Bringing in the New Year

Many months ago I won a weekend stay at a Residence Inn in Charleston, SC through my school. It just so happens that we got married in historic Charleston and it is one of our favorite places to visit.

www.charlestonchapel.com (where we got married)

The gift certificate expires in March, so we decided we are going to ring in the new year in the Low Country. No kids, just the two of us enjoying wonderful food, beautiful sites, and quiet time alone.

It is going to be a quick trip, but I think it will be SOOO worth it. I've never seen the historical homes decorated for Christmas, so I think that will be a real treat. It may even make up for the hydrangeas & azaleas not being in bloom.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun New Years. Have a great time!!!

Our Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas...despite a few hurdles in our way. My stepson got sick, so we almost missed our trip to Georgia. But right after we decided to cancel, he started feeling better. So, about 4 hours later than we'd planned we loaded the car and off to the grandparent's house we went.

We had a very nice family dinner near Atlanta. Then, Christmas Eve morning, we loaded it back up to head back to North Carolina.

On the way home we stopped to get gas. There weren't any signs about prepaying, so I started to pump the gas, but nothing happened. Finally a lady came on over the intercom asking me to use a credit card or prepay in cash. (it was 10 cents a gallon less if you paid cash, so of course that is what I wanted to do.) Well, I stepped over the hose to go into the station to pay, and tripped right over it. I fell on the concrete and I fell HARD. Several people rushed over to me before my husband & kids in the van even realized what was happening. In the end, I was very embarrassed, still have a very swollen knee, and was really sore all over Christmas Day. But, no major harm done.

After we got home Christmas Eve, my son and I attended a Moravian Lovefeast. It was simply beautiful. For those of you not family with this service, I have a link below if you want to check it out.

http://www.adventmoravian.org/LOVEFEAST2.html

Then, we all met at my mom's for a huge family dinner. It was very nice to visit with my grandma and all of my aunts & uncles. I wish we are able to see all of them more often.

On Christmas morning, we all got up around 8:00. We made the kids stand outside of the gameroom for a few minutes to build anticipation. Then, off they went. Each one scurrying about the gameroom to find their pile of loot. With four kids, we always arrange it in piles with a pretty sign on top. They were all very happy with their gifts.

Around 10:30, Papa & Gramma arrived and it was like Santa Claus all over again. Truth be told, they may have gotten even more from them. Anyhow, I made an easy brunch for all of us. It was a really nice morning.

Around 1:00, the kids other parents showed up, so hubby & I had a day & 1/2 to relax alone together. It was so much needed alone time.

And today......back to the 'ole grind. My ex just dropped off my boys, so they are going to work with me. They like to "help" mom.

Have a good week everyone. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Less than one week and counting

Can Christmas really be less than a week away? Where is the time going? Even more importantly, why am I not ready yet?

Well, I know why I am not ready....we've been broke for so long I wasn't able to start shopping until a couple of weeks ago...and then only a little at a time. But, as of know, the kids all have a huge pile of gifts hidden in our room. And it is silly really. They get presents from us, from their other parents, from Santa at 2 houses, and from 4 sets of grandparents. It is insane the amount of gifts they get. I just wish there was a way for me to help them to understand how blessed they are. That while we are wading through a room knee deep in gifts, there are children out there with no family to love them. Children who are cold and hungry on Christmas morning. I want our kids to appreciate their large families that adore them.

This year, I have been so humbled by the outpouring of support I have seen for my friends that lost everything in Hurricane Katrina and also when our own family has been in financial crises. There have been days where I literally didn't know how I was going to buy gas or groceries, and every time, somehow a way was provided. I want to pass these lessons on to our children. That we should Praise God for every blessing that comes our way, be it small or large. That we need to fully trust Him when things are difficult, even hopeless. And to know that no matter what happens, we will always have each other. No matter if we live in a shack, a humble house, or our dream home, the most important thing we will ever have is our faith in God and our family.

In a world that glorifies the commercialism of Christmas (and boy am I guilty of it too) how do we teach them what really matters? I do not want to do away with the beautifully decorated tree, the lights, the presents, the food. But, during all that hubbub, I want the real meaning of Christmas to shine through.

Any suggestions? We always bake a birthday cake for Jesus. Christmas morning, we read the story of the birth of Jesus. But, what else can I do to ensure our kids are learning the real meaning of Christmas?

And by the way, Merry Christmas, everyone!

Blogger's block?

Sometimes, I come and read other people's blogs and feel inspired to write myself. Then, I just can't think of what to write. Perhaps it is the semester coming to an end, all the exams, final papers, and the hustle bustle of the Christmas season keeping my brain occupied.

