THE BIBLE NATIVITY STORY
KJV Bible--Luke 2:1-38, Matthew 2:1-23
Luke 2:1-38 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor in Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. and when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. and it was revealed unto him by Holy Ghost , that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sward shall pierce through thy own soul also,)that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. and she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:1-23 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled with was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called Nazarene.
________________
Let us not forget the reason for the season. We would have no Christmas without Christ.
Happy Birthday, Jesus! And Merry Christmas to you, every one!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Road Trip - Arizona Sunset
I know it's probably not what you might expect a couple of days before Christmas, but I was thinking about the road trip we took over the summer and longed to see those Arizona sunsets again. I felt the need to find some calming, entrancing, moments that might bring me a little peace.
A moment of calm in the midst of the storm that is Christmas with an eager child, an exhausted mother (she lives next door), a hyper mexican jumping bean of a dachshund, crazy cats that want our attention 24/7, no matter what you are doing and believe me, they will get right up in the middle of it (oh, and they might look squishy but don't be fooled - one of them is an attack cat and he's tried to kill me a couple of times), the constant barking of our 100 lb thinks-he's-a-lap-dog watch dog and general warning siren alerting us to more neighbors arriving for Christmas hospitality, party goings-on, traveling cat, or limbs waving in the wind - he alerts us to every sight and sound. Can be a good thing - or a bad thing - depending on how ya look at it, or what mood you're in, or what hour he wakes you. We live in the country, so we get many a wild animal scurrying through the yard, usually looking for a free meal. I can't help it, ok? I can't let those poor babies starve. The neighbors cats usually come over to eat, as well.
I digress. Sorry. You know how I ramble.
Road trip. Yes. We traveled through about 11 states, in about 13 days, covering over 5300 miles. Hallie, Mama and me. Was it relaxing? Not really. But it was breathtakingly beautiful and I enjoyed every...well...most minutes of it. I was tired from all the driving, as others were evidently tired from riding.
It was also...interesting...to see my old stomping grounds in Great Falls, Montana, where I spent a few years in the Air Force. Not at all like I remembered it. Guess you really can't go home again. *sniff* I admit, I bawled like a baby. So did Mama (she and Daddy had visited me there several times). Hallie just caressed our arms, trying to comfort us, while wearing a perplexed expression. You'd think she would be used to dealing with my hormonal shifts and emotional mood swings - I am a woman, after all. I break into tears just from a song playing on the radio, or a familiar fragrance taking me away to way back when.
Anyway, I thought I'd just post some photos of those AZ sunsets and you can join me down memory lane and a smidgen of our road trip. Perhaps I'll post some pics of the Grand Canyon another day. I can finally cross that one off my bucket list! I wanna go back! Without further ado, enjoy.
A moment of calm in the midst of the storm that is Christmas with an eager child, an exhausted mother (she lives next door), a hyper mexican jumping bean of a dachshund, crazy cats that want our attention 24/7, no matter what you are doing and believe me, they will get right up in the middle of it (oh, and they might look squishy but don't be fooled - one of them is an attack cat and he's tried to kill me a couple of times), the constant barking of our 100 lb thinks-he's-a-lap-dog watch dog and general warning siren alerting us to more neighbors arriving for Christmas hospitality, party goings-on, traveling cat, or limbs waving in the wind - he alerts us to every sight and sound. Can be a good thing - or a bad thing - depending on how ya look at it, or what mood you're in, or what hour he wakes you. We live in the country, so we get many a wild animal scurrying through the yard, usually looking for a free meal. I can't help it, ok? I can't let those poor babies starve. The neighbors cats usually come over to eat, as well.
I digress. Sorry. You know how I ramble.
Road trip. Yes. We traveled through about 11 states, in about 13 days, covering over 5300 miles. Hallie, Mama and me. Was it relaxing? Not really. But it was breathtakingly beautiful and I enjoyed every...well...most minutes of it. I was tired from all the driving, as others were evidently tired from riding.
It was also...interesting...to see my old stomping grounds in Great Falls, Montana, where I spent a few years in the Air Force. Not at all like I remembered it. Guess you really can't go home again. *sniff* I admit, I bawled like a baby. So did Mama (she and Daddy had visited me there several times). Hallie just caressed our arms, trying to comfort us, while wearing a perplexed expression. You'd think she would be used to dealing with my hormonal shifts and emotional mood swings - I am a woman, after all. I break into tears just from a song playing on the radio, or a familiar fragrance taking me away to way back when.
Anyway, I thought I'd just post some photos of those AZ sunsets and you can join me down memory lane and a smidgen of our road trip. Perhaps I'll post some pics of the Grand Canyon another day. I can finally cross that one off my bucket list! I wanna go back! Without further ado, enjoy.
Wanted to upload a few more but the system is reeeeeeeeeealyyyyyy ssssssslllllloooooowwww.Night! Love y'all!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Can you believe Christmas will be here in six days? Six days! Are you ready? I'm not ready! Still have a few treasures to buy. Still need to wrap. So many things to do. Now, I know you must be saying, "It's been December for a few weeks now. Thanksgiving weekend happens and then it's time to get ready for Christmas." I'm afraid I'm never ready until the last minute - I'm talking wrapping till the wee hours of Christmas morning. With all the commercialism, it's hard for me to get into the Christmas Spirit (plus, missing loved ones that I wish were still with us - they made the holidays more special). Trying to scrounge all the money up to buy those must-have items on their wish lists (digging under the couch cushions and underneath the seats in my car for loose change). You think I'm kidding, don't you? Wish Santa could bring it all. I'm actually finished with all the main stuff. Just need to get those last minute stocking stuffers.
I do try to remind myself what Christmas is all about. We wouldn't have Christmas if it wasn't for Jesus, so I do always thank God for sending his sweet Son to us and for us. And I thank Jesus every day for his love and sacrifices. Oh, what that sweet man went through for all of us. Makes me cry to think about all he endured.
On a lighter note, let us take a moment to unwind just a little, not stress every minute of every day till the big day gets here. We need to relax before we lose it - try to minimize all the drama.
Try this exercise:
Inhale through your nostrils with a deep, long, cleannnnnnnsing breath. Hold it for a couple of seconds, or three. Ok, let it go slowly out of your mouth. Close your eyes. Say it with me now, ohmmmmm ...
Feel better? ;)
I'm going to make these next six days gleefully, deliriously happy, at least for my loved ones. I mean, fake it till ya make it, right? I want my little one to have wonderful memories, especially at Christmas. So, we are going to plan fun Christmas crafts and baking every day till The Day. Shoot, if I can get myself well (I've had a cold for a week), we might even get a group together and go caroling! I can't carry a tune in a bucket, so I'll just lip-sync - don't want all the neighborhood dogs howling. During her infancy, Hallie even let me know how tone deaf I was. I'd attempt to sing her lullabies and she'd take her leetle teeny hand and cover my mouth. Ha! Smart girl!
Got parties to go to during this next week. Trying to plan what all I'm creating for these little soirees. Perhaps those green bean casserole stuffed mushrooms might be good (my friend, Kaytie's recipe) - YUM. Of course, bringing wine. Duh! Don't you think parties and wine just go together? Mmmmm... Om, my deviled eggs is a must have for each family party, as they will never let me live it down if I forget them. I decided to skip the eggs one year and make all new dishes. Boy, did I get slammed on that one! Never to leave out the eggs again - EVA! They've still not let me forget about that one time...years ago. Decorated Christmas cookies - these will make nice little Christmas happies, wrapped up in special little Christmas boxes. Hallie loves to help make these - with her little white Suzie Homemaker apron and red Emeril's chef's hat. I will have to snap a picture and show you how cute she is in them. Or, perhaps we'll wear our boutique aprons we made in our sewing class! We'll get out the cookie cutters, icy glaze, white thin piped icing outlining each shape, ornamented with little candy sugar pearls and silver dragees. Ok, I'm ready to start making cookies now! And more ready to eat them! Just call me Cookie Monster! I love homemade Christmas cookies!! (In a crazy child-like voice...) Oh my....GOODNESS!! ;)
I think I found a leetle Christmas Spirit.
Oh, and Hallie is still learning her words for the school spelling bee that will be held in January. Word for today? bibliothecarial: of or relating to a library or bibliotheca or a librarian. (A bibliotheca is a collection of books; a library. A catalog of books.) Some of my younger readers may not have known that. Now ya do!
