As White As The Falling Snow

I don't live where the snow flies anymore. I don't feel the cold northwind against my face. but I remember, I remember how it used to be.

I remember christmas' past and how they made this little girl fall in love with everything that had to do with ribbons and bows. I fell in love with houses all a glow and the lights shimmering under the snow. I fell in love with the smell of the great northern pine and to this day its heavenly sent sends me.......

I remember Christmas Eve service......how it was just something we did. I remember singing with my sister, and how our very first song together was Away in a Manger.

I remember the advent wreath and each Sunday we would light a candle.  One more candle lit, would be that much closer to the "Coming". The coming of a King...........

All of this, all that was remembered was before I knew His saving grace. Before I fell in love with the real meaning of Christmas. But it all led up to that moment.......The moment I received the gift. I still love the memories. The smells of Christmas, the pretty bows. The lights shimmering under the snow. Nostalgia is just a memory and the memories are nice. But what matters, what holds my thoughts, who holds my heart....... is the King.

And The King is Coming! He's coming for you, for me. Tiny babe wrapped in swaddling cloth. To a cold, dark, dirty manger.

That's where he found me 18 years ago.......my world was cold, dark and I was dirty. Now......now I am as white as the falling snow.

A Walk Through Advent

"Mama I wanna help decorate the tree!"

You can, just be patient. I kept putting her off. It's the perfectionist side of me that comes out, it comes out only in my creativity. I like things just right when I create.

She wants nothing more than to just be with me.......and what would it hurt to let her hang a bulb or two? The lights were strung and all a glow.

Ornaments all tied with ribbon. And they were hung by someone special, hung with love, hung to perfection!

The last ornament and she asks  me "Mama can this be our tree, Just yours and mine?" And she wants a part of me that no one else has. I feel it in her voice, I see it in her eyes. She thinks she shares me way too much. And I understand her plight. I know what her heart needs and it's not a Mama with her quirky creative perfectionism. She needs her Mama to let her hang an ornament or two. She needs her Mama to just be........

"Mama I wanna set Baby Jesus under the tree! Can I please set up the manger scene?"

As we prepare our hearts for the coming of  "The King".  May we remember those who need our time and not our perfectionism. Those who need our love and not our gifts.

Those who need Baby Jesus under their tree for Christmas this year........

Won't you join us in the walk through Advent?

25 days of remembering why we celebrate Christmas.

The Start Of A New Tradition

While the men are watching an old western and snoozing from their fill of all that was good. We women gathered round to the start of a new tradition.

And along with the new tradition, how fitting it is that we are gaining a new family member. She is sweet in every way. she seems to fit right in to this ever growing family puzzle.

If it were up to all of us to choose, we all would of picked her........When his Mama prayed for a wife, when she put her order in for her son's wife........... I believe that she was given everything she had prayed for.

  As we prepare for Christmas and the giving and recieving.................

 We are all truly blessed

 For we have been given another one to love

And she will recieve this ever growing FAMILY

 In all of the ornaments, there is one that stands out among the rest.......

Just as your Beautiful Christmas Ornament stands out from the rest......So too will you, as the groom waits for his bride.

Welcoming you to this Ever Growing, Crazy, Fun Loving FAMILY

That One Golden Circle

The circle is never ending. Our Love for each other is like the circle.

That one golden circle was given to me on this night 16 years ago

That one golden circle continues on it's never ending journey......... The years how quickly they become the past. And here we are......here we all are.

This over whelming feeling that takes a hold of your heart and wraps itself around until it almost hurts. This feeling I didn't know existed until I met the one that gave me that one golden circle.

And the two shall become one.  This feeling that just continues to get stronger. And somehow I didn't know that it could....I didn't realize that this love could keep growing. And we find we are more alike as the years go by, and we can read each others mind, And we know each others hearts as if they truly had grown into ONE.

 Now I look back on all the memories, all that was made. And I can't imagine ever going back to a time without him, my Knight in Shining Armor. God knew I needed him, He knew what I needed. Every girl wants the fairy tale.....And I can truly say I am living The Fairy Tale.

Thanking GOD for the one who gave me that one golden circle.

