A December for Jesus

 It has been a busy December and tomorrow night we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior at a candlelight church service and then wake up the next morning to open gifts and spending family time together before heading to my sister-in-law's house for dinner.  My parents are on Long Island for my sister's Christmas Eve party where the entire family gathers together just like old times ... except for me.  I could have gone and I miss my family but I don't enjoy traveling on Christmas and I'd much rather surround myself with peace and quietness in the times we celebrate Jesus.  

In this busy December my daughter spent two weekends playing an angel for our church's Living Nativity.  The Living Nativity is so beautifully done each year with festive displays and different stations that show the life of Christ.  She was at the last stop, the tomb.  It was hard work but she loved it.   

Then last weekend her dance studio put on a show called Messiah: The Coming of The King.  It was phenomenal.  The dancing and acting was breathtaking and so well done.  I wish everyone could have seen it.  It started with Creation then the birth of Jesus all the way until the resurrection.  Then ended with him ascending into Heaven.  In the last few months we've struggled with understanding why things happened at the last studio that led us to this one.  We were confused with knowing if this was the right decision.  After watching the show it's pretty clear we did the right thing.  This studio is much more advanced, talented and larger.  The director is also a very devout Christian who wants to share her love for God with others.  As a believer, I've taught my kids the importance of serving God and sharing the Gospel with others and it's so great our girl gets to do that through the art of dance.  

She also found a group of girls who will pray with her.  I'm in awe.  

And would you believe, I do not have my Christmas shopping complete yet.  Do you?  I'm always a last minute shopper but I don't think it's ever been this bad.  My kids no longer believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas doesn't seem to feel the same as it did when they were younger.  Shopping for their gifts doesn't come as easy as it was when they played with toys.  Now they ask for clothes and expensive things.  Today I think of what I had purchased and the rest that needs bought.  I'm trying not to stress.  Christmas should not be a time of stress but of peace and gratefulness.  It will all get done.  

While my husband is at work and the kids are still sleeping and before all the chaos begins I wanted to take a moment to sit with a cup of coffee and write on the blog.  I also wanted to take the time to tell you all, my friends, to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!  I hope you get everything you want this year.  

Getting Ready

Here we are in the tenth day of December.  Are you ready for Christmas?  Mentally, I'm somewhat there.  Physically, no.  There is still so many more gifts to purchase and the inside decorating is still not complete.  Little by little, I'm getting there.  

The tree is finished.  I invested little effort in getting it done so it's nothing fancy but it's filled with ornaments that are special to us.  Oh, hi Brooke!  Thanks for getting in the way.  

With a few ornaments from our own childhood, some that have been gifted to us, several we've purchased since our first Christmas together, many that the kids either picked out or created themselves our tree is nothing but memories of our lives together.  It may not look glamourous to you but it's very special to me.  

Rob always has the responsibility of decorating the outside and I love the simplicity of it.  

A few of our neighbors go above and beyond with giant blow ups, lighted trees and more.  It looks as though they've spent thousands of dollars.  Going that extreme isn't for me but it's beautiful to see as we pass by.  I'll have to try to take pictures sometime.  

I always tell myself that for next Christmas I want to get all the gift buying done ahead of time and just like every year it doesn't get done.  I will be scurrying to get everything purchased but I refuse to stress about it.  

Washington vs. Tennessee

Maryland born Rob has loved the Washington Redskins since he was a little boy and the kids followed along on being fans.  I'm still on the fence but it's fun watching their joy, especially when the team actually wins.  

Every year as part of Matthew's birthday celebration Rob buys tickets to a Washington Redskins Commanders game.  For Sunday's game the Boy Scouts were invited to hold the flag during the National Anthem so Rob signed Matthew up and Brianna was able to join in as a guest.  I could have too but decided to be the picture taker instead.  We headed to Maryland early for rehearsals.  

Then we had a chance to walk around, grab some lunch and unexpectedly had a chance to meet former wide receiver Santana Moss.  

An hour before game time I took my seat in the stands while Rob and the kids met up with the other flag holders near the field.  They watched the band walk by getting ready for the pregame celebration.  

Proudly carrying the flag.  

They are at the top corner above the stars.  This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was happy for them.  

And an incredible 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans made it even better.  

It was a great way to end the first week of turning 17 for Matthew.  

Here in Pennsylvania the kids have off from school today for the first day of hunting season.  I have a refrigerator filled with left over Thanksgiving food that I have to figure out what to do with, a living room crammed with boxes of Christmas decorations I have yet to put on display, and a lot of grocery shopping to do.  Happy December, everyone!  

Seventeen At Valley Forge

 Well, I guess we have entered the holiday season.  What starts things off in our house is our son's birthday.  Yesterday he turned seventeen.  SEVENTEEN!  He keeps reminding me that in just one year he'll be a legal adult and I struggle with accepting the fact that time moves so fast.  He's my oldest.  The one who made me a mother, which is something I always dreamed about.  I'm sure I keep screwing it up but I am so, so proud of the young man he's becoming.  

And since he has such a big interest in politics and history it was no surprise that he requested a trip to Valley Forge for his birthday.  Valley Forge was where George Washington and the Continental Army set up encampment from December 1777 to June 1778 during the Revolutionary War.   My husband and I had both visited Valley Forge back in our teenage years but it was a first for our children and they seemed to enjoy it.  

We took a lot of pictures during our exploration.  Oh, look, it's me!

General George Washington's headquarters.

Our trip to Valley Forge was on Saturday and since we were close we decided to walk around King of Prussia mall where we circled around and got lost.  It's a big mall.  The biggest I've been to with several stores I could never afford.  Then we ate at The Shake Shack before heading home.  

Sunday was the official birthday.  After church we hung out at home, ate the chicken wings Rob prepared and ate birthday cake.  I really wanted a nice picture of Matthew by the cake but he insisted on being silly.  Typical teenager!  

These seventeen years have been quite a journey and we've had our ups and downs but I would not want it any other way.  I miss the little baby who cried every time I put him down, the toddler who gave me constant hugs and kisses and the little boy who always smiled contently at everything.  The teen years have been difficult, I'm not going to lie, but despite all those obstacles he works hard and has goals set for the future.  He's funny and loving.  He gives so many reasons to be proud!