It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Reason for Wonderful #1: The mail box is a happy place to go. Yes, they are arriving. Those cards that people send during this time of year: The Christmas Card. Not too many traditional ones any more. Many are pictures of the sender with their families, smiling from various points of interest. I love opening each one, sometimes a hand-written note is included, sometimes just the sender's name is written. I love the variety in people and the variety in the way the send their seasonal greetings. My mom--even though she isn't Martha Stewart--has started making her greeting cards. She works with card stock, a hole punched design and metallic thread. Her creations are truly gorgeous. I love receiving them, not just a Christmas, but through out the whole year.

Reason for Wonderful #2: Wrapping paper and ribbon are everywhere. Scissors, tape and a pen are all necessary tools for this time consuming but fun task. And, the mystery of what's inside becomes an added bonus to torment the girls. Helpful hint jsut for you: after Christmas sales are a great place to stock up on wired ribbon...in various colors and varieties, and it is very forgiving for package wrapping, if the present gets stacked and the bow gets smashed, the wire is easily re-shaped in to a gorgeous bow with little trouble.

Reason for Wonderful #3: Music--the music of the season, is amazing. Randy and I sat in wonder last night as we waited for his show to come on. On the PBS station, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing in front of 21,000 people. That choir, including children, an orchestra and dancers had around 600 members. I can only imagine what that would have been like in person. Truly beautiful. We will soon be traveling to hear the choir that a dear friend in Northern IL directs, we will, I'm certain, sit in wonder as we listen to this choir, as well.

Reason for Wonderful #4: Food and Family and Friends. I can't think of any of these without thinking of them all. All at once. Our kids are truly blessings to us, and we look forward to enjoying Christmas dinner with them. Connecting with friends during this season is sometimes hard to coordinate, but so worth it. And, food. It's fudge season, enough said.

Reason for Wonderful #5: It might snow. There could be snow days, that will help slow things down to an enjoyable level, away from the rush of our lives. Actually enjoying one of these days: today.

Reason for Wonderful, for me, #6: Books. I will begin seminary in January, so I have begun to order the books I'll need---and they are starting to arrive, one package at a time. Each one becoming a new, sweet friend to get to know. I just love paper and ink.

Six reasons. I could go on and on, siting reason after reason. Instead, I urge you to write out your own reasons for wonder during this Most Wonderful Time of Year.

Yes, Curb-Side Pick UP--Oh, MY!

No, we've had curb-side pick up for trash collection for a long time. I'm talking about curb-side pick up for our things that can be recycled. Of course, if we were living in our grandparent's time, there would be no need for this procedure, as they could find a use for just about everything!

This 'new' procedure is one more added responsibility for Mallory on the evening before 'trash day'!

Last week, Randy & I pulled up to our home just in time to see a white haired man running from our front porch to a pick up truck idling in the street! Hilarious! Small town or not, it was funny! Being Christmas season and all, I thought he was leaving us a beautiful present! Oh, no! He was leaving us a beautiful blue colored tub, a laminated calendar and instructions about the things we can and cannot include in this endeavor! Ya gotta love it!

And so, knowing myself as I do, I know that I will put things 'in the tub' if I can 'see the tub'...so it has taken a great spot in our kitchen right next to the refrigerator!

My dilemma today is: it's icy and wet outside. If I put that tub outside, it will get cold and possibly crack plus the fact that someone's jam hands from emptying it will make it grimy! Then I have to put the thing back in the kitchen so I will remember to use it...I am not too excited about the possibility of having a yukky plastic tub in sight all the time. As you can tell, I'm having some anxiety about this crazy new routine called recycling! And, it was extremely hard for me to leave our precious, shiny, clean tub by the curb.

In the spirit of helping our environment, though, it is now outside, in the cold, in the snow...waiting to be emptied by a different white haired man (who hopefully does not possess jam hands) at some point during the day!

Just pick it up, I'll dry it off! I don't like thinking that I will have to repair the inevitable cracks made from extreme out door temperatures we will encounter this winter! Can you say: duct tape comes in all colors!!!

Twelve Days 'til Christmas!--Yipee!!!

Here we are, twelve days before Christmas. Anticipation rising. So many things to do 'before Christmas.' Where to begin is always a question!

Instead of beginning, though, I just want to sit by the fire and knit or read and sip a hot beverage! A snow-covered neighborhood always helps me align my priorities!--Just give me a good book, The Good Book, a cozy afghan, a warm fire, a mug of coffee or hot tea and I'm satisfied until the next thaw!

As Christmas quickly approaches, it feels good to think that our family will be together! The laughter, the tears (there's always tears with a two year old in the mix), the hilarious and serious conversations that will inevitably fill our home--the food and the presents, the lights and the music--there will be music and dancing! It's going to be so much fun! I can get so caught up in all the preparations, though, and lose sight of why we celebrate... Why are we doing all this?

