Christmas Questionaire

Here is a glimpse of our Christmas blog style...

1. real or fake Christmas tree
Fake...I have enough trouble keeping us healthy without envoking the help of alergies!

2. favorite ornament
I don't have a specific favorite. But I enjoy unwrapping the ones of our first Christmas, the kids' first ornaments, the picture ones, the ones of places we have been (that is our souveneer that we shop for on trips).

3. favorite Christmas song
I love this time of year on the radio! Not so much for SweetHeart--I'll be singing along with harmony, and he says, "Let me guess, you sang that in show choir." Yep! I guess one of my favorites right now is Sandi Patti's Come Let Us Worship the King. I have been practicing signing it for church and it just sets my heart ready to worship! Travis Cotrell's new Christmas CD is high on the list too!

4. favorite tradition
Being with family, whether it is just the five of us or with 25-50 of our closest relatives (yes, seriously). I am thankful for a husband whose family cherishes family too and all are willing to share us with the other side when it is their turn. Other traditions come and go or modify, but this one is constant. If it is the five of us at home, we wear pj's all day, play with new toys, and watch movies.

5. favorite gift ever received
I have thought and thought about this one. I have received many wonderful gifts over the years, but not in particular is jumping to mind (except a razor!). My favorite is watching everyone else open the gift that we got them. The smile on their face or that "this is something I wanted but wouldn't get for myself" look. The kids are great at that "I wanted this my whole life" surprise look. (And they know I love it, so now if I miss it initially they just pose until the flash of the camera!) That is my favorite!

6. favorite Christmas meal
If we are with my side, we usually have the traditional dressing and all the fixings. (Mom makes the best cornbread dressing!) With hubby's side, we might have Mexican pile on because we have traditional meal at Mamaw's the day before. If it is just us, we have pizza! At this point in life, that is my favorite--easy prep, easy clean up, and no complaints!

7. favorite Christmas cookie
Mom, brother and I used to make "Judy's cut cookies" that are the best! I like them before they are iced. My kids like to make "painted cookies." Same cookies, just a different name! YUM! I also look forward to Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow), and chocolate covered pretzels!

8. favorite place to be
With family. We have gone to grandparents', great-grandparents', skiing in another state, or home and we have a good time together.

9. favorite memory
Singing carols with my cousins. SweetBoy telling the Christmas story with the VeggieTales nativity scene, complete with lights off for the scene changes!

One of the funniest memories was going to cut our own Christmas tree with Sweetheart, one of my cousins and her husband. I'm not sure exactly how many rules we broke, but we had a tree that, well, looked better in the forest at dusk! And then there was the year that Sadie, our dog, got sprayed by a skunk on a bitter cold night, so she couldn't stay outside. This year we can add our journey to and from to the "yea! memories" list--tummy troubles and flat tires! It is odd that I try so hard for everything to be perfect and smooth, but the ones that stick in my memory are the ones that weren't so perfect.

10. favorite Christmas movie
White Christmas... and Court Jester. I know, that isn't a Christmas movie, but that is one of the first things I did with the whole last name family when we were dating and it was Christmas time. So it is one that I enjoy seeing this time of year!

OK. I'll have to quit there or I'll get out the picture albums and stir too many memories to tell! It is a very hectic season, but the best part is sharing it with family, and refocusing on what is really important. Jesus, God with us, came to this earth for a purpose. Now what am I going to do with His gift? That should be my focus. More on that tomorrow!

Now where were we

Ah yes, a season of thanks. The last thing I wanted to put on my list, at least for now, is my family. And it is still relavant because in the last month we have seen more of our aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents, and friends than we have had the opportunity to in several years. We've met new little cousins too! We had a good time visiting, playing games, and catching up with extended family. It is such a priviledge to be part of a wonderful family--on all sides. We are so blessed, and I'm so thankful.

Between holidays, SweetHeart and I made a trip to the coast for a conference. It was nice to get away, but it was as cold there as it was at home! We have literally been from one end of the state to the other!

It has been such a busy time with mile-long to-do lists, as I'm sure you know. Now I'm thankful for a few days of rest before it is back to the routine of school and stuff.

I do love Christmas and didn't mean to skip over it here, I'll share a little more but right now my hubby wants to watch a movie. I'll get the popcorn!

Thankful for my kiddos!

1. The Word of God


2. living in the USA


3. change


4. living in this time period


5. disposable diapers!