Anyhow.....my husband's company Christmas party was awesome. The drinks and conversations flowed...everyone looked and felt gorgeous...and it was just a very nice time. EVERYONE had too much to drink, but no one acted stupid, which was a nice change. The food was OUT OF THIS WORLD. The best Italian I ever had.

It was also great for hubby and me to spend the night out of town alone together...Especially since he just got back from being in Miami all week.

For New Year's weekend we are escaping to Charleston, SC. That is where we got married & we try to go every year. In the past, we've always visited in the spring, so I am looking forward to seeing the city's winter side.

I am only about 1/2 done with Christmas shopping. Our money situation has been so horrible that I've been really late getting motivated. We are alone this weekend & Tim gets paid on Thursday, so we are hoping to get it all knocked out by Monday.

A week.

Tim used to travel quite a bit. It was funny, we were first together I would literally get sick when he left. I hated him being gone with a passion.

Then, as with most things in life, I got used to it. I never wanted him to go out of town, but got to where it wasn't a big deal.

For the past year, he's only had to be away for a night at a time. Until this week.

He flew to Miami on Sunday and will be back on Friday. I am amazed at how much I miss him. And I think he's feeling the same way. He called me 8 times yesterday. LOL It is incredible how a little time apart can remind you of how much you mean to one another.

Usually when he's out of town, when we are both about ready for bed, I will call and we just talk for an hour or so before falling asleep. We've even been known to watch a TV show together while on the phone....just like when he's home. So we fall asleep not feeling so far apart.

This trip, however, he is having to share a room. So, we aren't getting that "reconnection" time that I'm used to when he's gone. I think that is making the week seem longer.

Also....this week is the last week of classes for this semester. HURRAY! Every semester I get so burned out with about 4 weeks to go. I'm going to have to rededicate myself next semester, though. My best friend, who I carpooled with, has quit school. I found without us riding together, I cut class a lot more often than I should have. In January, I have to buckle down and get more motivated to get my butt in class every single day....unless there is bad weather or I am really sick. (Look at me coming up with excuses to stay home already)

OH...and this weekend. Tim's company Christmas party is on Saturday. We are having to drive in from out of town, so the company got us a suite at a really nice hotel. The party sounds very interesting too....

We are meeting at 5:30, loading on a bus, and going to the President of the company's house for cocktails and entertainment. At 8:00, we load back on the bus to return to the city where they have rented a very elite Italian restaurant for the employees. Being nosey, I looked up the website for the restaurant. The cheapest thing on the menu is around $30. There, we will have a menu especially for us, an open bar, and entertainment. They really seem to go all out.

I bought my dress today and I really like it. It is sleeveless, black, straight and long, with a black sequined jacket to go over it. I'm going to have to borrow jewelry and a purse from my mom. I was blessed to find the dress on clearance...only 24.99. The regular price on it was 199.99. Thank heavens for Ross.

Anyhow, I told Tim on the phone, I have to buy a new bra & pantyhose to go with it. I will probably end up spending more on the undergarments than I did the dress.

Ok, I've gone on enough. Time for me to hit the hay.

A verse to ponder.....

Colossians 3
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

24 Hours

My husband just left for the airport. We don't have the kids this weekend and I am off work tomorrow. What that boils down to is I have almost exactly 24 hours before I have to face anyone again.

24 hours home alone. This is a rarity....that is for sure.

It comes at a really good time. I have a lot of homework and finals coming up next week. The house is a disaster and I need to get some more gifts purchased and start wrapping.

Hmmmm. Suddenly 24 hours doesn't seem like long enough to get it all done.

December

Is it really December already? It seems like it should be November 2 instead of December 2.

Wednesday was one of the worst days I can remember. I won't rehash all the details, because things have finally worked out for the most part. But, suffice it to say, I am SOOOO ready for this weekend. I need some R & R. And thankfully, I have learned to be much more humble and thankful for all the that Lord provides.

I FINALLY started Christmas shopping yesterday. Usually I am done by now, but money has been so tight I just haven't been able to buy anything. Tonight hubby and I are doing our annual shopping outing. Well, biannual, I guess. WE do it twice in December. We typically go to a late dinner, then hit a movie that will get out around midnight. Then we can go to Wal Mart, Best Buy, and Toys R Us, when they aren't SOOOOOO crowded.

Anyone know how to make a quilt square? Odd request, I know. For my Education 202 class we have to make one....by Tuesday. (yes, I've been waiting until the last minute) I went last night and bought all the materials, but haven't the slightest idea how to start putting them together. The idea is that we have to learn something new and observe how we best learn. All semester we've been learning about the different learning styles in students, so this is like a self assessment of it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Stay safe & warm.


"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another"-John 13:35