Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Good Morning! Now, we have a little issue here.

Who got a hold of the nog??? Hmm???? Coti The reindeer must have hijacked the paper cup and chewed the lid for that last tasty nib.

Well, the mystery shall never be resolved. So, we shall proceed with the first gift. The tradition is to open one gift before breakfast, and that had to be one she could use right away. She went to show Mama so we could take out Coti with the bike.

Let’s try out this bell and wake up the neighborhood as we walk Coti. Yes!

After this we worked up our appetite for reindeer pancakes. This was kind of stressful because A. They were to be coconut pancakes and quite healthy and I wondered if mom would like them. B. Could I make them round for the face? C. Would it all come together with the eyes, nose and mouth, antlers etc… and D. Would it stay hot so mom would not nuke them as she seems to always do when I do not make it burning hot. I overcame my anxieties and ……

my mom looked it me confused: Stephanie, these are delicious. The weight of the world left my shoulders. Hooray!

After the silliness….

Coffee and Jingle Bells (I’ve been practicing daily),

It was time for the TREE unveiling and stockings.

Tatum has the Three Bears and I’ve always had Hansel and Gretel. Notice Coti’s stocking is overflowing.

Now, the gifts. Shall we go for a trip to see what she got?

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Tatum, now you can truly SEE every little detail.

And, I finally agreed she could get her ears pierced. I gave her a special pair of my earrings. They are real gold and small diamonds. They’ll go in her ears AFTER the piercing has occurred.

She got a mascot from GCU: GO LOPES!

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Coti, are you having fun yet?

Ok, it’s your turn. That little bear will last the day.

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Mama got some cozy slippers from Tot, and mom got me a nice check so I can buy something special.

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Thank you, Mama!

A few more fun gifts for Tot. A cool logic game called Rush Hour and a nice little skating necklace. OH, and GIZMO! The neatest remote control car ever!

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It was time for Doug to come and visit. We gave him a PVCP shirt and she got lots of fun gifts from him. One is a scooter!! The wheels even light up!

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We headed to Kelly and James. Kelly gave her a fun advent tree. They had fun building it.

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Dinner was delicious! James, Morgi and Nyla had it fixed up well.

The best part of the day was just being with family and celebrating his PRESENCE. He truly brings PEACE to this earth. Peace with God, Peace with ourselves, and Peace with others. May we remember this through the year.

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.