Snow for Christmas

Actually got a white Christmas this year (very rare in eastern Virginia.) My cousin shared this great picture, and it made me smile. So, I'm sharing with you. Hope you have a blessed day, snowy or not.

Merry Christmas to All Moms

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

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 guest room available for them.

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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven, and on earth peace to those 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.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Luke 2:1-21

Organization

After

Before

I'm one of those people who is organized in spurts. I hyper-focus on one thing and make sure that's organized, letting any number of other things slip. I don't like things chaotic and in disarray, I just haven't figured out how to keep up with everything.

My most recent neglected item was the closet off of my office nook. My office is a converted closet and had a cubby hole to the side that my hubby opened up and made a new closet. It's great, but didn't have many tools for organizing. And stuff keeps coming in I don't know what to do with. It's really easy stuff things away in a closet. But, recently it had gotten out of control. School stuff, art supplies, Christmas and pre-purchased Birthday presents, videos, books, paperwork, etc., etc., etc.

So, when my mom came up with my nephews (good entertainment for my kids) I asked if she'd be willing to help. It only took a few hours and an extra pair of hands to make the amazing transformation. I feel immeasurably better about the space and that I can actually use it now. I have other things to be tackles and organized, but I've learned, to maintain balance and create a peaceful environment, I don't have to do it all at once. I only have to tackle one project at a time and not give up.

Joy in Christmas

Life is busy. And then the holidays start. And life gets busier. Christmas is supposed to be a time of celebration and enjoyment, remembering the birth of Jesus and spending time with family. But often times, the extra stuff - shopping, cards, wrapping, parties, etc. - adds more stress than enjoyment to life.

If this is the case for you, I recommend stopping to catch your breath. These moments are few and far between and won't happen on their own. They have to be sought after and grabbed hold of. These are the moments you do nothing but squeeze, tickle, and play with your child. These are the moments you set aside to take your older child out shopping or for a "date." These are the moments you make cookies simply to spend time in the kitchen together. These are the moments you sit and watch a classic Christmas movie from beginning to end. These are the moments you chase the millions of things you have left to do from your mind and actually enjoy the Christmas musical at church.

We often let the extra expectations of us ruin our holiday season. Are we going to buy something that everyone likes? Did I wrap it just right? Did I forget to send a card to someone? Am I going to offend someone if I don't make it to their party? But, these are not the things Christmas is about. They are fun, or at least they are meant to be, but when they become the pull of Christmas, things have gotten out of order.

In order to find joy in Christmas, Christ has to be put first and mas has to be secondary. Otherwise, you have the proverbial cart before the horse, which will steal your joy. According to one source, mas means festival. We have lots of festivities during the Christmas season, but they tend to take over and take our focus off celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Christ child. Whenever you're not experiencing joy (during the holidays or any time of year), intentionally put your focus back on Jesus and He will give you joy.

Take time to play Christmas music, read different versions of the Christmas story, share what you're thankful for about this time of year, etc. Grab hold of the joy freely given us and go along for the ride of a lifetime!

Christmas gift ideas for People hard to buy for

Sorry for the long title, but I had a hard time trimming it down. Like I sometimes have a hard time finding presents for certain people. These people shall remain nameless because it doesn't matter who they are, and I believe we all have those people in our lives. The ones who buy whatever they want, or don't want much, or plain don't give you a clue what they might want or need.

Over the years I've had to become more and more creative, especially when on a tight budget. One of the things I do for family members (especially grandparents) is create photo albums. I asked for a scrapbook program several years ago for my birthday and use it to make inexpensive gifts. I know there are a ton of websites to do online albums, but I can never get a price without signing up. Also, because we have four albums to produce (3 sets of grandparents and 1 great-grandparent) it's a whole lot cheaper for me to buy the paper and ink and print out the same album four times. Best I can estimate it, it costs me about the same for 4 as I'd be spending online for one. Could be wrong, but it works for me.

Other great ideas can be found a websites like Wal-mart photo and Walgreen's. They have great, inexpensive gift ideas that grandparents, aunts, and uncles love. Pictures on coffee mugs, travel mugs, puzzles, mouse pads, and ornaments. Some items you can even do annually with updated pictures. Others (like a throw blanket) are probably a one time thing, but still great ideas.

This year, I diverted from the photo gifts and started looking for perishables. These are good because they get used up and aren't one more thing to find a place for. There are gift baskets and towers from $20 up - something for all budgets. And something for all tastebuds. at 1-800-flowers I found great options. They have baskets with fruit, candy, sauces, chocolate covered fruit, and mixed baskets. It's a great idea for the hard-to-by-for person(s) on your list.

So, if you haven't finished shopping and don't want to brave the frigid temps outside, let you fingers do the shopping and have it shipped strait to who it's for. Only 7 days of online shopping left!

Helpful Tools for Christmas

I almost wish I hadn't already done my Christmas cards. Or that I had some other great Christmas craft to do. I might just come up with one.

I'm working on photo albums for the grandparents and didn't want to use any of the graphics that came with my scrapbook program. (You know, after you've used the same program for half a dozen years or so, they get old.) So, I had a brainstorm - google Christmas fine art images. And I found a fantastic website that has loads of free Christmas clip art - good quality and variety. And you know me, if I find something worth sharing, I simply have to share it!

So, if you're in need of some Christmas clip art or are looking for gift ideas, head over to christmasgifts.com and check it out.

Picture Perfect

Do you take pictures of your children/family for Christmas cards? I do. Every year. And every year, I go into it with expectations that I can take the perfect picture. With all my children (ages 7, 5, 3 & 1). Standing exactly where I want them to stand. Smiling nicely without making funny faces. And all after I've dressed them up perfectly. And once again, my expectations are not met.

This year, after getting the kids dressed up twice, arguing with the sun to go back behind the clouds so the lighting will be right, and taking 47 pictures in 3 different locations, I still didn't get the perfect one. So, I've given up.

I'm grateful for photoshop, and online ordering, and a decent picture, but I've decided to give up on the perfect picture. I feel like one of those Christmas commercials where no one behaves and you end up with crazy pictures. I'm thinking next year I'd like that program where you can steal a good face from one picture and add it to another. Then, maybe all four of my children will be smiling, looking at the camera, and be in perfect light.

But for now, I'm ordering my B+ picture. And I'm sure everyone (especially family members out of state whom we don't get to see often) will love them. I'll take my own advice, not strive for perfection, but for excellence, and have a cup of coffee while I attach each picture to the 250 cards I'll be sending out this week.