A Few Pictures from Christmas 2012

Spending a few moments remembering the good times we had over Christmas...mostly to try & warm up from the inside out.  It's SIX degrees here, people!

This guy is SO cool, don't you think?  He gets that from his mom, for sure.  ;-) [Ahem!]

Oh yes, there they are...ever the Betty HomeMakers.

Alexia & Gramma Leslie enjoying a little "face time."

Love these girls!!!

Will You Look @ That...

Jordanelle Reservoir on a near-winter morning!

Oh Beautiful!

Just wish I could capture this better...

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For purple mountain majesties...

God has shed his grace on thee...

#GIVINGTHANKS 11-13

Day 11 -  Prep & send a package for family via EY travelers.
Day 12 - Vacuum for secretary  ;-)
Day 13 - Research for fellow teacher.

Something I Did Not Know

We Gather Together

In 1585, the city of Antwerp, in Holland, was captured by Spanish invaders.  All Protestants living there at the time were either killed or exiled.  This display of ruthless Spanish control over both the government and religion of the Dutch was only one more episode in the ongoing 30-year struggle between the two peoples. 

Dutch Protestants fought aggressively against Catholic and Spanish oppression.  The kings of Spain responded with widespread executions and higher taxes.  Finally, after several unsuccessful efforts, William the Silent, Prince of Orange, wrested control of the Dutch Provinces from Spain. 

This ushered in an age of peace known as Holland’s Golden Age.  From this time, we might recognize such greats as Rembrandt and Vermeer from the art world.  Also, exploration, trade, and colonization highlighted further prosperity of the Dutch. 

It was also at this time that an anonymous author penned the words of a song we often sing at Thanksgiving: 

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing… 
And pray that Thou still our Defender wilt be.                                                                                                     
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Thy name be ever praised.  O Lord, make us free!

The song remained sacred to the Dutch only for over two hundred years until it was translated in 1877 by Edward Kremser.  Now, we sing this song of the Dutch Reformation and are reminded of God’s Providence and deliverance for His people throughout history.  

Days 2-5: #GIVINGTHANKS

Again, just for my own accountability here, mostly...

Day 2 (Friday) - Kind of forgot until later, so I stopped in @ a favorite dessert place (#Kneaders) and picked up an eclair for my friend who LOVES them!!!  

Day 3 (Saturday) - Hiking with another friend who is always asking on nice days.  Kind of a selfish gift, I guess, but going along with the dog is definitely a leap of grace.  

Day 4 (Sunday) - A little bit cheesy, but keeping the "energetic" child on our bus for the Turkey Dinner was a gift to my fellow bus workers.  Sharing my trail mix with the same child who didn't eat breakfast was my gift to her.  

Day 5 (Monday) - Going right now to mow Charity's lawn.  (Gotta keep it neat so it'll sell!)

Day 1 - #GIVINGTHANKS Tradition

Ok, I admit, this is more to keep me accountable than for public consumption, per se, but here it is.  

DAY 1:  Celebrating the "Day-After-Halloween" @ school by buying "on sale" chocolate & sharing with everyone at school. 

"Nothing wrong with us that a little chocolate won't fix!"