Audrey’s Gift

Last night we bundled up the pups – grabbed a blanket and jumped in the truck to go and look at Christmas lights.  It was cozy and warm in the cab and we found some fun Christmas music to listen to on the local radio station.

Sometimes there are no words to describe how perfect an evening can be.  And so I have posted this next song so you can hear and experience a little of what we did last night.

Merry Christmas – God Bless

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Love Is Christmas

Here is one of my favorite new Christmas songs

Enjoy and God Bless

Published on Dec 22, 2012 by Sarah Bareilles

I don’t care if the house is packed,
Or the strings of light are broken.
I don’t care if the gifts are wrapped,
Or if there’s nothing here to open.

Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it.
Love is simply joy that I’m home.

I don’t care if the carpet’s stained; we got food upon our table.
I don’t care if it’s gonna rain, our little room is warm and stable.
Love is who we are, and no season can contain it.
Love would never fall for that.

Let love lead us, love is Christmas.

Why so scared that you’ll mess it up? Imperfection keeps you haunted.
All you need is your best my love, that’s all anyone ever wanted.
Love is how we do, let no judgment over- rule it.
Love I look to you, and I sing.

Let love lead us, love is Christmas.
Let love lead us, love is Christmas.

Day 31 – Elf

One of the best holiday movies ever made – if you haven’t seen “Elf” you need to stop everything you’re doing this Christmas and WATCH IT! Laugh out loud comedy – you’ll come to know ALL the dialogue in it and look forward to seeing it every year!

Enjoy and God Bless!

Day 21 – Noel

I have had this Christmas movie in my collection for a few years now – and have loved it since the first time I watched it. It is a story of miracles, angels and hope in desperate circumstances. Starring Susan Sarandon and the very lovely Penelope Cruz – with a few lovely twists and surprises – such as a guest appearance from Robin Williams – I’m sure you will agree – they don’t get much better than this one.  Below is a sneak preview – hope you enjoy it!

God Bless!

Countdown to Christmas

10 days until Thanksgiving

Image by paparutzi via Flickr

41 days until Christmas

48 days until 2012

What do these days really mean for you?  Does it scare you to hear the actual time left to shop and prepare?  Do you have a tradition every holiday?  Are they just another day to you – or do you celebrate in style?  Do you have a favorite tradition or memory?

Thanksgiving is my favorite time – usually spent with family and friends over the years in our home – and also wonderful because of the food and the leftovers!  However this year we are going to our daughter’s home to help them celebrate their first Thanksgiving in their new home.

Christmas Eve we always spend with our kids going to a movie and then eating and opening gifts in the evening with them.  This year Christmas Day will have to be spent in our home due to our new puppy.

We usually don’t celebrate the new year with any special dinner or event – but I know many who do.  In years gone by – New Year’s Eve was a very special all-night event usually spent with our church youth group.  Now we’re just happy to go to bed – we are old and boring now 🙂

I’d love to hear your story and what you will be up to this year – in the holiday season.

God Bless

Christmas Memories

Image by ex.libris via Flickr

I was inspired by a few of my students this week.  I love talking to children about Christmas – to see their eyes light up and the excitement on their faces as they tell me what they are asking for – hoping Santa will bring for them.

This last week has brought joy, excitement and laughter as each student has come for their lesson – with a brightly wrapped present for me.  They love to watch me open their gift (I’m pretty much a kid at heart) because I get so excited to open it!  It makes them giggle.  And it proves that Christmas is WAY more about giving than getting.

I try to make Christmas special for each one of them.  We sing and play only Christmas music in the month of December after the recital is over – and it is REALLY fun!  Last week my grown-up married daughter, Ashlee was here during some of my afternoon lessons – and I invited her in to sing harmony with us as we sang Christmas carols for most of the afternoon.  Special memories.

I have many memories from my childhood as this season approaches.  I remember  taking my very first airplane ride the Christmas that I was 10.  It is forever etched in my memory – and nothing else will likely compare to that Christmas for me.  We were flying from Seattle to Calgary, Alberta – where I was born and lived for the first 8 years of my young life.  My Grandparents lived there – and we were flying up to spend that Christmas with them.  Calgary is very cold in the winter – and we were greeted with a ‘winter wonderland’ of snow!  Our taxi driver was very nice – he could see our excitement and stopped by a Christmas light display at a neighborhood park – turned off his meter and let us get out and enjoy it.  I will never forget that Christmas.

