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.

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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. :)