Hoping all of you have a sensational Saturday and a stupendous six days before Christmas. I will attempt to post again before or by Christmas day.
Happy early birthday, Jesus. It's all about you. We love ya.
From my family to you and your family, may you have a very blessed and
Merry Christmas!!
Love you guys!
I do try to remind myself what Christmas is all about. We wouldn't have Christmas if it wasn't for Jesus, so I do always thank God for sending his sweet Son to us and for us. And I thank Jesus every day for his love and sacrifices. Oh, what that sweet man went through for all of us. Makes me cry to think about all he endured.
On a lighter note, let us take a moment to unwind just a little, not stress every minute of every day till the big day gets here. We need to relax before we lose it - try to minimize all the drama.
Try this exercise:
Inhale through your nostrils with a deep, long, cleannnnnnnsing breath. Hold it for a couple of seconds, or three. Ok, let it go slowly out of your mouth. Close your eyes. Say it with me now, ohmmmmm ...
Feel better? ;)
I'm going to make these next six days gleefully, deliriously happy, at least for my loved ones. I mean, fake it till ya make it, right? I want my little one to have wonderful memories, especially at Christmas. So, we are going to plan fun Christmas crafts and baking every day till The Day. Shoot, if I can get myself well (I've had a cold for a week), we might even get a group together and go caroling! I can't carry a tune in a bucket, so I'll just lip-sync - don't want all the neighborhood dogs howling. During her infancy, Hallie even let me know how tone deaf I was. I'd attempt to sing her lullabies and she'd take her leetle teeny hand and cover my mouth. Ha! Smart girl!
Got parties to go to during this next week. Trying to plan what all I'm creating for these little soirees. Perhaps those green bean casserole stuffed mushrooms might be good (my friend, Kaytie's recipe) - YUM. Of course, bringing wine. Duh! Don't you think parties and wine just go together? Mmmmm... Om, my deviled eggs is a must have for each family party, as they will never let me live it down if I forget them. I decided to skip the eggs one year and make all new dishes. Boy, did I get slammed on that one! Never to leave out the eggs again - EVA! They've still not let me forget about that one time...years ago. Decorated Christmas cookies - these will make nice little Christmas happies, wrapped up in special little Christmas boxes. Hallie loves to help make these - with her little white Suzie Homemaker apron and red Emeril's chef's hat. I will have to snap a picture and show you how cute she is in them. Or, perhaps we'll wear our boutique aprons we made in our sewing class! We'll get out the cookie cutters, icy glaze, white thin piped icing outlining each shape, ornamented with little candy sugar pearls and silver dragees. Ok, I'm ready to start making cookies now! And more ready to eat them! Just call me Cookie Monster! I love homemade Christmas cookies!! (In a crazy child-like voice...) Oh my....GOODNESS!! ;)
I think I found a leetle Christmas Spirit.
Oh, and Hallie is still learning her words for the school spelling bee that will be held in January. Word for today? bibliothecarial: of or relating to a library or bibliotheca or a librarian. (A bibliotheca is a collection of books; a library. A catalog of books.) Some of my younger readers may not have known that. Now ya do!
Hoping all of you have a sensational Saturday and a stupendous six days before Christmas. I will attempt to post again before or by Christmas day.
Happy early birthday, Jesus. It's all about you. We love ya.
From my family to you and your family, may you have a very blessed and
Merry Christmas!!
Love you guys!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Daily Rambling
I've decided it's not that big of a deal to blog every single day, especially during the holidays. You are busy. We are busy. I will post at least once a week, and probably more once the holidays are behind us. Too much going on. Basketball practice, Spelling Bee practice, many different school projects, Beta Club projects, family parties, traveling, cooking, decorating. The list goes on and on. Y'all know how it is.
Update on last week:
Silly Lilly...
We realized a few mornings ago that Lilly, one of our many furbabes, could spell. I mentioned to Hallie how sweet so-&-so was being and would she please give so-&-so a t-r-e-a-t. Lilly went crazy, doing her little dance. She knew exactly what we were talking about. Smart leetle thing.
Compassionate hearts of children...
Hallie and I say morning prayers in the car on the way to school. She was talking to God, saying, "and thank you for sending your son to die on the cross to save us from our sins. That must've been really hard. But look at it this way: at least you have him back now." I love that baby so much, I ache. I just wanted to pull the car over and squeeze her!
Update on last week:
Silly Lilly...
We realized a few mornings ago that Lilly, one of our many furbabes, could spell. I mentioned to Hallie how sweet so-&-so was being and would she please give so-&-so a t-r-e-a-t. Lilly went crazy, doing her little dance. She knew exactly what we were talking about. Smart leetle thing.
Compassionate hearts of children...
Hallie and I say morning prayers in the car on the way to school. She was talking to God, saying, "and thank you for sending your son to die on the cross to save us from our sins. That must've been really hard. But look at it this way: at least you have him back now." I love that baby so much, I ache. I just wanted to pull the car over and squeeze her!
Smarty pants...
Hallie won her class spelling bee and now she goes on to compete in the school bee in January. We have about 40 days to learn 275 words. We will be learning 8 words per day (spelling, pronunciation, definition and use in a sentence). The last 5 days will be for reviewing those words (spelling and pronunciation only). Thought I'd post one of the words per day that she's reviewing. We could all learn some new words, right? Some of you may know these words, but kids read my blog, too, and this will be helpful for them to learn a new word a day. I have to admit: I did not know all of these words myself. I mean "concomitant"? "detritus"? "duodenum"? "eohippus?" "Guernsey?" "har-angue"? I better brush up on my dictionary. Besides, some of these words could help me with my Words With Friends and Scrabble. ;) Some of these are easy. Others, not so much. Are you smarter than a 5th grader? I'm not so sure I am.
alphanumerical al·pha·nu·mer·ic·al \' al-fa-nu-‘mer-ik-əl\
Def 1: consisting of both letters and numbers and often other symbols (as
punctuation marks and mathematical symbols); also :
being a character in an alphanumeric system
Def 2: capable of using or displaying alphanumeric characters
Ex 1: An alphanumeric pager with vibrating alert clearly displays the
information.
Ex 2: You will need to omit any spaces or characters which are not alphanumeric.
Hallie won her class spelling bee and now she goes on to compete in the school bee in January. We have about 40 days to learn 275 words. We will be learning 8 words per day (spelling, pronunciation, definition and use in a sentence). The last 5 days will be for reviewing those words (spelling and pronunciation only). Thought I'd post one of the words per day that she's reviewing. We could all learn some new words, right? Some of you may know these words, but kids read my blog, too, and this will be helpful for them to learn a new word a day. I have to admit: I did not know all of these words myself. I mean "concomitant"? "detritus"? "duodenum"? "eohippus?" "Guernsey?" "har-angue"? I better brush up on my dictionary. Besides, some of these words could help me with my Words With Friends and Scrabble. ;) Some of these are easy. Others, not so much. Are you smarter than a 5th grader? I'm not so sure I am.
alphanumerical al·pha·nu·mer·ic·al \' al-fa-nu-‘mer-ik-əl\
Def 1: consisting of both letters and numbers and often other symbols (as
punctuation marks and mathematical symbols)
being a character in an alphanumeric system
Def 2: capable of using or displaying alphanumeric characters
Ex 1: An alphanumeric pager with vibrating alert clearly displays the
information.
Ex 2: You will need to omit any spaces or characters which are not alphanumeric.
Have a great Sunday! Love y'all.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
A Lovely Thanksgiving Weekend
Truly, a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, so far. Ate wonderful foods at my Aunt & Uncle's. Gathered with many much loved family members and friends. Drank some wine. Laughed at the babies. Tried to keep from falling asleep on the ever so soft and gushy, sit-sink-and-get-lost-in-me-couch. Went home, fed and loved on the furry babies and watched a Christmas movie with Hallie.
