The Notebox, and I'm Proud of Myself!!!!

"The Notebox" is a weird title, I know, and you're probably wondering "What in THE world is she up to now?", but, I think this is a good idea. You see, I've always liked writing notes to momma and daddy and REALLY Colt(because sometimes he kinda ignores me if he's talking to his friends or playing a video game, or on the phone, which he is doing one of these a lot of the time), and I had the idea a few days ago, that I should use a box to write notes and put them in to each other and check it regularly(which, by the way, COLT, you didn't check it last night...UMMMM-HMMM). We've been doing this for about 2 or 3 nights now. Colt writes REALLY funny ones!!!!!! I recommend doing this with your family. Right now we're using this, but dad said he'd make me a box.




**********************************************************

When we eat at home for supper, momma and daddy have been making me try a little bit of one of their dishes, because, I'm a VERY picky eater. Now, when I say this, all of you are going to laugh like crazy, but it's an improvement. I have been kind of dreading supper time, but, now, I look on it as an adventure. Tonight, momma fixed loaded mashed potatoes, chicken fried steak(my favorite), gravy, and biscuits. Daddy was going to make me try the potatoes, which I was worried about, but, instead, he let me try the biscuits. I liked them!!!!! They can't compare to chicken, but, I like them!!!!!!!! I'm soooo proud of myself!!!!! Well, I've got to head on to bed. Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Blessings,
Love, Joy

Faithful Fridays-A Wonderful Family

Good morning, afternoon, evening, or night. I hope ya'll 'r all righty. Ye like me cou-untry accent???

For this Faithful Friday, I am soooo thankful for my family. They have given me soooooo many blessings.

I always thought it was cool that my brother was from South Korea. Some kids thought it was wierd, but, I honestly like it. Some people think it makes the kinship feel unreal, but, I think it makes it stronger. I look up to him and I feel really close to him. He doesn't act too old to hang around with me.

My mom is wonderful. I can be "Whinny Baby" sometimes, and she handles it really well. She is very loving, and always knows the right things to say if I'm sad or mad at somebody.

My dad is one, that if you ask him a simple question, he'll tell you ALL-AND I MEAN ALL-he knows about it. I like it at nightime, when I ask him to tell me a story, or who a person was, or how differently he did something when he was little, he tells me everything, until I fall asleep.

My whole family is soooo close!!! My cousins, Kemper, Trey, and Laci, are like sibs to me!!! Trey is like my big brother, almost a twin to my brother(not in looks-in age), Kemper is like a big, protective, older brother of mine, and Laci, well, Laci is like my twin, or little sister. She copies Every. Single. Thing. I. Do.

I love having such a close family!!!!

Everyone, I'm on my 44th, or 45th, post, and when I get to my 50th, I'm having a giveaway, so, get ready!!!!

Be sure to tell me if you do "Faithful Fridays", and in your post, link back to me.

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

-St. Francis of Assisi




Blessings,
Love, Joy

Letter F and Mexican Girl Diary Day 7

HOLA, ME AMIGOS!!!! How are you today? Well, I know I haven't done the A B C meme
in awhile, but, I thought I'd do one today.



F is for feather(something your cat will like).



I remember getting this feather from a girl I knew from my old dance school. Everybody loved her and she was one of my good friends. So, she had on her feathery costume and we(she and I) were playing with the feathers that came off, and she just gave it to me!!! I always loved her costume! She was Ms. Mexico(we were doing the dance where every girl got to be a country). I was Ms. France. I had a gold, glittery costume with a sash that said "MS. FRANCE" on it.

*********************************************************

Now, I know most of you have gotten really into this diary, so, even though I was only going to do 7 days, and today would be the end, I think I'm going to do day 8, so stay tuned!!!!!

