Friday Five

1. Got THIS BOOK today.  Can’t wait to get started!!  I love breaking chains and being set free!!
2. Can’t wait to watch THIS MOVIE with my KISA tonight.
3. Sunday night I’ll be pulling for THIS TEAM to win the Super Bowl.  But I must confess… I really only watch for the cool commercials!
4. HEROES comes back Monday! (Insert eerie little chime-like chords here.)
5. Got an AWESOME Valentines’ book give-away (Sneak Preview) coming next week!   Stay tuned…

So what’s on tap for your weekend?? 

Whatever it is… HAVE A GOOD ONE!

Sisterhood Challenge Report

Okay. I got nothin’.

Well, actually I do. But it probably would not be appropriate to share here on the ‘ole blawg.

Maybe I can reduce how I’m feeling to one word.

…I’m pretty sure my Mama “created” this word when we were little, and would get under her skin.

“AGGRAPROVOKED”.

Yup. That’s it. That’s me, today.

I didn’t weigh-in (literally or figuratively) last Wednesday due to my “Post Snow Day Injury”, but when I weighed on Saturday, I had lost another 1.5 pounds from the week previous.

Today, not only have I NOT LOST any more, but somehow, in 3 short days, I have managed to GAIN back one of those pounds. (Total loss thus far = 5 pounds.)

Then there’s that nasty little voice in my head that says “Uh… I thought the scale was supposed to go BACKWARDS, not forwards, Su-Z-Q!”

Darn him, that little Jimminy Cricket!

But, oh, how I need him, too! Because he’s also the one that says, “Alright Girlfriend, so you had a bad week. Get back up, dust yourself off, and get right back in that saddle. You can do it!! Now, what do we need to work on this week?”

I could answer that question in many ways. I could say that I need to drink more water. Exercise. Count points, or exchanges. (Etc… etc… etc…)

But here’s the real deal. What I need to work on this week is my RESOLVE.

Do I really want to change? Do I really want to LOOK better and FEEL better and BE a HEALTHY example for my children?

My heart resounds a bellowing YES!!

So here we go.

Jimminy and me.

Picking up, dusting off, and climbing back in the saddle again!

"Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
(Galatians 6:9)

Daily Bread

Last week, in this post, I shared a prescription that I felt God was/is laying on my heart in regard to negative thinking.

I’m reading through the book The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. In it, I am constantly reminded of the fact that I need to REPLACE negative thoughts and RENEW my mind DAILY.  One of the best ways to do this is through reading and memorizing scripture. 

I’m reminded of a visual given by Beth Moore in Breaking Free.  She said we literally have to strip our minds of the negative thoughts, like we would strip wallpaper.  Once we have all the ugly, negative, destructive things out of our heads, we can replace them with something new… something fresh.  What could be fresher than the Word itself?

I don’t know about you, but I could read the same passage over again each day, and glean something new from it.  The Word truly is ALIVE and it interacts with us WHERE WE ARE… in THAT MOMENT.

I also remember another quote from Beth Moore (I believe it’s from the A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place study.)  Teaching from the book of Exodus, she was talking about the children of Israel, and how God provided manna for them to eat.  According to God’s word, the children of Israel were not allowed to collect any more manna than was needed for THAT day.  If they tried, it would rot.

“When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was.     

Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.' "

The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.

Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning."

However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.”  (Exodus 16:14-21)

Beth went on to say that the Bible, the Word of God, is also known as The Bread of Life.  Like the manna that fell on the ground for His people all those years ago, God intends for us to “collect” a fresh helping of His Word each day.  What I partake of today is to help me in THIS DAY.  I can’t store up yesterday’s bread; it will be stale and of no use. I’ll need something new for what he has prepared for me tomorrow. 

He knows exactly what I need… exactly when I need it.  And He provides according to that need.

That being said, I  have made the decision to wake up every morning, and collect my manna -- my fresh word -- for that day.  I cannot “store up” for tomorrow, neither can I “stretch out” what was given yesterday, and make it work for today. 

I am currently reading through the New Testament, using this plan, and I am journaling through those scriptures each day using the SOAP Method (as outlined by Wayne Cordiero in The Divine Mentor).  I have also taken the challenge issued by none other than the “Mama Siesta”, Beth Moore herself, to memorize 24 passages of scripture by the end of this year.  (That’s two a month, or one every two weeks, using the 1st and the 15th of each month as your goal. She offers a great tutorial, here, on how to work towards committing scripture to memory.) 