However – we make new and unique Christmas memories every year – without knowing it.  As I look back over my life – I’m sure what I’m doing right now in this season with my students will rank right up there with the most special memories.  And I do have many wonderful memories when our own children were small.

Sometimes we are not even aware that we are ‘making memories’ while they are happening.  It is only as we look back on them – some years later that we truly recognize it – smile and remember.

I’m not sure if we should try to recapture the past – as great as some of those memories are.  Life is ever-changing – and we are all on a journey, good and bad.  The present and future are still there to write upon – and I for one can’t wait!

What are your favorite memories?  Do you think the best is yet to come?  Do you try to recapture the time when your children were small – or still with you?  Or do you see the future as an opportunity to meet new friends and share yourself with others that need your encouragement and warmth?

I am praying for each one of you this holiday season – that you will surround yourself with those you love, who love you and those that cross your journey this season.  That you will have your heart open to embrace and love – and be in anticipation of the wonderful things ahead.  That you will have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with those you come in contact and share your life with.  That they will be drawn to the love of God just by knowing you.  This is my prayer.

May God truly Bless you!

Is Santa A Woman? Makes Sense To Me!

Image by George Eastman House via Flickr

I found this cute article and had to share it with you!

 

I THINK SANTA CLAUS IS A WOMAN

I hate to be the one to defy sacred myth, but I believe he’s a she. Think about it. Christmas is a big, organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing social deal, and I have a tough time believing a guy could possibly pull it all off!
For starters, the vast majority of men don’t even think about selecting gifts until Christmas Eve. It’s as if they are all frozen in some kind of Ebenezerian Time Warp until 3 p.m. on Dec. 24th, when they — with amazing calm — call other errant men and plan for a last-minute shopping spree.
Once at the mall, they always seem surprised to find only Ronco products, socket wrench sets, and mood rings left on the shelves. (You might think this would send them into a fit of panic and guilt, but my husband tells me it’s an enormous relief because it lessens the 11th hour decision-making burden.) On this count alone, I’m convinced Santa is a woman. Surely, if he were a man, everyone in the universe would wake up Christmas morning to find a rotating musical Chia Pet under the tree, still in the bag.
Another problem for a he-Santa would be getting there. First of all, there would be no reindeer because they would all be dead, gutted and strapped on to the rear bumper of the sleigh amid wide-eyed, desperate claims that buck season had been extended. Blitzen’s rack would already be on the way to the taxidermist.
Even if the male Santa DID have reindeer, he’d still have transportation problems because he would inevitably get lost up there in the snow and clouds and then refuse to stop and ask for directions. Add to this the fact that there would be unavoidable delays in the chimney, where the Bob Vila-like Santa would stop to inspect and repoint bricks in the flue. He would also need to check for carbon monoxide fumes in every gas fireplace, and get under every Christmas tree that is crooked to straighten it to a perfectly upright 90-degree angle.

Other reasons why Santa can’t possibly be a man:

• Men can’t pack a bag.

• Men would rather be dead than caught wearing red velvet.

• Men would feel their masculinity is threatened…having to be seen with all those elves.

• Men don’t answer their mail.

• Men would refuse to allow their physique to be described even in jest as anything remotely resembling a “bowlful of jelly.”

• Men aren’t interested in stockings unless somebody’s wearing them.

• Having to do the Ho Ho Ho thing would seriously inhibit their ability to pick up women.

• Finally, being responsible for Christmas would require a commitment.

I can buy the fact that other mythical holiday characters are men…

• Father Time shows up once a year unshaven and looking ominous. Definite guy.

• Cupid flies around carrying weapons.

• Uncle Sam is a politician who likes to point fingers.

Any one of these individuals could pass the testosterone screening test.  But not St. Nick. Not a chance.  As long as we have each other, good will, peace on earth, faith and Nat King Cole’s version of “The Christmas Song,” it probably makes little difference what gender Santa is.

I just wish she’d quit dressing like a guy!!!

Author Unknown

 

Have an awesome day!

 

God Bless