Black Friday, we were initially strategizing our plan of attack. Kohl's was opening at 3am. Really wanted to go to Best Buy or Walmart to get something, but opted out the night before. I figure it's going to go on sale at least 4 or 5 more times before Christmas. Why put ourselves through all that - that headache?! Once upon a time, I loved to be in the middle of that chaos. To me, it seemed the hustle and bustle put me in the Christmas spirit. Not my idea of fun anymore, however. I lack patience when the line is half way around the store. I am NOT exaggerating. One Christmas, it was 3/4 around the store, and I just about fainted from just standing there, not to mention the heat of all the people sucking up the oxygen. Ok, I mentioned. That nightmare returns every Christmas when I think for a moment of venturing out and fighting the crowds on this day. I realize, I'll be dealing with holiday traffic from now till New Year's. I have no choice. The crowds will be out and about, as well, but I have no choice about that, either, but I'm so happy we opted out of Black Friday. We were completely lazy all day, watching movies - great movies and just relaxing. I cannot remember the last time we just laid around all day. Fabulous.
Today, we'll be hurrying up and waiting, since we do need to go to town to do a leetle shopping. Mostly for teachers' gifts, groceries and our Christmas trees. I miss the old days when we'd go walkin' in the woods, find the perfect tree and chop it down ourselves. A couple of years ago, I even decided since the prices of all the real trees were sky high, we'd take a chance with a poor leetle pathetic plastic tree. Big mistake. Huge. I mean, I suppose it was an ok tree as far as PLASTIC trees go, but it did not help with my Christmas spirit. At all. I wasn't feelin' it. To me, getting a real tree, that wonderful pine fragrance filling the house, even the needles falling on the floor, makes Christmas much more,...well,...Christmasy. I do not ever want to use a fake tree again.
Here's to hoping we find the perfect Christmas tree. Need to go find my tape measure. Even got my stand ready. Hope y'all have/find your perfectly perfect tree, as well.
Happy day. Love ya!
-Carol
Black Friday, we were initially strategizing our plan of attack. Kohl's was opening at 3am. Really wanted to go to Best Buy or Walmart to get something, but opted out the night before. I figure it's going to go on sale at least 4 or 5 more times before Christmas. Why put ourselves through all that - that headache?! Once upon a time, I loved to be in the middle of that chaos. To me, it seemed the hustle and bustle put me in the Christmas spirit. Not my idea of fun anymore, however. I lack patience when the line is half way around the store. I am NOT exaggerating. One Christmas, it was 3/4 around the store, and I just about fainted from just standing there, not to mention the heat of all the people sucking up the oxygen. Ok, I mentioned. That nightmare returns every Christmas when I think for a moment of venturing out and fighting the crowds on this day. I realize, I'll be dealing with holiday traffic from now till New Year's. I have no choice. The crowds will be out and about, as well, but I have no choice about that, either, but I'm so happy we opted out of Black Friday. We were completely lazy all day, watching movies - great movies and just relaxing. I cannot remember the last time we just laid around all day. Fabulous.
Today, we'll be hurrying up and waiting, since we do need to go to town to do a leetle shopping. Mostly for teachers' gifts, groceries and our Christmas trees. I miss the old days when we'd go walkin' in the woods, find the perfect tree and chop it down ourselves. A couple of years ago, I even decided since the prices of all the real trees were sky high, we'd take a chance with a poor leetle pathetic plastic tree. Big mistake. Huge. I mean, I suppose it was an ok tree as far as PLASTIC trees go, but it did not help with my Christmas spirit. At all. I wasn't feelin' it. To me, getting a real tree, that wonderful pine fragrance filling the house, even the needles falling on the floor, makes Christmas much more,...well,...Christmasy. I do not ever want to use a fake tree again.
Here's to hoping we find the perfect Christmas tree. Need to go find my tape measure. Even got my stand ready. Hope y'all have/find your perfectly perfect tree, as well.
Happy day. Love ya!
-Carol
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Day 11 - Thanksgiving Eve...contemplation
Thanksgiving Eve. Too tired to do my cooking. Will have to get up early to do the smashed taters, lemon pie and deviled eggs. Started out with the idea of making 6 things. What was I thinkin'? Some people might think I'm Super Mom, but I'm really not. I'm really just tired. There will be plenty of food at my Aunt and Uncle's. 3 things is plenty. Everyone brings food...food for days and days and...
Just stopping by to say good night and bid you a very blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow, and a wonderfully long weekend with people you love. May we all be truly thankful to the Main Dude upstairs for all that he's gifted us.
I'm going to take some time for comtemplation this Thanksgiving weekend, to really count my blessings and realize just how blessed I am. It's so easy to take things for granted, isn't it? Take life for granted. I'm going to contemplate how I can make more of a difference and maybe give back somehow for all he's given. I seem to always be so busy and I don't know how I've given back lately. I'd really like to take some time to do that. To take action and show him how thankful I am.
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. Love ya! God speed.
-Carol
Just stopping by to say good night and bid you a very blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow, and a wonderfully long weekend with people you love. May we all be truly thankful to the Main Dude upstairs for all that he's gifted us.
I'm going to take some time for comtemplation this Thanksgiving weekend, to really count my blessings and realize just how blessed I am. It's so easy to take things for granted, isn't it? Take life for granted. I'm going to contemplate how I can make more of a difference and maybe give back somehow for all he's given. I seem to always be so busy and I don't know how I've given back lately. I'd really like to take some time to do that. To take action and show him how thankful I am.
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. Love ya! God speed.
-Carol
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Day 10 - Trying to Bust the Holiday Blues
I started out today's blog by singin' some holiday blues, but I really don't think y'all are blues folk, so I am sparing you the depths of despair. Onward and upward to a happier mood...
Hmmm...
The brighter side of life...
Positive things to focus on to make myself happy, and perhaps you, too?
Ok, I'll give it a whirl.
More things to be thankful for, and better yet, those things that make me belly laugh.
1. Hallie's silly songs, which are made up on the spur of the moment, and the words and tune just spill out of her mouth like water. We both wind up laughing till we're snorting and trying to fight back tears. Most of them are about me, after I've done something to embarrass myself, which is quite frequent, I might add. Hey, I can't help it. I'm pretty much a goof ball. But that kid has me beat.
2. Her comic strips. They are always funny and creative. The kid's got an awesome imagination. She's always reading my comic books. Yes, ok, I love comic books. I love to create comic strips. It's not just a boy thing, ya know.
Love yooze guys.
;)
Oh, and if you have any comments you'd like to add, I'd love to hear about what makes you smile, or better yet, belly laugh.
Hmmm...
The brighter side of life...
Positive things to focus on to make myself happy, and perhaps you, too?
Ok, I'll give it a whirl.
More things to be thankful for, and better yet, those things that make me belly laugh.
1. Hallie's silly songs, which are made up on the spur of the moment, and the words and tune just spill out of her mouth like water. We both wind up laughing till we're snorting and trying to fight back tears. Most of them are about me, after I've done something to embarrass myself, which is quite frequent, I might add. Hey, I can't help it. I'm pretty much a goof ball. But that kid has me beat.
2. Her comic strips. They are always funny and creative. The kid's got an awesome imagination. She's always reading my comic books. Yes, ok, I love comic books. I love to create comic strips. It's not just a boy thing, ya know.
3. Her creative stories. She's a great story teller.
4. Oh, and her silly faces. She's a clown. A total ham.
I am always in complete amazement and awe of how ingenious she is and how creative and free.
Ok, I feel a little better now and we're off to bed. If you've been singin' a little o' those holiday blues, hope these silly faces improved your mood, as well. Do have a lovely evening, won't you?
Love yooze guys.
;)
Oh, and if you have any comments you'd like to add, I'd love to hear about what makes you smile, or better yet, belly laugh.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Day 9 - I Need To Be More Thankful
Someone on KLOVE stated, ever so eloquently, "We don't need more to be thankful. We need to be more thankful." Love THAT!
I wish I could remember that all the time. So much of the time, I think my quality of life would be better if... I wish I could provide Hallie with... I wish I could give Mama...
The truth of the matter is God knows what's most important to me and He takes care of that. I pray one main prayer every single day of my life since Hallie was born, because it's the most important:
He keeps us safe from harm. He protects us always. He keeps us in good health.
This is what I pray for my family and myself. He knows my family is my mashed p'taters. Everything else good that happens in life is gravy. Of course, it would be nice to have my gravy with my mashed p'taters, and we do get that a lot of the time.
