happy christmas...

What did the soldiers of World War II feel like when they were approaching battle? What was it like to be in a tank that was firing at enemy troops? How would he have felt if someone fell right next to him while he was running for his life? He wouldn't have been able to stop and look at him. Would he remember that moment for the rest of his life? Would he wish it was himself that fell instead of the other person? Were they scared? Something drastic could happen in a split second and they had to be prepared for anything. Just thinking about these things brings tears to my eyes as I realize how those soldiers risked their lives for something they believed in. Their family. Their home. Our nation. America. Where we have the freedom like no other country. It makes me very honored that I live in a country that many men fought for my freedom. I thank God that they sacrificed their lives for the future generation. My generation. And it's my job to preserve it. And fight for it.

 (me on a tank at Cantigny) 

My grandpa served in WWII in the C.A A.A. 430. We found his military jacket and hat in his old basement. We found a few things in the pocket and under the fold in the hat. It was so cool. It was like I was holding history in my hand. All those things that I studied and read about, it was like I was touching it, and feeling history come alive. We took it to Cantigny, and they helped us a lot with where the things we found came from and where my grandfather served. It's just so cool to think that I'm related to someone who fought for our country. It was such a long time ago, but I felt I was living it by just holding his hat in my hand. My grandfather sailed from Boston to Wales in 11 days. I wonder what happen, who he talked to, what he experienced? My dad said that he would never talk about the war when my dad was little. Was it that bad? Why did people have to suffer to get over arguments with other countries? War is a terrible thing. But I am thankful for all who served. And all died for our nation.

Joyfully in Him,

    Diana <3

A Little Blessing

I ran down the field.  Everyone calling my name.  I threw the frisbee to the end zone! I missed. I slowly drifted to being a cherry picker.  Then my sister came up to me.  "Diana, did you hear?"  my mind was in frisbee mode.  " yes, Kelle, I know that last pass was bad...." I started to say.  "No Diana, Christina had her baby! His name is Elijah David."  I was so excited! I jumped into the air.  "I'm an aunt again!" I said out loud. I was so happy for her.  All my friends crowded around.  They were happy too.  Everyone was congratulating us.
August 29th, 2014, at 7:13 p.m. 7lbs 13oz, Elijah David was born.
Just holding that little bundle of joy, makes my eyes water.  God's creation just glorifies His name.  Sometimes I just don;t understand how someone could look at a little baby and not know that the Lord created it.
If you don't believe in miracles, perhaps you've forgotten that you are one.

 sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. {winnie the pooh}
Joyfully in Him,
   Diana <3

My Family

I made a video about my family. So I thought I would share it on here. I hope you like it!

Here is the link to the video: https://www.wevideo.com/hub/#media/ci/220152127

  Joyfully in Him,
       Diana <3 

My 2014 Flower Garden

For my garden this year, I wasn't sure what I was going to do.  I got books from the library, looked at seed packets, I couldn't decide.  While I was deciding, I noticed that things were growing in my garden that were not weeds. They were flowers from last year.  So, I remembered how pretty it looked and that some of them didn't come up.  So I decided to do a flower garden.

Last year, I planted some flowers called Canterbury Bells. I didn't realize that they take 365 days to bloom until after I planted them.  And they finally bloomed!!! I waited two year for these flowers!

Joyfully in Him,
   Diana<3

p.s. I have been experimenting with ink pens and water colors.  I drew this picture and gave it to some of my friends.  I think they liked it!

5/17/14

My brother is married.  I had a lot of fun planning the rehearsal dinner, putting lights in big paper lanterns. Seeing my good friends after one whole month! Folding napkins while watching jostie flicks and beauty and the beast. Going to lunch to eat fish tacos.

 Getting dressed in my black high heels for the dinner. Having a circuit blown. Serving dessert. listening to awesome maid of honor and best man speeches.  Spraying whipped cream into our mouths. Drinking Izzie with paper straws. getting my hair done real fancy. Helping Adam move out of his bedroom. Having a dance party in the bridal room.  Waiting for 1:00. Playing with Aidan.

Walking down with two gentleman. ;) Holding a bouquet of flowers.  listing to a friend talk about bubble grenades. Enjoying my pearly whites.  Talking wedding party pictures. Being introduced as the wedding party.  Talking to all of my long lost friends and relatives.  Watching Adam walking to us.  

Drinking a strawberry shake and watching good friends eat cheese sauce with French fires.  The feeling of the wedding being over but there being another party after!  Running downstairs expecting to see my nephew but instead seeing my friends.  Eating chicken tacos at a long table. 

