Christmas, Edition 2014

So we can all just move on and ignore the un-finished Give Thanks challenge, right? Life gets busy and the thankfulness didn't stop...it just didn't managed to get documented here. ;)

Okay. With that out of the way...

Merry Christmas =)

Our Christmas season has stayed blessedly busy with a variety of activities....

::buckeye rolling

::tree picking

Molly & Mom, the tree selection team 

Dad, who kindly held multiple trees while we made our selection

::a trip to Ohio for Melissa and I to see the gang that I worked with on the CPE3 project

the group having an impromptu meeting

::the annual town parade with Molly's jump rope team

dressed & ready to jump

::surprise creations (no pictures of the works-in-progress...they were surprises after all!)

::seasonal gatherings with our church family

Family Photo before the Christmas Eve Service
Photo Credit: Dad/Kipp

...and we are topping off the season with a beautiful day at home =)

an impromptu "couple" picture

capturing the "sister selfie"

Molly's gift of "sister" notebooks with personalized lists of what she's learned from Melissa and I

Presents were opened this morning and now various family members are relaxing in their own unique ways -- Molly practicing some Hobbit songs courtesy of Melissa who gave her the Hobbit piano music book and Melissa is spending time with a new book. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad have ventured outside for a walk before eating more food ;)

There were beautiful gifts, but my favorite theme this year was watching Dad open multiple gifts and seeing the picture come together more and more clearly:

First, the golf club appeared...

Then the very nice and fancy bag with a built-in stand...

The matching jacket was the next addition...

...and the sunglasses completed the outfit :)

God's been teaching me a lot lately...unrolling the picture of sending Jesus Christ to earth as a baby for the salvation of the world. In many ways, the deeper understanding I have come to this year is much like the revelation of Dad's golfing outfit in the pictures above...

...clear, but incomplete.
...wonderful, but only on a surface level.

As more and more is unveiled, the picture is made whole and ever so much more amazing than it was just to start.

God's been teaching me more aspects about himself and giving me situations where I am forced to seek out the Biblical response. This search, albeit painful, has showed me what it means to forgive and just how deep the pain and how great the gift of forgiveness is.

It seems like more of an Easter lesson, doesn't it? After all, when it comes to the story of the life of Jesus Christ, we think of his miraculous birth at Christmas and save the forgiveness, salvation, and reconciliation stories for Easter.

But what is Easter without Christmas? If there was no baby, then there would be no forgiveness...no heavenly example...no hope.

The lesson that I've learned this Christmas is just how powerful and just how pricey my salvation was. God's taken me beyond the cute nativity sets...and awwing over the youngest baby playing Jesus in a live nativity. He's shown me the price that Christ paid by coming down into my dirty world to offer us hope. He didn't have to do it. He wanted to do it.

That is the miracle of Christmas.

"Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Fragile finger sent to heal us

Tender brow prepared for them
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God"

~Excerpt of lyrics, Welcome to our World (Michael W. Smith)

Family Life // Give Thanks ~ Day 18-20

As of today, we are only 4 days behind in the Give Thanks challenge and we should be caught up before Thanksgiving actually arrives =)

Today was a productive day, albeit filled with constant comings and goings of our household. Dad, Mom, and I took two of our cars and RV for some maintenance and repairs. Molly volunteered for an emergency drill at a local senior-living center and Melissa headed over to our community college for a nursing lunch and study session.

As I type this, Mom and Dad are just pulling in the driveway from a date night while Melissa and Molly compete for the title of 'writing-the-most-words-in-an-allotted-period-of-time'...aka. a word war for NaNoWriMo. Before sitting down at our computers (me to blog and the girls to work on their novels), we once again dived into the buckeye process and this was the result...

round chocolate + peanut butter + powdered sugar goodness =)

{I'm posting this^^ just for my CollegePlus, Ohio friends to be jealous of}

Mom
::having all my girls home
::10+ sweet years with our dog, Emily
::encouragement from my family
::God's mercies in our suffering
::our veterinarian
::sleep
::coffee
::comfort in loss
::pots and pans
::bluetooth
::easy dinners
::afternoon walks with girls
::RV
::friends
::National History Day
::Molly's Greek teacher, Mr. Spotts
::haircuts
::kombucha
::kleenex
::water
::happy family

