It's the thought That Counts or is it?

I was thinking about all the things I am so grateful for this holiday season. My mind immediately jumped to all the things I have yet to complete. So while "thinking" all of these things it suddenly came to me that I haven't mailed my seasonal cards. Perhaps I should call them this because I seldom ever send them at Christmas. I sometimes get them sent out by New Year, but not this year unless I stay up all night. Nah, I don't think that will benefit me and my family won't get excited about me doing that either.

So, I thought about sending them. I even bought pictures to send in them. I actually did this twice because the first ones were messed up. Did any of you know that if you use red-eye removal on someone's nose that it actually shows up as a brown spot? If you knew this why didn't you tell me, it would have saved me so much trouble. Also I would perhaps have gotten my holiday, seasonal cards mailed, but perhaps not. However, I have thought about it and if it is really the thought that counts...........maybe not.

The Wonder of Snow

There is so much talk of snow these days. I love, love, love it. I can't even express the happy feeling it gives me to watch those little flakes falling. I don't really know why. When I was little I lived in the south. Snow was very rare and seldom lasting. I can only really remember it snowing one time as a child. I remember building a snowman with my family and friend. It must have snowed more than once because I remember my mom making snow ice cream. It was yummy!

I don't even have to be too jealous of all of you who are getting blasted with snow because we have had our own snow! The picture was taken from our upstairs window looking down on the street. Can you see it? Not really because it is covered with snow. It is great. We have had snow for a number of days now and I can't explain the holiday feeling it gives me. Bring on the hot cocoa (French Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, or Hazelnut). I have to tear myself away from the window and get some presents wrapped. Thank you Lord for all the snow.

Family Fun

Christmas is such a busy time! My goal this year was to do something special with the little guys each day. So for fun on one of our days I bought a puzzle for the family to do. The puzzle has 300 pieces which sounds especially challenging for kids, but not so much for 3 kids, 2 teenagers, and 2 adults. The really fun part was that the puzzle had big pieces for kids and smaller pieces for adults! We didn't realize it until it was all put together, but one-half was big pieces and the other half was the smaller pieces.

We all had a good time working on our "sections" of the puzzle. We thought it was such a good idea that the puzzle had the two different size pieces which made it really great for doing with the kids. Today we went and bought several more for more winter, indoor family time.

I am delighted with the winter weather we are having. I would love about 10-12 inches of snow or more, but think I am going to have to wait awhile on that.

If I don't make it back to blog before Christmas then I want to wish all of my friends in blogland a very Merry Christmas. Isn't our God so great to have done such a wonderful thing for us and then allow us to "CELEBRATE" in the finest of style.

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!

At this Thanksgiving time this year I have really tried to focus on praising God for who He is and not just for what He does. I feel that the two are sometimes very intertwined, but sometimes very different. I think one of my favorite attributes of God is; He never changes. I am all about stability, knowing I can count on things to be a certain way, but life has taught me that the only thing that doesn't change and can always be counted on is God.

A time of giving thanks is so refreshing to my soul and spirit. I tend to be negative so this is such a positive experience. I am thankful for so many things, one of which is my family. For the past few days I have been enjoying Robyn, Clare and the four grandbabies being home again.

It is such a blessing to see how the grandchildren are growing, changing and becoming little "mini" copies of their parents. I have derived great delight in watching the two now adult children displaying character traits of their Dad. I am really seeing how we influenced them. It is interesting watching them parent their children. They do a great job.

It will get even more exciting tomorrow when the great grandparents arrive and the great aunt and uncle. When the family that will gather this year all arrives we will have a full house with 19 of us present.

So let the fun begin! Have a very blessed Thanksgiving! Always remember, the Father is watching to see if we display character traits of His Son.

