A day downtown

Today Rachel, Sarah, Samantha and I went downtown Lancaster. We stopped for lunch at House of Pizza, and then went to the Historic Central Market. It was fun to check out the market stands. We then went to see OLIVER! at the Fulton Opera House. It was a fantastic afternoon.

And that is what inspires me to smile!

A night at the movies

Over the past 3 weeks I have watched more movies then I have probably watched all year. Between all the Hallmark Christmas special Movies, Movies on new channels we now get on Comcast, and going to the movies, I think I broke my record. And you know what there are still good movies out there that I want to see. Tonight we took Samantha to see Charlotte's Web. I think Dakota Fanning is so adorable! But my favorite movie this holiday season was "The Holiday" I loved it! Go see it if you get the chance. Oh yeah and the Local movie rental business in our neighborhood called me yesterday to say that since we haven't been in lately we can stop in anytime this week and get a free rental. Looks like I will be fitting some more movies in before the end of 2006!

And that is what inspires me to smile!

Fun in the Kitchen for the holidays

A nice thing about the Holidays is that you can make all sort of sweet things in the kitchen that you don't usually take the time to make. Today I made home made CARAMELS! Yum my very favorite candy. Here a few pictures of the process.

Boil, pour, cut and wrap! wallah you have delicious homemade caramels.

And that is what inspires me to smile!

Youthquake

Tonight like every Wednesday night, we helped with YouthQuake. That is the name of our youth Group at our church. We have over 20 students in 7th - 12th grade in the group. These are all great kids, many of which I had when they were in 3rd grade in my Sunday School class. It is nice to see them grow up, yet I feel there is so much more they need to learn and soak up before they leave high school.

Tonight we talked about Forgiveness. In Ephesians 4:32 the Bible instructs us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. The illustration of the Amish schoolhouse shooting was discussed. This happened a few months ago about 8 miles from our church. The Amish forgave the shooter and his family and in fact reached out to helped the wife and children of the man who did this horrible act. The question is Would any of us be able to do the same. When we don't forgive it creates bitterness, and anger. Those stand between us and God when we hang on to them. Take time this Christmas season to forgive someone if you have been holding on to a wrong someone did against you or a loved one.

Last Saturday I took five of the girls from our small group to see "Oliver!" at the theatre in Lancaster. We all enjoyed it so much and the songs have been stuck in my head ever since. I love musicals.


And that is what inspires me to smile!

Nothing worse then not feeling well on your birthday

Today was my adorable niece's first birthday. The family all gathered at my sister Jen and her husband's home for a first birthday party. The invitation stated to wear Green or pink and I was happy to see that all that attended complied to this request. We are gathered waited for Caroline to come and enjoy her first birthday party.

The sad thing was she was running a fever and didn't seem to be in the partying mood. Poor little girl sat with her mommy and tried to take in all that was happening. She made it through the present opening, and it was time for the Birthday cake. Her eyes were heavy and I thought she might fall asleep waiting for the little pink cake with the cute frog (her favorites) decoration to be sat before her. She was a real trooper and tried to enjoy a finger or two dipped into the icing. We all sang to her and she was then taken up for a much needed nap. I hope she is feeling better soon!

After the party we went up to Shillington to do some Christmas shopping. And that will inspire me to smile any time!

A year in review

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

Click the play button and see the special people and things that inspire me to smile!

Preparing for Mission Trip in July

Last night we had our first organizational meeting for our youth group's summer mission trip. I am really excited to be given this opportunity. We will be going to Patillas Puerto Rico.
It looks like the six youth leaders and our pastor and his wife will be chaperoning the teens on this, our first out of the country mission trip.

Our church supports a Missionary couple - the Westerband's - who live in Patillas. We will be in charge of a week long VBS for the children while we are there. We will also be doing some street Drama, music, witnessing, crafts, and helping with a single mother's group while there.

We will be flying out of Philadelphia on July 23rd and returning July 30th. Please pray for our group.

