My deliverer is coming!

I can't believe it's already advent season again! Traditionally the 12 days of Christmas are celebrated between Christmas day and the Feast of Epiphany, January 5th. Before that is advent, which is a somber, more penitential, preparation for the feast of Christmas where we wait in joyful hope. In advent and Christmas, we not only celebrate the first coming of our dear Lord, we celebrate His future coming where He will complete the deliverance of His people. This Sunday is the first Sunday in advent and we light the candle of hope. In Sunday school we teach the children the prophesy from Isaiah, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Every time we light a candle during advent we can remember Who the light of the world is. After seeing such depravity on this "black Friday" shopping day, where even a retail worker was trampled and killed by greedy mobs, I am more convinced than ever that we need a Deliverer, and we need to focus all our time and energy on HIM this advent.

Come Lord Jesus, Come be born again in our hearts!

Mamas Be Nesting Part 2

To follow-up from my nesting post- here is Marky's new furniture- the bunk beds and dresser. He LOVES them! He sleeps on top and has a flashlight.
Here is his train table sans trains because (unbeknownst to him) he is getting this for Christmas and it will go on the table. Notice his knights on his night stand. I've always called that red table the night stand and he's always had his knights on it and now I realize he thought it was a "knight stand".

And here is little buddy in his bean bag. The new painting is St. George fighting a dragon. And the new mirror has knights' shields and dragons on it. Little buddy LOVES it. Now onto "littlest" buddy's room.

Happy Thanksgiving and all that jazz....

Hi! Took a week off from blogging- but I had a good excuse- we've been SO busy! First- last week I was a bridesmaid in a wedding (yes, robust as I am I still waddled down the aisle). So- Thursday was prep day, Friday was prayer service/bridesmaids luncheon and rehearsal dinner and then Saturday was wedding brunch, wedding and reception. I wish I had pictures to share- it was a beautiful wedding. The bride is a dear friend of mine and it is so amazing to go to a wedding for people you truly believe are meant to be together and are going to make Christ the center of their lives. They are in Rome, Italy on their honeymoon right now. All this stuff happened while my husband was in Washington D.C. at a conference. How did I manage? BB!!!!! What would I do without BB? She is the most amazing grandmother ever. She basically had "preschool" while I was gone. She taught the kids Thanksgiving songs, made Indian headdresses, had a little Thanksgiving with "maize" (canned corn) and "Indian berry pudding" (Dora the explorer yogurt- she does favor an Indian). BB also helped me nest some more and get Christmas gifts bought and wrapped.

As for the picture above, what can I say? This was our SECOND trip to Santa that day and Julia was not having it. Santa literally had to hide behind the set while I got the kids settled in the chair and then it became clear I was going to have to stay. Obviously I had NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER of having my picture made that day- but I had taken the time to get them dressed and grandma was in town- so we were getting it done. You can see little bit's tear-filled eyes. She had said "Santa all gone?" and I said yes and then he peeked around and right before they took the picture she saw him standing behind us. I was in the middle of saying something to distract her when this became our Santa 2008 picture.

And as for Thanksgiving, we had it here at my house last night. My parents and grandparents from Virginia were here and we are so thankful for our wonderful family and friends.

Drinking from my saucer

Complaining has been on my mind lately. I almost wrote a post Tuesday about how much I noticed complaining in complete strangers. It's like the Holy Spirit had opened my ears that day and I overheard complaints everywhere I went- the grocery store, the hairdresser, the restaurant. I was wondering if it's just the new American vernacular to start off a conversation by saying "how are you?" and then here comes the exhausted sigh and complaint in response. Then today as I ran around with my two kids and my mom I noticed that one child has a tendancy to have days when he/she sees the glass as half empty. It's emotionally exhausting for me to keep redirecting their gaze to the "good" that is all around us during those times. The other child is always enjoying things and content and I said to my mom "that child doesn't see the glass as half full- he/she see's it as overflowing." What a gift. It's a gift of joy and it's contagious. We are all so blessed- and we have so much to be thankful for. And after making my "overflowing" comment, I thought of a poem my mom used to have on our refrigerator growing up (and you know mama loves a good poem). Let's all be thankful this week!

I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don't have a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loved ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong, My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.

So God, help me not to gripe
about the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

John Paul Moore

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Phil 2:14-16a

Mamas Be Nesting.....

You can't stop a mama-to-be from nesting. (that title post is a reference to "women be shopping" from Nutty Professor). Anyway, I am in full-blown turn-this-mother-upside-down mode on nesting in my home. We are totally rearranging everything and it is getting crazy. First, I was able to finally get rid of the "Indian Outlaw" couches that Marc had before we got married and I have had to decorate around these past 7 1/2 years. Yes, they were huge and comfy- yes they were "half Cherokee and Choctaw". We've had them in the basement playroom and now it's time to go to a better home.
In steps our new "playroomy" couch and loveseat with washable slipcovers on every cushion. They are bright, happy- they won't stain.

