Friday, December 24, 2010

It's been a while since I last blogged.
I've been caught up in shopping, baking and cleaning.
I've barely even turned the computer on!
It's been a good "vacation" from it though,
if you can call all of this chaos a vacation.

In between my cake baking marathon,
I stopped for a second yesterday to take a picture of...


yes, my cat. 

Ha, and you were getting excited, huh?

He was just so cute, soaking up the warmth of the wood stove from the kitchen floor. 
Me, clammering around with measuring cups and the mixer, never woke him.

Until I decided to take his picture.


Then, he was up and on the move.
Wondering what goodies I was making.
~ Praying it was something with tuna. ~

With the smell of my mom's famous five-flavored pound cake,
my addition of blackberry wine cake,
and cinnamon, cloves and oranges simmering away in the crockpot,
it definitely smells like Christmas here.

I've spent today cleaning and baking my last cake.

I can't wait for tomorrow! 
I try to be the last to open my presents,
so that I can watch everyone's faces as they open their presents,
it's magical!

The man has decided in the morning,
he wants to sing Happy Birthday before we open presents because
Jesus' birthday is the reason why we have presents at Christmas.



This touched me, I love that tiny boy!



~ Merry Christmas! ~

Thursday, December 9, 2010

the naked room


After putting a load of clothes in this afternoon, I pulled a rocking chair and my latest read up next to the fire.  I was feeling a bit weary and wanted a moment to myself.  Oh, how nice it was to hear the crackle 'n' pop of the fire, radiating warmth and making me sleepy as I read.  In the background, was the chugga-chugga sound of the washer and the radiance of the sun pouring into my lap, filtered through yellow and white polka-dotted curtains.  Beside me, was the familiar sound of a small boy popping tops off of markers as he quietly colored.  About 10 minutes or so went by before I heard the usual, "Mommy, can you help me?" and at that very moment, the world stopped.  My time of relaxation ended and would not return until after the youngsters and canines hit the hay.  I would not enjoy peace and quiet for hours upon hours and how I yearned for it now.  Events would pass throughout the evening that would make me more and more cranky.  There would be an instance when I thought I was going to shriek from all of the chaotic noise and squealing.  Yet, I held it together and thanked God it was bedtime.  I divvied up vitamins and allergy medicine, asking them to get their toothbrushes and finally, saying prayers and sighing with a relief as they snuggled deep into their covers to endure another night of harsh winter temperatures.  The night was now mine, free to relish however I chose.



I love my children so.
I do.
But I admit,
sometimes I long for...
stillness.
hush.
quiet.
calm.
peace.
For the time when it will be just C and I.
Doing whatever we please.
Without interruption.
And sweet, sweet silence.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

a simple request


Maybe blogs aren't the place for asking favors but,
I have a simple request of you, my friends. 
At the 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, included in our our crew team was a
lady (we'll call her P), her daughter and sister who flew in from another state.
She is a warm, caring, enjoyable woman with a wonderful family.



This morning, I received an email from her...

Hello DC Crew --

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and best wishes for a Merry Christmas.

I have a favor to ask.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I undergo a bilateral mastetcomy and reconstruction on December 21st.  I didn't have the best news with my annual mammogram at the end of October.  I didn't have a recurrence of my first cancer but rather a different kind of cancer in my right breast.  I had the choice of lumpectomy with radiation or mastectomy and we decided to go with the mastectomy. 

Thank you!
P


I wrote her back...

P,

I'm so sorry to hear this news.  You will be in my prayers and in the prayers of others as we storm the heavens for you.  I pray that the LORD will bring your doctors wisdom and steady hands, and that you may find peace and comfort in God and those who surround you with their love and support.  I know J will take good care of you.  Give her my best!  And I know that it's a long haul but, I hope that you will come back to crew in DC again sometime.  Keep us updated.  Merry Christmas!

With love,
MK



My request of you, is simply this - pray for her.

"When a believing person prays, great things happen."
- James 5:16



Thursday, December 2, 2010

Santa gibes.


"What have you done thus far?"

I put up the decorations,
I'm listen to the music night and day!
Whatta you want from me, old man?

"Have you started on the shopping?"

No!
Leave me alone!
I'll get it done.

"Waitin' 'til the last minute, eh?"

No. No, I'm not.
My weekend is jam packed.
Give me time, old man!

"You better get on it lady,
time's awastin'."

What the heck Santa?!
Cut a sista some slack.




(No, I'm not a grinch.  I do love Christmas.  Not for the presents, of course.  I am most thankful for the fellowship and, yes, you guessed it - the food.  Oh the FOOD!  Anyway, I just can't get it in gear to do the shopping.  To add to the seasonal chaos, K and I have not figured out what we're doing in the way of a 10th birthday party - which is in early January, I might add.  It must be planned before Christmas otherwise, I am a crazy mess and I refuse to do another stinkin' sleepover with eight or more giggly girls up until all hours of the night.  I kid you not, the last one, they were up until almost 2 in the morning and that's when I put the smack down!  "Listen up, chicas!  Either you sleep or I call ya mamas and it won't be pretty, I can promise you that!"  There was a hush over the crowd and I didn't hear another peep until 7am the next morning.  Or maybe it was C that laid down the law.  I was so tired, I don't remember.)