Tick tock, tick tock time is drawing near!

Ok, so Christmas is my favorite time of (day of) the year! My earliest Christmas memory happened in 1977. My little brother, Travis, was born on the 23rd of December that year. YAY! Merry Christmas! I got a brother, however I wanted a sister! I was devastated when the call came to my grandma's house telling me that I had a(nother) little brother. NOOOOOOOOOOOO! I hung up on my dad and immediately ran upstairs and bawled my eyes out! Yes, that was December 23.

My mom had to stay in the hospital for a few days, as she had my brother via a C-Section, so if you do the math, guess where she spent Christmas that year? Yup! The hospital. I don't remember much about THAT but what I do remember......waking up on Christmas morning and opening presents with my other little brother, Chad, and my Dad. I unwrapped the BEST present a little girl could hope for!! I got a real working sewing machine for little girls. I was so excited. That was a time in life when you got one 'big' present and then little odds and ends. THAT was my big present! Guess who didn't get to even try it out because mom was in the hospital (she knew how to use it) and dad didn't have a clue what to do with it. Miserable! I seriously remember not liking my new baby brother for awhile after that because he 'ruined my Christmas'. HAHAHA!!!

 

Christmas has always been a great time of year for me. Traditions that were deep in family. Cookies. Church. One of my favorite things to do was to help my grandma decorate her Christmas tree each year. She had these awesome little bell ornaments that she hung on her tree that looked like little people. Elves and angels or something. There might have only been 5 of them. She always saved those for me to put on the tree. I loved those ornaments. After my grandmother passed away, I asked to have them to keep the tradition alive of putting them on my tree. A little bit of my grandmother (whom I miss terribly, especially at Christmas time) lives on each year as I ring each bell and place it on my tree! One day, I hope to have grandchildren who want to help me decorate my tree and those bells will be saved for them to place!

As a child, Christmas was always a hectic day for my parents. We'd have to visit both sets of grandparents and it seemed like we never had a lot of time at any place, but as a child, it was all we knew of Christmas. The hustle and bustle of the day. Family. Love. One year, the only thing I asked for from Santa was a Cabbage Patch Preemie doll. It wasn't just any Cabbage Patch Preemie on my list. I wanted an African American BOY preemie. My best friend's family had been fostering a little boy who I adored. I wanted a doll that was just like Aaron!! I found out later that my grandfather (who was an old school PA Dutch kind of guy) had traipsed all over Allentown looking for THE doll I wanted and did not settle til he found it, although it ended up being a girl. April Priscilla! Another fond Christmas memory of days gone by. Memories of Christmas that make me smile.

My home is decorated to the nines for Christmas! I've got Christmas trees in almost every room, decorations in every room (YES, even the bathroom gets decorated!), and I love to be surrounded by the beauty of Christmas. White lights on the tree, around the door/archways, on decorations; they are the only light I prefer when sitting around at night watching my Christmas movies!!

Christmas music has been playing at my desk since Thanksgiving. I've been wearing Christmas attire since we are back from Thanksgiving break (and I'm sad there wasn't more time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year!). I'm done with the wrapping, the sending of Christmas cards, stocking stuffers have been purchased (slightly disappointed in them this year), and I'm ready to put work in the books for this year (ONE MORE DAY!)!! The dogs have their Christmas collars and bandanas on! I've been told I suffer from O.C.D (Obsessive Christmas Disorder) and to that I say, YOU ARE NOT WRONG!!! I love all things Christmas and sometimes I struggle when others don't share in my affinity for all things Christmas. In my world, Christmas can get here now!!! Hurry Christmas!!!

In my love for all things Christmas, one image will ALWAYS stand out in my memory bank. As a child, we would drive to the next town to visit my grandparents. A storefront on the main street in the town always had a statue in their front window of Santa kneeling at the manger of the Christ Child. It always struck me as profound (even before I knew what profound meant). There was always something about THAT window display that put the meaning of Christmas where it should be. Yes, Christmas is wonderful with the lights, bells, trees, Santa Claus, gifts, music, movies, TV specials, hoopla out the whazoo, but in reality, Christmas is beautiful for the one gift that was unselfishly given to us, in the form of a baby in a manger. The image of Santa kneeling at the Christ Child's manger is a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the TRUE meaning of the season.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May the blessings of Christmas be with you this holiday season and in the days that follow, as we usher in a new year, new decade.

Christmastime is here

It's almost Christmas!! It truly is my favorite time of year (and honestly, my favorite DAY of the year!)!!! I love all things Christmas! The lights!! The colors!! Santa!! SNOW!! The Nativity!! The Christmas Story!! Bells!! Tinsel!! Garland!! Angels!! Balls!! Music!! Movies!!

Christmastime is here. It's my favorite time of the year for so many reasons. I've been determined to keep it my favorite time of year, despite the hand we were dealt with in the last 3 months. This year, Christmas will be so different, but rather than become all mopey about it, I am embracing the change. 