  Playing Frisbee golf for the fist time and getting a 78!! ;) Having the same exact score during Frisbee golf with my friend. Riding back in a mini van with the windows down and singing country music.  Hearing a friend tell about how he drove a stick shift for the first time and accidentally got it in 5th gear.  

Playing guillotine and bang at the same time!! Relieving stress as we played the piano. Being the outlaw twice in a row.  Eating brownies with powdered sugar on top.  Making jokes like "dis boy" and "hope you had a magical time." Laughing so hard my eyes got watery.  So thankful that my friends traveled 7 hours to be with us for this special weekend.  

Watching youtube videos and laughing all together.  Talking into the wee hours of the night,  Sadly saying goodbye.  But happily planning the next party.  I had a great weekend!!

Joyfully in Him,
   Diana<3

A Day at a Farm

It is very rare indeed, for me to really really enjoy an event.  There has been only a few events that I have done that I very much enjoyed.  I place these in a categories called "events that I had really fun at"
This newest event I went to was a trip to a small country farm.  I got to shadow the daily life of a farmer.  It was planting and plowing time.  And I got to sit in the big New Holland tractor and watch the big plow in the back do its work.  It was an experience I will never forget!  We had a lot of good laughs!

 The tractor's wheel is as big as I am!!

 As it slowly got cloudy,  I got to watch the big gray cloud roll in and soon it was pouring rain.  My friend and I went out and splashed in the puddles. 

 Then I followed my friend around as he did his regular chores around the farm including milking the cows! 

 This reminded me of Charlotte's Webb 

Joyfully in Him,

   Diana<3 

"I'll paint the walls some more, I'm sure there's room somewhere..."

I have been doing a series of different crafts lately.  I recently watched Tangled again, and I got inspired to paint a picture from the movie.

The original picture is on the left and mine is on the right.

Here is my desk while I was painting.  (kind of messy)  

I also have been decorating the back of envelopes.  I found the idea on Pinterest (where almost all good ideas come from?)

And I saved the best craft for last, I learned how to write in Elvish!!! I only know the basics but I know who to write sentences and names. 

Joyfully in Him,

   Diana<3

p.s. Last week, I had the chance to spend the day at friend's farm.  It was a nice experience. I saw things you don't normally see in the city. You can really see that the world is round out there.  moooooo!

"Something Strewn"

Yesterday, my family hosts the leadership meeting for our church on Wednesday every month.  And my job is to make a treat for the men to eat during the meeting.

So this week I made Cinnamon Streusel Coffee cake.  The name means "something strewn" in Old German.  Also, when I make the dessert, I make a little extra for my two friends who come over during the meeting.  

It didn't take me too long to make this and was easier than I thought! 

 And here is the recipe for this amazing cake! 

Joyfully in Him,

   Diana<3 

Yummy Dinners

Yesterday we had a family dinner night.  (With my oldest sister, her husband, and my two nephews)  Mom and I made a Pinterest inspired dinner. Or well, that's what it looked like.
We had a veggie salad, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, lemon rosemary asparagus, and for dessert, I made gooey white chocolate blondes.

The Salad

~green leaf lettuce
~yellow and red peppers

~1 roma tomato 

Asparagus

~dried (or fresh) rosemary
~lemon juice (& lemon slices)

~salt & pepper
~ extra virgin olive oil

Potatoes

~rice milk

~salt & pepper 

~ cheddar cheese (optional)

Meatloaf

Gooey White Chocolate Blondes

recipe here

Joyfully in Him,

   Diana<3 

hello spring

In this house, we do second chances, We do grace, We do mistakes, We do real, We do loud really well, We do hugs, We do love, We do family.  

 Family

like branches on a tree,

we all grow in different directions,

yet out roots remain as one. 

 I made some M&M oatmeal cookies last week.  I got a lot of compliments on them! 

Here is the recipe. 

 Yesterday I finally got out my pencils and paints and just sketched and painted. It's been a long time since I've done that! 

Joyfully in Him,
    Diana<3

"Just Feel that Summer Breeze..."

Spring is here.  The crocuses bloomed eight days earlier than last year.  All this 50 and 60 degree weather we are having is doing great for my flowers! Dad and I planted our garden this past Sunday. We planted spinach, carrots, radishes, and three rows of different kinds of lettuce: green leaf, red leaf, and spring mix.
(I didn't take a picture of our whole garden because I'm sure you don't want to see just dirt. So I added my feet and a packet of seeds.)

Dad bought me some lavender for my garden, so I have been waiting for the right day to plant it in there.

Joyfully in Him,
    Diana<3