~the wonder of christmas~

The week after Thanksgiving always comes with harsh realities: 1) That the year is almost over (where has it gone?) and 2) that I'm not prepared for Christmas - YIKES!

Oh how I love Christmas! The Christmas tree, the twinkling lights, hot cocoa, singing Christmas carols, reading the Christmas story from the Book of John to my kids, explaining the virgin birth - yet again! But UGHH, how I hate shopping! Could this really be? Am I not a female? I'm told most women enjoy shopping, but I'm definitely not one of them!

Guilt and terror smack me in the face as I realize I have NOTHING bought yet! Lots of ideas, but nothing bought. Our kids are of the age that we don't have to fight the crowds on Black Friday anymore. Thankfully, we don't have to pinch and pull hair to get their favorite toys:) The things they want cost a little more than a Cabbage Patch Doll or a new soccer ball and I can usually find them online.

I remember when they were little, the excitement on their faces on Christmas morning when they ran into the living room and saw the presents filling the corner under the Christmas tree. As they've gotten older, it's been my challenge to keep the wonder of Christmas alive for them. It would be easy (though easier for some) to buy everything they want for Christmas and hope they're satisfied, but I know material things cannot satisfy the soul. The TRUE wonder of Christmas is that which DOES satisfy. How amazing that God sent His own Son into a filthy world filled with hate and envy, knowing He would be murdered by the very people He came to rescue, so I would have the opportunity to accept His gift and live a life more abundant than any storybook could portray. Yes, this is the true wonder of Christmas! As my kids get older, I pray that every Christmas they are more amazed by Christ than the year before - just as I am.

Blessings,

~broccoli~

So, can I just say that I have never been a fan of broccoli? Is it legal to utter those words as a mother? I can't even stand the smell of it cooking! Glen has, in the past, bought those Green Giant boil-n-bag things that have broccoli and cheese sauce, and the smell sends me packing every time!

Recently I was invited to a Pampered Chef party. I went because I had heard many friends talk about them, but I'd never been. They made the best recipe - which included broccoli! I couldn't believe I liked it. I still can't believe I liked it! I liked it so much I bought the ingredients and made it for my family - who ate it, but all didn't necessarily like it. What a disappointment this was to me. Glen liked it, but Glen never complains. Riley liked it, and he hardly ever complains, but Grayson didn't like it. Yes, she complains quite often:) I plan to make it again, and hopefully she'll "learn to like it". That's what my mom used to say to me when I didn't like something - obviously, after 20 years away from home, I learned to like broccoli, sort of:)

Ham & Broccoli Calzone

http://www.pamperedchef.com/images/public/us/pdf/calzone.pdf

I used sliced ham instead of diced. Also, no onion for the kiddos.

Blessings,

~sweet melodies~

Can I just say that God is good? I can remember as a kid wishing my mom could afford piano lessons, but it was never to be. When I was a teenager, I bought my own keyboard with babysitting money I had earned, but all I can do is pick the keys-even to this day:) It's really a tragic story - just kidding:) The one thing I wanted my kids to be able to do is play the piano. Grayson showed early signs of being gifted with musical abilities, then Riley, too.

Today, I'm reminded of how I would record the countdown every week (on cassette) and play it back so I could sing at the top of my lungs! Riley is sitting at the piano singing at the top of his right now. I love the sound of my kids singing, and so thankful they have a tool like the piano to help them worship with their voice. If any of you have heard my kids sing, you know that Grayson has a sweet worshipful voice, but Riley thinks he's a ROCKSTAR! I love the fact that he sings LOUD and out of key - not caring who hears, just singing to God! I am still working on my nerves when I sing at church, even after years of singing. How amazing is God that He'll take pure worship from a child - loud and off-key, though it may be? But He also takes sweet melodies from Grayson to melt my heart, as well as His.

Blessings,

~summing it up~

As I thought about whether or not to blog, I went back and forth in my mind about several things. I'm pretty much an open book - which is the problem. I'm more likely to tell you more than you need to know about any situation. Fine by me, but not so fine by my husband. After 16 years of marriage I'm learning to keep my book (and my mouth) closed on the issues that may embarrass him. I must admit, though, I'm still very much a work in progress. Praise God that He has poured His grace and mercy over me!

I am a home-educating mom of 2 wonderful kids and a ministry wife. God is truly amazing! If I could have looked into the future 20 years ago, I would've passed out from unbelief! I never would've imagined being used in the ways God has chosen to use me. I also never could have imagined being stretched this far:)

I hope to get to know many of you through this blog, but my earnest prayer is that God is glorified through my words and deeds.

Blessings,