Merry Christmas!

I've been having a great Christmas. Stephen and Josiah have been at college a lot for the last few months. Because of this, I have started to realize more fully the fact that we won't all be together for much longer. So I've really enjoyed the times this Christmas break when our family has been able to spend time together, especially playing games. We've watched some movies together too, which is fun, but not quite as sociable. :)

A lot has happened over the last few weeks in which I haven't posted. Josiah had an accompanying job for a middle school concert. He did a great job and Sharyssa turned his pages. It was a lot of fun to sit in the audience and cheer for them.

I spent a few days at Uncle Nick and Aunt Lydia's house, babysitting and helping Lydia around the house. Stephen said I was participating in the Help-A-Relative program, which I thought was pretty funny. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, playing with Liberty and Justice, holding Freedom (and loving his smiles :), and partaking of delicious food.

I had a piano recital the next day, which went fine. I'd practiced my piece perfectly for weeks, but messed up royally at the recital. At least it's over. :)

On Saturday the 21, we sang our choir pieces at the nursing home where Great Grandma Witt lives. Josiah, Katherine, and I sang in the adult choir while Anna, Mary Ann, Grandt, and Kristian sang in the children's choir.

The next day we had our Christmas service, where we sang again.

Monday the 23 we celebrated Christmas at our Great Aunt Christine's house. I got to give Great Grandma White a Christmas stocking.

On Christmas Eve, we went to Grandpa Kuhr and Grandma Martha's church for a Christmas service. I enjoyed singing the Hallelujah Chorus and the candlelight part of the service. It was the first time I had the gumption to do it-the candles that is. I'm so glad I did-and wish I had done it sooner. We had Chinese for supper per usual and I enjoyed catching up (sounds so grown-up :) with Aunt Lydia and Aunt Ramona over sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls, etc. Back at Grandpa's house, we had an exciting experience with a burning garbage can. We're not sure how that happened, but thankfully Johnathan alerted Dad to it (in the midst of Uncle Nick's prayer no less) and no one was hurt.

We celebrated Christmas Day at home and over next door with Grandma B. Mom made coffeecake for breakfast and Grandma B had us over for brunch. Several of us spent the afternoon playing Scrabble with Grandma B. We also visited Grandma Witt, sang a few carols to the nursing home residents, and shared some Christmas cookies. After our supper of ham, cheesy potatoes, etc., a few of us went next door and watched Spider Man 2. Unfortunately, I pigged out-excusing it as Christmas-and got my just desserts with a terrible stomachache that kept me from sleeping that night. But it was still the best Christmas yet.

Last Friday, we traveled to Grandma and Grandpa's house to celebrate with them and Uncle Jeff and Aunt Melissa. We had a lovely time together, including playing some fun games that Uncle Jeff brought. Plus, at Grandma and Grandpa's church we performed one of our choir songs from church.

Now, Mom, Dad, Stephen, Josiah, Katherine, Johnathan, Grandt, and I are back home. We have been cleaning up for our New Year's Day Open House. It is from 3-7pm at our house on January 1st. Feel free to stop by-we'd love for you to come!

This was a super long post, but it felt great to write again. I haven't done it too much the last few months.

It's a Good Day

Mom made Texas sheet cake for Josiah and I because Josiah cleaned his closet and I finished Algebra 1. So I got a 1/4 of a cake-a cake on a cookie sheet.

Plus, we had cheesy potato casserole for lunch-which was delicious.

Besides that, I may get some yarn in the mail. That would make it a great day! 

And, as Job 19:25-27 says (which I read several weeks ago, and is the words of a soprano solo in Handel's Messiah which we just participated in on Sunday):

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I shall see God, 
 whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!

It's Beginning...

...to look a lot like Christmas!

We actually have our tree up. With lights! As well as some ornaments...

Mom, Anna, and I went to a Home for the Holidays Housewalk and Tea. It was a lot of fun. The first house was old and had a lot of fun little nooks and crannies. The next house had beautiful decorations, and the third house had cool window treatments. We saw a couple of friends at the tea (which had delicious cookies and cider), and I received several compliments on my fedora.

I've finished all the Christmas presents for my friends, and I have a couple more family ones left. Today I finished a project I'd been working on for eight months!

Thanksgiving Day

Some pictures from Thanksgiving:

I was holding Freedom and there was a little Pilgrim bonnet sitting on the piano and I couldn't resist putting it on him.

All the grandkids' hands.

