NOW the Tree Can Go!

I insisted on keeping the Christmas tree up until I took pics of my little monkeys.

I waited until they were dressed up.

I made them smile.

Years from now, they might thank me.

But tomorrow, they have a tree to dismantle.

Bethany

Grace

Jon

Rebekah

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:

the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

 author unknown

To think about after the Christmas "season" is over -

When we were children we were grateful

to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.

Why are we not grateful to God

for filling our stockings with legs?

~G.K. Chesterton

Going Green With Recycled Christmas Cards

As Christmas cards come in during the holiday rush,  I open them, enjoy the picture, read them briefly and then toss them into these two cans.  If I am  feeling organized, I cut the address label from the envelope, tape it on the back of the picture, and recycle the envelope.  If I am feeling like all the stars  in the universe are lined up right, I might even fold and tape the letter on back of the picture because the kids always get all the cards and letters mixed up when they read them.

When I feel like it,

when I want to,

when I have time, 

I deal with the Christmas cards. 

Sometimes, I don't even get this done until February.  Once during my intial dealings with cancer, I put the cards in a  Ziploc bag, went through treatment, moved and didn't find them again for three years.  No wonder I didn't know some of my friends moved, had babies and become grandparents. But, when I get around to it, my plan is simple.

1.  Read all cards and letters at leisure.

2. Make a list of who I received cards from in OneNote.

3. Update addresses in Outlook. In the notes area I also add babies that were born, illnesses, other things that I want to remember from the letters.

4. Keep pictures and make sure they were dated.

5. Cut off parts of the cards I want to use to make gift bags.

6. Recycle all paper, except addresses. They're burned in the fireplace, because we haven't purchased a shredder that lasts longer than a week.

If I was one of those moms, I guess I would also put all the paper into my blender with water and whatever else and make my own paper out of it to use for cards the next year.  But for now, I am one of these moms that is just trying to make it through with a few accomplishments in life other than waking up each morning, keeping up on laundry and occasionally making a really good meal.

Beka was a great help gluing.  We use rubber cement, making sure it covers the entire cut-out, especially the edges. We used school glue for the gold stars that added a nice touch on a few cards.

We lay them under plastic wrap and then under a big book.  We want them to dry flat  without puckers and not have the edges peel up.  I learned the hard way to not stack them before they are totally or they will all glue together.

Laying out to dry is also a crucial step I added when I stacked them too soon one year and they, duh, stuck together.

For some who are really crafty, I know the wheels are spinning on ways to embellish with scrapbooking paper, backgrounds, letters, sequins, bows, etc.  Maybe some year.  At this stage of my life, I am getting them done, but I would still love to hear your ideas!

When I wrap with them, I fold the top over, use a hole punch, and tie them shut with raffia or curling ribbon.

One year, I was able to buy the white produce bags from the grocery store and made nice bags that worked well with colored tissue paper.

Because all the other decorations are usually put away when I deal with the cards, the containers go in the container in the attic I refer to as "too late to classify."  I used to work for a newspaper, can you tell?  I don't want to unstack the boxes and put each item exactly where it goes.

I've been doing this for years.  I guess I was green when green wasn't cool and it wasn't green, it was called "poor" or "thrifty."

Christmas in January

January is a good month for planning Christmas.  Afterall, I have nearly 12 months!  Since I am always less rushed in January than in December, it is a good time to invest in the new year's holiday season.

It also is a good time to deal with things I didn't do last year.  This precious thing was in a craft area, waiting to be glued, for over a year.  He wasn't displayed this year, but  is ready for next year! Why did I put off something that took less than five minutes to do?

As I am putting away decorations I am either fixing, or putting them in a small pile to make sure I fix before December. I also sorted a lot of things into clear bags, so that like ornaments and decorations were together.

I bought Christmas cards for pictures on clearance at Joann's for $.50.  The boxed cards were 50% at Target.   I am really redeeming myself, because I didn't even get cards out this year. I was so excited, I almost put on address labels. Maybe I'll just start nagging the family now about getting together for that traditional family photo shoot they all hate.

I bought new containers at Target this year, for $5 each.  The lids have snap-on handles for the lid, so the lids won't pop off like the older containers do.  I labeled the boxes, and as I put things away, I put them in the right containers.  Now, they are stacked in the hallway, annoying us all until they can be put in the attic.

I also leave one of the old broken ones near the trapdoor in the attic for things "too late to classify."  It always seems that I forget a few things and I don't always want to go up and shuffle all the boxes to put each item in the right spot.  I am a type A that has learned to also be a type B.  I can't do it all and I can't do it perfectly.  I've learned to live with pretty good. I was a little annoyed that my new containers didn't match my old ones but I kept reminding myself, "they're going in the attic, it really doesn't matter." Anybody else that obsessive?

