Christmas - isn't there more to it?

To start, this time of year is my favorite time of year. I love all the festivities that start back at the beginning of November. I love the family time. I love that people are planning things to do that wouldn't take place any other time of the year. But this year, more then any other year, there was a sadness to this season for me. There was something missing.

Truth be told. It has always been missing. Why is it that we take a day that wouldn't be celebrated if it weren't for the birth of Jesus Christ and make it NOTHING about him. I know, many would say that it is a pagan holiday and those people would be right. However, it has been made into the day that even the media will admit is the day that the Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. So, that being said, where is Christ in Christmas?

It is very important to us that our children know why we celebrate Christmas and for that reason, along with a few other reasons, we don't do Santa Clause. Why should Jesus have to share his birthday? It has become a tradition that on Christmas Eve we all get together and read the Christmas Story out of the Bible (Luke 2:1-20). The story of the King of Kings being born in the most humble way possible. No trumpets sounding, no special servants waiting on him hand and foot, no beautiful cloth to wrap him in. Nope, our Savior was born as a baby, just like you and me. However, He was in a manger filled with hay. He was wrapped in some standard cloth.

This Christmas, amongst all the family time, the ripping open of wrapping paper, the toy playing and hoopla, my heart was gracious. If it were not for that babe in a manger, I would not be forgiven of things that I did in my past. If it were not for that quiet night, I would not have grace that is renewed every morning as I wake. If it were not for a God that knew that the only way to save the world was through the birth and bloodshed of his only begotten Son, I would not have life eternal.

We loved our time with the family. The kids made out like bandits in the gift giving! They both got everything they wanted and then some. Andrew and I also enjoyed treating each other to gifts and both were pretty proud that we bought gifts for each other that did not need returning!! And more then anything, we walked away from the whole thing with a deeper love for our Savior and a deeper desire to raise our children up in a way that will glorify God. We don't get it all right, but at least we know that we are trying and that God always gives us a second chance.

So, as we head into 2009 my hope for myself is that I spend deeper more intimate time with my Creator. I plan to be such a mom to my kids that they feel like my only existence in life is to be there Mom. That my husband knows his value in our family and in his job place. Also, that he too can reach a deeper place in his relationship with God. For my children, I pray that at their young age they continue to seek the knowledge of God. I pray that they enjoy their childhood and make memories this year that will last a life time. I pray for obedience, discipline, and respect not only to me and Andrew, but to God Almighty!!!

May God bless and prosper you in 2009. May you take a moment as you start the new year to ask yourself, What if? What if there really was a baby that came for no other reason except to be The One who is your way to a life of grace and mercy. Renewed Daily. At no cost but a relationship with Him. What if.

The last few days....

So, a few new things are taking place in our home. Isaac has started Cub Scouts, Thanksgiving will be at our new home this year now that we have the space for it, and Ainsley is...well, Ainsley!

Our little princess has a way of driving Mommy to the edge. Isaac was always really laid back and VERY obedient when asked to do something. Ainsley on the other hand, she likes to see how many times Mommy and Daddy have to ask her to do something. (or stop doing something that she is not supposed to be doing!) So, we have been working with her intently on being obedient, doing what she is supposed to be doing, and using self-control.

Actually, the self-control thing is part of a list of things the Bible calls the Fruit of the Spirit that we are teaching our children in our home for 9 weeks. There are 9 fruits of the spirit(love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - Galatians 5:22) so we feel led to teach one per week for 9 weeks. We started out with self-control as we felt that it was a necessity with both of the kids in their daily lives. School was a tough place to remember that you are there to learn first and have fun while doing it. This week we are working on joy. At the end of every day at dinner time we ask the kids to give us an example of how they used their fruit of the spirit at some time during that day. They are REALLY enjoying this stuff!!! We even had a craft time and made a tree and some fruit. So, each week as we pick a different fruit of the spirit to work on, they put that fruit on the tree!! If only I would have thought about this a long time ago!

Okay, so that being said, our little Ainsley is working VERY hard to do "the right thing" each and every day. She has done a great job today and we are very proud of her. Isaac has had great reports home from school too so we are being shown that our work at home is paying off!!!

