Life Is Like A Cup Of Coffee! (author unknown)

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Savor the coffee, not the cups! The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

School pictures...

Not sure why I put myself through trials like this...oh yeah, they wanted pictures for the ornaments they made...next time...they can take their own pictures and leave me out of it!  No picture of the teacher...she isn't smiling and has scowl marks on her forehead that are taking some time to dissipate.

A pretty little flower

Her petals are bright and she stands tall...even through the harsh realities of life!  God created her to weather the various storms that will surround her during her short life on earth.  He gave her that extra hardiness to endure the temperature changes, and she continues to hold on...just a little bit longer...  Her job is to bring beauty and glory to the One who created her.  Her stem is strong and her leaves full of life as she draws from rich soil.  Her roots hold her fast and bring her the sustenance that she needs.  There is plenty and it is given as needed.  She lifts her face toward the warmth of the sun.  The beauty is reflected on the outside, because there are life-giving qualities on the inside to sustain her.  As her life comes to an end, her example will be reproduced in the seeds that are sown...a result of her submission to her Creator God and His perfect plan.
I am just like that little flower...a fleck of orange shivering in the breeze that caught my attention this morning...and I was drawn to her.  Thank you, God, for this shivering, bright,  little flower...
I see...
I understand...

Our first measurable snowfall of the year...

Teddy trekked out to the shed this morning to retrieve the shovels out of the shed before the doors freeze shut.  Then he shoveled...mostly the yard...but he shoveled.  Chevy made tracks this morning...at 4:45 a.m.  Waking up to the pitter patter of little feet by the back door, being slammed in the face with cold, and waiting for him to take care of business...not my idea of a nice wake-up call!  It is still very dark then...all creatures should still be sleeping!  We are going to have a little chat that dog and I...after he wakes up from his morning nap!

It was a long afternoon...

but we got it done!  Silver, red, and white are the colors this year! 
 I could not have done this without three wonderful helpers (plus the two cleaning helpers who took care of all the little artificial needles) and my three energetic children (they were our runners)!  It really is beautiful...and we didn't spend a dime!  All three trees were given to the church...the 9 foot pre-lit monster caused us some difficulties as we are missing the base.  Thanks to the male helper...we couldn't have done it without him!  It leans a little...and I hope to find it still upright on Sunday...for those who run into it or around it...it may eat them! hee hee
***update on 12/7/09  The trees were still standing and everything is so beautiful with all the lights on!***

Yummy in the tummy!

It is snowing this morning...which makes the kids happy!  The oven is baking a batch of yummy cookies...which makes everyone happy!  I don't know why I am so happy about it...maybe because I feel I was being frugal...maybe because it is so easy...maybe it is because I know my family will enjoy them...
Cake Mix Cookies
1 boxed mix any flavor or brand you like
1 large egg
1/4 cup veg. oil
1/4 cup water
1 cup of any add-ins you like (choc. chips, peanut butter chips, M&Ms, nuts, oatmeal, dried fruit, etc.)
Mix well by hand as the batter will be thick.  Add your choice of add-ins.  Mix to combine.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Drop batter by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 15 min.
Enjoy!!! 
Our house smells divine this morning...a little incentive to get busy on the schoolwork!  Then we can go decorate the church...'cause we have yummy cookies to give the job a sweet ending!

We all agree...

today would be a good day to just curl up in bed...and stay there!  Some days are like that...we just can't avoid our responsibilities and realities of life.  Oh...the life of a dog...he has it pretty good, I'd say!  He didn't have to leave for work, he didn't have to start his own shower, he didn't have to get up, he doesn't have to make meals, he doesn't...
He just sleeps...and eats...and...waits for another opportunity to sabotage the lady of the house!

My Brother and Sister

Hunter Extraordinaire!  He has the most interesting stories!  And he goes to the most unique lengths to get them!  Montana being the most recent...and he got his mule deer!  The coyote was just target practice.

Administrative Assistant Extraordinaire! It is always fun to hear from Marit...her stories are always filled with her funny flair!  I "heard" from both of them this morning via email and it makes me miss them...just a little! 

Oh...Christmas Tree, Oh...Christmas Tree...How lovely are your branches!

