Its been a long time

It has been a really long time since I wrote anything on my blog. To be honest with you I actually forgot all about it. I haven't really been up to that much. Just working a lot more than I want to be. I am waiting on our computer to come back from PA so that I can get my pictures off my camera that way I can post some of those on here. Right now I am reading through by Joyce Meyer. "Battlefield of the Mind." I am not that far into yet because I am doing it with our cell group from church. Its a great book so far. Its a book that should be read by anyone that has gone through something major in their life. Everyone's mind is a battlefield. Of what I read this afternoon there was a few things that jumped out at me and they were:

"Keep on Keeping on"
"You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind"
"It's easy to quit; it takes faith to go through it"
"Don't receive condemnation when you have setbacks or bad days. Just get back up, dust yourself off and start again"
"God wants us to be encouraged, not discourage"

The day in Philadephia

RACING TO THE FINISH

THE BIG "SORRY" PIECE

RYAN PRETENDING TO PUSH A DOMINO ON ME! lol

THE LOVE GARDEN

THE THINKING MAN

ROCKY

WE THE PEOPLE

THE LIBERTY BELL

TWO PEOPLE DRESSED BACK IN THE OLD TIMES

THE "BESTY ROSS" HOUSE

GETTING READY TO GET THE BEST PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS

ME LOOKING CUTE!!

The day in Nashville

Ryan and I went to Nashville on May 30th, 2009 because I had purchased tickets to go and see Hillsong United. So we decided to make a day of it and we left around 11:00am (ET) and got to Nashville about 1:00 (CT). We decided that we were going to drive to Belmont University first so that we could see where the concert was that evening. So I decided to rely on GPS to take us there. She was successful in doing so. We finally found the school and the building that the concert was held in. This was the building that the concert was held it. It was called the Curb Event Center.

Then come to found out that the Curb Event Center was the same place that the second presidential debate was held in. I thought that it was pretty neat to know that.

After we finally found the University we decided to get something to eat and once again we relied on the GPS taking us and she did right to a quick McDonald's trip. So we got some breakfast/lunch. We then headed to the downtown Nashville. We did a lot of walking around that my feet started to hurt that I had to actually go back to the car and get my sneakers. I really wanted to do the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum but it was 20.00 a person to get in and we decided against spending that much money on it so we walked about in the Museum store and then headed back out into the hot sunny day. We could have gone to the Wax Museum but I decided that I didn't to go and get in the car and drive and find it so we decided not to. (I would like to go back to Nashville and do the Wax Museum) So we went into different shops and then saw some people on the streets. There were people sitting on the ground playing their guitars and hoping someone would give them some money. Then we had a couple of people that we saw that just wanted money. There were these two people that had a cardboard sign sitting in front of them and it said Parents were eaten by Pigeons need money for trip. There were two other people as well but I didn't read their sign so I am not sure what they had on it. So anyway Ryan decided that he wanted to take me on a Horse and Carriage ride around Nashville. So we did. It was nice and relaxing to just sit there and watch all the people walking and just enjoying each others company. I decided to take a picture of us on it. But of course you can't really see that we are on it, but its still a great picture of the two of us.

(okay so adding pictures as you write it is a pain so I will place another blog with some more pictures that I took)

Sad news

Our family is in the need of prayer. They came and took Ann out of our home today. We need all the prayer that we can get right now. Thanks

The Outside

We did a lot of work outside today around the house. Mom and I went to the greenhouse today to get some vegetable plants so that we can get our garden started. So then I got the weed eater and trimmed things around the house and dad and Dan planted a tree and two bushes. Then mom and dad did some things on the side of the house because I decided that I was done with the weed eater and was not happy that I was dirty so I went in and took a hot shower to get clean. Then helped mom by holding the trash bag open so that she can pick up the trash. She had gloves and I didn't want to get dirty again. LOL Then dad and I watch a couple of shows of Wildfire. Its a great TV show. Love it... and now its time to head off to bed.

