Kay Ellen

Easter Blessings

Have a wonderful and blessed Easter celebration.

He is risen!

 

 :Kay Ellen

 

 Blog Gatherings...

 How Sweet The Sound

A Happy Birthday & Where's April?

What a busy week and it's only Wednesday!

A very very Happy Birthday to our son Kyle yesterday...he turned 21! I just can't beleive it.

When he was born we brought him home from the hospital in an over sized Christmas stocking on Christmas Eve morning...oh my goodness I am tearing up just thinking about!

I guess I am getting sentinmental as time is passing by so quickly these days. My sweet sister opened up her home for us to celebrate Kyle's Birthday.  Thank you again, Kim and family! 

We really had a fun evening last night.

I rounded up a few party goers to smile for the camera :))

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A very large bundled package came in the mail on Monday afternoon ~~~ I won a beautiful area rug from HERE on Stephanie Lynn's Blog!  I was over joyed and felt like Chistmas had come a little early just for me. I unrolled the rug and decided to try it right away in the living-room... a fun hip floral patterned rug with lots of pretty tones. I walked into the kitchen for a second after I put the rug down and was looking for our newest member of the family...April? Where are you?

Well look who was checking out the new rug?

Silly April, she knows she is not allowed in the living-room but look how adorable she is? Frozen! ha-ha

This is her first Christmas with us so she is fascinated by everything happening around the house lately.

I didn't have the energy or time to pull out my large white tree I usually decorate for the living-room...so this is what I did...My Travel Tree is petite and sitting in our front window.

I added a few cut pieces of spruce branches and resting them on the black framed sillouttes of my sister and I when we were young.

Hope your week is going well friends! Four days and counting, yikes I am not ready! 

In the busyness of the season remember to stop, pause and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Hugs and Christmas blessings to each of you,

:Kay Ellen & Family

My Country,"Tis of Thee"

Ten years ago ... 9|11 where were you?

For my family, we woke up like any other day and were getting ready for work and school. My children were 7 and 10 years old at the time. I would typically turn on the television each morning to catch up on the news as I packed lunches and made breakfast. Our morning routine changed in an instant as my husband and I stood and stared at what was unfolding in New York. I recall praying, and thinking that I could not wrap my head around the idea that a commercial plane would fly that low over the city and hit the Trade Center?

Not knowing, we watched as the second plane crashed into the sister tower ... and then we heard that at least two additional planes had been hijacked.  My phone started ringing, my Mom and my mother-in-law calling to see if we knew what was happening in New York.  We all agreed to pray for our Country.

My next thought was ... what about my children? Should I let them go to school? Would the attacks effect us here in California?  

The kid's school was not to far from our home, I volunteered daily, and I was close to many of the teachers and staff. So, I decided to take the kids over to the school and talk to their teachers.  My first stop was at my son's fifth grade class, it was full and they had just begun reciting the pledge of allegiance. We joined in, and proudly recited the pledge with the class. I briefly spoke to his teacher and said I would check back at lunch time.

My next stop was my daughter's second grade classroom. I could hear music beginning to play in her classroom as we approached and kids had begun to sing ... My Country, "Tis of Thee" I felt my eyes water with pride for our awesome country ... I sat down and joined the beautiful young voices. A meaningful way to honor the United States of America and those suffering in New York. I gave my daughter's teacher a huge hug and decided to let my daughter stay in class that morning too.

My children's little public school blessed me so much that morning, under such uncertainty of what was happening in our world on that day,  they were embracing their students and teaching them how America would not waiver on the principles our country was founded upon.

My heart aches for the lives that were lost on that horrific day. I am so thankful, beyond words, for the countless heroes that bravely ran to rescue those in harms way.

My Country, Tis of thee sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring. 

:KayEllen  

Walking around the Stadium

The Harvest Crusade has arrived again in Anaheim!

My husband has been gone for several days working at the Angel Stadium getting ready for the Crusade this weekend.

My daughter and I went down early Friday to take a tour of the stage...and check out everything my husband has been working on. 

You can watch the crusade live or archived HERE or come on down to the crusade this weekend!  

Each guest that comes to the crusade will receive a copy of the Harvest Newspaper filled with inspiring information to read. 

Amazing music, special testimonies and always a powerful message of hope from our Pastor Greg Laurie. 

Look who my daughter got meet in the dug out? Bethany Hamilton! Have you seen her new movie Soul Surfer?  ~~~ you should!

Oh my goodness what a blessing to meet her and hear her amazing testimony at the crusade. Check out Bethany's website HERE and also go on the Harvest website and hear her interview with our pastor archived from the Friday night crusade. 

Lives are being changed this weekend at the Harvest Crusade!

Hope to see you at the stadium,

:Kay Ellen

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Attention Weekend Bloggers!

My dear friends, Beverly is having a special Miracle Makeover fundraiser over at her blog for Pink Saturday~~~please stop by HERE and join in the cause. 

Inspired Table

 

I have a few photos to share to inspire you to set your table for Easter.

Decide on your centerpiece first.  

 

I knew I wanted to use my treasured metal cross, an old pie plate and a Ball mason jar  from the past to start my table setting. 

I layered two lace table clothes and scrunched up an embroider runner in the center of the table.  I did have a few rips in my tablecloths so I added some random crocheted doilies to cover up the holes...sshhh don't tell anyone :)

The pretty aqua glass teacups are from my shop...I brought them home and added mismatched teacup saucers to each place setting.  

 

I dressed up my linen napkins with gathered fabrics and some vintage earrings.

Found my tarnished silver platters and placed them on the table as chargers.

In the garden our geraniums are so vibrant right now so I cut some blooms and added them to the table for a punch of color.

