Okay, a friend of mine sent me this cute little quiz. So today I'm answering the questions and tagging a few of my blogging friends at the bottom! Enjoy!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper. It's one of my favorite things about Christmas gifting...to sit up late at night in a quiet house, lights on the tree, watching a Christmas movie, wrapping presents.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real. I grew up in "the Evergreen State" -- there's no other way, even though I'm vacuuming up needles for the entire month of December!
3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend.
4. When do you take the tree down? The day after Christmas...I'm always anxious to get my house back to normal.
5. Do you like eggnog? Mmmmm...
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My pink banana seat bike...I had to "treasure hunt" for it.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad.
8. Easiest person to buy for? AJ. He gathers catalogs when they come in the mail and circles his preferences.
9. Do You have a nativity scene? Six of them! But my favorite is the Italian one my grandmother displayed on top of her breakfront every year. After she passed it was given to me. I even kept the pink(!) light she had in the stable.
10.Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, but always at the last minute.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of one.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's A Wonderful Life.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I pick things up all year long but hit it hard the first of December.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes -- we do a white elephant exchange with my mom's family every year...all the rejects go there.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Lefse and Rosettes.
16. Lights on the tree? 2400 this year!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Mary Did You Know (the Michael English version), Breath of Heaven.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home!
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.
20. Favorite Christmas Memory? My first Christmas married to Steve. We did Christmas Eve with his family and then took Christmas Day by ourselves. We ate at the River Cafe on the Brooklyn Promenade, then hit The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and ice skated in Rockefeller Center. It was the best!!!
Tag...Lori. Just copy and paste the questions into your post and change the answers, of course!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Kid Funny
Avery and Aiden on worms:
Aiden (with stick in hand and deep two year old voice): "I'm gonna kill this guy."
Avery (who is digging a nice hole and using a roof shingle for 'carpet'): "No Aiden, don't! They want to be friends and play together."
Aiden (with stick in hand and deep two year old voice): "I'm gonna kill this guy."
Avery (who is digging a nice hole and using a roof shingle for 'carpet'): "No Aiden, don't! They want to be friends and play together."
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Quote of the Week
Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and bring Him nearer to our own image.
A.W. Tozier
Friday, December 5, 2008
That Voice
I once heard the Holy Spirit explained this way: He speaks to all who call the Lord 'Lord.' But sometimes we ignore Him so often and become so accustomed to tuning Him out that our hearts are hardened and we don't hear Him anymore. Not because He has stopped speaking, but because we have stopped listening.
This has caused me to pause many times when I've heard that still small voice and redirect an action, an attitude or a behavior. I don't want to grow hard. I don't want to stop hearing.
Yesterday was my uncle's birthday. The kids and I were making Christmas crafts after lunch when I remembered. I'm not very good at remembering birthdays, but would like to be better. So I had a fleeting thought that maybe we should call and sing to him. The next thought was how ridiculous that would be.
I don't think I've ever wished my uncle a happy birthday. I've certainly never called him to sing happy birthday. At least not in my adult life. I'd classify our relationship as comfortable and familiar, but not close. I feared that if we called, he'd probably just think we were being goofy. I didn't want to bother him.
But then I heard that small voice that said, "what if I'm supposed to call him." So I prepped the kids and picked up the phone. We were greeted by the recording. Whew! We sang our song to the machine, I bumbled through a "happy birthday, we were just thinking of you" speech, and hung up. Deed done. If he thought we were silly, at least I'd never know it.
A couple hours later, our phone rang. "Hey, this is Uncle Rick. I just wanted to say thanks for calling. You made my day. Tell those kids of yours thanks, too." A few more pleasantries and the call was over, but I could hear in his voice that he was genuinely touched.
Wow! I was supposed to call. My uncle even called back to confirm it. He didn't have to, he could have just smiled and gone on with his evening and that would have been the end of it. But I think God wanted to show me, as He does so many times, that there is great value in listening to that still small voice of the Spirit. It aligns us with His purpose and His plan. And even when I think it's just me having a thought or idea, more often it's not. It's Him.
I don't know what the eternal ramifications of our happy birthday chorus will be. My uncle isn't saved and maybe it was a seed sown, but even if it wasn't, it was a valuable reminder to stop and listen and then do. Even if it's just to keep my own heart soft.
This has caused me to pause many times when I've heard that still small voice and redirect an action, an attitude or a behavior. I don't want to grow hard. I don't want to stop hearing.
Yesterday was my uncle's birthday. The kids and I were making Christmas crafts after lunch when I remembered. I'm not very good at remembering birthdays, but would like to be better. So I had a fleeting thought that maybe we should call and sing to him. The next thought was how ridiculous that would be.
I don't think I've ever wished my uncle a happy birthday. I've certainly never called him to sing happy birthday. At least not in my adult life. I'd classify our relationship as comfortable and familiar, but not close. I feared that if we called, he'd probably just think we were being goofy. I didn't want to bother him.
