I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb by Ray Bolz

As we walk forward into the new year, choose you this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house, I will serve the Lord.

Meebo Instant Messaging and Chat

This is a great site. Whether you're signed up for AIM, Google Chat, MSN Messaging, Yahoo! Messaging.....whatever, you can sign in to them all on this one site. Nothing to download and you can sign in from anywhere that has an internet connection. You can also sign up for a Meebo account and there are several chat rooms you can visit. So, check it out!!   Meebo Instant Messaging

iPod Christmas

Why I am now, and forever WILL be, the GREATEST Aunt on the PLANET!! (Logan doesn't seem to be too pleased that he is not old enough to have an iPod!)

Swap Your Gift Card

Hey everybody, I hope you all had a great Christmas! I saw this on the news the other night. If you got a gift card for Christmas that you know you will not use, you can swap it out for a different gift card, you can sell it or you can even pay bills with it. This is a great concept, so check it out at Swap Your Gift Card

Answers to "Guess that Christmas Carol/Song!"

If you took yesterday's quiz, click the link below and let me know how you did! If you didn't take the quiz yet but would like to, just scroll down to yesterday's post and have fun!

Answers to Christmas Carol/Song Quiz

Guess that Christmas Carol/Song!

Here's a fun little exercise - by reading each description below, can you guess the Christmas Carol/Song's correct title? Have fun with it and the answers will be posted tomorrow! Let me know how you did!

  1. Singular Yearning For The Twin Anterior Incisors

  2. Perambulating Through A December Solstice Fantasy

  3. Loyal Followers Advance

  4. Far Off In A Feeder

  5. A Joyful Song Of Reverence Relative To Hollow Metallic Vessels, Which Vibrate and Bring Forth A Ringing Sound When Struck

  6. I Beheld A Trio of Nautical Vessels Moving in This Direction

  7. Punch Out The Passages

  8. Do You Perceive the Same Vibrations, Which Stimulate My Auditory Sense Organ?

  9. Homo Sapien of Crystallized Vapor

10. Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle

11. Tintinnabulation

12. Benevolent Despot

13. Query Regarding Identity of Descendant

14. Listen, the Winged Heavenly Messengers are Proclaiming Tunefully

15. Sir Lancelot with Laryngitis

16. IIex Amicable Yuletide

17. Parent Was Observed Osculating a Red-Coated Unshaven Teamster

18. Castaneous-Colored Seed Vesicated in a Conflagration

19. First Person Singular Experiencing An Hallucinatory Phenomenon Of A Natal Celebration Devoid Of Color

20. The Apartment of Two Psychiatrists

21. Boulder of the Tinkling Metal Spheres

22. Omnipotent Supreme Being Elicit Respite To Ecstatic Distinguished Males

23. An Emotion Excited by the Acquisition or Expectation of Good Given to the Terrestrial Sphere

24. Frozen Precipitation Commence

25. Bantam Male Percussionist

26. We Are Kong, Lear and Elvis

27. Small Municipality in Judea Southeast of Jerusalem

28. As the Guardians of the Woolly Animals Protected Their Charges in the Dark Hours

29. The Quadruped with the Vermilion Proboscis

30. Red Man Enroute to Borough

31. Expectation of Arrival of Masculine Yearly Gift Giver

32. Cup-Shaped Instruments Fashioned of a Whitish Metallic Element

33. The Christmas Preceding All Others

34. Befell During the Translucent Bewitching Hour

35. Duodecimal Enumeration of the Passage of the Yuletide Season

36. Exclamation, Member of the Round Table With Missing Areas

37. Jovial Yuletide Desired For the Second Person Singular Or Plural By the First Person Plural

38. Vehicular Homicide Was Committed On Dad's Parental Unit By a Precipitous Darling

39. Bleached Yule

40. Seraphim We Aurally Detected In The Stratosphere

Twelve Days of Christmas Cost-Cutting Measures

Effective immediately, the following economising measures are being implemented in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" subsidiary:

The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree, which never produced the cash crop forecasted, will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance;

Two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are, therefore, eliminated;

The three French hens will remain intact. After all, everyone loves the French;

The four calling birds will be replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked;

The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors. Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals, as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks, appear to be in order;

The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded. It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day was an example of the general decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure management that, from now on, every goose it gets will be a good one;

The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times. The function is primarily decorative. Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes, thereby enhancing their outplacement;

As you know, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought. The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility. Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching;

Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps;

Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords, plus the expense of international air travel, prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant as we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year;

Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music, and no uniforms, will produce savings which will drop right to the bottom line.

Overall we can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and related expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can ship all in one day, service levels will be improved.

Regarding the lawsuit filed by the attorney's association seeking expansion to include the legal profession ("thirteen lawyers-a-suing"), a decision is pending.

Deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to remain competitive. Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number.

Logan, The SkyAngel Cowboy

WOW!! One phone call to Mike Kankelfritz at KSBJ here in Houston is changing lives all over the world! This 13-year-old boy listens to KSBJ from Nebraska and, after a tragic event in his life, called Mike and shared with him something God had told him. You can read about Logan, who was here last week at KSBJ, and hear the phone call that seems to be setting setting the world on fire! Please, please click on this link to have your socks just blessed right off ya!

Phone Call From Logan, the SkyAngel Cowboy, to KSBJ

Christmas Carols for the Psychiatrically Challenged

SCHIZOPHRENIA - Do You Hear What I Hear?

MULTIPLE PERSONALITY - We Three Kings Disoriented Are.

DEMENTIA - I Think I'll Be Home For Christmas.

NARCISSISTIC - Hark The Herald Angels Sing (About Me)

MANIA - Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and and Office and Town ...or Deck the Halls and Spare No Expense!

PARANOIA - Santa Claus is Coming To Get Me.

PERSONALITY DISORDER - You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, then MAYBE I'll tell you why.

DEPRESSION - Silent anhedonia, Holy anhedonia. All is calm, All is pretty lonely.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER - Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell... (YOU GET THE IDEA)

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE PERSONALITY - The Twelve Days of Christmas (don't make me repeat that again)

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY - Thoughts of Roasting in an Open Fire.

PASSIVE/AGGRESSIVE - Silent Night

Alvin & The Chipmunks - The Christmas Song

Here is another childhood favorite of mine! This is a cute litle video. Enjoy!

The First Christmas Gift

Gather the children...this is something they will enjoy (and so will you!)

The First Christmas Gift

The "Gender-Bread" Contest

A couple of weeks ago, the fam hosted a Gingerbread House building contest, guys againt the girls! We began the evening with our Advent service, which was very nice - then we put all "niceties" aside and it was ON! The contest began with two Gingerbread House kits. We were allowed to use anything to build this house, as long as it was edible. The judges gave their rules and expectations and mingled throughout the evening to ensure there was no cheating (must have been worried about the guys....). I'm not going to tell you who won....I'll let you decide who you think built the best house....it was an evening of great fun!

Little Drummer Boy.....Are You KIDDING Me???

Coming home from work the other night, I was listening to Christmas Music on KSBJ and Jars of Clay was singing "Little Drummer Boy." I love this song - have since I was a child. I have also loved watching the TV show at Christmas for many years. So, I was singing loudly in the safety of my car (your safety, not mine) and I began paying attention to the words I was singing, while picturing the scenario. Suddenly, I was laughing hysterically and thinking, are you KIDDING me??

I remember when my first niece, Rachelle, was born. I couldn't wait to have a break from my college classes so I could drive home. By the time I was able to get home Rachelle was about three weeks old. I could not wait to get my hands on that baby! When I arrived, there was a "Shhhh...Baby Sleeping" sign on the door. I was certain this did not apply to the Aunt. I could not have been more wrong. Upon entering I was met by my sister who greeted me with a surly look, and immediately instructed me not to breathe or make any sudden movements. She then threatened me with various military tactics if I woke the baby. Again.....are you KIDDING me? I was the Aunt for crying out loud! I had just spent 3, count them, 3 agonizing weeks at college waiting for the time I could come and hold my niece for the first time. And now, here was my sister (or was it Rambo? I couldn't really tell) threatening me with bodily harm if Rachelle was disturbed in any way.

Luckily, I realized that Johnnie couldn't really carry out any of those maneuvers if I was holding a baby! So, of course I went in and scooped that sweet baby out of her crib and spent some bonding time with my niece. The fact that Rachelle is now grown with children of her own, and I'm writing this is a testament to my survival from that treacherous adventure!

All of this flashed through my mind as I was singing the words to Little Drummer Boy. While I still love singing the song, the absurdity of this song's story absolutely cracks me up! Can you picture yourself walking into a sleeping infant's room and performing a drum roll on a snare drum? Of all the instruments out there today, the drum sounds the least like soothing music. Heck, why not throw in some cymbals just to round it out!? I truly believe that my sister would have shot me in the face with a bazooka if I’d have gone into Rachelle's room and started banging on a drum.

The other thing about this song that cracks me up is the response of the animals....."the ox and lamb kept time".......really......so now, let's picture it.....a kid walks into a stable filled with oxen, camels, sheep and other barnyard animals and begins banging on a drum. Do you reeeally think the oxen or lambs would tap their hooves to the beat?

In fairness, the boy DID ask Mary if he could play his drum for the baby….And she NODDED! Are you KIDDING me??? I am certain the poor mother must have been on some sort of cold medicine and suffering from sleep deprivation to have allowed that.

