steady gaze

Tonight as this song (below) played in my living room I was totally caught up in the lyrics. My heart was so stirred, and it reminded me of how long it's been since I was able to sit and just have a really intimate time with God. Not that I haven't read my Bible, or prayed, or prepared a lesson or something... But to just sit at His feet, to be captivated by His presence... Oh, how I miss it when I don't make time for that. And how refreshing the re-connection is when I do. As I thought about the freshness of a New Year, I decided to make this my prayer...that my life in 2009 would be a steadier gaze into my Saviors face.

"Captivated"
by Vicky Beeching

Your laughter it echoes like a joyous thunder
Your whisper it warms me like a summer breeze
Your anger is fiercer than the sun in its splendour
You’re close and yet full of mystery
Ever since the day that I saw Your face
Try as I may, I cannot look away, I cannot look away…

Captivated by You
I am captivated by You
May my life be one unbroken gaze
Fixed upon the beauty of Your face

Beholding is becoming, so as You fill my gaze
I become more like You and my heart is changed
Beholding is becoming, so as You fill my view
Transform me into the likeness of You

This is what I ask, for all my days
That I may, never look away, never look away…
No other could ever be as beautiful
No other could ever steal my heart away
I just can’t look away…

(You can click below if you'd like to hear the song)

looking ahead

Things have been pleasantly busy around here since Christmas and all its bustle. We didn't have too many dinners, other than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our families, but Todd's been off work since then and we've been trying to get lots done. We got one or two projects done around the house - though I'm hoping to accomplish lots more this week before we are back into school full-swing. I'm also hoping to actually get a little bit of school time logged as well. It's always good to have a break though, get refreshed and re-group. It's kind of a little bit like getting to start the year again - which is a good thing since we've sort of veered off from our original plans for how things were going to go this year. It really got us off on the wrong foot having our charter school materials arrive so very late, and then getting Maggie was the final straw that left any semblance of a schedule go right out the window. But now that she's getting a bit better with housebreaking (though we had several accidents today - something that she hasn't done for a few weeks!), and we're into a bit of a groove with the boys school, I'm actually looking forward to buckling down and getting back into things in January. I'm going to be glad to have the craziness of the holidays behind us, and hopefully many less interruptions and more 'regular' school days.

I was pondering this today, though. If most of your life (or at least what seems like half) is spent getting 'back to normal', is 'normal' really 'normal'???? Hmmm...deep thoughts...

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!

Christmas Eve

It's gonna be a crazy day around here today...trying to get all the last minute stuff done... I was up til 1:45 a.m. last night (this morning??) doing most of my gift wrapping; we got one batch of cookies made. Today I need to make soup for our dinner tonight, finish wrapping, bake some more cookies, and run out for a last minute gift (that should be fun, I'm sure!). I'm trying to maintain a good attitude, and figure whatever doesn't get done, just doesn't. I didn't even get the last of my Christmas cards out...so I figure if they come between Christmas and New Year's they are still at least 'holiday' cards, right?? :/

I really envy people who are organized and on the ball...

(However, the wedding flowers we put together yesterday for today's Christmas Eve wedding turned out really well!! Does that count for anything??)

So are you flying around like me, or relaxing, enjoying the anticipation of Christmas Eve and relishing the fact that you got things done early?

Traditions - Part 2

Hmmm....I posted this the other day, but just realized it didn't publish... Oh, well...sorry...


Well, with only a few more days til Christmas, I'm finally bearing down on trying to get my stuff done (as if I had a choice at this point!!). Here's some more holiday 'trivia' about how the holidays go around this Clemmer house.

