About: Disney Princesses! ^_^

Last weekend I had the pleasure of going to see Tangled with several friends! To honor the occasion of a new Disney Princess movie... we obviously had a Disney Princess Party! Mind you, I don't believe there was a single female there under 12... ^_^ Yes... we had fun ;)

Anyway, we all got to choose Princesses we wanted to be, or just dressed up real pretty.

I chose Briar Rose from Sleeping Beauty... She was always my favorite!

"Once Upon A Dream"

I had a time of it, I tell ya what!!

But eventually got it!

Not exact, but close enough that people would look and say...

"You're Briar Rose!" Yeah... it was fun.

Who knew an old black tank top flipped upside down and cut up could make the perfect Briar Rose bodice?

Who knew that when I bought those shoes that match my skin almost that I would need them to have the appearance of bare feet at the mall *ick*

Who knew when mom got those little birdies from the Dollar Store that I'd need them to complete the outfit?

Not I!

All in all, it was a fabulous time had by all! The movie was great, we had a splendiferous time all together going to see a child's movie, and the cupcakes were "to die foah!"

Thank you, Amanda for hosting this wonderful evening!

Ciao y'all, till later!

-Emily

About: It Just Makes Me Giddy!

Well, y'all...

Weddings are a lovely thing. They make me grin... ^_^ See?!

Anyway, like I said, "weddings" make me grin... but what makes me giddy (hence the title of the post) is when "weddings" is translated "ISAAC AND LYDIANA'S WEDDING!!!!" *ahem*

A dear friend/brother figure stepped into my and my sister's lives just a few short months ago...

We've known Isaac for a few years now, but we never had the opportunity to become as close as we have become since about January. It's amazing to me, really. God took one brother Isaac and gave me another!

NOTE: I am NOT saying that this

Isaac replaced my original brother Isaac... he just did a swell job of stepping up to the plate of "being a brother" that I really do believe he was a gift from the Lord!

Anyway... rabbit trail ^_^

So... Isaac was playing with us for a few months earlier this year. We went to Barberville... and met Lydiana.

*Yeah*

Pretty much.... the rest is history ^_^

ALL photo credit goes to my WONDERFUL photographer of a sister, Anna Grace!

About: From One Home to Another...

Well, y'all...

today is a bitter-sweet day for us...

After a very full weekend from wedding to Barberville, we came home... intending to rest up.

I was awakened this morning by my mother, "Get up, Emily... no more sleeping." She had a look of extreme duress on her face... that worried me.

"Mom?...Mom?" I could feel my pulse quicken as she just stood there looking at me with anguish in her eyes.

Anna and I followed her to her room where she broke the news to us.

Poppop died this morning.

I knew it was coming... Poppop has been very, very sick and was in hospice care for about a week. We went to visit him twice last week... on Monday and Wednesday. We took our instruments the second day and got to play quite a bit for him. (I'm crying.)

Poppop was always so supportive in everything we do! He loved our music, but could never make it to any performances because in the later years of his life, he couldn't travel extensively. So we brought performances to him. He would puff up with pride every time we played for him... I'm a proud guitarist now because of the influence he and my father have had in my life!

He was very musical (in fact, he and Mimae met in church choir 58 years ago!) He played the guitar and he and Mimae sang together like two love-birds all the time! Their harmonies were beautiful... oh how sad I am to never hear his voice again...

He was drifting in and out of consciousness when we visited him on Wednesday... Apparently it was "a good day" for him, but honestly, he was looking really rough. The last thing he said to me was, "I love you too, baby." (crying again... golly)

Anyway, please be praying for my Mimae, Dad and all his siblings and the rest of us as we are dealing with the loss of this wonderful man! I know he's in Heaven how with Isaac and all the other saints that have gone before, but it's still really hard right now.

I thank God that this goodbye is not forever.

Till then, Poppop... I love you and miss you like crazy ♥

About: "Awesome Autumn Giveaway!"

One of my dear friends, Lauren Brittany, is having a giveaway on her blog!
She makes all sorts of lovely bath essentials (AWESOME sugar scrubs *yaaaay!*) and other splendiferous accouterments for body care!

Head on over to her blog for YOUR chance to win!! ^_^

About: I ♥Faces: Beach Fun!

This weeks photo challenge from I ♥ Faces is "Beach Fun!"
And boy, oh boy, what fun we had this day!
Little Miss. S. checkin' her diaper for sand... such a sweetheart :D


Head on over to their site for more great entries!

