Asia and Chocolate

A play day ...

Today has been great! It's funny ... up until Christmas morning I kind of have to muster up the Christmas feeling. But then the morning comes and it's just special. I don't know if it's anticipation or what, but it was great. I love spending the day with my family and us just hanging out together. Here's some photos of the day ...

Cinnamon rolls - a Christmas morning breakfast tradition, along with sausage balls

Christmas cards ...

All the presents - we had to wait for Jonathan and Emily to come over before we opened the presents. That's OK since the kids didn't get up for breakfast until 10. :)

We made Stephen vacuum before our "guests" arrived.

My little tree ... with all of my cute little ornaments. :)

Belle (the dog-niece) and I awaiting our turn to open gifts.

Jonathan and Emily ... watching others open presents.

All the stockings - Mom stayed up late making Emily a stocking ... since it's only her 2nd Christmas with us. :)

Food, food and more food.

Hoping you had a great day too!!! Merry Christmas!

 

To my overseas family.

Do you ever have those moments when you miss someone so much it hurts? It's like a little pin prick that sets off the reminder in you, telling you that someone is not there. It happened to me today when I found a Christmas ornament that my 7th grade class made together last Christmas. I nearly cried putting it on the tree this afternoon.

Merry Christmas to my "family" on the other side of the world - Indonesia. I love you and miss you!!!!!!!

(It's EARLY Christmas morning right now ... 1.30 a.m. and I need to go to bed. Santa's coming!!)

Traditions

Yesterday we baked and looked at Christmas lights ... all while singing or listening to Christmas carols. Ahhh, it's finally time to relax and enjoy the holiday!
Carrot Cake

Peanut butter balls covered in chocolate

Christmas lights and caroling!

We're off to Memphis for a 24-hour visit with the paternal side of the family. We'll be back just in time for the Christmas Eve service.

Lights!

just the tree and me

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This leading-up-to Christmas season has seriously kicked my butt. I've been worn out with all of the friends, festivities and holiday hooplah. But tomorrow is Friday and it rings in the beginning of what I hope will be some calmness, going to bed before 1 a.m. and having time to reflect and breathe!

Family time will be good this weekend. We're going to West Tennessee on Sunday and returning on Monday. Our trip will be bookended by church: Sunday morning service and then the Christmas Eve service. Much reflection to be had. And then Christmas and the day after will be AT HOME with the family.

Last night I came home before 10 for the first time in a while and made the comment to my mom that I wanted to stay home and just enjoy the Christmas tree. I love sitting in a dark room with just the Christmas tree turned on and basking in the glow. So far this year, the tree and I have become strangers in the night with not much more than a glance here, and a glance there. But that will all change tomorrow.

The presents have been purchased and all but three are wrapped ... no more mall traffic. The Christmas letters have been printed and the cards are in the mail. It's all downhill from here.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Jesus or Santa?

I liked this, so I thought I would share ...

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa?
by Reverend James Spellman of Ohio
Santa lives at the North Pole...JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh...JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies...JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.
You have to wait in line to see Santa...JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap...JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...JESUS knew our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our head.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says, "You'd better not pout, you'd better not cry,"...JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you."
Santa's little helpers make toys...JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but...JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree...JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

[HT: Lots of Scotts]

'Tis the Season ...

I had every intention of relaxing this weekend, cleaning, sending Christmas cards and possibly wrapping presents. Well ...

Friday night had been on the calendar for a while now: a work dinner at the Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville. I thought it would be over by 8:30, but no such luck. I got home at 10 and went straight to bed.

Saturday morning I headed out for some shopping with Mom, hoping to be home by 1 or 2 at the latest. Again, didn't happen. We arrived home at 5 p.m. and then I headed over to my friend Jamie's house. We decided to go and see a movie with our friend Mary. August Rush was a great movie ... highly recommended for the whole family.

Then on Sunday I planned to spend the whole afternoon relaxing on the couch, taking in some football (very sad for the Titans) and hopefully cleaning. But instead I went back over to Jamie's house for Christmas cookie baking and selling her furniture. Several others were there from our small group and I didn't get home until 10 last night!

My plans failed miserably. I didn't clean anything. I barely got one load of laundry done and I still need to send Christmas cards and wrap presents. But I gained memories with people I love. Mom said that spending the day with her Saturday was very meaningful . We had a great time shopping and making the most of our coupons. :) She introduced me to a great little new eatery called Maniac's. I highly recommend the West Texas Egg Rolls and Maniac Salad. It was fun to do a girls shopping day.

Mary said it was perfect timing for Jamie and I to call her on Saturday night. She needed to get out of the house and have girl time and we had a total blast.

Sunday afternoon was such a picture of the church. Four families came together to make cookies and help a friend out. Jamie is moving on Jan. 1 into a smaller house and needs to get rid of a bunch of her furniture. So some of us spent the day pricing her stuff, taking pictures of it and posting it to Craig's List. I had such a feeling of gratitude going home last night - thankful for community and friends who love me and care for me. And it's always fun feeling like you've accomplished something.

'Tis the season to be with people and not for cleaning. 'Tis the season for loving and being loved and not for getting my to do list complete. 'Tis the season for laughing and playing and celebrating life.

Praying you are enjoying this season with friends and family!

holiday cheer

The holidays are a funky thing. Just as soon as I get used to the idea that Thanksgiving is coming up, BAM they've decorated for Christmas at Starbucks. And just as soon as that sinks in I realize that Thanksgiving is in ONE week and Christmas is really going to be upon us soon. I've got to shop, send out Christmas cards, help decorate the house, eat massive amounts of food at work and be of holiday cheer.

It seems like it gets faster and faster every year. Or maybe the fact that I missed out on the building up of the holiday season for the past two years makes me forget how it's done. Either way, I'm shocked that next week is Thanksgiving. It's going to fly by and I want to relish every moment. I can't wait to put up the tree and wrap my gifts and do service projects. This is going to be so much fun ... and yet funky too.

The Christmas Banquet

The night before I left Jakarta we had a HUGE Christmas Banquet for Morning Star Academy. We spent months preparing the Christmas program, the program book, sponsors, and everything else involved. The program went beautifully (although many Christmas miracles took place back stage). It was such a special time with my Indonesian family. Here are some pictures of us hanging out AFTER the banquet.

We Are Family ...

With five brothers, one sister-in-law, two parents, two grandparents and a dog niece, there's rarely a time when there's not someone to play with, watch a movie with or talk to ... it's fun!