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. "Hebrews 13:5(NIV)

But I like the version better

Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with with you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get me? Hebrews 13:5-6 (The Message)

God' Beautiful Creation

Take a good look at God's work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation's curves and angles To a plain straight line? Ecclesiastes 7:13 (The Message)

It's amazing how Beautiful God's country is. I am so glad that I live is this country. God is so GOOD!!

When I sit here at the computer and look at these pictures and just stare at them. They are amazing. Not only because I took some good pictures but because God did a great job creating this earth. I am blessed beyond measure. To God be the glory.

Happy Birthday to me

Today was my birthday and I had to go to work. I thought that my day was going very well. Went on a beautiful walk. The weather was beautiful. Sunny and Warm finally. Well I went to work and everything was going fine and I started putting things on the shelve. I started with the vegetables that I had on the front of the cart. The only thing that I had left on the cart was the bean section. So I took the cart and rolled it over to the section and started cutting the plastic around the product and then all of a sudden the cart flapped over and there was a loud crash and cans went everywhere. I only damaged like maybe half of the product. So I then went on with my day and got my things done at work with help from Jeff (Grocery Manger). Left work and got into Liberty and got pulled over because the person that was behind me called me in for bad driving. I only cross the yellow line like once or maybe twice. So the officer came to my window and asked me for my license and so forth. So he then asked me if was had been drinking and I told him that I didn't drink and said okay but then asked me to get out of my car. So, I got out and he asked me to follow his finger without moving my head and so I did that and guess what I didn't move my head. He asked me if i was taking prescription drugs of any kind. I told him no. So then he told me to hold my leg up and out and look at feet and count until he told me to stop. I ended up counting till 30 and then he finally told me to stop and to drive carefully. I said alright and thanks and got into my car and drove away and he followed me for a while and then I got home and was so ready for bed and here it is 2:00am. Happy Birthday to me

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man
who does not walk in counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord
and on his law he meditates day and night;
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does no wither
Whatever he does prospers

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish

The Climb

The Climb
By: Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head sayin,
You'll never reach it,
Every step I'm taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing,
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes they knock me down but
No I'm not breaking
I mean I know it
But these are the moments that
I'm going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on,

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It's all about
It's all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

This is a powerful song. You actually need to listen to the lyrics and I am really listen to them. ( go this link to listen to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs or you could just go to www.youtube.com and type in Miley Cyrus The Climb and get it too). I mean you could just sit here and read them if you would like to but I think that it is more powerful if you actually go and listen to it. I mean this song is so true we all have mountains that we come up to and that we have to climb over. And when we actually climb over them there will most likely be other mountain that you have to climb over. But there is someone who can help you get over those mountains you just have to lean on Him and ask Him for the help. Jesus is there for you and will help you get over these mountains that you may come up to. He wants to help you get over them. All you have to do is ask. He says in Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Just put your faith in Him and he will help you. God Bless you. And i mean it go listen to that song.

Easter Pictures

In back: Ann and Teresa

In Front: Rachael and Lilly

Me.. oh my actually wearing a skirt....

Ann was the first one out to find eggs. We wanted her to be able to find some before the others went out to find them. She actually spotted the eggs herself. " Ann there is a green one behind you." After she picked up the eggs the only thing she wanted to do was eat what was in them. The only thing that was in them was Lifesaver mints, but to her it was candy. She had a fun time doing it she was laughing and happy.

Lilly found an egg.... she went out the same time Ann did. I walked along side of her but I really didn't have to point out any of them. She spotted them herself and she was happy.

And then there were two. Rachael and Teresa were the last ones to go because I knew that they would beable to find them on their own. They each had a golden egg to find that had a dollar in it. They all had a wonderful time doing it.

