Christmas!

It's that time of year again! Thanksgiving time has passed, the Nutcracker ballet is over for this year, The pantry is full of tins of Christmas goodies, there's an air of secrecy about the house, and the snow if (finally!!) falling. Yes! We had a big snow storm yesterday, and into this afternoon, and the ground is covered with fluffy white stuff :) I'm baking carmel popcorn right now, (yes, I know it's 10:15, and yes, I know I have a science midterm tomorrow, but things happened, and I got delayed...) Anyways, mom asked me to write our annual Christmas letter this year, so I've been thinking about what I want to say about each of my siblings, and our family in general. It's a lot harder than I thought, to sum up each of my amazing/crazy family members in a paragraph, but I'm doing my best. :)

As I mentioned before, the pantry is filled with tubs of spritz and chocolate crinkle cookies, carmel popcorn, chocolate dipped pretzels, and lots of other yummies. We're getting ready to send our annual Christmas boxes out hopefully tomorrow, and mail out our Christmas cards, which is why mom asked me to write the letter. I'm finishing up with my Christmas gifts, and hopefully I won't be cramming on Christmas eve like I was last year. *cough cough*

Well I have a Christmas letter to write, so I'd better get to it!

~Hannah

The Return to the blog - a story of epicness

Okay, not really :P But I'll tell you how it happened. I just want to start by saying that I didn't really ever forget about this blog, I just "forgot" about it for a while.. Now I know that doesn't really make sense, but like I knew it was here, I would just forget to write posts every week, and then pretty soon it would slip off of my radar until it had been like 5 months since I last posted anything.

So, now for the story of epicness: I came home and was working on my project (something that I'll save for a later post) and I went to search online for a certain plug-in to use on my video-editing software (Final Cut Pro X if you're curious) and while I was downloading it, I decided to search for something, I typed in my key words and started scrolling through the results. And, about 3 results down, was a blog post written by none other than myself! Yep, I was searching for something, and my little blog popped up third. So, with my plugin still downloading, I decided to pop in and write a post, hopefully the first of many more to come, but we'll see.

Plug-in's done downloading now, so I will sign off now

~Hannah

Bible Bee!

I'm excited! We're doing the Bible Bee for the second year, it was lots of fun last year, and I'm super excited to do it again this year. It's cool for me, because I'm very competitive (I guess living with three brothers, and several competitive cousins does that for ya :P ) so I can compete, and at the same time commit portions of scripture to memory, It was very rewarding last year, and this year, I hope it will be just as much. We get our materials in just about two weeks :)

I'm sitting here, in our guest room/library/storage room, I put the iPod on the christian station on pandora, and started looking for a book, I ended up just sitting here, looking out the window at the mountains, watching the water in the pond sparkle as the sun hit it, and just enjoying the beauty of the afternoon. So as I was sitting here, the song East to West, by Casting Crowns came on, and I started listening to the lyrics.

After a minute I started crying, and realizing how badly I need Jesus, every day. I don't know why the song touched me so much, It's one of my moms favorites, so she plays it a lot, and I hear it probably every day. But It got to the part where it was talking about how I'm not holding on to you, but you're holding on to me, and I was crying.

These lyrics are so so good.

Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west?
I can't bear to see the man I've been, come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
Cause you know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I know you've washed me white
Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through
To get me through this night!

Can't live by what I feel
But by the truth your word reveals
I'm not holding on to you
But you're holding onto me


Now I'm sitting here, surrounded by boxes, (courtesy of Caleb, we're holding his stuff here while he's in the process of moving down here -yes!-) books, and extra blankets, and Jesus. And I finally, after so many weeks, feel peaceful about this summer, and feel peace about what I'm going to do. And peace in my relationship with someone, that's been a big challenge this year. God works in mysterious ways, I never listen to Pandora, and it's a random order, but he used that song, and I'm so thankful that he did.

~Hannah

It's Amazing

Its amazing what starting out the day with a quick prayer, and short scripture passage can do. For the last few weeks I've been making a point to start the day with a prayer, and reading a chapter of the bible. Anyone who knows me well knows that this is probably hard for me, I'd way rather do my bible study at midnight, than at 6:00 am, but I've noticed that when I start the day out this way, it seems to go so much smoother.

What I've been doing is waking up 5 minutes earlier than I usually do, praying, spending a few minutes writing in my journal, and then read a chapter in my bible, sometimes while i'm brushing my teeth. It's really awesome how waking up 5 minutes earlier in the morning can make so much difference!

Now if I could crack the habit of staying up till 12:00+ and writing, because it's quiet and I'm "not tired" Yeah right Hannah.. :P

This week....

This past week or so has made me question my dream of adopting one or two special needs kids. In feel terrible about it, because I always thought it was a dream that the Lord put on my heart, but this week has been so rough that I'm questioning it. I think that Satan is trying to tempt me, and honestly, right now it's working. As much as I love the little girls, I'm not sure if I could do it.

