The List

I don't usually make a list of New Year's Resolutions. It's not because I don't need to. But probably fewer than 20% of those who make resolutions are actually able to keep them into the year for any length of time. That's probably because when resolving to change we rely upon our own determination, willpower, and strength.

So.......for whatever list you may or may not have made, let's all rely on our Lord to make us "into what He wants us to be."

And remember tonight when the clock strikes midnight, include thanking Him again for His blessings on your life!

Jonah and the Dallas Mavs

Today, Rick is my guest writer! I have never asked him to do this, but he graciously agreed to do so. I wanted to share our trip with Jonah but really haven't felt 100% yet. So, thanks for helping me out!!





During the holidays, Nanna and I got to take Jonah to his first Dallas Mavericks game. The story actually started a couple of weeks before. We had told Jonah we were going to take him to the game ahead of time instead of surprising him Christmas. This actually worked out pretty well because every time he came over to the house Nanna had to show him the tickets, and he would ask “ how many sleeps till we go." (It was not how many days but how many sleeps.) The day finally came, and after a stop at McDonalds, we arrived at American Airlines Center. The first fun thing was riding the escalator down in the parking garage. We were walking to the arena, and he was looking at this gigantic building, I can’t imagine what that place looked like to a four year old his first time.

Once inside Nanna and I were going to walk around a little and kill some time. I had told her earlier we would be leaving at half time because by then he would be bored stiff and be all over the place. Jonah didn’t like our walking idea; he wanted to go inside "NOW." Our seats were over the tunnel where the players go in and out. I told Jonah we would go down to the floor as far as they would let us to see the players up close. One of the floor announcers was talking to the crowd and asked, “How may people received tickets for Christmas?" Jonah’s hand shot up before he could finish. (The next thing I knew his hand was going up again with “Hook Em Horns” sign; wonder where he got that?)

The people sitting by us were having a blast. Every time Jonah saw Dirk in person or on the big screen it was “THERE'S DIRK."

We went back to our seats, and because of the people in front, I told him he could sit in my lap. The game started and he watched every thing going on. Every time the Mavericks scored his right arm with fist clinched shot up in the air. I told him about #2 Jason Kidd, #11 JJ, #31 Jet Terry, etc.

About half way through the game, he turned around and asked “Papa is #7 Tim Thomas?” I said "WHO?" I didn’t remember #7 so I looked up at the screen and sure enough. He never left my lap, and his eyes never left the court 'til time to go which was not half time! I’m sure he will never forget that day (and neither will Nanna and I).

Merry and Memorable Around Here

The holidays have come and gone just as quickly as we knew they would. I pray you had a Merry Christmas just as our family did.

Merry? Yes!
Memorable? Most definitely!

Chad , the Oklahoma City nephew, was trying desperately to get here on Christmas Eve. A 2 ½ hour drive took him 8 plus hours because of the snow storm that had hit up there. He missed the meal and a Santa visit, but arrived in time for all the gift exchanging and fun of Christmas Eve around here.

My DIL and I both made trips to the ER on Christmas morning. Neither was life threatening but major pain has a way of telling you when you need to seek help.

Yet amidst the possible downers, I was blessed and continue to be thankful.
(Remember thanksgiving is not just a holiday but a way of life.)

I am thankful for Christmas memories with our families.
I am thankful for Jesus.
I am thankful for Demerol and antibiotics.
I am thankful for good food.
I am thankful for the love and concern of my family.
I am thankful for my couch, a warm fire, and Lifetime movies.

Bring on 2010!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

CHRISTMAS CARDS DON'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!

Do you like e-cards? No? Well, see you later. Yes? Then continue.

I like them but really prefer the short little interactive ones. Ashland College up in Ohio has a beautiful Christmas card from the past still posted out there in "web-land." Take a few seconds to enjoy it!

Merry Christmas!

Fa La La La Licious

I made TWO batches of this yesterday. If you haven't tried this recipe version, do! You'll go NUTS over it!

Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 pinch salt

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

Grease a baking sheet or cover with parchment paper. In a glass bowl, combine peanuts, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Cook in microwave for 6 to 7 minutes. Mixture should be bubbly and peanuts browned. Stir in butter and vanilla; cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.

Quickly stir in baking soda--just until mixture is foamy. Pour immediately onto greased or covered baking sheet. Let cool about 15 minutes or until set. Break into pieces, and store in airtight container.

So EASY and So GOOD!!

