Whew!...

What a week!  I'm sitting here trying to get motivated to hit my "to do" list which involves mass amounts of cleaning, organizing, putting stuff away and trying really hard to stay away from the pile of sweets that are left over.  I also have pictures to get off the camera and videos too and add to the blogs.  hopefully soon....

I had a really great time with my parents here and also with Hank's dad.  Just about every day involved a shopping trip, a nap, driving around looking for Christmas lights (what was up this year?!! - no one had any lights!), at least 2 awsome meals, and hearing Jacob say "Grammaw - come play da puzzle?"... We heard that a LOT!  Thanks mom for the puzzles - Jacob sure seems to like them :)  And dad - you would be proud to know Jacob told everyone at church that he got a bicycle for Christmas!  We will be taking it out today as the sun has finally come out and the rain has gone.  Paw-paw - I'm sure once the replacement wheel for the choo choo comes - we will probably have to barricade it in as Jacob will want to be in it all day long!  I think it's time for Jacob to have his own garage as he now owns a bicycle, pedal train, electric car, wagon and lawn mower.  Yep - our back porch is quite full now! :)

And... I must say how much better Jacob is doing after his trip to the hospital.  We started off the week with a stay at Phoebe.  Yep - we always have to have an illness during the holiday - so this year it will be Jacob and his croup.  Can't anyone just get a papercut or something???

So, even though there are no pictures to look at yet - I just wanted everyone to know that we enjoyed hosting Christmas this year and hope to do it again sometime.  It was really special for us to open presents under our tree and hang our stockings on a fireplace that we have never had until now.  And it was also fun to cook the big meal.  I'm so glad the goose turned out good!!! - I had plan "b" in the freezer... what ?? frozen pizza would not have been good for Christmas?? :)

Well - back to my list and I wish all of you a Very Happy New Year!

I love this....

A friend posted this today...I've never heard of the song or the group - but the words are awsome..

These are lyrics written by Jamie Statema of the group Go Fish! Selah!

It's not just about the manger where the baby laid
It's not all about the angels who sang for Him that day
It's not just about the shepherds or the bright and shining star
It's not all about the wise men who traveled from afar...

It's not just about the presents underneath the tree
It's not all about the feeling that this season brings to me
It's not just about coming home to be with those you love
It's not all about the beauty of the snow I'm dreaming of...

It's about the Cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we can be born again
It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life one day
It's about the Cross.............................................

From the cd "Go Fish: Snow"

Posted by Tammy (I was signed in as Hank for some reason??..)

I Corinthians 13: A Christmas Version

I Corinthians 13: A Christmas Version
My Friend Ashley posted this on her blog and I wanted to share it with you. I hope that we all don't loose the real meaning of what this season is really about!

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights,
and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator

If I slave away in the kitchen baking
dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals,
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a
myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata,
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love does not envy another's home that has
coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return,
but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break.
Pearl necklaces will be lost.
Golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure forevermore.

The tree is up!

Slowly but surely we are getting our house ready for Christmas. We got this great tree and even got a new star for the top this year. Now on to the outside lights.....

Autumn

Autumn came while we were away for Thanksgiving....I just LOVE fall colors!

Back Home and more Thanks

Since Hank did our blog on Thanksgiving, I thouht I'd say what I am thankful for.
Safe travels to and from Nebraska and an awsome little boy who really did well considering the 4 days he spent in the car............Generous family for having us visit with them for an entire week!....all the fun stuff Jen planned for us.......Wii Fit (no we don't have one - but we sure enjoyed playing it all week)...........My wonderful husband who is my best friend and keeps me sane and always sees things on a positive note........My church.............My parents whom I can't wait to see in a few weeks!!.............My sweet little Jacob for saying at just the right moments "oh well!"............My friends from all over - I thank God for having to add to our Christmas card list this year and every year.......Our home - this year we spend Christmas in our house in lieu of the apartment we've spent the past 2 Christmas in.............Fall leaves - we came back to glorious colorful trees in our yard!............Fried turkey (yes - this is an awsome thing if you have never had one - you must!)............New recipes from friends and family to add to the collection............My cute nephew Benjamin who made me cry when we had to leave him on Saturday..............I suppose I could go on and on - but must sign off for now. I must get back to unpacking, laundry, etc. It was a great Thanksgiving!