And that is what inspires me to smile

Enjoying the Christmas Season

Why do weekends go so fast? It is hard to believe that the sun will be setting soon and tomorrow is back to work. Not that I don't like my job, I do.. most all of the time. More about that another time.
This Christmas season our pastor has been teaching on a different Character from the recorded Christmas story in the Bible. Today was on Mary the mother of Jesus. My mind tries to imagine what it was like for Mary to hear the news from an angel that she was going to give birth the the son of God. What it must have been like to raise him, and hear him say his prayers. I love the Christmas season. I love reading the scriptures that tell of Christ birth. What an awesome time of year to smile and share God's love with others.
Den is in the Christmas choir. They have been practicing for weeks now for the Christmas program on Dec. 17th. I love singing, but don't feel like I have the voice to sing in a choir. Some of us are more suited to sit and enjoy what the others have to share.

Here is a picture of our church. Colerain Baptist Church 1923 Noble Road Kirkwood, PA 17536 If you are ever passing through stop in some Sunday Morning.



And that is what inspires me to smile!

My three Nieces

These are my Three beautiful nieces and their friends.

Caroline will be One year old next week. She makes me smile just being with her because of her funny faces and personality.


Lindsey is a Beautiful girl who is in College for Nursing. She is very bright and will make a compassionate Nurse.

Alie is a Sweetheart who has set a new record at her High School in Discus throwing. She too is a beautiful and smart girl.
And that is what inspires me to smile

Deck the Halls

Tonight We decorated the house for Christmas. My husband had a Trustee meeting at Church so I tackled this project myself. Well I did have one little helper. Tucker our youngest doggy (7 Months old) Quite enjoyed the entire process. His mommy is a Shitz Ztu and his daddy is a long haired Chihuahua. He is the sweetest little playful puppy.

.

And that is what inspires me to smile!

Black Friday

We were not one of the devoted shoppers that were trying to find a parking spot at Rockvale at midnight, or one of the early risers that were out for the early bird specials. But Dennis did take Samantha and myself out shopping mid morning.

The parking lot at the Mall was filled. My dear husband drove right pass a prime parking spot(one of the only empty ones we could find that was the third spot into the row) because it had some soda cups sitting in it and he didn't think it would be good to get soda on the car! If I were driving we would have been parked there and on our way into the mall. But instead we were still circling the lot looking for anyone that was heading towards a car to leave. We finally found one and headed into the mall.

The hustle and bustle of the crowd was exciting. I think it goes back to my early childhood where shopping after the Thanksgiving holiday was something my sisters and I always did with my mom and grandmother Trimble. After about two hours of shopping we left the mall with only a new set of flannel sheets for our bed. We went to Office Max for a new scanner only to find out they only stock the ones that are on printers now. So we bought a printer scanner even though our printer worked fine. We then thought lets head across the lot to Circuit City. We hit the jack pot there. We walked out with a 37 inch Sylvania flat LCD Screen TV. They were having great sales and we had Christmas money from my mom that was burning a hole in our pockets. It was around 8pm when we headed back out to Target to purchase a mounting bracket to mount it onto our wall in the family room. Of course while we were there other things just seemed to good of a deal to pass up and we ended up spending too much.

Shopping today was fun, but now we have to start shopping for those on our list!

And that is why I am inspired to smile!

Memories of my dad

It was another great thanksgiving meal at my mother's house. This was the fourth Thanksgiving that we have shared since my dad passes away in May of 2003. We all miss him.
I thought I might do a little tribute to him since he is on my mind today. He was born and raised in Southern Lancaster county on a Farm. He met and married my mother- a Holtwood girl. My dad was a hard working man. He worked at the power plant and farmed a 23 acre farm. I think he enjoyed staying busy. He was very good at managing money. It was a blessing that he was able to retire early from PP&L. It allowed time for him to enjoy life and his family. My dad was proud to be a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed working with the Amish community. And he loved riding his Tennessee Walker Horses.
Some of my special memories of him are taking walks in the woods and digging up old bottles, Riding bikes on the boardwalk at the shore every summer, driving tractor for him and helping on
the farm, him teaching me to drive, the wise advice he always had, and when he would stop in to chat with Dennis and I after we were married with his cup of coffee from Turkey Hill on Sunday mornings.