It will be the first year that there will be no children in our house on Christmas morning. 29 years of waking up to one (or both) of my girls in their rooms, patiently waiting to go downstairs to see what Mama Claus delivered during the night has come to an end, as I knew it one day would. And as much as I knew it would, I wasn't quite prepared for it. There is a part of me that is sad at this thought (because it has always been my favorite part of the day - waking up and heading downstairs and seeing their faces at what was under the tree!!!) but there is also a part of me that is so proud at how wonderfully their lives have turned out. Each living in their own homes, creating Christmas traditions with their families. It's a new Christmas for me this year, but I'm ok with that!

This year will be different in that we won't get our usual texts from California. Bill won't get his hour(s) long Christmas phone call from Billy. I'm praying for peace in our hearts this Christmas day, as we go about our day keeping his memory alive and remembering him with happy memories of Christmases past, thanking God for the Christmases we HAD with him. Different. A new normal.

December 25 will also mark our 10th anniversary!! 10 years of being married to the most amazing man I've ever known in my life (next to my dad!). Not even joking when I say, it feels like we've been together forever. Bill always says we have. We've been together in many previous lives and somehow we always manage to find each other over and over again. I believe that, weird as it may sound. When I first met Bill DeHart, I had no idea what changes he would bring to my life. I will forever be thankful our paths crossed again and that we managed to become one. There is NO one else I want to go through life with than my main squeeze!

10 years ago, when Bill proposed the idea of getting married on Christmas Day, in my grandmother's living room (where he proposed to me 2 years prior), I thought he was just kidding around. I wasn't so sure I really wanted to get married again. I was content with life as it was. As often as Bill would say we would get married one day, I swore it was 'never gonna happen' for one reason or another (we have quite a history there!). We managed to throw together an incredible wedding in two weeks time and we got married in front of the Christmas tree in my grandmothers front living room at 4pm on December 25, 2009 by the Mayor of Bowmanstown and in front of family and two special friends! It was my last Christmas with my beloved Grandma Marilyn. It was the best Christmas of my life up to that point. Every Christmas since has been exceptional. I love all things Christmas and hope to spread that Christmas cheer to those I encounter on a daily basis!

Life in the last 10 years: we've traveled a lot, watched our daughters graduate high school and college (a few times), supported our son in his life decision to move across the country, saw our daughter get married, another one get engaged, experienced the heartache of losing our son, added two dogs to the family, produced a CD for the band (YAY BILL!! FOLLOW THAT DREAM, MY LOVE!), and simply enjoyed life TOGETHER. 

Bill, life with you is nothing short of amazing. You keep me smiling when I want to frown, laughing when I want to cry. You support all my crazy ideas and love me through thick and thin. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know and I am so blessed that you share that heart with me. Happy 10 years (I know I'm early, but the mood struck for this post so here it is!), Babe!!!!

Wishing everyone who has read this blog a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Joyous New Year. May 2020 be better than 2019!!!

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

 

Last night, ABC had a wonderful special for the 50th Anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas being on TV. While some of the music I could have done without, for the most part, it was a heartwarming look into the making of the Christmas special and everyone's beloved 'gang' sharing the true meaning of Christmas.

 

 

In the opening scene, we see Charlie Brown and Linus heading to the skating pond to meet up with the gang for some winter fun. They stop at a brick wall, and the following dialogue takes place:

 

• Charlie Brown: I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel. I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.

• Linus: Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.
  

I think we can all relate to Charlie Brown in the beginning of the special at some point. This year, more than any other year, I've found myself feeling quite "Charlie Browniest" when it came to preparing my home from the holiday. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Christmas. I love everything about it. I love my home, all decorated for the season. I love my church at Christmas. I love the idea of giving to people. I love the Christmas Story as told in the gospel according to St. Luke.  I just love Christmas.


And more than all of that, I love the A Charlie Brown Christmas special. I love that 50 years ago, Charles Schulz took a HUGE risk and decided to tell it like it is at Christmas, using the scriptures to tell the greatest story ever told.


As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I cannot think of a better or more beloved “true meaning of Christmas” speech than the one that was so eloquently delivered by Linus van Pelt. Take the time to sit back and enjoy this video clip from A Charlie Brown Christmas as you prepare for the Christmas season.

        Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone, who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus: Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights please?

        And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch   over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men.

          That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.








From Think Thankfully to all of you.....many wishes for a blessed Christmas and a joyous 2016.

Until next time.............

 

Hustle and bustle....and quick fleeting moments.

So, the hustle and bustle of the holidays is coming to a quick close. Last night we met up with our son and his girlfriend for the Christmas exchange! Always a great time with the two of them. They are heading to Maine today for a New Years Eve Wedding of a friend. My Firstborn headed to Long Island yesterday to meet her wonderful boyfriend's family. The youngest's basketball tournament is over (yay for being Tournament Champs two years in a row!!!) and so the long days of sitting in a gym watching basketball has been put on hold (at least until regular season play resumes on January 3!!!). The holiday season (and subsequently vacation time) is coming to a screeching halt right before my eyes.