Megan
::the cars that God has blessed our family with
::8 consecutive hours of sleep
::texting with friends to share memories and get through the missing part of coming home
::the grace my family gives me as I re-acclimate into the family culture
::hugs and smiles from Molly as she shared the family news
::walking with Melissa (even if it was a little cold!)
::compassion
::Emily, our dog
::Melissa's strength and matter-of-factness in difficult situations
::sharing tears and hugs with Mom
::a nap to help with the sleep-deprivation
::girls' only calls to share life and pray for each other
::our family's thanksgiving tree
::laughing and dreaming with Mom and Dad (so grateful for the way you both invest and disciple the girls and I!)
::a home-day to catch-up on projects
::Mom's pumpkin muffins
::Scriptural reminder to "rejoice in all things"
::the four years we've had to live in Maryland and explore the East coast
::the two-hour drive to & from church with Melissa -- lots of girl time
::our pastors and church
::fellowship with believers committed to following Christ

Molly
::songs
::sisters
::parents
::eyes
::solemn faces that make me laugh
::Emily
::computers
::timers
::rope
::buckeyes
::masterminds
::November
::colors
::volunteers
::smiles
::poems
::precious moments
::spreadsheets
::teamwork
::recklessness
::private jokes

Sunday Stories // Give Thanks ~ Days 15-17

Happy Sunday =)

After our typically busy day, the three trays of buckeyes were remembered after prayer time this evening. We had planned to dip them tonight, but their storage location hadn't stayed as cool as needed. Due to our freezer layout, we have traditionally chilled the buckeyes in the backseat of our cars as this time of year usually has the garage at or below freezing. However we've had an unusually warm couple of days and the buckeyes were softer than needed :(

We pulled them out and decided to wait till tomorrow morning to complete the chocolate dipping stage. However that didn't stop all of us from consuming a few of the powdered sugar + peanut butter balls. From my typing vantage point of the kitchen table, I think I've counted at least a dozen balls disappear...

The tray that with a few new "holes"

Perhaps we'll make a second batch tomorrow to make up the lost-in-production difference ;)

Mom
::snow
::warm coats
::hot tea
::rolling backpacks
::sister talks
::clean desk
::salad
::Sunday mornings
::Sunday school
::Colossians
::drive to church
::last day of membership class
::warm clothes
::worship with my family
::productive Mondays
::wise spiritual counsel
::my daughters' voices
::walks in the rain
::tea
::vacuum cleaner
::washer and dryer (thanks, Kipp!)

Megan
::hot water
::Christmas music singing sessions
::ice skating trains
::friends who point me to Christ and whisper "I'm praying"
::doing a mall scavenger hunt (and winning!)
::Skype messages, texts, and emails from Mom encouraging me when I missed my family
::honesty
::new mornings each day
::radio dramas
::Mrs. Subra's awesome cooking :)
::going to church with the CP gang
::singing praise God in unconventional ways
::snow fights
::re-enacting memories from previous gatherings
::having friends who pull all-nighters with you
::getting a few extra minutes with Emily & Charity before they had to board their flight
::reviewing the whole gathering with Andrew
::talking and texting with Mom and girlfriends the whole way home
::Mom and Dad picking me up from the airport
::a safe arrival home
::selfie wars

Molly
::rain
::heaters
::cousins
::autumn evening chats with said cousins
::greek making sense
::elves (Tolkien ones that is ;))
::chocolate graham crackers
::mugs
::black and white
::restoration
::ribbon
::poems
::pain
::bookmarks
::snowmen
::whiteboards
::teapots
::pens
::Heaven
::coats
::pumpkins

Buckeyes // Give Thanks ~ Days 12-14

I think it's time to return ;) Thank you for your patience...coming home from a CP gathering involves exhaustion, some serious missing, and a stack of responsibilities to make me want to run for the hills :P But lest you all begin to wonder why I go to such events... they also result in some pretty amazing memories which I hope to share over the next couple days here on the blog =)

While I begin the process of catching up (not a one day deal), I'll enjoy eating some of these little holiday treasures...

Buckeyes awaiting the chocolate-dipping phase

Melissa & Dad, our awesome buckeye-rolling team!