I am a little behind, but that’s okay.  The point is to use this challenge to aid me in doing what God himself has already admonished me to do…  and that is to “Take every thought captive”.

In closing, I’d like to share the verse I am working on now…

“And such were some of you.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”  (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Or as my “Scripture Prayer Card” translates it:

Dear God,

No matter what I once was, I have been washed, I have been sanctified, and I have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God!

The devil constantly tries to attack my mind by reminding me of past indiscretions and failures.  Whether they be ten years ago, or ten minutes ago, I am constantly thinking that these sins will keep me from being who he wants me to be today.  This is the thought I am battling: “You think you can do (fill in the blank) but you can’t.  Need I remind you of (this, that or the other)?”  But it’s a LIE.  And I must treat it as such.

No matter what I once was… I am clean, and I am worthy.  For I am HIS.

I heard a pastor say once, “When the devil tries to remind you of your past, just remind him of his future.”

Mmmmm.  I just love the smell of fresh bread.  Don’t you?

Seven Things I Learned Last Week

1)  My South Carolina babies can never get their fill of SNOW! 

2)  I love my gas logs!  (Great for thawing kiddies on snow days.)

3)  Always check for ice on steps the day after it snows.

4)  Falling on icy steps (flat on your fanny) can be quite painful.

5) Bruises can be multi-colored, very large, and shaped like the state of Texas.

6) If you fall on ice, and sustain a multi-colored bruise the size/shape of Texas, you will not be able to sit for at least two days.

7) Laughter (especially at yourself) is the best medicine!

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Diagnosis:  I have a huge problem letting the conviction of the Spirit in my life turn into condemnation from the enemy.  Whenever I make mistakes, instead of praying for God’s forgiveness and His wisdom in how I may correct them, I just sit and stew over what an idiot I am, and “how could I have acted like that”, etc… etc…

I know that this is a problem because of what these verses have to say:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

As I was praying and meditating over these this morning, I asked God to give me a prescription for this illness.  How do I stop this nonsense, and quit beating myself up?  How do I get these condemning thoughts out of my head?

Immediately this verse came to mind:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

I put this precious little nugget to memory a couple years back, when I read Breaking Free, by Beth Moore.  I know that in order to BREAK FREE of these shackles of condemnation, I must TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE.

But how? 

I began to pray, “I hear you, Lord… and I appreciate this gentle reminder.  But HOW?  Remind me of HOW I am supposed to do this.  Please Jesus, I need a practical intervention here, and I need it NOW!” 

This is what my merciful and generous Healer gave to me…

Prescription:

1.  RENEW my mind:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

2.  REPLACE the thoughts: 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

3.  REQUEST His Peace:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

4.  REST in Jesus:

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength… (Isaiah 30:15)

I realize that it is generally a bad idea to share prescriptions.  In the real world, it’s extremely dangerous.  But I believe that this particular malady may be quite an epidemic among believers, and if I have something that can help you from going where I’ve gone, and doing what I’ve done, and feeling what I’ve felt, shouldn’t I offer it? 

I think the Great Physician is okay with that, don’t you? 

So go ahead, take these meds (along with me) and call Him every morning!

 

** P.S.**

I’d like to send out a special “Thank You” to some pretty awesome prayer warriors (you know who you are) that went to the throne on my behalf last night.  I directly felt your prayers, and believe that this break-through is a direct result of them.  You all are SO precious to me!!

Snow Day! (Continued)

TWO MORE:

For your very much viewing pleasure…

Snow Day - Part 3 from Chris Reeder on Vimeo.

Snow Day - Finale from Chris Reeder on Vimeo..

Again, sorry about the lousy camera work. 

…and where in the world did that DEEP southern accent come from??  I assure you I didn’t sound like that when I was growing up in the big metropolis of Columbia! 

Must be what happens when you marry a guy from L.A. (LAncaster, SC or Lower Alabama – take your pick!) and move to Flo-town! ;-)

Snow Day!

