Facebook - January 2011

My friend Kathy had an excellent idea.

None of you will probably read this, but I thought this would be a great way of recording my state of mind on a monthly basis.

1/1 Graffiti - Welcome to Knoxville TN. Our roads suck and so do our red traffic lights.

1/2 My year in Status - It was a hard year, but even hard years are worth living.

1/3 14 books in 2 months...not bad at all...I'm almost feeling proud of myself.

1/4 Ahhhh...peace and quiet. And the kids haven't even gone back to school. I love 2011.

1/4 Ritalin is a miracle drug. I wonder if they make something like if for people without ADD...oh yeah, it's called speed...where can I get some? I want to be as productive as (to remain anonymous) has been in the last week.

1/4 We enjoyed downtown Knoxville withy my kids and in-laws today. Movie at the TN Theater, dinner at Market Square, and ended if off with the Sunsphere. I guess we won't have any regrets if we end up having to move when LG gets his dream job...I do want to go to some Civil War sites. Anyone have any favorites?

1/5 the whole family is reading b4 bed tonight...from classic scarlett letter 2 robert jordan all the way dwn to 39 clues, the tales of beatle bard and roald dahl...back to schl tomorrow...sometimes I wish we all could just read at home.

1/7 picture of Sonic smoothie - mama's treat for doing daddy's morning duty.

1/7 picture of local newspaper foreclosures. Sign of bad economy: 6 pages of foreclosures in KnoxNews.

1/7 Would anyone like a free dog? We got her from the shelter last year and she is house trained and great with kids. She is about 2 years old, 12 lbs. and part chihuahua. She loves to walk/jog (she runs FAST), and is great with other dogs (she prefers dogs bigger than her). We will give you her kennel also.

1/7 Just saw True Grit....wondering how it got such good reviews...I can't hande such graphics...yuck

1/8 We are not defined by what happens to us, but prepared. (not sure who said it but it's true)

1/9 I am grateful for a yankee superintendent who doesn't call off school for snow until the snow is actually falling...I am hoping that my kids get to go to school tomorrow because this mom needs some quiet time. LOL

1/10 I haven't shoveled that much lovely powder since the Winter of '02 when we still lived in Utah. Man, I wish I could go skiing.

1/11 NNNNNOOooooo, not ANOTHER snowday!!! At least when my kids r home 4 a month at a time in the summer, we can leave the house.

1/13 its mamas night to be alone but of course I'm going to hang w my sisters at church

1/14 toasted whole wheat bread with peanut butter, bananas and marshmallow fluff washed down with a glass of 1% milk and I don't even have any healthy food resolutions.

1/14 one of my friends just wrote "sick" as their status update and I almost hit the "like" button until I realized that could be construed as mean.

1/14 is anyone up for a girls night out tonight?

1/14 Call me old school, but I will always be a Scorpio and Pluto is still a planet.

1/15 I am writing a searchless and moral inventory...good stuff.

1/16 So so interesting. I can't stand reading the perfect Mormon Mommy blogs nor can I stand reading the ones written by completely negative haters, but it seems that these are the kind of blogs that get read the most.

1/17 is calculating cost of living in different parts of the country...wish I could somehow get back to sunny California, but I am not sure there is room there for a conservative like me.

1/18 I must read The Scarlett Letter.

1/19 I am LOVING Steven Tyler and JLO. After last season's fiasco with Ellen DeGeneras. I am so happy that I will be able to watch the whole American Idol season this year.

1/19 Best moment of the night on AI: the twin brother in tears. Everyone should have someone who loves that much.

1/21 I wonder if they got the idea for Diego's awesome backpack from the original batman. However, I don't wonder why LG likes watching the show with Caroline.

1/22 about to watch the social network. Lots of unnecessary sex scenes, and kind of documentarish..

1/23 LG's super excited about our new weekly couple planning meeting

1/24 My congregation would like to collaborate with other churches/support organizations to provide a free carnival for local families who care for children with special needs. Would any of you like to get involved, or do you have any connections with people who would?

1/24 My little cheerleader...how did this happen..she's the quietest one. LOL Sophia is gorgeous and I loved watching the joy on her face.

1/24 My Bella playing ball...somebody in this family was bound to do something that dad will enjoy eventually. Love you Bella. You are great on that court.

1/24 does anyone know about Spring Softball signups in fountain city or powell? Bella wants to play.

1/25 Does anyone know of any great online resources where I can get weekly healthy menus with accompanying shopping lists?

