Day 365....end of a project

When I started this project 365 days ago, I wasn't sure I would finish

I wasn't sure if I could....

...but I have surprised myself,
and it has been one of the best things I've done in a while.

Here are some fun facts:

59+ pictures were of food (priorities ya'll)
20 pictures were taken in my kitchen
15 pictures were taken in my dining room
(seeing a theme here?)
and 13 pictures were of feet.....mostly mine.
(I'm not sure what that tells you!)
There were many duplicates
(some exactly the same but different months!)

And as I went back through them,
there were at least 5 that I had totally forgotten about!

That is the best fact of all and the reason I am so glad I did this project. There are things that happen in your daily life that you will never remember unless it is documented....what better way to do it than with pictures?!

So, won't you join us for 2010?!
We would love to have you with us. We post on Sundays.... the whole week's pictures. Come back here and link up with everyone else and share a piece of your life, make new friends and document memories!!

Grab our NEW button (on my side bar) designed by Edie at Rich Gifts and put it on your side bar so every one knows you are participating.


But remember....there is NO pressure.
If you miss a day, week, even month, jump right back in. We all agree this should be fun, not a chore!


Happy New Year!!!!
And happy picture taking!!

Random Dozen

Joining Linda for our last Random Dozen of the year!! That always sounds so weird.....last of the year! I need to start practicing writing 2010.....it always takes me a few months to get it down!

So here we go:


1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends? Nope. I will share with just about anybody (any body I know, that is) unless you tell me you have some communicable disease......even then, if I am really thirsty I will probably do it!! And to maybe gross you out further, I will share gum, suckers.....I'm not picky!!

2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.) That God IS in control and all He wants me to do is believe He will do what He says He will do. I've also learned I am much stronger than I thought I was.

3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations? Between Christmas and New Years Eve. We have a New Years day open house and usually have lots of people, so I need all the room I can get.......the tree has to go!

4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is: finish the book I am reading. It might happen.

5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)? I have said many times that I am sooooo happy to be back in the south.....NO SNOW!! I do not like to be cold! I would prefer that it was summer all year long (can you guess I grew up in AZ?)

6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales? yes.

7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve? nope. just a quiet evening at home. We might go play cards with some friends. Our big party is the next day!

8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January? Hopefully a good start to a new year. And my baby will turn 16 on the 4th!

9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.) drama......enough said. I am happy to say goodbye to 2009.

10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know. I have no idea. I get on first thing in the morning and then again at night. Sometimes I get on during the day too. Hmmmmm, probably way too much time.

11. Who runs your household? Wow, let's see. Steve pays all the bills (woo hoo!), I take care of "the family", we both share in big decisions......so who runs the household?.......both of us?

12. Share one hope/dream for 2010.That I would be able to trust God completely and that in doing so, I would not worry about the things I can't control or are not important in the grand scheme of things.

Happy New Year ya'll!!!

And the winner is.......

After 52 weeks of taking pictures,

that is 365+ pictures posted,
linking up 52 times at my blog....

The winner of the Project 365 final giveaway is.....

#5 - Kim!!!

I will be getting a $20 gift card from Blurb
and will email you the info!!

And we will be starting back up on Sunday!!!
Any one wanting to join in is more than welcome!!


I'll leave you with my favorite gift I gave this year....

I was on Sarah's blog and saw a picture she had done of
some toddlers feet with this verse. It immediately gave me
an idea.....

So, I took this picture of my kids feet down by the river
and the added the scripture. I framed it and gave it
to my husband for Christmas!!
It came out so good!

Christmas tradition...sorry, this is long....grab a cup of coffee!

I think this was one, if not the, best Christmas we have ever had!

It started out with our Christmas eve service where both my boys played their instruments.

It was wonderful. The service was full and we shared it with the Korean church that uses our facilities. How wonderful to hear favorite songs sung in another language and to worship along side them!We came home to no electricity!

But even that turned out great. We enjoyed our traditional dinner by candle light and talked about the many blessings that God had poured out on us this year.


The lights came on just in time for the kids to exchange their gifts and read their letters to each other. I so hope that this is one tradition my children will keep up in the future!


Christmas day my 20, 18 and 15 year olds woke ME up out of a dead sleep at 6:50!! Some things never change!!

My mom gives us each a Santa bag to open at Christmas.....kind of like a stocking. This year she put something of hers in each bag. I think this was one of the favorite gifts we all got. Alyssa received a coveted ice cream mold, Jason an antique dominoes set dated before the civil war,

Jared a crystal paper weight from Tiffanys he has always admired (numbered and documented), Steve received a dated pot that my Aunt brought back from Jericho on her first trip to Israel and I received a glass angel from Murano Italy........priceless! I just wish she could have been there to see us open each one.

