the quest for world domination

It's no secret we have some highly skilled, extremely talented Webkinz in our midst. The boys decided to engage them in a very intense game of Risk.

I was their photographer. The boys let me post a few photos on the grounds that I would PROMISE to tell you that they (Meeley & Ren) really do know how to play Risk. And that they are just pretending to play with the critters. But that they are playing a REAL GAME of Risk.

Like I said, very intense.

hint**hint**hint**

Here's a hint for the January Faithbooking Lesson:

Our next Faithbooking Crop will be on Saturday, January 12 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm (or until 9:00 pm, if you choose!) at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Lakeville. The crops are FREE and include snacks, beverages, and make-and-take supplies. Feel free to work the crop around your schedule, just let me know if you plan to attend and I'll be sure to have a spot ready for you.

sunrise bokeh

He dawns on them like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning,

when the tender grass springs out of the earth through clear shining after rain.

2 Samuel 23:4

Not only am I on a roll...

I am eating one, too! In case you're interested in a year-long project, check out this link for some great ideas for Photo Resolutions. You'll find lots of ideas and tips to help you stretch yourself as a photographer. Here's another great link for a 365 day project (the first of the year is always a great time to start). It would make a great album project for 2008!

The above ideas came from one of my favorite scrapbooking ladies (Ali Edwards) and you can check out her blog by clicking HERE. She's also the designer of my favorite t-shirts which are HERE and the author of two of my favorite scrapbooking books which are HERE and HERE.

sweet & gross all in one post

The "sick spot" is another tradition of sorts. When I was a little girl and sick - I remember my mom making the-most-cozy-spots-ever in the livingroom. It always brought such a feeling of comfort. When the hubby and I had kids, I discovered the value of the sick spot from a parenting perspective... it was a wonderful way to keep sick children contained!

I went to the doctor today and it turns out I have a sinus infection. (As a side note, I learned that it is a very bad thing to take cold medicine with antihistamines when you have a sinus infection as it causes the infected mucus to be "stuck" in the sinuses and not to drain effectively. Just a tip for any of you dealing with a head cold right now... )

Anyway, after we returned home from the doctor my oldest son prepared a sick spot for me! He even put the box of tissues there. Isn't that the most precious thing you've ever seen?

a new year's eve tradition

It's called fondue (or as we've been known to call it: "FUNdue"). Despite the illnesses raging through our home, the kids were not about to give it up. My dear, sweet hubby even took care of the grocery shopping and most of the prep work!

We topped off the meal with a kid-friendly movie - this year's pick was Ratatouille - and let the boys stay up until 9:30 pm. A very small disappointment after whoopin' it up until midnight last year, but hey - we've had sickness in the house.

Now that they are getting older, I see how important these traditions are to them. My hope is that they look forward to hanging out as a family even when they are teenagers. Maybe they'll even invite a few friends over...

a lucid, pain-free hour...

I thought I'd better post before my next dose of cold medicine. It's been one of those days today. No matter how hard I try, I can't think. I've had more sleep in the last 24 hours than I usually have in one month (the downside of decongestants) and I still can't think. It the post reads a little loopy, just remember I'm writing without thinking.

We're at the doorway to 2008 with an entire new year ahead of us. New and fresh. I'm not so big on resolutions but I do like to use this time of year to reflect.

• What areas are in need of balance? What is working? What is not?
• What are my priorities? How am I living them out in my daily life?
• How has God been refining me? What has He been calling my attention to? Where do I see myself in areas of personal growth?
• How are my relationships? Have I been taking the necessary time to reach out to those around me? How can I be more intentional with those around me?
• How is my relationship with God? Am I in a deeper place than I was last year? Have I been making time for Him and looking to Him for guidance in ALL areas of my life? What could I be doing differently?
• How has my thinking been? What have I been allowing to fill those deep places?
• How are my habits? Have I been taking care of myself in mind, body, and spirit?

This is just a start. Take some time in your journal reflecting on these questions. It would even make a wonderful addition to your scrapbook album - create a page celebrating the start of 2008, print up the questions in a funky font, and add answers in your own script.

The pulsating nasal pain is making it's way back; I am afraid the blogging window of opportunity is closing. Happy New Year to you, my dear blogging friends!

Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19