WARNING:  I’m not that great of a videographer.  You may need to get your barf bags ready if you had problems with the Blair Witch Project! (he he!) ;-)

None-the-less, here is my best attempt to capture some of the fun of our day:

 

Snow Day 2009 from Chris Reeder on Vimeo.

Snow Day 2009 - Part Two from Chris Reeder on Vimeo.

My Girl

Nine years ago today, I did something I never thought I would do. I gave birth to a precious baby girl that I could call my own. She was so fragile, so beautiful, and brought SO MUCH JOY to my life!

She was SUCH a good baby! She pretty much ate and slept on schedule, and hardly ever cried! (Except when we rode in the car. She absolutely HATED her car seat for the first few months!)

Every night before putting her to bed, I would sing her lullabies. One of my favorite songs to sing to her was called “Sweetest Little Baby”. I learned it from my Mom; I listened closely when she’d rock my little sister to sleep. The lyrics went a little like this:

Sweetest little baby,

everybody knows.

They don’t know what to call her,

She’s mighty like a rose.

Looking at her Mommy,

with eyes so shiny blue

makes you think that Heaven

is coming close to you.

When she is a sleeping

in her little place,

Think I see the angels

peeping through the lace.

When the darkness deepens

and the shadows creep,

Everybody tiptoes

to kiss her in her sleep.

I am so proud of my “sweet little baby” and of the beautiful young lady she is becoming. Her heart is so big and full of love and concern for others. She is constantly asking if she can make cards or pictures for her friends/teachers to encourage them. She recently made one of her classmate’s day by bringing in a hand-made birthday card on his birthday.

She is extremely smart, and VERY talented. She loves to sing and play piano. Her heart beats to write poems and songs, and perform them for us. She’s also very creative. She likes to make cards and crafts, and is always working on some type of “artsy” project. This year in school, she made a clay model of one of the diagrams that the teacher had on the board for Math class. The teacher loved it so much, she had Emilee instruct the class on how to each make their own!

Em is also quite techno-savvy. (How could she NOT be, right?) She loves to play with her Webkinz and exchange emails with her friends and family. She keeps asking when she can have her own blog. Uh… yeah. I’m definitely NOT ready for that, yet!

Being the only girl, and “The Princess” as we call her, has made her into a force to be reckoned with at times… but we wouldn’t trade her for the world!

It’s hard for me to believe that she is nine years old. It seems like only yesterday that the nurse laid her in my arms and everyone in the room said how she looked just like me. (Not much has changed there!) Her eyes were so bright and her skin was like porcelain. She was just a little rosebud.

Somehow we’ve moved from tea parties, teddy bears and Dora, to High School Musical, MP3s, and cosmetics. This year she asked for a “Makeover” party. WOW! My little rosebud is growing up!

And I am honored to be along for the ride. To be chosen to be the one to nurture and tend this little flower. May she grow and bloom into a most beautiful rose, to the honor and glory of her Father in heaven!

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY, Sweet Emilee!!

MAMA LOVES YOU OH SO MUCH!!!

I’ve Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

For those of you that didn’t know, I’ve been cooped up since Thursday.  And NOT just because of the frigid temps, either!  Emilee, Jacob, and I started exhibiting some “flu-like symptoms”  and have pretty much been bed-ridden since. (Well, they made a palette w/ sleeping bags on the living room floor, but trust me… now that the real fever has broken, cabin-fever has definitely set in.)

So, after feeling crummy for three straight days, and feeling emotionally wigged-out, as well…

I walked into the kitchen last night to fix myself yet another cup of hot tea, and this was waiting for me:

Sam Loves Mama from Chris Reeder on Vimeo.

Just had to share my Sunshine with you, today!! Isn’t he just the CUTEST!?!?

Especially since now, on top of the cold air, we have RAIN!  You’d think we could at least get a little SNOW out of this, eh??  

Oh well, THIS definitely brightened my horizon… ;-)

Hope you all have a super SUNDAY!

My New Sisters

In case you missed it, last week I decided to join the ranks of this group:

The time had come. Once and for all, I had to face facts.  My jeans are shrinking!  In fact, if was to REALLY be honest with myself, I would have to admit that my jeans have been shrinking quite consistently for about a year now. 

And I’ve had enough of it!! NO. MORE.

This “Sister” worked  WAY TOO HARD about two years ago to lose 35+ pounds (on my way to 50) to let it come back and STAY.

