Carnival Fun!

My little sister and I would pass by the carnival and say how much we would like to go. In my mind it was just wishful thinking, but to my surprise on a Monday night my parents said we could go. I enjoyed the piercing lights with their contrast against the black sky. The sounds of people enjoying themselves, and the machines whirling away. Some friends were visiting and we were able to go on Saturday as well! God is so good!

 My $5.00 cotton candy that I bought only for nostalgic reasons.

I get dizzy super fast. Spin twice and I'll start feeling dizzy! This ride called the Round Up is all about spinning! It starts completely level then spins until it is on its side. At one point it felt like the park was upside down. Of course I got on it! I must have a daring side after all.

 Little sisters favorite ride the spinning swings! 

This ride is similar to the Round Up just that you are sitting. When Kianna and I were little I remember her encouraging me to get on this ride and I did... I do not remember it being so 'scary'. It was definitely the most intense ride of the day! We were able to relive that childhood moment (this time I insisted on being on the inside so all my weight landed on her this time:) 

Over all we had a great time! My favorite moments were going on the ferris wheel with my very active and daring little cousin. Trying that what appeared super scary/ dizzing ride. The power going out (thankfully none of those in our group were on a ride) Screaming just cause you can! Though not a enjoyable feeling being dizzy at the end. 

Count Your Blessings: IG Style

Library Run With @kianna_rose/ Welcome To The Bronx Sign/ My Friend For [That] Day/

Liberty's Kids/ I ♥ Packages/ Drawing Faces/

Blog Pic./ Breakfast/ 18 Emails/

Target Run Getting Goodies/ Peach Rings and No Shoes in Car/ Yummy Food/ 

• Mom tried a new recipe. I told her Olive Garden would want the recipe:) She blogged it here.

• On Monday we did a major purging of our house. We finally gave our donations to the Salvation Army. We celebrated our tax anniversary (President's Day is when we do ours) Went did some shopping and returning.

• On Tuesday we went to my aunts house. We had loads of fun, laughing, sharing, eating, and sniffing Scentsy that is:)

• Had an achy throat on Wednesday. I could barely talk for half of the day:( Made the seasoning for the meat all by myself. I have converted my Father into a book lover! I enjoy recommending new titles and  talking about the characters and plots of the stories with him.

• Such a classic moment on Thursday. Since I was in between sniffles that day and had to sing with Pastor for the worship, I decided to tuck a tissue in my watch just in case. Since I wear my watch on my left and hold the mic with my left as well you could see my tissue sticking out:) I am thankful I didn't have to use up there!

• Enjoyed a girls night in today. First a rendezvous with Kianna:) Followed by a time of just relaxing, talking, reading. Next we ate a scrumptious salad that we made together. So time later we proceeded to have our home pedicures. 

Count Your Blessings: IG Style

Restaurant chocolates/ Olive Garden with the family/ Gotta love casual Fridays/

Leg warmers/ Great mail day!/ Going to church/ 

Cold days equal tea/ Can't wait for summer/ Ceviche with grandma (before the cilantro was added)

Sunday- Giving and wrapping presents are so fun. After seeing so many mason jar ideas on Pinterest, my mom and I did one. Gave my first gift of the month/ Monday- Banana shakes/ Tuesday- Les Miserables audio drama/ Receiving the cutest thank you card/ Wednesday- Girls read aloud Hinds Feet in High Places/ Thursday- Getting over excited about an AIO episode/ Listening to "Steal My Show"/ Hot chocolate after church/ Latin work out with little sister/ Friday- Seeing my grandma, aunt, and cousins after their trip/ Fun family stories and quirks.

You know you're an avid book reader when you are riding to church listening to music and you think such and such character should listen to this song.

Count Your Blessings: IG Style

Like Hannah likes to say "score thrifty" at Target $1 aisle/ After a day of running around/ Costco shopping in the rain/ Trying to pray, but only getting this far/ Sn@p scrap booking goodies/ Restart workshop notes.

Restart workshop by Jasmine Star/ Lasagna lunch/ Distraction during homeschooling/ One star in the night sky/ The street out my window/ Vintage Sprite bottle.

On Sunday I taught my Sunday school class/ Monday I finished the book Interrupted/ Tuesday was the first time I had to season and slice raw meat/ Wednesday, we received our Scentsy package. Enjoyed smelling over 20 different scents!/ Bought my first gift of the month/ Rescued little sister from a mouse trap/ Stepped out my color zone and went royal purple and caramel printed skirt w/ caramel cardigan!/ Besides getting so many goodies today while shopping, my favortie shopping moments of the day were: Watching an older man on a Target "wheel chair" cruise down the parking lot his basket filled high with green storage containers. I thought, He obviously had a successful trip:) 

Watching two older gents animately discussing which type of electrical razor to buy. I didn't think they still cared about that.  I pictured them still using that knife-like thingy. 

