The little moments in between

I have been reminded so much lately about the timing of our life last year.   Dan was about to get sick.  Our Christmas was going to be so different.   In all the horribleness of last year I found some pictures that reminded me that even in the darkness of last year there was laughter and fun.

Spencer was born!

Cool mask in ICU.

Bed's with a remote.

Awesome chairs in ICU waiting room.

Card games.

I became super great at Go Fish!

Thumbs up! (and silly faces)

Wheelchair races!

Perspective:  When I remember last year, I remember the horrible and wonderful moments and seem to forget the moments in between.  These moments were real, and had some great memories.  I am really glad these pictures are on my phone to remind me!

**Next week I am writing about the events that changed my perspective on life.  They are dark, they are full of miracles.  They are real.

Play with me....

So, I hear this almost every day.....

Mommy will you play with me?  I have found myself saying,"Give me 5 minutes." and that 5 minutes has a away of turning into 10,20,30....then the opportunity is gone.

What is better than the imagination that my kids now have?  What is more important than that?  an email? a dinner? laundry?

What is my problem?

You know what happens when I say, "Yes!"

I get to be a part of there lives in the most pure and fun way.

I get to be a ninja.
I get to be a princess awaiting rescue.
I get to play UNO.
I get to help a police man in a rescue.
I get to read some awesome books.

So, this Christmas season I am so very thankful for my family.  I will focus on saying YES.

You know in about 10 years the boys that I now have will be taller than me, and I will not hear, "Mommy will you play with me?"

This is the moment.  Dinner can wait.  The email can be sent after bed time.  Facebook is really not that important.  This is the moment.

You can tell by my face....the scare me a little. :-)

Perspective:  Play is an amazing thing.  The fact that my boys have the ability to imagine is a gift.  I love to laugh and I love to play and I need to remember just that.....life is fun if you let the fun win!

Magical Moments

So, last week I had the opportunity to attend a clergy women lunch.   I walked in and knew a few people so that was refreshing, and found some fellow Perkins students to talk with and some new clergy women that I am beginning to connect with.....anyway that was a very boring introduction to an amazing experience.

So, we sit down to eat and to my right is a student at Perkins, and to my left is a retired clergy (let's call her RC).

As we are talking RC ask both of us about our calling stories and how we got to where we are today.

The Perkins student shared that RC is part of the reason why she joined the current church she is at, and it was at this church that she found and listened to her calling.

Perkins' student,  "You don't know me but, you were preaching a beautiful sermon, and it was my 1st or 2nd Sunday at this church.  I did not know anyone.   I listened to your words and looked at the people and knew that this church was the place for me.  You were one of the reasons that I joined that church and this is where I found my calling."

RC, "That is what I needed to hear.  I have always felt that my service at that church was a low in my career.   It is moments like this that remind me that God is always at work.  Thank you so very much for sharing.  It was a true blessing to me."

Perspective:  You never know when you will be a positive influence to another person.  I love that, and it is also very overwhelming. Always remember, your words when they come out of your mouth you can never take them back.  Do you want the impact to be one that they remember as positive or negative way? Your words and actions influence others in ways that you will never know,well, until years later when you are retired and sitting at a luncheon and ask an innocent question......

Christmas Traditions

So, we are in the 2nd week of Advent and awaiting Christmas.  I wonder what are your family Christmas traditions?

We have some old (same as when I was a kid) and some new traditions in my family.

We are adding some traditions like "Elvis" the elf.  It is kinda a weird manipulative tradition, but fun.   This is what happens when Mr. is home with the elf....

So, the other "new" tradition that my family does is make a cake for baby Jesus every Christmas Eve.  IT is fun, and sometimes it is cute and some years it is just a cake.

We always go and visit the same Santa.  I love him!!!

I also collect different Nativities.  I love the different sets from around the world.  I also love the miniature Nativity sets (that way I can collect more).

We have some sort of Advent calendar.  This year we did a paper chain that we read every night.  I have this in PDF and publisher if anyone wants it.

One of my favorites is when we light the advent candle each week.  There is a simple joy in reading a verse and focusing on the different candles (faith, love, joy, peace).

We have several family dinners, and friend functions, work parties, etc.  This year I am excited about the ugly sweater party that I am going to tomorrow.  I borrowed a sweater from my Mom, she threw in the watch and bracelet just cause she loves me.

On Christmas eve we go to a candle light service and I cry at Silent Night.  It is my ultimate favorite moment of Christmas.

On Christmas morning the kids are not allowed to come out of there room until we are in the living room.  (I love seeing their faces when the look at the different presents, and note from Santa  and if baby Jesus is in the Nativity.)  So, we usually wake up to the kids banging on the wall to give them the green light.

 Perspective:  But, this is what I learned last year.  All of the traditions are great, they are special memories, but what really matters is WHO is around your tree on Christmas morning.  Last year we did Christmas with Dan in the hospital and it was just not right.  It was not a horrible morning, the boys had good memories, but it made me sick.  So, this Christmas, make the memories, bake the cookies, but remember the people that you love and be so very thankful for the gift of them.

The Dance of Joy

Stick a fork in me, I am done with this semester!!!

It is now the half way point to completing my degree.   So, I ask that you join me in a Thursday Dance of Joy!

Perspective:  Some days are harder than others, but this schooling in Theology at times makes me question my sanity.  :-)  But, I love it, and I also love that Spring classes do not start until the last week of January!!

Just do your best…

So, the stress of test gets to me.  I find myself questioning, “Why am I doing this?”….I mean school has never been easy for me, what make me think that in my 30’s, with a family, and a full time job I can also be successful in a school of Theology. Really?!!?!?

Then I hear the words of Slick, “Mom, don’t have anxiety.  Just do your best. I have learned at school that anxiety makes you not do your best.”  *Sigh*

Ok, so I heard the words, but in my up past my bed time stress (and being ill for 2 days and losing out on study time) I find my stomach is in a knot and feel the stress in my veins.  

This is when I stop and I say, “I can do this, I have done this.”  I have been successful in all my classes so far, so why will my brain fail me now.  I know the material, and I will study my a** off this week and know it inside and out.

I am doing this because this is what I want, and this is the path that God has put me on.  I signed up for the classes; God did not do that for me.  I drive to class; God may or may not have a current driver’s license.  Now, the peace that comes before a test or when writing a paper I don’t quite feel qualified to be writing, God is with me.  That peace can only come from God. 

I can do this, and I will do this.  In a moment of doubt I will just watch this video and be again rewarded by the words and energy of a child.

Perspective:  Sometimes you need to get over yourself and listen to a kid.  They *at times* are much smarter than us "adults".  They said it like it is.  Simple.

December 1st

So, I have been in bed most the day with Bronchitis.  A wonderful way start December.

Perspective:  I got a bunch of sleeping and some studying done, got I guess it is not all bad.  I also finished our Christmas Cards click on the link below for our 2012 card.

Merry Christmas!