March, 28th, 1781

Hola,

Great news!!!! We have arrived!!!! Today, Papa` showed Mama` and I our plot of land, and-oh! It's just sooo beautiful! And when Papa` said "our land"-oh, I just almost went to pieces!!! Mama` started crying along with the other women, and I can promise you, the baby in Mama`'s stomach was proably startled!!! Ha! Well, the men said they would start on our house first, so Mama` could sleep in a warm bed along with the baby. There IS bad news, though. I only have 1 page left for my diary here, so, I can only write one time. Mama` will have her baby in 6 months!!!!! Next time I write, I will tell if my younger sibling is a girl, or a boy. I will also tell how our house turned out, and how Mama` is after the baby.
Maria`'s Mother has died. Maria has found strength in coming to us in her time of need, since her Papa` has been quite sad, yet busy. Mama` and Papa` say busyness cures the broken heart. We are planning a surprise fiesta as soon as possible for Maria and her father, so, I will also write about that in my last entry too. Here is what my house will hopefully look like!



Goodbye for now,
Blessings,
Amaya

YAY!!! A GIFT!!!

Good morning, everyone. I think this is one of the first times I have posted in the morning!!!! I usually have school, but, like I said I'm on Spring Break!!! Yay!

Sunday, when we got home from my Aunt Betty's house, mom saw a package at our front door. Now, let me back up a minute. A few weeks back, Ms. Janae asked my mom for our address. My mom gave it to her. So, going back to Sunday, Mom came in from the front door with a big 'ole grin on her face!!!! "She sent us something!!!" My mom tore in. She pulled out a card that said, "Tammy and Joy"...that's when I REALLY got excited!!! My mom said, "Joy, there's something in here for you!" Here I am before
I opened it:



I didn't get pics of mom's gift, but, you can CLICK HERE to see her post about it. Here she is!!!! The cutest little thing! She has a flower in her ear and a tag around her neck that says "BE JOYFUL". Thank you, Ms. Janae!!!!!



And this, is where she is going to stay. Right here on my bed. I haven't named her yet. Can you help me think of some names? I thought of Patsy, but...I don't know.



I have to go see what mom's doing. The whole family-mom, dad, Colt, and me-are going to "America's Incredible Pizza Place"!!! It's sort of like Chuck E. Cheese's.....but better. I'll post about it.

Oh, and about Sarah: Plain and Tall...well, we didn't watch it because Colt brought in "Bolt". I REALLY like that movie!!! And then, last night, we were going to watch it, but, Netflix sent us the wrong movie. They sent the second movie on the list, "The Cross and the Switch Blade". But that was REALLY good too.

Blessings,
Love, Joy

A Book/Movie, and Prayer Requests!!!

Most of you know from my recent Faithful Friday's post, that I went on vacation for Spring Break to my Aunt Betty and Uncle Richard's house. I will tell about that later on another post.

Anyway, for the book/movie part of this post, I have seen all three versions of Little Women, by Lousia May Alcott. She is my favorite author, and I read a biography on Louisa called Louisa May Alcott, Girl of Old Boston, and it inspired me to start writing a book...but...ANYWAY...I LOVE "Little Women", and I like the newest version with Winona Ryder as "Jo", and Kirsten Dunst as "Beth", best. What's your favorite version? Well, the other day, mom and I were just saying we wanted to buy the newest version of it, and we went to a consignmnent store close to my Grandmamma's doctor. We walked in the door, and I said, "MOMMA!!!!!" "LOOK!" "LITTLE WOMEN!!!" "YAY!" "CAN WE BUY IT?"

Mom: "Yay!" "Well, hold onto it, and we might buy it."

Me(thinking)Yep....we're going to get it.




And we did.

I just want to share some of the many things that I LOVE about Little Women!!!!

I love that Jo is like me. She can be a girly girl, and she can be a tomboy. Louisa was like that, too. Beth is sooo sweet. I just wish she didn't have to get sick and all. And I think the newest version of the movie has more story to it. It tells more than the other two versions. Louisa modeled all the characters after her family. I know Louisa was "Jo". Anna, her sister, the oldest and most proper, was "Meg". Elizabeth, the sweet, small, 3rd oldest girl, was most likely "Beth", and, even though she wasn't as snotty as the movie makes her out to be, Abba May, the youngest, was "Amy". The book also has WONDERFUL illustrations!!!

