End of the Year

I tend to measure my years in the school calendar, so for me, it really doesn't feel like the "end of the year" just another calendar turning the page...except, I am getting a whole new calendar. The beginning of the year means I need to learn to write 2009 on the top of my checks and when writing IEPs and notes to parents (that usually takes until May) but otherwise...I am looking forward to May.

But, this Dec. 31 comes with a different feeling. A feeling to declutter and make progress in my "to do" list. Michael and I have spent the last year and half basically drowning in our daily life. I will not lie- it has been tough. I am not going to rehash everything because it is depressing list... but I will say that the water is receding and God's rainbow of Promise is starting to peek through the clouds. Now is the time to do life again. In some respects this is great. Life is fun! But, it also means some major re-examination of priorities: Spiritually, physical and financial.

I want to be a do-er, not a say-er. Take for example: our master bath. We have one of the ugliest bathrooms that needs to be redone. We have-strike that- have had for 2 years the sink and toilet, paint and decor...just no time or expertise to complete the project. We also have a hall the has torn off wallpaper and a junk room that needs some MAJOR help. We have talked about repainting our "wooden" den for years. These projects show me that I have been a say-er. I want to be a do-er. I have spent the last couple of days, purging unneeded junk from the laundry room, closets and desks. It is a great feeling. I am hoping that 2009 will be the year we spend re-evaluating our lives and following through.

Mosiac Monday... on Tuesday

Okay, so I am a little late posting to the Simple Shutter's Mosiac Monday but with the holiday and all :) Feel free to join...just click on the green and you will get more info!

Evy and I took a little adventure to Starbucks this morning. She wanted to ride in her stroller and I took advantage of the 'spring-like' weather. We walked up to Starbucks, where she ordered a "large coffee, please" *aka* white chocolate mocha cream frappachino! I had a salted carmel hot chocolate and we ate a yummy muffin and classic coffee cake. Then we walked to the park and played. I took pictures...with my great camera phone. It is definitely a blessing that we are within walking distance of our two favorite places. I got some odd looks on the corner of the busy street, but I was the "green" mom today who didn't drive her gas-guzzling SUV just a couple blocks. It was as Evy would say " a great day!"

Do you feel a little letdown after Christmas? Not disappointed, exactly, just a little... Lacking something needed, wanted or expected. I think maybe we ask too much of "Christmas." For one day a year, please let everything be perfect. Let our relatives be at peace; let our homes be filled with joy and free from discord; let our hearts be pure; let our lives be whatever they are not the rest of the year.

Sadly, it doesn't work that way. The relatives are just as they are the other days of the year. Our homes are filled with the anxiety of expectations. Our hearts are filled with the realization that a day on the calendar cannot make us pure. Our lives are left unchanged.

This season has been the saddest for me of any I can remember-- a little on a personal level but as well on a community level. I find myself surrounded by broken hearts, broken homes and broken lives. Abuse, suicide, drugs, infertility, broken vows, broken people. A world full of hurting people. I sat in church on Christmas eve, listening to the scriptures read, the songs sung and was smacked in the face by this thought..."what if that baby had never been born?" What would the picture of "that" life be? I have spent days meditating on this thought...what would it look like? I still am not sure I want to experience that picture...and yet I am intrigued.

For while one day on the calendar cannot magically transform our lives, the Baby in the manger can. Because of Him and His life, death and resurrection, we have the power to change. We have the same power available to us that raised Him from the dead. The same power that enabled Him to live a sinless life. The same power that healed the sick and and the lame and the blind and the deaf. The same power that conquered sin and death and the grave. He has given us everything we need for life and Godliness. We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord. He has the power to transform us, to make us something new and different and better. To make us like Him.


I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Yesterday, I was reminded...

that I am turning 30 in March... so my sisters & brother-in-law discussed "the party" they would need to plan. I guess it got me thinking... what would I want to make this transition into the life that has always seemed so far away. I haven't had very many parties... but I thought about something extravagant. Something like this.... but black and pink or brown and pink.

I haven't had many fancy parties. I didn't have a fancy wedding reception or many parties as an an adult, so this would be the time to"do-it-up"! I will turn 30 and the next week, Michael and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage~quite an accomplishment in today's society. But... really it isn't too me. What would I wear? Where would it take place? It sure would be expensive And while I would remember it for a long time, it wouldn't be very intimate.

I would definitely enjoy something a bit more low key...crafty perhaps. Like making ragamuffin garland, which seems a little more like me... or scrapbooking and talking with friends.

Another fun idea would be skiing in Colorado with friend... but way more expensive than party with the extravagant table decorations.

But... I really think I would enjoy spending time at the coffee house, lounging around, talking with friends, listening to the guitar, singing praise and worship songs, eating appetizers and sharing life with friends. So...hopefully, my sister will read this post and get some ideas! What a great day to spend time with friends.

Merry and Bright...

I am trying to make this Christmas feel Merry and Bright, while I am still feeling a bit overwhelmed (and a little sad)...so much to do, so little time. While the house is now SpArKiLiNg clean and some presents are wrapped....I still have sewing and wrapping to finish before I will be ready. I think that we are opening presents with my family tomorrow...so I best get busy. As for the sad part, I don't know. I guess I am missing our friendly get-togethers with old friends. Michael and I missed our Home Group party last week due to the nasty cold, so we have been keeping each other company. I think people (at least me) really need that type of communion with others~ besides family. So...Iwill prepare for the family drama that usually insues when they arrive in town... my anticipation is too much as it begins tomorrow!

What does a messy house say about a person's personality?

It could say that the person has better things to do than clean house. Like wrap presents, finish gifts, shopping, dancing and painting with toddler, working out (eh, maybe)

I am a little overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that needs to get done before the family starts arriving this week! I am not the greatest housekeeper in the world, so I have lots to do. I remember the days when the Merry Maids came to visit every other week... oh, how I miss those days. But, with the economy and all... seems a bit much to spend on something I am perfectly capable of doing!! I just don't like doing. I am a closet messy person. People see a clean house but underneath and in the cabinets it is total clutter. I can't say that this is MY fault. My hubby contributes as well, but, truthfully, we never started with a clean slate. We walked into a house that was fully furnished with someone else's 50+ years of stuff. We have done a lot of packing, but it just never seems to be the clean state that I want to achieve. I look at those new house and wish that I had that (sometimes) Okay... time to grab some grub for energy and get busy mopping, dusting, scrubbing, and de-cluttering!

What a difference a day makes...

and some rest, orange juice, and antibiotics!

Oh man, I am feeling SO much better. I now have a hacking cough but I can breath out of my nose and swallow with much less pain and my eyes were much less matted this morning. I had trouble falling asleep last night due to the cough but once I was there it was good. I am calling the doctor for the good cough syrup today. Evy may be getting it, I think she was running a temp last night, so pray for her... Dr. 'Shelly' gave us med for Michael and I, but he will have to see her.

So today is the last day of school before the holidays! WAHOOOO! I am pretty excited. I organized a little gift exchange for the students, so it should be fun for them to open there presents. We are also watching "Horton Hears a Who" in our Pajama's this morning... while I will be writing Christmas cards and making some handmade presents for family!