(257/365) Not already....

Serious, only 100 days until Christmas?  Let the countdown begin....

I'm following the 100 Days to Christmas ... hopefully, this will keep me organized this year!

(256/365) Like the new space?

I'm loving my new blog design, thanks to Kristina!  I love my cute little owl signature line too!   

(254/365) Sunday's Message

I just love our church!  Our paster is down to earth and never fails to deliver an inspirational and motivating sermon with a 'down-to-earth' style every Sunday.  I'm going to try to summarize the lessons on my blog every Sunday going forward.

This month we started a new session called, "Becoming Christ-Centered".  He explained that there are 6 "Highly Effective Principles" of Christ-Centered people:

1. Biblical Understanding
2. Relationships
3. Corporate Worship
4. Service - Local/Global Outreach
5. Spiritual Disciplines
6. Life Storms

This Sunday, we learned about Biblical Understanding.  Basically he encouraged us all to know and learn the "word of God".  He related this to our goals of eating healthy, being physically fit...he acknowledged that these are all lofty goals but sometimes so hard to do.  We know we should do them - but sometimes we just don't feel like doing it.  But we know that after we do these things we always feel better.  This was compared to reading and understanding the Bible - that oftentimes, we are 'too' busy to read it - but it's only after we do it we will know and feel God's blessings.  We must understanding the word of God to know God.

The other great thing about our church is that Olivia's Sunday School class takes on the same lessons as the adults - only kidified!  So when we talk about what we learned, we can all relate.  We are going to make a commitment to read our Bible more - we definitely can improve in that area!

"We are as Christ-Centered as we decide to be."  Colossians 2:6-7
"The Word of God was not given for information but for transformation."  Matthew 7:24-27

If you're interested in listening to the lessons, the church's publishes a podcast every week. 


Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

(251/265) Up Up and Away

I saw this 'concept' photography on a blog awhile ago and it's been on the back of my mind for a long time - waiting for the time and inspiration to hit me to recreate my own scene.  Today was a good day to try - a nice relaxing Sunday at home ... and a 7 year old who was ready to be 'entertained' in some fashion!  This worked like a charm.  She loved creating the picture and acting out the scene.  I definitely need to do more of these.  This was fun - and I think the photo's turned out really cool!

(250/365)

Oh my goodness, I just noticed that I received honorable mention in a Photography Contest I entered!  There were over 1200 entries!  I received $75.00 off a photography class; however, it's still a bit pricey so going to skip it.  I'm just thrilled that I finally was recognized for a photo I took ... I just started entering small photography contests/give-a-ways !  How fun!!

(248/365) Finding My Joy ....

I'm taking this class by Willette!  Very excited as I haven't taken a photography course in awhile.  Already learned how to make myself look thinner and more curvy in pictures - got to LOVE that!  Everything is an illusion people!!!  Going to show Olivia this trick so she knows all those beautiful/perfect women in magazines are not real!!  LOL

(247/365) Mission Organization

My girlfriends and I started a weekly challenge of decluttering and organizing our home.  We each take a picture of what we need to clean out at the begining of the week.  By Sunday night we have to commit to completing our mission and posting a picture.   This is my project for the week - declutter/organize the horrid upstairs catch all closet!  I committed to do one shelf a night - so far so good! 

(244/365) Antigua

We had a great time in Antigua!  We went on an excursion to swim with sting rays.  It was scary and awesome all at the same time.  Olivia didn't 'warm' up to the idea until the very end of the excursion.  Most of the time she sat on the floating dock watching us pet and swim with the sting rays.  They really need to change their names - they are harmless and they only sting if they are provoked.  But just the name and that creepy tail is enough to give you the 'heeby jeepies' as they swim / or swarm all around you! 

(243/365) St.Lucia

(242/365) Barbados

Our first island was Barbados.  Dan and I were actually here for our honeymoon cruise we took over 15 years ago.  Things looked the same.  We went on an excursion on a catamaran to snorkel with sea turtles.  Olivia loved it.  The waters were so clear and refreshing.  Love the turquoise ocean!

(241/365)

When you come to the edge of all the light you have, and must take a step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two things will happen. Either there will be something solid for you to stand on or you will be taught how to fly.
-Patrick Overton


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(240/365) San Juan, Puerto Rico

We took a cruise to the Southern Caribbean the last week of August.  We wanted to take one last summer vacation before school started.  We had a great time and missed three hurricanes that occurred in that area over the week.  We were in a happy weather 'bubble'....and so thankful for it!!! 

We flew into San Juan Puerto Rico, had one day at sea, then went to Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St.Marten and St. Croix.  It was wonderful.  Olivia enjoyed the ship - and especially liked the 'dinner people' since they waited on her hand and foot - lol!

(239/365)

In my world, I think September 1st is the new January 1st.  I love the start of school and the Fall season.  Growing up, I always loved the first day of school!  I loved picking out what to wear, buying school supplies, seeing old and new friends, meeting new teachers, getting new text books, etc... It was a start of a new year with a fresh start!

Now that Olivia is in school ... I enjoy her first day back right along with her.  She is so excited for school to start and we have everything ready.  I'm even excited to start making her lunches again - at least for the time being, I'm sure this novelty will soon be come a chore like it was last year!  I found several blogs focused completely on school lunches, in particular bento boxes.  I have a few of those for Olivia and I really want to make some of those cute little sandwiches - perhaps that will entice her to eat bread!

I was bummed that we missed "back to school night" to meet her teacher and see her new classroom because we were on vacation.  Maybe on Friday, we'll meet her for lunch so we can say hello to her teacher and see her new classroom.  This year, we ordered her school supplies from the school - which is great for convenience, but I must admit, I missed bringing the list to Target and picking out the goodies with Olivia ourselves. 

Olivia's teacher is Ms.Brewer.  I heard great things about her.  Two of her best friends from first grade aren't in her second grade class, but I'm sure she will make new friends.

Very excited to take her back-to-school pictures as well!  I may bring her over to the empty school bus lot sometime today to 'sneak' some pictures.  I did that last year and the pictures were sooooo cute! 

(236/365) Favorite Quote of all Time!

(235/365)

I was looking at Kelly Rae Roberts blog and stumbled upon this great idea!   I could do that - I had all the required pieces .... see below.  Totally cute!

(234/365) Little Pretties!

Picked up these little pretties from the Alexandria Arts Festival.  love...love....love them - they are flowers and they are currently residing in one of my vintage glass bottle collections on my shelf.  I so wish she had an online shop!!

Creative Works - Pottery and Tile

(233/365) Tree Huggers!

What's summer camp without a tree to climb??

(232/365) Horse Camp

Olivia had a great time at horse camp this summer.  This is her third year, and as usually she fell in love with all the horses this year.  I'm starting to think this may be an expensive proposition that I started -- what was I thinking??  She won "Best First Time Rider", which not sure if they meant first week...because this is her third year riding!  Anyway, she did really well - her horse was HUGE!

(231/265) Our little Rosie

(230/365)

One of the last days at the pool - kids having a blast as usual!  See you next year - Lifetime Pool!