Sleepover!

Ashley is having her first sleepover tonight with her friend (and neighbor), Presley.  I was a little worried about whether or not the first sleepover was going to be a success or not.  She came home today (from her Dad’s) absolutely exhausted and she just laid on the couch with her Christmas bear for the first hour that Presley was here.  When I mentioned pizza, she didn’t seem to be the least bit interested.  You know Ashley isn’t feeling well when she isn’t hungry.  She changed her mind before we went and picked up the order and seemed to come around about the time we got home with the pizza.  Thank goodness she began feeling better.  We ate a lot of pizza, worked on an art project, and they are now watching “A Fairly Odd Christmas”.

Sleepovers are so much fun and it is nice to have someone so close that can come over and hang out.  After not getting in from Pittsburgh until about 1:30 this morning, I am hoping they are anxious to go to bed early – you know, right after the movie is over (ha!)  I won’t hold my breath.

Christmas Preparations

It seems like even before Thanksgiving, people are getting ready for Christmas.  For example, we had most of our Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving even started. In addition, Ashley has been singing Christmas carols for weeks getting ready for both her GABC and GCS Christmas programs.  Jason jokingly told Ashley and Neely on Tuesday they couldn’t sing any more Christmas songs until after the Cowboys game ended on Thursday (and they tried really hard not to).  However, we really focused on Thanksgiving and tried to hold off Christmas the best we could.  We didn’t begin decorating for Christmas until after the Thanksgiving holiday was completely over and everyone had hit the road for their return trips back home.

We started pulling out Christmas decorations Saturday night after Jason got home from basketball and then finished up on Sunday afternoon after 9 holes of golf and a hot flash/temper tantrum by yours truly.  Amazing what a few new ornaments, some sparkly ribbon, a glass of wine, iHeart Christmas songs, a forgiving and understanding husband (I cut his golf game short with my tree tantrum), and a couple of excited little girls can do to get you back in the spirit and change your perspective.

Tree #1 (Saturday)

This was Jason’s old tree – it was pretty small but it was pre-lit so we gave it a go.  It didn’t work out because some of the lights quit working, so we went with Plan B on Sunday.

Tree #2 (Sunday)

This was my old tree – it is larger and the perfect size for our new living room but it is not pre-lit, which is always a pain, but with some good teamwork, it didn’t take long before we had the lights working and the girls (Ashley and friend, Presley) started decorating.  The result was an absolutely beautiful tree and mantle.

And a reminder right there in front of the fireplace of the real reason for the season.  It really isn’t about the trees, the ornaments, the decorations, or even the gifts we give and receive – it is about God giving us the greatest gift ever – Jesus.

Thanksgiving 2012

It has been a wonderful Thanksgiving here in Flint, Texas.  This was our year to host so I have been too busy to blog, but I wasn’t too busy to take lots of pictures.  Jane E had time to blog last night and did a great job, so I am copying her link so everyone can see what we have been up to since Wednesday night.

Thankful blog by Jane Campbell

Thanks “Giving”

After work today, I took Cannon, Neely and Ashley to Target to shop with me for EPC’s community project this year.   We selected the Angel Tree, a Ministry of Prison Fellowship, that is partnering with Cornerstone Christmas Store (Green Acres Baptist Church) this year to help bring joy to children through Christmas gifts, Bibles and storybooks telling the true meaning of Christmas.

All three kids have already done Operation Christmas Child boxes through their schools and churches, so they were already in the spirit of giving.  Our kids have so much compared to others and there are not enough lessons to be taught on the value of thinking of others before we think of ourselves. 

Thanks to the generosity of my coworkers at EPC, we had $300 to spend on gifts (and we spent $290.80) and we will deliver them to the church on Sunday morning.

In addition to the recent project, the cousins have sure been having fun.  Just like when we were kids and would go to visit our cousins in Kentucky, these three have had a blast hanging out with their grandparents and at Aunt Kiki’s and Uncle Jason’s.

Eating at Texas Roadhouse, Salsarita’s and Cheddar’s, riding scooters, walking dogs, paddle boating, roasting marshmallows, seeing Wreck-It Ralph in 3D, playing at the park, visiting the plant farm and shopping.

