This song has been in my head all Christmas season. It is one of those songs that I love to sing while reflecting on God's goodness. Every year at this time, I read through the book of Luke. This year I find myself reflecting on the verses that say "Mary pondered these things in her heart." I wonder what it must have been like to be the mother of God, knowing one day that his life would end on the cross. Talk about a woman who had to surrender to her wishes and desires to God. Yet the Bible doesn't ever mention that she tried to runaway with Baby Jesus to protect her son's life nor does it say that she locked her son up in her home to keep him from harm. It does say though that she pondered these things in her heart often. I believe that she probably defined what it means to bloom where you are planted. She lived her life fully and served the King graciously, knowing full well what would happen, considering the book of Isaiah already told her the end story for the Messiah, her son.

So with all the hustle and bustle that tends to take over this time of year, I find myself reflecting more on God's goodness. I also in awe of Mary and her life of sacrifice. Her story is an inspiring one.

May you be blessed this Christmas season

Halfway There

I thought I had enough lights but one set is a total dud.

Thankfully I have a hair appointment tomorrow and it's located next to one of my favorite craft stores!

The goal for tomorrow is simple...finish my Christmas decorating so I can spend the weekend basking in the glow. :)

Tonight's movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

"This is what Christmas is all about...I'll park the cars, check the luggage...I will just be outside the rest of the season." Clark Griswold after the in-laws come to town

One of my favorite traditions of the Christmas season is watching Christmas in Rockefeller Center. Usually while the show is going on, I am decorating my Christmas tree or apartment. This year we purchased a new tree and it sat in the box most of the night and all my favorite little ornaments and ceramic Santa's are still packed in storage. I am hoping to pull them out today or tomorrow but to be honest, I am not in a huge rush this year.

Last night I took time to savor the slower pace, sit by the fire, sipping hot Apple Cider and waiting with anticipation of the lighting of the NYC tree. I am trying hard to get in the Christmas spirit. I look forward to decorating my tree and sitting in the glow of the lights but for now baby steps is all I can accomplish.

Please continue to pray for our family. My grandmother was admitted to a nursing home yesterday for rehab. I realize this is a blessing but my heart still aches for my grandparents who are facing the reality that life as they know it coming to a grinding halt. I will be honest and say I ache for myself too since Christmas is Granny and my season. So many of my holiday traditions are traditions I share with my grandmother. I am so thankful to have had many great memories with my grandparents especially during the holidays. God has blessed me with rich legacy of love and laughter.

So for now, sipping cider by the fire light with an unopened Christmas tree, watching one of my favorite holiday shows is just what I needed this year.

A Christmas Album MUST

I purchased this album a few weeks back because we are singing a few of the songs at church this month. I highly recommend this album if you are looking for something special to add to your collection

My favorite song is Emmanuel.

Seriously, if you are looking for a good Christian album to play during the Christmas season, this is the one for you!

The Smell Of Christmas

One of my all time favorite recipes and memories from growing up.

Peel of 1 Orange
Peel of 1 Lemon
2 cinnamon sticks
1 bay leaf
several whole cloves

Simmer all ingredients in a small pan. Add water as needed.

Thanks Donna Willbanks for this wonderful Christmas tradition and recipe! I have done this almost every Christmas season since becoming a wife and homemaker.

Today Is Not Going According to Plan

The plan was for me to wake up early and get a few things done at work so that I could do a bit of grocery shopping and christmas shopping. I have bought only one present.

Instead my day has gone something like this:

• woke up an hour and half later than normal
• recieved a phone call from my co-worker telling me her house was broken into last night and could I contact a few dealers on her behalf. I feel so sorry for her talk about a Bah-hum-bug experience
• and since I woke up late, I just now took a shower during my lunch hour
• I am having to wear my old, and I mean old glasses, because my contact was found next to my contact case dried up and my newer glasses are on vacation somewhere around my bed. I think I know right where they are but hubs is sleeping and I don't want to wake him

Needless to say, I am not sure if I will be able to leave the house today to get groceries and shopping done. Honestly, I am not going to sweat it either. Life's to short to be allow myself to come unglued.

I will be watching this later tonight. It's the last year the Bush's will decorate the White House. Sniff, sniff! Why do I have the Boys to Men song "It's so Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" playing in my head?

Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa is coming! Santa is coming!

Christmas Fun!