**********************************************************

I have a few prayer requests. I would like for you to pray for my cousin, Josh, that he would get saved. I don't know what it is about him that sparks my curiosity, but, he's kinda the "punk" kind. And....I just really want him to get saved. Also, please pray for Kandi, Ms. KatherineEllen's daughter. Please also pray for Ms. Lea's son, Jase. He is having some heart problems, so, let's just pray he'll be alright. She also hasn't posted in awhile, so, please pray everything's alright. And pray for Ms. Donna and her husband. They really want to get a job, and everybody knows times are tough. One more thing. Mrs. Anne asked everyone to pray for her son, Samuel, when he gets his root canal.

Well, mom, dad, and I are getting ready to watch Sarah: Plain and Tall, so, I'll go now. I'll tell you how it is!!!

Blessings,
Love, Joy =D

Faithful Fridays!!!!

Wow....Friday rolls around fast, doesn't it? I sure think so.

So, for this Faithful Friday, I'm thankful for two things (well, more than that): I'm thankful for getting to go to my, Aunt Betty's, and Uncle Richard's house. I LOVE my Aunt Betty's house!!!! We like to go shopping downtown, and it's SOOOO magical!!!! I love it! We like to go fishing, too! We're not going to fish this time, though....Too cold! I want to start stitching soon....ok, I'm getting off the subject. SO, I'm thankful we get to go.

For the second thing, I'm thankful for me, well, getting closer to my LORD. Last night, I realized that, sometimes, when I pray like GOD isn't one of my regular friends, I don't have faith, and I feel fake. So, last night, I closed my eyes, and put my mind on, GOD, and talked to him like a regular friend. I couldn't stop praying!!!!!! About...say...a good 45 minutes later my mom hears me say," I'm going to sleep, now, mom". Mom says "Ok....what have you BEEN doing? "Praying." I kept on, too!

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings,
Joy

P.S....When you comment, tell me if you posted, and link back to me in your post.

An Award and a Giveaway

Hello, everybody. I hope you've had a good week so far. I have.

Amber, once again, has given me an award. She gave me the Sisterhood Award. Thanks!



In order to officially be the recipient of this prestigious award, I need to do a few things first --

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

Here are my Sisterhood Award nominees --

Ms. Donna
Allyson (my friend who has a private blog)
Mom
Ms. Katy
Ms. Sue
Brandy
Ms. Mandy
Ms. Shelley

Ms. Anne is having a giveaway. Go on over and take a look.



Blessings,
Joy

A Sewing Experience and a Gift

Greetings, Earthlings. I am Zimpa, the alien. I have just taken, Joy, as a slave. Just kidding!! lol!

Anyway, last Friday, my Grandmamma brought me to a lady's house. Her name is Ms. Ruby. We've known her for a very long time. Her kitchen table is right where you walk in, and first thing I saw was the felt, needles, buttons, and thread we were going to need for making a pillow by hand. Later on, my mom met us at the house and I worked a little more, and Ms. Ruby called a friend, Ms. Bonnie, and we headed to McDonalds. After a well deserved meal, we went back to the house and I worked on the pillow until I was done. Here is the finished project.




Now, I have 3 penpals, Allyson, Sydney (my cousin), and my new friend, Julianna. She is the daughter of Ms. Kimberly, from Brown Bag Studio. I wrote the first letter. Julianna was sick for awhile, so, she couldn't write back. After a while she did. She sent this for me.



It's a pencil. She made it out of a stick. You see, she took a stick from outside-a perfect-sized one, of course,and got all the bark off of it. Then she painted it. Then, her dad drilled a hole all the way through. She took the lead from the pencils that you get that you push the button, and more lead comes, and she put some in. She also sent me replacement lead! Thanks, Julianna! I want to thank ALL of my penpals for writing me. If I haven't written you, I'm sorry. I've been VERY busy.



