Christmas Magic

Trek took this picture of my two youngest kidlets while we waited in line to see Santa.

I remember the magic of sitting on Santa's lap as a child, so excited to see the guy in the red suit.

As an adult, the closest I have come to feeling that Christmas magic is standing in front of the snow covered tree in Rockefeller Center. The vision of skaters on the ice, the shoppers with arms full of packages, the Christmas music playing overhead, and the smell of the clean snow falling from the sky was a dream come true to this displaced Northern girl from Alabama.

Oh, how I want my children to have the opportunities to make wonderful memories. It is the images, sounds, and smells burned in their memories that will hopefully bring great joy to them as adults.

Many times, in the hustle and bustle of our adult lives, it is easy to forget that our children are in the midst of experiencing magical new things. We, too, would be happier adults if we could enjoy the simple joys that our children experience everyday.

Where would we be without our memories? Isn't there so much happiness in recalling a favorite memory?

Take a moment to recall a magical childhood memory and let it take you back....

Martha Stewart just called...she could smell our supper from her house.

I know some don't believe me when I say things like...

"I can't be trusted in the kitchen"
"I have to be supervised in the kitchen"
"I can't cook, no I REALLY can't"
"I hate to cook"

This is just a glimpse at the wonderful, delectable dishes I prepare while standing in my well-equipped kitchen in my freshly pressed apron...

I just got off the phone with Martha Stewart...she wanted my recipe for
"Freshly Burnt Cheese Sandwiches."

Just call him Jack Bauer!

Trek just sent this to me.

In case you are confused about what you are looking at, this is the view Trek had of the SWAT team pulling up with weapons drawn to take the criminal down.

Wow, what an exciting life my Jack Bauer...I mean Trek leads. Now that I think about it...he does kind of remind me of him...hmmmm.



Mental note: Christmas present for Trek...Two tone Sig 228 pistol.

But I don't have my shopping done!

Here is the crew...bundled up in 15 layers of clothes for our town's annual Christmas parade. Brrrrr!

Count Your Many Blessings

I'm reminded of a song I learned years ago in worship that says "...count your blessings name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done." I feel compelled to write them down now, maybe not for the three of you that read my blog, but for me to see how God has worked over and over again, never leaving us alone.

To summarize...


1. Ice Queen goes to school






2. Trek gets laid off






3. House sells









4. Move to new house
5. Trek gets new job 200 resumes later...in city 3 hours away...can anyone say "4:1 kidlets to parent ratio 5 days a week!"









I sit and recall the happenings of our life over the past few months and cannot help but be so thankful....

School is a challenge but is exactly what I had hoped it would be.

Trek lost his job because of the housing slump but with the loss came the loss of so many worry lines on his face.

The house sold after 4 days on the market in an economy where NOTHING is selling right now. I realized in the process that the house is made of just wood and bricks...we took our 4 treasures with us.

We moved to a different house that is a little rough around the edges, but is located where help with little ones is literally steps away.

Trek got a new job 3 hours away...but we are SO thankful for a job! It holds promise of new experiences, new challenges and new adventures! We don't know where the road will lead, but we know it will be interesting along the way.

George had a great first football season. He learned the game from a committed coach that taught him so much about respect and teamwork.

Twirl continues to be challenged to learn more difficult dance routines and more difficult art techniques.

Halloween was a nice reprieve of family time with loads of chocolate in the midst of our crazy life!

Turkey Day was spent with wonderful friends that we came to know because of Hurricane Katrina. Sometimes the best things in life come from the worst of times! This Thanksgiving we were introduced to a strange new bird called Turducken...don't know what it is?...LOOK IT UP! The real question is...does it gobble, quack or cluck?

The road is still bumpy and I solicit your prayers. There have been a lot of tears and worry over the past few months, but I can honestly say that God has been faithful. I have seen his presence over and over. I don't deserve his blessings, but am so thankful for them.