Christmas and Neighbors

LaRonda, you have inspired this post! (you need to get yourself a blog!:)) I just read LaRonda's comment on Robyn's blog about taking fruit baskets to their neighbors for Christmas. I've been trying to think of something special we could do for our neighbors for Christmas this year. I'm looking for something that isn't too expensive. I know cookies, bread, or candy are always a big hit. What do the rest of you do, if anything, for your neighbors? I've also been feeling lately that I need a new passion for reaching out to those that don't know Christ. How can I reach out to those around me this Christmas with more than just a neighborly visit?

First Doughnut

We gave Isaiah a doughnut this morning for the first time. He held onto it and sucked on it for at least 5 minutes. He loved it! What fun I had cleaning his high chair!

Black Friday -dumb

I'm just writing a quick note to say that our world has a serious problem with greed! Or maybe it's just the desire to find a bargain. I'm not sure. "Black Friday" was a new thing to me when I moved to PA and since I usually had to work it never meant much to me. Well, this was the first year that I wasn't working or nursing a baby so I decided to venture out. There are some outlet stores about 45 minutes from here so I decided to go with my aunt and 3 cousins to check out the sales. They were opening from 12 -midnight to 8:00 am. We planned to get there around 12. The rest of the world planned to get there around 12 as well. For those of you from the area, we sat on 70 for almost 2 hours and moved less that 2 miles. It was completely nutso. Once we got to our exit we realized that everything was backed up in all directions and we could see that there probably wasn't any parking left. We decided to turn around and come home. I crawled into bed at 2:30 with no bargains to show for it! Next year, I'm going to Canada!

This picture is a good representation of what Isaiah is into (literally!) these days. For some reason he loves the drawer under the stove. He likes to take everything out of the drawer or get into the drawer. If you look closely you will see an empty Cheerios box, a tea towel, a fire truck and he's reaching for a basting brush that he had swiped from one of my other drawers. I feel like all I get done in a day is picking up things he empties or takes apart, but he is a joy. I love watching him explore. The other day he was "reading" a litle book while I was changing his diaper. As I watched him his eyebrows went up and down. I guess the box was a a real brow raiser! Yesterday he took some big steps (no pun intended) toward walking. He walked half way across the living room. He had a huge smile on his face the whole time. He is growing up. I washed my Bobby yesterday. I could have cried. He really can survive without me now.


In other news I feel like I am so undisciplined right now with my eating. Can anyone else identify? Do you have any tips? I know I eat because I'm stressed or bored, or every once in awhile because I'm hungry. Grrr. Christmas is just around the corner and I know that isn't going to help at all!

By the way, my husband does have a head (see previous post) :).

I've read several places that shampooing your hair everyday isn't good for it. Instead you are to use shampoo only every other day and on the off day just rinse and use conditioner. I thought this sounded like a good idea, but didn't think it would work real well for me. Well, I tried it and I was surprised to find that my hair really did feel clean! It may have been a little flatter than usual, but in my case that's not a bad thing. I suggest you all try this and then let me know what you think.

Did you know that Christmas is only 5 weeks from yesterday! I know, I feel off my chair too!

Well, time to spend some time with my husband. Thanks for reading (if you're still reading!) Thanks for leaving your comments too. I enjoy reading them!

Time for a post

I feel like I haven't done a very good job of updating other than posting pictures. I know you all would rather have pictures than rambling anyway so I won't feel too guilty. :)

I am posting this picture of Jeremy because I didn't get a chance to honor him on his birthday (on this blog anyway). I love when he plays piano. He plays by ear and you definitely see his artistic side come through while he's playing. I'm thrilled to call him my husband. I keep falling in love with him more and more. Sometimes I'm just amazed by it!

I'm not sure what to post so I guess I'll just start and see where we end up.

I think I've already posted some about Isaiah's birthday party on the 11th. The next day Jeremy's whole family was together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Yes, we were a few weeks early. Jonathan and Lori are due to have their baby next Saturday so we decided to celebrate early. (We're very excited to meet this little girl!)We also celebrated Jeremy and his dad's birthday. We came away once again very grateful for great families. We are truly blessed!

Anyone having a birthday where Jeremy works is to provide lunch for the whole office. So I spent most of Monday and Tuesday planning and preparing food for 20 + people. I was thrilled to do it, but I'm always a little nervous when preparing food for other people. We had plenty of food, thanksgoodness!

Friday night Jeremy and I left Isaiah with Jeremy's parents and went out for a date. Nothing too major, but it was great to do something just the two of us. We ended up shopping. We were mostly looking for Christmas ideas. Sometimes my mind just doesn't think of good ideas! I'm sure I'll have plenty of good ideas in January! :)

Saturday I left Isaiah with Jeremy and went shopping (again). This time I did find some things. I really do enjoy shopping and I love Christmas music and decorations, but people seem so stressed out and frustrated that it does take out some of the joy of the season.

Well, I've emptied my head of anything even sort of interesting to tell you. I hope you all have a great week!

Who thinks these things up??

This thing is crazy long!! I worked on it a couple mintues over the last few days. I've had a busy week so today I'm allowing myself some down time. I'll try to post an update before long.


Are you in a relationship? The best.

Do you hate more than 3 people? No

How many houses have you lived in? 10, 11, if you count the dorm at RBI.

