Over too soon...

I can't believe Christmas is already over. I mean all that preparing, well I did not prepare as well as I should have, but I am not talking about me. It seems thought that others prepare 6 months to a year ahead of time and it seems like it is all over in a couple of days. A friend of mine said its like a wedding, all that preparation, then over so soon. I do wish I had more time just sitting and talking with the family and less chaos of making sure everyone had the right gift, that the gift was wrapped, that the gift actually made it in the car, etc. We made it back today from West Tennessee in a van packed with gifts so much that you could hardly see where the kids were sitting. We are so blessed. We came back with a XBox, Barbie house, scooter, video games, clothes, etc., only to hear Claire say this afternoon that she was bored. I thought I would choke her! She did get a microphone on a stand that comes with its own applause button. It's great. The funniest thing was when she finished singing she shouted, "How's everyone in Nashville, TN doing tonight?" This could be the beginning of her career.
I have decided though that I will start shopping for next Christmas tomorrow. It was entirely too stressful for me to have to finish the day before Christmas Eve. Of course, I probably will not be able to find it by then.

Oh Christmas Tree????

The family was all distraught this year. Where will we put a Christmas tree in our apartment?? You see we have two large trees and the kids usually have one of their own in their rooms.  I honestly thought about putting our big tree up on the balcony of our apartment but I figured it would be a little cold on Christmas morning opening presents not to mention frightening our neighbors with how our family looks on Christmas morning. So we decided to order a "corner" Christmas tree especially designed for small spaces. It is actually quite cute. In reality, it is half of a tree. It is pre-lit and was very easy to put up.

I had my tinsel all in a tangle about Christmas this year. I was having my own pity party about not having room for a nice tree, no mantle to hang stockings on, and all of my Christmas decor being in storage. Somehow I bet that the manger where Jesus was born was not lavished in red and green. There were no blinking Christmas lights or a fireplace mantle all decked out with garland and lights. I am sure Mary wished for a Yankee Candle with the sweet scents of Christmas instead of the not so sweet scent of a stable. But what they did have were friends and strangers coming to visit. AND can you imagine the Christmas music?? a multitude of heavenly hosts singing. I bet Mary did not worry about what she was going to feed all of their company or if there was enough room for everyone. The reason there is even a Christmas season is because God sent His son down to be born of a virgin in a lowly stable in Bethlehem. SO, I decided that the decor that I don't have out this year is of little importance to me. This is the season to give and to remember what a sacrifice was made for all of us. This year has made me realize though that Christmas starts in each one of us and that we should tell others that the best Christmas present they could ever receive does not come from a mall or a toy store. AND the best part is, it is a gift you will never want to return.

Moving......

"We are moving!" I had no idea what those three words would mean to my family. The kids were excited at first~ new home, new town, new life. My husband and I were very excited at what moving meant. It meant that I would be home more, we hoped. I was traveling so much after my promotion that my family did not see me a lot during the week. Moving would mean I would not have to travel overnight as much which meant more time at the house. I had no clue how it would impact our lives. Our families were excited for us and at the same time hated to see us leave. After a lot of prayer, we knew that God was leading us to Nashville. Jeff found a job rather quickly at a local bank and off we went to discover whatever God had in store for our family. Funny how you think that if it is God's will to do something, that everything will be smooth sailing without storms. I have a good friend that has to keep reminding me that God would not lead us here only to leave us and that just because we have times that it feels like we are in a valley, His hand is still at work in our lives. Over the last six months, it has been challenging to say the least. We are still in an apartment which seems to be closing in at times. Our son has had issues adjusting to the move while our daughter sees it as a never-ending adventure. Finding a church home has been a challenge to us as we were so rooted in the church that we left behind, BUT God is good in the challenging times as well. I am home more which means I think I am supposed to be cooking more which is kind of funny because I really can't cook. Our family is forced to spend more time together. The apartment is not big enough to hide from each other! We have all cried together because we miss our friends and prayed together that we would just make it through the next day. We are clinging more to each other and to the Lord, which is never a bad thing. So we take it one day at a time and look forward to what is coming next....