6. friends


7. teachers


8. great deals


9. health


10. house


11. income

OK, you knew it was coming. But I just had to wait until one of those days when I could write out of true thankfulness and not trying to convince or remind myself amongst refereeing that this is a blessing! (And I better hurry and get it down!) I love their excitement about the little things when they discover them for the first time. I love their smiles and giggles. I love watching them learn and grow, when they can reach something for the first time. I love their hugs and sugars. I love that my touch or voice can calm them down. I love that they make me laugh. The latest is shopping with the little ones and SweetTate asked for goldfish. We made our choice of packages and he said with everything in him, "I wuv this one!" (That was much more enjoyable than the last time we were in Wal-Mart and SweetDoll's flip flop came off and SweetTate threw it up. It was inches from landing on top of the top row of the canned veggies! God knew I would never have been able to reach that! I can laugh about it now, but that day I was not laughing!) Through it all, I am thankful and I am so incredibly blessed by three wonderful gifts!

Thanks--pass the tissue!

1. The Word of God
2. living in the USA
3. change
4. living in this time period
5. disposable diapers!
6. friends
7. teachers
8. great deals

Today I'm getting over a cold and I'm very thankful for cold medicine and Puffs! I slept good last night so today looks brighter!

I'm thankful for our house and steady income. For so many these days, that is not a certainty. I'm thankful for a warm, safe place to be, for my kids to come home to, and to invite friends to. It is not a mansion by any means, but it is what God provided and we are so blessed.

More thanks

• Word of God
• living in the USA
• change

What am I thankful for today? Several things have come to mind...

living in this time period. I am so glad I have a dishwasher, washer AND dryer, and a microwave! I can not imagine trying to get everything done by hand! And a vacuum cleaner! For Jen it is her hairdryer. For me I think when I'm vacuuming because I can't hear the chaos going on around me. The disadvantage in that is it is usually just once a week! (Today is a cleaning day, can you tell?)

disposable diapers! I almost put it in the previous one, but I think they deserve their own bullet point!

FRIENDS! Over the weekend I had the privilege of getting together with some high school buddies. We had a good time visiting and going to the football game. God has blessed me with some good friends back then and now!

My kid's teachers. Last night was open house at school. I am so thankful for the great job SweetBoy's teachers do preparing him for his future. When he was born, I began praying for the best teachers for him. Who knew that would lead us here! But they are great! The principal isn't too bad either! ;)

Great deals! I have been couponing for about a year now, but I love free stuff! The Preacher's Wife is having a book give away this week. And then she had a link to a jewelry give away from Ellinoelle Designs this week too! How fun!

That is the list so far. I'll be back later with more!

Thankful for change

What am I thankful for today?

1. The Word of God
2. Living in the USA
3. Change

Change has been a buzz word the last year or so, and I never in a million years thought I would actually say I was thankful for change! When we moved to this house, SweetBoy's birthday party was 5 days after we moved. Just before the party, Mom unpacked the trinket box in the living room. We put things on shelves fast and furious and that is pretty much how they have stayed! My husband on the other hand seeks change. He looks at me and says, "Are you ready to move?" I offer to change the furniture around just to satisfy his itch for change!

God knew we would need change and He planned the change in the seasons and weather. I was afraid we would not have a very colorful fall, but the trees this week are showing their magnificent reds, oranges, and golds! It is beautiful! And I am thankful for the change! I'm ready for cooler days after the hot summer, and I'm ready for refreshing rain.

Not all change is good or wanted. And changing just for the heck of it or because it is a problem some other place but not here, is frustrating! Whether it is a move, a change in family dynamics, a change in leadership, or change in season, it is good to know that somethings rarely change and Someone never changes! I am thankful for my God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I am thankful that His mercies are new every morning--no matter what that morning brings. And if He brings change into my life, it has a purpose.

Just in case you were wondering...this is not an endorsement of the president-elect's change he has been selling all campaign. Honestly, I am feeling a little down about the decision that has been made by our country. Only because I don't agree with the things he stands for, it has nothing to do with his race. But today is better, and these ladies had some wise thing to say about the situation: Lisa on the disapointment, Amy on teaching our kids, Beth on what to do now, Jen with a practical solution--chocolate! And yes, I have hope and believe that God has a purpose in this change too.

Thanks for the vote

These are in no particular order, but here is what I am thankful for today...

1. For the Word of God
2. That I live in the best country in the world

Today SweetDoll and I were discussing the election and why it was a big deal to go vote, and why I was choosing the presidential candidate that I was choosing. It made me realize, again, what a priviledge it is to live here. To have organized, fair elections, where each one has a voice in the decisions made. To know that even if the one I choose isn't elected, God is still in control. (Check out this great reminder of that fact from Beth Moore on this election day.) And I have the freedom to believe in the One True God and worship Him in this country. What a priviledge to live here! Thanks to all the military men and women who made it possible and still make it possible. And thanks to their families!