HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have spent some time in the last few days reflecting back over this last year. I found myself reading back over my own blog posts as it is really a pretty good record of not only what went on, but where my heart and spirit were as well. I was amazed at times how much I felt I learned about the Lord and remembered my deep desire to share just as much as I could with all of you. I also was reminded how much I have learned from you, and how inadequate I felt in comparison sometimes to some of the deep truths that many of you were able to convey. Your knowledge of the scriptures and your ability to relate them to our everyday lives both inspired and encouraged me to want to know more. I’ve prayed that the Lord might give me a verse to claim for this year, or a word to focus on, and truthfully that is still a work in progress. But I do know this. I am not who I want to be. I am pretty sure I can count on that never being accomplished until the day I draw my last breath here on this earth as nothing more than a mere human being. God is FAR from finished with me. There is much work to be done. I take a few steps forward only to find myself still falling into old patterns and ways. I’ve gained back most of the weight I lost and will have to begin AGAIN (and not that I ever got to where I was supposed to be in the first place). I still worry and fret at times over things I have no control over. My tongue has yet to be tamed, and I know I have experienced many moments of envy and jealousy over at times what might be considered to be unlikely by most. I am sure many of you would be surprised over what might bring this particular emotion out in me, haha


2010 was a difficult year for me. It brought my first bout ever of pneumonia, a diagnosis of breast cancer, a double mastectomy, and a move out of our home of almost 25 years. I have found myself in a senior citizens park and I am STILL surprised that I am indeed old enough to be here. ; ) I am still missing my ONLY daughter who lives 1000 miles away from me; and the knowledge that she will bring her family up not living close enough for me to be involved in their everyday life, still saddens me. The arthritis in my knees has progressed to the point that knee replacement surgery is a certainty just as soon as I get enough weight off to do it; and in the meantime I hobble everywhere I go, and in quite a bit of pain as well. My mother had a stroke, and the passing of the years has been hammered home in a very real way. There are other stories that have directly involved me and my family that were sooo difficult to deal with I can’t even really explain them, and are WAY too personal to share. Yes, a difficult year….

And yet!! I can tell you with a moment’s hesitation of the faithfulness of our God. He has walked ever so patiently with me through every trial, hardship and sadness. He has put a joy in my heart that can only come from knowing Him. A peace down deep in my soul that surpasses anything this world has to offer. The knowledge (through His Son and His work on the cross) of where my eternity will be spent brings me comfort and hope. This world and our journey’s here are indeed only temporary. While we live here on this earth we are NOT promised lives that are free of the hardships of life. But we are promised His love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, and His salvation. 2011 is upon us. I pray that this next year will bring me closer to Him, and that I might be willing and ready to be used in any way He might see fit to use me. My biggest goal of this year is to love others the way He loves them. Sounds easy enough in some ways, but to love as He loves can only be accomplished but allowing His Holy Spirit to dwell in us in such a way that He lives through us, and we have NO choice but to love as He would love. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all, and may the Lord richly bless you in this coming year.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.


To join the other Spiritual Sunday posts click HERE....It is a wonderful way to start the New Year!  Soo many thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this wonderful event every Sunday.

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS...

Happy Monday to you all! I have been off for the most part for several days now but I found myself wondering last night what I might have missed, haha. But looks like several of you have been taking a short break too. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have found my thoughts and feelings ALL OVER THE PLACE this morning. "Maybe" I can type them out and figure them out, but I have a feeling it might take a few days to do.