Personally, I think he started banging on his drum and he AND his drum were trampled by the stampeding animals. Then, with all the added commotion, the baby woke up and started crying, at which point Joseph threw him and his mangled drum out into the street, yelling “You’ll never play in this town again!!” I’ll never be able to listen to this song in quite the same way again, and I’m not KIDDING you!

Oh, Wheeeeere is My Hairbrush????

The funniest thing happened yesterday - I am still chuckling! I took Terah to her Photography class yesterday morning and then we had to leave right from there to go to her violin recital. So, on the way to the recital she asked if I had a brush. I had a little "portable" one in my purse that folds up and is good for travel. She was brushing her hair when it came apart. She looked all over the car for the piece that was missing, even opening the door and trying to look under the seat. She finally said, "I don't know where it went" and turned to look at me...when she did, her hair sorta whipped around, with the missing piece still stuck in it! It was just toooooo funny! I could not quit laughing. Terah looked both amused and embarrassed at the same time but we both had a good laugh over it! For those of you not familiar with VeggieTales, I am putting the "original" version of The Hairbrush Song on here for your enjoyment! If you have children, they'll love it!

Top 3 Laughing Babies Videos

Thought we could all use some humor today. See if you can watch these without crackin' a smile! I didn't think so....babies are just good for what ails ya!



Oh, Okay - one more, but that's it!!

Seago Family Christmas Decorating

Well, the Seago house and yard are officially decorated for Christmas. They are both awesome! It only took a week to get it all done - and believe me, it IS a family effort. We all had a great time, but we missed my nephew, John, who is away at Seminary.

Christmas Light Show

I think the people who put these together are brilliant! I wish I had this kind of talent! Enjoy!

Muglets

Here is another way to send online Christmas (or anytime) cards using pictures of yourself or your family. The possibilities are endless! Send me a muglet when you create one! Click here to create a Muglet!

Happy Birthday, Rise'!

Thanks for a million years of friendship!

Elf Yourself!

Tell me this is not the cutest, most hilarious thing you've ever seen! You use your own pictures for the faces and they provide the dance and musis. This is courtesy of Office Max.

Click here to emjoy!

Howdy Pardner

My nephew, Logan

All in the Family

Just in case you're wondering where I got my humor (however defined), you can see that I came by it honestly! Johnnie and Teddy clowning around!

Family (After) Thanksgiving 2007

We all had a blast and memories were made!

After Thanksgiving Thanksgiving

We had an after Thanksgiving party yesterday and everyone brought leftovers which looked like the the kitchen exploded food - there was turkey, ham, pizza, casseroles and every kind of dessert you can imagine. And, of course, there was the traditional Thanksgiving football game. Here is proof that I actually played in the game. You will either be impressed by my tenacity or question my mental stability. I am definitely paying for it today...I look like my Grandmother's Grandmother when I walk - but it was worth it.....I had a great time! Hope Thanksgiving was wonderful for all of you, too!

You Raise Me Up by Selah

I don't know many people who have not heard this song by now. I also don't know many people who have seen the video from this song. Today, all over the country, many of us will go around the family table and voice what we're thankful for, but I wonder if we truly understand how blessed we are, every day. Please watch this video on Thanksgiving Day and hopefully you will understand just HOW thankful you are, and will pray for the ones who have nothing. Give true thanks to God today.

The V&E Lunch Bunch

Here is my posse from work - I believe I have eaten lunch most every day with these same girls since I started here 4 years ago. We are co-workers and friends. That's "Guido" over there on the right end. She pretty much instructs us everyday about what, where and what time we're eating - we don't miss a lunch without having it approved by her so she doesn't send someone to break our legs. It is a great place to work, because of these girls! BUT-- ALAS, we had to say goodbye to Boxie (standing by Guido), as she has gone back to school to find out if she's "smarter than a 5th grader!" (she's now a Language Arts teacher) The loss is huge....how could she ever be replaced?? Who could possibly fill her shoes??.....(see below!)



.....Not to worry, I think the Newbie will fit in just fine! Welcome to the Lunch Bunch, Sharon!

W3Schools

This site is one of the web's best kept secrets - there are tutorials for anything web - and it's all FREE! Been thinking about creating a web page? Need to learn HTML? JavaScript? All the web basics you could ever hope to learn are at this site - check it out!

W3Schools

Don't Hate Us Because We're Beautiful...

Me and my sister at the Murder Mystery Dinner! Are we cute or WHAT??

Murder Mystery Birthday Party for Johnnie!

Wanna know 'who dunnit?' - well, all I can tell you is to stay on Johnny and Jenny's good side! We might have known the birthday girl and hubby would be the killers! The theme for this shindig was a high school reunion where we dressed in retro 70's. I was Nancy, rock start wanna-be who crashed the reunion because my idols, who graduated from this school, would be there! And, a good time was had by all!

