IsaacPalooza 2011

We tend to drag out the birthday celebrations around here…they sort of go from weekend to weekend.  Isaac had a great week!

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Homemade red velvet cake from Grammy

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11 bright candles

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You can be VERY sure that I didn't hold this close enough for him to reach it!

Isaac + Fire = {shudder}

😉

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We sang, Isaac tasted…it was all GOOD!

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Later in the week, Elmo and Purple Sock Monkey showed up to extend the celebration.

All in all, Ike had a great birthday, I think.

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On a side note, I was diagnosed with costochondritis this week.  While it has been extremely painful, I am just truly grateful that it wasn't something more serious.  I'm following my doctors recommendations and hope to be feeling better soon.

For those who read my earlier post about Benjamin, thank you for praying.  The MRI showed nothing, and they are thinking it was a cerebral migraine.  They are also going to take the MRI results to an American doctor there in Romania for a second opinion.  The last update I saw on Facebook said that Benjamin was doing fine and feeling much better.

Praise the Lord for the privilege of prayer, amen?  Amen!

Hoping you have a great weekend,

Alesha

 

 

Foto Friday

 

DSCN1887 (Click to enlarge.)

This is one of those "living is a small spaces" posts, as well as a "foto" post. 

When space is limited you have to be creative.  One of my creative spaces is behind the door. 

I have my exercise mat hidden back there.  (Yes, that means the door doesn't open all the way, but that isn't necessary for this doorway.) 

I also utilize the doorknob by hanging my "grabber" there.  This way, I always know where it is!

My final use of this space is for my purses.  I use a holiday wreath holder on the top edge of my desk, and hang my church purse and my shopping purse there.  I don't know why I haven't thought of this before!  It's a brilliant use of that hook that only gets used during one month of the year.

(Of course, I have no idea where I'll put my purses in December!!!)

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I pray you have a good weekend, as you celebrate the Resurrection of our Saviour.

Romans 6:[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
[7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.
[8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
[9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Such a wonderful thing to know that as Christ rose from that grave, He guaranteed my resurrection as well.  He has given us victory over the grave!  Not only that, but he has given us victory over the curse of sin. 

I can live alive to Christ and dead to sin because of His resurrection!!!

Happy Easter!

Alesha

 

Foto Friday

Just in case you've forgotten, here's the "before":

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And now, here's the "after":

Newton

Aw…look how handsome!

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If you look up the term "puppy dog eyes" in the encyclopedia, you will find this picture:

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He looks so sad, but I assure you, he is one happy, happy dog!

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We purchased him a harness, and he has adjusted very well to it.  So now, when he goes into "attack" mode, while on his lead in the backyard, he doesn't choke himself.  The lead clips onto the top of the harness.  I don't know why we didn't think of that before now…

It's been a busy week for me, it seems, although I doubt I could actually give you a list of what has been accomplished! 

So much has been happening in my mind, and in my heart and spirit this week.  I have been practicing great discipline on myself to stick to our new budget and to keep to our eating plan, and to persevere with my exercise routine.  I've also started a new Bible study that has my mind really stretching and focusing…and that has needed additional self-discipline, too.

I have not been sleeping well, though, and that has taken its toll as the week has progressed.  Unfortunately, I have yet to pinpoint why I am not sleeping well.  Believe me, I've been diagnosing it all week – but haven't come up with a solution.

I'm praying that I will get some good rest this weekend so that I can start next week fresh in body, mind and spirit.

I also pray that you have a good weekend, and that you spend time with the Lord, in His house, fellowshipping with others and feeding on His Word. 

Praying God's blessings for you,

Alesha

Foto Friday

Until recently, I had never watched Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.

I know, it's astonishing, isn't it?

I decided to devote a Saturday to this movie.  Ok, not really, but since I just watched bits of it in between everything else I did that day, it sort of took up the whole day to watch it.  It was interesting.  I will be watching the sequels when they come up in my Netflix queue.

I watched the movie on Saturday.  I received an email the very next day, saying that my Kindle had shipped.  It arrived a few days later.

So, is it any wonder that I have walked around the last couple of weeks saying,

"Precious…My Precious!"?

DSCN1843(So NOT very far from the truth at all…I adore my Kindle!!!)

I promised K a picture of the pillow I made from the table napkins.  I thought I'd just let you see my whole new bedroom ensemble. 

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The color is very tricky.  It was called "silver" in the online description.  I think of it more as a "grey".  Ike's caregiver called it "green".  No doubt, if I ask Doug, he'd say something else entirely.  But it goes well with the black curtains I already had.  I bought the bed skirt and large pillow shams in black, and then added my cute little black pillow as an accent.  I like it.  It's very tidy when I walk in my room. :)  Here's a better view of the design of the quilting.  You can click to make it bigger.

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(You can really see the shimmer here, when I used the flash.)

Now, I know this picture isn't entirely self-explanatory, since the words wrap around the jar just a little too far, but this is my "Leather Couch Fund"!

If you've ever watched the Dave Ramsey dvds, you'll know he talks about buying a leather couch quite a bit.  He uses it as a comic relief bit, but the truth is that I really want a leather couch!!!

Since we are doing Dave's Financial Peace University via the dvds, I know that I can't just run out and buy one.  I must SAVE my money, pay off my debt, then SAVE my money again and pay cash for that sofa!  So…I thought I might as well get a head start.  I'm putting all my change in the little jar.

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(You'll notice, I'm also back to clipping coupons…every little bit helps, right?!!)

…and simply because a couple people asked, here's a pic of my hair cut…nothing new, just long overdue!  This is my "hey, it's still really early in the morning, and I am tired and I am not putting on make up just to take this picture for the blog" picture.  This was the smallest size I could manage.  It's clickable, but really…why would you?

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I pray you have a wonderful weekend!  And I am really tickled that you came here to read my blog today.  Thank You! =)

Alesha