Memories of Root Beer Floats

So tonight I treated myself to a root beer float. I had an intense craving, people...and I mean intense. I digress. As I was beginning to enjoy it, I had a sudden flashback to my childhood. My dad used to make my brother and I root beer floats. He would artfully pour the drink in over the ice cream just right so it made the perfect amount of foam. I would use my spoon to get the foam off, and then get two bites with the ice cream. After that, I would stir and stir until I blended it all together. And then...then I would pretend that it was my medicine. I would drink it by teaspoonfuls and pretend that it was a healing liquid for whatever ailment I came up with at the time.

So after having this memory, I started laughing just thinking about it. But then...I did it again for old time's sake. Weird? Oh yeah. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely.

Back to Work Blues...Or Not?

So, it is the night before the "dreaded" return to work (at least for most of those of us who work in public education). Vacation is over. Christmas has come and gone. The decorations are down, the festivities are through, and we all probably weigh a "slight bit" more than when we started. But I have to say, during a season when many people miss the 'magic' and fun of Christmas- I am more excited and hopeful about life than ever before. I am filled with awe and wonder at what God is capable of doing this year. A new season, a new time, a refreshing. My prayer is that this would not only happen once a year, but every single day. I want more of God in my life. Nothing else compares- not even in the slightest.

Marley and Me

Great book. Great movie. Have tissues ready...lots of them. Especially if you have ever loved a dog. Or had a dog. Or known a dog. Or looked at a dog. Or really if you have a sentimental side at all. Even this girl cried, and she couldn't remember the last time she cried in a movie. All that said, it is a very clean, very real book and movie- I recommend it.

New Year's Eve Fondue Party!

So, a few years ago I bought my dad a fondue pot for Christmas. Since then, it has become a tradition for our family to have cheese and chocolate fondue on New Year's Eve, along with sparkling cider. My nephews participated last year and were SO excited to come back and do it again. Well, the evening came and my brother went to leave his house with the boys. They started running around the truck and had an unfortunate incident in which Brad's mouth hit the side of Brayden's head. As you can imagine, lots of blood was involved. However, the bigger worry (of the boys) was that they would not be able to come for fondue. So come they did, with Brad's lip the size of Texas. Poor guy looked wiped out and like he didn't feel so great. But he got fondue, so all was well with the world. Here are some pictures of the event (and please excuse his poor lip!)



Hope everyone's New Year got off to a bright start, full of hope and family and the things that truly matter.

A Living House

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.
C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity


Lord, make me new. Change me and grow me into your will. I may not know what that is, but I want it more than anything else. I am committed. That is my One Little Word 2009. Check out the link for inspiration and an explanation.

What will your One Little Word 2009 be?