I’ve been on a downhill spiral for quite a while, and I have talked myself into “starting over” at least twelve times in the past year. With no results.  But when I saw some pictures that had been tagged of me over Christmas on Facebook, I was horrified.  I had to do something!  “A little less talk and a lot more action” was desperately needed!

I decided to take the FlyLady’s advice and implement “baby steps”.  As I master each one, I add another. 

The first step was a quite literal one.  Up on the scales I went!  Needless to say, I was thoroughly disgusted with myself, but this was the motivation I needed to “get back on the wagon”.

I made the first change right away. I automatically stopped drinking sodas (even diet) and started back on my water (6-8 glasses per day) regimen.

The next step was to start eating a healthy breakfast each day (egg, whole wheat toast, fruit).  I’d done that for four days before I joined “The Sisterhood”, so when I weighed-in Friday morning to get my start weight for this challenge, I had already lost 2.5 pounds!

This week, my friend Tammi and I challenged each other to exercise 5x for at least 30 minutes each.  I am happy to say that I’m already 3/5 of the way there, and we don’t check back in until Friday!  I’m even happier to report that this has resulted in another 1.5 pounds GONE! 

That’s FOUR total! 

My goal for next week is to keep going on the water, healthy breakfast, and exercise plan, and ADD no snacking after 8 pm.  We’ll see where that gets me. 

For now, I’ll leave you with the immortal words of Miss London Tipton: “YAY ME!!”

And a HUGE THANKS goes out to my new sisters (and brothers) for the much needed motivation and encouragement.  So glad I found you!

P.S. It’s not too late to join in!! Come on over to ShrinkingJeans.net and check it out! 

What’s Going on in Your World?

…It sure is BUSY in mine! ;-)

Here’s a glimpse of my To-Do list for this week.  (Per RTM – tried to do a screen shot, but KISA isn’t here to help me!)

1. Laundry!! (With three kids, this stays at the top of my list!)
2. Clean out my closet.
3. Clean out Emilee’s closet.
4. Make sure Revolution LifeGroup Meal happens.  This week: Hot Dogs!
5. Handle church correspondence.
6. Shore up plans for Emilee’s Birthday Party on Saturday.
7. Shop for birthday gift(s) and party supplies.
8. Clean the house in prep for B-day party.
9. Plan Family Night.
10. Have Family Night (Friday) and Birthday Party (Saturday).

As I sit here trying my darndest to crank out a cute, quippy little blog post, the only thing that comes to my mind is the list you see above.  So, instead of forcing myself, I’m just gonna give in, and start tackling that list!

But!  Before you think I’m leaving you "high and dry”, let me suggest a few blogs for you to visit today. 

Sue @ Praise and Coffee is conducting a little questionnaire.

Dee Dee is diving into the Word.

Anne has an AWESOME give-away going on over at her blog.

Brandi has a book for you.

There’s a new Church Planting Wives blog to check out,

and last, but not least:

Our friend Jay could use your (continued) prayers.

Go ahead!  No need to wait around on me… I’ll be back soon. 

If not, call 9-1-1… I’ve probably been avalanched in one of those two closets mentioned above!

Lemonade and Link Love

My sweet friend Cathy honored me with this award over the weekend.

The Lemonade Award:

Rules:
1.  You must link back to the person you received the award from.
2.  You have to nominate 10 bloggers who show great attitude and/or gratitude.

THANK YOU CATHY!! I am HONORED!  When life hands me lemons, I’d much rather make lemonade than look like I’ve been sucking them all day! ;-)

Here are my nominations:

1. Alycia’s Treasures
2. Carolina Mama
3. Cookie Cawthon
4. Down on the Farm
5. Forever His
6. Frankly Miss Scarlet…
7. Lori Dulaney
8. Praise and Coffee
9. TechnoNana
10. Valley Girl

 

Every single one of these ladies has a GREAT attitude, and TONS of grattitude!  Check them out anytime you need some encouragement or inspiration to KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON!

 

ALSO:

If you live in Flo-town (or even if you’re just planning a visit) you should check out the Florence Flossip.  This mystery connoisseur of all things Florentine always has some great recommendations!  She may even be able to explain the mystery of “The First Loop”! ;-)

Family Night #1 – 2009 Edition

If you’ve been reading my blog at all in the last 5+ months, you’ll know that Family Nights are a pretty regular occurrence around the Reeder House.  We don’t necessarily follow a “weekly” agenda, but I do strive to have at least two each month.  (In case you’ve missed it, you can read all about them here.)