About: A Short and Sweet "What I've Been Up To" Kinda Post ;)

Well, fellow bloggers...
I've been at it again :)
I just redecorated my room [again] and I'm quite happy with the results!

When you first enter my room... this is what you see! :)
I painted a mural based off of flowers from a pillow I got from a thrift store that I absolutely LOVE!

Here is the pillow compared to the mural... the colors aren't exact, but they're close enough! :)

This is my bed... obviously :)

And now I'm done... Hey... I said it was gonna be short and sweet ;)
Hope you enjoyed!! [cause I sure did!!]

About: My Newest Love... ;)

Well... it's official... I think I'm falling in love!!!
It's the greatest feeling in the world... something new in life, fresh, lovely, dear!
I just sigh with contentedness when I think of this new and exciting adventure!

Alas, I talk not about a male, but a new hobby/pursuit I do believe that I've fallen for! ;)
I do believe that I'm really loving photography and am looking into buying a camera sometime in the near future! :D (sorry all Nikon users, I'm going with Canon. :)

I took some pictures of two precious little gals at the beach this past Sunday and I'd like to share them with you... (keep in mind that I don't have professional editing software yet, so this is a very basic edit job :)

(Also... i have NO idea how to comment on some of these pictures other than, "aaawww" , "I love this adorable little female" or "LOOKIT HOW CUTE!!" , so bear with the whole "no comments on the pictures" thing)










This one makes me laugh hysterically :)
I asked the Sparlings if it would be ok if I posted this picture...
Here's the response I got!
"S****** says it is okay so long as she remains anonymous. She says, "It's not me!!!!!!" She has talked to her lawyers and they will sue for defamation of character if you post her name with it."
Thus the reason why i struck her name out ;)


Tired little lady :)




I do believe that this one is my favorite!

Hope you enjoyed :)

About: True Friendship

This is an issue that has been weighing heavily on my heart for the past few months and I thought I'd share it with you...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I have 276 "friends" on facebook... and that's after deleting 184 more "friends".
It's such a broad term in our culture today.
I have several acquaintances. Hundreds to be semi-exactish... eGAD!
And I have few true friends...
"A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
-Proverbs 18:24
(This info's a small rabbit trail from the point of this post, but found it interesting.)
. . . .

God places godly Christian friends in our life to encourage, love, exhort, and sometimes even chastise. Proverbs 27:5-6 says, "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." I know it's such a hard thing to hear... especially living in our "me-pleasing" society nowadays, but just think on it: "God did give me friends to help me grow, even if that means by correcting a flaw they see in me. If they're true friends, they're not 'out to get me.'"

But... a person can have so many "friends!" How do you know which are the "true" friends? Well, have you ever heard the expression, "Actions speak louder than words?" Most of you will say yes :) I think you know what I'm driving at here... A true friend will act like one!
"A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." -Prov 18:24

True friends really are hard to come by. In today's shallow and superficial world, you can be "friends" with someone today and when it's not convenient for you anymore, just drop the relationship cold turkey. People can not speak to some of their dearest friends ever again and not be affected in the least. This saddens me, actually.

As sinful humans, we are offended easily, which makes the above stated actions very easy. Once people have become offended, it seems at times that there is no reasoning with them. In Proverbs 18:19a, the author writes that, "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city." As Christians, however; we are called to be the antithesis to this. Jesus Himself said, “Moreover if your brother sins against you [offends you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." Matthew 18:15

Now... I'm not saying that I'm perfect and do this all the time... infact, I do believe that I sorely lack in the area of "going to one's brother." (With God's help though, I'm learning to talk about things more freely.) What I am saying, is that this is something all Christians are called to do... I'm preaching to myself as well as all readers. :)

Merriam Webster defines "friend" as such: [italics mine]
1a: one attached to another by affection or esteem b: acquaintance
2a: one that is not hostile b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4: a favored companion

I also ran a poll-type thing on facebook and asked people:
"How would YOU describe true friendship?"
And here are the responses I got...
Cindi H said, "hmm I'd say true friendship key qualities include honesty, definitely honesty, silliness, forgiveness, and the ability to be yourselves."
Obed A said, "A true friend gives the other person what they need the most, even when they deserve it the least. Being a friend is about giving unconditionally."
Robert S said, "A friend makes a boring class fun.!!!" <-- this one made me laugh :)
Jeff G said, "I would say that friendship in it's truest sense would have the characteristics of I Cor. 13. I would even say that True friendship is rare."
John S said, "It takes two "true" friends to make a "true" friendship :) A true friend is a committed one, a caring one, and an accountable one."
Timothy B said (via gmail), "I guess a true friend would be someone who is honest first and foremost and one who is always there for you whenever they can be."

