Merry Christmas!!!

The Last 17th of 2012

Can you believe it?  The incredible year of 2012 is almost done.  When I was younger and had to pick a date that was out there, futuristic, crazy far ahead, I always chose 2012.  Makes me feel old to have already lived through this entire year (well, almost :)

Anyway, Christmas is in the air around here.   The front of our house hasn't changed much except for the Christmas tree on the porch.



The courthouse has a few decorations, as well as a half-mast flag to honor the children from the Connecticut tragedy.  For some of us, it serves as a reminder to pray for the families trying to heal from unbearable loss.

The rest of these pictures are scenery that God has decorated with fresh snow last night.  There is something magical about waking up to a white world.

Dry Bridge Park -  good sledding territory and the pond is just about frozen

The end of 9th Street

The view out toward unseen snowy mountains

I was hoping to catch a sunrise this morning, but the sun was hidden behind thick clouds mirroring the white of the ground.

First Avenue Park - a frosty playground

The First Avenue sidewalk filled with shoe prints and dog paw imprints

I hope all you readers are enjoying this season and taking the time to spread cheer and love to people that are not your typical circle.   Make the most of the fact that people tend to be more friendly around Christmas time.  That oddball conversation may turn into something that could change a life forever. And that would make a pretty awesome Christmas gift!  

Merry Christmas to you all.

The Mess and Christmas Decorating

Hello Friends!

A lot has happened since our last posting.

You all know that I turned 50.  Did you all know that last May I stopped coloring my hair?  Yep.  I did. It is still odd looking (or that could just be my look--grey hair or not.)

Speaking of grey.  Is it GRAY or GREY?????

But this post is about "THE MESS" and I am not referring to my hair.

Take a look.

This mess is all cleaned up now!

Here is the messy look from the sidewalk with a handsome guy hanging out at the top!

That scaffolding Steve is standing on is really wobbly.  Thankfully he doesn't ask me to bring his lunch up there!  I remind him that he is not a weeble!  You know, the kind that wobble but don't fall down!!!

Ok, on to the inside of this project house!

This is my lovely view when doing dishes!

Isn't it nice that our neighbor, Polly, painted her house red?  Makes for a great backdrop, don't you think?

I can see this window as well from my kitchen sink!

This is the dining room window seat!

The tree and pillow I got after Christmas last year on clearance.  I wrapped an apron I had around the base of the tree!  Rachel had given me all those cute little bulbs on the tree last year for a gift.

This is in our living room just to the left after you open the door!

This is straight ahead as you open our front door!

A little playful fun on the stair landing.  Just noticed how poorly the plug looks!  Hmmm!
I bought this little candle stand at a second hand store and it was PINK!  Steve painted it up for me all nice!  Thank you, Steve.

More bulbs that Rachel got me last year.  This doily is actually Kacey's.  The cup is a clearance item from Starbucks many years ago.

This is in the living room!

Now, we are in the middle of fixing things up.  Remember!

The mantel is done but the bookshelves are not!  That is why you see a blank wall next to the bricks.  And right above the mantel is going to be a nice window!

It is ready to be cut in.  But, I am stalling.  Ummm, the mess.  Not too sure if we will wait a bit...maybe after Christmas to get that done.

And the grand finale picture!

Our new window on the other side of the fireplace.

Isn't it just beautiful!

The mantel is bare but with construction and all...bare and clean is what we get and are thankful for.

We have a Christmas Party held here at the house to post about...hey, Ashley!!!!!

We also have family picture out takes to post about...hey, Rachel!!!!!

Lauren is coming to town next week and Ellie is practicing saying Aunt Lauren.

Oh, and we made a snow bunny...how about a post girls????!!!???

Tomorrow Ashley and Rachel are leading worship at church.  Yesterday, Ashley was down with a fever.  She is up today.  Not "fine as a frog hair" as they say.  We are praying for her.  Will you pray, too?

mama

I went looking

looking through albums and albums of photographs on my computer

literally hundreds of pictures

looking for you

just you 

in the forefront and center

the focus on you

and as I looked through months and years of pictures

all of a sudden it hit me

and I looked again

there you were

in the background of handfuls and handfuls of photographs

smiling as you watched my little girlie posing for the camera with other relatives

making funny faces just to see that same munchkin laugh

your hands keeping her balanced as she tried some crazy stunt

a joy-filled expression on your face as you watched ellie meeting her baby brother for the first time

and I realized something...

you never were the center of attention

all those years growing up

and it was never all about you

it was about your Jesus

it was about your family

it was about your friends...

and I know they would all agree with me when I say that you always put others first

other's stories

other's hurt

other's needs

and as your daughters we knew that you cared for us more than the accolades of the world

or the bravo from other moms

you did what was best for us

regardless of what others thought or did

you were always in the background

cheering us on

motivating us to bigger and higher goals and life purpose

Mama of mine, thank you for letting us SHINE!

thank you for always being there...

still being there...

we are all grown up, but I know that I, for one, still need my mama

I may have two little ones of my own

but that just makes it all the more evident to me the value

of your wisdom and advice

your encouragement and moral support

and for all that, I say the most humble

THANK YOU

thank you for being the best Mama a girl could ever have

I love you

Happy Birthday!!!