Proof of Gradual Perfection

Piano, is a lovely instrument where any pianist may express himself freely...



As my teacher once said: "The pianist is at the mercy of their instrument..." this is true because no matter the condition of the piano, the ability of the pianist is what makes it come alive....meaning that if the piano you happen to be playing is one out of tune, a different brand or style that he/she is used to/doesn't like, or just doesn't feel or sound right, the pianist should be able to(or at least try to) still make it sound as wonderful as you can get the instrument to sound. ~What a facinating perspective!
Now to my post topic: Talents are such funny things, when you first start to practice one(such as; piano, dance, etc..)in the beginning you just adore it, then when you have to keep practicing on and on you eventually bore of it, then it beomes only a chore to be done, but, then once you've kept up with it and moved on to a higher level in your ability you sudenly seem to enjoy the daily practice which you have kept up with for so long that it gets to the point to where you just can't stop doing it, you love it.....like me with piano, as a pianist, I have more than once traveled away from home to a place where there happens to be no piano and, I will catch myself l-o-n-g-i-n-g to play though our own dear instrument lays at home. This is proof that practice makes perfect....although I'm far from perfect I can tell you that!
--By the way, this may not be the case for all of you, and was not meant as a criticism but as an encouragment to keep pursuing the things that interest you! When the going(*practicing*) gets tough; try,try agian.--

Lovingly meant,
Nicki

Now with all of those silly pics let's go back to normal. Here's a horse fact...there are so many of these, I don't think I'll every run out of them do you?

What is the first-milk that a foal needs as soon as it has safely come from the womb??
A: It is called Collostrum and is filled with the many vitamins, minerals, and anti-bodies a foal needs to stay alive, stay healthy, and grow strong.

More party pics....!! : P

B-R-Y-A-N!!




T-A-S-H-A!

S-A-R-A-H!

S-H-E-B-L-Y!

S-A-R-A-H!.........AGAIN!!...LOL

Yaaaay!...pictures are fun!

~Nicole

"Kandid Kitty"

Here's a candid shot of my cat, helping me with wrapping presents. Yes, I know it's from Christmas but you can never have too much Christmas! And this pic is just too adorable!
Blessings,
Nicki

Medieval Party

Here are some pics of my friends and I at a girl's Sweet Sixteen Medieval Costume Party. The birthday girl wore a beautiful Medieval princess dress, that a friend had made for her and I dressed as a medieval peasant girl. I had alot of fun putting together the costume and hang'in out at the party!


Here's a friend of mine who also came as a Medieval peasaant. Here's a guy who came a as a peasant but then later put on this executioner hood.... He he!

Maybe I'll get some more pics of how I put together my costume...till then, ta,ta fer now!

Happy New Year!!

Hello all!
Hope 2008 was a blessed year for you!
I celebrated New Year's this year by going to an all-nighter bash w/ my youth group the night before New Year's and then just hung-out w/ my family on the real night(although, I wasn't quite awake enough -from the bash- to stay up for the count-down!...lol)

So do you have a New Year's resolution? I sort-of do, but I think that the best way to go is just trusting in God to help you to make the right decisions in life's tough situations, to pray to Him asking what his plans for you are, and to do your best in being a good example to others-believers or not- ....1Timothy 4:12.... -, instead of making a huge promise to yourself to do something unbelievable in the next year, which may not even be do-able in your life ahead. I'm not saying New Year's resolutions are bad, but just that you should think more deeply into what you are expecting of yourself, and what really matters.

Many Blessings!
Nicole

Christmas

Christmas is a time of joy and wonder, love and hope. Everyone, even those of us who know the true meaning of Christmas, can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of decorating our homes the prettiest, spending money trying to buy the perfect gifts to give, and getting what we want for Christmas. But not many people realize the importance of this Awesome season. It was during this time that our dear Savior was born in the humble little town of Bethlehem in a stable, his first bed being a bed of hay in a lowly manger. He was the greatest gift ever given to the world! But when Christ was given to the world by God not many wanted to accept him at all, some who were even waiting for a Savior whom they knew God would send, didn't even acknowledge him later on. Herod in all his pride and kingly glory set out to destroy anything or anyone whom dared to threaten his power. Having every baby boy of Bethlehem killed all in the name of power, position, and greed. But what Herod didn't know was that God had bigger plans for his one and only Son, Jesus. Jesus was sent to save the world, to give God's children hope and salvation. Although Jesus was sent as the Savior of the world that didn't mean that He would be accepted by it. Even after Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus had escaped from the wrath of Herod, Jesus in his later years was still to be rejected. After performing great miracles and speaking of God's great love for humanity some of the people still looked at him with disbelief.

