Garrett's 16 Favorite Things On His 16th Birthday

Today is Garrett's 16th birthday. Golly, they grow up so fast! =) I wanted to do something different to honor him today, so I want you all to know a little more about this very essential part of the family.

Favorite Color: Hunter green or orange

Favorite Food: Chicken and Nuggies. (Hard to explain....it's fried chicken in a cream of mushroom soup gravy over egg noodles. Yummy!)

Favorite Music Group/ Person: Brandon Heath

Favorite Movie: Rocketman

Favorite Book: The Strange Ordeal of the Normandier

Favorite thing to do: mess with wood and bass fish

Favorite Sport: Baseball

Favorite Baseball Team: Boston Red Sox

Favorite College Football Team: Florida Gators and Oklahoma State Cowboys

Favorite Vacation We've Been one: "All good in different ways."

Favorite Book of the Bible: Acts

Favorite Thing We Do As A Family: Watch World Series Games

One place you want to go before death: revisit Fenway Park or go to Moscow, Russia

Favorite Animal: Dog

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "Anything but straight vanilla"

Favorite Memory of Me and You: the times we play computer games

Happy Birthday, Garrett. I am glad that you are my brother!! I love you and I look forward to the new experiences we will have in the forthcoming year.

Trashing the Dress

Wedding dresses across America are being dunked in rivers, doused in pools, splattered in mud, and simply messed up--all in the name of a highly personalized new style of photography.

These pictures are making quite a splash. The trend is called Trash the Dress and photographers say it is sweeping Idaho and the rest of the country. For ages, brides cherished the dresses the marry in. But the times, they are a changing. Read Article (Outside Link)

When I saw this piece on my local news, I was stunned. Why are women doing this? Do they really think their wedding pictures will be attractive?

The fact that women are willing to do anything---even take a dip in the river--just because it is "fashionable" is sad. While people are willing to muddy their dress, the same can be said of purity. And yes, I can be just as guilty. The wrong thoughts, the flirting, how far we go physically...we are all putting a little mud on our future wedding dresses. We might not have thrown the actually stuff on ourselves, but white is the symbol of purity. When we sully it, it shall remain.

Something to think on. We wouldn't dream of going to the extremes featured in this article. However, when I have my wedding photos, will "mud" be seen on my dress? We all should be praying that God would help us to guard our hearts and minds so as to avoid this disaster!

~~I did this on ModesTeen (my other blog that I co-author) and I wanted to share it here!~~

My Thanksgiving To God

Amongst the turkey dinner, the times with family and friends, watching the Macy's parade, and sleeping, there is one detail that sadly gets overlooked. Today, people think Thanksgiving is just about these details. However, there is more to the day. While we should do it always, it is a day set apart to remember our blessings from our Loving Father. I desire to do just that; I realize how much I have been blessed this year.

First and foremost, I give thanks for the Lord himself. The fact that He has chosen me as His daughter is humbling enough. Yet over this past year, He has taught and revealed so much to me. I have had some low points, yet He has been there. He magnified Himself; He brought me to my knees with the knowledge I can't go on with Him. While this might sound odd, I am thankful for the opportunities that have arisen to grow closer to Him.

I am so thankful for where I live. The United States has his problems, but I am free. I can be homeschooled, read and study the Word, and I can vote for candidates that I want. That is something that I do not want to take for granted. I am also thankful for the hearth that I have to call my own, for the food to keep me full, and for fleece blankets to keep me warm.

My family is such a blessing. I can't imagine having any other. No, we are not perfect; we just try to live in a manner worthy and pleasing unto God. I have a special relationship with each of my family members. They are not same, and I am thankful for that. I have different memories for Dad, Mom, and Garrett. I love that. My family challenges me, loves me when I am unlovable, roots me on when I try something, and encourages me on the path less traveled.

The Lord has granted more than I ever thought in the friendship realm. I am thankful for the lessons I had to learn on the subject; I had to learn that no friends are better than the wrong ones. However, now I have several "sisters states away" who I can count on to pray for me. I have never met any of them face to face (hopefully, that will change) but I appreciate them anyway.

