A Big Day Around Here

Ambiance.

There aren't too many ways to describe a scene like this one.

 

One of our favorite family traditions is moving the kitchen table to the living room in front of the fireplace when there is a fire going.  We can eat there, play games there, and even do some school work there.  It changes the atmosphere to cozy and inviting.  It is even better when the Christmas tree is there. 

Ooh, what winter fun.

See here is another one.  Just so inviting and enjoyable.

There is something about these pictures that you must know.

It may not be terribly obvious to the untrained eye.  Can you tell what is missing?

Look carefully at the tree.  And the mantle.

Do you see it yet?  Okay, I'll go ahead and tell you. 

No decorations.   

Empty.

The reason:  These pictures were taken Wednesday.

Yes, this past Wednesday, when we had yet another snow for the season.  It called for coziness and warmth.  And having the Christmas tree still up made it all the more fun.

Yes, on February 9, our Christmas tree was still up.  So we decided to make the most of it and use it this week. :)  Added a nice touch, don't ya' think?

Well, here it is, Saturday and the big day has arrived.  As of right now this is what my living room looks like:

A sure sign that Spring is on its way. 

A big day for sure!

Did you know....?

Did you know that peanut butter will remove Sharpie from wood?

Did you know that sunscreen will remove Sharpie from skin?

Did you know that Windex will remove acrylic paint from clothing?

Did you know that to get the burned-on stuff off of your stainless steel skillet, all you need to do is fill the skillet with water, squirt a bit of dish soap in it, bring it to a boil on your stove top?  The stuff will scrape easily away. :)

A Momma's gotta do what a Momma's got to do

See this beautiful little creature.  An angel.

This angel is sick.  Threw up for a couple of hours last night.

I left late to go pick up Sara Beth from babysitting.  When we got home twenty minutes later, we found David doing laundry.  Katie's laundry.  It happened that fast.

At that moment I was so glad that I was the one to get out.  I don't do vomit well.  At all.  Of course, I left David home so he could go on to bed.  I was so thankful that he was home for the worst of it. :)

But a Momma's got to do what a Momma's got to do.

So the rest of the night, this Momma slept on the couch.  And cared for her sick baby.  And cleaned up...well, you know.  If there is a category for being a good...well, you know...this child wins it.  Straight in the bowl every time!  (Well, at least after the first projectile episode.) Then she would roll over and give me her classic thumbs-up sign.   Sweet child.

I am happy to report that this morning she woke up better.  Far from well, but better.

I can officially say that we have entered survival mode.  At least for the day.  Still fighting the crud, I get to love on my sweet child, let her watch princess movies, and bring her ice.  (Praying the whole time that this thing stays contained).  I also get to clean her room...mattress...dust ruffle...floor....comforter...etc.

And love every minute of it. 

'Cause I'm her Momma.

It's Friday

Since I haven't blogged since last Friday, and I had a few minutes, I thought I would update. 

First, the Christmas tree is still in my living room.  But, it is ornament-less.  All of the Christmas stuff is in boxes, just about ready to be packed up and put in the attic.  Do you think the tree will come down before February? 

Or should I leave it up and decorate it with hearts for Valentines?  Honestly, I am tempted. :)

We are wrapping up hunting season, with this being the last weekend in Mississippi.  Jake has gotten in a couple of hunts this week, and hopefully Sara Beth will be able to get one more in this weekend.

Looks like my blogging time is up.  I have made the kids go outside because it is so beautiful today.  But it has been so long that they are bored already.  Gotta go see what we can get into.

Happy Weekend!

Confession

See this lovely tree?  It is our Christmas tree.  I loved it this year.  I sorted through all my decor and decided to do things a little differently this year.  Between what I had and my sister-in-law's store (and 6 other hands to help decorate), this is what was produced.  I like it.

It is still sitting in my living room. 

 I actually took this picture this morning.

It isn't that I like it that much.  It is just that, ever since Christmas, there have been other things that have taken it's place as my focus.  I really loved looking at it during the holidays. Now I just ignore it.

And I also am ignoring this beautiful arrangement as well.

Well, this one below gets mostly ignored. 

 It does get attention when it gets shoved out of the way for Latin tutoring.

I just had to get that off of my chest. 

 I feel better now. I hope the rest of you with your tree up feel better, too.  There is comfort in numbers.

 My confession of the tree in my living room is complete.