No, I don't have a lot of money. Sometimes, I can't even make ends meet, depending on the incoming bills that month. Do we get by? Yes? Do we do a lot of fun things together? Yes, and not all of it costs money. Do we have our needs met? Yup. I have a good job. Hallie has a decent school. We have a home and a car. We have family and friends we love. We have food on the table. We have each other. I know how blessed I am when I really get to thinking about it. It's too bad I can't focus on this all the time, instead of wanting for more.
Is there anyone out there that doesn't want for more, at least some of the time? Are you completely satisfied or content with all that you have and with your life? Is it humanly possible to be completely content and happy with your life and never want for more? Do you think it's because we are spoiled as Americans? Do you think it's because it's part of being human? What do you think?
More to be thankful for (continued from yesterday):
21. Good music
22. Happy memories
23. Old black and white/sepia family photographs
24. Pictures of friends and family that make me belly laugh
25. Fun games played with a group
26. Hugs from people you love
27. Hugs from children (I don't have to know them)
28. Puppy kisses
29. Snuggly kitties
30. Little fishies that blow bubble fish kisses at you - Moonlight does it all the time! Don't you dare tell me that leetle fishies can't love. You'll probably think I'm wierd for saying that but I don't care. We love our fish.
What are you thankful for?
I wish I could remember that all the time. So much of the time, I think my quality of life would be better if... I wish I could provide Hallie with... I wish I could give Mama...
The truth of the matter is God knows what's most important to me and He takes care of that. I pray one main prayer every single day of my life since Hallie was born, because it's the most important:
He keeps us safe from harm. He protects us always. He keeps us in good health.
This is what I pray for my family and myself. He knows my family is my mashed p'taters. Everything else good that happens in life is gravy. Of course, it would be nice to have my gravy with my mashed p'taters, and we do get that a lot of the time.
No, I don't have a lot of money. Sometimes, I can't even make ends meet, depending on the incoming bills that month. Do we get by? Yes? Do we do a lot of fun things together? Yes, and not all of it costs money. Do we have our needs met? Yup. I have a good job. Hallie has a decent school. We have a home and a car. We have family and friends we love. We have food on the table. We have each other. I know how blessed I am when I really get to thinking about it. It's too bad I can't focus on this all the time, instead of wanting for more.
Is there anyone out there that doesn't want for more, at least some of the time? Are you completely satisfied or content with all that you have and with your life? Is it humanly possible to be completely content and happy with your life and never want for more? Do you think it's because we are spoiled as Americans? Do you think it's because it's part of being human? What do you think?
More to be thankful for (continued from yesterday):
21. Good music
22. Happy memories
23. Old black and white/sepia family photographs
24. Pictures of friends and family that make me belly laugh
25. Fun games played with a group
26. Hugs from people you love
27. Hugs from children (I don't have to know them)
28. Puppy kisses
29. Snuggly kitties
30. Little fishies that blow bubble fish kisses at you - Moonlight does it all the time! Don't you dare tell me that leetle fishies can't love. You'll probably think I'm wierd for saying that but I don't care. We love our fish.
What are you thankful for?
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Day 8 - What Are You Thankful For?
Thought since I was so long-winded yesterday, I'd make this one short and sweet.
Being 4 days before Thanksgiving, and feeling a bit overwhelmed with all we need to do, and perhaps feeling a little blue, I'd cheer myself up with a list of some of the things I'm thankful for.
(and in no particular order)
1. God
2. Jesus
3. Hallie
4. Mama
5. All our furry babies: Sammy, Carlie, Buddy, Tiger, Lilly, and our scaly baby, Moonlight
6. Kristie, my bff
7. Family members that are close by that we love (Jerry, Cheri, Laura, Hal & Brad)
8. Friends that are like family (many soul sisters and twisted sisters)
9. Chocolate
10. Coffee
11. Yummy Food
12. Chicken Piccata
13. Good health
14. God always keeping us safe and protected from harm
15. A cozy home that's warm in the winter, cool in the summer
16. A car that's paid for (no matter what it looks like)
17. A decent job that pays the bills (or most of the bills)
18. All good teachers for Hallie this year
19. The ability to take a vacation every year
20. Sunsets
I will post more tomorrow. Didn't want to go on and on and...well, you get the picture.
What are you thankful for? Let me know.
Being 4 days before Thanksgiving, and feeling a bit overwhelmed with all we need to do, and perhaps feeling a little blue, I'd cheer myself up with a list of some of the things I'm thankful for.
(and in no particular order)
1. God
2. Jesus
3. Hallie
4. Mama
5. All our furry babies: Sammy, Carlie, Buddy, Tiger, Lilly, and our scaly baby, Moonlight
6. Kristie, my bff
7. Family members that are close by that we love (Jerry, Cheri, Laura, Hal & Brad)
8. Friends that are like family (many soul sisters and twisted sisters)
9. Chocolate
10. Coffee
11. Yummy Food
12. Chicken Piccata
13. Good health
14. God always keeping us safe and protected from harm
15. A cozy home that's warm in the winter, cool in the summer
16. A car that's paid for (no matter what it looks like)
17. A decent job that pays the bills (or most of the bills)
18. All good teachers for Hallie this year
19. The ability to take a vacation every year
20. Sunsets
I will post more tomorrow. Didn't want to go on and on and...well, you get the picture.
What are you thankful for? Let me know.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Day 7 - On Forgiving (5 days before Thanksgiving)
I’m afraid forgiveness is something I learned late in life, and I’m still working on it – I’m a work in progress.
I actually learned how to forgive from my daughter, when she was about 8. So, I guess I was about 39. I’m quite talented at holding a grudge – I have many years of experience with this.
We were at soccer practice. Thought I’d neva be a soccer mom, but whoa, was I ever! Screamin’ with the best of ‘em. I didn’t know who I was anymore.
I digress. I do that a lot. I’m extremely ADHD. Lemme try to focus. What were we talking about?
Ah yes, soccer practice. The girls are practicing and running and kicking. One of the girls on the team is not a team player. We’ll call her Michelle. Some of the moms are thinking her mother is forcing her to play soccer to perhaps learn a little team spirit? For whatever reason, Michelle wasn’t friendly with the other girls; Hallie most of all. In the car on the way home, Hallie tells me from the back seat how Michelle is mean to her and to the other girls. I ask her what she is going to do about it.
“I’m going to make her my friend.” she says, confidently and self-assuredly.
Wow. At that point, I felt like crying. I’ve always been so good at hating. Someone wrongs me and I hold a grudge, like, forever. I pondered on what she said, for days, until the next practice. I wondered how she’d just magically make her her friend. I’ve never been very good at reaching out to people. I’m still trying to teach myself how to do this. Hallie winds up teaching me. Who knew you could learn more from a child than you could actually teach her? This kid is wise beyond her years. I have always believed she has a direct link to the Main Dude Upstairs.
Well, except for those times when she turns into a little hairy monster and her head starts spinning around, like something out of The Exorcist and claims “the devil made me do it”. Good excuse, by the way.
So, the next soccer practice is here and time to deal with Michelle and I’m anxious to see how this unfolds.
You still there? I realize this is rather lengthy.
They practice for a little while, take a short bathroom break and when I see them walking back to the field, Hallie and Michelle are walking side-by-side, chatting it up with each another. Michelle seems much more relaxed, starts playing well (or better, anyway) with others and I see no more tension between them. I can hardly wait to see how Hallie handled it.
So, we’re on our way home and I ask her, “How in the world did you make her your friend? What did you do?”
“I just went up to her and asked her if she’d be my friend.” she says, matter of factly.
~sniff~ Do you have any idea of how much I wanted to pull that car over and squeeze that sweet baby? So, I waited till we got home. Then, I just about squeezed the stuffin' out of ‘er.
She’s always been a better person than me. God sent her to teach me how to be the best person I could be, and I’m still trying to learn. Hallie is a really great teacher. I’m just not always the best student. Hard to let go of all those years of training to keep my guard up, keep those fortress walls strong.
However, I just wanted to confess I did reach a milestone in my life a couple of years ago, with Hallie’s help through her lessons on forgiveness. I swore I’d never forgive this guy for hurting me. I thought to myself, if I ever saw him again, he’d be picking pieces of himself up off the sidewalk when I got through. Let me just say had Hallie not taught me that lesson on forgiveness, I’m not the hitting type, so I would not have inflicted bodily harm on the man. (We’ll call him Jessie.) Jessie actually saw me first and faced me, with a rather reluctant look on his face, I might add, as if he knew what I’d been planning for him all those years. The look of severe constipation is a good description of his facial expression at that moment.