I am actually sitting here in my PJ's still, which if you know me at all is REALLY weird, lol....I am NOT a lounger in the morning, and staying in my jammies usually means I am VERY sick. My kids have always given me a hard time about this as I spring (as best as a gal "can" spring with arthritic knees, haha) out of my bed in the morning REALLY early (usually before 6) and make my bed (if my hubby isn't still in it, haha) and get immediately into the shower. I dress, do my hair and make-up, and have my morning tea and devotions ALL BEFORE 7 am. I pick up my house, unload my dish washer, make a few visits to all of you, start laundry (if I am doing it) have my breakfast and plan my day all before 8. Generally I leave time about then to talk to my mom for a while on the phone. And I do this rather or not my house is full of company, or it is Christmas Day or not. I am just a "morning" person. But this morning I decided to just RELAX...haha...I did strip beds, and start laundry and picked things up, but have spent the rest of the morning catching up on the phone with some people, and catching up with the Lord. I have sadly neglected my quiet time with Him these last several days as we have been soo busy. Why it is that time with Him is what I eliminate first when I get too busy I can never be sure, but let's just say I have found myself in this position more than once in my lifetime. How grateful I am that He is always there waiting for me, and welcomes me back with open arms and forgiveness for my "busy" days that have kept me away. He really is the ONLY constant thing in my life that NEVER changes and is ALWAYS there for me to count on. Loves me NO MATTER WHAT....

Our Christmas was different this year. Wonderful... but different. I can't really explain "why" because it went beyond the fact that we were in a different house after 25 years, though it was certainly a BIG part of it. I think it was one of the reasons I was so excited about Christmas this year and was soo wanting all my decorations just right and everything to "seem the same"...even though it just isn't. I don't like change, never have, and I am big on tradition. We had created soo many memories and soo many traditions at our old house I knew it would just have to be a little weird doing it all somewhere else. And it just kind of was....I tried, but there just wasn't room for all of my old favorites. And while I certainly didn't miss then really, I missed the kids enjoying them. (I know I am kind of weird on this stuff...please bear with me, lol) We sat the tables up, (it took 3) and tried to organize everything the day before....the idea was to save time on Christmas Day.....but all it really did was make Christmas Eve a LONG day of work for my hubby and me. Now it did LOOK beautiful, the goodies were plentiful (I ended up baking them all up on Christmas Eve too) and the food the next day was yummy. There was LOTS of presents under the tree and everything was clean and ready for the next day so that no one would want for anything. But my poor hubby and I went to bed EXHAUSTED, lol. Christmas morning was wonderful as Melody was here with her husband Mike and we had a nice big breakfast and opened our gifts to each other leisurely while we sipped coffee and tea. We chatted and visited and sooo enjoyed our time together. We showered and dressed (actually I already was, haha, everyone else had stayed in their jammies and robes) put our dinner in the oven and waited for the rest of them to arrive. I was feeling brilliant about this time for doing soo much of the work the day before. It however was sadly short lived, as the rest of the day passed in a blur. I can't honestly tell you what happened....Suddenly lots of people were there. The presents were not even all opened, the meat was done but the potatoes weren't. There seemed to be little ones everywhere and suddenly my house seemed MUCH smaller than I thought. We didn't have the room we have always had in the past, and it was very apparent. There weren’t enough chairs and people were sitting on the floor. The big tables took up too much room. The grandkids no longer have their own playroom and area, and were weaving in and out of the tables and the bodies sitting on the floor, as they tried to play, so blissfully unaware that there wasn't much room to do so. My poor mother was there and she was VERY sick as her asthma had flared up the day before. I knew the confusion and chaos had to be getting to her as it was getting to me. My boys all want to just sit and visit with Melody as they miss her as much as I do and get very little chance to do so. I "TRIED" to visit and enjoy everyone, but felt like I didn't really see or talk to anyone hardly at all. My wonderful husband did ALL of the kitchen work as I my knees were NOT doing well at all, and never did sit down to actually eat his dinner. Now he assured me he ate WAY too much, and that he had multiple offers for help, but he honestly just wanted everyone to visit and enjoy each other. If this makes him sound like a saint, all I can say is I have been telling people for years that he is. It is just honestly how he is. Oh, and did I mention that he did a lot of that while carrying either Donatella or Cody around on his hip. How they love their Grandpa. How I wish I'd taken a pic. of that. I forgot to take any pictures at all (though I do have a few "pre" pictures before anyone was here which I will show you) and so the day passed with no pictures to capture the moments. My sister Diane did take several on her wonderful camera and I will steal some of those if she posts them. And just as suddenly as it started, it was over. Another Christmas has come and gone and I decided to focus on the fact that everyone enjoyed a good meal, enjoyed one another's company, and had a good time. But I will do MANY things differently now that I have been forced to see that things have changed....We will NOT have a sit down dinner complete with china and crystal again but rather cold ham, various cold salads, dinner rolls and MAYBE baked beans, lol, and ALL on paper plates, plastic silverware and paper cups. People can eat (if they want to) WHEN they manage to finally get their various families here ~ not all together. OH, and no present opening on Christmas day at all. I will do what my mom did for years....I soo understand now why she did it. Jeff & I will travel around from family to family in the days before Christmas, enjoying each family on their own as we share a meal and exchange presents. That will leave Christmas Day for us to all gather together and visit and enjoy each other, play games etc. Sounds MUCH better huh? And sooo obvious you'd think I'd have done it this year. But like I said....I have always been soo slow to change things up. But we have been blessed with a BIG family that continues to grow, and the time for change is here.

