The Christmas season is here. As I look around at all my wonderful neighbors homes (and my own), I see all the lights and sparkles that come with the Joy of the season. Everything looks so beautiful and everyone seems a little lighter and a little happier this time of year.
I sat in my living room looking at all the decorations and thinking to myself how beautiful my Christmas tree looks. Well it looks beautiful to me anyways, there is really no rhyme or reason to it, it's just a hodge podge of decorations from my childhood and some new ones that I've picked up over the years. But I looked at everything sparkling just as it always does in our home every Christmas and I thought of my children and how they always look so forward to Christmas. They love the decorations and the cookies and of course they always look forward to what Santa may bring. This year Christmas has been downsized dramatically in our house, as it has been for many families across the nation. I started to think about the gifts that they are not going to be getting this year. And I once again began to feel sorry for myself (yes, I know this is becoming a habit... I'm blaming the grey weather here in NY!). I started to think about Christmas in a way that a lot of people do, the lights, the tree, the cookies and of course the gifts. I mean really, what mother doesn't want to give her kids the greatest Christmas ever? I thought, wow they are going to be so disappointed and think that Santa forgot to stop at our house. But then it occurred to me that I have been blessed very much this year and I have so much to be glad for. We have a home that's warm and we definitely aren't going hungry (thanks to trip to the commissary last night whose receipt nearly gave me a stroke!). A lot of people don't even have that much, a lot of people are worried how they are going to feed their families Christmas presents aren't even an option for some.
So as I sit here and ponder what this wonderful Christmas season means to me I think about all of those less fortunate. And I think this time of year is a wonderful time to "pay it forward". So today as I start my holiday baking I'm making extra and handing out to all of the neighbors on our block whether I know them or not. Christmas is a time to think of others, to bring joy to someone else! So, after I get done yelling at myself for getting off track and falling into the commercialized trap of Christmas, I'm going to take a mental "walk through Bethlehem" and thank God for all he has done in our lives this year. Then I'm going to see just how many lives I can touch, how many smiles I can help bring, throughout this wonderful season of giving.
I have so much to smile about, I have my children here with me to cuddle and have cocoa on cold nights with me. My wonderful husband is here with us this year, something that makes me very thankful. I have friends whose husbands are not able to be here through the holiday season with them due to serving their country a world away. Next year I'll fall into that category, so even though the presents may be very few and the stocking may not be as full, we're going to have the merriest Christmas anyway! We're all here together... something I think we take for granted a lot. So you see, we really do have a wonderful life after all!
So take a moment and think of a way that you can bring joy to someone else... just one random act of kindness can mean the world to someone. And I promise, you'll smile too and you'll be happy that you did. You never know what someone is facing or what's going on in their life. Let's take this season to smile a little more and not dwell on our own problems, but see what we can do to help someone a little less fortunate. How many lives can you change? Something as small as a box of homemade cookies or shoveling someones walk or give a small gift to a child. No matter how small anything kind you do for someone can make a big difference in their life. Good luck on your journey... and remember Christmas is not in the snow that may or may not fall, it's not in the gifts under the tree. Christmas is all in your heart.
"Strange isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around it leaves and awful hole, doesn't it" ~ Clarence Oddbody
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving is a time for...
So Thanksgivng usually means gathering around the table and stuffing ourselves until we can barely roll to the couch to sleep for awhile, only to wake up remembering that there are tons of pies and cakes to be eaten, and even though we aren't really hungry we make it back to the kitchen to stuff ourselves with all that sugary goodness...
This morning as I stood in my kitchen getting the turkey ready to go into the oven and peeling potatoes (and many other things that needed to be done in order for us to have this wonderful "grazing" day) I began to think about holidays past. As I stood at the sink and watched the day break from night to morning, I thought of my Mom and how many years she had stood in her kitchen well before dawn to give us a magnificant meal. I thought of the year that the sweet potato pan busted in the oven. Ha ha, wasn't at all funny at the time but looking back I find it quite hummorus! I remember when that happened and the look in my mothers eyes, as if Thanksgiving was totally ruined that we wouldn't be having sweet potatoes. But we somehow managed to live without them and go on to have a wonderful dinner! Thinking back we always managed to have a great Thanksgiving, no matter what mom made sure we had plenty to be thankful for and reminded us of all the things that God had blessed us with throughout the year. She's gone now and celebrating Thanksgiving in heaven, and I miss her terribly. I wish she was here to enjoy my first attempt at Thanksgiving dinner with me.
