I am bound

mom with ben and david

My mom and I are New York bound in February!

I can't wait!!!!!

Have you been there? What did you do? What plays did you see? Of course, where did you eat? Do tell shopping secrets too!

Confessions

Confessions of a busy blogger:

1. I told you I was going to give you a list of darling Christmas books. I might. In May. :)

2. I am taking down Christmas. Need I say more?

3. It is New Years Eve. We are staying home. I am excited.

4. The boys have all watched T.V. Too much. Way too much.

5. We just flew in yesterday from a wonderful trip to Missouri to visit my precious Daddy George (My grandfather). We got to see my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins along with their adorable peeps. We had a blast. However, I am mad at the airlines for charging $20 per bag. They made a lot of extra money on us this week. Your sentiments?

6. I am writing this post to escape the craziness of Christmas take-down, 3 boys, and a few suitcases that need to be unpacked.

7. I am incredibly thankful for the blessings we have food and shelter, loving family, and three healthy, precious sons along with the best husband in the whole world.

8. Happy New Year. My resolution: EXERCISE.

Um. I am a little busy.

We're on the countdown at our house.

How about you????

Today, I had my classes party and Luke's Christmas party, AND David's Christmas party.

Tomorrow, I am coordinating Benjamin's Christmas party and leaving to go out of town.

Tonight I baked cakes for Benjamin's class to decorate during their party-it is a Happy Birthday Jesus Party(stole the idea from someone else). 'Cause that IS what we are celebrating. Not what we buy, or how we wrap it, or what we make, or how we decorate. It is not. Will not. Nor ever be. We celebrate because our Savior was born. I am a bit burned out with ALLLLLLLLL of this extra that I am DOING for the approval of others!!!! You may be perfect and not struggle with that(I am being sarcastic). But my PRIDE keeps pushing me.

Let's make a pack. You and me.

Let's promise to not let our pride of presenting what we "do" at Christmas get in our way of just loving those we are around.

If your family has noticed you are stressed, or you seem short- May I offer you what I am learning(note-NOT learned, in the process of)....you are doing too much and it isn't enjoyable for anyone. If I step on your toes, I am sorry, but from one sinner to the next, let's lay our pride down.

You in?

Feeling the need for disclaimer~~~~~I LOVE Christmas!!!! I love the festivities and I love doing special things for people.

Feeling the need for additional disclaimer~~~~~I think my pride encouraged the first disclaimer. :)

Few words

Two words.

It's FRIDAY!!!!!!

That sums it up-oh glorious day!

I am coming back soon with wonderful books for Christmas~

So Snappy

Last year's Christmas card attempt #113.

If you are like me you will go to the ends of the world trying to get "THE" Christmas card picture. In my book, "THE" Christmas card picture does not have an unattainable criteria, unless you are trying to photograph 3 toddlers ages 6 and below. So, for you newer mamas that are wondering IF you can ever get your children to look at the camera, I will offer you Andi's photography 101.

1. Toddlers don't like cameras-some toddler divas might, but most despise getting their picture taken. HOWEVER, some far and few between toddlers DO indeed love the instant satisfaction of seeing the photo that they{you} worked so hard to get! SO, show them the picture. They probably won't like one of themselves like the one above.

2. Portable DVD players do in fact WORK! Have your husband hold it above your head with a favorite video playing, get a sweet, happy, zoned out photo, or when the movie gets funny; capture a full fledged belly laugh.

3. Be persistent. Don't stop ever. Even under fire. Snap woman, snap. Like your life depends on it. Start in July when vacationing at the beach-that MIGHT BE THE CARD. Keep on shooting in the fall-THAT MIGHT BE THE ONE. Don't panic, you CAN ALWAYS try for a few hours for one in their Christmas p.j.'s. Snap, I say, Snap.....................

I can not be held responsible for any exaggerating in this post. Christmas Card photo attempts have a tendency to wipe out any and all clear thinking- as if that even occurs in December.

How to Read

Today, I was working with Luke on the computer.

