Dear Mom,

Dear Mom~
I just want to take a few minutes out of my busy day today and thank you for the way you made Christmas happen in our hearts and home through the years. I am beginning to 'get it' and appreciate in full just what a sacrifice and measure of love it was for you to create a meaningful Christmas for us each year.
I've been reminisicing and thinking back fondly on so many of the memories I have of Christmas through the years when I was a kid. I keep trying to 'copy' you and feel like I am short-changing my own kids because I just can't duplicate Christmas the way you made it happen each year. From the hundreds of cookies you baked, and all the open houses you had inviting friends and family to come and share our happiness, to the Christmas trees covered in decorations- old & new- and the greens and candles and nativity scenes that set the tone of warmth and glow in our home. All of it was a wonder- more of a wonder to me more today than it ever was- but even then I remember loving the whole Christmas season.
I hear songs and see lights and bows and my own kids will be visiting and singing carols at a local care center and it just makes me realize how much effort you put into helping our family not only celebrate the season, but share it with those around us too. We were blessed through the years and still are in so many ways. I just wanted to say thank you for making Christmas magical and memorable.
I am making cards {and sending some boughten ones too} and recognizing that the way I 'do Christmas' is very different than the way you do it. =) But had to just tell you today that I am trying hard to make it festive and fond for my kids and family as best I can. I may never measure up to the way Christmas happened to me as a kid, but am hoping and dreaming that my kids will be able to look back on this time in their life and appreciate all that went into it to make it magical as well.
Thanks for your heart, and for giving of yourself so selflessly and to the best of your ability through the years.
I am finally getting it.
With much love to you this season, Jody
P.S. Tell Grandma I have fond memories of her home and all the wonderful sights and sounds and smells and tastes we enjoyed through the years. There really is "no place like home for the holidays". I'm thinking of all of you and send my love to her for a speedy recovery. XOXO

Fun.

Happy Birthday to my nephew, Braden today. He is 6 and I send my love and wishes for lots of fun and happiness today. That's what 6 is all about, right?! Have a special day...and a fun year being six.

I've been having fun making some little atc's (which is short for 'artist's trading cards') and although I don't consider myself an artist, it is still fun to create and make up designs. I hope that this time of year is one that makes you want to create- whether it is baking, cooking, sewing, drawing, painting, crafting or just decorating trees and gingerbread houses- because I have to say, it seems to just make the season 'come to life'.

Sure, it can be fun to shop and watch movies too, but there is just something about creating that involves the heart and hands at the same time.

Tell me about something you have made- this year or in years' past- that has helped you get into the spirit of the season, and I will have a drawing this weekend and send you some Christmas gift tags and a few other little goodies that I love this time of year.

Sharing the love is so fun. I challenge you to do something with your heart and hands this week. Happy 21 days until Christmas!

The little details...

I am happy to be taking an online "Christmas class" from my friend, Sarah Bowen. She has an eye for details and for the simple 'good' stuff in life. I was just getting started on making some gift tags that I will be sharing and showing how to make at a women's event at my church later this week. {I will be speaking too...so I have lots to do between now and then! Wish me luck.}
Anyway, I thought it was neat that Sarah's inspiration and idea for cards was to use a little tree. I had already started cutting my paper scraps into triangles. Funny how similar our ideas were at the same time. =)
I love details. I love making handmade extras that just show a bit more thought and add a special touch- perfect for gifts this time of year. I hung the tags on one of our trees for now...but I'm thinking they would be cute all over as ornaments too! Hope you have fun adding special little touches and details to your projects and gifts the next few weeks. I love keeping it simple too. That way you get to do/share more things!

My favorite things to soak in...

One of them is the Twisted Peppermint body wash from Bath & Body Works. It is refreshing and I just love the scent of mint this time of year. I use the lotion everyday too. Mmmm. Another one of my favorite things to soak in is truth. I heard this song on the radio today and just stopped, closed my eyes and soaked up the truths it speaks of. Here is the link to a short demo of the song. Here are the words...

