Yes, yes, yes...

I know it's getting kind of boring on my blog! I really don't know what to write about. We have been enjoying the fall weather that's come to our neck of the woods. The trees have gradually started to change which makes it pretty. Sometimes, the leaves are so dead looking that the true, autumn hue isn't real vibrant. Fortunately, we had a lot more rain this year and our summer was unusually mild. (So much for global warming!)

I'll try and get something up here! I must have gone through a little phase where I had more to blog about. Oh well!

Who's who?

Hey fellow blog readers!

I just went to my blogger profile and discovered that I have had over 1,000 hits on my blog!! Yay! Of course I realize that some of those are my family and I, but I wanted to see who was reading my blog. So, if you could leave your name and how you found my site in a comment connected to this post, that would be great!! Thanks!!

Can you guess what happened one year ago, Monday?

Let me tell you a story...

On the last evening of a weekend seminar, five young people who were friends decided to go get some pie afterwards at a restaurant. Sitting on either side of the table, the two oldest began having a "discussion" on the subject of courtship. Differing oppinions were exchanged and challenges were brought to the table. (However, both did enjoy the pie!) Soon, it was time to gather everyone's things and hit the road...the young lady and two of her siblings, the young man and his sibling, driving in opposite directions back home. That night, the young man told his father that, "I pity the guy who gets her for a wife!" She must have shared his sentiments, because on different occasions she had told her family that she could, "Never marry a guy like him! He drives me nuts!"

Well, all that took place five years ago...and now, we're celebrating the first wedding anniversary of my brother and his wife! *smile* (October 6th, 2007 to be exact!) As my dad so wisely told Griff, "There's a fine line between love and hate". Griff and Bek officially began courting in December of 2006, and were engaged in February 2007. They are now keeping house in a nice, little apartment and expecting their first little one this coming January.

Courtship...

Engagement

Marriage!!!

Congratulations, Griff & Bek!! We love you!

Tagged!

Hey there! Well, I have been tagged by Nikki and now I'm it! Normally, I don't do these chains, but thought I would make an exception this time.

Here are the rules!
~Link to the person who tagged you
~Post the rules on your blog
~Write six random things about yourself
~Tag six people at the end of the post
~Let each person know that he or she has been tagged
~Let the tagger know when your entry is up

1. I don't like the feel of fleece! As long as my hands aren't touching it I'm okay.

2. I've been shot with a BB gun in the ankle. One time when I was riding my bike, my older brother cocked it once and thought he would have some fun. *smile* But, we're on good terms!

3. Chocolate! I love it! Dessert isn't dessert unless it's chocolate. *smile*

4. I'm the shortest girl in my family (besides Molly).

5. People think I'm still in high school. (I'm twenty-one and a half, thank you very much!)

6. I enjoy playing the piano. I am interested in starting a "business", in which I can provide music for weddings, banquets, receptions, etc.

I tag:

Abby

ConverseKat

Nikki

Tori

Abbi

Rebecca

Bryant

Dad's Day!!

David Roy M. was born in Charleston, South Carolina, August 30th, 19??. Dad is the eldest of three boys (neither of my parents have sisters!), who grew up in the great state of Indiana. For over 15 years, Dad has been a computer programmer and has developed his own dental software. Our dad enjoys spending time with his family (especially his wife!), basketball and softball, and is a big IU fan. He has been a great provider for our family, and we love him!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Similarities between sugar and poison...

For the past couple years, we've had a huge supply of organic sugar from Sam's Club and only recently ran out. So, we then had to buy some of the really bad kind in order to meet the demand. *smile* Today, while my 12 year old brother fixed himself a peanut butter sandwhich for lunch, he got out the sugar bowl in order to sprinkle on some sweetness. He looked at it and asked me, "Is this sugar?" He kind of laughed and told me, "It looks like detergent!" How true!! The old, white sugar does resemble the powdery poison!

Bek's Birthday!

Rebekah S. came into this world on August 12th, 1982--but she’s a brand new addition to our family! That’s right, Rebekah Allison became the beloved bride of our eldest brother, Griff. They were married last fall and are expecting their first little one this coming January! Bek is a very selfless young woman and we have truly come to love her. She enjoys being with her guy, jogging, spending time with family and friends, has always loved to mess with hair (which means we have our own stylist!)as well as camping, and lots of other things. We just want to wish her a very (belated) happy birthday!!

We love you, Bek!!

Okay, this isn't the greatest picture, but it is clear enough to give you an idea. What do you think if I tried this hairstyle? I seriously thought about it when I got my last haircut. It's pretty short, but I might not go that short. What are your thoughts on it??? Please let me know!!

Soon to come...

Alright, I'm going to complete a couple of new posts soon. One of our computer's isn't allowing Blogger.com at this time, which means I can't post a thing and can't see comments or comment--on that computer. Also, that computer is the main source for all of our pictures. (What tragedies!) I know what I'm going to have to do, so I'm just going to have to do it! (Making a lot of sense to you, aren't I?)

Anyways, these next two posts will be coming soon...they're way overdue anyway!!

"If we could push ajar the gates of life,

And stand within, and all God's working see,

We might interpret all this doubt and strife,

And for each mystery could find a key.

"But not today. Then be content, poor heart;

God's plans, like lilies pure and white, unfold.

We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart--

Time will reveal the calyxes of gold.

