moments

time is a very precious gift--
so precious that it is only given to us
moment by moment.

~amelia barr

overwhelmed

from the middle of november to the beginning of january is always a bit of a blur to me.

colin's birthday leads right into thanksgiving.
the day after thanksgiving is practically christmas now.
christmas production at church.
school christmas, excuse me, winter holiday, things.
one extended family christmas get-together.
visits to those before christmas that we won't be able to see at christmas.
our immediate family christmas together.
another extended family christmas get-together followed by another the next morning.
a few days to pick up and do laundry and do 'normal' things.
new year's eve and new year's day
which leads right into carter's birthday.
and finally back to school and 'normal' again.

at the moment, it seems like a bit much. it is overwhelming.
looking at the list reminds me of how intentional we have to be to really stop and look at what christmas is truly all about.
looking at the list reminds me of how God put so many things together to truly celebrate and i better not miss that opportunity in the middle of the busyness.

the joy of my youngest son and all that God put into him--his sweet spirit and energy and drive and humor...
taking time to remember all that there is to be thankful for.
the opportunity to serve in a church body and to reach out to others.
a wonderful school that does all kinds of things to encourage our kids in learning and growth.
family and friends that we love and that love us.
a chance for my family to share and give to each other.
A MOMENT TO STOP AND LOOK AT THAT ONE QUIET, UNASSUMING EVENING WHEN GOD ENTERED THE WORLD AS A BABY, KNOWING THAT HE WOULD DIE FOR EACH ONE OF OUR SINS BECAUSE HE LOVES US SO MUCH.
a fresh start of a new year and all the promise that it holds.
the joy of my oldest son and all that God put into him--his tender heart and his processess and humor...

an overwhelming, but incredible season of life.

not too busy to be thankful

i haven't had the opportunity to blog for a bit.
colin's multiple birthday get-togethers, thanksgiving--multiple get-togethers, suicide shopping the day after thanksgiving, driving to see extended family, work and gearing up for christmas production...

been so busy, yet i have to say that there has been a calm in the middle of it all. strange.
i am so thankful for so many things and to just list them doesn't seem to do things justice.
but i shall begin with a list because i don't know where else to start...

--i'm thankful for a God that loves me in all things, that is in control of all things, that uses all things for His good, that blesses when we least deserve and gives grace despite who we are. because of Him, there are so many things to be thankful for.
--i'm thankful for my family. i have a husband who is my best friend, boys who make me smile every day and night, and my cat...who we could probably say that i'm more thankful for than my husband is of him. i have a mom and dad who have always loved and supported me and will be my cheerleader when i am down and who are phenomenal grandparents to my boys. i have extended family that despite all our quirks come together and can just enjoy being together. i could go on and on about family...
--i'm thankful for dear friends. we have friends that live far away and friends that live 10 minutes from our house that i just couldn't imagine going through life without. they are always there when i've needed someone to laugh with or cry with or complain to or talk things out. i'm SO grateful.
--i think of all the physical needs that God meets in our lives. we have a home and vehicles that get us from here to there, clothes and food and toiletries and what we consider the basics here in america. bills get paid and new 'toys' come and trips are taken. we are so blessed that i am truly humbled. so many go without in this world and i have more than what i know to do with.
--i am thankful that God grants us each gifts and skills and abilities and things in this life that we can pass on to others, that we can make a difference in other people's lives. He never meant for us to live life alone or selflessly and i am grateful

so many things to be thankful for...
glad for the opportunity of thanksgiving to think a little more poingantly about it.
God is good.

i am the

parenting moment--

my almost three-year-old was in a mood. fighting back on whatever--what was chosen for lunch, what movie to watch, naptime...and we won't even go into potty training. i was about up to here with it and in a prime moment when i let colin know we needed to go upstairs because we needed to pick up, he sassed right back.

'no' in a most emphatic tone--with eyebrows furrowed and grumpy eyes.

i told him again and he was even more emphatic with me 'no...i not go...you don't boss me.'

mom lost it. 'we are going upstairs. you DO NOT talk back to me like that--i am the mom.'

his reply (with finger pointed back at me, borderline yelling at me): 'i am the colin'

yes, you are sweetie.
i have to admit, i laughed--then he laughed--and amazingly enough, went upstairs.

sad thing is...when he is about to get into trouble now, he looks at you, gets his pointer finger out and says boldly "i am the colin".

hate to say--makes me smile every time :)

inquiring mind wants to know

why are the holidays so stressful, when they were created to be a time of remembrance, of reflection, a time of just being together?

why do we pretend to be something different than who we are?

why is it so much more difficult to receive help than to give it?

why do some people find one thing beautiful and someone else sees that thing as insignificant?

why does a bad hair day affect our outlook on the whole day?

why do we doubt God when He puts difficulties in our path?

why do we limit God in what He can do in our everyday?

why am i in an inquisitive mood today???

ending or beginning

there will come a time
when you believe
everything is finished.

that will be the beginning.

~louis l'amour

flashback

had a thing at my son's school on tuesday night.
tons of people and some fun things planned for the kids...

i recognized someone's face--
someone that you know you should know their name.
finally got up the guts to say...'is your name amy?'
a smile came across her face...'yes...'
'did you used to live in g.i.?' (my hometown) 'yes...'
and two and two came together.

the last time i saw amy was when i was in elementary school.
we attended the same church growing up
and our moms' names were almost identical,
so we always joked about that.
found out that she has a daughter a grade below carter's
and they just started at this school not that long ago.

we said our 'we'll see you soon--maybe in the line after school' comments and left.

later on, it was strange that the one encounter
brought back all these memories that i really hadn't remembered in years.
the way our ccd rooms smelled,
singing in the children's choir together...
one encounter helped spark a bunch of memories.

funny how that works...i'm wondering, is this an early sign of alzheimer's--
not realizing how much you've forgotten?