And let's also get serious about our Give Thanks challenge...Today, we'll cover November 12-14 :)

Mom
::fun surprises
::laughter
::homemade cookies
::long-distance friends
::family connections
::health
::Megan's blog
::consignment sales
::frozen yogurt
::Friday nights
::completed to-do list
::God's peace
::organization
::help with shopping
::our pastors
::bar-b-que
::Skype calls
::cousins
::friends
::my family
::movie night

Megan
::helpful airline ticket agents
::that my delayed flight gave me a push to do some Bible study
::extra sleep on my flight
::Dad's transportation services (complete with lovely conversations!)
::teasing texts
::Melissa and Mom letting me raid their closets for this trip
::sunshine
::chats with Melissa to keep me updated on home life
::texts from Dad and Molly
::posing in the Des Moines sculpture park
::Mr. Subra's entertaining lesson on the 12 tenets of the Bible
::Josh's driving
::sharing a room with two of my dear CP friends
::talking listening to others talk about music and gaining a whole new playlist
::Catherine calling just to encourage me
::sharing hearts and feelings with the girls at the gathering
::getting to do more English Country Dancing (thank you, Emily!)
::Drew's willingness to share his swing knowledge
::the gift of friends who share memories, fun, and laughter
::the Subra's willingness to open up their home (and furniture!)
::sweet emails from Mom teaching on God's work in our lives

Molly
::His story
::language
::learning
::dishwashers
::time
::reasons
::hugs
::Skype
::conspiracies
::snow
::gloves
::new friends
::teachers
::volunteers
::trees
::walks
::church
::clearance
::babies
::jump rope
::(mostly) catching up on NaNoWriMo

Packing // Give Thanks ~ Day 11

It's 9:33pm. I have a final music playlist syncing to my phone. I'm wracking brain of any items I haven't packed yet. And my family tells me that this is impossible considering the size of my bags (wasntme)

Mom comes in to give me final words of wisdom (yes, I will wear my purse cross-body tomorrow. promise) and ask for as many pictures as possible.

Melissa reminds me that she wants to be woken up and given a proper hug in the morning. Molly sadly says goodbye and reminds me that I'm only on loan-out for a week. She wants me back after all.

My whiteboard reminds me that the day has come. And my google messages with Dad this morning show evidence that one can never be excited too much ;)

My whiteboard which was creatively decorated by sisters about 45 days ago

I have the typical goodies from Mom. Tomorrow I leave for Iowa (where the temperature is less than half of ours). I'm going to see 20 of my fellow CP students -- and among them, some of my dearest friends =)

Mom is awesome about giving each of us a little something when we travel!

{as a note... We do definitely plan to keep doing our thankful lists. Whether or not they get posted depends on my ability/time to devote to the blog. Just bear with me and expect some long lists when I get back :P}

Mom
::God's constant presence in my life
::donut dates with Molly
::crockpot
::my computer
::friends
::heater
::inspiring music

Megan
::surprises being revealed
::google messages with my Dad
::beautiful fall-ish weather to enjoy before the cold
::goodies from my family
::blessing of resting in Christ
::a car to drive
::the excitement of this trip to Iowa

Molly
::beauty
::faith
::love
::kindness
::a new day
::squiggles
::seat warmers

Lunch Guests // Give Thanks ~ Day 10

As I worked on some trip prep projects in my room and Molly was doing school, I heard a bit of a ruckus downstairs. Further investigation revealed that Dad had come home to eat with us --a rather unusual and pleasant surprise! We enjoyed discussing the morning's work and read a portion of an evangelism devotion that applied to some situations we've been dealing with lately =) All too soon, it was over and he had to go back to work. But I think we all went through the rest of the day a bit more invigorated by our special lunch!

Mom
::home tech department...thanks Meg =)
::Kipp coming home for lunch
::chocolate chip cookies
::pillows
::Ibuprofen
::eye glasses
::God's faithful servants

Megan
::conversations with Mom

::God's leading through opened and closed doors
::sleep
::my electric blanket
::a clean room
::sister time with Melissa
::that Dad came home for lunch

Molly
::Word docs
::word wars
::promise of future
::prayers of friends
::paper
::Bible time
::my family

Sunday Prayers // Give Thanks ~ Day 9

I had all the best intentions of getting a really good picture of our family prayer time...