• I definitely prefer to wrap my gifts over gift bags. However, I'm not very good at it, and my creativity comes no where close to the amazingly packages that my sister presents, so if I have anything that's too big, or weird-shaped, or if it's super-last-minute, in a bag it goes. And you?
• As you can tell from my earlier post, I am definitely a last minute shopper. Every year I try not to be, and this year I got the majority of my purchasing done by Thanksgiving, but there are always a few things I'm still running around for...usually right up to Christmas Eve day! Are you all wrapped and ready, or still scrambling for those last minute gifts?
• I love Christmas cards. I LOVE getting them - especially the picture ones, and I like sending them - I actually enjoy sitting and addressing them while watching a fun holiday movie, but they still always sit around til the last minute...usually because I need to squeeze in that trip to the post office for the holiday stamps, or - like this year - I was waiting on getting more of the pictures printed. It's always something...so mine are only going out today!! It also always kills me to know who to send to. I've tried to limit my list this year...and I still have about 60 cards going out! Between Todd & I, we have soooooo many cousins, and so I've sadly decided this year that I guess the cutoff will have to be the aunts/uncles. My apologies to any cousins who might be reading this...you'll have to watch for an e-mail greeting and picture...that's had to be my compromise for this year.
  
• And one final question for you...do you get up Christmas morning and tear into the gifts - bedhead and all - or do you casually take the time to dress, eat breakfast and then mosey over to the tree to see what might be awaiting you? That is NOT me!!!!!! However, it IS Todd, and for several years this caused me great Christmas morning grief. Once it turned into a full-blown fight (just what every family wants Christmas morning, right??) Thankfully, over the years we have learned to work out our differences, and it's made for a very fun and relaxed time that we can all enjoy! I've given in on waiting for Todd to shower, dress and get coffee. I'm willing to wait and keep the kids occupied with some good-natured teasing about the waiting gifts while he does what he needs to (though I do expect him to make it snappy), as long as I DON'T have to! To me, Christmas morning is just something that HAS to include jammies and sleepy-eyes!! We don't eat breakfast until after the gifts...Todd's compromise for me. (I will admit that of late, I'm more inclined to at least comb my hair because Todd has an affinity for snapping a lot of pictures of me opening gifts and then they occasionally pop up as his laptop background, and there's only so much humiliation that I'm willing to endure!)

(On a side-note for any newlyweds or singles who might be reading...early years of marriage can be so difficult if neither spouse is willing to 'give' on the habits and traditions that they feel are 'so important'! Let me say - it's really not that important. We've had to learn to understand that neither way is 'wrong' or 'right', and that as a new family of our own, we needed to figure out - by listening and caring to what is important to each other - what our traditions will be. In many ways they are some blending of 'his' and 'mine' that we can both learn to appreciate and accept. But take it from me and save yourself a lot of trouble...it's worth it in the long run to 'get over it' - and realize that your way of doing things IS NOT the way that it HAS to be! I've survived just fine for several years now of waiting for Todd on Christmas morning, and he's learned that all will go better if he puts his morning routine into 'high-gear' in order to get on with the things that are important to me as well. But the first few Christmases could have been a lot more enjoyable if we both wouln't have been so stuck on doing things our own way!)

the surprise was...

Well, my surprise getaway took me to the American Music Theater's Christmas Show!! I loved it and we had a great time. We headed out Friday around lunch time, had some time to relax at our lovely hotel before getting all dressed up to head out for a very nice dinner and then off to the show. It was wonderful, and I know a sacrifice for Todd, since he's really not into all the 'glitz' of shows like this. (It's very comparable to the holiday show at Radio City in NYC.) But for the day-and-a-half that we were gone he repeatedly told me this was my gift, so we could do whatever I wanted. Gotta say...this was about the best gift I've had in a long time!! We had so much fun, and Friday was just so relaxing and nice to just have an extended amount of time together. Saturday we got the last of our Christmas shopping done (well, I still have to take 2 kids out to get something for each other, and have to head out today to do the 'food' shopping for the holidays) but now I'm really ready to 'settle in' at home, do my wrapping and some cookie baking, etc. (Of course, not sure how much of that will actually happen since we have a wedding job that will take most of the day tomorrow and Wednesday morning! Oh, well... I'm sure it will all work out!)

So there's my update on that...it was AWESOME!! I sure do love my husband...

my christmas gift

I know I promised Part 2 of the 'Traditions' post, but I just had to quick throw this in here. I'm up early this morning because I have scads of stuff to get done (is 'scads' another one of those Pennsylvania words that I use that no one else ever heard of?? Apparently I use several of those, and never had any idea!), and I have to be a busy-bee and get it all done quickly because tomorrow I get my Christmas present!! I know, you're scratching your head saying, "What is she talking about??". Weeeeelllll....let me tell you!!!

