A Christmas Perspective

The last two weeks have been hectic and fun and crazy and tragic. 

Jason and I were able to NYC and enjoy ourselves kid free for 2 days!  I am so proud of my husband for winning the George Van Cleave Military Leadership award from the USO.  He was THE Navy Honoree (for those of you that didn't know!)  It was fun and we did all the touristy things we could fit in...The Rockefeller center, the Rockefeller tree, Times Square, and the Museum of Natural History. 

On friday morning we got up and went to eat breakfast where I got a text with someone asking if my kids were ok since there had been a shooting in a Connecticut school.  I quickly found out it was not my kids school.  Relief.  Yet on our way home from New York,as we got snippets of news information, I simply began to cry.  It wasn't happening to me, but I felt  like I was living in a nightmare.  And the news got worse and worse until we were left with the end carnage.  I have cried on and off for over a week. 

Twenty 6 & 7 year olds off to live with Jesus long before we were ready to let them go.  And I know that this would have affected me, no matter what their age.  But I know what 6 looks like.  I live it every day.  I know the joys, the frustrations, the wonder, the irritations, the exhaustion that comes with having a 6 year old.  I read a blog called "I know what 6 looks like" and it was so sad and yet it so perfectly captured what I had been feeling.  What I still feel. 

And those teachers who laid their lives down to protect those children.  What wonderful Shepherd's they were, laying down their lives for their sheep.  There is no way to understand what happened or why it happened.  All I know is that even out of all of this tragedy, God will make something good out of it.  I may not see it in my life time, but there is something good that will rise from the ashes of a school once known as Sandy Hook. 

It seems sad that this happened AT ALL, but so much sadder because it happened at a time that highlights being with your family.  Christmas is forever changed for so many people.  And yet, at the same time, Christmas is what happened to bring the whole world hope.  Thousands of years ago, in a stable, a baby was born.  He was born into a broken world when he had come from paradise.  He knew from the beginning that he would die a painful, tragic death for simply being who he was.  And yet his death is our salvation, our hope. 

So this year at Christmas, my biggest wish for you is that you find hope in Jesus and cling to it from this Christmas to the next and the next...

I'd like to share a wonderful prayer written by Max Lucado:

Dear Jesus,
It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children

Joy to the world!  Our Saviour is born!  May there be hope in your Christmas and love in your hearts this season. 

This, That and the other...

Man, time just flies by during the Christmas season (which for the record, I consider it starting on NOV 1st HAHA)
I started Christmas shopping early because, well, our paycheck demands it.  We're done shopping!  Hooray!  Almost done wrapping..BIGGER hooray!  So much happening this month.

Not that this is NEW news to anyone, I just can't help but talk about it again.  I am so proud of my husband.  We have the USO 51st Armed Forces Gala to attend in just few short days (ok,9, but who's counting?) I can't wait to see my husband accept his George Van Cleave award.  He so deserves it!!

And if I sneak away from the enormity of that, can I just say how EXCITED I am to be out in NYC with my husband?  And how utterly excited I am to get all glammed up?  That just doesn't happen often enough!! 

I can't wait to get all girly.  I love the prepping for a fancy night.  Long, hot showers, hairdo drama, make up! I love make up!!  Nails, toenails.  Seriously.  I just love it.  Don't worry, I WILL post pictures of the dashing couple.  LOL.

To change subjects completely, I like to call December "Do For" December here in our house.  We have items everyday that we do for someone else.  Could be buying someones dinner, could be washing dishes.  Doesn't matter, as long as we do something kind for someone else.  I love this time of year, yes, it can get hectic, BUT I love teaching my kids how good it feels to do something for someone else.  And to do it in a spirit of love and expect nothing in return.  I try and teach this year round, but there is just something magical about this time of year.  The anticipation of the event that changed the course of history.  I know that there is lots of evidence that would prove Jesus was born in the summer, but I'll be blunt, it doesn't matter to me WHEN he was born, but THAT he was born.  And yet, I am thankful that the church picked a date to celebrate that day!