But then I heard that small voice that said, "what if I'm supposed to call him." So I prepped the kids and picked up the phone. We were greeted by the recording. Whew! We sang our song to the machine, I bumbled through a "happy birthday, we were just thinking of you" speech, and hung up. Deed done. If he thought we were silly, at least I'd never know it.
A couple hours later, our phone rang. "Hey, this is Uncle Rick. I just wanted to say thanks for calling. You made my day. Tell those kids of yours thanks, too." A few more pleasantries and the call was over, but I could hear in his voice that he was genuinely touched.
Wow! I was supposed to call. My uncle even called back to confirm it. He didn't have to, he could have just smiled and gone on with his evening and that would have been the end of it. But I think God wanted to show me, as He does so many times, that there is great value in listening to that still small voice of the Spirit. It aligns us with His purpose and His plan. And even when I think it's just me having a thought or idea, more often it's not. It's Him.
I don't know what the eternal ramifications of our happy birthday chorus will be. My uncle isn't saved and maybe it was a seed sown, but even if it wasn't, it was a valuable reminder to stop and listen and then do. Even if it's just to keep my own heart soft.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Still Exercising Thankfulness
I'm still trying to walk in Thankfulness this week. I wasn't blogging last week, so I didn't have a chance to share what I'm so incredibly thankful for this year.
1. I'm thankful for a God who loves me. Even when I'm unlovable. Even when I'm struggling to trust Him. Even when I fail to bring glory to His name. He still loves me.
2. I'm thankful for a husband who is a Mighty Man of God. The testimony of his life is truly a reflection of the power God has to take a broken vessel and make it whole. The choice he made to surrender and relinquish control. To receive the love and life God had waiting for him. It is reflected in the love he lavishes on me, the dedication he shows in raising our children, and the sparkle in his eyes.
3. I'm thankful for five beautiful children. God has truly blessed me. Their individuality, their unity, their joy, their tender hearts. They remind me each and every day that God alone is able to supply what I need to be their mom. Their simple, yet profound view of God exemplifies why Jesus said "let the children come." They really get it. I need a heart like that.
4. I'm thankful that God has done miracles for our family. Real miracles.
In my marriage. Those dreadful days when I didn't know if we'd make it, He gave me hope in a hopeless place and He turned things around. Truly beauty for ashes. It would have been 'easy' to walk away, but oh, what we would have missed.
In my children: The doctors told us Avery would always be sick, she wouldn't be able to do the things normal kids do. God healed her. He turned those blood tests around. She's joyful and energetic; she's healthy!
All those ultrasounds with Aiden. The worry, the fear, the unknown. Would he make it? That boy came out screaming! There was oxygen in his lungs! A gifted team of medical doctors and, this past summer, a clean bill of health. Most of the time I wish he wouldn't scream so much, but I'm so thankful he can!
Sigourney's seizures. The trauma of watching a child struggle with breath. I will never forget the sight of her limp body, her blue lips, her erratic movements. The medication wouldn't work. We had to release her to the airlift team and let her go. I thought God was going to take her. Today, she's mimicking the sounds of her siblings, she's running around trying to keep up with them, she makes us all stop and laugh!!!
I'm so guilty of taking life for granted. Of taking God for granted. I have so much to be thankful for. Oh, it may not be a big showy house, an enviable wardrobe, a fancy car, or public acclaim. But I have what's really important: life, love, and eternal security.
My thankfulness needs to be more than just talk. It needs to radiate from the abundance in my heart. It needs to be so deep and so real that I don't forget about it when life gets hard. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it. I'm praying for it. And it will come.
1. I'm thankful for a God who loves me. Even when I'm unlovable. Even when I'm struggling to trust Him. Even when I fail to bring glory to His name. He still loves me.
2. I'm thankful for a husband who is a Mighty Man of God. The testimony of his life is truly a reflection of the power God has to take a broken vessel and make it whole. The choice he made to surrender and relinquish control. To receive the love and life God had waiting for him. It is reflected in the love he lavishes on me, the dedication he shows in raising our children, and the sparkle in his eyes.
3. I'm thankful for five beautiful children. God has truly blessed me. Their individuality, their unity, their joy, their tender hearts. They remind me each and every day that God alone is able to supply what I need to be their mom. Their simple, yet profound view of God exemplifies why Jesus said "let the children come." They really get it. I need a heart like that.
4. I'm thankful that God has done miracles for our family. Real miracles.
In my marriage. Those dreadful days when I didn't know if we'd make it, He gave me hope in a hopeless place and He turned things around. Truly beauty for ashes. It would have been 'easy' to walk away, but oh, what we would have missed.
In my children: The doctors told us Avery would always be sick, she wouldn't be able to do the things normal kids do. God healed her. He turned those blood tests around. She's joyful and energetic; she's healthy!
