Finally

Well, it's the last day of the year... I'm just in time to sneak in some of those Christmas and birthday pictures I promised. Happy New Year to you all!!

Ending with a Bang

Little guy has been sick since the day after his birthday... it started out with just a fever, cold, cough, etc. Last night, while getting him ready for bed, I noticed a rash on his chest. I called the doctor immediately and, thankfully, they were able to see him right away. I'm lucky enough that our doctor's office has at least one doctor in the office 7 days a week (including holidays) up until 7pm at night.

Anyway, they did a strep test which came out negative, but because of the rash, he decided to go ahead and treat Chris for scarlet fever (which is closely related to strep). So, he is on antibiotics, is laying low and will be ringing in the new year from home. Poor thing has cabin fever, but thankfully has an onslaught of new games and activities to help him through the day.

I'm not feeling all so grand myself... had to break out the DayQuil at 5:30 this morning. So, we could definitely use some prayers this week.

The Day After the Day After Christmas

I don't know about you, but it feels like Christmas is over. I guess it should since today is the day after the day after Christmas. My first clue that things would be returning to "normal" was when I went to check my email today, it was the first time I did not have 80 unread messages from my closest retailers trying to entice me to buy things I do not need or want at a bargain price. Ahhh.... the bliss of normal emails in my inbox.

Chris woke up with a fever and a nasty cough. I'm just so glad it happened today and not yesterday on his 6th birthday. I have a couple of pictures I'll try to upload later today. So, now that I will be staying home from church, I plan on cleaning up this house and trying to find a home for all the new stuff that we have been blessed with.

My awesome hubby gave me a journal and a Beth Moore devotional book as part of my Christmas gift. I love the journal because it has many inspirational scriptures and quotes. Here's one that I thought I'd share with you:

"God will never, never, never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in Him. He will always look after us. So we must cleave to Jesus. Our whole life must simply be woven into Jesus." Mother Teresa

Happy 6th Birthday Chris!!

My little guy turns six years old today. Time is flying by! Seems like just yesterday I unexpectedly had a c-section the day after Christmas! Well.. I knew I would need to have a c-section because Chris was breech and I had developed high blood pressure the week before Christmas, but we had a planned c-section scheduled for New Years Eve. The doctor was monitoring my blood pressure closely... of course it was high... it WAS the week before Christmas... I worked (from home) up until Christmas Eve, we had a house full of people both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and I was giving birth for the first time... yes... I was stressed and had high blood pressure... go figure.

So, after coming back from dropping off my Oma Nettie at her house in South Jersey, and enjoying 3 delicious slices of Sicilian pizza from my favorite pizza place down there, Steve & I drove home. The doctor told me that I should go to a drug store to use one of those devices to check my blood pressure that day since their office would still be closed. So, we went to the first store and the reading was high... went to another and it gave us a totally different number.. went to a third and still another bizzarre reading. So, we looked at each other and said, "Well.. we have 2 choices. Go home and see the doctor tomorrow, or go to the hospital and have them give us an accurate reading." I honestly didn't think I would be able to sleep that night worried about it, so we went to the hospital.

The place was empty as you would expect the day after Christmas and they took me in, checked my blood pressure and quickly told me that it was way too high and that I would be having my c-section that night. I felt comfortable because I knew my doctors were great and that everything would be ok... that was until they told me that NONE of the OB/GYNs I had spent the last 9 months visiting were "On call" that day and that a complete stranger would be performing my c-section! Excuse me!?!? A complete stranger... not comfortable with that... but the baby had to come.

Then they asked me if I had anything to eat in the last few hours... hello! OF course... I'm a very pregnant lady who has been under STRESS.. yes... 3 slices of the most mouth watering pizza had been consumed a few hours ago... thus, they had to put off the surgery for a few hours until I fully digested my dinner.

Finally, the time had come and they wheeled me to that FREEZING operating room... a room full of strangers, except for my hubby who held my hand and stroked my forehead for what seemed like HOURS in the O/R. It really didn't last that long, but for those of you who have never experienced the joy of having someone slice you open while you are awake and talking and joking about their Christmas' while operating on you... take it from me... it was nerve wracking. They even give you the option of whether you would like a mirror to watch the surgery... WHAT!??! Are you nuts?? I can't stand the slice of blood... and you think I want to watch you slice me open?? Didn't you hear me say I had pizza not long ago.. .I don't want to lose my dinner so to speak while giving birth. Thanks, but no thanks... Can't you just put me to sleep and wake me up when it's over?!?!

At last, they pulled little Christopher out and I heard his sweet cry. Daddy got to hold him first because of the c-section and the rest is history. Our beautiful, very loved baby had finally arrived the day after Christmas.