So, I think to myself, “Wow, he's got some...guts (yeah, guts) facing me and wanting to talk. So, I’ll try to be nice.” At this point, he's maybe earned 5% of my respect, choosing to face me, after what he did. I figure he's either really brave or really stupid.
I gesture to him that it’s ok to come a little closer. No bullets flying...yet. We walk towards each other and start talking, show off pictures of our daughters, try to cover the last 15 years in about 20 minutes, and at that moment, I was so relaxed and I realized I’d forgiven him for wronging me all those years ago.
I actually felt about 50 lbs lighter. At that point, I realized I’d learned how to forgive someone and also learned something else. Forgiveness isn’t a gift you give to someone else. It’s a gift you give to yourself. You can read it and hear it all day long, but to experience it is something else entirely. So much anger and resentment left my body that day. My heart was lighter; my mind was free of that frustration.
Although, it would have been nice to actually have been 50 lbs lighter (well, ok, 40).
Funny how it happened. Like on the day Hallie was born and I looked at her for the first time – (a WOW moment) it was like God opened a window to Heaven, reached down and touched my heart and Poof! I immediately knew love in a new way – a higher capacity to love that I never felt before and it was overwhelming. I knew I’d grown in an instant – with love. God granted me and trusted me with a most precious gift – love. And even better - the love of a child I’d wanted since I was 2. Yes, 2.
On that day of finally realizing forgiveness for someone, it was another WOW moment. I finally understood what it meant, not just for the other person to let go, but also for myself. It was a gift from God, with Hallie as his instrument. I’m most eager to see what this kid has up her sleeve next. I so don’t deserve her but thank God every day for the precious blessing that is her life.
Now, to work some more on forgiveness. I have several family members I’m trying to learn how to forgive. It’s not the easiest – at least not for me. But it’s nice to know that I can do it. I have a little bit of experience now and figure the more I do it, the easier it'll become. I’m learning…
I actually learned how to forgive from my daughter, when she was about 8. So, I guess I was about 39. I’m quite talented at holding a grudge – I have many years of experience with this.
We were at soccer practice. Thought I’d neva be a soccer mom, but whoa, was I ever! Screamin’ with the best of ‘em. I didn’t know who I was anymore.
I digress. I do that a lot. I’m extremely ADHD. Lemme try to focus. What were we talking about?
Ah yes, soccer practice. The girls are practicing and running and kicking. One of the girls on the team is not a team player. We’ll call her Michelle. Some of the moms are thinking her mother is forcing her to play soccer to perhaps learn a little team spirit? For whatever reason, Michelle wasn’t friendly with the other girls; Hallie most of all. In the car on the way home, Hallie tells me from the back seat how Michelle is mean to her and to the other girls. I ask her what she is going to do about it.
“I’m going to make her my friend.” she says, confidently and self-assuredly.
Wow. At that point, I felt like crying. I’ve always been so good at hating. Someone wrongs me and I hold a grudge, like, forever. I pondered on what she said, for days, until the next practice. I wondered how she’d just magically make her her friend. I’ve never been very good at reaching out to people. I’m still trying to teach myself how to do this. Hallie winds up teaching me. Who knew you could learn more from a child than you could actually teach her? This kid is wise beyond her years. I have always believed she has a direct link to the Main Dude Upstairs.
Well, except for those times when she turns into a little hairy monster and her head starts spinning around, like something out of The Exorcist and claims “the devil made me do it”. Good excuse, by the way.
So, the next soccer practice is here and time to deal with Michelle and I’m anxious to see how this unfolds.
You still there? I realize this is rather lengthy.
They practice for a little while, take a short bathroom break and when I see them walking back to the field, Hallie and Michelle are walking side-by-side, chatting it up with each another. Michelle seems much more relaxed, starts playing well (or better, anyway) with others and I see no more tension between them. I can hardly wait to see how Hallie handled it.
So, we’re on our way home and I ask her, “How in the world did you make her your friend? What did you do?”
“I just went up to her and asked her if she’d be my friend.” she says, matter of factly.
~sniff~ Do you have any idea of how much I wanted to pull that car over and squeeze that sweet baby? So, I waited till we got home. Then, I just about squeezed the stuffin' out of ‘er.
She’s always been a better person than me. God sent her to teach me how to be the best person I could be, and I’m still trying to learn. Hallie is a really great teacher. I’m just not always the best student. Hard to let go of all those years of training to keep my guard up, keep those fortress walls strong.
However, I just wanted to confess I did reach a milestone in my life a couple of years ago, with Hallie’s help through her lessons on forgiveness. I swore I’d never forgive this guy for hurting me. I thought to myself, if I ever saw him again, he’d be picking pieces of himself up off the sidewalk when I got through. Let me just say had Hallie not taught me that lesson on forgiveness, I’m not the hitting type, so I would not have inflicted bodily harm on the man. (We’ll call him Jessie.) Jessie actually saw me first and faced me, with a rather reluctant look on his face, I might add, as if he knew what I’d been planning for him all those years. The look of severe constipation is a good description of his facial expression at that moment.
So, I think to myself, “Wow, he's got some...guts (yeah, guts) facing me and wanting to talk. So, I’ll try to be nice.” At this point, he's maybe earned 5% of my respect, choosing to face me, after what he did. I figure he's either really brave or really stupid.
I gesture to him that it’s ok to come a little closer. No bullets flying...yet. We walk towards each other and start talking, show off pictures of our daughters, try to cover the last 15 years in about 20 minutes, and at that moment, I was so relaxed and I realized I’d forgiven him for wronging me all those years ago.
I actually felt about 50 lbs lighter. At that point, I realized I’d learned how to forgive someone and also learned something else. Forgiveness isn’t a gift you give to someone else. It’s a gift you give to yourself. You can read it and hear it all day long, but to experience it is something else entirely. So much anger and resentment left my body that day. My heart was lighter; my mind was free of that frustration.
Although, it would have been nice to actually have been 50 lbs lighter (well, ok, 40).
Funny how it happened. Like on the day Hallie was born and I looked at her for the first time – (a WOW moment) it was like God opened a window to Heaven, reached down and touched my heart and Poof! I immediately knew love in a new way – a higher capacity to love that I never felt before and it was overwhelming. I knew I’d grown in an instant – with love. God granted me and trusted me with a most precious gift – love. And even better - the love of a child I’d wanted since I was 2. Yes, 2.
On that day of finally realizing forgiveness for someone, it was another WOW moment. I finally understood what it meant, not just for the other person to let go, but also for myself. It was a gift from God, with Hallie as his instrument. I’m most eager to see what this kid has up her sleeve next. I so don’t deserve her but thank God every day for the precious blessing that is her life.
Now, to work some more on forgiveness. I have several family members I’m trying to learn how to forgive. It’s not the easiest – at least not for me. But it’s nice to know that I can do it. I have a little bit of experience now and figure the more I do it, the easier it'll become. I’m learning…
Friday, November 19, 2010
Day 6 - A fun fact about me? Maybe not...
Earlier, I know I prechose the topics I'd blog about for my 30 day challenge. All I have to say about that is I'm a woman and as a woman, it is my prerogative to change my mind. The topic just didn't...well, I wasn't feelin' it.
The focus of this challenge is to actually make the time to post every day - to get back in the habit - to actually do something for myself.
Since this is the week before Thanksgiving, I felt the need to focus more on that, since, to me, this holiday is about giving thanks to God, showing thanks to those I cherish and I'd like to post my gratitude. So, for this week before turkey day, I'd like to talk about gratitude, giving thanks and talk about what's most important.
Today, I'm thankful for many things, but what comes to the front of my mind is love. Love and family. For without it, there would be no reason to go on. It's what makes the world go 'round. I met the love of my life when my daughter was born. I got the greatest gift from God out of that marriage. I'd marry him a million times again to get that little girl. The sun rises and sets with her kiss of a smile. She's such a little nut. The kid cracks me up until I have milk coming out my nose!