For the things taken for granted: the ability to play the piano, to walk and see, an education that opens my mind to new realms, the convictions that the Lord has given me....they are all important to me. Rather, they are God's, and I just praise Him for them.

Lord, I thank you for all of your blessings. I pray that I won't get caught up on what I don't have, but rather on what I do. You are good, far too good to me. I praise you! May your name be magnified this year, just as the Pilgrims sought to do so long ago.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!! Oh, and yes, I am thankful for the little bit of snow we received yesterday. No, it isn't still here; in fact, it was gone by noon. However, it was such a nice surprise to come downstairs and see fluttering snowflakes. I am so thankful to live in a state that has seasons! Maybe, this year, I will get to be thankful for "a White Christmas!!"

For My Enjoyment, Not Necessarily Yours. I Mean, Do You Want Football Pictures?!

Dad and I on our way to the game. It was an "orange out," so I wore orange. Dad is too, by the way. It was supposed to be rainy; God blessed us from getting rained on! I love when it rains...just not when I am outside!

Our wonderfully unique blue playing field. We lovingly dumb it "the smurf turf" :-) (This was the view from our seats. Nice, huh?! I was extremely thankful to Dad's banker for them!)

Singing the National Anthem

The smoking helmet, out of which players appear

Even our governor, C.L. "Butch" Otter, had the same idea of going to the state rivalry game. He is the one on the end; his wife is next to him. Several other "illustrious" people were there too: the CEO of the Sugar Bowl and my favorite, several reporters from the best tv station in the valley, KTVB.

One of many Boise State touchdowns

The final score. Boise State is on the left. GO ORANGE, GO BIG BLUE, FIGHT! FIGHT! BSU !!! I had such a wonderful time with Dad. Yes, the game outcome was great, but the memories...those are far better!

Teens and Their Families

All you have to do is read my blog; I am not ordinary!! I take delight in things most teenage girls can't stand, and I dislike their likes...for the most part. One of these instances is that I absolutely love being around my family!! I don't mean to stereotype, but it seems that most people can't stand being seen with their parents, let alone do things with them.

Garrett and I are different. We take joy in the family memories we create. I have shared some with you. You know we enjoy the theme dinners, the family vacations, game nights and movie nights. We take pleasure in having parents as our best friends. Sure, we love being with peers, but when most of them don't live near you..... It is just a wonderful thing to have people you love near you ALL THE TIME. We aren't a perfect family; we can squabble and bicker. However, we thank the Lord for an extra measure of grace each and every day.

As I look at the majority of families, I see people out and about, but it is rarely with their parent. I am saddened by this. They are missing so much. There are memories to be made and found. I look at my schedule this weekend. I am out with Mom twice in three days. Tonight we are going to a Christmas open house at the tea room (with complimentary tea and desserts...always a good thing:-) Tomorrow is our normal Boise Philharmonic outing. Perhaps one day Dad and Mom will go, but I love hearing all of the music myself. For Saturday, I got the biggest shock of my life...and it will probably shock you too.

I bet you didn't think I enjoyed watching college football. Strike that, Boise State football. I mean, my blog is roses. I am a feminine girl; football is anything but feminine. Well, I am, and Dad surprised me with the news that he got tickets from a friend for Saturday's game...the last home one of the season, and it is the big state rivalry too. I am so excited, and I will definitely wear orange and blue.

The point to this post wasn't to brag about the things I do with my family. It was to show that I enjoy them. (Lest you think I don't care about my brother, I enjoy things with him too.) I have friends who have talked about their families of late, and I wanted to as well. This is just one of the many things I am thankful to my Father in Heaven for this day. It is a blessing that I do not deserve!

The Importance of...

Politics. It is one of those subjects that people are repulsed by. Most try not to think about; it is something left to big wigs and those who can do things. Me, I love the subject. I could never get involved in the arena; it is better left to men. However, that doesn't mean I can't love it! I read all about it, I have a tendency to stay up on election nights, and I pay attention to the returns. You all know; I posted about the election of 2006.