I am leaving up the greenery, lights and garland on the top of the picture window in the living room and above  the sliding glass door in the dining room.  We added white crotcheted snowflakes for January, will change to hearts for February and leave it up until March, when we celebrate our 24th anniversary.  Then, I will be totally ready to get it all down.  Last year it was April by the time we got around to this.

I haven't taken the tree down yet, because I have vowed to not take it down until I get a nice picture of each kid in front of the tree.

Maybe I should take the individual pics of each kid AND the family picture for Christmas 2010...

FOOD for Thought

We were devouring seafood at Seattle's Crab Pot.  After they had put paper on the tables, tied bibs around our necks and dumped out piles of food on table, they  handed out rubber mallets and a few forks.  We feasted on shrimp, crab, clams, mussels, potatoes, corn on the cob, and andouille sausages.

You don't worry about flying pieces of shell, getting your fingers dirty, or smearing seasoning on your face.  You just eat and eat and eat.

Beka was enjoying her meal, until she came into eye-to-eye contact with a poor little shrimpie.

With slight concern she asked, "Mom, do shrimp and crabs know that they have food inside of them?"

The Year of the Monkey

This new year sneaked up on me the way Christmas did.  I just wasn't ready for it.  I hadn't planned any special event or snacks to ring in the new decade, I hadn't even thought about any resolutions except that nagging weight thing we all think about and the need for writing goals for the new year.

At one point during the last day of the year, as we were scampering around the house, cleaning up the mess we created by accidentally locking the cat in the house while we were in CA for Christmas, I began thinking about the new year, and I panicked...just for a moment. The past decade held many sorrows and trials for us, I had a sudden fear for the year ahead.  What if.....What if....What if....

I was worrying. At the same time my thoughts were racing, my husband was coming down the hall, saw my face, embraced me and soothed me with kisses and words of encouragement.  In a minute, those doubts, those weak lack-of-faith thoughts were gone. The whole episode took less than two minutes.

It was a perfect earthly example of the Heavenly Father's arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." How quickly we need to fly into our Father's arms and let Him comfort our fears, soothe our souls and show us His everlasting love.

Since I felt that human need to do something for the new year,  Beka and I planned a trip to Build-A-Bear.

My monkey has been a celebration of my family's support through cancer, and Beka's has been a way to help her cope.  She was 2 when I was first diagnosed, and has needed her own way of living with cancer.

Our love language is monkeys around here; I have loved them since I was a little girl.

When we stopped in the restroom, we were delighted the mall's bathroom was so accomodating.  Our babies rested while we washed our hands. The dollar bins at Target are a great source of for seasonal t-shirts for the BAB animals.

Even the candy machines were following our theme.

At the mall, most of the women my age are getting their nails done, getting facials, make-overs, buying their $1000 purses and their designer clothing.  I was, and always have been, the only Mom walking through this upscale mall holding her own BAB,

                                     

and  the only Mom giving her animal a spa treatment.

Too many choices!  We were enticed by the inline skates and the casual wear, but Beka's heart was really with the formal dresses. I realized that often we parents "guide" our children's choices, so they end up buying what we want them to.  It took a long time for Beka to choose because I repeatedly told her to choose for her, not me. It was an interesting lesson in decision making.

She later discussed this process with her Daddy, and I realized her huge hesitation was that the dress had spaghetti straps, something we choose not to wear as a family for modesty sake.  Her heart is so tender.

We purchased the  formal gowns, then dressed the monkeys near the fountain.  The store was so crowded, everyone in the vicinity that received a BAB gift card for Christmas was in the store. No wonder it took 15 minutes to go the  three blocks from the interstate to the mall.

We tossed my four pennies into the fountain, my next purchase I was short one penny and had to use my debit card. 

I came home tired, trafficed and shopped out, Beka came home and set to making dinner.  I didn't ask her to.  She chopped things for a salad, had Daddy help her make a pizza, then we sat on the cushionless couch (they are STILL drying) and watched a movie together.

We are ready to face a new year, with faith, hope, and acceptance for whatever the year brings, and we'll do it with very well-dressed monkeys.

MM Meditation - The Boast of Youth

Luke 22: 33, "And he (Peter) said unto Him, Lord, I am ready to go you, both into prison, and to death."


Often in our youth, we were as Peter, boasting of our faithfulness to the Lord. We offer Him body and soul because we are so thankful that He saved us. We are thankful that our sins are forgiven. We are rejoicing that though we once were enemies we now are at peace with the Creator and Ruler of the Universe.

These boastings are not foolish, and the sincerity of our hearts, like Peter's, still honors the Lord.

We just didn't understand what we were offering. We were offering the Lord our body and soul to do with as He pleased for His work and His ways. We wanted to be used by the Lord, we wanted to lead other souls to Him, we wanted to encourage other believers to walk a closer walk.

