Charlie...

Charlie... 

He is had been a part of our Christmas tradition for as long as I can remember.  

He brings us Christmas Joy each morning.  

I never used Charlie as a "Santa's Watching" tactic.  He was simply a silly little elf who moved each night and made us smile each day.  

(I think Charlie has drawn on this picture of the girls every Christmas!) 

 The last couple of years we have added a Christmas countdown box to our Charlie fun.  

I fill the countdown box with small $1 goodies such as gum, nail polish, makeup wipes, candy, or even cash for a Sonic happy hour drink!  

The girls wake up each morning to look for Charlie so they can check the box!  Many mornings they are fussing with each other because someone wins two days in row!  

(Charlie and the girls love Cocoa Krispies and the Kellogg men.) 

 Charlie doesn't get into near as much mischief as he use to.  He just goes from room to room each day.  It's still such a fun tradition we have and I will continue it FOREVER!  

(Yes, one day my girls will bring their children home and Charlie will be here.  The girls will be able to tell their children stories of Charlie from their childhood.) 

 Sometimes Charlie leaves fun napkins for breakfast or little cups that make us smile!  He's a fun elf.  

I have never thought that Charlie was going to give my girls the "wrong idea" of Christmas.  

Charlie is an added bonus to the joy, excitement and wonder of the season.  

We believe in Jesus. 

We celebrate His birth during this special season. 

We take time to count our blessings, be filled with the joy He brings us, 

and celebrate His love for us.  

JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON! 

All the extra fun (Charlie included) help us realize the joy God wants us to share and enjoy in our lives.  Joy with HIM, Joy with each one dear to us and then that joy can spread to those we come in contact with each day.  

Enjoy every tradition, every moment, every blessing of this special season.  

Merry Christmas

This is Life...

 Y'all, THIS IS LIFE!  And sometimes life doesn't work out as we had it planned.  

Having three girls in three years and barely finding time to breath for many years... 

Finding so much joy in these three precious girls over the years that I often cry with Thanksgiving...THIS IS LIFE. 

Being blessed with some of the best friends in the world... 

Going through ups and downs with them and learning what true friends are... THIS IS LIFE!    

Working hard to achieve status in a job...

Finding satisfaction in your job only to be "let go"... THIS IS LIFE. 

Struggling to get it all done and being so physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted...

But at the same time feeling so fulfilled in all your do... THIS IS LIFE! 

Turning 40...

Feeling like you have reached the halfway mark... THIS IS LIFE !

Feeling a sense gratitude for all you have been blessed with...

yet filled with pain because you want to help others not so fortunate...THIS IS LIFE! 

Walking into your job each and everyday...

Feeling like you are serving God and serving those you come into contact with if even in the smallest of ways... THIS IS LIFE! 

Preparing to send children off into the world...

In one way your heart hurts, but then you are so proud of the young people they have become...

 THIS IS LIFE! 

Struggling in your walk with God...

Praying earnestly for guidance and peace and seeing GOD in so many situations... THIS IS LIFE! 

Struggling in your most important relationship in life, marriage... 

Only to have it just fall apart year after year... THIS IS LIFE!  

God hears us as we travel through THIS LIFE. 

This past year I have prayed for pure courage.  Courage to speak my heart.  Courage to be really feel my deepest feelings.  Courage to face hard stuff and not just let it pass.  Courage to be proud of myself and who I am as a mother, teacher, friend and Christian.  Courage to not let others bring me down but to LIVE to my fullest despite.  Courage to face THIS LIFE day by day.  

I have clung to Deuteronomy 31: 6, "Be strong and courageous.  Do not fear or be in dread, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.  He will not leave your or forsake you."  

The Lord has not left me, nor will he ever leave me.  He's been by me the last 42 years and I am so thankful.  He has been with me this past year.  It's been a hard one.  

Divorce is never an easy word.  It cuts you to the core.  It makes you question things but also makes you focus on what you truly believe.  

I believe God is good. I believe God works all together for the good.  I believe God loves me married or divorced.  I believe God is a great healer, protector and giver. 

 I believe God has show me love like never before. 

 I believe God is there for me in all I do. I believe God is watching over every aspect of THIS LIFE.   

THIS IS LIFE! 

THIS is MY LIFE!