Friday Faves - Christmas Tree Ornament

Friday Faves: Christmas Tree Ornament(s)

I do not have just one favorite Christmas tree ornament...is that even possible?? My husband was an ornament collector before I married him, so we had several hundred of those fancy Hallmark ones for a long time. We eventually got rid of a lot of them and now enjoy a larger variety of ornaments on our tree, including homemade ones by the kids...a must for every family with children!! This year though I have a few favorites...mostly because they bring back fond memories.

This little guy is standing beside a large drum with a fire inside (which flickers). It reminds me of our Christmas tree hunt each year.


This ornament is special because my Mom had it made the year I returned home from living in South Africa. It's a hand blown glass ornament with a hand blown glass elephant in the center. It's really awesome!!! It is extremely breakable, but so far it's made it through Christmas for almost 19 years!


This moose reminds me of our trips up north to Vermont and New Hampshire. We love going up there, hiking in the mountains, and enjoying a bit of God's beautiful creation!


Here is a photo of the whole tree. This year it's 8' tall and we only put about 1/5 the ornaments on it - simply because we got too tired!

Our Christmas Tree Hunt

We purchased our Christmas tree today!!



This is a family tradition that we absolutely love to do each year around this time. We get all bundled up and go down to the local farm to cut it down. This particular tree farm has been around for a very long time - it's the same place I used to go as a child with my family.




Yeah, I know, the trees are expensive...but it's just once a year and the memories we make looking for it are priceless!

The day wasn't sunny, but it wasn't really overcast either. They were calling for rain, but not until the evening, so we ended up with a cold but nice day. We parked our van at the bottom of the hill and trekked up to the top of the farm. For some bizarre reason, we think that cutting our tree down from the top of the hill is better than from the bottom of the hill - there really is no difference - but the hard work actually makes the whole experience more fun!!!





We looked at a bunch of trees before cutting down the one we wanted.

Too fat...


Too skinny...


Perfect!!!


Once again, Lionel found the perfect tree!! This is the 3rd year in a row he's done that! I guess he has a good eye for finding trees just the right size for our living room. We have a cathedral ceiling, so tall is good, but we don't want it to take up half of the room, so it can't be too fat either.

Once the tree was cut down, we hauled it to one of the main dirt 'roads' so the farm's truck could pick it up for us. When there's snow on the ground we just drag it to the van, but this year there was no way we were going to carry it down that big hill!!!



We waited about 20 minutes for the truck - no one was around today, so it was pretty quiet on the hill and they didn't come by as often.

Waiting patiently....




Once the truck stopped by, we enjoyed our long walk back down the hill. It was just so peaceful and this family time we had together was wonderful!!





We finally made it down the hill where they tied the tree up for us. The kids love to watch the machine 'eat' the tree and bundle it all up. Personally I think the best part is when we get it home, put it in the stand and then cut the rope - the tree explodes and the loose needles go flying. Gotta love it!



Once the tree is decorated, I'll post more photos. Tomorrow we'll probably put on the Christmas music, make some hot cocoa and decorate the tree together. Ahh, there's nothing like spending quality time with family!!!

Guilty as Charged!

I'm an emotional wreck and lately I've been a bad homeschool Mom!

There...I said it...but aren't I supposed to feel better?? I guess not. Ever since moving my Dad into the nursing home last month, I have been feeling pretty rotten. He lived with us for almost 2 years and although he ended up in the home because of medical reasons, I feel that I gave up on him and abandoned him. I know that I didn't, in fact, I know that I did my best in caring for him. I just miss him horribly and am looking for excuses not to admit that.

On Saturday Lionel and I went to see him in the morning. The visit wasn't a good one. Dad was having a good memory day, but a bad emotional day. I think that when his memory is good (meaning that he isn't in the Alzheimer's Disease fog he tends to be in) he tends to feel sorry for himself. He wonders why he is in the home, when he can go home and he complains a bit...very unlike his usual character! I have been open with him and told him that if he didn't need 24 hour care I'd put him in the car and take him home right then and there, but the doctors, nurses and therapists say he definitely needs the care 24/7. We must do what's right for Dad, and since my home is not equipped for that sort of situation nor is my Dad's wallet, staying there is the best thing for him. He is in a wonderful home - the best around - so we all really can't complain. God worked it all out for the best.

That day there was a Christmas party in the home and I was especially saddened to see it all. The holidays are wonderful unless you have family who is mostly alone and you can't be with them all the time - then they stink! Dad has received no calls, cards, visits, pictures, flowers from anyone but us! That makes me so sad for him. We did go see him with family who live an hour away which was nice, but that's it. My Dad has been such a wonderful Godly man his whole life and has done so much for so many people. Many will ask about him and how he's doing, but why don't they go visit him and see for themselves?? My prayers have been filled with requests that Dad will lose his memory completely so he doesn't realize what is (or actually isn't) going on around him. I don't want him to feel that sad abandoned feeling. If you think of it, please pray for my Dad - pray that God will bless him with peace, comfort and safety in the home. Thanks!