Here are quite a few "friendship" quotes that I've found:

<---- (current fb profile picture)

"Some friends come and go like a season. Others are arranged in our lives for good reason." -Sharita Gadison

"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves. We must die to one life before we can enter another."
-Anatole France

"A true friend is someone you can disagree with and still remain friends. For if not, they weren't true friends in the first place."
-Sandy Ratliff

"True friendship is based on trust, honesty and sincere generosity of our hearts."
---Song Park

A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably.
-William Penn

**Also, my friend Zach Smith wrote a very helpful post on "Love and Forgiveness"... please go check it out! It was a great encouragement to me and I pray it will be to you as well :)

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

Now... this is all food for thought... please take the time to carefully consider this post. . .

Let me know what you think. . .
Blessings~

About: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

"Mawwage... Mawwage is vhat bwings us togevfaaahh todayyy!
Mawwage... that bwessed awwangement!"
........... -.-

ok... seriously now ;)
Today is a landmark in our family's history.

It's amazing how people meet ;)
It's amazing how friends can become spouses and parents.

Well... twenty-two years ago today... two people did become one. Twenty-two years ago today, two people covenanted before man and God that they would be faithful one to another, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. Twenty-two years ago today... well, something else happened, but I can't think of it at the moment ^_^

Anyway, on July 9th, 1988, Michael Stone and Julia Fitz were joined in holy matrimony (for those of you who don't know what that is... marriage ;) These two people are my parents! *obviously* ;)

The couple of the day... hand chosen by God to live together as man and wife...

and have these three ridiculous females ;)

Dear mom and dad!
I love you both so much and pray the Lord's blessings on this, your 22nd wedding anniversary!
What a day it's been! With Lili's arrival last night and running from here to there running errands and visiting with dear friends!
22 years! That's a long time! I pray that you'll have at LEAST 22 more... (hopefully more, of course ;)
What a blessing it has been to Anna, Olivia and I to see your relationship change and bloom over our lives. Granted, you're not perfect (neither are we, apparently ;), but through it all, you have both remained faithful to one another, to us, and to our Lord!
In the years that follow, I look forward to what changes (or non-changes ;) the Lord has in store for our family and am eagerly awaiting it with y'all!

Blessings, hugs, and love from your favorite middle daughter ;) ...

About: Another Year Come and Gone...

July 4th... Our Nation's birthday. A time of remembrance and great rejoicing, a time of family and friends, barbecue and watermelon. Yup, Independence day is a great day every year.

Between you and me... the fourth of July got even more special fifteen years ago :D

You wanna know why, blog land?! Well... even if you don't, I'm gonna tell you anyway cause this is my blog ;)

Fifteen years ago, a special present was injected into the world! Fifteen years ago, un bébé peu (French ;) was born.
Fifteen years ago... *chest filling with pride* my little sister, Olivia Christine, was born! :D

What a splendiferous fifteen years it has been! I'm not gonna lie though and say that our sibling relationship has been perfect... cause it isn't. I'm not gonna grin and say that we never argue... cause we do.
Let's see... WHAT can I say about Olivia...? ;)
♥Well, first off... she's going to be fifteen (duh :P)... and since she's going to be fifteen, that means that I'm not fifteen anymore. In fact, I'm four and a half years older *Emily keels over* WHICH... dear blog readers, means that I... am getting olt! o.O eGAD! *ahem... moving on* ;)

♦Aside from the fact that she is officially making me feel old as dirt, ;) It has been a wonderful blessing to see her mature into such a loverly godly young lady! Her love for the Lord is evident in her life and it's amazing to see how He's working in her life!

♣She's extremely talented with sewing, jewelery making, crafting, and any other thing she puts her mind to learning! I think I have yet to meet another female so young with so much talent... just sayin ;) (yes, I might be a tad biased :D)

♠I love her and she loves me ;)

♥Her favorite colors are blue, green and yellow and she insists that I'll have to wear those colors in her wedding... to which I always answer, "psh! You'll change your mind before then!" ;)

♦She's working on an amazing quilt!

♣We just finished an amazing week at camp where we were on the Red Team together! *hehehe*

♠She loves animals.

♥Animals love her.