Mama is my rock. She keeps me grounded. This woman is gentle and kind, yet she makes me strong - Strong-willed and strong-minded. Some people would call this stubborn. They'd be right. I've watched this woman come into herself, growing more independent and strong - where do you think I got my stubbornness? She has a very sarcastic humor. It's probably one of the reasons we get along so well. She's my moonlight shining in the darkest of nights. Together with Hallie, they are the air that I breathe.
The three of us - peas in a pod.
In no particular order - For love, Hallie, Mama, for family near and far that we hold in our hearts, friends that are considered family, our furry babies, for God, Jesus and an endless supply of blessings, people, places and things we love, I give thanks.
Yeah, so, I'm a big mush ball. Don't tell anyone.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Day 5 - My all time favorite quotations
There are so many quotations out there that inspire me or that I may meditate and contemplate. Some of my favorites are the following:
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." -Lao Tzu ;
"Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost;
"I was wise enough to never grow up while fooling most people into believing I had." - Margaret Mead;
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point." - C. S. Lewis;
"Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve." - J. K. Rowling;
"Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it." - Lucy Maud Montgomery;
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." - Goethe;
"My child has taught me more about living, forgiving and loving than I could ever teach her." - Carol Blake Sessums
Although the above listed quotes are wonderful, even as useful mantras, my favorites come out of the mouths of babes - my babe, to be exact. I love Hallieisms! I love how she's 11 and she has her very own vocabulary, always has and I do not correct her. I don't have the heart. She just makes my heart swell when I hear these wonderful words and phrases that are just HER. She'll be all grown up and speaking correctly soon enough. Here are just a few of her Hallieisms:
"Can you be more pacific?" - age 10 & 11
"Scared me to deaf!" - age 6-9
"I think I'm going death!" - age 6-9
"I'd like to particerate in that." age 5
My favorite of all time?
"I pwedge awegiance to de fwag, of de United States of Amewica. An to de pubwic, fow undewstands, invisible, an dis is fow awe." - age 4
I just wanna squeeze her all the time!
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." -Lao Tzu ;
"Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost;
"I was wise enough to never grow up while fooling most people into believing I had." - Margaret Mead;
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point." - C. S. Lewis;
"Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve." - J. K. Rowling;
"Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it." - Lucy Maud Montgomery;
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." - Goethe;
"My child has taught me more about living, forgiving and loving than I could ever teach her." - Carol Blake Sessums
Although the above listed quotes are wonderful, even as useful mantras, my favorites come out of the mouths of babes - my babe, to be exact. I love Hallieisms! I love how she's 11 and she has her very own vocabulary, always has and I do not correct her. I don't have the heart. She just makes my heart swell when I hear these wonderful words and phrases that are just HER. She'll be all grown up and speaking correctly soon enough. Here are just a few of her Hallieisms:
"Can you be more pacific?" - age 10 & 11
"Scared me to deaf!" - age 6-9
"I think I'm going death!" - age 6-9
"I'd like to particerate in that." age 5
My favorite of all time?
"I pwedge awegiance to de fwag, of de United States of Amewica. An to de pubwic, fow undewstands, invisible, an dis is fow awe." - age 4
I just wanna squeeze her all the time!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Day 04 — A favorite book
Hallie and I both enjoy making time for reading together. She’ll choose a book and we’ll take turns reading to each other. As far as kids’ books go, my favorites, I would have to say, would be any SkippyJon Jones book or Junie B. Jones. Both series are friggin’ hilarious. With SkippyJon, Hallie likes for me to read it with a Chihuahua mui mui soft voice (he’s actually a leetle kitty boy with an identity crisis). The books are so hysterical, we are both sore afterwards from long bouts of belly laughter.
I’ve got se
veral favorites myself that I’ve had for many years. I’ve got mostly sci-fi titles on that list – Go figure. But I’d have to say Anne of Green Gables is my favorite of all time. Really? Hmmm. It’s a toss up. I like many books for different reasons – the places they bring you to with your mind and your heart. I do love an adventure, too. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe comes to mind. The Hobbit. The Time Machine. All favorites. Lord of the Rings. Oh, don’t get me started… I think it’s time to pick one of these books up and read it again. ;)
If you are ever in need of some good ole’ bust a gut belly laughter, I highly recommend SkippyJon Jones but yoooo must reeed eeet weet yo’d mui mui soft leetle Chihuahua voice. Oh, dat swee
t leetle kitty boy! Even if you don’t have kids, read it out loud to yourself. We had taken it over to Mama’s to see what she thought of the book, and, of course, I had to read it in SkippyJon’s leetle Chihuahua voice. She laughed so hard, I’m not sure if it was really good for her. She became an instant fan and recommends the books to her friends that have kids and grandkids. I’m just sayin’, even if ya don’t have kids, you should read one of the books. Or maybe I’m just a kid at heart. Ok, yeah, I admit it. Neva grow up! Not completely, anyway. That’s my motto.
I’ve got se
veral favorites myself that I’ve had for many years. I’ve got mostly sci-fi titles on that list – Go figure. But I’d have to say Anne of Green Gables is my favorite of all time. Really? Hmmm. It’s a toss up. I like many books for different reasons – the places they bring you to with your mind and your heart. I do love an adventure, too. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe comes to mind. The Hobbit. The Time Machine. All favorites. Lord of the Rings. Oh, don’t get me started… I think it’s time to pick one of these books up and read it again. ;)If you are ever in need of some good ole’ bust a gut belly laughter, I highly recommend SkippyJon Jones but yoooo must reeed eeet weet yo’d mui mui soft leetle Chihuahua voice. Oh, dat swee
t leetle kitty boy! Even if you don’t have kids, read it out loud to yourself. We had taken it over to Mama’s to see what she thought of the book, and, of course, I had to read it in SkippyJon’s leetle Chihuahua voice. She laughed so hard, I’m not sure if it was really good for her. She became an instant fan and recommends the books to her friends that have kids and grandkids. I’m just sayin’, even if ya don’t have kids, you should read one of the books. Or maybe I’m just a kid at heart. Ok, yeah, I admit it. Neva grow up! Not completely, anyway. That’s my motto. Photos courtesy of Judy Schachner (Skippyjon Jones); Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables); and C. S. Lewis (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe).
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and that's all I have to say...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Day 3 - A favorite tv show
I record our tv shows via DVR. We catch up on Hallie's shows on the weekend, usually, or on a night when we don't have an activity (such as studying for a test, basketball, etc.). I catch up on mine when I can drag my 'dragon' zombie butt out of bed early, before I have to get ready for work. Grab a pot o' coffee to pry my eyelids open and sit for an hour, or 45 minutes (I fast forward thru the commercials). I watch them early, because they're too old for Hallie, so I have to sneak 'em when she's asleep. She doesn't watch violence. I don't want her to be desensitized. Not only that - she doesn't like watching violence. I even had to mute and fast forward thru a couple of violent scenes in Twilight, while she had her eyes closed.
Well, there are about 7 tv shows that I love and some of th
ese, the family watches together on Girls Night. On Friday nights, I get take out for the 3 of us (Hallie, Mama and me). Mama comes over and we watch something that we've recorded that we all like, I will have rented a chick flick, or sometimes Mama will bring over Seventh Heaven DVDs and we'll watch some of those episodes. We all love it!
There I go, rambling again.
Well, there are about 7 tv shows that I love and some of th
ese, the family watches together on Girls Night. On Friday nights, I get take out for the 3 of us (Hallie, Mama and me). Mama comes over and we watch something that we've recorded that we all like, I will have rented a chick flick, or sometimes Mama will bring over Seventh Heaven DVDs and we'll watch some of those episodes. We all love it!There I go, rambling again.
The topic is "a favorite tv show", so I suppose that would be between The Event and Vampire Diaries. I am a big time fan of sci-fi! I'm a geek, I know. I don't care. I love science fiction! Always have! Ok, you probably already know what I'm going to say, if you read yesterday's post. Yup, Vampire Diaries it is. The writers are quite talented at developing the story line and keeping me on the edge of my seat. The show stays interesting throughout and I cannot zoom through those commercials fast enough! When it's all over, I'm left longing for the next episode. What I love about that is if we've had a really busy week and I could not manage to get up early for a while, I'll have 2 episodes taped and then I don't have to wait for the next one! Ha! Between seasons, I was seriously going into withdrawals. Yes, I realize I have a problem - cannot help myself. I'm past help. You might think this is another teeny bopper flick, and perhaps it is focused for 16-24ishes but I am fascinated with vampires and the show is really great, so there ya have it. That's my favorite.