We left the home that day and I cried all the way home. Lionel really noticed the way 'PaPa' was feeling and he too was about in tears. Fortunately for us (and Dad!), the next day when we went back to see him again, he was totally different. He didn't remember the Christmas party, the visit by us where we played games together, or the many people who were visiting their own family members. That was a good thing! I honestly think that people say they don't go visit folks in nursing homes who have memory problems because they feel "why should I 'waste' my time visiting them when they won't remember anyhow?" Know what I say to that? YOU COWARD! How on earth can you tell 100% that they don't have moments of remembrance? How do you know that your time will be wasted? No time is wasted on a person if you reach out to them and give them your time. If you ever get the chance to visit someone in a nursing home, please go visit them - let them know you love them and are thinking of them!!

As for the bad homeschool mom complaint...well...school has not been a priority for me lately and I'm sure you can see why. We fully intended to take December off, but then we missed several weeks due to my Dad's initial hospital stay so we were going to play catch up in December. Once that was over and he moved into the home, school still got pushed aside due to his move and the upcoming holidays. So...the books sit there on the shelf still waiting to be cracked open. We will resume in full force in January, but for now, I'm really going to let the kids learn some life-lessons...which are often much better than book work! I can tell you this...that after seeing my children react to their grandfather and his whole situation (which has been 6 years long - since the death of my Mom), they have grown tremendously. They know what it's like to care for others, know what it's like to wait (countless doctor visits), what it's like to put their own interests aside and they have seen how much God's hand is in every single situation in our lives.

So, although I often feel guilty for things beyond my control, God has put peace in my heart, and I am thankful to Him for each new day. Now...if I can only figure out a way to cram 2 months worth of school work into 4 weeks, we'll be all caught up with school before the end of January! Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Well...I'm not so sure about that one! hee hee I do understand the 'spirit of Christmas', but me?...an angel?? That makes me giggle. What ornament are you? Post me a comment and let me know.

Saturday Photo Hunt #87 - LONG

Photo is of my kiddos - taken at Chutters Candy Store...
famous for having the longest candy counter in the world!

It was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records...it's got a three-tiered, store-length candy counter, which measures 111 feet, 11-3/4 inches and holds 800 jars of sweet treats!!

Friday Faves - Christmas Carol

Friday Faves: Christmas Carol

Even though it's not a 'carol' by most standards, my favorite Christmas 'song' hands down is "Mary Did You Know" by Mark Lowry (lyrics) and Buddy Green (music). It's not only a beautiful song musically, but the words are very powerful!! The very first time I heard this song was in 1995. My son played baby Jesus (he was just 3 months old - his acting debut!) and they sang this song as 'Mary' and 'Joseph' sat with my son in the manger. I cried then, and I still get teary-eyed now when I hear it. Here's a video of Mark singing it along with the lyrics. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!



Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.

OK, I admit it, I'm old!

I went to the eye doctor today for a routine exam. I have had the same eye glasses prescription since high school - over 27 years ago! So, I guess it was time that I had a change. The unfortunate part, is not that my vision is that bad...my right eye is actually 20/20, and my left eye is 25/20. It's that I have a real bad astigmatism in both eyes. Give me time and my eyes focus on things pretty well, but time is not on my side, so to read or see clearly, I need to focus quickly. So, my loving doctor said to me "happy birthday, here's your prescription for bifocals". (My birthday was a few weeks ago). So, does that make me OLD? It's not that big of a deal I suppose...many people have them, but hearing that I needed bifocals brought back memories of Grandma. Eek!!!

On the flip side though, I do have a prayer request. I have to go back in a few weeks for more testing. The doctor said that my reading for glaucoma is up a little bit. In other words, I could have glaucoma. I really don't want glaucoma (well, no one wants it) but I honestly feel I'm just too young to have to deal with eye drops, medicines etc. So...I ask for your prayers - that when the testing is done, that they find nothing wrong with my eyes. Thanks so much!!!

Where I've Been...

create your own visited country map

I've traveled to so many places, but when you compare it to the world map, it looks like I haven't been anywhere!!! In all I've traveled to and/or through 15 different countries. Oh would I love to take a whole year and travel the world...well...most of it! Europe is my favorite! My dear hubby wants to go to Tahiti. We both want to return to Scotland (we would love to actually live there!!), and I'd love to show my family where I lived in South Africa. I have to admit that there are certain places I wouldn't even dream of going...especially after seeing what they're like on TV shows like The Amazing Race...good show, but they do send the people to some of the most out of the way, unclean and dangerous places. It always makes me so sad to see how some people have to live when there's so much money being spent on trivial and unnecessary things. Heavy sigh...

