Monday, January 07, 2008

New Years 2008

So we wanted to have a girls night for New Years... it was the last few days of Brandy being in Fresno and Brittany came to help us move her to Yreka... so we took the opportunity to have a party!

So we went to Claim Jumper for dinner! Yummy!
Then we went back to my house and made Sugar Plums... yes, they are real things... and they are actually quite good.
And Grandmas Carmel's...
Then we played Hoopla... which if you've never played... you should it is super funny and it gets funnier the more people you have!
By that time it was time to watch the count down....
Have a toast.... and hit the road!

I am so glad I got to bring in the New Year with the people I love. I am going to miss Brandy greatly... but I am excited for her new adventure... Growing up is so hard and fun and interesting... If you can just keep the mindset that it is a journey... just enjoy the ride!

Life is good.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

What I've been up to...

So I know I haven't blogged for a while so here is a synopsis of some of what I have been doing...


Went to Trunk or Treat for Halloween... we were the Incredibles.

Went to Serve Fresno... Our church did a community wide service day. Me and a couple of the girls went to make Thanksgiving dinners for families in our community. We had the highest of compliments when one of the guys working with us looked at the girls and said that their attitude had made his day better. He had buried his brother the day before and was really not looking forward to doing this... but our joking around and laughing with them had made him feel better! What a blessing to learn the lesson of what serving with Joy in your hearts can do for someone else!
Went ice skating in Yosemite with my dad, Betsy and Darren. That was so fun. First time I have ice skated since I was fat... couldn't do it before... but you can just call me Dorthy Hamel now!

I got a puppy... her name is Colby Jack... yes... like the cheese. She is 7 weeks old now. I have had her for a week. She is a shepherd mix. I actually got another puppy and it died being spayed... so I had to pick out a new one. This one is actually not old enough to be adopted yet so I am fostering her until she has had all her shots and has been spayed. She can't go outside for another couple months because of Parvo and Distemper. So she is quite a handful. But she is super cute when she is sleeping!
I went to Alcatraz! I love that place... there is something new to see and learn every time you go. This time there was much more of the island open for us to walk around and see. It was great!
We made Carmel's.... Grandma Shivers recipe. They are amazing and every year people ask us for them.... we made 7 batches. I cooked, my dad and Brandy helped stir and put in pans, my mom, Betsy and Darren and the rest of us cut and wrapped them. It is a fun family time!

And we went to Christmas Tree Lane. It was freezing, and I almost got taken out by about three dog leashes... but I survived and the light were beautiful. I love the Holidays! And Brandy.... p.s. this is NOT going to be a tradition!
I'll try to post more now that things have slowed down a little. Hope everyone had a great holiday season.
And happy wedding to Levi and Eden. I am so sorry I couldn't be there. I hope you guys all have tons of fun and a blessed life! I love you!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Encounter "Ceremonial" Bonfire

So last night was the last night of Encounter Service... at least as it has been. While it was sad, it was exciting to see what this group of people are going to accomplish. We really are such a family and I am looking forward to the monthly (first Sunday night of each month, for those that are interested) services at the Penir's home. So here are some of the pictures I took from the night.

























Monday, October 22, 2007

A few things God's shown me lately...



Ok... I've got a couple of suggestions for those of you looking to challenge yourself a little. First is this book... Thinkertoys... Great book! It teaches how to be creative in your life. Especially if you don't think you are creative. Good book! Great Book! Very practical examples to use to grow.

Second is... Valley Bible Fellowship (which has a campus in Las Vegas... Melissa) is the church that Jeff goes to in Bakersfield. I have gone with him a few times and the SPIRIT is definitely there. It is an amazing place to go and worship. First... they have pod casts of the speakers (http://www.vbf.org/) and so far I have listened to most of the ones that are available. They are great... God is really moving there and I would suggest you go check it out if you have the opportunity. 3500 people in one service (4 services throughout the week)!

