This week, we
FINALLY got the Christmas juices flowing.
The main tree was up, but now Marcus has a tree of his own in his room,
there’s a wreath on our door, garland is up, and *MOST* presents are wrapped
and under the tree. I also put out the
Christmas books for us to read to and with Marcus that help explain the true
Christmas story.
But I’ll tell you
what. Satan is the great deceiver and
distracter. He’s good at taking my focus
off Jesus and putting it on my “to-do” list.
As a card-carrying member of the type-A club, I struggle with this
daily. I want to have our house in
perfect order, clothes clean and put away in their proper place, and a
well-balanced, home-cooked meal at least 5 nights a week. I want to keep Mark’s bread route papers
organized and labeled with the correct dates, log the salon receipts each day
and keep up with who sold what and how much, and I really need to plan the
Christmas luncheons for both Bella Chic and Headlines. In addition, in an ideal “want” world, I want
a clean car, to have next year’s church nursery schedule already made out,
volunteers for Kids Kitchen lined up, and have my Son Seekers lessons already
printed with coordinating crafts ready to go.
I want so badly to create Christmas cards and send them to all 100
people in both our extended families(if that happens, that’ll only be a miracle
from God above). On TOP of everything,
Marcus’ homeschooling lessons need ample time each day, creative ideas to
showcase new letters and their sounds, and I want seasonal ideas to synchronize
with what I’m teaching him. Oh, did I
mention I try to go to the gym 2-3 times a week? My metabolism isn’t the same as it used to be
in college…
Why do I say all
that? Because this is just the tip of
the iceberg of what goes on in this crazy head of mine constantly, specifically
today. What does reality look like? Piles of laundry, heaps of mixed up papers,
dishes and bottles overflowing from the sink onto the kitchen counter,
exhaustion setting in, children disillusioned and fussy, while NOTHING really
getting done.
So I had an epiphany today. Why not prioritize and do one thing
well. Even if it’s just ONE thing. I took the boys to the gym and had a long
list of places to go and things to do afterwards. I decided to just come home. After all, I’m a “home-maker,” right? Since we’re studying the letter I this week,
I got out the play-doh and helped Marcus make blocks so we could build an
igloo. I ripped up my Type-A Club card
and even let him mix the play-doh colors.
Eek! After I put Titus down for a
nap we played a game of farm animal memory and it was as if I had a new
child. He was joyous, polite, and
content. Not whinny, fussy, and complaining.
I’m starting
today to get my act together, but only where it really counts. Earthly speaking, I’m going to put my
immediate family first and the rest will fall into place. And if it doesn’t – oh well. The looks of disappointment and dismay from
others doesn’t compare to the sweetness I see in the eyes of the man I love or
our two boys. I need to properly care for
Mark, Marcus, and Titus, teach and be The Gospel to them, and work on the rest
with whatever is left over. I’ve never
been so disorganized, messy, and late for appointments in all my life. Yet, I’ve not ever been filled with such joy
from the Holy Spirit, had a heart overflowing with love for my three boys, and
I’ve never let myself have this much fun.
Christmas can be stressful for many.
But for me and my house, it’s a fun time to point back to the birth of
our Savior! Merry Christmas, y’all!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQeCcFv4BFNDs_DjFlwjD-Crk6vSSmdzBD7f-umrrU6N2IygMzC1TseO652RLqgTIvJ3xVwR4ZAVgIPzst69w0uLI7k03FIL_58bNCDgJTZXet04xhlpe4UkLzWNIJ1xzwKF-GBy5_FE/s1600/007.JPG) |
