A Fabulous False Alarm...

This past Sunday our Aunt Amparo gave us a call saying she thought she was in labor; so the four of us headed to Austin after a wonderful weekend with our friends, the Raymunds.

Although it was a false alarm we still had lots of fun!

Although Mia did not feel very well while we were there.

Christmas gift ideas...

While I was at a dear friends house recently, I was reading a tea magazine (They are regular tea drinkers). While I was pouring through I came across an advertisement for some notecards and placecards by Judy Jamieson. She hand paints each card from her favorite scenes around her (Apparently she sometimes paints in her day lily garden for inspiration). Her prints are quaint and reminded me of somewhere in the Eastcoast or England. Some of them were a bit to floral for me but here are some of my favorites...

A Blue Willow Teapot

and Tea cup of Daffodils as well as the "Church in the Hills" at the beginning of the post.

Please take a look at the others that Mrs. Jamieson has on her site.

Fun on the trampoline...

Through a series of serious events, Sophia stayed with us for part of the week. One of the days she came up to me with the sweetest face and locked me into her green-eyed gaze, waved her hands over my face, and the next thing I knew I was jumping on our trampoline. Here are some of the photo's we took that afternoon...

Sophie jumping

Sophie on my feet

More jumping

"Okay Sophie, it's time for a water break..."

Mica got on the trampoline too (after much convincing)

Sophie's "sparkly" hair (As she called it)

Um...her hands were cold (I really liked this one)

More fun on the trampoline with cold hands...

Our little Oompa-Loompa attacking Mica

Here we are, Sophie was taking a silly picture but what can I say?

Three sets of tired but happy feet...

Thoughts on marriage...

Recently I borrowed a book from a dear friend called Daughters of Destiny by Noelle Wheeler Goforth. It is such an encouragement to me as I read of godly examples of young women and short stories of faithful persevering wives. It has encouraged me to strive for those sort of attributes: patience, perseverance, hope, faithfulness, and cheerfulness.
I was also reminded that these women did not aquire these qualities overnight but they were woven into her character by God and over a period of time. So it's not completely hopeless to pray for these now; I know I still have lots of things to learn before I am "ready" and time in which to learn. I am so thankful that it is the Lord that works in us in His own perfect timing and His ways. Which, when you think about it, is the reason why we can still have hope and not become bitter when "bad" things happen to us (See James 1).

There is some more things I would like to say about this book but dinner needs to be fixed so I am off!

Embroidery Threads

This is not a great picture and I would have taken another except the camera is no where to be seen. But estimating there is probably at least 100 bundles of threads! And yesterday I bought four packets of "Fiber Cards", as they are called on the packet, but they used to wind the thread instead of a tangled mess .There are 25 "Fiber Cards" in each packet, so if you did your math properly, 100. But I am confident that with a good movie or radio drama, good popcorn or some sort of yummy snack, and a certain two pairs of hands to help me, I think I can do it!


Caro :)

Update on Me!!

So I went to my doctor's appointment today and got a sonogram. And theywere able to determine the sex of the baby!!! IT'S A BOY!!!!! Chris and I are very excited. Sophie was a little disappointed, as she was hoping for a boy and girl. Oh well. Anyways, I'll keep our readers updated on the latest news as it occurs. Ciao-Nicole

What does green, soy, cotton, and Desmond Tutu have in common?

They are only some of the components that make up the newest Bible. I heard about this on the radio this morning and was interested at the publicity and comments it was getting.

Another Bible they were showcasing was the new, sleek, and hip version of the New Testament.
Dag Soderberg thought that more people needed to read "the good book" so he set out to make it more appealing to a bigger crowd (as if a teenage magazine of the "NT" was not broad enough). Complete with color photographs of Angelina Jolie, Bono, and Nelson Mandela to name a few, it was designed to provoke discussion, which I'm sure it will. As will the OT version when it is released just in time for Easter 2009.

Am I suprised? Not really, disappointed yes, but after seeing what is sold in most Christian bookshops it sort of fits the mold.