Second is that someone from that church has shown us mychurch.org. It's like myspace but for churches (Melissa, I thought the people in your church would love this). If you get a chance go check it out. Mine is www.mychurch.org/alyssaburr. Hopefully this will replace myspace.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Betsy & Darren's Anniversary




My sister and her husband have been married a year as of the 13th. So for their anniversary... I took these photos to spell out their last name and am framing them for their house. I saw this idea in a magazine, but thought it would be so much more fun if they were pictures we'd taken. So... here they are.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Common Sense

One of my friends posted this on myspace and I thought it was interesting... so I am passing it on.

Obituary of our friend, the late, Mr. Common Sense:Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

a. Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
b. Why the early bird gets the worm;
c. Life isn't always fair;
d. Maybe it was my fault; and
e. I'm sorry.

Mr. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies like don't spend more than you can earn and reliable strategies like adults, not children, are in charge.His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing government regulations were set in place. Reports of:

1) a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate;
2) teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch;
3) and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student that only worsened his condition.

"Common" lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. His health declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student, but were forbidden to inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense finally lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims.Already down, Common Sense took another beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault if you did.

Mr. Sense literally gave-up after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled some in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Mr. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his twin sons, Logic and Reason.He is survived by his 3 evil stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was even gone.

My birthday

I celebrated all weekend. Friday night I went to the Hoppers and we had a little dinner party which was so much fun. And delicious! Saturday I went to dinner with Michele. Sunday I went to lunch with my family and dinner with Mandy. Monday I went to Yosemite Ranch (which I've really been wanting to try) with my family and had an amazing cake! My parents figured out how to make the good cakes they make for themselves with the gluten free cake mix. So I got actual good cake! Best birthday present!
Cheesy Pictures, isn't Brandy cute! Betsy and I, still cheesy
All of us taking self portraits... really is there any other way to take a picture than of yourself?
My mom... I opened the present (which was Bare Minerals. which I love and is usually too expensive for me) I was totally excited... and she missed the picture. So she goes, do it again... and this is how it turned out... kinda retarded. What can I say?And of course, Michele sent me flowers... cause that's what she does. I knew there was a master plan for having her run the shop this week... I get flowers... twice in three days... she's good.
God has blessed me with a ton of people who support and love me and who make me laugh and feel special. I am truly blessed. God is good.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Reading for today

Psalm 11-15

I am so excited... I get to watch the Hopper kids tonight. And tomorrow night I am having dinner with friends for my birthday. Which will be so much fun. While it is not really how I thought I would be spending my birthday... I am very blessed to have friends who step in to cheer me up and make me feel special. Funny how God works things out... maybe not funny... but He works them out. That's for sure!

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

A psalm and some notes...

Psalm 6-10

So there are the Psalms for today. The last couple weeks have been the strangest. Do you ever feel so certain God wants you to do something? You do it. You feel peaceful. That is when I think the devil creeps in. You still feel like you did the right thing, but your crazy emotions play tricks on you.

I have to keep these verses in the front of my mind and posted on everything I can think of to keep my sanity sometimes. James 3:17 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." and 1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." So anything that I am feeling that is outside of how this explains love and wisdom, must not be love or wise. Sometimes I am so glad that God gave us TRUTH to follow so that I don't have to trust my emotions. I think they play tricks on me sometimes. Pray that in all things we are wise, glorifying, loving and submissive.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

This is for you Jena...

Psalm 1-5

So each day I am reading 5 Psalms. It is really interesting. Kind of funny how God uses them to be so articulate about exactly what I need Him to hear.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Lifehouse Video... You have to watch this.

Check out this video

I went with Jeff to his church a few weeks ago and they did this skit. It is amazingly thought provoking. I loved it!

Valley Bible Fellowship

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

ARGH MATEY!
Happy International Talk Like a Pirate DAY!

1. What does a pirate and a gangster have in common?

2. Have you seen that new pirate movie?

3. What does a pirate with a steering wheel down his pants say?

4. Knock, knock... who's there... Interrupting Pirate... interrupting pirate (AARRRRRGGGHHHHH) who (Get it... the pirate interrupted)

1. They both say "Yo Ho"

2. The one rated RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

3. Argh... you're drivin me nuts