Junk in the Christmas trunk

I love Christmas time. I always have.
When I was younger we never had glamorous gifts or decorations but they were meaningful just the same. I remember one year I gave my Mom kitchen towels as her gift. I think I was about 6 or so. I still remembering going to the store with my Dad and picking out the multi-towel set. I also remembering her opening them. I was waiting for her reaction. Ahhh. I was safe....she liked them!

The anticipation, the excitement. The wonder. That is my favorite part of this time of year.

This time around, though, somethings different. I'm different.

These days I find myself stifling vomit as I change the channel from the commercials promoting greed and material gluttony. I have a friend that works for a donation center and they cannot schedule the mass of volunteers for this time of year but other times are shorthanded. I can't help but wonder. Why?
The Spirit of giving is great and I'm glad that we celebrate but why save yourself for just this season alone? Give of yourself all year round; not just during this time.
Oh and another thing. If we are celebrating Christs' birth why do we give gifts to one another? Our most precious gifts should be the ones that last for eternity. Loving those who have no family or who smell really bad and have no place to go. These should be our focus. All.Year.Long.
And while we're at it. Who gives a hoot what we call this time of celebration! I've seen signs and stickers touting "Put the Christ back in Christmas" or "Say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays". Sorry but who gives a crap. All the days are God's so it doesn't matter what they're called. And for the record the first definition in the dictionary to describe holiday is HOLYday. Hmmmm. Why make such a big deal? GET OVER IT! and get on with giving.

This is not what Christmas means to me. How about we all spend less this year and give more. How about we purchase a few less items that we can live without and give more to those who legitimately NEED it. Does that person really need that new board game? How can we purchase another gift for someone who has alot already when there are people STARVING? Starving in our own neighborhoods to boot. How about it?

This may seem like I'm an anti-Christmas goon or something. I'm really not. I'm just challenging and advocating honoring Christ and Christmas ALL year round.

Don't Save It All For Christmas Day

sung by Avalon written by P. Zizzo, R. Wake and C. Dion

Don't get so busy that you miss giving just a little kiss to the ones you love

Don't even wait a little while to give them just a little smile a little is enough

See how many people are crying some people are dying

How many people are asking for love

-

Chorus

So don't save it all for Christmas day find a way to give a little love everyday

Don't save it all for Christmas day find a way 'cause holidays have come and gone

But love lives on if you give on

-

How could you wait another minute a hug is warmer when your in it oh baby that's a fact

And saying I love you's always better seasons, reasons they don't matter so don't hold back

See how many people in this world so needful in this world

How many people are praying for love

-

So let all the children know everywhere that they go their whole life long

Let them know love

-

This is a life of Christmas. This is what I hope to achieve. No, not someday but this day.

"That last bite tasted like Christmas"

So said my daughter on finishing the last of her gingerbread pancakes. I new I liked her! Here is the recipe so you can also experience what Christmas tastes like.

1.5 c. (cup) white flour
1.5 c. wheat flour
1 c. b. sugar
1 T. (tablespoon) baking powder
1.5 t. (teaspoon) baking soda
1 t. salt
1 t. g. (ground) cinnamon
1 t. g. ginger
1/4 t. g. nutmeg
1/8 t. g. cloves
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. coffee, brewed and cooled to room temp.
4 lg. eggs, beaten
1/2 c. butter, melted and cooled
1/4 c. lemon juice

Mix all dry and wet (sugar with wet) items separately then combine. Cook on griddle and enjoy!
We top our cakes with applesauce and then syrup. Yummmm!

*Side note* The first time I made these the batter was too thick. I have not altered the recipe from the first time I made them so extra water will be required. I also double this recipe and freeze the remaining cakes for a quick breakfast another morning.

Thankfulness Defined

As I was enjoying our day of feasting and conversation I realised my heart was full. Full with memories made and life lived. I was over flowing with appreciation for the breath of life given to me. The very idea that I was created to be part of a community, whether seen or unseen, is a daunting one. That God thought about me and where I would be (and where I WILL be) is more than my brain can compute.

How does one define or describe thankfulness? Websters states the definition as "conscious of benefit received", "expressive of thanks" and "well pleased". For even further description I searched a thesaurus. The words I read were "grateful, appreciated, gratified, pleased and much obliged". Again, all of these apply yet not fully the description I was looking for.

