Thanksgiving 2008--Part 3

One last thing!! For real, right?!!

One of my favorite things about the holidays is having time off work! Don't get me wrong--I love what I do but I love having extra hours in the day so I can put my creative energy to good use!

I had been given a frame a few months back when my roommates and I moved out of our apartment in Encino. I had this awesome bird fabric that I have dying to use (birds are my new favorite thing! I love them--check out wdw 09, www.wdwconference.org), some green buttons and brown ribbon with an eyelet trim. I took the frame, sanded it down with my Dad and painted it dark brown. I then used the fabric, buttons and ribbon to create the following...

The final product:

...a fabric, one-of-a-kind memo board!! I love it!!

I will be proudly displaying this lovely piece of art in my office at work! I can't wait. I LOVE IT!

I have 2 weeks off at Christmas--we'll see what is created then! :)

Thanksgiving 2008--Part 2

Here are some other fun shots from the California Martin Thanksgiving festivities:

All of us were in the kitchen at some point--whether helping with brunch, the Thanksgiving meal or the appetizers to help tide us over before the big meal. Here are a few pictures of my brother and I along with his new dog Jack who wanted in on all the fun (and food!).

Who said an apron wasn't manly?!

While waiting for the turkey to finish cooking, Amber, Richard, Shannon and I made Turkey Oreos. I had made them with my class right before we left for break and had a bunch of stuff left over. It was fun!

Shannon & my sister

The runt in the middle is my brother's contribution!

Shannon and Richard's turkeys--a little love for this holiday season!

Lastly, no Thanksgiving is complete without a little Black Friday shopping. We had planned to head out Thanksgiving evening at midnight to see what the outlets had in store but most of us were fast asleep on the couch by 10pm so that plan was out. (I could not even believe that stores were opening at 12midnight. I thought it was a joke when I first read the hours--it is absolutely ludicrous! What is our world coming to?!! HONESTLY!!)

We then opted for a little 5am action in town but when that 4:30am wake up call came, Amber and I could not bear to leave our warm beds to brave either the cold or the dark so Shannon and Richard bit the bullet and took one for the team. There were at the local stores by 4:45am--such dedication!

I hit the factory stores in Cabazon with Shannon at 10am. It was CROWDED--to say the least!! It took us about an hour to find a parking spot. SO INSANE! Once we were inside, there were lines to get into the stores. I could not believe it. Needless to say, we did not stay super long.

Christmas is now right around the corner!! I am so EXCITED!! I LOVE this time of year!

Thanksgiving 2008--Part 1

Thanksgiving 2008 was uneventful--just as we like it! We gave thanks in Palm Springs with the whole family there--Richard's girlfriend, Shannon, was even able to join us. We love her! This is the first time we have been together for Thanksgiving in over 2 years!

We began the morning with a walk and then the traditional family photo. Dinner was served at 4pm followed with dessert (ice cream pumpkin pie--a first for us but soooo good!) and a slew of movies to be watched--our customary Palm Springs tradition.

Here are a few pictures of the day:

The view outside my parents' front door as we began the walk. It had poured the night before but had cleared up by morning. It was perfect weather to be out in.

Family Photo 1 of many!

From L to R: Amber (sister), Dad, Mom, me, Richard (brother)

Family Photo 2 of many!

The rest are out takes for you to enjoy!

Christmas Picture 2008?? We will see!!

I pray you had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into His presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, He is God!
It is He who made us, and we are His;
We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
and His courts with praise!
Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the Lord is good;
His steadfast love endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations.

Racer Back Tank Tops

Never was a fan...that is until today. I have come to love them on so many levels! At Target for a mere $7. Worth every penny!

$2.15 for gas!!

INCREDIBLE!!

John Piper on JOY

“The only thing standing between the command of God to rejoice and our experience of that joy is a sinful heart—a heart that delights more in the things of the world than in God. And if we try to excuse our disobedience by saying, ‘I can’t rejoice in God; I have a sinful heart,’ our words will not excuse us; they will condemn us.”

Waffles at 12noon on a Monday!

One of my favorite things as a kid was Saturday mornings! Pretty much without fail, each Saturday, my brother, sister and I, would wake up to a homemade breakfast. My mom usually made it unless it was french toast, then we knew it came from the hand of my dad! Because of this, I greatly anticipated the weekends. Even to this day, I love when I can make a hot breakfast and enjoy it without all the rush! Today we did not have school in honor of Veteran's Day (observed). Although it was not technically a Saturday, it felt like a Saturday in most every way! I woke up, went to chapel, hung out with a few girls I have not seen in quite some time, picked up eggs on my way home and made waffles for a late breakfast/early lunch! Perfect I tell you--absolutely perfect!

A thought...

Read this quote tonight and was impacted by its truth.

“If the blessings of forgiveness are not being explained to the lost, it is because they are not being experienced by the saints.”

Quote from: Tom Dorsch (**Thanks, Candace!)