My wonderful husband is giving me my present early, and my present is that he is whisking me off somewhere overnight!!! I am so giddy with excitement I'm nearly jumping out of my skin. I have no idea where we are going, or what we are doing, but he told me that we have a time schedule and that I am to take something dressy to wear. (He said he probably won't wear a suit, but he could - that kind of dressy!!) He worked out all the details of having some good friends of ours come and stay overnight with the kids here at home, so kids and dog are both covered. (Everybody should have such awesome friends!!) He's only working the morning tomorrow and then we are headed off to...well...wherever it is we are going!

I've been trying to wrestle clues out of him, for the past 2 weeks since he began taunting me that he already 'had' my Christmas present. At first I thought it was a new laptop (a Macbook, actually) but when he was forced to tell me that I couldn't schedule anything the 19th or 20th, it was then that part of the surprise had to come out. It's been driving me bonkers to not go in his e-mail account (where he informed me the answers to my questions lie blatantly accessible to me!) and just take a peek - you know, get a 'general idea' what we're doing! But I've restrained myself. He told Kate & Bryce, so I asked Bryce last night if I'll like what we're doing. He said "Yeah, I guess." Then I asked if he would like it. He chuckled and said "Nooooo." Hee hee. That must mean it's something 'grown up' (and not involving drums or electric guitars at least!).

Well, I probably won't be able to post for a few days, though I'll try to get my other 'Traditions' post in later on today. I'll be sure to fill you in when I return!!

I just love the holidays!!!!!!!

Christmas Traditions Part 1

It's always interesting to me how different people have different, fun and interesting Christmas traditions. For instance, it was really fun to weigh-in on a 'debate' that two friends were having last night about whether or not stocking stuffers get wrapped or not. (For the record, his family never wrapped the stuffers, hers did. I had to cast my ballot in his favor...if they're wrapped, they're gifts, not stocking stuffers! ;) ). I love knowing about people, (always love getting/filling out/reading all those e-mails that periodically make the rounds asking a million random questions - does that make me nosey??), so I'll share a bit of Christmas trivia about my Christmas traditions and then hope that you'll weigh-in and share some of your holiday habits with me!!

• I'm totally a 'real' tree versus 'fake' tree gal. The idea of 'assembling' the age-old Christmas symbol just sort of makes me sad. However, increasingly over the years - years of children, puppies and now rotting sap-water in my carpet - I gotta admit it's lookin' better and better!! There are some pretty realistic ones out there, and again, after this year, the phrase 'pre-lit' really resounds in my soul! So how 'bout you - real pine or easy evergreen (in other words do you go for real or fake?)????
• I love to cram in as many Christmas movies and specials as I possibly can, but don't really like to start before Thanksgiving (though I think this year we might have watched 'Elf' a few days before...). There's nothing better than curling up on the couch with a cozy blanket, hot chocolate (with whipped cream!), turning out all the lights except the tree and cracking up at Buddy the Elf ("Ooooh! What's a Christmas-gram??? I want one!!!) or get warm fuzzies from watching the 'Peanuts' gang, complete with Linus explainging the true meaning of Christmas. Those are two of my most favorite (Elf and the Charlie Brown specials) along with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and It's a Wonderful Life. What are your favorite Festive Flicks (TV and/or movie)???

• I realized this year that most of my tree ornaments are full of sentimental value. I have a random mish-mosh of decorations which adorn my tree (only about 5 actual 'balls' in the bunch), many of which are from my childhood (way back in the days when I was the only grandchild on my dad's side, one of my aunts would take me to the 'Belsnickel' craft show every year and buy me an ornament of my choice. When I got married my mom left me take all the ornaments that were mine with me); some of the ornaments were wedding gifts, and others have been acquired by my own kiddos over the years. My most prized ornaments are ones that my mom & I made when I was little, and a few that were my Grandma's. I was a little sad to hear my kids asking this year if we could do a 'theme' tree with regular glass balls next year! What items grace the boughs of your 'tannenbaum'?
• Getting down to the real reason for the season...do you display a Nativity scene in your home? I have one, but I really don't love it...it's a typical 'anglo-saxon' manger scene, where everyone looks very 'religious', but probably nothing remotely like what any of the people present for the history-changing event would have. I can't afford one at this point, but I would like to someday get a Willow Tree set because, rather than trying to depict the actual people, I think it more represents a reminder of the simple specialness of the Jesus birth - not fancy, nor Mary looking very 'pious' (she did just give birth - and in a stable (with no epidural) - keep in mind) but simply a night filled with awe that really couldn't be accurately replicated.