The Bright and The Beautiful

I wanted to share a couple of pretty Christmas pictures this morning. These are the streets in a beautiful area of Frisco. It is Jenna's view outside her apartment.

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Happy Anniversary, Rick!

Christmas Hangups

Our children at church presented this great Christmas musical the weekend. They were so cute and did a fantastic job.

The story takes place just before Christmas, and the tree ornaments have been awakened from their yearly hibernation by the movement of the storage boxes. It's time! As they begin to prepare for another season on the family Christmas tree, they are greeted by a rather strange and “un-Christmassy” ornament: A hula-girl. The Star, the Snowman, the Angel and others don't understand what she has to do with Christmas and give her a rather cool reception.

However, a significant figure from the mantelpiece shows up to explain to all of them what Christmas is about and how they each have significance in God's amazing plan of redemption through His Son.

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Now.......Webster defines "hangups" as (1) a psychological or emotional difficulty or (2) an inhibition or obstacle to smooth progress or development.

Don't let some hangups with the hustle, bustle, and craziness of the season cause you to lose your JOY during Christmas. Or more importantly don't lose sight of the fact that NO ONE is insignificant to Jesus!

Snowman Soup and Scripture

I was told that you’d been good this year
Always glad to hear it.
With freezing weather drawing near
You’ll need to warm the spirit
So here’s a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick
Add hot water, stir it slowly
It’s sure to do the trick!

Ingredients: Hot chocolate mix,
Snowballs, Snowman kisses and
Stirring stick

This was a great Saturday afternoon project for Jonah. He did all the counting, sorting, bagging, etc. I typed out the labels for him.

Let It Snow!

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The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4: 14)

It's A Wrap!

Finally! I have some WRAPPED presents under a tree. Hope you do, too. It's only two weeks........

Red and Green Trees

This was taken two days ago. You can tell it was cloudy, but just look. We wanted our trees to match all of the yard stuff this year. What do you think?

Seriously----It's December and our trees are still decked in the seasonal colors. It just caught my eye that afternoon as I pulled in the driveway. I probably should have gotten the whole front view instead of just one part. Oh well, you get the idea!

Spinning Plates

The question “How do you find balance in your life?” has been asked over and over. You may have heard it posed to someone during an interview either in person or on the television.

Have you ever given this some thought personally? Well, I am throwing this one out to you today.

Now, first let me say I acknowledge that as Christians we know it takes faith, prayer, daily communion with God, and many other attributes of a meaningful relationship with Him to find true joy and peace.

But for just a second, let’s talk though about the nitty gritty of our day-to-day “earthly” challenges. As a mom, daughter, wife, etc. I know we all have days where we begin to “feel” the spinning of the plates!


Bottom line….what do YOU do?

Is it a pedicure? Is it a girls’ night out? A hot bath? A shopping trip? A workout? Saturday outing? Listening to music?

You get the idea. So again--what do YOU do? Leave me a comment. We are all ears!!

Merry Moments

A fabulous night at home with a little of this..........

And this...........

AND a Christmas special on television!

Aahh! Merry Moments

"What Were We Thinking?"

Have you ever tried something new or different during the Christmas holidays? Does the phrase “What were we thinking?” ring a bell for you?

Yeah, same here! One year our family decided we would start a new tradition. We decided we would go Christmas caroling. I don’t mean with a big church group or other organized singers. I mean just nine of us. This group included four older adults and our five 18-25 yr. old kiddos.

We practiced for all of thirty minutes which also included picking out the songs we thought we could handle.

We dressed warmly, and best I remember looked the parts of real carolers. That’s about it!

Keelie sang really well!! But the rest of us pretty much added no musical talent whatsoever. Wait…I take that back. Greg’s guitar playing was awesome!

We sang for the lady who babysat all our children. We sang for a grandparent. Of course, they loved it! Their "kids" will always be adorable and talented in their eyes.

We sang for some residents of the nursing home. Of course, they loved it! Not sure how many could really hear us. They were so precious though.

After we called it a night (which didn’t take too long), we came to the consensus that our new tradition had been fun! Yes, even if it was just a one-year gig!

The Travel Tree

I call this my "Travel Tree." I started it some years ago. I document places I am blessed to visit with an ornament. It is one of Hobby Lobby's pre-lit pine trees. I usually put this one in our bedroom. I just picked out a few to share with you.

Florence, Italy

British Columbia, Canada

San Francisco

Rocky Mountain National Park -- Colorado

I have hooked up to Keelie's TWOC.