He's Such a Hard Worker

I walked into MY bedroom yesterday and saw this...




My little entrepreneur.

Picuture of the Day

Old Friends

I'll be saying "goodbye" to one old friend today and tomorrow. Jon D was in and out of my life for most of my years, but he was always someone special to me.

You see...he was the little brother of one of my very good friends. Who I just happen to have not had much contact with in recent years. But lately, we've been doing some catching up.

And some of our memories make me laugh.

Like when we all were loaded up in a van headed to Eureka Springs to see the Passion Play. And Jon was...oh...2-ish. And he would just run up and down that van (before the whole car seat requirement) squealing at the top of his lungs! And we 9young youth) would squeal right along with him. We drove the parents crazy on that trip.

And some of our memories make me cry.

Like the day I came back to my old home church to visit folks and Jon was there in his wheelchair. And we sang "Do Lord". And oh, the joy that flowed from Jonathan. It was such a testament to God's grace to me. Even as a young adult.

As a matter of fact...Jonathan's entire life has been such a testament of God's grace. You see...the Bible tells us in Ephesians 4 that we are given God's grace in order that we may edify one another. And while I don't know the reason God allowed Jon's life to be filled with so many struggles, I do know one thing...that He sure edified me!

You can view his obituary by clicking here, but I can't leave without sharing this song...it was the first song I thought of when I found out he had left this world.

Go Rest High by Vince Gill

I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

This Christmas was probably the best yet. Luke was at just the right age for EVERYTHING to be amazing (including every single gift and every single piece of wrapping paper...even if it was for someone else) and Belle was just starting to get interesting things.

But the reason this was the best Christmas yet the mostest? I was with all of my family. Now, 3 years ago I got to be with all of them again, but I had (literally) just walked out of the hospital from having Luke that day and I was still VERY emotional.

My in-laws came in and stayed a few days with us and kept the kids. Then, last night we went to our church and celebrated the Lord's Supper with our church family. What a better way to acknowledge this season and what it really means than to observe one of the ordinances of the church? It was awesome! And it was awesome to get to "make our hearts right" with my daughter. To hear her prayer to God as she asked Him to bring to her mind the things she needed forgiveness of.

She's 6.
I'm 30.
I have so much to learn.

Anyway, afterwards we all rode to the see the COOLEST light display ever. And next year promises to be bigger and better! (shout out to Uncle Greg).

This morning was so much fun! One of the funnest parts was we were given a Black & Decker kids tool shop for FREE from a friend (not sure if I can say who it was, but they know who they are and I love them very much!) The boys set it up after Luke went to bed last night and we waited and waited to see how he would react to it.

So...time to let loose the hound dogs...


He was kind of quiet at first. Then we told him that it was Luke's. He danced a little jig. They played with this for quite a while without even asking to open presents.


But when the time came a good time was had by all. Even the puppies.



Ok...my daughter (remember that she loves infomercials) has always wanted Aquaglobes. So, I got her some and she was OVERJOYED. Now...ask me if we have any plants. Just ask me...


This was just a funny picture. He kept putting on everything he would get.


Just a good shot of all the mess. Sometimes (sometimes) I love my small house.


This was Luke's "4 leeler" that he got from my mom and dad. It's actually VERY cute...and loud...


Belle has asked for YEARS for a pink gun from her Grandpa. Remember...I married into a family who's blood bleeds 'doe in rut'. I mean...both of my kids have breathed hunting since before they could talk. This year, she got it. A pink .22...and trust me...the bullets...I don't even know where they are.


And then...last year Belle got a guitar from my parents for her birthday. She and Luke would fight like crazy over it. They both just want to be like Daddy and Papa Joe so much! So, this year my in-laws helped him out. Here he is rocking out to "In the Pines"...all in the key of E...


This Christmas day was such a reminder of what it really should be about. Not just presents...but family. I love them so much, but don't show them nearly enough. So...David, Belle, Luke, Mom, Dad, Johnny and Becky (And Danny, Ashley and Ayden)...I love you all! And Thank You, Lord for giving them all to me!

Reliving

I was just reliving my trip with Alison and Belle to New York City. So, I looked back thru my New York posts and photos and relived our fun times. Here are a few photos!


Waiting for our show to begin. Look out the window...right at Times Square. I STILL love Times Square. I get all giddy when I see it on TV.

The Lady of the water herself...

On our tour bus

Waiting for the Train at Seacacus Junction

Again...at the Lion King...look behind Belle...this was a slow day

Headed to the Staten Island Ferry

I'm missing this place terribly! Looking forward to going this year!

I Feel...