As I looked out into the grey morning, I started to feel sorry for myself that I wouldn't be in Kentucky with my brother or in Indiana with my sisters for the holiday. Here I am stuck way up here (and I me UP about as far as you can go!) in the North Pole without my family. Then it dawned on me, I have so much to be thankful for. For one I can still see out my kitchen window as the snow has not started to fall yet! And I may be stuck in Snowville USA, but I have the most amazing husband that I could ever ask for, two good kids and we're here together! We've had a lot of changes in our lives this year but each and everyone of them I am thankful for. And we're not going to be alone this holiday, we are blessed to have some of the best people in the world coming to our house to share in the stuffing yourself silly tradition of Thanksgiving!
So today, wherever you are, whomever you are with, take a moment to look around and realize all that you have to be thankful for... Think about those holidays past and let the memories warm you... Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
This morning as I stood in my kitchen getting the turkey ready to go into the oven and peeling potatoes (and many other things that needed to be done in order for us to have this wonderful "grazing" day) I began to think about holidays past. As I stood at the sink and watched the day break from night to morning, I thought of my Mom and how many years she had stood in her kitchen well before dawn to give us a magnificant meal. I thought of the year that the sweet potato pan busted in the oven. Ha ha, wasn't at all funny at the time but looking back I find it quite hummorus! I remember when that happened and the look in my mothers eyes, as if Thanksgiving was totally ruined that we wouldn't be having sweet potatoes. But we somehow managed to live without them and go on to have a wonderful dinner! Thinking back we always managed to have a great Thanksgiving, no matter what mom made sure we had plenty to be thankful for and reminded us of all the things that God had blessed us with throughout the year. She's gone now and celebrating Thanksgiving in heaven, and I miss her terribly. I wish she was here to enjoy my first attempt at Thanksgiving dinner with me.
As I looked out into the grey morning, I started to feel sorry for myself that I wouldn't be in Kentucky with my brother or in Indiana with my sisters for the holiday. Here I am stuck way up here (and I me UP about as far as you can go!) in the North Pole without my family. Then it dawned on me, I have so much to be thankful for. For one I can still see out my kitchen window as the snow has not started to fall yet! And I may be stuck in Snowville USA, but I have the most amazing husband that I could ever ask for, two good kids and we're here together! We've had a lot of changes in our lives this year but each and everyone of them I am thankful for. And we're not going to be alone this holiday, we are blessed to have some of the best people in the world coming to our house to share in the stuffing yourself silly tradition of Thanksgiving!
So today, wherever you are, whomever you are with, take a moment to look around and realize all that you have to be thankful for... Think about those holidays past and let the memories warm you... Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
My Serious Side
Today being Veterans Day I decided to show my almost non existent "serious side" :)
I think I should start of by saying Thank You to all of our soldiers. Those who have served before us and those who are serving now.
Soldiers have always held a very special place in my heart. Long before I was married to one my mother instilled in me the importance of being patriotic and supporting those who put their life on the line daily for our freedoms. I am very thankful for that up bringing and very thankful for those brave men and women who stand on an invisible wall and say "nothings going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch". I had two brothers who served in the Marine Corps. May my oldest brother John rest in peace as he stands guard at the gates of heaven. Kenny who has been out of the Corps for years may not be as "mean" or as "lean" but he's still a Marine... and always will be. I love them both dearly and am very proud of their service.
Now I want to take a moment to say Thank You to the spouses and families of our service members. I think sometimes we all forget what the soldiers families go through so that we can have the freedoms that we have. A lot of times the soldier leaves behind a husband or a wife and their kids for a year at a time to do their duty for our country. Families are left behind to take care of everything and to continue to raise their children in some sort of normalcy all the while knowing that there is a possibility that their spouse won't be coming back home. But that's what they do. They stand behind their soldier and do what they have to in order to make it all work. So thank you.... to all the families that are left behind. I know the sacrifice you make.
I am now an Army wife. It was a little late in the game for us as we have lived a civilian life and we are older than the majority of the men and women joining the service now. However, it is something that my husband has always wanted to do. It has been a lot of sacrificing but it has also been very rewarding. Even though my husband is not home every night, gone days or weeks at a time, I know he is extremely happy with his decision and that makes me happy. We are all still adjusting to the lifestyle, but it's an adventure! This life has come with a lot of responsibility and a lot of adapting to a whole new way of living, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
We are asked time and time again, "Why did you choose to join the Army now, especially during a war?" my husbands response is "I'm choosing to serve because of all of those before me. For my freedom that is stained by the blood of the soldiers before me. It's the least I can do."
So thank you to all of the soldiers past and present. Thank you to the ones who came home safe and thank you and may you rest in peace to the ones who paid the ultimate price. Happy Veterans Day everyone!
I think I should start of by saying Thank You to all of our soldiers. Those who have served before us and those who are serving now.