Storing Up Treasures

With so many worried about the state of the economy I have been reflecting on financial things (but certainly trying to not look at our ever decreasing retirement funds:)


When Rob and I first married we could pay our bills, buy groceries and had a little money in savings. I felt happy to have those things. Sometimes as a child such was not the case. I knew my parents loved me, I never went hungry, but I also know that sometimes there was no money to pay the bills.

Rob and I would talk, hope and dream. My dream (ok, I am not a big dreamer) was to just have enough money to be able to go to McDonald's without balancing the checkbook, then I would consider us rich. His dream (more a drive than a dream) was to go to med school. We far surpassed both dreams a long time ago. We have been rich for many years. I have tried to never forget. I, to this day, derive great pleasure from a trip to the Big M. In today's economy, with changing times, I may need to return to this dream.

God was so faithful teaching me then. May I be willing to learn some new lessons now? I really want to store my treasures in Heaven. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, wehre neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: For where your treasure is, there will you heart be also." Matthew 6:19-20 (KJV)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

I was in the store today, imagine that? I nearly walked into a large Christmas tree, which of course brought my thoughts to Christmas. I am very excited about this Holy Day this year. I have been studying the book of Esther. In my studies I was reminded that this celebrating of the feast days was such a way of remembering. It was such a part of the heritage of the Jews. Even though they were in exile they still celebrated! How wonderful for me to be studying this right now. I was so uplifted by thinking about how we can pass this heritage on to our children. How wonderful that Esther had people in her life that raised up Godly seed so she in time could obey and do the will of the Father and "save" the people from death.

What an important task we moms have to do the same for our children. Let's make sure that our "celebrations" are special and our children understand the cause of much rejoicing! "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory. "

Tag, Someone Else Is It

This post is in response to the "tag" post. My answers seem boring to me, but here they are for what it is worth.

1. I love a Cinderella story. I often read the end of a book after only the first few pages. If I don't like how it ends I will not finish it, unless it is a non-fiction book, in which case I do not read the ending first.

2. One of my favorite things to do is read to my children. Over the years, I have read many, many books. Many fond memories come from these times together. We often quote from some of our favorites and we talk about the characters as if they were real.

3. I don't think this blog would be complete without a "quirk" or two. One quirk I have is tags. I can't tolerate a tag in my clothing. Some items I won't even buy if I think the tag will be a hindrance and can't be easily removed. Down with tags!

4. I adore the smell of fresh laundry. I am a number one fan of Downy fabric softener in almost any scent, there is one I especially do not like. I really like hanging clothes out on a clothes line, too, but this isn't permitted in our neighborhood. Who knew?

5. I really like a completely matching outfit, right down to the shoes. However, I am often too cheap to buy it at full price, and often find pieces missing by the time it all goes on sale. I also lack the ability to put outfits together and have them look great like some people I know. However, I am a great bargain shopper and seldom pay "too much" for clothing.

6. I function best after eight hours of sleep. I seldom get more than seven, so who knows how effective I could really be if I got the sleep I need. OOPs! I better sign off or I won't even get my seven hours in tonight.

I am tagging my friend Patti and hoping she will respond soon.

Be Anxious For Nothing

Tomorrow is the big day for me. I am off to the oral surgeon. I have been having jaw problems for over 1 year now and I finally have an appointment tomorrow! I am a little nervous. There are just a few reasons why: I don't know where it is and I get turned around in a paper bag. I don't think the answer will be simple, it will be complicated and drawn out and expensive. Did I say expensive? Oh well, the Lord knows all about it. It is my prayer that it can be taken care of without too much difficulty. I truly am trying to be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my request be known unto God. Thanks to you all for thinking and praying for me.

Friday Night at the Movies

Tonight my honey and I are going to a movie. I have only heard good things about Fireproof so we are going to see it. Now most of you know it is a sacrifice on my part as sitting through a movie ranks up there with punishment for me. I need some laundry to fold or something. However, I am looking forward to the time with Rob. I'll let you know about the movie.

