Merry Christmas to All!

Jesus is well and truly come.  

Welcome, little Savior.

Mary's Ultrasound

source

Merry Christmas

I hope your holiday is joyous and Christ centered.

Blessings

The Ubiquitous Letter

It’s the holiday season once again and time for the ubiquitous “letter”. I always tell myself that I’m going to keep track of all the fun stuff we do each month of the year and I succeed for about two months. Then I fall off and get in the groove of slack.

So what happened with us this year? Why, let me tell you:

Oldest Girl got glasses over Easter break and is marveling over how clear things look now. She’ll be 13 in a few months and is very teenaged but we still love her. I haven’t seen the floor in her room in three months.

Curly Girl is 10 and as headstrong as ever. She’s the driving force that I can count on when I need something done. It’s not always done right and it’s not always done pretty, but it is almost always done.

Roo Boo is my girl of two extremes. She’s either very happy and my sunshine, or she’s a very angry tempest. Her mind works so much differently than the older girls and at 8 she keeps me on my toes!

The Boy has started Kindergarten this year and can already read! He is so proud of himself and so am I. He is typical boy: loves bugs, guns and trucks. He’s caught between wanting to be a baby and a big boy.

Baby Bunting is getting big at 18 months and is running everywhere. I recently bought him his first pair of shoes and he loves them so much he doesn’t consider himself dressed until they are on his feet. He’s a bundle of giggles and love.

Big family news, we moved to a new house this July! We moved north just 17 miles and it’s a whole different world. We’ve got a house with a bedroom for each kid and almost 3 acres of land to run on. We’ve complimented the new house with two new cats and a new dog bringing our zoo totals to three cats, two dogs, 1 hamster, 1 river frog, and 1 parakeet.

We’ve also taken the kids out of public school and started to home school this year. With four kids in school, it’s a lot of work for mom, but being able to know exactly what they are learning each day is a blessing and a great benefit. There are no surprise assemblies touting the “greatness” of our current President.

Frank is still an awesome engineer employed at XXX. The kids are turning his hair grey at the temples, but it’s a distinguished look on him. And I, Sara, am looking forward to a great new year with the blessings of God upon all of us.

Merry Christmas!!

Kissing the Face of God

A canvas by Morgan Weistling

Unto Us He Has Come

My Littlest Reindeer

Yes, it's from my cruddy camera phone, but he's cute beyond that. Merry Christmas!!

Jesus is the Reason

*T'was the time before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !*

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS

Jesus Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out -- over several Christmases.

Since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles; and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years, so now - -

*** Here are my Christmas wishes ***

* I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (-in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

* I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

* If you're hauling big-ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

* On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

* I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

* If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

*If you don't mind, I could also use a few miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

*It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing, and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his red crayon back. Have a safe trip Santa, and remember to leave your wet boots by the door, and come in and dry off, so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours always with love and appreciation,

- A Mom

P.S. One more thing . . You can cancel all my requests, if you can keep my children 'young' enough to believe in Santa.

Straight No Chaser

On God's Wings

A little something to put things in perspective...

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park , forest rangers
Began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.

One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched
Statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat
Sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.
When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under
Their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of
Impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the
Tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing
That the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her
Babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her
Small body, the mother had remained steadfast ...because she had
Been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.

'He will cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you will find refuge.'
(Psalm 91:4)

Being loved this much should make a difference in your life.
Remember the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.

My instructions were to send this to people that I wanted God to
Bless and I picked you. Please pass this on to people you want to
Be blessed.

Bells I Like

Praise be to God for the gift of His son, Jesus Christ!!!

Merry Christmas!

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven.. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom.. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil.. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are!?


Keep this bell ringing...pass it on
'The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The LORD turn His face toward you
And give you peace..'
Numbers 6:24-

A Great Blessing...

Jesus is come to earth! Blessed be the Lord.

Merry Christmas

A Baby's Hug

Sappy, sentimental, and just right for the holidays.

From me to you, gentle reader, His Blessings this Holy Christmas Season.

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.

We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?'

Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'

Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.

My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed.

As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.

I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'

Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.

He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'

I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'

I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity.

The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.'

If this has blessed you, please bless others by sending it on. Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.

Felt Gingerbread Man Ornaments

by Anita Pendley

Description: Adorable gingerbread man ornaments you can make for your Christmas tree.

Cookie Cutters are not just for cookies! Let me teach you how to make an adorable Christmas tree ornament with a Gingerbread man cookie cutter and a little felt. You can "bake" up a whole batch of these very quickly.

