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Archives for December 2012

That Week After Christmas

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My 3 month old laptop crashed without warning right before Christmas. You know the brand new expensive one I bought to replace my 4 year old one that had been dropped twice. There was some serious distress, which is code for MAMA HAD A MELTDOWN.

I had to go to the mall twice the week before Christmas. I was only able to recover about half the data from backup. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a sobbing woman/writer at the mall. Two days in a row.

But I know the true meaning of Christmas, so I pulled up my big girl stretchy pants and ate a lot of Chinese food and self-medicated with 3 hours of The Carol Burnett Show.

I also didn’t open my computer (with a new hard drive) for 5 days in a row. Some might call it denial. I’m gonna call it a vacation.

We had a lovely Christmas (vacation) out of town. Imagine a little National Lampoon Christmas Vacation with a dab of I Love Lucy. I’m a realist (maybe that’s why you’re here), so I made a list for the week after Christmas:

  • I have a pile of money and gift card Christmas gifts for my children from well-meaning relatives.
  • I believe this is also an un-gift for parents.
  • I’m not a fan of giant candy canes the size of a child’s leg-thank you Santa. (I have two nasty ones in a ziplock bag right now. The third met a timely death by way of Schnauzer.)
  • Also not a fan of peppermint candy stuck in dog’s furry beard
  • I can’t shake that crazy feeling to purge THE ENTIRE HOUSE. Nothing is safe.
  • The pile ‘o Christmas cards I still haven’t addressed won’t stop staring at me.
  • Why isn’t taking down Christmas decor as fun as putting it up?
  • I’m just going to say it: I hope the Elf on the Shelf fad fades quickly
  • Feeling the pressure to stay up to ring in the New Year (yawn)
  • Realizing your youngest photobombed most of the blurry Christmas pictures of you and your hubby


What’s on your list?

Happy New Year!

 

Your Best of 2012

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It's hard to believe we are at the end of another year. They come faster now, don't they? Sort of like birthdays over 30. I love my friend Ann's idea for celebrating the end of the year and wanted to ask you, dear friends... What's your best of 2012? Share it in the comments! Your best memory of the year, your greatest lesson, your best project, your best fashion tip, the best advice, the best food you made or ate, the best laughter? I'll go first. Best home project Best ... Read More

{Merry Christmas} from all of us

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Many of you supported Mercy House before it existed. Your faith and support has rescued 18 lives and many more to come. Deep gratitude and Christmas blessings to each of you--from our family here in the USA and in Kenya. I'm taking the rest of the week to enjoy time away with my family. Merry Christmas! ... Read More

Never Once Has He Left Me Alone or On My Own

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We drove in traffic across town to meet my twin sister and parents for the best Mexican food in Texas. You can only turn 40 years old with fajitas and a mariachi band. I clutched a tattered Kleenex and felt the tears well up again. Just an hour before, while standing in my kitchen, handing out after-school snacks to my kids, an email came and with it a gift from God and I am still reeling from it. He is continuing to bless Mercy House, the crazy dream we said yes to two years ago. The ... Read More

40 Things I’ve Learned in 40 Years

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I celebrated my 18th wedding anniversary and 40th birthday this week while the world wept.  Sorrow still clings, but life goes on. I hate that it does sometimes. It seems like time should stand still, school should be canceled, and jobs abandoned with the loss of such innocence. And women who are too young to turn 40, don't. Life continues, but we are never the same. Armed policemen frequent my kids' schools, my children's questions have gotten harder and my answers, fewer. With ... Read More

WMFW: Because Laughter Wins

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My kids make me laugh every day. It truly is the best medicine (and sometimes even gets them out of trouble). I want to tell you about a book for your family that is sure to produce gut-wrenching giggles we all need to hear. I just know this book will be a favorite for our family for a very long time. I think it's for little kids, but it will bring out the little kid in everyone. I had tucked it away for a day when I knew we would need laughter. Y'all. Seriously. The Tickle Monster ... Read More

Where I Find You {Giveaway}

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Congrats to random winner Elizabeth! The last few days have been hard. Family birthdays and my anniversary tinged with deep sadness. I feel helpless, don't you? I have wondered where to find God in the middle of such suffocating sorrow for our nation.  He seems quiet. But do not doubt, He was there in that school, no law could keep him out. And He is with us: In fear. In joy. In darkness. Everywhere we go, everything we do, He is there. During this Holy season, we are ... Read More