A Synopsis of Christmas

I hope yours was as much fun! Blessings to all my friends and family!

Remembering....

Don't you love this picture? It was taken by my friend, Cindy Tucker at a Via Crucis at Easter time. Cindy takes great pictures, I'll be posting some she took of my family this fall. Any way, if you look closely, you'll see that I use a fraction of it in my header photo.

But I like the reminder. You see, we celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus. But I like to remember WHY he came. He came to die. He came to save us from the awful things you see on the crown above. He came to save us from our sinful selves. THAT'S why we celebrate Jesus! Thank you, Father!

I pray all of you will be blessed by the King this Christmas!

A Bloggy Award....

Wow! I am creative....make that kreativ? Okay! My friend Dawn gave me this bloggy award. I am not one to really play the tag games, but I LOVE this one. List 6 things for which I am thankful and pass the award onto 6 other bloggers. Fun!

I am thankful:

For my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave his everything to me, who deserves nothing.

For my incredible, cute, romantic, wonderful, sexy husband.

For all five of my amazing, loud, funny, needy, sweet, bickering, laughing, hugging, kissy-face kids!!

For my amazing friends. Always there to pick me up when I fall, kick me in the butt when I need it, listen to me whine, celebrate with me, and generally laugh with me. (at me?)

For the work God is doing in our lives. It isn't always easy....it's rarely easy.....but always worth it.

My family. I have the best family. You may think you do, but you are wrong, I do!!

I almost forgot! Now I get to nominate!!!

Kate at Green Grass Grows

Tracy at The World According to Tracy

Erin at Meet the Grey

Jen at Hilty Sprouts.

Kathleen at Momma Kitten

Andi at Raising Boys

I know, I know, you are speechless! Overwhelmed perhaps.....no, you don't have to thank me, really! The look on your face is thanks enough!

Woo Hoo!

I got weighed today. I've lost 4 pounds this week! For a total of 24! Yeah!

This Christmas....

May you know the blessing of Christ the Savior. He came and lived and died and rose again, that you might have eternal life.

May you be surrounded by friends and family and laughter and love.


(My navitivy set was an amazing birthday present, okay, I admit it was my 40th, from my family and my husband's family. It was quite a blessing. I was saying just today that I could leave it out all year around.)

A Dickens of a Christmas

Cute title, huh? This was the title of the Christmas play that Gracie was in at school....let that sink in a bit.....my daughter is in public school! And yes, they used the word Christmas!!

It was a cute little play based on, I know you are shocked, Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Grace played the part of Scrooge's nephew's wife. I was so proud of her! She did a great job and has a beautiful singing voice.

Merry Christmas, to one and all!!

Being the Pastor's Wife

I really had no idea what a pastor's wife did, until I became one. I KNOW I did not appreciate the pastors' wives in my life. But I sure do now!!

So, what do I do?

1. Pray. A lot. For my husband to be strong in his faith.

2. Take the children by myself at moment's notice when hubby has been called with an emergency.

3. Wash lots of dishes.

4. Realize that NO schedule is written in stone.

5. Pray. A Lot. For the church family.

6. Try not to know too much about what is going on. It's just safer this way!!

7. Pray. A Lot. For my own patience.

8. Smile. A Lot!

9. Teach Bible Study.

10. Pray. A Lot. For the ministries of the church.

11. Set boundaries around myself and my family.

12. Know the names of all the people who attend service.

13. Did I mention, I pray? A LOT!

Ramblings....

It would be easy to be depressed today. It is cloudy, again. My house is a mess, still. I'm still tired from Sunday night. Josiah was up sick until after 2:00. I am not losing weight. ARGH! I have a ton of laundry to do. Elliana is screaming at me that she "still hungry!" I won't bore you with how much she has eaten today. We found out that our dear friend's visa is not going to come through in time for him to be here for Christmas. Another close friend of mine has been sick for weeks and the doctors can't seem to figure out the problem.

A lot of little things and a few big things. The perfect recipe for me to have a really difficult day.

And yet, I'm okay.

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”- Luke 1:46-47,49

Scholars believe Mary was very young, a girl in her early teens. She knew the stigma in her society that came with being an unwed mother. She hadn't talked to Joseph yet. She didn't know if he would still marry her or not. In fact "Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." Matthew 2:10

And yet, Mary praised the Lord.

Wow. I sure don't do that like I should. When it gets tough...praise? That's hard to do when I am whining! Paul tells us 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. " 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. That's another tough one.

But being full of joy doesn't mean being happy and smiley all of the time. It means knowing the joy that can only come from God. The joy of knowing you are saved through the blood of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, for me, that is a very quiet kind of joy, and I have to work really hard to find it. Pray in the good times and the bad. ALL THE TIME!! CONTINUALLY!!! And give thanks, IN all circumstances. I am so glad that doesn't say FOR all circumstances. No matter what is going on, I know that God is still God. He is still in control and he will do what ever is best for me to serve him, to glorify him!

Mary's Song

46And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord

47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.

50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.

53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.

54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful

55to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."

Luke 1:46-55

Pics of the process...

The Raising of the Tree

Where it will stand

Makes Charlie Brown's tree look pretty good, don't you think?

Ready for ornaments.

The finished product.

