Morning Thoughts...

I have been reading a book that has quickly won it's way into my heart. It's called 'A Bethlehem Christmas' by Charles Swindoll. It's a book divided into three chapters. The first chapter describes the events of Christ's birth through Mary's perspective, the second chapter through Joseph's perspective, and the last chapter through the angel Gabriel's perspective. I was reading it to the boys this morning, and a familiar knot found it's way into my throat. I'd like to share a little bit of what the angel Gabriel had to say...

" I know more than any mortal could, for I stand in the very presence of God and announce His decrees to people on earth. Yet, despite the timeless, heavenly perspective I enjoy as one of His heavenly messengers, one particular mystery is beyond my ability to understand: God's persistent, unrelenting love for people. It began before time and it will never end." ~ Gabriel

Isn't that so true, and simply amazing? The birth of Jesus was a master plan for human kind. The plan was formed because of that relentless love for all of US. Some of us have chosen to look in the direction of this Savior born to us, others haven't YET... but God never gives up. He chooses to remain the same. He chooses to be persistent. He chooses to desire to win the hearts of EVERYBODY. He chooses those that are continually judged by many. He chooses those that are rejected by many. He chooses those that choose Him, but don't live as though they do. He chooses me.

Simply. Beautiful.

I highly recommend this book to anyone desiring to gain more perspective about Christ's birth. I have nativity sets throughout my house, and after reading this book, I will never look at them the same again.

Happy Friday. ~

SNOW! Beautiful SNOW!

What a beautiful, memorable day we had yesterday. We knew we were supposed to get snow... but we DIDN'T think we would be getting close to TWO FEET of snow! We woke up to beauty that is totally unspeakable. It was one of those moments that you wish you could just freeze time. The boys were shrieking with joy and J and I were snuggling with a cup of coffee just enjoying our togetherness as a family. We played in it ALL DAY. We took our Christmas pictures out in it. We even hiked in it.

That's right... we packed up our backpacks and headed about a mile up the street to have lunch with friends in their cozy house. We ate yummy soup, drank hot chocolate and played some more out in the snow. They have some ROCKIN' steep hills over at their place for all of these EXTREME sport-sters.

It was a beautiful day yesterday. The kind of goodness that only God can bring to a day.

'Tis The Season!

December is upon us.

I'm not even going to mention the fact that just yesterday we were basking in the sun at the pool. Well, not really... BUT it SEEMS like just yesterday. So I've been thinking about all the things I LOVE about this time of year. I've had a little more time to do that this year because for the first time in about 17 years, I'm not making outrageous amounts of peanut brittle and fudge in my kitchen. I will still be making these things to give away, but I'm not selling this year, and I've gotta tell you... it feels good!

As I've mentioned before, I love to bake. Starting about two weeks ago, my house has contained a continuous aroma of pumpkin spice something, gingerbread something, and chocolatey something. Creating yummy and beautiful goodness in my kitchen is something near and dear to my heart. So, for me... the season smells unlike any other.

The lights and colors are festive and make me happy. There's something about driving down any given street around the Christmas season and looking in people's windows. Seeing their cozy homes all lit up from the inside out. Watching the smoke rising out from their chimneys into the crisp air. The sights around me are warm and inviting.

The season of Christmas brings all sorts of emotions. I feel blessed to be a mom all during the year, but for some reason, more so around Christmas. Children bring magic to the season. Their spirits are contagious. Their smiles are genuine and bright. They are full of anticipation over all the traditions of the season and they find it hard to contain their excitement. I am happy to have my daily dose of childhood excitement, because even on the worst day of waiting in some ridiculous line, or fighting terrible traffic... my boys are ready to greet me with a hug and some story that will take every care away.

Some people get tired of Christmas music, and some don't even like it at all. I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Isn't it true that you find yourself taken back to the age of your own childhood through the gift of Christmas music? I will be in my car listening to it, and suddenly I'll have a memory of singing this very song in front of a gymnasium full of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles while wearing one of the many Christmas dresses that my mom made just for me. The songs of Jesus' birth always make me tear up because I LOVE to picture myself as one of those being there to witness it all. You know... like maybe one of those angels... or shepherds. The sounds of the season are sweet and full of sentiment.

'Tis the season to be grateful to experience it all. To experience the sights, smells, sounds and feelings that come from knowing that a Savior came to save ME. That a Father sent His son to die for ME. That He came in the same form as you and I... a sweet little baby. Born to a mother who loved Him with all her heart. Born with the greatest purpose... to be our King.

Men of Few Words

Yeah, like any of you actually believe that one... right? My three little men are NOT of few words. They ALWAYS have something to say. I used to keep a little journal to write down some of the funny and heart felt things they would say. Now, I try to jot them down here instead. It seems they have had a lot to say lately.

It must be because of the holidays in the air.

I was away at a meeting when the boys and their dad decided to have a talk about girls. That has become more of an "issue" this year with them being in the co-op. J asked the boys if they had their eyes on any girls, and they all snickered.

Caleb: "Ya... I like Maddie. She's nice and she helps me with my math sometimes."

Colby: "Ummm... I have two." WHAT?????

Lucas: With a big 12 year old smile, "Yes, but I'm not going to share".

So, J takes this opportunity to talk to them about what's important to look for in a girl. He mentions a few things and then Caleb shouts out...

