Gonna Party Like It's 2009!!

It's our 3rd year running... the New Year's Eve tradition. You would think we were taking the kids to Disney World the way they acted about it... days... weeks in advance, asking, "are we doing our awesome New Year's Eve Tradition? Huh? Are we?" Well, yes we did! My family and my sister's family took all the kids to the local bowling alley, which has actually been upgraded this year to include arcade games and go-karts. So there was a whole new dimension of fun on New Year's Eve. Among our more exciting and/or humorous moments: Go - Kart Riding This is the crash that Tom caused by trying to pass his daughter and win the race. There is a sign that clearly states "no bumping," but it did not phase his competitive nature. Surprised we didn't get kicked out of the joint. Bowling was fun. Looks like Luke is headed for a strike!!! Apparently not. Strategizing. Nice group pic!Afterwards, we went to a friend's house and played Guitar Hero and hung out until the ball dropped! Lots to look forward to in 2009.

Because I Always Love a Good Letter Challenge

Dawn @ Dawn's Diversions had a fun diversion on her blog a couple days ago....

It's the Sesame Street Meme. Dawn was given a letter by Georgie, and she had to think of 10 things that she loves that start with that letter. So, because I love letters and words and challenges, I asked Dawn for a letter and she gave me.... P.




Quickly ruled out, Poison, Poop, Profanity, Peanut Butter (ick!) Partisin Politics (truly makes me angry), Puke, Potsmokers, Potholes, and Pain.

So, here is my list for letter P.

1) Parenthood - there's probably nothing I like more than being a momma. It just rings true in my heart.

2) Penelope's Pitstop - this is an awesome site that has some of the coolest finds out there - what she calls "Praise Worthy Paraphernailia." Since I hate to shop (I know, I'm weird), I love to look at this website for hip and happenin' ideas. I had been stalking this site for awhile before I discovered it's blog author is a friend of mine named PENNY!!!

3) Parties - I love parties! There is nothing more fun that putting together a fun party for your kids' friends or your own friends! I also love attending parties. Oh, and there's a party of sorts for Oklahoma bloggers coming up. I am going to that party! Won't you come too?

4) People - all of you people! I know I say this all the time, but I am totally inspired by you. I am a people person. Some of my favorite people: Kim Nicole Ashley Laura Lori Chere Chrissy Rise Tom Kerry Judy Ida Starla Dawn Amy Traci Laurie Erin Amanda Jessie Linda Suzanne Heather Ronda Kelly Rhonda Carolyn Renee Catherine Clint Kendra Katie Laurie Terri Ginger Julie Bruce Susan Leigh Michelle Paula I love you all!

5) Pictures!!!!! - I have a passion for pictures. I can't stop taking them. I pore over them like a mad scientest. Here is my favorite photographer.

6) Parents - Well, I literally would not be here if it weren't for my parents, but I appreciate them for more than bringing me into the world. Judy and Jim don't get enough blog time really, because they are the epitomy of wonderful parents and I love them so much even though sometimes lately when I talk to them it is like watching Frank and Estelle on Seinfeld. Love you guys!!!

7) Pummelling Opponents - That sounds bad, but most coaches wives will tell you that it is gut-wrenching to watch a close game... I'd rather just beat the bleep out of the other teams. Sorry, but it's true. Last night, when I left our game early, we were up around 25 and all I could think about was yelling at those players to "extend your lead!!" The rest of the evening, I had such a happy feeling in my heart and when I examined it, I realized it was because we had just annihilated the enemy.

8) Pardon - I love being pardoned from sin... the pardon given to us by Jesus when He died on the cross.

9) Palindromes - Words/Phrases that are spelled the same backwards and forwards - how cool are those? Like RACECAR and WAS IT ELIOT'S TOILET I SAW?

10) Pajamas - oooooh soft pajamas and a warm cup of Green Tea? PERFECT!!!

Ok, that was even more fun than I thought it was going to be. I totally enjoyed it and want you to play. Please play? If you want a letter, leave me a comment that you want to play, and I will assign you one!

Three Stockings

This Christmas, I walked into my tried and true friend's house.
She always makes her house smile.
It smelled delicious and the decorations winked at me from the walls.

But when I looked at her mantle, I saw three big, fat teardrops.

Three stockings.
Three stockings instead of 4.

And I could not shake those 3 lonely stockings.
How she had the gumption to hang only three stockings this year.
How she must have felt while doing it.
Knowing that the 4th person was off hanging his stocking elsewhere.

I don't think I could have hung the stockings if it were me.
But that is how my friend is.
Strong.
Faithful.
Mindful of the little hands that will open the stockings on Christmas morning.

I left thinking her stocking must feel pretty empty this year.

So I asked God.... why, how and help.

He reminded me that Mary and Joseph had one less stocking to hang themselves.

Though Jesus did rise from the dead, he very soon separated from his earthly mother and father, who loved him dearly. Regardless of God's higher ways, I feel absolutely positive it was heart-wrenching for them. He completed their family. Then He was gone.

From a very humanly perspective, it makes no sense.

Why would the person who was prophesied to be the ruler of a new Kingdom die a horrible death and then come back to life only to go away again? For that matter, why was the King born in a stable? If you think about it all from their perspectives, it doesn't make sense. But now we understand. There was plan all along.

