A post with no particular title.....

Although I really don't have anything to write about, I will attempt an interesting post. :)
We have had some birthdays around my house....
Dash turned 10! He is growing into such a fine young man, and has a gentle, helpful spirit. One of his presents was a box drum, and it will be fun to hear him refine that jazzy sense of rhythm he already has! :)

My dear momma's birthday is up next, as it is tomorrow. She is so wonderful and I am blessed to have her as my mom. Even though we are different, God has used her to teach me and refine me and I look forward to many years of friendship!

  And lastly in March is JBear! He seriously the coolest 6 (soon to be 7) year old I know. His dance moves, are...unexplainable....His laugh is contagious and he keeps us in constant stitches!

This is his most common face....cool right? (Makes me laugh....but we literally hardly have a single photo where he doesn't look like this...) :)
Anywhoooo.... to completely change gears....God has really been showing me that I need to pray more. My 20 minute morning quiet time just doesn't cut it if I really want to know God. I don't want to forget the amazing amazing wonderful fantastic marvelous things Christ has done for me. And while I was completely undeserving he died for me! If I desire to know Him more, I need to be seeking him out. Casting my cares on him in the mundane everyday, trusting Him with everything. What in this world is mine to keep and hold onto for comfort anyway? Everything I have, I have received from God! Therefore, I want to be thanking Him for the blessings I have in my life, from legs that can walk, to a kitchen I can cook in. Not only thanking Him in things that are blessings, but seeking out how I can thank Him and praise Him in situations that seems sticky, icky and gross. How can I thank him when I don't get my school done? How can I thank Him when a sibling is annoying me? How can I thank Him when I totally blow it? I want to remember God in my everyday life, because without Christ, what is my life?

Another total switch of gears, but to end the post, but here is some awesome classical music!!!

 Signing off for now!!
~Bugg

Yes, I'm actually posting :)

'Tis true! Thanks to some faithful blog readers relentlessly asking me to post again, here I am... :)

I haven't been up to much lately, in fact, this post may seem rather uneventful to you, dear reader....nevertheless, I will try...

I had my birthday in earlier this year which happened to fall on our church's annual retreat, so we celebrated there :) It was a blast!

Our grandpa retired this year and we have had the privilege of going on a few field trips with him!

We also took a trip to MN. On the way to our favorite store, IKEA, Oggie and Erin couldn't help but pose next to their least favorite sign! Go Packers! No hard feelings to all my friends out there who are Viking fans :)

I just had to post this picture of my super handsome brother Oggie...He's growing up! I remember when we used to play all sorts of silly games together, Rescue Heroes, Dolls, Dress-up, build a house in the backyard, ect. Good times :)

 I love photography...And I love the fact that I can take pictures that can't even contribute to the enormousness of something, and yet capture the intricate detail of something else. More importantly, I love the fact that my God created huge, vast things, and also the teeny, tiny details humans seem to miss.

From the deep colors of fall and the large forests that are the showcases for those colors, to the paper thinness of a butterfly's wing. He is an amazing God.

Thanks for reading! Trust me, I am going to try and post more often! I seem to have forgotten how relaxing it is...
~Bugg

Grandparents :)

My great-grandparents on their wedding day about 60 years ago.

I just had to share a couple of the stories my great-grandparents told us when we visited them. It cracks me up to hear their stories, and I think my family cracks them up as well!

{~As told by my Great-Grandma~}
When we lived at our house down by the river, their was an old abandoned shed down the way. Now, I think that it had lots of little critters in it, and since nobody was using it, they burned it down. Well, there sure was a family or two of snakes living in there, cause I walked out on the porch the next day, and their was snakes everywhere! They covered the bushes and and front lawn and the entire porch. Now, the girls were at school, and dad was workin'. Now you know, we didn't have cell phone in those days, so I couldn't call dad, so, I grabbed the dandelion weeder, and started stabbing them. I killed 73 snakes. I'd stab 'em, them pick 'em up and throw them in the driveway. Now, you now, snakes don't just die and not move, they wriggle and wriggle and then they stop. So when I was done, I had a driveway full of dead, wriggly, snakes. The End 

