My Country 'Tis of Thee...

We had a delightful time of fellowship and fun at the Sanford family's annual 4th of July celebration! Unfortunately, due to the amount of rain that the state of Illinois received, they were unable to have the event outdoors at their home, so everyone ended up meeting at the Church building in Morton.

The evening began with prayer and food, much laughter and talking, some singing, some short speeches, a clip from the movie "John Adams" about the Declaration of Independence and a goofy song put together by a couple of us young people. :) It was a great time to remember our Country's founding fathers and just to bring to mind all that they went through to make us free. Not only that, but seeing the mercy of the Lord throughout history is incredible in and of itself. To think that through His providence we are here today- free!

After the get together at the Church a few of the families split up to go to different places to watch fireworks. I was able to head to the Coast Guard base with the Sanford, Candler and Castle families. From there you get an incredible (and close up!) view of the Peoria city fireworks. They were...unbelievably breathtaking. Oh, and as a side note, I decided that fireworks are officially romantic. Who could think that bright and beautiful lights exploding vivaciously into a nighttime sky isn't romantic? :) I love fireworks.

The evening came to an end rather reluctantly at around 11:30pm...an end to another exciting 4th of July. To God be the glory!!

So without much ado, here are a few photos of the evening for y'all enjoyment! (More should follow soon, I just have to beg some off of friends. :) We hardly took any with our camera.)

What is the 4th of July without watermelon?
Here's my sweet baby brother munching on some and enjoying it's crisp and juicy sweetness.

My wonderful parents posing for a quick picture before they get back to...

...grilling. :)

Dad- "Who's idea was it to bring Shish-Ka-Bobs to a 4th of July party?!?!"
Mom- "It's alright! They'll cook just fine! Let me show you..."

*grin* And they turned out extremely delicious too, if I do say so.

Enjoying some fresh (rainy) air before dinner!

Practicing for the goofy song that we performed. :)
Hopefully I'll get some video footage of it up here at some point...

Sisters.
Friends.
<3


Mr. Sanford, Mr. Ryken, Garrison and Jeremy kind of jumped in this picture. :)

A penny for your thoughts?

*smile*

In Christ Alone,

Jessica

Happy Trails...

I have been told by several kind people that I don't post on my blog enough anymore. Which is a true statement. I am most humbly apologetic and beg y'all's forgiveness! I racked my brain for something profound to post about, and though I didn't come up with anything that will shake the world, I did come up with a little something. :)

This past weekend we made our way over to the state of Colorado for a Homeschool conference (CHEC). It is absolutely gorgeous there, and we loved every moment of it! The Chapa family kindly hosted us and we had a lovely time getting to know them, and also meeting up with our friends the Hectors (well, 4 of them.) and two of the Davis'. Not to mention the many new friends we made!
It was a delightful time of fellowship and fun...we didn't want it to end! But end it did, and from there we made our way back home, stopping once in Kansas for a short day of sightseeing. It was a good way to get our minds off of what we were leaving behind and we greatly enjoyed ourselves!

Here are a few photos of the events:

Mom and Dad were on a panel about Courtship at the CO homeschool conference. They did a great job. :)

Everyone's face seemed to have a smile! Which, of course, means that everyone must have been extremely happy. I know I was!

We had a time of Bible reading/discussion and a bit of singing on Saturday evening at the Chapa's lovely home.

The group all together!
Imagine this, all of these people (minus just one.) were staying at the Chapa's house! We were a big tight, but it was definitely worth it!

4 Hectors and 8 McDonalds, right before they left for the airport!
It was a rather sad farewell.


After leaving CO we made our way to the Kansas History Museum! It was a *very* exciting, if a bit small museum. We loved it! There was a life-size old train in the museum that you could go into. Not to mention a train station, a telegraph office, diners, wagons, cars, retro gas station...it was fabulous!
If you're ever going through Kansas you should stop and take a look!

Didn't his parents tell him never to play on the train tracks? *tsk tsk* :)

My parents on the "Carousel." Not really sure what the horse is doing in this picture...but it doesn't look too happy...

Moosh, Tiff, Me and Caleb in the mirror at the museum.
I thought it look kind of "artsy". :)

"C'mon Texas! C'mon! Gidyup!"

"Santa Fe! Are you there? Do you swear you won't forget me? If I asked you would you let me come and stay..."
Guess that song lyric!! :)

Don't you wish those adorable people were smiling at *you*? :)

I suppose we forgot to tell Grace that one generally doesn't look up the end of a cannon...

I love buffalos and I love my little brother. So the two seemed to go well in a photo. :)

Our family's new home! Come visit some time! We might lend you a pair of moccasins and feed you roasted buffalo...
Actually, nevermind, we do not eat buffaloes. We are vegetarian Indians!