It does please me that there is a decent movie to be able to see. We invited the children along, but they are exhausted from Friday co-op and other daily activities so they declined. We weren't overly sad about this, but we couldn't help wonder what they had planned in our absence. Is there another parent who can relate to this? They do tend to live by the old adage, "When the cat is away the mouse will play".

Well, I'm off to the movies. Have a great weekend and I'll get back to you with the movie review.

PS: NEWS FLASH! I could just surprise you and change my blog background. Don't place your bets yet.

Every Day's a Holiday with You!

My husband and I just returned from a quick overnight trip. The trip was meant for business and not for pleasure. As it turned out, the time in the car was very pleasurable and even though our time together was only in "short spurts" it was sweet. I couldn't help but think of the song, Every Day's a Holiday with You. I love to celebrate just being together. It is so much more fun than holiday preparation and fanfare. Life's simple pleasures can bring so much joy. A goodnight kiss after a long, weary day, a coke and a smile, sharing a joke, a refreshing chat with an old friend, a stroll in the park, a picnic lunch (my favorite), well, you get the idea so go make someone's day and celebrate just being together.

I Have Seen the Goodness of the Lord

I have seen the goodness of the Lord many times in my life in ever so many ways. I am thrilled to report that I have seen it once again in the life of Abi (the little girl in my prior blog). Her Dr. feels that the bacteria is under control. She was scheduled for more surgery today, but none over the weekend. She is still in a drug induced coma, but the prognosis is certainly looking up. Please continue to pray for her. God has been gracious. As soon as she is healed they will begin looking at reconstructive surgery for her face. Hallelujah to the King of kings! God says in the Bible, "Is there anything too hard for me?" I know there isn't. Please pray for complete healing. Abi's parents have asked for prayer for their testimony to the many who are involved in her care and those parents around them whose children are also very ill.

Thank you for allowing me to share this "burden" in this way.

Tough Times

This blog will be quick, but not painless if you can feel the pain of others. Many of you already know that we are praying for a 13 year old girl who was suddenly stricken with a "disease" that has gone out of control in her body. She has been put in a drug induced coma where she has been for the past several days. Today her entire family was called to come from all over the U.S. which we all know is not a good thing. Please pray for all of them. Her parents are missionaries in another country and they were all home on furlough. The "disease" is some type of bacteria which is destroying her tissue and she repeatedly faces surgery to have the dead tissue removed. There is so much about this that I don't understand, but I know God does. I know He cares and I know He is faithful. Right now I am clinging to what I know and trusting God. It certainly puts my "difficulties" in perspective.

Thanks for the Fun!

I wanted to write a thank you blog and thank all of you who are making fun comments to my blog. It is such a pick me up to sit down at the computer at 11:30 p.m. and have a "tiny" conversation with each of you about things we might not discuss in the course of everyday talking. I am a little sad this week contemplating one of my good friends' upcoming move away from me. I have moved so many times, but it never gets easier to leave old friends OR to have them leave you. So, thank you to all of you who are helping to keep me entertained and distracted. I am so grateful to the Lord for all the wonderful people He has brought in and out of my life. He is such a great and mighty God! I want to thank Him, too. I think I'll go do that right now. Good night! Thanks again for your blogs and the comments to mine. Have a great weekend.

A Snow Day in September!

No, it did not snow! However, I was elated to find out that a meeting I had on Thursday evening was cancelled. This week has proven to be very busy even though it is only Tuesday. I wasn't sure how I was going to fit it all in or find the energy to get it all done. So now I have been given a reprieve and it is a great feeling. It reminds me of a snow day. Those of you who know me know that I adore snow! As homeschoolers we always take the first day it snows as our only snow day for the year. Any amount of snow works for us to bring out the hot chocolate and
marshmallows.
Since it didn't really snow the kids won't be getting a day off of school, but they will have a happier, calmer mom.

What's a Girl Like Me Doing in a Place Like This?