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
‘Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!

There are people in my life- some I know, some I only 'know' through blogs and online connections, but I sense that they need some spiritual food. This is a small taste of what I try to understand and accept and to live out in my own life. That when it comes down to it, nothing really matters in life except for who I am in Christ. It is the driving force in many of things I say and do from day to day, and I say 'many'- not all- because I am human, and I fail all the time at living in light of all that Christ has done in and through me.
I thank Him for the gift of forgiveness- not only the forgiveness I have in Him when I accepted that He died on the cross for my sin and paid MY debt on the cross...but also for the forgiveness that He has allowed me to offer other people who have 'wronged' and hurt me in my own life. Without Christ I would not be who I am. Plain and simple.
At this time of year it becomes crystal clear to me all over again- the picture of God sending His Son to earth, in the form of a baby, that He might experience all that we do as humans, but instead of living like one of us, He lived blamelessly and took all our sin and shame on Himself and conquered death that we might have a way to Heaven. It's this gift of salvation- accepting what He did for our sin and believing that God is who He says He is- that has changed my life and continues to impact the way I live.
I hope and pray that anyone who needs this free gift of Hope, Peace, and Assurance of salvation will simply whisper to God that they want Him to change their life too. It is the best gift ever.

I told you it would be random. =)

I don't remember where I saw that fruitcake image, but it was the front of a Christmas card at some cute online shop. When I find the link I will post it here. {Yay! I found it...right here.} Next, see that Little Professor calculator? I always thought they were so cool and never had one of my own. I think you can probably find them on ebay. But I haven't been over there looking for one...it's just a guess. I just found it nostalgic and I love that I can remember playing with it at my friend's house. I should have asked for one of my own. Why didn't I do that when I was young and had a chance? I don't know. Which makes me think of the time my sister was 'interviewed' about her Christmas list when she was in first grade and the responses were posted in our local paper. It said, "Jacque wants a pretzel pencil for Christmas...and she DOES believe in Santa Claus". {Hi Jacque! Love you.}We all get a good laugh about that memory. My mom still has the newspaper clipping somewhere. See? Christmas makes me goofy. I just love this time of year and all the stuff that crosses my mind. From nativity plays I've been a part of to the first Christmas tree Chip and I bought and decorated when we were married (an expensive Frasier Fir!...Chip insisted!!) and even recently the little tinsel trees that I have started 'collecting' the past two years. =) {Chip doesn't know it's a 'collection' yet.}
It's such a beautiful, special time of year- no matter how tight the budget may be, or how much stress you may have as a result of over-committing to parties and concerts and I even recall how Christmas turned out to be amazing though our family was torn and hurting from our daughter's death and our wounds were fresh in Dec. 2001.
I am learning to be reflective, to look back and enjoy the memories and laughter and innocence that life holds for kids at Christmas. I am learning to slow down and appreciate the present moment and to modify my expectations in order to enjoy the 'now' {although I still need some work on that one...it's an ongoing process for me to live in and appreciate and/or modify the present}. I hope to savor now so that in the future I can look back on it and love these memories and give them as 'gifts' to my kids someday.
You're wondering where the picture of that bed fits into all of this, aren't you?! It's one that caught my eye today when I clicked on the link to Graham & Green. I couldn't even get this bed if I wanted to because it's in the UK and I am in the US. Still, a girl can dream, can't she? If I didn't have a budget and I had a wad of euros in my wallet, I'd be ordering one of these for myself. And then Ava would get my current bed. I told you that I would share random favorites of mine. This is my favorite bed at this moment. Maybe I am just tired...and ready for a good dream. =)

My favorite things and another cute line...

I turned on a Christmas cd during dinner and when one of Ava's favorite songs came on (Come on Ring Those Bells) she said, "My heart is dancing from this song!". Tell me, what's your favorite Christmas song? Mine is Silver Bells.
The above image is the one I have saved as my desktop background right now. I just think it is simple and festive. You can find it here. There are others available too. I'm just sharing my favorite.
I've decided to share some of my "favorite things" from now til Christmas. They will be random. They will most likely be inexpensive...I am a tightwad when it comes to money. So feel free to share some of your random favorite things with me the next few weeks as well. Especially if they are a good deal. =)

So I don't forget this...

