Our Tree says it best…
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
-- Isaiah 9:6
And He is…
And the two that we’re not asleep at midnight… and were not sleeping by the tree…
Pam
Maybe you got a card from our family this year… no letter enclosed, but a little sticker on the back told you that you could catch up with us on our blog… or maybe none of those people will look at the back, or remember to check it out. Maybe this is just for all of you who didn’t get my Christmas Card this year… in the mail… our virtual, Christmas Card/Letter…
Do you write a letter and include it in your Christmas Cards? I usually do. This year though, it seemed a little redundant! How many people have been following us all year long on this blog. Do they really want to hear it all again?? Hopefully, someone out there, got our Christmas Card, and will stay in touch throughout the year, because you just found our blog! (leave me a comment or send me an e-mail telling me your found us!!)
One of the features of a blog is that I can set categories, and you can read posts by the categories I have selected for them. If you want to read the posts about how God has really been working in the daily grind of our lives, you can click this link to the Testimony Posts.
This year we marked three years of HSSH (if you are just visiting, this is the term I use for my ex-husband). Much healing has taken place this year in many of us. We began counseling at the newly opened out-patient counseling at House of Hope, you can read about some of our experiences of healing here.
James is in his Junior Year of High School, & turned 17 this past summer. He keeps himself very busy playing football, swimming, and running track. Add to that a girlfriend, Alisen… and sometimes actually doing school work. Read about James' year here... the broken leg, the Sunshine Banquet… it’s all under that link!
Zach is in the 8th grade, & 14 years old. He surpassed me (and grandpa) in height this year! He’s still playing football, basketball, & baseball. Read all about Zach's year here. He had a broken bone too. ;) He spends many an hour with his friends, going over to their houses, or having them here. He is, by far, the one that wants to go, go, go the most!
Leah started junior high this year! 6th grade and 11 years old! She is growing up so much, physically and mentally… Leah did a lot of yodeling this year, she had a night at the Gospel Barn, and yodeled with a friend at the school talent show in the spring. But, as summer turned to fall, and junior high began, her yodeling days have ended for the time being… hoping she’ll have many more days of singing! She has such a beautiful voice. Read all the post's labeled Leah here.
Lucas is in the 4th grade this year, and is 10 years old! TWO HANDS FULL! He’s my quiet one. Sweet, obedient, loving, and kind-hearted. But, many times he is found “quietly” sneaking up a tree, scaling a pole to a basketball goal, or in the tree house. He works so hard at his school work, and is reaping the benefits of that. The posts labeled Lucas are here. See what he has found to show me now… snakes, bugs, butterflies, mud… oh my.
Jadon has had a great year. He has had MUCH healing. Miraculous Healing. In the early part of the year, I didn’t know if I was going to survive. And now, I have a different kid. You can read much of the story if you click these links about Jadon. He is 5 years old now, in his last year of preschool. Praising God for the amazing things HE has done in Jadon’s heart this year!
Kiahna, my baby, turned 4 in August. She started preschool, and then she stopped going to preschool. We’ve had a hard past few months together. Things are improving, and miracles are being expected and received… but we have had some hard times, and I am sure that we have some more ahead. We don’t have many answers for some of the ways she behaves. Praying for help and wisdom. Read about our journey this year with Kiahna, here. She is so beautiful, and has a promise of a hope and a future. I learned about Yarn Braiding this year! She’s had beautiful yarn extensions since April!
This year we went to Florida with my parents & sister’s family in March. In July we went to Lake James with my whole family. In August we had friend’s visit us from out of state. We saw much of our community through their eyes! Then we packed up and followed them part of the way home, to St. Louis, where we visited the Gateway Arch, and one of our favorite places, The City Museum! Not to mention many other family times together this year.
My sister got married this year. It has been such an amazing time of healing for her and for me. Everyone loves her husband Ben, he’s such a blessing to our family.
