Saturday, December 31, 2011

Scenes from December

Here are a few pictures from December.  
I didn't take as many this year.
There was something in me that just needed to let be.


We get into it around here, and it gets all over us.

None of these children are mine, but none need to be for me to love this picture.
That smiley one in the middle...she's ours.
We celebrated our 11th anniversary and escaped for three days.

Church friends...I have visions of these girls in youth group together.
The stomach flu invaded our house during Christmas break.
Talia.
Me.
Then, Ella.
I am so thankful for modern medicine and iv's.
Ella spent part of a night in the ER.
She was a happy kid the next day. 
It took me much longer to get over.
Our Christmas was a quiet one.
Exactly what we needed.

With Talia's tin foil wrapped gifts that she picked up around the house.
Uncle Travis got a piece of paper and Bruce got a previously viewed When Harry Met Sally dvd.
Peace. 
We are putting 2011 to bed tonight.
I happily wave it goodbye.
Sleep in heavenly peace old year.
Someone recently reminded me that people still kiss at midnight on December 31st.
I had forgotten that.
I'm setting my alarm clark to wake up and kiss Bruce tonight.
2012 is already off to a great start with that planned. :)
What are you doing tonight?

Friday, December 23, 2011

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Celebrate Good Times

I don't know where to begin, so let's pretend we're having coffee together.
I'll pour you a hot cup of Sumatra.
I'm a sipper and I'll have to get up and microwave mine a half dozen times during the course of our time together...just so you know.
There have been many things to celebrate in the past week or so.
Thanksgiving Day was a meaningful repeat of delivering meals with Bruce's family.
 We were also able to spend part of the day with even more family.

Family we laugh with.
 We laugh a lot with them. Is there a better compliment than that?
I fully intended to shop Black Friday...but I decided that sleep was worth more to me.
Late morning I ran to Home Depot with a Senior Elf and an Elf in Training for lights.
 We also spent a day at a Jost Family reunion.
I would venture to say that a fourth of them were able to make it.
I kid you not.
The Jost tribe is a fertile one.
We also celebrated one of Bruce's co-workers with an indoor luau for his up and coming retirement. 
Isn't his wife beautiful? 
I want to be her when I grow up.
And of course we had a couple of birthdays to celebrate.
Some of you were right, and some of you weren't. :)
And now we've come through one season of celebrating and are looking ahead to Christmas.
Our tree has been up for a week, but the ornaments just came out of the box yesterday.
I'm having a hard time getting my Christmas motor going this year.
I find myself identifying with the word "weary" to a fault.
I am wearing weary too well.
It's starting to feel too known.

Just a few days ago I read these verses in the Message:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me---watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.  Matthew 11:28-30
So, I am going to get away with Him for a bit because I need a real rest.
To recover my life.
To watch how He does it.
Walking and working...
To learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
To celebrate His birth, and a life renewed, to live freely and lightly.
Merry Christmas, friends.
I hope to see you soon.
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