Glorious One

I've been up for few hours now, trying to keep my nose in the WORD. I am seeking HIM, asking for HIS provision in our family right now. As this song came on, I began listening to the words and they are exactly what I needed to hear today. He is Glorious, He is the Light of the World, He outshines the sun, His hands carved the ocean, He created the universe and He still runs to the broken. I don't know what 2009 holds for my family. I am praying for a better year than 2008, I am praying that I am a better person in 2009, that I GLORIFY the GLORIOUS ONE! My heart rests in the fact that HE is my glorious one and there is none more beautiful!

Our hands are lifted high

our hearts are bowing in reverence

and we're surrounded by

the glory of Your presence

with every creature every tongue

we're lifting our voice to the Glorious One

Glorious One, Glorious One

Light of the world You outshine the sun

King of all Kings, eternity sings

Glorious One, God of infinite worth

with hands that carve out the ocean

You hold the universe

and still You run to the broken with

every heart that's been redeemed

we're lifting our song to the Glorious King

there is none more beautiful

there is none more wonderful (repeat)

glorious one . - Steve Fee

WINTER SITES

Our front yard

A view down by campusThe trees in our front yard

Molly, Haley and Darren after

hours of sledding (tractor included)

Our Christmas break from school started early this year. We had four snow days and only one day at school to squeeze in every Christmas craft and hand-made gift for my students' parents. Our Christmas party will be postponed until January : ) On our days off, we spent hours outside, we did some last minute shopping when it was finally safe to drive and we did lots of baking.

The girls helped me for awhile

but then disappeared to do a little of this.....

and a little of this...yes, reading,

of course they read when it's not "homework"

It was a fun prelude to the beginning of break.

There was something nice about being "snowed in"

and having to stick around the house and spend some

good family time together!

Tim was in LA celebrating his 17th birhtday

by spending time with his way cool uncle.

Merry Christmas Eve

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

We've had such a quiet morning here. Haley and I are still in bed watching our second Christmas movie and I can hear Tim and Molly slowly waking up on this gray, cold Christmas Eve morning. Darren has already started his day at the church, preparing for the service tonight. My heart is focusing on the meaning of this season, reflecting on the past year and thankful that we have a chance to slow down and focus on our SAVIOR! It has not been a very easy year for this family, but I am thankful that HE never leaves us. He is a SOVEREIGN God that is not confused or surprised by any circumstance that we have faced or are about to face. The road doesn't seem like it will be easier anytime soon. But my heart is more in love with HIM and at peace when my mind is focused ON THINGS ABOVE......on the birth of a baby thousands of years ago, a plan to bring hope, peace, joy and love to those that SEEK HIM! Today, I AM SEEKING YOU!!

For if it wasn't for Christmas, there would be no Easter! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I finally had a chance to do this and wanted to share it. I can't wait to read some of the others when they are all compiled together!

Dear Mother,

Mother, Mommy and Mama….I am called each one of these words almost daily. I know the voice of the one that calls me…I recognize the tone, the intensity and the curiosity of all 3 voices. I have come to recognize their needs, their love language and their incredible uniqueness that can only come from our Creator. I marvel at the fact that three “perfect” kids can come from 2 imperfect parents. We serve a mighty God! : )

This time of year is extra special to me, not just because it’s Christmas and we celebrate the birth of our Savior but because I became a mommy for the first time during the Christmas season. Six days before Christmas. On Christmas morning I dressed my baby boy in a Santa outfit. He was my best gift that year. I had no interest in opening presents. I wanted to play with him and just look at his sweet face and smell his sweet skin. We were young, in love and madly in love with our new little family!

It is almost surreal that my little boy will be seventeen this week. Yet I feel like it’s so right. So God ordained that he’s now a young man, wise, smart, funny and ready for the world. He makes everyone around him happy! He has from day one! He has big dreams and a lot of success waiting for him.

Two sweet, again unique, girls followed and completed our family. The joy that comes from motherhood and watching your children grow is indescribable. The joy from watching them mature, form their own passions, friendships and opinions is incredible. On the extreme side, the pain from watching children make mistakes, grow and learn lessons can often feel like a limb is being ripped off…or as they say, your heart being ripped out! God’s design for parenting was not to do it alone, it is designed to “cling to HIM” And boy, do I ever!

There is so much I want to teach my kids. Compassion for others, to dream big and to love each other…they do that so well now. I love watching their sweet relationship they each have with one another. Although there is sibling wrestling matches and word slinging often, they are tight! That is success number one! To sum it up, I pray that they fulfill the scripture says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love others as yourself.” The greatest commandment.

There is not a day that goes by I don’t pray for my precious babies. We have given them to the Lord from day we found out about them. He has great plans for them and I am honored to be called Mommy, Mom and Mama!

MY BOY

Today is my "little" boy's 17th birthday.

