wrapping up my love this Christmas

White Horse
(Words and Music: Detweiler)

Bring me a white horse for Christmas
We’ll ride him through the town
Out into the snowy woods
Where we will both lie down

Underneath white birches
Our faces toward the sky
We will make snow angels
With our white horse standing by

Hush now baby
One day we’re gonna ride
Hush now baby
Our white horse through the sky

Bring me a white horse for Christmas
We’ll ride him through the snow
All the way to Bethlehem
2000 years ago

I wanna speak with the angel
Who said do not be afraid
I wanna kneel where the oxen knelt
Where the little child was laid

Hush now baby
One day you’re gonna ride
Hush now baby
Your white horse through the sky

No bridle will he be wearing
His unshod hoofs they will fly
Keep a watch out this Christmas
For that white horse in the sky

Hush now baby
One day we’re gonna ride
Hush now baby
Our white horse through the sky

Hush now baby
Let every angel sing
Hush now baby
One day we’ll ride again

"Why is she posting a Christmas song at the end of September?"  you might wonder.  Well, number one, this song is from Snow Angels, which is pretty much my favorite album ever... and I listen to it almost any time of the year.  Secondly, the songs on this album, including this one, are full of poetic lyrics sure to inspire the creativity in any one.  And lastly, we have officially started our Christmas Craft Fair preparations!! ...with much divine inspiration and this song, which has been playing in my head all day- especially the line that says "I wanna kneel where the oxen knelt, where the little child was laid... Hush now, Baby, one day You're gonna ride...Your white horse through the sky"  Isn't it beautiful?  I love Over the Rhine.  And they are coming to Cali in December!  So exciting!

Anyway, if you'd like to check out the new projects, we'll be updating more frequently HERE.

Evie

Isn't she adorable?  I can hardly believe that THIS Sunday she'll be one year old.  She is walking along things, walking with the walker and even stood up on her own for a second the other day.  She is so funny!!

Day 3

We started  40 days of fasting and prayer with our church and today is Day 3.  Each day we are praying for a specific thing, this week's focus being "My Nation".  Today's focus happens to be "The Economy", interestingly enough.  If you'd like, join us as we pray for our nation this week and over the next 4o days.

silly girls

They like to be like their momma.  So, they started their own blog.

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The old header was cute, but feeling like it was a bit much.  I have been feeling a stirring of de-clutter mode... not in the household sense of things... just in life.   And of course, it starts with the blog.  And it might just be that creative ideas are beginning to flow... and I needed a change.  So I added the simple header for now, maybe I will be inspired for a new one soon!    Not that I really needed to explain.

I went to the most amazing store today.  I found some great Making Memories things that I can use for new craft inspirations... and also many, many other things that had to remain at the store FOR NOW.  I will definitely be returning for some more great deals.

Abs had her first substitute teacher today... isn't that cute?

vintage abigail

Prismacolor

Berol Prismacolor Pencils and brown paper.  The colors are so nice!

Can you tell I am in mini-post mode?  It might be too much Facebook.

Muchos Colores y Me Gusta

They always sing a Spanish song in Ab's class right after recess each day.  I really want to learn it so I can help Abs learn it.  But I don't know what they are singing... something about many colors and liking them.  At least we can sing the "Ah la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la" part (think mariachi!)

really cute books.

Why why WHY are there so many cute Japanese sewing books?!  And how in the world do I get my hands on them?

and then there's Monday.

Mondays.  Are a little different from Fridays.  

I start the week off with a bang by helping in Ab's class each week.  Her teacher said Mondays would the best day for me to help because that is when the kids are the craziest- and it helps to get them all settled into the routine on Monday, so the rest of the week goes smooth.  And just to have an extra body in the classroom helps, apparently.  So, off to the class I go, to be an extra body.  

So it is early to rise for all of us.  Me and Abs and Bell hop in the van around 7:20 each Monday and head off to school together.  (Thanks to Eva, who starts her week off with an equally shocking bang- babysitting Em and Eve while we're all at school!)

I like being able to go to the school.  To see what they are experiencing.  To see them in action.  I love it.  I love watching Abi soar at the top of her little Kinder class.  She finishes her work way before the others, even when it is more challenging.  I love watching her try and help all the other kids and even when she is so frustrated because they just don't get it.   I love going into Bell's class and seeing her at her little desk with her own space.  Seeing her with those "really weird (they SO weird) and annoying" boys.  She says "Mom, why do they always want to get in trouble?  They are SO WEIRD!" And seeing her teacher interact with her... 