All those ultrasounds with Aiden. The worry, the fear, the unknown. Would he make it? That boy came out screaming! There was oxygen in his lungs! A gifted team of medical doctors and, this past summer, a clean bill of health. Most of the time I wish he wouldn't scream so much, but I'm so thankful he can!
Sigourney's seizures. The trauma of watching a child struggle with breath. I will never forget the sight of her limp body, her blue lips, her erratic movements. The medication wouldn't work. We had to release her to the airlift team and let her go. I thought God was going to take her. Today, she's mimicking the sounds of her siblings, she's running around trying to keep up with them, she makes us all stop and laugh!!!
I'm so guilty of taking life for granted. Of taking God for granted. I have so much to be thankful for. Oh, it may not be a big showy house, an enviable wardrobe, a fancy car, or public acclaim. But I have what's really important: life, love, and eternal security.
My thankfulness needs to be more than just talk. It needs to radiate from the abundance in my heart. It needs to be so deep and so real that I don't forget about it when life gets hard. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it. I'm praying for it. And it will come.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Duck Eggs
So we found out a few months ago that Sigourney is allergic to eggs and gluten intolerant.Initially, I figured we'd just make the changes in her diet, but have since concluded that it's easier and healthier when we're all eating the same thing. The gluten-free part has been relatively simple, albeit a bit expensive. There are lots of decent substitutes for flour, pastas, breads, crackers, cereals, etc. But what to do about eggs?
A friend suggested duck eggs. At first, I shuddered at the thought and decided we'd just do without. However, I quickly realized that I was making life very difficult for myself.
And wouldn't you know, a friend of a friend's here on the Island has ducks. And they lay eggs. Even in the winter. And she sells them. In fact, she has a hard time getting rid of them (can't imagine why!). So they're only $3 a dozen. Manna from heaven!
We got our first dozen yesterday. They're about 50% larger than chicken eggs. The shell is white, but more transparent. They're hard to break! I've heard they're fluffier and better for baking, but the texture is more rubbery when eaten plain.
So I took the plunge. This morning, we had our first scrambled duck eggs. I wasn't going to tell the kids. And I just used a couple, so I didn't have to throw them all in the trash if they were a reject. But AJ doesn't miss a thing: "Mom, are those the duck eggs Isaac dropped off yesterday?" Busted. Now they all know they're eating duck eggs! I smiled and proceeded to tell them that God made all eggs and really, how different could these be than chicken eggs? I held my breath as they took their first bites.
Nervously, I posed the dreaded question: "So what do you think?"
"They don't taste any different," "They're yummy," "Mo,"(That's Sig speak for 'more'). Aahhhhh...relief. In fact, they even asked for seconds and I had to scramble up another few eggs!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A Christmas Question
The Christmas tree is up, the manger scene is on display, the 25 day countdown paper chains have been constructed, the chocolates in the advent calendars are being consumed...We're in full Christmas swing around here.
I've never had a problem with the fun parts of Christmas. I grew up visiting Santa and always got at least one gift I'd been coveting. But now that I'm setting the expectation for and concerned about the hearts of my own kids, my question is this: Is it possible to buy into the commercialism of Christmas and still get the real message -- the BIG message -- across?
Oh sure, they know it's Jesus' birthday (we even bake a cake!). But do they really get it? When we talk about Christmas and what they're looking forward to Jesus makes the list, but their real excitement lies around the gifts and the tree and the lights.
Seems pretty sad when we're talking about the Saviour of the world. The Mighty God. The Prince of Peace. He just kind of gets lost in the hulabaloo. Makes me think we should skip the hulabaloo and focus on the King. Really focus on Him. I mean unadulterated, completely saturated in, undivided attention on, focus.
Culturally impossible, I know. We don't live in a bubble. They'd be social outcasts! They'd be deprived! They'd grow bitter! But what about the heart? The true heart. Can we really have it both ways? Something to think about...
I've never had a problem with the fun parts of Christmas. I grew up visiting Santa and always got at least one gift I'd been coveting. But now that I'm setting the expectation for and concerned about the hearts of my own kids, my question is this: Is it possible to buy into the commercialism of Christmas and still get the real message -- the BIG message -- across?
Oh sure, they know it's Jesus' birthday (we even bake a cake!). But do they really get it? When we talk about Christmas and what they're looking forward to Jesus makes the list, but their real excitement lies around the gifts and the tree and the lights.
Seems pretty sad when we're talking about the Saviour of the world. The Mighty God. The Prince of Peace. He just kind of gets lost in the hulabaloo. Makes me think we should skip the hulabaloo and focus on the King. Really focus on Him. I mean unadulterated, completely saturated in, undivided attention on, focus.
Culturally impossible, I know. We don't live in a bubble. They'd be social outcasts! They'd be deprived! They'd grow bitter! But what about the heart? The true heart. Can we really have it both ways? Something to think about...
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