Mama Walrus - Day 22

Day 22 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


Today we enjoyed lunch at Cracker Barrel with Pepaw Burton (my dear father-in-law).  I had not been to Cracker Barrel since last December when Jim and I went with PePaw and MeMaw Burton.   So much has changed since that visit to Cracker Barrel.  This is PePaw's first Christmas in 61 years without his "bride" (as he lovingly called her).  We had a great visit and recalled many memories of MeMaw.  She always ordered the Chicken-N-Dumplins from Cracker Barrel, so Jordyn kept the tradition alive and well and enjoyed the dumplin's.


I am so very thankful for the many years of memories our family made together.  One memory in particular that I have is super silly (or gross...depending on if you are high-faluting or not).   Tomorrow (December 24th),  is Memaw's birthday so I will share in her memory--I know she wouldn't mind.  


One thing MeMaw and I always enjoyed doing was eating.   She was a great cook but in her later years she was too sick to cook so she loved to eat out--and it was always her treat.    We would eat until our bellies were stuffed beyond stuffed and then we'd pile on dessert.    Memaw and I both have a little....uhh...habit...or uncontrollable response to our food at times.    You see, we both *burp* (okay...belch) very loudly.   It just happens.  No warning. Nothing--just a loud NOISE followed by embarrassment (or laughter depending on your company).   The first time I remember this happening, MeMaw went to say something and accidentally *burped* at a restaurant and it was so loud I immediately responded, "you sound like a walrus".  We both laughed until we almost wet ourselves.  So the phrase, "Mama Walrus" (for her) and Baby Walrus (for me) was termed. 


I am thankful for silly memories.  Happy Birthday a day early to Memaw aka Mama Walrus.

PePaw and MeMaw Burton Christmas 2010

Let Loose - Day 21

Day 21 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


I am thankful for the Message Bible's paraphrase of Luke today.  I have been reading it the past few days and letting it resonate with me. 


Have you taken time to worship and praise Jesus this Christmas season?  


I want to worship like Mary did (Message Bible Luke 1)

^46-48And Mary said, 

   I'm bursting with God-news; 

      I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. 

      God took one good look at me, and look what happened— 

      I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! 

   What God has done for me will never be forgotten, 

      the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others....

 

I want to let loose like the shepherds did in these verses (Message Bible Luke 2:12-20):

-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 

Glory to God in the heavenly heights, 

Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and LET LOOSE, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

If you have time, I encourage you to read Luke Chapter 1 and 2 in The Message Bible.

Fruitcake - Day 20

Day 20 of Christmas Celebration and Praise


Today finds me thankful for being off from work and enjoying a rainy afternoon with my parents enjoying Chirstmas music along with a cup of coffee and two of my favorite Christmas yummies:

Yep - fruitcake and Chocolate German Gingerbread Cookies. 


(please refrain from the fruitcake comments!  ha ha)

8 Crazy Nights - Day 19

Day 19 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


Today I am thankful for Hanukkah.  Happy to Hanukkah to all my Jewish friends. 

In case you are curious why I have a menorah, you can read this blog post from a few years ago.  

Oh How He Love Us - Day 18

Day 18 of Christmas Praise and Celebration

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. 

~ Saint Augustine

Bella The Elf - Day 17

Day 17 of Christmas Praise and Celebration

According to reliable sources, December 18th is "International Answer The Phone As Buddy The Elf Day".   Being an elf myself, I just had to give it a try this afternoon when the phone rang.    My precious mom was the recipient of my "Buddy The Elf, What's Your Favorite Color?".


You see, I am thankful for a mom who never ceases to make our family laugh with her Pat-ism and misunderstandings of words.  Our all time favorite line  to date of mom's is when Jordyn's cell phone was on vibrate and my mom exclaimed, "your phone's wiggling!!".  


My Mom has only seen Elf once (unlike me who has seen it a bazillion times) and can't quote the lines like yours truly can.   Therefore, I found it totally hysterical when I had to call mom later tonight to ask her a question and she answered her phone by saying, "Bella the Elf, what color you like?"  Another classic Pat-ism moment.

I am thankful for my mom who loves Jesus but knows how to love life and have fun too!

