In With The New

Here's hoping our snores will mask the fireworks around us

as we sleep in the new year.

Oh what party people we are!

My motto for each New Year Eve:

The new year will come whether I stay awake to make sure it gets here or not.

I'll see it when I wake up in the morning.

Sadly, this motto is not a result of mother-hood.

It's more of the

I-like-my-sleep-more-than-I-like-my-party-hood

and I've been there for as long as I can remember.

So, that being said

WHOOOHOOO- IT'S A NEW YEAR!!!!

(throw the confetti, toot a horn, raise a glass, sing a song, do a dance, kiss someone)

Now, goodnight~sweet dreams.

Christmas Bug

A Deeper Meaning

BEFORE

It’s Christmas night and there are toys and other gift remnants scattered all over my living room and kitchen. There was a lot of gift giving at our house this year.
As I sit here and ponder Christmas while looking over all the stuff I think how sad it is that this is Christmas for most people, especially children.
It’s the “look what I got!” and the “what did you get?” It’s about the brightly colored paper and bows under the Christmas tree and the anticipation of what’s hidden beneath.
But Christmas night comes and the toys are left on the ground, little bits of paper still litter the floor and the kids drift off to sleep dreaming about their new toys that will break or be forgotten within the year.
Most of them have no thought about the real gift of Christmas or why we set this day aside in the first place.
I heard a statistic that said more kids believe in Santa than Jesus. I weep for them.
I weep for a generation that doesn’t know the Truth.
And then I think of the toys that are spread out across the floor and I pray.
I pray that as Lydia grows and experiences more Christmases that her experience will go far deeper than the gifts around the tree. I pray Christmas will mean so much more to her than a list she makes of things she wants and expects to get.
Oh, Lord, give us wisdom to teach her.
Help us guide her to a deeper knowledge of the real reason of the season so she will find a joy and excitement in the gift of her Savior wrapped in baby flesh and not just toys she will break, outgrow or not even play with.
And may we, as her parents, not get caught up in that same trap. Oh, what an easy trap to get wrapped up in. Buying gifts, wrapping gifts, sending gifts, money issues, having our own list of wants. Adults are just as prone to forget why we celebrate. Christians are just as prone.
I wonder if that makes Jesus sad. I wonder what He thinks about what we’ve made of His coming to earth.
The wonder of God coming down in tiny flesh to become a man and die for US.
And this is what we make it? This is what we teach our children?
It should be so much more!
Christmas should be fun. And I love all the traditions and celebration as much as anyone. I really love Christmas. But I want to love Christmas for more than worldly traditions and festivities. I want to teach Lydia that it’s so much more.
Oh, Lord, help us.

AFTER

Christmas Quiz

Name That Song

How well do you know your Christmas songs?

1. Quadruped with crimson proboscis

2. 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. without noise

3. Miniscule hamlet in the far east

4. Ancient benevolent despot

5. Adorn the vestibule

6. Exuberance directed to the planet

7. Listen, aerial spirits harmonizing

8. Monarchial trio

9. Yonder in the haystack

10. Assemble, everyone who believes

11. Hallowed post meridian

12. Fantasies of a colorless December 25th

13. Tin tintinnabulums

14. A dozen 24-hour Yule periods

15. Befell during the transparent bewitching hour

16. Homo sapien of crystallized vapor

17. I merely desire a pair of incisors

18. I spied my maternal parent osculating a fat man in red

19. Perambulating through a December solstice fantasy

20. Aloft on the acme of the abode

ANSWERS:

 

1. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

2 Silent Night

3. O' Little Town of Bethlehem

4.Good King Wenceslas (or some believe in Jolly Old St.Nicholas)

5. Deck the Halls

6. Joy to the World

7. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

8. We Three Kings

9. Away in a Manger

10. Come All Ye Faithful

11. O Holy Night

12. I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

13. Silver Bells

14. The Twelve Days of Christmas

15. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

16. Frosty the Snowman

17. All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

18. I Saw Momma Kissin' Santa Claus

19. Walking Through a Winter Wonderland

20. Up on the Rooftop

One

It doesn't seem possible but Lydia is one. I say that with mouth gaped open wondering if it's really true. Is it possible?
Every day I look at her I see changes and growth. Some days I love it, excited to see her learn and develop but some days I wanna yell, "STOP! It's too fast!" But time goes on. (More on that later.)