But the best part of our Christmas came at the end. When all the presents and stockings were open, each of us took time to tell where they gave their Christmas $$. If you read this post, you know that we started a new tradition last year.

We decided to take the money we would spend on their large gift for Christmas and give it to them over Thanksgiving. They each then had till Christmas to give it away. Any way they want. It could be all to one place or they could spread it out. They could give it to a charity or to a person they know is having a hard time. They could use it to start a business and then give the proceeds away. The options were limitless and were their own. It was up to them, alone, to give their gift to someone else. Then on Christmas morning, instead of opening the gift, we each told how we spent the money and what came of it.

Last year was amazing and this year was no different. The best part was hearing them tell how God led them to where they gave their money.

Jared started. His english teacher been sharing with the kids in her class about her family over the semester. She told them that her daughter was a teacher in a very poor school where the kids could barely afford pencils. When Jared got his money, he went to his teacher and told her that he wanted to buy supplies or something for those kids, but he couldn't drive and couldn't ask his mom to help him (they have to do it on their own). So his teacher helped him buy each child in the class a book and an apple. The kids had alread sent him a thank you note that each signed!!! How cool is that?!

Jason said at first he had a hard time this year finding where God wanted his money.

But about 2 weeks ago, he was listening to the radio and heard them talking about a band that was giving the proceeds of their Christmas album to buy gifts for the soldiers. The radio station talked about how the soldiers families are sometimes forgotten and gave a web site where you could go and adopt a family for Christmas. Jason got a family's name and went and bought the gifts and shipped them to the family. He had some money left over and gave that to World Vision to buy clothes for kids.

Alyssa is studying Speech Language Pathology in school. She is finding that there has not been a lot of research done in this area and there is a limited number of techniques that they have to use. She found a non profit organization that grants money to the research of new techniques for Speech Pathology.
Steve.......bought a llama!! Heifer International lets you buy animals,etc for families in under developed countries. It is a means for food for them and business. Visit Heiffer to find out more.

I gave my money to Heartline Ministries. You can go here to find out more about their ministry to women in Haiti. They are currently trying to raise money for an ambulance, check it out.

This is by far my new favorite tradition.

And we ALL have agreed that we want to make it a permenant part of our Christmas......

..............that makes my heart swell!!!

Project 365 - Week 52!!!

Week 52!!!

Oh.my.word!!! I can not believe it is the last week of the year.

Ya'll when I started this project last January 1st, I wasn't even sure I could complete it. I don't think I have ever kept up with something for this long. Thank you to all of you who participated! Not only did I get to know each of you better, but you held me accountable to keep this going......and I am so very glad I did!

As promised, for those of you who have participated in Project 365 for a majority of the time and who link up for this post, you will be put in a drawing for a $20 gift card to Blurb. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get all my pictures into a book!!!

I had sooooo many great pictures to choose from this week. It was very hard to narrow each day down to one or two......or three!

Here's my week:

Sunday

Today our Sunday School lesson was on the 3 gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. This is Frankincense we had burning when they came in.

Monday
Baking with my kids today....

...nothing better!!!

Tuesday

We found Alyssa's first gray hair today!
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Wedesday

I got to have breakfast with Elizabeth from Finding Him Bigger today!
She is home for Christmas and we had a great time!!
It really is so fun to get to know blogging friends in person.

Thursday

Our traditional appetizer dinner after church.
We are by candle light because we do not have power.

But you know what...it was actually really great!!!

Friday

This is my favorite picture of the day!

My mom gave each of my kids something of hers this year and Alyssa received a coveted antique ice cream mold. Can you tell she was just a bit excited?
But what is so wonderful to me is that the kids were so thrilled to receive something that was special and important to their grandmother.

Saturday

I can NOT believe I am still baking....
....I truly am sugared out!

But these are for children's church tomorrow.
I should have gotten a picture of my crazy trip to the mall with my kids, but I forgot!

So how was your week? Don't forget to link up to be able to be in the drawing!!!

I will be posting on our Christmas tradition on Monday. I can't wait to tell you all about where my kids gave their money!!! It was the highlight of our Christmas morning!

The best of the Bowyer Christmas....

I know, ya'll want my autograph!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

From our house to yours....
We hope you have a very merry Christmas!!

God Gave

I feel so blessed by all the friends I have met through blogging. You all encourage me, challenge me, make me laugh, sometimes cry and most importantly draw me closer to God.

I was reading Rachel's post at Musings of a Future Pastor's Wife the other day. After church and a very meaningful message, God laid on her heart the most beautiful poem. I was so moved by God's generosity showed so beautifully in her words and asked for her permission to share it with you on my blog.

