"Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Writing Well"
Know what I love about this video? Aside from the fact that it’s my firstborn learning to propel himself backward?
The sheer JOY on Dude’s face. I LOVE watching babies’ expressions – it’s like they have so much joy and wonder bottled up inside them they can barely contain it – it just seems to explode out of them.
Also? The whole “da da” thing? ANNOYING. Sorry about that. *sigh*
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(Glee “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”)
Except for these guys, they were pretty awesome. 😀
When we received the information sheet about the Christmas parade from the band director on Thursday, it said that our kids were number 23!!!. We couldn’t understand why there were so many exclamation points behind that number – 23?!? That sounds like they were near the end of the parade to me. Why would he be happy about that??
We dropped Jazz off at the rendezvous point around 12:30 today, then me, Kevin and Dude went to Starbucks to grab some coffee (well, Dude and Kevin got coffee, I bought an apple cider because I had already had my allotted cup o’ joe for the day). Our intention was to make it back in time to watch our kids “step off”, but we were too late, they were gone.
No worries. We just parked at the end of the parade route and waited for them to show up.
When the parade started, I admit, I got excited. We haven’t been to a parade since the boys were little (Jazz was still in a stroller!) and I had forgotten how fun they were.
Only our parade? Was kind of lame, if you want the truth. And I was a little disappointed. All we saw were businesses and cops – not that cops aren’t exciting but … okay, fine. Cops aren’t all that exciting.
Though we DID see a concrete truck at one point so I suppose I shouldn’t complain all THAT much. *snort*
Anyway. Our kids marched by and as usual, they put on a fun show for the crowd.
Since we were at the end of the line, we just walked with them and stood by while they dispersed, collected Jazz and started home.
Was that it? I thought. We didn’t see anything after our kids came by so we just assumed that was the whole parade. But I suspect we only actually saw ONE FOURTH of the actual parade. I know for a fact there were several other schools that were scheduled to be in the parade that we didn’t see.
So that 26 our band director was excited about? Makes sense now. We were actually considered at the FRONT of the parade – there was so much more after us.
The guys were ready to leave and Jazz was pretty tired by the time it was over. I could have stayed and watched the rest of it, but I was out voted, so we drove home.
At least Jazz has marched in a parade now and can add that to his bag o’ experiences.
*Side note: A Coca-Cola truck rolled by at one point and they had people handing out soda. Kevin and I just looked at each other and raised our eyebrows. Then Dude noticed that it was DIET soda, which made it so much better, don’t you know. We burst out laughing. Only in America.
Let the festivities begin!!
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(Amy Grant “A Christmas to Remember”)
I don’t dislike sweet potatoes, but I don’t go out of my way to eat them, either. The only time I ever eat them is at Thanksgiving, or whenever Kevin is having a craving and makes them on the grill. (Which is actually not half bad, quite honestly).
You’re going to totally sing this song the rest of the day, aren’t you. HA! You’re welcome.
So. People. How was your Thanksgiving?!? Good? I hope so. If not, then I’m sorry. 😦
We had Thanksgiving over at my sister-in-law’s this year. We rotate dinners every year between Kevin and his two sisters. Last year we hosted, this year it was at Kevin’s oldest sister’s turn and next year, his youngest sister will host. Though I really stress out whenever it’s at our house, I really like this rotation schedule because it takes the pressure off one person having to host it every year.
I had a headache. It was a combination of too much caffeine and not enough sleep. I’m afraid we cut our day sort of short because of it. The food was scrumptious, though. My SIL made some sort of Waldorf salad and WOW. We’ll have to make it a family tradition. She had SO MUCH FOOD, but we were feeding SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE that by the time the afternoon rolled around, the table was pretty much empty.
We are so blessed to have such wonderful families. No drama. No grudges (that I know of!). We all pretty much agree on politics and religion (sort of). We’re not perfect, but we are certainly blessed.
We’re putting our Christmas tree and outside lights up today. Will post more later!
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(Glee Christmas – “We Need a Little Christmas”)
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas – no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ‘Holiday’.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears*
*You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s become “cool” to diss Christians nowadays. Why is that? Are non-Christians threatened by our God? Are non-Christians jealous that we have hope in this dismal world? Is it because they don’t understand what Christianity is? Is it because some Christians have given the faith a bad name over the years?
All of the above?
I could go into a long, detailed post about how people have become scared to admit they are Christians in this day and age, but I won’t. And here’s why:
Because Lindsay, from Suburban Turmoil, says it SO much better than I do.
And please, read the comments – they’re relevant, interesting and many “opposing” readers have valid points.
It all boils down to this: RESPECT. For each other, and for differing points of view.
And it’s no longer “cool” to make fun of Christians. Because I believe Christians have finally had enough. And they’re starting to stand up and defend themselves. And more and more people are waking up to realize that these non-Christian people who take the time and exert their energy to say, act and/or blog disparaging comments about Christianity are being exposed for the bitter, sad, lost, angry people that they are.
Is this an excuse to shun them?
Hardly.
It’s a silent cry for guidance, kindness and help that we, as Christians, have been called upon to offer them. If they reject our help, then that is their decision, but it is our responsibility as Christians to be the bigger person in this evil, corrupt world and offer a helping hand to those that are willing to accept it.
You can’t please everyone. IT. IS. IMPOSSIBLE. All you, me, and other Christians can do, is stand firm in our beliefs and be available if they need us.
I am a Christian. I am not afraid to admit that fact. I stand up for what I believe. And if people believe differently than I do, then that is their choice. I will not make fun of them or belittle what they believe. I have the freedom to disagree, and I’m not afraid to voice that disagreement in a rational, kind, and respectful way. Disagreeing does not mean I’m dismissing their views/opinions. It does not mean I’m making fun of their views/opinions, it means I disagree.
It’s as simple as that.
Please realize that if you’re one of those people who make a habit of snarling at Christians – we, the WORLD, see right through you.
Think about it.
And God loves you. Whether you accept that fact or not.
Sometimes we complain that God put thorns on Roses. Yet others will rather say that God is good to have placed Roses among the thorns. In both cases we shall however be thankful for the roses. ~Kurt Avish
(Actually. God gave the world to Adam and Eve as a gift. Adam and Eve then fell for Satan’s tricks and transferred ownership of the world to Satan. Before Satan came along, roses didn’t HAVE thorns).
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God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~William A. Ward
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Be aware of what you have in hand rather than to be for what you don’t. Everyone will be grateful to what you have.” ~Kurt Avish
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I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy. ~Anne Frank
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A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. ~Cicero
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Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie
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As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
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The things that we most of the time take for granted are always those that deserve our gratitude. Be thankful to that thing or person today and make every day of the year a personal Thanksgiving one. ~ Kurt Avish
Really – what more can I say?
Have a blessed day, Internet.
http://twitter.com/#!/writefromkaren/status/139738618364305408
Are you frea-king kidding me?!?
How cool is this table?!?
And how cool is it that my NIECE is the one who transformed this old, worn-out table, into something beautiful??
She’s trying to start a business of refinishing old furniture …
You go girl.
Write From Karen 