We also got new cubical storage things for the books and toys in the playroom that have bright colored cloth bins- those are getting put together tonight. Then last night we bought brand new beautiful bunk beds and a chest of drawers for Marky's room. And since I'm getting new furniture for his room, I figured I'd change the "theme". We are moving away from baby transportation stuff to knights. We got a new painting and mirror yesterday. And now I've made an executive decision to move our master bedroom downstairs and move the guest room upstairs. What in the world am I thinking to do this all at the last minute during the holidays? All I can say is "mamas be nesting....."

Marc and Marky's big night!

Tonight there is a little 4 1/2 year old boy whose dreams are coming true! Little buddy has asked to go camping almost every night for months and tonight he finally got to camp in the backyard with daddy. We got new sleeping bags and some yummy soft pretzels to eat with juice boxes and they are good to go. There's some soft rain, but it's not slowing them down.

This is what's in my pitch-black back yard right now. A little tent all aglow and in the air is lots of laughter. They are watching "Sword in the Stone" on the portable DVD player and talking, talking, talking. Good night sweet boys! (And no, mama is not camping- let's be serious!)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my hubby's birthday! He had been out of town part of this week so when he got home last night Marky couldn't wait one more second to give him his presents (see the tie above). Then Daddy and I went to a pro-life banquet and had a really nice time (thanks for babysitting Aunt Shana). I've said it before and I'll say it again: I am a blessed woman and my husband is an AMAZING husband and father. Happy Birthday Sweetie!

What we've been up to

I mentioned last post that I had had a great mothering day on Monday- and really this whole week has gone pretty well. Monday we went to the library and got a lot of Thanksgiving books and then went to the parent teacher store to get the materials to make these little trees:
On the thanks tree it says "Give thanks to God for He is good" and we put things we are thankful for. On the giving tree it says "God loves a cheerful giver" and we put things that we have done to give to other people, which is giving back to God. I saw this idea last year on the internet, but it was done on 8 x 10 paper and I wanted ours to be a little bigger. Marky has really gotten into it and writes his all by himself. We are memorizing "Who has seen the wind" by Christina Rosetti. He also started an all-boys gymnastics class this week since soccer is over, and he is beside himself about it (it went right onto the thanks tree).

As for Little Bit, she is staying busy. I actually started reading Peter Rabbit to her, which in my opinion is way above her level, but she LOVES it. I always think she's not paying attention- she's squirming and flopping around, but then if I stop she freaks out and says "weed peter bunny book". I thank God so much for being able to stay home and enjoy these days with my babies. Of course there are days I want to pull my hair out, but if I'm honest, more often than not, I just delight in raising these children. They are God's gift to me, and I am shaping them to give back to Him- and pray they will be ready to love and serve Him for eternity.

It's been a while

Has it really been a week since I last posted? Don't worry- Obama didn't end my blog! I have so many things to say- I've almost posted a million times about organization, homeschooling, friendships, and babies- but I can't seem to gather my thoughts enough to really sit down and write. Yesterday was the most wonderful day for mothering- I thank God so much for those days where everyone is in a good mood and the day just seems to be filled with grace. We need them to reflect on when the hard days are upon us! Well- no time to talk- I'm headed to the doctor. Just wanted to say good morning and we'll talk soon!

Steady On

Well, we have a new president-elect. We fought a good fight, but in the end the other side prevailed. He had an amazing campaign- it's truly remarkable what he accomplished. As for our family, the kids and I spent the morning in church at Children's Holy Hour praying for our new president. We prayed for his wisdom and discernment. He represents all of us now, and we have to hope and pray that he will make good decisions. Mike Huckabee said this:

I'm very proud to have supported Senator McCain and the only regret is that more Americans didn't share my conviction that he would have made an outstanding President. I not only recognize, but respect that we are a nation in which the people choose and tonight they have chosen Senator Obama. He was not my choice, but he will be my President and I will pray for him to lead this great nation with God's help and grace. He will face serious challenges to lead our country and he will need all Americans to give him a chance.

The campaign is over and now is the time for governing and leading. The Republican Party must now reassess where it is and where it is going. Our problem is not that our views aren't acceptable, is that many in our party have abandoned the very principles that once drew Americans to trust us. Our party will be back with strength, but tonight we should all celebrate the historic nature of this election and put our country ahead of our party.

As disappointed as I am that we have lost the election, I can't help but feel that many courageous leaders of the civil rights movement look down from heaven tonight with a smile that the day has come when a man is elected without regard to his color. I salute President-elect Obama for his discipline and tenacity that has given our country the opportunity to witness this significant event.

Politics is not an event but a process. We sometimes lose the events but it never gives us the right to stop being faithful to our principles that enlisted us in the process. We shall live to fight another day.

What can I say?

I've hesitated to put anything up here about voting because I just don't know what to say. I really can't believe we are so close to possibly electing a man that has what seem to be obvious anti-American values. A man who said his "first act" would be to sign the Freedom of Choice act which would reinstate partial-birth abortion and force tax payers to fund abortions and then appoint his ideologues to make laws at the Supreme Court instead of interpreting them. All we can do is pray. Pray for the unborn, the innocent, the helpless.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world.