Merry Christmas!

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Amen!

Big Holiday Melt Down

I had my first real "lose-it" moment tonight. Guess what happened?

Yep. I promised so many people that they would have their Christmas cards before Christmas, and that the secret to the sex of Smith Child #3 would be in it. But it ain't gonna happen.

I should have known better than to hold off until after the 22nd, and expect the stupid computer and printer to communicate correctly, for me to know how to make the same Christmas photo page we've made for the last several years, and for me not to just plain lose my mind.

Should have known better. But didn't.

But I am better now, thanks to a very late trip to Fred Meyer to buy dill to make Grandma's famous Herbed Dinner Rolls. A couple of good songs on KLOVE, and actually one of them was the Christmas Shoes song, and my mind was back on track, focused on where it is supposed to be. That even though some of you will not find out what we are having until after Christmas, it will not be the end of your world, and I should therefore not feel a huge load of guilt bearing down on me. Remind me that you will be so busy you won't even know what you are missing- especially because it doesn't change a thing...:-) Baby is still baby, and won't be here till spring.

Now, some sleep would be good, and start fresh tomorrow. Amen.

Interesting Comments that Stuck in My Head Yesterday...

Steve Arterburn's New Life Moment on KLOVE: "Christmas isn't complete if you never get beyond Jesus as a baby." So many people acknowledge the story of Christmas, and yet never understand how profound it truly is.

While discussing at work how many children Gabe and I would be open to having (which we don't really have a number...) a woman who proclaims to be a Christian mentioned "a" family with many many children (I assume it's the one on TLC, although I've never seen it) who (and I quote...) "I'm not sure what religion they are, but they believe that children are a gift from God..." I must say I was trying to keep my jaw off the floor, because I would think as a Christian she would at least have to acknowledge that, um-yea, the Bible does specifically say that (in many places!).... but she never did. And unfortunately we were unable to finish the conversation because I really wanted to call her on it. The weird thing is, as suprised as I was, I shouldn't have been, because she has come up with some pretty unBiblical doozies in the past as well...

Happy Hanukkah!

To anyone who celebrates or appreciates it!

I was fascinated to learn that the Hanukkah celebration is in the Bible (John 10:22), and to understand what it is truly about. After all, my spiritual roots are Jewish :-) and learning about it all is quite the adventure!

50% off Christopher and Banks- Friday Only!

I like this store. They have some simple mix and match things that help to stretch my dollars. But they are regularly priced way out of my league! I found the most darling skirt last year (or the year before? ;-) but it was $50! But their clearance racks mark stuff down to $20 or less.

However! Today only they are having a 50% off your total purchase sale- I received an email, and there didn't appear to be a coupon or anything, that this is just the sale. We are going to check it out, since we have to hit the mall today anyway.

Too bad they don't carry maternity!

Grape Juice: Best Deal?

I was asked if Costco's 2-96oz jugs of 100% grape juice at $5.99 was the best price when compared to buying it in frozen concentrate from the grocery store, so I thought I was share my findings.

I was able to purchase Old Orchard 100% grape juice frozen concentrate at Albertsons for $1.50 each, on sale. Each one makes approx 48 oz. If you can find these at this price, you are paying the same amount as you would pay at Costco. I have been unable to find them cheaper, so if you do, go for it! (Welch's didn't come close, and I couldn't find any store brands that were 100%)

But in my opinion, I like buying the jugs better. They don't have to be frozen, and they won't get lost in my freezer!

So, Apparently...

Snow Days are good days to hit McD's. We haven't been there in a few years with the girls to play (since Kiera was a baby!), but today we were out, and couldn't find anyone to have lunch with, so Melia requested the place with the toys (because we drove by it). I figured, oh why not? Because it's always cram-packed at lunch time with wild and crazy children running everywhere, but let's go anyway, right?
(My day started pretty dumpy anyway- I broke my wipers on my van, so I had to drive Gabe's truck, in fresh snow, that I wasn't used to driving, and plus the truck was freezing cold when I'd had the van all warmed up, then I had to run back inside the house twice, via hidden key in the snow, once to get Melia's snow boots instead of her rain boots, second to get socks because I discovered she'd put her boots on without socks... but it worked out ok and I didn't wreck the truck. A prayerful day- for patience and safety...and sanity.)

So we go, we're the only ones in line, so I don't feel bad about digging out my coupon for a free mocha (they really looked at me like I was crazy! :-) (hey, it's not like I didn't buy lunch!), and when we went to the back room there was one other family, one leaving, and us. SO NICE! Plus the clean-up supervisor lady came to our bible study last year, so it was nice to get to talk to her for a bit too. I think while we were there, two other families came in, with only two more kids playing, plus there was this funny little 16 month old boy who liked to yell in the girls faces who Melia ran from :-) (this is why I am a little scared of having a boy!) It took Kiera a while to get up the courage to attempt the toy, and then I had to go rescue her when she was stuck crying at the top. But by the end she ran through it three times by herself; I was so proud of her!