I am blogging about it. Brock and Bella both have rooms downstairs at our house. They go to bed about the same time each night and it's a race upstairs in the morning with those two. They are like clockwork.
Well, a few days ago Bella came bounding into our bedroom and said, "Guess what? I just had a bad dream...I got Brock's dream! It was the wrong one!" You should have seen the scowl on her face...and it only deepened as Chip and I both burst into laughter. It was so funny.
I think she must think there is a 'dream fairy' or someone that goes around and 'loads dreams' into your head at night...much like a dvd or Gameboy game. She was so serious about the dream mix-up that when Brock woke up, it was the first thing she announced to him. That she had gotten "his dream"...and I think she fully expected he was going to tell her what he had dreamed up in the night- that would have been more to her liking.
As for yesterday, it turns out I had one of my worst hair days in a long time, the wind was fierce and cold as I headed back to the classroom, and I couldn't get all the lights to light up on our prelit Christmas tree...but it still ended up being a 'great day'. I had my moods- ups and downs. But it ended sweet with my kids and I snuggled on the couch watching 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. You know, I don't watch much tv...but I applaud ABC for still airing this Christmas special as is- Scripture references and all. I'm sure they get their fair share of 'it's politically incorrect' email/calls, and yet they run it each year.
I love when people are willing to stand by what they believe. No matter what others say.

Love this!

I love that people start sharing Christmas inspiration from all sorts of places, in many shapes and sizes. I spotted this over at one of my favorite blogs "How About Orange", who spotted it elsewhere on the net and the links are there if you want to follow them to the source.
I just have to say that I LOVE the feeling of a "good mood" after a fews day of funk. Today is my day. For whatever reason my heart is full and happy. It's funny how for no special reason I can get that 'burst of energy', and it feels extra good compared to sometimes.
It's like the appreciation you have for your health after a bout of something awful. Nothing feels better than a 'normal day' after having spent time in a hospital or in bed or heaving over the... okay. I think I am making it clear enough with that.
I hope nothing zaps my good disposition today. Or for awhile if I can get it to last that long. =) But no matter. I am loving 'it' right now!
Here's to celebrating the everyday 'good moments' in life. I hope a few cross your path today too.

That nose...

I had no intention of blogging today until moments ago. Now I cannot not blog, lest I forget. This is 'my baby', Ava. She is 3 and a half years old, but she is the youngest of my children, so she is my baby. Her birthday falls just 4 days before Teagan's birthday and so I find myself more and more 'comparing her' and recalling memories of Teagan the closer Ava gets to turning 4. Like this week, I was remembering what I did with Teagan on her last Thanksgiving and how grown up she seemed to me at that time. I find it strange that Ava {and Bella} have never known their older sister, and yet they sometimes tell stories 'about her' as if she were still around on earth today. It is a strange thing at times, and yet I consider it a blessing- there mere fact that we had Teagan in our lives was a blessing. The fact that she 'still is a part of our lives' is a gift.

The point of this post is for me- for remembering. Many of you are mom's yourselves and so you will probably relate to this or at least understand a bit if you're a parent. I went to tuck Ava in a bit more cozy as she was tossing and turning and whimpering in her sleep. I got up from the computer and as I tucked her in and patted her back to sleep I was overcome with how much love I have for her and how much more beautiful she seemed to me as she lay sleeping. Her nose and lips just seemed so perfect to me and well, truly there is nothing more sweet than a sleeping baby. Especially when it is your own.

I recalled the number of times I lay next to Teagan and how I loved to tuck her hair back from her face and I remember how many times I struggled to get her to sleep as a new baby...thinking I would die of exhaustion...but as soon as she was asleep I would want to hold her longer and just stare at her because I was mesmerized at her beauty and the fact that she was mine. I couldn't even grasp it at times how I got so lucky to have such a perfect baby girl.

