Christmas 2009...

Well, it's "over". The presents, wrapped...then torn open with shrieks of joy...food consumed...games played..."Christmas Story" watched probably fourteen times...the thank-you's, the hugs, the smiles, the laughter. And we did it all three times over. It was a beautiful Christmas...literally. So blessed to have Happy and her family here for a few days. It really was a perfect Christmas. Now on to the remains of the day...or year, to be more specific.

2009 was...well...fleeting. I cannot even begin to remember everything that happened this year...it seems it flew by in a flurry of colors and a rush of so many different emotions; all to end up here, where we are today. A pregnant daughter, a pregnant daughter-in-law and the birth of a new baby were definitely the highlights. And another new baby coming in one week.

A trip to see Happy...visits from family and vacationing with friends all of which will undoubtedly be repeated this year as well! And we look forward to that repetition!

"O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of Him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.: Psalm 144:3-4

That God would be so inclined to bless me in such a way is beyond my comprehension. I am eternally (literally) grateful for His mercy and grace shown to me throughout this year. My prayer for this upcoming year is that I would grow even closer to my Savior...to my family...my children...my grandchildren...my precious friends. My wonderful, adoring husband. That our little church would be moved by his Holy Spirit to worship Him deeper. To find ourselves in continual prayer for one another and for this world in which we live. Would you be so kind as to include me when you pray throughout this year?

I am in love with my life...and grateful for all God has provided for me. I pray you are all in this same place: loving your life and indebted to the One who made it all possible.

Praise!!

(Aren't my grandchildren B-E-A-UTIFUL????)

Caution...

...objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

So...have you ever reached for something (figuratively speaking) that seemed impossible to touch? Yeah, that's where I am right now; and I just wanted to share what I have discovered about the whole grab-the-brass-ring-reach-for-the-stars mentality.


Not that I am even sure what it is I am reaching FOR, I just know there's something out there and it seems just beyond my reach. When I was in The Dells for a short weekend vacation a couple of weeks ago, I took this picture of my mirror and it just hit me: that would be a great blog! Then I posted the pictures and promised the pic would become part of a future blog, and now, here I am. Blogging.


Here's the epiphany: sometimes the things we are stretching our hands out to are closer than we think. They are actually right in front of us. We can't touch them because we think that when we are wondering about our life, wondering about where we should be, we reach beyond the intended prize...so to speak. We pass the ring right along because our gaze is fixed on something entirely different than what is intended at that moment. We miss it. Completely. Everyting has to be complicated. Worrisome. Fretted over. Even depressing, for it all to MEAN something.


I'm getting something from this. I'm growing. And it will all be revealed in good time.


Waiting and watching...

Here She Is...

This is my new grandbaby. She came into this world on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. and weighed 6lbs 14oz and measured 20 inches long. After 7 hours and 45 minutes of labor and 45 minutes of good solid pushing...she's precious and beautiful and tiny and perfect. Look at that beautiful face...that thick black hair. And those REALLY LONG fingers. Yeah, she'll play the piano.

Rachigga was amazing (yeah, you read that right). She held up through labor and delivery like a pro. I am so incredibly proud of her. My last baby had her first baby. Remarkable.

Now, I need a name for this little bundle of preciousness. Let's see...I have Z-man and Flower...Beautiful...Bright Eyes and New York...this little joy is such a tiny little...peanut. My little peanut.

I feel like I need to be writing something...profound here. And this is what I have: when I look at her, I am in awe. Like I have been waiting for her for such a long time. I love all my grandbabies. All of them. They are all unique and precious to me. They all hold some special something within me. And this little Peanut is no different. And yet, she is. Oh, maybe they ALL are. Maybe because it's my last child experiencing a final first in life...there are no more "firsts"...at least not for a long time. Rachigga's pregnancy...her labor...her delivery...the first time she nursed...I am flooded with my own memories of those "firsts" in my own life. Somehow, I miss it. I wonder how in the world did I come to this point in my life? How did I "survive"?

Words for another day...for now...I cherish each and every waking and sleeping moment I spend with Peanut; because soon I will get to hear the word that tugs at my heart whenever any of those babies say it..."Oma".

Yeah, You Heard Me Right...

115 days. Can you even guess?? Now, you all are probably thinking about my new grandbabies coming. One in 23 days and the other in, well, more than 115 days. So, no, it's not my precious grandbabies coming to greet Oma.

For those of you know me all too well...I am listening to Andy Williams Red Album right now. At this very moment. It is one of my absolute favorite albums ever recorded...right next to his Green Album.

Red. Green. That's right. Christmas. 115 days until Christmas. Even better, 91 days until I can actually celebrate the SEASON. I am sure it is the nostalgia that makes this season so special to me. It really isn't the snow or the cold...it's the memories. It's the joy that accompanies the era. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"...yes, that's what's playing right now.

And, as much as I would LOVE to be appropriately spiritual right now, it's not even about Jesus. (Because, really, shouldn't we be celebrating Jesus every day of the year??)

It's just about...Christmas. I love it.

The weekend after Thanksgiving (another fave holiday), we clear out the living room...the corner by the window, the tables, some of the pictures come off the wall...even the kitchen, family room and bathroom get cleared out. And they are then prepared for the seasonal decorations. And there are MANY decorations. Because I love them...and because I can. So I do.

The snowmen...the lights...the garland for the banister...the stockings (I'm gonna need two more)...the tree...the ornaments. Oh the ornaments. My tree is very...well...shall we say...eclectic? I LOVE IT. It reminds me of my Grandma and Grandpa. And home. My home. And all of those years we spent away from home. The cookies...hot chocolate...eggnog...turkey. Family...babies...grandchildren...and I get to GIVE to all of them. Presents...wrapping paper...and my handmade cards.

I can hardly wait for the season to begin. To celebrate with my children and their children. To see their faces light up...not just at the opening of the gifts, but at every family gathering...at every song they sing for the occasion...listen to them giggle and watch them play in the snow.

Why is it so different? I have no idea. Maybe it IS about Jesus. Maybe we are closer at that time of the year because of the reason we all celebrate. For me...it's because it reminds me of a time when life was a little simpler, just as it reminds my parents of a simpler time. When life wasn't so fast-paced. No Internet. No iPhone. No Blackberries. No Facebook or Myspace.

Maybe it's too early to be thinking about Christmas. Maybe it's not the right time to be thinking about a simpler life. About family gatherings and hot chocolate. Giggling grandchildren and mountains of wrapping paper. Twinkling lights and decorated sugar cookies. Eggnog and turkey with stuffing. Maybe I should just contend with today. With now.

But, I simply cannot help myself!