He is my joy and has been my buddy from day one.

He made me a mommy at young 22! I loved the

new role as mommy from the start.

He was our newlywed baby, our college baby

and our pure, pure joy from the beginning.

He is sweet to his mom, caring to everyone

and an amazing big brother. He has a precious

relationship with both of his sisters. I see super qualities

in him that I know will make an amazing husband someday.

He is funny, funny, funny and you put him with his dad or his uncle

and the two of them keep me laughing all day!

Thanks for making me a mommy, making my job a JOY

and loving your mom

with a tender heart, Timothy!

Christmas Traditions (more)

I haven't done one of these for awile and I had fun reading Heather's so do this with me : )

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper is prettier but I love bags....easy and cute!

2. Real tree or Artificial? We have only had real. Love the look of a real tree cut down from the tree farm around the corner...plus I love the smell!

3. When do you put up the tree? usually the first weekend in Dec.....the earlier the better.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually right before New's years, before I head back to school, for sure!

5. Do you like eggnog? My girls and I love eggnog...eggnog lattes too : )

6. Favorite gift received as a child? all the toys from santa...a ring I got from my parents when I was 16...

8. Easiest person to buy for? My girls....

9. Do You have a nativity scene? Yep...a ceramic one that a lady from our church in Cali made....I don't put it out every year but haley really wanted it up this year...so she put it up on the book shelf...kind of has a western theme to it : )

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I do both....I sent out a small stack of cards this year

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? a set of dishes...not sure why that was the worst, I probably picked them out. I just remember being really disappointed

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Home Alone...?? Little Women....is that a Christmas movie?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around Thanksgiving time...usually a late shopper

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yep....shhhh! (i'm a school teacher :)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? all the fudge, cookies and candy

16. Lights on the tree? uh....yeah..love lights

17. Favorite Christmas song? Baby It's Cold Outside (jessica simpson version)

18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Stay around the homefront

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Can't every mom and teacher in america?? ha!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel a student got me my first year of teaching...14 years ago!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? jammies on Christmas eve and the rest in the morning

These are the matching "jammies" from last year that we got for the guys...you can see how happy they are about this....Can't wait to show you what my mom and I got them this year!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Never enough time and never enough money.....(oh, and I'm not a great baker)

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red and gold

24. Favorite Christmas dinner? OOPs I answered this on #15

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I love getting clothes, clothes and more clothes and boots and a new cute coat.....and...and ...and....

Ok... I want to read yours... Do one on your blog and link back here so I can read them!

Wordless Wednesday: SNOW DAYS

What's on your playlist?

I love listening to Christmas music and have listened to it since Thanksgiving. It's always playing. I love looking for new songs and CD's that come out every year. I have not bought any new ones this year but have pulled out some "oldies" (a few years old ; ) I was given the new Sheryl Crowe Christmas one, so I guess I did get some new tunes this year. MY ULTIMATE, most favorite, bestest Christmas CD, E-V_E-R!! I listen to the entire CD at least 2-3 times a day! Can't get enough of it and although my family can't take it much more, they are patient. They know my love and passion for Third Day!

I am not a huge Jessica fan, but she is beautiful and I love this CD, especially "Baby, It's Cold Outside" This one has been my favorite the few Christmas' I remember buying this on our anniversary trip to Seattle a few years ago.
My friend Robin got my this one...my dear Sheryl Crowe. A few weeks ago we were shopping, I had it in my had to buy and then at dinner that night she gave it to me. She had already gotten it for me. Sweet! Great minds think alike!

Ok, this is NOT my favorite Christmas CD but Haley has an opinion and it gets heard quite often, (Haley and this CD) This is her favorite, by far!

I don't own this CD but I WANT it. Real bad! It has Jack Johnson singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Coldplay and BareNaked Ladies singing on it, as well. I think I'll go to i-tunes now ; )

And just in case you missed it in the beginning, THIS IS MY FAVORITE!

What have you been listening to this season?

Humble Me.....(daily?)

Daily humble me so that I never get so caught up in me that I don't hear You! I don't want to be deaf...deaf to YOU and Your POWER! Draw me closer to You, do what it takes to get me where YOU want me to be. You want to do far me in me than I can imagine and I often live in fear that I might be missing that "call" ! The fear can be paralyzing. The fear of knowing how powerful You really are and are still calling a weak one like me...draw me to Your side and as I wait I will rise up like the eagles...IN THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE!