My pastor said something the other morning that has GRIPPED me. He said the number one sign of your weakness in the Lord...are the words "I feel..."

Wow! How many times have I wanted things my way? How many times have I complained about something because it wasn't going the way I thought it should? How many times have I thought that church should be what I want it to be and call it under the guise of "Well, I need this or that from church"?

Lord, forgive me! Help me to continue to grow spiritually and only want what YOU want. Help me to love and look at others the way YOU love and look at others. Keep me focused on YOU and not on what I want or feel! Thank You...Thank YOu for what you are doing in me!

Bethlehem, Balance Beams and Bread

This was a VERY packed weekend for us. You already saw here that we did a Christmas Workshop on Thursday night.

Then, Friday night we headed out to our annual "Bethlehem Revisited" at Antioch Baptist here in Conway. We have gone every year since Belle was 2 and every year she wants to go back.

So this year we went with about 25 or so from church. Now..I took a bunch of photos, but can't seem to find them. However, trust me...it was wonderful! You actually walk thru a re-built city that is just like being in Bethlehem. You see the "stores" that are selling homemade bricks, bread, herbs, etc. There is a well in the middle for drawing water, there are stables with real animals (who stink) that you can touch. There is a "rabbi" at the back who is up reading from the Torrah and in Hebrew. It is so cool!

At the end, you make your way back to the inn (by the stables of course) that says "No Vacancy". While the inn keeper tells the story of a couple who was just here, a shepherd comes and tells of a baby. We all head out to see...a real baby...lying in a manger. They even have the 3 crosses as a backdrop. It's a very moving experience every year.

Then, on Saturday, we head to Belle's Christmas gymnastics showing. Twice a year we as family get to go out and watch our little gymnasts do their thang on 6 different aparatus. Both sets of grandparents and Alison were all able to get to watch. Here are just a few pics from the day. And the difference between last year and this year...it was amazing! Then at the end they had a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.







Then, Saturday evening we celebrated Christmas with my in-laws. We had a WONDERFUL Christmas Dinner and exchanged gifs and then...my favorite...layed in the floor and just played, PLAYED, PLAY-ED with the kiddos. Merry Christmas, Overstreet bunch!

BooMama's Tour of Homes...Bump

I posted it earlier, but have now edited it...but you can go here to see it in all it's glory...

And Now The REST of the...er...Pictures...

Now that my mother-in-law has gotten her gift, I can upload a few more of the photos.

Family Night Edition #20

Wow...20. I remember when I was excited to have done 2.

Anyway, tonight was "Christmas Workshop Family Night".


And these elves had tons to do.


But first, we break for our dinner in our Elf Lunch sacks.


Then it's off to make Gingerbread cookies. They are the favorites of the Elf shop.


Speaking of Elves...check out this handsome elf with cute ears.


We had gift bags to make. We'll used these to put Christmas gifts in.


Then we worked on trees...made from sugar ice cream cones.



See our hard work?


Then we made a snowman. Isn't he cute?


Lastly, the littlest elves made some homemade Christmas wrapping paper. Hope you get some this year!


Now it's time for a long winter's nap...

There is a whole group of Momma's and Daddy's sharing their ideas over at Whittaker Woman.

Guest Post

She kept talking about how excited she was to have me paid off soon. And I was getting excited too. I mean, once she does we will get to go do much more fun stuff with the kiddos more often.

So she talked about dropping me off at the mechanics place this morning. Yeah, I need an oil change and my feet rotated and balanced up. No big deal.

But as I sat in the garage this morning I began to wonder. Was she just spiffing me up to trade me in? She was wasn't she? That's what this craziness was all about! After all these years? I've been so good to her!!!!

130,000 miles with no real problems.
I kept things stable when she hit that big pipe...no rolling from this chick!
I protected her when she had to run into the median to keep from hitting a stalled car on the interstate.
I brought her little boy home from the hospital..he was so precious.
I have protected her entire family all these years and this is the thanks I get...

...to be traded in!?!? Not this girl. I needed to get her attention and remind her who is really in charge here, didn't I. So I devised a plan. And here's how it went down...

She pulled into the parking space at 5:18 am this morning...
She put it in park just a few seconds later...
She opened the door to get out...here was my chance...
...I threw it in reverse...
My "arm" spanked her bottom and threw her to the ground as I rolled backwards...
I saw the cars coming, so I rolled slowly up the hill...gave her time to run and catch me...
She treated me just like the kids and tried to grab my arm to keep me from running into the street...didn't work...
She jumped in and slammed on my brakes...
Just my back feet were in the street, but I think it was enough to change her mind about me...