 
I love to layer dishes so I decided to use mismatched vintage plates for this inspired setting.

 

Each napkin has a different piece of vintage jewelry attached.

My birch trees have a lot of new growth so I cut some branches and wrapped them in a circle to look like a wreath on each each plate. 

Be inspired to create a special holiday setting for your friends and family.

 

Easter means so much to our family.

and the Cross is at the heart of our celebration.

 

Have a blessed Holiday.

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Asking for prayer for my sister's family.

We have a tough week ahead of us planning a special memorial service for a young father tragically lost in a car crash...now a citizen of heaven.

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Thank you for your cherished friendship and taking the time to stop by, 

 : Kay Ellen 

  

 

Funny Family

Juggling home and work is tough sometimes...

I feel fortunate and blessed to be surrounded by a kind hearted family.   

Sometimes as a Mom you need to pause and have a good laugh or cry~~~right? 

Here's a couple stories I wanted to share...

Our son decided to move back home this year and attend a college close by. We have had a few bumps along the way and a new dent in the fender~~~but I think that is pretty normal when a college son returns home from being away for a full year.  We love him dearly and our thankful to have him close by again. He may fly the coop again soon so we need to enjoy this fleeting time.

My husband and I set up a new list of chores for him to do around the house... 

One of his tasks is to unload the dishwasher and put away the dishes.

Well as you can see he lined up the mugs for me~~~ He said he could not figure out how to put them in the cupboard correctly and was waiting for my assistance. He also mentioned that I should get rid of half of the mug collection so they would fit properly in the cabinet. Is that funny or what? I am not getting rid of any of my crazy mugs~~I love them all!

Look how artisic he placed them on my kitchen island!  I had to take a picture and share...it really made me laugh! 

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My husband had a horrible abcess on a root canal this past week...sever pain and a few nights of no sleep, he will have his third visit to a specialist tomorrow...ouch :/

No sleep and pain can really throw you off at work and home. No matter how bad he has been feeling he recites funny Steve Martin lines or Jim Gaffigan jokes to ease the pain in front of me and kids...poor guy.

My daughter with her sweet sensative heart made this adorable letter for my husband this week.

We shared this on facebook but I knew my blogging friends would want to see it too...

A sweet note filled with encouragement, bible verses and comic quotes from comedians my husband likes.

We all desire encouraging words or acceptance~~~ A thank you or a simple hug...it can really go along way on a tough day or week!

No matter how crazy filled a week can become, I know when I arrive back home tonight I will hear a little laughter, a scripture or an encouraging word from someone in my family...hopefully not another dent in the fender!  just kidding son :)

I love my family~~~

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you ", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you hope and a future ."

Encouragement for us all,

:Kay Ellen

Come on in for another look...

Hello Friends,

We have a little sunshine today after seven days of dark and stormy weather.

I grabbed my camera quick and took a few more pictures of our home.

I enjoy setting the table a few days in advance... now we are ready for Christmas morning breakfast. 

My Christmas china is made by Nikko...I bought my first place setting 25 years ago. 

Joining in Susan's Holiday Tablescapes HERE

I enjoy adding simple accents to make the table sparkle.

Old and New treasures mixed in together for a winter wonderland tablescape.

The only new item I purchased on the table this year was one box of ornaments from the Dollar Tree! 

Ready for a special cup of tea...

Here's a peek of more holiday accents...

A favorite statue dressed in whimsy winter attire and a touch of Pink! Happy Pink Christmas Saturday to Beverly & friends HERE

This wood carved nativity was a gift from my parents when they visited the Holy Land...The true meaning of Christmas...The First Noel

More winter sparkle in the corner cabinet filled with tarnished silver.

I have a special memory table set up to celebrate those family members that have passed away...keeping memories alive and sharing their stories. 

Some of my dearest friends are hurting deeply this holiday season...missing their loved ones that have passed away this year.  A son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, mother, father, co-worker and a high school friend. I wanted express my love and let you know I am praying for each of you at this difficult time... 

Need to smile in this busy and non stop season? Miss Gracie cuddled up on a pillow might help.

or Napoloen my cat that thinks he is a dog! He was so excited to go outside today and explore after all the heavy rains...

From my family to yours~~~Have a blessed Christmas!

Give Thanks

Psalm 92: 1-4

A thankful heart~~~

May you be richly blessed this Thanksgiving Holiday.

:Kay Ellen & Family

Artist in the Sky

An amazing sight all in one day! A heavenly artist busy at work from dawn to dusk.

What a beautiful sky in my neighborhood park~~~located in Riverside, California and such a memorable way to start the month of October! Fall has arrived!

Thank you GoodNewsNow for publishing my last photo shown on this blog entry!

Have a blessed week friends!

:Kay Ellen

Finding Joy

Somedays are filled with laughter...

or being silly:)

when it is 114 degrees outside bobbing in the water can be refreshing and pretty funny!

Finding joy spending time with family at the first anniversary of a loved one that has passed away. We miss you Duane.

Waiting in the hospital coffee shop for my son's CAT Scan report.

Sweet girls filled with joy and my daughter smiling after our Urgent Care trip to get five stitches.
I have to share I got a little weak in the knees watching the doctor stitch her up. Over joyed my husband was present to take over so I could sit down, or I might have fallen down!
When we got home we all took Motrin for pain.

A joy filled week, no matter the circumstances. Prayers, scripture and encouraging words from friends and family.

Some of you were emailing me about my Dad ~~~ He is back to his old self after the three day stay in the hospital from a spider bite. His new nick name is Spiderman!

My daughter's stitches will come out this week and I am anxious to talk to the neurologist about my son's test results next tuesday...

A joyful heart during trials
James chapter 1
verse 2-8

:Kay Ellen