Scenes from Christmas

Happy Birthday Jesus

Being lazy

It surprises me how hard it can be to get back to blogging. I know I am not running out of things to say. I just need a push so it's back to the list...

The weather in my neck of the woods: 37 degrees, raining, and nasty looking. We have a winter weather advisory today.

I am thinking: that I am glad to be inside where it is warm and that I don’t have to go anywhere today.

I am thankful: that I cleaned most of the house yesterday when I took all of the Christmas decorations down. Today I need to clean the bedrooms and maybe move some stuff around.

From the kitchen: Well B heated up a frozen hash brown and it smells really good… Today I think I may make a turkey pot pie.

I am wearing: my Christmas pajamas from mom. Like I said, going nowhere and being lazy. I will shower in a little while and put on yoga pants and a sweatshirt!

I am reading: nothing. I need to be reading a leadership book for PWOC but I have only read one chapter so far. I may read some more of that later today if the house is not too loud!

I am hearing: the kids playing Wii. E is being bossy telling K how to do everything. B is on the couch playing her DS.

One of my favorite things: well of all the Christmas presents, I am loving these new video games. We got a Wii and then after Christmas, Luke got a PS3. We put them both in the living room so they would be family things and I love how everyone is together and playing. There is not as much fighting as I expected.

A few plans for the rest of the week: not much. Need to go to grocery store tomorrow. Staying home for New Years. E has a follow up drs appt for ear infection Friday. Mostly just playing games, cleaning at times, being lazy at times, enjoying family and sleeping late.

On my To Do List for today: change sheets, cleaning kids’ rooms, moving E’s furniture.

On my Prayer List: friends and family, our church.

Scripture for today: Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Ready for Christmas

Christmas in the kids' rooms

My favorite boy in the whole world

He is 10 today. Happy Birthday E!!! I love you!!!!

Sunday

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
Luke 1:30-33

Everything you always wanted to know about how we celebrate Christmas

I did something like this last year, but this is a little different and still fun. One thing you will notice about me is that I don't like picking just one "favorite". I like everything about Christmas and wish the season lasted a few more weeks--but, when it is over I am really done with it!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Definitely hot chocolate. Egg nog seems disgusting, but I have to say I cannot remember trying it…
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? This year everything will be wrapped because the kids are getting up too early for us to see their reactions and our bedroom is on the opposite side of the house from their rooms. Also E is rotten and will go tell the girls what they got before they see it!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White. The tree has white because I like them best and it lets the ornaments show up better—they are all different colors so I think white looks best. I would have put colored on the kids’ tree but all the colored ones were burned out this year and I was not going to go buy more when I had white. They do all have a strand in their rooms and they are colored. We don’t have any outside yet but Luke says he is going to put up the Happy Birthday Jesus sign sometime soon.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? We have real mistletoe growing in the mesquite trees in our yard. Last year we hung some but I did not hang it this year—even though Luke brought some inside.
5. When do you put your decorations up? This year the tree went up on Thanksgiving night and the decorations the next day.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Everything! Christmas cookies, homemade cranberry sauce, pecan pie, stuffing…
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Waking up on Christmas morning and to see what Santa left us unwrapped under the tree—and the one year Daddy slept in the living room doorway to stop us from going in at about 1:30am (we tried to sneak around him but it didn’t work).
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What do you mean? I still believe in Santa. When you stop believing you stop receiving. And anyway Santa is the symbol of the spirit of Christmas. He does not have to take anything away from the true meaning of Christmas (JESUS) unless you let him. Christmas is still about Jesus, Santa is just a little extra fun.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Always pjs.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With a collection of things from all our past Christmases and things the kids have made, and with a lot of stars and snowflakes and icicle ornaments. There is another tree in the kids’ hallway with just kid-made ornaments, and they each have a tiny tree in their rooms.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it and wish so much to see some!! A white Christmas is a dream come true.
12. Can you ice skate? No. Never tried and would probably kill myself.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Not sure. Maybe the roller skates and teddy bear from 5th grade but maybe because that is the only specific ones I remember. As a grownup, it has to be getting to bring E home from the hospital on Christmas Eve night and not spending Christmas away from B.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with family and celebrating the birth of Jesus.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Cookies.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? All of them. I like making cookies with the kids, and the gingerbread house, even though the mess drives me crazy. And singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, with a birthday cake. And the kids picking out gifts to other countries from the Samaritan’s purse catalog like milk and blankets and soccer balls and bible booklets.
17. What tops your tree? I retired the angel that almost caught fire and now we have a star.
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Hmm…The good answer is giving but I hate trying to decide on what to buy. Receiving is fine. Honest to goodness, I like giving to strangers like the Operation Christmas Child boxes, the angel tree gifts and the thing last year at Wal-Mart where I picked things off the tree for old people in a nursing home (angel tree idea for seniors). I like buying for those who NEED the gifts and appreciate them the most.
19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? They are ok, part of the traditions of the season.
20 Favorite Christmas Show? I still love Rudolph, Santa Claus is coming to Town, and Frosty. I love It’s a Wonderful Life and the old version of Miracle on 34th Street. And I like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
21. Saddest Christmas Song? Mary Did You Know
22. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I love almost all of them, but my favorite is definitely Oh Holy Night.