I wanted to write this all down for Chris someday, although I feel like I'm rambling. Chris, know that Mommy & Daddy love you so much and we thank God for you! You are our little miracle baby!!

Happy Birthday big boy. His only request for today is to be home... to have mommy bake him a cake and to have lunch at the Chatterbox, a 50s style burger joint. Good times, my friends!

Christmas Song

My husband and I have been collecting Christmas music for years. We both had impressive individual collections before we got married, so now that we've joined forces, it has gotten large. Put it this way, they are stored in the garage in a big bin. We seem to add at least 4 or 5 new CDs to our collection each year.

We typically "exchange" these CDs a few weeks before Christmas so we can obviously enjoy them in the days before Christmas. My husband purchased several CDs for me this year and I'm sharing a song from one of my new favorites, When Love Was Born, by various Christian artists. Here is the title song, When Love Was Born, by Mark Schultz. If you are looking for a good Christmas CD or a last minute gift idea, I highly recommend it. The CD also has a great song by former American Idol contestant Chris Sligh about soldiers who are away from their families at Christmas.

Enjoy!

Winter is Here!

Chris woke up announcing that today is the first day of Winter. Yes it is - and the snow on the ground proves it. We had about 8 -10 inches that fell between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. It's always so beautiful to watch from inside the comforts of your nice, cozy home. Not so nice if you have to drive in which we thankfully did not.

I was very concerned that my husband would have to drive to church on Sunday but because the weather was so bad, they made the decision to cancel all services. I think it would have been way too dangerous for people to try to get there... we live in a very mountainous part of the state and it takes time for these roads to be treated in a storm.

So, we spent 3 full days (Steve was off on Friday) together as a family. The highlights included hot chocolate, sleigh riding, eating tons of sugar cookies, playing board games , hours of entertainment with our Wii, and working on puzzles together. My husband has caught the "bejeweled" bug for those of you on Facebook and have played that one minute, can't get enough, game. It is addicting.

Today starts the final countdown to Christmas and my little guy's 6th birthday which is the day after Christmas. You can't even imagine the fore-thought that has to go into his birthday each year. I try really hard to get super organized for it because it's not like I can run out the day before his bday for any last minute items or balloons, a cake, etc. (Christmas Day). To add insult to injury, he wants to spend his birthday here at home, but now I hear there may be another storm coming and we are going to be in South Jersey for Christmas...so I have to bring all the birthday preparations to South Jersey... just in case! Can you imagine getting snowed in and not having his bday gifts or decorations with me? It would not be pretty, people.

I'm not sure how much opportunity I will have to blog... but will try at least one more time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Ready for the Storm

So, we are getting ready for what the weatherman is calling " a big one"... a snowstorm that is. We stocked up on milk and eggs, and the REAL necessities... chocolate and chips. Unfortunately we had to cancel our plans to drive south to see my father-in-law, but we'll get to spend Christmas with him which will be great.

In the meantime, we are getting ready for the bad weather and looking forward to spending some cozy time together as a family.

Be safe everyone!

Ditto

Thought this was funny...

She Lost That Lovin' Feeling

Nothing says Merry Christmas like a grumpy cashier at Wal-Mart. I had to run there this morning to pick up a few things for Chris' upcoming "holiday" party at school (God forbid they use the word Christmas in school.. but that's another story). It didn't take me long to grab the few items I needed and I made a bee-line for the express lane. In keeping with Wal-Mart's tradition... they only had one express lane open, 4 regular lanes open and about 23 lanes closed.

The line in front of me was short so I was glad. The lady in front of me obviously was squeezing in some last minute shopping and had a few mid-sized gifts and a big bag of dog food. I thought nothing of it as she clearly had less than 10 items. I always count.. isn't that terrible... as if I would actually speak up and give someone grief if they had 12 or 15 items in their cart.

Anyway, it finally was my turn and the cashier didn't even greet me. So, I gave her my most cheery "Hello.. how are you?" She sort of grunted a reply and then she went on to complain how the woman in front of me had large items and how she was sick and tired of people with large items coming through the express lane. I was taken back and told her, "but at least she only had 8 items... the sign says express lane for 10 items or less. She clearly had less." The cashier did not want to hear it. Apparently there is some unspoken (and unwritten) law in her mind that you can not check out a large item in the express lane. That was news to me. Perhaps I'm not savvy in that regard... or just plain didn't care up until now.

The point is... this cashier clearly wasn't in the Christmas spirit. No joy.. no love. I told her that Wal-Mart should be glad people are buying big items. She didn't like that. Oh well... perhaps I'll call the customer satisfaction survey line and tell them about my experience. I think I owe it to them. Merry Christmas from Wal-Mart.

What Kind of Gift?

