One Thousand Gifts

"As the moments slip down the hour glass of time, I am scratching down the gifts—just as they happen, as they arrive, as they are unwrapped—that He has given that make my life grace, the daily graces that He gives in an infinite number of ways, that stir me."

I love reading her writing...and learning about the 1000 Gift List was just what we needed - another special moment for my kids and I to share together as we start our morning.

"I am seeing things I have never seen before, attuned and aware of this constant, endless stream of gifts from His hand. I am one waking from slumber….from the stupor of indifference and ignorance. I have sight, fresh and keen—the world is new and full of His gifts."

Ann Voskamp's website is my new passion. Her words drip off the page right into my soul and strike chords that only He knew existed. This complete stranger writes in such a way that I sit back in awe, wondering if she has been secretly living in a corner of my abode.

She reminds us that we often we "miss" Him...what He has created; what He has graced us with. Fulling seeing yet completely blind. The Gift List makes us aware of His love, His presence and His ability. It helps us acknowledge what He has showered us with and to pay attention to the little details of the world He has given us.

"We need to have everyday epiphanies everywhere." I love that. I think I will make that my statement and goal for 2011!

What are you thankful for? The sound of a windmill...the smell of fresh baked bread...the baby frog in your flowerbed...listening to your children laugh...cracking open a new book...your friend who always has a listening ear...just writing them down as they happen begins your gratitude journey.

Ann states that, "The Thousand Gifts list is about the gifts Abba gives His children every day… and, ultimately, about the very gift of self, life as we know it."

As I began to read further, I found this interesting conclusion:

Participants who kept a gratitude journal felt better about their lives as a whole and were more optimistic about the future. They reported feeling more joyful, enthusiastic, interested, attentive, energetic, excited, determined, and strong.

We have started our gratitude journey with The Thousand Gift List. Won't you start yours today? I believe it will change you forever...eternally.

A Memorable December...

WOW!! It's been 14 days since I last wrote a blog! But what is so exciting is that I vowed to myself I wouldn't write a sentence in my blog during the holidays while all the grandparents were here and although it was difficult, I was able to be true to my word (it was just an internal vow, but I still felt good about not breaking my own promise!)

Now that I am biting at the bit, I don't know where to begin :)

First and foremost, I can say that the family time we had together during December was amazing and much needed. Kyle (our 17 year old son) is usually at church, work or concurrent at school, so we get very little quality time with him. I always take three weeks off from schooling Adam and Victoria, so it was 100% playtime in our house! Here are some of the highlights of our three week sabbatical:

* 3-4 hours of game playing everyday (one day we spent 4 hours playing Monopoly!)
* Candlelight dinner together every evening till Christmas Day
* Watched movies that made us laugh and cry together
* Incredible brunch at Bellini's - highly recommend this restaurant!
* Shopped till our money was all gone :)
* We visited Walmart everyday for 8 days in a row - we're going to add this to our 12 days of Christmas for next year - haha!
* Awesome girl time while we all got new hairdo's!
* The men enjoyed two hours of listening to different muffler sounds on old trucks on YouTube - they laughed hysterically!
* Baked and baked and then ate enough sugar to last us all year long (although I did make a healthy honey apple pie and honey cinnamon rolls :)
* Reminisced at pictures taken during the 2010 year - amazed at how the kids have changed
* Met daddy for lunch while he was on his break at Iguana's - love their salsa!
* Experienced the Bricktown Water Taxi while it was 70 degrees and gorgeous - then treated everyone to Toby Keiths for dinner!
* Drove around town for two hours looking at Christmas lights at Chesapeake and gorgeous Nicholas Hills
* Stayed up until the wee morning hours just catching up on each others lives
* Slept in so late many mornings that we only had to eat two meals!!
* Scrolled through my Facebook to show everyone all my photo albums - we really did a lot in one year!

Most importantly, we talked, laughed, cried, talked, laughed and talked some more.

Everyone is gone now...including the two dogs we were pet sitting and the house is back in order. The amount of clutter and disarray from having eight people living in the same house for 14 days is incredible. Funny thing is, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I have learned to relax in the midst of chaos to enjoy what really matters - people not perfection.

I pray your holidays were festive and that you made memories that can be talked about for years and years to come.