I've been led down this path of abandoned thankfulness in even the most inconsequential and simple of things. Things that have recently brought me up short. The rise, fall and slope of a mountain. The smell of a candle. The sound of the boys dropping the seat and flushing (is this heaven? Pinch me!). The fact that my family is near and healthy. That I live in an imperfect world and country for a reason. The seasons. My body. Bad days. Joyful days. Sick days. Hard days. Easy days. Nail polish. Facebook. Cell phones. A house. Heat. Shelter. Air fresheners. Transportation.

All of the things that I'm most grateful for are the ones that are the most difficult to describe. God knows my heart. When words fail He hears the gratitude my heart hums to the song of his playing.

I have learned gratitude because I have learned to step aside and let Him lead (notice I didn't say that I ALWAYS follow =). I pray that I follow His every step to the point of abandoning my wishes and desires. No longer can it be said that Katy is her own girl. This is His song; His life. I'm just the follower.

That is the description I was after; thankfulness lived.

That is beauty.

The curse of the marathon

I walk the kids to the entrance of the school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. As I did this morning I wasn't thinking of how I looked or what I was wearing. On my way out I was 'head nodded' over by the assistant principal. "Are you going to work out or did you just come from one?" was her question. I'd forgotten that I was wearing my running gear and it wasn't not the regular gear either. I was sporting the running-in-Oregon-in-November attire. Gloves, two shirts, a jacket and a stocking hat. "I'm gonna run this morning. I'm training for a marathon." I say with down cast gaze. Not for the embarrassment of being caught in my athletic garb (I'm really not that obsessed. No. I'm NOT!) but with the marathon confession.

I.said.it.out.loud.

Up to this time I'd only confessed to Ben. Now that I've told someone with whom I don't live, well, if just made it more real. Not the "Oooooh! I got what I wanted for Christmas" goodness either. The "Oh my gosh. We have our own house and are responsible for the mortgage" real.

I was feeling responsible for my words and it felt uncomfortable.

WELL. Now I guess I'm gonna really, HAVE to complete this marathon......and training.

Dang.

In preparation for honoring my own words I ran a mile and a half this morning (when I started about 3 weeks ago I could only suffer through .25 miles). Then another .5 after I walked about .5. I've now returned to the mileage I left last fall. I'm baaaaaack! My goal is to add 1.5 miles every week. Since I run 3-4 times per week that should be attainable.

The road will be conquered and it will be conquered by me. So say I!

I gesticulate

I am one of the quirkiest people I know. The kids remind me of that fact many, MANY times a week. *smile*

One of my many quirks is vocabulary. I LOVE hearing, reading and using interesting words (I don't always use them correctly and that makes Ben laugh). Even if they seem strange or unpopular or if they seem like, by the sound of them, they mean something they don't.

Kind'a like the word in my title. Gesticulate. It sounds mechanical or.....shall I say.....inappropriate some how. Yet the definition is "To make gestures, esp. while speaking." So, since I gesticulate would I be considered a gesticulator? Yeah. It sounds weird. REALLY weird. Inhumanly so.

And moving on....

I realized last night that I never posted the link to our fall photo shoot. I will as well as a few from this morning. The kids and I made a breakfast casserole and they chopped, grated and measured right along with me. It was a fun morning!

Our photo shoot.

Joey looks incoherent in this one!

Hey you!

I sometimes can't tell the Twins apart and I end up saying "Hey you" instead of using the wrong name. Seriously. I cannot tell my two boys apart. Just that admission caused me to think. Am I ashamed of that fact? To tell the truth, I think it's kinda humorous!

My kids have been fighting fevers this week-end. I'm glad that they all went through it the same time. Not that I wished it on them. As I was cuddling with Joey we were carrying on a conversation. In this talk I asked him if he's ever sad to be a Twin. He was confused at first then I clarified by saying "Do you ever just want to be Joe and not be confused with Zachy?" He said he didn't mind being a twin but that he'd like it if people could get the name right. I realized (just this moment matter-of-fact) that this should be my way of purposing to love Joe. He really wants us to call him by his name. Not the generics which I tend to do. Hey Bud. Hey Dude. Hey Man. He wants.....Hey Joe! This will be my mission. I think I just deceived myself that I was too busy to get it right or even try. Gosh. That's such a selfish statement! It's true though.

