Karaoke and American Girl was the name of the game at the Thornsbrough house last night. Paige and Peyton nearly stayed up til their birth time (after 11 pm) singing and dancing and playing with their new, beloved American Girl dolls. The cakes were made by cousin Lauren, and James provided a karaoke set-up for all of us to enjoy. The kids practically wore out the Hannah Montana and High School Musical karaoke CD's that we got..and we are all kind of hoarse! I have some great shots of the night..not that I took a single picture (thanks Jamie and James for handing over your memory cards before leaving for the evening). Be warned..their are a few short video clips...and in case anyone is wondering...STEPH picked out the song that we sang! (Sorry guys..at least I am embarrassing myself too!)
The View from Baltic Drive
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
My babies are 8!!!!
Peyton and mommy
Paige
I managed to scan a few pictures..and before midnight I plan to add a few of them growing over the last few years. Today was a great day..I plan to add some pictures from our karaoke party next chance I get. Paige and Peyton have grown so much this year..in every way. The have both gotten taller, smarter and grown more mature. They genuinely love others and they love Jesus. Today..they are totally in love with their new American Girl Dolls..and there will be a few pictures of these new additions to our family coming soon!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
no cereal on the fridge..but it is bad enough!
Adding Beauty to Order
By Glynnis Whitwer
"On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers. He also covered the floors of both the inner and outer rooms of the temple with gold." 1 Kings 6:29-30 (NIV)
Devotion:
My second job out of college was for a developer of retirement and assisted living communities. The CEO of the company was a woman named Prill, with a passion for developing beautiful living communities for seniors. While she abided by all the right code restrictions and architectural guidelines, she pushed the envelope to make them lovely. Prill always imagined her mother walking the hallways or sitting in the dining room. Where would she rest and what would she gaze upon as she got her mail? These types of questions guided her philosophy of blending function and grace.
One of her pet peeves was cluttered-looking administrative offices. While people at other companies might tape notes to walls or windows, we had to put them in picture frames. We drank our sodas out of glasses and never ate at our desk. Clutter was abhorred and order was the rule of the day.
I learned a lot from Prill. When she was in town, she'd walk with the management staff around the community and share her philosophy of caring for the aging and creating a beautiful home for them. One such walk sticks out in my mind. It was the day my approach to organization changed forever.
As we walked around the administrative offices, Prill shared tips on how to keep our workspaces attractive and clutter-free. As she chatted she warned us to stay away from "the-cereal-box-on-top-of-the-refrigerator syndrome." I sucked in my breath, wondering if someone told her about my house. The top of the refrigerator was exactly where my cereal boxes were, and had been for years.
I mused about her comment for days; alternately defending my approach (they don't all fit in my small cupboards) and considering other options (I could put them in storage containers that do fit in my cupboards). Needless to say, the cereal boxes came down. I scrubbed the layers of dirt and grime off the top of the refrigerator and positioned a plant in an attractive pot there instead.
Now let me assure you, it's fine if you have cereal boxes atop your fridge. What I learned from Prill is that when we put a little extra effort into organization, our surroundings look peaceful and nice. While I don't pour my sodas into goblets anymore, I have incorporated Prill's concern for making practicality as pretty as possible in my home and office. Because I spend so many hours each week at my workspace, keeping it attractive and organized is a priority for me.
Keeping things in beautiful order is a practice we also find in the Bible. In the book of First Kings, we find records of the temple Solomon built to the Lord. Not only are we given precise information about the details, but we get a hint of its beauty, complete with floors of gold, engraved cherubim, and the tops of pillars in the shape of lilies.
While our offices aren't temples, they can be a place where God is worshiped and honored in our hearts and in our lives. Perhaps you'd like to bring a little beauty and order to your workspace. It may just take a few changes to create a place of organized inspiration. After all, God is a god of order and beauty.
If you would like to pursue this idea, I invite you to visit my blog where I just did a series on bringing order and beauty to our workspaces. I'd love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you might have.
Dear Lord, You are the creator of all things lovely. You are also the giver of peace and the designer of order. Help me bring that peace and order to my place of work. I long to bring honor and glory to You everywhere I am. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' Blog for practical tips on bringing order and beauty to your workspaces
work@home by Glynnis Whitwer
Cleaning up the Clutter by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Look at your workspace with new eyes. What hits you first as being the most cluttered element? Make a plan to tackle that project first.
Reflections:
How does a clean and organized desk/office make you feel?
How does an organized work area affect your productivity?
What are your top challenges in organizing your office?
Power Verses:
Psalm 84:1, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!" (NIV)
Romans 1: 20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (NIV)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-
By Glynnis Whitwer
"On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers. He also covered the floors of both the inner and outer rooms of the temple with gold." 1 Kings 6:29-30 (NIV)
Devotion:
My second job out of college was for a developer of retirement and assisted living communities. The CEO of the company was a woman named Prill, with a passion for developing beautiful living communities for seniors. While she abided by all the right code restrictions and architectural guidelines, she pushed the envelope to make them lovely. Prill always imagined her mother walking the hallways or sitting in the dining room. Where would she rest and what would she gaze upon as she got her mail? These types of questions guided her philosophy of blending function and grace.
