Heart full of JOY

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

I must confess that I have been very tempted to adopt the three D's over the last week ... disappointment, despair, and discouragement. Okay... let's be honest maybe for longer then the past week. :) Not for any catastrophic reason. Just feeling the weight of some hard parenting/schooling days, a traveling husband, holiday hustle and bustle and perhaps an awareness my own selfishness and sin.

After receiving a friends Christmas card which included a verse and short paragraph, I was really challenged in a good way. My brain was swirling with thoughts. Last night before bed, it occurred to me that often times I'm going to have to look for joy in life. I think because of how I'm wired it's not going to be overly obvious to me. (I tend to be drawn to thinking of the little things that irk me or that I can whine about.) As I laid my head on my pillow and prayed, I prayed that God would help me to see blessings and experience joy the next day. When I awoke this morning, I prayed again for patience with the boys and eyes to see joy throughout the day.

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:1-2

The day was not perfect (and oh how I falsely worship the idea of perfect and smooth days), but in spite of that I was truly filled with joy at certain moments today. It almost makes it better that the day wasn't perfect and that God enabled me to see those special moments anyway!

Here are a few joy filled moments from today:
1) A happy 2nd grader
2) Dancing to Tchaikovsky Russian Dance from the Nutcracker with the boys. (10 times on repeat)
3) Listening to Ethan read me a book (all while he is wiggling all over the place). We ended up finishing the book both of us on our bellies under the coffee table with no interruption to the reading in between. Wish I had that on video camera!
4) One son nibbling his carrots at lunch until they resembled lincoln logs and then stacking them up. (We discourage playing with food at meals, but for some reason this really made me smile. It was quite inventive.)
5) Aaron calling Daddy on his trip and asking if they could wrestle when he returned.
6) Deep belly laughs.
7) Making plans for a special Christmas gift for Darin that I think he'll be really excited about. Shh...
8) Planning out one sewing project for this holiday season and buying the materials. I've had to really scale back on sewing projects this year and have missed it greatly. So excited for this one project.
9) Extended book reading time with the boys at bedtime followed by...
10) Singing Christmas hymns together and early lights out!

God doesn't always answer my prayers in obvious ways or in my timing, but today He did and I'm thankful. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! I pray that no matter what the circumstances, my eyes are opened to see His goodness all around me.

Enjoying the Now

Last week I excitedly brainstormed a list of ten family Christmas traditions. Although I still have my list and much more I could blog about them, I'm afraid I'm going to stop blogging at tradition number four. (Which pains me more then you may know... it irks me to not finish what I have started!) Here is why I've decided to curtail blogging about our traditions:

Somehow I need to stop focusing on "doing" and learn how to focus on "being present."

I have become really aware over the last several weeks that there are some big disadvantages to being a "forward thinker. " Now don't get me wrong... this is how God made me and there are many blessings that come along with this character trait. I know that and I am thankful. However, when I am so focused on what comes next (what's next on my to-do list, what's next on our schedule, what laundry to put in next, what meal I need to prep next, etc.) then I forget to enjoy the NOW. I miss the quality moments I could be having with my boys. Without realizing it, I think I have often put aside quality time with my family because I'm too focused on being productive and getting things done. I get stuck in a pattern of always being in a hurry and can easily become a slave to my schedule at the expense of the special people around me. Maybe sometimes I just need to leave things undone and engage?

I'm pretty sure I'll always be a forward thinker and planner. Yet, I am praying that God will balance me and help me to not miss out on the little blessings in the here and now because I'm too busy. Somehow blogging about these traditions and focusing on all we are going to "do" this advent season has distracted me from sitting at the feet of my Savior.  I'm not even sure if this all makes sense... I just know that it's only December 6th and I feel this great need to put on the breaks, stop and take a deep breath. Do I dare throw away my to-do list?

So, I leave you with the lyrics of my favorite Christmas song. I've sung it for years so automatically, but it's so refreshing to stop and think about the lyrics. "He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!" 

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

CHRISTmas Traditions

3) Bethlehem Walk

This year for the first time we attended the Bethlehem Walk

and will certainly make it a yearly tradition! 

"[The Bethlehem Walk] is an interactive outdoor drama where guests experience first 

century Bethlehem. This interactive Gospel drama takes visitors through scenes 

ranging from the entrance of the Savior into the world to an empty Jewish tomb." 

We were so impressed by how well this was done. The boys were a little scared at first by the darkness and Roman guards as we entered Bethlehem, but once they saw Mary and Joseph asking for a place to stay at the Inn, they were caught up in the story. The music, acting, set and scenes were excellent. Even arriving at 5:15pm we had to wait until 6:45 to travel through the set with our tour guide, but it was so worth the wait! It was so powerful that they didn't end the story at Jesus' birth, but continued through His death and resurrection. I can't say enough how much we all enjoyed this. 

4) Christmas on Wendhurst
This is definitely a kid favorite! A spectacular display of Christmas lights and decorations with over 172,000 lights! It's featured on the Richmond Tacky Light Tour and has been shown on TLC for several years. If you go see these lights, plan to get out of your car and walk around so you can catch all the details. Kids can't be in jammies! Or I suppose they could as long as they are wearing shoes. :) Read more about it here.  