Update on Chris

So we went to the orthopedic surgeon today. Chris has 4 different fractures of his calcaneus bone(heel bone). Thank goodness though, no surgery!!! They put him in a hard cast until January and prescribed lots of rest. After that, he is looking at another few weeks in a walking cast. I was able to take pictures while we waited for the doctor. Please continue to pray for healing and sanity for us.

A Thanksgiving Message...

From our first president of the United States: George Washington.

Well, as most of you know, you never stop learning (even when you turn 18), and when this was sent to my family I was slightly embarrassed that I had never read it before. But I love history, learning and reading about it is always a fun and interesting way to spend my time. So here is my most recent discovery of our nations history:

Thanksgiving ProclamationCity of New York, October 3, 1789
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

Here is the most recent Thanksgiving message. I thought it was interesting to compare content.

38 Cards And 3 Hats For...

I love going to Estate sales and buying old fashioned things or not old fashioned things. As you see, I bought a few things...38 cards and 3 hats and a prettty round tin box (not included in the picture). Let's see, I bought the cards for...guess...ok never mind but I bought the cards for...are you sure you don't want to guess?....ok, ok I bought the cards for, yes all the cards for $.50! I "made out as a bandit", as mom says. And as for the hats, they were $8.00 so I payed $5.00 and mom took care of the rest. And the tin box, why that only cost me $.50 as well!

Depression Glass

Due to my recent interest in collecting Depression Glass, I have been doing a bit of research on the subject and I found some interesting tid bits of information like:

~It was distributed for free or at a low cost during the 1920's as a business promotion. Businesses like the Quaker Oats Company would place it in boxes of food so more people would buy their product (Think the toy in the Cracker Jacks box). Some movie theatres would hand them out at the door to thank their customers.

~It was primarily manufactured in the central and mid-west part of the U.S. because of the supplies.

~A second category of DG is called Elegant Glass, which is also a collectible and was an alternative to fine china during the 1920's to the 1950's, then cheap glassware and imported china became it's replacement.

I haven't yet discovered how you can recognize Depression Glass specifically but I hope to find more time for research in the future!

The latest news on the Webbs

Well, this past Thursday my husband Chris was in a motorcycle wreck. He came away with a bruised ego, wrecked bike, and a broken heel bone. After 7 hours in 2 different ERs, we came home with crutches, a splint, and some heavy pain meds. We are estimating a recovery time of 4-6 weeks; possibly longer if he requires surgery. Thankfully, we have some disability coverage but it will still be tight. Please pray for us during this time. Mostly for healing but also for patience for me. I think I know what it is like to have 3 small and needy children. I am ready for when this little one comes!

A Wedding and a Birthday...

Well as many of you know tomorrow will be the wedding of two very dear people in our church:

Katie and Ray.

Over the past months it has been such a blessing to see the courtship, engagement, and now marriage of these two godly people. In our church they have "set the standard", so to speak, on this season in a unmarried persons life. Naturally a courtship will be quite different for each individual person but I have appreciated how they have been so untraditional in their planning.

Tomorrows wedding will be my first wedding in which the couple have not been living together, have no children, and have a firm relationship with the Lord.

I and my entire family are very excited to be participating in their precious wedding.

Oh, and tomorrow I will be eighteen.

Recent Estate sale finds for my hope chest...

Here are the latest additions for my hope chest that I found at an estate sale this morning: another apron and two glass serving bowls.

And here is the beginning of my Depression Glass collection!

While we were in the Arkansas antique shops I fell in love with it and wanted to start a collection like my Aunt Amparo. So for three dollars I began my search for this delicate, lovely glass.

Thanksgiving preparations...

Even though Thanksgiving is next week, we are busy finalizing menu's, making decorations, and thinking about seating assignments. This year we are going to my Aunt Amparo's house along with my Nicole and my Aunt Gaby (When I say their names I mean their families also).
I would love to know what everyone's Thanksgiving plans are for this year!

Yet another great vintage site....