I have felt the same for all of my kids- I have marveled at their features and thanked God for sending them into my life. I have wondered what I have done in life to deserve such gifts, and recognized that I will fall short and fail them all at times...they deserve perfection and yet God has chosen to send them to Chip and me. It's humbling.

Tonight as I stared at Ava sleeping awhile longer and listened to the rhythms of her breath, it made me stop and wonder all over again. I deserve nothing good in life, and yet I have thought about a long list of gifts in my life that I have to be thankful for this week. I have a life that is abundant and full. I don't stop often enough to take it all in.

I am making this post a reminder to myself to stop and take it all in. Every little feature. Every little breath. Life comes with no guarantees. I am thankful for so much, for memories that remind me of all that I have had, of all that surrounds me this moment. And I hope I will slow down and take it all in as it comes. Life is precious and priceless. And sometimes I forget to take such notice.

How we celebrated Thanksgiving 2007...

We took all the kids for a little roadtrip to Detroit area where we had dinner on Wednesday night at an Italian restaurant and then had a room reserved for swimming and sleeping at a hotel. We had an early morning wake-up call to get us all up and going in order to get our seats in the grandstand seating for America's Thanksgiving Day Parade downtown Detroit.

It was very much a non-traditional Thanksgiving for our family...but so far in the lives of our children I can't say that we've been home with family enough eating a big turkey dinner for them to realize what they were missing. I always loved dinner with my family (lots of extended family!) and eating a big meal and having football on tv in the background as we enjoyed each others' company all the years I was growing up. But now that we have a family and we live several hundred miles from our loved ones it has meant we've had to do things differently.

So this year we decided to change things up and do something that would create a great family memory for the kids to look back on at the same time we enjoyed just being together. Us. Our family. The hotel and swimming went really well. We basically had a whole hotel to ourselves- the place we stayed at normally caters to a corporate clientele, so it was very quiet on Thanksgiving Day weekend for them. It worked to our advantage and we had a good time of swimming and nobody infringed on our 'space'.

The parade itself was lots of fun and very entertaining in person. The weather proved to be cold...but we expected that and had lots of layered clothes, handwarmers and blankets to keep our minds off the temperature. Our seats were in the tv section of the parade route, so we had extra entertainment from the participants as well as getting to see some of the prelude acts and laughing at the television interns that had to wave signs like "Clap", "Smile" and "Cheer". The candy and necklaces were thrown our way on several occasions as well. Everyone was at their best just in front of us...it was great! From Uncle Sam to giant flowers, clowns and stars, to Elmo and Captain Underpants, the balloon characters were a favorite of all our kids. Brock loved the Star Wars procession the best...he thought Darth Vader was so cool in real life. We took a picture of the Red Hat's Society girls to show Grandma Karen =), and we couldn't help but love the Christmas music and decorated instruments that most of the bands were playing. We sat for 3 hours watching all the entrants and not once did any of the kids fight or cry or have problems with the cold. It was nothing short of amazing {for our family anyway!}. The best pictures and moments were most certainly at the very end as the bells of Santa's sleigh could be heard in the distance and the crowd started to rise to their feet. Ava was looking so intently for the first peek of Rudolph- as she knew Santa wouldn't be far behind. She started calling his name as soon as she saw the reindeer (you can see in the last few photos here) and Wyndham was waving and 'calling' to him too in her little jibber-jabber talk. It was so fun to end on such a great note. But then the worst came as we all FROZE ourselves walking back to the car...that post-parade let-down came and with it the realization of hunger, tired and cold set in.