"I know what kind of girl NOT to like! Remember those girls in the parking lot at the park last summer? They were talking really bad and lighting fireworks, remember? Those kinds of girls aren't good ones for me, right?"

Right on, Caleb.

They go on talking about how it's important to know if the one you like loves Jesus and makes church a part of their lives. Then it's Colby's turn to pipe in...

"Dad, what if BOTH girls love Jesus AND go to church?" UGH!

I'm sure there will be more to share on this topic through the years.

We were in San Francisco last week for a field trip. It was a great day. After being educated, we went to a beach to explore. We found this old beach called Old Bathhouse Ruins. It was the site of an old Bathhouse and the building mostly washed away, but there was still the lower portion of the old cement building left for the boys to explore through. They were SOoooo excited to run through the building, jumping over the walls and peeking their heads through the windows. After doing this for awhile, Caleb came to us and said, "Mom, dad, there are girls with beards in one of those rooms." Okay, so we ARE in San Fran where ANYTHING is possible. We gathered the boys and continued our exploring. J said that he saw the "girls with beards" and one of them was actually a guy with long hair, but the other one could not be confirmed. Like I said... anything is possible.

Yesterday the boys were talking about going to see Santa at the mall. Our younger two are still really into this. Surprising, I know. Anyhow, I told them that I had heard a rumor that Santa at the mall was wearing latex gloves this year. Apparently, the cotton ones that he usually wears aren't acceptable because H1N1 germs have been known to stick to cotton gloves and be transfered kid to kid. Ummm, not sure about that one, but who am I to judge.

Whatever.

So, I told them maybe we would go somewhere else to talk to Santa and get pictures. Colby almost hyper-ventilated. He informed us that we simply couldn't do that because if he gave his list to any other Santa but the one at the mall, he would be robbed of everything on his list. He went on to give us examples of when a friend of his saw another santa and he gave him his list, but got totally different stuff than what he asked for.

So, I guess latex it is. Just to play it safe for Colby. :0)

Lots of words. My little men are NOT men of few words. They keep me giggling ALL THE TIME.... and it only gets better each year.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

** PS. The song now playing is the one I referred to a couple of weeks ago. All three of the boys have it memorized now. Hearing them sing it is the equivalent of hearing a two year old sing "Jesus Loves Me". SO SWEET!

True Love

I love these boys! All four of them bring joy to my heart daily, and I'm so grateful to be blessed by their lives continuously...


** Note: The collar around Copper's mouth is NOT a muzzell! It's called a gentle leader, and for anyone out there looking for a FANTASTIC way to train your dog to walk beside you instead of pulling you, it's a great tool! :0)

Cleaning House

Do you ever feel like the Lord is just cleaning house inside the depths of your soul? Like He's reaching into ALL the crevices and removing every cob web?

I do.

Lately, I've been feeling that a LOT. I posted here a few weeks ago about how I felt like God was preparing me for some changes. I'm still totally unsure of what those changes are. I still feel COMPLETELY in the dark. I trust Him though. I trust him with my life.

The past couple of weeks, more than anything, I have felt like God was just cleaning house. He's doing the work that needs to be done inside of me before giving me MORE work that needs to be done around me.

Cleaning house is a hard thing though. It's dirty work. Letting go of past hurts and things that have made me down right angry isn't something that comes easy to me. Surrendering those things is what He wants from me, and I know in the end the burdens on my shoulder will be much lighter. It's true what they say you know... "It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile".

So smile... I will. Frown... I won't. Today I'm actually feeling excited about this house cleaning. I'm expecting to hear God's voice whispering in my ear all along... assuring me.

I am His and He is mine.

Four Boys

Isn't this the CUTEST picture you've seen in a while??? They are BOTH cute, but the one I'm referring to is the one including my furry boy. I couldn't resist posting it. I've already made it my screen saver too. This past Friday we packed up "the crew" and headed for Apple Hill. For all of you who aren't locals, Apple Hill is located here in the foothills (but on the OTHER side of the canyon) and it's chock FULL of fun activities. There are apple farms every where and each one has something different to offer. There are crafters, bakers, ponds full of fish, train rides, pony rides... much to spend your money on if you so desire. Personally, we opt for the caramel apples and an occasional apple pie to take home. We don't spend as much money as we do time just walking around, enjoying the sites and mingling with other apple hill fans.

On our way home, we stopped in Coloma (an old gold mining town) and spent some time at the river. The boys made boats out of sticks and leaves and then raced them down the river. They skipped rocks and made bridges out of rocks. J and I took lots of pictures and cozied up on a rock and chatted about the boys and all of our many blessings. Copper hung out with the boys, and did whatever they were doing. The boys had climbed up on this small deck (actually it's part of a replica of an old mill) and they were looking over the edge across the river. At one point, one of them said...

"Wow... Look at that!"

Next thing we know, there's Copper... right up there with them. It seems he doesn't want to miss out on anything! It made for a perfect photo opportunity though. :0)

It's a good thing that we had such a glorious time on Friday. As of yesterday, all three are sick AGAIN! Seriously???? We are in the month of October, right? It's feeling a lot like February to me around here with all the tissues flying through the air and medicine spoons cluttering the dishwasher. UGH.... This too shall pass.