Since this is getting a bit long, we'll talk more traditions in another post. Here's a preview of Part 2:

• Wrapping or gift bags?
• Last minute shopper or done before Turkey Day?
• Open presents in jammies or after everyone is dressed, teeth brushed, hair combed and sipping that first cup of coffee? (That could be a post in itself for me...)
• Christmas cards or no? (Or have you gone the way of e-mailing your greetings this year...)

National Lampoon's Clemmer Family Christmas

Last Sunday we headed out in the snow covered morning to cut down our Christmas tree. The chaos of that alone was very reminiscent of Chevy Chases's 'Christmas Vacation'. The foibles of that included cranky children screaming at each other, a trip-and-fall to the snowy ground (and no, it wasn't me that fell!), much debate over which tree was the 'perfect' one, and finally, after Todd proudly sawing it down - he realized he forgot his cash. Thankfully, we had gone with some other friends, who covered us til we could pay them back later that evening.

We got it home without much problem...the kids rather liked laying flat on the van floor under the piney boughs for the short ride home, and began the the process of setting it up. There were a few things we needed at the store, including some more lights, as we were switching from colored to whites for the first time this year. (Kate is apparently growing up - she was always the one who protested the whites, and since I figured they only get to be kids once, and I would have plenty of years after they're gone from the house to do whatever I want with the tree, I pretty much let them have free reign with how they want to decorate it). After a too-long trip to our second home (a.k.a. - WalMart) we returned all excited to get busy with our tree-trimming. It was after the first strand of lights was on that we realized we forgot to get the additional lights!! Todd, trying very hard to maintain a cheery Christmas disposition, offered immediately to run out and get them.

In the half-hour or so that he was gone, I realized how very short we were on time, I didn't have the ingredients I needed to make the dish I was taking to a potluck that evening, and the dog peed under the half-lit tree. That was just enough to push me over the edge, and by the time Todd returned I was hiding out in my bedroom. He asked the kids what they had done to upset me and Seth calmly replied "It wasn't us, it was Maggie...".

We had enough time to get the rest of the lights hung, and about half the ornaments on before we had to head out for church. Monday was still the greenhouse show, and I was scheduled to work the whole time, so I knew we wouldn't get to finish it then, but by Tuesday night, we finally got the rest of the ornaments up.

It looked lovely, though we didn't have much time to enjoy it...because first thing Wednesday morning Maggie decided it might be fun to tug on one of the branches, and though it seemed like I was watching it happen in slow motion (because there was nothing I could do to stop it) - in mere seconds the whole tree, ornaments and all, came smashing down.

I was more than a little upset. Furious would probably be a more fitting description. I set the wobbly tree back up and cleaned up the huge puddle of sap-water that had soaked into the carpet (which by the way, is now stinking up my house. I tried sopping it up, re-soaking the area with Resolve, and - while there's no visible stain - apparently the sticky sap is still rotting or something deep down in and making a not-overwhelming-but-just-enough-to-be-really-gross smell). Then, after many attempts to get the tree to stay erected, I ended up just dragging it back outside (lights and all) to wait for Todd to deal with it. When he got home, he did manage to get it back upright, but not without having to hack off a few branches. What was once our beautifully shaped tree is now sort of awkward looking with gaps in strange places. Oh well. By this time, I really don't even care. I was so exasperated with the whole thing that the decorations just sat in front of the tree on the coffee table for 3 days before we could get up the gumption to re-light and decorate it.

However, it's finally done, and by late Saturday night, I finally got to relax, watch a movie and enjoy the warm glow of the tree.