OK, my husband is not in ministry so I just want to list another perk of that job to those who are in ministry. Most of your "required" functions probably don't keep you awake at night. On the other hand, my husband has a job where we are "required" periodically (once a lifetime would have been too much) to go to gatherings or parties. I generally spend far too much time debating what to wear, searching for something new endlessly and finally deciding on something that has been hanging in my closet for several years. Then the big day comes and we hurry so as not to be late. I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would care if we come late. We arrive to stand in some "hallway" and chitchat for 30 seemingly 60 minutes about where everyone vacationed or what they have "added" to their home lately. I try not to think of how hungry I am knowing that dinner is still probably 45 minutes to 1 hour away if I am having a good evening. But, don't worry, there are little "attendants" passing by periodically waving trays of appetizers and if I am lucky I can catch one or two. That gives me a purpose, try and figure out what I am eating and who really eats these things that no one can identify or spell. Oh well, they taste ok and now dinner doesn't seem quite so far away. I go back to idle chatter and try to think of something to talk about that has meaning or purpose. We are finally ushered into dinner where everyone begins eating and I am offered a few moments of respite as eating consumes all of my attention. Dinner is over. The program begins and ends. The evening comes to a close. I often leave thinking that wasn't soooo bad and I did enjoy the time in the car with my spouse. Am I just shallow for feeling this way?

Who Knew?

Did you know that if you do not title your work, then no title is given? See blog just prior to this one. OK, OK, I am still new to this whole blog idea and I am used to blanks that have to be filled in before you can move on to the next item. I tried to go back and add a title, but couldn't figure out how to do that after the fact. Oh well, perhaps someday I will get it all figured out. My kids were laughing at me the other day when I was telling them how I learned to type on a typewriter that wasn't even electric. They don't know how I functioned without spell check. I had a dictionary and many "do overs". They did have white out in those days, but it was paper and not liquid. Every now and then when I really want to let them know how "old" I am, I will write in shorthand. On second thought, maybe these new fangled computers aren't so bad after all.

Today has been a tough day for me in several ways. One of the ways is just "anticipating" tomorrow which will be today for you when you read this post, unless you are up past midnight. If so, shame on you, go to bed, get some much needed rest. That is what I should be doing, but I am trying to get past some of the issues which arose today. Anyway, because I know I am talking in circles I will just say that this week I am again struggling with time issues. No matter how much I try to "simplify", life just keeps on happening. On Wed. my 16 year old begins Running Start, I will drop her at school, return home, school the other 4 children, throw in some laundry, study verses for AWANA, make a dessert for 30+ people, pack a lunch, drop Lisa Dawn and Luke at piano, go back and pick up Kate, take Kate back to guitar, go back home, pick up any balls that got dropped earlier, make dinner, go to AWANA and come back home, etc.
I need a secretary just so I know where I am supposed to be. However, I know by the grace God offers me I will get the most important things done (let's see, how long can I omit laundry?).
It is just my prayer that I will show grace to those around me and they will extend it in return.
Today I was reading one of my favorite sections of scripture where Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him. WOW! Even after Jesus warned Peter, told him that He had prayed for him, Peter still denied Christ. But the beautiful part of the whole story is that Peter was forgiven and used in a monumental way! All because Christ had interceded for him. Christ interceded for me, too, and for you. How wonderful. How will He use me today? It is my prayer that simplifying my life, will consist of trusting God to give me what I need to do His work.

"Word Flowers"

Today we have group class. Fridays are our busiest day. I "oversee" the facility that we meet in so I am usually one of the first ones to arrive and always the last one to leave. My sweet husband knows what a busy day it is and so he usually takes me out to dinner. Today he brought me flowers. I really, really like the flowers he brought me. They are really gorgeous fall colors. He brought me flowers and THEN took me to dinner.

It has really been a great day. I was on the phone with a friend thanking her for some special things she had done for me and I realized that friends can give us flowers, too, in their own way. They can do and say things that make us feel wonderful and loved.