Soldiers have always held a very special place in my heart. Long before I was married to one my mother instilled in me the importance of being patriotic and supporting those who put their life on the line daily for our freedoms. I am very thankful for that up bringing and very thankful for those brave men and women who stand on an invisible wall and say "nothings going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch". I had two brothers who served in the Marine Corps. May my oldest brother John rest in peace as he stands guard at the gates of heaven. Kenny who has been out of the Corps for years may not be as "mean" or as "lean" but he's still a Marine... and always will be. I love them both dearly and am very proud of their service.
Now I want to take a moment to say Thank You to the spouses and families of our service members. I think sometimes we all forget what the soldiers families go through so that we can have the freedoms that we have. A lot of times the soldier leaves behind a husband or a wife and their kids for a year at a time to do their duty for our country. Families are left behind to take care of everything and to continue to raise their children in some sort of normalcy all the while knowing that there is a possibility that their spouse won't be coming back home. But that's what they do. They stand behind their soldier and do what they have to in order to make it all work. So thank you.... to all the families that are left behind. I know the sacrifice you make.
I am now an Army wife. It was a little late in the game for us as we have lived a civilian life and we are older than the majority of the men and women joining the service now. However, it is something that my husband has always wanted to do. It has been a lot of sacrificing but it has also been very rewarding. Even though my husband is not home every night, gone days or weeks at a time, I know he is extremely happy with his decision and that makes me happy. We are all still adjusting to the lifestyle, but it's an adventure! This life has come with a lot of responsibility and a lot of adapting to a whole new way of living, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
We are asked time and time again, "Why did you choose to join the Army now, especially during a war?" my husbands response is "I'm choosing to serve because of all of those before me. For my freedom that is stained by the blood of the soldiers before me. It's the least I can do."
So thank you to all of the soldiers past and present. Thank you to the ones who came home safe and thank you and may you rest in peace to the ones who paid the ultimate price. Happy Veterans Day everyone!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Hmmmm
So I decided to start a blog. I'm not sure why exactly. Most days I barely have time to shower and brush my teeth!
Well I have to say that my kiddos are adjusting well to this new life. Even though someone somewhere thought it would be funny to stick us here in "Beautiful North Country"... Seriously? All it does is rain or snow. Ok so it's not THAT bad... yet.
About my kids, last night I told my son 3 times to do his homework. I asked him three times, "you got your homework done?" Three times he replies, "Yes, Mom." Each time sounding a little more ticked off at me for continueing to ask. So what does my wondering ears hear today? The phone ringing, with my child on the other end. "Mom, I have to stay over tonight" What? Stay over? So I ask the logical question here, "Why?" his reply? Are you ready for this? He replies, "Because I'm behind on a few assignments." Uhuh... I'm wondering just what "a few" means. I suppose he'll be spending some quality time with his mommy for awhile...
My husband is in Louisiana doing feild training this month. He's supposed to make it home in time for Thanksgiving dinner. One good snow storm and i'll be sitting here with a 16 pound turkey all by myself (oh and the 20 or so neighbors that I invited over for the holiday!) So he's enjoying 80 degree weather while I'm searching for gloves and sock hats every morning! He calls today and informs me that its "windy"... Really? "windy"... huh... well honey I have "windy", "rainy", "snowy" and just plain flippin cold! You want to complain about "windy"... Ah I do love that man. :) Even when he's not home I keep a pair of his boots sitting by the door, they remind me why he's not home and why he does what he does and that he really is a hero... to me anyways.
Well I have to say that my kiddos are adjusting well to this new life. Even though someone somewhere thought it would be funny to stick us here in "Beautiful North Country"... Seriously? All it does is rain or snow. Ok so it's not THAT bad... yet.
About my kids, last night I told my son 3 times to do his homework. I asked him three times, "you got your homework done?" Three times he replies, "Yes, Mom." Each time sounding a little more ticked off at me for continueing to ask. So what does my wondering ears hear today? The phone ringing, with my child on the other end. "Mom, I have to stay over tonight" What? Stay over? So I ask the logical question here, "Why?" his reply? Are you ready for this? He replies, "Because I'm behind on a few assignments." Uhuh... I'm wondering just what "a few" means. I suppose he'll be spending some quality time with his mommy for awhile...
My husband is in Louisiana doing feild training this month. He's supposed to make it home in time for Thanksgiving dinner. One good snow storm and i'll be sitting here with a 16 pound turkey all by myself (oh and the 20 or so neighbors that I invited over for the holiday!) So he's enjoying 80 degree weather while I'm searching for gloves and sock hats every morning! He calls today and informs me that its "windy"... Really? "windy"... huh... well honey I have "windy", "rainy", "snowy" and just plain flippin cold! You want to complain about "windy"... Ah I do love that man. :) Even when he's not home I keep a pair of his boots sitting by the door, they remind me why he's not home and why he does what he does and that he really is a hero... to me anyways.
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