When I was a little girl, I was always told that as I got older, the time would fly by faster. Never understood it when people said that to me. Heck, isn't a minute a minute and a day a day? Now, NOW I understand. I was so eager to have a nice, nearly two week, break from school to spend time with those I love. I had plans to get a lot done over these days off. Yeah, not so much. Oh, I've enjoyed the time I had with my children, but I see now, how quickly life passes us by. Ferris Bueller was right on the mark when he said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Life is moving pretty fast. The years are passing us by ever so quickly. I have learned to cherish the moments life brings to me, especially ones with my grandma. After losing my other grandma almost 4 years ago, I have often felt as though towards the end of her life, I didn't spend nearly enough time with her. She lived only one block from me and yet, I didn't make it a point to spend the time with her that I should have. Not this time. I have learned to capture all the moments I can with my only living grandparent, my dear sweet Grandma LaRue. I managed to get this gem on Christmas Day.....my beautiful grandma and I. At 85 years young, I know my time with her could be very short lived, although with her spirit and spunk, I have a feeling I'll have her for at least 15 more years!!  She's got things to see, great grandkids to spoil, LIFE TO LIVE!!! She truly makes me appreciate how fleeting our time here is.

Yes, the hustle and bustle of the season is coming to an end.  Hopefully you took some time this holiday season to completely appreciate those in your life. It's not about the gift giving of material possessions, but rather the gift of your time. Don't let the business of the days in your life stop you from reaching out, lending your time, sharing a smile, giving of your heart.

Until tomorrow, my friends....enjoy what's left of the season.......

Think Thankfully!!!!

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....

Image copyright unknown

I have always loved the image above. In a furniture store in the town over from where I live, they have a Christmas statue of this in the window at the holiday season. I have always loved seeing it, because I think it speaks volumes to the commercialism we have all grown to support over the weeks and months leading up to Christmas. What more of a profound image than to see Santa bowing to the Christ Child in the manger. Santa recognizing the TRUE MEANING behind the day in which he (Santa) gets more credit than Jesus.

Now, here we sit on December 26 and the big day has come and gone. How many people will start taking down Christmas decorations today? How many people will be packing away their presents and start tidying up the house? The big day has come and gone, but has it, really????

Technically, the Twelve Days of Christmas start with Christmas Day and go until January 6^th. It isn’t a countdown TO Christmas, but rather a count of the days between Christmas (December 25) and Epiphany (January 6), when the Wise Men finally made it to the manger to see the Christ Child, whose birth was fortold to them. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, although many people consider this the case and start using the 12 Days of Christmas as their countdown to the big day. Not I. I start my 12 Days of Christmas on December 25 and end it on January 5, with Epiphany beginning on January 6. 

Yes, I truly do celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas! I follow the way it was meant to be. My Christmas decorations will remain up in my house until the weekend of January 10-12. I will enjoy the Christmas season (despite having to go back to work on January 2!) and ALL it has to offer. Christmas is more than just one day to me. As I looked into the 12 Days of Christmas song, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the famous song about the 12 Days of Christmas was written in England as a catechism song for young Catholics in the days when it was illegal to practice or teach the Catholic Faith.  It contains hidden meanings intended to help children remember lessons of faith. Do a google search on explanations of the 12 Days of Christmas and you will be surprised to learn what each day helped youngsters to remember about their faith.

As I have stated a few times in the past, Christmas meant something more to me this year. It meant more than just presents under a tree, decorations adorning the house, spending time with family members. Christmas was about my renewed faith. Christmas had a special hold on my heart this year, more than it ever had before. I was able to really sit and appreciate the meaning behind Christmas.

From the Christmas Cantata on Sunday evening to the sermon given by our minister’s wife (who is a retired minister as well) on Christmas Eve, I was reminded that it ALL began in a manger in Bethlehem so long ago. Yes, we celebrate December 25 as the day Christ was born, but again, I was reminded that we chose that day, in all likelihood, this was NOT the day that Christ was actually born upon this earth. As I sit here, in the quiet stillness of my house, fireplace aglow, snow falling so peacefully outside, I can’t help but feel consumed by the whole idea that it all started with an innocent child in a manger, born to save each of us.

Christmas has been a wonderful day for me: the marriage to my best friend Christmas Day 2009; the near Christmas birth of my baby brother December 23, 1977; the Christmases spent with family, surrounded by beauty and love; the services by candlelight on Christmas Eve in our tiny church in our little town. I have always loved Christmas, but this year, well, this year, I have wrapped myself around a new idea of Christmas. We celebrate the birth of Christ, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The Christ Child. This truly is the reason for our celebration. He is the reason for ALL our celebrations. To Him be praise and honor given.......

Hopefully, you are spending some time reflecting on what Christmas truly is all about. Hopefully you will choose to enjoy the season of the 12 Days of Christmas. And hopefully you will be filled with an abundance of love, peace, hope, and joy!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends………

Think Thankfully!!!