Ive always believed that God gave me my little sisters to prepare me for adopting some special needs kids, or doing something along those lines. And to give me the heart to defend the special people that these kids are.

I've never felt like this, so unsure about my future and dreams. All I know, is that my parents are amazing. Amazing. To have been so successful in this situation. Amazing.

Bracing myself

Yeah, on Thursday I have to get braces. I am so looking forward to this. ...Not. Except for the fact that I will be able to speak normally after about 6-8 months, and that's a good thing. Other than that, blah.

Oh, and by the way, I know I haven't updated for a long time, aside from my random post a few weeks ago. Um, Texas was awesome! and warm :) The food was really good too. Fajitas are amazing. So we got back from Texas at 1:30 and decided to be at church at 5:00. by the time I got home and went to bed, I'd been up for 43 hours with three hours of sleep in there. ahh!

This week we've just been getting back to normal after such a crazy travel schedule over the past month. and Gearing up for the boys and daddys big trip.

*sigh*

Have you ever felt super confused about life? Just, yeah. I don't even know how to describe it really, i'm just really confused about some things, and just a little messed up right now. Love is the weirdest feeling ever. Ever.

I'm done. :) random post, I'll end up deleting it later... Sorry.

~Hannah

Life...

Life keeps happening, it's funny, I started this year thinking I had a pretty good idea of what would be happening, and what I would be doing through out the year, now, 42 days into it, my entire life may be changing in some pretty dramatic ways. Mom and Dad are getting pretty serious about our ministry, and we're seriously considering some things that I can't really say right now, but big ways.

Daddy asked the three oldest to come with him on his business trip next week, he's going to make some connections, and wants some of his kids with him. As he put it, "I really need you guys to take this seriously, we're going to represent the family, and the ministry." We're taking song samples, and video stuff, so it is a big deal. He made it very clear that we would be talking to lots of people *gulp* I'm not a huge fan of talking to total strangers, but its something I'm working on :)

In other news: KK figured out how to dance and it is hilarious!! Oh my word, if you could see her!! :)) It's adorable, ever since the wedding she's been randomly starting to dance to music.

~Hannah

My Weekend

I kept meaning to write an updated blog post, to let y'all know what we're up to, I was going to do it Saturday, but things came up...

Soo. Last week was a major school week, we're getting a little behind with all of our quick trips, and concerts.
Saturday: Daddy and the boys were out of town for the day, I had something planned, but at the last minute my friend got sick, so I had the day free. Mom and the younger kids went to run some errands, and I stayed home and hung out with Gracie. I've been putting off some things for a long time, so I decided that Saturday was a good day to get them done. I buckled down and cleaned our room, closet, and bathroom and decluttered it. Also for my birthday my aunt and uncle gave me some really neat picture frames, but they'd just been sitting in my closet waiting for me to get some pictures in them. I was able to upload and order prints to fill the frames. I felt like I accomplished a lot :)

Sunday: The boys got home, I went to Costco to pick up the pictures I'd ordered, and paid a grand total of $4.56 for the bunch of them. :) I also made a bunch of cookies, brownies, and spice bars. I was hosting the girls bible study that I'm doing and so I was responsible for snacks. I also owed a friend of mine some cookies for a favor he did :) Went to chuch, and cleaned the house for the bible study. Then dad announced that he had preordered Courageous, and picked it up earlier that day. We watched Courageous :) It was amazing!

Monday: I got up at 6:00 with a goal in mind to try and finish my school before Bible Study. It almost happened. Had an amazing time with some awesome young ladies, and then baby-sat for another pretty cool little lady. :)

Today: Well, Daddy left for work really early, so no morning meeting. Mom and the little kids went to Bible Study, and I'm here doing school *coughwritinginmyblogandcheckingemailcough* and cleaning up the house for mom. I'm also trying to think of a way to convince my parents to let me and my brother do something tonight... I haven't exactly asked them yet though. So yeah. :P

Cool Picture

                                                                       My Fiddle

I recently took this, and had fun editing it. I also discovered how to upload photos on here :))

Miles and miles :)

So for starters, our friend Miles came out the other day to spend the afternoon, tons of fun! I should upload a couple of pictures of our time, we went from playing clue upstairs, to building an obstacle course in our potato field :p

As for the second miles in my title, I've been starting to train for the 5k that I want to run in July, I ran it two years ago, and did okay (30 minutes) but I know I can do better, trying to get to about 24 minutes or faster. The winning time last year for my category was 22:35 so that would also be a great time. I thought I was going to run last year, but I hurt my ankle playing volleyball the day before.

So running three or four miles a day, 5days a week adds up pretty fast, by July, I've calculated that by staying at the rate I am now, I'll have run close to 400 miles. That's pretty crazy.

A Love for Writing

Just letting you guys know, I did end up making a new blog, A Love for Writing, for my writing stuff.

Here's the link: www.libertywriter.blogspot.com

:)

A little something I wrote

I'm not done with it yet, and I don't have it where I want it quite yet either, but it's been sitting in my google docs for some time now, and I thought I'd at least post what I have.
I don't have a title yet either, but here it is.

