Christmas in Texas

There were so many wonderful things that we did together in Texas. But I thought I'd begin with my favorite and most memorable. My Aunt Beth arranged for an extraordinary chance to serve the homeless of Dallas, Texas. We put together 200 boxes of items: socks, coke bottle, candies, tooth brush/paste and wrapped each box and also put together a baggy of homemade cookies. On Christmas Eve all 14 of us packed a rented truck with the boxes and picked up buckets full of hot hot chocolate and headed down town. It was so fun handing out the packages and goodies. The people receiving them were so appreciative and nice. We were able to stop and talk to some for a while. Each group we came across saved their present for the next Christmas morning. I thought that was just the coolest thing. I'm very thankful my Aunt Beth thought of this wonderful experience to do as a family; to work hard together to help provide a special Christmas for complete strangers. It was amazing.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends! Hope you are with family and loved ones and are remembering the true meaning of today... Emmanuel was born... Redeeming Love is ours! Merry Christmas!

been a while.

It's Christmas time! We are down in Dallas spending some time with the family at my Aunt Beth and Uncle Dan's house. It is always an enormous treat when we get to come and stay with them. They are an amazing couple of people. I have not updated my blog in... a while! Sorry. I don't have Dallas pics uploaded to the computer just yet either so those will be along soon. Just thought I'd say I'm having a blast in Dallas.. We will be off to Mattoon for the other side of the family Friday! Christmas time is my favorite! P.S. The picture is of my two girls: my cousins Lyndsey and Courtenay. Unfortunately they couldn't make it out to Texas and I'm missing them. I'll defintely be blogging like crazy soon! Until then...

our tree.

Mom and Dad being cute.

Dad and his new, free mug from the tree place.

Caleb standing next to "his" size tree.

The tree.. still naked.

It didn't take much time today, but we had a lot of fun picking out our Christmas tree together. We never can all agree on which tree to pick. The standard is just tall and skinny. One tradition Caleb has every year is to find a tiny tree for him and me. A tiny tree really means a small broken off tree branch. We bring it home and claim it for our own. Today was a lot of fun. Reminding me just how close Christmas is!

The Joe Show.

Today, we continued our annual family tradition of picking out the Christmas tree together. Here to talk about it is my little brother, Caleb or as he is known in this interview : Joe on The Joe Show. Enjoy!

babysitting adventure #2.

Last night was so much fun! These kids were wonderful and loved to cuddle! Plus they were incredibly cute, as you can tell from the pictures. I traveled out to Alton, IL yesterday and arrived at their house around 5:30 p.m. We played all sorts of games from "Elefun" to "Operation: Spongebob Edition". However, "Thomas the Train Memory Game" was my personal favorite. We also ate pizza and chocolate sticks and towards the end of the night we popped in A Mickey Mouse Christmas Movie. After the movie, I battled with these kiddos for an hour and a half, asking them to please go to bed. Finally around 10:30 they all quieted down. I was told the parents would get home around 11:30 but it wasn't until 1:00a.m. that they came through the door. By this point it didn't matter and they definitely made it worth my while! They were very generous. Even with out their generosity, these kids are definitely in the top five of my favorites to babysit!

baby brother.

The past two days for some reason my brother has been especially special to me. Maybe it's the thought of having to leave him next year or maybe its just how I've recognized how much he is growing up; either way, I've just been really proud of him. Today I found something that he wrote about God. Can't believe he is even old enough to be thinking "maturely" in a sense but it's so cool and comforting to know that God is working in my brother's life.. even now. Like I said, leaving him is a very tear-jerking, hard thought for me, but it's days like today that I realize my God is going to take care of my baby brother. Caleb truly is one amazing kid. It's cool to see the young man he is becoming. And it's nice to have a brother that helps me want to be a better big sister. I love him very dearly.

Snow!

First snow of the year here in wonderful Missouri! So excited about it. I couldn't let this great day go by without celebrating it with a little time at Starbucks. I love this time of year!

Very Thankful.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful... I'm thankful for my friends and their love and understanding. I'm thankful for my big family and the life I have with them. I'm thankful for my relationship with my parents and my brother. I'm thankful that they love me and that they are mine. I'm thankful for my house and the shelter it provides. I'm thankful for Starbucks coffee and books to read. I'm thankful for all of my abilities and talents. I'm thankful for my education and chance to go to college. I'm thankful for shoes and clothes. I'm thankful for entertainment like movies and plays. I'm thankful for my job and co-workers. I'm thankful for my health. I'm thankful to live in the U.S. I'm thankful to go to such a wonderful youth group. I'm thankful for leadership and mentors in my life. I'm thankful for food and water. I'm thankful for joy and fun. I'm thankful for phones and laptops. I'm thankful for Jesus and his unconditional love and saving grace. I'm thankful to be me and to live this life.