1/27 I really think that Mitt Romney could be the next Ronald Regan for US economy. C'mon people if our citizens can elect a Catholic, an undeclared Muslim..isn't it about time we gave the Mormon a real chance?

1/27 Steven Tyler is a big old teddy bear. I just love him.

1/27 I had an epiphany yesterday. God doesn't love any of his children less than others. It's just that we children vary in our ability to receive his love. Whoa. This answered a philosophical question that has bothered me for years. Am I getting that wise or was I just really dumb?

1/28 If LG gets a job out of state he is gonna have to drag me away and brave some serious kicking and screaming.

1/30 hopes LG will survive church today; I'm staying home

1/30 the sounds of my man, 4 daughters and our dog outside together are music to my really stuffed up ears

A Mom Heart, Her Pets, and Her Hero

Hey everybody.

We aren't necessarily moving.

Sorry for the scare.

It's just that LG is looking for a new job,

and that could bring a new residence.

Let's face it,

the economy sucks.

And you have to go where the work is.

Today one of LG's cousins said they were looking for a dog.

My mother in law so kindly offered up ours.

She knows I have been thinking about finding her a new home.

I have been stressed about finding a new place for her to live,

in case we have to move.

You know, I do that stress thing from time to time.

Why?

Because I am a mom.

That's why.

And I have a mom heart.

I can't help it.

And I want to make sure that all of my kids (and pets) are taken care of.

I take no child left behind to an all new level. It's called no living thing left behind.

So, this cousin, who would provide Olive (our dog) with a wonderful home,

offered to take her on a trial basis.

My in-laws were pulling out of the drive-way,

and it was all up to me,

as to whether or not Olive was going to go along.

At least that is what LG said.

I started loving on the dog,

and I couldn't keep the tears away.

My 12 year old Alice

who lost her best friend Major (a German Shepherd)

to the vet's needle,

seemed to show her true self.

She screamed,

"Please don't make me do this."

It was decided to postpone the decision for now.

Relief washed over me,

and the 12 year old Alice

thanked me incessantly.

Once a mom decides to care for something as her own,

nobody should try to come between them.

Unless they want to watch the mom cry

for any amount of time.

The funny thing is that I have complained about this dog.

I have constantly complained.

I'm the only ones who feeds her.

Or takes her on walks.

I have to bathe her.

And cut her nails.

And get up with her in the night.

And I have to run after her when someone lets her out,

and she can run about 80 miles an hour.

Seriously.

From the get-go I took the majority of the responsibility for cleaning up her messes.

And it took about 6 months and ripped out carpet to properly house-train her.

But gosh danget...she is MY dog.

And I am not giving her away.

Because I promised to take care of her.

No matter what personal sacrifice I have to make.

And I love her.

And she loves me.

And my mom heart can't handle abandoning her.

And just writing the word abandon makes me want to throw up.

A mother can never abandon her children or her dogs.

She will throw herself in front of the train if she has to.

And her reward at this very moment is a dog sprawled out on the rug looking up at her with loyal eyes and her cat sitting next to her arm that rests on the desk while typing.

And on lots of days, that is more than her kids ever offer her for all of her sacrifice.

So, after my in-laws drove away,

LG says to me,

"Alice, I just made an important decision. If we do have to move, we are just gonna have to find a place that will let us have the dog and the cat."

"Why do you say that?" I question.

"You know why."

I wrapped my arms around him and started to bawl.

I love that man.

I heart Tennessee.

We have lived in Tennessee for 7 & 1/2 years.

I will admit, for this sheltered Western girl,

it took some serious getting used to.

I have blogged about some cultural differences in the past.

I have also blogged about some of the finest parts of the State.

I have laughed about the language barrier.

But, now as I face the possibility of leaving the state,

I can't stop crying.

Knoxville Tennessee has become more of a home

than any other home I have had.

Our little stone cottage

as humble as it may be,

is the place where I've

grown into my own skin.

It's the place where

LG finally finished college.

It's the place where

our 4th child was born.

It's the place where

so many memories were made.

Good and bad.

And isn't it funny how the only

difference between a good and bad memory

is time?

What's really crazy to me

is that even the things I hate about Tennessee

have become endearing overnight,

as I've faced the possibility of leaving.

And even the bad memories

have become some of my favorite

when I think of leaving the place

called home.

And every small thing

is remembered as a big miracle.

I think it kind of fitting that when I got here

I couldn't stop crying for about a year.

Because if I ever have to leave,

I am sure that will be about the same amount of time

it will take me to overcome my

home sicknesses.