As you can see, these cousins truly love each other and enjoy their time together immensely.  We are thankful for our cousins and for the rest of our families that will be joining us in Flint over the next couple of days.  We are also thankful for our family that won’t be joining us and hope they have a wonderful Thanksgiving also.

A Few More of My Favorite Things

As soon as I posted my last blog, I was immediately reminded by my sweet husband that I left off some obvious things…

Mexican food

Margaritas

And red wine

He is right!  These are definitely a few more of my favorite things!  As we sit here tonight, just me, Jason, and our “oldest” (that isn’t married and living in another state), after a delicious home-cooked meal of grilled chicken and au gratin potatoes, I am so thankful that I am sitting here watching reruns of Duck Dynasty instead of cleaning house and changing beds getting ready for Thanksgiving company.  Every other Monday (including tomorrow), Rosa, a sweet lady that I met through a coworker at the bank, cleans our house from top to bottom.  Because of Rosa, I get to spend more time with family, blogging, and doing things I want to do instead of doing things I hate doing – changing beds, cleaning bathrooms, dusting, mopping floors, etc.  Rosa does a wonderful job and I don’t know what I would do without her.  I am incredibly thankful for Rosa and what she does every other Monday so that I don’t have to.  It is no longer a luxury to have someone clean our home – it is a necessity with our busy lives.  I have already warned Jason that if budgets got tight, we would go without cable, internet, and maybe even cell phones before we would go without Rosa (big grin)!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I was thinking about the everyday things that make me thankful and then I got to thinking about my favorite movie of all time – The Sound of Music – and one of the great songs from that movie, so I thought I would list some of my “favorite things” (things I haven’t already listed) in honor of that song.

Cooler fall weather

Thanksgiving

Sunrises and sunsets

Music – and singing loudly with it!

Football season (watching LSU win on the back patio with the heater going)

The beach – the sand, the salt, the ocean, the sounds

Running (especially this time of year)

Sunshine

A clear sky full of stars

Reading a good book

Worshipping at Green Acres Crosswalk service

Snuggling with my husband

As I was running this morning, I was thinking of our many blessings and there are so many.  I am incredibly thankful for my life and all of the people in it.  I am ready for Thanksgiving so we can enjoy our family time, good food, the Cowboys game (statistically they normally win on turkey day), and maybe even some turkey trotting to offset some of those calories.

Operation Christmas Child

As Jason and I were in the process of bringing our families together, there was so much to plan for and think about.  We went through a very extensive marriage study together (I highly recommend the book Real Marriage by the Driscolls) and we have also been attending a class at GABC called Happily Even After.  In our class on Sunday, we talked about creating new family traditions when you marry into a blended family.  This was something that Jason and I agreed was very important and one thing we have discussed several times is teaching our children about selflessness and doing for others.  We decided it would be great to meld community service with a new Christmas tradition. 

Each Christmas we will pick a project and we will focus on that project before we purchase any gifts for the kids (and hopefully before they even have time to think about what they want for Christmas).  This year we selected Operation Christmas Child.  Our big kids are creating their own traditions and live out of state and Aiden is too young to understand or enjoy, so this year Cole, Connor and Ashley are participating.  We were also fortunate enough to have a visit from Papa and Bebe in the plans so they also got to participate in this year’s “project”.

After a quick family meeting about the meaning of Christmas, our new tradition, our project and budget, and how we needed their help (and they were all ready and willing), we were off!

Shopping! 

We were going to have of them do one box, but we realized quickly, with our budget,  that we would easily be able to do two boxes for each child.

Packing!

We ended up with seven boxes in all and we are so excited about bringing seven precious children a message of Jesus’ love and making them very happy with a box full of goodies.  For more information on Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, please visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/.

More Thankfulness

In an effort to focus on my blessings, I continue to take note of all those things for which I am thankful.  I have many people in my life that bless me – my family, friends, coworkers, teachers, and pastors, but there are many other areas where I feel very blessed.