Black Friday's Adventure.

my fun black friday companions

our delicious nourishment: Ruby Tuesdays

me and the moma enjoying some caffine

the end result... lots and lots and lots of goodies

As you can see from my previous post, we began our day quite early. The beautiful ladies I joined today are officially considered "professional shoppers" in my book. They enthusiastically woke me around 3:30 a.m. and we headed out to Kohls then to Walmart then Target then Sports Authority then Hobby Lobby and then Mid Rivers Mall. I had so much fun spending time with my family and also so much fun spending my money! I must admit, I spent a lot! I got presents for each of my family members, some friends, and also for our crisis nursery family we are sponsoring. I did go over my budget but hey, it's black friday and it only comes once a year, Right?! Plus, 12 hours of store after store, one is bound to spend more money then expected! For replenishment we relyed on diet cokes, coffee, and stopped at Ruby Tuesday for lunch. That meal in the picture above is the one we all ate. All six of us ordered the mini burger and fries; we are so weird! Like I said, I had a blast today. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful women in my life that care about me and to whom I can aspire to be like. Especially when it comes to shopping!

3:30 a.m.

My goodness! So early this morning! I woke up around 3:3o a.m. and we were out the door by 4:00 a.m. I accompanied my Mom, Aunt Kerri, Aunt Jodie, Nanny, and cousin Zach on a 12 hour shopping extravaganza! The start of this Black Friday 2008 was fun. This is a video.. sound bite really... of just how silly 4:00 a.m. makes me! tehehe.

my helper.

This bottle of Vicks Throat Spray has been my faithful companion these past few days. It's been frustrating, being sick during Thanksgiving break. However, the only thing that matters is that I was able to taste the delicious Thanksgiving meal today! Although I had to chew quickly and breath between bites... it was worth it. The bottle will probably be gone by Sunday.

Oh Riley.

Meet Riley. I am watching her this weekend while some friends are out of town. She and I have a love-hate relationship. The deal pretty much goes: if she leaves me alone I love her. This morning however Riley forgot our deal. I fell asleep on the couch last night (silly move by me) so this morning Riley was able to get eye level with me and stick her cold, wet nose in my face!! I immediately woke up. She began whining and barking, wanting me to let her outside. Like a good dog-watcher, I ignored her. I was paying her back for waking me so early and rudely! Although I am definitely not the biggest dog-person, my dislike of Riley is an over-exaggeration. Riley really isn't all that bad and I'm glad to take care of her for my friends. But sometimes, if it weren't for Riley being Kenedee Jane's pride and joy....

my boys.

Thought you might enjoy a little view of the fun we are having this Thanksgiving! These are my boys... Tucker and Peyton (cousins) and my little brother, Caleb. I'm so proud.

Finally.

It was amazing! Today I finally enjoyed a Grande Peppermind White Mocha Latte! It has been a month since I have visited my beloved Starbucks. I was challenged to give up something I love (Starbucks) that costs money and to donate the money I would have spent to an organization called bloodwater. Although I really did miss the time I would have spent at Starbucks and the delicious beverages, I'm very glad I had the opportunity to sacrifice. Also made today's drink all the more tasty!

Oh Happy Day!

Oh Pilgirm's Progress. This book and I have had some tough days recently. It's boring and I'm lazy and we just don't make a good couple. I have been incredibly stressed over the paper I have needed to write covering this piece of literature and I pretty much have a heartattack everytime I think about it. But God saved the day. The paper is now due next Monday instead of tomorrow!! Is God great or what? I'm so relieved and.... happy!

last night's babysitting adventure.

Last night was my first night watching these kiddos. We had so much fun! Started off the night a little shaky with grease spilling in the oven! But after that, everything went smoothly. First we played with playdough then watched some of a movie. Then while the cookies were baking we colored! The best part of the night was decorating those cookies! They thought it was fun. But my favorite was the kids' sugar high! They went CRAZY! Finally, we ended the night with a little Peter Pan. I had a blast. And they are so stinkin cute!

Homemade, First Edition.

Today was the day I made my first homemade pie! Maybe you noticed from the pictures that I'm quite proud this achievement! In my Foods 1 class we partner up to attempt all sorts of culinary experiences. This weeks challenge was a beautiful, fruit pie. I chose apple. We made it in class and took it home to be evaluated by our family. I'm happy to say my family enjoyed it very much! I didn't think it was too bad myself.

sleep.

The latest favorite passtime of mine: sleep. Although the transition from warm to cold weather is a sign of fun holidays soon to come, my body has decided it means Kelsey needs more sleep. I have found that lately my answer to everyone's "How are you's" is always "sleepy". Not a complaint. Just an observation.

Kind of Bored.

