Merry Christmas

These are our Christmas cards. Someday I am going to mail them. Merry Christmas!

Santa!

A Little Christmas

Be still My Soul

The other day I had my blog's Holiday playlist blaring from the computer when Chris Rice's Instrumental version of Be Still My Soul came to the top of the shuffle list. (It's #3) Kolby said "That one is pretty, but not really Chirtmasy. Did you put it on there on accident?"
No Kolby, I didn't.
If there is ever a time in the year when I feel the need to be still, it is in the month of December. So overwhelming is this season for me! You know the hustle and bustle we all get caught up in no matter how we try to slow down and take it all in. The parties, the presents, the lists, the decorating, the fight to get it all done... I love it and don't love it all at the same time.  Sometimes it seems the good and bad of life are amplified by this season and I get all jumbled up inside.  So Yes. In the midst of Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Clause Coming to Town, it's good to Be still My Soul.

Christ was born to save a fallen world. Maybe that is why both the best and the worst can be so clearly seen this time of year. So if you are overwhelmed with joy or sorrow this Christmas Season, Be Still.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise On earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high; Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways, So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye. Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine!

Merry Christmas!

A Puppy for Christmas

That's right! We did it! Rob and I finally agreed to be dog owners again. The kids have wanted a puppy ever since Berkley died. I just was not ready. And frankly neither were my kids. BUT I think Rhett and Kolby are old enough to share the responsibilities of pet ownership. So this year when Rhett said Mom all I really want for Christmas is a dog, I couldn't think of a reason to say no. After lots of research and internet searching we found our puppy. She was in Northern Arkansas so it was a beast of a trip to get her! But I took the kids out of school and we got to spend two nights with good friends on the way so it wasn't so bad. So here she is. Our little "Lady." Merry Christmas to us! :)

Beauty is in the Eye of the Be Holder

Yesterday we found out that Kolby was one of four 6th graders from her school to advance to the next level of PTA's National Reflections Contest. We of course are so proud her for entering and her creativity. She did a great job taking and editing her picture. And YES, she did it all on her own. (As her Mom, it's OK to toot her horn.. Right? :)

The theme this year was "Beauty is..." Students could enter their original works of Literature, Visual Arts, Photography, Film Production, Music Composition, or Dance Choreography. In 5th grade it was a grade for Venture students, but in 6th grade it was voluntary. Here is the photo Kolby entered and the required artist statement she wrote to go with it.

Required Artist Statement:

Beauty Is In the Eye of the “Be” Holder

My photograph is titled “Beauty Is In The Eye Of The “Be” Holder.” In this picture my little sister is holding the word “be”. There are two different types of beauty reflected in this picture.

First, the eyes of my little sister are beautiful to me. I always wanted a little sister but my parents wanted to stop after my little brother was born. I kept praying for a sister, and I was so happy when she was born. She is a beautiful little girl with light bluish green eyes.

The second way I see beauty in this picture does not have to do with looks. There is beauty in the fact that someday my sister will be able to choose whatever she wants to be. My sister holds the power “to be” in her little fingers just like she is holding the word. All little girls have that power. In other times and in other countries, little girls did not have the choice to be what they wanted to be. I think that it is very special that we have the choice to be whatever we want to be.

There is beauty in my sister and beauty in the power to choose what you want to be. That is why I choose to take a picture that says “Beauty Is In The Eye Of The “Be” Holder” for this project.

We are so proud of you Miss Kolby and feel blessed to be your parents!

For those who haven't known us long, you need to read this post (skip down to the highlighted part) to understand part of why I'm so proud of Kolby.  She's come a long way baby!

Christmas Puppy!

We are getting a puppy for Christmas this year! Actually the kids and I are leaving to get her tomorrow after school. She is in Northern Arkansas. We will stay with my friend Susan 2 nights in Little Rock and hope to be back home Saturday night.

The attached picture was taken by the current owner on 11-28-09. The puppy is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who will be 10 weeks old on Thursday. Isn't she adorable!!! Those big eyes just did me in. We are all over the top excited, the kids especially!

We have a long list of names for her but have decided not to name her until we have her home. Rob is working on his last final of the semester this weekend and won't be going with us. Wish me luck as I will spend 18+ hours driving with 3 kids and a puppy this weekend. Come back to see more puppy pics soon!

My Playlist is back!

Somehow I lost my playlists in November.
But now they are found!  The Holiday one will play automatically but the everyday one is there too if you want it.
I have missed my Music!