Somehow, I do not think this is what God had in mind when He sent His only Son, Jesus! I think it makes God smile, however, when families enjoy being together! It is hard to think of Jesus in everything we DO to celebrate His birth... all the traditions, all the demands on our time, all the preparations. Is HE really in all that?

Of course, my hope would be that He permeates every 'little' thing we do... but I do not want to kid myself. The truth is, we DO a lot of those things to please others, or some crazy expectation we've placed on ourselves to have the 'perfect holiday'! (my mom has a sign in her kitchen that I LOVE--it says: "OK, So, I'm not Martha Stewart--Adjust!" Go mom...I'm NOT EITHER!!!) Over the years, I've cut out considerably the things I just "HAD" to do! And, I'm thankful to continue to 'do' other things forever!

And so, without sounding cynical or condescending, I would urge you to slow down, enjoy the moment and praise God. The GOD of the Universe, who knew us in our greatest need, and met us there.

Remember, we needed a Saviour, and that's exactly what He sent us so many many years ago in His perfect Son, Jesus Christ.

Praise His Name Forever! Emmanuel, God with Us!

Here we GO!!!!

"Oh, oh, ooo-oh!" (You can't hear me singing, but try!) "Here we GO!"

That's the way "Today is the Day" starts out on the cd I have...and that's the way I'm feeling this morning!

Christmas season is HERE...ready or not...so HERE WE GO! Years ago, when we only had two kids and zero dollars, Randy and I would Christmas shop..He wearing his 'Christmas tree' denim shirt and me in my Christmas sweater and crazy ear rings. (OK, I've repented, so forgiveness, please, fashion police!)

Now, we don't plan the wardrobe so much as the list, the coupons, and the comfortable shoes and a power nap in the middle of the afternoon! (made possible with the seat of the vehicle in the reclining position!) Can you say: getting older is hilarious!

And so, it has truly begun! Christmas shopping is almost done. The children's Christmas program is tomorrow evening, and the tree is up! I have a list of zillion things to do before Tuesday evening, as that's when some holiday company will arrive for a few days. And so, why am I sitting here typing? It's early morning, the house it quiet and I can--again: getting older is hilarious!!! And, I love it, because you can, within reason, do what you want when you want!!!

I can enjoy the sunrise without interruption from children (teenagers only see these hours on rare occasion). I can brew coffee, because my husband has resigned himself to the fact that I just enjoy it! I can do Bible study, because I live in a place that is free enough that owning a Bible is not prohibited--Praise God for that! And, I can do all this while a load of laundry or dishes is being finished up by "my servant girls" named "dishwasher & clothes washer/dryer". Blessings, each one!

I'm feeling truly blessed. God has blessed us with hmmmmm--family! And, we are not always perfect and all smiles...we are humans--but we really love each other--A LOT! And, this hmmmmm family is a direct result of the families my husband & I came from! In fact, today is my mom's birthday: Happy Birthday, MOM!!! I love you. Thank you for always being faithful to lift our family in prayer. It means so much, and it is certainly one of the main factors in our sustenance in this crazy world in which we live. You have always sacrificed so much for me, probably more than I will ever know or realize, for that I am truly grateful. I'm praying a huge blessing for you today and always!! Enjoy this day!

Because today is my mom's birthday, I can always tell that Christmas will be here, before we know it! That isn't the real reason I'm feeling blessed. I'm feeling blessed because the God of the Universe chooses to love me, in spite of the fact that I'm imperfect and getting older and need a nap in the afternoon. He loves me and blesses me and sent His Son to secure my salvation--and YOURS!
He is a GOOD God! Of this, I always want to be mindful!

What in the World?

With my fingers locked on the key board...my mind is completely blank. What does that mean? I always have something to say! Of course, whether or not it is of interest remains to be seen!

My mom likes to read what I write...my sister will read what I write, and laugh at the appropriate times. But will 'others' read and understand, or be challenged to 'do' something because I've written?

Christmas will be here in 25 days. Our grand kids are so excited. They see Santa everywhere, and become even more excited explaining all about whether or not 'this one' is the 'REAL Santa'!!! I remember thinking along the same lines when I was a little girl.

And, the question is still the same today...only not about the 'real' Santa...but about people I encounter, the question in my mind resounds and remains: "Is this one the real deal, or not?" Good question, in these days where nothing is as it seems.

How much do we really know? How much are we supposed to know? Is it really important that we 'know' what to expect. We are creatures of habit, and we want to know if our habits are going to be disturbed. Many details of life I can just look over, not give a lot of thought to, but when I consider that God is a God of details, then perhaps they are more important than I want to consider.

I, of course, am rambling. When I first started this blog, I couldn't wait to post. Now, it seems, I'm a little bit shy. I want to keep scope and perspective in mind. And, I would never choose, on purpose, to bore any one! I'll do my best...keep checking back...I'll write something brilliant, perhaps!

babies..."you're better off raisin' tomatoes"!!!