And I like going into the cafeteria and helping sweet Alexis and Angel with their milk cartons and sporks- and imagining what kind of boys they'll be like in high school, all tough and cool.  And watching the Elizabeth and Giselle giggle because I can't speak Spanish- and whispering secrets with huge smiles. Watching Abs eat everything she gets from her school lunch, including the peas and loving every bite. And finding Bella from across the room, she blows me a kiss and smiles while all of her friends wave hello too.  It is all so surreal to me that these girls, my girls, are doing this... this school thing.  This growing up thing.  And it makes me want to take in every moment, every smile, each hug and kiss, and each little hand squeeze... and freeze it in time.  Because I know. I know soon they will be grown.  And new experiences await us... But for now... I am treasuring these new experiences. 

So Mondays.  They jump start our week, and I am tired.  But, it is so worth it.

And now it is officially Tuesday.

Fridays...

...are so nice.  It is the one of the best feelings- to wake up knowing this is the last day of the week... the expectation of the weekend outings, fun with friends, a little more rest.  I love it how, on Fridays, I can wake up a little easier just knowing that tomorrow I can probably sleep in since there's nowhere to be in the early hours.  

And I just returned from coffee with friends.  And can I just say.  It's so great to have friends.  To complain to.  To encourage.  To pray with.  It really is...

And it is our anniversary!  9 years.  Kinda crazy.  And NEXT year.  10.  Wow.  So Todd and I went out to breakfast this morning... which was pretty fun.  Tonight we'll do something too, since some more great friends offered to babysit!!

And last night!  I went to a "Pampered Chef" party at a beautiful mansion.  It was gorgeous and amazing and a little like walking through one of Martha's houses or a Pottery Barn catalog.  And when I got home, my friend and I fell under some creative anointing!  The ideas were falling from the sky in generous proportions and it was really exciting.  I think we're going to try and get into a couple of Christmas Street Fairs this season.  Yay!

And the girls are painting while singing songs about paint.  And I am feeling like all is good... it's been a good day... mostly because of friends.  And biscuits and gravy.

Dr. Ergun Caner

Our Pastor showed a video of this man's testimony at church on Sunday- it is pretty amazing...

it is in three parts starting at the top.

calling cute kids

Enter Here

thanks for the link, sis!

karate princess

Emma the (karate) princess and Elliot the dragon.  Now all we need is the knight in shining armor!

Here's Evie in action.  Pulling everything on the table to the floor.  I got some of her picking it back up too!!

Proud.

Isabella brought this home today, a summary of a story they wrote in her ELD class, which she goes to in the afternoons.  Her teacher for this is actually Ab's teacher- and she goes with about 6 others who are little bit ahead in the reading/writing area.  I can't help to be SO PROUD of her, especially considering that at this time last year she was BARELY reading simple words and HATED every minute of Phonics.  Because of our great Early Literacy Lead Teacher, Mrs. Kris last year, Bella now LOVES reading and writing.  It is her favorite class.

i vote for Jesus.

I am not sure what it is about today.  Maybe it is because I am just already tired from all of the hateful bickering and the crazy negative media coverage in America (but we'll just call it politics and "the news"). Maybe it is because it is September 11 and there is that memory of sitting in Cheryl's attic, watching the towers fall.  Maybe it is just me.  But I am feeling heavy and for some reason the tears are on.  Good thing I have Jesus.  He is the real hope.  And the one who can bring real change.  At a local level. Come and save America, Jesus.  

God of This City by Chris Tomlin

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

You're hope for the hopeless
You're light in the darkness
You're peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings
You Are

You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done

In this city

Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for you and love for you

In this city

Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done

Here

Elmo love!

Last night I got out a bunch of toys we'd put away till Evie got older.  She LOVES "Tickle Me Elmo"!  Isn't she cute??

What has Bush done: Energy

In thinking about the candidates and their stances on the issues, I thought it might be good to check out what is actually being done NOW.  And as we all know, it takes some looking to find out what Bush has done, because the media is NOT on his side. 

As I was researching (aka googling), I noticed that both Obama and McCain's plans are actually mainly the positions of their parties, which could explain part of the reason not much is being done.  Because Congress can't come to an agreement.  And when it does, Bush has the power of veto.  (Which he has used 12 times, the lowest in 200 years- but not on anything energy related as I know of, and again, correct me if I am wrong).  And then, Congress has a power to override the President's veto, but it has to be almost unanimous (2/3, I think).