I am so grateful I have blogged

about so many of my favorites.

Springtime.

Southern skies.

The variety of birds.

The rednecks.

The Baptists and the roadkill.

(not affiliated in any way -

really, they are both just

showcased in the same post.)

Church activities.

Some were bad.

(I am glad that the calling

of activities director

has been retired

because I never wanted that one again.)

The weather.

(I don't think I will ever

get out of the habit of checking it

frequently.)

A Tennessee storm.

The good people.

The scary people.

John Deere.

The home of tobacco.

The wrestling.

Rich tradition.

Fried Chicken.

Rocky Top.

Smokey.

The beautiful nature.

Our yard.

the good and bad.

Yellow milk.

Green country roads.

And last but certainly not least

Becoming white trash.

(I consider it an honor and privilege.)

We have come far

from the days

when we didn't want anyone to know

we were white trash.

And thanks

to Tennessee,

We now embrace ourselves.

Even the parts

that in the rest of the country,

we might be expected to hide.

If we end up having to move,

I hope the rest of the country

is ready for some Southern living.

Because we never plan to wash a car again.

And we have learned the art

of lawn ornaments.

Surely they can put up with our bad habits,

once they taste my

Southern cooking.

More tears.

I am never gonna make a biscuit again.

My Love Affair

I have a confession to make.

I have a new passion in my life.

Or an old passion rekindled.

I figured if I was in survival mode for most of 2010,

I may as well accomplish something.

So for my moments of needed escape,

I gave in to my all alluring friends.

Books.

They are my free entertainment.

They are my free therapy.

They are my free daydreams.

They are my free history lessons.

They are my free writing critics.

They are my free friends.

They are even my free lover on the nights when my hubby and I are too tired to hash it out.

Wow, that sounds gross. K - so not really my free lover, but they are usually way more romantic than my main squeeze, even if I don't do romance.

My friend Rita just sent me the nicest compliment.

She said my librarians said that I am one of their favorite patrons.

I think that may be the best compliment I've had in a long time.

Because it means that they know that I love to read.

But it also means that they don't think that

I am all that bad of a parent

even when I have had many melt down moments

with my children while perusing the shelves with a toddler in tow.

Well, I was proud of myself because in 2010, I read 41 books.

That is 3+ per month.

My goal in 2011 is to do 48.

One book a week.

I will do it.

(Oh, and yes, I just came back to fix these numbers

because after the initial publish I realized that

there aren't 48 weeks in a year,

but I can't remember how many weeks there really are...52?

I am laughing at myself so hard right now.

Math was never my thing.

I'm an English kind of gal.

And the goal is staying at 48

because I am giving myself

however many other weeks there are in a year OFF.

Geez louise. I'm a mess.)

Just as soon as I get past reading The Scarlett Letter.

It is taking forever because the Old English is hard

and I don't know all the vocabulary words.

Oh to have that kind of eloquence.

So, I know you are dying to hear what I read.

Since I quit writing book reviews.

(My other goal of the year is to let go of guilt - so get over it.)

Here it goes: (in no particular order)

1The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (I read every Christmas)

2The Help by Kathryn Stockett

3The Book Theif by Markus Zusak

4The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

5Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

6The Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

7He Did Deliever Me From Bondage by Colleen C. Harrison

8Ford County by John Gresham

9Still Alice by Lisa Genova

10Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

11Leaning into The Curves by Nancy Anderson

12These Is My Words by Nancy Turner

13Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

14A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the Future by Michael J Fox

15The Maze Runner by James Daschner

16Afternoons with Emily by Rose MacMurray

17The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

18The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

19The Titans Curse by Rick Riordan

20The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

21The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

22The Last Talk with Lola Faye by Thomas H Cooke

23Uglies by Scott Westerfield

24Pretties by Scott Westerfield

25Specials by Scott Westerfield

26Extra by Scott Weseterfield

27Cars from a Marriage by Debra Galant

28The Walk by Richard Paul Evans

29The Past by Jodi Picoult

30To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

31Boundaries by John Townsend

32Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell

33Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

34Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakaner

35Defensive Tactics by Steve Westover

36The Seeker by Ann Gabhart

37Behind Ever Good Man by John Bytheway

38AA - The Big Book

39The Peacegiver by James Ferrell

40The LDS Guide to Addiction Recovery

41Motherhood: the 2nd Oldest Proffession by Erma Bombeck

I heart books and reading and writing and all things literature.

It is my dream to write a really good novel someday.

I came up with a great idea while reading this year.