My Mom saw an ad for a really cute vintage type website called Bella Pamela.

Their offer a wide variety of children and adult aprons, hair ties, baby bibs, and fabrics.My favorite is the Eunice and Katherine aprons.

Enjoy!

To My Sister On Her Birthday....

Happy Birthday Nicole! I thought about using "To my elderly sister" as my title but thought twice as I value my life more than my humor (No, the fact that you are half-way to fifty has nothing to do with it).

In all seriousness please read the rest of my post before you go and buy a sniper gun.

(Let me use this as a prelude to the birthday card I am making for you)

The Lord has tremendously blessed our family with you; especially in the past six or five years you have been a very prominent model in my life. I know this is because the Lord has matured and strengthened you not only your walk with Him but also in your character and convictions. Your steadfastness, perseverance, and incredible love have made a difference in my life. You have shown me what it truly means to submit and respect a husband; care for your children (And still keep your sanity); and how to be sensible, upright, caring, and selfless. Whether you intended to show me these things or not this is what you have done; I am reminded and convicted to do these things because of you.

Like I said, I have written down some more personal things to share with you and you will get that when we see you next week.

For now know that I thank the Lord for you and I love you very much.

Your affectionate sister,

Elena

Bon Anniversaire, Sophia!

Happy Birthday, Sophia!

I remember when you were born in Austin six years ago. You were just a little bundle then and now you're more precious than ever.

It seems like very little time has passed but I can see that you're already growing up to be a sweet young lady and an asset to your father's household.

It's a joy to see you helping momma in the kitchen and always being willing to help daddy with his motorcycle :).

I love you, Sophia, and I thank the Lord for blessing our family with you!

Your loving aunt,

Micaela

An interview and giveaway!

Miss Jocelyn over at " A Pondering Heart" has an interview with Christa Taylor, who started an online business offering modest clothing, called Christa-Taylor.com.
Here's what Miss Jocelyn has to say:

"You’ve gone and looked at C-T and now you’re wanting to put some of the items on your wish-list…. well, how about a chance to get something early with a $25 give credit for the C-T store?

You can enter a chance to win the $25 GC by leaving a comment, and if you want to enter again tell your friends and when they come to enter make sure they say who directed them here because if they say YOU did then you get yet ANOTHER entry! So if you tell 15 friends and they all say “Sarah told me” then you get 15 more entries."

I checked out some of the clothing and it's great! Very modest and classic clothing.
Hop on over to "A Pondering Heart" to enter the giveaway and read the interview!

In Christ,

Micaela

Pictures from our trip...

Here are "A few" pictures from our trip to Arkansas; as most of you may know we traveled to visit the Naquins grandparents (with the Naquins). It was very relaxing and we had a splendid time! Mr. and Mrs. Newton were very welcoming and hospitable, we all felt at home right away.
They were very sweet to us the entire time we were with them. It was a wonderful, peaceful prelude to our week ahead...

Because we left to early Caro and Ryle were sleepy on the way...

Very sleepy...

A view of the lake driving up to the house.

And our greatest suprise: it took them forever to get her on and about the same to get her off.

Mica and Jimmy on the mower.

Robbie and his cousins piled in and pretended to um...well a picture is worth a thousand words :)

And here is Mrs. Leonora escorting the assasains...

Emily took Mica and I for a ride in the lawn mower (I was pretending to be in a canoe).

Mr. Newton was wonderful and took us for a tour of the lake.

A lovely view of the lake from the boat.

We were making a short film with the Naquins and their cousins.

Amanda, Emily, and Mica waiting for their turn during the movie.

Caro and Ryle coming back after feeding the fish.

One of the many peaceful mornings during our visit.

Us girls and Jimmy (concealed in Mica's jacket) on the back porch.

This is Robbie and Jimmy getting a bit too familiar with the whipped cream.

We all enjoyed our time and loved every minute we spent with the Naquins and their family, but traveling seems to be our life right now so we went on the road again :)

New Mexico pictures to follow...