SNOW

Thanksgiving day it snowed!
What a beautiful site!
I think Ricardo had more fun than the girls. This was the first time he had experienced snow!
J., Ricardo and the girls built a snowman.
They had so much fun!

Catch up!

I must say that life has been a little busy! We've had Halloween and Thanksgiving since my last post. I just couldn't let Christmas sneak by too.
Halloween...
We had a great time at Kooky Karnival (the only St. John's fund raiser of the year)the Saturday before Halloween. We had a great time visiting friends and family on Halloween night. Keely was Tinkerbell and Allison was a Rock Star. I was the queen of hearts once again.


Thanksgiving...
Thanksgiving was a blessed time. There were over 30 people at the house and it snowed (alot). We spent time with family that we have not spent time with in a long time. And there were some that are always here that did not get to come this year. We missed them. It was great to be surrounded by people who love you. We are blessed to have a family that gets along and loves being with each other.
Now...
Tis the Season. Trees are up (3 to be exact and 2 more coming). Presents are bought.... (not all wrapped, any volunteers). Christmas cards sent. Parties attended. Christmas musical performed. Pageants being prepared. Travel arrangements being made. Party being planned. House being cleaned...
Does it end.? I am remembering to not sweat the small stuff and if it doesn't have garland hanging from it....it is ok. The real reason for the season is Jesus!
We give because He gave.

Inspiration

As I grow older, I often wonder if my life is inspiring to anyone. When I listen to the song, Legacy, by Nicole Nordeman, I wonder if you have something nice to say about me. Then I remember that it is not man that I am here to please. (Although it is nice to have a pat on the back now and then. My personality definately thrives on those little "Atta girl" statements. ) I know I am here to serve my Lord and Savior. He is the only one I need to compare myself to. He is the one who is my judge. He is the one I will be spending eternity with. He is the only one that should count. I struggle with letting the Lord be my measuring stick. Not that it is difficult to measure up, but that I love the occasional pat on the back. I have to sit back and be aware of the "pats on the back" the Lord gives me. They are not as evident as the physical ones my friends and family give me.
Even though I love and thrive on receiving praise, it is hard for me to hear compliments and have someone do something nice for me. Strange, I know. I am used to being the one to give the praise and give of myself for others. I very wise friend once told me that if I don't accept the offering of kindness from others, I would be insulting them.
OK. I am stepping out of my box. I am working on it.
My dear friend kept my children while J. and I went out of town. I kept telling her that we owed her.... She continued to say no....
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Whether I like it or not, I am an inspiration to others. Will I know who they are? No, not likely. My reward is with my Father. When I get to heaven I am sure I will see all those people that He has allowed me to "touch".

Addition to the Family

In September we added a new family member. Ricardo came to live with us until Christmas. He is attending Permian High School and is a blessing to us all. He is from Brazil. Living with us is a new experience. In Brazil he has 2 older brothers. Here he is the older brother with 2 younger sisters. He is always so kind to them. He is very bright and so easy to talk to. I tell him all the time that he is just too easy!
Of course, the girls adore him. He is a wonderful young man!




Just before Ricardo came to live with us, Rusty came into our lives. Rusty is a Welsh terrier or something like that. He is a precious dog that our friend Kim Wells found roaming the streets of Odessa. She tried her best to contact the owners, but none were to be found. She knew we were looking for a dog. He was the perfect fit for our family. He comes in while we are home and is outside when we are gone. He has captured the hearts of all who meet him.

Chirstmas is Coming

As I sit and begin planning the holiday, I become a bit overwhelmed at the events and people that demand my time. So... I sit take 10 deep breaths, get out my planner and let my pencil (Not pen, because I am hoping somethings will get erased) begin to fly across the page. I schedule parties, singing engagements, school pageants, church performances, and time with special people. Then It hits me... I am triple booked! UGH! Now time to prioritize!
1. God - need that time to get me through everything else!
2. My family
3. My job (which I love)
4. My friends
5. My church
Wow, that was hard to place them in an order. They all are so important, but when you triple book, and have to choose. It is good to know who or what comes first.
Now on to the Christmas list. I always make a gift giving list and budget, then begin shopping in October (I am a little behind). Thanks to Kathy Firkins, www.kathyfirkins.com , who got me started on the whole holiday planner kick. AND thanks to Julie Brooks for the cute planner design at www.juliejeanbrooks.com . I am well on my way to a stress free ( well from the planning) Holiday.
With all the hullabalu going on during the holiday season, I still remember why we celebrate!
Jesus is my salvation, my hope, my friend, my teacher, and my confidant. I can't imagine where I would be without Him. Thank you Lord for saving my soul. Thank you Lord for giving me hope. Thank you Lord for loving me.

Stretched far and wide

As I was typing the title to this post, I couldn't help think of being stretched physically, getting wider in the stomach, waist, thighs, etc. Well that is not what I mean by being stretched far and wide. Although I have been there and am trying to reverse it!
I feel so torn between the things I want to do, have to do and need to do. There are so many things I want to do, but don't seem to be able to get them done because of the things I have to do and need to do. It seems that the have to and need to list continues to grow daily.
I am struggling with balancing everything.
Lord,
Help me to prioritize my life. Make the important things in the forefront and the small less important things in the back. Help me to feel like a good mom, wife, teacher, friend.

Creativity - Finally

I finally got to sit down with a friend and CASE a planner. I needed the planner so bad. I cased it from my friend Julie Brooks. www.juliejeandesigns.com
I had so much fun sitting down watching a movie and doing something productive... And it wasn't folding clothes!
I love my planner and can't wait to use it to it's full capacity.

Life Changes

We became new parents on Saturday. Ricardo from Brazil came to live with us. In addition to Ricardo, we added a new puppy to our household. Rusty is a cutie!
We are adjusting to adding another person to our home. He is a delight to have and feel very blessed to have him as a part of our family.

First Thoughts

I feel that I am entering a new world. I am entering deeper into the computer age. I realize daily that I am losing touch with technology. I am becoming the old person that is out of touch with modern technology and doesn't even know how to hook up the cable. I am trying to change that. I am becoming someone I said I would never become.