I have this struggle sometimes. I feel like my life is filled with "empty" busyness. Going to school for instance, it's monotonous and feels a bit pointless, especially this year since I'm not taking any real classes. However, I do understand that my diploma will lead me to college which will lead me to my career and then I'm all grown up! And yes, the beauty lying in between the cracks of those places in life are people and experiences that will make me more and more of the person God intends for me to be... it's just right now... I AM BORED. School is boring. Same routines are boring. And the worst part is I've become lazy through the boringness. But I've decided to be determined. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm going to start taking responsibility in my life: with my health, with my homework, with my friends and family, with my work, with my possessions. and most importantly... with my time. So look out world!

(forgive the pic. I finally got my camera charger today in the mail and this was the prettiest thing around the house!)

just around the corner!

Presents! As I have been "budgeting"... yes budgeting... like a grown up!... I have finally narrowed down for whom I will be buying presents this coming Christmas. This past wednesday at youth group our youth pastor challenged us to be Activist of Choice, and this Christmas is an opportunity to choose with our money. We were given several websites (TOMS shoes, BeadsforLife, Jedidiah Hope Collection, Freeset Bags, 1,000hills coffee) and asked to spend our money in a different way. This year my plan and hope is to only buy gifts that have a purpose. Check out these websites to see how to give in a new way this Christmas!

graduation on the brain.

Only 6 months exactly till I am done with high school! I can not even wrap my mind around this idea. However, I am very capable of dreaming up what I want my future in college to look like. But actually leaving all I know and am comfortable with is an entirely different level of thought! This count down is just a reminder of how much exploring I get to do for college and how much change I have to look forward to. I am so old!

me and gene.

Meet my new crush, Gene Kelly. Have you ever watched "Singing In the Rain"? Oh my goodness it's amazing! I am watching it in one of my classes. I wish so badly that I was able to sing, dance, and act. I especially wish I was this talented during 1952 so Gene and I could have done all of this together! He has just re-affirmed me of why I have fallen in love with old time movies.

give a cup save a life.

What is it that keeps us alive? People usually answer this question with the good ole "0-2" and "h-2-0". Those two things are the bare necessities. Here in the U.S. water is a part of the daily ritual. We use it for a wide variety of things and don't pay attention to just how important clean water is to our lives and lifestyles. Unfortunately, there are other countries that are not as priveleged as us. 5,000 kids die EVERYDAY due to the lack of clean water. What a great consequence paid when such a simple solution is available. I was challenged today to take in this information and do as Christ says: take action. There are several organizations that provide an avenue to help these countries. They are working to provide clean water by building wells all around the world. One organization says just a $1 will give a person clean water! Four people could have had clean water by me giving up my $4 Starbucks drink tonight. With these ideas put into perspective, I see just how much I have and how much I waste. Starbucks is not necessary to keep me alive however clean water is a must! Give a cup to save a life.

official voter.

What an experience! After all of the hype this year over the election, I found voting pretty simple. The past couple of days I did some "cram sessions". Took most of my information from NPR's comparison of the two candidates. I just researched on my own and figured out what I believe. Getting away from the T.V. and everyone else's oppinions was the best thing I could have done. Viewing the candidates side by side without the fancy talk and opponent bashing allowed me to just analyze their beliefs and make a choice of what I think is best. So I filled in a circle next to a name and that was that. Not as intimidating as I thought! I feel so grown up and patriotic. I like it!

to invite.

Windsor Crossing is the church I go to with my family on the weekends. Today, one of the associate pastors, Tim, spoke about prayer. He challenged us to be honest and real in our prayers with God and to pray about everything all of the time. Although I have heard all of this before, one point Tim made was especially sticking. He said prayer is an invitation to God. It's God's people inviting Him to be a part of that area of their life. It's trusting God to take care of whatever it is and it's us taking the chance of being dependent on God. Lately, I have been thinking about my independence quite a bit. There are so many areas both big and small (from possessions to relationships) that I decide to take control of. But in order to gain the full life that I desire, one filled with the purpose God has in store for me, He has to have the control. So I am going to strive to release my grip on my independence. I am going to allow myself to be real and honest with God and start depending on him and inviting him in with my prayers.

my Mitsy.

Rest In Peace my Mitsy... Kitty of 16years. Today, I found my Cat dead in the basement. I have had him ever since I was two years old. Although it was definitely time for Mitsy to go to KittyHeaven, it feels weird not having him around the house. The picture of socks is in remembrance of this silly cat of mine. He always would find our socks and drag them everwhere around the house making loud "meowing" noises. Since my parents are gone my youth pastor came to the rescue. He dug the hole and buried Mitsy for me. This day definetely qualifies as a top five on my Disturbed Kelsey Days list. However crazy it was, I am glad I have had Mits for such a long time. He was the best and always will be the best kitty I could ask for!