Taking Down The Cheer

I really need to move on and get all the Christmas decorations packed up today. This will put me one step closer to the big move in February. Soon I can say, "I'm moving next month" ... instead of next year; that sounds much better to my ears!

My big exciting plans for New Years Eve are to stay home, maybe pop some popcorn and watch a movie. That suits me just fine! This has been quite a year to reflect upon ... so much change ... new everything ... including meeting some great friends in blogland. I hope to someday meet a few of you folks this side of heaven. But for now, my hope for you is that you have a safe time bringing in the New Year and use your talents for God's kingdom in the coming year.

Blessings to each of you,

Mrs. Mac

Looking Back on 2006

Photo: Your's truly with my brothers; Christmas, 1960

Over at 4:53 AM (Dawn's site) she had a great idea for a post. Take the first sentence of each month that you made a post for this past year and write it down. Care to come along for the journey?

January
Stuck on a narrow sandbar .... that sums up my spiritual life.
(side note ... what a way to begin the new year!)

February
Finally an offer has been made on our home!

March
Clean, crisp, fresh air ... aahh!

April
A week ago today we arrived with "all we own" packed inside our two cars.

May
The past month has been one of great relaxation!

June
Nathan's pic after 5 bbq chicken drumsticks!

July
Once again my youngest has made his escape!

August
Imagine opening your on-line "mailbox" and seeing a message from your husband titled, "Regarding Our New Baby" !!

September
The past few days have flown by without much pause!

October
Our firstborn daughter hails from Royal Oak, Michigan.

November
Tomorrow night I should be freezing my bunz off on a visit to the "North Pole" via one of the Coeur d'Alene Resort's cruise boats.

December
I'll be in and out of blog world just a bit during the next week and a half as I get in gear for my daughter's wedding (next weekend) and the company flying in for the big day.

If you want to play along, just leave a comment with your link.

Send Me To My Room ... Please!

Christmas day was pleasant enough; not too busy or fussy. Christmas Eve was a Sleepless in Idaho night ... along with Christmas night .... along with last night. My little Mr. Nathan was having some GI (intestinal) problems ... (no, he's not sick) ... some weeks are a little rough on his body ... and ... for some reason ... the nights seemed to be his choice time to complain (and rightly so). This meant dear old mommy had to get up more than her normal share of times to get up ... in turn making mommy dearest a bit over-taxed. I'm hoping and praying that tonight will be a good night for both of us. Dh made a comment today that when he's up here for good he'd take turns getting up with the little guy ... I corrected him and requested that he take the first year getting up at night as that's what I've had to do (he replied something about maybe wanting to go back to work right away ahem ... ).

I did get out for a bit today to check on the order for new interior doors, trim molding and stair rail parts ... along with interior wall finishes and colors schemes ... that was fun. The interior of our new home is taking on its character.

I've been lurking the past few days and it seems like most of you all had a blessed Christmas.

Good night ... sweet dreams (I'll try too!)

A Christmas Welcome

Care to take a peek at our Christmas decorations?







Welcome to our home ... near the front door you'll see Dh's itty-bitty, Charlie Brown Christmas tree (he insists on a bit of fresh tree).
















We have a wee gingerbread house to tempt you (might be a bit stale by now)

















... How do you like the pretty tree next to the stockings on my desk?

















To cheer me up while doing the dishes, I've added a little windowsill trim as well.












And last but not least ... my newest "moose" friend to grace our woodsy home. If you check back late Christmas night ... you might find "after" photos of the morning's mess. Merry Christmas!

Getting Connected

Belonging to a rather large church makes it hard to see the same people twice at any one of the five services. To get connected, one is encouraged to join a small home Bible study group. I put my name in the basket months ago, and low and behold someone called me last week to say there's a group that meets four doors down from my new home. This past Wednesday I went to the study and enjoyed meeting people in my new neighborhood that are Christians. Thank you Lord for the blessing.

A Great Affinity For Love

I take great offence when I hear kids or adults use the "R" word (retarded). Little do they know it mean "s-l-o-w" not stupid. Having a s-l-o-w child is not in society's majority ... so comes the lack of understanding by that majority. What my child lacks in speed he makes up for in love. He loves his dog, Miss Holly. Lately when he rambles about his love for me, he's been calling me "Ho-nn-y" (L's are difficult for him to pronounce). I know he's trying to express his love in the same language tone he uses for his pooch. Today, when dh called, Nathan started calling him "Ho-nn-y" ... I had a little explaining ... but Daddy was pleased with the connection. People, do you know how blessed I am to have someone saying "I --- love --- you" mommy with eyes and body language that oooozes affection 24/7? Parents that have s-l-o-w children are in a select club ... be it not one we chose to be in ... but one in which God has placed us. The best place to be is in God's place ... the blessings are awesome.