Blessings!
Love, Joy

(Late) Faithful Fridays

HEY, HO, HELLO, HI, everybody!!!!!! I'm sorry....I completely FORGOT about Faithful Fridays! At least SOMEONE remembered! Ms. Karen, from Homespun Simplicity did it! Thank you, for reminding me! Anyway, for this Faithful Friday, I am thankful that I didn't get sick this week. You see, my brother had the flu and my mom had a bug, and I had a little bug. I prayed, and prayed, and prayed, the ENTIRE week, that I wouldn't get sick, because I was invited to my friend's birthday party, and I REALLY wanted to go! I got to the point where I was worried, and I said to myself, wait, just a minute. God doesn't want me to worry. He wants me to trust him. I said, Lord, I'm giving this to you, you do what you think is best (but, maybe, can you let me go), and I remembered the scripture.

John 16:24
Ask, and you shall Receive.

I couldn't get the Mr. Linky thing to work, so if you participate, leave a comment so I and others can visit.

Blessings,
Joy

An Award and Mexican Girl Diary Day 6

HELLO, Everybody. Hola, amigos. Sweet Amber gave me the "Berry Sweet Blogger" Award. Thanks!

This award is given to those whose blogs are full of sweetness, thoughtfulness, and kindness. :o)

The rules are as follows:

1) Put the Berry Sweet Blog Award logo on your blog or post.
2) Nominate 5-10 blogs that show sweetness, thoughtfulness, and kindness.
3) List and link your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know they have received the award by leaving a comment on their blog.

My nominees are:

Ms. Zaroga
Brandy
Ms. Mandy
Mom
Ms. Shelley
Ms. Donna
Ms. Janene

I'm sorry I haven't done anything on my blog OR my Mexican Girl Diary!!! Here goes!

March 11th, 1781

Hola. This time I bring good news. I sure have been praying for it, amigo. Anyway, the good news is that now it is March, and the weather is great. Thank you, God. And I want to tell you something amigo, my Mama` is going to have a baby, and by the time we get to California, get our vegetables planted, and harvest them, I may have a little brother or sister!!!! Yay!!!! Now, I must go and help Mama` cook for our family and Maria's family. Her Mama` is too sick to cook and her Papa`...well, he just doesn't know how. Goodbye!

Blessings,
Amaya

Happy Blue Monday!!!

Happy Blue Monday, everyone. I've seen a few people do this on their blogs like, Ms. Karen, and I thought it would be fun to do.

This is my tooth pillow. I got this at the flea market when I was about 5 years old. This one nice little lady had a table there and she made cloth angels and stuff like this. She always liked me. If my mom bought something at her table, the lady would give me something free. Colt used to say he was going to follow me around because I got free stuff all the time.....lol! I'll bet he did too....he just doesn't remember it...yeah. lol! ;) This reminds me...I have two teeth I haven't "cashed" yet. =D




For more details on Blue Monday, head over to,
Ms. Sally's Blog.

Blessings,
Joy =D

Faithful Fridays

Hello everybody!!! I've created something kind of like Whatcha Workin' on Wednesdays, And Show and Tell Fridays, But instead, it's Faithful Fridays. You can tell something that God did for you in the past week or so, or an answered prayer, to share your faith in God. Just be thinking about if you want to participate and if you do, what to share. Then, when you post, you can come back and grab this button to put on your post and then you just link back to me! Thanks to Ms. Mandie for making this for me! Her work is a piece of art! Truly!

But, just so ya'll can get why I'm doing this, I'm going to tell how I got the idea. So, a bloggy friend emailed my mom and told her that ever since she had been reading my mom's blog she had been in church. When I heard this, I decided that I wanted to do something to share my faith in God. I had already been wanting to do something like this but I didn't know what about or what I would call it. So, I thought, and thought, and thought, and thought some more, then BANG! BOOM! BAM! It dawned on me.....FAITHFUL FRIDAYS!!!!! I came to mom and asked her what she thought and she said she liked it and she would see about getting a button. So, there you have it!

Remember if you want to participate, come back next Friday, March 13th, for my first Faithful Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

** Also remember the post that I did about the snow that I couldn't find...I found it. It had posted way way back in January's posts. You can click here to see it.

