A look back...

The last day of the year.  I heard a pastor teaching on New Year's Eve on the radio saying, this is the last day of the year.  Tomorrow starts a year that has never been done on earth ever.  Completely uncharted territory.  A time to start fresh and try to stick to those resolutions that seem to fade away by the end of January....for me it seems to happen every year.  Yet I say with a smile that I stand in awe and praise of God as I did on January 1st of this year!  However I do call myself to new resolutions for this new year.  To make my walk with Jesus more of a top priority.  To consider the value of growing more like Him and to take His word more seriously.  To talk to Him more often and spend in silence listening to Him, to set a more Christ-like example for my kids and a better friend to my friends and family.  Such high hope I have but thankfully not on my own to accomplish them!

As I look back on 2009 I have to say this has been probably the most "roller coaster" like year I've lived.  A year full of turns and valleys, straight paths and peaks and definate surprises.  I think of last year at this time, never would I have imagined what this year would contain.  Such a nugget of faith that this.  Nothing is impossible with God!  Examples?  Sure....

Chris' job loss-                                                       New job in January of 09, even better job in Dec of '09.
My neice Emily's battle with kidney cancer-             Home and doing great now and chemo and surgeries!
Renting a house we couldn't afford-                         Purchased a home of our own paying almost half
Mother of 5 healthy kids-                                        Now the mama of the "half dozen blessings"!
My neice Katie coming close to death-                    Completely healed and a happy healthy 6 month old!

Just a few examples of what our God does!  When a door closes He opens a better one, He gives and takes away and usually gives something even better.  My resolution, I think would be to look back at what God has done and continues to do and leave it at that.  He is faithful, always!  What better target to keep my eyes focused on than the God who can do all that, in one year!  There are millions of other things He does for me everyday and I am so thankful to have Him! 

A verse I think is appropriate as we embark on a new year with unforseen events and surprises would be this...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 
                                                  Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings in 2010!

Heather

Where did '09 go?

Hey everyone!  I cant believe were almost to the end of 2009!  I think we say it every year but this one really seemed to slip past me.  I guess with everything that's happened this year it's not to hard to figure out why.  But the Lord has seen us through an incredible amount this year and for that I end the new year praising Him just as I started it!

Anyway things have been so busy.  I have about 500 pictures on my camara that I want to upload so I can post some pics.  But its taken me a couple days to get this house back from Christmas!  With us being gone almost everyday over the holiday weekend, the house really took a backseat to everything. So I've been trying to catch up on it.  I do plan on posting pics very soon though.

Christmas was wonderful!  We had a great Christmas Eve at chuch.  They even blew "snow" for the kids and the kids at heart, which was sooooo awesome!  Christmas morning was great! The kids opened their presents but we all did pray before, wishing Jesus a happy birthday and thanking Him for the day!  We spend the rest of the day with Grammie and Papa and the whole family!  And on Sunday we went to Chris's mom and grandma's house and had another Christmas!!! So needless to say, the kids are spoiled and we are tired!  LOL!  But all of it a blessing and were so grateful!

Joseph is making strides like crazy!  He's smiling constantly, cooing and "talking".  Loves peek-a-boo and when we stick out our tongue at him.  He smiles and shows us his, it's so cute!  He's constantly studying his hands and trying to grab toys on his toybar too.  And last night he slept through the night!  Literally, from 10:00 to 4:50am.  The only reason he woke up then was because Daddy's alarm went off!  He's growing up so fast but still my baby!  He loves his sling still.  I'm using the sitting kind now but he loves it and falls asleep in it, still loves bath time too!

Anyway, just a little wrap up from around here! 

Blessings everyone!

Heather

Happy Birthday Chris and Merry CHRISTmas

Merry Christmas everyone!  My family and I are praying for a safe and blessed holiday for you all!  Life has been super busy the past week or so, explaining why I haven't been on here in so long.  I've gotten wrapping done and and some baking and last minute shopping too!  So I think now were officially ready!  Today is my husbands birthday as well.  34 years old today and still handsome, fun and my best friend!  I am going to bake him a cake today for when he gets home from work and tonight I hope to have pictures to post.  The kids have all made him cards, at his request so I will definately blog all of that tonight. 

