Treat from Heaven

Remember THIS post, where I mentioned something had happened that I would share about later? Well, it's later.

I mentioned in that post that it was my Uncle Gary's birthday. I was sitting at my computer that evening and I received a message from my cousin Amy, Gary's oldest daughter. It said, "So, I'm with Angela and I just took a pregnancy test...the line is really light but it's there. What does that mean?" I started crying/borderline sobbing. I think my response was something along the lines of, "IT MEANS YOUR EGGO IS PREGO!!! CALL ME!!!"

That's right. On what would have been my Uncle Gary's 49th birthday...his daughter finds out she is with child. I prayed that night and thanked God for His faithfulness. He never forgets us...His children. He knew that December 10, 2009 was going to be so hard for Uncle Gary's family. He also knew that would be the day Amy would learn that her life was going to change in an incredible way.

I can't wait to watch Amy blossom into motherhood. I am thrilled for Chad to have the chance to be the amazing daddy we all know he will be. My arms ache to hold the "baby bot." I think it will be a boy. Most of all, I am thankful that this baby will be welcomed by a mother and father who love the Lord with all their hearts! Amy and Chad, we love you and pray every night for your growing family!

Priceless.

Cost of a "Black Friday" shopping trip in Branson= $UNdisclosed.
Nutcracker=$14.99
The perfect place to hang your "Scoobs"=PRICELESS

Mary Did You Know?

Let me start by saying, I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love the smells, the beautiful lights, the music, the excitement and the spirit that surrounds us. One of my most favorite things is the music. I love it all. Music always touches my heart and takes me back to certain times in my life, be they good or bad. The Alabama Christmas album and Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas" always makes me think of my Oklahoma family. Silent night always reminds me of my ballet recitals. The Elvis Christmas album reminds me of Christmas morning at my mom and dad's. But one of my MOST favorite Christmas songs has to be, "Mary Did You Know?"

I will be honest when I say I didn't used to love it. It just wasn't one that caught my attention...until I was holding my infant son. I find myself thinking about Mary so often, especially during the Christmas season. Traveling on blind faith as her aching body was most likely pleading with her to stop. Giving birth to a son in conditions fit for a farm animal. Laying her sweet babe in a manger filled with hay. Did she know? Did she truly understand what this little baby was going going to do and how He would impact the world FOREVER???

I look at my children and am overwhelmed. I have no idea what they will become. But someone does...and I trust in Him.

A White Christmas!!!

Claire couldn't even wait to put a coat on...so I, mother of the year 2009, just let her go out in the 16 degree weather. I thought that since it felt like -2 degrees that she would come in very quickly. Apparently I was wrong. Apparently she is part polar bear and I had to drag her in! Cohen joined the fun for a little bit too! Hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas...especially you GRAMMY!!! We miss you!

A Little Tradition

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a good ol' Christmas toot. I don't think this video EVER gets old. I realized today...Claire is going to kill me for putting this on the web. But it's so stinkin' funny...pun intended.


Now I must go and wrap some presents and prepare for a WHITE Christmas!!! (We hope!)

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Have I ever told you...

how much I love the Care to Learn Foundation??? Click on the link and read all about it. I recently found myself in charge of the Care to Learn project at Claire's school. It really is a VERY small time commitment with a HUGE reward. One of my responsibilities is to pick up our food and hygiene items for the month and bring it back to the elementary. I then stock our shelves so that the backpacks may be sent home each weekend with children who only receive meals at school so that they will have something to eat while school is not in session. Thursday was my first day. Thursday was also emotional because it was my Uncle Gary's birthday. Thankfully I was upstairs in the food pantry alone...because I was having a hard time keeping it all together. I got weepy when I unpacked the canned pastas and soups. I was misty eyed as I stacked the juice boxes and fruit cups. It was the moment I picked up two sticks of deodorant that I just broke down. Don't ask me why. Maybe it's the thought of those children who might be made fun of because they don't come to school clean. But really I think it's the fact that there are parents who can't provide the basics so that their children can go to school and learn without being worried about their empty stomachs, the way they look or even smell. Worse....there are parents who probably could, but choose not to. It seriously breaks my heart that there are so many children who are sustaining themselves all weekend on the stuff I was stacking on those shelves. So this holiday season...or any season for that matter...please remember the Care to Learn Foundation if you have some spare change. At the very least, please pray for the children in our area who go without. I pray that God will touch your heart and lead you to help somewhere this holiday season. Just to help you out...here are a few more links you could visit.

Toys For Tots
The Salvation Army
Least of These Food Pantry

OR go to the Charity Vault and find a worthy cause in your area!

There was something else that happened on Thursday...and I will share very soon. But until then, I challenge you to be a blessing to someone today!