I am Thankful To Be His Creation Among The Created!

Night time's blanket covering all that was sleeping. How Beautiful His creation.

Early morning symphony rising and falling through the air. The sun warming each layer and rolling the blanket back to unveil all that silently speaks His name in picture beauty.

In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for he made it. and His hands formed the dry land. Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God. Psalm 95: 4-7

And Sunday Morning's service was an Invitation to worship the Creator of all things. So I too, invite you to join me in Thanksgiving and Praise to The Beautiful One, to The One and Only God, the Creator of the Heavens and Earth.

I am Thankful to be his Creation among the Created!

Thankful For Roots Planted Deep

The words speak truth, and yet truth can hurt. How many of us can say that our roots remain as one? How many families start out strong, share every Thanksgiving, every Christmas? Only to end up going their seperate ways as the years go by. While age and stuborness set in. The Matriarch that was the glue stays silent, or passes away.

Distance keeps me from loved ones, but the distance can not disturb the roots planted so deep. We are as one, our hearts are one. And although every Christmas we spend apart I feel as though I'm right there.

But there is family up home where the roots have been disturbed. Pulled up from the ground. Not even the Matriarch can hold them together. It's been many, many years since that old house on the highest hill has held All the Aunts, Uncles, Cousins And Grandkids.

Family is a strong word........Family has strength when the love is rooted deep. Family can weather any storm, conquer any strong wind, If the roots are fed, if the soil is rich in nutrients. If the love remains.

Tonight I am thankful that I am...........that my roots are planted deep in rich soil. Tonight I pray for the Matriarch who keeps silent. Tonight I pray for the ones with hard hearts, and stubborn souls. Tonight I pray for a section of our families roots that need nutrients..........Grace, Forgiveness, Mercy = JESUS.

Tonight I am thankful for Rich Soil and Deeply Planted Roots! Thankyou Daddy, Mama and Laura, Thankyou for a Strong loving Family!!! The roots have taken and continue to grow deep here, because I was fed.

Where Love Settles In

It's our retreat......A place to get away from all that the day has brought.

When life comes barging in and there seems to be no escape.......we always have a peaceful place to retire. A place to go where the day gets left at the door.

I've learned over the years that this room should always be inviting. It should always be clean and uncluttered. Because the day clutters the mind enough. And when there is a cluttered room, there is no chance to clear the mind. No room to place our attention on eachother. It should be a place where dreams are told and secrets are kept.

A place where the lights dim low and the whispers of love are being said. A place where love settles in til the morning light. A safe haven to be who we are, to be that person we both fell in love with. With no hesitation, Where there is no inhibition. A place where our love has room to grow and it's not choked out by clutter.

I am thankful for A Place where Love Settles In...........

Five Precious Reminders

 This is what happens when my camera falls into someone elses' hands..........

 And they often remind me that I need to smile more..........frown a lot less.

 They remind me that life is too short to be so serious, so matter of fact all the time. They remind me that it's ok to be spontaneously silly. They bring to mind the little girl I once knew.......She is still here, when I invite her to come Play.

It's seeing their smiles that makes my heart melt. It's their deep belly laughter that tickles my soul all the way to my toes.

They remind me how truly blessed this Mama is.......That My true calling, my most precious role in this life is being their Mama.

I'm often asked "How do you manage?"  How do you do it?" My answer.........I'm in love with five of the most precious gifts God has chosen me to give birth to, to welcome into this world with open arms. I was made to be a Mama. I was made to be their Mama.

I'm THANKFUL for my FIVE Precious Reminders..........

Sweet Simple Memories

THANKSGIVING......This is the time of year I yearn to be up home. It's been so long since I've held my Mama, since I've smelled that sweet Mama smell. My Soul longs for her embrace. It's amazing to me how much I miss her touch...........

Thankful for my Mama. Thankful for all she has taught me. Thankful for her sweet Mama love. Thankful for her loving embrace. And even though we are apart I feel her love wrapped around my heart.......always.

