Favored Posts in 2012 ~

It's about to be a new year. I always get excited wondering what will take place and what new things will be experienced. We don't do much of anything on New Year's Eve, as both of us don't get out much at night nor could either of us stay awake and alert until midnight. Right now we are watching bowl games and LSU and Clemson happen to be playing. (I'm pulling for Clemson!)

This happens to be the 897th post of this blog. I had 136 posts on Faith, Family, and Friends ~ In the Beginning. October, 2012 had the most hits, with 15,384. That's shocking, but I'm grateful. And I truly appreciate each and every one that takes the time to come here. I also appreciate comments but due to the spam that seems to be increasing, I've had to revert to using that dreaded "Type these two words". I hate that on other blogs and has often kept me from commenting because the last word is so hard to read!! The number I can get but running letters together is difficult to read.

Here are the top posts for this blog:

Blessed Beyond Words

Happy Birthday to Me

There is Still Good in America

May God Bless

Through the Eyes of a Camera

The top posts for this year:

May God Bless

Hurricanes, Hugs, and Home

Happy Birthday, Noah

My Favorite Photos This Week

Remembering Sandy Hook

I wanted to include my favorite photos from this year, but that's too hard. There's too many! I am so grateful for God leading us through trials and challenges this year; for being blessed with infinite blessings; and, knowing that He is in control of 2013! It will be an exciting year for our daughters in various way and I'll be sharing them as they happen, so keep coming back.

May you and yours have a God-filled 2013. Don't worry about the media and what "they say". I serve a mighty King and He will handle all. I shall pray for our Nation, our leaders, and know that He will never leave me alone. I believe in His promises and He never lies. Give more this year of your time, your wealth, and your prayers. Do more with less. And laugh, laugh, laugh. Laughing at myself keeps me quite entertained {smile font}. I have long loved with the Threefold Blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 (here's a link to a good description of it) and will end with it here.

“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”

*  *  *  *  *  *

(Okay, so I just reread this and clicked on all the links to make sure they go to the correct post. Yeah, I have tears running down my cheek. Heart memories cleanse the heart and reminds one of His blessings.)

Happy New Year's

Here are some vintage cards

for your enjoyment.

May you and yours have a blessed 2013 ~

Merry Christmas, 2012

Here are some vintage Christmas cards

that I thought were sweet enough to share.

I pray you and yours have a joyous Christmas~

(and please remember, don't drink and drive)

I think this one is my favorite. I love fresh greens and the natural colors of this vintage card. May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas. See you soon, as we ready for the new year, 2013! (And I am praying for His guidance! I continue to pray and let Him know there are still Christians in America wanting to change the way our leaders believe and that they pray on bended knee before they make a decision that affects us all. I fear for the elderly, the ones below poverty level that don't want to be there, and the terminally ill. I fear our President and too many in Congress proclaim Christianity but don't live it. Pray with me that this year, 2013, will see a turning point and that America will be blessed because we returned to one Nation under God.)

It's a Colorful Christmas!

I love tulle and bottle brush trees.

They bring out the nostalgia in me.

How many readers had mothers

that made a tulle tree?! Mine did.

Colors introduced that we don't see often.

Same goes for mantels!

There are four themes used for decorating during the holidays. White and neutrals; bright colors; traditional; and rustic. Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, I'll share the rustic look that many love (and I would if we had a home in the Smokies!) Christmas Day I'll share the traditional look. But whether you live in the mountains, on the coast, or middle America ~ your decorating is yours and THAT makes it all yours and beautiful.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Please note ~ these photos came from my board on Pinterest and others I found on Pinterest Search!

Remembering Sandy Hook

Today our hearts were broken.

Today evil entered an elementary school.

A kindergarten classroom.

Intent on hurting the innocent.

These scenes were, are, all over the news channels.

I know I'll never forget. Happening this close

to what will be unwrapped presents under trees.

One of those times I'll 'remember where I was'. 

The trauma units. The crime scene tape.

At another school. Little ones this time.

* * * * *

Someones' child. Crying uncontrollably.

Forever traumatized. Changed in an instant. 

Wondering who was. Who wasn't.

