Life according to me…

Christmas came, Christmas went. A busy, hectic time. The children had a wonderful time. I learned quite a few lessons and hope to carry them with me as the New Year begins.

I have this amazing stomach flu. For three days now I have been chained to the bathroom. I have body aches and stuffiness like a cold, but also have cramps and the most upset stomach of ever. I’ll spare you the gross bathroom details, but it’s just been disgusting. I’d rather have broken a limb than have this stupid virus. I just had to complain there.

I went back and read my entries for Decembers of all the years previous. Amazing how far we come - how much we set to accomplish and do not, and how much happens that we didn’t even set out to overcome and do. I don’t feel like a failure for not meeting goals. I feel like I have learned and grown since I started this journal in 2004. I am not making any promises this year for the upcoming New Year. I am just going to do the best I can with everything that is my life, and move from there. 2009 brings a new semester, the possibility of finishing college, Kindergarten for two of my children, so many possibilities. At this year ends I just want to look forward to what can be in 2009. And no, Steve, a new baby CANNOT be included in 2009. Sorry.

It was not a silent night
there was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
in the alleyway that night
on the streets of David’s town
And the stable was not clean
and the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
with tears upon her face
had no mother’s hand to hold

It was a labor of pain
it was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
with every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love

Noble Joseph by her side
callused hands and weary eyes
No midwives to be found
on the streets of David’s town
in the middle of the night
So he held her and he prayed
shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the Faith
that could make the mountains move

It was a labor of pain
it was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
with every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love

For little Mary full of grace
with tears on her face
It was a labor of love

It was not a silent night
on the streets of David’s town

…by Andrew Peterson

Quick update on the twins speech therapy!!!

As of their last visit which was yesterday, they are no longer considered behind or delayed - they are on the lower side of average!! You can hear the difference in their speech now compared to a few months ago, and they are growing and learning in leaps and bounds. Their therapist said that they will really explode with learning once they get to kindergarten but that she will continue to work with them to improve on the things they are still working on!

Last night Sarah said her name and when she did, she used the correct ‘S’ sound instead of saying it with a lisp. It was a milestone, in our eyes, because she has had a noticeable lisp since she started talking and Maria could pronounce things better than her…until now! We are so proud of them and how they have taken to the therapy. Our twins rock!!!

Ok, mom is done bragging for now. Go Sarah and Stephen!!!!!

Things that suck:
Stepping on captain crunch on the laminate
moving your foot and said captain crunch sticking to your foot and crunching again on said laminate
Rain on workdays
workdays
Smelly vans
Dora

Things that rock:
Finishing another semester at school
Christmas
Jesus
That song I posted yesterday
my husband and children
my mom
friend(s)

I had to get that out. Thanks! Yeah, I posted that song yesterday because I have heard it repeatedly when I turn on Christmas music at work and it has spoken to me. There WILL be peace on earth and good will to men this year, somehow. I believe.

Speaking of believing - check out what our local Christian radio station says about Santa. I think it’s awesome. There is a Santa and even those nutty Christians believe!!! How cool is that?

I have been listening to the Z at work because I really enjoy some of the non-traditional Christmas songs that our Christian artists have come out with. They speak to my heart, which admittedly needs some work here as of late. What a great way to jump start me back into worship. I really needed this time of year to come around, apparently. Thanks, Lord, for again getting my attention. You Rule.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they’re singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor does He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Then ringing singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

And the bells they’re ringing
Like a choir they’re singing
And with our hearts we’ll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they’re ringing?
The life, the angels singing
Open up our heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men

by Casting Crowns…think on that one a bit.