Surviving the 3rd Snow Day In A Row

It's quiet in the house right now. The kids are out enjoying the snow; building forts in the deep piles of snow and making giant footprints all over the backyard. I used to love the look of snow, the vast white field of snow which almost looked like sparkling diamonds and crystals. I use to view snow as something that should be looked at, but please don't make tracks in my snow.

Then I had children.

Now, I realize that footprints, sled tracks, and snowmen mean that children live in my house. Those tiny treks through the snow are a sign that laughter, giggles, and lots of cups of hot chocolate exist in my home. Something that 13 years ago I could only pray for, cry for, and long for is now a reality in my home and in my heart. I am a mother.

Yesterday, when the school district called to say they were calling off school for a 3rd Day in a row and just weeks before Christmas, my heart sank at first. I had plans.

Now, when I look out over the footprints, snow forts and marks all over our fresh fallen snow, I think, this is why I wanted to be a mother. So, that on snow days we could stay in PJ's and watch Hallmark movies together, we could offer to help our neighbors with the big snow drift on their driveway, and I could use our dryer over and over again in a day with dirty clothes, wet gloves, hats and coats.

I'm realizing more and more that these days are precious. Moments to cherish. They are the kind of days we'll talk about years from now and I won't remember the wet laundry room floor. Instead, I'm remember the messy marshmallow faces and the cans of Redi Whip that flew out my house!

For that I am grateful.

However, I might cheer the fact that tomorrow is back to normal. Too much of a good thing isn't really a good thing is it?

Rushing Thanksgiving and Missing the Blessings

Why is that we are in such a hurry? I'm just as guilty as the next person, but it seems like we are in such a rush to get through something, finish tasks, and get to the next "thing" that we are missing the little joys of life.

For instance, Christmas lights and trees are up and shinning all over town. I get that in the Midwest sometimes you need to put up the outside lights before mid-November for fear of snow and cold, but do you need to turn them on before Thanksgiving?

It's like Thanksgiving is the ugly stepsister. Forgotten. Pushed Aside.

Have we become a Nation so consumed by the commercialization of Christmas that we are willing to pillage Thanksgiving in the process and view it only as a day off to gear up for the really big day of shopping on Friday.

Isn't Thanksgiving suppose to be a day we set aside to give thanks to our God for the blessings he has bestowed upon us as a people, a country, and a family?

I love the excitement of Christmas, but I like it to start after first taking time for gratitude and thanksgiving. I'm sometimes embarrassed to think that our country can no longer take the time to really focus on the meaning Thanksgiving itself. It is the only non-commercial gift giving holiday left. It is the only one really set aside for us to give back to God and thank Him for His abundance.

Maybe that's the problem. There is not a gimmick with Thanksgiving. There is not a man in a Red Suit or No Candy to give away. There are not any presents to buy. It takes from us rather than gives to us. It takes us setting aside time to list off our thanks.

It makes me sad to think that Thanksgiving plays second fiddle to shopping and bargains. I am sad that stores will be "Open All Day on Thanksgiving" to catch those ready to get a jump start on the "Holiday Season".

Guess I'm a little Old Fashioned. I like my Thanksgiving to come first with Advent and Christmas coming later. It seems to me that Thanksgiving Turkey with a side of Black Friday Pie is a little unappetizing. Now College Football is something that I really enjoy!

Church Sign Gets Me Thinking...

My husband went to a funeral today for a former co-worker and said that the most amazing thing was that at no time in the funeral were the words God, Heaven, or Christ ever spoken. No mention of God. No mention of the hope of Heaven. The service was conducted by a "chaplain" at a mortuary and the songs were either Country Music or Elvis tunes.

I was so sad thinking about this later in the afternoon that I couldn't shake the thought that there are too many people in my sphere of influence who could easily have/ attend a service just like this. While I spend the majority of my time with other Christians, it's not like everyone I know is going to heaven.

I told my husband that I might have wanted to get up the middle of the service and scream: "What about Jesus, What About Eternal Life" without those things, what's the point of a funeral. There can be no hope.

I know deep down that I would have just sat in my seat, but oh, I would hope that the spirit would move me to act. Guess that's why my husband left me at home.

I told him at my funeral the will be a huge gospel message, a lot of songs about God's Grace and, of course, the song "Blessed Be Thy Name" so we can evoke a few tears when they sing "He gives and takes away." You see I know that I'll be in heaven. I'll be rejoicing and more than anything, I'll want those around me to join me some day. It will be a huge party.