I'm not serious with that one...it's just a quote I hear from the older girls a lot. When they were growing up "Matilda" was a really popular movie/book choice for them! That is a line from it, Rhea Perlman plays the mom, and she's always too busy to see how truly gifted and special her baby daughter Matilda is! To the point that when Matilda really wanted to go to school, because she'd turned 6-1/2, her mom argued that she couldn't go to school because she was only 4!

I don't feel like I'm that disconnected from my kids...I do know how old they are, and if applicable, what year of school they are 'in'! But, with two of our kids living on their own, and the two at home are teen-agers...well, it would be really easy to be disconnected from all of them!

Not that I'm one of those mom's that thinks she has to know every detail of my kid's lives...but I love them enough that I want to be connected to them in such a way that I can laugh with them, celebrate with them, or cry with them at the appropriate times!

Alayna and her family got a puppy Collie this past summer, Max. I'm not a pet person, but their kids love this dog! So, it's the right thing for them! They do things I don't understand...but it is really OK. I do not have to understand...and I'm not even complaining because I don't understand! Actually, I'm thankful, because I think that's a sign they are building their own family, and don't 'need' me! They are independent adults!!! Praise God! They made it!!!
Understanding my role as 'mom' of a grown up daughter with a husband and two children, is key! I can operate out of my love for all them, and not know every detail of their lives...IT'S A GOOD THING!!! Trusting God to be faithful to them, just as He has been to Randy and me is an amazing, wild, funny (at times) and sad (at times) ride!!!

Holly, career girl, on her own...definitely an exercise in Trusting my King with the details of her life...I know He's faithful! And, she is doing a really good job of 'figuring it all out'!!! We are 'sounding boards' only, sometimes she takes the advice, other times, she doesn't...but key to my role with her is for her to know that I love her no matter what! My hope is that she knows this...I think she does, or she probably wouldn't call or text or come home as often as she does!

Madison & Mallory...well, my role with them is to offer privacy when they need it...alone, away from each other...and not question them to death. I've learned a package of McDonald's french fries goes a long way in opening up communication between them and me!!! (side note: The other thing I've learned about the fries is that they are the only ones that can eat them, as they make my 'maturing' stomach hurt!!! --Good lesson to learn now!)

I am not naive enough to imagine that I know everything about their lives...but from little conversations I over-hear, and things they write, they have a good foundation! One thing I'm truly thankful for for them is that the love all the girls have for each other is truly a gift. Not only are they all enjoying this freedom that their ages is allowing for them, but they truly listen to each other. The older girls are speaking wisdom to Madison & Mallory that the younger girls truly respect!

Again, my ultimate role with them is that they know that I love them no matter what! Some days I must work harder for them to realize it, but I think they know it!!!--Otherwise, they might not even 'go get fries' with me!!!

Today is the DAY!!!

Yep, this is the day...for cleaning the house, for doing laundry, for the phone to ring a lot (which was a great distraction from the cleaning & laundry--love it!) and for a visit to my favorite knitting store!

All these things today were like gifts to me! Each one really good for my soul! Even though I got out of bed at 2:30am to actually 'write' instead of laying there and 'writing in my imagination' all night long! --Don't worry, mom, I only wrote for a couple of hours, then took a nap before 7am...I'm good for a couple more hours!

Cleaning our home was actually good for me...it's almost a treat!!! Since I last wrote, our second oldest is officially 'moved out' of our home. That event put everything else in chaos around here til we found 'places for everything' and repainted the twins' rooms! The twins are doing a fabulous job of keeping things picked up, and laundry out of the way!!!

I consider sometimes: Randy & I have never had 14 year old children in the house with out toddlers/ or babies to care for, as well...so this is a new adventure for us! The freedom we have is amazing to just say 'ok, we're leaving in a few minutes' and everyone just shows up at the car, with their own 'stuff' and fastens themselves in to the car--quite a treat! And, so, I'm thankful we have laundry TO DO and a house TO CLEAN!

The phone ringing, well, it was my mom...loved talking to her...she prompted me to write here! We got caught up on what's been going on! Then Phyllis from the church called...apparently Bible study last night was awesome for more than just 'me'...because she was relating how one woman had already called in this morning--still excited that she'd attended last night! Then, another lady from Bible study called just to say how much she loved being 'stretched out of her comfort zone'!!!! That's fun! And, then my sweet husband called just to check on me!

My friend and I took a drive to our favorite knitting store, Atkinson Farms Yarn, I think is the official name for this place. My friend and I have recently learned to 'build shoes' by knitting them and then doing a process called 'felting'...so much fun! It is a place that is just good for my soul! 'Where everyone knows your name'...and if they don't, it's really ok, because they are so friendly, and super glad you're there!

The Hickory Grove Great Banquet is next week...women's week end! This is going to be a busy week til then...but it is going to be amazing!!! I cannot wait to see what God does with it!!!--Our theme song is 'Today is the Day'...I will rejoice and be glad in it, I won't worry about tomorrow, giving YOU my fears and sorrows...where you lead me, I will follow...I'm trusting in what YOU say, Today is the DAY!!!!

Hoping YOUR Today is fabulous!