Merry Christmas Friends!

I Love Her

I lost my mom when I was 19. That bittersweet thing called cancer took her life when she was only 50 years old. Bittersweet because it takes away those that mean so much to you but it also draws you nearer to the One that planned it.
I have a few things of my moms (not many) that are sentimental to me. Some things are very valuable and some things...well, not so much. She had some costume jewelry Ive held on to for all these years in hopes of doing something special with it - Today was that day.
I am pleased with the outcome. As you see in the picture, the large, colorful beads came from a necklace of hers. I went downtown to a store called Beadworks and got the small pearl beads and small glass beads. I made a necklace and bracelet. I will be going back to make a couple more bracelets - Yeah!


Having my mom die when I was 19, not a whole lot of grieving took place at that time. I was at a place in life where I was starting a new chapter. I had many distractions. Over the years I have had spouts of grieving but allowing life to quickly suck me back into the busyness of a job or mothering babies. Having time now to do something simple like bringing new life to some of her costume jewelry brings me healing. It is a journey, but one that I am embracing more then ever.

Comment of the Year!

"It looks like the sun exploded"

This was said by one of Athan's friends while we were on our way to see lights at the Bristol Motor Speedway. It was that time of day where the sun was going down, clear skies. You could not see the sun but you could see it "exploding" in the sky passed the hills.

It was a sweet moment for me. To think of God and his creation - He shares with us beauty.

Thank you Anderson, thank you God.

A Wonderful Invention

Small On/Off snowflake ornament can be found at your nearest Target Store:)
I love this idea b/c it makes it easy to turn on the christmas lights. Check it out! It makes for great xmas presents, too~ A wonderful invention!

Thankful

I am thankful for a great Thanksgiving Holiday.

Wednesday - My dad, the boys, and I went over the mountain to Ashville to enjoy the Gingerbread House contest at the Grove Park Inn. The hotel itself is quite a site. It is over 95 years old and well to do these days. The Gingerbread Houses are so fun to look at. Everything is supposedly edible. And I got to eat at my favorite Ashville resteraunt, La Paz! We ended the day by making our own Gingerbread House and Train. Im thankful for getting to make good memories

Thursday - My dad, Athan, and I got up early to walk the 5k Turkey Trot. It was Athans first time and he did great. My dad won 2nd in his age category. Im thankful for a healthy dad! At lunch time we enjoyed a feast at some good friends house. It is our third time in a row to spend Thanksgiving with these friends so I think we can officially call it a tradition?? Im thankful for dear, loving friends. All I had to bring was corn and the sweet potatoe casserole by request.

Friday - was a day to just hang out. Im thankful for rest.

Saturday - We went tree shopping and brought one home to decorate. I only did 5 strands of lights this year but it still looks good Amanda:) Alf and I love looking at our ornaments and remembering where they have come from, I love my angel ornament collection, and the kids love theirs. Im soooooooo thankful for my family. By the way, Alf was gleeming that night - Roll Tide!

Sunday - As I cooked and listened to christmas CD's, my family was out shopping for my christmas present. The quiet time was a christmas present in itself. We had a friend come to dinner that night and just when you think your doing something to touch someone, that someone touches you. Im thankful for pleasant surprises.

T.M.I.

T.M.I. makes me laugh!

T.M.I. gross' us out! When your friend 'Sue' who lives across town says she can get away with not showering for three days, dont even get me started - I mean, she even works out sometimes in those three days! My hair would be so greasy (I have virgin hair), and other parts of my body would...yuk! With the runny nose I had recently, everytime I would put my 'mineral foundation' on, I would get a drip from my nose onto my brush and I would suddenly be feeling a wet drip being brushed along my face - hee, hee

T.M.I. encourages me - Sharing to much information helps us to see that we are all funny, weird, and complicated! Isnt that great!

T.M.I. discourages me - When your having a conversation with someone and you both get down to the 'meat and potatoes,' it discourages me to be answering questions such as "what are your dreams and passions when it comes to ministry?" To be honest, I answered it by saying "that big questions deserves big thoughts" and I still have not answered it. I struggle with those kind of questions. I think that I am a simple minded person, or maybe just dumb - hee, hee!

Funny Moments

We had just finished eating at Atlanta Bread Company. Aiden gets his free cookie that always comes with the kids meal. After eating the cookie, I handed him a wipe to clean his face and hands. As Aiden was cleaning, I was talking to Alf and my dad. We were taking a drive out to Bristol (a 30 min. drive) Before I know it - I hear snoring - with his face covered with a wet wipe!!