{~As told by my Great-Grandpa~}
When I was a little kid, we had lots of cats. Now, there was this one cat, it didn't have a name, but it was my favorite. I loved this cat, and we played together all the time. We also had a big woodpile next to our house for our stove. And this woodpile was filled with mice. Lots of mice. So, my mom told me to bring my cat out there and eat the mice. So, I brought her out, and said, "Go get 'em. Eat up those mice. And so she ate the mice, then fell over and died.
Then End

There's a bit out doubtfulness about that last story, but it's claimed to be true, so, believe it or not.....So, there's your story for the day! And I hope you found them as strangely amusing as I did!
~Bugg

(Insert title here)

I have nothing against science. at all. And people who love science and are good at it totally impress me. But, I can tell you now that I would much rather be doing research on the Titanic and start writing the short story I'm planning. But, today was a math and science day, and so you don't feel left out, dear reader, I will clue you in.
Atom=The smallest chemical unit of matter, (not to be confused with the amazing...)
Cell=The smallest unit of life
Metabolism=The sum total of all processes in an organism that convert energy and matter from outside sources and use that energy and matter to sustain that organism's life functions.
Deooxyribonucleic acid=DNA
In DNA, adenine only links to thymine (and vice versa) while cytosine only links to guanine. {does it help me that they all are really similar in spelling and pronunciation? No.}
Photosynthesis= The process by which green plants and some other organisms use their energy of sunlight and simple chemicals to produce their own food.
Well, off to take a test! To not leave you hanging with a bunch of confusing science terms, here's this hilarious video.

~Bugg

Drama Days

I just got done with this fantastic drama program and some of my friends and I put on this super awesome play the other night. Now that practices are over and we won't get to be as a group anymore, I just had to post this picture in memory of Jimmy and the Hendricks.

(Photo Credit to my awesome friend Faith who loves taking the randomest pictures of people..)
~Bugg

Just for you!!!

This post is entirely about and dedicated to Belle. Her blog is HERE.
We were joking the other night about doing blog posts about each other. And, even thought she beat me to it, I am not going to let this opportunity slip through my fingers. Belle is my awesome 2nd cousin, (and to steal her words) starting to feel more like an older sister. She is hilarious, smart and thoughtful. We always have a ton of fun together, whether it be tubing, watching cooking shows or doing homework with magnetic stickers and lots of twizzlers... :) (long story) she is an amazing cook, and a great friend. She is a good sport about a lot of things, from 3 older brothers to a weird cousin who at one point was obsessed with barbies.  She is a great role model, especially in the way she loves Christ. She is a bright light in this fallen world, and stands out for her savior.  She is definitely someone I totally look up to. And she is crazy, giggly, funny, totally odd, and can be blonde at times. But with that being said, she is also reserved (sometimes) and very smart. I love her so much!!!
Awkward Koala....SQUIRREL!!
~Bugg

Random-itus

Sometimes I get into the mood to post random things.  So, here are some random things to make a hodge podge post. (Whether it is interesting or not I will leave up to you...)

Trying to explain this picture would be a bit difficult :) Let's just say Daddy and I always have fun playing with the ipad...

 This is me on vacation with my awesome cousin Belle. She is so cool... Her birthday is tomorrow too, so happy bday cousin! She and I always have fun together, and I look up to her like a sister. :)

                                                         I LOVE her music...

 My dad took us on a hike, and I thought this picture turned out pretty good for an iphone...

OH, my... I love this little stinker. She is funny, naughty, cute, loving, and just so Lillers. I love her so bad.
Okay, so at orchestra the other day, my good friend said this and I totally am going to start using this..."Don't listen to what I say, listen to what I mean." That fits me because sometimes words sound great in my head or look good on paper, but do not come out right.