We Wish YOU A Merry Christmas!!!

From Think Thankfully to YOU....wishes for a blessed holiday season! May the peace and love that came down at Christmas find you this holiday season and may you be blessed beyond expectation. And while you are out celebrating the holidays, please stop and say a little prayer for those in the US Armed Services who are not fortunate enough to be celebrating with their loved ones this holiday because they are stationed overseas or states away from their family. God Bless them, every one!

Today is such a special day for another reason. Four years ago, this very day (yes, I was married on Christmas Day....4pm 12/25/09 in my Grandmother's living room surrounded by the beauty of the day with family and friends!), I married my soulmate, my best friend, my incredible end of the road love. We weathered some crazy storms in order to live life as one, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I cannot image my life without my HoneyMan in it. He is the sunshine to my darkness, the happiness to my sadness, the peanut butter to my jelly, the rock that keeps me grounded, the laughter that fills the empty void. My life has been blessed a million times over because he came into it. It seemed only fitting to become husband and wife on Christmas Day! He truly is a special gift in my life!! Happy Anniversary, my love. Thank you for another incredible year! 

Merry Christmas!!!

Think Thankfully!!

Oh Holy Night! Oh Night Divine!

This has to be one of my most favorite nights of the year. I am eagerly awaiting the 10:45 Christmas Eve services at our Church this year. I cannot even begin to describe the beauty of our little church on this most holy night of the year. I eagerly await the news that Christ, the Savior, is born!!! I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about it.

Christmas has moved me beyond words this year. My most favorite Christmas song is Oh Holy Night. I most definitely LOVE two particular versions of the song. One is sung by Martina McBride while the other happens to be sung by Josh Groban. Both have voices that move my every ounce of being. Tears well in my eyes upon hearing the song....Oh Holy Night.....Oh Night Divine!!!!!

To me, this song sums up my feelings for Christmas. And tonight, it is what I leave you with as you prepare yourselves for the Christ Child's birth. It is whatI leave you with as you go about your holiday festivities.

Oh Holy Night

Oh holy night!

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees

Oh hear the angel voices

Oh night divine

Oh night when Christ was born

Oh night divine

Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming

Here come the wise men from Orient land

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger

In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another

His law is love and His gospel is peace

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name

Until tomorrow, my friends......Christ, the Savior is born......Christ, the Savior is born

Think Thankfully!!!

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!

Today is one of those days that is etched in my memory bank....and will be forever! We often talk about days like today. Those days where you remember it like it was yesterday, despite the fact that the reason for the memory might be, oh let's say 36 years ago!!! Yup, my friends, today is a day like that for me!!!

I was 4 years old (actually 4 years and 10 months old) and it was almost Christmas!!! My grandparents lived in this tiny little house on Railroad Street in Bowmanstown. As I mentioned in a previous blog posting, one of my favorite things to do for as long as I can remember was to help my grandma decorate her Christmas tree! It never had to be just right for her, as each ornament was placed with love no matter where it ended up! If there were a ton of balls on one side and nearly any on the other, oh well!!!  But I digress. Let me take you back in time in this blog.....let's go back to December 23, 1977.

My brother and I were taken to my grandparent's house because my mom and dad had to go to the hospital. You see, our "Christmas gift" that year (among other presents) was a new sibling. I remember praying hard for a sister. I wanted one so badly. At 4 years old, I remember telling anyone who would ask me whether I wanted a brother or a sister, "I want a sister. I already got a brother!" Yes, I wanted a sister so badly that......

.......when the phone rang as we decorated the tree, I ran to answer it. I always thought I was a big shot when grandma let me answer the phone. "Hello Everett's" I said in my most polite 4 (almost 5) year old voice. "Hey kiddo! Is grandma there?" It was my dad's voice. Excitedly, I asked, "Is the baby here? Do I have a sister?" And then, much to my heartbreak, the reply came in, "Yes, the baby is here. You have a little brother."

That was all I had to hear. I hung up on my dad (I know, I know, but to this day I am still sorry about that) and I ran upstairs and crawled under the bed and just cried my eyes out. My poor grandma still didn't know what was happening!! As she came to comfort me with her always loving arms and way of talking to me, she made everything better. It was at that moment, my grandma made me realize how awesome it was to have another brother, because it meant I was still her only little girl!!! Ohhhhhhh yeah!!!!!!!

My dad did eventually call back and tell the world (well, my family) that my little brother, Travis, was born. Anyone who knows me, knows just how special he is to me. He was my first best friend. He is still one of my best friends. He is my hero. Yes, my Christmas that year was a little bit of a downer (I got the sewing machine I really wanted from Santa, but I had to wait til Mommy was home from the hospital with my new brother to use it because Daddy had NO CLUE what to do....oh well!!!), but in the end, I've had 36 years with the best brother a girl could ever hope to have!!!

Happy Birthday, my little brother. May you be blessed in the year ahead with peace, love, and safety as you deploy once again......

