Christmas is Come

Oh My!  Found this in my drafts.  I went ahead and posted it without it being finished! (apparently I got busy)  I don't know how the rest of the story would have gone or where my mind was at that moment, but it's fun to speculate.






Christmas is come, hang on the pot,
Let spits turn round, and ovens be hot;
Beef, pork and poultry, now provide
To feast thy neighbors at this tide.

I love Christmas time!  Did I mention that I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME??  This may sound corny, but there truly is something magical about it.  For me, it is the excitement of the entire season.  The twinkling lights, the smells that are coming from my kitchen and the Christmas music that you never get tired of.  Especially Dean Martin!  I adore the whole formality of it all... setting a table, polishing silver and cooking for days! A family tradition that I hope to instill in my children. As I finish up my decorations, including my department 56 houses, I get a little sad and wonder if I truly 'get' the true meaning of Christmas.

Blessed Valentine's Day in Spite of...

Happy Valentine's Day to me!  So, to make a looooong story short... I ended up in the emergency room Tuesday morning for an obstruction in my small intestine.  I was admitted to the hospital for treatment and diagnosis and was there for four days, of which one was Valentine's Day.  While our family really doesn't celebrate the holiday... I generally will get the kids a little something and Phillip and I will go to dinner and, of course, the standard bouquet of red roses and card.  The morning of Valentine's Day around 7 a.m., I was surprised by a visit from my youngest son, Ahlden, with a beautiful bouquet of Pink roses ( my favorite) and a hug.  Man, I love that kid's sweet and thoughtful heart!  After he left, Phillip walked in with Red roses and a card. (yes, I know you want to laugh right now at the originality) .  Man, I love his consistent and thoughtful heart!   What really made me smile even bigger was when he asked where the pink roses came from?  He had no idea that Ahlden was going to do that or better yet, had influenced it.  That afternoon, Caitlin and Connor showed up with flowers, cards and hugs.  Caitlin's flowers were a spring bouquet that smelled like a spring garden in full bloom and were absolutely beautiful and my favorite scented candle, High Maintenance by Tyler Candles.  Man, I love her caring and thoughtful heart!  Connor's was a single red rose (still in the plastic) and was presented as if he had walked a mile barefooted in the snow to get it.  Now, If you know Connor, then you know that is his way of deflecting from the fact that he was doing something loving and kind.  Made me smile!  Man, I love his twisted and thoughtful heart! :-)    My day was complete! My Valentine's Day was truly special because my family went out of their way with busy schedules of work and school to make me feel special and loved. I am blessed, and in the midst of the pain and uncertainty of my condition, I was humbled and grateful to have the most important people in my life there that day with loving hearts!

{Living as becomes you} with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.             EPHESIANS 4:2

Ahlden shot this picture and put it on his Instagram titled

"My Valentine"

 

 

My Year

It's been several months since I have posted anything and it feels good to be back to the writing board!  We made it through the Holidays and there were great moments that I wish I would have shared and moments that were not noteworthy.  As the new year begins, several things are happening in my life that I would consider "stretches".  I am still volunteering at Cook's Hospital and I love being there with those kiddos.  Some days are harder than others, but I walk away with a heart full of hope and gratitude.  I started volunteering for Pathways at the corporate office on Friday's. Let's just say that my office skills are a little rusty, but I'm enjoying the atmosphere and the opportunity to learn new things.  I also started a bible study, the book of Esther.  Funny how that came about, but I know for sure that God is sitting back with a grin on His face.  Tennis is in full swing (no pun intended) ! :-)  I'm looking forward to 2013 and this will be the year that I find my JOY and PEACE, because I deserve it! 

Honor and majesty are found in His presence; strength and joy are found in His sanctuary.
1 Chronicles 16:27