A Chapter Ends

On this New Year's Eve I guess it's a time of reflection and looking forward. This year held many good moments. This year held many changes. This year went by much faster than I would like.

My family changed in many ways this year. My husband has taken steps great and small towards a career change. My daughter overcame fears of a different school and has found that she can adapt in a new environment. My son received an adhd/odd diagnosis and we have been making huge strides in helping him find a routine where he can succeed. Me, well, I've had my hand in a little bit of all of the above. I am working part time, I am caring for my home, and I am the support staff for my family. And this year, I learned that just supporting my family is an ok thing.

At the beginning of 2010, the challenge was given to select a word that I would use to define my year. I chose the word commit. And, while the word, honestly, was not on the forefront of my mind throughout the year, I think that my year did show great commitment. There are many other areas where I could commit more, but I think that I am making progress.

This year, I adopted a bible verse as my life verse. When facing behavioral challenges with my son, I had great fear of what life was going to look like for him and the rest of my family. I came across a verse I had underlined in my bible and it was a sweet whisper and loud yell of words of encouragement for me.

" Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes." Nehemiah 4:14

This verse has given me strength when I thought I had none. It has driven me to fight for those in my family. It reminds me that I can only fight my fight and not those of others. 

This year, it was a good one. It was a year of recommitting to my family. Understanding where our family is directed helps our focus. Thankful I get to be a part of this silly little group.

Joy in the Mundane

So, I have seen many around bloggy land joining the wonderfully talented Ann Voskamp in Counting Their Blessings. I do love reading about others finding joy in a life that many would think mundane. If we do not see our little moments as blessings, then life can tend to bog us down. So, instead, find joy.

Ok, I think I'll take a post to share joy in my mundane.

My children share joy and excitement as they wake up each morning and go on an elf hunt

I love to bake a new, healthier treat and my family likes it (and asks me to make it again)

Watching my dogs sleep at my feet

Knowing I have a husband who pitches in when he sees I am at my wits end

Listening to my husband laugh

The smell of fresh, clean linens on my bed

My first cup of morning coffee in my Tinkerbell mug

Being mom to a sweet, thoughtful, talented little girl

Laughing with my friend and treasuring our time before she moves 6 hours away

Knowing I have a trip to Walt Disney World booked (Henry's first trip)

The sound of the garage door and knowing that Daddy is home

The smell of coffee as it brews

Being a mom to a busy, smart, funny, silly little boy

Eating dinner with my family at our table every night

Sunshine on a cold winter day

Giving Christmas gifts to others

Connecting with old friends and knowing we've become more alike as we aged

Being married to my best friend

Listening to the radio and a song from when I was young comes on and I sing loudly (off key)

Reading my bible and seeing little snippets of exactly what God wants me to see

Having a friend who even though we do not see each other often, we know that we're always there for one another, love you B

Knowing my son is always good for a random hug

Having a little girl who laughs and giggles often

Looking at my husband in the eyes and knowing what he's thinking

Standing at church on Sunday morning and worshiping with strangers and those with familiar faces

There's just a snippet of my mundane that gives me joy. Silly and strange though they may be, they make me smile.

Christmas in our home

I do love Christmas. I love the decorations. I love the baking. I love that my kids are home with me for two weeks. I love shopping and giving a great gift.

I do not rush to put up my decorations. I savor the time of Thanksgiving, THEN I put out my Christmas decorations. I love Christmas trees. I have two, one for the kids and one that is a little more formal. If I had room, I would have several more. Scott does not share my passion for multiple trees.

Christmas in my home looks like Christmas in many other homes. We have little one who write letters to Santa. We have elf "friends" who wreak havoc during the month of December. We make cookies for Santa and we sprinkle reindeer food. Does that make me a bad Christian? Certainly hope not.

We also spend time talking about the birth of Jesus. We read the Christmas story from the book of Luke. We spend time on Christmas day praying and thanking God for sending Jesus for our redemption. Since we are attending a new church, we will attend a new Christmas celebration as a family. We love those around us and do what we can to help those in need.

While our home does have Santa in our Christmas mix, he is not the main focus. It is something more fun for our kids. We never taunt our children with threats of calls to Santa to help improve poor behavior. We do not stand in lines for hours on end to take overpriced pictures with a mall Santa. If we come across a free Santa with a short line, we may venture over.

We enjoy Christmas as a family. We love to spend time watching old Christmas shows, wrapping gifts, and baking yummy treats. One of new traditions that we have began the last couple years is that our little family of four goes to eat at a Chinese restaurant on Christmas day. My kids LOVE it. It has become a fun, silly little thing we do and the kids have already started asking if we were eating out this year. We spend our Christmas opening presents, eating a yummy breakfast, spending lots of down time. Then, we get all cleaned up and go out to eat.

What is one of your family favorite traditions on Christmas?

Most wonderful time of the year..

or is it?

A week ago, I went to a funeral for a friend who felt both physical and emotional pain and thought it best to end her pain. In doing so, she left behind two children and a husband who will always love but never understand.

The same week, I learned that the parent of another friend fell to the same fate. This parent became the fourth in the family line to feel that their way was the best way to end troubles.

Another friend learned of deception by her spouse and is currently fighting for marriage and the life she has known. At the moment, she is not winning either.

A grandfather in my town who cared for his disabled grandson was hit by a car and killed. This happened as he was getting his grandson from the handicapped school bus. Now, who will care for the boy? How can he understand?

Personally, I volley between darkness and light, but learning about the pain of others, who am I to complain?

So, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior we can find light in our own personal darkness. We know that in the birth of Jesus, it is God fulfilling His promise of eternal life. He has truly given the gift of Life with Jesus. It saddens me to see so many suffer.

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up."  Psalm 71:20

Our troubles and pain are no surprise for Him, in fact, He knows it will happen.

"... In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

He knew that my friend would have struggles. He knew that a spouse would stray. He knew that I would have dark days. And He knew that a child would be left wondering. These are not a surprise. They are opportunities for His glory. His glory does not always shine in our darkest moments because we do not allow it, but He does give us the chance if we listen.

"He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light." Job 12:22 

If you are one who doesn't struggle with anything, then this post wasn't entirely intended for you. If you're life is wonderful and this is truly a wonderful time of the year for you, then maybe you can pause to look at those around you. Maybe they are not having a wonderful time and maybe you can be used to lighten their way. 

If you do struggle, please know that you are not alone. God loves you and is reaching to you. You just have to reach back and grab hold of His promise. 

" The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you." 2 Corinthians 13:14