So... What have Bush & Congress done about high gas prices and dependency on foreign oil and the development of clean, renewable energy?

He asked congress to lift the ban on offshore and restricted drilling (which could produce 18 billion barrels of oil) and oil exploration in unexplored areas.  Congress has not responded. He introduced a plan to congress requiring a 20% fuel efficiency by 2010 and a higher fuel economy standard by 2020. (So that as Americans we use less fuel- this would reduce our usage by 40%) Proposed a carbon-emission standard. He has given  3.5  billion annually for green technology and biofuel funding for research and development.  

a little politics anyone?

I guess it's not off limits anymore... but people are still very devoted to their beliefs, as they should be.

I personally wasn't much interested in the election (unlike my sweet sis) until I knew for sure who the candidates were.  And now that we know, I decided that I better see where they stand and what their plans are.  It's clear they are both toting CHANGE- and we'd better make sure the change is for the better. So,  I opened up Word for Mac and wrote out a list of questions.  Then, I clicked over to their websites for some answers. (As a side note, isn't it amazing how so much information is literally at our fingertips!?  And I even have a question about that... but I am not sure either candidate has an answer for me...) Anyway, since I was writing it all up anyway, I thought you might find it interesting.  These are just the first few... and they sort of all blend together, the energy issues. This will be a process for me to take in all that they are saying and also to decipher the code of political jargon.  And if you think got it wrong,  PLEASE comment to correct me- that would be great! 

What is the plan to lower gas prices?

Obama: He will tax big oil companies and give Americans $1,000.00 to ease the burden of high gas prices. Will “crack down” on loopholes big oil slips through. Will lightly tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (would sell 70 million of the 700 million barrels...US uses 21 million a day) and sell barrels of oil to provide some relief for high gas prices.

McCain: He will lift the restrictions for energy exploration and production, and build more pipelines to bring oil from America to America.  He advocates not buying oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve during times of high gas prices to offset demand. (this was passed by Congress and is in effect until the end of 2008)

What about dependency on Foreign Oil?

Obama: He will increase fuel economy standards for automobile manufacturers and give American companies 4 billion/year for development. (So the cars use less gas.) He'll give consumers a tax credit for buying hybrid. He will establish a Low-Carbon Standard by 2020, and implement a bio-fuel requirement by 2030 which means producing fuel alternatively, with corn, wheat, etc. (this is actually being done already) Will require oil companies to drill on land they own, but where they are not exploring (use it or lose it)- however, will use discretion about drilling in certain more fragile areas. 

McCain: He will enforce the standards for fuel-efficient vehicles- as of now, companies pay a fine when they don’t meet standards. He will make the penalty great enough so that the manufacturers will be compelled to meet the existing standards. He will give a consumer tax credit for buying hybrid. Will give a “prize” of 300 million for the development of a battery that is better than hybrids use now. Will implement a standard for alternative fuel. He will eliminate mandates and tariffs that prevent the development of bio-fuel. Will lift the restrictions on off-shore drilling, but will protect national wildlife areas. 

What is the plan to create clean, renewable energy?

Obama: He has set goals for energy efficiency & renewable energy (10% of our energy from renewable sources by 2012). Government will partner with private companies to build 5 clean coal plants. Will help facilitate the building of the pipelines.

McCain: Will give 2 billion/year to the development of clean-coal technology. Will construct 45 Nuclear Power Plants by 2030 with the goal of 100 in the future. Will encourage green jobs and technology by giving companies a specific tax credit for research and development of green technologies. Will support the existing tax-credit system to clean-energy companies and investments in those companies. He thinks the tax credit should be given for development- until the companies themselves are thriving, at that point, they would no longer need the tax credit.

Sarah Palin's Speech.

We watched the speech tonight... twice.  And the crowds were pleased.

I have to say... I love her.

If you missed her speech, here it is below.  (Thanks for the video link, Angela )

the long weekend

Evie and Abs are two of the sweetest little girls in the entire world!

I think she might actually be watching TV here!

Isn't she getting gigantic?  She is growing and growing!  This was at our bonfire Sunday night.

OK, this was at Back to School Night- this is Abs seat!

And this is just a random thing.... we sadly ran over this little taxi with the van. We got these when Abs was little little, so a sad good bye to one of my personal favorites!!