I'm in love, I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!

He was the new college roommate of my childhood friend. A cute, polite, southern boy. I asked him my preliminary questions. His answers were incorrect. Time passes. A few friendly waves from a distance. Polite small talk as we gather with friends. A bit of a crush forms.

Then, it happened. As we prepare for a school activity together, I hear His still small voice. "This is it. He's the one."

WHAT? Really? But God, He didn't answer my questions right. (As if my questions mean anything to the Creator.) Sure, he's nice, but are you sure?

"Trust in me."

More time passes. A friendship forms, and I fall absolutely head over heels in love. He asks for my hand, and I say yes.

Nine years later, and I am still crazy about that southern boy. He is my best friend, my partner in life.

Thank You, Lord, for my husband. You are a good Creator God. Your plans for us are perfect and good. You created us with each other in mind, with our children in mind. Thank You for all you have done for us. Thank you for blessing and protecting our marriage. Thank you for nine wonderful years together.

Love Languages

While sewing with my daughter today, she began to make up a song. "I love Daddy. I love Mommy. I love Brother. I love Papa. I love Nana. I love my family because they spend time with me."

My daughter requires constant attention. She talks non stop about anything and everything (a challenge for this mommy who has a hard time concentrating on more than one thing). She craves interaction. She craves love. She craves time. This her love language. Time. This is how she knows I love her. Time.

Having a child whose primary love language is time can be draining. It requires a lot more of you.

My son is quite opposite. He enjoys playing alone. As long as someone is on the same floor in the house as him (he hates being alone), he requires little attention. Instead, he gets his love from hugs and snuggles and kisses and wrestle matches with Dad and Sister. A much easier love tank to fill.

As she was singing, I was feeling guilty and remembering how important it is that I keep her love tank full, no matter how challenging. Too often, I brush her off. I get frustrated. I tell her to be quiet. I tell her, "We'll talk later. We'll do this together later." But often, later never comes. I get swept up in the busy-ness of life.

It its moments like these, listening to her made up song, spelling out what she needs from me, that I remember. There is very little in this life that is more important than me loving her with my time. There is very little that cannot be put on hold so that I can listen to the ramblings, look at the latest piece of art, or play another round of uno.

Lord, thank you for Daughter. Thank you for the wonder that she is. Thank you for her uniqueness. Help me to love her right. Help me to be patient and not get frustrated. Help me to give her all she needs. Help me to be the mom she requires. May she feel and know Your love through me. Amen

P.S. The Five Love Languages for Children by Gary Chapman is a must read for any parent! :-)

Christmas Time....

We started early, decorating before Thanksgiving so that it would be all ready for Auntie Katie's return home. Thanksgiving was full of tradition....the day at Jenn's with lots of food, family and friends. Followed by a day of shopping, parade, naps, and leftovers.


Saturday after Thanksgiving was tree day. The past few years, due to lack of funds, we have bought a tagged tree from the tree farm. Tagged trees are not the most beautiful of trees, but they are 25 dollars cheaper! This year, we went to the tree farm with every intention to buy the biggest regular tree we could find. Yet, once we arrived, where is the first place we go? Yep, to the tagged trees. It's like a treasure hunt...finding the best looking tree among the worst of the trees. At first it was just to look, and then a decision was made. This will be a new tradition. Picking a clearance tree. We got a good one this year. It is big and full. It was COVERED in prickly tree branch/needles from another tree, and took a bit of work to get it house ready, but it was worth it.

That evening, we decorated the tree together. This year, mom and dad put the lights on, and the kids did the rest. (With the exception of a few very special, breakable ornaments) They were so proud of their work, and did pretty good.

This year, I am stepping outside the box and helping my kids make homemade gifts for everyone. First, let me say, whoever said that homemade gifts were more economical is a LIAR!!!! I have spent more on the supplies for their homemade presents than on anything else I bought. But, that's not the point, right?

Son is working with his dad to make gifts from wood. I am working with Daughter on a long list of sewing projects. The first two on her list (which she came up with on her own) were much too difficult for her, so mommy ended up doing all but a few of the finishing details. The rest are simple enough for her to handle on her own. We are using the sewing machine (which belongs to my sister) and she has already got the hang of it!

My mom had the idea to countdown the days of Christmas by placing a different name of Jesus on a Jesse Branch. We decided to do this as apart of our family devotions. We are all enjoying learning the different names of Jesus. And praying them back to Him.

I am so enjoying this season! Relaxed and peaceful, enjoying lots of time with the family creating things, learning things, celebrating Jesus. He is our King of Kings, born to save us from our sins. Thank You, Jesus!!