More Cake

These are my Christmas tree cupcakes that Nick wanted me to make. One for Grammie's house and one for Gramma's house! The example picture is much cuter and more elaberate, but this is all I could figure out.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Someone at my church decided to give us ALL a Christmas present and bought this book to give to each family of our congregation. We are not a small church. I have started reading it and it's not bad! The author has created a website that gives introductions to each chapter. Click on videos and than the awe factor of God. He gives a reminded perspective of God and us.

I was thinking that this book would be a good one for Mission Year to read. I know that they are always looking for good books. Maybe even a book to recommend to alumni. (btw: Mission Year's website is awesome! How do I get Leroy to come to California?!)

Links

A friend introduced me to this awesomely funny site: Cake Wrecks!

I don't usually do random jumping around on the internet, but I found this green planet site that I find interesting. I don't know how accurate the data is, but it sounds good! I don't endorse the opinions of this site. I think it's informative and interesting.

Marriage

So, I had the third marriage proposal of my life.

I handed my son a bracelet I made for him. He sat on my lap and asked me, "Will you marry me?"

I gave him kisses and told him he was sweet, but that I was already taken. "You're taken to marry, Mom?"

"Yes, Nick, I'm already married to your daddy!"

"But will you marry me?" Nick kept asking in the sweetest little boy voice.

(I also had fourth and fifth and sixth marriage proposals today, as my son did not stop asking me for 15 minutes!)

Presents

Still trying to be crafty. The kids draw names for Christmas presents so us parents don't have to buy something for EVERYONE.

Nick got his youngest cousin. So, I have been working on these plush characters for her to stuff into a bag because she likes to sort things and put stuff inside other things. I will stuff these and put them into a home-made purse. Nick likes them, too!

Beth Baking!!

Beth baking!? Not really baking, but making a no-bake cake, (for a potluck), Pampered Chef style...
(So, yeah, it's a stocking cake.)

ETSY.com

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I finally have posted on ETSY.com. Check out my store. I will have more purses up soon. I'm learning this process and having fun too!!

Lake Tahoe

We went to Lake Tahoe with my family for Thanksgiving. It was cold. VERY cold. No snow down low, though you could take the gaundula for $30/person. Nope, we stayed low, had fun window shopping and enjoyed the quietness of being in the mountains.

1. Climbing the mountain (cousin)
2. Sleeping in
3. Mom and son in the sun

Crafty yet again

I've been working on these purses to take to a craft fair. Then I found out that I can't do it, it's closed and very specific. So, I'm thinking of putting these up on ETSY for a few bucks, just for fun. It's a limited customer base, making jean purses, but I'm having tons of fun!!
I made these for a birthday present, along with a purse to stuff them into. I made the pattern myself. Also working on a kitty and possibly a snake.

"Car Accident" Incident

So, I'm at work. I walk up to the front counter to ask a mother if she needs anything because she's just looking around. She said no, but I asked her if I knew her. She said she didn't think so, but she gave me a little smirkish smile. I quickly excused myself to go make a phone call.

OMG! I went into my office to look up her students name along with the mom on my computer. She is the lady that I hit with my car!

I don't really care, it was my fault. She was just such a weirdo about the whole thing, though she probably thinks that about me. She was the one dancing out in front of traffic.

I was horrified when I realized this and relieved that, if she signs up for Sylvan, her daughter will not be under my direction!

I don't hope this of anyone, but I really don't want her to sign up. I have enough stress at work that I don't need crazy-lady to add to it. But in all fairness: I did hit her.

Check It Out

Check out Nick's blog to read about his adventure. It really is a good thing that I did not see this happen.

Long time waiting...

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So, I haven't posted in awhile. Make sure you check out the pictures of Nick. I just put up three or so posts. (Check Nick's blog, too. Different pictures.)
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I don't know who does and doesn't know, but... I wrote a children's book. My goal is to find a publisher that is similar to the one that Cassie's husband used for his book, "Jesus for President." Then, I have to get them to LIKE my book and actually WANT to publish it. That's the tricky part. And I'm not set on a title yet, understanding that a title can make or break you.
On the name note:

Don't forget the "Poinsettias" baby! (If you get this inside joke, YOU ROCK! That should be about 3 people in the whole universe, including myself!)

Soda

Nick is so funny when he drinks soda! We don't give it to him very often, it's a treat for him. But it is soo funny!!

Silly Nick

My silly, willy, nilly, Nicky!
Check out Nick's Blog for more pics.