I did enjoy LOTS of time with Melly while they have been here for the past week. I treasured every minute and we chatted and visited to our little hearts content. I even blew dried her hair a couple of times for her, haha....It is soo long now and as I have always said I am just a frustrated "wanna be" hair dresser. I love doing her hair. They left early this morning, and I will admit I did spend a few minutes in tears. Not sure when ahe will be back, but hopefully it won't be too long. I did praise God that I was well the entire time she was here, but MANY it seemed were not doing too well on Christmas, so hopefully I will STAY that way, haha... Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying this SHORT week before another long week-end. I am not in my usual hurry to get the decorations down. Soo not me, and again, I am not sure why. Guess it just kind of goes along with the feel of this "different" Christmas.

aAll of these tables did not include the teen-agers who were sitting at our bar, Mike & Mel who got assigned the coffee table, or the two babies Cody & Donatella (who were on various laps).... really quite the crowd.  Did I mention that the prime rib was PERFECT?  And the garlic mashed potatoes did not quite make it around to everyone so a couple of people had to have quick microwave baked potaotes, the green beans were REALLY good, the lime jello salad we have every year (no matter what the rest of the menu is) was as good as ever, I FORGOT to put out the Ceaser Salad, and every last yummy roll was eaten??  Just so you know....haha

The candy table

The cookie selection....all the pies were in the fridge...

These are the new carolers my hubby got me for Christmas this year (along with a new cell phone which I might never know how to work, haha, but my kids all want me to be able to "text" them all the time) I have had my eye on these darling little carolers for years and years but I am quite certain I would have never bought them for myself.  I LOVE them, and him!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010!

Luke 2:11

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

In just a few short days we will all celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christmas comes faster and faster every year it seems.

How busy these last few days have been. I’ve been getting up in the morning and making a list ( and I hate making lists, haha) so that I wouldn’t waste a single moment of time in order that I might get everything done. I know that in just a couple of short weeks, the time of each day will again stretch out in front of me and I will search for ways to fill it….but for now I have had to stick pretty close to my list. But the good news is, I think I might actually be almost ready. I still have a couple of items that are still dribbling in from my on-line shopping which will have to be wrapped of course, but other than that and just little grocery shopping I am actually ready for Christmas. I still want to do a little baking, but that is no big deal to me and if necessary can always be eliminated as there is always soo many goodies that can just be bought of course.

My hubby celebrated his 59th birthday last Friday. He has begun his “count down” year as he calls it, haha.  It is hard to believe he has reached such a milestone. He remains strong, healthy, (and as good looking as ever if I do say so myself) despite the number of years he has racked up, praise God, haha. I was thinking and praying last night before I fell asleep just how blessed I have truly been by this man. What a gift from God he has really been for me. We are approaching 36 years together and we still enjoy each other so much. He is ALWAYS there for me. There is of course no such thing as a “perfect” man, or “perfect” mate, or “perfect” father, but he has come so close to that for me over the years, that at times I have felt almost guilty over my good fortune, and I thank God for him every day, and ask that He might bless him with MANY more years here on this earth.

