Month: December 2018

Tatum and I looked forward to a great day of the anticipation of not only Santa but of course Jesus!
We started the day with finishing the Advent Calendar. I had nothing to do with the placement of all the characters in the Nativity scene, as she did it all!

Baby Jesus was placed in the manger. He has been born (or will be tonight!)

The rest of the day was us just getting ready for the various plans for tomorrow. (Really Santa wrapping presents and trying to be discrete). While Santa did this, Tatum did her usual.

Her kids enjoyed a story about Rudolph. She would periodically ask me why were there presents in the corner, and I would brush it off as to say that they were for different people. Thank goodness my daughter does not peak and snoop. I was not so angelic I’m sure.

Anyway, we got ready for Christmas Eve and getting to see Doug and his family at Craig’s (his brother’s house). We relish our pictures, but honestly, at the moment, the taking of the pictures is not relishing. hah!

Finally we were off to Craig and Terri’s. Tatum had made them a picture of Baby Jesus.

When we got there, we got to meet Nathan and Kelsie’s boy, Ender. (Nathan is Craig’s son.) What fun they had! Terri had fun being goofy with them as they opened fun presents.

How cute are they? Tatum is six and Ender is 3 yet they are the same size.

Well, the smoked ham was delightful, and Doug’s salad was amazing as usual. We headed home in time to get Santa’s cookies and Almond nog ready.

Right by the chimney.

Hopefully Santa can make it to the tree and unload ALL the presents!

May you have a peaceful sleep my love!

Tatum had the idea to draw a cherry picture which is very cheery!

We have a neighbor who just lost her husband, so we will cheer her up with a picture and visit. 

Jesus would say that when we help others, we are serving Jesus. I find that when we are serving, we are not thinking of our own “stuff.” We are loving others and caring for their needs. In that, we are serving HIM and outpouring the love HE has first given us.

It is MUCH better to give than receive. I know this because I always feel joy when I give; my needs diminish.

So, Day 6 is always a fun day.

We will make 8 bags filled with socks, sustenance and an encouraging word that Jesus Loves You and God Bless You. No matter where you are, who you are, what you’ve done, God loves you completely and totally. He does not make junk. You are His child. 

May the one who receives this bag soak in this message and apply it to his/her life. 

I started going to a new hairdresser for haircuts, and I love her. The thing is…she is expensive. But, so worth it. I figured, it was time for Tatum to have a real haircut. She is modeling for me her needs here. 

Tatum…is that you?

Houston, we have a problem. I have lost her. 

Brandy to the rescue. 

Now, she didn’t need a highlight; lucky girl…that is her real color.

She likes it so much. So ready that she wants to ride her bike. 

I love it mommy. Thank you! (and thank you, Brandy!)

So we gathered games and toys for both days.

She was ready to get rid of these. Then, she decided to read to her kids because she never can get rid of her books.

Then this toy. I know my spelling mommy.

A great day of giving to St. Vincents. 

I think the hardest thing about being a parent is not wanting to see your child suffer. This feeling of wanting to take on the pain must be what God feels for us, His children. He took upon the pain of sin and gives us the freedom from being bound to our own sin, but He cannot remove all struggle and suffering because we still live in a fallen world. ALSO, we must also learn and grow from our struggles so that we can produce character.  “and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:4)

Oh may it be.

You see, my sweet girl experiences struggles through her incessant coughing, her constantly running nose, her other not to mention issues that are in her body. Plus she gets boo-boos constantly. Daily. She experiences injustice from friends, and sometimes she is even the instigator of this which is hard to hear. But, it’s all part of her journey of growing and learning….experiencing. KNOWING that there is something wrong. We all have this sinful nature in us and we all have sinful bodies (that get sick!). What is the answer to all of this? What could it be? It’s a NEED we all have. A NEED for a savior to be free from this sin. We need forgiveness; a way to be forgiven and live in glorious gratitude of this freedom. 

I’m here for you, Tot. I’m here to pick you up, encourage you, be your biggest cheerleader. I cannot remove any of it, but I can guide you through. You know what will happen? You’ll become a more compassionate, strong, loving girl because you’ve been there done that. 

You are my favorite person to be with in how much joy you bring me; You become my teacher by watching you grow and learn. I learn how much God loves me by how much I love you. 

This year, I would get there an hour early. Why? Because the line winds around the park multiple times. Mom and Tot would meet me when the train boards. So, I made friends with my line mates, had great conversations (especially with a nice legal immigrant mommy who just moved her from the Middle East), and enjoyed being first in line for the first train. It also was not cold this year (although I was dressed for snow ha!)

Here they come!

On board and ready!

We had to take a picture with the “nosey” train!

We always enjoy our train park experience. It lights up our Christmas.