Next Food Network Star

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My brother-in-law is auditioning to be the Next Food Network Star! Check out his video to help it reach the top 10 most viewed.

Good luck, Tony!

Bath Time!

Nick, being a silly-willy in the tub!!


That tongue is always hangin' out!

Cool Afternoon

My cool kid on a cool autumn afternoon!

Four Shoes / Zero Pairs

These are Nick's summer shoes. These are also the shoes that he had to choose from to wear. NO MATCHES!!! I was very frustrated for 2/3 weeks until we found the other FOUR shoes!!

remembering

remembering

the sunshine softly touches your face.
a summer breeze tossles your hair.
tears glisten in your eyes
and i wish that i were there.
i see you as if you're really here.
yet i can't reach to touch your face.
i am just a dreamer
as i dream of your embrace.
almost, now, i feel you touching me.
yet i know this cannot be true
because you're not here with me
and i'm still missing you.
but this image of you sitting there,
the summer sun touching your brow;
this is the only image i have
to keep in my heart for now.
copyright: beth davis

Always more Nick-isms

Nick and I were counting twos.
"Two Grandpas!" Nick said excitedly. "But not the same heads."
"No," I replied, "not the same heads, and not the same hearts because they are different people."
"No," Nick retorted. "They are the same heart."
"Why," I asked.
"Because we all love each other!"
(too sweet!)

"Mommy, Daddy camed over to me!"

"Mommy, I want to see the down-side of your eyes."
(Daddy will have to tell you what that means!)

And MY 2 FAVORITEs: Optimus Crime and "Clause the movie, Mom!"

Washed in Blood?

I read this in a book by Ron Carlson and Ed Decker. I hope I get it right...

I've always been confused about being washed in the "blood" of the lamb. How can I be white as snow if I am covered in the staining power of blood? I know the blood of Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and no other will ever have to be made. I know that his blood was the last the Father required and no more need be shed. I know that that is why I don't have to die for my sins. Still... how can I be CLEAN if I'm covered in blood?

At times, a ewe might die giving birth. Then there is a lamb that does not have anyone to feed it. Another ewe WILL NOT take on that lamb because it is not of the same blood. At times, a ewe might give birth to a still-lamb, leaving that ewe with all the motherly instincts but no lamb to be a mommy to. The GROSS, AMAZING PART: a farmer will take the skin off of the dead lamb and place it on the lamb that has no mommy. The farmer will give that lamb that is covered in the dead-skin to the ewe that just lost her baby. NOW the ewe will take on this motherless lamb because it is covered in the blood of her lost baby; it will smell like her blood.

Now I can see that we are washed in the blood of Christ, adopted into the the family of God; we smell like him and are taken care of by the Father.

Eventually, the farmer can take the dead skin away and the mother will be used to the new lamb and treat it like her very own. Even after the blood is washed away and the lamb is clean, the ewe will take care of it the same as if it were of her own blood. WOW! Now I see the metaphor.

A Glass Slipper

A glass slipper... need I say more? Many a young, romantic heart has wished for her prince to seek her and find her and wisp her away to a better life. But in all the stories, there is only ONE slipper to fit ONE foot; only ONE romantic getaway.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
JOHN 1:1-5

There was, there is, and there is yet to come, THE ONE. He's like the slipper in that he is the perfect fit. The difference is that we were made to FIT HIM. Perfectly made how he wanted us to be so that we could fit together with him. Not just one shoe for one person, but ONE savior to fit ALL mankind, with one place to go: HEAVEN! the ultimate romantic getaway. No pain, no sorrow, no rejection and best of all: the perfect fit, you and me along side the Word, Jesus Christ.

More on the Accident

I just got back from Florida! Lovely weather there!
But first, more on the car accident has been requested:

I rolled into the car in front of me on an off-ramp. She took her foot off of the break, so did I. She looked over her shoulder to merge, do did I. I looked forward, hit the break and then hit her. NO BIG DEAL. except, her car was a rental!

We pull over, she gets out of the car and proceeds to step into traffic. I yelled at her (because the traffic was sooo loud) to get out of the street so as not to get hurt. She stepped more into traffic and farther away from me, as if to prove that she would not get hit.

She asked for my information and I told her it would be just a second as I was due to pick up my son and had to tell the person that had my son that I would be delayed. As she is asking me for my info, she is on the phone to the police and procedes to tell them to "hurry up and get an officer out here" because I am being uncooperative. NOTE: my priority was not HER! It was my son.

