Decking the halls

Christmas is almost here again; can you believe it?  When I was growing up, I always looked forward to Christmas, loved buying presents, loved wrapping presents, couldn't wait to put up the tree and decorate, ... I just loved it all.



2012 tree...yes, it's leaning!

Now that I'm older, and I have more time to do all these things, I don't seem to enjoy it as much as I used to.  Maybe it's because I know I will have to pack everything back up in just a few short weeks.

Nativity...has a few new animals this year (quilt box made by Charles)

 

Maybe it's because I'm wiser and I have realized that Christmas is way more than a season of decorating and buying frenzy...stressing ourselves to the max to please others, to try to fulfill unrealistic expectations.

new angel piece....goodwill... love her! (need candles)

I enjoy looking at all the pretty decorations and would be sad if everyone stopped decorating.  But when I go out shopping, so many of  the decorations I see are cheap and tacky, and  it throws my brain into overload.  I just want to go back home.



New Magic Attic doll....goodwill.... $3...she has a $12 Christmas dress on the way from ebay

 

Yes, there is Santa Claus and now Elf on a Shelf....but where is Jesus?  Do children even know that Christmas belongs to Jesus?  Or is it all about 'us'? 

goodwill... I keep this out year round

 There is no place like home for the holidays....Tis true...but where is home?  I grew up in a small town in eastern NC...I've always called it home.  However, I've been gone from that town for over half my life.  Is it still home?  We still drive there for the holidays.  It's very exhausting, but we don't want to 'miss anything'.  I miss the childhood memories of Christmas....church plays and Christmas caroling... I guess Christmas is for kids. :)  When I was in the midst of making  childhood Christmas memories, my parents were the ones who were stressed and trying to please.  ha ha   Dear Lord, help us to remember that Christmas is about YOU, your gift to us, your son, Jesus....our gift of salvation.  Merry Christmas!

Just thankful....

Just so much to be thankful for;  don't you just love this face? God has been so good to us.

 

And now there are two.

We have been blessed with two grandsons and life just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter.

 

Having more time to reflect on what really matters, I have always known, but really really know now, that God is so good to us. I have so much to be thankful for....I think it is sad that so many people only see Thanksgiving as the day before black Friday.  I've not heard very many people talking about family, Thanksgiving dinner, fellowship, fun, God's blessings.... it's all about black Friday.  So sad.

 

Thank you God for salvation, your mercy and GRACE, your protection, your provision, your forgiveness, your COMPLETE forgiveness, your comfort, your wisdom, your healing,  your joy, your peace... just so much to be thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving to all! 



My New Favorite Blog

Have you read any Jon Katz books?  I just finished reading his book about  his dog, Rose, and I have identified so much with this man.  He is teaching me so much about animals. 

I invite you to go over and read his blog:  Bedlam Farm.   I've linked you to a funny post that I really enjoyed. (it's sort of  political)  If you like it, I hope you will hang around and read more of his blog.  I look forward to his daily entries and check my email each morning to see them.  His wife, Maria, is an fiber artist and I enjoy reading her blog, too.

Let me know if you visit him.

Nov. 6. 2012

 

November 6, 2012  A very important presidential election.  I am praying for CHANGE!  But if my candidate doesn't win, I know that Jesus is still King.

Halloween 2012

It was fun!  Papa and Grandma went to High Point to help pass out candy.  We had to turn off the porch light about midway through the evening, as we ran out of candy!!  Note to self:  buy more next year, because it sure was fun passing out to all the trick or treaters!. 

Avery and Chandler

Here's our two little trick or treaters, all ready to go out into the cold, to collect candy from the neighbors!

Halloween 2012

This is the whole group that went out...Mommy, Daddy, Aunt April and the boys.  It was sooo cold!

 

Daddy brought Chandler back after a few stops because  it was so cold and windy.  Avery didn't think he wanted to go out at first, because he thought passing out candy was a lot of fun.  But when he came back with his bucket full of candy, he was glad he went.  I convinced him to go trick or treating, by telling him that Grandma needed a green piece of candy.  He came back by the house shortly after they started going door to door, so proud that he had Grandma's green candy!  (<3 p="p">

 

When they decided to stop going door to door,( as mommy had to go to work at Spooky Woods), Avery continued to help Grandma pass out candy.  He really enjoyed checking out the costumes of all the trick or treaters.  I remember him saying about one person "he's not nice, he has a scary mask".  His face lit up with delight when he yelled out "there's Spiderman".  The scariest mask we saw belonged to a teenager.  His mask had a built in 'blood pump'.  He reached behind his back and squeezed something and blood poured down his face.  Avery backed away and it was visibly clear that he didn't like that mask.  However, Avery was a trooper and had a great time!  (as did Grandma and Papa)  

Avery at Andy's

This is a picture from the night we went to see the bullriders.  I was excited for Avery to eat at Andy's because I thought he might enjoy having his food served in this car.  He really wasn't that hungry and enjoyed pretending that his chicken nuggets were mommy and daddy in the car.  :))

Avery feeds Grandma

 

I am having more and more fun with these boys. I love being a Grandma!