I've written the numbers for the new year only.....

.....three times. When I begin the writing of the year I've had to pause directly after my pencil moves to start the next zero. Then I remember. 20*pause*10. Right! I guess after writing the same set of four numerals hundreds of times I should expect a time of transition.

And moving on.....

Do you make New Year resolutions? I don't. For two simple reasons. 1) Resolutions tend to be extreme and flippant. I choose to make goals instead. 2) I think it's silly to wait for a certain day to make a promise or goal. Why wait 'till the beginning? Start at whatever day you happen to be on!

I am excited for this new year. I look forward to all it has in store; tears, goals set and attained, memories made, purposes, challenges, laughs, long car rides, new clothes, growth and wisdom. This year will usher a close to one school year and open another. New babies will be born. Ages will advance and inches will be added to growing children. Marathons will be completed. Hopes fulfilled and dreams realized. Patience will be exercised and sacrifices made.

Who knows what this coming year will hold? God does. It will hold all the above and even more. Some events will make me want to sing while others will try to help me understand just how big He is. In all things there will be good. Good because we are His.

"May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace." Num. 6:24-26 NLT

FIVE MILES!!!!

YAHOO! YIPPEE!!!! I ran the street last night. Here's the scoop.
4.49 pm- Ben and I warm up a 1/4 mile.
?.?? pm- We start running.
?.?? pm- At mile 2.5 I take a .2 mile walk break.
" " pm- Run the remaining 2.3 miles.
" " pm- 1/4 mi. cool down
5.48 pm- Home!
All walking and running combined.....5.5 MILES! YES!
When I was constantly running on the mill I only ever got to 4.5 miles ran. YAY! Another record shredded.....*huge smile*

Maps are not always right

Sometimes the best laid plans flop. As the kids were enjoying screen time this morning I began mapping my run for today. I hopped online, found the miles and printed the page. It looks intimidating and I knew it was a bigger area than what my mind was seeing. It will be TOUGH! I study the page. I mark the page. I memorize the page. Then Ben and I gear up and go. We get slightly confused in the beginning because the first 1/2 mile goes FAST. The remaining miles don't go so quickly. We complete our goal, what we were informed was 4.5 miles, and start our walk home to cool down. Once home we consult the map and our memory of the run and realize there's a problem.

There was a screw up somewhere. The map (after purusing MANY times) says we ran 4.5 mil. But we know the markers and we remember which one we started on and they didn't match. As Ben says "We ran between 4 and 4.5 miles." Yeah. But that half mile is one that bugs me. That was a hard run when I thought it was 4 and half. Even though I broke my mileage record....I see how hard it was and wonder if I can add more miles. I not.....no completing that marathon. I just can't have that!

Now I just need to run that course six times all at once and I'd have nearly run a marathon. SHOOT!

On a closing note; our Christmas time was wonderful! Moves and time together was lovely. The main gift we gave the kids was monthly contributions to an organization called Open Arms (it was started right here in Oregon). These people feed kids in Africa 4x a week. It is said that this is all the food the kids eat. Four.Times.A.Week. I cried when I first heard that. When I say these kids had nothing; that is the truth. How dare I ever say I have need. God help us. Thankfully our kids 'got it'. We explained it to them and they were excited! YAY!

Anyhoo....here's to you and yours! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

No Room

This year our Tree is on our deck. There is no room for it in the inn....hardy-har. Our kids take up our space so the tree has been BOOTED! My friend Steph said that this is was weird. I was thinking it was just as strange to house the tree INdoors. Heh. Then she proceeded to convince me how, like the grinch, she'd come and steal the tree off our deck 'cause it's just....not.....done. I guess we're trend setters??? =)

With our school, the kids' AND this small space we live in....1/2 our Christmas deco's are still in the boxes in storage. I've learned that that's okay. For us, it's good. I'd rather spend less time swapping deco's and more time with the kids and Ben. This is GOOD!

We may be able to display all those wonderful decorations next year though. We are currently looking to purchase our own house. *sigh* This is a HUGE deal. We've already registered for classes for the coming term (we'll need to transfer co. if we move) and we all (the 6 of us) start up again the 1.4.10 (at our currant locals) AND our lease is up the end of Feb (either sign another or be OUT).

We've got tons to ponder and pray about. This time round be don't care about the residence. We care about the lot, the location and the loan. If all those elements are pretty.....we're moving. If not.....we'll renew our lease here. Who knows? Only God!

I am so blessed. Either way, I'm blessed and at peace. God is good!

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? =)