I hope it impacts you too. And if you read it and realize that you don't have a relationship with our amazing God and you want to know more, please contact me. I would love to talk to you about it.

God Gave

In the beginning when time was but new

God moved through His Spirit and brought into view

An expanse and waters and land and green trees

And He gave two great lights, and He was quite pleased

To the animals God gave an abundance of land

To the fish, waters deep - it was part of His plan

For the crown of His creation, into man He blew breath

God gave Adam a helpmeet, whom he loved to great depths

And when God’s dear children turned away from His grace,

He gave them a covering and He settled their case

To jealous Cain God gave a seal

To protect him from other’s malice in zeal

To Noah God gave a warning to heed

Instructions for an ark and materials he’d need

And after Noah and company were afloat for a year,

God gave them a branch as a sign of “all clear”

God then gave a rainbow, a promise from high

It would not be from waters by which the earth died

God gave Abram much: a promise and land

But greater was righteousness, though not by Abram’s hand

And when on the altar Isaac did lie

God gave a ram, so that Isaac not die

To Joseph God gave a promise in dreams

Though hardships did come they were not what they seemed

God gave Joseph a promotion, gave his family good news

Gave Moses a charge and a staff he could use

To go before Pharaoh, deliverance to seek

But when Moses protested God gave Aaron to speak

When the Israelites left God gave them cloud and a fire

And water and manna so they would not tire

God gave them the Law so they’d know what to do

To be righteous before Him for when their lives were through

To Joshua God gave each place his foot trod

Rahab was given redemption from God

An angel was sent to timid, meek Gideon

And to him God gave the soldiers of Midian

God gave to Hannah Samuel, her son

God gave a calling to Samuel while he was still young

At the pleading of Israel God gave them a king

And so Saul rose to power though trouble he would bring

To David God gave strength and great favor

And a heart that cried out to Yahweh as his savior

God gave to Solomon wisdom so deep

To Esther God gave the courage to speak

Isaiah was given a glimpse of God’s glory

Ezekiel, a body for prophetic allegory

To Jeremiah God gave a voice to preach

Daniel was given meanings of dreams

Though His people rebelled, God gave mercy & grace

Gave His Word through his prophets, whether home or displaced

But it wasn’t enough, for His children did desire

After things of the world, for they believed the liar

And though He had been generous to an exponential degree

God had to give more to set His children free

And so to Elizabeth God gave fruit for her womb

A child who would prepare the way for the truth

Then God gave to Mary, so naive and so young

An angelic messenger, and the news from his tongue

Was a Word of promise, of hope, and of peace

And His name would be Jesus; His rule would not cease

God gave Joseph great comfort at the surprising news

So Joseph did not worry about others’ views

God gave them protection on their Bethlehem trek

So they could give their names for the census check

God gave them a stable as a roof for their heads

Gave a hay-filled manger for Jesus’ bed

To the shepherds God gave a star ever bright

They were first to see the Messiah that night

The angels sang choruses of praise from on high

The evil king plotted for Jesus to die

The Wise Men came with gifts in their arms

And God gave them new direction to spare them from harm

As Jesus grew to a man, His giving increased

And He gave freely to all, to even the least

He gives us good gifts, He gives daily bread

If we seek Him first, He promises we’ll be fed

He gave us the Counselor, He gives us peace

He gives light to all men, that by Him we would see

He gives us that which we ask in His name

He gave the kingdom of God that we might proclaim

He gives us the knowledge of the secrets of His rule

He gives us life, and makes us each His tool

He gives living water, and though His sorrows were plenty

He gave his life as a ransom for many

And when the time came He gave bread for reminder

Of His body so broken on a cross none the kinder

And the cup He drank He gave as a sign

Of His blood that would spill, covering sin - yours and mine

And though He was troubled, He gave up His control

For it was the Father’s will to which He was sold

He endured the betrayal, the shame, and the pain

For the love of His children, each known to Him by name

He gave Himself over to the soldiers of Rome

Knowing all the while this place was not His home

He rose up on the cross, mocked by all but His dearest

And when it was finished, He gave up His spirit

His body was taken to the tomb to be laid

The Son of God in a borrowed grave

Three days did pass; He was officially dead

But rather than rot, He rose up instead

He conquered the grave by His power and might

And with it He freed us and before God made us right

And after a time He ascended on high

To His rightful place, on His throne, glorified

With the love of the Father is where it all started

Desiring His creation, longing, broken-hearted

And He knew there was nothing we could do on our own

So He did it for us, by giving up His own

He gave up His throne, His glory, His crown

Clothed Himself in flesh, and brought Himself down

He gave up so much to bring reconcile

To the children He loves, to their hearts so defiled

We can stand in the presence of God by His blood

He’s lifted us out of the mire and the mud

And for Him we go forth with a new charge for living

Because unto us a child was born, and unto us Jesus was given.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas changes become tradition....

