It's my favorite time of year!
My house smells of cinnamon, and vanilla
Garland is stretched around the doorways
Lights sparkle and glimmer.
The nativity graces the top of the piano
Cookie and candy recipes are beginning to surface from the wooden recipe box
It's been a fantastic couple of days here in the G house
Now take 3 min and 11 seconds and enjoy this fun Christmas tune
Don't you wish it was Christmas today?

2010 Thanksgiving Edition

I am thankful :

For a God who gives me grace, strength during trial and a cup over-flowing with blessings
For a husband who reads over my shoulder while I blog, makes me cry with his hug of love and care, then makes me laugh by spouting off different "words" we could make with only 4 our of the 5 letters of P-E-A-C-E.
For a son that still wants to hold my hand and lets me hold him tight; whose mind is sharp and heart is soft.
For a daughter who challenges me to be more fun and spontaneous; whose passion is intense and imagination larger than life.
For a mom who's grown to be my friend; and who wasn't afraid to not be a friend when that's what I needed.
For the big hugs and random shoulder squeezes from a dad whose love language is time and touch.
For a brother that's honest and realistic and who rules both the office and play time.
For a  sister-in-law that's an amazing mom, aunt and best friend; whose contentment and ease of spirit encourages me to grow.
For a brother I can mentor as he opens himself; who shares his heart, his failures and his joy (I'm so proud of him).
For a girl who's my sister in Christ, who's laughter and faith has brought joy and strength to my afore mentioned brother (I hope to call you sister someday!)
For a best friend who has always been there; and whose prayer and accountability mean the world to me.
For a second family who shares life with us; whose children are as dear to me as my own; and whose friendship is unlike any other and irreplaceable.
For a life group made up of friends who encourage me in the word as we walk in the world.

I'm thankful for our home, a full fridge, cars to get us from here to there, but a life full of "stuff" would be empty without relationship.  Relationship with God, family and friends.
And so while I'm blessed with lots of stuff, mostly it's the people and my God for who I give thanks!

Still

Peppermint ice cream
Hot chocolate and gingersnaps
A bedtime snack perfect for cavity making
Christmas music on
Garland strewn
Stockings up
And still there an empty A
I started thinking about this
No one saw the tears well up in my eyes
I didn't cry
I didn't need to

Dear Santa

I don't recall ever believing in you
I thank my parents for making Christmas about Christ
I'm not against you or anything
But when we walk through the Dollar General and E says
"Maybe Santa will get this for me"
After I've told him, not today, but I'll put in on your list
I'm sincerely annoyed
And
I told him you weren't real
To which he replied
"Oh yes he is mom, I saw him one time at the mall"

For the love of a 5-year old, imagination and reality
Me

Mommy

I watch her dress your wounds
I watch her hurt for you - your pain is her pain
I watch her heart break
She cares for you and she loves you
Knowing your days are numbered
My heart aches for her
So, I take her love for you
And I implant it into my own heart
Two blessings soundly asleep in their beds at home
No fit too big
No attitude too ugly
For all our days are numbered
And if today is the only day I have with you
I want it to be filled with grace, love and you - just the way you are

Dinner Music

Penne pasta, with marinara
Broccoli seasoned and topped with parmesan
Cheesy garlic toast
Three of four heads bowed in prayer
Three of four mouths enjoying the meal
One of four balling, screaming, fit-throwing in her room
Control was regained
And so four or four finished the meal
And played a mean-round of 20-questions

For the love of pasta, drama, and 20-questions,
Me

Confession

He slunk to my side
Head hanging with eyes focused on the floor
He mumbled something I didn't understand
So I stooped to his level
Arms firmly on his shoulders
I asked what's wrong
His tear filled eyes met mine
And in in a whisper he confessed he had broken my necklace
I hugged him
His tears were punishment enough
And I poured out my love for him and my pride in his decision
We walked hand in hand to the bathroom to uncover the damage
He had to riffle through the bag to find it
And I saw the turmoil in his heart...
Already tempted to hide and to lie
But choosing right
So young to feel the pressure of sin
May I guide you in the path of righteousness
And may you always feel lead to let me in

Feathers and jewels

There was no arguing or fighting
Bead after jewel, after puff paint, after feather, after split-pea, after pasta, after pom-pom
We pasted and stuck and arranged
Two turkey's later,
I'm just over-flowing with gratitude to a God who would bless me with this family
They are the feathers in my boa and the jewels in my crown

Charlie's Turkey

Ethan's Turkey

My Turkeys

Love

Their brows furrowed with concern
Bodies empty and exhausted
Minds anxious and filled with worry
A sip of water
A warm blanket
Holding hands
A kiss on the forehead
Hospital beds too small to fit a couple, the cot cuddled up beside will have to do
Eyes watch as the chest struggles to rise and pain embeds the face of the one they love
Nurturing, rocks of strength at the bedside
Crumbling hearts of hurt as they step outside the door
Ready to not
They're not
Death is upon the one they love
Maybe not today
Hopefully
And so they sit,
Still in love, watching them wither away

Flush

Tonight we flushed four hundred dollars down the toilet.  

Four hundred dollars that was reserved for Christmas shopping on Saturday.

Four hundred dollars earned elbow deep in diapers, NG tube feedings and formula, at the cost of sleep
It's hard not to be bummed
But I can do laundry, flush the toilet, run the dishwasher and take a shower all at the same time now!



For the love of modern conveniences ie: indoor plumbing,
Me

Happy Halloween

What cereal do ghosts eat for breakfast ?

-- Boo-berry crunch

What ride does ghosty like the best ?

-- The roller-ghoster

What do you call an empty hot dog who likes halloween ?

-- A happy halloweenie