Ending the year, right.

Well, its finally all over. The last of the gift giving blitz has finished (as of last night!). The decorations are still out, and the tree needs to be unloaded (uggh!) Fortunately I have children who enjoy this. I remember being the one who enjoyed it, who insisted that ALL the Christmas traditions be carried out. Now I pass the torch to the next generation. May they carry it longer and farther than I could. Seriously. I want to share with you one of my most favorite Christmas gifts, ever. See the photo? I got it at a small group white elephant exchange years ago. Nope, I cannot take credit for it, but I know who can! Unlike most white elephants, which I save for another year, this one took a place of honor. I have it on my desk, right next to my computer screen. I love it. To me it displays everything silly in life. I mean, who would have thought to take a glass head and hang a Christmas pickle in it?? I laughed so hard I cried the first time I saw it. It still brings a chuckle to me at times. It reminds me not to take things so seriously. For we all take ourselves too seriously, way too often-IMHO. So I keep it nearby to remind me. LIGHTEN UP! A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Prov. 17:22.

Homeschool Families (click here to view)

I am posting this quickly tonight, as I set to wrapping for Christmas morning. My friend Crystal , and fellow home educator, sent this to me. I think you will find it funny whether you are "one of them" or not. Enjoy! I also enjoyed his short clip on moms. Find it here.

Christmas Cards

I am wondering whatever got me to start sending Christmas cards? Whatever the reason, I am doing it later and later each year. The first year I sent one of those photo cards was the Christmas that Isaac was born. Since he was due in mid-December, I thought it would be neat to do our own sort of "Nativity" photo. I felt that it was "inspired", particularly because I had sensed from the Lord that he would be a boy. Fortunately, the wonderful ladies who decorated the church that year unknowingly complied, and set up a beautiful, rough manger, and background...(how DID they know?) It turned out wonderful, and Our baby boy was gracious enough to come the Monday after Thanksgiving, offering Mom a chance to get it all worked out. That was six years ago.












Fast Forward to Christmas 2007. Mom decides that since she cannot get everyone together at the same time, that she'll just take the camera on the way to Church. (Which wasn't cancelled as thought, because the Predicted "Ice Storm" didn't happen as predicted. But it sure was pretty. Oh, I'd love to get them near one of the icy trees in the front yard. But, alas, Mom is running behind again, and everyone is waiting in the car for me. So I think I am going to give up, but my DH says, go ahead, try it...and even though it will make us late, they all pile out to "endure" the photo shoot, that mom attempts to make as quick and painless as possible. You'd think that my two eldest children would be the easiest, but no. Not this time. So with Daddy doing crazy stunts to get people to look at least a bit pleasant, we snapped nine shots in the freezing cold and jumped in the car-Mom mumbling about "giving up". Really, next year, I'm going to have a better plan about this. It's just that none can compare to the first one. I'd like to be creative, and have something silly each year...So, my pride must take a back seat, and I know that one day I'll look back on this year and laugh...right???

Special Thanks to a Friend

I'm writing tonight to thank a very special friend. She won't read this, unless I send her a link. I've tried to talk her into blogging, because she is an awesome writer. I can be having the worst of days, and yet, I'll sit down and read a personal e-mail from her, and I am literally in tears from laughing so hard. She really has a way with words. (Although she has questioned my sanity at times when I say I was laughing- and she was actually pouring out her heart to me in frustration. ) I'm telling you - she just has a way with words.

Now I realize that I have had a blog for a lot longer than some, but because of the fact that we have been in dial-up land up until now, I haven't posted nearly as much as most people who have been on here for a month! I doubt that I will ever catch up, nor do I think I want to. I have trouble journaling, and I'm sure blogging will be the same. Although the ability to update many people at once does have its advantages! But I digress.

My purpose for writing this first REAL post is to thank this friend, WPH. For thinking of me... for being all that "friend" means. For pouring out her heart to me, for listening to me do the same. For the little gifts. For ALL the books! (For introducing me to my favorite author, and reminding me that I DO like to read, and that it's ok to read fiction!) http://www.angelahuntbooks.com/ The NoteThe Note (Women of Faith Fiction #2)

What prompts me to write at this time, in particular, is that my dear friend came up to me in church two Sundays ago and, during the ministry time, sat down in front of me. Reaching across, and touching me, she beckoned me to lean forward to hear what she wanted to say. With the moving worship music playing in the background she said something like this: (and this doesn't do her justice, because she is much more eloquent than I)
" I am baking cookies for the reception next Sunday. I am doing it not because I want a lot of attention, or because I think I should, or because I think children need more sugar (which they don't) I'm doing it because I think you might feel obligated to do it yourself, and you don't need more "responsibility" piled on your plate."
"Furthermore" she said " If I see you next Sunday with a plate of anything then I'll...(deleted for content--but it was a true threat!)

Now my friend didn't know that as I came in to the service that morning exhausted, I read the bulletin and saw the request for desserts for the reception. Absolutely overwhelmed, I thought, No! Then I reconsidered. If everyone did what they felt like and didn't do what was hard, what would get done?? Besides, I have four children that were going to attend, as well as grandparents, and great-grandparents, as it was the reception for the children's program. So I talked myself into it. I thought, well,maybe I can make it a fun thing to do with the girls. The truth was, I was dreading it, but felt responsible to do it.

So how did this wonderful lady know that I had been struggling for the last two hours with this? I think the Holy Spirit told her. And although she would doubt that she could actually "hear"- I'm a believer. And I always have been. For while my friend may have many doubts about herself, this one thing I am absolutely sure of. She is one of the most compassionate people I know. And spin. She's the queen. She can find the good in most any situation. Yep, one day (when I grow up) I want to be just like her.

Thank you, my dear friend. Now you know why I burst into tears at a seemingly innocuous offer.You will never be able to convince me, ever, that you are not prophetic. For you have blessed me beyond measure.

Friendship

What is it that causes us to consider one person a friend, and another an acquaintance? Or to give one person more of ourselves than another? Why do we hold back? Burned, hurt we recoil. And yet there is something within us that determines to press on. Some,it seems, you connect with immediately. Others take a bit of work, but are worthwhile as well. The ones who touch our heart are the ones who spark us to greater things. They are people I want to be like when I grow up.

Our Vacation!

Jonathan's First Score!!!!!

I told the boy today, "you made YouTube!"

Ragg This!!

For those of you who, (righfully so) have ragged on me for not posting for awhile. OK, over a year .. I want you to see what causes me to blog now. Check this out. I would say that leaving dial-up behind probably has something to do with it as well. Excuse the shakes, I was a little overcome. (smile)


Oh, and remember it was Shakespeare who said "Brevity is the soul of wit"....

Jonathan's First Score!