I have a lot of friends who are out of work this Christmas... the economy is in the toilet and there are lots of families struggling.. really struggling. I remember a couple of years back when my husband was looking for work... all I wanted to give him for Christmas was a great job. So, I'm very grateful this year that he has a job, but my heart goes out to my friends who are still waiting on the Lord for this for their spouses.

So, what can we give or do for those of our friends in need this Christmas? Obviously, pray for them... but maybe we can make an extra effort to keep our ears open for jobs in their field... or to send them an email of encouragement. Perhaps you can introduce them to someone who works in the same field, or a recruiter that you know. They say that getting a job is mostly about networking and "who you know" as opposed to "what you know." Maybe when you pray for your friend you can ask God to help you in directing them to the right people. Take your friend and their spouse out for coffee. This can be an extremely stressful time on a marriage and guys need other guys to encourage them!!

I hope this didn't come off as being preaching or anything... I just wish I had jobs to hand out as Christmas gifts this year. Maybe I need to go back into recruiting... I think it's in my blood.

Saturday Funday

We had such a nice weekend. We took Christopher to a Santa Train ride right here in Hackettstown. The ride was about 1 1/2 hours. They had carolers, Mrs. Claus, Elves, and of course, Santa himself. Chris was wide-eyed and excited about the whole experience. It was his first time on a NJ transit train and to have an opportunity to sit with Santa and tell him what he wanted for Christmas made his day. Here's a video clip that my hubby put together.



Later that day we went to First A/G in Rockaway to see a Living Nativity and also had a chance to catch up with my good friends from college, Jerry & Diane, who attend that church. Chris loved the nativity scene. It was freezing that night, but we were bundled up and enjoyed all the music and acting (and cookies & hot chocolate!). They did a great job.

What I loved most about this weekend was the memories I hope we are creating for Chris. We did some baking, sang Christmas songs and read the Christmas story to him. It was a much needed family bonding time and I know I'll always remember it.

Most ________

In your senior year of high school, most schools have the students vote for the Most something... Most Popular, Most Likely To Succeed, etc. Although those honors were not bestowed on me in a formal setting, I think the most appropriate title for me would be "Most Likely To Fall Down A Flight of Stairs". My sister and brother would endorse this for sure. I always seem to fall. I fell outside my sisters house 3 days before my wedding. I fell down some stairs at my friend's house when I was a few months pregnant (thankfully everything was ok). I fall every Christmas... not on Christmas... a few days before, a few days after... but sometime during the month of December. In fact, my sister has a video of one our Christmas' where I walk into my mom's kitchen and I had stated that I just had fallen down the stairs in our house!

Yesterday was my lucky day. I fell down the carpeted stairs leading to our front door. Not a big fall... four steps... but enough to embarrass me in front of my son and hubby... and enough to make me laugh out loud in my car an hour later realizing that I had done it again! EVERY YEAR. Maybe I should wish for a new set of legs for Christmas to stop me from falling. What am I going to do when I'm old? I have no excuse right now. I'm young and I fall.. this has been going on for at least 30 years.. I'm not kidding LOL. And no.. there is nothing wrong with me physically.. remember, there is a reason why my name is not Grace... I am not graceful.

Oh well... at least I didn't get hurt.

It Will All Be Over When Jesus Comes Out....

I almost laughed out loud when I actually uttered those words a few weeks ago about half-way through the Christmas Spectacular. Those of you who have been following my blog know that we took my son to the Radio City Christmas show recently. It had been many years since I went to the show, and I must say, it still is amazing. I don't know how the Rockettes can kick their legs the way they do for 1 1/2 hours.. not to mention changing costumes a billion times.

Chris was mesmerized... he was so into it. He was sitting in his aisle seat, clutching his souvenir popcorn tin (which we inadvertently left behind after the show!) taking in everything. I was so pleased that he was finally at the age to sit still and watch it... and then it happened.

I knew I was in trouble when he polished off the last kernel of popcorn. It was an hour into the show and there was still 1/2 hour to go.... "Mom... is this almost over? Mom... I'm ready to go now. Mom, when will I know when this is over?" And then I uttered my profound statement..
"The show won't be over until Jesus comes out"

Don't even get me started on the fact that 80 minutes of the Christmas show is focused on Santa and the Rockettes and that they squeeze 10 minutes in about Jesus' birth. I know this is not a Sight and Sound production in Lancaster, PA. I just wanted Chris to hang on long enough to get the "real" part of Christmas.

Afterwards I really reflected on that statement... isn't that what we are all waiting for? Jesus' return! This life... all that we know will one day be over when Jesus comes back! As you go about your busy weeks leading up to Christmas and the celebration of his birth, let's be extra thankful and watchful expecting his glorious return!!