♦I am now going to post pictures of her ;)

hehehehehe... I giggle at her cute-crosseyed-ness! ;)

We three sisters were all on a swim team... this was O's first year, I do believe! XD
hehehehe... I giggle at her cuteness here too ;)

Olivia and I at camp... being silly, of course ;) What we Stones are known for, apparently... It runs in the family ;)

:)

My dear sister, Olivia!
I love you so much and pray that our LORD blesses you as you begin the fifteenth year of your life! You have been a major joy in my life and thank Him daily for you! I'm so happy that we are growing closer and closer and I pray that it will continue on and on forever... and ever! :)
As I finish this post (1:10 a.m. July 4th, 2010), I finish it with:
Let's glorify the LORD together in our relationship and let's have fun today, your birthday!

Blessings and mucho love and el hugos~
Emmy ♥

known to blog readers as...

About: Randomness when tired O.o

What's better than finding your doppelganger?

Not much, I say :)

About: Asking for Prayer

Dear blog readers,
Yesterday was a sad day for many. Mainly one family in particular.

One of the most godly men I know, Mr. Don Gilchrist, went home to be with the Lord yesterday unexpectedly. He has been a great encouragement to me in many aspects of my life and will greatly miss him.
Please be praying for his wife, Mrs. Judy, children and grandchildren as they grieve the loss of this dear man.

II Thessalonians 4:13-18
¹³ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.

About: Sibling/Family Rivalry...

This is what it looks like on facebook.
Brothers from one family versus sisters from another.
You decide for yourself who you think won ;)

Below is Anna's status from yesterday, I believe and the conversation underneath it are comments back and forth, obviously :D
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Wow, I didn't think it was possible, but it happened. I got swiped by 10 different frisbees last night...AT ONE TIME!! >.< style="font-weight: normal;" face="Georgia">

Robert

Seidel family 1
Stone family 0

Anna

No way Robbie.
I remind you that I swiped both you AND Jeff... by myself...without Emily's help. I believe that makes the final score:
Seidel family 1
Stone family 1,000,000
(Because Stone family points are worth WAY more.) >:)

Jeff

I believe I had to risk my life by climbing on top of a building to get ya'lls frisbee back! I'd say thats an epic fail on BOTH you and Emmy/Emily/Emaleigh. My guess is thats a loss of 1,000,000 points for the Stones :)

Seidel family 1
Stone family 0

Anna

Soooooooo doesn't count. That was before the whole "swipe war" anyway...point retained. And besides, when you threw it down, you TOTALLY missed us.
Your bad aim costs you 1,000,000 points.
My brilliant memory though, earns us another million.

Seidel family -999,999
Stone family 2,000,000
>:)

Jeff

If I recall, the "swipe war" began last week! Even if the "war" began yesterday, you swiped me as I was walking in the gate! Pretty sure that was before you threw the frisbee on the roof. You lose infinity+1 points for giving yourself 1,000,000 points for a brilliant memory that was...well a lot off. My "bad aim" was a safe throw due to the ... See Moreinnocent bystanders who were in your direct area. Knowing the Stones' frisbee catching abilities and the wind factor, I figured it safer to throw the frisbee to the middle of the field :) 500,000 points for the safety consideration plus the points you tried to take from us.

Seidel family - 500,001
Stone family - Negative infinity+1

Anna

In response to that last boring comment with all those irrelevant, technical details...I can only respond with this well known fact. A fact which automatically puts us in the lead...period.
We are awesome.

Seidel family - 500,001
Stone family - A number so big you can't wrap your mind around it...then, attach 17 more zeros. We win by default. >:)
*happy dance*

Joshua

*makes mental note not to argue with Anna*

Emaleigh

BAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!
oh my gosh! i laughed SOOOO STINKIN HARD during this whole thing ^_^
so we're all in the red, right? O.o

Emaleigh

wait...

Emaleigh

ok, yeah... i'm lost :P

Jeff

In the red?

Emaleigh

minus something...
negative...
in debt.

Jeff

Way to show those smarts Emmy :)

Emaleigh

^.^
seeeeeeee? they DO exist XD

Anna

Be quiet Emily...so we can stay in the lead!! O.O

Emaleigh

-.-

Jeff

Good call big sis. Are yall coming to frisbee tonight? 5-8?

Josh I need your number again! I had to restore my phone :(

Emaleigh

i don't think so... i didn't even know there was frisbee on thursday nights!

Jeff

This is the first time we've been...we'll see how good it is :)

Emaleigh

well... lemme know how it goes! ^_^

Robert

Jeff- You of all people should know what 'in the red' means.
Anna- You're HILARIOUS!
Em- Don't take that from her!

Emaleigh

hahaha
i was thinking about inserting random comment pertaining to original thought... but didn't ^_^

Robert

Good idea.. Lull the older sibling into a false state of security, then attack! That's how I deal with Jefafa.. I also kick him when he's sleeping.. and place road signs in his bed..