...aaaaand. It didn't happen.

But picture, or no picture, this tradition (going on two years now!) is one of my favorites =)

Pastor Scott, who teaches our community (a portion of our church that meets for small group teaching prior to our main church service), continually mentions that praying together as couples or families is a unique opportunity to grow our earthly relationships by speaking to our heavenly Father. We have the chance, through prayer, to let those around us listen and hear the burdens and praises that are on our hearts -- things that we might never voice in other circumstances, can be said through prayer...

It's a really cool concept and one I've seen played out in our own weekly times praying together as a family. One of the neatest changes that I've seen in our family prayer time recently is a move towards more specific requests and an inclusion of praise and confession. I am grateful to my dad for starting this time and leading it by example!

Mom
::late-night talks
::hugs
::family prayer
::warm blankets
::gloves
::our pastors that teach the word of God
::weekend family dinners

Megan
::Biblical teaching on the workplace
::honesty in relationships
::Spiritual growth in my family
::God's grace
::singing with my sisters
::memories of my years as a homeschooler
::God's provision to heal hurting situations

Molly
::water
::heaven
::lightbulb moments
::sticky notes
::the moon
::dry erase boards
::HSLDA

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Jane Austen // Give Thanks ~ Day 8

So today was a study/packing/relaxing/errand running day. No, none of us did all of things. It's a collective list =)

Molly was invited to a costume birthday party for one of her friends. So around 4pm, our house began to show its all-girls nature as the hair brushes, make-up, curling irons, and needles were produced. Mom had developed a plan to make a few alterations to Melissa's 19th century dress so that Molly could wear it for the evening.

The final product was beautiful -- all the credit to Mom and Molly for pulling off the alterations.

Miss Jane Austen

Molly & Co. (Emily and Abby)

Mom
::good conversations
::walks with Kipp
::daughter dates
::movie nights
::ice cream
::sleep
::carpools

Megan
::catching up with Miss Jenn
:: girl time as we dressed Molly up for her party
::Melissa who is willing to tackle another adventure -- and trip with me in December
::Dad's heart to continue family activities despite the challenges of planning around busy schedules
::God's forgiveness of me
::my "lessons of the quarter" -- Joy & Setting my heart on things above
::new babies on the way

Molly
::clocks
::time
::sleep
::clothes
::hospitality
::imagination
::purple

Friday Family Fun // Give Thanks ~ Days 6 & 7

So I didn't intend to combine two days so early in the month. But that's what happens when school deadlines combine with some work assignments and yeah. We'll be sharing lists of 14 today to make-up for my lack of presence yesterday ;)

But first up. The most exciting part of the day (aside from the cleaning... but y'all really didn't want to see pictures and video of floor mopping and dusting to the sound of Indescribable, Strong Enough, In Christ Alone, and Bring the Rain) was spending some family time playing an over-the-top, typical-Weber-family, competitive ahem. friendly game of ping-pong.

Melissa and Molly...the team with a 1-1 win-lose record

Mom teaching me how to "step into" hitting the ball

Dad explaining the "Weber family house rules"

Mom
::Emily (our dog)
::extra drivers in the house
::popcorn
::sunshine after the rain
::Godly counsel
::prayer
::God's word
::lessons God is teaching me
::God's faithful love
::beanbag chair
::Family ping-pong games
::a working dishwasher
::clean house -- thank you, girls!!!
::Friday family night

Megan
::the opportunity to continue learning
::Mom and Dad helping me with some job applications
::God's love for us
::hot chocolate
::praying with friends
::scheming Christmas trips with Melissa
::my camera
::coworkers to laugh with
::a boss who gives me freedom to learn and grow
::my morning coffee date with Mom
::the years of time that Mom has invested in me (and Melissa, and Molly, and so many other young and mature ladies!)
::the peace that comes from resting in Christ
::friends who point you to set your heart on things above
::new instrumental and celtic music playlists for work entertainment

Molly
::surprises
::encouragement
::God's commandments
::being surrounded by other believers
::our military
::liberty
::union
::humor
::pretty colors
::autumn
::singing
::clean houses
::our senses
::muscles

