we came, we unwrapped, we conquered :)

aaaahhhhhh...

that is the sound of my first breath as I come out of my food coma.

Technically, it is only Christmas Eve but for our immediate family, 'Christmas' has come and gone. As we dig out from the mounds of paper, we realize how immensely blessed we are.

We started the week with a packing frenzy. Tubs EVERYWHERE, counting and creating an inventory for enough books to end up rivaling the Library of Congress. We spent a few days mailing off some things, contacting shipping companies, realizing we now have two unexpected cars to sell and getting ready to spend time with family where we are temporarily helpless to get any NZ stuff done. We did have to take down the awesome floating Christmas tree that Jared made. This doesn't show how cool it is but its the best I've got.

MG and the sister in law rode up with Jared and I. A six hour trip full of shopping, torrential downpours, Finding Nemo and good conversations and we were in Crossville.

The night before we open our Christmas gifts, we do gag gifts. This is a tradition that dad started but this year has been the first official 'everyone exchanges gag gifts'. Now this does not always turn out well for all. Dad is known for wrapping owl pellets, armadillo and toad purses, etc. Needless to say this night is approached with mild trepidation. This year Jared got hillbilly fishing glasses and i got a redneck speaking teddy bear...trying to tell us something?

Jim and Kaley got us both some Jim Tam Slammers. This is a typical package of Tim Tams with a picture of Jim's Shaquille O'Neal Halloween costume pasted on the front. Nice one.

Friday morning, we woke up early to wait on MG to wake from her beauty sleep. An hour and a half later, she made her adorable entrance. Dad (Saba Santa) had stacked a John Deere wagon full of an Orange Crush Christmas tree. Watching MG was so much fun because she understands that her presents are for her to have and she loves it! We hauled it in big. Grammie J and Saba outdid themselves this year. J said this was his best Christmas ever. I think it may have something to do with this wagon riding little cutie.

Christmas Eve dinner at FuFu's with 2 grandparents, 2 uncles and 1 aunt, 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren that would scream every time one of them would turn out the lights. This was not even close to capacity. Following that, a movie night and playing with Jim's old Hot Wheels has become quite a tradition.

This morning, we all got to go to Christmas breakfast. Jim and Kaley never get to be there so it was a treat to share that with them. Musical chairs, old family Christmas videos (good thing Jared and I are already married. lol.) and lots of great food (including my Mema's fried pies.)

Jim and Kaley headed home to make Santa some chocwate chip tookies with MG. That is when the rest began! :) Mom and I chilled while the manly men went fishing.

I say all of this to get the point across that I am a very blessed woman. Family, food, getting things that I actually need for Christmas and the prospect of sales on Monday...who could ask for anything more?! The food onslaught is not over but I am tapping out. However, I will keep my word on introducing the Tim Tam Slam to the Donnelly family tomorrow. Super excited!

Tomorrow, I get to wake up and go with my family to worship my God. I don't celebrate Christmas as the day of Jesus' birth but let me tell you...celebrating Jesus in small ways every day is just as important as celebrating when the world makes it convenient!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

under God.

I just realized today that for 18 years of my life, I have started the morning with the pledge of allegiance to our flag...

...of the United States of America

...and that New Zealand schools obviously wouldn't say the pledge of allegiance to our flag.

As a teacher, I have tried to emphasize the importance of being thankful for the country we live in. I ask my kids to stand and say the pledge. I talk with them about the sacrifices that our men and women have made that gives them the opportunity to have an education.

 When we stand to say the pledge, I put extra gusto on the 'under God' part. I know that He is the only reason that our country is blessed.

My students realized today that tomorrow morning will probably be the last time I get to pledge our flag in a school. They asked me if I was going to miss it.

I had considered this before and still found that the answer was YES.

What I hadn't considered was that the most important part of the pledge are the words 'under God' and that my citizenship lies somewhere else. I am a citizen of God's kingdom.

What a blessing to know that no matter where on this Earth I go, I am 'under God'.

I am under His protection.

I am under His guidance.

I am under His care.

And with this revelation, I am able to say a new pledge.

I pledge allegiance to my God who blessed me to be a citizen of His Kingdom. And to His Word which always stands, One Son who gave His life to give liberty and salvation to all.