Forgive me for neglecting your heart

Forgive me for my busy life

Forgive me for wasting time

God, forgive me for neglecting your heart

For I am dark,

My heart, I have forgotten

Forgive me, for neglecting your heart

Put your hand upon my heart

I want to feel you

Let me know that I am alive

Take away my wandering spirit

Fascinate me

Captive me

Come and hold me

Misty Edwards

Get Rid of Pride:

1.Ways to Daily Humble Yourself
2. Submit to God-ordained authorities. Dan. 4:37
3. Admit faults and needs. James 5:16
4. Ask forgiveness. Joshua 7:19
5. Praise your competitors and help them. Matt. 5:44
6. Welcome criticism and grow from it. Rom. 12:14
7. Bless those who curse you. Matt. 5:44
8. Deflect praise that is given to you. Rom. 13:7
9. Make others’ schedules and plans more important than your own plans.
10. Listen to others rather than talking about yourself.
11. Serve others. Phil. 2:4
12. Give sacrificially. Prov. 13:7
13. Consider God’s works – nature, etc. Ps. 8:3-4
14. Kneel in humility “Bow low” – Ps. 95:6
15. Express gratefulness. Ps 103:1-5
16. Weep over sin. James 4:9
17. Ask others to point out blind spots. Prov. 27:6
18. Don’t defend yourself.
19. Get rid of “status symbols” Matt. 11:8-11
20. Honor the Lord’s Day. Isa. 58:13, 14
21. Don’t put others down in conversation. Prov. 26:18, 19

Ask God daily to show you pride in your life.
Ask God daily to humble you.

This is hanging on my mirror where I can see it every...single...day!

YOUR LOVE IS POWERFUL!

Looking for a little of this.....

Could sure use a little of this tonight!

I will lie down and sleep in peace,

for you alone, O LORD,

make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

The Mother Letter

The reason I started this blog was not to hear myself talk about myself, not because I am a good writer, in fact, it was my worst subject in school, it is not because I want others to flock to frenzy-tracy because I have amazing things to say. The greatest reason I began this journal is for my kids....I hope that someday they will be able to read this a figure out how mom "did life" What my passions are/were at this time, how much I deeply love them and to just be able to see my heart. I hope for it to be just a document of our family and how we strived to be all the GOD has called us be!

I have come across this great website after reading Holy Experience this morning. It looks like it was started awhile ago but it's not too late to join. I have read a few Mother Letter's and LOVE IT! Check it out, join and then come back a read my Mother Letter, coming soon!

FO-EVER!

I am not going to write another sappy post about my great husband but I do want to say Happy Anniversary and that I love you dearly....MADLY! Like most old couples say...it seems like yesterday and yet it feels like a lifetime ago...that late, cold, December night, when we said "I DO" We do to forever!! FO-EVA!!! You have the patience of Job and the love that can only come from Jesus, Himself, for this cranky, high maintance wife of yours! Here's to another 18 (x's three) You ROCK my world!

'Tis the Season

There's nothing sadder

in this world

than to awake Christmas morning

and not be a child.

Erma Bombeck

...............AT HEART

When Are You TOO Old?

Saturday, I spent the day with the rest of the world

shopping but I did it with

my best people....we took our annual shopping trip

that is always combined with my birthday..so fun!

I love celebrating my birthday and

it's best to do it with great friends!

We shopped alot, ate tons and

made multiple trips to Starbucks

Showing off my new boots

and starting the day of right...

Peppermint Mocha Twist!

I got a skirt to match..heehee!

My pretty mama! Sweet friend, Kim

Soul Sistas!

Playing in some really

cool Sephora make-up

I love this friendship quote from Christopher Robin..
isn't this what friends do for us....always reminding us of
our true potential!
I am BLESSED indeed!

Promise me you'll always remember:

You're braver than you believe,

and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Christopher Robin to Pooh”

Christmas Traditions

We broke out the boxes over the weekend and the signs of Christmas are starting to show, Haley's been listening to Christmas music for weeks now, we made Gingerbread cookies and homemade bread over the weekend, it even smells like Christmas.......Christmas traditions can be something simple you do together as a family each year. Do you have a special family recipe, does your family open stockings on Christmas eve, do you always have new pajamas to wear on Christmas morning? I DO ; )

We have a spontaneous family that seems to change things up every year, but a few things we love to do each year is open our Christmas pj's after church on Christmas Eve. I seem to be the one that always buys these and I have to get a pair for myself. For some reason, I put more thought into mine than anyone else's....I mean, I need to be comfortable and cute on Christmas morning. We have always done Christmas Eve service together, which includes family communion. I'm looking forward to the Christmas Eve service this year. I've been hearing bits and pieces from what Darren is planning and I think it's gonna be good! Last but not least, we all find "our spot" with our coffee and hot chocolate and one of us (last year Haley read it) reads the Christmas story before we dig into the gifts. The best part of all of this, is we are at GRANDMA and GRANDPA house!!
What's your tradition?

My family did take on the Friday crowd..the Black Friday crowd. So glad to have a husband to drag along, sweet guy stood in line for over an hour, while I shopped! Is that cheating? We definitely got some great deals and probably saved more than we spent...maybe!