December Reflection

Christmas 2003

                       

    It's already December 8th?? I feel like I haven't gotten the memo that Christmas is only 17 days away. It's been hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year. I love Christmas, but somehow I feel like it's still October and we are practicing for Christmas.
    This past weekend a friend and I took our girls shopping. It was a lot of fun and helped to get me into the holiday frame of mind. I have Christmas carols playing in the house all day, which is beautiful and  is something I enjoy. Yet somehow I am still a little empty. I think I need to focus on the real meaning of Christmas, the wonderful gift of Jesus. He was born to a very real mother, who loved him and raised him into a wonderful man. She watched him die on a cross, so that our sins would be forgiven. I am thankful to be a mother and to have two wonderful girls and a husband who make it worthwhile. I am thankful that Mary, obeyed God's wishes for her life and gave God control. I am thankful that Jesus died for our sins and I am thankful to live in a country where I don't have to fear writing this on my blog.  
   What I have taken from the Christmas story over the last few years is Mary's faith. She relinquished control of any plans she had for her life and gave God full control. She was to be unwed and pregnant, travel at 9 months pregnant on a donkey for three days and give birth in a barn. I would have a problem with all of that! Yet nowhere in the Bible is there a verse where Mary argues with God. She faced a lot of scrutiny, uncertainty and uncomfortablness and yet she never attempted to take back control. I am trying to let go and let God be in control, but that is easier said than done.

   I pray that this season the Christmas spirit will fill me and you fully and wholly. That we will be influenced by Mary's example and let God be in control of our lives. Most of all, that we will all know the blessing of Jesus's life on this Earth and the blessing of his death.

Veteran's Day

On Veteran's Day, I am thankful for all of the military men in our family, especially my husband. Todd is a wonderful, dedicated man and endures a lot of seperation from family & home to serve our country. He's served overseas twice as well as numerous places in the United States. His hard work, dedication and bravery make us all proud. I've been known to tear up when I hear the National Anthem, the last line "Home of the Brave" gets me everytime. The tears flow because I am proud of Todd as well as our family.
Todd in Iraq

Todd & I before his promotion to Master Sereant in 2008

My father-in-law Charlie served in the Marines in Vietnam, I used to enjoy his stories about Vietnam. He didnt talk about it a lot, but when he did I listened.

My Grandad Beil was a Navy Sea-Bee during World War II. He was in the same job field as Todd, which is pretty cool I think.

I"m thankful to have a legacy of men who serve in our country. They are all heroes, but none of them think they are. We love you.

Keysville

I love the fall, beauty is vibrant all around me. This morning as I walked out the door, I grabbed my camera so I could capture pictures of the town I am thankful to call home. In the 10 years that we have lived in Keysville, I have grown to love the people and places, as well as the slow pace of living in a small town. We can walk out our door and window shop past quaint stores, get ice cream from our ice cream store or go to the park. We can walk anywhere we need and visit with friends along the way. Sometimes I even pick up a walking buddy, today two of the neighborhood dogs accompanied me.

King StreetVeteran's War Memorial

Keysville Station Antiques

KeysvilleStation.com

Polar Xpress Ice Cream Store

The Perfect Package

Tower Park

Sleep

I am so thankful that tonight we turn back the clocks and get an extra hour of sleep! When I was a kid, the time change meant staying up later & playing, because I would have an extra hour of sleep in the morning. As an early 20 something, it meant staying out later & partying with my friends, cuz where we were stayed open an extra hour. Tonight, as a 30 something mom it meant tricking our girls into going to bed early and NOT telling them about the time change so they will get extra sleep. Oh the evolution of the extra hour... wonder what I will be doing in my 40's during the time change?

Here are some of my favorite pictures of our sleeping girls from years past.

Being Thankful

I've been inspired by my sister-in-laws blog to count & share my blessings. On this cold & rainy November day, I am happy to have my two beautiful girls that warm my heart every day!

Nichole is growing into such a beautiful young lady. I admire her empathy for others and the fact that she always stands up for what or who is right. She is a graceful dancer and a wonderful student. I love being silly with her, she has a great sense of humor. She & I have our moments, after all- she is a pre-teen girl whose mother knows nothing! But at the end of the day she is a pretty spectacular daughter.

Abbey is my sunshine girl. She goes into every situation with a positive, happy-go-lucky disposition. She skips her way through life with a smile on her face. She can be stubborn and extremely dramatic when the situation calls for it. She has her moments of pure strong will, always accompanied by the correct facial expressions, of course. I love Abbey's hugs and the fact that she always tell me she loves me when I wake her up in the morning.

Halloween 2010

I enjoy Halloween, not so much for the spookiness, but for the silliness. It's great having a holiday that is all about being creative, using your imagination, getting some sugary treats and socializing with friends. It's bitter sweet though because it marks the last of the days when you will see your neighbors and friends out and about, before everyone tucks in for the winter.

This year Nichole was cooly spooky and Abbey was a stylish vampire queen.

Me & Todd
Witchy Kim & Painter Jane

Fall Leaves

Fall is my favorite season to experience. I love the vibrance that the changing, colorful leaves bring to the sunrise & sunset. I captured these pictures on my walk this week. They are pictures of the street we are lucky enough to call home. I am thankful that God in his infinite wisdom, settled us here.

Perfect Fall Day

This past Monday was a rare day- our girls and their friends were off from school, all of the parents were off of work & it was the most glorious Fall day this season. We all seized the day, throwing to the side house work & broken dryers that needed fixing; packed sparsely nutritous lunches and headed to Briery Lake. We took over a boat dock, spread out blankets, unfolded chairs and enjoyed the most wonderful day I have had in a long time. There was fish catching & releasing, canoe rides- I am not good at canoeing- and lots of relaxing!

The "Big" Girls. Nichole, Tilly, Caroline & Kiara

The "Little" girls. Abbey & Lilian

They had so much fun fishing with the fish cage!

Me & Sherry

Gregg, Sherry & Paul

Todd

Todd taking the girls for a ride.

Nichole & I on our ill fated canoe ride!
Did I mention I am not good at canoeing?

Kimberly & gals enjoying some nutritous Doritos.

The day ended with a great night. We all went out to eat and played frisbee in the parking lot of a restaurant while waiting for it to open. It's days like these that I count my blessings of family, friends & life.

Blue Ribbon Parade

Our wonderful town was a beautiful sight today with a spectacular array of fall leaves on trees and cheery blue and white balloons & ribbons scattered along King St. All of Keysville came out to honor Eureka Elementary School students and teachers during their Blue Ribbon Parade. Our store sported signs & balloons & lots of bubbles!

Cheerleading 2010

The girls enjoyed their 1st season of Cheerleading! I have to say I'm so glad they tried it, it brought back lots of good memories from my cheerleading days. It was a huge time commitment though, I am glad the season is over & we have a few extra nights at home! I'm very proud of my cheerleaders, they did a great job!

Funny Face Vacation Shots

I'm a sucker for funny shots- here are my favorites from vacation...

Abbey & mom Level 5 smiles!