Since Vince had vacation around her birthday we decided to treck out to Washington to celebrate her birthday with family. I wanted her to be able to share that day with aunts and uncles and grandparents. I'm so glad we decided to do so.
It was such a special trip in so many ways. And of course we had a super cool party! Everyone pitched in and made the day wonderful. Amazing really. I couldn't have dreamed up better!
Thanks, everyone, for making it so special for us! We love you soooo much!



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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I have rambled on for a week now and I have nothing left to say. So....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I had a great day, talked to lots of my favorite people wishing me a blessed day, and now I'm going to bed.

30 blessings

My life has been very blessed. It wouldn't be right not to share some of these blessings with you on my birthday week. Especially since it's November and we tend to see this month as a reminder to be thankful for all of life blessings, big and small.
Although there is no possible way to list all of mine I will try to give you a short list, yes 30 of them, of some that I am thinking of tonight.
The very fact that I have so much to be thankful for is perhaps one of the biggest blessings for so many have not the things I enjoy. I hold them tenderly, knowing that some are fleeting, some are eternal, but with each one I say, "Who am I that I should be so blessed?"
To hold what I hold, I know not why for there are others more deserving. To enjoy what I enjoy, I don't quite understand why it is I God has so blessed. But I grasp them with outstretched hand and not clenched fist for they all go back to God and are not merely my own.

1. I can not help but add first- My salvation. My standing in Christ. The blessed assurance that I am redeemed, my sins forgiven and heaven is my home.
2. Next, my husband. Ya'll that man is amazing! Being able to walk beside him through life and know he'll always be there and will always love me, I cherish that.
3. My beautiful daughter and the way she lights up my life.
4. My family- I have the best family in the world!
5. My friends- I love you people! You make me laugh, you share my tears, you walk with me in life. You're all the coolest. :)
6. Our home- Having shelter from the cold, rain and snow. How often we forget that not everyone has that.
7. Our church
8. Our cars. You never know how big a deal they are till you don't have one.
9. Our bed. I love our bed. We splurged on it when we bought our home and every night I sink down into it and have to stiffle an "AHHHHH". I can't tell you how good it feels.
10. Warm Blankets- I have a huge down comforter on our bed. It stays on my side because if it comes anywhere near Vince he throws it and says "get this vile thing off me!". But it keeps me warm and toasty and I love snuggling in it.
11. Baby Moniter- We have a video moniter for Lydia. I can't tell you how useful it has been. I have loved having it and highly recommend them.
12. The smell of supper still in the air.- It means we have plenty and God has provided.
13. A cup of hot cocoa to warm the bones. - It's the perfect evening warm up.
14. Laughter- Laughing because I'm full of joy and God's goodness. How sweet it is! Hearing my family laugh because they are happy- priceless.
15. Making new friends.
16. Fuzzy slippers on a cold evening. Bright multi colored furry ones, to be exact.
17. Smiles. Nothing makes my heart leap like my husband or my child smiling at me with eyes twinkling.
19.  Clean clothes. Another thing you don't realize how great it is until you don't have it. Ask my husband. :)
20. A phone call from someone I love.
21. Getting an actual letter in the mail. It happens so rare these days but it always makes my day to get one.
22. Music- Hearing a song on the radio that is exactly what I need to hear for the moment and it encourages my heart or hearing a song I haven't heard in awhile and it takes me back to another place and makes me smile.
23. Realizing I'm not alone.
24. Doing something for someone to bless them. There's blessing in being a blessing.
25. Being a SAHM. I'm so thankful God has made it possible for that to happen.
26. Dare I say it? My books. I have them simply for enjoyment but sometimes God provides for our enjoyment too.
27. Our computer
28. The toys all over my living room
29. People who pray for me, for us
30. My health

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!

If I Had One Wish I'd Dance With A Fish

30 BIRTHDAY CAKE WISHES

One for every candle

I Wish...

   
1. I had soft fluffy purple gloves. I'd have them on right now. My fingers are in danger of freezing in the typing position.

2. I was at the beach listening to the waves crash on the sandy shore, feeling the sun warm me clean through.

3. I was holding a steaming cup of Starbucks coffee. Black with no sugar. Pike's Place Roast.

    Unless I was on the beach, then I'd switch the drink to iced tea. Strong, no sugar.