I wrote all my info down and got out of the car to give it to her. She said that she wanted and had a right to see my drivers license. She was very adiment and rude. I said "no, I'll show the police when they get here since you insisted on calling them. The police are the only people I will be held accountable to at this point." She refused to take my insurance information and made NO MOVE to give me hers. So I got back in the car until the police got there.

She made sure that she spoke to them first, pointing and yelling in my direction. When the officer came to my window, obviously annoyed at being distrurbed from his dinner for a scrape and a scrabble, he asked why I was refusing to exchange information. Hello!! Who was refusing!?!?

The officers were so nice and could see that she was upset at nothing as I stayed calm, (thank you, Rob, for calming me down before they got there!) and that she was acting over the top over such a minor thing.

It still makes me mad that she thought the world revolved around her and her stupid rental car. If I had been the one to get hit, I would have said, "Go home!, I won't rack up your car insurance policy over a 2 inch scratch! I'll just tell the insurance company I don't know who did it, so don't tell me your name!"

Car Accident

This is the damage done by my car to the one I rolled into, the accident where the lady tried to get me arrested or something. Freak! There is no picture of my car because there was NO DAMAGE! yeah!

To Do List

A friend inspired me to start a to-do list. I can only think of a few right now, but I know there are plenty more things that I aspire to do before I turn 40. (9 more years, i think.)

~Pay off all debt, live debt free
~Save Money for my sons education
~Get published: I'm done with my manuscript!
~Finish my masters degree
~Buy a house (where?)
~Home School my son

That's enough for now. 2 of those things are in process and I feel good about that. It's nice to feel good about something these days, no matter how small.

CREATION

The sky was dark all around.
The heavens were speechless... not a sound

THEN GOD SPOKE

Not a wave of his hand; just a thought, a notion.
The sun was created, the earth put to motion.

THEN GOD SPOKE

Man was formed from the dust of Earth's crust
where man would sin from the heart of his lust.

THEN GOD SPOKE

Man heard God call and hid from view
But God knows all 'cause God made you.

THEN GOD SPOKE

And we remembered his voice, his calling.
God created in each of us a longing
for his voice;
for his nearness.
Then God Spoke.

One more post...

Nick wanted to post a picture of his cars before bedtime:

Still Crafting

Nick had fun sleeping in his tent for two nights in a row. He's getting so big and has his own opinions.
I needed (i mean, wanted) a new wallet, so I decided to make one to match the new purse I made. Fully lined, purse, clutch, and matching wallet! I am having so much fun. Wallet made out of left over material. Thanks for not letting me throw it away, Rob!
I think I'll try buttons and zippers next, though I'm nervous. I have a list of accessories I want to get for my sewing machine. I'd much rather sew than think about real life right now. It's a great release, to create something and be able to use it or give it away as a gift. I made a thumb pincushion also; Love it!

My True Desire Part 2

Since I made the posting "My True Desire" I must say the devil has been hard at work in our lives.


1. I got in a fender-bender with a witch who tried to get me arrested.

2. A friend lost their 1 year old to complications he's had since birth.

3. My husband got laid off.

4. A close friend lost her pregnancy.

5. We were sent to collections for Nick's surgery bills that our insurance was supposed to cover.

Note: This all happened with in a few days.
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My true desire is you, JC, even if the world crumbles around me; even if I stop hearing your voice; even if a hurricane devistates New Orleans still more; even if Obama gets elected president; My true desire is YOU, Jesus Christ.

Uncertainty

" i can't believe peter james and john just left everything like that. nets and all. it takes a long time to make those nets and keep them in good working condition. life with jesus was so full of uncertainty. when were they coming home? what would they eat? where would they stay?? what were they going to do?? was it safe?" Written on LovelyLinda's blog August 2007
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i feel these uncertain times; these earth-shattering calls; one side of me is screaming for chaos to be restored to order; the other side of me is trusting and longing to know him more. As satan tries to tear me away from my savior, I see my savior using circumstances to show his face, his glory, even more. I can't say how his glory will shine, but dear God, I am ready to see your son shine!
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any time now, I'm waiting... still waiting... I'll be here, you know where to find me... and still waiting... not feeling safe, want to feel safe... still waiting...

Car Toys

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I forgot about this picture, actually taken before Monterey. Nick got 5 new cars from Gramma! 2 in his left hand, 2 in his right hand, 1 in his mouth! Then he fell asleep 55 seconds after we got into the car!