I got a new app on my phone and it's way fun! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwYOHkNGwkUKIAvzQvyeQxUoAhszzYyaIXSBg5s9gXRL6fqLaR2mlv4ZZUiRzhJOhPnRGOf7Pu8Hqd_3cNYFLcjme4dPMEzIwyl8P0MmT-YdXreJoyoqLXHeNA5ub6wCCO76pS4Piops/s1600/006.JPG) |
Sweetest, most precious smile around. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn7qIbpYZP0nj3X7dOUp39Y4dz2800CMdGibBLZx5O7Zqv2rsIsB6PXSGRJWMRhUEyA0FtDYOo70w6zSP8kwFSldPegp4XgaWTgeze4-p4DHDKNnPheVtLKu9qRzvoSr1QnGtyI2pisY/s1600/011.JPG) |
Good Morning, Mr. Snowman. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tl92V0qZqFH3uuN8hUhKR0EGLMzbr4nuntS72qjPu7ft7pLcGRnPO-R_ocUAkMV0LULkQPaWSe__xh2yxQC7QSoFko20NL3G7AiJS11GP3Rjpt5dX3wBujuNSXhX0mEdr4-V-UaXhWo/s1600/006.JPG) |
Look who has two bottom teeth!!! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UBQsNcfoTzUwy6bqLZ2fusEuLCWSrDzsQ0aXgLJ1ymSgAN_YQ_mD8_p5dyYIIsSHG9QNYRhKH4elHwmm8jLYBD50DZnHMH2tX_VZQ7tpcQKRJIDToC1CifwzvBPhP8DYYZg8ET4gd0M/s1600/017.JPG) |
We enjoyed time with Granddad Bolen yesterday. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TwhXNT_-gGA2eq59GcbD_rc3_eaUHA6QPUmKThnDLZqQgC9VXHKh45ps0coW8nnReiDA97sIlQxHXLHEofqy7PchPbeKzY2uBy0OZEi5bMZYSgrATV-vbd4pH9I6V72vNJ-9g_eilXs/s1600/024.JPG) |
I is for ice cream. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBmjfPN53ylAPDibet6GZiqY70d_4VEgpTALPqAnVWlSvfeCbCNiSJmGs94hN-MJtSShyELd0-EggZZJ4nHavbeCUFRXYFg1_zAl0QCBguN9ez4pMjZpWLDsp2TNFjngrg0r5NebXWjc/s1600/026.JPG) |
Who needs a spoon? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3_urrWgEkk9a2dlTGrI5jJ4boaT8yTBmeEAdXWheioxh5rI8WKpigiRyyC7BqOv1Sno1XkU19CXWvOIvU0V-Y-T2AsktrvQTRIYZDaQaKcw5Uo4tm73HYVpCWYw6gQv2jcEuTdy8Ccc/s1600/031.JPG) |
This morning, cuddling in Big Brother's bed. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35YtDbd_eYwfUV4i8Oi1tHy1reuercivgr4gzwxw4BSGA1o2RGAEaS_hkmiC5LetccL_3xEmhwOkbDXNY3s5JtnVon5s5TlO-AxqxZ8b_3nRD5PAo38uu11r_bFkiREnt9D3pZSpEyxs/s1600/042.JPG) |
Waking up quietly, while looking at the colorful Christmas lights. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls4ecosxocKcYCzqALdh4qFARv4ym-R_rGI6xdz3d5jIx0W6BFv0TzpgLwGtAi7DAvPcc3930vb32mSWR47Advl0gk2xqOxWY4mpzh8m4QsJ9HTFWzXQbQLMpRrHdyVkPHKpWJyiztqY/s1600/044.JPG) |
Making an igloo. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pNP9yNG9vezzaCIov1nQ1HRpBNX0MHMPx1WH6wLIYF6BETQvV2M3uz5x-NogPKQQq_IZ8uslVI7k-uTP5NBxpjFIjNlzSmrzSTChMQIdAxk6vfWioeL-vrf6TRWEbE7uprs1QccyFG0/s1600/045.JPG) |
If there ever was a "right" way to make cookies - this is it. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzV16i6cWIY4RdrZEGKT_G1l45aQa-b7fNOA4HYQv9jeuQK-ZptElMIEBHR_vtVK1PWeRmgsFD2bZowDc98ZKbTq69H3Ds1Cu7brlg0K_L8X9mCj2LbsEepUgEytz6RMXSjVEx5c1N0o/s1600/057.JPG) |
Titus, Granddad, and Marcus |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zxv5gXtEvYgqOZhrg8XAmAvB8AbmGF-7MLZCZOn09L7vhyu40ZtL1ZMDkbXaOhJlnru0XJ7uGTKXF-PuRg-xkZRilkPgXmDJcWKBxPW9_Jff__HWYTijywZxEWVixhr-tNiCpKJ-iV8/s1600/058.JPG) |
Me and my two boys! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYKFvl6fl5W9bXhzbXFxN5BNCFOD0wXbPrBN1g2Xv8o0hcuthcx6_BqaNbRJdGoh2Has4Wk7fiPpg4byoVy4qy008bJEhTyYcWXKjjLwcbUuzCyuT5iYKzcqq3dXl-P-rH_D2jV8Vt54/s1600/062.JPG) |
Marcus took this picture. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmkblYKgkXcTeHzB8_XrfXdg0Rj4t4vpFKFm-SCimaKmjVAqCIRAcqPjPRlRMDlfhul_I5NdDPViOPIHrUhyphenhyphenWtBJtd7mxQy_FSbyQ7ksexOax9V1BDwRZyZPhHubNArrvCPmlR_HDqXw/s1600/086.JPG) |
I is for igloo, too! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY_X9azS0bHxnjNUSEtUVoqZlOgFhAnTAFQEEiXaMjdzsqNcIrGYtpQyYDiEQZBOU2_CK2xOs-aRh5ybGuEESRCBRQ4RuhFDtoD8tLq13u6GyK7YuwblNpoZModb4QtzV5DOwfPyKn1M/s1600/088.JPG) |
Goofy face. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSxXxPGEZphI1OftyRFXLwUzZqoz3nIaloi6aPx4bjWZhueshd4sJU44sy-gSRYy2HoL5qfZ6OQtIiW7TWgVsI-orczS-dnrvnpKsbQP6hHqAu1MvFL9iI2dKyHNwYB-0wTir72mcxMA/s1600/085.JPG) |
Ta-daa! |