Then as Jesus was put to trial for doing only what he was sent to do, his own people condemned him to death. But still, as hard as it is to believe, this was all in God's plans-to save his children. As he suffered on the cross he held on his shoulders the weight of all of the worlds sins. This was God's plan- to sacrifice his Son for our souls! This season is a season of rejoicing, it was the time when the Savior of the world came to be, to give us hope! But after this great sacrifice was made the gift to us was not over; on the third day Christ rose again to give us hope that we may not be in mourning over the Lord, because it was for us for we were made new!



I hope this message will encourage and give you a new hope about this Christmas season.



Merry Christmas!!

More Tagging!

Rules:

1. Copy the questions then answer them.
2. Tag four people and let them know you've tagged them.
3. Let the person know who tagged you that you've done a post for the tag.


Q's:



1.
What's one place you've visited, can't forget, and can't wait to go back to?

Well, there are many memorable trips my family has gone on, so here are a few; last summer we visited our cousins in Cali(so fun!), Montana-beautiful and mountainous!, and Williamsburg, Virginia.



2. Do you trust easily?

It depends, I guess, upon whom or what I am trusting.



3. Do you generally think before you act or act before you think?

I'd like to say both...


4. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?

Probly a little of everything; politics, jealousy, homework (I know whatcha mean Julia! :o})


5. What is your favorite fruit?

Hmmm... I'd have to say watermelon(although it's an summer food) & strawberries.



6. What website do you visit daily?

Ummm... mostly just my fave blogs...if I get time after school work for computer time.



7. What have you been seriously adicted to latley?

oh my gosh!...the book I just finished reading; Monday's Child: It was really suspensifull, clever, & romantic!...I just couldn't put it down!!!!!!


8. What's the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Quiet Streets" by: Brooke Barrettsmith.....she rocks!


9. What is your favorite thing to wear?

Right now....scarves & boots!



10. Do think Rice Krispies are yummy?

Oh yes!...I love to make them....I've even eaten them for breakfast before!


11. What items couldn't you be without during the day?

Uh, deorderant, pens & pencils, and BOOKS!



12. What should you be doing right now?

Probly go'in to bed! :o) -zzzZZZ





I TAG:

Julia
Amy
Zac
Ella &
Elleree

New!

How does everyone like the new look??

I'm curious to hear your thoughts, 'cause I'm not sure If I like this new background enough to keep it.....

So comment away!!

Nicki

Book Meme

Rules:


1. Pick up the nearest book(of at least 123 pgs.), Little Maid of Newport -my sister was reading it-





2. Open to page 123.





3. Find the fifth sentenc, which is; " This is your seat, Faith, and happy birthday to you," said her uncle, as he lifted the packages to the table and drew out the chair for the surprised girl who, with a gasp of amazment, repeated: "Birthday!" as the little group cirlcled about her exclaiming laughingly over her failure to remeber her owm natal day. ( this is kind of a run-on-senence, which may be because of the age of the book, but that's ok--plus there are so many run-on's that in order to get to the fifth sentence I went to the next page!)





4. Post the next three sentences, which are; "Don't open the packages until after dinner," her aunt suggested, noticing Hallie's gestures toward the table. "Mark will take them into the living room." Faith, now smiling happily, readily agreed,and took her seat between Letty and Mary, confessing that she had wondered at the whispers and glances she had seen them interchange with Ellen; and gazing admiringly at the shining damask tablecloth, "that Aunt Cynthia only uses for real company," she proudly remembered, and sent a radiant glance toward her well-pleased comanions.







5. Tag five people....Amy, Julia, Ella, Ellree, & Zac....