It's a mixture of survival and future like Hunger Games

but with a cowboy indian flare like These Is My Words.

Those were two of my favorite books this year.

As a mother of 4, I find my 2010 reading accomplishments congratulatory.

If I could just include in my numbers all the children's books I've read this year.

I am sure I read Brown Bear at least 100 times.

The Snow Blues

After a month of almost consecutive snow days and Winter Break,

this mom is officially in Cabin Fever mode.

I even pulled out my old gowns as a new point of interest.

I have been in a foul mood.

I am not sure quite why.

It's a combination of things, I am sure.

The lack of sunshine.

My house being at 60 degrees to conserve cash.

The cooking three meals a day,

EVERY day.

O.k. I'll be honest:

no breakfast

just lunch dinner and the 4th meal.

The daily routine of

Wizards of Waverly Place, Hannah Montana, and Cake Boss

should be envious.

(And just for the rest of you moms who are trying to survive

with a Netflix membership

because the remote

to the digital converter went missing ages ago

and you don't have any real T.V.

the last of those three shows is the winner of

Best Entertaining TV)

And there's nothing like a really long

run-on sentence to express the true sentiment

of my last month.

I've been dreaming of going to Carlos' Bakery

for a warm lobster tail or crumb cake.

Of course, in my dreams,

I am decked out fashionably

with my hair done, make-up on, and nails brightly painted.

I guess if my mind really had some imagination

I should have been wearing a Miley wig

and some Wizard glasses.

Because that is what the kids would find entertaining.

But, in my dreams,

I am all alone.

Go figure.

And then I sit to blog.

Because maybe it will help me find myself.

Or at least pull me out of this mood.

And I stumble upon this old photo:

and I remember how awesome my kids are.

And how fast they grow.

And then the smell of a poopy diaper

brings me back to my senses.

Just as Caroline goes flying off the bottom of treadmill.

And for the millionth time

with my kids

we laugh.

And I think

it's too bad

their teachers don't get to

see them at their best.

And I tell myself

to embrace these snow days.

Because even though the days go by so very slow.

The years fly by.

And, next winter,

if I am lucky

The Tennessee weather God

may bring no snow at all.

But of course,

by then I may be living in South Dakota.

And LG will still be saying,

"Oh, but this is still nothing

compared to the Winter of '88."

And I will no longer wonder how my mom survived

with seven children

because I will be longing

for my childhood

in

Southern California.

Where snow days

don't exist.

By Their Fruits (or Gifts) Ye Shall Know Him

For the past year, I have prayed like never before. It has been the hardest year of my life.

Since I was 20, I have felt very secure in my choice of religion, but during the past year I have found myself questioning. I guess most people would if given my circumstances. I felt faithless and I have been ashamed of myself.

Nonetheless, I have persevered in prayer. I have remained obedient, even when I felt like my prayer wasn't being answered. I kept asking God to reaffirm my faith. I love God with all my heart and I would never want to dishonor Him by following an untrue path. But, for months I felt like He wouldn't answer my prayer. I wasn't sure why.

The other night Sophia kept ringing a jingle bell and we asked her to stop because she was driving us crazy. She said ever so nonchalantly while ringing the bell to her own ear instead of ours, "What? I don't hear anything. Remember, we don't believe in Santa. This should not be annoying you." Thank you Polar Express.

Well, lately, I have felt like a non-believer. No matter how much I wanted to hear the bell jingle, it just wasn't working. Others will say that it's not true because I have always believed, but really, I wasn't hearing what I felt like I should be.

Well, tonight I wouldn't be more convinced of an answer to prayer if God himself arrived on my doorstep.

It has been said that God does his mighty works through other people.
It has also been said that "by their fruits, ye shall know them."

Well, this Christmas, the works have come. And they keep coming. I can't make them stop.

We have had so many anonymous gifts left at our door, that I have completely lost track. We have also had friends who have tried to pretend that their kids just wanted to get our kids something for Christmas. We have had other friends bring stockings fully stuffed for every one of our children. Every gift has been equally thoughtful and equally appreciated. It has been totally humbling, yet wondrous to behold.

The climax of the giving came the other night when while one friend was making a delivery, another friend doorbell ditched with more gifts and a gift-card.

Tonight, was the clincher for me. Someone left us a bag of multiple gift cards and some treats. They left us $40 in Chuck E Cheese bucks, a $50 movie card, and $50 to our favorite local used book store. My kids were going absolutely nuts. It's been a hard year for them too, and this was just too much at once. It was like Christmas wasn't even big enough to contain their excitement.