I'm aware of this self absorption due largely to the book (unschool related) I'm reading right now. It's titled "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. It's non-fiction but it reads like a novel and I LOVE it. LOVE PEOPLE! It's frank, funny and challenges the reader. It makes one think about why one believes what one does and why we process things the way we do. Good stuff! I couldn't put it down.

Since the kids have been feeling under the weather I've had time to think. I've noticed how much has been on my/our plate(s). I studied and took my midterm today (thanks Mom for watching The Charges!) and Ben and I went on a 1.5 miles run then walked another 3/4 miles. I was reminded several times how hard Ben and the kids work to keep our family working smoothly. I noticed this mostly when I had to pick up the slack in activities normally completed by the children but since they needed rest I was the completer. They work HARD and I'm thankful. (They are on the mend by the way.)
I was also reminded by a friend that we need to be thankful in ALL situation. She reminded me a story about Corrie Ten Boom getting lice and how God worked miracles because they had lice. The gist is that we never know what God's plan is in most situations. Just because something is painful or uncomfortable or seems inconsequential does NOT mean it's bad or that the event has no purpose. For all things work together for good. All things. That's a pretty large amount of things. =o,

My job is to trust the One who knows the number and activities of my days and not to worry about how everything fits together.

Now lets all lift our glasses and cheer to surrender. CHEERS! I'm drinking spiked tea. How 'bout you? =)

OH! the education of me

So-o many things've been rolling around in my 'ol brain! I often think "I need to write that thought down or I'll forget it". But lo and behold I do not write it down and I do not remember the brilliance once the daily grind takes over, yet again. Can anyone say Digital Voice Recorder? I will change the world even through my forgetfulness! I WILL!
Anyhoo.....
I will try and let you into my world; my process. Don't be afraid.....it's only frightening for the first few minutes!

Once I stared college I realised that I, by nature, do not ask questions. I accept. The grass is green. Okay. This store doesn't carry the item I need. Okay. Yet, once our professor questioned the reasons for history......I found that I stated questioning; and I was uncomfortable with that. At this point I'm not even sure why I was uncomfortable. Maybe I thought that my questions were too big. Or not big enough. Maybe I was uncomfortable because I thought my question will seem dumb or inadequate somehow. My questions may also lead to more questions......some without answers. We can't have loose ends now can we?

But are any of those reasons valid or even good? Sheesh. Yet another question!

Questions require patience, knowledge and wisdom; both to answer and to ask.

Questions shape us. They create new paths in our brain; and heart.

I've also noticed that I'm noticing new things =D . Things that I probably wouldn't have noticed before.

Going to a community college has opened my eyes. Not just to history either. I know it may seem naive, but when I smile I expect the recipient to return that smile. Why, I'm not sure. Maybe I'm cocky and think my smile is more than it is. I'm sure that there are tons of reasons for the unturned grins. Hurt. Business. Preoccupation. Fear. Exhaustion. Whatever the reason, I noticed. My smiles are very rarely returned on campus. It seems almost comical that in a place that professes it's openness that the people seem to be so closed. I don't want a new bff, I just want to brighten your day. I'm not looking for a date (I already have a HOT boyfriend!); I just want you to know that you are loved.

You may be thinking......and you want to accomplish that with a *ahem* smile? Yeah. Yes, I do.

I think Jesus smiled alot. I'm just aiming to be like him. He also didn't enforce the rules. He didn't condemn. He hugged. He talked. He ate. He gave. He smiled. He laughed. I'm sure he heard lots of people curse. He heard dirty jokes. He spent time with the drunks and prostitutes. AND he heard and loved them. As.They.Were. It doesn't seem that He got his robe in a bunch either (heh-heh).

So, that leads me to my next question. Why do we (primarily Christians, in my opinion) put restraints on people? You have to fit into 'this' mold if you love God. Especially people who may know no difference? Is that really what Christ did while on earth? No. He didn't. He LOVED. He listened. Yeah, he got pretty ticked sometimes. But mostly at the religious people. The ones who were really farther from the heart of God than any others.