We’ve technically already had the first FN of the year, with our New Year’s Rock Around the Clock party, but Emillee said that I “didn’t OFFICIALLY call that a Family Night, and it didn’t ACTUALLY happen on a FRIDAY night” (our most common by far).  With that being said, here’s our FIRST Family Night post of 2009.

Because we don’t see much snow here in the Pee Dee, (the last real amount we had that closed school, and provided more than an hour of two of fun, was back in January of 2000) we decided to make our own. 

Our theme for last night:  LET IT SNOW!

While I was in the kitchen cooking a hearty “cold weather meal” of homemade Chicken Pot Pie, KISA and the kids created snowflakes using white paper and scissors.  (Yep!! The trusted “grade-school” method worked GREAT!)

 

 

After supper, we created our own snowmen using Styrofoam balls, pipe-cleaner, and puff balls in various sizes.  (I found a little craft kit at Wal-Mart for $3.97 – minus the Styrofoam, it came separate).  This was a HUGE hit!  We didn’t have enough supplies for everyone in the family to participate, so Chris opted to be Sam’s helper, and ended up helping the rest of us, as well. We even made a miniature of Nick the Cat!

The craft kit even included “eyes”.  Here’s a shot of the kids goofing off with some of them.

Then we cleaned up our craft mess, put on our PJ’s and had dessert and a movie.  (No Reeder Family night would be complete without a flick!) ;-)

I had delusions of grandeur regarding making these for dessert, but since we’d already “crafted-out”, I opted for these instead. (On a real snow day, we’d have made some snow cream, so these were the next best thing!)

I’d hoped to show Happy Feet as our movie for the night, but the kids vetoed me, and we ended up with this one.

All in all, it was a very fun (and quite inexpensive) night of quality time with the kids. Even if the “snow” was fake…we had a ball playing in it!  Maybe will get some real snow before the winter’s up.  We’re WAY overdue in my estimation!

Do you have family nights?  If so, what’d you plan for this week?  Leave a comment and let me know… (I love getting new ideas!)

Friday Five – First of 2009

1. Since one of my New Year’s “non-resolutions” is to be more organized, KISA has introduced me to Remember the Milk.  I LOVE IT!!  I have had one of the most productive weeks of my life thanks to these email and Twitter reminders.  If you’re a scatter-brain like me, you should really check it out!
2. Speaking of “organized”… this week I have re-organized and cleaned out my desk, revamped schedules and calendars for the New Year, and cleaned out the boys’ closet to make room for Christmas gifts.  I hope to get Em’s closet done today, and mine and KISA’s next week.  It may take me ALL WEEK in that “black hole”, but I am bound and determined to “Git ‘er done”!
3. Another one of my goals this year is to a develop a more consistent prayer life.  Since making this goal, I found a wonderful challenge over at Bring the Rain.  Angie has started (back in November) a 7x7 program in which you pray seven prayers a day, seven days a week, over your children.  It’s an awesome idea.  I realize I’m a little behind on this one, but it’s never too late to start a good thing!
4. My quiet times this week have ROCKED!! It’s amazing how HE SPEAKS TO US when we will just BE STILL and LISTEN!  I am using a Bible reading guide through the New Testament (the 5x5x5 one found here), and am thinking of embarking on a deeper type study, as well.  I’m considering doing Esther by Beth Moore. I’d be going through it alone, without the video teaching, but I’d really like a little more “meat” in my spiritual diet. Let me know what you think. 
5. I’m already thinking of posts for next week regarding books I’m reading (or wish to read) in 2009, and one of my tricks for staying organized. (Thanks to Jason and Brandi for the inspiration!) I am also seriously considering doing a special series in February. SO stay tuned…

If you’d like to keep up with all the latest happenings here at Truly Captivating, you can subscribe by either email or RSS.

Have a great weekend, y’all!

*************** UPDATE ****************

 

Shortly after I saved this to draft, my friend the ValleyGirl sent this link via IM.  I am SO in!  Wanna join me?!?!  Let’s do this thang!

