Happy New Year ... 'cause I am Timely Like That!

Yeah, I know ... I am late. Because I am nothing if not a world class procrastinator.

But, as I always say (and hope people believe me), better late than never! So, I am saying it now ...

Happy New Year!!!

Truth be told, 2008 had it's ups and downs for us here in B manor. The ups were plastered here in all their splendor for you all (or, as Frannie would say - y'all) to celebrate with us. And many of the downs were here as well - 'cause #1 - misery loves company and #2 - I sometimes just need some cheering up! Y'all were pretty good at that last year. Thanks!

However, there was one down that I have not shared in it's ugly entirety with all of my bloggy friends. And, honestly, I have been on a yo-yo string in regards to knowing whether or not I should share it. I have been really wrestling with how honest to be, 'cause I do not want this blog to become a bummer. I want this little corner of my world to be a Glorification of the One who sets me Free.

That being said, I have come to a little decision. I am gonna lay it all on the line. Not today however, because I have to put some thought into the way I lay it all out for ya. But, in our prayers regarding this situation, our biggest request is that God is glorified. Not just in the "wow, look what He did for us" end result, but in the "look at what He is doing/seeing us through/helping us to survive/etc... every day along the way" getting there process. I know that He will not let us fall and I want the world to see Him carry us. I want you to see Him set us free!!!

When Paula was diagnosed with the cancer that eventually took her life, she said that if she had to go through it, then she wanted God to "use the tar out of it". I thought that was the bravest thing I had ever heard of. And she became one of my truest heroes in that battle. Now, I KNOW that this is nothing like cancer - Thank You Lord!!! - but I still want God to use us in this situation. Use us to His glory.

So, in the next day or two I will be posting a not so pretty post about what is happening here - no one is sick (Thank You SIR!!!), we have simply fallen victim - as so many others have - to a BAD economic picture. Details to come.

So, seeing as how I have given up on New Year's resolutions (it is January 2nd, so they would be broken by now anyway!!!), I have joined with some of my Siestas and my PBFF Beth Moore in dedicating myself to a little Scripture memorization. If you want to play along you can join us HERE. And, true to form, I may have bitten off a little more than I can chew. Rather than picking a verse or two, I picked a Psalm - an ENTIRE PSALM. Now, it IS only six verses, but still...

I chose these verses because I want to spend my life Praising Him - even if the situation seems bleak. I want to praise Him with my life. Every moment of every day of my life. So ...

Praise the Lord. Praise God in His Sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty Heavens.

Praise Him for His acts of power; Praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, Praise Him with the harp and the lyre.

Praise Him with the tambourine and dancing, Praise Him with the strings and flute.

Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, Praise Him with (loud)resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord. PRAISE THE LORD!

Psalm 150

And, with that, I will bid you adieu for the day! Please take at least one moment in this day to Praise Him ... the rocks are doing it, won't you join them?!

God Bless!!!!

Picture Perfect WEDNESDAY - better late than never!

I had many grand plans for this post. Plans that included posting it on, ya know, MONDAY!!! However, the flu bug has bitten the B Manor, thus throwing all plans out the window.

I also envisioned a year end post in which we looked back through pictures and I poetically encaptured the year's memories and brought a tear to all of your eyes.

But, now, it seems, the only tears are in MY eyes, cause I tend to get teary when I puke. Now, for the record, I have not puked yet, per sey. I have, however, been puked ON three times in the last two days. And, in my feeble little mind, that soooooo counts!

And, now, for your viewing pleasure ...

We got the girls all dressed up for church on Christmas Eve and prepared to take pictures, and in a strange turn of events, it was Miss Sophie who proved uncooperative ...

Hattie gave a charming smile - it was so sweet!!!

Sophie, on the other hand, kept trying to grab the camera!

(see what I mean?)

Yeah, no body was cooperating for this one!!!

And then there was one ... and hello, it was Hattie!

Afterwards we had a little birthday party for Baby Jesus!

(And, yes, that is a tealight for the candle - because, being the good Christian woman that I am, I forgot the birthday candle for the Sweet Baby Jesus!!!)

But the cake was yummy, as proven by the following ...

Sophie is quite serious about her cake eating business!!!

Hattie just likes to have a little fun with her cake.

And, as they ate, we read the kids version of the Christmas story!! Hattie seemed to really understand things this year. All day long on Christmas, she kept saying it was Baby Jesus' birthday!!

And I cannot tell you how that Blessed this mommy's heart!!!

Christmas morning we woke to all of the gifts beneath the tree...

Hattie got this lovely baby doll set. And it remains untouched to this day... She prefers the cheap magic wand that she found in her stocking.

Sophie got some Little People sets that Hattie commandeered. But that is OK, because SHE prefers the old cell phone that she received. She is always trying to take everyone else's and this way she has her own. She LOVES it!!!

Hubby got t-shirts and socks. Thank you Santa!!! He also got a swell mug. And it, too, has remained untouched!

*sigh*

I got some straws ( I HEART straws!!!) and a ped egg, both of which have been used profusely!!! Wanna come feel my feet? Smooth, baby, SMOOTH!!!

Here is Sophie playing shy with the camera .... Ummm, who are you and what have you done with my baby?!?!?!

And, here is Hattie a little out of focus (have I mentioned that I am currently hating my camera!!!) due to the dancing she was doing with her magic wand! So sweet!!!

Well, that is all we have picture wise. And now, I must go and rest... all of this thinking has worn me out.

If I have a burst of energy before the end of the day I will try to get that year recap in ...

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one!

Have a BLESSED new year! Be safe and God Bless!!!