Here is a picture of Jeff and I last year at Matt & Meredith's wedding. I still have no camera cord and decided to pull up an oldie but goodie.

My friend Susan (no another Susan not just me talking to myself) sent this to me today and I am too lazy to come up with my own topic for today's Christmas fun so here you go, a forwarded email turned blogpost.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper for me, gift bags for Jeff b/c he doesn't like to wrap but I love to unwrap my gifts
2. Real tree or Artificial? artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? the weekend after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? week after New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? no
6. Favorite gift received as a child? cabbage patch doll

7. Hardest person to buy for? JEFF! He refuses to give a list but will tell you "I want a Jaguar XJR!" Yeah and I want a millionaire for a husband
8. Easiest person to buy for? my mom, she does give a list
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No! But I want one! This one to be exact
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail! This is my favorite thing about Christmas, all the fun mail!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Stetson for Women

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life and Christmas Vacation

13. When do you start shopping? let's just say I haven't started yet
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? no but I have thought about it

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? peppermint bark

16. Lights on the tree? yes (who doesn't do lights on a tree?)
17. Favorite Christmas song? Hmm, I have a lot

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? I wish we stayed home and everyone came to us...maybe next year
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Donner, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blixen and RUDOLPH (I just sang the song)
20.Angel on the tree top or a star? depends on what tree I am using that year, this year it's a star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? people who don't give lists but insist on doing a gift exchange

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red Santas!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? green bean casserole and Maudie's sweet yam recipe
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? peace and joy in order to enjoy the journey God is leading us on.

Soaking It All In

I realize that in the next few weeks it is going to be very crazy around here. I look forward to the craziness, it means that changes are coming and after 6 years of the same ole, same ole-change is good.

Earlier this month Jeff and I decided to scale down Christmas for the two of us. Usually we go all out and buy those things that we have added to the list since the last Christmas season. This year we are buying a house and have big plans for our little place so the money is staying put.

I have also not accepted every Christmas party invitation this year. Jeff's work schedule is so busy this time of the year that when it comes to the weekends, all he wants to do is stay home, in his pj's, doing absolutely nothing but flipping the channels over and over again.

I have yet to hit the mall. I think I am avoiding that place because last year I almost got run over by a lady who wanted a parking spot I was walking by. So yes, I am little afraid of the big ole mall this year.

I haven't even shopped at Wal-Mart for groceries this year because I just can't handle it the chaos right now. Instead I have shopped at the old run down Kroger up the street where the average age customer is 75 years old. And well, the checkers are all retired too so things run at a much slower pace. A pace I find I prefer these days.

I guess you can say that I am soaking it all in this year.

And that to me is the best way to spend the Christmas season

Yesterday Went Something Like This

Woke up had a cup of coffee (Dunkin Donuts, thank you very much) while reading the book of Lamentations (skipped the month of August in my DCB, now I am playing catch up)

I worked hard for my money for a few hours and then took a nap.

Later I did Day 3 of my training for a 10K workout. Jeff and I decided this first week was in order to get our brain wrapped around the idea of running without stopping. It sucked but I did it. Yeah Me!

For dinner I popped in a frozen pizza after promising hubs I would cook a real meal tomorrow.

I sat back and watched a bit of Fox New with hubs before he went to work.

When he left, I began reading the final book in the Yada Yada Prayer Group Series. I like it because it is set during a holiday season and talking lots about the true meaning of Christmas. If you haven't read this series and are looking for a good book to sink your teeth into, try these. They are very sweet and down to earth.

Finally I ended my night with another great episode of The Office. The Dwight and Angela storyline cracked me up, smooth move Dwight.
And winded down while watching The Santa Clause. I forgot how cute this movie was.

It was a good day.

December Daily: Trying to Stay Focused

I love all things Christmas. The tree, decor, cards, giving and receiving presents, Christmas lights to look at when I drive at night, good food, the story of Santa and the overall holiday spirit.

But one thing, above all else, that I want to cherish most this year is the birth of Jesus. Over the past year I have been reading the Daily Chronological Bible, oh how I encourage everyone to make this their New Year's Resolution. No matter where I have been this past year, my daily readings have been faithful to meet me where I am. For example today I was reading the story of Paul's imprisonment in Jerusalem; I found a little story that made me stop and think. You see the Jews did not like the fact that Paul was preaching about Jesus. They made up bogus claims like he was speaking against the Jews and starting riots. These lies are what lead to Paul's imprisonment. King Agrippa arrives in Caesarea to visit Festus. Festus brings the situation before Agrippa.