Until tomorrow, my friends.....only two more sleeps til Santa arrives!! 

Think Thankfully!!!

How silently, how silently, The wondrous Gift is giv'n!

This evening, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a Christmas Canata, performed by the Christ Evangelical Free Church in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. At the beginning of December, a co-worker of mine gave me a beautiful postcard invitation to the performance. She encouraged me, saying that she truly believed I would enjoy it. I immediately put it in my calendar, promising that as long as nothing family related came up, I would be there. I am so incredibly glad my calendar remained clear!

The title of the Christmas Cantata was Bethlehem Morning. It was created by Russell Mauldin, Sue C. Smith and arranged and orchestrated by Russell Mauldin. The story within the singing took a look at what it must have been like on that first Christmas morning. As I have stated numerous times, this particular Christmas is exciting to me. I am eagerly awaiting Christmas Eve services at my church and the announcement of the birth of the Christ Child! I can't ever remember this feeling. I am almost 100% sure it is because of my renewed sense of faith in Christ Jesus. I have come to see things a lot differently since I walked back into my church a few months ago (this time for good). 

We started out the evening singing two beloved Christmas hymns (The First Noel and O Little Town of Bethlehem), which seemed to really uplift my already soaring spirits for the Christmas holiday. Afterwards, the performers took the stage and the magnificent performance of the cantata began. It wasn't until the 3rd number, the Bethlehem Manger Medley, that the waterworks appeared in my eyes. In singing their version of O Little Town of Bethlehem, there was a brief period in the song where they sang the lines: I come to the manger, I come in surrender. This is where my life begins. This is where my life begins. You pour out Your mercy, You shine in Your glory. When I come, when I come to Bethlehem. I couldn't help but be moved by those lines. I instantly felt as though it was being sung directly to me...to my heart. 

I came home from the cantata and immediately found the song (not performed by the cantata tonight, but a professional recording of it) on YouTube. Listening to it again, brought me to tears all over again. I'm still moved as I sit here listening to it and writing this blog tonight. 

At the conclusion of the cantata, the minister of the congregation (forgive me, I didn't catch his name), gave a wonderful devotional about how Christ has to be born IN each of us in order for us to fully come to His saving grace. He spoke so passionately about the idea of Christ being born for us, but having to be born IN us, I was truly moved. It was just what I needed to start my Christmas week. I needed those words uttered by a man I have never met but somehow managed to speak directly to me this evening.

I like to think that through my whole Think Thankfully journey, my relationship with my Lord and Savior has grown stronger. I no longer wake up on a Sunday and think of reasons why I don't want to go to church, but rather I eagerly get ready for Sunday Services. I smile on the walk up the block to my church, ready to greet those who join me in worship. Our congregation is small in number, but large in heart. There is a genuine feeling of affection among the members of our tiny church family. I feel at peace. I feel at home.

I come to the manger. I come to surrender. This is where my life begins.

Until tomorrow, my friends.....my Christmas wish for you on this night is that if you are struggling with your faith, feeling a bit discombobulated over the whole thing, you will look up, see the star, and remember how silently the wondrous gift was given to us on that first Bethlehem morning.

Think Thankfully!!!!

There's no time to waste! There's so much to celebrate!

Well, it is quite funny that today's image should be Santa hats! It is currently 8:30am and I JUST finished up 3 1/2 hours of wrapping! Yes, if you do the math correctly, that means I was up at 5am wrapping presents! And if you do the calendar calculations correctly, yes, this is my FIRST day of Christmas Break (and on a side note, today was one of the first Saturdays since Basketball started that I didn't HAVE to wake up and take Erika to practice....Oh the joys of an internal clock!).

Anyway, I just finished up wrapping everything I had here. There are still gifts that have to be delivered and then I'll wrap some more on Tuesday! OH BOY!!!  I love the hustle and bustle of the season!!!! I also managed to wrap my husband's anniversary gifts, too, because I have a feeling he does snoop a bit, even though he claims he doesn't!! This Christmas Day marks 4 years of wedded bliss with the man of my dreams! Feels like we've been together forever, and in a sense, I guess we have! I would be remiss if I didn't mention, again (sorry to all who are tired of hearing it), just how lucky I am!!!

I guess you can tell the mood of today's blog is desperately different than yesterday's! I had a wonderful Christmas celebration with my wee ones!!! I've never seen children (besides my own, mind you), who were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thrilled with simple little gifts! I would also be remiss in this blog if I didn't give a HUGE shout out to A.C. Moore for their awesome deals and for treating teachers so wonderfully with a 15% discount with the school ID. Amazing the gifts I was able to get my little darlings without truly breaking the bank!!!!! Each of my wee ones were given a Pillow Pet Pee Wee (that matched the student in one way or another!), coloring book, activity stuff, holiday pencils and erasers, candy cane, and a puzzle! To see their faces light up at the gifts was simply ALL I needed to be reminded how innocent children truly are!!! From start to finish in the classroom yesterday, it was all I could ever ask for as a teacher!