One of her pet peeves was cluttered-looking administrative offices. While people at other companies might tape notes to walls or windows, we had to put them in picture frames. We drank our sodas out of glasses and never ate at our desk. Clutter was abhorred and order was the rule of the day.
I learned a lot from Prill. When she was in town, she'd walk with the management staff around the community and share her philosophy of caring for the aging and creating a beautiful home for them. One such walk sticks out in my mind. It was the day my approach to organization changed forever.
As we walked around the administrative offices, Prill shared tips on how to keep our workspaces attractive and clutter-free. As she chatted she warned us to stay away from "the-cereal-box-on-top-of-the-refrigerator syndrome." I sucked in my breath, wondering if someone told her about my house. The top of the refrigerator was exactly where my cereal boxes were, and had been for years.
I mused about her comment for days; alternately defending my approach (they don't all fit in my small cupboards) and considering other options (I could put them in storage containers that do fit in my cupboards). Needless to say, the cereal boxes came down. I scrubbed the layers of dirt and grime off the top of the refrigerator and positioned a plant in an attractive pot there instead.
Now let me assure you, it's fine if you have cereal boxes atop your fridge. What I learned from Prill is that when we put a little extra effort into organization, our surroundings look peaceful and nice. While I don't pour my sodas into goblets anymore, I have incorporated Prill's concern for making practicality as pretty as possible in my home and office. Because I spend so many hours each week at my workspace, keeping it attractive and organized is a priority for me.
Keeping things in beautiful order is a practice we also find in the Bible. In the book of First Kings, we find records of the temple Solomon built to the Lord. Not only are we given precise information about the details, but we get a hint of its beauty, complete with floors of gold, engraved cherubim, and the tops of pillars in the shape of lilies.
While our offices aren't temples, they can be a place where God is worshiped and honored in our hearts and in our lives. Perhaps you'd like to bring a little beauty and order to your workspace. It may just take a few changes to create a place of organized inspiration. After all, God is a god of order and beauty.
If you would like to pursue this idea, I invite you to visit my blog where I just did a series on bringing order and beauty to our workspaces. I'd love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you might have.
Dear Lord, You are the creator of all things lovely. You are also the giver of peace and the designer of order. Help me bring that peace and order to my place of work. I long to bring honor and glory to You everywhere I am. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' Blog for practical tips on bringing order and beauty to your workspaces
work@home by Glynnis Whitwer
Cleaning up the Clutter by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps:
Look at your workspace with new eyes. What hits you first as being the most cluttered element? Make a plan to tackle that project first.
Reflections:
How does a clean and organized desk/office make you feel?
How does an organized work area affect your productivity?
What are your top challenges in organizing your office?
Power Verses:
Psalm 84:1, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!" (NIV)
Romans 1: 20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (NIV)
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-
Sunday, February 10, 2008
My devotional this morning...very timely between 12 hour shifts
Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Jennifer could hardly wait for her shift to be over. The nurses' station was a mad rush, and there was simply no time to even catch her breath. Some nights she wondered why she had ever gone into nursing. The pace was so crazy, and the work was exhausting, both mentally as well as physically. For a moment, Jennifer closed her eyes and said a quick prayer to the Lord, thanking Him for His great mercy and asking for just enough strength to make it through.
The Lord listens to our prayers, and He responds by giving us the strength we need to meet every situation. He truly is our strength of our fortress. Trust in the Lord, and He will grant you His peace.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, there are times when I just don't think I can make it. Please grant me Your power to endure and succeed. Help me to remember that r eal strength comes from You. Amen.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Jennifer could hardly wait for her shift to be over. The nurses' station was a mad rush, and there was simply no time to even catch her breath. Some nights she wondered why she had ever gone into nursing. The pace was so crazy, and the work was exhausting, both mentally as well as physically. For a moment, Jennifer closed her eyes and said a quick prayer to the Lord, thanking Him for His great mercy and asking for just enough strength to make it through.
The Lord listens to our prayers, and He responds by giving us the strength we need to meet every situation. He truly is our strength of our fortress. Trust in the Lord, and He will grant you His peace.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, there are times when I just don't think I can make it. Please grant me Your power to endure and succeed. Help me to remember that r eal strength comes from You. Amen.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
girls love Hannah Montana
We braved the fog to go see the Hannah Montana 3D movie in Champaign this past Monday. the tickets were bought weeks ahead, so the decision was made to go ahead and go, despite some iffy interstate driving conditions. The movie was very cute, and enjoyable. Even the 3D previews were "cool" and "awesome." I was very glad Julie and Lydia were there too..it was nice to have another "big girl" there with me and the chicks..Happy Birthday Lauren, I hope you enjoyed it!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
skiing...
The girls and I went skiing when we were on vacation in Wisconsin. I had never had this experience before, and I was definitely NOT a natural! When my small children were whizzing by me down a hill, I was busy falling and losing my ski, forced to remove the other one and chase it down the hill. Only moderately humilitating. After a 90 minute lesson with a very kind instructor, I was soon able to navigate down the hill, even occasionally stopping and turning on purpose. But it was a very fun day, and I am glad the girls and I had the opportunity to go.
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