Don't Take the Short Cut

I LOVE to bake. I really love to bake. I'm not Martha Stewart by any means because I don't have a creative bone in me... but give me a recipe, a measuring cup, some flour, a baking sheet, my apron and I'm in heaven.

I've had some unexpected stuff happen these last few weeks, which basically has thrown my usual "Christmas To Do List" into complete chaos. I'm running behind and feeling the pressure. Soooooooo.... I decided to take a baking short cut today. Instead of making my tried and true sugar cookie recipe, I used a store-bought (GASP!!) dough. I got out my cookie cutters, had my little work area all set up and away I went.

Words can not express the look on Christopher's face when I pulled the first batch from the oven. "Mommy, what ARE THOSE SUPPOSED TO BE??"

"Um... sugar cookies..."

"What happened to the snowflake, snowman and Christmas tree shapes?

"I don't know... I guess I should have used my other recipe"

It was really a disaster. The next batch was a little better, and by the third batch I was finally satisfied with the product. I was really hoping to use some of these as gifts. Hopefully I won't have any issues when I make the rest of my Christmas cookies. I learned my lesson... Quicker is not always better.

On the plus side, my hubby will be pleased to see the tupperware container in the kitchen that says, "Reject sugar cookies -- please help yourself!"

Christmas Reflection

When I think of Christmas there are several images that come to mind:

My mom cooking her rouladen while listening to Peter Alexander's Christmas Album (German Christmas Music) in the background. Although I didn't understand the majority of the lyrics except for the obvious hymns like Silent Night, it is a part of my soul. Everytime I hear the English equivalent, I have to pause and smile.

A more recent memory is Christmas 2002. I was newly engaged to Steve and I remember sitting in his living room anticipating a trip to visit his family. I remember thinking about that being the last Christmas I would have being single and wondering what my life would be like a year from them... little did I know that I would be welcoming a little baby boy!

I am still trying to formulate Christmas traditions for our family... it's not as easy as it appears. We've spent the majority of our Christmas' at someone else's house so Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are always different.. maybe that in itself is a tradition.

I guess when it all comes down to it, I want Chris to know the "true meaning of Christmas" and that as nice and important as "tradition" is... the most important part of Christmas is remembering and celebrating Jesus' birth. That without him, our world would be lost... that we would be lost.

So, as I'm baking cookies, decorating the tree, buying gifts, sending out cards, I'm looking for small ways to share with Chris about Jesus' love and hope that in years to come, he will remember that Jesus was the center of it all.

Feels Like Yesterday

Steve & I got engaged 7 years ago today... feels just like yesterday! It was a cold, snowy winter day just like today when he got down on his knee (in the snow) and popped the question. I love you honey and I would say yes all over again!

God Thing...

Just wanted share a cool story. While in Florida, we drove by our old home... the one that sold after being on the market for a year and a half. You all were apart of that journey so I thought you'd like to hear about what happened next. Our next door neighbors were outside when our van pulled up to our old house. We didn't intend to stop... just merely to look at the house and continue driving. But, when we saw our neighbors, we jumped out of the car and had quite a little happy reunion. You see, these neighbors were not just friends, but literally a gift from God. They are born again Christians and were such a wonderful support system to Steve & I. They prayed with us over many things through the years and it was just so great to see them.

While discussing the sale of our house with them, they quickly told us that the new home owners are a lovely couple and that the minute that they walked into the home they knew that this was the home for them... They are also born again Christians!!! Isn't that such a God thing?!?! For a year and a half we prayed that God would bring the right people and that the house would be a blessing to the next home owner and that they would sense God's peace as soon as they walked into the house. We prayed and blessed that home when we moved into it and it was so comforting and brought such closure to know that the home is a blessing to another Christian couple.

God cares about the details... he is always faithful.

Rhymes -- New York Edition

On our return trip from Florida to New Jersey, my son was keeping himself busy with a Rhyming Workbook geared towards kids in Kindergarten and first grade. It had very simple instructions and he literally spent hours pouring over these rhymes... he got stuck a few times and then THIS happened...

"Mom... do the words dog and frog rhyme?"

Insert long pause....

Insert Beth mumbling the words out loud, over and over... Dawg and Frog... and thinking to herself that no.. these words do not rhyme... but thinking that they should.

Insert Beth looking at the workbook as if it was written in Greek...

Insert the light bulb going off over Beth's head as she realizes that she's been mispronouncing Dawg (thanks to a well earned New York accent) and it should be Dog so, yes, of course it rhymes with Frog... that New York accent will get you every time.. it's a wonder I ever made it through school.!!

"Yes, Chris.. they DO rhyme!"

For the Moms

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 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 anymore free time in the next 18 years.

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 three kids who don't fight and two 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 Christmas 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, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.


Have a safe trip 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, MOM...!

(Special thank you to my friend, Dana-Maree for sharing this with me)