Tomorrow, when I stand and put my hand to my heart, I will appreciate it more than ever. I will appreciate the fact that I live in a great country and that I am together in the same place with these children for a moment more. Above all of this, I will appreciate the chance I have been given to be 'under God' now and for eternity.

happies

Okay...I am not sure that 'happies' is actually a word. The thought occurred to me as I was writing it on a bag of notes I am taking in my suitcase. This bag has notes from retreats in college, random notes from roommates, cards from best friends on birthdays, Christmases, etc. gone by. I have a whole ziploc bag full so that I can pull out a funny memory or sweet card if I get to missing everybody at home.

The other day I found a list of what makes me happy. I had written it several years ago and it was stuffed into the pages of a book which incidentally...books make me happy. I thought I would write it into here so that everyone can learn one thing about me.

It's not hard to make me happy because it's the little things that matter.

Here's the list I found although I am sure it will grow. (Notice to reader: Husband is not on there, because I wrote this several years ago but feel free to mentally place him at the top of the list)

1. Snow Cream

2. Rain on the roof especially a tin one

3. a freshly sharpened pencil or a good pen

4. a brand new planner (so full of possibilities)

5. New Zealand

6. belly laughter

7. simple quotes

8. flowers with dew

9. forests that you can't see through

10. the smell of the pages of a brand new book

11. hikes and caving

12. open air markets

13. tomatoes straight out of the garden

14. vintage perfume bottles

15. my grandmother's jewelry

16. standing out of a sunroof

17. stirring cake mixes

18. tractors

19. crepe myrtle blooms

20. singing on a hayride

21. white water rafting

22. BLTs

23. the stars on a crystal clear night

24. the saltwater smell before you even see the ocean

25. the book of Psalms

What makes you happy?

Full Circle

Let me tell you, this weekend shaped up to be pretty great. Early last week, I scored tickets to the Freed-Hardeman benefit dinner. I was excited for Jared and I to have a fun date that involved a place that is very nostalgic to me.

We left Friday after work and made it to the dinner part a little late...due to my having to change, locking ourselves out for the second time in one week, etc. We got to eat in the Main Gym and the food was delicious. Brisket and vegetables with an absolutely divine dark chocolate cake. Judge me if you will...I ate the entire thing! We were able to sit with some lovely friends and enjoy laughter, good conversation and (need I repeat?) excellent cuisine.

A little before 7 my handsome husband and I headed over to the auditorium. We were so excited to see none other than BOB NEWHART!

I knew him from the show 'Newhart' which I watched with my parents as a kid. Jared knew him as 'Papa Elf'...

I knew he was funny on the TV show but I really enjoyed his stand up. I laughed out loud several times and surely (i hope) embarrassed those around me!

An extra awesomeness of the show was when we got to hear Dailey and Vincent, a bluegrass band. I have requested their cd for Christmas and I am hoping Santa comes through.

Before they dismissed us from the auditorium, they asked that we pray together. Jared grabbed my hand and I realized in that moment that I had come full circle. Here I was, sitting in Loyd auditorium holding the hand of the man that I love and praying to our God. It's what I always thought about and envisioned for myself. I am glad I got to share a little bit of Freed with him. It meant a lot.

Even though it was 10:30 when we got out, we spoke to friends and then headed over to see Allison, Adam and the girls. Allison is my best (girl) friend in this world. When we arrived, the girls were wearing their Christmas pajamas that Jared and I got for them. Al is always so good at that. She makes sure that you know she is using what you have given her and that she is thankful for it. We have decided that since we will be celebrating Christmas in NZ on their Christmas Eve, our gift to them will be their Christmas pajamas. That way, they get to either open them on the same day as we open gifts, or at least wear them! I am excited about that. Spending time with Allison and Adam is so effortless and fun. Anyone that knows them would say that too. I gave Allison her Christmas present early which was a hand painted sign with four snow men. (Notice, no picture for a reason). I think she liked it.

Saturday we took it easy and then spent the afternoon and evening in Columbia for the wedding of two of our friends. They made a special effort to come to our wedding. I appreciated that so much and couldn't wait to be at theirs. The reception proved to be reunion time and it was just what I needed. College friends that turn into lifetime friends are the best. Jared finally got to taste what a good wedding cake tastes like and it was delish. From there we shared a hilarious dinner with Jim, Kaley and MG.

Today, I went to worship sans husband. He hasn't felt well today and I hope he gets better soon because I don't like seeing him like this. He is good to me though...he isn't like all other women say their husbands are when they get sick. I thought men were supposed to be big babies, but he isn't. He is awesome. That's why I married him. :)

Movie Time...gotta watch Bob as 'Papa Elf' now that we have seen him in person!!