We are really looking forward to Thanksgiving at home this year. Though we will miss being with my family on Thanksgiving day, it will be nice to do something new and to do it with Andrew's mom and step-dad that now live not too far from us here in NC. So, tomorrow, Thanksgiving Eve, I will be spending the day preparing the dishes that will need to be cooked on Thanksgiving Day. I am making Very Cranberry Cranberries, Noodle Koogle (an old Jewish family tradition), Sweet Italian Sausage Stuffing, Mahogany Turkey, and Caramel Cheesecake Bars. Tad, my MIL, is bringing the Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Ambrosia Salad, and some yummy dessert also. Yep, for 4 adults and 2 children, there will be WAY TOO MUCH food. But, isn't that the fun of Turkey Day!!!!

I can't help but post the picture of Ainsley in the dress that I made her for Thanksgiving now. So, the pics are of Isaac in his Cub Scouts Uniform and Ainsley in her pretty new Turkey Day outfit that I made for her!!!

We pray that you have a blessed and prosperous Thanksgiving with your families. We are grateful to God for our family and friends amongst many other things that I will post about later!!!

Enjoy overeating!!!!

Captivate Us Worship Dance

(I have been trying to upload the video and it is not working...I will keep trying. I will need my computer genius hubby to help me when he gets home later tonight...sorry!)

Last Sunday, Nov. 16, I was blessed to be a part of a dance that was so special to me. I can't really go into detail all that learning this dance started in me spiritually, but let's just say, it was touching to dance it even when we practiced it. Dancing with me is my friend, Jevonna. She is our dance instructor and a great leader to us. She is very anointed to dance and I am honored to be able to dance with her.

As I am posting this I am sitting here quietly thinking about what being captivated by something truly means. By definition captivate is a verb that means "to attract, to hold the attention or interest of as by beauty or excellence; enchant." Throughout our lives I am sure that every one of us can think of a handful of things that we become captivated by. I know that my children are captivating to me as is the beauty of fall here in the south with all the amazing colors. I even become captivated by watching planes take off and land just simply because of the sheer power of it. Each of those things draws our attention and holds it for quite a while. Sometimes even long after the actual action of being captivated wears off, I am still left with the thoughts, the memories, the power of that very moment I was captivated.

The song that we are dancing to is called "Captivate Us" by Watermark. The chorus says "captivate us, Lord Jesus, set our eyes on you. Devastate us with your presence, falling down..." What would happen if we were truly captivated by our Savior? Would we ever want to live another day without His presence? Would we settle for just another day at church or even work? Or, would we want to live that moment over and over and over. To be devastated is to lay waste to, or to render desolate..to overwhelm. When one is overwhelmed, I believe one can never go back without the help of something that comes along to save the people, rescue the area, and deliver them all from the harm just done. Think of an area that is devastated by a tornado. There is nothing left. What once was, is now no longer. There is rebuilding that has to be done. And, no matter what, there is always memories of what used to be.

Are we truly ready to be captivated and in turn devastated? I think not. We each have our piece of the world that we continue to hold onto. That thing that we just can't die to in order to be fully devastated. We are like a brick building in that tornado devastated area. The bricks just keep fighting and don't fully surrender to the devastation that took place around them. I don't want to be bricks anymore during that devastation. I want to just submit, surrender, fall at the feet of God and allow him to devastate me. If I am devastated then it allows Our Savior to do exactly what the Savior does....save me, rescue me, deliver me.

I am ready to be delivered from the things of this world. What would that be like?

A wonderful fall day!

The weather here has been so beautiful lately. I little too warm for my liking, but at the same time, not having the cold weather yet has allowed us to do a lot of really fun stuff outside as a family.

We are really fortunate now to have Andrew's mom and step-dad about an hour away instead of in CA like the originally were. They moved out here about 6 months ago and bought a home that was destroyed by it's previous owners. I wish that I had before pictures so that you could see how bad it was and how much they have done to it. Anyway, it is on a few acres with a little river behind it and plenty of empty acreage around it. Being out there is the definition of serenity. It is quiet and absolutely beautiful. Lots of wildlife too so the kids LOVE it!!!