Watch the lamb

Walking on the road to Jerusalem The time had come to sacrifice again My two small sons, They walked beside me on the road The reason that they came Was to watch the lamb CHORUS: Daddy, daddy what will we see there? There's so much we don't understand So I told them of Moses And Father Abraham And then I said, Dear children, Watch the lamb For there will be so many In Jerusalem today We must be sure the lamb Doesn't run away And I told them of Moses And Father Abraham And then I said, Dear children, Watch the lamb When we reached the city I knew something must be wrong There were no joyful worshippers No joyful worship songs I stood there with my children In the midst of angry men And then I heard the crowd cry out, Crucify Him We tried to leave the city But we could not get away Forced to play in this drama, A part I did not wish to play Why upon this day Were men condemned to die? Why were we standing here Where soon they would pass by? I look and said, Even now they come The first one cried for mercy, The people gave him none The second one was violent, He was arrogant and loud I still can hear his angry voice Screaming at the crowd Then someone said, There's Jesus! And I scarce believed my eyes A man so badly beaten, He barely looked alive Blood poured from His body, From the thorns upon His brow Running down the cross And falling to the ground I watched Him as He struggled I watched Him as He fell The cross came down upon His back, The crowd began to yell In that moment I felt such agony In that moment I felt such loss Until a Roman soldier grabbed my arm And screamed, You, carry His cross! At first I tried to resist him Then his hand reached for his sword And so I knelt and took The cross from the Lord I placed it on my shoulder And started down the street The blood that He'd been shedding Was running down my cheek They led us to Golgotha They drove nails Deep in His feet and hands An yet upon the cross I heard Him pray, Father forgive them Oh, never have I seen such love In any other eyes Into they hands I commit My spirit, He prayed and then He died I stood for what seemed like years I'd lost all sense of time Until I felt two tiny hands Holding tight to mine My children stood there weeping I heard the oldest say Father, please forgive us The lamb ran away Daddy, daddy what have we seen here? There's so much That we don't understand So I took them in my arms And we turned and faced the cross And then I said, Dear children, watch the Lamb

Matthew 28:6-7

He has Risen!!! Praise be to our God.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and se the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ' He has risen fromt he dead and is going ahead of your into Galilee. There you will see him.' Matthew 28:6-7

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The Take Off to California

Our take off........

to Huston, Texas

This was Rachael's going down her first terminal. It was like 4:30 in the morning and she was bouncy and was excited about going.


Mom and dad waiting in the terminal waiting to load the plane to head to our first stop in Texas.


Rachael and I waiting to load our plane as well. I look terrible at 4:30 in morning.... In a bad need of a brush and some make-up and contacts.

Rachael first time sitting in a plane and she was all smiles along with dad. She wanted to sit by the window even though it was dark outside and you couldn't really see much she still wanted to sit there which is funny because mom and I sat behind them and I wanted to sit next to the window as well. The plane ride was a little bumpy but it went okay.

Outside the window of our plane.......

Rachael looking back at me from her sit. I asked her to look back so that I could take her picture. She is just a cutie...

Nothing but.....BEAUTIFUL.....


And then the take off to California.....


This was the plane that we loaded up on in Texas. It was a huge plane and it was loaded down with a bunch of people. I don't think that there was one single seat left open.



Stay tuned.... more pictures to come soon

Lillianna Joy

Lillianna Joy Kreider

Lilly is just too cute with that hat on. It took a bit to get her to keep it on her head so that we can get a picture of her. But when she decided that she was going to keep it on she smiled and looked cute...

Back to life

We are back from California. Our flight was rather rough coming back from Texas. I am glad to be back home and sleeping in my own bed. Littlebit and Duke were both glad that I was home. But anyway as soon as I get a chance to get the pictures off my camera I will make another post with pictures from our trip and if you want to see more when I get them on the computer you can go to facebook and look at them on there as well.

