Merry Christmas

 

Source

The Abbreviated Christmas Story

In those days, the emperor wanted to count all the people that he ruled. He ordered everybody to return to where they were born. Joseph and Mary had to return to Bethlehem. It took them nearly a week to travel there. When Mary and Joseph arrived, they saw people everywhere. People were camped in the streets and beside the road. Mary was tired. They stayed in a cave. The people kept their animals inside that cave. Since they kept the animals in the cave, they called it a stable. Joseph said to Mary, "Let's go into the stable. We can make a bed on the straw. It's better than sleeping outside." They went to the stable so Mary could rest and Joseph made her a nice bed using the straw. That night, Mary's baby was born. Mary wrapped him in and long strips of cloth to keep him warm. She made a bed for him in a manger full of straw. Mary and Joseph were very happy. Mary and Joseph named him Jesus as the angel had said.

Dear God,
Thank you so much for giving us Jesus. Thank you so much for all you do for us. Thank you for loving us. Help me to love as You do. This I ask through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen

Quote

Why do we have to wait for special moments to say nice things or tell people we care about them?

Randy K. Milholland,

WFMW - Moving and Packing

 I thought I might just share how I pack. I have very very rarely had breakage.

1. For China and plates I use disposable Styrofoam plates in between each plate. Really cheap and cushions the HECK out of it.
2. Glasses get wrapped in dishtowels or hot pads.
3. Designate a color (sticker) for each room.
4. Note on the box what is inside and if it can wait to be dealt with.
5. Keep clothing in dresser drawers. I put socks and undergarments in a pillowcase THEN in the drawer to keep those pesky guys from flying the coop!
6. Tape screws, bolts and other loose items to underside of furniture. Make sure you bag them first.
7. Keep items from the same room together as much as possible. This will make it easier to sort the contents after you move.

Of course the #1 TO DO is PURGE, PURGE, PURGE!!!!! That I have done and continue to do. Two truckloads GONE and more in process!

For those prayers covering us....Keep it up please!

Not Me Monday

I did NOT have to take our cat to be put down Saturday. Not me!
I did NOT scream Josh’s name at the parade. Not me!
I did NOT drive to the end of the parade just to embarrass him and grab more candy. Not me!
I did NOT serve funnel cakes for dinner. Not me!
I did NOT lose it—yes, TWO hissy fits in one day—over moving paperwork. Not me!

Quote

Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgment of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it.

-Kathleen Casey Theisen

I Praise You

I praise You, Lord that I can trust
The path you have me walk.
I need not know where it will lead
Because I know You know.
I need not understand why or where
I trust leave those both with You
And yet I listen in my prayers
In case You want to share.

Sometimes I’d like to know the why.
I’d like to understand
Sometimes I’d like to know the where
So I could make some plans
But then I think that if I knew
I’d interrupt Your plans
For Your ways aren’t for me to plan
But just to hold Your hand.

Many times we find we are walking a path we don’t like or understand. Sometimes it seems we have been down the same type of path at other times. Our finite minds always want to understand our circumstances. We want to know where we are headed so we can “chart our course.”

In the Christian walk our “chart for our course” is in the Bible. Our path leads to eternal life with God, our Father and Jesus Christ, His Son and our Savior and Lord. The directions God wants us to take on our way to our Home are His choice. We are on this earth to give Him pleasure. We do this with our fellowship with Him, our trust in Him, our obedience to Him and our love for Him. All these, fellowship, trust, obedience and love, can be carried out without knowing the why’s or where’s of our walk.

It is so nice to be able to just walk and trust. I know where my walk will end. I can trust God’s hand to guide me every step of the way. When my finite mind pushes it’s questions into my attention, I can pause, turn my eyes on my Father, and choose to trust His wisdom and love. Peace overflows as I do this and I can continue my walk in fellowship, trust, obedience and love.

From my Mom's blog here. Stop over and tell her what you think!

Good Bye Sam

Dear Sam,

I'm sorry we had to put you to sleep today but you were hurting and we just couldn't take it any more. We loved you our dear favorite cat. You were a beautiful, very patient, loving little guy. We are sorry the mean ole dog across the street stole you away from us. You didn't even make it one year. We will all miss you.

Your human family,

PSF - #3 - Christmas Parade

I did NOT embarrass him by yelling and cheering him!
TWICE!!!
Yes we drove around to the end of the parade to see it AGAIN!

The Continued Cat Curse

I think some of you have been following our story of the Cat Curse...well Sam is still with us...he was attacked by the neighbor's dog and apparently something is leaking inside him. He turned bright yellow but as you can see he's not quite so yellow anymore.....maybe those nine lives really do exist??

WFMW - Laundry

I am one of those women who fold straight out of the dryer into separate baskets....well I used to be!

Last week I decided to dump the entire week's worth of clean, UNFOLDED (yes, I said unfolded, wrinkled clothes) laundry...dump them all on my king size bed....call everyone in the house to my room and have everyone grab what belongs to them! Worked like a charm! Even my 2 year old got into it (MINE...MINE).