Some of you may remember THIS POST from last year where Steve and I decided to make some Christmas changes.

After looking around us and seeing all the blessings God had poured out on our family over the year, we decided to take the money we would spend on their large gift for Christmas and give it to them over Thanksgiving. They each then had till Christmas to give it away. Any way they want. It could be all to one place or they could spread it out. They could give it to a charity or to a person they know is having a hard time. They could use it to start a business and then give the proceeds away. The options were limitless and were their own. It was up to them, alone, to give their gift to someone else. Then on Christmas morning, instead of opening the gift, we each told how we spent the money and what came of it.

This was, for sure, the best decision we ever made. And it was certainly the best Christmas we ever had. I wish I could share with you the video of each of the kids telling where they gave their money (they asked me not to), but I can tell you that each chose something completely different and it was absolutely one of my proudest moments to see how each embraced the idea and how it touched their hearts.

So, Steve and I decided this year that this needed to be a new tradition for the Bowyer household. At Thanksgiving, we gave each of the kids their money and you could literally see the wheels spinning in their heads!!

I can't wait till Christmas morning!

My youngest is so excited about where he has given his money that he has nearly spilled the beans twice. This was our conversation once:

Jared: mom, I just need to share one part with you...

me: no, you know the rules. You can't share any of it until Christmas morning.

Jared: but mom, this won't tell you where I gave it. My teacher was crying...

me: stop! you can't share ANY of it. That is reserved for Christmas morning!!

Jared: fine.

Honestly, I am so curious as to why his teacher was crying about it!! But to see my son so very excited about giving to someone else just makes my heart burst with joy!!!

I love the way God works.

And it is so wonderful to see Him working in the lives of your children!!

I have no greater joy that to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 1:4

Project 365 - Week 51

Week 51!!!

One more week........that is so hard to believe!!! Don't forget that next week I will be having a give away....$20 gift card to blurb for those of you who link up and have participated for a majority of the year in Project 365!!!

Here's my week:

Sunday

This is our Grotto for the birth of Jesus this week!!

Monday

Is this a spoiled dog or what?!

We love her!!!

Tuesday

Today, I went out after work to get some Christmas shopping done...
.....now I remember why I usually don't wait this late to shop!!

I also came home with one of these.....

....a ticket......ugh!

Wednesday

The youth group meets at our house on Wednesdays.
Usually we leave for our small group, but this week we stuck around for a while.
It was LOUD!!

Thursday

I just love my tree!!!

Friday

We had a tag-a-long on our breakfast date today!!
(wow, I look tired and I desperately need lipstick on!)

I spent the afternoon making jewelry with my friend, Dena.
So much fun!!

Nice..huh?!!

Saturday

Our day started off with a family breakfast.
homemade biscuits and sausage gravy!!

And the day ended with a family game.
We all played settlers of Catan..
...I won the first game!!!

It was an all around great day!

I know it has been busy for everyone, but take time and link up and show us how your week went!

Christmas....

Most of you know that it has taken me a while to get into the Christmas spirit this year.

However, I am happy to say that I am so there now!!! I am loving my house all decorated and at night I just sit on my sofa and smile as I look around. Most of my decorations have deep meaning to me and it just makes me happy looking at each one.

I am too late to be in the Christmas tour of homes, but I wanted to share a bit of my Christmas with you!!

We'll start with my tree. All of mine and my husband's childhood ornaments are on the tree. Plus each of my kids that they have made over the years or in their collection. On top is an angel that my Aunt gave us our first year of marriage......it is so special to look at this year as we miss her presence.

One of my favorite ornaments is a nail. It is prominently in the front reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas.

I received these blocks after my Aunt died. She kept these out all year long at her home and I always admired them. It means so much to me to have them out in my home.

I love my willow tree figurines. These are my favorites!

My mantle. I have worked and worked to get it just the way I want it over the years. For the first time this year, I think it is perfect!!

I collect Santas and Angels. This is one of my Santa corners.

This is one of my favorite nativities. My mom brought it back from Israel to me.

These Santas were hand made by a woman in Indiana. I love them. She created a new Santa each year representing a different country or culture.

This is one of my most treasured items. My son painted this for me 2 years ago.


This is my willow tree nativity....it took me a while to collect it all, but I love it!

This tree has so much meaning. When we left Indiana, all our friends gave us this tree and each gave us an ornament to go on it! The tree skirt was made by my grandmother.


I have so many more things in my house, but I think this is long enough!

I hope you have enjoyed a peek into my home and my Christmas memories!!!