I actually had some very reminiscent moments, because Melia wanted to play fast with her friends instead of slow down and help Kiera, which is why she got stuck. Reminiscent of when I made the choice to follow others and left my sister behind. Alone. But I wasn't four. (Don't worry, Darc, I am trying very hard to make sure Kiera is never left in that situation.)

We had a good time, Melia made new friends, and Kiera conquered a fear. A bright blessing on our day- Thank You Lord!

Oh, Christmas Tree...

I know this was a few weeks ago, but we can hope blogger cooperates a little bit better tonight :-) because I just have so many pictures to share!

Our Tree Night:

We started by clearing the corner where the tree would reside for a few weeks, and Kiera absolutely melted down because we had to move her little card table. Totally lost it. I tried to be patient, because I know she is the whole "normal routine" stage, but it was not the best way to start the evening. Then we were off with a trip to Top Foods, because we are cheap and their trees were $20 (that was the whole Oreo incident as well) and returned home where I started on a lovely French Toast and sausage dinner and Gabe set up the tree. Dinner was yummy; the girls adore sausage, but I rarely buy it :-) I just think it's kinda weird, so it doesn't make my top 25 grocery list!

Then we started decorating! Kiera was fine with the tree once it actually took the place of her table- she just didn't like the table being put away.

Kiera was so funny to watch. She loved decorating, but kinda got stuck in one little area. Over and over.

You can see here that she is not afraid of heights.

Melia, on the other hand, clinging to Daddy's head...

Then grasping the tree....

The Look of Pure Christmas Joy.

Another Kiera job.

Gabe had to run out for something, and while he was gone, we dug out all the little trees to put around the house. Melia has her own little tree, but Kiera was adamant that she not have a tree in her room. So, we put it in the bathroom.

And this is what happened. She moved. But still wouldn't let me put the tree in her room.

Melia also found the star for our tree while Gabe was away, and she told me that she was praying that Jesus would help her not be afraid to put the star on the top of the tree. So when Gabe got home, we set in on the star project.

I'm not sure she was not afraid, especially since she kept saying "NO!" and "I don't want to do it!" Ok, so she was terrified. In fact, I believe Gabe was lucky not to have his ear or nose removed, but he escaped unscathed. However- we felt this needed extra pushing- so we pushed.

And Melia was very happy that Jesus helped her put the star on top of the tree.

PS. Did you know Gabe hates tinsel? *GRIN*

Gee, Why would we?

Last year, the county sewer company put a sewer line down our street. It was explained to us at the time that they were paying to put it in, and if we wanted to hook up to it, we would have to pay a fee to help cover the inital cost of the whole project. At the time, I think it was suggested at about $10K. No thanks, especially since we had just paid that to have our septic system put in.

Last week we finally got the letter from the sewer company explaining all the details and fees. Guess how much we owe them, as a Local Facilities Charge and Connection Fee?

Connection Fee/Permit: $2929
LFC: $27280.49
Total fees at the time of connection: $30,209.49

Wow. Thirty grand- to hook up and pay bi-monthly charges after that instead of having a system in place which will only cost a few hundred to have pumped... Plus, why should I pay when they never replaced my trees they killed?

What I want to know is if they will have the ability at any time in the future to force us to pay this and hook up? Hmmm?

Touching Moment

A few weeks ago, I heard this lady on KLOVE, calling in to request a song. It was to celebrate her daughter's ninth birthday. A few exchanges into the conversation, and she mentions that this would have been her ninth birthday, but that she went home several years ago. Of course, the DJ apologized, expressing how sorry he was, but the young mother quickly corrected him, saying "No, no! Don't be sorry! Her years with us were a special blessing, and now she is resting in the arms of her Father! I am thankful for her time here, and that she is now with Him."

This stuck with me in a profound way. I pray that if I ever lose a child or someone I love dearly before their time, I will be able to say "Thank You" instead of be frustrated or angry with God for taking them from me too soon. For they are not mine, but His. Every blessing I experience is not because I deserve it (because I "deserve" nothing), but because He has given it. Because every good thing is from Him. And every good thing is just a tiny glimpse of what is waiting for us with HIM! My pondering of this brought me back to that truth He consistently teaches; it is not about me- it is about Him. Nothing is about me. It is all about Him. When someday, in my glorified state!-(because this is a lifelong struggle and won't happen until then)-I completely submit to Him, I will see how perfectly everything He has ordained and everything He has touched has worked together for good and for His glory. Tears form as I look forward to that day.
Marantha, my King.