My True Desire

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My desire, MY DESIRE, is to know you, God. Every minute of every day, to be near you. Help me, dear God, as I stray from that desire daily, hourly, minute-ly!
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Change my heart, oh God, make it ever true! I pray that and I fight that every day.
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If you want me to, I'll walk thru the valley. I've said this to you, Lord, before. But MY FLESH is so weak. I run for the hills and scream, asking "WHY ME?"
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"Let me die here, let me meet you now." But now would be heartache for you, dear Lord, for me, because I have not followed you with my whole heart. I have not loved your people like you have taught me to.
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The desires of my heart are very worldly. I've asked God for brokenness. He never promised that that wouldn't hurt. To be broken... does that mean to have faith? to be let down by the world of love and a world of money? to be brought to my knees because I can't keep up with the demands of the world? To be broken... to be shamed infront of man? to be heart-broken and depressed?
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God, I have brokenness. Although I know that other's pain can be worse than my own, I find no comfort with that knowledge. I can only know what my own heart feels. Although I cry for other's pain, it is a temporary release. My own pain consumes me; my own heart breaks too often to count the pieces.
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Yet, selfishly craving healing, YOU ARE MY DESIRE. Let that be true every day of my life. May that desire be reflected in everything I do so that others may know you also. My true heart, my worldly heart; may that be hidden, forgiven, and forgotten - daily, hourly, minute-ly.
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I write these words so that I may remember my desire and not forget. I write these words in defiance of the evil one; to try to show GOD'S VICTORY! Let not my own desire of health, wealth, power, get in the way of MY TRUE DESIRE: JESUS CHRIST!

Monterey

Nick, Mommy, and a scary giant otter. Nick was not thrilled to get his picture with it, but he laughed like only a mom can get her boy to laugh!

We went to Monterey bay this past weekend. It was good to have passes because we spent about 3 hours each day there, instead of ALL DAY one day. I had fun taking pictures of Nicky with his daddy. We got to touch the stingrays. This brown one kept coming back to me and Nick for more!
Nick loved this computer game that they had in the otter exhibit. We even got to see an otter eat a live mouse. Well, he wasn't so alive by the time the otter got around to munchin'.

We had a fun picnic lunch on Sunday with Rob's sister, too, and were visited by a squrill (sp?) who was not afraid of us at all. Nick and I even got soaked when a HUGE wave came up and splashed us. (that is not me in the pic. Nick is telling some stranger a story!)

Outside of the IMAX theatre, a bagpiper played about a dozen different kinds of bagpipes. Nick loved it, as "Wicked Tinkers" are one of his favorite bands.This old traincar was a shop and Nick loved that he could go inside the train!

This vidoe is why Nick likes the sand and why his mother does not!

Crafty

I've been very crafty lately, as I've said before. I made curtains for Nick's room. They are very busy, but Nick loves them. The pattern is red and yellow race cars with flames. His favorite! The backside is just yellow. And these are some of the bags I've been making. I even figured out how to do a lining of a bag, and pockets. Next is interfacing, to make the bag stiffer.
I'm having soooo much fun. I'm out of fabric and trying to think of things I can do with my scraps. Etsy.com has inspired me to make my own. I don't have a straight enough stitch to sell my bags, and these are not my best either, but maybe someday.

Nick's conversations

Nick has not been napping in the afternoons, therefore has been going to bed way too early. As I was talking to him about the sun being up, I tried to recall his words because they were just too damn cute:

Nick: I'm mad at God. He's not a nice guy.
Mom: Oh, how come?
Nick: He makes the sun set. Does that mean 'go down,' Mommy?
Mom: Yes, Nick, God is in charge of the sun setting.
Nick: Yeah, he's not a nice guy. I don't want the sun to go down. I want it to be day time.
Mom: Well, it's good to have the sun go down because we need to rest, and nighttime is when we rest. God made it so we could have rest time!
Nick: (yelling) I don't want to rest. I'm mad at God for the sun.
Mom: Please don't yell in the car, Nick.
Nick: (whispering) Sorry, Mommy. I'm still mad at God, he's not a nice guy.

It went something like that. It was so funny! I talked about how I'm mad at God sometimes, but not for the sun because that's supposed to happen.

Silly Video

Nick was being very silly this morning, watching froggy videos on youtube.

Arts and Crafts

I made these bags for Nick's cousin so he could sort and organize his toys. I hope he likes them! Nick picked out the fabric and the handle color as well. I made them different sizes on purpose, that was not an accident!

I've also made a beach tote for Nicky and a bag for myself out of the same material; a waist apron for work, gray; in the process of making a fancy tote for my trip to Florida, (work is paying for the trip); cool curtains for Nick's room (just can't find a nice rod); a draw-string back for dice at the Bunco games.