Here is probably the most random thing though. We have the First season of the original Muppet show, and the kids thought this was HILARIOUS. I must say, it totally gave me the giggles the first time too.
 Well, I'm signing off now. We are on our way to see our cousins for Easter, and I am excited!!! I am sitting in a hotel bed right now blogging while my brother is next to me playing Angry Birds, and my 4 younger siblings are watching Mickey Mouse. Ha, Ha, only on spring break...Well, Maybe see you later, but if not, Happy Easter. Jesus is ALIVE!!!

~Bugg~

My sweet sister!

I have 2 sisters, one who is 7 (Erna) and one who is 18 months (Lou Lou). Right now I am in my room and Lou Lou is sitting in my huge chair (I call it a birds nest) watching Elmo. Her soft cheeks are so warm and her hair is messy and all she is wearing is a onesie. I LOVE HER!!! She just relaxes on my lap and leans against my chest and her little fingers will tap on my leg or pull on my necklaces, and she'll look at me like, "Well, what in the world is this?" God is so good to give me a beautiful baby sister, and I don't know how I am going to leave her for over a week when I am in Ethiopia. :( I love being a big sister (even though it can be super difficult) and I hope someday when I grow up I hope I can be a mommy who loves Jesus so much and can spill His love all over my kids!

That is probably the worst picture of me ever taken, but that's what we do, her and I! :)

She is so stinkin' cute! And just in case you felt left out that you don't get to sit and watch Elmo too, here is one of my favs...

~Bugg~

Ummm.....

No, I'm not obsessed with Jeffery Dallas. It's just a really fun song to sing harmony to (I was actually singing melody) but anyway. I would say that this is the band Fuzzy Bunnies in the Pool, but we are missing T-Bird. Bummer! We'll have to do another cover when he is with us. Anyway, enjoy, and go ahead, share it!
~Bugg~

( I can't think of a good title!)

Yes, it's true. My title skills are very poor..... But that is not the point of this post. I came to post this....

And to say I am really truly sorry for ignoring the Piano Guys' videos whenever I saw them on other peoples blogs. Do not be like me! Watch this video!! I showed my siblings and this is what they said....
Oggie: 0      0
Dash: This is B-AWESOME!
Erna: Is that Chuck Norris?

And then watch all the other videos by these amaaaaaaaaaazingly talented people. And have a great afternoon!!!

~Bugg~

Just a few little things

 THREE QUOTES...

Today my younger siblings were talking about what animals they wanted to be....
Oggie: I would be a walrus..
Erna: Well, then I would be a elephant. No, wait, a polar bear, then I would fight you and eat you.
Oggie: No, cause we would have an underwater battle and I would eat you!
Jbear: Well guess what guys? I would be an Arctic Rhino and eat you both! (Smiles and walks away)
 Oh my. I love my brothers and sisters.  

I am not a blond. Promise. I really do not have blond hair. As my friend  Rye Bread puts it.....

"You are a brunette, with blond moments." That totally describes me. really. I was making a cup of tea the other day, and I put the cup in the in the microwave for 2 minutes, only to realize I forgot the water. jeepers.

And my favorite, from my momma. (I started symphony and didn't have the best first practice)
"This isn't a waste of time. It's just a new use of time."  Oh, thank you. I think moms just have that encouraging thing inside them, and know just what to say at the right time. (Okay, not all the time but most)

TWO PICTURES....

Sometimes, as a  follower of Christ, big sister, daughter, friend, role model, student, writer, musician, cook, bathroom cleaner, ect, ect, I forget about Jesus. "WHAT?!" You might say. Or "How?" But I can get so caught up in the world (looking pretty, being at a high standard in others eyes, stuff.....you get the jist of it...) I lose sight of what matters most. I am a daughter of the Most High King. He is my father. He sent his Son to die for me, and pull me out of the ocean that I was drowning in. He fills me with the Spirit and makes me new and fresh. I don't need to find my worth in the eyes of others, if they hated Jesus, why should I have the slightest inclination that they would love me? This is just an old hotel, and I am a visitor who will be checking out soon. But that also doesn't mean that while I'm here I can't shine like a blazing fire, waiting in anticipation for the day I will be with Christ. I can share His love with others in this world, and proclaim His name to all the ends of the earth.