The coziness of Christmas settled upon our house yesterday in a flurry of activity!  The kids went to work with an energy I only wish they would use when cleaning their rooms!  We, being me, set up the tree in the familyroom during morning break.  After our afternoon work and errands, they buzzed around putting up ornaments, stockings, candles, snowmen, Christmas towels, mugs...and everything looks so festive!  Only a few short years ago, I was smacking little hands for touching the very things they so carefully arranged!

Ashlynn set out all the snowmen and arranged and rearranged "till it was just right"!  The best part of the afternoon...answering all the questions about "Where did you get this ornament?"  "Whose is this one...yours or Daddy's?"  "Who gave me my first baby ornament?"  "Do you remember when I made this in school?"
That is what Christmas is...memories! 
A memory of one night, so long ago, Jesus Christ...born in a manger to be the Savior of the world.  A personal memory of the time I accepted that free gift of salvation.  A family memory...traditions that bring excitement in anticipation as a child...and tears of remembrance in old age.  A memory of gatherings...at Grandma's house, with friends, at church, at home.  A memory of the little things...the bag of sweets, nuts, and fruit handed out at church...smell of candles on Christmas Eve...caroling at the nursing home...fondue.
A memory of programs...how little the kids were when they first went up to sing Away In the Manger with the cute little motions.  Memories caught on film...the yearly pictures of friends and families.  Sweet memories...gingerbread house building that first year...when the jar of sprinkles spilled ALL over and then the next year catching the kids sitting on the table taking bites out of the house.  A favorite recipe pulled out every year...a memory of those yummy cookies that Gram always made...then Mom...now me.  A first date memory...Ted took me to the Splendor and Majesty of Christmas, driving to look at lights, and a stop for coffee and cheesecake...and he has dazzled me ever since.  Memory of the first Christmas in our first home...the apartment with a fake tree...then our home with a fresh-cut by Ted tree.  I have so many memories...I need to write them down I suppose...the kids want to know these things!
To quote Jo, from Little Women, "Christmas just won't be Christmas without any presents..." 
I say..."Christmas just won't be Christmas without any memories!"  And our taking the time to stop and enjoy the memories of each year...and then share them with our children. 
It was interesting to me yesterday...not once was a word spoken about gifts being received through the years...it was all about what we did, where we did it, who was there, and "did you do that when you were little?"!
I want to focus on the memories we have...and create more...and we did that yesterday...and it was a joy!

Miss Alisa thought it was ok to stuff clothes under her bed...

dirty or clean...we were not sure!  So she earned herself a chance to do their laundry today.  I should have taken a picture of their overflowing bucket that was just emptied, washed, folded, and put away on Saturday.  It was my undoing...truly.
She has learned to fill up the washer, turn it on, measure the soap...close the lid.  As I flipped the first load to the dryer, she asked, "Hey, Mom, do you want me to start the next batch?" 
There is always something to make me giggle and find joy in training them to do the basics of life! 
We will see how much energy she exerts during the folding process!

"I know you don't feel like it right now...but I can tell..."

He deserves a kiss for those encouraging words!  Yesterday...wasn't as fun as some days!  I was whining about it last night in response to Ted's words of encouragement.  "You are a good Mom!  You are doing a good job."  I didn't say thank you..."I don't feel like I am being very successful...especially when I walk into the messy rooms...when I have to keep harping about the same things...when I have to give you a bad report of behavior that you have to deal with after a long day..."

And then he said..."I know you don't feel like it right now...but I can tell...all that hard work is making a difference...whether you can see it or not!  Be glad we are doing it now...because later...well...it would just be a bigger mess and maybe too late!  Just keep being consistent...but for now...go to sleep...it will be better in the morning...trust me!"

I am thankful for Ted's encouraging words!  And...he is right...I do feel better this morning.  And the kids are doing what they are to be doing...in the right way...at the right time!  It makes all the difference when Daddy speaks, acts, and encourages!

Trust me...I know!

Happy December 1...with 50 degree temps!

Yummy...french toast bake!A new calendar month to fill in with stickers.Festive decor and lights in place.A place for treats!  But we have to be good to get a treat!  No sticks...I mean, can't lose all our gingerbread men!