December 25th, 2005

Merry Christmas

I've been trying to stay focused on the meaning of Christmas this year.... the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It's so easy to get caught up in the gift giving, decorations, baking and family. And those things are all wonderful but somehow the truest meaning gets lost in all of that. I thought I was doing well this year reminding the girls that we are celebrating Jesus' Birthday and that that needs to be in the forefront of their minds. I was wondering if they were hearing everything I've been telling and them and so last night I flat out asked D'arrica "Hey, why are we celebrating Christmas?" And she jumped up and down screaming "Because Santa is coming!! Santa is coming!!" LOL The truth is........ that really is what makes the season magical for them. I remember when I was a little girl I LOVED Christmas. It wasn't just about Santa and recieving presents but that everyone always seemed so happy at Christmas time. There was a spirit of happiness and love all around. That is what stands out most in my mind as a child. My mom went to great lengths to make Christmas magical and she did an awesome job! I always new the true meaning but everything else that came along with it was wonderful too! Decorating, singing carols, spending time with family, giving to others and enjoying being blessed by others. I think Jesus knows our hearts and he loves seeing us take this time of year to bless others, spend time with family and just be happy and enjoy the season. We are his children and what's better than seeing your children love and enjoy eachother? Happy Birthday, Jesus!! And Merry Christmas to all!!

A Homeschool Christmas Party!!

A Homeschool Christmas Party!

Casie and I decided it was only fair that we do a 'Homeschool Christmas Party' since all the kids at school get to. She will be getting to take a Christmas break from homeschool (and I as well, phew!) so today is the last day of school until Jan. 3rd! Our party turned out well and I hope she had fun with it. She seemed to but sometimes I feel bad that she's missing out on the school parties with friends. She really doesn't seem to mind though and always tells me she loves doing it at home. What a sweetie! We started our party with Christmas Cupcakes! Yummy! Walmart does a great job! LOL After cupcakes we put together Christmas puzzles in a race. Casie won -- Of course!! And don't think I gave her any slack. I was working that puzzle hard! But to no avail she beat me by about 15 pieces!! After puzzles, I told the girls the traditional story of why we hang and eat candy canes for Christmas while they hung them on the tree. Here is the story I read to them.

A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols from the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Unfortunately, the candy became known as a Candy Cane -- a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear." Every time you see a Candy Cane, remember the Wonder of Jesus and His Great Love that came down at Christmas, and that His Love remains the ultimate and dominant force in the universe today.

After candy canes, I had them go in seperate rooms and gave each of them a gift for the other to wrap. They then met under the Christmas Tree and exchanged thier gifts. This was really fun and they LOVED giving eachother presents. Casie got Curious George UNO and D'arrica got Dora playing cards.

I've been tagged

Amanda over at Baby and Mom Blog tagged me so here it goes!

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was a single mom, living in an efficiency apartment in Jackson. Shelby was 2 1/2 and I was pregnant with Casie. Worked as a telemarketer at Rainsoft.

What were you doing 1 yr ago?
Moving into our new home and getting married! Working my home business, Melaleuca, really hard.

Five snacks you enjoy.
1. Chocolate!!

2. Doritos

3. Cheez Its

4. Bananas

5. Oreos with milk

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics
1. Angel by Sarah McClachlan
2. Lover Of Mine by Alannah Myles
3. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. LOL

4. Friends by Michael W. Smith

5. I will be here by Steven Curtis Chapman

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire

1. Give 10% to JRA or a Christian charity or charities.
2. Pay off all debts for myself, parents, and siblings of myself and my hubby.
3. Put enough into a savings account for my kids that they would be able to go to college.
4. Buy a new home and car!!

5. Invest in my business.

Five bad habits.
1. Unhealthy eating.
2. Overeating.
3. Popping my knuckles
4. Picking at my face.
5. Picking at my feet. (I know.. gross.)

Five things you like doing.
1. Spending time out and about with my kids.
2 Reading!!!
3. Taking pictures.

4. Cooking.
5. Watching Reality TV. (maybe this should be in the bad habit section?)

Five things you would never wear, buy or get new again.
1. Belly shirts.
2. Tapered jeans!
3. Bodysuits.
4. Mini skirts.
5. Banana Clip!

Five favorite toys.

1. Camera
2. Computer.
3. Cable.
4. Cats
....... Whoa! Look at all the C's!!!!!!!!

5. Notebook and pen.

5 people I am tagging to do this are........
1. Mom
2. Dawn
3. Manda Jo
4. Shawndra
5. Kendra and anyone else who wants to!
(Doesn't have to be via a blog. You can do it through email.)

New Cat Pictures

Photo Contest Wins

We've won some photo contests lately! Just wanted to share! :)