Welcome to my blog, it's my life, these are my thoughts. Sometimes they're cheerful and happy, sometimes they're a big pile of bantha fodder.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Truly a Family Christmas for 2009

Christmas was Fantastic this year (it always is!) but this year was even better!
We began Christmas by going to Lake Charles to my dads - I got to see and visit with my brother and my sisters and my nieces and nephews. We had a nice time, the weather was great AND there was birthday cakes! My niece turned 8 and my nephew turned 3. All the kids are great :) There were 2 of my nieces missing though, they live in another state. We got to spend the day there with my dad and mom. Then we had a nice fairly relaxing drive home - it got dark quick - didnt leave me much traveling crocheting time. Midgee got an AirHog R/C helicopter, it's a neat little helicopter too. Jerbie got a watch - that he LOVES! He comes in here everyday to tell me what the date is. I had a really good time visiting with everyone and seeing my sisters.
It's been a very long time since I've seen my sister "happy" - it's like her JOY was wrapped up in box and put away for a long time. I am glad she opened the box and decided to share her sweet smile with the rest of us again. I remember being joyless, it was not a good feeling. But when your sitting in a pit like that, you cant see anything but the 4 walls closing in on you, you feel like you cant get any deeper than what you already are - so whats the point in trying. It really warmed my heart to see her happy! We have a new path set out before us (you know who you are!) I love you!

We spent our Sunday morning at church - it was great - as usual! I love my church SOOOO much. We have such a wonderful warm loving family there. Very supportive and genuine to each other. We wrapped up our ladies bible study that night - with a lovely tray of snacks that a friend of mine put together (she's a fantastic cook). We had a nice conversation over snacks and discussion of what our Christmas plans would be this year with family.

Housecleaning- UGGGH! Oh, I was getting ready to entertain guests that were coming in on Tuesday. Mahoney's oldest brother and his wife and children were coming to stay the night with us. We were so happy to have them here. This was a first time overnighter. The kids are getting so big and they are such good kids too (ages 12-18). Us girls made a trip to Hobby Lobby for a touch of shopping. Then over to Krogers for strawberries, Michelle had given me a strawberry bread mix, so we made it that night. We exchanged gifts too. They got the boys some Wii games and a helicopter and train. And a something extra $$$ from their Aunt Michelle and Uncle Rob. Mahoney cooked us up some dinner - mmmm spaghetti - it was delicious. Watched Transformers - on BluRay of course. The rest of the night- we chilled.

Wednesday morning, we got up and got the coffee cooking and Russ made some biscuits. Everyone got up and around and then it was puzzle time. So we spent the afternoon chatting and puzzling and playing Wii and of course "picture-takin". I love picture-takin! As they were loading up the truck to leave, I hear someone say Aunt Lili!! So I turned around and there's my oldest sister and my niece.

I was straightening up the house when they were packing and my sister was unloading. It all worked out well though. I really wanted my sister to meet Russ's brother - yay! I got to see my niece whom I have not seen since last year at Thanksgiving (she's 4 now), getting so big and she's a cutie. She looks just like her Aunt Heather LOL.
Got my sister settled in and then we got ahold of my parents and they came over to hang out for a while and we got to talk and gab.
Thursday, Christmas Eve, we all got out and about and went to do a little last minute Christmas shopping, Target, Hobby Lobby, etc... Then, Russ and the boys and I headed to Nana's to have lunch with Uncle Rick and Aunt Mary and the kids at Cici's (I had salad only). We headed back to Nana's house to visit, but we had to be back to Baytown by 4:30. Jerb decided to throw up in the truck on the way home - so Russ and I had the nasty task of cleaning that up when we got back. Got his behind in the tub while I was cleaning up the truck - then we all got ready for Candlelit Service at church for 6pm! I made Dorito casserole for dinner - mmmm cheesy! Got kids fed, movie watched, and in bed...... and the Elves begin their work.....

part 1 ends here.....my fingers are tired of typing LOL

A tangled ball of Christmas lights....

I felt led to write something this morning. I got to thinking about how troubled our lives are and how we are knotted up and tangled and we expect that other things or people can help us, rather than calling on the One who can. We hand off our issues and burdens to other people instead of the loving God who is in control of it all. Our actions should speak so loud that it leaves no one to wonder where our heart and faith is.

We can liken our lives to a tangled ball of Christmas lights:
When we are born – we are new out of the box.
Most of the time things seem to work well.
We light up the world around us – because we are new.
We have that "new" smell.
We are shiny and bright, and full of life.
As the years go by we are weathered, our bulbs get broken or even burn out,
We don’t shine as brightly as we should, sometimes not at all.
All those tangles are different obstacles and struggles,
Hurts, pains, difficulties and sadness that we go through.
We hand off our “tangled ball of lights” to someone or something else
Hoping they can untangle us, Or even help us forget about our knots and tangles.
Even though things are tough – we can still light up…..
We just have to be plugged into a power source – Our God!
So hand over your tangled ball of Christmas lights.
Let God work out those knots and tangles.
And let your LIGHT shine!

Let those around you see your faith shine in our Most High God, because through you – they might find their way to the power source too and let the Lord become the light of their life.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Ok, so as of my last post: We've been preparing for Christmas with our families and wrapping up things at church, and getting school & tests out of the way for the end of the 6 weeks. Now the boys are out of school for, let me see......ummm 14 MORE days - which means that I get to sleep in - that will be a real treat for me. Even on the weekends I tend to wake up at 6:am! Anywho - a break is nice.

This past Friday night, I had invited my friends and their children over here for some Christmas activities. We had a good time (the noise level was a little high)... 6 children ages 3-7.... we colored some Christmas pages and ate snacks, did a Christmas story called "What God Wants For Christmas" (interactive story for the children, they loved it). Then we got our hands a little dirty with paint (my fav!) we each painted 6in wooden snowflakes, that now adorn our Christmas tree, then we watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (cartoon version).

During the middle of all the chaos and confusion - each child wanted to "perform" (sing a sing, quote a bible verse, whatever came to them) - well my #1 child, my oldest, stands up when it was his turn and decided to announce that he has asked Jesus in his heart (i was floored!) He had not said anything to me about it - then all the sudden just blurted it out. Not exactly sure yet about his decision, I've never led a child to Christ before. Although he does not understand the concept of sin...yet. Is that something that comes with time? He says that he loves Jesus and the that Jesus loves him and that Jesus lives in his heart. He seemed to be sure of what he said. Who am I to say that he's wrong.
Of course we didnt discuss it until we were on our way to Louisiana the next day - I was so shocked (but thrilled!). Rusty didnt hear about it until the next day too, while we were driving to my dads. He got very emotional!! It was a wonderful feeling to know that not only do I have my son here on earth, but I'll also get to spend eternity in Heaven with him too - this certainly makes for the second best Christmas gift ever, Jesus being the #1!! Praise you Most High God!