Home for the holidays...

Perry Como sung about there being no place like home for the holidays. And Bing Crosby crooned I'll be home for Christmas. No matter how far you travel or where life takes you, there is always a little piece of your heart that stays at home. When holidays approach, we remember with nostalgia the Christmas's of yesteryear. The excitement of settling down at night and listening for Santa's reindeer to land on the roof. The thrill of seeing presents under the tree the next morning and finding our stockings had been filled. We remember fondly the smell of fresh pine mingling with the holiday ham and the pumpkin pies. We recall visiting with family during the holidays to admire their trees and see how they decorated for the Christmas season.

One of the things I miss most during the Christmas season is going around to each others houses to see them decked out in their holiday grandeur. My sister, Rachel, and my nieces Amy and Becky, were sweet enough to send me some of their Christmas cheer. They all three have such wonderful decorating talents and I am so glad they shared their holiday decor with me. It's the next best thing to being there. Thanks girls!

A conversation with mom....

I turn 54 today. What better way to start my birthday than to get some information from my mom about what it was like. Here is what she told me....

"Around midnight on the 12th, I went into labor. Your dad and I never drove so we didn't even own a car. There was a man that lived a few blocks away that worked with your dad. Your dad walked over and got him to take us to the hospital. It was cold and dreary with a little bit of rain falling. You were born four hours later at 4:25 in the morning. You weighed a little over 7 pounds and were about 17" long. When you were a few weeks old you developed colic. You would start crying around 4:00 and cry non-stop until exactly 12:00 midnight. Your Aunt Dee Dee would come over when she got off work every day and help me walk the floor with you. You ate real good as a baby but when we took you off baby food, you turned into a picky little eater and I used to take you to the doctor to see what was wrong with you. He just told me that when you got hungry, you would eat and if all you wanted was peanut butter sandwiches, then feed you peanut butter sandwiches. When you were about 3, you started talking to your fingers and pretending they were little people. They would "talk" to each other. You would wake us up around 4:00 in the morning with your "conversations."

Thank you, Mom for the memories.

I am one of the few women in the world that is not bothered by birthdays. I'm thankful for each year I celebrate because it means God still has plans for me.

...and a partridge in a pear tree

What is the religious symbolism of the 12 days of Christmas?

1 Partridge in a pear tree represents True Love and refers to God

2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Pine Cones

When I was a little girl, I always loved the big pine trees at the top of our hill. I was fascinated by the pine cones. At Christmas, I like to recapture my love for pine cones by using them around the house in assorted displays. Thanks to my dear friend, Deb, at Wise Old Owl Designs, I have some fresh pine cones to work with for this Christmas. She collected them for me and I really appreciate it.

I gathered together my supplies. I have had this bowl for years. I bought it at a yard sale for 50 cents. I used 3 picks I purchased at AC Moore for 25 cents each (on sale). I picked out the pine cones I wanted to use. I had some silver and gold ribbon I bought earlier this year at AC Moore, leftover from another project. I had some sugar cookie sprinkles from last year as well.

On a piece of Reynolds Wrap for easy clean up, I squired a small pile of Elmer's Glue and a small pile of the cookie sprinkles. I rolled each pine cone in the glue, then rolled it in the sprinkles. They stick better than glitter so there isn't any messy after effects. I cut silver and gold ribbon and tied it in a knot and hot glued it to each pine cone.

I placed them in a bowl and stuck my picks in and here is the finished product.

Happy Birthday to my precious twins

(Then)

I dedicate my blog today to my wonderful, precious twins. The love I have for them cannot even begin to be described by words. I look back over the past 33 years and marvel that God trusted these beautiful children to me. I cherish every moment with them. I think of all the stages they have went through......

The midnight feedings

The 2 AM feedings

The 4 AM feedings

The 6 AM feedings....When they were born they ate every two hours.

The sweet baby smiles

The tiny fingers holding onto mine

The terrible two's (which weren't so terrible after all)

The giggles and laughter and the private conversations between brother and sister

Hearing them calling each other Bubby and Sissy, which was later shortened to Bub and Sis and they still call each other that to this day.

Barbies and baby dolls

Matchbox cars and WWF Wrestlers

Doll houses and Castle Greyskull (I remember when Skeletor and HeMan would borrow Barbie's red Ferrari and go for a spin around the house)

School dances and sleepovers

First dates and first cars

Bringing that special someone home to meet the parents.

Wedding bells and happily ever after

That first phone call from each of them to let me know a little baby is on the way

Watching them become parents and seeing their eyes light up with pride over their children.

Hearing those same words coming from their lips that I used to utter, "Because I said so." or "NOW"

My hope and prayer is that I have set a good example on parenting and I hope they enjoy the experiences with their children as much as I enjoyed my experiences with them.

Here's wishing a great day to the two best kids any mother could have. I love you both.

Happy birthday, Chris and Diana (Bub and Sis)

(and now)



Color me Christmas

The Star Still Shines........

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. - Matthew 2:1-2

As we move forward into the Christmas season, let us not forget the One who made this possible. This holiday is not about the gifts, the trees, the tinsel or lights. It is about THE Light. The Son of God. The birthday of a King. It is not the number of parties you attend or the value of the gifts you prepare. It is a celebration for Mary & Joseph's boy, the Son of God, King Jesus.

As a mere babe in a manger, I'm sure He slept quietly while others looked on. He was observed by the shepherds who came in from the fields. He was bowed down to by the Wise Men who traveled by the light of the star.

Today, that Star still shines. It shines for each and everyone of us. A guiding light to prepare the way. He is still The Light of the world. He is still reigning in all His splendor.

As we go into this Christmas season, remember that every bell you hear ringing, every word you hear sung, every tree you see decorated and every stocking you see hung is simply a celebration of the love of Jesus and an acknowledgment that His light STILL shines today.

Merry CHRISTmas to one and all.