I've still got a bit of things to do before the big day, but as of now, I am going to sit with my cup of coffee, fireplace aglow, Christmas music in the background, wrapped in my grandma's afghan, and just enjoy the peace of the moment!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends....believe in what your heart is saying! Hear the melody that's playing! There's no time to waste! There's so much to celebrate! Believe in what you feel inside and give your dreams the wings to fly!!! You have everything you need......If you just believe!!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!!

And, I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas......

I am very sorry I missed a blog posting yesterday. I was running very late in the morning, when I normally like to sit and write, in the quiet stillness of the house. Work was tough yesterday. Drainingly tough. And we had our 2nd night of 3 nights in a row basketball last night. Needless to say I was drained when I got home. I am super thankful I was able to get out a personal thankful post on Facebook. I pretty much typed, went upstairs, and before my head was even on the pillow, I was out like a light. It did bother me, as I said to my husband before my eyes closed, "My day was so horrible and to top it off, I didn't blog today." He kinda laughed and said, "Well, why not?" I just didn't have it in me. I guess some days are like that....(even in Australia).

Yesterday was a tough day for me to remember my Christmas spirit. I think it is extremely hard, in general, when you give and give and give, are good to people, and then are treated with disrespect in return. I do believe it is even harder in my line of work. I try very hard to see the good in everyone. I try very hard to work on manners with my students. Respect. Friendship. Trustworthiness. Days like yesterday, I feel as though I am not doing a good enough job. While I love working with the elementary aged students, it proves to be far more challenging that inner city, tough, 'gangster', high school kids. Days like yesterday, I feel as though I've failed the challenge miserably.

I've got to keep pushing along here. I've got to keep telling myself that I am making a difference. I've got to keep trying to push the Christmas spirit into the hearts of young and old alike, not just at Christmas, but all the year through. I've got to keep trying.

I know today's posting is a little more depressing than I wish this blog to be, but as I sit here at 6:35am, staring at the bags of goodies I got for my students, hoping to make their Christmas a little bright, I can't help but feel defeated and wonder, "What for?" I'm nearly 100% sure that my efforts will not be appreciated by all of my students (but on a positive note, I can name THREE that right away I KNOW will appreciate and LOVE their gifts!). I feel as though I may have set myself up for heartbreak, when today isn't all they (or should I say I) hoped it would be. And days like yesterday produce mornings like today, where I can't wait for it to be over, I need my Christmas break, and I am praying that the day goes off without a hitch.

I promise I will make tomorrow's blog a little more upbeat. I just needed to get it out, because right now, I'm having a very Blue Christmas.

Until tomorrow, my friends.....Happy Friday.

Think Thankfully.

Arise! Shine! For thy light has come!

I was asked yesterday to whom am I thankful. It was an easy question to answer. I am thankful to God for the blessings in my life, BUT I do not impress upon people my religious beliefs. I 100% accept that not everyone shares the same beliefs as I do and out of the 452 people who follow the Think Thankfully Facebook page, I do not wish to offend those who do not believe what I do. Occasionally, an image or status quote may have religious undertones, but for the most part, I give everyone the opportunity to believe in Thinking Thankfully to whom or whatever they believe in. My blog, however, is MY blog. It is a reflection of what I feel, what I believe, what I feel compelled to write. 

The idea of being a thankful person does not have to be a religious experience, although for me, the whole notion of being more thankful has brought me back to my religious roots. For quite some time, I found myself wandering in the darkness, unsure of my beliefs or feelings. It wasn't until recently that I seemed to have found my way back. Through my journey to being more thankful, I am appreciating Christmas so much more. I eagerly await December 25 and the birth of the Christ Child.

Today, it seems as though the Christmas story is easily taken for granted, passed over for stories of Santa and Rudolph, Frosty and Ralphie. It seems, year after year, that our ears have become numb as we've heard the story countless times and in a variety of different settings -- the angel's appearance to Mary, Joseph's dream, the road to Bethlehem, the lack of room in the inn, the birth in a lowly stable, the appearance of nearby shepherds, the star guiding the way. The account of Christ's birth found in St Luke, is my favorite. I look forward to hearing it this Christmas Eve, more so than any other year I can remember. This year, as I tried to gain more of my religious footing where Christmas was concerned, I decided to turn to my YouVersion Bible App for an Advent/Christmas devotional. I chose She Reads Truth: Emmanuel, at the recommendation of my daughter. This particular devotional is a 28 day Advent study of the need for, the promise of, and the arrival of the Christ Child, our Emmanuel. Throughout this devotional, I have been given the unique opportunity to take the time to prepare for the moment upon us, to reflect on the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, and in doing so, my sense of Christmas awe returned. 