Give Thanks ~ Day 5

I honestly cannot speak for Mom, Melissa, and Molly's day -- as I was hardly home. I spent much of my day at work. Once home, we ate a lovely spaghetti dinner, while discussing our daily Bible study passage, Mark 13:1-13. After dinner, we watched Jill Duggar's wedding -- more accurately, we talked through the wedding, discussing various traditions and things we hope to emulate... or avoid ;) I finished out the evening by talking to my dear girlfriends, Catherine and Bridget =)

Mom
::access to medical care
::hot chocolate
::homeschooling
::girl time
::Megan,  who inspired me to make this list
::Molly, who inspires me with her creativity
::Melissa, who inspires me with her passion and drive

Megan
::a job with so much flexibility and variety
::the gospel message, full of hope and grace
::time with my mom and Melissa
::a family that lets me travel, but also misses me dearly
::heat and warmth
::special calls with my girlfriends
::prayer

Molly
::God's creation
::God's sovereignty
::numbers
::worship
::opposites
::love
::hope

Park Days // Give Thanks ~ Day 4

Today, Mom, Molly and I headed over to a nearby park to spend time with the littles (our affectionate term for our younger, but still very sweet friends) and their dear mommas...

L-R: Molly S., Benjamin S., Micah M.

 Between the three families we spent time with, there were 10 kiddos there. Molly and I stayed quite busy, chasing them, keeping them safe, settling the (rare) dispute, and just plain loving on them. In the quiet moments when I could grab my camera and coerce a smile (or simply get them to stop their play long enough for me to capture the moment), I noticed these boys hanging out together...

L-R: Micah and James

These boys comes from two different families. One is the oldest of two boys and the other is the third out of four kids with two sisters. One started life on the west coast while the other has lived here his whole life. One is eight years old and the other is two.

I could go on and on about their differences. But today, I saw them play together. Not just for a few minutes, but on and off for nearly two hours. I saw James come around again and again and invest in this little guy. I saw Micah chase after James and seek to follow in whatever the "big" boys were doing. As I hung with Micah and made sure he didn't go plunging off any 10' drop offs or eat an enormous amount of dirt, I had James around several times and ask, "Can I play with Micah?" or say "I like pushing him on the swing... Can I do it?".

I am blessed to spend hours at the park because these little ones are being trained to invest in each other. They're oblivious to the age and background differences. Their moms have taught them from such young ages to "build each other up to love and good deeds". These kiddos and moms bless me by their sweet words and examples. They're the ones I want to be like...

...when i grow up =)

Mom
::Bible study partners
::park day
::music
::priviledge to vote
::the green machine (aka. her awesome Prius V)
::a family that works together
::long walks

Megan
::our sweet friends in the littles
::their mommas who have invested in me over the years by sharing their lives -- and their kids
::my own mom, also know as best friend, confidante, fellow adventurer and so much more
::a camera to capture the sweet moments of life
::mild weather to accommodate our park adventure
::the freedom to vote and have a hand in the running of our country
::an impromptu sunset photoshoot with Mom

Molly
::thoughts
::calculators
::swings
::curiosity
::sharpies
::hiding places
::Littles

Productive Days // Give Thanks ~ Day 3

Meet some of my CP friends =)
Photo credit: Stephen P.

I spent much of my day working on a variety of computer projects -- applying to a few interesting positions, answering emails, and talking to some of my dearest friends (see the crazy picture above taken of my "black gob" of a friend during our afternoon hangout party). Melissa spent her day at clinicals and then preparing for yet another nursing exam. Molly stayed busy studying and I believe that Mom has to study twice as hard to stay on top of her study. Homeschooling is certainly a journey where the teacher learns just as much, if not more than, the student herself!

Work was accomplished today so that classes and a potential outing to the park to see our "little" friends can happen tomorrow.

Mom
::Kipp
::warm, comfortable home
::new seasons
::family traditions
::the end of laundry days :)
::leftovers
::God's patience with me

Megan

::new music releases

::parents who counsel and support me as I attempt to figure this "life" thing out

::hot chocolate

::Swagbucks

::daily Bible study with Mom, Melissa, and Molly

::friendships focused on sharpening each other with Scripture (Proverbs 27:17)

::that I am daily a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Molly

::pencils

::inspiration

::music

::good conversations

::chocolate

::Converse

::Amos

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever."

