Pre-Christmas

We had a great visit with Grandma and Grandpa Tony today- and REALLY enjoyed the yummy goodies they brought! Sure wish there were some cookies left-- just kidding Mom :)

We also opened some pre-Christmas gifts-- thanks to my western family--- here are some of the picts. for you Lauri. Jacob LOVED his tractor- but the only picture I could get of him had him frowning. And I neglected to take one of Elisha (bad mom I know), but should have with his bear-- THANKS Austin!! You made his day!

PERFECT gift to occupy an afternoon, and keep the little ones calm-- I'm going to have to head to the craft store and pick up some more items like this! Wonder if they're open tonight..... We love you Texas crew! Thanks!

Demo-Time Again

Unpredictability helps the world go round right? That's why I suppose PapPap and Mark just woke up today and decided- hey, let's go knock out a wall. You just never know what's going to happen with them. Never mind we're in the final hours until Christmas.... whatever works :)

This is the original doorway leading to the once-garage, once-work-out room, and now soon to be schoolroom/BIG playroom.

And this is their little helper. DON"T get in the way of a boy on a mission- Let's just hope he doesn't get any brilliant ideas for the upstairs walls- look out Home Makeover!Oh yeah- small detail about that wall- it was the outside wall of the house-- I suppose a little extra support would help things.... (That's all the reason I needed to head out and GO SHOPPING- and pray there was still a house standing to come home to.) The beam was slightly heavy, sending Mark running up the street to ask for some more man-power. The moment Elisha was waiting for-- it's not everyday you get to push over a wall. Now what?!

All in a day's work. Now- if only the next 20 phases of this whole project/addition thing could go so quickly and easily...

Christmas to Me

It doesn't happen very often as I'm not a deep philosopher, but here it is... a blog of 'thought' from within.

Went for a walk the other night and as I rounded the corner I was stopped in my tracks by one of the most beautifully lit Christmas trees I've seen in a long time. And that got me thinking-- just what does Christmas mean to me? Sure, there's plenty of over-commercialization, too many unnecessary gifts and materialism, and WAY too many events to keep you busy if you can't say no... but what about the good things? For many years I had a bad taste for the Season. We belonged to an organization for a long time that taught about all the dangers of Christmas and over-worship of material things like Christmas trees, etc. While that can be true in many instances, I failed to see any good in the season and dreaded it's arrival more each year- definitely NO love and joy, and almost felt guilty for any joy I did feel connected with 'worldly' sites and sounds.

I can honestly say the fun, child-like eyes of wonder and life are returning and it's a REALLY good feeling! The dread is gone and replaced with 'life!'

As a Christian, the obvious answer of celebrating would be the birth of Christ. To me there's more. We should all feel the 'love' of Christmas all year long, but how many of us do? At least for a small season we can be reminded of the joy that should stay with us throughout the year, but often doesn't. For one 'Silent Night', peace, hope, faith, and dreams return... maybe, this new year will be different- a new year full of dreams fulfilled and new dreams made. When I look into my little boy's widened, excited eyes as he gazes at the Christmas lights, I am reminded of the wonder, hope and newness that the good Lord brings us. Again- I know we are supposed to have that all year, but sometimes we just need a little reminder.

I guess that's what Christmas is to me--- love, wonder, joy, hope, renewed faith. And a time to share with loved ones-- yes, we should take that time throughout the year, but I'm thankful that we are able to do it at least at Christmas-- So.... Merry Christmas All!

PS. Finding that 'perfect' gift that bring tears (of joy of course) is pretty fun too! (And that's not often difficult with PapPap :)

The Yearly Mysterious Gift/s

Every year about a week prior to Christmas it happens-- a mysterious gift appears out of nowhere with not a tag in sight. And this year it was not one, but two. Now, I know I didn't wrap them or put them there, and PapPap couldn't have because I honestly don't know if he could find my wrapping paper- so I'm fairly certain that would leave Mark. Further solidifying this hypothesis would be the packing tape completely covering the newspaper-wrapped gift, and the niftily bunched wrapping job on the ends of the 1st gift. But that's all OK because.....

Two can play this game. :) These gifts appeared yesterday. And they're bigger! Hmmm.... WHAT could they be???? 8 more days....