Perfection.

This has most definitely been the sweetest Christmas season I can remember. This year, as those of you who have followed me have read, I have attempted a DIY Advent season. What this has done for me is hard to describe. It started as the heart-longing of a mother hoping to make Christmas for a little boy more than a bunch of presents and sugar and through it God gave to me the gift of His Son again. So sweet. I've literally stopped mid-stride and let my knees bend in gratitude and worship. I've been surprised at how rich this time has been. I celebrate the birth of God-With-Us and God's declaration of reconciliation to the world. So, although my tree never actually got trimmed and my decorations never quite made it out of the storage boxes, this has been my favorite Christmas ever. Gratitude can be my only response.

A Weary World Rejoices.

I can't choose a favorite. I have been singing Christmas carols to Little One and I'm overwhelmed by the truth in the lyrics. We sing these words over and over until they become comfortable. I can remember being in a Christmas parade in Tahlequah (so it would have been 1980 or so - I would have been 4 or 5 years old.). I was a part of a group of kids riding on a hay-filled, flat-bed trailer singing carols as we went along the path. I can vividly remember a moment of clarity in which the words, "Oh, Come let us adore Him" became alive to me. I felt the call in that verse - Come. Be present in this event. Come and be a part. Even now as I type, I feel the tug of that beckoning. Come, let us adore Him - the One in whose name all oppression will cease (another carol lyric). The One who brings the "thrill of hope!" It overwhelms me. Come. Adore. Come. You're invited. Come. You're welcome. Come. Be a part of this. Come.

There's No Place Like Home.

Just wanted to connect - ya know... I've been in Texas visiting my grandmother for the past few days. Thus the absenteeism. I'm going to post pics here soon, but just wanted to say that I love Oklahoma. And, I love my home. And, I love my friends. And, I love my man.

A Wintry Wonderland.

Get snow for your blog, too! Click Here.

A Hiding Place.

I don't like for Little One to be near me when I straighten my hair - I just don't want to risk dropping a Chi on his sweet self. It makes me sick to even think about it. So, I usually lay down a little blanket just outside my bathroom door - just inside my bedroom. Yesterday, when I turned to check on him, he had wiggled himself off of the blanket and somehow put a t-shirt over his head. He was talking to himself in the mirror. It was so stinkin' cute! I took this pic of the mirror reflecting his newly found friend.

I'm a Cheater.

This was my first year to try building a gingerbread house. I did not feel compelled to bake the pieces from scratch and really wasn't sure how to make the icing, etc. So, I decided that for this first year it was ok to get a kit. I totally felt like a cheater. I can see that people who do this without the kit are really putting a lot of time into it. I asked Favorite to do it with me. I'm trying to lure him into my DIY Advent activities slowly. Don't want to push too hard. :) Here's our little cheater house. Believe it or not, it still took quite a while to put together!

Come One, Come All!

Hello, friends! I've added the Follow Me gadget over there on your right. Follow me. (How cheesy do I feel right now?!)

Celebrating Accomplishment.

Last night at our Monday night group, we surprised Mom with a graduation celebration. I'm so stinkin' proud of her. Thanks to S for adding all the festive decor. It certainly wouldn't have been the same without it. Check out Little One with his first party hat!

And, just for good measure, here's one of Poppa and Little One. They're such great buds!

Their Message.

I'm struck by the Scripture chosen for the Christmas card being sent by our President and Mrs. Bush this year. Matthew 5:16 is the message they chose - letting our light shine before men - not being ashamed of our faith - that God would be glorified by our lives, and that men would be drawn to Him because of it. I know this time in office has had to have been difficult for them in many ways, and I just want to say that I'm grateful for the Light that I believe they've maintained there.

How to Be Invited to a Fun Party.

I have friends who have a baking/candy-making day every year.
Well, this year I decided to invite myself and Little One.
My only agenda was to get to spend time with these very precious friends. I enjoy time with them immensely. So, Little One and I loved being a part of their family tradition. As I've said, I'm creating my own Advent activities as I go along (Does it count that I own the Husteds' book about Advent?).
Goal for today: Read the book. :)

Prolonged Anticipation.

So, yesterday was a little different. Little One would not take his morning nap (usually his favorite and most lengthy) and was just overall different. I wouldn't say he was cranky, but he was certainly clear that what he wanted most was to be held. It wasn't until late in the afternoon that I thought to check his little gums... And, yes, we've got the first little ragged (sharp!) protrusion of a tooth! Between his gnawing on his hands and the surplus of saliva over the last 8 weeks or so, I knew this day had to be coming, but it just took a long time to actually come through. I've tried to really get a good look at it, but Little One seems to think it's weird that I want to look in his mouth. So, here's a pic of me and the boy with the new tooth.
Just for kicks, here's one of him when his dad was in charge of keeping him happy while I worked:

God With Us.

