On the fifth day of December...

We had our first rehearsal...

and the sets will work appropriately!

A few little kinks to be worked out...and the silouettes to be cut out.

I will snap a couple pictures of the children during our dress rehearsal next Sunday.  The girls will be in their Christmas finery and the boys will be our shepherds.

"I thought this was our resting day," said Ashlynn.

                                                Teddy experienced his preparation for basketball, then spent the day with Papa...and Grandma...and Aunt Sara.  He told them that he was glad to get away (from home...from Mom...from his sisters!).

Actually, we were so busy decorating and such that the girls didn't get a chance to play in the snow till dark!  They had fun shoveling, making snow angels, and making tracks all over the yard.

They came in...cold  and hungry!  I found a wonderful use for flavored half and half!!!  French vanilla...cinnamon french toast!  It is perfect...and the sugar that is in it carmelizes as it cooks!  A perfect supper for a busy day. 

We will rest tomorrow...after Sunday School and junior church and dinner!

I asked the Lord for a coat and a pair of jeans...

I had a friend once say, "I asked the Lord to help me find such and such at the thrift store.  It seemed so small and insignificant, but He provided!"  I know I don't always think to ask for His help in little things like this, but I honestly didn't want to pay full price for something that will be grown out of before it is barely worn.  So...I asked for the Lord's provision today...in this small need...and we headed to our favorite thrifting spot. He gave us a coat, snowpants, jeans, some miscellaneous needs...and sheep...for the program!  I am thankful for the privilege of going to my Father for specific needs...now matter how little or big.  He always takes care of each need and always adds an extra special blessing!  This time it came in the form of three sheep! 

I am so excited to see this all come together...and my little lambie loves were such great helpers!  What a blessing to see her little face popping up while I snapped the picture!  God has been so good to us...His sheep!

Look what I got!

Thanks, cousin, for picking me for your special give away!!!  The special package arrived today...safely!

There was a cute, little owl watching out for such a delightful prize!

"I thought we were set..."

and that is where I always go wrong!  We should have tried things on!  What was a little big...is now too small!  So...we will go out in the snow to find bigger sizes...today...while the snow is falling.  sigh
I get so focused on the details of what is right now and tomorrow, that I forget to plan for the details of the new seasons...coats, boots, and stuff like that.  Thank the Lord for modern stores...that stock these sorts of things...for mothers like me.

Proverbs 31:21 "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet."

UFF DA!  I seemed to have overlooked this verse.  I guess I am still learning...my weaknesses!

Friday Night = Date Night This Week

We went to a Christmas concert and then a late night supper.  It was a blessing to hear these men sing...Gentle Shepherd, How Big Is God?, O Holy Night, White Christmas,

Carol of the Bells, and many more. 

I am thankful for the "short notice" dates and the people who make them happen!  Auntie Sara came to hang out with the kids.  I had worn the kids out and they were happy to cuddle up under the blankets and watch Christmas movies.  As we walked out the door, they hollered, "Stay gone a long time!" 

When we came out of the concert, it had begun to snow.  AWWWW...How romantic!  Let's go eat!

Ted and I noticed another couple sitting on the same side of a booth.  "Oh, is that what you are supposed to do on a date?" asked Ted.  "Oops."  It got us to talking about our dating days.  By the way, our first date was in the first week of December...AWWWW, it is almost like we had an anniversary date last night!  Anyway...we never sat next to each other...we always sat across from each other, so we could see each other.  We still do that today.  It is always fun to go on dates...doing something special or just being close enough to talk and hold a hand!

On the fourth day of December...

the snow is falling down...and all we want to do is curl up!

We do enjoy our fluffy blankets!  And a chance to sleep a little later!  

 BUT...we have to go out...because Teddy is going to try his hand at basketball and the evaluation is this morning.   So...we will enjoy the first snowy-road adventure of the season with all the local drivers...

FA LA LA LA LA LA!

**In discussing the plan for the morning, Teddy was "not wanting his sisters there".  We called Grandma trying to "ditch the girls"...and now Papa is going to take Teddy.  "Guys only."  You should have seen his eyes light up!  Thanks to our Papa and his bright, red pickup sleigh!**

A helpful word of advice...

I would not suggest starting out the morning unwrapping burned-out lights from pine garlands.  It seemed like a good idea at the time...the children working on school...and me...sitting at my desk with my cup of coffee...swapping out old lights for new...

bad decision!  Fake needles covered the floor, cold coffee, scratched hands, twisted aggravating wires...and then my phone would ring with a funny Christmas tune letting me know my sister was texting.  An attempt at multi-tasking?!  Ho ho ho 

Not sure that doing this job later in the day would help either.  I'm thinking of suggesting pre-lit garland and trees!  For now...I am counting on these lights to last a couple years.  And Mar, you'll be happy to know, the lights made it to their respected garlands and trees evenly, if not perfectly, distributed in true interior design fashion!  Ha ha ha

On the third day of December...

three cups of cocoa...

coffee break for Mom...

and our ornaments for the Christmas tree!

On the second day of December...

two waiting trees...waiting to be fluffed, lighted, and decked out...

by our three little loves!

The accumulation of dust is being wiped off and swept up as we put out Christmas...I am sneezing as proof.  It's the most wonderful time of the year...it is time for the good, six-month deep dusting event.  We prefer to watch the falling of white dust to the grey dust! 

Heard an old-time preacher this morning...

"How to make America great? 

Mothers, start with the little Americans that live in your home!"

a paraphrase of what he said... 

"You can't teach in your home, when you are never at home! The school, the church, and the home once worked together...not so today!  The devil got after the preacher in the church.  He quit preaching on how we ought to live according to God's laws. Schools decided to do things apart from the Good Book and have removed prayer and the 10 Commandments from the classrooms  The devil got after the leader of the home.  The home has gotten out of order...because Daddy has taken a casual approach and isn't reading his Bible to his family.  Is it any wonder that the Mommy has gotten out of God's order?  The devil got after the mother...and she's out of the home.  The devil wants the girls of our homes.

What's wrong with America?  We have dropped the standards found in God's Word and the only direction that we have gone is down!   How can it be fixed?  Daddies need to start reading God's Word and raising the standard in the home...and Mommies need to follow...and children need to follow..."

WOW!  We don't hear preaching like this anymore!  We, Mommies, get our feathers all ruffled when we hear preachers preach like this.  Too bad...if we could get a grip on the truth of God's Word...it would make our lives more restful and peace-filled!  We don't like to hear the truth of God's Word, because we see our failures and hear how lame our excuses are!  We think we know better than the preachers...know better than the God who created us!  Sad.

The preacher who preached this...Lester Roloff...who worked for years to pick up the shattered pieces of lives.  He knew first-hand the devastation that hits homes.  Our marriages fall apart...our children fall apart...because we never go to the One who has the answers!  We think we know it all.  We are mistaken.  The evidence of our lack of commitment to God and His laws is seen in our churches, schools, and homes.
Our homes are not exempt...not where the devil is concerned! 
I wonder what it will take to get our attention!
So, Dad...what about you, Mom...who are you going to be mad at today? 
The preachers...the devil...sin...or God. 
It got my attention...

Happy December First! And the start of our traditional song...

On the first day of December...came our first measurable snowfall!  A light dusting...so far.  I can measure dust at my house...so I will count this dusting as legitimate!  Ho ho ho!

 Now that is one way to celebrate the beginning of December!  And we have hopes of more snow at the end of the week...well, the kids have high hopes!