Thank you, God.

Rob and I had a bad day today. Even Nicky couldn't make us laugh. On the way home from the grocery store, Rob looked over and saw the sun setting. We found the highest place in our neighborhood and sat to watch the sun go down. These pictures are from my cell phone, so don't do God justice. The tops of the clouds were glowing gold; the beams of light were individually shining up into the atmosphere. It was spectacular. Thank you, God!

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The pic of Nick is him coloring a picture for a contest. He doesn't know that word yet, but we got out the markers, which was a treat for him!

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(More Nicky-isms: Sufeen = Something)

E-Bay

So, even though I am now addicted to Etsy.com, (thank you, Dia), I am trying my hand at ebay. I am posting one thing at a time. For those of you who know me, that might even be too much. I was excited to see my listing get bids right away, but am disappointed to see it sit at $20. Rob and I need some other income to get out of debt or it's never gonna happen.
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As I try to go off to school again, we are beyond debt-up-to-our-eyeballs. We're way past Rob's 6'2" frame. There is hope, as the car will be paid off in a year and a half. And we are OFFICIALLY a one car family, though Rob is not as excited as I am! (I have the car most of the time.)
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So, check out ebay, look up storm troopers if you like star wars. I have a few tucked away. And an R2D2 also. I'm not telling which posting is mine yet. It will end in less than 4 days from now.
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{and one Nick-ism: Oder dere = over there.}

Lovens

"Mommy!" Nick yells from his bedroom after a great night of going to bed without fussy.
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"Great," my thoughts wonder, "here we go again. I've had a long day at work; Daddy's not home; I don't know if I can handle a long night with Nick." Outloud, I finally say, "What," in the meanest voice I can muster after a hecktic day, (which isn't too hard to come up with.)
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"I meed a hug and a kiss," Nick replies in a matter-of-fact tone.
Frankly, after the day I've had, I could use another hug and a kiss. So, against my better judgement, fearing I'm about to start a new bad habit, I quickly go into Nick's room and grab a kiss and TWO hugs.
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Life is better somehow. I don't NEED Nick to show me love. I don't mind if he doesn't like me or he's mad. When he shows me gentleness, however, it helps me see that even though I loose my temper more than I would like to admit, Nick is still learning gentleness and patience and kindness, and LOVE. For all the times I yell too loudly or don't spend time playing cars, he is still learning to take time to LOVE.

Who does the moon belong to?

Mommy: Who does the moon belong to, Nick?

Nick: God.

Mommy: Who does the sun belong to?

Nick: God

Grammie: Who does Nick belong to?

Nick: (in a silly, salsy voice) Not to God!

We had a little talk about how we all belong to God and God gave us Nick. He thought that was pretty silly since he clearly belongs to Mommy and Daddy. And if you ask him who's boy he is, he will quickly smile and say, "Grammie's!" Then he'll ask for a candy cane.

Throwing Chair

Nick: The floor threw me out of my chair.

Mom: How did you fall off of your chair?

Nick: Because my blue chair spilled me off.

Mom: Oh. ok. Are you ok?

Nick: Yeah, I'm right here.

Jokin' Around

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Nick's new jokes:

Why did Mommy and Nicky cross the road?
Because the animals ate us!

Why did we cross the road with no friends?
Because we saw a big candycane!

Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because the crododile snapped him up!

More Nicky-isms

"I 'nt no" (I don't know)
"wawee, wawee, wawee, ge'your abver-bsere." (Lolly, get your adverbs here)
"Lazy bones!" (mommy's name in the mornings)
"That makes me sad! Don't talk that way to me." (Already in trouble, about to get punished)
"Five more minutes, Mom." (at bedtime or in the pool)

Nick is napping and Rob and I are playing a game called "Magic Pen" on http://www.games.yahoo.com/, trying to master each level, either creatively or with the fewest shapes. It's just another way to waste time and not do chores! Speaking of, I really should get some laundry done before Monday morning, and clean the kitchen, and scrub the tub, and vacuum the living room, and pick up Nick's room, and go over bills, and ..... .... ... .. .

Swimmin'

My little swimmer! He loves the water, almost always has! (refer back to very first bath pictures!) He's got the little white butt with the tan legs and back. I love it!

pain

I told Nick he was a little pain in the butt.
He told me I was too! and that I was a BIG pain in the butt.
Little stinker!

oh, forgot to mention:

It's official! Nick is potty-trained!!!

Playground