As we enter into December...

FOR TODAY...Wednesday, December 07, 2011


Outside my window... still and dark, dew settled on all things in cool of the wee hours

I am thinking...it’s going to be year-end before I know it which means tax preparations will fill my New Year.  December has started off to be an intentional month of living...intentional in staying focused on Christ through the busyness of the season.  December's calendar is selectively full but not overflowing.  The transition from autumn to winter, Thanksgiving to Christmas having taken place without too many bumps. 

I am thankful for...In my list of gratitude {#43-60}, I am thankful for:

~ growing boys into men...doing the hard things
~ tree planting work opportunities this past week for Austin...acres of saplings
~ planted to replace ones lost in a brush fire this year
~ grace when accidents occur and God's hand of healing {praying for two children this week suffering injury...one with a broken bone and another with 3rd degree burns}

~ grace to handle defeat...or at least for opportunities to teach this {two difficult playoff games this past Saturday for Logan, one more to go}

Logan missing the "pull" for this defensive move...the opponant was very fast and avoided having flags pulled throughout the game many times.

~ a girl who has taken it upon her 26 month old self to potty train

~ getting our Christmas pictures snapped today so cards can be ordered {not an easy feat with a home of 10 and varying schedules}

One of several shots...this time Carolyne is the protestor of group pictures.

~ hearts desiring to do "secret acts of kindness" each day...still working on the secret part ;-)
~ dinners at Cracker Barrel {spontaneous and rewarding}
~ the smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree {brought from NC...thank you}
~ a chat with a neighbor this week
~ music opportunities for our young men...music is such a beautiful gift and I'm blessed to have our home filled with it

~ having times set aside to fellowship with friends this month

~ being home with my children each day {even the difficult ones...} and growing together
~ God's grace in my Mom's life
~ God being the Author and Finisher of our faith and not us
~ the last faucet part coming in today {a leaky faucet since October and the part was on backorder...}
~ a lifetime warranty on the faucet {no out-of-pocket expense...a good thing}

From the kitchen...December is a month of above average activities, so our menu will be somewhat loose...loose, but not non-existant.  ;-)  This week will look something like this:

Sunday:  Simple
Monday:  Grilled chicken, rice cooked in chicken broth to flavor, buttered peas and biscuits
Tuesday:  that spontaenous meal out to Cracker Barrel {after taking family Christmas pictures}
Wednesday:  meatloaf, mashed garlic potatoes, steamed dill carrots
Thursday:  lasagna, homemade whole wheat french bread with olive oil dipping sauce, salad, s'mores...maybe with a fire
Friday:  beef barley vegetable soup and bread
Saturday:  chicken and turkey pot pies

From the learning rooms...read alouds of our Christmas books, lots of nativity playing, still working on division {Alyssa} and fractions {Logan}, instrument practice for upcoming concerts, studying and term papers {Zach} as this semester comes to an end...finals week.

Upcoming plans...plumber coming to replace parts on my kitchen faucet, Orchestra concert {Wednesday night}, football practice {Friday night}, final playoff game {Saturday} with a community parade in the evening...with some fellowship time in the mix of it all...and for added blessings for giving, I am hosting a Christmas Blessing Giveaway {read about it here}

Around the house...things are looking a lot like Christmas ~ our tree is decorated, nativities around the house and little trees in each room, lights hung inside and out, our baskets filled with blessings for others ready for upcoming deliveries and preparations for several hospitality gatherings underway.

One of my favorite things...the smells of Christmas {balsam & cedar Yankee candle scent}, cinnamon pine cones, baking of sugar cookies, coffee {although I don't like it...love the smell}, ummm...

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

Our little miss is already 3 months...how time passes by so quickly!  She's such a sweet blessing to our family, truly adding "Joy".

Blessings ~

This week linked to:

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Teach Me to Number My Days...How They Have Been Numbered of Late ~

With weeks of not posting, I thought this morning I would try to pull something together.  Time I normally would have given to journal, I have applied to things that have been more needful, trying to keep my family responsibilities balanced with spending time with Mom...trying to mix in to that some fun activities with the kids, when possible. 

Here is a short picture version of the past few weeks and where the Lord has directed my attentions.  Many hours have been spent with mom and the gift of time given by friends has allowed me to give undivided attention to her...be it helping to get things in order (paperwork and hours of phone calls), things around the house or what has been most preciuos to me are the times of documenting her life.  A project I look forward to doing is a biography scrapbook...using the hours of recordings of her life stories and history as the inspiration behind it.