The best part though, [for me], was when we had to stop right away for gas and to look for a restaurant open where we could get a meal. Thanksgiving Day is not the best day to be out looking for a meal- almost every place was closed. Poor Chip had to finally admit that we couldn't find a nice sit-down restaurant and so we ended up eating cheesburgers and Happy Meals as a family at the nearest McDonalds. The saving grace was this happened to be one of the 'nicest' McDonalds we have been in- they were trying to be a 'coffee shop'/McCafe type of chain, and I was glad that it felt 'high end'. It made Chip and I feel a little less 'guilty' about bucking Thanksgiving Day traditions and doing what we had done. We did buy the kids little Pumpkin Pies for their dessert, and then Chip and I grabbed a couple of holiday Caribou Coffees (Mmmm!) for our ride home. It was really a sweet day when it was all said and done. We had lots to reflect on and to be thankful for.

The worst part was there were no leftovers. Seriously. I have never craved a warm bun/turkey sandwich like I did that evening and the following day. Tonight I made up for it a bit and cooked a roast turket tenderloin, complete with mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie. It wasn't nearly as good as Mom's or Grandma's, but it has curbed the turkey sandwich craving for a bit. I am so glad that we had a couple of days together as a family, spending quality time together and making memories that will probably be talked about over Thanksgiving dinner for years to come!

Thanksgiving Day~

Here's wishing all of my family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving. I miss you all and want you to know you were in my thoughts and on my list of people I am thankful for in life. I hope you had a day and a long list of things to be grateful for as well. Special thoughts and prayers to my cousin Justin and his wife, as he is away serving our country and she is here at home...this would be their first Thanksgiving as a married couple. I hope you were able to talk together...and I thank you both for the sacrifices you are making for others' freedoms.
To anyone else with loved ones serving in our armed forces or in other arenas, I say thank you too. To all of my Nitty.Gritty. blog readers and your families, I pray for blessings in your lives, abundant and full, that you might share with others whose lives you touch. Whether these blessings are seen or unseen, may you be grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!

Living, learning and thankfulness...

Today I am thankful for many things. Simple things...yet truly wonderful and life-changing things. For me, some of them are: electric blankets and wireless internet. I have said it before, but I am am eternally grateful that I was not a frontier/pioneer woman who had to live without such modern comforts as electric heat and washing machines and microwave ovens. I would not have been a great Pilgrim, I'm afraid. My husband would totally agree. He has thanked his lucky stars that we aren't living in the 1700 or 1800's and having to hitch a team to a wagon to travel anywhere. I have grown more and more respectful of all that people endured in the years before I was born. It's seems fitting to be grateful and appreciative of the simple things I enjoy and take for granted way too often in this busy lifestyle we have all come to know as 'normal'. It wasn't always this way...and today I am thankful for 'modern luxuries'.

I also am deeply grateful for the ways we have all grown as a family the past few years- in ways we never expected we would have to, but they make us 'better' people as a result. I am thinking of all the things we have learned because of Wyndham's permanent injuries. We have all learned some sign language (Ava is signing 'I love you' in her picture)- some of us have learned more than others, but still, I am thankful that we all have the opportunity to learn to communicate with Wyndham. I think it is something everyone should do, if given the chance. There are more and more special needs kids and adults in this world, and what I see is that the more the 'regular people' learn how to communicate with those who have language issues, the easier it is for them {those who are challenged} to function well with the rest of us. I have seen how Wyndham's issues not only challenge her, but they make us all more patient and aware and sensitive and empathetic to her and to others. That is a wonderful thing- a blessing in disguise, you might say.

In addition to learning and embracing challenges, I am thankful for schools and education which opens doors and opportunities for a whole lifetime. I am so pleased to have my kids in a learning environment in which the teachers and administrators and parents are so involved and truly care about people and about their potential. It is something I think is taken for granted when you have it so well...we have it well and I just want to "publicly" thank the people who are working with my kids. Thanks to all those who work in education and take their roles in others' lives seriously. I think it can be routine and mundane...but it is so important and often makes a world of difference in the lives of children forever. It affects their future and futures to come. I am thankful for learning.