We might feed you roasted peppers! Do come!

"I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss...and the prince I'm hoping comes with this..."
Aren't you jealous? Don't you wish that *you* found him first?
*grin*

How fun would it be to take a drive in that car?? Like stepping out of the 1930's...

A few of us McD's in front of the Retro-Style McDonald's! McDonald's had the cutest emblem back then! This cute little hamburger looking guy. They should really go back to that sign!

A little retro "diner" they had in the museum.
Dad says that he remembers eating at a place that looked just like that!

Dad and Mom in the "diner". :)

We couldn't decide on East or West. Hmmm...where should we go??

I hope to post more often in the future!! May the Lord bless your week!


In Christ Alone,

Jessica

Essay Contest!

My friend, Kathryn is having an essay contest on her website, Maidens of Virtue! I am very pleased to be able to announce this on my blog! Please, go take a look and consider entering!

The first Maidens of Virtue

Essay Contest!

Deadline Extended to May 15th, 2009!

Winners will be announced June 1st.

Click here for details!

5/8 - Prize Page updated

(The first 3 entrants will receive a little gift from Maidens of Virtue!)

Mhhmmm...life.

Life has been pretty normal lately. Thankfully the flowers are blooming, the weather is changing to a pleasant degree of warm-ness (most of the time, anyway). Coats, boots and gloves have been put away and have been replaced by short sleeves and fluttery skirts. Flip-flops have found their way onto the bedroom floor (alright, so it's easier to leave them there then in the closet. *grin*) and window let in the careful breeze that fills the room and brightens the entire day. I love it. Love every bit of it.

Sunshine + Warm weather + slight breeze = Bliss.

Absolute bliss. :)

Besides that I've been reading books. Depressing books. Don't ask and don't read them. ;) I've been feeling miserable for days after I finish them and have begun to wonder WHY I read them. Crazy, I know. It appears I'm going into the kids section next time I go to the library to get a nice happy book about a duck that lives at a farm and eats bugs and lives a happy-go-lucky, worry-free, non-depressing life. Ah. Sounds...good. lol. Or not. ;D

I watched the first two episodes of "Little Dorrit". They were lovely. The cast they chose does an extremely pleasing job on their roles- I really liked the actress they chose for Little Dorrit...she was sweet and has this "real" look about her. I love how Masterpiece theater gets actors and actresses who look like *real* people and not like fake-air-brushed super models. Her character was lovely and she made a perfect Amy Dorrit. It was also fun to see some actors and actresses from other BBC films that I recognized. :) So all in all, I'm eagerly looking forward to watching episode 3!

Easter Sunday was beautiful today. Christ not only died for us, but He is also risen! What greater joy can their be?? Aside from a lovely service and wonderful sermon, we went on a walk about the neighborhood that surrounds our Church building. It was rather uneventful, but delightful. Here are a few,

Me, Len and Meli.

That white fence was just too cute to pass up!

My gorgeous friend.
My gorgeous sister.
<3

Tiff looks like she's having WAY too much fun at the park. LOL! (I just love this picture!!)

Really...fun. Uhu.

Group picture on the stairs!!

A feet picture. Easter shoes are just too fun to pass up.

Us being goofy. :D

And another goofy one. :D

Austenbook :)

A dear friend told me about this, so I had to go find it myself. :D And did, much to my joy. :) It is absolutely and utterly hilarious! I thought y'all might enjoy reading it. :D
Oh, and I found it here, in case anyone is interested!

P.S. It also helps the humor of it if you're familiar with facebook, though its still funny if you're not.