~Psalm 107:1

Little Lessons // Perfection

My sisters asked me the other day if I would participate in a novel writing contest with them. My first reaction was to laugh.

Me? A writer?

Sure, I halfheartedly try to blog a few times a year... But writing for school was torture. It used to take me days to motivate myself to sit down and actually get out a draft that was worth even considering to submit. I faced down some of my worst days of procrastination in classes that required regular essays.

As Melissa and Molly pressed for a reason as to why I wouldn't consider participating, I brushed it off with perfectionism...

"Guys, honestly, I'm too perfectionist to write 50,000 words on one storyline in 30 days. There's just no way."

And then I was talking to my mom this morning...relating stories of family and friends.

As I blurted out random happenings here and there, musing on the awesomeness of God using trials to bring us together. And really understanding that it's as if somehow making us vulnerable little creatures actually allows us to feel for one another and experience true Christian fellowship.

The irony of the situations came to light.

That perfectionist spirit that makes me over-the-top OCD and a crazy organized nut (but a terrible fiction writer) is also something that I need to leave in open hands. Because God takes this and molds it into those trials-turned-blessings.

Honestly, God's taken precious things in my life. Things that weren't perfect, but in my eyes, came about as close to that golden state as we'll get this side of heaven...he took those things, pulled back the curtain, and showed me the work that needed to happen, showed me that the "golden state" was merely an illusion.

Work isn't pretty. And this kind of work makes me think of a muddy field, a shovel, and some brown-splotched overalls. That kind of work and that kind of dirt.

(and this OCD personality isn't very keen on that kind of work...just for the record)

So when the cringing starts and I honestly have no clue how we're gonna turn the muddy field into something worth smiling at, much less just worry about salvaging my muddy overalls, well maybe I'll rethink things. Because I'm missing the point.

God's less worried about my dirty self being preserved and more concerned with dumping the muddy clothes altogether and just starting fresh. God's more concerned about turning the perfectionist-focused me into a Christ-focused me. God's more concerned about using this muddy field to help other farmers feel like they're not alone, than he is about pulling a magic act out of his hat and giving me a garden overnight.

It's less about making everything so perfect for me to be happy in. And all about sanctifying us, allowing us to minister to other believers as we all strive to glorify our Father in Heaven.

"...I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." ~Galations 2:20

Give Thanks ~ Day 29

2nd to last day...

... of the 'Give Thanks' Challenge :)

We enjoyed hosting the B. family for an afternoon of fellowship! Mr. B. and Dad work together at LifeTech. While the parents talked up in the kitchen, Melissa, Molly, and I played with their 5 year old girl and 8 year old boy. We did everything from play Monopoly (I won!) to pet Emily (our dog) and take her for "walks" around the living room. It was a fun time and definitely a family highlight was getting to hear their Scottish accents and the many non-American phrases =)

Megan:
~showing hospitality with my family
~Scottish accents
~kid smiles with their excitement clearly shown :)
~finding a perfect pair of boots at Sears
~my dad's understanding and encouragement
~dinner conversations of "possibilities"
~the flexibility and learning experiences at my job

Molly:
~Accents (as in like Scottish accents, as in that I got to hear them all afternoon :D :D :D)
~That I spent the afternoon with two adorable kids
~Games
~When the Newsies' soundtrack is blasting, and Megan, Melissa, and I are singing as loud as we can to it. :D
~Christmas! (BEST. HOLIDAY. EVER. EVER.)  And now we get to decorate and shop for it and get all excited and sing carols and bake cookies and....yeah.....
~Running water (Have you ever thought of how much your life would be impacted if you didn't have it?)
~Whiteboards.  (If you've ever questioned their purpose, just spend a day with my family and count how many times you hear the phrase "Write it on the whiteboard." ;))

Give Thanks ~ Day 28

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Chefs

Today was a nice family day. Dad went out this morning to help a family from church move their newly acquired piano. When he got home, we all enjoyed watching the Macy's Day Parade -- seeing the scene from the Sound of Music play was definitely my favorite of the portions I saw =) In the afternoon, we played two sessions of the Risk (the game is now down to Dad vs. Molly) and ate a great dinner prepared by Mom, Molly, and Melissa.

