Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks… and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, What’s your name?”
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name. He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are
on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says “You better not cry”
JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”
Santa’s little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It’s obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

shared by my friend Denise ~ Author Unknown

Santa

Counting my blessings....

I blessed with a lot of great people in my life. I love my friends! One of my goals for 2009 is to get connect or reconnect with friends I haven't been able to see as often as I'd like to. I found the last year and some to be so busy with Nick and the girls I didn't put the time and energy outside of our world because I just plain didn't have it! Sad, but true.

I had the chance yesterday to catch up with my friend Julie. I had such a great time!! The morning was rough with Nick being sick, girls were cranky and tired, and I had a headache. I could have easily called to reschedule, but I just didn't want to do that "again". So the girls and I met her and her three at the park. We had a great time. I am blessed! She is a true friend, we have both been crazy, busy with husbands plus our three so we haven't spent the time together~ but we can pick up where we left off.... and spending the time together reminds me that it's better just to make the time to be in touch. I want to do life together~ connected. That's what God intends for us.

We each have three kiddles~ My three girls match up in ages to her two boys and one girl. I'm looking forward to keeping in touch and our next play time. :)

Thank you Julie for your time, patience, and friendship. I had such a great time catching up and watching the kids play together.

See you soon!!

CHRISTMAS MAIL

I LOVE CHRISTMAS MAIL!!

It really is one of my most favorite things about this time of year. It's the only month of the year I check for mail everyday and anticipate what's in the mailbox. :) I can't wait to open pictures from our friends and family~ I especially like LETTERS! It's a Frederick tradition that I have come to know and love. I have a couple friends who tease me, but I hear more thank yous than razzing so on I go~ furthering the tradition.

Yesterday, I had 8 envelopes in the mailbox. Today, none. I was bummed until I opened the Family Matters newsletter. I would have just set it aside if I would have had letters to read, but today I didn't. Could it be a "God thing" as some say? :)

Anyway this is a piece I wanted to share:

Creating Family Memories and Traditions

Traditions make and enormous deposit into the lives of our family and the holidays are full of opportunities to establish traditions and make memories.

Traditions:

*Give a sense of identity

*Give a sense of belonging

*Give a sense of security

*Give a sense of anticipation

Make Joyful memories by:

*Keeping things simple

*Being creative

*Remaining flexible

*Having realistic expectations

*Offering forgiveness

Traditions! They are more than just the "stuff" we do, or the family lessons that are taught on... look at what they build in our children; identity, belonging, security. A sweet reminder that YES, the days are often long, full and sometimes uncomfortable (like mine today: sick Nick, tired kids, and a headache). It's sometimes hard to be Mrs., Mommy, daughter, sister, friend...but it ALL counts!!

We may not see, hear or feel the benefit/ reward immediately~ but oh, it all counts and I do see where my "pressing in and pressing on" to model, teach and grow with my kids matters. God is good!! I live a life full of his example of grace and goodness.

Christmas Favorites

These are a few of my favorite things about the Christmas season.

1. "Baby Jesus"~ he is the star of our Christmas
2. My girls in their Christmas dresses
3. Family Gatherings
4. Celebrations ~of all sorts
5. Christmas Eve Service (with candles)
6. Nativity scenes
7. Making & decorating cookies with my girls
8. Traditions
9. Our "three present" code of conduct with the girls
10. Houses decked out in lights
11. Christmas programs
12. Prescott Parade
13. Playing in the snow
14. Traveling to see family
15. Christmas mail~ I LOVE the letters and pictures
16. Building and decorating gingerbread houses
17. Starbuck's holiday cups and their fun Christmas flavored Lattes
18. Christmas PJ's
19. Peanut Butter Blossom cookies
20. Delivering Christmas presents to our teachers
21. Admiring the glow of my tree and the fireplace burning
22. White Elephant gift exchanges
23. "Holiday Hugs"
24. Wrapping presents
25. Opening my gifts from Nick (always well thought out and wrapped so clever)
26. did I say gathering with my family yet.... ?
27. Hot chocolate car rides looking for lights
28. Seeing friends
29. Christmas mail
30. Catching up with old friends
31. cold weather (outside) : )

You're invited to the ELF CLUB

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Santa... do you bring boys?

Everybody @ my house LOVES Jack. He is our nephew and cousin~ my brother Mark's boy. We wanted a boy for our bunch and even planned to name him Jack. He looks a lot like the girls too, so he really fits well. :) We get to see him often and we love it!

I was just in Austin visiting Mark and got to play with boy toys for a morning~ we played army men. I knew I was in trouble when I started to organize them... (yikes~ do I have issues?)

Anyway, I got to spend a couple days with my brother. It was a solo trip for me~ no kids. I always enjoy our time together- good, in-depth talks and I like to help him with projects. We also include a nice lunch and shopping (he can totally out-shop me). He will be here for a visit next week.... CAN'T WAIT for family gatherings and fun!!!

Frederick Five

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Christmas Past

... a sweet trip down memory lane 2005- 2007

2005

"Christmas Eve PJ's" tradition

"Girls by the tree" tradition

2006
"Christmas Eve PJ's"

"Girls by the tree"

"Family Christmas Picture"

2007

"Christmas Eve PJ's"

"Family Christmas Picture"

"Girls by a tree"

2nd Chance...

Looking forward to...

THIS WEEKEND!!

* The girls & I are hosting a "Gingerbread House Party"
* A Family road trip: Prescott Parade & overnight FUN (w/ GaGa)!
* A solo trip away for me- Austin, TX to visit my brother Mark.

1st TRY...

PICTURES