Whenever I look at the stars, I feel this engulfing sense of awe towards my God. The God who created this, created me. And not only that, he loves me. God paints the sky with beautiful colors and the entire universe is his canvas. And it makes me super excited, because if there is something this beautiful in the sky right now, can you imagine how many billion times better heaven will be?!


AND ONE VIDEO...(or two)

This is weird, and entertaining at the same time. But because I live in a state with LOTS of corn I found it amusing, and you might too....maybe..

And if you really really want to waste your time right now, Here is one more. But Beware. It is a waste of time. And it will be stuck in your heads. And if your siblings watch it, they will not stop singing it. (I know from experience. Not funny.) So just watch it once.

~Bugg~

Oh my Stars!

Who thinks God is amazing! ME!!! My younger siblings have been studying astronomy and I have been able to listen in once in awhile. A couple startling facts slammed into my brain and put a whole new sense of WHOA! into Christmas for me. Did you know... If the sun was the size of a basketball, the earth is the size of a peppercorn? Okay. So if the sun is about a thousand times bigger than the earth, and the sun is still just a star in the universe, and the universe is like a kajillion-billion-trillion-million light years long. (Don't laugh, I'm obviously not scientifically or mathematically minded) And God created the universe, that makes us really really small. And I for one, didn't really realize how truly small I really am. (I still don't) But just think. The creator of all that hugeness, came down to earth. (really really small!!!!) And I mean didn't just become the size of the universe, not just the size of the galaxy, not just the size of the sun, not just the size of the earth but the size of MAN. I can't even begin to wrap my mind around the amazing things God can do. And then think, He didn't come here to be a ruler arrayed in splendor and glory with gold and silver and all that jazzy stuff. He was born in a stable, the son of a carpenter, to grow up and be persecuted and eventually killed. WHAT?!?! He did that for me? He loves me that much? I sin against him everyday, and disobey, and lie, and cheat, and think awful things and HE STILL LOVES ME?! I am in shock. I love my brothers and sisters or friends or mom and dad, but if they do something 'wrong' to me, I want to hurt them, or do bad things to them! But, We have been doing that to Jesus ever since the fall, and this was his plan all along. Why? Oh, Jesus! Why can't I have your selfless attitude,your servants heart, and your willingness to die to self daily? You drank the cup given to you, please make me more like yourself! I don't want to be ashamed of the gospel, not sharing what you did for me, just so I don't feel embarrassed. Please help me to remember how big you are, and how small I am. I can't wait to come and see you someday. Please help me to share your name throughout the nations! Amen.
~Bugg 

 Yep, That's the sun!!

This is called the sombrero galaxy. IT IS HUGE. And very beautiful.

A supernova called the Crab Nebula....

This is the photo of the day on NASA.gov. 

And here we are, teeny tiny us.....

A post about...

Music!! Tomorrow I am going to be in Jr. Allstate and I am very excited! I am at the point of I have practiced so much it's getting confused in my head and my finger are on note overload. So, a blogging break is much needed!

     My grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle and cousin sent me balloons for the occasion! That was a fun surprise and ironically it came right before my violin lesson! There was also some candy to weigh them down and you can be sure I ate if FAST! smile.......

  Yes, I am very excited and this is the verse I am going to try and keep in mind for the day I am there.
              Proverbs 150:3-6
Praise Him with a trumpet sound;
     praise him with the lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
   praise him with loud, clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
   Praise the LORD!

I definitely want to keep that in mind and play for my audience of one! Speaking of music, my friends recently started a band! (two of the members are from the awesome blog, Two Twinkies) Actually, they have had it for a while, but they are starting to play more often. Their name, Something Greater! Whooo Hoo!