I finished out the evening by studying for a few hours while everyone else hung out watching the Waltons and looking over the Black Friday ads. I'm so grateful for this day with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving and the rich history of our country =)

Megan:
~getting to play Risk with Dad, Melissa, and Molly
~our delicious Thanksgiving dinner
~talking computers and phones with my dad
~late night/early morning chat "parties"
~Christmas gift schemes
~the pilgrims
~God's provision for the founding of America

Molly:
~Scarves
~Abraham Lincoln
~That we have a day set aside to give thanks (it's a good refocuser, you know?)
~Unexpected friends
~When you're not disappointed about something that you feel like you normally would be
~That I'm Homeschooled :)
~That I survived our annual Risk game for another day

Daily Considerations ~ Day 27

No pictures of the family today... If I would have been home instead of at work, I would have gotten some of the kitchen crew. Mom, Melissa, and Molly worked hard throughout the morning and into the afternoon making the usual, delicious dishes that make up holidays around here (pictures of the food will hopefully be posted in tomorrow's post =) I'm very grateful for their hard work!!

We are also getting a good taste of winter weather around here. Although none of it is sticking to the ground, we had a few hours this afternoon of snow that alternated between true showers and flurries! It is exciting and I'm definitely looking forward to having it stick around so we can pull out the snow clothes and head out to play =)

Here's our thankfulness lists...

Megan:
~the traditional family (-Mom) game of Risk
~watching snow fall outside my office window
~time to explain the workings of Google+ to my grandpa
~my tablet
~that my student-led session ideas were approved for the CollegePlus Texas gathering!
~Pandora
~my family stepping in to do many of my responsibilities so I can work, study, and participate in many of the CollegePlus student activities

Molly:
~Snow! :)  (I just wish that the flakes wouldn't just fall at our house; they should stick too.)
~Thanksgiving baking.  So I know the holiday is about giving thanks, but the food is pretty awesome too.  Especially the part where I made jello with Lissy. xD
~Mail--it's soo exciting to see the little truck come down the street and hope that there's something for you.
~That I'm not in college yet (I mean, I want to get a degree and learn a lot and all; but seriously it's the night before Thanksgiving, and Megan's sitting here slaving away on some accounting thing. :P)
~Quiet, home-fire kind-of-days
~Sewing machines
~Scissors

Give Thanks ~ Day 25

The biggest excitement of the day is that Dad was home because he is on vacation all week =) Cue excitement, family activities, and plenty of distractions!

Actually life for Melissa, Molly, and I went on much as normal. Melissa had classes and tests and I trooped off to work this morning (no vacation for me ;)). Molly was home and worked on school while Mom and Dad went out on a coffee date and to do the Thanksgiving meal grocery trip. I'm already looking forward to eating all the delicious goodies on Thursday =)

Dad has a family trip to the ice rink in mind for tomorrow afternoon, provided that we don't get any snow or winter weather... Our area is right on the edge of most weather maps, thus it is always a question as to whether we'll get any of the snow or not. It's plenty cold enough, but it just depends on where the clouds decided to land ;)

Our Thankful lists for the 'Give Thanks' Challenge...

Megan:
~my health
~heat blankets
~a peaceful day at work
~my college presidential team
~that my professor posted grades :)
~having a weeknight with the whole family home
~times to quote movie and play lines with my sisters

Molly:
~water
~chocolate milk ;)
~numbers
~projects that go twice as easy as you expect
~my finger light (thanks again, grandpa! :))
~Melissa's good grades
~Shem (son of Noah as in Noah of Noah's ark)

Give Thanks ~ Day 24

As you'll see on our lists down below, the day's sights have signaled that winter is once again upon us...

Dad posing with his warm fire

On our way to church this morning, we oohed and aahed at the snow flurries that were blowing around. The "high" around here was 34* and the low was/is somewhere in the teens. Thus it was determined that an afternoon fire would be a great way to keep the main level a bit more comfortable =)

With seeing the snow flurries this morning, I thought back to my first sighting of snow flurries... When we first moved to Maryland three years ago, Melissa, Molly, and I were eagerly awaiting the first snow. We'd never lived in a city where it would snow, so this was going to be a whole new experience. Well, one day in mid-November on our way home from the library, we noticed some ice-like things landing on the windshield --and it looked like these things were melting! We all started eagerly proclaiming that "It was finally snowing!!!!"

