Ladies Christmas Tea

At Grace Community Church, the women each year host a Christmas Tea. This year Julie and I participated by decorating a table. We had a good time planning and attending the event. It was fun to see all the beautiful tables and the amazing dishes that the women have.

We decided to go with simple and elegant. I think we got it done!

Fun times...lots of memories.

At our last K-State football game. Man it took a long time to get a good picture!

Catching up...

After 3 days of the flu, a not-working memory card reader (Where, may I ask is my cable thing?), and a long, lost photo discovery, I am catching up!

Going back...way back...to October 24.

My Mom's Surprise 50th Birthday Party


Look...isn't she cute with her GIANT cup of soda. She had no idea that her house was filled with balloons and 30 or so people! It was so much fun to surprise her.

Isn't that cake just the best? That was about 7 years old I think. Way to go Grandma on digging that up so we could use it.







In order: Party hat and all 50 candles, the hostesses with the guest of honor (please note the tiara), and with Grandma and Grandpa.

An ode to Friday.

Oh Friday, how I love thee.
You fill my heart with glee.

Each time you come around,
my heart begins to pound.

I get to wear jeans to work.
And drive there with a smirk.

I know tomorrow is Saturday,
and Friday is seven days away.

But my heart remains joyful
as I ponder a life of Fridays full.

Just a reminder.

What I REALLY want for Christmas

Now you might think this sounds like its going to be a sweet "world peace" kind of sentiment. Especially since I maybe already written down a pretty good list of "I wants". But I have made a firm decision - just this morning actually. I want to take more pictures. And I want a cool camera to do it with. : ) I think I want this...


Hmm...what do you think?

Weekend!

Whew...what a weekend!

Friday - we took dinner down to Wichita for our friends the Guggisberg's and their new baby. Then we stuffed, licked, and stamped 400 envelopes for work! What a night.

Saturday - We went to our last K-State football game as season ticket holders. A bittersweet moment for us. We love going to games and will miss the people we go with, but we are excited that our lives here in Newton are going so well, that getting to Manhattan has been difficult. (We are also excited to save some dinero.) To say our goodbye's we also went to one of our favorite places: So Long Saloon. If you have never been, next time you go to Manhattan (you should go, its fun) stop by and try the burger and fries...its possibly the best ever. And, I do consider myself a good judge of burgers and fries.
We also went to try on bridesmaid dresses for Tiffany's wedding. So much fun. I am so excited for this little lady and her beau.

Sunday - We went to church and Sunday School, then stained the deck, did laundry, bathed the dog (well Ryan did that - in the shower with the dog - hilarious actually - Finley doesn't like being sprayed with stuff - he tried to escape many times!), and then cleaned the bathroom because let's face it dogs are dirty things. We also had chimichangas for dinner...that was an adventure in itself!

Oh baby.

On Monday, little Riley Matthew Guggisberg was born. He is the cutest little guy, and I got to hold him when he was only one day old. He's precious! Gotta love babies.














Lori and Bret were so excited! Lori and Riley are both doing well. I didn't even think Lori looked like she just had a baby. I hope when its my turn, I look that good.

By the way, that's the youngest baby I have ever held. Mom, I would like you to notice that I am sitting down. You always made me sit to hold babies, and now I am nervous. Thanks!

Christmas List

Ryan and my mother are constantly asking me what I want for Christmas or for my birthday. I am always thinking of things, but then forget when they ask. So, here it is...my Christmas List. Please check back for continued updates.

1. I want water. Check this out water4christmas.com. Give a gift that keeps on giving and saving lives! Give WATER!

2. A mug warmer for my desk.

3. Picture frames like these in brown, black, or silver in all sizes. I have a plan.

4. New socks - seriously - i like the new balance ones from last year's stocking.

5. Also, love this. But I understand - no one wants to buy me a 900 dollar present. : ) But I still want one.

6. New glasses...this is a hard one though. Shoot. I don't think I am being very helpful.

7. I really liked a bunch of sweaters at the GAP.

8. A big round clock, like this, only not so expensive.

9. A really cool journal. Leather bound. Check out Barnes and Nobel - they have sweet journals.

10. New personalized stationary (I'm almost out).

11. And of course there's all the practical stuff like blinds, gutters, a fence, etc... boo to being practical at Christmas! God sending His Son wasn't practical, so we shouldn't be practical either.

If you have any good ideas for Christmas gifts, please let me know. I always wonder what other people ask for. : )

Thoughts...

I have had a postcard on my bulletin board for a long time that reads:


"Where do you draw the line between possible and impossible?"

I always thought this was such a neat thought, because I took it to mean, its up to me to decide what is possible or not. However, today I looked at the postcard with some new insight. I shouldn't have a line between impossible and possible. Nothing is impossible for me.

I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.

Reflections.

So you would think that after 25 whole years of life that I would have some wonderful insight on life. Unfortunately, I don't think that's the case. Twenty-five seems like such a milestone, but honestly, it just makes me feel behind. : ) Surely I should know more and should have done more and should be dreaming more. But I have learned some stuff and to prove it here is my top seven.