SpeechEasy

I've been wanting to post all about Lionel and his new SpeechEasy device, but I just haven't had the time. I'm sure some of you are probably saying "What in the world is a SpeechEasy?" Well, let me fill you in on Lionel's background first...then you'll understand.

When Lionel was very young he stuttered just like any young child would...on and off now and then...no big deal. It went away and we thought nothing of it. Well, after a couple years, it started coming back slowly, yet it kept getting worse and worse. By the time he was 9 years old it was extremely difficult to have a conversation with him because he stuttered so much. I would often lose my patience and would be short with him - not on purpose, but out of frustration. (Don't worry, he knows that and I did apologize - every time!) It was around that time we began to search for some serious help.

Our medical insurance didn't want anything to do with paying speech therapy bills (typical) and they actually told us to bring him for counseling and see if it was mental. To say that it totally ticked me off is an understatement!!! Well, instead of going that route (since we knew it was nothing like that) we decided to contact the Stuttering Foundation of America. That was the best thing we did! Lionel began speech therapy at a local university where the master's students would work with him while the professors (and myself) would observe the whole session through a one way mirror. (Or is that a two way mirror?? I always get confused!?! Anyhow...they couldn't see or hear us, but we could see and hear them!) He has had therapy every week for an hour since then. He did improve a bit, but we found that when he was home, as the week would pass by, he'd get worse.

Long story short (sort of)...we were told about the SpeechEasy device, and that it would help Lionel's speaking - it would almost make him completely fluent!!! The device looks almost like a hearing aid. What it does is cause the stutterer to hear a delay, so it's like he is speaking with himself...pretty bizarre...but quite impressive!! There are 4 different models out now, but when we first called there were only 3. This past August I phoned the SpeechEasy company, and they told me to contact a specialist in NYC. I made a call that afternoon and was able to get an appointment for September. The good part about waiting those 3-4 weeks, is that the 4th model came out just before our appointment with the specialist! This particular model is less evasive in the ear canal, and less obtrusive...perfect for the pre-teen who soon will be hitting puberty and wouldn't want anything in his ear that may embarrass him. The device is extremely expensive, but for what it does...it's priceless!!! Lionel was evaluated by the specialist, and was found that he was the perfect candidate for it. When he tried it in his ear and spoke...I was speechless!!! He no longer stuttered like he was without the device. I had not heard my son speak 'normally' like that in years. It was amazing...words cannot describe the emotions I felt inside.

Getting fitted for the SpeechEasy...


Holding up the SpeechEasy device...


I bet you can't even see it in his ear!!!


Lionel and the specialist...


Needless to say...we ordered the device that day, and we were able to go back into the city and pick it up only 3 weeks later. He wears it every day faithfully and now speaking with him is a dream. Of course it's not a 'cure' for the stutterer, but it certainly does help. If you go to youtube.com and search for SpeechEasy, you'll see a few examples of how it works.

We are so thankful to God for giving the wisdom to the doctor who invented this device. He too was a stutterer, so he knew how important it would be. Lionel has not only improved in his speaking, but he now doesn't try to hide the way he talks. He was at the point where he was starting to clam up, get frustrated and we could tell his self-esteem was affected by it all. Now he will now order food for himself in a restaurant, talk to people he comes in contact with, answer the phone, and is a lot more social...totally unlike the 'old' Lionel. Praise the Lord for small miracles like this!!! He wears it with pride and is not ashamed of it which makes us extremely proud of him!

Kids...TV...and other 'Stuff'

Today was a day off from school, so Lionel had his best friend over for the day. They were pretty much out of sight...playing video games, board games, basketball, cars and anything else they could 'squeeze' into the 6 hours they had together (it's never enough time!) They had a blast! We broke for lunch around 12:30, but they ate so quickly so they could run and play more...we broke for dinner around 5:00, but again they ate quickly so they could get in one last half hour. Kids are just so funny!