And no one knew much for too long. 

He knew. He knew as they were waking up.

Riding to school. Walking to class.

And He wept.

He hurts with us. It's in His Word.

And He promises to use Satan's evil

to bring about good. I don't understand.

But I believe.

And I know He never lies.

A White Christmas ~ Inside!

Using white and neutrals inside this season can be calming and wintery. Let's start the season of by looking at some photos of decorators that have done just this ~ 

 

 

Gotten any ideas for your home from these?

I have. Although I personally like a bit more greenery.

I'll be introducing you to some traditional colors,

as well as some new colors for this season!

All very intriguing and pretty in their own way~

So come back! I love to have you visit!

(In fact, be a Follower! It's easy!)

My Favorite Photos This Week

Jenny's family had a nice Thanksgiving break filled with dinners, shopping, laughing, and dreaming of all that comes during this season. This photo was taken at Brandon's parents, but I now have a photo of the tree already up in the Maddox household! Ah, to be a child again. Well, not really. It had its worry free days but I love this stage of life as well. Older, maybe wiser?, and happy. The older I get, the more I treasure photos such as these.

When I saw this one, I actually cried. This is our Leslie. Pregnant with our sixth grandbaby and we are overjoyed. The pathway to welcoming this precious child was a bit more difficult and the answer to many prayers. She and Heath made a fun and relaxing trip to the Smokies over the holidays and I love that this was made, for it's a vision I'll hold for a long time. I'm so looking forward to rocking their little man. Yes, we have another grandson to love and spoil. {heart font}

When Stacey posted this one, I thought, "Gosh, I miss them. It's been awhile since we saw them!" It really hasn't been, but I have the heart of a grandmother that adores her 'babies'. My sweet mother in law love always called hers "babies", no matter how old they were. Now I know her heart and how it feels to be a grandmother. There really aren't words, just as I never understood a mother until I became one. Babies. Be still my heart. 

Stacey and Brett. The proud and loving parents of the two decorating their Christmas tree. All three girls have so much to look forward to in the new year with various dreams coming true. All three families stay busy. Busier than I think we ever were. However, it's easy to see that our children take time to share life with laughter and adventure; fill their homes with love; and make sure the Word of our Lord is taught and nurtured. It is an indescribable feeling to know we will walk through His gates one day and be together through Eternity.

I pray your holiday week brought joy and delight to your heart and home. Now begins the wishing and dreaming of a white Christmas, a baby's birth, and the gift of giving. I'd love to think we might have a white Christmas, but with our azaleas still in full bloom, I doubt it. But one can hope {wink font}. Take care and have a great week!

Happy Birthday, Noah ~

We fell in love easily.

"I hold you, Nan".

And I did.

How my heart misses those words. 

A bit shy, loves his parents and big brother;

a homebody that giggles. A lot. 

A sister came along and he became

a big brother himself!

He does well with the role.

Began karate and preschool,

and that shyness became no so anymore. 

He and John are buddies.

They love to snuggle and watch

silly shows on TV. 

Oh, how we love our Noah.

Six years old today.

Thanksgiving, as matter of fact.

A true Thanksgiving blessing. 

May your years be many,

your laughter long and your fears few.

You have a large support of family & friends

that love you, Noah. You'll always have

someone to turn to, to confide in, to giggle with,

and to love and be loved. Happy Birthday.

We love you very much.

May God Bless ~

We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens his will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to his name: He forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
Amen

--Traditional Thanksgiving Hymn
(A translation by Theodore Baker: 1851-1934)

Veterans Day 2012

I am honored to be a descendant of a long history of servicemen. My paternal g'mother was a genealogist and traced our ancestors back to their European homes. What I'm most proud of, however, is the fact that from the Revolutionary War all the way to the ending of the Korean Conflict, I have had great great ... grandfathers and a father that served for our country. My brothers were much too young for the Vietnam Conflict and the draft had ended by the time they graduated. However, I have two nephews that served. One with the United States Marines and another with the United States Air Force. I am so proud of these men, and for all our servicemen and women who sacrificed to keep America free from tyranny. May God bless you and God bless America ~