Ever since I was little, I have been "involved" in the process. I have been to polling places ever since I was two. Mom says I held a Bush/Quayle sign in 1992. I cannot remember that, but I believe her. As I got older, I look on with envy as she cast the ballot, wishing for my turn. I am not anxious to grow up, but voting next year....that will be exciting.

I realize I am in a category entirely by myself. Most young adults don't vote. I do not have the exact numbers, but I know that they are low! I have grown to recongnize that the ability to vote is an immense privlege. Other nations would die for this....and we have a tendency to take it for granted.

The Rebelution has encouraged teens to get involved, and I quite agree. That means something different for every one. Some are more active, working on the actual campaign and such. Others can vote. However, we all can pray!! Regardless of who you are going for in the next election, I would encourage you to do something. You might not agree with this statement, but I believe that if those who do desire God and righteousness don't rise up, we are doomed as a nation. We need to elect leaders who seek God's policies above their own.

Now, I live in a state where the candidate nomination is all but announced. It isn't who we are going for; guess who we are voting for? (Please don't come away with Hilary Clinton!) However, yes, I can feel that casting a ballot is absolutely pointless. I still will, though. I want to exercise my God-given freedom in some small way. This is how God can use me to impact the world. Who says young adults can't do things?!

A Blog of Note

I enjoy reading ya'lls blogs. To know what the Lord is teaching you, things that are going on your daily lives, I love it all. I pray that as you read mine, you are ministered to, and that you see Christ high and lifted up.

Well, I would like to direct your attention to a blog I think you would enjoy. It is my friend Jessica. As a few of you know, I did Homestead Blogger for a while; this is where I met her. Actually, Mom had gone on her blog and directed me to it. I am so glad that I did. Jessica is walking the path that I plan to, as she is a 20 year old young woman who is staying at home. I began writing to her, and that was the beginning.

I have enjoyed getting to know her, and I have been greatly encouraged by her writings. I think you all would be too. Her blog, What's a Girl To Do, will touch on home business, Seasons at Home Magazine (which her family puts out...and Mom and I write for,) recipes, and happenings in her life as the oldest of ten children. So, without further ado, I would read it...though you will only have a blank page for a few days!

I'd Rather Be Feminine Than A Feminist

I am following the 2008 election pretty closely. Strike that, I am keeping close tabs on Mike Huckabee's campaign. However, I know stuff about the other candidates as well. Hilary Rodham Clinton has received the endorsement of National Organization of Women (NOW) When she recived this, she proudly stated, "Yes, I am a feminist!"


Now, compare this to the movie, The Village. When Ivy asks Lucius how he can not be afraid of the dangers around, Lucius says that he is when he thinks of her in harm. He cares about her above all others and wants to keep her safe....and she doesn't protest or anything! In fact, she seems to appreciate it!



There is a big difference in these two women. One represents the nowadays woman, the one who wants to throw off the shackles of mankind. She desires to be in control. If there was danger, she would be the one sitting on the doorstep. The other girl represents women long ago, women who knew what it meant to be regarded and protected. She realized that men and women are vastly different...and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.



However, women like Ivy aren't very common nowadays. And I miss it. Like with the changing of dress, I believe what we have lost is irreplaceable. Due to the vast majority of women wanting to be in control, men don't step up to the plate anymore! They are willing to let women protect themselves, run politics, and abandon their God-given roles as wives and mothers.



Make no mistake, I do not hate people who are feminists. They are human beings created in the image of God. I find their policies off...but that is a different matter! I just wish they hadn't wrecked it for the rest of us, those who do desire men who are gentlemen. I do not mind being "branded" as the weaker vessel, especially if that means men open the door for you, men protect you, things like that.

I do not know how to communicate to guys that I want the old ways in this area of life. All I can do is pray. I can pray that men like Mr. Darcy's wouldn't be confined to fictional novels. I can pray that men like Peter Marshall would rise up. God would have to do a miracle to thwart the path we women are currently on...and he can! If you all desire a change, let's raise our voices to the One who hears! Maybe we can make things better for our children and future generations!

Intro, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Conclusion