Monkeying around...

Enjoying the moments::



1. Snow that gently settled on the snow still on the ground today. I sooo love to watch the snow fall, especially when it sticks to the needles of the evergreen trees. Very tranquil.


2. Important memories being made with the most precious people I know. There is much fun to be had and lovely conversations that come from stringing popcorn with the ones you love. Not to mention that it looks pretty good on the tree too! It always gives it an "old fashioned" kind of feel. If you have never done it you should try it. Even the younger kids can participate. Great fun! Caution::: if you have a dog, cat, small child etc., that likes popcorn...well let's just say you should move it up on the tree a wee bit! Trust me on this one ;-)


3. Sighing a deep breath of relief that now the shopping and wrapping is pretty much over and I can get on with the really important stuff...you know... the relaxing, playing with the kiddies, and simply "resting" from all the hustle and bustle of bringing the tangible parts of the Christmas celebration together. Whew, I am sure glad that part is over.


4. Happy that we were able to get the items we wanted and grateful that aquiring these gifts was relatively stress free.

5. It is 1:30 in the morning and I am loving the quiet and being able to write this post. Still wishing that my posting wasn't so sporadic, but accepting that it just is what it is. I have more important responsibilities in my life to attend to...like my husband, children, and my home.


6. I am REALLY enjoying the edible gifts that have be recieved from family and friends...yummy stuff, no doubt will contribute to the ever expanding waistline that I simply can not believe is mine. (And since I can't believe it, I will simply live very happily and contentedly in denial, whilst I continue to partake of that which is surely going to force me to move out another notch on my belt...sigh,yet smiling dreamily as I do.) How is it possible to forget how good candy apples can be and that warm pound cake is the best breakfast treat there is??? It must be the grown up in me trying to supress my inner child and it must be stopped. (By the way, Flo, you make the best pound cake I have ever eaten...ever!)


7. I am actually pretty content amongst the Christmas clutter in my house right now, especially because it excites Franki so much to see it all scattered about. There could never be enough decorative items for her...seriously!


8. I love the anxious feeling in my soul for the 25th to get here so I can see the joy on my childrens' faces as they open their gifts. I love how their excitement is so contagious. Oh, I do hope that they like every thing and that we did get some of what they wanted. Between the five of them they only asked for maybe 5 items. This left me with lots of guess work.


9. I am so glad that I had a few hours of alone time with Jud, even though we were shopping the entire time. The important part is that we were alone and it was sweet! I really try to soak up the time I have alone with him because it doesn't happen as often as I would like. And, I am so incredibly grateful that he is home this year for the holidays instead of off on a ship somewhere in the Persian Gulf.


10. Hoping that each and every one of you have an incredibly joyous holiday season. I hope that America will take time to remember what the holiday is all about, and pass on to their children that it is about the birth of a King that died to save their souls. I hope that they are grateful and take time to let Him know.


Happy Holidays to you all!!!