Yesterday I took my niece Katie, and my nephew Blake, and my granddaughter Lindsey to see the GIANT Christmas light display out by our old house in spite of the fact that we are about to float away over here in Southern California! I don’t remember the last time it has rained and rained like this. 4 straight days in a row and I am hearing we still have 3 to go…Puddles of rain and mud are everywhere and I have to say that I am getting a little tired of the gloom. But in spite of the SLOW crawling we did FINALLY get there and back.  The fact that ¾ of the houses were NOT lit up (I am still wondering if we were just too early ~ it was only around 5:30… Or maybe all the rain?) or the fact that when we stopped for dinner and hot chocolate afterwards and were told that they were OUT of hot chocolate (who runs out of hot chocolate?) didn't change the fact that we had a wonderful time. We even just started laughing when the waitress told the kids there were no cherries for their hot fudge Sunday desserts, lol. Just the kind of night it was in some ways; but how I enjoyed myself. We talked A LOT about that first Christmas when Jesus was born at dinner. The girls especially dwelt a little on what that must have really been like for Mary to ride a donkey at all, let alone ~ WHILE IN LABOR ~ and after days and days of travel as well, only to find out there was NO place for them to stay. And then to have to have her baby in a cave that was used to hold animals…without any doctors or nurses or midwives, or without even her mother. How hard it all had to have been.

Luke 2:7-8 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to 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.

Blake seemed to dwell more on the shepherds in the field having REAL angels suddenly appearing and filling the sky and singing and telling them all that the Savior of the world had been born! How scary that must have been at first!

Luke 2: 8-10  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

And yet even with all the “human” drama going on, a real miracle was happening as well. Thousands of years later we are still celebrating that night, and that birth, and that life, and that Savior. He has been born that we might have life….doesn’t get much better than that.

My Melly and her hubby Mike are on their way to California even as I type this…YAY….How I am looking forward to them being able to spend Christmas with us. I have not seen that face of hers for almost 3 months now and that is a LONG time for this mama. How I have missed her. I am so glad they were able to add another day to their trip. They will spend some time with Mike’s family too of course, and some time with their friends as well, so the extra time helps a lot. I don’t share her very well I will be perfectly honest. When she comes I want her to spend ALL of her time with me. Seems perfectly reasonable don’t ya think? Haha Though truthfully it is hard. I STILL have a hard time dealing with the fact that she lives soo far away from me. But it certainly does make me appreciate the times we do all that much more. Christmas day our whole family will gather once again under our roof and it has been a while. My hubby makes a REALLY good prime rib and we ALL enjoy it soo much. My mom and step dad will join us for the day as well and that just makes everything complete. How blessed I am.

This last year was a difficult one and yet one that brought about much growth and a greater dependency on Him. I have learned so much about the “need” for trials and tribulations in our lives. Yes, I did say “need”…for the hard times. For without the hard times we don’t appreciate the good as we should and we don’t learn of the real blessing that comes from a life TOTALLY dependent on Him. I pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas with those that you love, and may we all remember those around us who are struggling and suffering through this season. May they see the light and experience the hope and peace that comes from a life that is totally sold out for Him. May we be His hands and feet this season that they might experience His love. MERRY CHRISTMAS my blogging friends. How you all bless me so!

Luke 2:13-14  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, goodwill toward men!"

WEEK-END AND CHRISTMAS HAPPENINGS

I decided to steal a few minutes out of this busy day and write a quick (hopefully) post about our week-end.  It was such a good one.  It started on Friday when my sister Diane came over to sew with me.  She brought her machine and set it up in my kitchen and we ran back and forth to the ironing board that was between us, haha.  She wanted a little help if she got stuck on the shirt she was making for her grandson, as she has never made one before and I have made COUNTLESS shirts of this type.  However, what neither one of us was counting on, was how LONG it has been since I have lol...However, we EVENTUALLY got our sewing done...Here are the blouses I made for my two youngest grand daughter's Capri and Donatella, and the shirt that I made for their brother JD.  I made one for Jeffie this morning, and now this afternoon I will make my final one for little Cody.  The fabic is adorable and they have come out quite cute (and fit pretty well too) but I am not sure what I was thinking.  I thought I was behind before and now I must REALLY get moving...haha 

The finished products

How darling are they?