So, it is my mission to smile and smile BIG. Not so that people notice my pearly's but so that they realise there is another One for them, not against. And of course......to change the world. *grin* After all; isn't that what we're here for? DANG. Another question. ;-)

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8
"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:12
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl......In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14+16

The promised pictures

At Red Robin for Ben's Dad's 58th birthday shin-dig.



I must add here that Dean (Ben's dad) ran the Portland
marathon that week-end. Inspiring!


Sis practising.

On our way hunting. 10/15/09


There is even home work when not at home. 10/16/09


Home work done!


The Coast. 10/18/09

The majesty of the sea.

313

Get ready for it..............
Once posted, this will be my three hundred thirteenth post. Wow. No no, hold the applause please. I now will deliver my appreciation speech. I want to thank God for he was the one who REALLY invented the Internet (unlike some politicians claim). I also want to thank my family. Without my family......there would be nothing amusing to blab....er....blog about. =D

Ahem, as I reel myself back to reality and the reason for this post.....

Things are in full swing now. Kids (swinging) from the rafters alongside the brain that my skull used to house. Heh. Kidding. No crime scene tape here. But we have nicely gotten back into the routine, though, and I am thankful. This years transition to fall wasn't nearly as pailful for me as last years; smooth as silk. We've even had more on our plates this year too. That is something to be eternally grateful for. Thank you God. The kids are glad that I'm better adjusted. I was freak-o-Mamma at the beginning of last year. *sigh* Poor Babies.
Ben and I are enjoying college and we're getting gggggggreat grades! YAY! It does start to make one feel like there is much to do with little left over. I remind myself often that whenever we say 'yes' to one activity we are also saying 'no' to another. We're working on making sure we are doing what God's will is for us. Whew. That's really the hardest part.

As I was checking the last of my garden tonight I realized something. There is something endearing to me about fall. With that thought came instant regret for it. I've cheated on summer yet again. Don't misunderstand; I.LOVE.SUMMER. but there is a coziness about fall. That is, if I'm not shivering out'ta my skin. I'm sure that most of this endearment comes from the fact that I'm content. God is good. That is all I need. Whatever comes I am secure because He is wonderful. -Even when the rain falls, even when the flood starts risin'. Even when the storm comes I am washed by the water.-Needtobreathe "Washed by the Water"

Gosh. That got deep. Hmmmm. I must end on a light note......*breath catching in throat* Ben and I are......going to.....the NEEDTOBREATHE concert! OMGosh! Seriously; my heart just stopped for a second. Serious. If you havn't been able to tell, I'm SUPER excited! YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS! That's just a taste of how thrilled I am. Pretty lame huh? Ahhhh, but you can't see my face! Heh-heh. It's elated.

I will post photo's of our adventures tomorrow.

The funny things

I've been trying to really listen to the kids lately. Here are a few funny/cutesy things I've been told or overheard:

Sam-"Have you (Dad) ever read Calvin and Hoobs?"

Es-While we were all singing Home on the Range she stopped and said "Oh. I thought it was 'where the deer and the cantelope played!'"

Joey-While waiting for our movie, Up, to start (it was darker inside the theater), he looked back at Ben and I with a twinkle in his eye and said "This is so romantic!" He was smiling his HUGE smile.

Es-We've been listening to Anne of Green Gables on c-d while driving to school and back. The kids LOVE it and so do I. On the way home she asked "I was wondering. Could I fix your hair tomorrow before you leave (to a Women's retreat)?" She later told me that she wanted to do a bun. Why? Because I have available hair and 'cause of Anne! It'd be too hard for her to do her own.

Zach-While waiting for him to exit the bathroom Ben said "What are you doing Dude?" With disappointment in his voice and down cast eyes he responded "I was killing the fruit flies." I walked over and saw the hilarity. Zachy had been using our spray air freshener to 'kill' the flies.....on the mirror no less. As we were admonishing him never, ever to do that again he was walking up the stairs and we were snickering.

Sam-While at a play ground with a very tall structure he said "I'm getting rid of my fear of heights." He then proceeded to climb, only part way and well below the Twins, up the structure. He ended up touching one of the Twins' shoes.

Ain't life grand? Why, yes. Yes it is.