Austenbook

	Charles Bingley is renting a house in Hertfordshire!
	Mrs. Bennet became a fan of Charles Bingley.
	Kitty Bennet can't stop coughing!!!
	Charles Bingley is now friends with Mr. Bennet and Sir William Lucas.
	11 of your friends are attending Assembly at Meryton.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy is dreading this evening.
	Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet are now friends.
	Elizabeth Bennet is not handsome enough to tempt a certain gentleman. Ha!
	Mrs. Bennet had a most delightful evening!
	Mr. Bennet wishes that Mr. Bingley had sprained his ankle in the first dance.
	Elizabeth Bennet promises never to dance with Mr. Darcy.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy became a fan of Fine Eyes.
	Caroline Bingley is all astonishment.
	Lydia Bennet became a fan of Officers.
	Kitty Bennet became a fan of Officers.
	Caroline Bingley tagged Jane Bennet in her note Visit us at Netherfield.
	Jane Bennet finds herself very unwell. :(
	Elizabeth Bennet is going to stay at Netherfield with Jane.
	Louisa Hurst saw Elizabeth Bennet's petticoat and is absolutely certain it was six inches deep in mud.
	Elizabeth Bennet is improving her mind by extensive reading.
	Charles Bingley created an event: Ball at Netherfield.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy is writing to Georgiana.
	Caroline Bingley has suggestions for Mr. Darcy's domestic felicity.
	Elizabeth Bennet and Caroline Bingley are attending the event Take a Turn about the Room.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy feels the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.
	Elizabeth Bennet is back at home. Thank goodness!
	William Collins tagged 7 of your friends in his note I Propose Myself the Satisfaction of Waiting on You and Your Family.
	Lydia Bennet does NOT feel like listening to Fordyce's Sermons.
	William Collins is paying his attentions to Jane Bennet.
	William Collins is paying his attentions to Elizabeth Bennet.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy is not pleased to see Wickham in town.
	Elizabeth Bennet and George Wickham are now friends.
	George Wickham told Elizabeth Bennet about Mr. Darcy's evil deeds. ;-)
	15 of your friends are attending Ball at Netherfield.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy is dancing with Elizabeth Bennet.
	Elizabeth Bennet is trying to make out Mr. Darcy's character and does not get on at all.
	William Collins has been "rejected" by an elegant female.
	Mrs. Bennet is all in an uproar.
	Caroline Bingley tagged Jane Bennet in her note We're Leaving.
	Jane Bennet is in London.
	Mrs. Gardiner is visiting Hertfordshire with her husband.
	Charlotte Lucas and William Collins are now married.
	Elizabeth Bennet is at Hunsford visiting Mr. & Mrs. Collins.
	Elizabeth Bennet thought that the pigs were got into the garden, but it was only Lady Catherine and her daughter.
	Lady Catherine de Bourgh thinks that Miss Elizabeth Bennet gives her opinion very decidedly for so young a person.
	Elizabeth Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam are now friends.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy is not afraid of Elizabeth Bennet. Well, maybe a little.
	Elizabeth Bennet does not perform to strangers.
	Charlotte Collins thinks she knows why Mr. Darcy visits so often.
	Colonel Fitzwilliam wishes he weren't a younger son.
	Elizabeth Bennet is furious at Mr. Darcy for separating Bingley and her sister.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy is proposing to Elizabeth Bennet. It is not going well. :-/
	Elizabeth Bennet is ??!!
	Fitzwilliam Darcy tagged Elizabeth Bennet in his note My Character Requires This to be Written and Read.
	Elizabeth Bennet realizes that she never knew herself until this moment.
	Elizabeth Bennet has much to conceal when she goes home.
	Lydia Bennet is glad that Wickham isn't going to marry Mary King, that nasty freckled thing.
	Lydia Bennet and Kitty Bennet joined the group 1,000,000 Strong Against the Officers Leaving Meryton! {join!}
	Lydia Bennet is going to Brighton with Colonel & Mrs. Forster!!!!1!
	Elizabeth Bennet, Edward Gardiner, and Mrs. Gardiner are attending Trip to Derbyshire.
	Elizabeth Bennet became a fan of Pemberley.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy is surprised and hopeful.
	Elizabeth Bennet and Georgiana Darcy are now friends.
	Lydia Bennet and George Wickham are in a relationship.
	Jane Bennet tagged Elizabeth Bennet in her note Bad News About Lydia.
	Elizabeth Bennet is rushing home.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy is determined to find Wickham.
	Mrs. Bennet joined the group Widows of Men Killed in Duels.
	Mary Bennet is consoling herself with moral extractions from the evil before her.
	Mr. Bennet is back home and feeling guilty... but it will pass away soon enough.
	Mrs. Bennet left the group Widows of Men Killed in Duels.
	Edward Gardiner tagged Mr. Bennet in his note They're not Married, but They Will Be.
	Mrs. Bennet is in raptures!
	Lydia Bennet and George Wickham are now married.
	Mrs. Gardiner tagged Elizabeth Bennet in her note Yes, Mr. Darcy Arranged Everything (and I think he likes you).
	Charles Bingley is back in Hertfordshire with Darcy.
	Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley are now engaged.
	Lady Catherine de Bourgh is in Hertfordshire.
	Elizabeth Bennet has been insulted in every possible method.
	Lady Catherine de Bourgh is most seriously displeased.
	William Collins tagged Mr. Bennet in his note Lady Catherine is Most Seriously Displeased.
	Elizabeth Bennet is excessively diverted.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy never thought to be made happy by a talk with his aunt!
	Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are now engaged.
	Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are now married.
	Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley are now married.
	Fitzwilliam Darcy rather enjoys being the object of open pleasantry.
	Mrs. Bennet KNEW that single men with good fortunes would want wives.