Thanks for letting me share...it's been a joy :)

Christmas Bells

Sunday School was amazing this past week. The amount of hours that Eric spends in preparing for our class is so evident in his teaching and passion. Not only do his lessons inspire me to grow spiritually, but I usually learn something historically as well. This week was no different. Eric shared the history behind the famous song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". If you're ready for a small history lesson, allow me to share.

Longfellow was the most popular poet of his day and is generally regarded as the most distinguished poet the country had produced. A friend once wrote to him that no other poet was so fully recognized in his lifetime. Many of his works helped shape the American character and its legacy, particularly with the poem "Paul Revere's Ride". He was such an admired figure in the United States during his life that his 70th birthday in 1877 took on the air of a national holiday, with parades, speeches, and the reading of his poetry. Henry had his share of suffering as well. While in their own home, his wife's dress caught fire while standing near the heater. Henry awakened from his nap to her screams and was able to put the fire out. Unfortunately, she was too badly burned and passed away the next morning. In Henry's attempt to save his wife, his face was badly burned which resulted in the beard that adorned his face, becoming his trademark.

Almost a year later, Longfellow received word that his oldest son Charles, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, had been severely wounded with a bullet passing under his shoulder blades and taking off one of the spinal processes. Filled with grief, from the past years events, Longfellow penned the words of the poem "Christmas Bells" on Christmas Day of 1864:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Several months later, the poem was decorated with musical notes and sung by an all boys choir. Today, there are over 15 different versions of this beautiful song. This happens to be my favorite:
Enjoy the holidays as you worship Jesus Christ, the son of the living God!

My Favorite Essential Oils

Several people have asked me about the essential oils I use and some of their benefits. I decided to list my top oils and how to apply them for certain illnesses. There are over 160 oils that Young Living carriers, so this is obviously just a scratch on the surface. However, the oils listed here are ones that I make sure I am never out of. In fact, most of them I always have two bottles on hand!

Lavender:
Antiseptic, anti-fungal, relaxant, anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol and good for respiratory infections Also helps with high blood pressure, pms, (works great with my 14 year old daughter) skin conditions, eczema, stretch marks, burns, hair loss and insomnia

Peppermint:
Anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, pain reliever, curbs appetite, respiratory infections, arthritis, cold sores, headaches, digestive problems, nausea, skin conditions, back problems, constipation, breath freshener and drains sinuses. This is my all-time favorite oil!

Lemon:
Antiseptic immune stimulant, improves memory and relaxation. Helps with varicose veins, anxiety, acne, digestive problems, sore throat and urinary track infections. I use this daily on my kids right before we start school. I love to diffuse this oil during test days!

Balsam Fir:
Throat/sinus infection, fatigue, arthritis urinary tract infections relaxant

Cedarwood:
Hair loss, antibacterial, ADHD, eczema and allergies

Melrose:
Topical antiseptic, clean/disinfects cuts, scrapes, burns and rashes

Oregano:
Anti-bacterial, anti fungal, immune stimulant, arthritis, respiratory infection and digestive problems

RC:
Apply to chest, neck and throat area for relief from breathing issues related to asthma, colds, bronchitis, sore throat, sinusitis, coughs and upper respiratory infections. It decongests sinus passages, combats lung infections and relives allergy symptoms. Excellent oil to diffuse and inhale. This has stopped my daughter an mother in-law from an asthma attack more than once.

I hope this small list has given you a good, detailed account as to what oils can help with certain ailments and how to administer them. I have only been using the oils for about 1-1/2 years now, so I am by no means an expert, but would love to answer any questions you have. The 8-1/2 x 11 desk reference book I just bought is amazing and can probably answer any question looming in your mind! Although I am a distributor with Young Living, I do not run this as a business, but just pass the word on how amazing these oils are. They truly have replaced numerous pharmaceutical medications in our household. I sell to my friends the wholesale price that I pay, so if you would like to order anything, just let me know.

Happy healthy living, my friends!

