A Post. :)

Thursday, I came home and mom had cleaned my room and was putting my pictures in their frames. For forever she and I have been wanting to get some pictures framed and put on my walls, so we did them Thursday. It was so sweet of her to get the iniative to do them, because I kept putting it off. Here are some pictures - I think they look really cool. We have a few more to do, but I need to get some pictures developed and to buy a few more frames.

My aunt Brenda cross-stiched this for me and mom got it rematted and reframed this Christmas. Notice the Precious Moments figures around each letter.

This is a watercolor I did in 8th grade with much assistance and guidance from my awesome art teacher Mrs. Bock.

This is my favorite section of my room (for now). Lest you think, I've been hiding artistic talent, the horse picture is a paint by number that I worked on for several years, sporadically, when I was younger. I love my mosaic hurricane lamp that my brother bought for me for Christmas (after many hints from me! :P)

Well, I'm off to work. I worked almost 8 hours last night, and I can't believe how sore I am. My stomach feels like I've been doing sit ups (which I haven't). Hey - two for one. Get paid, and get a work-out. :)

Icicle [lights]. hehe

Encased in Ice and Snow

The last day and a half have just been glorious. Waking up early to check the portal and then wondrously crawling back in bed. Eating yummy biscuits and gravy and playing Phase Ten. Just enjoying home sweet home.

I ventured out today into the sparkly, glittery world. Took some pictures, and then tried to unbury the snow and ice-covered cars. Investigated a large branch of a tree that crashed down in our neighbor's yard. Came inside to unthaw my toes. (My dad's rain galoshes are not good snow boots!) Enjoying a milky cup of hot chocolate with a candy cane. Sigh - life is good.

I just wrote a book.

No really. I did. Words and pictures by Alanna. All of 9 pages.

Who knew homework could be so fun - and time consuming. :)

Experiencing History

What a momentous day!

President Obama -

He is my new President.

I will respect him.

I will pray for him.

Yet I must remember

that my full trust and confidence

is not in a man,

but in the Creator of man.

Cliches

When life gives you lemons - make lemonade!

Don't get mad - get glad!

And my own lengthy but true cliche:

When you drive all the way home to realize that you forgot to grab your house keys (which are locked in the house), and you subsequently miss your nap you intended to take because you now have to drive 15 min. to and from where your dad is working to get his house keys, and then you realize that the Panera cashier thought you said chicken noodle soup when what you really said or at least meant was chicken tortilla soup -

then you say "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth" and while you are driving back the way you came to get house keys, you are grateful that Beethoven's 5th came on the radio because you love Beethoven's 5th, and you're thankful because now you will really be ready to sleep tonight, and you're thankful that chicken noodle soup is still kinda good and are thankful that it just cost you $1.50 something. And you just feel kinda thankful because you're alive and have a house and have a job - and suddenly things aren't so bad.

Enjoy the lemonade.

New Years Weekend in WV

Here are pictures of the Smith family. We had a great time, obviously. :) Friday, my cousins and I got up early and hit some consignment shops - we went to a bag sale and got about 13 pieces of clothing for a total of $3!! After shopping, we came back home and got beautified. :) *Note* Labels for the pictures are underneath the picture.

Cousins: Leanna and me.

Cousins: Andrew, James, and Daniel

Marty presenting Papaw his birthday cake - 75!

Second cousins Elizabeth (L) and Grace (R) with Papaw. He is 75 today!

My adorable second cousins and their friend, Emma.

Grace is at the left and Betta is at the right.

Uncle Mark and Andrew

Uncle Marty on banjo and Aunt Derita doing her thing on the piano.

My TALL brother Andrew and my TALL cousin Jordan!

Me and Abby.

Some of the cousins: Emily, Katie, Me, Jordan, Andrew and Abby.

This pose took forever too take. My mouth kept making funny noises and I couldn't stop laughing. My eyes are still laughing - lol.

Jordan, Cheryl, and Mark. Jordan's a business major at WVU.

Mom and Abby

Playing Imagine If

Cousin James

Uncle Marty on banjo, Uncle Dan listening, and Andrew on bass.

Me and Aunt Cheryl catching up.

Papaw and his wife Hazel

Me and Emily
The Solemn Smith Family

The Smiling Smith Family. (Top Row - Marty, Derita, Mark

Bottom Row - Cindy, Papaw, Terri, and Frank)

Some of the fam.

Emily and I trying to follow the guys!

Surgery on the kitchen table.

Andrew - aww, isn't he cute? ;)

Well - that's it! Whew - that took awhile!! :)

P.S. There is new music for my listening purposes, but you can listen along too. :)