There is a song that I love, and I'd like to post the words here.  So beautiful.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!! 

Gobble Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving.  A mere 4 days from now.  THANKSGIVING.  How did it get here again so quickly?

The family and I are headed up to Vermont Wednesday morning.  It will be great fun to see everyone.  But of course, with four little kids, any sort of trip requires planning of some magnitude.

I have done some grocery shopping, made lists, that have lists, gotten the roof top carrier down (thanks Jase!) and I have a staging area in the garage. 

I am so ready for some turkey, pecan pie, candied yams(!!!!) and some other yummy goodies.  I will also being hiking the mountain quite a bit so I can enjoy these treats!! 

Aside from the mind numbing, yummy food displays of Thanksgiving, it is a time for me to take stock of my life. 

I have so many things to be grateful for in my life.  Not only are my necessities taken care of, I have been blessed by so much more.  I am reminded in this time of year, of how much I am  truly blessed!   In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, I am particularly grateful for my necessities.  Just having a roof over my head and electricity is phenomenal!  I LOVE electricity!  Love it!!! 

I could go on and on about all the blessings God has heaped upon my family, but it would be a never ending list!  So I decided to make a Top Ten list of things I am thankful for this year!

10.  Watching Old Episodes on Netflix of Saturday Night Live (Spartan Spirit!!)

9.    That Elijah has learned and FORGOTTEN the phrase "Here, pull my finger!"

8.    That Tessa goes immediately back to sleep after throwing up in the middle of the night!  After being cleaned up, of course!!

7.    That I have managed (mostly) to not scream like a woman possessed when Ava employs the "body bump" during moments of tantruming...

6.     Levi sleeping through the night....AGAIN!!!  Wooo!  Woooo!!

5.     Skinny Cow!  All things skinny cow!!

4.     DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIET Coke..."girl you know it's true....oooh oooh oooh, I love you." 

3.     Facebook:  Trauma, Drama and more!  But seriously, I love keeping in touch with my friends and family on it!!

2.     A cell phone that answers phone calls from my sister and sends back an automated text that says "I'm driving right now!"  Yes- that really happened!

1.     The fact that my children aren't scarred for life, especially on days when I try to put Levi's pacifier in Tessa's mouth, put the milk in the pantry and then laugh like an idiot when I realize how scattered I've become!!

I pray that you have as  many fun an crazy things to be thankful for this year!  And always keep the faith...because God has big plans for you friends!!  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Healthy happens...with hard work.

So, I am doing a Biggest Loser Competition with my sister and some friends.  Week 2 weigh in is tomorrow and I am seriously doubting that there will be any movement on my scale.  It's been a weird week.  I am watching my portion sizes mainly.  I have come in under my calorie goals a few times.  But I just tell myself that a slow and steady weight loss means that I will be able to maintain it, right?

I have lost 9 lbs since september.  And I am determined to keep on going.  I have really only been actively trying to lose since NOV 1st, so some of that weight loss was a nice surprise!

I have been walking.  I try to go everyday, but that just isn't always possible. 

I don't have anything life changing to say today.  Just keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  Cause this is such a massive thing, I can not do it alone. 

Got any good recipes?  Tips?  Hints?  Exercises?  Or just encouragement?

I'll take all I can get!!

Thanks friends.

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I would make the "Elvis"  Peanut butter and banana!  My kids love both and it's a great way to have a special treat with good for you ingridients!

email: inshockmom@gmail.com

What am I teaching my children?

So this morning before 8 a.m. it was like World War III.  Mercy me. 

After finishing getting dressed, I came downstairs and it was an attack.  "Mommy, I did not!"  "Yes, she did!"  *CRY*  *high pitch whining*  And so on and so forth. 

But in what I overheard, I know Ava was trying to tell Elijah how to behave and when he wouldn't listen to his sister, I heard the frustration and anger in her voice. 