The words that Festus said to Agrippa jumped out at me this morning.

"But the accusations made against him (Paul) weren't any of the crimes I expected. Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive." Acts 25:18-19

I am not really sure what caught me the most. The fact that they called Jesus a dead man or the fact that they were expecting Paul to be some kind of hardened criminal based on what the Jews had said about Him. Actually what fascinated me the most, is that through all of the years Paul spent in prison, His faith never wavered-if anything it grew stronger. He was beaten, falsely accused, ship wrecked among many other things, yet he kept going. He kept preaching the Good News of Jesus. Jesus the risen Lord, not a dead man. Jesus who was born as a baby to a virgin girl. Jesus whose main goal in life was to seek and save the lost and who later would die for my sins. Jesus who not only died for my sins but for yours as well. And because of Jesus' death we have eternal life if we believe in Him and if we admit we are nothing without Him in our lives.

I admit that I enjoy the holiday festivities like the everyone else but most of all, I enjoy the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus' birth. My goal this holiday season is to take time out to reflect on Him. To spend less time shopping and more time reflecting. I also want to be more like Paul. Even though he faced many hardships for his ministry he never wavered from the truth, in all things he continued his quest to spread his message about Jesus. His life and testimony are an inspiration to me. No matter where the path lead him he remained faithful and he remained steadfast.

Truly amazing isn't it?

Oh and one last thing totally not relevant to what I just wrote...

Jodi, do you want to ride a donkey in the next few days so you can say you truly know how Mary must have felt when she rode to town 9 months pregnant? Just a thought, don't throw anything at me, I'm only kidding

Christmas Card Fun

One of my favorite things about the holidays is Christmas cards. I love to give and receive them. In fact, I have a Christmas card scrapbook that I will show you as soon as I get the correct USB cable.

In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to show you a few of our card rejects. Hubs and I decided that while we were on THE ROAD TRIP 08, we would snap our card photo. He really wanted one of us on the beach but forgot to tell me this until I sat down next to him after playing a game of volleyball on the beach (no I wasn't playing volleyball, I was sleeping on the beach with my preggo sister in law...seriously!) I did not bring a cover up for my swimsuit or take time to look at a mirror before brother in law snapped the photo. I knew there was no way I would be sending this photo out for all to see. Maybe next year, if we go to the beach, I will plan for us to look better and not so redneck.

And would you like a time saving tip?

1). Order your prints from somewhere that allows you to upload your picture online. This year I used Sam's Club and was able to pick up the same day, not to mention buy my stamps in bulk.

2). Buy 8460 Avery White mailing labels and type in your card list addresses. I saved them on my computer and have found this document very handy as a quick reference to find people's addresses throughout the year. A box of 3000 is what the link will send you and you can buy less to save money.

I will upload the actual Christmas card this year on Christmas day but didn't want to ruin the fun for anyone who may be receiving a copy in the mail in a few days. I can't wait to start getting Christmas cards in the mail either. :)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

My Christmas tree is up. I would love to show you a picture but I can't upload any pictures until I buy the correct cord. Oh I bought a USB cable that allowed you to use multiple memory cards, all of them I guess, except my memory card. I thought I would wait until tomorrow and try to sneak up to Best Buy while the holiday shoppers were at work.

In the meantime, make sure if you are a google reader that you check out the new blog template. It too is festive for the holidays.

Christmas Day: Guitar Hero

Guitar Hero kept us entertained for hours Christmas Night.

Click on the picture to see Jeff's hairdo. that is a blog within itself. An inside joke between my family that turned out to be very comical. Who knew we would be spending most of the day at the hospital? I will tell you another time, but for know enjoy my rocker husband.



And now here's Hayley. The only one that got a perfect score her first time on stage. Aunt Sue Sue got booed off three times. I guess I will stick to singing.



And a bonus picture that makes me laugh every time.

Christmas Day 2007:Turkey Baking 101

It was my job to buy the Turkey this year. I told Mom and Sister, "Don't worry, I can handle it!"

I thought I was very smart buying a YOUNG turkey breast. Turns out the breast was not boneless and that is what we were shooting for. Boneless Breast are easier to cook.