A Smile From God

I got this in an email yesterday. It is truly like a smile from the Father. Thank Him today that He smiles on us, even when we don't notice....

What I Look Like In Caricature

Could you pick me out of a line up?

Lego Tie

Every year on Father's Day, our Church holds a contest to see which Dad can wear the most unique tie. All the kids got together this year and created a masterpiece. I think, just at first glance, it is very evident that Ted won the award. Unless you know him, you can't know that each level stands for something that has to do with who Ted is, and what his interests are....the kids did an awesome job! What you do you think? You decide!

Trace

Will you just look at this face? This is my 3-year-old great-nephew Trace. He has an engaging personality and a killer smile! He's very smart and has a vocabulary that won't quit. He had a pillow fight with Teddy and I last night and he was the one who laid down the rules and we all had a great time!

In Gratefulness, on Veteran's Day

Wynonna - When Love Starts Talkin'

You cannot watch this video without smiling. Wynonna has the whole Judd family involved from Mom Naomi to sister Ashley to the kids, and it's very upbeat! I love the little dance clips with Wynonna and Ashley together and the fact that Wynonna just cracks herself up all though the performance - Enjoy!

Just Like Teddy

The older I get, the stronger my opinion that sometimes children are the only ones who truly "get it." As I watch my nieces and nephews grow up, I understand more and more why Jesus said we must "come as a little child." That blind faith, that trust without reservation - it truly is amazing to watch. I learn many life lessons from these kids who are so precious to me.

One such lesson was learned several years ago from Teddy, who was only 4 at the time. I went to pick him up to spend the weekend and, when I arrived at his house, I saw him coming up the stairs to meet me, with a mournful look on his face, head hanging, his lower lip dragging along on the ground behind him. When he saw me he just threw himself into my arms and buried his head in my shoulder. Concerned, I gently asked, "What’s the matter, T.J.?"

He slowly lifted his head, looked at me with big sad eyes, and with drama worthy of an Oscar nomination, he declared, "Scott hurt my life!" It was all I could do not to laugh out loud! Instead, I wrapped my arms tightly around him and told him that he would be big-brother free for the whole weekend and no one was gonna hurt his life while he was at my house. This seemed to soothe his heart and, by the time we were ready to go, he was running happily toward the car, seemingly care-free!

Later, as I pondered the moment again, I smiled to myself as I thought, "who hasn’t had their 'life' hurt at some point along the way?" I know I have. And, I walk along with my head down, feeling sorry for myself and not quite sure things will ever be right again. But, the difference between most adults and children is, Teddy knew exactly what to do. He knew where to go to feel better and had complete faith that I would make things right again. He didn’t hesitate, he ran to my arms. And, after he found the comfort his little heart needed at that moment, he didn’t mope about it anymore. It was over, Scott was forgiven, and there was life to be lived!

How many times have I run straight to my Father for comfort? Not very often. I don’t know what it is as we get older, that we don’t seem to be able to trust anyone, even the Father, with our broken hearts, and life’s burdens and wounds. And, we keep resentments tucked away where we think no one can see them, but it sure keeps us from living life, care-free like a child, doesn’t it? I think we could all take lessons from children.

Someday, I hope I grow up to be just like Teddy.

Are You Flourishing In YOUR world?

You know.....I think I'm gonna let this tree do
all the talking today.....

Emma

My niece, Terah, took this picture of little Emma - I think it's awesome. I love the contrast between the dirty dress and the clean hands - it reminds me of "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Coming to Christ as a little child and reaching to Him in faith - I guess I don't have to tell you that Terah picked her up, just like Emma knew she would......today, I'm taking a lesson from a child.

Teddy's 13th Birthday & Purity Ceremony

Hey everybody - Here are some pictures from Sunday night It was a very
special time of affirmation and encouragement for Teddy.

Happy 13th, Teddy! FINALLY a Teenager!

I present, today, the many faces of TJ - you can see why he is such a great kid
and why it has been my honor to be his Aunt!

Teddy at age three-cutest kid on the planet!	Hollywood!	Teddy at 13 - still the cutest kid on the planet!
He makes it look so easy!	The next Jeff Gordon!	TJ being attacked by a laptop!
Uncle Teddy and Trace	Uncle Teddy and Taylor	Uncle Teddy and Logan
Uh.....um..... er...uh.... I give up!	TJ and sister Terah on the plane to sister Kate's in DC	We love Uncle Teddy!
Reading to the little guys	Ahhhhhhh!! Incoming!!	I got it!
Teddy the Actor	He can play any part!	Teddy at PACES annual Sock Hop
TJ and Mom	TJ and sister Elisabeth	TJ and aunt Sherreemurray

Marty

This is my cat, Marty, looking out the window....isn't this the cutest picture?