-Amanda-

RIP Brittney Hatter

Brittney Hatter passed away today. She was 21 years old and the doctor had told her that she wouldn't live pass the age of 20. She was a delight to have in our home. She was disabled. She was totally bed rest and on a 24 hour tube feed. Her mother had CMV (like mono). Brittany had scoliosis and cerebral palsy and she was deaf. She brought a lot of joy to our family. When she was laying in bed I would hop on to of her bed and move it all around and she would just laugh. She enjoyed when people would come into her room and give her attention. She also enjoyed when people would come in and just sit there in the room with her. Even though she was totally bed rest we had gotten a wheel chair for her so that we could take her different places. In this picture is was a beautiful day outside so we put her on her wheel chair and put her on the porch with the rest of the gang. On the porch there is Ann, Teresa, Lilly (holding dory), Nattie, Rachael and of course there is Britteny watching them play games. We will miss her and many she rest in peace.

Long hike in the Yosemite National Park

Today we decided that we wanted to go and see the Sequoia Trees so we went into the Yosemite National Park and we knew before heading up there that we can't drive up to where the trees are because of several feet of snow covering the roads. So on foot we go. So before we left the house we doubled up our socks and put plastic grocery bags over top of our socks to keep our feet dry as much as possible and then after that we put on our boots that we got from the thrift stores (just cheap ones because we figured that they would get ruined and we would just throw them away afterward). So on our hike we start. It starts out with snow and its hard and packed down from all the travelers that went on this journey. There was several spots that didn't have any snow. So as we are walking to the first Sequoia tree we are dragging Rachael from behind and Mom tells me that she is actually hot which isn't very often for her. It rains just about the whole that we are walking. We stop for a little bathroom break because Rachael has to go and we are standing there waiting for her to get done and mean while I am starting to get really cold from standing there not doing anything. As long as you keep going you stay warm, but if you stop even for a second to take a picture or stop to rest you get cold. We finally made it to the first tree and its pretty amazing(that was the first 2 miles). Its really big around and its really tall. When you touch the bark its feels like foam. The cones that fall from these trees are pretty neat looking as well. They are look like the have imprints of leafs all over it. Well wants we were done taking pictures of the first tree and freezing our butts off we head to the bigger tree (which was another mile up the road). The whole up it was just about nothing but snow and when you are walking on snow you don't actually walk as fast as you could if you were on regular ground. Mom is dragging Rachael about the whole way up the mountain. We then stand in front of a sign that reads Grizzly Giant 0.8 miles and that's our destination. Well as we were climbing my arms and hands are getting numb and you have pinched me and I wouldn't have felt it. As we are walking you see Sequoia trees everywhere. Some are on the ground and some are so tall that you have to look up to see the top of the tree and you can't because they are too tall. Well the next sign that we see reads 0.3 miles to the Grizzly Giant tree. I am not to the point where I really can't feel my arms, hands, and fingers. Mom and I decided that we are just going to turn around and head back to the car. So I run up to dad and get the keys from him and he wants to know why. I tell him because we are going to head back down the car we are freezing and I can't feel my arms, hands, and fingers. He was like but you aren't that far away for the tree. So Mom, Rachael, and I head back down the mountain the warm car. Dad heads the the big Grizzly Giant tree. He took pictures with his phone (I hope to get some on here for you to see). The tree as a big hole in the middle of it to where you can walk through it. Well dad leaves from up there and heads back to the car and ends up catching up with us. By the time that we got home I could feel again. We got home and change our wet clothes and yet we still aren't getting warm at all. So we decided that the only thing that's going to change this because we were chilled to the bone was getting into the hot tub and that's what we did. I hope to post pictures on here for you to see as soon as I can.

pictures

Here are a few pictures that I took while we were on our hike yesterday. I took them on my phone and sent them to facebook and then saved them to the computer so that I could put some of them on here for you to see.

-Amanda-

HAPPY ADOPTION DAY

TODAY WAS I ADOPTED BY THE KREIDERS 9 YEARS AGO. I WAS 16 WHEN THEY DID.... ITS CRAZY THAT ITS BEEN THIS LONG ALREADY.

