366-336

It was so fun getting all the decorations down and the tree up.  I went down memory lane with all the ornaments that we have given to our kids each Christmas.  These are from when my girlie was a baby.  So sweet....

Blessings,
Kim

366-332-335 Thanksgiving Recap!

We did not go home for Thanksgiving and it was a little sad not being with my parents, son and his wife.  It was nice to stay home and cook dinner but I did miss family and of course my sweet grandsons!  It is so hard to be away from most of my family.  We did get a visit from army girl her husband and my mother in law. So thankful for that. We enjoyed our day with lots of yummy food.  Later, we went to see the new Lincoln movie.  It was very good and I have to admit I cried a little at the end.

We have a funny tradition in our house.  We got this silly turkey hat about 15 years ago from our oldest daughter.  Now, every year we HAVE to to pass the turkey hat around and have everyone take their picture with it on.  Hence the silly turkey hat pictures.

Blessings,
Kim

366-331

Blessings,
Kim

366-328-330 Plus 1000 Gifts!

We were able to attend the grand opening of Georgetown Cupcakes in downtown LA last week.  My daughter watches the show on NetFlix and was excited to hear of the opening.  My friend and I loaded up the car and the kids and drove to downtown, in the rain, I might add.  I hate driving in the rain on a freeway.  I came from the desert and it NEVER rains so I am not used to it.  Anyway, we waited in line for almost 2 hours to attend the opening and then to meet the owners and get an autograph signed copy of their books. We also received a free cupcake.  I must say, they were DELICIOUS!  Not your Betty Crocker cupcake.  Sorry Betty, I do like your cupcakes but just not the same.  After, we headed over to the American Girl store to just look at all those pretty dolls.  Oh, I am very sad for that stage to be pretty much over for my girlie.  TEAR!  Anyway, we had a great outing and I love my new friend and her sweet daughters.  I did not put a picture of them because I need to get permission : )

Still counting...

511. Yummy cupcakes!

512. Rain...

513. Time with my sweet friend...

514. Fun times with my daughter...

515. Thankful for travel mercies to and from...

516. A quiet but sweet Thanksgiving..

517. Yummy food... I am overstuffed now!

518. Family time...

519. Decorations being put up around house...

520. God's provisions...

521. A country that we can still study God's Word...

522. My mother in law visiting...

523. Sleeping in days...

524. My girlie girl helping in the kitchen right along side of me....

525. Laughter in the kitchen...

526. Everything coming together..

527. A great homeschool group...

528. Things I thought would be hard turning out to be easier...

529. Studying God's Word with my boy...

530. His Mercies...

Blessings,
Kim

366-326 &327

The last few pics from our field trip last week.  I forgot to post them with Thanksgiving and company and all.
I hope you all had a great time together with your family and friends.
Give Thanks to the Lord, For He is Good!

Blessings,
Kim

366-325

And there it is....
The Hollywood sign...
It is in renovation.  Sherwin Williams is painting it.  We just found out that you can hike up to the sign (to a certain point).  You are not allowed to touch the sign or get too close, because of vandals no doubt.  I see a hike in our future.  I think that would be fun.  If it happens, no doubt, I will post about it.

Blessings,
Kim

1000 Gifts Plus 366-324

My babies are growing up so fast!  Only a few months away until the big boy graduates!  I am so thankful that the Lord heard my prayers and granted me them.  It has been wonderful.  Really, for the most part.  Some days are difficult or should I say some situations are difficult but the good out weighs the bad part and it has been a HUGE blessing.  I just can't imagine my life if I did not have these two blessings.  God is so amazing!

This picture is from a field trip to Griffith Observatory in LA.  Can anyone say "Rebel Without a Cause?"  It was filmed here.  Yes, that is the Hollywood sign in the background. Sometimes I am just too wiped out to go on anymore field trips but when you move to a place with so much to do, it is hard to pass up.

Still counting...

501. My blessings.

502. Two fun excursions this week...

503. God hears my prayers...

504. Cloudy and rainy days...

505. Time with my friend and her girls...

506. Yummy cupcakes...

507. Family coming this week..

508. My Christmas cards are ordered...

509. Cool field trip...

510. Restful Sunday...

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week.

Blessings,
Kim

366-323

I took this picture on a field trip that we went on the other day.  I am trying to take pictures in manual.  I took this picture and it turned out too blue!  I forgot to change my white balance.  Ugh!  So I edited it.
Anyway, it kind of matches because the building was built in the 30's.