When she calmed down, I asked her if I was teaching her how to be angry.  She immediately said NO!  But then she said I don't know.  Part of that was that she thought she might not be in trouble if she thought I was to blame.  Smart cookie.  Part of her was thinking about it.

I told her that I know I am  not always calm and rational when I am frustrated. And that I was really sorry if I was teaching her the wrong way to respond when frustrated.  But it really made me think; how much of my personality and actions, the good, the bad and the ugly, my children learn from me.  I want to teach them how to properly express their feelings.  And this morning, man, they weren't even close! 

I pray that I become better at self control so that I can teach it to my children without saying word.  I want them to be full of Grace and willing to extend the benefit of the doubt to others.  I'd love for them to think the best of others despite society telling us we need to be wary of others and of them "using" us.  I want them to know that they have a lot to offer this world.  And that God loves them and extends them Grace.  And that he thinks they are able to change the world...one life, one smile, one helping hand at a time. 

So yes, today, this morning I was thinking "Oh great!  What am I teaching my kids?"  But after thinking on it most of the day, I've come to realize that the better question is what are my kids teaching ME???

I'll tell you:

Grace
Unconditional Love
Mercy
Humor
Frustration
Patience
Innocence
Laughter
Silliness
Sweetness
Sorrow
Fear
Discipline
Self Control
Pride
Integrity
Selfless Service
Honor
Faith
Confidence
Joy
Hope
Caring
Sharing

I could go on and on I am sure.  But what I know tonight what I have really learned is that I am blessed beyond measure!

Rock the Vote

Ok, ok, ok.  I know everyone is sick of politics.  But I just feel this so clearly on my heart. So, it's in my head, in my heart and NOW in my blog.


First, I'm gonna be normal and whine for a second.  I am ASHAMED at the behavior of both presidential candidates and their behaviors during the debates.  I am even more frustrated that we can't get an unbiased moderator for any of them.  And I am saddened that people aren't keeping open minds during them.  If we take the time to be honest (regardless of who we choose as our candidate) that both Romney and Obama are talking around subjects, not answering the questions, making factual errors and both acting like rude toddlers. 

Having said that, I feel that we need to rally our friends, our families, our communities to vote.  We do make a difference.  Our votes count.  As a bible believing Christian, I believe voting is an obedient act to God.  He requires us to be responsible citizens.  Whether we choose to obey that or not is our choice.  As always God is a gentlemen and he won't force our hands there.

I desperately wish that I could just hand God my ballot, so I know that I am voting for what He wants.  I posted the following on Facebook and honestly, I think it bears repeating:

"There is only one way I can remain calm during this election season. And this is it:

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1

And since I am a bible believing Christian, I have to believe that God has a plan no matter who gets elected. Whether I like them or not."

I love all my friends and families and I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  I've been saddened by the nastiness this election has uncovered. I never vote solely based on political party.  I vote for the person who holds the values closest to my own.  I feel sad that each election I feel the old adage "voting for the lesser of 2 evils" gets more and more true for me.  And I have been sad to see so many people make wounds in their relationships over politics. 

I wish and hope and pray that as Americans we can find our way back to the attitudes that founded this great nation.   

I pray that we become a nation on our knees.  Praying that God would grace this nation even though as a whole, we have pushed him out.  And even though this is a bit off the beaten path about voting, I really really love the lyrics to this song and I feel it is so true. 

They tried their best to drag him out
Of a courthouse down in montgomery
Now they want to kick him out of school
And take him off our money
They can take those words off of paper and stone
But he aint gone, no

He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who dont believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

She stayed mad at him for a lot of years
For taking her husband
Started losing her faith and thinking that
Her life meant nothin
But when she looks at those kids
She raised all by herself
She knows she had some help
Yeah she knows

He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

No matter what you do
No matter where you go he's
Always right there
With you

Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

I'm so thankful.  I've certainly done my best to push God away multiple times.  I am glad he isn't the leaving kind.  And I feel that God wanted me to write about voting, so please- VOTE!!!!