The Dash---

I went to bible study this week, and one of my 'ladies' brought this poem to share. I loved it, and wanted to share it with you. Kinda makes you think...

The Dash--

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

and spoke of the following date with tears.

But he said what mattered most of all,

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that she spent alive on earth,

And now only those who loved her

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

the cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what's true and real

And always try to understand

the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

and more often wear a smile,

remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read

with your life's actions to rehash

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash?

The REAL reason for the season...

So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Have a Blessed Christmas!!!

A big update...

Well, so much has happened since the last post. Where to start--let's start with a sick child. I always thought I had a pretty strong stomach--after all I always wanted to be a nurse. Well, let's just say, I learned that I don't have as strong of a stomach than I thought. It all started with Bug on Monday (the 14th) afternoon. The worst case of the "runs" I have ever seen. It was so bad, I had to put Bubby in his highchair for a good 40 minutes to clean it up. Ugh. Later that night, she was writhing in pain. I seriously thought she may have appendicitis--it hurt her to stand up, and her poor belly was SO distended. I was about five minutes from taking her to the ER...when....she projectile vomited ALL over. After two hours of cleaning up, and giving Bug her second bath in four hours, we were able to rest a bit.

It gets better--with 4 loads of yucky laundry, we realize our drains in the laundry room are clogged. SERIOUSLY?! So, at 10pm, I am calling 24hr plumbers to see if anyone could help us. We ended up just waiting till the early morning on the 15th to have them come and clear our pipes. After scrubbing the kitchen floors two more times (cleaning up after the plumber's equipment), I was tired and it was 11am. Luckily, this sickness that Bug had was only a 24hr bug....Thank You Lord. I am not sure how much more puke/poop I could handle.

Next up was Bug's preschool party. Santa made a visit, the kids sang to the parents, and we had cookies and punch. It was a good time, and I managed to take a few pictures, while I was trying to keep Bubby from attacking Santa (he LOVES Santa).

The next night, we made some Christmas cookies. We had fun--Bug made cookies for about an hour, then wanted to watch a Christmas kids show on tv. We let Bubby have his way with some sugar and sprinkles...that was fun. I ended up making the cookies by myself while Daddy watched a VeggieTales show with the kids...which was ok. I turned up the Christmas music, and made about four dozen cookies.

She liked playing with the sugar and sprinkles, more than actually decorating! Goofy girl...

Daddy had to help...otherwise Bubby would have probably just put his face in the bowl of sugar!

Just wonderin' if you would like some cookie dough along with that pile of green sugar??Uff-Da! THAT is alot of sugar and sprinkles!!!

Now that Bug is done with preschool till the first week in January, we had to fill some time with indoor projects:

For fear of Bubby throwing the paint plate all over, I had to use heavy duty tape to secure the plate....

"Show me your hands, Bubby!"

The next night (the 19th) we made the trip to have our Christmas celebration with Bubby's birth family. We had a big pizza party, and just had lots of fun.

(L-R) "H", Bubby's birthmom, and "K", Bubby's birth-grandma

(L-R) "J" ("H's" cousin), 'F' (H's Grandpa), and 'G' (H's cousin) having some pizza!

Playing after dinner (H and Bubby)

Saturday, Bug sang in her first Christmas program at church. Brought happy tears to my eyes. So many years, we dreamed of a day that we would see a child of ours up there singing "Away in a Manger"....and finally, that day had come. I said many silent Thank-You's to God, for our precious little Bug. This is the only half-way decent picture I was able to get...bummer.Beautiful

Loving the snow...

Well, a few days ago, we got a bit of snow. Ten inches of snow. We actually got off pretty easy--about 30 minutes west of us, got sixteen inches of snow. I will take ten inches of snow, versus sixteen--thank you very much. This was the first measurable snowfall of the season, so we took the kids outside to play. It was fun to see Bubby--HE LOVES THE SNOW!! He would run to a snow pile, turn around, and fall backwards and look to the sky. It was the funnies thing! Bug still loves the snow too, and I am sure they can't wait to go back outside. Putting him to work already...
I took this picture the other day. I was trying to keep him up so I could feed him lunch first then put him down for a nap..but he beat me to it. I was typing out a couple of emails. I checked on him, and he was awake. Literally, two minutes later, I looked back and this is what I saw. So cute...

Our Fodder...

A nightly prayer by our little girl, who we call "Bug".



Our Fodder, who are in heaven

hollow be dye name. (yawn)



Our Fodder, who are in heaven

hollow be dye name.

Dye kingdom come,

Dye will be done,

on Earf as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our...



"Mom, I have a boogie in this nose..."



(insert pep talk about how important it is to finish the prayers, then blow our nose)



Our Fodder, who are in heaven

hollow be dye name.

Dye kingdom come,

Dye will be done,

on Earf as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil,

for mine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

forever and ever....AMEN.



"Mommy, is Gramma Polly and Jesus proud that I said Our Fodder all by myself??"

Before and After...

Ok, well the drugs are working, and my bronchitis is SLOWING going away. However, the sicknesses are still making their way around our family. Bubby now has a fever and "gastric issues" (if you know what I mean). I have a feeling we will be making our way BACK to the pediatrician on Monday, if he doesn't improve. If we do, that will make it three visits in three weeks to the pediatrician. Now I totally understand what my mom meant, when we were growing up, when she told us kids..."I feel like I live at the Dr's office!!" And there were four of us, not just two--so I guess I am getting off easy!! I just want us to be well for Christmas...and for our "snowbird" vacation in January.

Here are a few "Before and After" pictures of Bubby and some chocolate pudding:

BEFORE: Mmmm, good pudding! He just kept looking at me, as if to ask..."Are you sure I can put my hands in this???"

His artwork--he put much more pudding on the tray than is his mouth....AFTER: Here he is saying "cheeeeee" to the camera....too cute!

We had a pretty full day today. This morning, we visited with Santa. Then we headed home, had lunch, and finished putting up the Christmas tree. Lots of fun!I can't believe my babies are getting so big...time sure flies!!!

I think this is a cute picture--don't get me wrong. It's just that I feel bad for Bubby, because the only words he will now hear are: "No.", "No touching.", "Leave the ornaments alone.", "No eating--out of your mouth!" (repeat a million times!). We do have a pretty sad looking tree this year though, because I couldn't put up anything of any value, for fear "destructo" would/will have his way with it. I have a feeling, it will get to be a long December with him and that tree...

Christmas is coming...

This is the Baby Jesus from my nativity. Bug likes to hold him alot. Bubby has learned to say, "Hi, baby!". We have three nativities up--Mine, the kids' nativity (a Little People nativity), and my Grandma's nativity. My Mom said that Grandma's nativity is pretty old--her and my Uncle John remember sliding baby Jesus down the top of the stable, when they were small kids. That poor baby Jesus...

The first snow of the year...Christmas is coming.