A Place for My Mom!

Christmas was going to be difficult this year. No way around it. All things were different. I don't think there was one thing that we did that was the same as last year or the year before. Without my mom here with us, it changed everything.

I told you all earlier that we were changing our Christmas Traditions this year. Hosting Christmas at my house was something I have never done before. I was up for the challenge. It was going to be different. Different than any other Christmas in many ways.

I wanted to honor my mom. I wanted it to look like something she would do. Pretty table, pretty dishes, pretty everything. I set the table to look like hers. She had given me her beautiful table cloth last year because it did not fit her table anymore. I used it, along with the napkins that matched. I used a Christmas tree that my Grandfather gave me, it had belonged to my Grandmother. He also gave me the napkin rings that she made her self, but I was unable to use them. I could not figure out how to make them look as pretty as my mom had in the past. Here is a picture of my table:
Pretty huh? Do you notice something in the first picture that looks strange? A picture frame at the end of the table? Well, I wanted to show that my mom was here in my heart. I wanted the family to see that I missed her. I wanted to feel like she was here. So, a sweet man from CBC sent me a letter with a poem. The letter was about how some people really hurt during the holidays without their loved ones here. It spoke to me. Then there was a sweet poem that he sent as well. Here it is:
I attached the picture of my mom and dad at the bottom. It is really a great poem. It is hard to read in the picture so........

I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus This Year

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below.
With tiny lights like heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular-please wipe away that tear.
For I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs the people hold so dear.
But the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir I hear.
I have no other words to tell the joy of their voices bring.
For it's beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me-I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away-we really aren't apart.
Be happy for me, loved ones, you know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, "love" is the gift, more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and help each other, as our Father said to do.
For I cannot count the blessings of the love He has for you.
Please have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
Remember- I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of all the splendor or the peace here in this place.
Can you imagine Christmas with our Savior, face to face?
I'll ask Him to lift your spirit as I tell Him of your love.
So then pray one for another as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful, and let your spirits sing.
I'm spending Christmas in heaven; I'm spending it with the King.

Terri Kernicki

Wow! I love this poem! So, I used it to set a place for my mom at our table! It seemed as it was her Christmas card to us this year. She was dancing and singing with the heaven choir of angels on the most important day in history!!!! Can you imagine?? How could anyone be sad to hear that wonderful news!?? I know one day I will celebrate Christmas with her again but until then...I will continue to set a place for my mom!!!

THIS JUST IN......

"To the Parents of Rudy,

I caught Rudy always being respectful. He listens very well and has very creative answers. I am amazed at his level of thinking and I really enjoy having him in class!

Mrs. Stuart"

That is word for word!! I was stunned, shocked, happy and thrilled! WAY TO GO RUDY!! I guess I am doing something right! Praise the Lord!!

Christmas Traditions

Well, things are going to be different this year. No running from house to house, making sure that we see all the family that we can. Nope, not this year...or any other year for that matter. I asked my mother-in-law if we could do something different this year. My kids were feeling the change several weeks ago. There was a lot of asking...what are we going to do for Christmas this year? They started to feel the loss of "Nana" all over again. They were stressing. Anxiety was being felt. I couldn't stand it. I had to do something. For them and for me. So, my mother-in-law agreed to allow us to have Christmas at our house this year!!! We will be having both sides of the family bless our home this year...and I am hoping that this will become a new family tradition. When my kids found out, I believe that it relieved some of the heart ache that they were having. Knowing that they did not have to go anywhere seemed to be what they needed. Me, too! I needed something to focus on, other than the saddness that was filling our home and hearts. So, I am going to throw a Christmas lunch that will honor my mother. She loved this time of year. Our lunches were always on nice plates, with good silverware, and real napkins. I say that because at the other Christmas lunch we went to, we used all plastic and paper tableware. Not that is was wrong or bad, it just was different than what I was use to. So, I will have a "pretty" table set for the adults and a cute table set for the kids...just like mom did!! I am planning now, you know, since it is next week. Wow, is it possible that Christmas is already here??

So, share with me what your family traditions are...I am curious to know what all my friends are doing to honor our Lord's birthday!! Merry Christmas everyone. May the Lord bless you and your families!!

SNOW!!

Just thought I would share some more pictures of our "Snow Day"!! It sure was fun...hope to see some more white stuff this year :)

What do you do with a snowball anyway????

