A New Year

We're finally receiving the first snow of the year after Blake was throughly convinced that winter was gone. Too bad it's not snowman making snow. I snapped this pic with my new camera at a local elementary school. I spotted the little flower peeking through the snow as I was leaving - hope you enjoy.

I have thought of some new year resolutions but haven't committed to put them in writing - if I change my mind - they'll be posted here.

For now - some updates... Luke was announced as the district winner in his age category for the Reflections program and will be going to state competition. Whoo Hoo! Great job for a little first grader! Blake is playing and using that imagination non-stop. I had forgotten how delightful 4 year olds are. They are hilarious.

Justin will be celebrating his birthday next week with a hockey game and dinner. We do a lot with our children and we've opted for a night out with another couple. Other than that, I felt like I was talking someone off a ledge last night as I tried to convince my husband of 13 years that a Siberian Husky was not the dog for him. Those of you who know him well will know that I am 100% right in this. Lord help us. I believe we will end up adding a small dog to our family soon though, as I live with three males who don't seem to be complete without one. We've done our homework this time and will get it right. I've heard folks say, "Have a dog before you have a baby." I believe it's the other way around. The babies has taught me more patience and love than I ever thought possible. I learned how to really care for someone... including a new perspective on those with four legs. They really are like babies and need to be treated as such. Poor Justin. I promised him he could get a Siberian Husky for his retirement when he has time to exercise it. Right now, I don't feel like coming home to find a chewed up cat and sofa. He'll come around and thank me in the end.

Most of you know I've gone part-time and it's been worth it. I can't help but to feel a little anxious about the economy with the price of gas and groceries. But - it will all work out. Phil 4:6 says "Do not be anxious about anything... present your requests to God." I read a devotional recently that highlighted this passage and mentioned many of the same worries I have right now as a mom. So - although I am still without any real resolutions - this is a great verse to focus on in the new year. This morning, Luke said as I was putting on my make-up, "Mommy, you look nice everyday. You're the best mom. You work but you're home as soon as school is over. You're just there." So - the economy stinks but God is great and good and will see families like ours through.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day we drove to Winchester where we met up first with the Elsea's at Nanny's home for dinner. Following dinner, we headed out for a walk around Nanny's farm. The walk was definitely the best part of my day. What I can't figure out is why we've never done that before. I guess I always thought that someone had cattle on the property or for some reason, we couldn't walk it, but now that I know, I'll be out there every time we visit for any period of time.

We also visited with Ma and some other family members and talked with others by phone who we couldn't see.

I miss the simplicity of the gatherings we had while I was in West Virginia and guess I always will.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a quiet day for us. No travel. No shopping. Just family. We followed with our tradition of the last few years of going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast on the morning of Christmas Eve. We spent the rest of the day baking cookies (the boys made some great sugar cookies with very little help), wrapping some gifts and just hanging out. We opened a couple gifts that evening after a simple dinner of ham, biscuits and green beans. Luke and Blake both received a new pair of pajamas. I believe this is the last year I'll be able to pull off a matching pair. Luke now prefers a plain tee shirt with pajama pants or shorts. It will always be a tradition we hold to though regardless of the how old these two get. They may be miles away someday as adults but you can better believe they'll be receiving a package of new pj's from Momma. We then settled in on the couch for Justin to read the real story of Christmas from the Bible. My favorite version is from the book of Luke. The boys headed to bed and we headed to our secret storage areas. We set out their gifts, ate the cookies that Blake had dropped on the floor at least three times and then headed to bed ourselves. Perfect.

Christmas Treat

The day after Christmas, we headed back home, napped on the couch and headed off for a "surprise". Justin usually does a horrible job in keeping the "cat in the bag" so I was really shocked that he didn't tell the boys we were heading to a Captials game. We hadn't been to a hockey game in years and the boys had never been to a game. It was a lot of fun and the crowd was great. We went to a Wizards game last week with my brother and had two towels taken from our seats and a man behind me pretty much ripped a t-shirt out of my hands. His friend called him out on it and I thought he'd tap me on the shoulder any minute and give me the shirt - fat chance. I just let it go. It really wasnt' worth it. Blake made buddies with everyone around us at the Caps game and Luke was given a puck right off the ice. Also - check out the pic - it was taken with my new camera (a gift from my hubby).

Just to Keep You Posted

Good news - my friend, Christina, had her scan on Wednesday. The cancer is only in her neck and has not spread to other areas! Yay! She should have surgery by the end of January! Whoo Hoo!

Cancer Sucks

I usually try to keep my blog on the positive side. And I will still try. However sometimes life just happens. Last night, I found out that my friend, Christina, has cancer. They will do a scan tomorrow to see if it's spread from her neck to her lungs. She has two small boys that call me "Aunt Rebecca". She's been through a lot and I just haven't been able to stop thinking about this. On a positive note - she is very optimistic about the treatment ahead and is praying. I'll keep you posted... Until then - say a prayer... or two.

Are you ready?

Christmas Day is drawing closer and it seems a frequently asked question is "Are you ready?" I have decided that from now on, I will answer that question with a strong, "Yes! I am ready!" What does being "ready" truly mean? I am doing my best to teach my children that in a material world - being "ready for Christmas" means being ready in your heart to reflect on the time of Christ's birth in a manger and how a tiny baby was sent to save the souls of man. So - if you ask me if we're ready, I'll say yes. This in no way means that I have cards filled out and sent, the packages wrapped, and every nook and cranny decorated. But it does mean that we've celebrated Advent by counting down to Christmas, giving to others in need, caroling to lift the spirits of those who have experienced loss, reading simple Bible stories and not losing our minds by spending every last penny we have to grant Luke and Blake's every wish. To be honest - they haven't asked for much. So just maybe we're on the right track..