Please Take a Moment...

Here it is, Wednesday morning and I could go on and on about how I had to race back home after dropping the kids at school to get the trash out that was supposed to be delayed a day because of the holiday last week.  Seems a little someone THOUGHT that Waste Management called to say they would be late but really couldn't hear exactly what the recording said and wasn't too sure that it was even the trash company calling to begin with.  Good thing I took a look around the 'hood and decided that since everyone else had their trash out I better high tail it back here and race the clock like a crazy woman because that's exactly the way I like to start my day.

Or I could lament the 'No thanks, I can do my hair by myself" stage that two of mine are in.  I try my best to make a happy face when I see them and I try not to nit-pick too much but there are just some days when I think I would like to suggest a hat, even though I know darn well that it is against dress code, but I'm willing to take the consequences that would bring because, REALLY??  Are you sure you don't need just a little help from mama?  {Look at all these run - ons.  Mrs. McAffee, my junior high English teacher, would have a fit if she saw this.  She would also be ashamed of my blatant love affair with the comma, sticking it wherever I darn well please,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,} Aaahhh, that felt good!

But today I want to share with you something much more important than the lack of accurate information circling around my house or my kids' bad hair days.  Although I'm sure this is riveting stuff and you likely won't be able to sleep tonight not knowing how the kids' hair will look tomorrow.

This past Sunday we worshiped at a different church.  Our new nephew was being baptized so we attended my sister-in-laws parents' church.  Clear as mud, right?  Anyway, we weren't at our church, that's the bottom line.  This video was shown as part of the service and I LOVED it.  I was appalled at the numbers on the screen and even more appalled to hear Black Friday stories on the news of a Walmart shopper pepper spraying other people in line so that she might score that big 'ol flat screen that she just couldn't live without.  What is Christmas coming to?

There are so many great humanitarian organizations out there that do amazing work.  Would you consider giving to them this Christmas?  We intend to do just that.  We also participated in sending stockings to Marines deployed overseas and we sent shoe boxes around the world to children in need through Operation Christmas Child.  Luke's 8th grade class will be serving at OCC's warehouse on Friday.... and I get to go too!!!  I can't wait to see all that they do and report back here on the blog.  Anyway, I 'm hoping to send a little something to Compassion International as well.  Their work is nothing less than life changing for so many of the World's poor and oppressed.  I hope you consider giving outside of your normal gift circuit this year.  Someone will be blessed that you did.

Without further ado.....

 

Blessings,

{K}

We're in a Holding Pattern

I hope your thanksgiving was wonderful.... I hope you had a turkey, mashed potato, and stuffing hangover. :0)  Ours was really lovely and over the long weekend we were fortunate enough to spend time with both sides of the family.

And now it's Monday, and the kids are back in school, and I was all set to pull out the Christmas decorations and then Grace asked if I would hold off so that she could help. {Sorry for the run-on sentence}

Hmmmm.... well, I put away the fall decorations and I've pulled just a few of the Christmas decorations I love most - including a framed print that reads, "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men."  I love it! It sits behind my cooktop and I see it no less than 50x/day.  I also brought up the metal sign that sits on our hearth.  I love this one too, it reads, "Jesus is the Gift."  Such a good reminder that we have already been given all we truly need.

 So now what?  I guess I wait for help from the kids. It may take a few days though.  Between homework, scouts, basketball games and Christmas parties {yes, parties already!}, our time is limited.

  The kids get so excited to see all the things come out of the boxes that they haven't seen in so long.  And they really have become big helpers, hauling bins and tubs up from the basement, helping with electrical cords and lights.  I HATE electrical cords of any type.  They are my nemesis.  I don't know why but I just can't seem to coil them properly or make them neat and tidy.   Let me say, you'll never have to ask who put away the electrical gadget - if the cord is a mess, it was me! That is where Todd comes in... he has a special gifting for it.  Maybe it is a  gene only given to men.  Kinda like backing a trailer in a garage or parallel parking.  They can just do it.

Once the house is decorated I 'll try to get some pictures up.  I love to decorate and make the house feel cozy and smell all good.  Until then I'll leave you with a few images of all things Christmas-y that I just love!

Oh, how I love a red door!

Pretty packages!

We are so dreaming of a white Christmas this year!






Have a great day!!

Blessings,
{K}