I'm back

I feel like I haven't written in forever. We had a great, but busy, Christmas. I can hardly believe that a week ago was Christmas eve. The kids had a great Christmas. They were excited on Christmas morning thrilled with the presents under the tree. We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends and I found my new favorite game. Boggle. Never played but my niece got it for Christmas and LOVE IT. That is going on my list of must haves.(well, maybe not must have but REALLY want). We are preparing for New Years Eve. We have a few friends coming over and I am looking forward to ringing in the New Year with them. My friend Pam asked a few questions over on her blog so I thought I would answer them.

1-Did you complete your resolutions that you made this year?
Not completely, but I did lose 20 pounds last year and am hoping to do it again. I did start journaling(here).

2- Most exciting part of 2009
My husband started a new job that was made for him and he absolutely loves it.
Caden is reading and Ethan is reading chapter books and Sophie can (sorta) spell her name.
Made some great new friends.
I have a new niece and nephew coming from Ethiopia.

3-What did you struggle with the most in 2009?
Troy working late hours and being here "on-duty" by myself 24-7
Remember to be Mommy not just teacher

4-What did God do for me this year?
Healed, provided, protected

5-What is your greatest accomplishment?
I think my greatest accomplishment this year would be being a supportive wife(even when I didn't feel like it), changing the eating habits of my family, becoming more educated on foods and nutrition.

Take the time and answer the questions for yourself. I hope you have a Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas

I have not posted a lot of photos lately so here you go.

Our Christmas card picture that I still haven't mailed out.


Our Christmas tree. The kids decorated the whole thing.


visits with santa







How the spent the first snow. The boys out in it for hours, Sophie lasted 15 minutes and came in for hot chocolate.




Always ready to turn it on for the camera.


Wonder where they got it.

Happy Birthday Jesus

Twas the night before Christmas

The children were nestled all snug on a mattress in my floor
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads

Rejoice

It's Christmas Eve. My hubby has run out to be an elf and help put some toys together with a friend. My monkeys have pulled the mattresses off their beds and are "sleeping" in my room tonight. (As if that is different than any other night minus the mattresses). We have had a great day spent focused on our Lord and having some great family time. I will talk more about our family day later but tonight's post has a particular focus because as great as the day was my heart was heavy all day. You see at 8:30 this morning I got a call from my sister. She had called to tell me that a dear friend of the family, Grace, had died of cancer yesterday and they were holding the funeral today. Grace was not just any "friend" of the family. She was a very special lady. She lived next to me when I was growing up. Her granddaughter(which lived with her) was my best friend. So, she was like another Mom. I spent nearly as much time at her house as I did at my own house. If you are not in the mood for a particularly long post you might want to stop but I need to remember. As today progressed I recalled so many great memories of Grace. She always had a smile on her face, she was ready to take you in and love on you but she would keep you in line. I think she called me Tara Brooke as much my mama did. Dusty and I always got into mischief and I was scared of Grace. She wouldn't think twice about turning me over her knee. I quickly learned to use the basement door to escape punishment. I always knew she loved me. I was with Grace watching the Challenger, home from school with the chicken pox. Grace was always good at putting things into perspective when my parents divorced. She was always very supportive of Troy and I and our relationship. She just has always been there. When I heard the news this morning I was sad, but then I was scared. I wasn't sure if Grace had Jesus in her heart. I had talked to her about it but never gotten a clear answer. But tonight I am rejoicing because in October(not long after I had my last visit with her) she called her pastor and as she would say"took care of business". I am rejoicing tonight because she is feeling no more pain. She doesn't have to worry about the sun on her skin. She is basking in the radiance of Her Lord. I am heartbroken for her family who will miss the matriarch of their family. My friend Dusty I am praying for you as I know you are feeling lost without her. For Ricky who was the only boy and boys and their mamas have something special. For her whole family who is grieving this wonderful woman who played such a big part in their lives. I am praying for you and I am rejoicing tonight because we know without a doubt where she is.

Getting ready

Well, we have finished up all preparations for Christmas. The kids and I spent the morning preparing a puppet show for their daddy for Christmas. It is going to be hilarious. We have wrapped all the presents. The last load of laundry is in the wash and we are packing the bags. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Our family will be celebrating a Day with God. We haven't done this before but think it will be a big hit. Troy and I have planned an age appropriate day to honor God. I'll let you know how it goes. I have 1 out of 3 asleep and two are camping in my room tonight. Daddy is working late so it is just not worth it some nights. I just want them to sleep. I hope that you are all ready for Christmas and will have a relaxing day with family and friends tomorrow.

Some ramblings

I love Christmas. I always have. When I was growing up it was always a fun time. We would go to my grandparents house on Christmas Eve. The house would be packed with 6 kids, 10 grandkids and 10 great grandkids. There was always great food and my Uncle Jesse would play his guitar and we would sing Christmas carols. There was always gift time where I would always get a doll, lip gloss and knee-hi socks. Then all the grandchildren and great grandchildren would line up in front of my grandpa and he would give us all brand new dollar bills. Then around 9:30 we would turn on the tv and see where Santa was a everyone would load up to hurry to bed. Those were great times. As I got older I loved Christmas because it was a time that my mom and dad did things together. Those times seemed to get few and further between as I got older. My grandparents died within a year of each other when I was in high school and my parents seperated the day after Christmas my sophmore year of high school. As much as I love this time of year and as I have gotten older I have truly understood the true meaning of Christmas there are always days or moments that the sadness takes over. Today was one of those days. I know lots of people have gone through divorces but the story didn't end there. You see the divorce of my parents was caused by an alcoholic father. Through the years we have gone through peaks and valleys. Peaks when my dad seems to understand the severity of his disease and he gets help and stops drinking. Then valleys when the drink is more important than anything and he pushes all that love him away. That is where we are today. We have been in a valley for almost three years. Three years ago my dad left on Christmas Eve with a hug and an I love you and that was the last time I saw him that way. The alcohol has totally consumed his mind and his life and because of one event he has chosen to dismiss me and my kids from his life. It hurts. It hurts bad. I know that I am doing the right thing. I know God was honored in the situation, but He's my daddy. There are days when I just want to hear his voice. I just want to hear him say I love you squirt. I think the hardest thing for me is that he is choosing to not have a relationship with me. That I could talk to him if he would pick up the phone. Nevertheless, God has seen me through and I have learned and grown from this. What I have learned in the last 3 years is that my dad is human. That all humans have the ability to disappoint us but I have one who will always be faithful. I have Abba to wrap his arms around me and tell me He loves me. I have Abba to guide me, to protect me, to listen to my hurts and my joys. So on the days, like today, that the hurt is overwhelming I just call on my heavenly Daddy and the hurt starts to ease. The sun starts to shine a little brighter and I get a spring in my step. I go back to playing uno, washing clothes or chasing the cats out of the house and there is a smile on my face and peace in my heart. My Abba is in control and for that I am very thankful.