we are beautiful

You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless.

Song of Solomon 4:7

smiles

One thing that has been on my mind recently is how people view life itself. With Christmas just around the holidays, giving is often what the "thing" to do is. You give a kind gift to your mail man or garbage man, you donate toys to kids who are in need, people adopt a family who need a little extra help around the holidays, and the list goes on. Or even buying Santa a Starbucks Coffee...yes Santa even drinks coffee! :) Yes, I have been raised up doing all the above, and I still enjoy participating in helping out when I can, however, money and gifts isn't everything.

What I mean is, what about the middle people, who don't need help buying presents, who you don't need to give an extra Christmas gift to, like the person checking you out in the grocery store check out counter, or the mom getting her kids out of the minivan at the mall, or the people you run into at your job. What about all of them? Now, don't get me wrong, I am a poor broke post college student, so I am not suggestion buying random strangers presents, but that is where the smile comes into play. It is amazing how a smile can affect people.

I have realized this awesome concept of a the smile through working at the ER. Seeing so many people that enter through this doors are down in the dumps. Some are really sick or injured. Others are coming to find a loved one that is in the hospital. This is where it all comes into play....you would be amazed at the affect of just giving them a friendly smile can help them make it through their day. So go ahead... smile. It might just make your day a little bit better too. :) 

sunday

But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I have called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end- Because I am God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get back, trade the creation just for you.

~Isaiah 43:1-4~

December 1st

Well today marked the first day of a month of pure craziness. Oh, goodness how I do love the hustle and bustle that takes place over the month of December, but I feel as if this month will surely go super fast. January is already filling up with exciting days, such as bridal showers! :) However, I want to savor Christmas. My last one at home. One for new beginnings with plenty of family events to head off too. With all the Christmas parties, it is often easy to forget the real meaning of Christmas. The day we celebrate Christ's birthday. The other day on Facebook a friend posted a status that said, Jesus wasn't born on Christmas. Which of course started a whole long debate on when he was actually born and so on. Which I think is absolutely ridiculous. I understand that we do not know the date that Jesus was born, or when the 3 Kings came to offer the gifts to him, but the point is we are recognizing Him on this day.  Some say Christmas was also started as a Pagan holiday, but you know what it was still brought back to God in some way. And Jesus doesn't care what day we sing Happy Birthday to him, as long as we acknowledge him everyday and give our hearts to him. Okay, sorry for the obnoxiously long rant....but through the hustle and bustle this year I will make sure to remember the reason my family celebrates Christmas. 

24 Days Left till Christmas Day.

traditions

"Tradition, tradition... tradition Tradition, tradition... tradition"

Yes, whenever I hear that word, tradition, my mind goes straight to the opening lines of Fiddler on the Roof. Tevye, the papa, is so wise in the opening lines and I love listening to the monologue every time.

"Because of our traditions, we've kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka we have traditions for everything... how to eat, how to sleep, even, how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl... This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition start? I'll tell you - I don't know. But it's a tradition... Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do." 

During the holiday seasons traditions are everywhere we look. Kids getting their yearly picture with Santa. Families coming together to set up the Christmas tree. Oh, I am sure the list goes on and on. But deep down I think my family has one of the best traditions...yes I am probably a bit biased. But here it goes. 

WE BAKE COOKIES.

And no, I am not just talking about a a few batches. And not just your normal chocolate chip cookies. We make multiples and multiples of tons of cookies! I will save the number of cookies that we made for the end of the blog...just to keep you on your toes... :) Yes, I am sneaky. But lets start with the beginning.

When my mom & her siblings were little, every Sunday during advent my grandma & her kids would bake a type of cookie. By the time Christmas was here they would have plenty of cookies to make Christmas Cookie Trays. Once my aunts & uncles started to get married and have kids the families would all pick a day to get together & bake cookies at my grandparents house. It was an all day event with family fun. Some of the best memories with my cousins took place during Knobbe Cookie Bake. 

Now, with 13 families each family in charge of one type of cookie. It has become one intense, family fun filled day! Below is a hint of just how big it is....

Yes, you are looking at 4 different ovens all in one house! 3 in the garage down on the farm & one in the kitchen. With the upgrade, we now are down at our family fun with the cows, chickens, & puppies! If you want to see a beautiful view check out our ranch's website, Futura Ranch.

This year was extra special for me & my main man. It was our first year contributing to the cookie baking with our own cookie! My parents surprised us the day of cookie bake, with our first official cookie pans (the only cookie pans we allow at cookie bake!), the Knobbe Cookie Bake Recipe Book, & a cookie bake ornament! I was totally surprised & super excited that they surprised me with such an awesome present. 

Now, I guess I can give away the the number of cookies...I dropped enough hints! Did you figure it out yet? Drum roll please....

11,922

A little behind

Hello my blogger friends,
Wow! The holidays through my blogging schedule off completely. And oh my goodness how I have missed all this blogging stuff, ya know the reading & the writing & making new friends. I have so much to catch up on and write. Like traditions & christmas & how we made 12,000 cookies in one day. But I have a long list of todos for this afternoon and little writing time. So look for the blogs to start a flowing tomorrow!
~Deanne

thankful for my family

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and one thing I am in desperate need of trying to figure  out how to juggle multiple family Thanksgiving events all in one day. From any of you married women I would love some advice. However, I am very thankful for the family that God has put me in. :)

My sister & I were picked specially for my parents too! We were adopted. God sure knew what he was doing when he placed us with them. We have learned so much and through them we were giving a huge number of loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins.  My sister, who is also my amazing Maid Of Honor, and I are exactly 5 years apart. Sure, we have are ups and downs but we deep down love each other with are whole heart. We both have our own special adoption story. But the end is the same we were adopted by the parents who loved us no mater what.

That part is the coolest part I believe. I am so thankful how God designed our story. 

Sure, there are days that we drive each other crazy. The days we need to cry. But in the end the family that God put together for us. Is very special and important.