I did it again yesterday...and again, it worked like a charm! So much for folding and bending and squatting all week long. No more kids digging through clean, folded clothes making a mess of them. You gotta love making things easier on Mom!!

Wassail

1 1/2 cups white sugar
8 whole cloves
3 cups water
3 cinnamon sticks
1 1/2 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1 gallon apple cider

DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cloves, water, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, and continue to boil for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and allow to cool for 1 hour. Stir in the orange juice, lemon juice, and apple cider. Return to the heat, and boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks before serving.

Moving

Well… it looks like we might be moving out of state which can only mean one thing: MASSIVE FLINGING COMMENCES.

Today alone, I filled the entire bed of a full-size pickup truck with clothes, dishes, and assorted “how did we even own this?” stuff. I am genuinely shocked at how much I let go—and I am absolutely jazzed about it. Even if we don’t end up moving, this purge was long overdue.

So far, I’ve conquered the laundry room, the kitchen, and my bedroom. Yesterday I took down the filing cabinet—every drawer but one. And yes, it is officially gone. No more ugly filing cabinet. Victory is sweet. I also liberated an entire laundry basket full of VHS tapes. Apparently, I was preparing for the year 1997.

Next up: the children’s clothes… which I am deeply not excited about. Tomorrow I’m tackling the toddler’s room, then the bathroom, then the older girls’ room. After that? The boys’ room. I’m nervous. Pray for me.

No pictures were taken because I was too busy flinging with reckless abandon. Eleven hours in and I cannot stop. This is no longer cleaning—it’s a lifestyle.

Flinging is addictive.
ONWARD.

Sunday Scripture

Photo Credit

Merry Christmas

Source

Giggles

Wonderful Love

God, it’s so wonderful
The love You’ve given me
Teach me how to pass it on
to everyone I meet.
Help me not to criticize
But lend a helping hand
Use me, Lord to help someone
to find for them Your plan.

It is so easy to criticize other people. We can find so much falt: how they dress, how they talk, how they look, what they do. It’s amazing how easy it is to fall into a critical spirit yet how hard it is to reach out in love and acceptance. Join me in the challenge of finding something positive in everyone you see today. Make a determination to speak a kind and encouraging word and to help them in some way. Sometimes help is just in the words, “Thank you.” It may be to hold a door open for someone. I could even be in letting another driver into the long line of traffic you’ve been sitting in. Will one car more really make a difference in your schedule? It might make a big difference in the one waiting to get in. Let’s practice God’s love by encouraging and helping.

This is a devotion written by my mom, she has a devotional blog here. Please stop in and visit her. And give her a note of encouragement. She is very diligent in posting these wonderful devotionals but doesn't get many readers. Drop by and check out some of her writings.

Christmas Favorites Q&A

Christmas Favorites Q&A

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I love using wrapping paper, but lately I find myself reaching for gift bags more often. That said, paper is a must for the kids—what’s Christmas without a little mess?

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial for sure! I used to always get a real wreath, though, just so we could enjoy that wonderful holiday aroma.

3. When do you put up the tree?
The day after Thanksgiving—always. No exceptions.

4. When do you take the tree down?
If my folks aren’t coming over, the day after Christmas. One of my kid's birthday is New Year’s Eve, so I like to have it down before then. (Usually the day after Christmas)

5. Favorite Christmas gift ever received?
A beautiful diamond tennis bracelet. Gorgeous—but I’m too scared to wear it! No engagement ring yet, but I have this amazing piece sitting there sparkling at me.

6. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
I plead the Fifth on this one…

7. Favorite Christmas movie?
White Christmas with Bing Crosby. Classic.

8. When do you start shopping?
As early as I can! I actually collect gifts throughout the year and hide them in my “special spots” until Christmas.

9. Favorite Christmas treat?
Derby Pie takes first place, with Sweet Potato Soufflé coming in a close second. Wassail close in line.

10. Christmas lights: clear or colored?
Warm white!

11. Favorite Christmas song?
Hip Hop Noel from the Disney Christmas Sing-Along. It never fails to get me in the mood.

12. Angel or star on top of the tree?
Angel, absolutely. No contest.

13. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Christmas morning is the tradition in my house, though if the kids get PJs or special outfits for the Christmas Eve service, they get to open those early.

Merry Christmas!!!

Giggles

LOL!!! Is this how you feel after all that turkey??

Found this here.

My Recipes From Hawaii

Macaroni-Potato Salad
(sounds a little weird but it is absolutely delish!!)

1/2 lb macaroni, cooked & drained
3 red potatoes, cooked & cubed (I cheat and use one can of cubed potatoes)
1 Tablespoon salt
1 Tablespoon vinegar
2 cups mayonaise
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 Pkg frozen peas, thawed and drained

Mix it all up together gently and chill well!