Tella looks like her Aunt Melly here...

Love this one

Then on Sat. we drove down to San Diego to celebrate Capri's 6th birthday which is tomorrow.  I honestly can't believe this sweet little girl is 6 years old already.  How I love her.  Her imagination is wonderful, and she is soo sweet and loving.  At her birthday party (which was packed with little girls) she was opening her presents and said, "Raise your hand if you want to help me by opening one too!" haha  Needless to say she got countless offers and she proceded to pass her presents around for others to open for her.  It was either the most generous thing I have ever seen a little one do before, or she was soo anxious to get the gifts open and see what was inside that she figured this was the quickest way to see what was inside all those presents..lol  Either way, it was certainly unique, which sums up this little sweetie completely.  Here are some pics from her special day.

The birthday girl

Her cake...the frosting was made from marshmellows....different, and very yummy

Her daddy lighting her candles

Pretty Lindsey

Shy, sweet little Jeffie

JD.  His little cheeks were soo red from all the jumping in the bouncer...didn't help that it was 80 degree's on Sat...go figure.

Capri with her new doll

I got the girls black legging pants and boots to go with their Christmas blouses.  We tried Tella's on as I wasn't sure anything was going to fit right.  Here she is showing off her boots.  Everything fit perfectly...YAY!

My cuties in the bouncer

After the party Jeff & I and my oldest son Joe and two of his kids, Lindsey & Jeffie headed a little bit further down into San Diego to have dinner with Joe's grandmother on his natural father's side.  What a wonderful story this is.  She is a WONDERFUL, loving woman who has always kept in touch with me.  Joe has met her a few times, but through choices that were his to make he has never had much of a relationship with her much to her GREAT sadness.  Joe recently decided to change this ~ thus the dinner.  What a wonderful time we had.  They made a delicious dinner and we chatted and visited the evening away.  Both his grandmother and an aunt (whose house it was) were in tears a couple of times.  We all also met a couple of his cousins for the first time.  I believe God has kept His hand on this situation for years and worked out all the details as only He can.  These women are also Christians and we actually spent some time in prayer together as well.  How happy I am that this evening happened, and that these relationships might now grow.  Everything IS possible with God.

Joe with his grandmother ~ she just kept hugging him and patting him etc. through the whole night....soo sweet

She met her great grandson Jeffie for the first time.  = )

Grandma with Joe & two of her 5 great grandchildren ~ Leah was home with the baby who had a BAD cold...next time for sure.

Joe with his cousins Serena & Paul....such nice kids

With his grandmother & his Aunt Diana

And then yesterday found Jeff & I after church TRYING to get all of our ourside lights and decorations both up AND working.  What a chore this has ended up being, haha...My WONDERFUL WONDERFUL

husband really can be a saint sometimes.  I am not sure why all of this is soo important to me this year.  I can honestly tell you it usually isn't.  I have tried to analyze it but I am not really sure.  We have had one thing after another on our lights.  One strand would go out and then the other.  He would put one up and two days later take it down and replace it.  I bought some BEAUTIFUL wise men for our little planter out front and I wanted them illuminated so that you could see them.  Oh my, what we went through to get them this way.  By yestereday afternoon (late) there were no more lights at a couple of the stores I went to and we couldn't find a fuse anywhere.  He pressed on...Finally, in the total dark he was lighting the last decoration and it was FINALLY complete.  How pretty it is.  Standing there looking at it all last night I just wanted to cry and again I am not sure why.  Maybe it is just the year we had.  Or maybe it is the new house and wanting it so to feel like home.  Or maybe I am just a silly woman, but how I thank God for the man I am married to who pressed on and on even though I KNOW he would have much rather been watching football but knew it was important to me for whatever reason at all.

The full view came out a little dark...but you get the idea

A lttle closer ~ see our Christmas tree there in the corner?

