A Veggie?

As we were getting ready for bed tonight, Gracie kept saying "I have a veggie!" Of course, I was in mission mode, so I just smiled and went along with my business. As the volume increased and her tone became more stearn, I finally noticed that she was tugging on her princess pull-up. Then it struck me. . .She had a WEGGIE!

Gratitude. . .

Christmas night often finds me exhausted and slightly confused. . .How did this most anticipated day slip by again without even noticing? I am not sure what was different this year, but I am sitting in front of the warm fire and twinkling Christmas tree with an unusual sense of ease. Yes, this year did rush by in a blur, but I think my focus was different. Having a two year old in the house at Christmas has been a wonderful gift, all alone. We have so enjoyed watching Gracie's excitement. She is consumed with Christmas. Not the presents, but the preparation. She sings Christmas carols non-stop. Several times, I have caught her standing in front of the tree admiring the ornaments or even wrapping up her cherished possessions to give to those she loves. I think it is amazing how a young child can grasp the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, we have read numerous books describing the birth of Jesus, but it goes much deeper. It is the reverent look she gets on her face when she sings Joy to the World or Away in the Manger. It is the loving way she asks to cuddle up with Brey and I while we watch Christmas movies. It is the desire to help with the little tasks. It is the willingness to give herself to make others happy. Basically, it is the unconscious gratitude for the blessings in our life. I pray that I might learn from this precious child and live in a state of unconscious gratitude. . .all year long. Now that's a gift!

A Christmas Version of I Corinthians 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not share the true meaning of Christmas, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not demonstrate kindness to strangers, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

-Author Unknown

Christmas Carolling. . .

What a great experience. . .Today a few of my friends and I took the kids Christmas Carolling at a nearby nursing home. First off, the kids did great. As you can imagine, this was not their normal environment, but each one "sang" and then interacted so sweetly with the residents. Please join me in praying for those individuals that are alone this year; that they will know the love of Jesus and feel the peace and joy that only He can provide. I sincerely hope each person was blessed by our time together ~ I know I was!

A Christmas Miracle!

The boppy is gone!

Gracie has always called a soothie pacifier her boppy. We have been talking about the fact that she only had one left, and when it was gone ~ it was gone. Well, three nights ago we lost the lone survivor. I am sure it is still in the house (along with several others that we will find during our next move:)), but we have searched this place upside and down with no results. Thankfully, each "sleep" is getting a little easier. Funny how these milestones are as difficult for us. . .Brey just said "Who would of thought I would have been the last to hear that little 'squish, squish, squish'" It instantly made my eyes well up. So, we were supposed to take down the crib this weekend. . .maybe not.

Carcass, smarcass. . .

I feel so domestic ~ I have "picked", chopped and boiled my first CARCASS! I will admit that I was a bit overwhelmed by the thought, but it is actually really easy. . .and oh, the smells! I expect this will be the best bowl of soup I ever serve! For those of you that know me really well, you know I do not like to get dirty. I also do not care for leftovers. I think this will be my one exception. . .I'll keep you posted.

While I am typing this, Gracie is reading a children's Bible. She is in Revelation 20, where Satan is bound for 1000 years. She looked at the picture and asked "Do you like this one?" I told her that everything in the Bible is important, but some of it is not fun to read. She looked at the picture again (which IS really scary for toddler book) and replied "I don't like him, he's in a BAAAAD way. . ." Yes, my love, Satan is in a bad way. Praise God we're not going with him!

Picture Perfect. . .

The Rockwell is complete! Daddy arrived home safely last night with a bag full of Slovenian goodies:) Today, a beautiful Colorado day, was spent shopping with Amma on the Southlands Main Street (which was decorated with Norman Rockwell Christmas scenes). Tonight. . .the icing on the cake! For our 13th anniversary, we all cuddled up on the couch to watch the Denver Symphony Orchestra's performance with the Children's Choir! It was perfect~ beautiful tree sparkling next to the "roaring" fire, my precious family and songs about Jesus. . .what more could I ask for? I will say, one of our favorite moments was the reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas. There were bells and drums and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies all capped off with CAPTAIN STUBING (yes, from the Love Boat) reading the story from a beautifully illustrated copy of the children's book. O.k., I will admit, it was a bit odd in the beginning, but once he got going, it was amazing! I hope you all find a Rockwell moment with your families this year. May your homes be full of thanksgiving and love for one another. . .What a perfect way to honor Christ!