If you have a toddler or preschooler, may I suggest a great website it is called Starfall. I teach kindergarten as many of you know. I have taught K-5, first, and second. Today, however, Luke "schooled" me about the proper way to read. He informed me, " {he} knew everything about reading and should get to play games on the computer and not Starfall." That was BEFORE he got to design himself and make me with tan eyes and funny hair on Starfall. He had a blast and had fun reading!!! As I mentioned Luke helped me out with reading techniques. They are quoted by Luke below:

1. Read slowly.

2. Take your time.

3. Don't read grumpy.

Now it just doesn't get any cuter. Grumpy reading! I love it!

You can click on the website link to visit starfall.org. Enjoy!

Boys

photo courtsey of mr. fretts

Got Pink?

Mary Sue, This one is for you gal!

For those of you that don't know, my mother in law, Mary Sue, is a Breast Cancer Victor (I like that better than survivor, cause she kicked it in the you know what)!!!!! She was the victor, by God's divine plan.

This video rocks! The music is so fun, but what is amazing is the love that is behind it- the unity to find a cure. Turn it up loud-your kids will love jamming to it. I did!

Click here to rock on!!!!!!!!

We all know someone who is battling breast cancer, or you are about to.

Got pink?

Today

David turned 3 in September

Luke's Thanksgiving Party.

Benjamin turned 7 in November.

The tree that fell today...

Yippee. Got my Christmas cards ordered. Getting them tomorrow. Happy me.

A tree fell and missed our house today. Much excitement. My wonderful, strong, husband, (a.k.a. John Henry) swung his ax for hours today to take care of it. Have you seen his biceps? They are huge and I am thankful.

Share

treats by SweetTooth Creations party favors

So I saw this great idea. I, however, can't wait to whip up something yummy to share with our friends....for a fraction of the cost!

Want to know what it is?

Make some rice crispy treats. Cut into rectangles and insert a popsicle or sucker stick.

Dip in melted chocolate-like baker's chocolate and cover the WHOLE thing.

Let dry. Then, pipe an icing snowman, Christmas tree, or star, and embellish with sugar sprinkles or sprinkles...

Happy bake and take!

A fun twist-add some peanut butter and a little corn syrup to your rice crispy treats and then cover with melted chocolate and decorate..........Can I say YUM!?!

Thankful

You might think I am about to do a traditional thankful post. That is true in part, but just wait until you read what I am thankful for and feel free to smile at the innocence of children.

Last week the boys and I were snuggled up on the couch watching a Christmas movie on ABC. A commercial came on and I got a little uncomfortable as the cell phone man was surrounded by Sierra and her crew as they appeared. Not only were they suggestively dressed in all leather, they were dancing-REALLY dancing in a circle around the guy.

Luke said in a disappointed voice, "Oh, well I thought it was going to be J.I. Joe."

The Fleece and His understanding

This morning, I read the story of Gideon.

Perhaps you are familiar with it. Perhaps you have heard of him. Or perhaps like me, you knew something about him but maybe the Lord has something sweet for you to take away from it as He was so gracious to allow me to do this morning.

May I share with you? I found this in Judges 6:11-40.

"Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior." Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." The Lord looked at him and said,"Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" He said to Him, "O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house."

But the Lord said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man."

So Gideon said to Him, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me."

"Please do not depart from here, until I come back to You, and bring out my offering and lay it before You." And He said, "I will remain until you return."

The passage goes on:

"When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the

Lord, he said, "Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face."

The Lord said to him, "Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die."

In verses 36-40 of chapter 6 we read of the sign of the fleece.

I had so many thoughts as I read these verses that I am afraid of even trying to write them as they will probably come out a little chaotic. But, I'll give it a shot.

First of all, you see Gideon going about the next thing in his day to day life. We are brought into his day as he is beating the wheat. I can't imagine that to be too exciting. Probably in haste as the Midianites would have targeted him if they had found him. That is probably why he was threshing in a wine press and not on the hill-for cover.

So, his life was interrupted with a visit from an angel of God. We're not sure which angel. But, in any case an angel came and sat under the tree AND called him valiant warrior. Can you imagine? As you are doing your daily task; looking up and seeing an angel (one that calls you valiant warrior) as you are ducking around threshing wheat in inconspicuous places. Then, being commanded to go and defeat your enemy. Sweet Gideon, often gets blasted in present day for his lack of faith, but I have to say, I can really relate to his unbelief at the situation. Isn't it precious that God didn't blast Gideon for his lack of faith by asking for a sign, but instead graciously worked not once, but twice to reassure Gideon? I am thankful that Jesus understands me for the sinful way that I am and loves me enough that when I question Him, He is gentle with me, but doesn't allow my questions to come in the way of His working. He loves me enough to allow times in my life that seem impossible or bleak to teach me what it means to sing at midnight. That doesn't mean I am happy with the trial, but it means learning to REJOICE in my salvation ALONE even if there was NOTHING else to rejoice in. He has blessed me so abundantly, but sometimes life isn't all happy days. There are the days when we feel like Gideon and we are so small, but then God comes along and says, "Valiant Warrior." And O how patient and tender He is-powerful and mighty yes, but He spoke to me in this with His great tenderness. Let me know how this passage speaks to you.