7. Mom and Dad were right - I would never have taken care of a puppy - they are time consuming.

6. Learning is fun - I love school (maybe I should go back).

5. Even though I have "grown up" I don't think I will ever know what I want to be.

4. All that really matters is the people you relate with.

3. Hair days (good or bad) don't really matter - no one else notices.

2. My husband is cool - he does nice things for me.

1. God has an amazing way of working things out - Its called grace.

Ahh....a wonderful fall day.

I just love fall, October, and everything that goes with it - Halloween, Thanksgiving, leaves, cold weather, sweaters, scarves, coats, boots, hot cocoa, cider, soup, everything!

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I went to work wearing a sweater and a scarf. I went to babysit some of my favorite kiddos! Amy and Anna - next week I will see the rest - Ashleigh and Austin. We had fun inside projects - cupcakes, naps, and make-believe. The cupcakes were Funfetti with chocolate Funfetti frosting! The best. We made a pretty big mess, but boy, the cupcakes were yummy.

During nap time - I encountered a deranged cardinal. He ran himself in to various windows and doors over and over. He was nuts. For a little while, I thought the girls weren't napping and were jumping around upstairs!

Then we spent the chilly evening eating soup and hot apple crisp with fellow youth sponsors. What a great fall day!

The rest of the story.

So, the shower was amazing. Seriously, I would have considered it the best shower of the trip for sure and possibly ever...not kidding. The water had a pressure knob and a thermostat (great even if it was in Celsius - which I still don't understand). Glorious!

After my last post, we were on our way to Drakensburg and what a beautiful place it was. (Now that I am home, I can share pictures.)


In Drakensburg, we went for what the guide called a "hike". We called it mountain climbing. It took about 6 hours to climb to the summit of the Drakensburg mountains - 3,210 meters. (For those of you who are in touch with the metric conversions...that's about 9,600 feet.) We did so much mental math trying to figure everything out! One part of the climb was nearly straight up, it took an hour to scale all the rocks. Then to get out the mountains, we climbed down chain ladders. It was so scary and incredible. (That's Tiffany climbing down.)

The next day we were off to Lesotho, the world's highest country, or so they claimed. I just confirmed according to About. com, Lesotho (pronounced Le-sue-too) has the highest minimum elevation just over 4,530 feet. Lesotho was one of my favorite places. We were able to see the African culture at its most un-westernized state. So cool. We even went to a local party and tasted without enjoyment local brew (some sort of icky beer) and food (corn and beans).

We ended up in Mokopane, the city near Kristen's township and went to the school for the disabled called the Center for Hope. To be honest, it seemed about as hopeless as it could be. I would like to think; however, that when we left, those kids felt uplifted and cared for. It was such a hard thing to experience. But the kids were so wonderful, and we all really enjoyed spending some time with them. Honestly, the part that was the hardest, was that we had to show them how to play with most of the stuff we took. Chalk, paints, play-doh, recorders and so many other things were things they had never seen. Here are some kiddos using the chalk to decorate my "thanks" to everyone. Once they got the hang of it, the entire porch and part of the walls were covered with chalk.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped out.

Africa so far

Well so far - wow. What an experience! I am experiencing so many new things at once. I am so glad that I am keeping a journal of things we are doing, otherwise I would never remember.

We have ridden horses in the mountains of Swaziland with zebra and wildabeasts. We have walked on the beach of the Indian Ocean (twice - once in St. Lucia and once in Durban). The waves are huge and the sand is so fine and glorious to walk in. We have hunted for lion in the Hluhluwe Game reserve. (We didn't find any - but we did see elephants, baboons, white and black rhino, water buffalo and so much more.) We have ridden a mini-bus (kumbi) smashed in with 15 other people in a van made for 12. Everyone travels like that. We have cruised for hippo and crocodiles. We have visited a city of 3 million people and seen American movies in the theater.

The extremes here are crazy! You can walk drive through this city and see what makes me think of any city in America and then see poverty so extreme you would think you have traveled back in time a hundred years. I hope to have caught this in my photos - which take too long to load.

Tomorrow we leave the city (thank goodness - its expensive). We are headed to Drakensburg. An area north of here and into Lesotho. I am exctied to get back to the country. Tonight we are enjoying the "good life" at the Hilton (courtesy of Tiffany's membership points)! So, I am off to enjoy a really hot shower!

We're here!

Hello everyone - we made it to Africa! Hooray...18 hours after leaving Atlanta. Tiffany and I are so tired. We are ordering pizza and going to bed. More in a couple days.

Catch you...

on the flip side. Check back for updates from South Africa.

Quick update!

Just wanted to say thanks so much to everyone who has contributed to our toy fund for the kids in Africa.

As of this morning we have a total of $245 and 4 sacks of toys!

Happy Birthday to...

Dad! My dad is 63 years old tomorrow. So over the weekend we went out to his favorite place for dinner and the gave him a nice gift. His favorite place...Red Lobster! It was the endless shrimp night. Always a plus. Here is Dad after 50 or more - we lost count - shrimp.
He looks a teeny bit over - full.