Took the Turkey over early, left in the refridgeator at Sister's house.

How smart are we for getting it over early?

11:00 am the next day, we are all enjoying a bit of Christmas Cheer with the kids.

"Missy, is the Turkey in the oven?"

"NO."

Whoops better start that.

the blasted breast is frozen! FROZEN!

"What do we do?!? The turkey is frozen!" I say.

Missy says, "Don't worry we will eat later."

Good thinking sister, good thinking.

Missy goes and puts two inches of water in the roasting pan. I am thinking how smart of you, we can thaw it out while it is cooking. I really, honestly was quite proud of her for coming up with that.

Mom turns sees water in the pan, "NO! Take the water out of that pan!!!"

"Why?" we both ask.

Mom says "You don't put water in the pan while cooking."

Missy, "Are you sure we can't do it?"



Mom says, "Yes, see right here it says, "Do not put water in the pan!"

Folks it said it in big black letters, like this

DO NOT PUT WATER IN PAN.


Missy and I decided it was better if we both put the turkey in the oven because those breasts were heavy. The turkey actually turned out very well. We were very proud of our efforts.


Those two YOUNG turkey breasts were good eating.

Sorry, Missy I still think you had a great idea for cooking the turkey in water.

Thank God Mom was there to stop us or who knows how the turkey would have turned out this year.

Oh and funny side note. When we got called about Granny being in the hospital the first thing out of either my mom's or sisters mouth was, "God knew we were going to need more time to fix the turkey, He took care of us."

Perspective. That is what we had that day, we had perspective.

Granny said the reason she was in the hospital is because she was trying to get out of making the Chocolate Pie. She's a rascal that's for sure.

Christmas 2007: Christmas Eve Part 1

My grandfather and I, I just love this man!



The younger generation of cousins, I am going to frame this picture and add them to my prayer bar. Prayer Bar=the ledge in my kitchen where I put all my kids pictures so that I pray without ceasing. I have a feeling they may need all the help they can get. :) Don't we all!



The Patriarch and Matriarch of this crazy bunch.

Granny's home she will be resting most of the day so if you would like to call her please call her later in the evening or in the morning. The poor girl is tired!

The Empty Stocking

The other night I sat and watched The Bishops Wife. I own it and can watch it over and over if I choose. It just is a sweet little flick. Not afraid to say the name Jesus either. Sadly, you don't often find that in today's holiday flicks.

Here is the quote that I spent a good while, pausing-rewinding and writing down for you all.

The Empty Stocking (That is what the scene is called on the DVD)

"Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.

Once upon a midnight clear there was a child's cry.

A blazing star hung over the stable.

And wise men came with birthday gifts.

We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries, we celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells and with gifts-especially gifts.

You give me a book and I will give you a tie.

Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe.

Oh we forget nobody-adult or child, all the stockings are filled all that is except one.

We have even forgotten to hang it up, a stocking for the child born in a manager. It's his birthday we are celebrating! Don't let us forget that.

Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for the most.

And then each put in his share; loving kindness, warm hearts and the stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth."

It's a sweet quote isn't it?

You Go Girl!

My mom sent me this tidbit of information this week:

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and
female reindeers grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop
their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to
mid-December. Female reindeers retain their antlers till after they give
birth in the spring.


Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition
depicting Santa 's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to
Blitzen, had to be a girl.


We should've known... ONLY women would be
able to drag a jolly ole fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one
night and not get lost.

Christmas Shoes

Today I spent the day tying up some loose ends. You see the last few days before Christmas I will be working non-stop building furniture and decorating a new home store. I look forward to these times but not the weekend before brother in laws wedding and Christmas. I mean come on, like I don't already have enough on my plate with those other two things.



So I made a mad dash today all over town doing things that were scheduled for this Saturday but had to be rescheduled due to the opening of the home store. Hair recolored (I am now a light brown instead of blond), buying accessories for the wedding outfit, grocery shopping for Christmas dinners, (yes I said dinners as in plural) last minute gift exchange cards for co-workers, birthday cards, pretty panty hose with a black velvet line down the back and shoes; a pretty pair of shoes.