Delicious Chocolate Silk Pie made by Aunt Ramona

Helena

Justice

Little Pilgrim Helena

Today we had Thanksgiving at Aunt Christine's house. I experienced two firsts. I skipped a rock (twice) on the Mississippi River (I haven't ever skipped a rock in any river or lake or...) and shot with a BB gun. That was fun.

This Thanksgiving...

...I'm thankful for my parents

                 and

their godly, living example of marriage.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

Belated Wishes

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!!
Thanks for giving of yourself every day and for being such a godly example.

Happy Birthday...

...to the cutest, smartest 2 year-old on the planet!!!!!!!! 

Joseph, Joseph, is it really true?
Joseph, Joseph, is it really you?
J-o-o-s-e-p-h!!!!   J-o-o-o-s-e-p-h!!!!!!!!!!*

Because it is Joseph's birthday, Grandt invited him to sit with him while he played on the computer. I snapped some cute pictures:

Joseph really got into it.

He didn't last the whole game though.

 *By the way those are the lyrics to a song in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I sing it a lot to Joseph.

Somebody's Birthday

Happy 20th Birthday Stephen!!! 
Thanks for being my best biggest brother!

A Twist to Sunday

Yesterday started like most Sundays. I woke up, ate my breakfast, and got ready to go to church. It was strangely warm for November, so I decided I could wear my blue sweater-I wouldn't be too cold.

In passing, I heard Katherine tell Mom about something she had dreamt that night. There was a tornado, and we were driving somewhere and our van was shaking...

I was off to Sunday School, where our teacher, Mr. Lea mentioned the tornado conditions. "I don't even know if I'll be here tomorrow."

I wasn't freaked out, but it was kind of strange.

Church started per usual, and Pastor Greene was nearing the end of his sermon when Mr. Witcofski stopped him. He said that there was a tornado warning. We all headed into the basement, where Pastor Greene finished. Then we sang Jesus Loves Me. Several families stayed for a while longer, many going out to their cars and then coming back in because it looked so bad. I heard the sirens go off several times.

After about half an hour, we drove back home, and I told Johnathan that he could get out of Mom and Dad's closet. (He had stayed home because of a headache and was taking shelter in there.)

We learned later that the tornado had hit very hard in a town where we had just visited some friends on Veterans Day. Praise God that they and their relatives are safe! 

Birthday Greetings

Happy 11th Birthday Anna!!!!

It's Over :(

Schoolhouse Rock shows are over.

But we still have one more Spotlight class (which is a dress rehearsal for our showcase) and then we have Showcase.

I haven't been up to much besides shows and sleeping in 'til eleven...

Monday

So, how are all of you?

I'm doing quite well. I thrived (as opposed to "survived") Apple Butter Day and the first day of tech week. Right now I am sitting on Khyrstyn's bed on her pretty laptop. Josiah and I have dress rehearsal tonight, and so I'm staying at the Short's house while Josiah has his Physics.... class.

I haven't done much except that. I swatched for another pair of socks for some mindless knitting. I also have a Christmas present that was started in April and a sweater for Kristian. I don't have much school since it's tech week, but I did do some Algebra today.

Here's a sketch of Kristian's sweater. So far I've knit past the sleeves.

Driving

...a real car. And not just a car. A van. Not any van, a 15 passenger van.

So I drove for the first time this afternoon in Grandma and Grandpa's yard, fields, and on the country roads. Yes! On a road! That's pretty exciting.

Dad taught me how to turn the car on, use the gas and brake pedals, put the van in park and reverse, back up, turn right and left, and go straight, of course. I also used the windshield wipers once, when I was trying to figure out how to put the turn signal on.

A milestone has been reached today! I was pretty excited and a little nervous, but it went quite well, if I do say so myself. Dad said I might have done better than Stephen's first time...might... :)

Last Day...

...of somewhat normal-ness for a week. Saturday's Apple Butter Day; Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are dress rehearsals for Schoolhouse Rock (Got tickets? :), then Wednesday is opening night/school performances, Thursday's off, but then it's Friday, Saturday, Sunday of performances.

So don't expect to hear from me for over a week... :) Have a great one!

Hello!

I know, boring name for a post. But it's better than nothing.

Our show is coming up in almost a week! If you haven't bought tickets yet, go do it!! I'd love to see you there.

Preparations are going very well. I'm feeling pretty confident about my solos, dancing, and singing. I've acquired (sounds so much better than bought) all of the items needed for my costume and makeup as well.

It's been a lonnng time since I have knitted anything, but I worked on my Minty Socks a little today.