Love how easy Instagram is to document my life in just a click of a button. 

Count Your Blessings: 2012

2012 has held great things for me that I can not overlook. God has continually blessed me and I must give Him praise. These are the top 10 events/things that happened in the past year. Somethings may seem small and insignificant but they are not too small for me to overlook.

i. Dancing in His presence on 2012 New Year's Day 

ii. Ice skating

iii. Our Trip to virginia

iv. Getting my camera

v. My 15th birthday photo-shoot

vi. Making a pumpkin pie by scratch

vii. "Swimming" or attempting to at Bear Mountain

viii. Getting my Scentsy cupcake by Gina

ix. Receiving my Bible reading plaque

x. Buying myself my ear warmer

Welcome 2013!

Twenty- twelve is behind us. We forget the bad, treasure the good, and learn from our mistakes for the next year.  Last year I made a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish for 2012. I've learned some valuable lessons since I made that grand list, such as being realistic and diligent. Though I didn't accomplish all, the ones I did do I am really happy that I did.

Learning from last year, I hope to be more disciplined with this years goals!

 i. Read the Bible at least once

 ii. Keep up with my prayer journal

iii. Fast 12 times this year (once a month)

iv. Pray for 1 person for the entire month (12 people for the entire year) 

v. Finish 15 before 16 goals

a. Memorize: Psalm 91

b. Sing a new song in church
c. Do an in-depth study of one of the topics I've been wanting to study in the Bible
d. Learn to swim
e. Try a new recipe
f. Study for my driving learner's permit
g. Volunteer at my Dad's job
h. Learn to shoot in manual mode
i. Photograph a photo-shoot
j. Play "In Christ Alone" on the piano
k. Write a fictional "something"
l. Sew a skirt
m. Design my entire blog by myself
n. Draw something... beautiful
o. Finish my green scrapbook

vi. Write at least 155 blog posts this year

vii. Finish the Love Comes Softly Series with Sara

viii. Clean Kitchen 1x a month

ix. Complete 15 art lessons each month

x. Buy something for a family member/ friend (12 gifts)

Count Your Blessings

Monday- I participated in a Litfuse facebook party. I've always wanted to participate in one of these and finally got my chance when it didn't fall on a church service.

Tuesday- I decided to do something different with my hair. I did some little girl/ cowgirl pigtails. 

Wednesday- My parents celebrated their 10th anniversary of marriage. Instead of going ice skating for our 30 in 30, we went bowling. We had a great time. The funniest moments were when I bowled backwards, yes it flew out of my hand. I was able to bowl with both hands, I guess its a lefty thing. I was actually better with the right. The other memorable moment was when Sara made a gutter ball with the gates on. She threw it right on the gutter.

We then had a scrumptious dinner afterwards. 

Thursday- For Thursday's church service I wore a purple jean dress that I "found" in my closet.

Friday- I enjoyed my time today staying home. As a family we enjoyed writing down our 2013 goals and looking through old family albums. 

Entering these here.

Count Your Blessings

Drinking hot chocolate with the family, while writing our top 10 moments of 2012. Sara was so cute. She was acting like she was actually drinking coffee.

 We also took the opportunity to write letters to a friend.

Going to the library and seeing an ice-cream truck in December. Only in NYC:) I am definitely enjoying these coldish wintery days. Believe it or not for December the weather is pretty warm. So far no sign of snow for Christmas, but I'd much rather have the weather stay as it is.

I Had a great time having a girls night in. We had a home pedicure.

I received an advanced readers copy of a book. I feel like I have something that others don't (technically I do:)

Great Week! Can't wait to see what the next week has in store for me.

Count Your Blessings

On Saturday my family and I enjoyed our time shopping together. From the enormous tree, Christmas carols, and lights, the mall was decked with Christmas cheer.

After shopping for quite some time, we ate dinner at Red Lobster. The dessert was my favorite, a warm brownie, ice cream, caramel and fudge sauce.

I can't believe I actually have to teach a Sunday school class. It's my own class, but I really don't want to do it:( Prayers are much appreciated. My mom says in life we have to do a lot of things we do not like, and I guess my time has come.

We went shopping for some gifts on Wednesday. I am finished buying my gift for the family exchange. I think I'm the first one!