I had to walk back out to the van to cry. I didn't want my family to see me lose it.
And lose it, I did. I poured my heart out to God and thanked Him with all my might.

I thanked Him for His love, and for watching over us. I thanked Him to be surrounded by such wonderful friends. And I mostly thanked Him for finally giving me my answer.
If my church wasn't true, why would the people I surround myself with have such wonderful works?

Now, I also know that I have some wonderful Non-Mormon friends who may have been part of this Gold Christmas miracle, and for them I am also grateful. But, tonight, while I read the card with the aforementioned gift, I knew God was telling me that He has let me struggle, so that He could show forth His power, which lies in the people's hearts...His love is a living force for good.

And let me tell you something. That love and power is described as light because there is no other way to describe it. It's warm. It's invigorating. It's mighty. It's the giver of life. It's all-encompassing. The only way to receive it, is to let it consume you.

And after the crappiest year ever, and the months and months of prayers of mighty supplication, I all of the sudden found myself surrounded by the light. In fact, I was the light. In every direction I looked, all I could see was good. All I could see was love. And all I could see was the face of God. With a smile. It seemed to say, "I'm so proud of you for sticking in there Alice. Now go to Chuck E Cheese and enjoy some downtime."

Oh, and, "Be still and know that I am God."

What a year.

So, here is your Christmas card.
If you are a diehard,
you can print us out and put us up on your wall
so you can prove to all incomers
that you really do have friends.

This year was the kind
that we didn't have a professional photo.
We also didn't want to spend for the
cost of printing and mailing.

To put it lightly,
our family has been tried tremendously.
To put it honestly,
we have walked through hell
and we are hoping that we are on our way back.

It was the kind of year that made me grateful
for a simple family snapshot.
Even if it was
as an afterthought,
and we ended up with a crappy backdrop,
and the sun was in our eyes.

You see
we were on our way to church,
together.

And together
is
huge.
It's more than anyone can ask for.

This morning
I realized that I wanted a living record
of the end of this year,
as I looked at my daughters
and the love of my life.
We were all in the colors,
black, white, and red.

And I saw that as a great representation
of a very hard year.

We are all
still trying to do the right things.
Together.
And that pretty much sums it up.
God has held us together
in the palm of His hand.

And I am extremely
humbled
and
grateful.
And happy.

I look forward in faith.
Even if the sun has been blinding.
And what better Christmas message is there?

My daughters would not be any more beautiful
with a professional photo to prove it.
My marriage would not be as strong
without the trials and intense work.
My friends would not have reached out to us
in such love
without our pain.
Our gratitude for loving parents
would not be as deep
without the struggle.
And our testimony of a loving God
would not be as intimate.

I think we have every reason
to
rejoice.

Jesus Christ makes all things possible.
He is love and light.
He will blind you
if that is what it takes
to heal you,
to love you,
and
to know you.

And when you get through it,
you will be grateful for a sun so bright.
Even if it hurt temporarily.

Merry Christmas to you.
Especially if the sun is blinding your eyes.

Happy Birthday Jesus Christ

Thanks to my bloggy friend Sheila for this share.
It brought tears to my eyes and greater love to my heart.
There is something special about
this child's narration to the greatest story of all mankind.

I love MY Jesus.
He is all mine.
And He is yours.
He is the Savior of all mankind.
Whether they accept it individually or not.

He condescended from the realms on high,
to be born in a stable.
And this year,
His lowly beginnings
have been a fervant reminder
that God wants me to know
that things don't matter.

Only one thing is needful,
and that is Jesus Christ.
He is the way, the truth, and the life.

And I love the time of year when
people treat each other with greater kindness.
It's the kind of birthday present we all can enjoy.
And that is so like Jesus.
He never asks something of us
that won't make us happier.

Christmas Pageants

Every Christmas I try to read

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

with my children.

It is one of my all time favorite books.

Of course it consists of two of my most favorite things:

laughter and the Savior of the world.

I have the book that my Aunt Shirley

gifted to my family one year.

I treasure it.

My Aunt Shirley loves literature like I do.

I want to grow up to be like her one day.

She writes better than me.

I am of the opinion that Christmas Pageants

should only be given by children or professionals.

A few years ago they had LG dress up like a wise man

and I just thought it was pure mockery.

Especially since they had him dressed in the costume

that was obviously meant for an African.

He was one big white African King.

Well, anyhow, somebody forwarded me an e-mail

with a funny little Christmas pageant tale.

