The List

THE LIST

Chocolate Covered Pretzels. We're doing them in white chocolate


Puppy Chow.






Peanut Butter Cookies







Peanut Blossoms








Pecan Balls






Minty Witches





Cream Cheese Fudge





Jumbo Chocolate Coconut Cookies





White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies





Oatmeal Krispies






Chocolate Fudge







Mint Fudge






Mint Truffles

I'm sorry about the nasty quality of the Minty Witches. I'm taking pictures of everything we make this year, so I'll have all of my own pictures instead of these.

I've already made the Peanut Butter Cookies, the Peanut Blossoms, and the Puppy Chow because Emma freaks out whenever there is peanut butter in the house and she says she gets a headache, so I thought I would be a nice sister and make all of the things with peanut butter while she was gone last night with Christi to the read-through for Pride and Prejudice.

Tomorrow we'll do all of this and hopefully arrange a time to stop by and give Dani her gift. I need to call her tomorrow and see if she'll be there. For the past couple of years we've given each other the gifts on Christmas Eve.

Today is Christmas Eve Eve! I love that movie so very much. It cutes me out.

I've already gotten pictures of the things I made yesterday night.

I got my hair cut on Monday. I got home and got these responses...

"Your hair is really cute, Lizzie!" -Christi.

Mom asked Dad if he noticed my haircut and we got this... "Oh. Wow! You cut it all off! And you got layers?? What did you do? No, I like it! It will just take me a little bit to get used to it."

He told me later that he liked it.

I never heard a word from Emma, so I think she hates it.

I think I could use a hug from my bestest friends.

*deep breath*

I think I got everything. Normally we do more than this, but a couple of things got scrapped from the list this year. Like Coconut Macaroons and Peppermint Bark. In which I was told, "No one really likes the peppermint bark."
Thanks for that. After I did all the research and found an amazing recipe to make. *hopes crash and burn*

Anyway, I think I'll go now...

Lizzie-beth.

Paige

She makes me smile. :D

This would be...

Pictures.

“The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.” -Unknown

Kayla

Congratulations, Kay! You found me!!!

I love you, dear friend!!!

Good Morning....

"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." - Matthew 13:43


















Be thankful for the sunshine.

Autumn is here...

I told you so...

Pandora...

Because it helps me write.

Music always tends to help me when I write. I don't know why, but it does. I finally got on to Pandora, and I love it. Sadly, checking with Dad, to make sure that it's ok that I use it, he said that it's fine, ONLY if I use it rarely. So... Oh well. That stinks. But... I don't write on here THAT often, so maybe it'll be ok if I only listen to it while I'm on here...

I really need to charge my iPod. I haven't used it since.... May? June? A long time. I also need to put some more music on there... Sorry. That got old.

ANYWAY, I was checking Mel's blog tonight, and she mentioned Kathrine in her post. Which brought me to this post. It reminded me of my Grandparents. They had a letter box, too. Although, Kathrine's story is really cute, and awesome. : ) I remember finding their letter box. My Grandpa knew my Grandma since they were little. When she was 14, he gave her a box of chocolates every Valentine's Day until her last. <3

Tonight Mom and Dad went to see Fine Linen's latest production, 12 Angry Men. I can't wait to see it next weekend with Emma. I can't wait until they start the spring production!!

Anyway, this is getting dumb.

Love,
Lizziebeth.

Ta Da!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Hello...

I really don't have much to say. Life has pretty much stayed the same, and all I've really been doing is school. Thankfully, all is well. I'm exhausted and incredibly happy that today is Friday. Emma is coming home today!!! I can't wait! I don't have huge plans for the day. This afternoon I'm going to make Cream Puffs, so that's amazing, since I'm a total freak about baking. : ) It was so sweet of Rachel to get the recipe so quickly! I should really go read. I can't believe that it's almost noon already. The mornings fly by so quickly now that school has started.

Lizzie.

The best thing about...

Ok, so I forgot to say it in the last post...

The BEST thing about this being September is that...

I turn 16. Not because of all the stupid sweet sixteen stuff. That's dumb. I'm sorry. What's so special about 16, anyway??

BUT, because I can give blood!!!!

'Cause guess what?? You can give blood in Missouri when you're sixteen with parental consent! You can in other states, too. Check it out. Yo.

My tea is getting cold.

Lizzybeth.

When You're Gone

When You're Gone

always needed time on my own
I never thought I'd need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I'm alone
And the bed where you lie is made up on your side

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now

[Chorus]
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you

I've never felt this way before
Everything that I do reminds me of you
And the clothes you left, they lie on the floor
And they smell just like you, I love the things that you do

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now

When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you

We were made for each other
Out here forever
I know we were, yeah
All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I'd do, I'd give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me, yeah

When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you

Wake Me Up When September Ends.

Wake Me Up When September Ends.

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends

like my father's come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when September ends

here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when September ends

summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends

ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when September ends

here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are

as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when September ends

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends

like my father's come to pass
twenty years has gone so fast
wake me up when September ends
wake me up when September ends
wake me up when September ends

Who needs September anyway?