They started out as the Crazy Rabid Squirrels, but they weren't getting anywhere with that name, and I like this one much better! They played for the kids' AWANA music last night and here is my sister's comment on their playing!
Me- So, did they do good last night?
Erna-Yea, I liked it.
Me-Okay, give me more. On a scale of 1-10, 1 the worst, 10 the best, how did they do?
Erna-It was probly an 8.
Me-Why?
Erna-They need a girl singer. (she walks away)
As you can see, I didn't get many details out of her, but I think her observation was cute! =) Well, now you are probably dying to hear them play, so here it is. You can also read Rye Bread's (singer) post on it. Here it is! Can't wait until you guys are famous!
Well, that's all the music stuff for 'write' now! =)

~Bugg~

20 Blessings...

I thought I would take the time today and write about some of the little blessings God puts in my life that mean so much to me.
1. A little sister who loves shoes way more than I even do!

2. Brothers who eat anything I cook or bake, whether it tastes good or not...=)
3. My own room
4. My black striped mug filled with coffee.( I was brave the other day and just did black coffee with a little sugar, LOVED it!)
5. The cd of my grandma and her sister singing
6. Reading my bible when the whole house is quiet and the sunlight is just peeping through my window
7. Books and ipods
8. Grandma's (Mema and Bopie) Who let you spend the night at their house and teach you how to knit and sew
9. Inside jokes
10. MegaMind!! and other good movies (right now mega mind is my fav...)
11. Extended family who loves God
12. Taking pictures
13. Knowing that Belle wore my nerd glasses to work today.... And that she makes fantastic pumpkin mini muffins
14. Watching God open up doors for working with refugees in the area and getting to be involved in it!
15. Crisp fall weather and beautiful leaves

I probably looked funny taking this picture because I had to lay on my stomach(in the front yard) and hold as still as possible. Slightly uncomfortable, but the picture turned out okay. =)
16. Having guy friends that treat girls like they should be treated (opening doors, not being inappropriate, encouraging you, carrying things for you, ect..) I know that might sound weird, but I have met some people who have really backstabbed guys for dumping them, cheating on them, telling them that they are ugly or other girls are prettier, stuff like that. (Not that I have a boyfriend or anything, just something that I have taken for granted in the past, realized that having guy friends who love the Lord is a rare thing and wanted to be thankful for in the future)
17. Having girl friends who you can trust, giggle with, talk about God with, and talk about life with.
18. MUSIC!!!! 
19. Long walks, especially in forests or on nature trails
20. A younger sister who looks up to me and makes my life much more bouncy, giggly and butterfly-ish!

                                                                    I love you Erna!!
And, I have a question, Does anybody know how to publish the pages for that little gadget at the top of my blog? I've seen other blogs with it and I thought it would be cool. But, I just can't figure it out. Any advice would be much appreciated......Thanks!

     ~Bugg~

Some of my Favorites

I went on a hike with my family and some friends a few weeks ago. I took a ton of pictures and these are some of the best ones.

Fall would have to be my favorite season. There are so many breath-taking colors, the trees are stunning, bushes burst into flaming beauty, the sky turns a blue unlike any other, I could go on and on. I love the way God makes each season so different, yet each so wonderful.
            I saw this video on my Uncle's blog and you just have to watch it. But before you do, go run and grab a box of kleenex's or something, because (if you are anything like me) this will make you cry. Here it is.
Thanks for reading!!
~Bugg~

My very own Blog!

Oh My! I am very, very excited to have my own blog! I am Bugg, and I am a dingy sinner without Christ, but guess what? He is cleaning, polishing and refining me to become more like Him everyday! (You might recognize that from my profile....right over there...=)  I love God (most importantly)  writing, reading, music, baking, and my family! I post a lot on my family's blog, HennHouse Happenings, but I really wanted a place to write my own feelings, thoughts, verses, and to post pictures and videos and other fun stuff.... I would just post some pictures right now, but I am on the laptop which doesn't have any of my stuff on it.....oh well, maybe later...I don't think there is much more to say for now!
Bugg