Life for me… continues to be in the full time mom capacity. What a blessing. I am faced often with how different things could be for me and our entire family… like every time one of our loving friends sends us a gift of support… or a bill comes, and someone has paid it… or it is Christmas, and we are blessed beyond measure, not only financially, but with so many loving people praying and supporting us. There truly are no words…
God has been more than good to us in 2008. Circumstances we are living with on a daily basis are still hard many times, but time and God have healed many more of our wounds this year. I had to think of how true it is again, as in the book we are reading this Christmas, Bartholomew’s Passage, said, “…But words did little to comfort, though it was nice he was trying. Bartholomew thought between his own sobs. Words could do little. Only time and Jehovah would heal this wound.”
HE is Good, All the time.
Love,
Pam
As I sit here this morning, there is stillness… I hear the music (from my blog) playing low, the fireplace crackling behind me… I lit some candles this morning and did my devotions by candlelight… peace fills my heart. Peace that comes from God.
It will be a beautiful day. Filled with family, food, fun… the kids will be loud, their energy will far outlast ours… they will have trouble falling asleep tonight, and wake far earlier tomorrow morning…
There is just nothing like the magic of Christmas…
“Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.’” John 8:12
Merry Christmas.
Pam
I should have just shut the thing off and forgot about it until after Christmas. Sometimes I hate how stubborn I am. I finally think I have most of the issues my computer is having figured out.
Did you know that Blogger only allows you so much free blog space and then after that you have to pay for more mega-bytes? I didn’t either. I have paid for 10 more mega-bytes of space, and now we will see if I can’t be back in the blogging (with pictures) business! It says it may take 24 hours for the mega-bytes to show up in my account, so I am still waiting on that.
I still haven’t figured out how to retrieve that post I wrote, touring our house for Christmas… I’ll work on that next.
I’ve got many of the things retrieved and downloaded back on my computer… Praise God!! (I didn’t have any addresses to go with the names in my e-mail account! And my printer wouldn’t work, it wanted the original software, that I couldn't find!)
Our gas tank is filled, and our house is nice and warm. We are getting more ice as I type though, and James isn’t home… uhg.
Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) we will be with my family at my parent’s house. On Christmas Day we will have our own Christmas celebration here at home!
Hope you are all warm, happy, and surrounded by those you love…
Pam
UPDATED: Forget it… the frustrations aren’t gone. I found the software for my camera, installed it, added pictures to one of the posts from the other day… got an error message. AGAIN! STILL!
Anyone out there using Window’s Live Writer? Anyone having trouble with it? What are you using to write with?? HELP ME PLEASE!
ORIGINAL POST:
…and all the old frustrations are gone! It is fast! It has a wonderful external hard drive!! It is amazing!! But. All the elements I had set up on it are gone. I have to start all over. I can’t figure out how to put pictures on my posts… So. Back to square one. And I don’t want to take time to do this on the day before, the day before, Christmas.
So.
I’ll have to go dig up some hardware to get this camera thing working I guess… I’ll have to figure out how to work this all over again.
We have run out of propane gas… our house upstairs is 65. Downstairs, where the wood burner is it is 85. Thankful for our wood burner, AGAIN!! Thankful that the gas company will bring more gas today! (I hope!)… thankful that in perspective, my house is not freezing. We didn’t have to move out because we have not had electricity since last Friday. We didn’t lose our furnace, washer/dryer, oven, microwave, etc. due to faulty generator hook up. We didn’t lose our garage to fire, because of a frozen garage door and a space heater. We didn’t lose our whole house to fire, escaping only with our lives… all of these things have happened to others living in a close radius to us… so who am I to complain.
Merry Christmas.
Going to throw another log on the fire…
Pam
Welcome to a special Christmas version of YOUR gonna miss this... Moment! I hope that you all play along! I also hope that you go to visit the blogs that play and leave them lovely comments!
So? What you gonna miss? What do you already miss? I can come up with a long list.