It showcases WHY exactly children are the ones to give any pageant.

THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

My husband and I had been happily
married (most of the time)
for five years
but hadn't been blessed with a baby.

I decided to do some serious
praying and promised God
that if he would give us a child,
I would be a perfect mother,
love it with all my heart
and raise it with His word
as my guide.

God answered my prayer s
and blessed us with a son.

The next year God blessed us
with another son.

The following year,
He blessed us with
yet another son.

The year after that we
were blessed with a daughter.

My husband thought we'd
been blessed right into poverty.
We now had four children,
and the oldest was only
four years old.

I learned never to ask God
for anything unless I meant it
As a minister once told me,
"If you pray for rain,
make sure you carry an umbrella."

I began reading a few verses
of the Bible to the children
each day as they lay in their cribs.

I was off to a good start.
God had entrusted me
with four children a nd
I didn't want to disappoint Him.

I tried to be patient the day
the children smashed
two dozen eggs on
the kitchen floor searching
for baby chicks.

I tried to be understanding...

when they started a hotel for
homeless frogs in the spare bedroom,

although it took me nearly two hours
to catch all twenty-three frogs.

When my daughter poured
ketchup all over herself and
rolled up in a blanket to see
how it felt to be a hot dog,
I tried to see the humor
rather than the mess.

In spite of changing over
twenty-five thousand diapers,
never eating a hot meal
and never sleeping for more
than thirty minutes at a time,
I still thank God daily for my children.

While I couldn't keep my promise
to be a perfect mother -
I didn't even come close...
I did keep my promise
to raise them in the Word of God.

I knew I was missing the mark
just a little when I told
my daughter we were going
to church to worship God,
and she wanted to bring
a bar of soap along to
"wash up" Jesus, too.

Something was lost
in the translation when
I explained that
God gave us everlasting life,
and my son thought it was
generous of God to give
us his "last wife."

My proudest moment came
during the children's
Christmas pageant.

My daughter was playing Mary,
two of my sons were shepherds
and my youngest son was a wise man.
This was their moment to shine.

My five-year-old shepherd
had practiced his line,
"We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes."

But he was nervous and said,
"The baby was wrapped
in wrinkled clothes."

My four-year-old "Mary" said,
"That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly.

That's dirty, rotten clothes."

A wrestling match broke out
between Mary and the shepherd
and was stopped by an angel,
who bent her halo and lost
her left wing.

I slouched a little lower
in my seat when Mary
dropped the doll representing
Baby Jesus, and it bounced
down the aisle crying,
"Mama-mama."

Mary grabbed the doll,
wrapped it back up
and held it tightly as
the wise men arrived.

My other son stepped forward
wearing a bathrobe
and a paper crown,
knelt at the manger
and announced,
"We are the three wise men,
and we are bringing gifts
of gold,
common sense
and fur."

The congregation
dissolved into laughter,
and the pageant
got a standing ovation.

"I've never enjoyed a Christmas
program as much as this one,"
laughed the pastor ,
wiping tears from his eyes

"For the rest of my life,
I'll never hear the
Christmas story without
thinking of
gold, common sense
and fur."

"My children are my pride
and my joy and my greatest
blessing," I said as I dug
through my purse for an aspirin..

Yesterday at church

somebody read Wally's Christmas Pageant.

It was also a heartwarming tale.

which supports my idea of

children being the best actors for a pageant.

I cried as Wally the innkeeper

felt compassion and interceded with

"Wait, you can have my room."

This made me ponder on what I am willing to give.

Sometimes I don't even think I am smart enough

to give up my own room;

even when I have promised to give everything.

I will end this Christmas post with

my favorite

Christmas poem.

In the Bleak Midwinter - Christina Rosetti 1872.

In the bleak mid-winter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak mid-winter

Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him

Nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When He comes to reign:

In the bleak mid-winter

A stable-place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty,

Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim

Worship night and day,

A breastful of milk

And a mangerful of hay;

Enough for Him, whom angels

Fall down before,

The ox and ass and camel

Which adore.

Angels and archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim

Thronged the air,

But only His mother

In her maiden bliss,

Worshiped the Beloved

With a kiss.

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give my heart.

I hope that I can give Him my heart.

My whole heart.

Every day.

And be like Him.

More selfless.

I know

that

just how I enjoy

unexpected outcomes from

funny Christmas pageants,

He accepts

my best attempts at worship.

No matter how

unorthodox.

Or how

far from

perfection

they are.

Because the imperfect kind

are often the best

and most meaningful.