Today, as part of my DIY Advent celebrations, I set up my Nativity scene. I received the central figures last year and the remaining pieces this year for my birthday (YEA, MOM!). When I started opening the boxes and placing the pieces, I felt the presence of the Lord. My heart imagined as a mom what it was like for Mary to hold that tiny One. We see the story from a different perspective. We see that His birth was the catalyst for our ransom. Where I was a slave, His coming and sacrifice gave way for my freedom. My heart is so full today with the wonder of this beautiful season. I love Christmas.
Today felt like Christmas in other ways, too! I love it when the FedEx and UPS people bring me presents! I received my copy of Joy Lin's family book on Advent and also a book which I read to Little One today entitled God Gave Us Christmas. I'm excited about reading her family's ideas and creating my own. Little will grow up loving Christmas because he will understand that it was for his sake that Christ came and he will know the goodness of the Lord!

10 Days Later.

This year's birthday was one of the best ever - not because of any external reason - but because of the true contentment in where I am as a person. It is a little hard to explain here, but I will try. This year's birthday did not remind me of the things I still needed to finish such as college degrees (I finished my masters in June) or that I was not yet a Tulsa Run candidate, but allowed me to celebrate the pure sweetness of my life. Truly the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy - and those are the gifts that are full in my heart this year. In a conversation with a friend today, I was talking about how grateful I am for the peace in my home. I value that above any physical gift I could be given... Not to say I wasn't given some great gifts this year - because I was... But, even in that, the gifts I was given reflect the intimacy of friendship and relationship that I enjoy with others. And in that, I am rich. Don't let the late posting belittle the value of that day. Just because it is 10 days late, I'm still glad to share what a great birthday this was for me.

For my birthday we went out to Mom and Dad's to watch 24 and it was my special request that we get to wear pajama pants. I was so all about being comfy! Here is a pic of the participants this year:

She's gonna shoot me.

My dear, dear friend, Shirley, and I went to lunch today. She is one of my fave people in the whole wide world. God has been so faithful to her - especially throughout the last year and I love that I have the privilege of calling her "friend". Today we celebrated her birthday. I make her let me take her out to lunch - the last 4 years anyway. She's a gift to me and I love her. Happy Birthday, sweet Shirley. And, please don't be angry that I posted a pic of you on my blog. :)

A Little First.

Just had to post so I could share a few pics from last night. We went out to mom and dad's to watch the Bedlam game. I was SO stinkin' tense! OSU kept coming back with great plays, but OU finished it out 61-41.

My friend, Joy Lin, was there, too! Bless her heart, she couldn't sit down most of the last half. Little enjoyed his first Bedlam game - except when we all started yelling... It scared him and he cried - such a sad face! I didn't actually get any photos of that expression, but I did catch a few sweet pics of him with his Papa and Layla. So fun!

Just a Game.

Here I am - getting ready to go out to mom and dad's to watch this year's edition of Oklahoma Bedlam. I think I'm surprising myself how much I wish/hope/want OU to be victorious tonight. I even feel a bit guilty that I don't want to see OSU win for our friend, Nathan Gilsleider's sake (a family friend who walked-on to OSU this year. We're SUPER proud of him.). I just can't. Anyway, four hours from now we'll all know the outcome... Makes me think, is it really "just a game"?

New trick!

Hey! I just figured out how to get my videos from my (read: my dad's) Flip. I've had some kind of software glitch (gotta love Vista) and have not been able to get them to load... Anyway, here's one of Little in his little walker (Thanks to Cam for recommending it). He loves it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to share a quick pic from the day before I go to bed (I'm exhausted!). It was Little's first Thanksgiving... He happens to be a large part of that for which I'm thankful.

Because you needed a new time-waster!

Hey! One of the blogs I've found has a list of her fave places on the web... I just checked out one of them and I can see that it would be a lot of fun to spend some time there. Click Here to check out Scrapblog. Fun!

Sooner Born.

Thursday morning Papa calls and asks if I'm planning to meet him at Wal-Mart with Little so he can meet Heisman winners, Jason White, Billy Sims, and Steve Owens. I knew we were in for an adventure!

Dad and I stood in line with a very patient baby for an hour and a half! Poor little guy was such a good sport. He even took his nap while we waited in line.
It was all worth it, though. Our reward was more than just the autographed footballs (a required purchase if you wanted to walk by the Heisman winners). Here's my boy with three OU greats:

Sweet Sleep.

Last night Little would not go to sleep peacefully. I usually let him cry it out (it generally takes him just a couple minutes), but last night I wanted to rock him - to me that is one of the privileges of being a stay-at-home momma - I can handle the late nights. Anyway, he was immediately quieted by the rocking and fell asleep. I noticed that he started smiling and all of a sudden he was chuckling - big belly laughs - in his sleep. I couldn't help but think that he was dreaming of his Layla tickling him.

The photo here isn't actually from last night, but I think it's cute... It looks like he's hiding.

All my delight is in You.

Today has had such a sweet feel to it. A song (click HERE to see the video) kept going over and over in my heart/head - especially the line, "All my delight is in You, Lord." It amazes me how when our hearts are turned toward Him and focused, even for a few moments, that He is faithful to meet us in that place. In the song the lyrics state once that "When you call, I won't refuse." and another time, "When you call, I won't delay." I am thirsty for times like these. I feel that familiar call. I will not refuse and I will not delay.