* Dressing up little girls and their dolls in matching dresses.
* Having all of my children home with me, under one roof, all the time. Spending time together, because our lives that run at break-neck speed the rest of the year seem to slow, at least over the 2 weeks of Christmas break.
* Making Cookies... when boys eat all the ones they decorate, and lose interest. When little kids (and some not so little) cover their cookies in more sprinkles than frosting... and little girls who stick out til the last cookies is done.
* Children thrilled with hot co-co before bed.
* Reading Christmas Stories before bed... this is the tradition I want to tell you about... and will be one that I will miss when my kids are gone. It is also one that will be very hard to continue with grandchildren, (unless, for some unfortunate reason they live with me... NOOOOO!!!!)
About 8 years ago, I am guessing, I started buying what ended up being a trilogy of books by Arnold Ytreide. The first book is called, Jotham's Journey, the second is Bartholomew's Passage, and the third is Tabitha's Travels. All of these books are out of print (as you can see from their prices, used, on Amazon or E-bay.) So, if you get a chance at getting your hands on one, or all of these, grab them up!
The books are stories for Advent. Divided up into sections to read a portion each night of Advent. They are filled with suspense, and have a small section of devotional after each portion. Each story is about a fictional child living in the time of Christ's birth. While, each story is different, some of the character's meet along the way, which is exciting for the kids! Each story ends up in the stable in Bethlehem.
My kids have loved hear these. We are working on our third time through them. James and Zach haven't been listening this year... makes me sad. They do love the stories, and they will always remember them, I am sure.
I am going to miss this...
AHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!
Deep Breathing...
Deep Breathing...
I love my computer. I bless it. It has served me very well for the past 9 years. I would never think of throwing it through a window, or kicking it to the curb doing anything but loving and blessing it.
I suppose I have a virus. I suppose the fact that it is taking about the time it takes me to fold a load of laundry to change screens, should be my first sign.
If I didn't need it to spew out my address labels (please, oh please, oh please cooperate!) for my Christmas cards. (after I buy the address labels of course) I would have ripped every cord from this thing and threw it in my van gently removed the cords and tenderly carried it to my van, to take it to the repair shop today.
You see... I participated in this wonderful, fun, blog carnival, called Christmas House Tour. I had the post all written (with tons of pictures) before 8:30. But, it won't publish. I get a server error every time.
I have gotten so much house work done, don't get me wrong. Because this computer is running so slow. But, I keep stubbornly returning (this is where my children get it, yes, I know this) to my computer, PRAYING that it publishes.
Why? Because it is fun. Because I spent the time working on it. Because I am crazy, obsessive, compulsive and dawg-on-it... I WANT IT TO WORK!!!
Deep Breathing...
Deep Breathing...
Do me a favor. If by chance this publishes. And if by A MIRACLE, the other publishes, leave me lots of comments. I need to know it was worth all the hair I have laying beside my computer....
Kiahna didn't wake up feeling so great... In fact she feel back asleep twice after she initially got up. But, since about 10 am, (and some Motrin) she has been eating again, playing again, and being sassy... I'd say she is well on her way to recovery...
I tried it with one picture... it failed to publish... take two...
please publish...
Pam
Our week has started off with a bang.
You can always tell those things, ya know?
It starts out with everything you were "supposed" to do being put off by a sick child.
Kiahna woke up this morning, coughing, wheezing, and barely able to talk she was so congested. So, we've exposed her (and everyone else to her) to all the germs at the hospital's pediatric ward & x-ray ward this morning. We've waited (while getting groceries) for a prescription for breathing treatments... and we are home for a couple hours before we run off again. (the breathing treatments worked wonders, and the x-ray was clear)
She and Jadon will stay with Grandma, while Leah and I get hair cuts.
Lucas is getting picked up by my sister at "Just Say No".
I will pick Zach up from basketball after our hair cuts.
My parents are driving the hour plus drive to watch James swim in a swim meet.