Now don't get all bent out of shape...I just wanted to scare her a little. I never meant to hurt her. Just wanted to make sure she knew who was in charge...



And just to be on the safe side, I sent a telepathic message to that truck that lives with me in the garage. He realized that Pops might want to trade him in soon too...

...so he killed his battery.

I think we are both safe now.

So, any of you cars out there who are a little scared your owner is planning to trade you in soon...gimme a call. We'll make sure it doesn't happen.

**Edited to add from the car's owner...I WAS NEVER PLANNING TO SELL YOU!!! Grow up, buck up and keep taking care of me, please!

Gift of the Heart

Last night my girlfriend was over and was "taking" some of my jewelry. She was putting it one and saying "Thanks Billie!"

Belle was getting a little defensive about it.

So, she asked for a little bag and a gift tag and disappeared into her room.

She came out with the little gift bag with tissue in the top (cut to fit) and a card in it all sealed up and stuff and said "Merry Christmas".

And that she wanted me to open it right then.

David and I both got all teary eyed as she explained to me that since Tiff had taken all my jewelry she wanted to give me something to replace it.

One BIG bling ring from her Fashionista party

One plastic bracelet that didn't fit (so she threw it in the trash)

One plastic flowery necklace

One necklace with an harmonica on the end (for the times when I need a little music)

4 homemade slap bracelets

Best and most heart-felt gift I have ever received!

She's Done It Again

Rebecca, that is.

Ashley and I got to peruse our photos from our session on Saturday and let me just say...this woman is still my favorite photographer!

And Ashley's now too!

I have to work thru some of these and I obviously can't show you them all just yet (what would be the fun in that) but here are is a sneak peek that just can't wait.

Overstreet Home Christmas-A-Palooza

Edited to add a recipe down at the bottom.



Welcome to Casa de Overstreet! Welcome y'all...come on in for a long winters nap.

O wait...that's not why we are here.

Here is outside at night. DON'T JUDGE ME with my snaggle tooth light out. They are on order. Call UPS and hassle them.


See the pretty new wreath on the door? That's the first new thing we have bought in a couple of years round here.


Once inside you get to see our highly touchable tree. When Belle (my oldest) was about 2 we decided that our kid(s) should be able to not only participate in decorating the tree but they should also get to touch it any time they felt all Christmas-y. So, we donated the big fancy ribbony and breakable tree to our church and invested in all plastic/rubber/resin decorations.


See?


To keep with the "candy Christmas" theme, the kids made gingerbread houses with their grandma again this year. Here is my darling Belle's house. See the "O" on the mailbox for Overstreet? She rocks in her attention to details.


This is my absolute FAVORITE Christmas decoration. My best friend got it for me a few years ago. It is Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus, but they spell the word JOY. Awesome!


To the left of the tree above the couch are our family stockings. Camo for Dave, Bear stocking for Belle (b'c she was our Bella Bear for so long), puppy for Sissy girl because...well...she's a dog, a Christmas-y looking one for Luke b'c he was born at Christmas and a blue one for me. Don't know why it was just pretty.


Below the stockings is our manger scene. See the angel hanging singing "Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth, peace and good will toward men"? She doesn't say it actually, but I know what she's thinking.


Turn your head to see our hanging on the wall gifts. (aka wrapped picture frames...had you going didn't I? I didn't...oh well.)


Our living room window with some lights..nothing special...just illuminated.


Belle has her own tree (pink) that she decorates every year. And here is her wooden manger scene. This is a family tradition carried on from Alicia (Nana G). She did it with her girls and I totally stole it for my kids. The manger scene is waiting in Belle's room....


...Mary and Joseph hang out between the lotion and the softsoap until the kids come and help them "journey" thru the house...ahem...to Bethlehem. On Christmas Eve they check into the stable in Belle's room. On Christmas morning when the kids wake up they will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

And because of that we truly can have peace on Earth and peace in our hearts. Thank you, Jesus for coming to this wicked world and living as God in the flesh so that you might die for my sins and save me and my family. Praise you, Lord!



This is a COVETED recipe (not really...it's on the bottle)

Cinnamon Candy

3 ¾ Cups Sugar
1 ½ Cups Light Corn Syrup
1 Cup Water
2 Drams Flavoring
Food Coloring
Powdered Sugar

Mix 1st 3 ingredients.
Stir until sugar completely dissolves
Boil WITHOUT stirring until hard ball
Remove from heat
AFTER boiling CEASES, stir in flavor and color
Pour onto lightly greased sheet
Cool and sprinkle on sugar
Break into pieces and enjoy!~