Now those of you who know me will understand this so well. Two of the things I appreciate most about the flowers my husband brought is this: they are my favorite kind of flowers and they are not very expensive! That just adds to the beauty for me. That way, I won't have to feel so bad when I throw them out next week.

However, the memory will last a long time just like the memory of the "flowers" from my friend. When was the last time you gave a friend some "flowers"? I think I'll find my kids and give them some word "flowers" right now.

My Plan

Every morning I wake up with a plan for my day. Ok, some days that simply means just getting through it. However, most days I actually have a plan. Today, however, is one of the just survive it days. It is one of those days when I need to be two people. It is one of those days when I think it would be great for my husband to have a job close by where he could help, but, alas he doesn't. So, because my knight in shining armour isn't going to swoop down and save me, then I am going to have to muddle through. I will resort to making a list and putting the things which can't be put off or rescheduled near the top. Even as I write this I can see the must do list getting longer. Today I must pick up a prescription (at the base, not close by). I need milk and bread and I will be at the base already so that means a trip to the commissary is in order. No small feat for a family of 7 and no menus planned. I can do that in the car during the 30 minute trip. I can bring along a little scribe to help with the planning. I need to make some phone calls for appointments, but it is still too early for that. Ok. Kelly needs help with a homework assignment for group class and of course, only mom will do. Later today, Katy needs to go to the college to pick up her books and attend a mandatory orientation. Sounds like more fun and games for mom. Well, this is how Thursday goes. Actually, I don't know how I will make it all work, but I am glad to have the opportunity to try. Did I mention trying to schedule 3 weekend trips? That's another day!

Forsake Not the Assembling

Scripture tells us to "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together..." It is so wonderful and refreshing to get together with other believers and see what the Lord is doing in their lives. I love hearing what God is doing for His children! So many weeks we hear results that are a direct answer to prayer. Sometimes the answer isn't the one we wanted, but God gives grace and peace, and changes lives, our own included. Find someone this week to pray with and for. Be sure to share with others so they, too, can rejoice in our marvelous Lord.

Each Day is a New Lesson

WOW! My first actual blog. Do you like this big writing? I feel like a Kindergartener so I thought the font fit well. Nearly every day I learn a new computer lesson. Last week I learned how to add a file to an e-mail (thank you, Kelly). Today we are blogging, I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow holds. Kelly is a wonderful, patient teacher. Too bad, her student is a little set in her ways.

I actually created a blog so I could comment on other blogs which have really blessed my heart and made me smile or brought tears to my eyes (like the picture of George all wounded from Ramblings by Robyn).

My other lesson for today was from the Lord during my quiet time. I was prompted to begin a Journal of Praise which I know will be an encouragement to me and a blessing from God.

Isn't God so good to allow us to learn each and every day more and more of His love for us? I wonder why it is that some days we just don't receive it so well.

Today's Life Lessons

WOW!

There are so many things to do; so little time. Today brings a new computer lesson. Last week I learned how to do an attachment (go ahead and laugh, I meet three women yesterday who said they can't do that and they don't pay bills online!). I am constantly being challenged to adapt new skills to keep up with not only the fast moving technological world but also my grown children. I really developed this blog to be able to post comments on the blogs of others.

So, my life lesson for today was twofold. It began this morning during quiet time when the Lord really prompted me to begin keeping a Journal of Thanksgiving and has continued with my longing to create a blog to keep up with those I love the most. It is my desire that along the way I can encourage them to Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength so that other things will fall into place and our treasures will be "stored up" in Heaven.

If you wish to look for grammatical error in my blog, feel free. I am sure you won't have to look far. Perhaps, you can let me know and I can learn a few more grammar rules that I never knew existed. I honestly think that in today's world grammar is like so much else; anything goes.



I look forward to now being able to comment to others and hope to hear a few comments of my own. Thank you for indulging this Menopausal Mother.