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Matthew 18:1-5 KJV

Five Days Before Christmas

... And all through the house

every creature is stirring (hopefully not a mouse).

The stocking are hung on the front of my desk next to the tree

in the hope that dear Mommy won't want to flee!

My plate this week is full ... and not with Christmas treats

but rather a "laundry" list of stuff to do that makes me quite weak!
There are appointments to order for the new home such as:
granite
hearth stone
flooring
and tile
I'm sure when Friday's over
I'll be wearing a big smile!

But that's not what Christmas is all about.
Remember the babe in the manger
that made the angels SHOUT:
Glory to God in the highest?

Remember? He didn't stay a baby
but IS incarnate.

Remember? It's HIStory that is behind
the tree, mistletoe, Santa, packages,
goodies to eat, parties to attend
new PJ's for the kids

Put him back ... don't devalue His prominence
Keep Him at the center of your celebrations.

Remember His purpose.
To save us from our sins
and
have everlasting life.

DON'T FORGET THE REASON WE CELEBRATE

Merry Christmas to all
and to all a good night!

One More Wedding Photo

Here's a picture of dh, the bride, and yours truly at the wedding. The bands of elastic in my blouse gave the appearance that I had rolls of "jello" floating around my middle section on film ... other than that, it didn't look as bad (so I'm told lol). Patrick took a flight out this morning ... now my household consists of four lonely souls ... last week I had nine people under my roof (yikes)! The quiet is nice :)

Heaven's Rejoicing ... And Mama's Happy

Tonight my dear son, Patrick, got baptized at church. We're pretty excited about his decision and pray the Good Lord will keep a close eye on him as he travels with the military and beyond. This mama is sleeping well tonight.

The Party's Over

Ahhhh ... the company has departed, all but my oldest son; the house is quieter; my food bill is much smaller; my running around like crazy is done; daughter is living at her own apartment with her husband; just a nice quiet hush is over the house now (except for the raging wind and rain beating on my windowpane!) Time for a Calgon moment and a Guidepost magazine. I don't think I could read anything about Christmas decorations ... or recipe guides. No, just give me some short ... real life stories to read. Good night!

Wedding Pictures

Here are some of the early "returns" on digital wedding photos. I still have 35 mm film and a few more digital camera's to process ... but couldn't wait to share a few memories with you. The day was a dream come true for our daughter, and as parents we couldn't have been more happy with her choice in a husband.

Photo of young man in front of Christmas tree is our oldest son, Patrick. Youngest daughter, Ann, in the red dress; Groom and Bride; their wedding cake.

The Big Day

We're just hours away for the big event. I'll post pictures and details tomorrow.

No Taxi Service Today

Well, how do you like that? My hubby rented a large car when he got to Spokane and is waiting at the airport for my parent's plane to land. No need to even make a taxi run! How nice! And to make things easier, for dinner tonight, my oldest son has requested "sloppy joes"! Easy day, easy meal, no stress! The weather is mostly sunny, snow is beginning to melt ... but still pretty. Temps are in the low 30's; last week we were in the high teens/low 20's ... much better weather for company. I'm surviving the wedding crunch!

Wedding Countdown

Thanks for all the well wishes as the time winds down for the happy couple. I can't believe how relaxed I am ... hopefully not too relaxed and then finding myself burning the midnight oil Friday and Saturday. Yesterday, if you could have seen me washing the cars out in the snow covered street with rubber gloves, and a special telescopic car wash mop ... they both were pretty disgusting with the remnants of dirty snow melt and leftover junk floating around inside. My neighbors must have thought I was nutty (well I am ... but that's OK). Thursday is when all the company starts arriving; I'll be wearing my taxi hat that day making runs to the airport. The bride picked up her dress from being altered today ... exciting! Well, I'm off to Wallyworld for a few last minute items. Stay safe and warm dear friends.

The Light Cruise Photos

I'll be in and out of blog world just a bit during the next week and a half as I get in gear for my daughter's wedding (next weekend) and the company flying in for the big day ... But, here are some of the photos I took on the holiday light cruise this past Wed-
nesday. Hope everyone stays warm and safe from the wrath of winter. The cruise was freezing ... but beautiful and the pictures just don't do it justice.