The wise men

I have a really busy week AGAIN lying ahead of me.  I am not done shopping and I haven't wrapped a thing, I've baking I want to do, my hair needs doing and so do my nails (and I haven't forgot...I've another shirt to make yet this afteroon) so I guess I will get busy again for now.  I hope to take a pic of my pretty outside decorations and then post this right after and then maybe visit a little with all of you.  Hope this finds you all busy making memories for this season we are in, and again, may we all keep our eye's on Him. 

Tonight as Jeff & I were sitting and having our dinner, we suddenly heard singing and looking out front we had a street full of carolers...I can't tell you how wonderful it was....I thought of you Janette and your post this morning.  I don't think in the 25 years I lived at our old house we EVER had carolers come to our house.  I think next year I'll join them.   = )

How precious are they?

Side note:  I didn't get the shirt made...tomorrow morning for sure...

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME IN BREA

I can't believe it is already Friday again...time is going by soo quickly it seems.  I FINALLYgot around to taking some pics of my old favorite Christmas decs in their "new" places here in Brea...I am so enjoying the holiday season this year, though I have been quite busy.  I am now knee deep in the middle of making some Christmas shirts and blouses for my grandkids because I found some fabric that I just couldn't resist.  I will show you the finished products ~ SOON I hope, haha....Hope you are all enjoying this season as well.

This is the new nativity set that I got just this year....It has a REALLY long story behind it, but I will shorten it and tell you only that I have been wanting this for a VERY long time.  I am soo excited about it and I will always remember now that it was the "new" thing I added to our "new" house....I just love it.  It is a Jim Shore (for those of you who would be interested) and this picture really does not do it justice at all.

Here is a closer look....Isn't it pretty?

Also "new" for this house is my new buffet...Some old favorites found their way to this including my Thomas Kincade house that plays the night before Christmas and each little room in the house light up one at a time ~ soo cute...My grandkids soo love this.

A closer look...All my little cuties in Christmas frames and some candy treats ~ just what I need.. = )

A view of the family room....notice my new Christmas throw blanket that my wonderful sister made for me..

A closer look

My hubby insisted on a pic of me using the new blanket...soo cozy

The kitchen

I have 4 different ones of these darling little Thomas Kincade snowmen....notice the detail even in his hat...Love these...they are sitting by my Thomas Kincade tree (which I forgot to take a pic of, haha) I love this tree as it has scenes from the nativity all around it.  (You can kind of see it beside the snowman) 

A view of the living room

Our tree....I think we found the perfect spot for it as you can see it from the windows on two sides...soo pretty.  I haven't got any presents wrapped yet as you can see

All of my ornaments are old, lots of them are homemade, and soo many of them bring back such wonderful cherished memories...This is one my Melly made in first grade.  I LOVE it.

And here is one of Jimmy in pre-school.  He was just the cutest thing.  And the dough art of John's...we made a bunch of those one year but they were sooo heavy I have gotten rid of all except the ones with the boys names on them.  I collected one ornament a year for Melody from the year she was born right up until the year she married, always putting the date etc.  When she got old enough I always let her pick put her new ornament.  This was always such a fun day for us, even when she got older.  We'd make a day of it...Lunch out, some shopping, and finally the selection of the new ornament.  We'd come home and put it on the tree.  When she married I packed them all up and gave them to her so she'd have some ornaments that first Christmas.  I miss them on our tree, but glad she took this part of home with her.

Here is the fabric and patterns of the things I am making.  How darling is that fabric?  The blouses for the girls are almost done, and  I will start the boys shirts when I am finished here.

 

How Elvis does the holidays...haha....You'd think he lived somewhere where it was actually cold instead of sunny California, haha

This is Melody's Christmas tree and scene in her family room...I love the fact that I can see her things like this

 Her dog Baxter enjoying the fire...He is pretty cute

Well I have A LOT to do today and a couple of parties this week-end so I'd best "get crackin" as I would say to my kids, haha...I pray you are all enjoying the season as well, and may we all remember to put Him first.