Adam's Character Sketch

As the last day of school looms in the air, I assign my son an end-of-the-school-year paper. Words cannot begin to express the exuberant amount of joy that overtook his soul. Because of my crafty, witty words and over-demonstrative role playing, I was able to capture the significance of this paper with such flair that Adam was racing to the pencil box in search of a newly sharpened writing instrument...ok, ok, you have officially witnessed my first and foremost earthy gift - sarcasm :)

Seriously now, with all that aside, I would like to present to you Adam's short essay on Laura Ingalls (we are studying all eight books as part of our curriculum this year):"Laura Ingalls is a charming girl who has a blind sister that she cares for so much that she wanted her sister to go to college. Laura has always been her "eyes", meaning she tells her what she sees. She has a mom and dad who she respects and honors. She also cares for them and loves them. Laura has a baby sister named Grace. Laura watches out for her and take good care of her and has always thought Grace was beautiful. Laura never liked to be civilized. She was always wild and free and likes to be outside - just like me!"

Sentence structure has always been a challenge for Adam - even 6 months ago, writing a letter to a friend would take days and days of rough drafts and constant erasing. Considering grammar and writing are his weak spots, I think he did a pretty good job capturing the true image of Laura. Good job, little man - momma's proud of you!

By the way, son, have an awesome three week Christmas break!

Suggested Christmas Traditions

On Monday of this week, I posted a Facebook status asking for everyone's Christmas tradition. I really liked a lot of the responses I received, so I thought I would compile them here for all to read and possibly gleam a new tradition for your family.

I have added our personal traditions along with some of my friends:

* We attend 2 candlelight services on Christmas eve - one at 8 pm and one at 11 pm. Following the 11pm we go to Ihop for breakfast - then home to open presents at 2 am. On Christmas night we go to our church to cook and serve the homeless of OKC. We offer food, movies, stockings and a Christmas to remember

* One friend told me that they allow their children to pick one small item out of their stockings each night before Christmas Day. I liked that idea and decided to find 12 small gifts (the stocking gifts I buy are always under $5) and incorporate that into our 12 Days of Christmas Theme. I somehow disguise the items that would be have been obvious just by feeling inside the stocking!

* We always make a birthday cake on Christmas Eve and write "Happy Birthday Jesus" on it and then consume it for breakfast with our egg casserole - it's a day of eating unhealthy so we pull out all the stops!

* On Christmas morning, we read the story found in Luke and then pray together. One of the boys play a Christmas song on the piano or guitar while we all sing together. It's such a relaxing and reverent time just before the gifts are handed out.

* My husband plays "Santa" and only gives each child one gift at a time. We do not have this "hustle bustle" of paper flying everywhere while the whole event is over in 15 minutes. Each person has their own time where everyone else is watching to see what they received. A million pictures are taken and the whole process usually lasts over an hour!

* Our children only receive three gifts and we do not spend a lot of money. Most of the gifts given to our friends and grandparents are hand made which makes the family time before Christmas memorable as well.

* On Christmas Eve, we sing some fun Christmas songs and then the kids each get to open one gift (picked by mom and dad). It's always PJ's so that they have new jammies to sport for pictures the next day!

* We play Christmas music while we decorate the house and tree. Brownies are always tantalizing us with their incredible smell while baking. When they are finished, we always take a break to devour a warm brownie before we finish 'decking the halls!'

I hope you enjoy your holiday festivities this year and possibly borrow a new tradition or two. Remember that Christmas actually means "more of Christ" so from our family to yours...Merry Christmas!

Crock Pot Meatballs

These are very easy to make and extremely tasty. Though the sauce has some unusual ingredients, I promise you that your family will love these. You can make them with 100% ground beef or do pork sausage instead of turkey sausage. Sorry - no picture this time (I hauled them off to our ladies Christmas party and totally forgot!)

1-1/2 lbs of ground beef
1 lb of turkey sausage
2 cups cracker crumbs
2 beaten eggs
1 cup milk
salt and pepper

Mix all together and form balls. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Simmer these items in the crock pot while the meatballs are cooking:
2 bottles chili sauce
10 oz grape jelly
1 cup water

Once meatballs are finished cooking, place them in the crock pot sauce and stir. Simmer for 1-2 hours. 30 minutes before serving, add 8 oz of sour cream and mix well.

This is one of those recipes that is even better warmed up the next day! My husband loves to take the leftovers and put them on a toasted hoagie bun with some provolone cheese and green peppers...yum yum!