A Church Sign I saw today cheered me on and really got me thinking about being more an evangelist in my "circle:"

God's Word is Not Math.

You Don't Need to Add or Subtract From It!!

His Word is enough. Enough Said.

Random Confessions

I think that my kids have only gone to school one Monday in the entire month of January. Do you know how hard it is to keep your New Years Resolution to exercise more when the one day you count on going to the gym, you can't?

Here goes some random thoughts for the week...

1. I remember on Election Day 2000 that we made a homemade sign for the front day cheering on George Bush. My husband and I stayed up to watch returns and went to bed thinking he had lost. When I woke up a few hours later, it was the crazy to see that he had won. M was a little baby and I have a picture of her with the sign. Where have those 8 years gone?

Thank You President and Mrs. Bush for your service to our country.

2. I'm trying to teach my kids that you respect the office of the President no matter who is sitting in the oval office. I wish the Obama's the best and pray that he will be guided by Godly wisdom as he leads us through some tough times, but I know I will have to watch my tongue in the next few days and weeks too.

God please Bless Our Country and Our Leaders.

3. I'm getting tired of cleaning up the sandbox that was my entry way floor. If you live in snow or winter country, you know what I mean. Every day I sweep up the equivalent of a sandbox of muck from our floor. Shoes traipse in this gunk and no matter how many rugs I have out, the sand keeps coming.

We went to a party last week and the line of shoes at the front door from guests made me laugh. It would have been fun and cruel to mix up pairs. (No I didn't do it)

4. Lost starts in 2 more days! I watched the season finale from last year this weekend and I'm trying hard to put the pieces of the story back together in my head. This is my all time favorite show. I can not wait until Wednesday Night. It's written on my calendar with big letters. Thank you in advance DVR for being there for me as it is on during in the middle of church.

5. Last week my husband and parents were both in Sunny California while my kids and I were suffering from temps at -15 below. I tried hard not to hate them. Let's just say I might have confessed the sin of coveting and murder during Church on Sunday. Love You Guys really, but next time remember poor little me and don't talk so lovingly about the sunshine and 70 degree weather when I can hardly breath outside due to the ice forming in my nose.

I promise some more creative and less random thoughts in the days ahead. Or at least attempts.

Step Up to the Plate

Volunteers No Longer A Dime A Dozen Caption coming soon to a newspaper near you. Or maybe not as most of us no longer read newspapers.

Where have all the volunteers gone? Seriously, I look around and every organization, church and school around me is begging for people to help them. They need scout leaders, classroom helpers, Sunday school teachers, blood donors and everything else under the sun.

We've become such a "have it my way" society that we just assume others are going to run the programs, be the leaders, and step up to the plate. We'd rather just drop our child off and run. Sure we want them to experience all the activities, sports and programs available; just don't ask us to be involved.

Volunteering might cut into our "me" time. As parents, we have too much on our plate to be the soccer coach so why not just pay someone else to do it for us.

You might say that I'm discouraged with my com padres. Step up to the plate people. I'm tired of watching organizations beg for volunteers and I'm even more tired of seeing the same people over and over again get talked into helping out.

Sometimes I wish I could be a drop and run parent. I wish that I didn't feel so bad when there is no one to coach soccer next spring for my 4 year old that I feel compelled to say that I can.

But you know what, I wish even more that my generation would realize that the joy and blessing of giving of time, energy, and self to help out does not compare with things, awards, or monetary blessings.

Yes giving blood takes time and it's a challenge to fit it in, but did you know that people might die without it? I am scared of needles, I have terrible veins and have often terrifed nurses with them. But you know what, I do it.

Being the girl scout leader is not easy. I'm really not a public speaker or have the skill sets that prepare me for 19 little girls and their energy. However, I do it because I want my daughter to experience the joy, the leadership skills, and the fun that only a weekend away at camp can teach.

I'm not here to toot my own horn. I am learning to say no sometimes and let others fill that awkward void when a group/person asks for help. Too often, though, it seems like no one fills the gap. No one wants to get involved.

Churches especially should be turning volunteers away not begging and scrambling to fill the spots on committees and teaching positions. As recipients of the greatest gifts, shouldn't we feel compelled to serve others and share that great blessing.

I know that a few posts back I said I was overwhelmed with the meetings/ planning and responsibility. But you know what, as long as my family is taken care of and my house is presentable (notice I didn't say clean), I'll be out there filling in the gaps, and praying that one day the rest of the spaces will be filled.


Tomorrow's post: How to support the volunteers in your life.