On Wednesday, I wasn't feeling very well. I had a chilly/hot body. Even though I still wasn't feeling good, my family and I tackled a 200 piece puzzle.

Got our passport applications done!

Went to my grandma's house to say bye to her and my aunt. They are leaving to DR for about a month!

On Thursday, I woke up with a swollen eye:( Seems like the devil is really trying to attack me. In the name of Jesus he is defeated! 

Overall, I would say I had a great week, even with all of its ups and downs!

Count Your Blessings

About a week has passed since Thanksgiving, but we should not be thankful only one day out of the year but all! 

Monday was a get back into the saddle type of day. Added a new doodle/ quote to my History notebook, "HIStory is HERstory too!"

Tuesday- My grandma gave us some cinnamon raisin bagels, and since I don't like raisins I made myself a banana  shake for breakfast.

Wednesday- I love my Instagram friends! Hannah (hannahsandersfeld) posted about this movie she enjoyed. I started watching it and liked it too! The movie couldn't have come at a better time, since I'm learning about the industrial revolution in Europe.

Visited my grandma, and afterwards had some ice-cream.

Decembers almost here! Last Saturday, my immediate family+ my grandma+ my aunt and her family decided to do a gift exchange this Christmas! We all picked a name out of the empty tissue box and are excited come Christmas to reveal the secrets!

Yesterday I made a card for my dads coworker. She is retiring after 25 years of working in that job! What a beautiful example of a hardworking person! I think this is the best card I've ever made:)

Count Your Blessings

Since we all know Thanksgiving was yesterday (the day of thankfulness), I decided to do my "count your blessings" post a little bit different.

Anniversaries. September marked my parents 10th year anniversary since they became Christians. This December will mark their 10th anniversary of marriage.

Bible Reading Time. The early mornings cuddling in the couch with my Bible are superb. I am thankful to own a Bible and to freely read it whenever. 

Cookies. Finally making a good batch of cookies.

Dinner. Hearty home cooked meals.

Exercise. Enjoying my time in the gym sweating and working out.

Freebies. Finding the radio theatre drama of Oliver Twist for free online. Limited time only AIRING: Oct. 13, 2012 - Jan. 12, 2013

Giggles, smiles, and Lol moments.

Hair. Doing new hairstyles.

Instagram. Connecting with others through pictures, especially with our family-in-Christ in D.R.

Jesus Christ. My savior. My healer. My Everything.

Kneeling. The free access we have to kneel whenever.

Learning. This year has been, at least to me, a year of learning and growing. I'm learning new intellectual things and spiritual. I'm thankful for all the learning experiences I've encountered so far.

Math. Though its not my favorite, so far I am at an easy part.

New things. Learning new things, and getting new things!

Oatmeal. Eating it 3 times a week, and still loving it.

Photography. Reading and learning all I can about the subject. 

Quiet. Moments of silence are always the most refreshing times of the day.

Rambling. Whether in writing, drawing, or talking I enjoy it.

Scratching things off. Writing a list and measuring your success via the amount of scratched off things you have.

Tis' the season. Upcoming Christmas and New Year's celebrations.

Upstairs. Visiting my grandma means climbing one flight of steps.

Vacations. Going to Virginia was a blast. Hopefully we'll vacation somewhere new ever year.

Whit. Mr. Whitaker is filled with such a wise godly man. I've learned some valuable lessons from "him." Sometimes I wish there was a real Odyssey I could go to visit. I'm a true homeschooler:)

XOXO. Hugs and kisses from parents are the best.

Youtube. It has helped me in math, science. I have tried new recipes, and hairstyles through it. It is such a blessing to my life!

Zzz's. A good nights rest after a hardworking day.

Count Your Blessings

Another week has come and gone. Oh where has the time flown off to? To some far away place where all our missing hours abide? Enough with my poetic wannabe self:) As the saying goes Keep Calm and Count On...

Monday- After finishing our regular shampoo bottle, I was able to use the new natural one. It is so good, my hair felt so clean and curly. The curls were literally bouncing off the walls. I am so joking:)

Tuesday- Was our second service, since our church "re-opened."

I was able to help with the little ones. It was a joy to observe their different learning styles. One was painstakingly copying her work making sure she did it correctly. She even colored in the lines! What three year old does that? While the other rushes to do her work, scribbling and drawing big fishes on her copy work. She proceeded to cover her entire coloring sheet in blue scribbles.

Finished a really good book called The New Recruit. It was loaned to me by a dear friend. When she says that a book is good, I take her by her word.

