A Christmas Carol

On the way back home from a quiz match at the beginning of November, I hit a massive deer a half mile from home.  The darn thing had the nerve to get up and walk away, despite the $5500 of damage he did to my van.  Regrettably, I got neither RACK nor MEAT out of the arrangement.

Thankfully, I've been driving a nice rental since then while the body shop does its magical thing.  

We were scheduled to attend A Christmas Carol last night and I just really wanted to go altogether, in ONE vehicle.  It's so much more fun that way.  I prayed that my van would be done in time.  It's been a month and a half, after all.

Friday was a busy day of school, groceries, errands and more.  We needed to head out between 5:30 and 5:45 pm and we were all doing our part to make it happen.  The getting out the door, somewhat organized chaos was in full swing.  Festive, sparkly outfits were being donned.  Christmas earrings were being carefully chosen.  I was dressed and supper was in the oven, when the phone rang at 4:30 pm. 

My van was done!!!

The Rugged Mountain Man is not a rush around type of person.  He had just walked in the door from his tiring workday and long commute, so he tried to convince me to pick up the van in the morning.  I was trying to have a good attitude because I doubt I'd feel like jumping in the car again.

But, honey, I prayed.

We made it to the body shop in time and back to the house and were walking out the door to all climb into the van at 5:35 pm.  Thank You, Lord!  

We chatted all the way there, joking and laughing together.  

A Christmas Carol was a fantastic festive night together!  Friends performed exquisitely in a charming, Victorian era church that satisfied my love of architecture.  There was an Emma-esque dance scene that had me gripping the wooden pew to stay in my seat rather than spontaneously joining the gaiety.  I savored the details of all the costuming.  The capes and hats and laces!

I'd never focused much on Ebenezer's loss of his sister.  I liked that this aspect factored into how he became so Scroogey.  

Dickens' timeless story of a true change of heart is a Christmas mainstay for us. 

Twas an evening of festivities and fellowship with good friends!

A Story of Wendy and Megan in the Kitchen

The tea kettle bubbled away on the stove as I stood choosing my tea bag in the church kitchen, alongside two of my fellow mama friends.  Words about our week and school and Christmas and just life floated about the little room where we always start Ladies Bible Study.  

Out of the blue, Wendy dug through her bags and handed Megan a mason jar of sourdough starter.  Megan excitedly unscrewed the lid and took a sniff of all that yeasty goodness.  I wanted to take a good whiff too, but I restrained that juvenile urge.  Nobody wants my nose in their starter.

Wendy explained, "I'm so sorry that took so long.  This is my true confession."  She went on to say that she realized that Megan has a little boy who has a peanut allergy. In Wendy's house, the measuring cups are used to scoop peanut butter as well.  So, instead of just dipping out a sourdough starter, she freshly sterilized the measuring cups and started fresh with the starter.  The process took longer but was safer for Megan's family.  Megan expressed her gratitude and the conversation swiftly moved to other topics, as only mom conversations can.

I have thought often of this conversation over the past several days.  Wendy's a busy mom and yet, I, as just an onlooker making my tea, was so touched at the care Wendy showed for Megan's little man.

That she took that time.  

That she paid attention to that little niggling thought that made her think it was important.  

That she felt compassion for Megan's boy and acted practically as a result.  

I've been tearing up each time I mull over that conversation.  It was just such a picture of the Body of Christ loving each other in real and tangible ways and it's challenging me.  It made me want to love others in the way that Wendy did.  It's one small way that I feel urged onward to loving others more truly.

Gazing at Joy in these Moments

The girls and I took some time to wind down last night.  We just chilled and colored.  Christmas bookmarks and Christmas coloring pages were so relaxing!  We got a kick out of the gnome bookmarks!

Binney is excited for Christmas!  The Blossoms were delighted to pick out her Christmas presents last night.

I enjoyed pulling together the girls' Christmas program costumes.  The chicken costume isn't pictured.  It took some time to finish even these quick versions.  The Blossoms were happy, so I'm happy.  Besides, I don't get very much time to be creative, so this was a fun reprieve.  I still had to push aside all the other stuff I had to do that was swirling around in my head.  It's making those choices to enjoy the moment that go a long way.  Now, when I look at their costumes, I smile and think about the fun they're going to have up on stage together.  

The Little Blossoms got to attend a Santa's Workshop, where they made all sorts of fun crafts.  

Pretty sure that crafting might be their love language.  

We got Christmasy and spent the day crafting and embracing the season with friends surrounding us.

It was such a fun day!

It's not often that these two girlies squeeze onto the same chair anymore, but it made me happy to see them enjoying something Christmasy together.  

Sometimes we find joy when we take the time to see it in all the everyday moments around us.  This is a busy life and I'm determined to hold on to the intangible good.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."

Silent Night

Best mom moment lately ~

I was inside, upset, frustrated, even tearful.

Softly, through the window, I heard strains of Silent Night as the Blossoms walked down from morning chores together.  The harmonies were rising into the air and sweetly wafted into my ears.  

It isn't always this beautiful.  There is sometimes bickering as they tend our animals, but I cherish these melodious moments deeply.