4. I had this in my kitchen. Seriously. I've been wanting one of these for so long I actually dreamed about it. Sad, isn't it? A trash can makes my wish list. And that I dream of trash cans. Is there a name for this condition?

5. I was better at finishing projects. I have a huge list of ideas that might get started but very few get finished. Other things always get priority -aka life.

6. I weren't so quick to follow temporary pleasures, forgetting to spend more time with the One who gives eternal joy.

7. I lived closer to family.

8. I had an unlimited supply of blueberries and fresh figs.

9. I had more wisdom on how to be the best wife and mother my family needs me to be.

10. I had this. In blue.
11. I didn't struggle with worry and fear but found it easier to have a God-centered trust in all things.
12. I could go on a southern gospel cruise to Alaska someday.
13. for date nights. What are those again?
14. I could see the Messiah preformed live- just not in Detroit.
15. I liked classical music. I tried but I just can't seem to make myself like it. I'm so uncultured. :)
16. Chocolate was a health food.
17. I would wake up tomorrow morning with a $1,000 Kohls gift card under my pillow.
18. my conduct always exemplified Christ.
19. there was a pomegranate tree in my back yard.
20. there weren't spiders at my house.
21. boots...I'd like some really cute brown boots.
22. my husband could take his dream vacation, just because it would make him happy and I love seeing him happy. His dream trip btw is a tour of the MLB ballparks.
23. my neck wasn't so messed up and I could sleep without headaches again.
24. pray-not wish- that my child(ren) will grow up healthy, happy and most of all with a strong desire to know and follow Christ. This will be God's doing, not mine.
25. I owned the Dick Van Dyke Show complete series on DVD. I LOVE that show and it's the only show that always makes me laugh no matter how many times I've seen it. And it's clean!
26. I could go for a ride in a hot air balloon.
27. Vince would teach me to fly a plane.
28. I was better at remembering where I put things.
29. I could play the piano.
30. for my next 30 years- they will magnify Christ and give Him glory.



Shared Major Events

Besides my entry into the world, here's a list of some of the other major historical events that took place on November 29. Hard to top me being born though, huh?

1864- At dawn in Colorado territory, a militia under Major John Chivington attacks a winter encampment of Cheyenne Indians at Sand Creek, massacring over four hundred Indians, the majority of whom are women, children, or old men

1887- US receives rights to Pearl Harbor, on Oahu, Hawaii

1910- traffic light system was patented in the US for the first time. Earnest E. Sirrine was issued the patent which allowed for a changeable traffic device that would be installed at street intersections to help regulate traffic flow. This first system had two display options: stop and go

1929- Commander Richard Byrd became the first to safely fly across the South Pole.

1934- The first American football game was broadcast nationally on the radio. NBC radio set up a national radio network of 94 stations to broadcast the game. The Detroit Lions were defeated by the Chicago Bears, 19-16.

1942- Coffee rationing began in the US. Though there was plenty of supply, the ships used to transport coffee beans to the United States were needed for war efforts in World War II.

1944 - John Hopkins hospital performs 1st open heart surgery

1947- The United Nations votes in favor of partitioning the British controlled Palestine and to allow the creation of an Independent Jewish State of Israel.

1961- NASA launched the Mercury-Atlas 5 capsule with a chimpanzee aboard. The chimpanzee, Enos, and the capsule orbited the Earth twice. The spacecraft landed in the Pacific Ocean as planned, and Enos was no worse for wear.

1963- The Warren Commission was established to investigate US President Kennedy's assassination.  US President Lyndon B. Johnson established the commission. Its report came almost a year later and presented findings that Lee Harvey Oswald had alone plotted and assassinated the president, and Jack Ruby had alone murdered Oswald. The findings to this day remain controversial.