Anna

I pity you your childish antics Robbie. Tsk tsk...

Robert

Whose childish, me or the person who has a profile picture of themselves with a bag over their head.. Another Point for the Seidels. :D

Anna

BAHHAHAHAAAA!!!! Good point!
IT'S A TIE!! :D

Robert

Nope, y'all lost.. You should have countered with something that had to do with my profile picture of me licking a crab.. For your lack of attention to detail, you lose.

Emaleigh

hm... you DO have a point, Robert.

Anna

Poor, confused Robbie. By conceding to a tie, I have merely upped our score by showing great virtue and humility. :)

Jeff

Don't confuse kindness for weakness. Pretty sure it's the latter of the two, older Stone sister

Anna

Never! And you would know that as an older sibling, wouldn't you Jeff?

Robert

Face it, y'all lost.. Even Emaleighereradseafjklea said I had a good point.. That's worth like a number so big you can't wrap your mind around it...then, attach 18 more zeros....

Jeff

Yes I have the responsibility to take care of Robby and make sure he makes the right choices in life. Him putting a street sign in my
Bed for me to blop on while half asleep must have been an idea he got from you. Surely I would not condone such hostile behavior

Anna

Emaleighereradseafjklea...that's awesome!
It's DEFINITELY a tie...no joke. :)

Emaleigh

hmm... older sibling/younger sibling...
is this now becoming a war of sibling rivalry? O.o

Emaleigh

and aahaaaaaaaa
you make me laugh with your confusedness about my name >:)

Anna

YES!! >:)

Emaleigh

well then >:P

Robert

okay >o.o<

Emaleigh

we need to up our game O.o

Jeff

SEIDEL - 6 letters
STONE - 5 letters

Even the alphabet suggest we're ahead by giving us one more letter :)

Anna

Yeah...it's devolving to a game of emoticons. :P

Robert

YES JEFF!!! AHAHAHAHH!!!

Anna

But today is backwards day...so less is more! >:)

Emaleigh

so...
you're guys...
we're females...
ladies first :P
ohoooo!
yeah. -.-

Robert

Backwards day? So, I'm bald, Jeff has hair and Emily is tall.. right?

Anna

Yeah! And I'm short, squatty, and terrible at being awesome. ;)

Robert

and if it is indeed backwards day as Anna as proclaimed, then Emily has just made y'all lose.. again..

Anna

I guess so...BUT JUST FOR TODAY! >:)
You bunch o' girls! :P

Jeff

Lose....and go second. Thanks Emalrufjeiwibfjdy! {=

Emaleigh

^.^
first is the worst..?

Anna

Oooooooooooooo...take that.
*MAN power*

Robert

What, are we rhyming now?

Jeff

If today is indeed backwards day then Anna can now run fast and Emily can catch a frisbee??

Anna

And Jeff is smart, I see.

Robert

Now you're getting it!

Emaleigh

Jeff... you have now officially hurt my poor little self esteem and crushed my feelings. :'(
you loose for making a girl cry :P

Robert

you LOSE for using 'loose' instead of 'lose'. Remember what Anna said earlier about not talking?? ;)

Jeff

Seeing how it's backwards day and all, I'm not falling for your tricks lil sis

Robert

So, you ARE falling for her tricks? This backwards day stuff is getting annoying..

Jeff

I was talking to anna

Anna

We need an official rule book. :-/

Anna

Rule #1:
Anna and Emily win every argument.

Anna

Rule #2:
Never try to argue that you did, in fact, win. You will lose.

Anna

Rule #3:
Anna and Emily write the Rule Book.

Anna

Rule #4:
No need for additional Rules.

Jeff

Rule #2: Honor backwards day (:

Anna

Rule #5:
If you were too late to write Rule #2...it doesn't count.

Robert

#6 Older age always wins..

Anna

Rule #3:
Anna and Emily write the Rule Book. >:)

Anna

We win, we win, WE WIN!!!!!!!!!

Robert

I'm not arguing, just disagreeing.

Emaleigh

soooooooo... is it over?
*comes out from bomb shelter*
and who won?
sibling groups or older/youngers?

Emaleigh

(actually, i was cleaning my room and the computer froze -.- *emily glares at monstrosity before her*)

Robert

Siblings won..

Lol, try hitting i a few times next time.. works for me.

Emaleigh

how on earth did we manage that?! O.o

Robert

Because we're awesome!!!

Emaleigh

backwards day, Robby :P

Robert

:( no fair :(

Emaleigh

>:)