I am fat but still alive

Again, I am a bad, lazy blogger. I do not know why. First I was busy and then I got lazy. I do that a lot.

I have not downloaded pictures onto the computer for a month.

I WAS busy with this...

That is the 61 boxes our church did for Operation Christmas Child. Better than last year's 27. But we have a plan for next year, so we will see how much better we can do. Still 61 is great!

And then there was this. This is where that 5 pounds came from. Seriously FIVE pounds!! But look at those homemade rolls. They are so delicious!

And the corn casserole and the stuffing...

And the mashed potatoes with sour cream and cheese...

And then came the pecan pie. Well TWO pecan pies. With homemade whipped cream.

I made another pecan pie last night. Shut up. I know. I know.

And right after Thanksgiving dinner came the tree. I am still decorating the house though.

Today I re-did the mantle. I actually made a garland. Nothing like the Nester but same idea. I like it, even if it is scrawny and pitiful.

Will be doing showing more Christmas decor soon. If I don't get lazy again...

Sunday

But I, by your great mercy,
will come into your house;
in reverence will I bow down
toward your holy temple.

Psalm 5:7

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I am thankful for…

-Jesus. For Him loving me, dying for me, saving me, being with me every day. For the access He gives me to God the Father and the Holy Spirit. For every blessing He has given me, even when I deserve none of them. For grace, love, forgiveness, patience, and grace (yes, again).

-Luke-that he IS, that he is who he is, that he is my husband, that he is here this year to help me eat all this food.

-our kids, that God chose ME to be their mother, that they are healthy, and that they are good kids (usually).

-for family back home that loves me and misses me and wishes we were there with them today.

-our home and all the material things we have from a fancy mattress to running water and electricity.

-for more than enough food to eat every single day.

-for turkey and ham and “Colleen’s mashed potatoes” and corn casserole and homemade rolls and dressing and homemade cranberry sauce and pumpkin cake and pecan pies.

-for my comfy chair and ottoman and my laptop and the internet!

I could list things all day long because I feel more blessed than anyone I know but I will stop now. I hope you feel blessed too! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Weaknesses and faults

We all have them. I definitely have them. I have been realizing that right now is the time to do something about some of them.

One of my weaknesses is being too isolated, not getting involved, letting my fears distance me from other people (is that all one or 3?). Some of that is just the way I am. I am not outgoing, and don’t have many friends. That is part of my personality and not necessarily a bad thing. What is bad is when I use that as an excuse to not obey God, to reach out to other people that I know I should, or not step up for service.

At the PWOC conference, there was a specific incident when I disobeyed God. It was during a worship session. I was standing next to this girl from our group that I do not know very well at all. I felt that I should reach over and touch her, to hug her or just pat her shoulder or something. I felt it so strongly that I knew it was God saying it. I ignored it. I thought, “I don’t know her, she will think I am crazy.” Later I found out that girl is going through some things and needed to feel loved and specifically had said to someone that she just needed to be hugged or something. I wanted to cry. I realized I didn’t just ignore a weird thought; I disobeyed God and missed a chance to bless someone. I did go to her later and hug her and apologize. But that doesn’t change the fact that I ignored God and let my weakness get in the way of a call and a need. I am sure that is not the only (or worst time) I have ever done that.

The decision that I was recently praying about is another example of my weakness. I was given the opportunity to join my local PWOC board at conference. I had that same opportunity back in May and turned it down without even asking God. I immediately said that it was not something I am qualified to do and out of my comfort zone. I am very glad that God gave me a second chance to step up and serve Him. This time I prayed and I accepted the position. I am now on the board, in a position that has me speak in front of the whole PWOC, to be outgoing and friendly to all people coming through the door. Am I out of my comfort zone? Oh yes, definitely. But, this is a chance to serve God and other women, and hopefully, help them feel loved and encourage them to return to PWOC where God can touch them and use them also. Am I qualified? Only through the grace and strength of God. But it is a call and I finally answered Him in the right way. Yes, Lord, here I am. Send me!