A little Sympathy

I have a HORRIBLE sinus infection.

I can't open my jaws.

I HAVE to get to my kindergarten class today because we're talking about Indians. The buffalo came up in our conversation and they really don't have a clue as to what that is since my description really didn't do this massive creature justice, I must take them a picture.

Perhaps I have lock jaw.

Did I mention I hurt? Not all of me. Just draw a line down the middle of me and it is the left side of my head. It is like the epidural that didn't block on both sides. The Tylonel cold and sinus is working on the right side.

I am on a Z pack.

I think I need to be knocked out.

I remember a few posts ago I said, but life is good. It is. Even though I hurt-REALLY bad. I am thankful. Some people hurt all of the time. I am thankful for medicine and a comfy bed and sweet little boys who bring me Diet Pepsi and a cup of ice. Yesterday, Benjamin came into my room and prayed for me. Thankful for my parents who brought our family Chic Fil A and for in laws that helped out this week with the boys!

All that being said, I am still in pain, but I have much to be thankful for.

Talking

So, an area that the Lord has really been working on in my life is the area of prayer; I shared that with you before. I have always wanted to pray regularly. However, I think I have really been missing out on what prayer CAN be-not something to do, but a relationship.

I know this sounds silly, but I wanted to have things just "right" to pray. You know, boys asleep, coffee in hand, house picked up, life as it should be. OR the opposite way my prayer life looked was in the midst of a trial, offering those whispers of help and that would be all I could get out, or just crying out at God. But, I am learning to view prayer as conversation-dialogue. That means there are sentences from me and then times when I am quiet (those that know me in real life might start to laugh at that one). I haven't taken time to talk with Him this week, not really. I have talked at Him. He knows I have toddlers and what my life looks like and He isn't angry that I haven't talked WITH Him more. Oh no. Not Jesus. He is waiting and inviting me to come and practice the blessing of visiting with Him. No agenda. Sharing with Him my heart, my struggles, my sin-can you believe He wants to help me with that? What a precious Friend...and when all I can get out is the whisper, "help," He is all over it interceding where I can't go, cause I am not Him, but man am I thankful for this blessing I like to call conversational prayer. It is powerful folks...

Hey Friends!

I hope you are all doing well. I have missed you!

I am busy baking some yummy desserts for tomorrow night's ladies coffee and dessert extravaganza, so I will be brief.

Life is full, but how thankful I am for a full life. Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving!!!???

That leads us to Christmas! You won't believe it, but I actually got a pain free photo this year! Whatever will I do with all of my hours saved?????? Work on our card. I have some ideas dancing in my head. Don't get too excited, I am not crafty.

My house is a wreck. I am serious, but I am working on that tonight after my tater tots hit the hay and the house is quiet and there aren't messes being made after one cleans up.

Like I said life is full, but so good.

Last night, David heard me say I was tired and achy. NO I don't have the flu. However, he started whimpering at dinner that he was icky. He said he was so full and icky. :) lol

We have the boys doing chores in the morning. I am a fan! That provides something productive to do besides hitting your brothers or making MORE mess and it really helps me out. So, here is the low down. One makes the beds. They are not perfect, but that isn't the point. They are made. The other cleans the playroom. You'll note I have jobs for two. David is still asleep. I just switch the chore each day so they both get a turn doing each. They can earn a little Wii time after homework in the afternoon if they complete their job by the time the timer goes off. You might hear me singing the Hallelujah Chorus down the block. The biggest blessing is that you hopefully won't hear me YELLING at the children down the block. Note I said "hopefully."

Luke has a broken collar bone.

They all need haircuts and it is going to rain this week.

Sounds like a messy week to me, but life is good.