Lastly for today (and everyday) I am thankful for expressions of love. Especially within our family. I know everybody is different when it comes to how much 'love they show', but I really believe that there is no such thing as 'being too loving'. I love that my kids feel comfortable and it comes natural for them to "blow kisses" and to say I love you and sign I love you and that they get real-life hugs and kisses everyday just warms my heart. Sometimes I 'smother them' because I feel like I am making up for the kisses I wish I could give Teagan or the realization that one never knows how many chances you have to lavish love on those closest to you. I took it for granted, and at times I thought I was even savoring the moments and loving the best I could, but I have learned that there is always room for 'more love'. There are days I wish I could turn back the clock and go back in time and give Teagan a million more hugs and tell her I love you a million more times. Maybe I learned the hard way...and don't think for a second that Teagan didn't get her share of love, because she did! It's just that I know time is short, and I am glad I learned the lesson early in my kids' lives and now I shower them with love. Not just at bedtime...but anytime.

It really is a wonderful thing to pause for a few moments and realize the number of things we all have to be thankful for in life. No matter who we are or where we are. There are blessings when we choose to 'see them'. I just may have to do weekly gratitude posts here. Feel free to leave a short list of the things you can think of to be thankful for today and leave them in the comments. I thank you in advance. =)

A week of thanks.

That top picture is "me with Kayla Aimee's hair on"...photo courtesy of Sarah Bowen...who is hand's down, my favorite scrapbook inspiration person. The second photo was taken by one of my SIS fashionista friends during a time of relaxation and fun this past July while some of us were at CHA.
The point of these photos and post are two part. One- I love the pictures and I still can't believe my mouth smiles that big at times. Two- this week is Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and I've decided to list random things I am thankful for each day this week. It is good to "give thanks". I think we can get wrapped up in the holidays so much that we actually lose sight of the purpose of them. Thaknsgiving is not about turkey and pumpkin pie~ although most of us associate them with it...but rather thanksgiving is an action. We give thanks or reflect on the things in our lives that we have to be thankful for- something I try to do everyday throughout the year- but especially now as we have a national holiday celebrating this opportunity to do so.
Today, Monday, November 19, I am thankful for the friendships- deep and meaningful- that I have developed as a result of scrapbooking. A year ago, I didn't know most of the people I now 'chat with' and leave messages of encouragement and ask for prayers and advice from, nearly everyday. What a blessing God has given to me- not only the opportunity to grow and create and share my work- but also for the community, the bonds, the connections that have blossomed as a result. I have met almost all of the Fashionistas- and I love each in their own way. Such a diverse and talented and genuine group of women. I have met and made many new friends closer to home at the Michigan crops too. It has been refreshing to just be able to 'be me'...to create together, to have fun, to share life and ideas and inspiration. And it's humbling to me to be able to give thanks...humbling that God has blessed me with friendships and scrap product. For that I give thanks.
I also am thankful for things that fill me spiritually. There is such a lack of 'spiritual food' in the mainstream world these days. It's rare to find it in the media, in conversations, in the 'everyday places' we go and things we see. I am more and more aware that the spiritual part of me needs to be filled- daily. Most days I need spiritual food throughout the day. I am learning to soak it up through not only my daily Scripture reading, but also through music and through online resources, and through books. It's a matter of making it a priority, but I am thankful and grateful for the ways my heart and mind can be 'filled' with goodness, truth, exercises and reminders- that stretch me and grow me spiritually. I love that I can listen to messages of truth while I cook dinner or scrapbook- via internet or radio. I love that I can climb into bed and read straight from God's word about what God desires from me, for me, and how to become more like Him.
I am grateful that I have my needs met and that I have Someone to pour out my praise and gratitude to- recognizing that without God I am nothing. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I have much to appreciate and to see remember that it ALL comes from God is a lesson in humility and it makes my heart want to pour out praise and celebrate even moreso. From the littlest thing to the greatest gift I've been given and continue to receive. I am humbled and grateful to the core of me for God's grace.

Christmas dresses...

This color combo is my new favorite for the Christmas season that is just around the corner. I'm just wondering if I should call it 'espresso and red' or 'chocolate brown and cherry'. Either way I like it...very much. =)