Photos courtesy of (The Event) NBC; (Seventh Heaven) the WB; and (Vampire Diaries) the CW.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Day 2 - A favorite movie
Movie-watching is one of my favorite pastimes, so it was a little more difficult to narrow my choices, compared to yesterday's topic.
If I have to pick just one (at the risk of revealing I'm a teeny bopper at heart), I would have to choose Twilight. I LOVE vampire flicks, ok? There. I said it. While there are some pretty lame-o ones out there, I found Edward, Bella and Jacob to be totally enthralling. I couldn't choose which young man was more strapping, as they were both great pieces of eye candy. So what, I'm old enough to be their...their Aunt. Ain't nuthin' wrong with admiring beauty; checkin' out the merchandise. Don't worry, no cougar here. Although...no, never mind.
New Moon was good, but I must admit, a bit comedic, especially with Jacob skippi
ng up the tree, stepping into Bella's window and howling out a "hey." The theatre rolled. I wonder if that part was scripted for a laugh. The special effects could have been better, as well. With technology these days and computer graphics, I was amazed at how poorly the werewolves turned out. Weren't you? All in all, a good movie. I bought it. We've watched it a few times, although Twilight is still my fave. I haven't seen Eclipse, yet, but I'm sure I'll get to it when it comes out on DVD in December.Talking with Hallie, as we are both huge movie buffs, she chose Secretariat to be her favorite. She's loved horses since she was 2 years old and has been riding since she was 3. She's seen all the horse movies. I do believe she knows Flicka and Spirit word-for-word. I very much enjoyed Secretariat, as well - an extremely well put together movie. Plus, we adore movies based on true stories and THAT was a great story! She likes the vampire flicks, too, although she has only been allowed to see the Twilight movies, so far.
Photos courtesy of (Twilight/New Moon) Summit Entertainment; and
(Secretariat) Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Day 1 – A favorite song
Hard one. I have so many favorite songs, I guess I have to narrow it down to the one I’ve been finding myself singing the majority of the time, which for the last couple of months has been I Will Follow – by Chris Tomlin.
Hallie and I listen to K-LOVE (100.9 FM) and MIX 98.7 (FM), but we wind up listening to K-LOVE more often. They just play the most awesome inspiring music and we are always singing along. It’s uplifting, comforting and it’s one of the best parts of our mornings and evenings in the car going to and fro. Plus, Hallie prefers family friendly radio and tv, and although MIX 98.7 calls themselves family-friendly, it doesn’t meet our definition. There are many songs they play that have inappropriate language and kudos to Hallie for not accepting that – one of the many things I love about her.
Chris has just the greatest, most amazing voice and he’s so easy to listen to. This song really speaks to my soul and makes me feel more of a connection to my Heavenly Father. Not only that, but it inspires me to be a more caring, compassionate human – more of the person God wishes for me to be.
It’s not always easy. In fact, most of the time, it can be the hardest-blasted thing in the world – following him, serving, reaching out, trusting and loving. There are a lot of crazy maniacs in this world and it’s nearly impossible sometimes to reach out to people, but I want to please God, so I want to at least try and follow him, and try to trust that he will always protect us.
Why not give it a listen? You just can’t help but sing along. Let me know what you think of it.
“Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...
All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone
Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you
Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone
In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow”
Photo courtesy of www.gannsdeen.com
Saturday, November 13, 2010
30-Day Blog Challenge
I've been thinking I haven't been blogging in quite a while. I haven't posted on Facebook in a while; not regularly anyway and haven't tweeted in even longer. So, that's why the 30-day blog challenge. I plan on making a post on my blog every day for 30 days, starting tomorrow. Well, I guess it's sort of starting today, since I happen to be blogging about beginning the challenge.
I figure it's a fun and engaging way of my becoming more focused and more committed. I haven't done too well with "other" challenges in the past (see my clutter/fitness project blog), and so why would I stick with this one, you may ask? Well, that's a really good question.
I realize I need to take more action. I need to make time for me, doing things I enjoy, like blogging and staying in touch with my peeps. I'm not really good at making time for me since having a child (allowing my world to revolve around her, which is not necessarily a bad thing, right? Oh, and working a full-time job, oh, and...), so it may be a bit hard for me, but I'm going to take a crack at it anyway.
I have listed 30 topics below. I may choose from these or if you have some topic ideas, please share.
Day 01 — A favorite song
Day 02 — A favorite movie
Day 03 — A favorite TV show
Day 04 — A favorite book
Day 05 — A favorite quote
Day 06 — A fun fact about me
Day 07 — A favorite photo
Day 08 — Something I crave
Day 09 — Pet peeves
Day 10 — A photo of me taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of me taken recently
Day 12 — Something I bought recently
Day 13 — Something I want to buy
Day 14 — An old photo
Day 15 — My celebrity crush
Day 16 — A favorite food
Day 17 — A photo of my family
Day 18 — A baby photo
Day 19 — A fun memory
Day 20 — A hobby of mine
Day 21 — A favorite recipe
Day 22 — A favorite joke
Day 23 — A video
Day 24 — A travel story
Day 25 — A favorite photo
Day 26 — A funny (true) story
Day 27 — A child I love
Day 28 — A place I love
Day 29 — A person I love
Day 30 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Tomorrow is Sunday, November 14, 2010 - good a day as any to start my "30-day Challenge". Let's see if I can stick with it.
(hands clasped together) I can do this!
Oh, and the clutter/fitness thing? Well, that will be one of my next projects I'll be jumping back on soon. However, first things first, and one at a time, please. Baby steps...
Carol
I figure it's a fun and engaging way of my becoming more focused and more committed. I haven't done too well with "other" challenges in the past (see my clutter/fitness project blog), and so why would I stick with this one, you may ask? Well, that's a really good question.
I realize I need to take more action. I need to make time for me, doing things I enjoy, like blogging and staying in touch with my peeps. I'm not really good at making time for me since having a child (allowing my world to revolve around her, which is not necessarily a bad thing, right? Oh, and working a full-time job, oh, and...), so it may be a bit hard for me, but I'm going to take a crack at it anyway.
I have listed 30 topics below. I may choose from these or if you have some topic ideas, please share.
Day 01 — A favorite song
Day 02 — A favorite movie
Day 03 — A favorite TV show
Day 04 — A favorite book
Day 05 — A favorite quote
Day 06 — A fun fact about me
Day 07 — A favorite photo
Day 08 — Something I crave
Day 09 — Pet peeves
Day 10 — A photo of me taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of me taken recently
Day 12 — Something I bought recently
Day 13 — Something I want to buy
Day 14 — An old photo
Day 15 — My celebrity crush
Day 16 — A favorite food
Day 17 — A photo of my family
Day 18 — A baby photo
Day 19 — A fun memory
Day 20 — A hobby of mine
Day 21 — A favorite recipe
Day 22 — A favorite joke
Day 23 — A video
Day 24 — A travel story
Day 25 — A favorite photo
Day 26 — A funny (true) story
Day 27 — A child I love
Day 28 — A place I love
Day 29 — A person I love
Day 30 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Tomorrow is Sunday, November 14, 2010 - good a day as any to start my "30-day Challenge". Let's see if I can stick with it.
(hands clasped together) I can do this!
Oh, and the clutter/fitness thing? Well, that will be one of my next projects I'll be jumping back on soon. However, first things first, and one at a time, please. Baby steps...
Carol
Friday, February 5, 2010
Unexpected Emergency Dr. Visit
Ain't nothin like an unexpected emergency doctor visit to put the fear of God in you and, in turn, kill any future hunger pains from the anxiety of not knowing...
I hadn’t had my annual check-up in several years. My bad, I know. Never had a mammogram and wasn’t seriously concerned, since I’ve never had any problems, nor do I have a history of probs on either side of my family.
So, I just figured it was high time to go to the ‘fun’ doctor and get the ‘hooha’ checked out, along with the ‘girls’, to make sure everything was normal. Isn’t it just the most enjoyable thing ever? I mean, I purposely do not go to the doctor, even when I’m sick, so going to the fun doctor is, well…takes years to make myself go.