You know what I realized I hated today? The people that ring the bells outside and those kiosks in the middle of the mall where the salespeople are always trying to get you to buy stuff like lotions or other useless crap. I know shame on me for saying the people that ring the bells. It must be because all such people are smoking as they wag the bell back and forth saying "Happy Holidays!" I want to yell "Say Merry Christmas and throw out your cig!" But let's go back to the kiosk people-kay? I was walking a very fast mall walkers pace and I thought I had the I am on a mission look plastered to my face so they wouldn't jump in the aisle and try to hold me up. But they did and it almost made my Christmas spirit waver a bit. I just smiled, pushed his hand out of the way and kept going on my merry little way. Yet, the next time I made the rounds by his kiosk he did the same thing to me. Again, I pushed his hand aside and kept walking. Not really much beyond that it just annoyed me and I felt I needed to share my woes with you all.



You care don't you? No. Alright then moving on...



Want to see my Christmas shoes? they are flat and super cute!

And my attempt at an artistic photo. Camera needed charged and a new photographer before it will look artistic or visible for that matter.
And me, in my skirt, pretty panty hose with the velvet stripe that goes up the back and my Christmas shoes.

Two things you need to know before I close:

1) In this picture, I am wearing a bleached stained Camp Deer Run T-shirt that will never be thrown away because it is sacred.

2) I bought the panty hose at Fredrick's of Hollywood. I promise I didn't by anything else but that store is lots of fun and I guarantee you if I didn't have groceries in my car I would have stayed and browsed a bit.

What?!?!

I am married, I can dress like that if I want to.

30 Days of Christmas: The Movies

I love a good Christmas movie. Since Jeff works at nights, during the holidays I will usually watch a different movie a night. I have been working on adding my favorite Holiday flicks to my own DVD collections so that I can watch them anytime through out the year and to one day share with my kids.

Here is my list of favorites in no particular order.

1. Christmas Vacation
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. Miracle on 34Th Street
4. White Christmas
5. An Affair to Remember
6. A Christmas Carol
7. Home Alone
8. The Bishop Wife (1946)
9. Charlie Brown Christmas
10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
11. Little Women
12. Babes in Toy land
13. Santa Claus
14. Scrogged
15. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
16. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
17. Frosty the Snowman


Here are a few that someone told me to watch this year.
1. The Miracle of the Bells
2. Meet Me in St Louis
3. The Bell of St. Mary's
5. The Nativity Story

If you notice, most of these are classic movies because classic movies are my favorite thing to watch. Jeff says I am old fashioned, I say I am vintage. Vintage sounds more chic.

These movies are a great for the whole family so why don't you plan a family night a watch one or two?

What's your favorite movie to watch during the holidays?


I will post Elijiah's birthday pictures soon. Stay tuned!

Saturday's Posted on Friday Afternoon

I have had two calls in the last 1o minutes both of which these two loving friends have told me to take time for myself. They are faithful readers to this blog so I realized I may have whined a little too much. So to ease thier minds about my going non-stop I wanted to share with you some of the fun things I have done for me this week.

Tuesday night my mom came over for dinner. It was so strange to hear her signature tap-tap on our front door. Jeff says we haven't heard that one in a while. It was nice having her around for a few hours like old times.


Wednesday night my future sister-in-law Meredith and fellow book worm went to the Bass Hall to hear a lecture by my all time favorite author, Sue Grafton. Later we went to Chili's Downtown and ate salads while watching the Maverick game. The bartendar didn't know what to think of us, two girls talking about our honey's and watching our favorite basketball team. Oh and only drinking water. He kept saying, "You sure you don't want a margarita?" Positive water is fine.

Thursday night my other sister in law Amy and I went to see the movie Enchanted. It is so cute. I want to go see it again. Missy, Paige, Kendra B shall we? I really like it. Plus Patrick Dempsey is just so yummy! It is another chick flick I will add to my library.

And tonight, Jeff and I are going on a double date with some of our good friends. I think these friends were our first couple friends outside of our family. People that we met together after we were married and both adore. So there, I am not all work and no play. Promise.

Tomorrow is a certain nephews birthday so I am going over to his house to give him his gift that may just give us the title of Greatest Aunt and Uncle. So to his parent's that is your warning that Jeff and I will be coming by around 12:30 to play with you all.

sunday, I am making a Special Events Calendar for all my birthdays with my scrappy friends.

So now you see that I am not all work and no play.

Now if you will excuse me, I am not logging into the computer until Monday.

this chick needs a break from her computer screen.