As each year passes by I keep her traditions.  Apple crumb pie, butternut squash, Slow overnight roasting turkey, and Sweet Pumpkin Pie. I add a few dishes of my own. All of this while I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  I do these things to keep her here with me while we celebrate Thanksgiving apart.

It never fails, each year we call eachother  to compare notes, to see how the other is doing. "I got my pies done." Me too Mama. "I put Tom in last night, the house is smelling good. I can't keep your father out of the kitchen, you know how he gets?" I know Mama, I remember.

Thankful for memories.......Sweet simple memories.

I love you Mama!

Sharper Than Any Double-Edged Sword

I dig deep, pull hard and grab my faith. I look for the light. I grasp for the words, I hold on to The Word. And sometimes His word speaks soft and gentle. Like the sun light streams through the window warming all that it finds.

 and sometimes........sometimes more often than not His word hits hard and drives deep. Splitting you wide open, baring all that needs light. All the dark places of the soul.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I am no stranger to the conviction of His living breathing word. I am no stranger to being split wide open, all of the darkest places needing light.

I hurt when I realize that words said might of offended a friend. I aim to please, I try and do my best to be kind and gentle. The people pleasing side of me wants everyone to be my friend..........But in reality, in this world there is little room for error, little room to be human. And there are times when I may not be forgiven.

But it's not this life that I cling to...........I must have, I need, I want the Cross. He is the Master of Forgiveness. To Him I am Faithful. And although I don't want to hurt with words said........ I will not apologize for His word Spoken

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

My heart, it does hurt..........but I can't.........I won't walk away from the TRUTH.

I'm praying for bridges to be mended and Truth to be revealed............

Firm Foundation

My man had this house built for us 4 years ago. His love and sacrifice for his family never ceases to amaze me. I was told by a very dear friend that "before you even move 1 piece of furniture in, pray in every room. Pray down every hall way. Pray that this house will be a blessing to all who will enter into it."

So that's what I did.......I went in every room, I prayed for each child in each of their rooms. I prayed that this house would bring comfort to them, a secure feeling that they will always have a place to lay their heads. I prayed for lots of laughter.........I prayed for the friends who would be sharing this space with them. I prayed this home would stand strong in any storm.

I prayed for the ones who would be sitting at our table.......I prayed for God to send us people to sit at our table. So that we could feed them, laugh with them, share with them, and love on them. I prayed that all would feel welcome. They would feel like this was their home away from home. Most of all my prayer was for all to see the Love of Christ in our hearts.

I prayed for things taught and wisdom gained. I prayed for questions unafraid to ask........for answers unafraid to give. I prayed for dreams with no limits. I prayed for a Rock Solid Foundation.........before they left this home to make a home of their own.

I prayed our Bible never needed dusting..........I prayed for unapolegetically sharing His word, unashamed. I prayed for the growing......the growth of our souls. This home was built on ROCK the strongest foundation there is. And even though this house is just a house.......It's the people living in God's word that make it a HOME.

And I stand here........The word thankful just doesn't seem to.......it just doesn't seem to be enough. Do you know that since I prayed over this Beautiful home that God has blessed us with............We have entertained and welcomed in so many. From Truck drivers, to long time friends, from church family, to family and even a stranger or two, but they were quick to become our friends. The wisdom, it still continues to come. Sometimes in small doses, sometimes in hard to swallow moments, but it still comes. Oh and the laughter, it seems to rise more often than not. I know the storms will come, but I also know we stand on a firm foundation and with Him we can weather any storm!

THANKFUL!

I Should Be Sleeping

 I should be sleeping...........

 Because believe it or not, she is.........sleeping.

 The first night in a couple of weeks she chooses to sleep all the way through............I can't sleep.

Isn't she amazing? And even though my body says go back to bed, my heart wants to wake her up and rock her just for a moment..........And she is Love, Made from Love, Sent with Love, Given in Love. And I love how they all love her, how they all fight over her.  I love how little man did not want anything to do with her, but now.........now he would be so heart broken with out her.

I'm in love.............I'm in love with all of my babies, big and small. I'm in Thankful Praise this early morning. Thankful praise before the sun rises and streams beams of light through their windows. I'm in Thankful praise to the Giver of life.

She's awake............................