light moments

This Christmas season, more than any in the past, I was looking forward to the holidays. Or should I say Advent? That may seem ironic to those who know that we have had deaths in the family this year. But, for that reason, I felt a need to make the memories count. I'm a purposeful kind of person. I usually don't just let things happen. Well, I think I am that + steroids now....or something like that. I wanted to make every Christmas craft I could think of, make every memory possible with the kids. I had to be careful not to plan everything, or I might have missed out on some spontaneous fun!

I researched the Advent observance, which I knew little of before now. I was so excited to make a wreath with my kids and count down to Christmas with them. Jason and I both loved the family devotions. I'm so looking forward to next year (already). We have Jotham's Journey to read and I may look into the Jesse tree. We used these devotions for Advent 2009. They had to be modified, but I loved sitting down each Sunday evening to talk about the meaning of each candle and the symbolism. It puts a face to the celebration for kids and grown-ups.

Emoting

I laughed at myself as I had the thought the other day, "I am sure emoting a lot these days." Is that a word? You be the judge. I like it though! :)

The reason that I am emoting so much is that we found out very recently that my Granny's cancer has returned and spread. She is in stage 4....with cancer in her lung and spine. I can see her health declining and it is hard to watch. But, I keep going back. I hope you'll agree that it is the right thing to do. The natural/human part of me wants to withdraw. It is that same feeling that makes people avoid hospitals, nursing homes and even turn their heads away from someone they might be inclined to stare at because of sickness or deformity. We all get touched by it eventually.

I long for the perfect....the way things were meant to be. I know that I will live it, breathe it, experience it someday. But, for now...I have to embrace this difficult time and keep looking up to find my faith and hope renewed so that I don't get sucked into despair. That may sound overly dramatic, but I hear people everyday who live there. I don't want to live there. I don't want my Granny or my Mom or any of the family to live there.

May the grace of our Lord be with you. Now and always, may you stay blameless til He comes...

Summer has begun!

I'm so happy to have free time. I forgot what it was like.
So far this summer, we have had a "stray" turtle, we trapped two vicious-looking spiders outside our house, and the raccoon comes around late at night. We don't get to see him though.
I hope to enjoy every minute with the kids.

I'm excited to use this tool, not because I think you want to know every thought I have or deed I do, but to share and hear what you have to say as well.
For my family, I hope that we can compile an online Food Blog with family recipes.
For my homeschool "family", I hope to share pictures and moments with you via this blog.

I hope to be inspired on purpose.