Starting Over...The Solitude of January...

I can't believe January 2010 is almost here. This year has just gone by too fast. I kind of feel like I'm running to catch up with how fast time is flying these days. I think this is a symptom of some stress I've been feeling and a general dis-satisfaction with some things. I'm working it out in my journal and that always helps.

January 1st always feels like a good place to start over for me. This year will be no different. I'll set some goals...some I'll reach and others I may not...and that's okay...it's life.

January seems like a good time to slow down the pace, re-evaluate and enjoy the peace and quiet of the frozen-ness of the outdoors.

One of the most enjoyable things I do is read and this is what is on my bookshelf to dive into in the next few weeks:

The Worn Out Woman by Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray. I've already started reading this because the title was screaming for me to pick it up. I'm really enjoying it so far and hope it will help with how I've been feeling.

My Life in France by Julia Child. I finally saw the movie Julie and Julia and I loved it. I want to know more about Julia Child and who this quirky woman was. I can't wait to read this.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau. I read it in college but I don't think I appreciated where he was coming from when he wrote this. I'm looking forward to reading this from where I'm at in my life now.

Healing Sands by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn. The third book in a series...loved the other two books and expect I'll love this one too.

What are your January plans?

Happy New Year!

Jackie

Visiting Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland...

Christmastime wouldn't be complete without the visit to Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland. If you haven't been yet, check out the link to see what you're missing. The boys love it...because... well...Bass Pro Shop is just heaven for most boys...BIG and small. I like it too though...especially at Christmas.

"I really want to like this Big guy...but I'm not totally sure...."

Remote Control Monster Trucks...YES!

The Cool Rock Star Pose!

The Sweet and Innocent Pose! Yeah...Right!

Boys and a HUGE racetrack. You too can take one home for a mere $199.00. As Kyler would say..."No Hank Sue"(no thank you)!

Giant Ceiling Decorations!

"Look at the train, Mom"

My handsome firstborn. Don't forget that he's 9 now!

"Mom, hurry up and take the picture we want snacks...see look behind us"!

A Little Peek At Our 2009 Holiday Decorations

I'm glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy the little tour of our 2009 holiday decorations.

The year-round decor of our home is definitely leaning toward the shabby/folk-art/flea market look and the holiday decor is no different.

I have a few groupings around the house that I think turned out cute this year. Our tree is filled with family ornaments...many from when Pat and I were kids. The photo of the ornament with my name on it is one of my favorites. My Grandma or Mom made this in 1973. The year is stitched on the other side. (I need to find out who made it)

Each year I add one family ornament and one ornament for each of the boys. The ornaments that I buy for the boys will be lovingly handed over to them when they have their own homes someday. I've started lots of traditions like this but this is the only one I've really stuck with and each of them have at least one ornament beginning with their first Christmas.












I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Jackie

Powering Down...

Yesterday afternoon and for much of last night the power kept going off in our neighborhood. There was No storm. No Wind. No ice. Not sure why it was happening. When the power goes off life slows down. A Lot.

The slowness was welcomed by me.

Kobe was nervous much of the evening waiting for it to go off again. When it would flicker he'd look at me with fear in his eyes. I would calmly tell him that if it stays off during the night we don't have to worry because we have a fireplace for heat and candles for light. Even some really cool flameless candles that I love. No worries. It was odd but I wasn't worried. For me it meant that I really couldn't do anything else except relax and spend time talking to the boys or enjoying the silence.

Occasional power outages force us to simplify and slow down. I need more of that in my life. Simplicity. I remember almost 10 years ago when we bought our home, the real estate agent working with us was at a stage in her life where she was simplifying, pairing down and slowing down the pace. Even 10 years ago I didn't understand that. I was excited about adding furnishings to our new home, being busy with home projects and I had a new job as well. 10 years later...2 kids later...I understand where she was coming from. I'm not exactly in the same place she was because I still have young kids but I understand now.

How do I do that in my life? Simplify. I'm busy. I work full-time. The kids have a few activities...but not a lot. I don't feel like we're overextended in our commitments as compared to a lot of people. Home projects aren't exciting to me now, but feel like a burden. Going to a full-time job feels like it's taking time away from my family, but it's necessary. I feel the need to simplify my life more though. I don't feel like I spend enough time on things that matter with all the busy-ness of life.

What matters to me is spending more quality time with my boys. Playing. Reading. Generally just hanging out.

I also miss working in our community focusing on needs that are important to me. I don't feel like I have time for that now and it's a real love of mine.

Also, spending time with extended family. This doesn't happen as much as it should either.

Sometimes having a power outage is a good thing. It gives you time think. Time to think about what is important and what isn't.

Your place in the Nativity Scene...

I'm going to a living nativity scene tonight and I'm really looking forward to it. I hope it speaks to me about what this season is about in a real way. I think it will be a great way for my family to see what this story is all about...this Christmas story.

Think about your nativity set... or if you're like me you don't have one... so think of one you've seen. Who is there in that set? The Wise Men. The Shepherds. Mary and Joseph. Jesus.

Who were these people that came to see Jesus that night? Is it possible that they were chosen to represent all of us...wherever we may be in our life?

In a recent article, Kay Warren says, the "Shepherds represent the lower end of society...the ones who are just getting by...the ones we can easily overlook and ignore". I would think that today, the Shepherds represent the people who are struggling to put groceries on the table, or maybe they don't have a home because they've lost everything due to a job loss or mental illness. A Shepherd today could be someone who is struggling with an addiction or has no education and is working 2 or 3 jobs just to pay the bills. You probably know some Shepherds or you are one...

"The Wise men were the highly educated and influential and obviously wealthy. The were probably the well respected men in their community. They represent the the ones who have it made". Today's Wise Men and Women have great jobs, beautiful homes, travel a lot, go to the best schools and so on. You know who the Wise Men and Women are in your communities or you are one...

Mary and Joseph. The average man and woman. They were in the middle. Like most of us. No huge struggles but they were chosen by God. Do they represent most of us? I think so. God chose Mary and Joseph for this special position as the parents of Jesus.

Where do you fit in the Nativity? I know where I fit and I know God has a special plan for me.

Next time you look at a Nativity Set this season...think about where you would fit in that scene and why you would have been chosen to go there. There is a reason...God has a plan for you.

Merry Christmas!

Believing...

It is hard to believe in something I can't see, feel, or touch. And...it's so easy to get caught up in this busy season of buying gifts, baking cookies and preparing for celebrations.

Yet...

I choose to believe in something real...even if I can't see Him...the one who IS...My Savior.

I will take a moment today...to BE STILL and KNOW.

Won't you take a moment today in stillness...a refuge from the busyness...to thank the ONE...the REASON?

Following The Star - Daily Advent Devotional Guide

I posted this last year but it's worth posting again. This site has a really nice daily devotional reading every day through advent. I hope you enjoy it. Now, back to my blog break...

http://www.followingthestar.org/