Plus, Anna took a few pictures of me today wearing a shawl I finished several months ago but have hardly worn. The purple shirt is one that I bought at a thrift store yesterday while I was searching for my costume. I got quite a few other shirts and a lovely jean skirt in a style that I have been looking for for quite a while.

A pretty picture of the tree.

Happy October!

Fall has come and I'm trying to enjoy it to its fulness!

I've been busy doing school, as well as piano lessons, going to Schoolhouse Rock rehearsals, and freaking out about almost all three. I'm not freaking out about anything right now, or else I probably wouldn't be blogging. :)

Besides that, we had a graduation party for Stephen last Saturday, which I enjoyed, and I'm pretty sure Stephen liked, which is most important.

I also planned a surprise for one of our directors, whose birthday was last week. We had a little Christmas in September party for him during rehearsal on Saturday. He was surprised and loved it, which made me very happy.

That's all for today. Hopefully, I will be writing a little more this month than last.

P.S. If you have the chance, come see me and Josiah in Schoolhouse Rock!! You are going to love it!

Mismatch Day

Today was mismatch day at rehearsal. I thought I'd take a picture of my outfit so you could all see it and cringe. :)

It's kind of blurry.... I borrowed the socks from Khyrstyn since we stayed overnight and I hadn't brought mismatched socks.

Here's me cringing. Actually no, I happened to burp right while Katherine was taking this picture, which sent us both into hysterics.

I didn't originally plan to wear the scarf; I brought it along as a 'pattern' for a project I was working on, and then decided to wear it as well.

See! Even my earrings didn't match.

Everyone else had great mismatched outfits. Almost everyone had mismatched socks.

Shopping

Josiah, Katherine and I went shopping with Grandma B today. Katherine and I have some jewelry and clothes, and Josiah has quite a few new duds.
Here's what I got:

For getting my ears pierced in June, I had a 50% off coupon for Claire's. I got $50 worth of headbands and earrings.

These are from JCPenney.

A new outfit.

Grandma bought me the jacket for my birthday earlier.

It's Worth It

Last night, I was thinking back on a conversation I had had a few days before, and I was inspired to write this:

I'd rather feel pain

than to never feel comfort,

I'd rather feel sorrow

than to never feel joy,

I'd rather feel heartache

than to never feel love,

             and

I'd rather feel death

than to never feel LIFE.

Happy September!!!

Plus, it's the first day of school-for us. Stephen and Josiah have already started classes at JJC though. So far, I have done Algebra and Physical Science. Technically, I don't have to do any more science to graduate, but Mom and Dad wanted me to do Physics. Well, than they decided that I would do Physical Science with Katherine instead. I am very glad that I don't have to do Physics, and since Physical Science is more of an 8th grade subject, it should be a breeze after Chemistry (which I did like) and some Physics (which I did not like).

Sunday and Monday we were at the Baffas house, which was a ton of fun!!!

Josiah and I have had our first rehearsals, which have been enjoyable and tiring. The good news is that Dad wants us to stay overnight up there (we have rehearsals Friday night and Saturday morning) so that we can get more sleep. Hurray! This week we get to stay at the Short's house, which I have never done before, so I am very happy about. :)

Other Theater News: Johnathan, Anna, and Grandt are in our town's High School production of Peter Pan! Johnathan and Anna are Lost Boys and Grandt is a school child. Congratulations Guys!!!

Our family is going to be busy with two plays around the same time. You will all have to come see them!

New Look

I thought it was about time for a new look for the blog. Like usual, I will post a picture of the change so that anyone (especially me) who reads this post after I have changed it again, will know what it looks like:

What do you think? I love it! It's a bit different than most ones I pick, which are graphics and not a real picture. I wanted to switch to one that was sort of autumn-y, and I think this fits the transition between summer and fall very well.

So what else have I been up to? Well, while I've been blogging and changing the background, I've been eating frozen blueberries with milk. After a couple seconds, it becomes frozen-milk covered blueberries, and then frozen milk with those, but I like it.

We're In!

I didn't want to post the news last night, because I wanted to tell my friends at church.

But now I can! I am Mother Necessity (which is what I wanted most!), a doctor in another song who gets to give someone a shot, and some other ensemble parts.

Josiah is a lead, and Bill in I'm Just A Bill, along with a solo in another song.

I am also VERY happy that my friend Sharyssa is going to be the Wicked Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz. Congratulations!!!!!!!

Callbacks

Everyone (that auditioned) was called back in the afternoon. We did a dance and took turns reading lines. It went really well, and I can't wait to see the cast list!

Afterwards, Josiah and I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts to celebrate.

I also went to the yarn store and bought some yarn to design a sweater for Kristian.

