Anticipation

My theme for this year. I have a couple of distinct things which I am anticipating. One is more definite than the other.

First of all is this baby. Our little Peanut, (yes that is his nickname) will be here sometime in the next 6 to 10 weeks. I hit 30 weeks today, and none of his siblings have made it to 38 weeks, and I am having similar signals that this pregnancy is not any different. I have plans for reorganization to get my room ready for him, he will share it for awhile. So I need to organize to get that done. Two pieces of furniture need to be removed, one moved, and the baby bed purchased or borrowed and set up. One major thing that will have to be done in that process is sorting through books to give away and store.

Secondly is a move. I am anticipating a career change and move within the year, hopefully relativity soon after Peanut is here. However, that will require a LOT of cleaning out and reorganization, to which I am actually looking forward to doing. I just need a set goal and some perimeters defined to help get the kids motivated in helping in this process. However, I am believing that will also come soon.

Overall I am anticipating being in a very different place at this point in 2011. Some changes are definite others are alluded to, however I believe that this year will be a year of great change.

Christmas Memories

A gal on FB from my hometown was asking about Christmas memories from there. So I put my list up and thought I'd come share and ask about your Christmas memories.

~ The Goldsmith's in the 'big city' nearby did an Enchanted Forest when I was little and we'd go every year to tour and see Santa

~ putting up and decorating the tree at the Church many years. This was no small project considering our Sanctuary had 20 foot (at least) ceilings. And it had to be done before Advent started which usually meant we were doing it the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

~ Christmas parades in freezing weather, they always seemed to be on the coldest night of the year, I was almost always IN the parade, either with the scouts or later the band. It also never failed that my short legs were always on the wrong end of the row for every turn meaning I had to make the LONG steps to keep the line straight, while our 6'1" section leader was on the short end of the turn.......

~ Christmas concerts, we did portions of Handel's Missiah one year, portions of the Nutcracker one year, and songs from the guy that arranged (and I think wrote) Sleigh Ride one year, Carol of the Bells EVERY YEAR

~ and living on the street I can't forget the lights on the west end of my street every year, totally uncoordinated every body did lights and decorations but no one coordinated anything with any body else. Yet nothing was tacky or gaudy, it was always beautiful every year.

Hand Made Christmas

First Installment in the HandMade Christmas.

We finally got the tree up Sunday night. We put a few of the already handmade ornaments on the tree so it didn't look so bare.



Today we finally got stared working on them.

Our supplies:



Just some simple copies I had made, construction paper for backing, water colors and crayons for decorating.



Pumpkin ~ Hard at work



Bug ~ Hard at work




Somehow I missed Buddy

Some of the finished products.



Tomorrow's plan involves pipe cleaners and beads.........

Christmas Goodies

I am working on some crochet creations for sale for the holidays. Some are for sale in my Etsy Shop. However, when I add Avon products to these creations I can't sell them at Etsy. So I am bringing them here before I take them to Ebay. My first selection I call "Pretty in Pink"  
In the bag you have these products:
 


contents left to right. 
Bath Time Body Paints ~ Bubble Gum scent 
Disney Princess Snow White Pink Lip Balm 
Mini Bubble Bath ~ Soft Pink  


The bag is made with 100% acrylic yarn and measures approximately five inches across and five inches deep. I closes with a pink drawstring.  
Pretty In Pink sells for $ $9.00 The Second Selection is "Little Drummer Boy"


 
The contents include: 
 
from left to right  
Bath Time Body Paints ~ Coconut Custard Scent 
Lip Balm ~ Candy Cane flavor 
Shower Gel ~ Black Cherry and Nutmeg Scent
Moisture Therapy Intensive Hand Cream ~  


The bag is made with 100% acrylic yarn and measures approximately five inches across and five inches deep. I closes with a pink drawstring.


 


Little Drummer Boy sells for $11.00


If you want either comment, and we will work out shipping and payment!

Morning Prasies

God is good!!  

All the Time!!

 

I am going to start this day right.  I know that emotions follow words. So I am starting with what I firmly believe, even if I don't act like it at times.  I can only affect change in myself, I can't even affect it in my children no matter how hard I try.  It must be their choice.  I mean I can force a change in their actions, by use of behavior modifications, but I can't force a change in attitude or emotion in anyone except myself.  So that is where I am starting.  I am going back to the One who made me, and who loves me more than any one else.  Leaning on Him for support.  Leaning on His love.  Leaning on His provision.  I can see a tiny glimpse of His provision this morning as I look over our state of affairs,  something I waited on for longer than I'd hoped to came in yesterday,  but it was JUST IN TIME for something else.  We still suffer a bit of hardship because of some bad choices, however, it is getting better and I choose to remain faithful to His word and believing that HE supplies our every need.  

I am going to rely on His change in me to do what He needs it to do. I am going to lift others up to Him in prayer as I go along.  I am going to Praise Him in the midst of the storm, in the calm, and in the blessings because that is what He requires.  He is Faithful.  

Okay I have been in the dumps most of the day, but I read K-Love's Encouraging Word 

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. ~ Psalm 13:5-6, NLT

I am slowly starting to feel better.

Advent

Today is the first day of Advent.  I grew up celebrating the season and have done so every year, at church.  However, I have never done it with my family, at home.  This year I plan on doing just that.  We will start our daily study and devotions tomorrow with school.  


Our first service today was on the announcement.  Luke 1:30-31 

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."

Short, sweet, and to the point.  Easy to hurry over and go on to the next part of the story, the preparation, the anxiety, the visit with Elizabeth, the journey to Bethlehem, etc.  

However, we were urged this morning to stop and savor the moment, the anticipation, the longing.  Being pregnant at the moment, I can somewhat sympathize with Mary, there is a lot of anticipation there, waiting for this child to come, wondering what is he is to be like.  And my child is just a 'normal' child, conceived in the usual way, not announced by any super natural being or in any super natural way.  Yet, her child was different from the very beginning and she knew it.  Imagine Mary's anticipation.  We know she pondered other moments in her heart, Scripture tells us so.  I don't think that is to far to stretch to think she pondered this announcement through out her life as well, savoring, to use my pastor's term.  

How many moments in your life do you savor?  Take a moment and read those words of the announcement once again, imagine what it would be like, take time and savor them, and anticipate their impact on life both then and now.

Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth"  Psalm 46:10