Lord, may that be true of me - that all my delight be in you, today and always. May my home and my heart be a place where you feel always welcome. May my response to you be immediate obedience. I love you, Lord.

Here are the complete lyrics to the song to which I'm referring:
"None but Jesus" copyright Hillsongs.
In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored

When You call I won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will

When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore

That for which a Masters Degree cannot prepare you:

Putting together baby toys.

Red Light. Green Light.

Hello! Here I am - back online - and in the comfort of my own home! For three days I watched a red light on my modem, waiting, hoping, wishing it would turn green and signal that I would once again be connected to the outside world. Yesterday (Day 2), Little and I took off to be anywhere but here. We went to see Papa, then to see Layla (the Spanish version of "Grandma") and from there just thought we'd push our luck and run over to Owasso again. Little is such a good sport! I'm telling you... I don't need to be forced out in a state of boredom like that very often. I visited Hobby Lobby again and would you believe it, they've got more Christmas stuff at 50% off! What a happy little place for me.

On another note: Tuesday night I got to go to my friend K's for Life Group. It's been several months since I last got to be there. And, I just want to say what a nice time I had. It is so valuable to me to be a part of a community. I draw strength from others and am challenged to grow. I want to be an encouragement to others, but if I'm hiding out at my house, I'm not much good for that. Isolation is a trick that keeps us from community and essentially from the gifts God has given to us in His people.

Point of Gratitude: Connections. Both in relationships and the Internet! :)

Oh, the agony!

Today is Day 2 without the Internet at my house!! Augh! It is more painful than it should be. But here I am, loyal followers, posting from my dad's office at the church to tell you that I'm full of wonderful blog material, but just can't get it out there. I'm telling you, every time I've talked to the tech people, that scripture about hope deferred making the heart sick has come to mind. I'm going to risk it one more time - I'm hoping it's back up when I get home.

Gratitude point for the day: A reliable vehicle that takes me away from my Internet-less situation.

Ready, Set, Go!

Yea! My mom and I went on a little adventure today (any day out with a 4 month old is an adventure in my world). Our first order of business was to get something to eat. If you know me, you know I'm not in any danger of starving, but I would have argued the point at that time. We had agreed that I would drive through Taco Bueno for me and then go to Sonic for Mom and sit there to eat. It was only after I had placed my order at Bueno that Mom started to come down with a bad case of Food Envy. I ended up circling back around so she could order the exact meal I had. The lady who took my money seemed genuinely amused.

I'm on a mission to find a Christmas tree. The Hobby Lobby ad had Christmas stuff on sale for 50% off! But if you look a little more closely at the ad... Trees are only 30% off. Boo Hiss. Maybe I'll get inspired to go on the hunt again tomorrow.

Little seems to already understand that there will just be some things that he must endure. His Papa thinks we're mean:

Bright spot in the day: A stop at Owasso's Starbucks for a caramel frappucino.
I think I'm already ready (Say that out loud. It's fun!) to start a new feature on my blog. It will be at the end of the post for the day and highlight something for which I'm grateful. Here it is for today: My health. It is true that a merry heart does good like medicine - and I'm grateful.

A Promise Kept

Today I am working on the design for the December bulletin for my church and it is feeding the excitement I have about Christmas this year. I am struck by the privilege I have as a new mom to share the story of Christmas and how even before there was time God had a plan to bring man back into relationship with Him. I love that in that story I can teach Little that he can trust in God and in that promise of relationship. Truly it is JOY to the world!! (Can I go ahead and just have church now! :)

11:23

A random thing about me...

Any time I notice the clock at 11:23, I think "Happy Birthday to me" because November 23rd is my birthday. It seems silly, but I don't mind. I love my birthday and I love that we're now in November and it is - as my sweet friend, Lesleigh, says - my birthday month. It also happens to be Lesleigh's birthday month...

And guess what we're doing to celebrate my birthday? Watching 24. Here's a look at my fave 24 fans.

What's in a Name?

So, here I go. I've been talking to my dear friend, Joy Lin, about blogging for a few months. I love reading hers and have become a little bit of a junkie. I find that there are a couple of people whose blogs I've kept up with for a while now... and get this... I don't even know them (Joy Lin's friend, Chelley writes one of them). It seems a little pitiful, but I'm hooked.

The truth is that I've felt like I have something to say, but was a little intimidated by the idea of allowing others to read my thoughts. Tonight, as I decided to take the leap, I sat for a very long time trying to come up with something clever and beautiful to name my blog. (Could the word "blog" be any uglier in itself?) I went through a thesaurus and everything! I truly wanted something that communicated how truly rich I feel. I am so very grateful for the life God has given me. So, this is fair warning early on. I may gush a little. I am overwhelmed at the goodness of the Lord and sometimes I may want to elaborate on that. Just letting you know. I think that is only fair... Therein lies the reasoning behind the name of my blog. To me there are not many things in this world more valuable than the Life of Peace and the Heart filled with Joy that God has provided for me...

And, in the event I ever post an annoying song's lyrics on here, I'll be sure to warn you at the beginning so that you can choose not to read it and risk getting the song stuck in your head. (Nod to JL) So, here we go.