I'm seriously considering changing our last name to 'Griswold'. And I have to take it all down again in how many days???? Ah, yes...the joys of the holidays...

open house at Glick's

Too tired for many words, but here's a quick pictoral tour of Glick's Greenhouse displays this weekend. The theme was "Route 66", and all the paintings (the Cars scene and the motel) are actual hand-painted artwork (by some very talented people who I'm proud to say are personal friends of mine!). Glicks always tie in the Gospel, no matter what the theme of the show, and so in keeping with the '66' theme this year, they had 'road signs' throughout that 'pointed' to Jesus, and who He was in each of the 66 books of the Bible. The whole show was pretty amazing, and enjoyed by thousands this weekend!

a day in the life of a dog...

A post from Maggie:

You know, I really hate whatever this thing is that everyone calls the 'holidays'. I have no idea what it means for others, but here's what I know... My family is constantly running off to do something that involves leaving me behind - Christmas shopping, open houses, attending some festive holiday function (which usually involves food - just to add insult to injury), or otherwise spreading 'holiday cheer'. Well, lemme tell ya, there ain't much cheer here in my crate! Sure, they feel bad, and I've noticed I've been getting more 'treats' lately (I have to admit, I do loooove those bacon-flavored ones) but I'm gettin' awfully bored behind these bars every day. I'm feelin' the need to 'express myself' - ya know - sorta 'make my mark' on the world - and I'm thinkin' I'll start with the blue leather recliner in the family room. And you want to know the worst part?? Katie feels the need to dress me up!!! Plaid scarves around my neck?!?!? Please!! Where is the dignity in that?? Sure, those chihuahuas next door are always decked out in the latest doggie fashions, but it's just not how I roll, ya know? (Those little yappers are a little freaky anyway, if you ask me. That's why I head for the hills whenever I see them...it's not that I'm scared or anything mind you...they're just, well...freaky.) So anyway, if in the midst of all your holiday bustle a poor little yellow lab comes to mind, feel free to send some lovin' (or doggy biscuits) my way. Here's to you and yours...

get your kicks...

In my opinion there are different kinds of tired. There's the "I'm totally stressed out and everything is overwhelming me" kind, and there's the "I've put in a full day's work, accomplished a lot and I am BEAT" variety, where although you're body is ready to drop into bed, you still feel good about time well-spent. That's the kind I am tonight.

We had a full day with trying to get all our school work done, and then heading off for Bets & I to do a 'wreath' arrangement to enter in the yearly contest held at the Glick's Greenhouse Open House/Poinsettia show. (This year, in keeping with the Rt. 66 theme of the weekend, instead of a regular wreath entries had to be a decorated hubcap.) In my opinion, it turned out pretty nice!After that our small group all gathered at Bets & Joe's for dinner, and then we headed down to the greenhouse to pray for this weekend - for safety, prosperity, and most importantly that the Gospel would be able to be shared with the many people who come through over the course of the show.

After our prayer time, we all got the opportunity to pitch in and help Joe get some work done...though we all got to leave and be home by 11:00, while he will probably still be at it til about 2 a.m. Poor guy...

Anyway, I'm always amazed at the transformation that takes place from a regular 'greenhouse' to a Christmas extravaganza! This year's them is 'Route 66' and I'm absolutely astounded by the wondrously creative displays that are coming together. There's a delightful blend of the history and nostalgia of Route 66 and the beautiful Christmasy-ness of the several varieties of poinsettias and other winter greens and plants. The main display - the Rt. 66 sign made entirely out of poinsettias, and the 'Cars' room (as in the Pixar movie) are just phenomenal. The creativity and artistic abilities of those who created them leave me speechless. I will try to get pics of them before the show is over. However, in the meantime I took just a few 'preview' shots,


the water wheel

pre-transformed walkway

cool new variety poinsettia - 'carousel'

but they don't do anything an ounce of justice, and you can't possibly get the full affect without seeing it all live and in person! (These aren't even any of the displays, just some general greenhouse shots that I thought were pretty). So if you have some time (and leave nearby) come on over and 'Get your kicks on Rt. 66 - at Glicks!'. And if you want, you can visit me at Register 4 - I'll be there the entire show!!

You definitely don't want to miss this! (You can click the image below to visit the Glick's website for more info about the show...).