Reinventing Christmas Wrap-Up

This has been such a fun carnival! Thanks so much Tammi for thinking of it, not to mention hosting it for us! You really inspired me to re-think some things this Christmas, and I love you for it! (Well, I love you, anyway…but, well… Oh, let’s just get on with the post, shall we?)

For the teacher gifts this year, I decided to get creative. Then I changed my mind. A little. In my original post, I suggested things like baking cookies, or some type of tea/cocoa mix to place in festive canisters. Well, I simplified things a bit. I found the cutest latte mugs at Wal-Mart (really inexpensive…I think they were only like $1.50/ea) and purchased one for each teacher. Then I rolled my buggy on over to the candy aisle, and bought a couple bags each of Hersheys’ Hugs and Kisses. I figured what teacher couldn’t use a coffee mug (even if they just use it to store pencils!) or enjoy a five-minute “chocolate vacation” every once in a while! I mean, it always works for me! Plus, you have the added insinuation of love through “hugs” and “kisses” to boot! Voila!

I wanted to do something special for the grandparents and great-grandparents this year. Since we were focusing on “presence” rather than “presents”, and all but one of these dear-hearts lives out of town, I tried to think of a way that we could be with each day, all year long. That lead me to my Snapfish account to create a photo calendar (Sorry! Didn’t get any pics of this, and I can’t figure out how to “share” mine from the site, but you can use the link to create your own!). It took a little longer than I expected, but it was truly a labor of love, and you should have seen the eyes light up when they were opened!

Nana & Papa (my parents), and Gigi & PawPaw (KISA’s parents) not only received these calendars (yes, Mom… I ordered you one!), but another special gift. I found the most beautiful collage frames marked for clearance at Kirkland’s. I purchased one for each home, and filled them with pictures of the children. (Again, I used Snapfish to order the prints/sizes and simply picked them up at the local Walgreen’s an hour later!) The one for Chris’ parents was full of random shots of the children throughout the past year.

My parents’ was a little more specific. Since we have spent summer vacation with them every year for the past ten years, and since this year’s plans are up in the air due to the economy/finances and the fact that we are planning a wedding, I decided to fill their frame with pics of all the grandkids from Ocean Isle Beach 2008. They both turned out great, and all the parents were ecstatic over these! (Beats pajamas any day, right Papa?)

For our children, we made sure that Santa brought them THREE very special gifts each from their Wish Lists, but Mom and Dad were very practical this year. They got clothes. (Trust me, the boys were thrilled! NOT!) I found some really great deals at Target and JC Penney, and was able to get them all an outfit each, and still stay within the budget! The way these kids are growing out of things, this gift was desperately needed (whether the boys liked it or not)!

We also gave them each a bath set including, shampoo, bath-foam, and little faux “electric” razors (made from rubbery plastic) that squirt! They’ve had a ball with those. AND… because we absolutely have to pass on (continue propagating) the computer gene, they each got a Webkinz pet to add to their collection. (I think this made three pets apiece!)

The kids and I always bake a red-velvet cake in honor of Jesus’ birthday on Christmas day, but with all of the activity, we weren’t able to have our own celebration. So we took the cake with us in the van to Columbia, and had our own Birthday Party for Jesus (Em’s idea, she loved the one we did as a church so much, she wanted to do it again!) at my parent’s house on Christmas night, after dinner. It worked out perfectly, because just after dinner, while the children were playing, my Dad lead a little reflection time inspired by Rick Warren’s The Purpose of Christmas. Each adult at the table was asked to answer two questions: 1) What are you most thankful for in 2008?, and 2) What will you give Jesus in 2009? It was a very special time of sharing, that I hope will become a lasting tradition for years to come.

We also RECIEVED some pretty special gifts this year as well. Gigi and PawPaw blessed us with a family gift of Guitar Hero World Tour. Now this was a pretty expensive gift, but they gave it to us as a family (instead of buying Chris and I the regular clothing and such) and we were SO EXCITED! This will provide HOURS of family entertainment for US and the children! It was quite a surprise.

My SIL and BIL also blessed us by taking me at my word. When I said in this post, that I would bawl like a baby if I ever received one of these, I meant it! They sponsored a well in honor of us and our children!! HOW SPECIAL IS THAT!?!?! (Thank you so much Misty & Chris! We will cherish this “gift of life” forever!)