So, why are we surprised when He takes us up on the offer? Why are we surprised when He actually wants to use our body for His glory, by allowing sickness? Why are we surprised when our worldly comforts can be given and taken from us? Christians are not excluded from suffering, in fact, it is designed for them. It is the method by which their faith is perfected.

Why shouldn't our lives be lives of suffering? The Lord Jesus had a life of suffering.

Do you want to be stronger? You must suffer. You strength is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9.

Do you want to be more like the Lord? You must suffer. You must have the refiner's fire to burn off the dross to reflect the image of the Son.

Do you want to be more patient? You must suffer. Testing brings patience, and you must let patience have its perfect work.  James 1:3-4.

Do you want to learn to pray? You must suffer. You must learn how to pray without ceasing, and there must be need of ceaseless prayer.  I Thessalonians 5:17

Do you want to feel His presence? You must suffer. He draws near to those with  broken heart. Psalm 34:18


We offer ourselves, longing for this great spirituality and intimacy,  but are surprised at the cost. We often take back parts of our lives when the Lord begins working in them.

"No, Lord, I didn't really mean my money. How could my husband lose his job?"

"No, Lord, I didn't really mean my body. How could I be sick?"

"No, Lord, I didn't mean my children. How could you take this child home? I wanted this child so badly!"

We ask in faith, but see the Lord's dealings through our flesh. We need spiritual eyes of understanding to see those workings all around us, where the Lord is wonderfully orchestrating and allowing circumstances to answer our prayers, brings souls to Him, comfort others, teach others and perfect us to the likeness of His beautiful Son. His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts are higher than ours. We need to look by faith to see the big picture, eternity is at stake.

If the Lord came to you and asked you, "I am going to use you to win souls and cause the saints to rejoice because of your testimony. You will live victoriously and the heavens will be marveling at the way the Lord Jesus is shining in your life" wouldn't you say " YES"?  You would.

What is He said, "But, I am going to have to hurt you to accomplish this."

Would you still say YES? I think you would.

But the Lord doesn't tell us His plans, He asks us to walk in faith. He asks us to look to Him each day in His Word to understand His love, His plans and His desires for us. He asks us to listen to His voice.

Because He loves us, He loves us deeply.

Romans 8:37, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.



38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,


39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

None of our trials happen because we are apart from the love of God, but because we are immersed in His love.  He is answering our sincere boast of our youth, spouted with the sincere joy of our salvation, that we want to be used by Him and to be like Him.

He loves us.

He loves us.

Nothing can separate us from that love.


(This blog participated in  Motivate Me Monday sponsored by  Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.)

To celebrate the first day of the new year and new decade, we took the family to Museum of Flight.

It was a fantastic experience, but I can't get over this letter posted in one of the displays.

(click to enlarge)

 

A.E. stands for Amelia Earhart, a woman who has been routinely praised and criticized by aviation experts and biographers concerning her contributions to aviation, or her lack of skills overshadowed by media sensationalism.  Either way, she was a woman, she was a pilot, she was successful and unfortunately, she disappeared.

Her personal life has been rumored, but I don't value rumors. When  I read the above letter Earhart typed and handed to her husband on their wedding day, rumors became fact.  I learned she had no qualms about saying that she does not believe in faithfulness in marriage and she feels marriage is a cage. She wanted nothing to come in the way of accomplishing her goals, an admirable trait, but at a tremendous cost.

Now, I have a hard time holding her up as a hero to my daughters.  She championed some women's causes, but failed in areas of womanhood that I hold important, based on the Word of God.

She wasn't rejecting America's standards for marriage, she was rejecting the Lord's. He set boundaries on marriage, one man to one woman until death, asking for purity beforehand and  faithfulness during.  This isn't old-fashioned, it is obedience to the Lord, and is meant for our blessing. By rejecting His standards, the Bible, she is also rejecting Him.

The Lord doesn't set boundaries because He is withholding what the world craves as freedom, their rights, their pleasure, their choices or their way, He does it because marriage is a beautiful representation of Christ and the church. Christ loved the world, died for the world and a union with Christ, by salvation through faith, will not be broken.

I am always saddened when I read about her disappearance.  I never rejoice in the hardships or the death of anybody, whether or not I agreed with their lifestyle.

But as I sit, pondering about her life and death, I am speculating about her marriage, her true happiness, her inner peace, her struggles and  her joys. I wonder, in those last few moments, if she had any regrets.  As her plane spiraled towards the ocean, or as the Japanese hauled her into a cramped jail, depending on which theory you believe, if she changed her mind about any of these values and thought about the loving God who patterned those rules based on His holiness and His omniscient knowledge of what is best for the children of the world, spiritually, mentally and physically.

I can speculate about her death as people have for decades, but this I know for sure - if she called on Him, He answered.

Jeremiah 33:3, "Call unto me, and I will answer."

Psalms 50:15, "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

These promises are still true for us today.  We can call and He will answer.