Not me. Let's just skip it.

I'm ok with just skipping the wretched month that my birthday gets to be in. I really, really hate it.

Today was good. But I'm crashing. Crashing because I don't want to have to wake up tomorrow morning. I wish I didn't have to...

Tomorrow is the 2 year anniversary. Today is a bad day because of the things that happened. It was a Sunday, two years ago. We were getting ready for church when we got that horrible call, we got ready as quickly as possible, and headed up to St. Louis. To that hospital. For the last time.

On the 5th of September we headed up there. But for me to get started on tests that needed to be done for me to be able to donate to my precious sister. First off was blood samples. 16 of them. I'd do it every day for her. After that, we were off to get my EKG. Then the chest xray. Finally, hours and hours later, questions and interviews later, we were on our way. We took a 20 minute trip to the zoo, and we came home.

Sunday, we got to the hospital, Josh and Janessa were there. We put puzzles together in the waiting room, and each went to see our sweet sister. She said the most precious things to each of us that you could ever imagine. We were there at the hospital for the day. After lunch, Dad took us to the zoo for a little bit. To get us out of there for a little while. We left the hospital at 10 that night. We grabbed a bite to eat at McDonald's before driving the 2 hours home. Josh and Janessa stayed at the hospital for the night, until Monday.

Then it was around 4.

We found out at around 5. I hate it. I hate that day. But the one joyous thing is that there's no more of it for her. She's over with the AML. She's resting in our perfect Savior. And there's nothing better than that.

I miss her. So incredibly much. I feel like I sound like an idiot on here.

She said it. Go read her words.

http://wilhoite.blogspot.com/

I love you, Amy. <3

Bethan

Music...

You Are Loved. Josh Groban

Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world
When your heart’s heavy, I
I will lift it for you
Don’t give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you, I
I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

Don’t give up
It’s just the hurt
That you hide
When you’re lost inside, I
I’ll be there to find you

Don’t give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you I
I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

You are loved

Don’t give up
It's just the weight of the world

Don't give up
Everyone needs to be heard

You are loved

Weekends...

I have a new appreciation for weekends. This week has been insane. I started my junior year on Monday. I'm exhausted. I have been all week. School is going well. I feel like I have a massive amount to get done, but it's going good. I do have a massive amount to get done. This week was nice because we didn't have anything going on. Next week, we do, so we'll see how it goes. I don't know how people do it with crazy schedules. I don't know why they always like to be busy. Just sit back and enjoy life. Stop running around. That's my opinion. It's obviously not everyone's. Obviously. I try to take joy in the simple things. Getting to do Bible study in the evening with your siblings at home, cooking, spending time with family, writing letters, journals, laughter, walks, sunsets. I love my life. I was thinking the other day about how much God has changed my life from a year ago. It's amazing how much. Huge. I am so thankful.

It rained tonight. We haven't had rain in awhile, so it was really great. It's been so dry. Sometimes a person needs a storm to get them to realize what their doing with their life. That's what happened to me.

Storm Lifehouse

How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
Water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
And know everything will be all right
And know everything is all right

I know you didn't bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Because I'm so used to living underneath the surface

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
And know everything will be all right

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
And know everything will be all right

And know everything is all right
Everything is all right

Everything is all right

That's all.

Bethan

As of late...

Mom and Dad just got back from Tennessee. They went to the Smoky Mountains for their anniversary. We had a good week, only I missed them an amazingly huge amount of much. I hope they had a good time. Christi and I started a Bible study while they were gone. With our brothers we're reading through John and having awesome discussions on tons of things. I'm really loving it! : ) Hopefully we'll be able to keep it up! We're getting ready to start school up. Monday. I'm looking forward to it, in a way. Christi and Daniel both take their ACT in a few weeks, and they both applied at College of the Ozarks. Christi will take Nursing, and Daniel, Computer Science. I'm really excited for the both of them. Obviously it's going to be awhile before we know if their accepted. I know Amy would be thrilled about it, though. : )

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I really miss the Smoky Mountains. I'd love to go back.
Love,
Beth <3

Happy Birthday, Corinne!

Happy Birthday, Corinne! I hope you have a fantastic day!




















I had an amazing time with all of you at camp!


You are so beautiful inside and out!

The Lord has given me such amazing and precious friends.

It's been awhile...

I'm sorry I haven't done anything on here in so long.

Here are some pictures of Christi's quilt. She's gotten all of the pieces cut out and is getting ready to have it all together.

An Update...

I thought I'd update with some pictures...

Christi and I leave for camp on Monday. I'm very excited about it and can't wait to see everyone. I love spending a whole week surrounded by the word of God. I don't listen to the news, watch TV, we just try our best to focus on Him. How wonderful.

One of those evenings where your really not happy with your life...

That's me. I'm tired of it all. :'(

Gray...

Popping his cheeks over the phone.



I love him so much.










Wearing some of Grammi's reading glasses

Amy and Gary

I miss you, big sister. <3

Gray Bear

My precious little man left us today on a sad journey back to Arizona.

We love you,
Gray.










































I wish your sweet Mama was here to raise you...