My health

I turned 40 this year and like most women I constantly struggle with weight and self-image.  This past week, I went for a check-up and wasn’t shocked by what the scale said, but I was not happy about it either.  I know I need to eat better, exercise more, drink more water (and less wine), tone my belly and arms, drop a few pounds and inches, and so on, but I also realized that I am extremely thankful for my body and the health I have been given.  My almost 20/20 vision allows me to clearly see God’s beautiful creation, my ears give me the ability to hear my children laugh, my legs have never given out on me during a run (even a 26.2 mile run), and my strong arms and back allow me to lift my daughter up to hug her.  None of it is perfect, but it is a blessing just the same.

I want to pass on good habits and body image to my daughter (and sons) and I want her to feel good about the special way God made her like no one else!

My home

I found the perfect home when I moved back to Texas and I am so thankful to not only have a roof over my head, but a place where we (Jason and I) can make a welcoming and cozy home for our beautiful new family and all of our wonderful guests.  When I moved in Jason bought me a TV for my back porch and since that time we’ve added a large heater.  It is the perfect place to spend a fall evening watching football.  Our most recent addition was ventless gas logs and an amazing built-in entertainment center so when it is too cold outside, the living room is going to be a great place to hang out.

My job

I have been blessed with a job that not only allows me to earn a very comfortable living, but allows me to learn new things, contribute to a great company, be around fun and hard-working people, and most of all, spend every day with my Dad (who is also my boss).

Ashley’s school and education

When I moved back to Tyler, I knew where I wanted Ashley to attend school, Grace Community School.  Not only was I blessed with the means for her to be able to attend private school, but they had an opening.  Ashley will graduate with the GCS class of 2023, Lord willing.

First grade, Mrs. Crawford

Second grade, Mrs. Brandt

Once again, I have only listed a few things for which I am thankful and it is amazing how quickly I can run out of time as I start to really have an attitude of gratitude for God’s many blessings.  I hope to be able to continue this as Thanksgiving approaches.  Kit & Betty are coming in tonight for a few days of family time, basketball, and baseball and then all of the Jaspers are coming to our home for Thanksgiving this year, so things are about to get really busy.  However, I will try to do my best not to lose focus on my thankfulness and maybe even share a few more things!

Why I am Thankful

As part of my commitment to take time to write down those things for which I am thankful, to pray over those things, and to not take those things for granted, I wanted to share some of those things here as a continual reminder for me (and maybe others) of my many blessings.

• My Lord and Savior and my personal relationship with Him – I can’t believe that His love never changes for me, despite how I act, the decisions I make, and how I disappoint Him (over and over).  I am thankful that He is never changing, all-knowing, always there, and that He isn’t finished with me yet!  
• My Husband, Jason – I am proud to call him my husband because he is a Christ-follower, humble with a servant’s heart, loves me like Christ loves the church, accepts me with all my faults (and there are many), and provides for and protects me like a husband should.  He is many other things (like incredibly handsome, athletic, smart, ambitious, etc.) but the characteristics listed above are what truly set him apart for me.

• My Children – I love each one of them uniquely and know they each serve a purpose in making me a better person/mother and will bless my life as they grow and mature.  I hope to bless their lives as well along the way.

Cody, age 22 (brilliant, handsome, kind, big-hearted, book lover)

Courtney (Cody’s wife), age 22 (gorgeous inside and out, creative, loving, caring, and perfect for my son)

Cole, age 12 (smart, athletic, leader)

Connor, age 9 (almost 10 and funny, happy, sports-lover)

Ashley, age 7 1/2 (friendly, talkative, adaptable, beautiful)

Aiden, age 1 1/2 (simply sweet and adorable)

• Mine and Jason’s wonderfully supportive and loving families

Kit & Betty, Jason’s Parents

Daddy & Mama

Jason’s brother, Jonathan

My siblings, Jane E and Brent

And of course, we can’t forget spouses (Bethany and Les), nephews (Cannon and Hutch) and a niece (Neely)

I have barely started naming my blessings and already my blog is getting long.  I guess I am just proving my own point – I am blessed beyond measure.  Maybe I will take some time before Thanksgiving to blog more about my thankfulness and share the many blessings in my life.