From an earthly perspective, those 3 stocking are 3 daggers to the heart. It makes no earthly sense for a God-fearing woman to have to hang only 3 stockings to celebrate the birth of her Lord and Savior. I don't come close to understanding it.

However, God whispers that He does have a plan. A higher plan. A plan we don't understand but that will glorify Him to the highest. "Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.'

And as for the three stockings....I feel badly about those images. If (when) my friend reads this, I don't want to leave her with that visual in her mind! So, I'm going to try something different:

They should not be three tears or three daggers, but they should represent from now on, the One who is enacting His plan, and my friend's faith in Him...

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

What Did Your Husband Get You For Christmas?

Most all of us have our stories.

One year, before we were married, Tom bought me an Industrial Sized Package of Breath Mints. Because I like breathmints, he said.

That was the last year he got me a present that poorly chosen. I make a point to remind him of the breath mint debacle quite often.

If you have ever received a gift like this, you have got to take a couple minutes to watch this video.

It's clean, it's true, it's hysterical.

(listen for the positive subliminal messages being played in the dog house- HA!)

This is What I See...

....When I look into the wide world around me.

LeTTerS.


That bright blue day out on the farm, Christmas Day, I just started taking pictures of interesting images... it started with Z and then T and then O and then before I knew it, Kami, Ellie, Luke, and I were on an Alphabet scavenger hunt....we had to get creative and help a couple letters come to life, namely the manure pile of a G and we were desperate for the bungi cord and stick of a P, but most of them are au naturale. Sorry, I cannot get J and M to rotate for some reason. My favorites? C, D, O, Y, Z....

call me strange.... all LeTTerS have a special place in my HeaRt.

A Few of Our Favorite (Christmas) Things

I am reviving something I did last year... trying to highlight some of our favorite things about the Christmas holiday. There are so very many, but here is what stands out the most.
This is my niece Maggie (2 years old). We were at a party with my sister's family when I looked over at her to find her praying. For no apparent reason... no one had asked her to pray... we weren't eating.... she just found a quiet moment, I guess. Then she looked up and whispered, "Amen." It is so important to our family that we put Jesus at the forefront of all we do over Christmas, though I will admit that I'm not always the best at doing that in the rush and hustle of the season. I should take a clue from Maggie and just make time, regardless of what's going on around me.
We've done this activity for several years now at Granny's house. It is a tradition the kids love. And look at those houses! Too cute and getting cuter every year.
I absolutely love getting Christmas cards. Here is ours, done by the great Kelly Stocksen herself. Pictures were taken on Mom and Dad's farm where I grew up. Tom thinks I'm crazy, but I keep every Christmas card I have ever received... they are a great visual reminder of each family that we love!
The kids got to see Santa several times this year, but this particular instance, he just so happened to knock on Carolyn's (Tom's mom) door on Christmas Eve! The kids were so excited and Ellie's first question was where the reindeer were....
Nothing can replace it. Christmas Eve # 39 for me at Granny's house. We all pack ourselves into her tiny little house, bumping together like too many Christmas cookies on a tiny tray. But we wouldn't have it any other way. There is a talent show for the kids, a round of dirty Santa, and of course, the main object of our affection, Granny herself.
Besides me being exhausted because Ellie kept waiting up for Santa and KEPT waiting up for Santa, it was a wonderful morning for our family! I think everyone was happy (except Ellie did not get the puppy that she asked for from every Santa she saw). I think Santa's feeling very guilty right now.
This year, we stayed all day at mom and dad's house. The weather was so beautiful that we were able to spend some fresh time out on the farm. I don't think the day could've been bluer. We walked in the fields, threw rocks through the ice on the ponds, and Kami and I climbed the silo! It was a fear-facing experience (that silo is tall!), but a great time. Glad we did it. (Also, I dedicated my new blog design to this day on the farm!)
It is always a great time to reconnect! And the snake picture? Had to throw it in... Ellie considers all animals a part of her family.
Something new for us... but the kids LOVED it! The ice rink in downtown Tulsa was awesome. All the kids did very well except Luke. He had rubber legs for about half an hour. I was so surprised, because this is the child, who at 3, got on a little bike with no training wheels and just RODE. But after that 30 minute free fall, he got it and ended up looking like a little hockey player. Roller skating was fun too. Notice no pics of me in skates. Wouldn't have been a picture you'd have like to seen.
This is me getting ready to climb the silo on my parent's farm on a bright and beautiful Christmas Day. I am just trying to soak it all up. All of the Christmas season is so precious and truly a gift from God. Even when my kids are fighting like little monsters or we lost another basketball game (ugh) or things just aren't the way I think they should be, I want to enjoy and appreciate each moment! I try not to take anything for granted. It will not be this way forever. Kids will grow and lives will change. I'm just thankful for my family, friends and for my Mighty God who saves.

Technical Support

I'm gearing up to get blogging again (lots of things to blog about!), but have been trying to give my blog a home makeover. When I view my blog on my PC, it looks fine, however, on my laptop, the header gets cut off by my blog posts. Is that what you are seeing? Do you have any tips/suggestions for how to fix this? I will look into it, but I thought one of my brilliant blogging friends may be able to help! Can't wait to blog to my heart's content!