Peace on Earth

Merry Christmas!

More Memories

Okay, so my nephew is posting old photos on Facebook. We're taking a family trip down memory lane via the Internet. He's in Florida, and I'm in Cali. It's been an adventure....

So I see this photo of my mom and myself from over 25 years ago...I'm a junior or senior in highschool or maybe a freshman in college. Please don't judge the puffy hair. We all did it! Admit it and move on.

I just love this photo!

Christmas Tour 2010

Welcome, welcome, welcome! I am so glad that you stopped by today! So seldom do I get visitors from so far away! Here, let me take your jacket. Are you enjoying our Southern California weather? Can't believe it's been raining the last two days. This has been the coldest fall we've had since Glen and I moved here almost 10 years ago! Sit down, enjoy a cup of tea while we visit!

I've really missed the snow from back east. So much so that I've been collecting snowmen since coming west. Here are few of my favorites!

A present from my hubby years ago.

L made the one on the left this year.

I got these at the 99 cents store our first Christmas in CA.

This is our dining room/setting room. Usually this tree is in L's room. I wanted something out front to help decorate the front of the house. Little did I know that this was going to be our Christmas tree for the season. It's decorated with ornaments the kids made this year and candy canes.

Oh, do you like my Christmas tree table cover? It's the one that I won at the Southern California District Women's Retreat last month. I really wanted the one with the snowmen but am very happy with the one I have.

Let's head back to the living room and get more comfy.

These are the stockings that Glen's grandmother has made over the years. They are in age order from youngest to oldest. M is on the far left, then L, then mine, and finally Glen's; and yes, those are my holiday Barbie dolls from previous years. That collection has grown quite large over the last 20 years with my husband.

Here have a seat. We've totally changed things around since you were last by. The stuffed animal collection is still growing.  New items are added with every trip to Disneyland! :)

Then here's the newest addition to our Christmas decorating - a Fisher Price nativity. It lights up and plays Away in a Manger. The kids love playing with it (and so do I). It was a gift from San Diego Christian Homeschools, our home school support group.

Time to go, already? Thanks for coming over to visit. I've enjoyed our time together! Let me get your jacket. Come again and have a merry Christmas!

Matthew 1:23 - "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
   and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

May God be with you as you enjoy the season of His birth!

You can see the tour from 2008 here. Visit Nester for more Christmas Home Tours!

Memories of Christmas and Birthdays

What's your favorite memory of Christmas? I asked L what was her favorite family tradition of ours. I was surprised by her answer. I thought it would be putting the star on the top of the tree with Daddy or baking cookies with me (which we did today). Her answer showed me how much she has changed since coming to live with us four years ago. Are you ready for her answer? She replies, "Getting gifts for others and keeping it secret." Definitely her father's daughter. Her tenderness toward others often overwhelms me.

My favorite memory growing up is today - the date - December 18th. Why? It was my father's birthday. He would be 88 today had he been alive. This is a man I never really knew, except from family stories. Dad passed away two months after I was born. He was 44. However, this date was a tradition in my family. Mom said that Dad always wanted to celebrate his birthday by decorating the tree and spending time with family. That's what we did until Mom died. Every December 18th, Mom and I would decorate our tree, bake cookies, and have a nice dinner. Sometimes my nieces, JJ and Linda, would join in the fun. So what did I do with my day today? Made cookies - Glen's grandmother's sand tarts and my sister's peanut butter balls. L, M, and I had flour everywhere, listened to Christmas carols, and created memories.

I also want to wish another family member a happy birthday! My niece, H, was born eight years ago on her great-grandfather's birthday. They are off celebrating as a family in Colorado, yet my heart is very close to them. Happy birthday to two special people - Dad and H! I love you both!!!

Thankful Thursday ~ Trials & the Ministry of Others

It's been a tough week. I expected a lot of  fun and Christmas events in my life this week. There were parties, a Disneyland trip, and two field trips. Instead, I've spent two afternoons in various doctors' offices. Glen and I each had to visit the doctor and have been sick with colds and my finger injury (the shower door shattered when opening and cut my finger and M's foot). What this week has taught me is that I need to graciously accept the help of others as they minister to me.  I am thankful for the two women who cooked meals for my family when I couldn't, for the woman who came and washed my dishes and helped clean the house, and for the woman who took me to the doctor's and footed the bill. With my injury on my right hand and my left hand experiencing some tendinitis, I feel helpless. Yet, in the words of Pam Farrell, "I'm choosin' joy!" I'm thankful that the shower door crashing didn't end in much worse injuries to M and I. I'm thankful that the family has spent the last few days together, even though we've been ill. I'm thankful that others have been given the opportunity to minister in the name of our Lord.!

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Visit Grace Alone for more Thankful Thursday!

Here's my hand after the doctor's visit. I take the bandages off Thursday afternoon and will get to see how my pinky finger is doing. I'll be getting the house tour up ASAP. I've still gotta get the pictures taken.

Thankful Thursday

Having a place of refuge and safety in a storm is the source of my thankfulness this morning. I know that I can bring all my cares to the Lord. He alone can solve the issues, comfort the hurting, and call others to Himself. I currently am praying for one going through a tough storm. I am praying she finds her comfort and strength in God. I am thankful for opportunity to listen and support her and direct her to God. I am thankful that God has placed me in this season of my life.

Philippians 4:6&7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 118:8 - It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

Psalm 28:8 - The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Join Iris at Grace Alone for more Thankful Thursday!

Crazy Christmas Thoughts

After last Christmas season, Glen and I decided that I wouldn't work retail for the next Christmas season. So this year there are no Macy's stories for you. I did enjoy my time of service there (and secretly at times miss it). So far, it truly has been a blessing to me and the family. I've been able to keep school on track, to keep up with the daily chores, and to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas in our house - that's one reason we decorated before Thanksgiving!

However, the other day, Glen and I went out on a date. Dinner and walking around the mall. We entered Macy's (not one of the two I've worked in) and I felt weird. It was strange. I wanted to get to work - tell someone to dress the mannequin, fold the clothes, and clean off the messy counter. The music was the same; the decorations were similar; I was dressed for work; I was a shopper. Weird, I tell you. Strange. Wonderful. Freeing. I am thankful for the provision of the past two years with Macy's and for not being there this year. I even skipped watching the parade on Thanksgiving Day - something I haven't done in YEARS!

So what's keeping me busy this year (maybe I should say who)? Keeping school on track. I don't want L to fall behind and go to school longer than necessary. M, who being 3, loves jumping on the beds and sofas - gotta break that habit. Keeping the two kids from fighting all the time. Being Glen's supportive wife and allowing him to have time to minister to the congregation instead of hogging all his time. Our ladies' ministry. I've gotta finish the Bible study for this Saturday morning and make reservations for Ladies' Night Out. Our homeschool support group with park days, field trips, and a Christmas party. Okay, I'm getting tired just listing everything.

Here's what I want you to look forward to. This weekend I plan on photographing our house for a Christmas Tour! I'm planning on joining Nester for the annual Christmas Homes Tour. Be on the look out. I trust you all will enjoy your visit to SD!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Join Amy for other Then Sings my Soul Saturdays!

Family Photo Friday

Sorry I didn't get these up earlier!

Where to next?

an old favorite of mine!