This was Hannah's first snow experience!! It was so sweet. She loved it. We played in it a lot...we got really cold, came in, had hot chocolate and she was very upset when she was not able to back outside like the big kids!! So her sister made her a snowball and brought it to her. I thought it would be cute to see what she did, so I grabbed the camera...can you guess???

SHE ATE IT!!

TO CUTE FOR WORDS!! I remember eating snow as a kid...when we got it!! She started an eating frenzy of snow. The older 2 decided they wanted to know what it tasted like. YUM!! What a fun day we had. I will try to post more pictures...it takes a long time for me to upload pics.

My favorite Picture!!

For those of you who do not have facebook...

A good friend of mine took some family pictures at Wolf Pen Creek! She did an amazing job!! Thanks Friend :)

This is just one of...I think...about 200 pictures that she took!!! But by far my favorite!! Hannah is a kissy girl. She loves to give "sugars", especially to her daddy!!!!

Don't you agree...the cutest ever!!???

She is doing something new!!!

Well, it seems that my little princess is growing up! She is talking more and more...saying things like...mommy, daddy, no-no, mo-mo (Elmo), hi, you know cute little things like that!! She has been walking for a while but she starting to run...especially when she has something she is not suppose to have :) She love to pick on you as well. I have some towels that I hang on the oven door and she loves to grab them and run. Cute stuff! I have nick named her my little TURKEY!! Oh, and I am trying to teach her how to gobble!!! I think she is very smart too! She will grab the remotes, sit in front of the TV, point the remote at the TV and try to turn the channel! Wow, how things have changed!!


And then there is the newest thing!! She really started this yesterday and I saw it again today. We are officially throwing fits!!! Yes, temper tantrums!! She will throw herself on the floor...gently I might add...and start screaming, kicking her feet and watching...waiting...are you looking?...what are you going to do about it?...it is so funny!! Trey and I just laughed at her!! It was so funny!!

So, I guess we really are heading for the "terrible two's"!! AT 15 MONTHS!! Wow!!

Wow! I am behind!!

Ok, so I am so far behind in this blogging thing it is not even funny!!

So, I am going to play catch up...I think!

I would love to post pictures of Rudy's birthday, but I can't! Why you ask?? Well, it seems I have a computer that does not like me!! I don't know exactly if what happened but the crazy thing will not turn on. I checked connections, plugs, and well just about everything and it just will not turn on. One day it works, the other...no!! I had put the pictures of Rudy's birthday on that computer :( I don't know what to do...can't afford a computer doctor...any ideas?? Anyone know of someone who might be able to help me fix a computer problem??

Rudy's party was fun! It ended up being a surprise party for him. We took him out to eat at Road House where they made him do the funniest thing I have ever seen. He was so embarrassed. We came home and his friends just started showing up! It was great! My sweet boy is now 7 and doing great in 1st grade ;)

Being a teacher was great fun, just exhausting!!

October is a blur!

The Women's Conference was amazing! If you have never attended a Women of Faith Conference, I strongly recommend it!!! They are coming back in November 2009!! Mandisa and Nicole C. Mullen rocked the house!!!! Strongly recommend their music! My kids love it :) Mandisa is amazing, full of spunk, and can I just wow! She has the most amazing voice and her songs really speak to your heart! If you don't know who she is, maybe this will help! She was on American Idol. I don't know which season. She spoke to me about my weight. She too is heavy and is trying to lose weight. I feel inspired by her to stay on track :) Nicole Mullen...oh dang! You have to have some serious energy to keep up with that woman! She can really dance and sing. She is doing some amazing things with a group of youth. She is investing in their lives...I can so relate to that!!! All the speakers were wonderful and all spoke to me in different ways. I am planning on going next year too!!!

Halloween was really fun! I am not one to hide from that day. I was raised to enjoy being a kid, dressing up, and get lots of candy!!! If you make it evil, then the day becomes evil! Anyway, we went to the Fall Festival at our church. Fun fun!! Everyone looked great!

Now we are getting ready for Autumn's birthday. She turned 9 on Tuesday. WOW!!! This weekend we are having a 70's Disco Slumber Party. We have invited 10 girls in her age group to come out to our disco. With some hard work and a little creativity, we have turned our home into a Disco Hall! I will try really hard to post pictures of her big night really soon...oh and Halloween Pictures too!!!

Well, I think that brings us up to date...I think :/