II Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Monday, December 07, 2009

December-WHEW!

What's new?---December is crazy-busy around here. I just thought I'd drop in and say HI to all my buddies! TOTALLY looking forward to the Biggest Loser finale tomorrow...and then on Saturday we celebrate Christmas with my side of the family. I'm hosting again this year and we're playing Bunco as well as Dirty Santa. It should be a fun time if we can (somehow) leave the drama out. Lots of crazy stuff is happening in my family this year and it's really frustrating for a control-freak organized person like me!

A house divided against itself cannot stand...and I think that goes for families too! :o( sniff, sniff


Anyway, I hope you are all doing well and enjoying this Christmas season!! It's funny...we are on the tightest buget we've ever been on this year--which means WAYYYY less shopping--which has actually been a blessing as crazy as that sounds, because for the FIRST time EVER, I am not stressing about gifts OR money!!! I am enjoying the simple (free) delights of the season like hot cooca (from HOME not Starbucks!) and driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorating the house, making homemade gifts and reading my kiddos lots of Christmas stories! We've played more games, watched more movies and laughed more this year than probably ever. Yesterday Matt and I were hugging and I said into his ear "You're my best friend!" and for some reason, that threw us into a fit of giggles that was uncontrollable. It sounded good in my head but when I said it, I felt like I was back in junior high! Ha ha (maybe had to be there!?!)

Anyway, my point is....even in the "bad", if you look hard enough, you can totally find some "good". Maybe even way more than you would have imagined! :o)

3 comments:

*Ashley Lou* said...

"Bad"??? I would say this budget may be a greater blessing than even the financial side of it!! God is awesome, all this materialism and consumerism has nothing to do with what we were really created for. HIS enjoyment. HIS delight...and he doesn't delight watching you at Macy's...He delights in watching you love and enjoy your family. God is good, FOR REAL!

Rene' said...

aawww, my eyes are tearing up. seriously. love that u and Matt have such a loving connected marriage. that's the way it should be- yeah! glad u are seeing the silver lining in everything, that's what its all about. we can be so much happier (even with less) if we always appreciate the silver lining, which is basically just praising God. Society will say "look on the bright side", but u know what, my God is so bright i gotta wear shades! I'm praising God! (not the bright side), for all the goodness, glad u are too! :) had fun at lunch, thanks for going. I told Dan i was cutting back on Christmas for the girls this year too, and now that the presents are wrapped under the tree I am happy(but in the back of my mind hoping they don't complain that there aren't any "real toys" (just clothes and books and one dressup outfit for each of them). So I need to remember on Christmas day that in order to make this day extra special is to focus on playing with the girls MYSELF instead of relying on the "toys" to entertain them. See, I'm learning too :), more quality time and less material things will make a happier family I think. In fact the other night I played hide-n-seek with the girls and they had such a ball, they were begging for it the NEXT night! Man, if I keep this up I will be able to COMPLETELY empty out that toy room, bc they won't need any of those toys... they'll have ME! :)

which is probably what they want anyway, isn't it? guess this turned into a confessional instead of just a comment, eh? :)

Tammy said...

I'm so glad you're enjoying all the WONDERFUL things the season has to offer. And even though you're facing some challenges, you sound happier than ever! That has happened to me this year too - we've had so much loss, so much adversity but I've never been so happy. And my faith is unshakable, just strengthened. God is good. Enjoy the holidays!!! It really is the most wonderful time of the year :)