And finally, my parents did their own little “creative framing project”. They took the program from Chris’ ordination service and had it framed for us! It was a beautiful program chronicling our time at SFBC and poems for the Pastor and the Pastor’s Wife. I was touched when I saw it for the first time at the service, and even more so when I unwrapped this priceless gift.

I think that’s about it. (If you missed my pre-Christmas update, you can check it out here.)

The very best part of it all is that I got my Christmas Wish, too. When KISA asked me back in November what I wanted for Christmas (the two of us decided not to exchange presents this year) I said:

“I only want one thing. That is for us all to be together, and be happy… and have the best Christmas ever!”

And you know what? We did!

Dreams for a New Year

 

KISA and I were doing a little reflecting the other night, and he posed this question:

“What are your New Year’s Resolutions for 2009?”

Without giving it much thought, I quipped…

“I only have one.  It’s not to make any.”

Trust me when I say that it’s not because I don’t NEED to make some changes.  I do.  In a BIG way.  It’s just because I HATE failing…or feeling like I’ve failed.  And every time I break one of those silly little things (which I inevitably do) I feel like a failure.  There, I said it.

Even as I was pondering over things, trying to decide what I may call these goals/changes other than “resolutions”,  my friend Lori (formerly known as Laurel Wreath) decided to present the same question on her blog, only worded a little differently.

“Instead what are your HOPES, your DREAMS, or your DESIRES for 2009?”

Oh yeah, I like that MUCH BETTER! 

Why?  Because we NEED to dream.  I think this verse says it all:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…”  (Proverbs 29:18)

I believe that God wants us to dream.  To plan… to hope.  After all, He dreams for us:

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to PROSPER you and not to harm you… plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

The key here, is to get on board with GOD’S VISION for our lives, and make our plans accordingly.

That being said, I believe that it is God’s will for me to be HEALTHY…physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  That is why I have set these goals for 2009:

• Adopt a fitness plan.  This includes both eating right (whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean meats and cheeses), and exercise (at least 30 minutes) 3-5 times per week.  My lack of energy and stamina most likely stems from the extra weight that I have allowed to creep back on over the past year.  No more!  I’ve done it before, and I can do it again.  This time I will KEEP it off!
• Get Organized.  (Much of the chaos of my mind and emotions, I feel, stems from my lack of organization.  I am taking the month of January to clean-out the clutter and reorganize my home.  I started this weekend by rearranging my living room, and creating a “reading nook”.  I also cleaned out my desk better known as “command central”.)  So if you don’t see me blogging very much this month, you’ll know it’s because I am spending lots of time with my new friend, The Fly Lady!
• Spend more time ALONE with God.  I’ve gotten really good at “time on the go”, but I want to make more of an effort to BE STILL in prayer in before Him, STUDY HIS WORD, and rekindle the intimacy I’ve been missing.  I’ve started making progress in this area by adopting a Bible Reading Plan, and setting my clock forty-five minutes earlier each morning. 
• Be a better wife, mother, and friend.  God has blessed my life with so many wonderful people, and it’s high time I start showing my appreciation for that.  To not just be “a presence” but PRESENT in my children’s lives.  To date my KISA.  To chat with friends over coffee. 

I desire to do these things, not just for me… but for HIM.  I want to do a better job living out my tagline…

“Shining my light…reflecting His glory”.

What are your dreams and desires for this year?  I’d love for you to leave a comment and share them with me!

Holiday Pictures 2008

Sorry I’ve been slack about posting pics.  Even now, I am going to take a short-cut. ;-)

Beneath each “teaser” below you will find a link to KISA’s Facebook profile for the corresponding picture album.

New Years Eve Rock Around the Clock Party 

Click HERE for more!

 

More Christmas w/ Holladays (kinda “punny” isn’t it?!?)

 

Checking out their loot…

 

and finding surprises.

More Christmas Morning pics HERE

 

Grandma & Grandpa w/ all the great-grands!

More Christmas Eve – Allen Family

 

Opening gifts…

and posing w/ “cheese”!!

More Christmas w/ Reeders

 

I think that about does it.  ;-)

2008 definitely ended with lots of love and laughter… 

Here’s to more of the same in 09!