Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy
This time of year, my heart always turns to those spending their first Christmas without a loved one. While the world sings “Joy to the World” and the air rings with goodwill and glad tidings, I know not everyone feels like celebrating. For some, the holidays bring a longing to look past the tinsel and…
From Presents to Presence
Yesterday the young ones were jumping in excitement: “He was here! He was here!” The “jolly old soul” showed up! They were sure he was there. The cookie plate and glass of milk were empty! Stockings that were hung by the chimney with care were bulging with presents on the floor. I made it back…
The Greatest Gift EVER
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I suspect you were like me in preparation for this day. Amazon showed up for me many times leading up to this day, or yesterday (Christmas Eve) when we opened many of those wrapped-up treasures. But…..BEST. NEWS. EVER. God showed up this day (at least the day we celebrate…
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The second verse of this wonderful Christmas carol is:“Said the little lamb to the Shepherd boy,Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky Shepherd boy.Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, high above the trees,With a voice as big as the sea. With a voice as big as the sea.”…
Who’s that Knocking at my Door?
It’s about 8:30 pm. Tuesday night. Lights are out. I’m in bed watching a Hallmark Christmas movie! I’m caught up in the love story that I already know what the ending will be, when suddenly, loud knocking on my bedroom door. Yes, I said, “bedroom door” and not my front door! Holy jumping catfish!!! I…
Merry Christmas to You and Yours
Happy Birthday, Jesus! Joy to the world the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Many joys and blessings to my dear, encouraging, and supportive, friends and family! Up and at ‘em is the full-of-life-and-joy kiddos this morning. Maybe the rest of us are moving at a slower pace, seeking just a few…
Christmas Coping, Moping or Hoping
Okay! Your beautiful Thanksgiving family photos on social media drew me in. Incredible displays of tables set with perfection. Those photos represent family love and traditions. Seeing them makes me want to gather all the photos I took and add them to my blog today, but I won’t. Obviously, I’m still in thanks-giving and gratitude-living…
I Can Hardly Wait
My son sent a photo of he and Shawntel taking friends with their little two-year-old girl to see Austin’s spectacular Trail of Lights. They’re getting that little one started early. And that’s what my parents did for me. As a child, some of my fondest memories of Christmas included the drive to look at Christmas…
Being a DIY Underachiever…..or Not
Let’s be honest – we’d all like to be that husband/dad/man who can build or fix just about anything. And, in the female species, the gal who is incessantly on FB or Instagram touting their latest, successful DIY project. I’m Joanna Gaines in my dream world. My daughter and her husband amazed me when their…
I Want to be God’s Promotional Display
Ever notice how strategically retailers display items in their store to draw us in? It’s all about them using psychology to grab us and encourage us to spend more on items we didn’t even realize we wanted. Even the height of items matters. Lower items for the kiddos to see and beg for that “must…