Oh, wait, one more thing. 

 I have absolutely no idea when the thing will come down.

Seek.Share.Serve.Ski.

About a week ago, I came to the conclusion that God wanted me to stay  home this past weekend.  A day later, it was confirmed that He didn't want me at home.  Instead He wanted me to spend the weekend with a great group of teenagers, hanging out until the wee hours of the morning, learning what it means to seek Him, share Him, serve Him.  Oh, and throw a bit of midnight skiing in there.

As always, when I am where He wants me to be, blessings abound.  Being around these kids from our church youth groups is always such a blast and I always come away loving them even more.  They are good kids, who love Jesus, and know how to laugh and have a good time in the process. 

The main reason that I felt that God didn't want me there was becuase for about a week before, I hadn't had a whole lot of sleep at home.  I was dog tired and felt that I needed to not get behind on my sleep even more.  Things were behind at home and I felt like I didn't need to get behind any more.  I knew, from past experience, that sleep would be little on this trip.  So, how could this be good for me?  (Do you see a trend here?  The first person pronoun emphasis?)  After a brief conversation, on Tuesday, it was obvious God had other plans.  Better plans.  And I knew He would get me through.  He always does, so why would this time be any different.  And yes, He was faithful!

True, if I hadn't gone on this trip, I would have gotten more sleep.  I actually calculated the number of hours I did get sleep.  I won't share the gory details with you.  But, if I hadn't gone, I would have missed.......

* 5 minute arrival warnings ("we are 5 minutes closer than we were 5 minutes ago")
* randomly handing out about 120 candy canes on the bus ride
* realizing that I need to stay close to the Vine in order to grow
* lots of snow
* pink fuzzies
* seeing kids really think about what God wants for them and from them
* new friends (Brittany, Kirsten, Samantha, Rachel, Isaac, Kate, to name a few)
* the excercise walking up and down great hills
* learning where I need to be serving
* helping these kids learn how God has uniquely made them to serve
* Mr. Potato Head
* 4-On-A-Couch (ummm, can we try that again sometime?  When I've had more sleep?)
* hanging out with friends (you know who you are....)
* actually seeing clean tables after a meal
* hearing beginner skiiers tell me about their black diamond adventures
* handing out a gazillion quarters and fighting with the lockers at the lodge

So much more, but you get the idea.  What a blessing and joy!  Yes, I am still recovering from sleep deprivation, but it was totally worth it.  It is every time.  God is faithful!

Hey, Andrew, where are your gloves?

Randomness

The coffee is kicking in after a long night of tossing and turning, so before I head to the couch for some time with the Lord (I knew if my coffee didn't kick in, I might fall asleep praying today!), I thought I would blog.

1.  I love my kitchen scissors.  Don't know how I could live without them.  I actually have two pair and sometimes they are dirty at the same time.  I have used them two nights in a row so they are on my mind.  What are the glorious uses?  Cutting crusts, cutting toast/sandwiches in half, cutting pizza, cutting up chicken into smaller pieces.  See its uses are endless.

2.  I gained a few new kitchen pieces over the holidays.  I have a new love - my one touch can opener.   I am can-opener dysfunctional.  Seriously.  And personally, I don't like the kind that sit on the couinter.  So, I have been using the twist kind, but they kill my wrists, when I can get them to work.  :)  So, David found me one that you put on top of the can, push the button and do nothing else.  Marvelous!  It worked while I browned meat last week. Hee.  And, thanks to my girls, I look really cute in my new red and black apron with scalloped hem, and nice yellow oven mitts.  Bliss!

3.  I got a Starbucks card from Jake for Christmas.  After my nights sleep last night, I might use the whole thing today.

4. Alot of time was spent in thought and planning on how our first week back to school was going to be.  Organized, disciplined, no screen time till everything was done (including chores, etc).  First day went great.  Second day, I ended up with a sick one.  After a very long drs visit, we headed home with some movies because said child had coupon to blockbuster.  There went that grand plan.

5.  Okay, Jesus is calling.  Get it "Jesus Calling"?  If you don't have that book you need it!  Love it, love it!  I have been doing that and my Bible Study lesson in the mornings.  Our first lesson of the semester - Time Management.  Haaa, haaa.   I find that somewhat humerous, esp given that I tried to manage my time this week, but then it got managed for me.  That's okay.  That is why we get to start over each day.