Give Me Liberty - Day 16

Day 16 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


Whether you were a fan or not, the late Jerry Falwell, Sr.-- had a vision.  His vision? Liberty University. A college "with a vision to train Champions for Christ".    Our family is thankful for this college that is 'un-apologetically Christian'.  A place where parents can have peace knowing there are NO co-ed dorms on the 6,000 acre campus.  A place where classes are started with prayer requests. A place where each student is prayed over every day by prayer teams.  A place where the name of Jesus is lifted high.  A place I am proud to support as a parent.

Thank you Liberty University!!

Feeling Flakey - Day 15

Day 15 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


(clears throat) - ready, sing:  I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.  Just like the ones... (voice trails off with a discouraged tone.)


The temperatures are a bit mild in my area for a white Christmas. I better keep on dreaming (and praying)!


Until Suzie comes to visit I'll make snowflakes with coffee filters and this uber cool site:  Popular Front Snowday.


Of course, I will enjoy the snowflake decor hanging from my ceiling.

My point?  I'm unashamedly thankful for the white stuff when it comes my way!

My King - Day 14

Day 14 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


I'm thankful for my King.  Thankful that He stepped down from His throne.  All for me.  All for you. 


I adore this song by Downhere, "How Many Kings" (lyrics below).  Beautiful video too!

Follow the star to a place unexpected

Would you believe after all we’ve projected

A child in a manger 

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl

Just a child

Is this who we’ve waited for? 

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

How many Gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that has torn all apart?

How many fathers gave up their sons for me? 

Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior

All that we have whether costly or meek

Because we believe

Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure

And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer

Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

How many Gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that has torn all apart?

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only one did that for me 

All for me

All for you

All for me

All for you

Climb Every Mountains - Day 13

Day 13 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


I've had a mountain that I have been avoiding in my personal life.  In fact, I have been avoiding it for about a week.  One night last week I realized I could no longer continue to ignore the mountain or it was soon going start taking control of my life.   Instead of avoiding the ginormous task I faced, I thought I would give myself an incentive/reward to help deal with what was the inevitable.   I decided to make a deal with myself.  I would receive a reward after, and ONLY after, I had dealt with this mountain.   My "incentive to self" was a success.  


I am please to report I dealt fiercely with my mountain and in less than an hour I was enjoying my reward.   


My mountain: (of laundry.  It was as tall as the back of my recliner.  No lie. And it is just the two of us here this week.)

My reward:  Homemade sugar cookies with glazed icing.  (Only captured a picture of the mess I made making the cookies.  They didn't turn out too cute--so no after pictures...but they sure were delicious!)  If you want cute sugar cookies be sure to visit Sweet Bella Bakery.)

Once again this week, I am sad to report the mountain is back.  I guess I'll be baking another batch of sweet incentives for myself in the very near future. 


All that randomness to say that today I am thankful for abundance.  An abundance of clothes (that leaves me a mountain of laundry).  Even an abundance of food (thus the luxuary of making sugar cookies just because I "want some").  I realize many in this world don't have these luxuries of abundance.  My we never take for granted the blessings we have been given.    

5 Golden Rings - Day 12

Day 12 of Christmas Praise and Celebration

I was searching my pictures tonight when I randomly came across the following video. 

My mother-in-law (MeMaw) and I had a yearly Christmas tradition where we would sing The Twelve Days of Christmas as off key as possible.  (Well, MeMaw actually sang on key--I was the "off key" one.).  For as long as I can remember, each Christmas Jordyn  would play the piano and we would sing our hearts out.   Every year without fail we would sing and pause our way through this song trying to remember each verse/day by memory.  I don't think there was ever a year that we got the verses in the correct order (except for the "five golden rings" part) but we would laugh until we cried at our attempt.  

This year MeMaw is with Jesus.  I miss her.  I will miss singing "The Tweleve Days of Christmas with her but Jordyn and I will continue this tradition in her honor.

I am thankful for the memories I had with my precious mother-in-law.  She was amazing.  A few years ago one of our friends took this video and I am thankful I found it tonight...on my Day 12 of Praise and Celebration.