You will need:

• Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter – I use a metal one because they tend to have simpler designs.
• Tan rectangle of craft felt
• Red and White sequins
• Red and Clear Seed beads
• Permanent Marker
• Ink Pen
• Sharp scissors
• White, Red, and Tan Embroidery Floss
• Embroidery Needle
• Beading Needle
• 7” cording or very narrow ribbon

Lay cookie cutter onto a tan colored rectangle of felt. Trace around the cookie cutter with a Permanent Marker. Turn felt piece over, and trace a second time making sure not to overlap with first tracing on opposite side of felt. Cut both shapes out just inside the lines. Most likely there will be traces of marker on the shapes, but don’t worry about it. These will be inside the ornament.

Take one of the gingerbread men shapes, and lay him marker side down on a flat surface. Using a ball point pen lightly mark 2 dots for eyes and a faint curved line for his mouth. Also mark 3 or 4 dots down his middle for buttons.

Now embroider him all the way around the outside edge with 2 strands of white embroidery floss using an outline stitch. This creates the look that one would get by outlining a gingerbread cookie with icing. You will have to judge how far from the edge will look most pleasing based on how large your shape is. My cookie cutter was 4.75” tall x 4” across, and my outline is ¼” from the edge.

For his eyes you can sew on black seed beads or embroider them with black embroidery floss using either satin stitches or French knots. Embroider his smile with outline stitches using 2 red strands of floss.

Next give him jewels. Start with his buttons. Using 1 strand of red floss knotted on the end threaded through a beading needle, bring your needle from back to front through one of the button marks. Place a red sequin and a red seed bead onto the needle. Push the needle back through the sequin and through to the back of the felt at the same button mark as before. Continue in same manner with red sequins and beads creating his other buttons and 2 cheeks at the ends of his smile.

Use white floss, white sequins, and clear seed beads to jewel his hands and feet. Put them right on top of the white outline border that goes all the way around him. I use 2 on the bottom of each of his hands, and 3 on the bottoms of each of his feet.

Lay the front and back ornament shapes together matching edges. Make sure the marked edge of the back shape is to the inside. Tie a knot in both ends of a 7” piece of cord or narrow ribbon. Place the cord between the front and back of the ornament forming a loop at the top. Starting near the top of the ornament join the front and back together using an applique stitch with 1 strand of tan floss. Be sure to secure the loop hanger as you stitch.

Stuff with polyester fiberfill and close up the opening, continuing to use the applique stitch.

Anita writes DIY articles and tutorials for the arts and crafts industry. For more information about the felt applique kits she sells please visit her website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anita_Pendley


This page printed from: http://www.crafty-moms.com/gingerbread-ornaments.shtml

10% Toy, 90% Child: Finding the Right Christmas Gifts

I meant to have this up for the WFMW, but didn't get it done. Enjoy, regardless.

From the NASA newsletter:

Before you run out and buy the latest electronic games and devices for your kids this holiday season, Temple University and University of Delaware psychologists want you to think simple. They say the overarching principle is that children are creative problem-solvers and discoverers, and they are active. Children build their imaginations around simple toys -- the toys don't command what the child does, but the child commands what the toys do. They believe that electronic educational toys boast brain development and that they are going to give the child a head start. But it does not work this way, according to the psychologists. If children play with toys that allow them to be explorers, they are more likely to learn important lessons about how to master their world. The psychologists suggest that parents follow a few basic guidelines when choosing toys for young children. Look for a toy that is 10 percent toy and 90 percent child. Look for something that they can take apart and remake or reassemble into something different, which builds their imagination. Does the toy encourage social interaction? Can more than one child play with the toy at the same time? Old-fashioned retro toys, such as rubber balls, building blocks, clay, and crayons are usually much healthier for children than the electronic educational toys.

Find out more at Temple University

The Boy. The Obsession.

Since we had a Christmas Tree, we felt it just peachy to get a train set, too. All the kids adore it and you wouldn't believe what OTHER cars fit on the tracks: Matchbox, Mini Polly Pocket cars, Legos and the list rocks on.

A good investment for $17, I'd say.

Christmas Giveaway Sticky Post!

Really, I don't want to tell you about this 'cause I want to win SOMETHING!! But how fair would that be?

So, 5 Minutes for Mom is giving away the farm for Christmas. Awesome! Be sure to visit the contest page every day from now until 24 November for a new give away. Leave a comment, make a link, and you're SET!

This is a sticky post and will stay at the top until 24 November. Please scroll down for my latest [madness] post.

NEW!! Come visit my new etsy shop!!

Overheard...

...as Daddy was tucking in A, my 5 yr old daughter:

No, Daddy. Santa doesn't BUY presents!

Mrs Claus does.

My, how insightful.