We Go Out Walking

We have finally seen some 'warm' (okay, above freezing) days.

We finally have our Christmas lights down.

We can finally see over the snow piles at the end of our driveway.

We finally have our front porch swing up.

We were finally able to find outside treasures that had been buried in the snow all winter.

We finally have sidewalks that are safe (and not covered in ice) to walk on.

and We were finally able to get out for a walk Friday!

{Check out that greenish grass. Is spring on the way??}

The Plot Thickens

You may have thought the foreshadowing post on Wednesday was leading to a post about my breakfast on Thursday. It wasn't (though it very easily could have been).

So what do this

and this

and this

and even this

have in common?

They all mix together for what some elementary kids consider good entertainment (and all for a good cause... a couple of good causes actually).

That leads to this

and this

and to top it off

this.

The 4th, 5th & 6th graders topped off Jump Rope for Heart week with some activities for the top fundraisers today. The school also raised funds to send to Haiti. They put money in for the teacher they would most like to see kiss a pig. Mr. Hicks won (or lost?) the contest.

This age is so much fun. And they make me feel like a celebrity. :)

Foreshadowing

the Walk

Do you read Kelly's Korner?
Today she posted about faith. I really appreciated what she said about witnessing.

I've had multiple people say to me recently that they think a lot of Christians do a lot more talking than doing. One person I was talking to about this was talking about a "Christian" she knew that talked the Christian talk but was (in her eyes) not so "Christian."

Not very long ago, Janel posted about how often as bloggers we talk a lot. We are good at talking the talk. But are we good at walking the walk?

I don't disagree with any of this. In fact, I agree that most of us are better at the talking part than the walking. I think it is so easy to talk a good talk but are we fighting the good fight with more than just words? Are we showing His love, instead of just talking about it? Are we walking in a way that doesn't grieve Him? Are we doing it all the time?

In short, my answer would be no. No I'm not good at walking the walk.

I fail. I fail. time. and time. again.

I am given opportunities to minster to others and I miss them.
I am given chances to share His love and I hold back.
I am sure that I disappoint Him. every day.

And that's 'okay'. Because being a Christian doesn't mean I'm perfect. Loving Him doesn't mean I'm always going to please Him. In fact, He tells us that we will be disappointed in men time and time again. And you know what? Men (and women) will be disappointed in me, too.

But here's the thing. I will still go to heaven just because He has grace enough for me. But if I sat back and was okay with not being more like Him, I'd be missing out on something big. Something good. Something great.

And I don't want to miss out on a good deal.

So I fail. But I still try. He is patient. He is loving. And He keeps working in me. He is constantly and consistently conforming me to His image. I am a work in progress. And I'm so thankful for His patience.

Celebrate Life

This weekend, we went home to celebrate the life of my wonderfully, great aunt, Arline.

I was reminded to celebrate life. Not just once in awhile. But every. day.

I was reminded to celebrate the links to my history.

I was reminded to celebrate by way of tea parties while there is still someone I love young enough to think tea parties are fun.
I was reminded of how important it is to visit with my grandma. Every chance I get.
And take in a competitive board game. or race. or other fun. While this kid still thinks I'm cool.
I was reminded to enjoy the quiet times when they are there.
And to celebrate life.

Every day.

Who Are You? {a giveaway}

Updated: Thanks for commenting on the giveaway! And thanks for checking out the Hickstionary even if you cant figure out how to comment (mom).

Random.org chose #1 (that's you, Tabitha!). Email me your address and I'll get a gift card sent off to you. I'm sure you'll be able to use it up quick on your twin girls!

Original Post:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi. My name is H. And I'm addicted to blogging.

I think I've admitted it before. But this time I mean it.

I really noticed it this week. We were barely home during waking hours. And as soon as I got home each evening, the first thing I wanted to do (okay, second behind greeting Dakota) was update my Project 365.

I love blogging.

It's relaxing.

It's a creative outlet for me.

I learn so much about myself when I go back and read what I write. Or photograph.

When I started blogging, there were just a couple of people that read my blog. I could easily tell who was online and when. I got really excited when I reached 10 readers a day.

Today, for the first time in a long time, I logged in to my stats to see the map of where a reader was coming from (did you know blogger was so good at teaching geography?). I was surprised to see that my blog has nearly reached 10,000 visitors. And 50 of those visitors stop by the Hickstionary daily.

What?! I tried, but couldn't figure out who all of you are. And for the life of me, cant figure out why you read my blog. Ha.

When M & I did the Complacency Challenge, it was fun to "meet" the readers through an introduction post.

So if you read my blog, would you {please} humor me and introduce yourself in the comments of this post?

And since I know I'm not a big commenter, I know a giveaway always helps.

If you're a follower and introduce yourself in the comments of this post, you'll be in the drawing for a Target gift card.

So, who are you?!?

Come out of lurking and let me know!

(I chose a gift card for shipping purposes... (most people go to Target, right?) maybe I'll do another giveaway someday and choose something fun.. I'll use random generator to select the winner. Comments must be before March 6, 10 pm central time.)

Mojolocomobo Bakery

I know I've said before (a time or two) that tonight's guests are some of our favorite people.

Tonight I'll tell you a few of the reasons why.

1. They don't mind when we are lazy and order Casey's pizza instead of cooking (in fact one of them in particular was probably very happy about that).

2. The 4 year old keeps me in line, ie. when examining my plate, "H, what are you doing with all that food?!?"

3. After the boys ditch the dinner table and I start crying (sort of) (but not about the boys ditching the dinner table), the dad keeps me in check by saying, "It's okay, women are crazy. You can read all about it in the Bible."

4. These boys make the best Mojolocomobo Bakery business partners ever. Even if it's after bedtime.

5. As you probably saw on our 365 picture, we mad 85 cents. We lost half of that in the couch cushions. But these boys' faces lit up for paying customers was the highlight of my night.

6. And another reason I love them: look at what great bakers these guys are. They did each of their projects (mostly) completely on their own. And did a great job!