Because Lionel had his friend over, Sweet-Pea was feeling a bit sorry for herself. She went into the living room, turned on the television and when I walked by to ask her what she was watching (yes, I do monitor their TV viewing!), she simply said "oh Mom, don't come in here to see what I'm watching. Rachael Ray is on and she's making pasta with salad and a chickpea appetizer" What?!? This girl is only 6 years old. She knew what Rachael was making. Before you ask...Sweet-Pea told me NOT to look at what she was watching not because she was being sneaky, but because she knows I personally cannot stand watching Rachael Ray on TV. She annoys the begeebers out of me!! I love cooking, but there's just something about the show that totally turns me off. I enjoy watching Paula Deen and the Barefoot Contessa, but that's about where I draw the line. Nope, I don't even like Emeril. BAM! There, 'nuf said? He went to culinary school with my husband and I've heard all I want to know about him. :::grin:::

ANYHOW...Sweet-Pea just loves being in the kitchen. She spent over an hour washing dishes for me. Of course I had to rinse all the soap off of them when she was done, but I tell you what...I've got the cleanest dishes this side of the Mississippi! ha ha She loves soap.





We also spent some time doing crafts, visiting my Dad in the nursing home, and just hanging out together - quality girl time. It was great. I hardly saw Lionel all day except for when he was passing by to go play outside, or at meal time. It was actually a nice break for us both. Spending all day every day with the kids is fun, but we do need time apart...it's healthy. I truly do love being home with my children though. I love teaching them school, and I especially love teaching and training them to love the Lord. Our morning devotions have been so much fun lately. We're using a devotional all about hymns, and since it's Christmas-time, we're studying Christmas carols. The Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart book is on my bookshelf to your right....go check it out...I highly recommend it!

God's Creation

I thought I'd share a little video I put together of some macro photos I took....set to the Michael W. Smith song "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful." You already know I love photographing flower. There's just something so beautiful and delicate about them. God took the time to create so many beautiful flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes...we need to take the time and really enjoy His creation! Can you imagine how glorious the Garden of Eden must have looked when Adam and Eve were first living in it? Oh, to have a digital camera then!!! Take some time today to enjoy God's creation...

Saturday Photo Hunt #86 - RED

Flowers from my dear hubby!


Adorable humming bird eating from a red flower.


Taken at Chutters Candy Store - famous for having the longest candy counter in the world!

Why does it seem like where there's red...there's green??

Friday Faves - Holiday Tradition

Friday Faves: Holiday Tradition

There are so many wonderful traditions that my family has had over the years...cutting our own Christmas tree down at the local farm was one of our favorites. There were others...

Baking cookies together, especially my Gramma's secret Scottish Shortbread. You know the one... The-I'd-give-it-to-you-but-I'd-have-to-kill-you-after-so-why-bother-recipe.

Decorating the tree together...well...basically it was Mom sitting on the couch directing Dad to string up the lights a certain way while my sister and I followed him with the tangled up twisted mess...half of which didn't work (which we didn't know until after they were strung). The ornaments? Well, let's just say that they were old, hand-made or half broken...except for those balls with the hair hanging off of them. Whoever came up with the idea to string soft fabric over styrofoam obviously never had a real tree with real branches that would get caught in them causing them fray all over the tree. Eew!

Another tradition we had was with the whole family. My parents would invite everyone in the family (both sides!) over later in the afternoon on Christmas. Before the company came though, we would not only have to clean the house top to bottom, but would have to arrange every one of our gifts under the tree as neat as a pin so we could do the "hey, look what I got" thing as each of them entered the door. My parents weren't rich nor did they brag, so I'm not sure why they wanted to flaunt the gazillion gifts they bought us for Christmas....from the big fat Bonnie Bell lip gloss on a string, to our bean bag chairs, to the handmade hats and scarves we'd get every year. I think the gifts sat there for about a week before we were allowed to put them away in our rooms and play with them. Go figure!


What's up with those bulbs?!?


Yup, that's me in my big red vinyl bean bag chair - far out!

With that being said, most of those traditions are now gone. Smart decision huh? That last one was a tradition that I personally laid to rest!!!! We have made some of our own family traditions with our children...two of them really stick out in my mind...

We still cut down our own Christmas tree each year - it's a total blast and the memories we make are truly priceless! The best time to go is when there's snow on the ground, but it doesn't happen every year. We hike all over the rolling hills to find that 'oh so perfect' tree. When we do, Daddy and Lionel saw it down together. After putting it on the van, we go grab some hot cocoa and enjoy the wonderful surroundings for a bit before heading home.





The other 'tradition' we have in our family lasts the entire month of December. Beginning on December 1st (tomorrow!), we each write something down on a piece of paper that we're thankful to the Lord for on that particular day. We then put our papers into a stocking we so aptly call 'The Jesus Stocking'. On Christmas Eve, we have a birthday party for baby Jesus (complete with cake) and we open up the stocking. Daddy reads all the papers we put into it throughout the month. The kids especially love to hear all that God has done for us just in such a short time. It's encouraging, and it reminds us that God is always with us! He gives us so much more than we need, when all we truly need is Him!! He is the real reason for the season!

Traditions or not, I hope you make some very happy memories with your family this Christmas!!