A Rare Talet For a Three Year Old

Three year olds make such good blog fodder. This one certainly keeps us entertained!!

Is Any More Proof Needed?

Fact: Ella is kinda unique (okay, I admit it, I was thinking bizaare!!)

Confession....

I haven't put up the first Christmas decoration!

Prayers at the Jobe Abode

So, the other night Ella went into major meltdown because her nightlight burnt out. I must admit this is a new experience at the Jobe Abode. No one thus far has had any fear of much of anything. (Well, there was Grace and the Tooth Fairy, but that is a different story.) We had to leave the girls' door open and the hall light on with a promise to leave it on in order for her to get to sleep.

The next day, she and I headed to Wally World to buy a new nightlight. In that huge store I found exactly one style of nightlight. It came in Dora and Sponge Bob and Cars. And costs $8! But, to be able to sleep again? Priceless. So we pick up a nightlight for Ella and one for Josiah, because, if the girls get a nightlight, then he needs one too!! All must be fair, you know.

So, everyone is in jammies, settled down in the girls' room, illuminated by a very special Dora light (it changes colors ya'll, like those spotlight people used on Christmas trees in the 60s and 70s!)

And Ella started the prayers by thanking God for her new nightlight. And then it was Risi's turn and she thanked God for the new nightlights. And then it was Josiah's turn. And he......thanked God for his new nightlight. And then it was Olivia's turn and she thanked God for the (drumroll please) new nightlights! Because this one is not as bright as the other one.

And I am starting to giggle.......

Then Grace prays. She thanks God for her family and......you guessed it, the nightlights.......

Now my giggles are audible.

Kevin thanks God for his children and his beautiful wife (his words, not mine) and, sigh, the nightlights.

By now, the kids want to know why Mommy is crying.

You can't say my kids aren't grateful!! (For nightlights anyway!!)

Peace on Earth In Mercy Mired.........

I really cannot explain what a car ride is like with the Jobe Crew. Loud, yes, but more than that. So much more.

Last night was Parent's Night Out at Sharonville UMC. This is where Kevin and I have our church membership. In the United Methodist system, pastors hold membership at a church where they are not pastoring. Anyway, shortly after 9 PM, we were all headed back home. The kids were wired!

They had seen parts of Wall-E. They started out talking about that and every few minutes, the entire way home, Ella would pipe up with, "Wall-E waked up!"

The moon was out, so Risi, every few minutes, would howl at it. Risi has this thing about dogs.

Josiah, Olivia, and Grace alternated between singing, fighting and yelling from the back of the car up to where Kevin and I sat up in the front.

I was driving and giggling most of the way home. It was crazy. And just when it got a little less chaotic, Risi would howl, or Ella would tell us "Wall-E waked up!" And when they didn't do it, I would, and we would laugh harder.

At one point Grace was singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." (The conversation had switched to a Charlie Brown Christmas . )

But Grace had the words a bit mixed up....

"...glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth
In mercy mired..."

I was looking at definitions of "mired". To sink into. To be held fast by.

And mercy? Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender.

An offender, that is you and me. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23

A misunderstood song, sung gustily by a young girl. Mired in mercy. I am covered by, sunk into and held fast by mercy. I can certainly think of worse things to be covered with.

Peace on Earth, In Mercy Mired.


Thank you, Jesus.

Grace and Olivia

Gracie and Olivia are tight...

Really tight, in fact it is almost impossible to take a picture of just one of them .

And when you take a picture of the two of them, they are always hanging all over each other, because that is what my kids do!

But like all sisters, they fight a lot too. (And when they are wanting me to intervene they speak to me like I was the offender instead of their sister. ) They yell, loudly, throw things and sometimes, yes, I am embarrassed to say, they hit.

But right now, I am sitting downstairs and they are upstairs. And they are not yelling. They are not running downstairs to tell me what she did.

Right now, they are upstairs laughing hysterically........which, I admit makes me more nervous than when they are fighting.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

Here they are. Ella's pink cowboy boots. They go with everything, just ask her! You can't really tell from this pic that the shirt is maroon, not pink.

He Still Moves Stones!

Amazing!!
http://www.ohio.com/news/35273589.html

How To Tell Ella Is Feeling Better

Elliana has been sick since Sunday about 1AM. She's feeling better today; how can I tell? Simple just read the clues.....

1. Let's start with the obvious, there has been no puking since 4:00 yesterday afternoon.

2. She slept through the night!

3. She is no longer satisfied with pjs. She insisted on required dress and tights today. (Did I mention the pink cowboy boots? Gotta get a picture of those while they still fit.)

4. Instead of lying on the couch or floor she chooses to sit up!

5. She can play on the computer and shout, "Mom!!! I need HELLLLLPPP!" so loudly I can hear it in my room upstairs AND downstairs where I am folding laundry.

6. She asks for a video and before it is on either a.) changes her mind about which video to watch or b.) decides not to watch one at all.

7. She wanted cheese for breakfast. (I nixed that until she had something else in her stomach first.)

8. She got cheese for lunch.

9. She is fighting with her siblings over where she gets to sit.

10. She is back to throwing amazing 3 year old temper tantrums!

An Auction

An auction has been set up to benefit the Philip Hayden Foundation. This foundation cares for orphan children in China.

To check out the auction which has lots of great things in it, check this out!