1975- The Microsoft name appears in writing for the first time, in a letter between Bill Gates and Paul Allen about their new company

Birthday Questions

1. What is your favorite birthday memory? 
The first year we was married Vince made my day very special. It was priceless.
2. What was the best birthday present you ever got?
I should probably know this but to be honest It'd probably be money. That's always my favorite gift. Sentimental aren't I?
3. What are you doing for your birthday this year?
Going to Northville to a book sale and then to BD's grill for dinner. I get a free birthday meal!
4. Do you share a birthday with anyone famous?
Howie Mandel, C.S. Lewis and Louisa May Alcott
5. What will be on your birthday cake this year?
That would imply I'm having a cake. I don't know if I will. But there may be cheesecake.
6. What do you want most for your birthday this year?
I don't even have a clue. Really I don't. But maybe, if I had to think about it...books?
7. How many candles will be on your cake?
30- If I had a cake.
8. Do you want a big birthday party?
No, I'd rather just be with my family and a few friends.
9. Do you have any birthday traditions?
Every year V and I go to Zender's restaurant in Frankenmuth for our free birthday fried chicken meal. Since both of our birthdays are in November we get both our meals free. That's a lot of food! Plus we get a free Christmas ornament from Bronners. It's great fun!
10. Who do you want to spend your birthday with that you won't be able to?
My mom and grandparents

Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Years In The Making

So here's me. Here's what 30 years has wrought. The good, the bad and all the stuff in between. These are the highlights if you will. Some of it has shaped me, some of it has tested me, some of it has taught me, but all have been life experience that have been stirred in the mix that make me, well, me.

30 life experiences that have helped define who I am now-

1. I was born. This is sorta the catalyst for the rest of these events so I thought I should start with that.  (interesting fact- My daughter was the exact same height and length as I was at birth.)
2. I was given a loving family.
3. My mom and dad divorced.
4. I was brought up in church.
5. My mom and I moved to Phoenix.
6. My mom married again.
7. I got saved at the age of 12.
8. I decided I didn't need God and wanted to live my own life.
9. We moved back to the midwest, Kansas this time.
10. Started homeschool.
11. Met the girl who would become my very best friend all through my teen years. (Does she ever have the blackmail on me!!!!)
12. Senior year went to Indep. Bible School, graduated in 1998 (a year early) with my class of 11.
13. Took a year off school and worked at a daycare. That job would become my reason for what I chose to major in throughout college. It is still the best job I ever had. (well until the SAHM gig that is)
14. Started college. Independence Community College.
15. Had my first boyfriend. He broke my heart. I add this because it was the first time I really got that God knows best and what I thought would break me only served as God's wise protection and to make way for bigger and better things.
16. Moved out on my own. Back to the town I was born in.
17. Worked two jobs and went to school. On weekends I was almost always at a coffee shop (King's Coffee Co.)  with my best friend Angie. We played Scrabble a lot.
18. Started dating a lot and went further still from God. After two bad relationships decided living life my way wasn't cutting it.
19. Ran back to God and He welcomed me home.
20. Went on a dream vacation to NYC with my mom and best friend (who didn't think it was so dreamy). While on our way, 30,000 ft. in the air, God and I talked about my life and for the first time, I handed everything over to Him, no strings attached - including my future spouse. I told him, while looking out over the clouds, that I would follow His leading in it. Two months later I met this handsome pilot dude. (Angie reminded me that it was on that same trip I stated, due to lots of plane delays, that I would never marry a pilot. Ops.) But I do think it's crazy that I was in a plane when the "spouse talk with God" happened and I ended up marrying into the aviation life.
21. Spent the next year working, taking classes and getting to know the man who would become my husband.
22. Fell head over heels in love with the most amazing man I know.
23. Got engaged March of 2005, got married in June of that year.
24. Moved to Memphis and started learning how to be a wife.
25. Year 2 of marriage I got sick and stayed that way for 11 months. Don't know what it was but it shaped my relationship with God and with my husband. Looking back, I'm not sure God sent it, but I know He used it.
26. Found out we were moving to Michigan and started packing. We got here and found a sense of peace that we were where God wanted us. (Much to my dismay!) We found a good church and settled in to both a new state and new friends.
27. While on a trip back to Oklahoma, we found out we were going to have a baby! My life was forever changed for the better.
28. Came back from that trip and promptly bought our first home.
29. December of 2009 I became Mommy to the most amazing baby girl. She rocked my world.
30. Turned 30. Realizing I am well settled into my life. Blessed beyond measure that I am living out the life I always dreamed.

And in between all of that, I've done a lot of living and learning, laughing and crying, growing and changing. I've made memories, I've dreamed dreams, I've become..me. Through every page God has stamped His imprint on my life and experiences. I look back, smile and say, "God has been so good to me!"