Day One/two in California

Well we arrived yesterday and the plane rides were fine. The first one was a little bumpy because it was a small plan, but when we got to Texas to get the next flight it was a bigger plane. We stayed in a hotel last night and when we got there we unloaded the van. We went out to eat to Denny's and then got back to the Hotel and we all pretty much crashed for the night. Then we got up this morning at like 2:00 to heard to our resort place in Bass Lake CA. We meant to leave at 2:00 but we didn't leave until 3:00 instead or maybe it was a little after. So then we headed down the road and we finally got the our place and its really nice. Its two bedroom, 2 1/2 baths and we are going to go out and get some groceries so that we can make something to eat because now I am very hungry. When we went to the grocery store and you look out you can see snow on top of the mountains. Its pretty neat. I will write more later on. Pictures to come when we get back home because I didn't bring my cord for my camera just my camera. So I will have to put them on later.

-Amanda-

2:15pm (Pacific Time) 5:15pm (Eastern Time)

We are getting ready to head to Yosemite National Park. We are going to take a 2 mile walk. Its a beautiful day outside for a wonderful walk. We went and saw some really pretty falls and the mountains were beautiful.

-Amanda-

Family

The sister sisters playing around with the camera. Fun times...

Duke decided that he wanted to join us and help paint. So I took the paint and put a little on his nose. Duke was at my feet as well as Julia's feet the whole time we were painting. He would stare at us while we were painting. Silly Duke.

I am taping around things in small tight corners so that I didn't get paint on the things that didn't need to be painted.

Lost for words

I guess I am at a lost of words. Its hard to come by with words when you are frustrated and upset about issues in your life that matter the most to you. I hope that in a couple of days I will be able to just sit here and type/write out all about my frustrations. Part of me just wants to forget about the whole thing and get over, but at this moment in my life I can't. So in a couple of days I should have some more for you to read.

-Amanda-


But to add a little not here to let you all know about the great weekend that I had with my family. Amy, Pat, Phil, and Julia came down from Pennsylvania and got here late Thursday night(more like Friday morning). We got to bed about 2:00 in the morning and then we got up the next morning and Amy, Pat, Phil, Julia and I went out for breakfast/lunch and got back to the house about 2 in the afternoon and then we got started on projects that had to be done around the house. On Friday Amy and Julia cleaned out and organized mom and dad's bathroom. Then Julia and I painted the bathroom walls and trim. Phil was working on putting the new kitchen sink in and got that completed pretty late considering the fact that they had to go to Lowes to get a few things they needed to finish it. Then it was off to bed. Saturday morning.... Phil then started on Mom and Dads bathroom sink and Julia helped with that. The sink got done as well as the flooring. Dad put my door up in my room but it was hammered in. Phil finished up the door today. So I finally have a door!!! YEAH. It was a great weeked hanging out with them. Sad to see them living tomorrow morning.!!!!!

Just a little saying

Those who believe will succeed.

While I was driving I say this saying on a board and I thought it was a neat saying so I grabbed my cell phone and typed it into my notepad.

Ice Storm

I know that its alittle late but here are some pictures from our ice storm:

Happy Birthday Rachael

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY RACHAEL

We decided to do cupcakes for Rachael's Birthday instead of cake. I thought that the cupcakes were rather cute and they all enjoyed them. Rachael had a lot of people show up for her little party that we threw for her. She had Dan, Pauline, and Daine E., Jody H. and Destiny T., Vera G., Brandy J., Mom, Dad, Lilly, Teresa, Amanda, Brandon, and Ann. We missed having you there Anna!!

Rachael decided that she wanted to open up her mouth when she had cake in it. She was being rather silly at that point.

We decided that we were going to play pin the tail on the donkey and the birthday girl went first. She got up to it and then put the tail on and then looked at where she put it and then leaned her head againist the freezer and laughed. We had all the kids do it and then when they were done the grown-ups decided that since there were more tails that needed to be pinned on we all did it too. It was funny watching them all do it. But it was a fun night for Rachael.

This was the end results of our pin the tail on the donkey game.


This is Jody, Destiny and Rachael enjoying each others company



Rachael opening her gifts.