Auditions

Auditions are over! Callback are tomorrow, we don't know yet if we are called back or not.

I feel very happy with my audition, much more than my Joseph audition. Towards the beginning of my song, my sticker (which showed my number) came off onto my hand and I performed the rest of it with a sticker on the tip of my hand. I thought to myself, oh shoot! But then I just went right along, and Mom didn't even know it happened until afterwards.

The directors were very nice, and the head director said at the end of my song, "Nice catch with the sticker!"

More Spotlight

Yesterday's class went really well. We basically just spent some time getting to know each other, and we also auditioned in front of the class. So I got some practice for Friday.

There is also a Audition Workshop going on tonight so we will get even more practice. I'm not at all nervous about my audition (we'll see how that changes when I get on a stage-Look over their heads, Rebekah!) and feel pretty good about everything.

Plus, I finished my sweater on the way back from sweet corn today. Yay!!!!!

Spotlight!

I am very excited! Our (Josiah, Anna, and I) first Spotlight class is starting in less than an hour.

Sharyssa was over yesterday afternoon and helped me and Josiah with our audition songs for Schoolhouse Rock. I know my song, my movements, and my costume, and I just need to practice until Friday.

On the knitting front, I am very nearly finished with my blue sweater. I can't wait!!!

Summer News

It's been quite a while since I posted. A lot has happened. So I'll share some things!

Since I last wrote, I stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house with Stephen (and Grandma and Grandpa :) and helped paint the skating rink. As Katherine mentioned on a post a few weeks ago, we ate a lot of yummy food and ice cream.

We came back in time to see Josiah, Johnathan, and Anna perform Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was a wonderful production, I enjoyed it very much, and they all did a great job! Katherine, Mary Ann, Grandt, and I went back to see it on the last day, and I managed to get the great majority of the cast's autographs-all but three out of around 50 people! Katherine and I were competing.

We also helped strike the set, and then celebrated at the cast party afterwards, even though Katherine and I were not part of the cast.

The next day Katherine and I celebrated Sharyssa's 17th birthday at the beach, and I slept over. That was great fun!

The next Thursday, before we drove down to Grandma and Grandpa's house to celebrate Great Grandma's 95th birthday, Mom, Josiah, and I went to give blood. Mom was the only one who succeeded. Josiah passed out; I either did or got as close as you can without actually fainting. So that was exciting. Once we got to their house though, it was a wonderful time, especially nice to see our cousins (some of whom we haven't seen for five years), and the food was delicious. Josiah became an adult while we were down there.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

Then Stephen, Josiah, Johnathan, Anna, Kristian, and Julia stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We got them back on Friday, but not before some delicious butterburgers and custard at Culver's (Thanks Grandpa!).

Yesterday, I sat around all day, until late at night, when Josiah, Anna, and I signed up for Spotlight classes! I am very excited, Josiah and I are both going to take Musical Theater. I can wait, but just barely. :)

Earlier today, we played Ultimate Frisbee. It was a close game, but Dad, Josiah, Anna, Mary Ann, Julia, and I beat everyone else 10-8. I was glad to get some practice. Tomorrow I'm going to go with Khyrstyn to play with some other kids (Frisbee). I'm also going to work at the Severson's farm, which I am very happy about finally getting to.

Special Day

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!

Summer Doings and Plans

Stephen, Katherine, and Mary Ann are at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Josiah, Johnathan, and Anna have been busy with their rehearsals. So for several hours today I've been the oldest here (which isn't to extraordinary), BUT Grandt has been the second oldest. I'd say that's pretty extraordinary.

Anna had a coupon for buy one get one free medium Concrete Mixer at Culver's, so she got one and then Mom and I split one. We got the Flavor of the Day, which was vanilla, with strawberries and hardening chocolate, with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Oreos. It was very tasty.

Mom made Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies for the kids at rehearsal, but we were able to have some. Joseph calls them 'Ki-ki's, which is very cute, until he doesn't get as many as he wants and throws a temper tantrum, kicking his legs, and sticking his face in the dust. I tell him, "You are NOT getting your way if you act like that!"

We are doing a friend's paper route while they are on vacation, and I did the whole thing by myself today since everyone was gone. I'm going to do it tomorrow and Thursday as well.

We might start sweet corn this week as well.

Tomorrow, Khyrstyn is having a birthday celebration at Feed My Starving Children. Josiah, Johnathan, Anna, and I are going.

And, speaking of summer plans, I'm working on still more design submissions. None have been accepted yet. You'll be sure to hear about it if one does!