Blessings,
Kim

366-319-322

My girlie girl hangs Christmas lights in her bedroom around this time of year.  The temptation was too much.  I just had to try some bokeh.  I tried without the glass and that is pretty easy.  The next two are with my wedding glass.  I am trying to get the glass in focus.  They came out okay but I really want it to be crisp.  Any suggestions??
The last one my girlie girl took.

Blessings,
Kim

366-314-318

The last of the beach pictures this week : )  My girlie girl took the last picture of her shoes!  Poor baby has a hole in them.. ummm because she wears them ALL THE TIME!!! Putting that on her Christmas list....

Blessings,
Kim

366-310-313 Plus 1000 Gifts!

The beach in November!  Yesterday we headed for the beach to take our Christmas pictures.  Plus, my sweet friend from home surprised me with a last minute unplanned visit.  Anyone that has lived in the desert loves to go to the beach!  That is a plus, plus about living here.  It is always the place I go when I am feeling home sick.  Although, that is becoming less and less : )  Except for my sweet grandbabies!  Let's not go there!

The beach was pretty deserted... except for a few people and this brave soul that got in the water.  He must be from back East.  I should have asked...

Still counting my gifts...

486.  My friend Debbie visiting!

487.  Beach time...

488.  My son got a surprise this weekend!

489.  Oh my!  I got into Pinterest!  Crazy!  I am a little addicted.

490.  Staying up late, laughing with my friend.

491. Really good food at my favorite restaurant..

492. Childhood memories of the favorite restaurant.  Thinking about my momma : )

493. Last day of a sweet class my girlie girl is taking... bitter sweet.

494. Running with a new running partner last week.

495. New dishwasher...

496. My hubby being handy around the house.

497. Thankful for our military!  Thank you for serving!  Freedom is not free!

498. So blessed with so many sweet friends...

499. My kids really liking their youth group...

500.  Making it halfway to 1000 Gifts!  Praising Jesus that I have eyes to see!

God is so good!
Many Blessings,
Kim

366-309

Real leaves!

Blessings,
Kim

366-308 Plus 1000 Gifts!

Well, I am almost done with Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts."  It is not a book that you can plow through... So, when I have time to really study and concentrate, I read it.  It has so many nuggets...
This week, while reading, some of my favorite nuggets were "I am a flame that lights other flames."  If you really think about it... it kind of makes you think about how your flame is.  Is it bright and shining? Or is it dull and ready to go out?  The only way to have a bright flame is to stand close to the source of the light... and that is Jesus!  Dig deep into his word, study who He is.  Do you really know the man/God Jesus??  How does He act?  Who did He hang around?  That is who I want to be like...

The other quote from her book that really hit home is "I am Blessed so I can Bless!!  Really, that quote says it all.  How have you blessed someone this week, day or month?  I am really trying to look outside of my comfy world and love on people who may make me a little uncomfortable.  Why?  Because "I am Blessed and I want to Bless others!"

Still counting the gifts....

462. Great study/Quiet time in the word...

463. Two days with Grand babies...

464. Time alone with Hubby...

465. Yellow Leaf Cupcakes!

466. Weather...

467. Change in Seasons...

468. Veggie Pizza...

469. Time to think and ponder..

470. "I am the flame that lights other flames" Ann Voskamp...

471. Rain...

472. My hubby's job that allows me to go with him on business trips... when I can get away : )

473. Beautiful Faces...

474. New purse...

475. Time with old friends..

476. Time with family...

477.  Passing out tracks and candy to trick or treaters...

478.  Movie night...

479.  Fun rides at Magic Mountain for homeschool students...

480.  A house packed full of teens...

481.  A new dishwasher!

482.  A day of rest...

483.  A great run....

484.  Almost done with a great book...

485.  Seeing some growth in my boy through a tough situation...

Blessings,
Kim

366-303-307

I am a bit behind in my 366 pics.  We went home for my grandson's 2nd birthday this weekend, after just coming home from Seattle. These pictures were taken with my iphone.  We took the kids and grandkids to a pumpkin patch for some rides and to pet the animals at the petting zoo.  They had fun but my grandson loved the slide the best!!!  How about the new baby!  He is growing so fast and if I say so myself, so handsome!!!

Blessings,
Kim