I remember reading a particular entry this past week that has settled in my head and my heart, Your Light Has Come, from December 13. "We are not left on our own. God is there. How simple and how infinitely wonderful." ~ Ramond C. Ortlund, Jr. The passage went on to say: A candle in a dark room. A baby boy in a stable. Both tell the same truth: Darkness cannot survive where there is light. Wow! The wonderfully bright shining star that was found in the nighttime sky the night the Christ Child was born gives us proof that we will never live in darkness as long as Christ is present in the world. Christmas Day, the light of the world was born...rejoice! As I sit in the quiet darkness of my living room, surrounded by the lights of the window candles, I am reminded of how still darkness can be, but how wonderful the light shines forth for us. 

Until tomorrow, my friends....arise, shine! For thy light has come!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

Well, I must say, I do feel a little bit guilty about this snow day. Not even kidding. Just a wee bit. I do feel as though it is a bit my fault. You see, on Saturday, I sat for many morning hours (in fact, into the afternoon hours, too), writing my 7th and 8th brand new IEP of the school year (sheesh, teaching Special Education to wee ones certainly is more work than I ever imagined it would be!). As I sat writing, I got a text from my dearest BFF in the world. He simply texted to say he loved me, that was all. Here's how our conversation went:

Saturday, 9:04am
CC: Love you! Just thought you should know! (insert kissy heart face here) 

Saturday, 11:38am
Me: Thanks! I needed that as I am chin deep in two IEP's that I have to do for Tuesday! I am hoping for a (insert kinda not nice word here - sorry mom) blizzard Monday night. Argh. I've done 8 brand new IEP's this year so far. Sucks. 

Saturday, 11:40am
CC: I bet!!!

So there you have it. It really might be my fault! Honestly, because you know I try to be honest, I had NO IDEA they were really calling for this stuff again when I texted him. I was teasing when I sent it. See, I was all set to have an intake meeting for a new student. With only three days to Christmas break, a new wee one is to enter the threshold of the greatest classroom on the planet, Room 101. I wasn't super happy about that. I'm not worried about adding another wee one to our classroom. No way. The more the merrier! It won't take too long before he is falling right into place, but I was a bit unhappy at the start time. Did I prepare for him all the same? You bet I did. When I went shopping last night for my wee ones' Christmas presents, did I shop for a little boy I really did not know? You bet I did. Did I really want another snow day for today? You bet I did.................................................................................not!!!

People think teaching is such an easy job. They scoff at teachers in the summer time ("Must be nice to have three months off" "Must be nice to not have to work" but I know, much like myself, summers aren't time off. I am planning my next school year during those summer months. I am attending trainings and meetings all summer long), they utter all kinds of harsh words at them on snow days ("Wish MY job had snow days." "I'm not lucky enough to stay home when the snow falls because some are afraid to go out in it." as if it is OUR choice to have a day off for weather, as if WE made the call for no school), and they certainly don't understand when we complain a bit about our jobs ("Oh how hard is your job? You babysit and have play time all day long." Really? Spend a day in my room and see what gets done). I don't have your typical teaching job, either. When people ask me how many students I have in my classroom, and I answer, "8 wee ones!", I get the evil eye, like "What are you complaining about with ONLY 8 students." My students are special. My students are a mixture of K-3 graders with a lot of social, emotional, and behavioral needs along with some academic needs thrown in there, too. They are not the 'sit at your seat and do your work' kind of students. They are not the 'be quiet and enjoy a movie' kind of students. They have come A LONG way since the beginning of the school year, but they still have a long way to go. Think about the one student in your own classroom from your school days or the one you hear your child always talking about: the class clown, the naughty one, the one who is ALWAYS getting in trouble in class. Multiply those behaviors and stories by 10 and there you have almost all of my wee ones. Some days are a real struggle, but I wouldn't trade my days for anything.

I have seen a relatively non-verbal little guy speak volumes in a few short months, I have seen the class jumping bean sitting quietly in his desk working on a worksheet, I have seen the destructive child become the class cleaner upper with a heart of gold, I have seen the low frustration tolerance child create a beautiful snowflake star that hangs in our classroom, I have seen a child who barely knew how to read able to fly through his sight word flashcards, and I have seen two youngsters with severe anger issues make their days and handle their anger in such wonderful calm manners. You see, when you take the time to really dig deep and get to know the students in your class, even the toughest of children will respond. They will rise up to the expectations that are placed before them. Do I expect a lot out of my students. Yes, I most certainly do! I expect them to listen, be polite, follow rules, and do their very best! Do they? Yes, they most certainly do!

A friend posted this image on my personal Facebook wall last week when we had our first two snow days:

I think it sums it all up nicely!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends.....Let it snow Let it snow Let it snow!!!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!!

                    

I believe in Father Christmas

As I loaded up the DVD into the computer today in order to show my students A Year Without A Santa Claus, I could hardly believe how little the students in my class truly knew of the Christmas holiday. In all honesty (because you know I try to be an honest person), I could have sat and cried.

I guess I truly took for granted the upbringing I had. We always looked forward to the Christmas specials that were on TV between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I remember thumbing through the TV Guide each week to scan each page and see when they were on! Usually Rudolph got the first viewing of the year, followed by all the wonderful Rankin and Bass specials. To this day, I mark them in my phone calendar so I know when they are on TV! I have my favorites and of course, my least favorites, but I watch them all the same! It's part of the fun of the season!

