold. The kids were asking for hot chocolate and I was glad I had them bring their gloves. My husband tied the tree on the top of the minivan. It took a while since he always does a very thorough job. When we left it was dark and the country roads have no lights on them. It was nice to show the kids how dark it is looking out on the farm. We stopped at McDonalds for some hot chocolate. Wow Mickey D's has really stepped it up a notch. The hot chocolate had whipped cream and chocolate syrup. I didn't get my own but kept taking sips of the kids. Afterwards I thought I should've got one of my own. It was a nice time out on the beautiful North Fork. I always loved driving out there in the fall, but now I think I love it just as much in the winter.

Winter is on the way

Well, December is here. It seems to have come quickly since Thanksgiving was late in the month this year. I took down my autumn decorations today. I did it hesitantly since fall is my favorite season and the decorations are so beautiful to me. Now I can start preparing for the Christmas decorations, which I also love. It is a joyous time of year when we remember the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. With all the distractions of the season, I am trying to keep focused on the reason for the season. Won't you join me?

Happy Thanksgiving

Psalm 100

"Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.



Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations."

A Great Day for Apple Picking

Today was a great day for apple picking. It was a cool, crisp 50 something degrees and lots of people were off because of Columbus Day. We headed out east, on the North Fork, which took almost an hour. It feels like another world out there in the country. There is a one lane road into town and the traffic is always backed up. We started by visiting an apple orchard. The trees are low enough for the kids to pick the apples. We found Rome, Red Delicious and some yellow ones which I am not sure what variety they are. The kids had a ball and enjoyed climbing the trees and looking for unblemished apples. It is amazing how many apples are just laying on the ground under the trees, bruised or imperfect in some way. As you walk, you have to step over all of the apples and kick them aside. I can't help but think of how we are like those apples; imperfect, blemished, and even tossed aside. I don't know what they do with all of those apples. Some say they use them to make apple cider. I don't know if that is so or not. I am filled with gratitude though that as imperfect as we are, God loves us anyway. Unconditionally, just as we are, sin and all. God sent His Son to die for us, not because we are all perfect on the outside and inside. He loved us before the foundations of the world. He loves us and doesn't kick us aside, as imperfect as we are. He takes our hearts of stone and gives us a heart of flesh. Praise God that He takes us just like those bruised, broken apples and makes us whole.

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A Hint of Fall

I love fall. It is my favorite season. I know people are saying it is fall, but really fall does not begin until September 23rd, which happens to be my hubby's birthday. We were enjoying cooler days this past week, and then over the weekend the temperature went up to 80. Tonight, it is a beautiful night. The windows are open and there is a cool breeze. It is getting darker earlier and I love the sounds of the, well not sure what it is, but I think it is an insect. I have not put away the summer clothes yet, we are known to have hot days into October. As soon as you think it has cooled off the temperatures soar again.
Fall is a time of change. Back to school for the kids, or shall I say back to routine for us homeschoolers? A time to start new habits. For me that means trying to exercise regularly again. The leaves will be changing here soon to beautiful reds, golds and oranges. There will be decorations of pumpkins, gourds and haystacks. Apple picking and buying Mums at the farm stands, hay rides for the kids and the smell of fireplaces burning. It is a season of giving thanks. My favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is a couple of months away, which means it will be our anniversary soon too. We were married the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2001. Did I mention fall is my favorite season?!
What about you? What do you love most about Fall. I'd love to hear.

My Tribute

This morning in church we sang this beautiful song. I thought it is a great way to start my new blogging experience. Here are the lyrics:

My Tribute
Verse 1
How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me,
Things so undeserved,
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me.
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be,
I owe it all to Thee.
Chorus
To God be the glory,
To God be the glory,
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me,
With His power He has raised me,
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done.

Verse 2
Just let me live my life,
Let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee,
And if I gain any praise,
Let it go to Calvary.
With His blood He has saved me,
With His power He has raised me,
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done.
© 1971 Bud John Songs, Inc.
Words and Music by Andrae Crouch