"And if, through patient toil, we reach the land

Where tired feet, with sandals loosed, may rest,

When we shall clearly know and understand,

I think that we shall say, 'God knew best."

~Streams in the Desert

First Day of Autumn...

Ahh, Autumn is here! It's such a beautiful season filled with so many delights, as each season is! Chilly nights sitting by a campfire, lush red and orange colored trees, football games, great weather, warm comfort foods, and all the fall smells.

Happy First Day of Autumn!

Picture taken from: www.autumn-pictures.com/new-hampshire.htm

Am I seeing things?

No, you're not! I really did have another background on here, but it just wasn't grabbing me! SO, I'm back to my brown and pink! *smile*

The E.E.C.!!

Hey Rebecca C., Tori, Rebecca, Courtney!! I know I'm a little late here on my post! Okay, well I did better on my fruit & veggies and exercising (although I didn't always do it twice a day and I didn't exercise for the alotted time--I was close!) But, it was much better than the first week. There's nothing too special this week...we're just going to stay on week 2 for week 3. (Does that make sense??) Do you all have any tips that you think might be helpful for the challenge? If you do, please share them with us!

I look forward to hearing from you girls!!

Back from the races...

This past Saturday, me, Griff & Bek, and Thatcher, along with several friends, participated in a local 5 & 10k walk/run race. The race began at 7:30 in the morning! Some of my family and I did this last year and enjoyed it. Now, before you begin to think that I walked/ran over 6 miles, I have to confess, I only did the 5k! *smile* I wasn't in the best of shape, which is a sad thing, but it's something I need to stick with. Anyway, here are some pictures from the event! By the way, Thatch got second place in his division!!

Preparing for the race

Rachel & Dan (the happy couple!)

Griff & Thatch on the home stretch!

A job well done

The three of us

Bek and her mom almost to the finish line

Mrs. S. placed in her division

Mrs. L. placed in her division

Isaiah placed in his division

Grant placed in his division

Sweet Beginnings!

Well, girls, I've started something, and I hope you will partake in this new little endeavor! It just sort of hit me to have another blog for recommendations on a bunch of stuff, fitting into all sorts of different categories. Hence, the birth of my new blog...The Treasure Trove! It's still in the "diamond in the rough" stages, so hopefully I will be adding new things to it soon. But, you can go ahead and check it out just to get acquainted! *smile*

The "E.E.C"! *smile*

Hey Rebecca, Tori, and Rebecca! Well, it's been well over a week since our Extreme Exercise Challenge (a.k.a the E. E. C.) began. How did you all do? Unfortunately, (and to my shame) I must make some sort of a confession here...I did not succeed in my challenge hardly at all! I know! Here I am the organizer of this and I don't even get it done. Hopefully you all will have been much more disciplined than I. Today hasn't been too bad...I measured out the water I need for today, went on a walk/run, and already ate two pieces of fruit. Although this will hardly redeem myself, I will complete this next week's challenge. So, with that, I will end with the conditions of week 2 in the E.E.C! (Please also take note on the sidebar "The E.E.C's Helpful Hints", which will provide helpful tips you might wish to consider during the challenge.)

Week Two

~Exercise for at least 30 minutes, three times this week
~Drink half of your body weight (in ounces) of water each day
~Eat at least 2 fruits and vegetables each day
~Go to bed 20 minutes earlier

Visiting...

Last month, we had our pastor's family over for supper along with one of their other daughter's and her family, along with her in-laws. (Does that make sense?!) Scott & Tasha are missionaries to Indonesia and were on furlough. Here are some pictures from the evening...

Scott & Natasha and their family

Gideon taking a boat ride!

Dinner--Javanese Mountains

Hazel in the princess outfit...she loves princess!

Abby, Chester and Hazel

Me and Deana

Tanner and Chester

Thatcher and Hazel

Three Generations

Are YOU up to the challenge?

Are you? Well, I've decided to do something that you all can be a part of too! It's called the Extreme Exercise Challenge. Okay, maybe not extreme but it sounded good. *smile* I am a total slacker when it comes to exercising, getting all the amount of sleep I need, and eating the right foods. So, that's why I've come up with the Excerise Challenge. If we band together and become accountability partners, we can encourage each other on this endeavor of endurance, dedication and hard work. For some of you, the desire to get back down to a healthy weight may be your drive. For others, just the healthy practice of consistent exercise has been your goal but you just don't seem to be able to get it done.

So, if you're able and willing, please join me and become a member in the Extreme Exercise Challenge!

Here are the conditions to be a part of this fun challenge:

1. Leave a comment down below saying that you will commit to the Extreme Exercise Challenge which will last for a total of four weeks.

2. At the end of one whole week, please leave some feedback as to how you did, any insight you gained, etc.

I hope you decide to join me in a quest to get healthy, active and fit!

*The challenge begins this Monday, August 25th!*

Week One

~Exercise for at least 20 minutes, 3 times a week
~Drink at least 5, 8 oz. glasses of water each day
~Get to bed 15 minutes earlier than your normal time
~Eat one fruit and one veggie each day

Christ's Armor

That person whom I most dread to see, let me meet him as Christ meets him. Let Christ meet him. He is my armor, I am hidden in Him. My weakness, my fear, my hostility will be covered by his strength, his courage, his love.

~Elisabeth Elliot~

A Lamp For My Feet