(and my sister doesn't know it yet, but she is getting J & K too, because I won't be back from getting Zach before my parents need to leave)
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Tomorrow... I was supposed to take Kiahna to school. Don't think I will do that. Being sick is a good reason (even if she is feeling better) to stay home tomorrow.
Zach has a game, we need to leave home by 4:30 to get there.
I need to re- schedule a recheck, for Jadon, at the chiropractor, for on our way to this game. It was supposed to be Wednesday, but there is just no way. Zach needs one too, but it isn't going to happen. Can't do it.
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Wednesday... Jadon has preschool, I'd like to finish up the last of the stocking stuffers while he's there.
Counseling appointments at 4:00
Zach needs picked up at 6:30
All the 4 oldest have practice for our church Christmas program.
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Thursday... Kiahna has preschool. I have to help decorate, with Zach and Leah, for a junior high dance. Then rush home, help Leah dress for the formal dance, (and do her hair!) get dressed myself, and chaperone the dance.
James has another away swim meet.. this one over 1 1/2 hours away. (but right in his dad's backyard, maybe he will actually attend? James invited him) (none of us are attending)
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Friday... last day of school. Jadon and Kiahna both have Christmas parties at their preschools (20 minutes apart) that I will (with the help of my parents) try to get them to.
Mom and Dad are hosting their annual cousin's only Christmas! I will be free!! I am looking for something to do that is fun! (anyone game!?!)
Oh, the kids will all have big tests to study for this week, teachers have the nerve to expect us to fit homework in yet this week?? SHEESH!!
When thinking of planning meals for the week... it's almost a joke! I went back to the way I used to provide meals for my family when we were in constant survival mode. Shopping in the frozen food aisle for quick things we can warm up.
Speaking of warm. It is so cold out today. I wrapped Kiahna's head in my scarf going in and out of the hospital and Walmart. She wasn't all that happy, but she coughs so much with that cold air! And it is windy and 17 degrees today! BRRRRRRR!!!!!!
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So, how am I going to do all this? My parents are going to help. And I am going to have low expectations and be flexible. If it all gets accomplished. Great. Do I think it will? Probably not.
Angie, at Bring the Rain is memorizing Psalm 139 beginning yesterday. I think I need to join her. She also shared this video on her blog. I think I needed to hear this too.
It's Sanctus Real, singing Whatever You're Doing.
So, there you go. Will I blog much this week? Who knows. I may need the outlet!!
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From Angie @ Bring the Rain
Psalm 139 (NIV)
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me 2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
5You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Schedule:
I am starting this tomorrow, but feel free to do it at your own pace. If you choose to begin with me, we will finish on January 1st…what a way to start the New Year!!!
It is so important to have the word of God hidden in our hearts and this one is just amazing and so life-giving. I grouped the daily verses together in case you want to print them out and make them little note-cards (that’s usually the easiest way for me to memorize scripture).
***You can DO this!!!*** Don’t get discouraged if you get behind. I am praying for you all as we seek to serve Him with our whole lives.
Let’s get going, girls!!! You’re 18 days away from the power of Psalm 139 in your heart!
Day 1: Memorize verses 1&2
Day 2: Memorize verses 3&4
Day 3: Review/Catch Up
Day 4: Memorize verses 5&6
Day 5: Memorize verses 7&8
Day 6: Review/Catch Up
Day 7: Memorize verses 9&10
Day 8: Memorize verses 11&12
Day 9: Review/Catch Up
Day 10: Memorize verses 13&14
Day 11: Memorize verses 15&16
Day 12: Review/Catch Up
Day 13: Memorize verses 17&18
Day 14: Memorize verses 19&20
Day 15: Review/Catch Up
Day 16: Memorize verses 21&22
Day 17: Memorize verses 23&24
Day 18: Review/ Catch Up
You can do it!!! Praying alongside you, friends...
Ang (at Bring the Rain)
Pam
