True Meaning of Christmas

So many things have happened this Christmas...I feel so blessed. I am writing a list of all that I am grateful for and the lessons I learned. my eight year old is going to help me. Here we go:
1. God will always provide. We were very blessed to have friends help us with Willows therapy. They were generous despite their own financial troubles. They are my new role models!!!
2. God will never give you more than you can handle. It has been a difficult semester. I could not have done it without my family and friends.
3. Marriage is always worth saving. We are called to love one another like Christ loves us.
4. Giving always feels way better than you think. (Krystiana, 8.)
5. How much I love my mother. She is the most unselfish person I have ever known. She will give to her detrimant. She is educated, kind, and generous. I hope I can be like her someday.
6. It is not your beginning but your end that counts.
7. Be Humble. Never quit learning.
8. Children are a gift from God not a financial burden.
9. I am so grateful for all of the amazing women God has put in my life.
10. I am grateful for my husband who is my best friend and soulmate.

Magical Season

I had one of the most magical days of my life. It started out rushed but all's well that ends well. Chris and Krystiana surprised me with tickets to The Nutcracker. I took my daughter on an impromptu shopping spree and we dressed up for the show! Watching her during the show was one of the most powerful parenting experiences I have ever felt. The awe on her face when watching the dancers for the first time was so wonderful. I can't remember what it was like when I could actually imagine the story really could happen. A child's imagination and innocence is one of Gods greatest gifts. Imagination has created masterpieces of all forms: art, music, architecture, books, the list could go on forever. Watching her face yesterday, I am more dedicated than ever to foster that childlike wonder and creativity as long as I can. Once that innocence is gone you cannot get it back. That is why Chris and I are such advocates of limiting children's exposure to adult content in TV, music, and conversation. Let children be an inspiration to adults. The Bible says we must be "like a child" in order to enter the kingdom. Let's remember that this Christmas season and let the Christ child lead us.

Grandpa Denham and Kids

This is the first picture of my Dad and all of his Grandkids!!!!

Family Pics

 

Proverbs 31 Woman

As much as I am able to every day, I will strive to be:

The Proverbs 31 Woman :

An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
Rare, precious
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
Trustworthy
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
Kind, her character
as a wife

She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
Works joyfully
She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
Goes extra mile to get choicest goods
She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
Disciplined
She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Enterprising, prudent with money
She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
Energetic
She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
Good steward
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
Diligent, her Devotion
as a Homemaker

She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
Compassionate, generous her Generosity
as a Neighbor

She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Provident
She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Elegant
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
Influential
She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Industrious, her devotion
as a Homemaker

Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
Poised
She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Wise, her influence
as a teacher

She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Manages her home
Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
Praiseworthy
"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
Distinguished, her effectiveness
as a Mother
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
God-fearing
Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.
Honored. Her excellence
as a person


~ Proverbs 31:10-31

Recipe for Love

Make a Smilebox recipe

Sweetest Gift

Outside My Window ...
The neighborhood glows with Christmas lights.

***
I am listening to...
The new christian CD my husband made for me. He is really trying to live his faith.
***
Towards rhythm and beauty ...
We are trying to renew our faith. To immerse ourselves in the feasts and traditions of our rich Catholic faith.
***
I am thankful for ...
My family and friends. My close relationship with my mother. Also, for my new friend Christa. My marriage is going through a renaissance. It is beautiful.
***
From the kitchen ...
We are making Salt dough ornaments and trying to eat at home as much as possible. For dinner we are having homemade vegetable soup.
***
To live the liturgy...
Last week I met with our priest of 14 for (Chris, 20)years. I probably had one of the most honest confessions I ever had in 18 years as a Catholic. It has set me on fire again. I realised there were things in my life I needed to change and get rid of in order to grow spiritually. This advent has been so full of miracles.
***
I am wearing ...
Chris' sweats and an old favorite long sleeve black T-shirt.
***
I am creating ...
A secure, faith filled and loving home for my children.
***
Towards a real education ...
This year marks the second year of my children in a public setting. My emphasis is going to remain on character values and faith. I wish I were homeschooling but I know is is Gods will for now.
***
Bringing beauty to my home ...
Organization. Enough said. I have four kids!
***
I am reading ...
The Love Dare, Mommy Warriors, Medjugorje Day by Day, The Bible, and always to my kids!!!
***
I am hoping ...
To reconnect with some dear friends and make a spirit filled Christmas for my family.
***
Around the house ...
Organization. Enough said. I have four kids!
***
One of my favorite things ...
Christmas with my family. We do three gifts like the Wisemen did for Jesus. My daughter Krystiana's devotion to Jesus, Mary, and the Saints is awe inspiring.
***
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Last minute shopping, finals, and "nesting."

Priorities

This fall I have been a real glutton for punishment. Rather than airing my dirty laundry, I think the most important thing for me to note is that a lack of priorities has led me to this place. I quit praying the rosary, reading my Bible, going to my prayer group, daily Mass, and sought to educate and work outside my home in order to "better myself." It only took a nervous break down for me to see you can't serve God and the world. Over the years, I have watched friends and family fall prey to the modern mentality of financial security over the traditional family. I have watched over and over as women went outside of the home, even in older years, the family started to disenigrate. It is extremely difficult to differentiate in our materialistic society between wants and needs! My husband and I live in a very priveledged area in order to provide our Autistic daughter with an education we could not otherwise be able to provide. This semester, I decided to go back to school in order to eventually supplement my husbands income. It seems like an admirable goal. But all of the extra time that I should have been spending nurturing myself and my family I was studying. Then, it dawned on me it will never be any better after I start working! I have no idea how we are going to pay our bills but all I know is I am not going back next semester. Right now I am going to spend the Holiday season thanking God for my blessings and using Advent, Christmas, and epiphany to put God first in my life.