I think the Fat Guy in the Red Suit misread my letter...

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope your Christmas was absolutely magical but most importantly I hope it was Christ centered. Now for mine...

The whole thing got a little tipsy and the only thing I can credit it to is that somehow Santa got things a little mixed up! Maybe I should start by showing you the original letter that I sent to him:

Dear Santa:

I know it probably seems a little strange getting a letter from a thirty, I mean 29 year old but I figured what the heck. As they say, ask and you shall receive. Outside of the normal things that any mother wants for Christmas, you know world peace, reversal of global warming, a flat stomach...well, there are some specific things I'd like this year. I've outlined them in bulletpoint fashion to make sure we are on the same page.

• Healthy children. Not anything crazy, just healthy in general. I can handle the every now and again snotty nose but that's about it. Let's just cancel out the rest this year, deal?
• A good night's rest. I don't need to wake up looking like Faith Hill or anything but I would like to wake up without the dark circles under my eyes and while you're at it can you do something about that lazy eye that plaques me when I'm tired. My husband thanks you too.
• A clean house. Don't feel obligated to send Martha Stewart herself but maybe her understudy. Just somebody that can make me feel like I have a grip on my obsession with cleanliness and organization.
• A nice Sunday at church. You know one of those weeks where the music is AWESOME! Tim preaches on something that really gets you pumped up and you walk out of there feeling like you are on top of the world and can't wait to tell somebody about it.

I think that just about covers it, Santa. I know you are busy but hey so am I and that never stops anybody's expectations of me so just do what you can.

Sincerely,

Marie

Well, let's just say it didn't happen EXACTLY that way. For starters, I started Christmas morning at the local Children's hospital with Moe...ANOTHER EAR INFECTION! That just sent everything down hill. Not the "healthy children" gift I asked for which lead to the next gift of a good night's rest being thrown out the window which ultimately lead to a not so clean house because who wants to clean after not sleeping and did I mention that I haven't been to church in a couple of weeks! Yes, I said weeks! Now, I've been but with Moe in my lap to keep her out of the cesspool of germs sometimes referred to as nursery! (No offense to the people who diligently take care of our nursery and our children...it's not you, it's just my child and I appreciate you more than you know!) So, you can imagine that even if St. Peter himself was leading worship (no offense Ben!) and one of the great disciples was preachin, I still didn't get much out of it between the "No, honey don't touch that! Moe, sit still! Yes, that's Daddy on stage! Yes, honey that is a basketball hoop!" that I didn't get much out of it!

All that being said, I think I will return to the more reliable source of prayer next time than a letter to Santa. You can't fault a girl for trying!

On a serious note, please be in prayer for our family this week as Moe will have tubes put in her ears on Wednesday.

Peace Out!

Blog therapy, anybody?

This has been an interesting week for the three stooges and me. Last Thursday night, I realized that Moe was having a little difficulty with her breathing. She was coughing and wheezing a lot. After a long night, I took her to the doctor on Friday only to find out that she has pneumonia. We have been taking lots of precautions to keep her well so that she won't spend her 2nd Christmas in the hospital. So far, so good! God has been awesome and Moe is on the mend.

The down side to all of this is SHOPPING! When do you get it all done when you have waited until the last minute and now your child is sick and really shouldn't be out amongst the crowds? We have it all pretty much accomplished but it really didn't happen the way we had hoped. You know, me and other guy out to a nice quiet meal, a little shopping, a little coffee, a little wrapping and POW, it's all complete. Does that really happen that way for anybody? We have promised ourselves (again) that next year will be different. We will take advantage of the girls being in "school" and get it all done early. That should work, right?

Well, I guess I should sign off...all those gifts aren't going to wrap themselves and unfortunately my children still aren't taking care of themselves yet. Really, is it too much to ask that they do their own laundry? Okay, maybe their own dishes? (you know that I'm kidding, right?)

Peace Out!

"It's the final countdown!"


Can you believe that there is only 14 days until Christmas, 14 DAYS! Holy cow, I just had this realization and suddenly the hustle and bustle begins. I haven't sent out Christmas cards yet, I don't have any of my shopping finished. Did I mention that I have family out of town...I've got to get BUSY!

It's in the middle of all of this that it has come to my attention that I have friends, close friends, who are hurting right now. I won't go in to all the details but they range in all different kind of hurts: where do I fit in, will I ever get a baby, how will I pay for everything, how do I address somebody who has wronged me?

These are all valid hurts and to all of my friends I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all disappear but unfortunately, that wand is in the shop so I'll have to offer you scripture to get you through.

Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest

Enjoy this time of year and know that your heavenly father loves you more than you could ever comprehend and he cares about everything in your life. Call to him, knock and the door WILL open!

Peace Out

She said YES!!!!!


Okay, okay...I know. It's been a while. What can I say life calls sometimes and then other times, it screams at you!

So what's new in my life...well for starters, my sister, Natasha, is engaged. That's right, ladies and gents...her man Darryl proposed on Thanksgiving Day in grand fashion and she said yes! I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am.

On a personal note, I would like to tell you a little bit about a man named Darryl. He is an amazing person who has stood by my sister in good times and bad. Now, he doesn't walk on water or anything. I'm sure they have had their ups and downs just like anybody. But the difference is, when the going got tough, He didn't get going. He was there when the diagnosis of cancer came rolling in and he was there when her breasts were removed, whispering sweet things to her. He wiped away her tears and told her how beautiful she was. He made her laugh when she felt self conscience and reminded her to find the joy in everything. He was even there to sponge bathe her nasty body, oops, I mean her glistening body that had not seen a shower in a couple days. (Just a joke!) Bottom Line...He is an all around good guy and it will be my pleasure to call him brother come May of next year!

In honor of their engagement, I would like to type out the lyrics of a song I played for my sister a while back when she questioned whether or not she was even worthy of somebody like Darryl. We both cried when we listened to the song and now it's finally coming true.

White by Martina McBride

Phones were ringing, tongues were wagging, hot gossip was flying all around town

She'd heard the talk, the low down was the shameless color of her wedding gown

It's white, I mean really who's she trying to kid

Everybody knows the things she did

It just isn't right, won't that be a sight

To see her wearing white.

She was wild, a wayward child, to put it midly she made her life a mess

But she was young, the past is done now she's in love and putting on a new dress

It's white and it's nobody's business what she wears

Anyway the truth is she don't care

Baby, it's her life and she likes wearing white.

He's all nerves when he sees her, as far as he's concerned she's an angel.

In white

He just can't believe that she is his

What a crazy miracle this is

Who she was he don't mind 'cause on their wedding night,

She'll be wearing white!

Well, that's it folks...

Peace Out!