FYI

I need a nap.

Be Still Sunday

fPhoto Friday

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good tidings of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 10, 11

Camera: Canon XSi
Location: Christmas Tree Ornaments

Name Above All Names

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,..., and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Unforgettable

"...the time came for the baby to be born..." (Luke 2:6)

I remember the night before I was to give birth to my first baby. A son. Because he was past his due date, I was schedule to be induced. The night before, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I was scared. Trying so hard to be brave, I finally lost it. Sitting on the edge of our bed, I cried in my husbands arms. It was the fear of the unknown. It was the fear of labor pains. It was the fear of parenthood. It was the fear that our life was about to change forever.

Here is Mary. Young. Vulnerable. In labor. Mary was not only about to be a new mommy, but the caretaker for the Savior of the world. What load she must have felt. What responsibility. What uncertainty.

Having experienced childbirth, I have a new appreciation for this part of the story. And for Mary. I've always envisioned Mary as a meek girl. But like any woman who's experienced childbirth, it changes you. A rite of passage, if you will. For me, it brought about a new sense of strength and confidence. Mary had to be brave to have been the one chosen for this task. I admire her strength.

Although every event in this story is valuable, there is one part that touches my heart in a tender way. "

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart". (Luke 2:19)

Lying on the delivery bed, my newborn son was laid upon my chest. Crying. Exposed. Pure. As I touched the skin of this new life, I felt a new fear. A fear of the power of the Lord. In that moment, I felt His very presence.

There are experiences in this life that are unforgettable. The birth of my son will always be one of those experiences for me. Although, time has a way of erasing some of the details of that day, I will always remember the overwhelming presence of my Lord. My God.

I can envision Mary, holding this new baby boy. Her first baby boy. Crying. Exposed. Pure. Trying to soak up every detail of his delivery, I know she felt the same overwhelming presence of the Lord. How could she not?

So many, many years ago, but yet a strong sense of connection.

Her Lord. Her God.

Together, Our Lord. Our God.

A Must See

I love to reconnect with childhood memories. Those connections maybe through music, movies, television shows, or fashion. You know those connections. Those favorite pair of high heel Jellies. Oh, my first pair of high-heels. I was the stuff. Prancing around with my furry dog bag filled with Lip-Smackers and Hello Kitty pencils. Me and Hello Kitty were tight.

Life was going the way it should until I got one of those annoying pebbles lodged in between the bottom of my Jellies. The only removal was with a stick or even better, my Hello Kitty pencil. We woman are always prepared for anything!

Just recently, with the help from technology, more specifically YouTube, I was reconnected with one of my most favorite movies as a child, The Small One. Have you seen it? You must! This short 30 minute movie is a must see this year. Especially this Christmas. It's a tender tale about a young boy and his donkey. They don't make movies like this any more and I am so excited to share this part of my childhood with my son.

I love discovering joys from the past. Especially when I can pass them along to the next generation.

If you haven't seen it you can watch it on YouTube, however, it's definitely a great addition to the movie collection. I found my copy at Wal-Mart.

Be Still Sunday

fPhoto Friday

I love this age of discovery and wonder. I hope I always recognize the small pleasures of life.

Camera: Canon XSi

Location: Living Room

The Real Meaning of Christmas

Christ
Humble beginnings
Return
Innocent
Sacred
Truth
Manger
A baby
Savior

On the 11th Day of Christmas...

I won a gift certificate to Tick-a-Too, a children's online boutique. Thanks, Heather, for hosting your amazing 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! Click over to stay posted on more giveaways at The Gift Closet.

I've Been Elfed!

This was too good to leave in my email inbox. I have laughed until I've cried. I didn't know my husband was such a good dancer. My dog either, for that matter. If you haven't been elfed yet, go do it now!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

fPhoto Friday

Just sending a little Christmas Cheer your way!

Camera: Canon XSi

Setting: f 1/15; ISO 800

Location: Living Room

What's In YOUR Oven?

There is something about the holidays that gives me an extra boost of energy to bake something. Anything. Maybe it's the smell of sweet cookies filling the breathed air. Perhaps it's the anticipation of tasting something special. I love pulling out old recipes and attempting to perfect them a little better than the year before. If only I had a magic clean-up fairy to do the dishes.

So...what's in YOUR oven? The time has come to bake and tell!

With Much Appreciation!

Thank you so much, Angie, for this awesome award. I am really honored. If you haven't "Google Readered" Angie's site you are missing out. This girl is one busy woman with much talent, I must add! Angie, I've enjoyed getting to know you! However, I must confess, I had to look up the word "aggrandizement". Glad this award isn't for the most "dictionary knowledgeable".

Here's what this award is all about...

This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! This blog is exceedingly charming. This kind blogger aims to find and be friends. This blogger is not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to writers like this one and those nominated below!

The rules...Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

In no particular order...

1. Sheila

2. Brittany

3. Tracy

4. Kristi

5. Lori

6. Cheryl

7. Amydeanne

8. Ruthie

Tag, I'm It!

Thanks, Tracy for the tag!

Here are the rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Fill out the questions.
3. Tag 5-7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag!


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate. I've just discovered McDonald's Hot Chocolate. Choose the "non-fat" milk, you'll feel better about drinking it. :)


2.Do you wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Definitely wrapped with raffia bows. I love raffia!

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white? White lights on all trees.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? no.

5.When do you put your decorations up? Either Thanksgiving Day or day after.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Cranberry Casserole

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Reading the "real" Christmas story as a family before opening the presents.

8.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I honestly can't remember.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, one.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I buy an ornament when we travel. Most of them are fun reminders of the people we know and the places we've seen.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it? Love it!

12. Can you ice skate? On my hiney.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I can remember my favorite gift my sister got that I wanted...a Barbie 4-Wheeler.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? Family

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Anything chocolate

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Reading the "real" Christmas story together as a family.

17. What tops your Christmas tree? A gold star

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I love to give. I get more anxious for others to open their gifts than for me too. There is such a sweet joy about watching the expressions on others' faces.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? This is a tough one...favorite Christian song is O Holy Night and Do You Hear What I Hear?. My favorite contemporary song is Home For The Holidays.

20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck? Yum

21. What do you want for Christmas? Sanity

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? We host an annual Church-wide Open House. It's a small way for us to show our appreciation and to let others realize the doors to our home are always open.

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's? PJs.

24. Do you own a Santa hat? No, but my dad does and we have to force him to take it off. When my sister and I were teenagers we used to get so embarrassed. Now, Christmas isn't the same if dad doesn't wear one.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? We alternate between families. This year Christmas day is with my family. Next year it will be my husbands.

26. Favorite Christmas Movie. I have two...It's a Wonderful Life and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

Alrighty...tag you're it!

1. Angie

2. Melissa

3. Amanda

4. Tarah

5. Amydeanne

And The Two Winners Are...

Here are your random numbers:

11
6
Timestamp: 2008-12-07 18:43:15 UTC

Kaylan (#6) and Cheryl (#11)!!

Congrats to you both! Make sure to email me your contact information and we'll get your ornaments handpainted and delivered before Christmas!

Happy "Early" Merry Christmas!

Be Still Sunday

Giveaway Closed!

Thanks to all who entered in the Personlized Ornament Giveaway. I will post the two winners on Monday, December 8th. Good luck!!