Now I am not trying to say this is my only fault (ha! I wish). I have just been shown so much lately (and these are only 2 examples) of how we all need to step up and do what we are called to do for God and others. The many recent references to Isaiah 6 amaze me! The time to step up is now. God is calling ALL of us. We can’t let our faults and weaknesses stop us-God knows them all and wants to use us anyway!

Too many things running through my head...

Once again I am cheating with the list. I have so many things running around my brain right now that I would not know how else to begin and I can't put off posting another day.


The weather in my neck of the woods: Sunny and beautiful. The weather channel says 75 today.

I am thinking: that I am so happy the house is clean.

I am thankful: for every blessing God has given me. I have heard so many heartbreaking stories from other women lately. It makes me even more thankful than usual for my many many blessings. I do not deserve to be so blessed.

From the kitchen: Nothing yet. Need to make some bread today so I don't have to go to the store. And some treats for my family would be nice. I broke my mixer paddle thing a few days ago and ruined an entire batch of cookies I was making for Luke. I still haven't made him cookies and I want to do that.

I am wearing: black yoga pants and a gray sweatshirt. I still have not showered yet today.

I am reading: the book of Isaiah.

I am hearing: the clock ticking and Luke snoring--he is off work today and still sleeping.

One of my favorite things: peace and quiet, no whining no fighting--it happens sometimes when everyone is home but not very often.

A few plans for the rest of the week: need to do PTSO newsletter, need to clean some windows, nothing big.

On my To Do List for today: make bread, maybe cookies, change all smoke detector batteries (have been putting it off, I hate ladders), call about PTSO newsletter and get to work on it, church tonight.

Lesson learned the past few days: wow. I attended the PWOC conference and had an absolutely amazing time. I learned that God is doing some big things with and through that group (internationally and locally). I learned things about individual women that inspired me and blessed me and showed me that I need to step out and DO more for God and other people around me. I learned that no matter how imperfect or messed up our lives may seem that we can love God and each other and make a difference in people's lives for the glory of God.

On my Prayer List: so many people I cannot list. Operation Christmas Child, PWOC sisters, all of the Ft. Hood community still hurting and scared. And a decision I am struggling with regarding stepping out for God, whether this is what God wants me to do--I do not feel capable of doing it and it scares me to death but I know God will equip me with what I need if it is what he wants me to do. I need to know, to hear clearly from God before I make this decision.

Scripture for today: Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said "Here I am. Send me!" This has been THE verse for days.

We are fine

Just wanted to let everyone know we are fine. I was on the bus to Missouri when we found out what happened at Hood. Luke was at home and did not even know until I called him. He went home early so he would be there when the kids got home. Thank God he did because the base was locked down for hours and he would not have been able to leave. Also the kids were not let off the bus without a parent there to get them today because of what happened. We do not live on base but they were still being very careful everywhere.

I am at a PWOC (Army women's ministry) conference in Missouri right now. There are several army and air force bases in this central region group and they are here together. There is a main speaker here she is an army wife (retired I think) but not someone famous Amy! She is from WV though! I will be here until Sunday then I have another 15 hour bus trip back.

I only have internet in one spot here and not much time so I don't know when I will update again. I will try to check email tomorrow. Thank you all for your love, prayers, and concern for our family. Please be in prayer for all the people at Hood affected by this tragedy. Thanks and God bless you all!

Birthday pics and info

I am leaving tonight for my women's ministry conference and I am doing a million things right now. I should not be on the blog but I wanted to put up the pictures of B's birthday before I leave and forget about them for a month like I did K's pictures. I need to finish packing and cleaning the house.

I am excited to be going to the conference but I am nervous too. I will be riding a bus. 15 hours one way. Sleeping in a room with at least two other women I do not know. And I will be away from my kids longer than I have ever been before. Pray for me that I am not in a horrendous bus crash (I am only slightly kidding, it does make me nervous) and that I get something good from this time with God--"spiritual renewal" as the brochure says.

I am taking my laptop so that I can at least check my email. I can't be having internet withdrawal symptoms while I am trying to connect with God and fellowship with other women!

My baby is 12 today

Happy Birthday B!!!!! I love you and miss this baby and little girl....

They grow up way too fast!!

Sunday

Day and night they never stop saying:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come."
Whenever the living creatures give glory,
honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne
and who lives for ever and ever
Revelation 4: 8-9

No rambling this time

Dressed up in her Iraq clothes...

Playing cheerleaders in the front yard...

Just pretty...

Ouch!

Crazy hair day at school Friday-

Dressed as girl from PureNRG

Love them....