December is such a busy month for our family.  With our anniversary, Chris' birthday and Christmas it seems that we blink our eyes and it's New Years!  But with much gratitude I look back at this year and stand in amazement at our God!  He's brought us through a tremendous amount this year.  Job loss, cancer, new home buying, child birth, new jobs, moving, brain surgeries....and that's just the big stuff.  And at the end of it all, He is still on the throne and has given us more than we could have ever imagined. 

So on Christmas we all take pause and consider the gift we've been given.  Jesus, God's son was given to us as a gift from our Father.  And those of us who have excepted Him know what CHRISTmas really s despite the spin the world tries to put on it, we know and we celebrate.  Because really that what it is and big birthday day party for the Savior of the world! 

Blessings,

Heather

Vintage Christmas Monday

Okay guys here I go again...

These are all stockings made by my mom.  She's made one for my husband and myself and eachone of the kids.  Their based on an old pattern.  The last picture is mine when I was little.  She made me an updated one at my request :-). But I kept my original one as well. 

Merry Christmas!

Heather

Baby, its cold outside!

Hey everyone!  As most of you probably know, its been freezing here the last couple days, literally.  Anyway, we were really hoping for snow, didn't get much of it.  Maybe next storm!  Here's a few pics of the yard in its frosty glory!

my beautiful crunchy grass!

frozen water in my bird bath...

I took another one closer because the leaves were

frozen inside the ice, cool looking huh?

Anyway, the boys had their winter concert yesterday.  Nathan is in beginning band and plays the clairinet and Jonathan is in advanced strings and plays the violin.  I'm super proud of them both they did great! Here's some pics of that too...

Here's also a link to see videos of the boys playing.  Still cant figure out how how to upload a video directly to my blog but for now just click here to see them.

Well I hope you have a great wednesday!  I'm off to feed the baby and then try to read my devotion for today! 

Love and Blessings,

Heather

Vintage Christmas Monday

Good Morning Everyone!

Well my friend Marcia is doing this that she got from another blog, Anything Goes Here.  It's a really cute idea, so I thought I'd give it go!  It's called Vintage Christmas Monday and you post some pics with stories of Christmas's past.

Here I go...

These are a collection of ornaments I have that were my great grandmothers "gramma O".  I remember her tree so vividly from when I was little.  It was so bright and had tinsel and these kinds of ornaments all over it!  I'm so glad to still have these around they bring back such great Christmas memories for me!

Here's an ornament I must have gotten when I was little, it says "Heather '82'" on it.  I'm not too sure of the details but it's vintage none the less!

This one I remember being at my house growing up.  I want to say my mom made it, but one of my grandma's could have made as well.  It's handmade and so vintage looking, I loved it as a kid!  It says "Bongiorno's" on top, my maiden name.

This is a christmas tree ornament I made as a kid in school.  There's no date on it, but has to be 25 years old at least!

This my mom gave me.  Just looking at it tells me it's probably from when she was little!  I just love it!

This is another that was around my house as kid.  Its Mrs. Claus.  Again not sure if my mom or my great grandma made it, we were all very close.  There's a Santa to match, but I'll save that one for next monday maybe....

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Blessings,

Heather

11 Years!

Today Chris and I have been married for 11 years!  I cant believe that 11 years and 6 kids later were still best friends and able to talk and laugh!  We've been through just about everything a couple can go through and by the grace of God were stronger than we were back then.  I should tell our testimonies sometime, but to make a very long story short we got saved together!  At church we both went forward and excepted the Lord!  Not to say there hasnt been struggles since then, because my goodness there has been, but always our hearts belong to Jesus.  And that's the only reason we've gotten through half of what we've been through!

Anyway,  when he got from work he had a gift for me.  Thats one thing about Chris that I never question.  He always acknowledges anniversaries, birthdays, mothers day, valentines day,  all of it!!!  But he brought me a present.  I had no idea what it was.  But I opened it and......its a parallel study bible.  The NIV and The Message!!!!  AAAHHHHH!  I love him!!! He remembered that I've been wanted the message bible for awhile, just for personal reading.  But the have the study bible also to do my devotions!  I love, love, love it!  It doesn't hurt that its pink! 

Happy 11 years baby!  I love ya!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Heather