Life in pictures...

Character Building

Learning to play "together ~ nicely"...

Life Skills

Big sister helping to learn to ride a bike...4 years old and off he goes!

Learning & Family Field Trips

A very interested young man in learning about the Coast Guards...that may be the path he will walk on in the future ~ the opportunity to tour this boat was during the "Lighthouse Days" last month...very full day and well attended event!

Pony rides at this same event...two very happy children!

Climbing the tower will have to be done another day...too crowded this time.

A visit with out-of-town family on a blistery early Spring day to the inlet and tour of the fort.

Ministering

Lots of working at Gran's to get things back on track...

And hours of time spent talking, listening to history, and meals together with Gran...God is so good. (no pictures of this...but all will be cherished and one day...Lord willing...put into a book, a history scrapbook)

Times of Refreshment

Time spent celebrating another year of life with many friends...praise the Lord for snippets of His refreshment and encouragement in the midst of life's fullness of days.  This young friend's birthday served as a time to get together with other friends, making memories and learning valuable life lessons along the way...

And the gift from Him are moments like these, given at just the right moment during life's trials and very full days of responsibilities.  He is gracious to give times of laughter, simple play, a reminder of His goodness ~ a welcome distraction when they days are difficult.  :-)

Holidays

And then Ressurrection Sunday...morning worship and evening dinner, Mom joining us for our Traditional "Ressurrection Roll Making" and our evening meal ~ a blessing this year and for the years to come...

(hard to make everyone happy...)

Victorian Scrapbook Sneak Peek...

Just a little peak of what is to come...Victorian Scrapbook Follow-up Class of the Young Lady in Me Class we attended in December.  Those in attendance will have an opportunity to complete an album of the 2-day class they attended, while being able to add to their beautiful keepsake as future "teas" and "young lady events" are scheduled.

Pattern of 6"x6" album fabric (has a clear plastic slip cover - but I removed it to take a close up without the glare from the slipcover)...a few color choices to select from.

Title page with teapot...a sample of several different embellishments we will use in our class:  die-cut, 3-D stickers, ribbon, rhinestones, punched tags and more...

Part of their scrapbook will contain a two page layout of the mom & daughter together (each individual young lady with their mom - no peeks - just Alyssa & me)...with heirloom and victorian buttons, 3-D sticker, gold matted title header and Scripture...

A little glimpse of what I have been preparing lately and looking forward to hosting soon! 

Because of Him ~

A Pictoral Glimpse of 2009

Learning to ride her bike ~ January 2009

 

Many Youth Orchestra practices, performances and concerts throughout the year

Fishing...catch and release several times...a birthday memory

Spring Picnic and several other times of fellowship gatherings during the year

Snippets from our stay in TN

Trip to KY ~ Wonderful time at the Creation Museum

While in KY ~ a drive north into Ohio to visit the US Air Force Museum

The men in the family enjoyed a Cincinatti Reds game on Memorial Day...and took home a foul ball to remember the day

Snippets from our week in NC

Many trips to the beach over the summer ~ always new sea creatures to be discovered...this was quite a day

What's summer without watermelon ~ I can only imagine how much was eaten this summer!

A fun field trip to tour the Nina and Pinta replica ships ~ VERY HOT day

September Events...My 38th and 5 days later the much anticipated arrival of Elizabeth Hope!

Fall Family Style Fun ~ Pioneer Settlement was the setting of a full day enjoying musicians, artisians, craftsmen, good food and fun ~ like barn dancing.

Several trips to the museum...family membership is great!

This was a blessed two day event Alyssa & I participated in ~ both days full of Biblical training in godly character, etiquette and the finale of a full luncheon ~ putting all the learning into action.

Every year we take a family Christmas picture and there is usually a story to share...

The last quarter of this year has been a joy with Elizabeth ~ she is greatly loved & not usually without one of her siblings at her side.

Our 2nd annual trip to see the Festival of Lights locally ~ a new family tradition we have enjoyed.  Whether at the festival or out looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve, we always look for the nativity scenes.

Before Christmas Sunday service...Elizabeth's 1st

That is a glimpse of our year...so much more was done, experienced and seen.  So many "seasons of life" which we have walked through...so grateful for His grace and mercy as we did.