What is your favorite candy bar? Snickers.

What are your favorite shoes? Slippers, or anything with a heel.

Have you ever tripped someone? I don't think so, unless it was a joke.

Have you ever thrown up in public? Yes, on a little airplane on the way to Sandy Lake all over my mom.

What is your favorite music genre? Christian; Most 80's stuff; don't listen to much "secular" music, but if I did it would be Celine Dion; Josh Groban (wow!)

What is your birthday? January 7

What time were you born? I'm not sure, it was a pretty busy day for me...

Do you like beer? Never tried it.

Have you ever made a prank call? Hi, is Mr. Wall there?

What is the most embarrassing CD you own? Probably my Sandi Patty CD's (stop laughing, the lady can sing!)

Are you sarcastic? Me??? Never!!!

What are your favorite colors? Black, Red, blue

How many watches do you own? 1

Summer or winter? Winter

Spring or fall? Fall, for sure.

What is your favorite color to wear? Black, red

Pepsi or Sprite? Pepsi

What color is your cell phone? Don't have a cell phone

Where is your second home? Grandma L's or my parents place

Have you ever slapped someone? Sadly yes, but always in fun, or because someone scared the wits out of me (Jo and Selena have seen it I'm sure).

Have you ever had a cavity? Yes (how do you Nisly kids do it?).

How many lamps are in your bedroom? two.

How many video games do you own? My husband has a few

What was your first pet? A cat.

Have you ever had braces? No.

Do looks matter? I like a person (myself included) to look like they at least thought about what they look like before they left their house. I like a person to look put together. If I'm home all day looks don't matter minutes until 10 mintues before my husband walk through the door.

Do you use chapstick? Carmex.

Name 3 teachers from your high school: Mom, Dad, and Matt

American Eagle or Abercrombie? I do have one pair of shoes that I stumbled (no pun intended) on at AE for $10.00. usually I just walk by

Are you too forgiving? I'm a peacemaker and I like people to be happy so I do forgive quickly, but I don't think that is a bad thing???

What is your favorite breakfast? Pancakes or cold cereal

Do you own a gun? no.

Have you ever thought you were in love? Yes, but knowing I was in love was (is) the best feeling of all

When was the last time you cried? Four days ago. Why did I cry? It was the start of the second day of not nursing Isaiah. The first day was so busy I didn't have time to think about it.

What did you do 3 nights ago? Watch "The Truman Show" with my husband.

When was the last time you went to Olive Garden? 3 years ago for Beckee's birthday (Beckee, are you surprised that I remembered?).

Have you ever called your teacher mom? I don't think so, but I did call Jeremy mom the other day (brain fart!)

Have you ever been in a castle? No, but I'd love to visit one someday.

What are your nicknames? Sab, Sabby, Abby, Abigail, Babe ;)

Do you know anyone named Bertha? No, but it just hit me that if you were going to have twins you could name them Bert and Bertha, how, ah, sweet!

Do you own something from Banana Republic? No

Are you thinking about somebody right now? Bertha.

Have you ever called someone Boo? Sounds like something someone from Hollywood would name their child. No

Do you own a diamond ring? Yes, and I still love the design and everything about it as much as the day it was given to me.

Are you happy with your life right now? I think so.

Does anyone like you? I feel blessed to have many friends and two great families. Yes, I think I'm liked.

What were you doing May of 1994? High School. Maybe working at Wal-Mart. can't remember

McDonald's or Wendy's? Wendy's

Do you like yourself? For the most part, but God has a lot of work to do on me yet.

Are you afraid of the dark? Sometimes.

Do you have a webcam? No.

Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Cars.

What are your favorite TV shows? we don't get any TV here, but if we did I'd watch The Price is Right, Extreme Home Makeover, Jeopardy (I like game shows)

What did you have for breakfast? Quaker Oat Bran.

What is your middle name? Lynn

What is your favorite cuisine? chocolate

What foods do you dislike? Hot peppers; soggy bread

What is your favorite CD at the moment? Anything Christmas.

What kind of car do you drive? Honda Civic.

Favorite sandwich? I don't know.

What characteristics do you despise? Complaining (I need to work on this one myself!)

What are your favorite clothes? Pajama bottoms, slippers and comfy shirt.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go? Europe or maybe a Christian cruise with Jeremy.

What color is your bathroom? White with Navy blue accents

Favorite brand of clothing? Anything that's cheap and fits.

Where would you want to retire to? A cabin on a lake, rocking chairs on the porch, my family within 1/2 hour, a coffe shop close by, Mayberry feeling little town just down the road, good neighbors. Is that too much to ask for?

Favorite time of day? When my work is all done.

Where were you born? Chambersburg, PA.

Favorite sport to watch? Baseball, hockey, volley ball, swimming, diving.

Are you a morning person or night owl? Morning, but I'm learning to stay up later because Jeremy is a night owl.

What did you want to be when you were little? A wife and mother, or someone famous that made lots of money.

What is your best childhood memory? Too many to remember

Eye Color? Brown

Ever been toilet papering? no.

Favorite day of the week? Thursday

Moriah with her cake

Riah and Isaiah share a birthday so we celebrated her birthday as well. She is such a little lady! (Isaiah's Grandpa Lehman shares a birthday with them too, but we celebrated his the next day.)