MERRY CHRISTMAS???

Well, according to the Advent Calender. . .It's Christmas!

I was on the phone this morning when Gracie came in holding up the calender. She proudly said "I ate them all!" I guess she could read the look on my face ~ so, with a huge smile and a little rub of her belly, she followed it up with "There's a party in my tummy!" I think she has realized a comic relief helps avoids punishment. . .I hope her future teachers think she is as cute as I do!

The Christmas Spirit. . .

We have clay-mation movies, cookie exchange snacks and a fully decorated house. I would say this is a pretty great way to spend an evening with my precious baby. We will watch Rudolph, read a few Christmas books, "untie the bow", "open the door" and enjoy this blessed season ~ all we are missing is Daddy. Not long now. . .I can't wait for him to get home so we can enjoy this together. Saturday night we will continue the ornament exchange tradition (it is the anniversary of when we met), and then have a Christmas gathering with our small group on Sunday. I am so excited to get the presents wrapped and put under the tree; I think it will take the excitement to a new level! She is completely enamored with the "village". She just stands in front of it as she carefully examines each piece. We are still singing Christmas Carols 24/7. She evens makes up some of her own:) I love that she loves what we love! May you have a peaceful, loving night, too.

A passing grade. . .

PLOWING 101: COMPLETED!

NEXT CLASS: SHOVELING. . .

Obviously, I could not find anyone to dig me out today. It took just over 2 hours to plow. Poor baby Gracie ~ she sat strapped in her car seat and watched movies in my car the entire time. She is a champion! I loathe the thought of shoveling the deck and front walk. We got at least 6 inches of actual snow, but the drifting makes certain spots over a foot deep! I guess I will tackle that during nap time. . .Boy, do I appreciate my husband right now:)

Army wife moment. . .

Every Army wife knows that when the guys are away ~ havoc will play! We are expecting about a foot of snow tonight:) so, I while I made a quick phone call to find someone to plow our driveway (since I have not taken Plow 101) Gracie worked diligently on her latest art project. As I hung up the phone, she said "Look at my bruises, Momma!" Of course it instantly got my attention. . .then there was the "you've got to be kidding me" rise in pressure, followed by the smile that you can't hold back no matter how hard you try. We both started laughing while I was trying to discipline her, so I just gave up and decided to take some photos ~ enjoy! Thank goodness this is a really short trip! And now, we are off to the tub. . .

Hmmm?

Any guesses?

Obviously, little one was a bit wound up tonight. . .First thing she did after we came home this evening was head upstairs. I asked her what she was doing and she said she needed to get some things for Frosty to go ice-skating. Knowing my child, I should have asked a follow-up question. A few minutes later I found her in the kitchen with the dancing Frosty. They were both wearing diapers on their heads and "skating" around on the hard woods. I am so sorry my video port is broken ~ it was classic! In the picture she has tucked herself in to "bed" next to Frosty (he is on the blue base in the background). Yes, her covers are an oriental rug, and yes, she is wearing a second pull up ~ on the outside! I guess this is what you get after an afternoon with grandparents!

PAM. . .

I love having a live Christmas tree. I wait for this day all year! I love to see it standing there in all of its majesty with that amazing smell filling the house. I love (watching Brey) put the lights on the tree while we listen to Christmas music and drink eggnog. And then, then final, crowning moment. . .the angel is placed on the top and the lights go on! I will never outgrow this event! Obviously, Gracie can feel my excitement, which makes her anticipation palpable:) When Brey brought the tree home earlier this week, she could hardly contain herself. She came running out of the garage shouting "MY VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE!" True, this is her third Christmas, but we were in Alabama last year and did not really decorate. So, technically, this is the first big tree she has known. I hope "that moment" is as special for her as it is for me ~ I will certainly be ready, with camera in hand! The real reason for this post is not to show a photo or tell a cute story, but to share a miracle. . .Pine sap drives me nuts. I don't know why, but I am the only one it attacks in our family. So tonight I was ready to fight back. The trusty Internet taught me that PAM cooking spray removes sap in seconds! No scrubbing or burning. No sticky mess for days. 10 seconds and voila! Hope this tip can help you, too!