Yay!

After several days, our internet is back up, and I am very happy!

Two of my submissions for a magazine arrived safely, and I am happy about that too! Two of my designs to  a yarn company were denied (albeit politely), but they sent out a new call that I think I will submit to. I also have another design I sent them that I have not heard back from. So things are great on the designing front; in addition, I'm working on a swatch for Knit Picks Independent Designers' Program (IDP).

I finished the coral shawl I've been working on for a few weeks. My sweater is slowly growing as well. Someday soon...

Yesterday, Grandma B took me shopping for my birthday, but first we went to Dave's Dawg's for lunch. I had a gyros and cheesy fries as well as Dr. Pepper.

Then we went to Clothes Mentor, which has to be one of my favorite stores, and I got three skirts, two shirts, and a very cute denim jacket. After that, we went to the mall, and I got some longer shorts, a pair of capris, and some tennis shoes, because I'm going to use my old ones to work with corn.

We drove back to town and I got some ice cream. Guess which kind. Vanilla, right? HA! Superman, of course!

Then after supper some of us went to Culver's where I got my birthday sundae-Cherry Cheesecake with chocolate syrup. Yum!

Kelly of Le Mouton Rouge Knittery is having a 2-year anniversary party tomorrow, and I hope to go. She's giving away a $50 gift certificate!!!!!

Crazy, Busy, Fun Week

I have been having a crazy, busy, fun week like the title says.

Last Wednesday, we went to the Joliet Slammers baseball game, because Josiah, Johnathan, and Anna were going to perform there for Joseph.... It was a very nice baseball game and the Slammers won! Josiah and Johnathan took part in a flash mob, which was cool. The fireworks were pretty great as well.

Then we went home even though we had planned to stay over at Grandpa Kuhr's house. Some people didn't pack, so only Stephen and Josiah stayed.

We got up on Thursday and left for Grandpa Kuhr's to have breakfast. But first we stopped at Culver's where I got a scoop of blueberry cheesecake custard. It was tasty; tomorrow I'm going to get the cherry cheesecake.

We had some delicious crepes and a tasty egg casserole at Grandpa's house and then we drove over to Nick and Lydia's, because they were going to have a 4th party. We helped out and then had a fun and delicious party. We watched the amazing fireworks and afterwards stayed over at Nick and Lydia's. We left their house late Friday afternoon.

Yesterday, we surprised my friend Khyrstyn for her Sweet Sixteen. We went to the church where we surprised her at 9:40. Then we went and got our nails done. That was fun! I have bright pink nails with a little flower on my ring fingers. After that we went to Letty Mae's, which I guess you've figured out is one of our favorite places. It was de-li-cious!

Then we went back to the church and did a fun dance with Khyrstyn and videotaped it. We drove to the Davidson's house, opened presents, told fun memories, and ate pizza. Afterwards, we went swimming and enjoyed having fainting contests into the pool. We had ice cream and then sat around and rested while Mrs. Short did our hair. Mine is still in; it looks like an elvish hair style. I think that is very cool because Elves are Awesome!!

Once it started to get dark we drove back to my house, and played Star Tipping in the field next door. Basically, you look up at the stars while people turn you around a bunch of times, and then you try to run in a certain direction. It felt really weird to look at an object, run towards it, and find that you are actually running perpendicular to it. I fell over once and jarred my jaw, but it was fine pretty soon afterwards.

Today Grandma B took Katherine, Anna, and I shopping downtown. I got some bright pink and purple chevron patterned shoes. They weren't the best to go on the paper route with though. Oh well.

Hopefully, Grandma and I can go out to lunch and shop some more tomorrow.

Sixteen Pictures

I'm going to post more than sixteen pictures though.

In the van to Letty Mae's.

Serious Album Cover.

Eating Llamas, Laughing Llamas

More Llamas

Smile!

Go Crazy!

Off to Tea

But first...some pictures.

Waiting to be seated...

Kylee and I

Sharyssa and I

Sisters...

 

...and sidekicks.

Grandma B and I

Us talking about typing.

Complaining about other people getting their drinks first.

Well, mocking the complainers.

OK, give me the camera. I wanna see those pictures.

Another Album Cover.

Katherine didn't know that I photo bombed her picture until later. Hehehe

Sharyssa and I

Katherine and I

Khyrstyn and I

Kylee and I

I added all the names of those who made the earrings

I had to add some pictures of our clean closet. :)

We reorganized the clothes as well.

My book.

Covered Wagons...

...and Steam Trains

The Spy's Heart

I love this spread.

I love the polka dot binding.