Party Prep #1

Well, unfortunately the first thing I gotta do for my party is: CLEAN!

First clean and decorate for Christmas... which technically should have been done last weekend (it's tradition to get the house decorated for Christmas the few days after Thanksgiving), but I'm a little busier than I used to be and so is my Mom, so I guess I have to be fine with broken tradition! :)

Here is a picture of our parlour and dining room... last year. Seems like this is a recurring pattern! Always, always gotta clean up for Christmas 'cause our family of 20 ( including brothers, sisters, their spouses, a Grandma and an Great Aunt) has to go somewhere!

For those of you that don't know, my mom owns a business that includes lots and lots of beautiful creativity and clutter, which is what you see in the picture!

Enjoy life for what it is, not what it could be.

Enjoy life for what it is,

not what it could be!

God answers prayers. Maybe not quite in ways I had planned... in ways far, far, better!

I prayed that things would work out so that I could be content and joyful. Did they work out in the way I was thinking. No, (I mean that would have been ok,too, :) but I am enjoying my life so much... having fun with friends, talks with my sisters and brothers, working, spending time at home... etc! So I am living my life the way it is and loving it!

(This isn't my picture: I stole it off the internet then I edited it)

#1 blessing in my life? My brothers and sisters and sister-in-laws!

Oh and BTW: I'm planning a big Christmas party at my house... hor d'ouvers and desserts... lots of friends. I am so excited- more details about plans and menu to follow!

I did it!

And I LOVE <3 LOVE IT!

Here today, GONE tomorrow!

After much indecision and anguish, I have decided to cut my hair. Short. Very short. Too short, I'm afraid.

It has been long and curly for 12 of my 19 years...

A very tough decision I am ashamed to admit...

.

But, after all, it is just hair... that I do believe will grow back.

After a few scare tactics to my family and friends ( like dyeing it purple) they all say - "Grace, just cut it!"

I promise... I won't complain, not even a word!

( I hope)

(Muahaha, but I still might dye it purple yet! :P)

More pictures to come tomorrow when the deed is done!

Choice

There is a choice... everyday, in fact. Being *thankful* is a choice. Therefore, I choose to thankful.

I really do have so much to be thankful for, I just have to take a moment to stop. To stop and be overwhelmed by the abundance of blessing!

I will not be so caught up in the "not-haves" that I remain blind to the many, many "haves".

*Twilight*

Thanks to Mrs. Mk, I finally found a good Christian review of the Twilight book series ( By: Stephanie Myers). If you haven't heard of the books or the movie you, either :

a) are over 30
b) don't have any teenage daughters
c) live under a rock

*Laughing* The Twilight books and a certain character in them, named "Edward", seem to be sweeping all young women completely off their feet. :P

I encourage you to read this review... I'm not saying that you 'shouldn't' read the books, just sayin' that maybe a little research should be involved before you do so. Don't be taken in by the popularity ( like I almost did!) without a little discernment!

http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/book-review---twilight.php

Questions asked. Answers given. But do I always tell the truth? Earlier this evening I was asked if I was feeling hopeful or discouraged about my life. My answer was that it depends on the day...or wait, maybe I should say it depends on the moment. Sometimes I feel so very up and down - and I hate it. Why can't I stay on an even plane? Why not remain hopeful and joyful in the place God has me? One day I will be praising Him, glad for every moment. The next day I would do almost anything to see that smile from someone. But what has it to do with how I feel? Feelings are only feelings, and this is truth:

Jeremiah 29:11

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.