Blessings,
Joy =D

My Report on Betsy Ross

My mom had me do a report (or, I wanted to do it) on Betsy Ross, the young lady that sewed the first American flag. But, real quick, before I start, I want to thank everyone for the sweet comments on my post that was on yesterday about Matty. It made me feel a lot better knowing that you all are there comforting me. Thanks! Alright, on with the assignment!

Betsy Ross was born on January 1st, 1752. She was first named Elizabeth Griscom. She got the name Betsy from her real name, Elizabeth. Her parents' names were Samuel and Rebecca Griscom. She grew up as a quaker. She went to a quaker school where usually, you would learn stitchery and sewing and politeness and tea hosting and things of that sort, however, she learned sewing and embroidery at home. She lived a very simple life where plain simple dresses were a luxury.

She grew up and married John Ross. When she grew up, she, of course, became a seamstress too. She made the American flag after a visit from George Washington, Robert Morris, and her husband's uncle. She showed how to cut a perfect star with just a pair of scissors, that is, if the fabric is folded correctly. The story wasn't told until Betsy's grandson let it out.

She died on January 30th, 1836. She is remembered as a great, American, hero.

Here, she was sewing the flag. You can see in the next pic where she is showing it to, George Washington, that it had 13 stars, rather than 50. That was because they had just become independent and they only had the 13 colonies, or states, of America.




Showing it to Mr. President. =D



I took a picture of the "Betsy Flag" in our living room hanging over our fireplace. My mom just said that the "Betsy Flag" is one of her favorite things in our house. Here it is:





Blessings,
Joy =D

A New Adjustment for Matty

My two cats got into a ridiculous fight because one thought that the other was attacking, so, whenever they would see each other, they would attack. It was weird. It was like they didn't know each other. We had to seperate them, Matty on the porch and Bambi in the house. Poor Matty had to stay on the porch for 3 days.

Then, my mom sent an email out and a friend of hers showed it to the ladies at her work and a nice lady, Ms. Becky, emailed mom and said she wanted to meet Matty. We sent an email of Matty's pics to her and we dropped by her house last night with Matty in the car with us. Poor thing...she didn't have a clue what was happening and she was so scared in the car....but when we got to the lady's house, Matty was in Ms. Becky's arms all calm and everything. It made me feel good afterwards even though I cried when we left without her because the lady was so happy. Mom and dad said that I made a good decision, a grownup decision, wanting Matty to be in a good home, safe(even though she attacked Bambi), and happy than risking her life keeping her with us(I'm in tears everybody...right now writing this). I think it's better for her and Bambi because Matty's an only cat and Bambi's an only cat now. The lady was assuring me that she would love Matty and she seemed so happy. She must be so lonely.....and Matty is good company....Bambi is getting closer to us and as I write this she is laying on my bed, fast asleep.

I am happy I made the decision I did(even though some of my friends don't understand it because from their point of view, Matty was sweeter). And Ms. Becky, if you're reading this today, thank you, so much, for taking care of Matty and giving her a good home.




Blessings,

Joy =D

Going Green!!!!

Hey everybody. I'm going Green.....belt(Taekwondo)! Yep, I tested for my Green Belt Saturday! I will now be learning spin kicks, jump kicks, jump-spin kicks, Pyungahn Saw Dan and Pyungahn O Dan.....and...uhhhh....some other stuff.......=D Sooo....I'm going to show you a video of when I was changing belts(with a little silliness at the end).

Oh, sorry about not posting in a while. I had a post that was supposed to go on yesterday but.......it didn't. I'll post that tomorrow.




En"Joy"!!!

SNOW!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Guess what! We got snow! And it stuck! And it's more than an inch! And we're supposed to get more! Yay! Finally! This is on our truck window. I made the design.





This is our big bush at the end of our walkway thingy mijiggee.




Here I am with some snowballs:








And finally....our house!!!



Hope ya en"Joy"ed it! =D

***Update*** As of now, we have about 3 or 4 inches on the ground! Yay!