I probably should have known when we tried watching Emmet Otter on Saturday night with my nieces. Honestly, only ONE of my four nieces truly enjoyed the experience. The others kind of sneered at the simplicity of the special, laughing because of how primitive the puppets are. "You can see the strings" "How annoying" "This is awful" My heart broke. Sure, it is a very low budget kind of special, but heck, it is nearly 40 years old. And for a production done in 1977, it sure isn't all that bad to watch. At least they know who Emmet Otter is. They know Rudolph, too!

Today, as we watched A Year Without A Santa Claus, I was shocked that my students had never seen it. Watching Christmas specials is not something they do in their house. I promised them that as the week went on, we'd watch even more of the specials that make Christmas, well Christmas. Tomorrow, we will watch Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. After watching A Year Without A Santa Claus, one of my boys asked if we could watch another special that was on the disc, Rudolph's Shiny New Year. Of course I wouldn't turn down the request....I want my students to be exposed to all things Christmas this year. As we watched, we asked another of my students if he knew who the guy was with the shiny red nose.....his response, "I have no clue." My heart sank. He truly didn't know Rudolph. He was totally uninterested in any of the specials, most likely because Christmas isn't really a big deal in his family. Not that they don't celebrate it, just that they don't make a big deal of it. It's pretty much another day. Sadness took over.

What happened to celebrating as a family? What happened to being excited at the coming of Santa Claus? What happened to remembering the love that came down at Christmas? What happened that we don't create these memories, no matter how silly others think they are, with our children? I fear the future of a special holiday, when even our youngsters now don't appreciate the specials viewed. I fear the future of Christmas when children can't even sing along to Rudolph because they don't know the echo parts or even who he is. But I won't stop believing.......

I believe in Father Christmas. I believe in Santa Claus. And because I believe, I am hoping for a Christmas miracle. I am hoping that my students, somehow, someway, become moved by the season. I'm praying that they will see the beauty in Christmas and one day, ONE DAY, will look back at this school year and remember that I introduced them to the specials, that I took the time to make memories with them, that Christmas inspires them as it does me. I believe in Father Christmas.

I wish you a hopeful Christmas

I wish you a brave New Year

All anguish, pain, and sadness

Leave your heart and let your road be clear

They said there'll be snow at Christmas

They said there'll be peace on earth

Hallelujah! Noel! Be it heaven or hell:

The Christmas you get, you deserve

Until tomorrow, my friends.....may you bring the hope and peace of Christmas to someone's life.

Think Thankfully!!!

Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You'

I'm not sure what it is about the song, Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You' sung by Billy Squier, but I just LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!! It makes me smile when I hear it come on the radio!

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

Share the joys of laughter and good cheer

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

And a feeling that will last all through the year

And a feeling that will last all through the year! Sometimes I wish the Christmas spirit, the joy and laughter, the love, all of it.....all of it would be felt all year long. It seems as though, when Christmas is over, that's it. Lights out. Happiness gone out of some people. Back to the miserable world they live in.

On the corner carolers are singing

there's a touch of magic in the air

from grownup to minor no one could be finer

times are hard but no one seems to care

Christmas Eve and all the world is watching

Santa guides his reindeer through the dark

from rooftop to chimney, from Harlem to Bimini

they will find a way into your heart

This is another example of just how wonderful the season is and how timeless the lyrics are. Times are hard but no one seems to care.....no one truly seems to care, and even though times are tough right now, somehow, Christmas has a way of coming and everyone is satisfied. Presents are wrapped under trees, merriment is in the making, and people are happy. Most people.

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

Share the joys of laughter and good cheer

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

And a feeling that will last all through the year

Again, how wonderful! You can't help but smile when you hear this song! It always makes me want to sing along!!

Just outside the window snow is falling

but here beside the fire we share the glow

of moonlight and brandy, sweet talk and candy

sentiments that everyone should know

Memories of the year that lays behind us

wishes for the year that's yet to come

and it stands to reason that good friends in season

make you feel that life has just begun

This particular verse is what my start to Christmas looks like. My husband and I celebrate our Christmas Anniversary by sitting on the couch, in the glow of the Christmas lights, the warmth of the fire and we exchange our anniversary gifts to one another. We talk about the year behind us and all the goodness that lay ahead of us. Our life truly has just begun!!!

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

Share the joys of laughter and good cheer

Christmas is the time to say "I love you"

And a feeling that will last all through the year

So when spirits grow lighter

and hopes are shinin' brighter

then you know that Christmas time is here

This song really could be my Christmas anthem! Never realized it until I wrote out this blog today! Sing it Billy Squier, sing it!!!  Now I hope I hear it on the road to Hershey today!!!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends.....I hope your spirits have grown lighter and your hopes are shinin' brighter because CHRISTMAS time is here!!!

Think Thankfully!!!