A Sunday Afternoon...

*edit* There are new pictures at the bottom of this post! (Thank you, Meli! <3)



This past Sunday the weather was GORGEOUS. I mean, really, really beautiful.

The wind was just slightly blowing, the sun was shining and the sidewalks that encircle the neighborhood by our Church building were just begging to be walked upon. I couldn't help but take off my shoes, though many of my dear friends protested at such an act. Something about feeling the warm cement beneath my feet is just so thrilling. And it reminds me a bit of my home in Texas.

What commenced was Melissa, Melinda, Lenna and I taking a walk and enjoying ourselves quite well. :)

The others seemed to be engrossed in a game of Ultimate Frisbee, which did not quite appeal to our tastes. :) All in all, we had a lovely time together and managed to snap a few pictures while those driving by couldn't help but grin at the girls huddled in the middle of the street, smiling at a Fire Hydrant which held the camera most precariously. It was a delightful bit of fun. :)

Sometime after our walk some of the others decided to join us and we took a short skip about the neighborhood. We ended the gorgeous day with a group picture in front of our car. :) It seemed fitting somehow.



It was also our friend Garrison's last Sunday, so a picture seemed important anyway.

Don't you just love Sundays? I especially love them when they're so beautiful and filled with sunlight and joy!! :)

Lord bless, y'all!!

~Jessica Nicole

P.S. Melinda has the photos from the walk, so when I get them from her I'll post them. :)

A few book reviews... :)

I thought I'd put up little blurbs about a few books that I love, to make up for not having posted in forever. :)

As most of you probably know (or can tell) I absolutely love to read! Jane Austen once said, "The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." I could not agree more. :)




Spider's Web by Agatha Christie
This book was a play adapted into a book. Very fast paced and keeps the reader interested. The story of how a newly married woman finds a dead body in her house. She would call the police but there is a slight problem. Her husband is bringing a *very* important and secret guest from his business home for dinner. She makes a quick decision to hide the body and with the help of a few friends deposit it in the woods nearby. What she does not expect is that the police will knock at her door. Who is the murderer and why is the body in her house? At times down-right hilarious and just plain fun! :) Agatha Christie is swiftly becoming one of my favorite authors! Highly recommended for those who love a light-hearted mystery. :)




The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker
(consisting of "Black", "Red" and "White")
It's so difficult to put into words what I love about these books. I would call them an allegory, but some may say differently. What I do know is that these books paint a picture of the love Christ has for his bride in the most beautifully descriptive way I have ever seen. Here is a description of the first book in the series, "Black":

Enter an adrenaline-laced epic where dreams and reality collide. Fleeing his assailants through deserted alleyways, Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes to the roof of a building. Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head...and his world goes black.From the blackness comes an amazing reality of another world-a world where evil is contained. A world where Thomas Hunter is in love with a beautiful woman. Then he remembers the dream of the chase as he reaches to touch the blood on his head.Where does the dream end and reality begin? Every time he falls asleep in one world, he awakes in the other-both facing catastrophic disaster. Thomas is being pushed beyond his limits...even beyond the limits of space and time. Black is an incredible story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, pursuit and death, and a terrorist's threat unlike anything the human race has ever known. Some say the world hangs in the balance of every choice we make. Now the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man's choice.

The only thing that I would warn about these books is that I would not recommend them to anyone under the age of 16. They can be a bit violent and scary at times. But that is my only caution. I love these books without reservation! Ted Dekker is an incredible author. I'm working my way through reading all of his books. (And I'm almost there! Only 5 or so that I haven't read yet!) :D



The Martyr's Song by Ted Dekker

This books is very short (about 150 pages or so.) but worth every moment of those pages. Beautiful, breathtaking, and moving. I cried, I wanted to sing...this book will fill your heart and stay with you long after you're finished. I also highly recommend listening to the song "The Martyr's Song" sung by Todd Agnew that is included with the book. Beautiful! Here is a short synopsis of the novel:

What would you die for? That's the question suddenly thrust upon a small band of women and children in Bosnia at the close of World War II. When a group of bitter soldiers stumble upon their peaceful village, they suddenly face an insidious evil...and the ultimate test.
It is then, in the midst of chaos and pain that the Martyr's Song is first heard. It is then that the window into heaven first opens. It is then that love and beauty are shown in breathtaking reality.

Well, those are some books that I greatly enjoyed reading this month and thought y'all might enjoy looking into. :) I'll try to keep posting. Hopefully more often then I have of late. *grin*

Have a marv week!

Cheerio!!

Jessica