I'm a little snowflake...

I know that I should absolutely be doing Christmas stuff right now instead of blogging, but I just need to process, and for some crazy reason, this helps me do it, so...

Yesterday was a BAD day. Really super YUCK-O, the kind you just want a do-over on. I won't go into gory details, but it ended up with me being incredibly (maddeningly, almost out of my mind) frustrated because 1) I have years and years of (what really feels like) "useless" education that can't be put to practical use (read, WHY O WHY didn't I study nursing/ architecture/ business/or anything other than these degrees that end in the word "studies"?) and 2) my youngest daughter and I are butting heads like I never imagined we could.

So I was feeling lonely, isolated, and icky. Generally abandoned (although theologically I know that's nonsense, it still creeps into my practical outlook). I'm still in recovery from my attitude from yesterday. It was THAT bad - one of those attitudes that just stays with you for a while...

Anyway, in an attempt to bring some sanity back to life, I sat down to read the paper...on the front page of the entertainment section, there's a write up about coffee table books, and the first book they review, with amazing pictures provided, is The Art of the Snowflake: A Photographic Album, by Kenneth Libbrecht (website here with more info about Libbrecht, and the book, and it's where these amazing images came from). So right there I have an amazing display of the creativity and amazing attention to detail of the Father, and I'm immediately reminded that He's still in control. For whatever reason, each and every snowflake that falls is unique, and yet I dare to think that my life has escaped His notice, that He no longer loves me as His own? Sheesh.... Thank you, Father, that in my forgetfulness and stubbornness you don't disown me. Your patience and kindness with me absolutely blow my mind...I long to be that way with my children (and with everyone around me), but I fall so very short. Help me to be a better learner, and to trust You.

like mother....

It amazes me how much my girls are like me sometimes (btw, that's us at the Children's parade last weekend in downtown Dallas - so fun!). I probably shouldn't be amazed, considering how much time we spend together, but still...

We went to McDonald's today after a fun trip with some sweet friends to our very favorite library, the main Dallas library downtown (amazing children's section, with the best librarians ever! I absolutely adore the head children's librarian - you can ask about ANYTHING, and she can walk you right to her favorite choices on the topic...). Anyhow, we're in McDonald's. Susan and I are visiting while our 4 girlies are playing. In walks Ronald McDonald himself, and while all the other children in the building get giddy, my two start screaming. One hides behind the shoe holder, the other is frozen in fear inside the play-tube thing. I go rescue little (hidden, screaming, behind the shoes), and Susan climbs inside the play thing to rescue big, who is now sobbing. I've always disliked Ronald McDonald. Maybe that's genetic?

At bedtime K always likes to ask the really deep questions. I know asking questions is definitely a stall tactic, but WHY the gut-wrenching questions at that precise moment? Tonight it was of the "I'll miss you when I don't live with you anymore" variety. Her final question: "Will I be with a man who looks just like daddy?" Very concerned that she won't marry a man that looks like her daddy. That's daddy's girl! We assured her that we don't know the answers to those questions, but we know Who does, so she doesn't need to worry about it.

I know I need to post some pics of our tree, Jada! I promise I'm working on it. You all know the busy excuse, and I think our camera might be getting a little tired, so it's not taking the best pics ever... Maybe when the cold weather comes back? It's hard to convince myself that it's actually Christmastime with 80 degree weather outside...but we sure do love it!

gettin' christmas-y

so it's time to start gettin' christmas-y here at the ol' homestead, so I thought the blog should reflect it as well. Get on my case if it still looks like this in February....

We've decided to go with a train theme for the tree this year, because honey and the girlies are wild about trains, so I'm trying to come up with a way to make/find garland that looks like train tracks, but am hitting a creativity wall...any suggestions? While I'm on the subject...what are some fun traditions y'all have at Christmas, decorating-wise, or even other-wise?

those crazy kiwis...

So my sis introduced us to "Flight of the Conchords" last week...in case you've not heard of it, it's an HBO show that follows 2 guys from New Zealand, who are trying to make it as a band in New York. I wouldn't recommend any of it at all for family viewing, but I've cried laughing over some of their lyrics (the show breaks into "music videos" frequently). If you're a David Bowie fan, you need to check out their David Bowie episode... Anyhow, here's their song "part-time model" from episode 1: Sally.

sweet reminder

Yesterday my sweet friend Angela, mom to 3 sweet angels 3 & under, shared this sweet story with a group of us girls...

Almost 2 months ago, she took the kiddos to visit her mom in Georgia. In the process of packing, her oldest daughter's bunny wound up missing. Sophie (her oldest) was a very brave 3 1/2 year old for the last 2 months, not complaining about the missing bunny, and all the while Angela kept searching diligently. Monday night Sophie broke down: "I miss my bunny! I need my bunny!" etc.., accompanied by many tears and loads of sobbing. Angela and her hubby gathered the kiddos on the bed, and said a prayer for bunny (isn't it interesting, the things we find ourselves praying for as parents?). So mom & the girls stayed on the bed while dad went about his business...about 2 minutes later, dad came in with bunny: "Look what I found in your other backpack!" Bunny was found. Dad assumed mom had already looked in there, but "something" just told him to check again.

Angela was sharing how overwhelmed she was at the thought that the God of the universe cared enough about her, and about her sweet girl, to let that bunny be found. Right then. One of our other friends remarked, "Angela, she'll never forget that." Angela replied that she wouldn't ever forget it either.

How great a love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! I John 3:1.

So there's a reminder. He is the great and awesome God of the universe, but He is also Abba, our dear Father. And he loves us so very much that He'll even bring our bunnies back right when we need them. Thank you, Father, for the great love you shower on us...I know I'm so very undeserving, but You have provided a way for us to be Yours through Christ. Draw our precious children, who You love, to Yourself by the work of the Spirit, I pray.

pumpkin bread recipes?

It's almost Thanksgiving, and I'm looking for a wonderful pumpkin bread recipe! Gammy used to make the best pumpkin bread (and I'm sure she still does, but being here I haven't had the chance in way too long to find out!), and I used to have the recipe, but like most important stuff written down in this house, I have no idea where it might be...

So I'm looking for a few good recipes. Anyone?

Don't have any mommy wisdom yet...wanted to have the luncheon this week, but honey was sick, and now the girls are sick, and so I just don't know when it's going to happen! Maybe before January 1st?

We made these turkeys Wednesday. I love that the girlies love being crafty!!

thriller night

Oh the wonders of modern technology! I'm sitting here on our front sidewalk blogging, while handing out candy and listening to Thriller on youtube...gotta love it! Our little bats are at our church's trunk or treat with their grandma-mumsie while their daddy works our CG's booth, or trunk, or whatever you call it.

So here are a few pics of our little bats (yes, bats! K was all about being "spooky" this year, and this was about as spooky as we could muster). Their costumes were fun and easy to make, thanks to Family Fun magazine (which our MOPS group is selling subscriptions to for $10 - it's a wonderful resource! Let me know if you want any more info!).

So it's later now, and our Halloween is over for this year! We have a field trip with K's class to the zoo tomorrow bright & early, so I'm off for now... Hope you all had a fun & safe evening!