These photos are from last year, as you can see by how little the boys look! 

CHRISTmas

In light of my previous post about what I desire my true focus to be at Christmas, I want to share ten of our special family traditions (some old and some new). Is there a way to make worldly traditions Christ centered and glorifying to Him? hmmm... I think so and I hope that we do. I'll try to post a couple traditions a day, if time permits.

1) Decorating

It's our tradition to decorate our house the weekend after Thanksgiving. My husband loves this. I have grown to love it too. I particularly enjoy seeing the delight in the boys faces as it gets dark and the lights are shining bright. We've been blessed with help from my parents over the last several years. They are very hard workers and we really appreciate them. This year we added wreaths to our windows after I snagged them on sale. It's silly how much joy they have brought me. Decorating is one of those worldly traditions that I hope can somehow glorify Him.

We had wonderful warm decorating weather. 

Worth much more then his tag of $14.97! (The cutest tree on the racks!)

This cracked me up. The boys decided to wear the skirt intended for the tree.  

They twirled with pure delight. Each boy took a turn twirling in the tree skirt. 

I am so thankful for Luke's sincere joy in helping to decorate. 

He takes after his Daddy in his love of Christmas decorations. 

2. Jesse Tree

Last year was the first time I had heard about a Jesse Tree and we decided it was a great addition to our Christmas traditions. Basically, we read passages in the Bible each day that weave together the story of Christ and add an ornament to our tree that goes along with the theme of each passage. We decided to make our Jesse Tree from felt and re-use it yearly.  The boys colored the ornaments, which I then laminated and attached some velcro. However, you can keep it simple and use the templates and packet found here. It's a little different from my version but basically the same. We all look forward to this each evening. 

Burdened at Christmas?

Christmas is a glorious time. I love the decorations, music, and festivities. I love receiving Christmas pictures from friends and family. However, it can also feel overwhelming. The meaning of Christmas can get lost in the decorations and gift giving/receiving. This year I'm feeling burdened by all that I need to do. Every day life feels very full so to add the "to do's" surrounding Christmas seem impossible at times. Then I was directed by a friend to Ann Voskamp's blog last night.  I want to share an excerpt from her blog that struck me and has made me stop and think. I found the excerpt below here. 

Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it’s a sign that I’ve taken on something of the world and not of Christ. Any weight in Christmas has to be of this world.

Christ came into this world as grace to lift all the weighty burdens.

Christ the Babe comes to us in Christmas as Christ the Savior comes  to us on the Cross — seeking only our embrace.

The list on the counter looks long.

What if I laid down efforts and expectations, perfectionism and performance?

What if I breathed deep and simply waited with arms and heart and eyes wide open?

What if Christmas was the season to letting go of to-do lists adding up — to receivewhat’s coming down?

Love comes down.

Christmas, it isn’t a product to wrap but a Person to unfold into our lives. What can I say no to today — so I can say Yes to truly more of Him?

Love comes down.

Christmas, it can’t be bought. It cannot be created. It cannot be made by hand. Christmas can only be found. Found in the person of Christ.

How can I slow today… slow in the midst of the holiday hustle… and simply do what Christmas is all about — finding more of Christ? How could this Christmas be about quietly, lovingly, looking for Christ?

Love comes down — O Come Let Us Adore Him.

Turkey Traveling Continues

After one night visiting with my side of the family, we packed up our bags and headed to Darin's side of the family. I am so thankful for more beautiful weather and the opportunity to be outside playing. Darin's sister, her husband and their kids (1 boy, 2 girls) met us at his parents for Friday and Saturday. We spent quite a bit of time outside playing football, kickball, basketball and playing at the park. Perfect for my busy boys!

Our second baseman (Luke) and permanent pitcher (Darin). 

 My nephew has lots of sports experience but was very patient with our simple game. 

My niece had such a terrific attitude and determination!

After all our outside play, we enjoyed some games and puzzles. 

Grandma and Grandpa prepared a delicious traditional Thanksgiving meal for all of us. 

After more outside playtime on Saturday we had an uneventful drive home. Phew!

Here is a picture to conclude this thanksgiving season. 

May we continue to look for God's blessings throughout the year. 

(We're still plugging away with our thankful journal...almost up to number 200!) 

Now let's bring on the Christmas traditions!!

Thanksgiving Travels

Has it really been over a week since I last posted here? Oh my! We have been on the move. After several years of staying home over the Thanksgiving holiday, we hit the road this year to visit both sides of the family.

Our first stop was to my older brothers house. It was so good to visit with him, his wife and their two boys. We hadn't seen them in almost 6 months. It had been entirely too long. My parents met us there for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and lots of grandchildren goodness.

 Skyping with my younger brother and his family in Canada. Miss them so much!

 A post dinner walk around the block. 

It's not a good sign that I'm already yawning on day 1 of our travels! 

 My two sweet nephews. The five boys played SO nicely together this visit. Amen!

 A & E enjoying their ride in the wagon from big brother Luke. 

Sister-in-law giving sweet B a push up the hill. 

And no photos of my older brother because he was the photographer!