Over the weekend we went down there on Sunday after church. (kinda the typical new fam. tradition!) Jeff, my step FIL, had recently purchased a 4-wheeler so Andrew and Isaac were itching to go for a ride. Although, I must say, I was too!!! The kids think it is like "roughing it" when we are out there...they LOVE to have a bonfire. So, we had a bonfire, roasted hot dogs, and rode the 4-wheeler.

I gotta add something funny....last time we were there we did S'mores also. This time we did not get the stuff to do that because Tad, my MIL, had made a pumpkin pie for dessert instead. Okay, so here are the kids sitting by the bonfire and Ainsley says "Mom, are we gonna make some of those mushroom melty thingies?" I thought it was so cute!

I love this time of year. To me, there is no time of year that draws everyone to family time like the fall holidays do. I would live in Oct., Nov., Dec., and Jan. all year long. I look forward to the next few months as everyone comes together in the family for some special memories!

So much to do....

Do you ever find yourself planning something and thinking "Wow, this is fun" but at the same time thinking "What am I doing"? Um, yeah, that is me this week. I am super excited about all that is going on this week but at the same time wondering how I am going to get everything done.

Let's face it...I do NOT know how to say NO! I LOVE party planning and I LOVE even more blessing people! I agreed to help out with a baby shower a couple weeks ago and then just a few days later was approached by our Lifegroup leader wondering if she could have a housewarming party for us instead of Lifegroup for this month. So, the housewarming party is at MY house on Friday the 14th and then the baby shower is the very next day! Did I think this thing through at all??? NOPE!!! You know me, can't say no to either one of those things! Acutally, truth be told, I am quite thrilled with both! Just getting the planning for both done is going to be a daunting task but one that I excitedly take on!!

So, the tasks are layed out in front of me and I have started to try and plan how I am going to get all these things done this week. Oh, did I mention that I have dental and dr. appts for someone in the family 3 out of the 5 days this week that my kids are in school!!! I love that time when it is just me and no little bodies to try to keep close while walking through stores. Anyway, I have desserts for the housewarming to make, a diaper cake for the shower to make, and a new house that is not fully organized to organize by the time my friends arrive on Friday evening. That is all ON TOP of the daily grind of my usual duties of dinner prep, lunch making, laundry, cleaning, appointments, dance practice, homework, bathing the kids, etc. etc. etc.

All that being said...I wouldn't change a thing. Okay, so maybe I would ask for more minutes to my day, but not really. I would certainly find something else to cram into those minutes too!!!

A touching video for all Fathers (and mothers too!)

More of our family pics.....

Family Pictures!!

We are so excited to finally have taken some family pics. We couldn't have picked a better day as the weather was warm but still fall like, the colors were beautiful, and the location was really neat. We went about an hour north of Charlotte to a place called Gold Hill Park. It used to be an old gold mining area that had a lot of old stone buildings and a neat old barn. These buildings made for some great backgrounds with a lot of different textures! Our pictures were taken by a friend of mine from church. She has quite the eye for a good shot. She gave me a disc with 94 pictures on it...needless to say, I only uploaded a few of my favorites!!! Enjoy!

Our new home.....

This is our new home!!! I spoke to my Grandma this morning and she had not seen it yet so I figured this was the easiest way to show her. The first picture is the front of the house (obviously!), the second is the kitchen, the third is the sunroom (the area where our kitchen table is), the fourth is the formal dining room, and the last is the family room. We are loving our new home, have a huge backyard, and guests are ALWAYS welcome!!!!

In the beginning.....

I have decided that being that we are so far from so many family members and friends, blogging would be a good way of keeping all, especially those not connected by Facebook and Myspace, up to date on what is going on in our lives. (okay, so maybe I think you all care more then you may!)

I will use this blog spot to post pictures (aka...show off my beautiful family), share stories (aka..VENT!), and keep everyone up to date on what is new with us!

So, bookmark this page! Save it to favorites! Check back often!!