Seven years ago, I first held her in my arms
I was only 8 years old, but I could see something was wrong
my daddy took my hand and said, she’s gonna be okay
I turned around and daddy heard me say

I’m gonna hold her hand all the way
every hour of every day
I’m gonna hold her hand, until she can stand
‘cause she’s my sister

Well when she turned 3 years old, I began to understand
how long and hard this road would be, me holding sisters hand
Although I loved her very much, it was hard for me to see
How one day she might really be the sister I’d dreamed she’d be.

I still said
I’m gonna hold her hand all the way
every hour of every day
I’m gonna hold her hand, until she can stand
‘cause shes my sister

Now She’s almost 8 years old, she’s learning how to talk
She’s faced lots of challenges, to learn to sit, then stand, then walk

I'm not actually sure what it is, it started as a simple poem I wrote on afternoon while I was waiting for an email :P then I added more and started thinking it might be a cool song, then I was back to poem, trying to finish it, now I'm back and forth on writing a little melody format. *I'm not indecisive, really! At least I don't think I am :P*

So now you kind of have an idea as to what my google docs look like, full of unfinished ideas and such... not that I'm not trying to on this though, I just don't have a great idea for the second half of verse three. I want it to be special somehow.


...and now I'm rambling. Sorry :)

I'd write a more detailed post, but I have to go get ready for church now.

~Hannah

Oh, I was thinking of starting another blog, focused on writing, and books, so that might happen in the near future.

Gracie's Songs

I've been working on a slideshow for my sister Gracie, and I had think about the songs I wanted to use for her. These were a few that I thought were really fitting for her. :) 

**Did anyone notice that this blog is starting to be a blog about Gracie?? heh, People write about what they love, right? :P

The first one is a song called Baby Mine

Baby mine, don't you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
Never to part,
Baby of mine.

Little one when you play,
Don't you mind what they say.
Let those eyes sparkle and shine,
Never a tear,
Baby of mine.
by_mine.html ]
If they knew sweet little you,
They'd end up loving you too.
All those same people who scorn you
What they'd give just for the right to hold you.
From your head down to your toes,
You're not much, goodness knows.
But you're so precious to me,
Sweet as can be,
Baby of mine.

All those same people who scold you,
What they'd give just for the right to hold you.

From your head down to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows.
But you're so precious to me,
Sweet as can be,
Baby of mine.
Baby of mine

And the second is part of a country song that I heard Alison Krauss do, called When You Say Nothing at All.

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine

***in other news, Seattle and Portland got snow!!! amazing right? (Seattle and Portland never get snow)  we did to. Lots of it. 

Cleaning, haircuts, and AIO...

Yep,it's Saturday, and since we're leaving on Wednesday to go to Montana for Josh's memorial service, and then to TN for my cousins wedding, mom decided that it was a great day to clean the house. So, that's what we did this morning, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, mud room, everything pretty much. It's actually nice having it done. So while all this cleaning was going on, we had AIO playing pretty much the whole time. After hearing the episode on the radio this morning, I think we listened to a total of 8 episodes. :P

Mom also decided to do haircuts, since we'll be in lots of family pictures at the wedding. Right now we're taking turns showering and getting our haircuts. I'm still deciding if I want bangs or not...

So that's basically whats happened today, cleaning, haircuts,and AIO. :)

My Friend Joshua

Some of you know Joshua, or Josh, he's my friend in Montana, I've maybe talked about two of his siblings, Rebecca and Caleb, anyway, I say he's my friend, he's really a family friend, but we were pretty close. (in a appropriate relationship type thing, not like boyfriend girlfriend at all)

About a week and a half ago, Josh was driving on the highway in rural Montana, and a semi lost control and they had a head on crash. Josh was taken to the hospital in a coma, and the doctors said they were not optimistic at all. He hung on for a long time, defying the odds again and again. First they said he wouldn't live through the night, then through the next day, etc... He hung on until Sunday morning, when he went to be with the Lord.

I know he was a strong christian, *laughs* we were always debating some little thing, -I think its interesting how people can be friends, but always arguing- and his first response was always well, what does the Bible say about it? or something like that. I know for a fact that knowing Joshua challenged me in several areas, he was a little like my older brother in some respects, (encouraging me, challenging me, teasing me..... ) and It's kind of shaken me up a little.

We've all lost an amazing son, brother, and friend, but our loss is heavens gain. I'll miss you Joshua,
I'll miss our debates, and our ongoing competition over everything.
Our late night conversations about things way to deep for that time of night,
I'll miss playing ultra competitive ping-pong, and riding the 4 wheeler way too fast,
I'll miss you awesome grasp of life, and that sense of encouragement that you always have.
I'll miss you playing guitar to back me up, even when you don't really want to.
And yes, I'll even your teasing me about being a midget, since you were nearly a foot taller than me.

I'm so happy for you though, getting to experience heaven, I guess that's one thing you did beat me at, getting to be with the Lord first. Don't have to much fun without me!