We all decided it was a good thing that we were close to home because we'd hate to get caught on a blizzard! Confident that we would soon have a stack of snow (we were expecting feet upon feet of snow :P), we raced inside to inform Mom of the weather conditions outside. She took one look out the window and promptly informed us that there is a difference between snow flurries and snow showers.

Sure enough when we got up the next morning, instead of a winter wonderland, I saw a wet driveway and lawn full of green... Just one of the many things I'd learn and adjust to in that first year on the east coast :P

Our 'Give Thanks' Challenge lists...

Megan:
~Google Drive
~Swagbucks
~the first fire of the season
~seeing snow flurries
~Thanksgiving cards
~a beautiful bedroom
~my parents pushing me outside of my comfort zone

Molly:
~My iPod ;)
~Mysteries
~Faith
~Encouragement
~Warm fires when it is (literally!) FREEZING outside *chattering teeth*
~Green lights from God
~the Amy Grant Christmas cd (if you haven't heard it, then look it up RIGHT NOW ;))

Give Thanks ~ Day 19

Another day in the 'Give Thanks' Challenge... Only 11 days left! I can't believe how fast this month is going!

In between studying, I had the opportunity to chat with several dear college friends today... And by far the highlight was a short and simple chat where my friend reminded me to fix my eyes on Christ. She reminded me to find my identity and worth in Him and to live "as unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:23) regardless of my physical circumstances and surroundings.

As I've struggled to figure out what life looks like beyond school next year, it was a welcome reminder to do as Paul commands in the beginning of Hebrews 12:

"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
~Hebrews 12:1-2

Megan:
~chats with friends
~days to rest and just be at home
~chats with mom where my sisters and I attempt to explain the difference between 'liking' something and '+1' something
~warm showers
~daily time to study Scripture with Mom, Melissa, and Molly
~jokes about mutual craziness
~laughter

Molly:
~Smiles
~Mugs with hot air balloons on them....(don't ask ;))
~Peace
~Megan for doing the dishes tonight (and I didn't say that just cause it's her blog either!)
~My friend Emily (and her terrific twin Allie ;))  You two are so sweet, and you always have smiles on your faces. :-) :-)
~The beautiful warm weather we've had
~(Okay this might sound weird, but the writers reading this will understand ;))  The characters in my stories.  They're like family--I love them no matter what they do (even the villains!), and they teach me a lot of lessons.  (And I know some of you who don't understand are like, "Umm, doesn't she make up her characters?"  And while that's sorta true, I don't really make up everything that happens to them.  It just happens.)

Give Thanks ~ Day 15

We've officially reached the halfway point! It's day 15 for the KBR 'Give Thanks' Challenge.

Mom, Melissa, Molly and I were chatting in the family room mid-afternoon and suddenly we saw a blur running across the backyard. After taking a better look, we saw not one, but three deer dashing across the yard and jumping our neighbor's fence.

I wish I had been able to get some pictures, but it all happened too fast and then were gone just as quickly as they had come. But it was quite a sight, especially considering that we live in a rather populated area. One might expect to see deer in the woods, but we live in the middle of a typical city neighborhood! Needless to say, it was the definite excitement of the day =)

Megan:
~the opportunity to go to Christ daily for repentance
~a girls' night (complete with Mac 'n Cheese dinner and old TV show reruns)
~family time watching the Waltons
~Home School Legal Defense Association
~virtual "races" to finish to-do lists
~the surprise of seeing deer dashing through the yard
~my family's flexibility and encouragement as I work on school assignments

Molly:
~That I can see

~Okay...so I kinda forgot about this on Monday (cough,cough) but I'm thankful for those who have worked to defend our country in the armed forces.

~(This is for my friend on her birthday ;)) Alayna, for just being you and always having your beautiful smile.  You are an amazing young lady.  Happy 16th Birthday!

~The nice chat I had with my grandparents today.

~The sister time with my sisters tonight. :) <3

~All the nice clothes I have

~That I have healthy eyes and can see. 8)