Wednesday- Working on some art pieces. It is taking me a while to complete them but with art you can never truly be done. There is "always" some extra shading that can be done, and more details yet to be added. To finish one, I just need to buy some (craypaas?) oil crayons.

Worked on a fun post. Can't wait to share it.

Thursday- Received Oliver Twist the audio drama in the mail! I had been anticipating its arrival for some time. My family and I sat with our mouths open, sorrowful looking eyes, and even an occasional aww will burst from our lips.

Friday- I was so glad to have received a book that I was unsure if I was getting! Can't wait to read it!

We just had to see, I mean hear what happens to young Oliver Twist. Yes we finished it!

Cleaning the house of our ever growing pile of "to give." We sorted everything, folded and put into various bags to donate to the Salvation Army.

Entered this wonderful be thankful, Thanksgiving giveaway!

Count Your Blessings

Monday- getting a gas tank, which we call kataboom and 5 gallons of gas from our grandpa. This gas shortage is pretty serious, but Jesus has us covered. 

Tuesday- going to vote with my parents and grandma. We were all marveling that in the next presidential election I can vote! Woohoo!

Watching the election poll at grandma's house and sleeping over.

Our freshly painted radiators and window gate.

Being so cold in my house walking around with leggings, pajama pants, ankle length skirt, a long sleeve shirt and sweater.

Snow in November! 

Giving my grandma a texting lesson. How to add numbers and punctuation. She is such a cutie:)

Thursday- going to Kianna's house for a mini Bible study and prayer service.

Today NYC started an even and odd gas system. Since our license plat ends in even numbers we can only get gas on even numbered days.

Missing our church. Since our church is without light or heat, and because we haven't had gas to travel, we could not go to church. Thank the Lord for the house church services we have had! Can't wait until we go back. 

So Sandy!

I begun this blog Sept. 01 not long before hurricane Irene came. Then I was thankful to the Lord for keeping my family and friends safe. Now about a year later, hurricane Sandy was announced to hit NYC. Though I thought it was going to be a strong storm, I did not think it was going to cause so much damage. The storm really started on Monday for us, with strong wind gusts and rain. My family was all gathered in the living room, doing different things, and unexpectedly we'd hear the strong winds beating and shaking the windows. We would just look at each other with wide eyes. As I write this, the storm no longer rages, but its effects are keenly felt.

Though we live in NYC our area was unaffected, besides this tree that fell in our courtyard. Many of our congregation, including our church is located in Far Rockaway, which was flooded, more than 50 houses burned down, and the electricity went down. Many of our brothers and sisters are without light, but are safe. One sister mentioned that her house was two steps from getting flooded. What you don't understand, is that she has at least 10 to 15 steps before you enter her house! Through all the devistation God is still faithful! 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3

The storm is over and the damage is great around the city. The death toll has reached 41 in NYC, subways were flooded, and the city is without gas. I pray that the Lord may continue to glorify himself throughout this time of need.

Count Your Blessings

My parents house hunting, as my little sister calls it:)

Receiving new products.

Yummy banana shakes...

As a reviewer to many different companies, I have gotten used to doing many reviews. It was so fun to have my little sister review a book for me. For a seven year old she has such a cute extensive vocabulary. 

After my dad transfers my little sister from my parents room to ours, she in her sleep said to my dad 

"Daddy don't make us cry." That had me laughing.

Taking a drivers test online after reading through some of the information, got an 83%, only 4 wrong! Can't wait till I turn 16!

Today we had a family movie night. We had a yummy dinner of pizza and french fries.

Getting ready to deep clean and stage our house.

Looking at my mothers lovely pictures saved to the computer. She truly is a photographer in the making!

Sunsets 

Wouldn't this make such a cute happy holidays card!

Count Your Blessings

Another wonderful fall week has come and gone! The Lord is good.

Monday was a fun day indeed. It was my mother's birthday. My family and a couple of other homeschool families went to a small farm. We had so much fun!

  

You know when you have one of those awkward moments, and you wonder what's wrong with me. Someday in this week I sat down on my chair so hard I almost fell backwards, but caught my grip on the desk. That was funny/ scary moment. My mom, sister and I burst out laughing. 

A brother that went earlier this year to D.R. for missions work, came on Wednesday.

Thursday the girls in my family went to a Vera Bradley store. Afterwards we went to this little park in the mall. I was once 5 years old again:)

Vera Bradely printed cookies!

And water bottles

Yum...

Up I go...

Don't forget to stop and count your blessings!