But we did manage to get a nice picture of him and Mom, not always an easy feet. Dad is not what one would call camera friendly. : )

Well, we ate a lot of food (we even got an appetizer - that never happens) and had nice conversation. Dad also got one of his favorite things... CLAMPS!

So happy birthday Dad!

So close

The trip is getting ever closer, and I am getting ever more excited and freaked out.

Why is it that vacations always loom over you as you try to accomplish everything before you leave? Why is it that I feel the need to anticipate every issue, question, concern, or even thought that could be thought before it happens?

Its just silly.

However, on another and brighter note, I really am beginning to feel God's hand on this trip. Everything is kind of falling into place - especially with the trip to the school and the fund-raising. So far we have 4 or so bags of toys and $150, with a few more days to go! Everyone is so generous. I am so, so excited about the potential to share some excitement and God's unconditional love with these kids! Thanks to those of you that have contributed!

Well, since my list continues to grow, I should continue to work.

New Door

Weekend project #1 of oh so many.

We installed a new storm door and painted the front door red. As always, these projects take so much longer than they seem. Mom (Lori) told us the storm door would be tough - and it was. Ryan worked so hard all day to get it done. But it looks great! It also is great for some air circulation. The only downside - the entire house filled up with flies during the installation process!

I have wanted to paint the door red for a long time. I love red doors! But we have been waiting for nicer weather so we could take the door off and not sweat to death in the house - but then we got a storm door! So for one night we left the door off the hinges in the garage and "slept" with just the storm door. I didn't like that. The idea that people could see in creeped me out. However, the door is back on and it looks great - don't you think? Except for the dead plant...shoot.

Oh yeah!

And, this week, I got my little sister - Destiny! She is a 2nd grader here in Newton. I am so excited!

Overwhelmed...but good.

So, today is a good day. I think its been growing over the past few days. I love seeing how a few can change the world for the many! Its so amazing that no matter how many times I doubt it or how many times I try to do things myself - when you're in it with God - you're in it to win it. He just makes it happen!

Nearly every day when I come to work, I find more people who are excited about making a difference here in Harvey County. Today, I got an unsolicited check for $500. The donor saw one of our ads and sent in a check to help us LIVE UNITED. Pretty awesome.

Another woman, in her community in Iowa, is making a difference all over. Here's her blog. Two days after she posted her plan, here is the response. People all over are starting up their own version of the project. Its amazing.

I love, love seeing things come together, and that is what's happening with Judgement House. After our practice last night, things are molding, meshing and mixing. Its good.

Finally, I am praying for my first project - collecting toys and money for disabled kids in South Africa. I hope it works out. I know it will work out for God is good and he will and does provide. This is one of the boys we are collecting for.

Did you know?

Did you know that to make all the shopping bags Americans use each year it takes 14 million trees and 12 million barrels of oil?

Imagine how much that is world wide...

Plans for Africa

Well, I have new plans for my trip to South Africa. I am very excited about it too. We, Kristen, Tiffany, and I, will be visiting a school for mentally disabled kids, most are orphans or at risk to be orphans, in the town near Kristen's (Mokopane). Our project is to take supplies (toys and art stuff) to these kids. The funding for this school is so low, the only toys Kristen has seen are deflated soccer balls.
We would love your help to support these kids. We are collecting things like colored pencils, coloring books, dolls, Legos, and any other items you might have that are packable. We are also collecting money to purchase larger toys, that don't pack well, in the city when we arrive. Please keep in mind that $5 goes much futher over there. We would love your help with this.

Anything you want to give, I will need by Sunday, September 28. As I will be leaving a few days later. Thanks so much.

Candy anyone...

What do you think of us as m&m's. This is a little of Ryan's handy work. The scary part...no one has any trouble guessing its us. Guess there's a little m&m in everyone...just waiting to come out.















Make yourself into an m&m at http://www.mms.com/us/becomeanmm/

Denver Trip

So Ryan and I have made an unusual number of trips to Limon last spring and over the summer. The Frasier Family is constantly embarking on some new adventure. However, we shouldn't complain, because as much as we hate the drive from Goodland to Limon (better hope you don't need fuel after 7 pm cuz everything is closed), we usually have a great time once we are there!
So here are a few photos from the latest trip. We went for Uncle Mark's wedding. But also spent Saturday afternoon in Denver with some friends.
This is one of them...














I got a little camera happy, I love cities and taking pictures of them. Sadly most of them happen to be taken from moving vehicles. In this case, the bus that takes you down the 16th Street Mall. For example,















But all in all a good time was had by all. However, I think we may have set the family record for greatest number of hours in the car in a single weekend. (Sidebar: Ryan is the fastest car sleeper ever created - even when he is the navigator.) 17.5 . Oh yes, a world record perhaps.

Inspired

And so...we have post number one. I created this blog site a while ago, but have so far been uninspired to post anything. However, after reading anothers post of what they call 101 in 1001 days. I think I would like to try it.

Basically its a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

So, as I compile my list...perhaps you should ponder yours!

Lindsay