Wednesday, the results of the mamm came back and the doctor’s office said something showed up and I needed to see a radiologist ASAP. The appt was made for the next day at 2:45. Talk about scared to death! I nearly cried. I became extremely quiet, introverted and serious. I kept running over my life in my mind, thinking what have I done with my life? I'm not done. I cannot leave my daughter and mother. What if this is it? What if? (I realize I can be a bit dramatic at times but this really was scary for me.)
Then, I tried to calm myself and pray a bit; talked with my BFF and mom and they were freaking out, wanted to go with me but I was just going down the street from my office during my lunch hour, then going back to work and I’m sure it was nothing - all would be fine.
When I’m scared or depressed, I don’t play well with others. I like to hide out in a cold, dark place until my inner sun comes out and then I can come out and play again. One thing they could do was pray. I thought about it and decided I’d send out a prayer request to my buddies, because God answers prayers every day. I know, sometimes we feel he doesn’t deliver the goods, but I do know that he has a plan and even though it may not always seem to fit in with OUR plans, he knows what he’s doing. But then, that’s a whole nuther blog…
Thursday came and after a night with very little sleep, very little food and a sick at my stomach feeling, 2:20 had arrived and it was time to go. Got there and waited a little while. The wait really wasn’t as long as it SEEMED. Seemed like forever but I just played games on my phone, checked Facebook and my emails to keep my hands busy. I’m sure that’s why I smoked all those years ago – something to just keep my hands busy. That’s probably why I LOVE to type. If my hands are busy, I’m good. I’m calm-er.
Eventually, got to go from one room to another room, and wait. Still, the wait wasn’t really that long. They got to play with the girls some more. I really cannot stand it!!! Some stranger putting their hands all over you – makes me want to hurl or perhaps slap someone. They have to twist and clamp. Then twist the other way and clamp. OUCH! I wanna know who invented that dang contraption. The sucker is painful! Ya think it showed them what they needed to know? Nope. Back to the other room to wait again. I just think with technology these days, they'd have a better, more efficient, less uncomfortable way of doing things.
Then, another woman came to take me to another room. This time, I get to lay down and the room is kind of cold, which I actually like, since I felt like I was burning up from my nerves. An Ultrasound had been ordered. I won’t go through the specific details with you on this one. The woman takes the results to the doctor. Waiting…
She comes back with a slip of paper and says, “You’re all clean and free to go”.
“All clean?” I ask. “Meaning everything is normal?” She said tissue had built up on top of tissue and usually means something is there other than tissue, but no worries, only tissue.
Ah! Talk about relief. During all my waiting, I kept thinking to God - one thing I continually pray for and really, the only thing that matters is that he keep us safe and in good health. He granted my 30-year prayer of a wonderful daughter and that’s the main thing I prayed for until she was born, along with all the qualities I had asked for. Since then, it’s been pretty much one daily prayer. Sure, I ask for things that I think would make my life more enjoyable, and it would probably be great if I received those little things, but he knows my heart and the biggest things – the most important things – are those special people and fur-babies I love and I am blessed that he keeps us safe and in good health and I don’t need anything more.
For all prayer warriors out there, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers on behalf of my health and the doctor visit Thursday. I don't normally put my business out there for all to know about (until recently). I'm not big on sharing myself with people. Most of you know that I'm mostly friendly and try to be upbeat, for the most part. But at the same time, I'm a loner. Always have been and, in truth, am quite frightened of opening up, reaching out, asking for help, confiding - not good at that but I'm trying to get better. But, I figured more prayers circulated upwards is always a good thing. I do believe in the strength of numbers, number of people/friends, prayers. The more, the merrier - it's a great thing.
Ah - email. It's a powerful thing. Email is one more way of lifting a hand up to God and it works! Communication & prayer works in all forms. I'm so blessed to have loving friends in my circle like you! I love you, too. ~soft squishy hug~
Ok, enough of this mush.
I hadn’t had my annual check-up in several years. My bad, I know. Never had a mammogram and wasn’t seriously concerned, since I’ve never had any problems, nor do I have a history of probs on either side of my family.
So, I just figured it was high time to go to the ‘fun’ doctor and get the ‘hooha’ checked out, along with the ‘girls’, to make sure everything was normal. Isn’t it just the most enjoyable thing ever? I mean, I purposely do not go to the doctor, even when I’m sick, so going to the fun doctor is, well…takes years to make myself go.
Wednesday, the results of the mamm came back and the doctor’s office said something showed up and I needed to see a radiologist ASAP. The appt was made for the next day at 2:45. Talk about scared to death! I nearly cried. I became extremely quiet, introverted and serious. I kept running over my life in my mind, thinking what have I done with my life? I'm not done. I cannot leave my daughter and mother. What if this is it? What if? (I realize I can be a bit dramatic at times but this really was scary for me.)
Then, I tried to calm myself and pray a bit; talked with my BFF and mom and they were freaking out, wanted to go with me but I was just going down the street from my office during my lunch hour, then going back to work and I’m sure it was nothing - all would be fine.
When I’m scared or depressed, I don’t play well with others. I like to hide out in a cold, dark place until my inner sun comes out and then I can come out and play again. One thing they could do was pray. I thought about it and decided I’d send out a prayer request to my buddies, because God answers prayers every day. I know, sometimes we feel he doesn’t deliver the goods, but I do know that he has a plan and even though it may not always seem to fit in with OUR plans, he knows what he’s doing. But then, that’s a whole nuther blog…
Thursday came and after a night with very little sleep, very little food and a sick at my stomach feeling, 2:20 had arrived and it was time to go. Got there and waited a little while. The wait really wasn’t as long as it SEEMED. Seemed like forever but I just played games on my phone, checked Facebook and my emails to keep my hands busy. I’m sure that’s why I smoked all those years ago – something to just keep my hands busy. That’s probably why I LOVE to type. If my hands are busy, I’m good. I’m calm-er.
Eventually, got to go from one room to another room, and wait. Still, the wait wasn’t really that long. They got to play with the girls some more. I really cannot stand it!!! Some stranger putting their hands all over you – makes me want to hurl or perhaps slap someone. They have to twist and clamp. Then twist the other way and clamp. OUCH! I wanna know who invented that dang contraption. The sucker is painful! Ya think it showed them what they needed to know? Nope. Back to the other room to wait again. I just think with technology these days, they'd have a better, more efficient, less uncomfortable way of doing things.
Then, another woman came to take me to another room. This time, I get to lay down and the room is kind of cold, which I actually like, since I felt like I was burning up from my nerves. An Ultrasound had been ordered. I won’t go through the specific details with you on this one. The woman takes the results to the doctor. Waiting…
She comes back with a slip of paper and says, “You’re all clean and free to go”.
“All clean?” I ask. “Meaning everything is normal?” She said tissue had built up on top of tissue and usually means something is there other than tissue, but no worries, only tissue.
Ah! Talk about relief. During all my waiting, I kept thinking to God - one thing I continually pray for and really, the only thing that matters is that he keep us safe and in good health. He granted my 30-year prayer of a wonderful daughter and that’s the main thing I prayed for until she was born, along with all the qualities I had asked for. Since then, it’s been pretty much one daily prayer. Sure, I ask for things that I think would make my life more enjoyable, and it would probably be great if I received those little things, but he knows my heart and the biggest things – the most important things – are those special people and fur-babies I love and I am blessed that he keeps us safe and in good health and I don’t need anything more.
For all prayer warriors out there, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers on behalf of my health and the doctor visit Thursday. I don't normally put my business out there for all to know about (until recently). I'm not big on sharing myself with people. Most of you know that I'm mostly friendly and try to be upbeat, for the most part. But at the same time, I'm a loner. Always have been and, in truth, am quite frightened of opening up, reaching out, asking for help, confiding - not good at that but I'm trying to get better. But, I figured more prayers circulated upwards is always a good thing. I do believe in the strength of numbers, number of people/friends, prayers. The more, the merrier - it's a great thing.
Ah - email. It's a powerful thing. Email is one more way of lifting a hand up to God and it works! Communication & prayer works in all forms. I'm so blessed to have loving friends in my circle like you! I love you, too. ~soft squishy hug~
Ok, enough of this mush.
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