In Loving Memory of my dad
Clair A. Carter
And that is what inspires me to smile!

Meet us

I am one half of a couple. Let me tell you a little about my hubby. He is a funny guy who brings so much laughter and fun to my life. We met June 30th 2000. He is one of seven children. He has five brothers and one sister. When he gets together with his brothers you know you are in for a good time. Soon they start sharing stories of the crazy things they did as young boys. I can only picture my husband as this youngest brother getting into all these adventures with his big brothers. They have me in stitches!

Dennis graduated from West-Mont Christian Academy. His parents were strict but very loving. I think all of the above helps to make him the wonderful husband he is today!

We were married April 26, 2003 at Niagara Falls NY. It was a happy day for both of us. The start of a new life together. We spend two days in Niagara Falls NY and then two days in Niagara Falls Canada. On our wedding eve we went to the Niagara Casino to see the Temptations in concert. The entire honeymoon was packed with amusing adventures. Just to quick mention a few: Wind storm, Losing our electric in the honeymoon suite that overlooked the falls, glass factory, maid of the mist, finding that my co-workers had an amazing gift certificate waiting for us when we checked in for dinner at the "Pinnacle Restaurant", Gigantic Bugs splatting on our windshield while traveling through NY, and stopping at the Finger Lakes on the home.

Maid of the Mist

And that is why I am inspired to smile!

First Blog

I am sitting here full of Turkey dinner and it is only Thanksgiving Eve. Our Church had a Thanksgiving Dinner tonight for the church family and our neighbors. It was nice to meet some new people. As I was serving the one table I realized an old co-worker was there with her husband. I hadn't seen her since she was married and she is now expecting a baby. It was Great that God had brought them and many others out on this cold rainy night to share a time of Thanksgiving.
My Husband was in a little Thanksgiving Drama skit during our service. It was the first time he participated the the Drama team. I thought he did a great job and was very funny, yet got the point of the skit across to except people for who they are, and be thankful for what we have.
In the service our pastor commented about how in today's culture people want to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, and how they have a problem with celebrating the Easter Holiday(it is now Spring break in schools instead of Easter Vacation) But He went on to say that they haven't really argued with Thanksgiving yet. Pastor said who do they think we are thanking? The answer is God! In all things give thanks.
I have a wonderful loving Husband who I am thankful for, Two boys that have good hearts and have always respected and loved me, Two stepchildren that are great kids, Dear friends that I don't see enough of, A Church family that I enjoy spending time with, Teens in our youth group that my husband and I get to work with every Wednesday night,Two of the greatest doggies in the world, Our first home, a job that on most days I would say I enjoy, Two sister and their families( including my baby niece who is a cutie pie) And a mother who means so much to me!

Most of this is what I will be blogging about over the course of time. It will be fun to share thoughts and things that happen in life. oh yeah and the name of my blog spot is R U who U want 2 be. It is from a Switchfoot song called "This is your life" It ask a very important question, Are you who you want be? If the answer is no, then ask yourself this question Is God in your life? If the answer is no or not really Click this link for some verses that will help you to find God as your loving father, Creator, Awesome GOD!

Here are the Lyrics:
Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
Yesterday is a promise that you've broken
Don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes, This is your life And today is all you've got now
And today is all you've ever had Don't close your eyes
This is your life, are you who you want to be?
This is your life, are you who you want to be?
This is your life, is it everything that you dreamed that it would be when the world was younger, and you had everything to lose?
Yesterday is a kid in the corner Yesterday is dead and over This is your life, are you who you want to be? This is your life, are you who you want to be?

And that is why I am inspired to smile!