My Must Watch Christmastime Movie List!!!

Not all of these are "Christmas" movies, but here's the list I try to watch while wrapping gifts, baking, or folding laundry at Christmastime :)

It's A Wonderful Life (Hubby will attempt his best Jimmy Stewart impersonation throughout it)

The Grinch (both versions of course)

A Christmas Story (never gets old)

Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town (for the kids of course)

The Family Man (kind of a modern It's A Wonderful Life)

Sleepless in Seattle/You've Got Mail (don't know why, just love that Tom Hanks at Christmastime!)

Little Women (The Susan Sarandon version)

National Lampoons Christmas (those Griswalds still crack me up!)

While You Were Sleeping (need at least one sappy romantic movie)

Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas (It's classic Jim Henson and you can't go wrong with muppets!)

A Charlie Brown Christmas ( no explanation necessary!)

So, I hope I've inspired you to rent a couple you haven't seen yet and snuggle up next to a fire, with a bowl of popcorn and your favorite kiddos and take a well-deserved break from all the "hustle and bustle" Enjoy :)

We're Back!

Took some bloggy time off for Thanksgiving festivities and black Friday madness. It was actually a quiet and relaxing Thanksgiving at home, just the four of us! The kiddos helped with the baking this year, which was surprisingly nice. We don't normally go crazy on black Friday, cyber Monday is more my thing! But as we had a house showing on Friday afternoon, after MUCH cleaning, we ventured out and hit a couple of stores while the pupster waited patiently in the car. Here are some snaps of our humble Thanksgiving :)

Giving Thanks

1Thes. 5:18 "...in everything GIVE THANKS; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Ever wanted to know what God's will was for your life? It says right here, in everything give thanks and that is part of God's will for you. It didn't say FOR everything, for not everything in our lives comes from God, it said IN everything give thanks. If what you are going through is contrary to the word of God, you can still thank Him while you are in the midst of it. Thank Him for the answer, thank Him for deliverance.

Having a thankful heart, no matter what comes your way, will put you over in life. If you can't think of anything to thank Him for start with what He has already done for you. If you have accepted the salvation the Lord provided for you when Jesus took your place on the cross and delivered you from a life of sin, darkness and separation from God, start with that. I could think upon that ALL day and never tire of giving my thanks. He loved us so much that He gave Jesus, not only to be the sacrifice for our sins, but He also took ALL sickness and manner of disease on His own body so that we could be free from it.

I am so thankful for many, many blessings in my life. I am loved by the God of all creation! I know Him personally and because He rent the veil in two, I can go to Him and commune with Him anytime I want. I don't need a mediator to converse for me. He cared enough to want to know me personally.

Every good and perfect gift comes from above and therefore every blessing in my life, from the greatest to smallest, is only because of the Lord. I am thankful for my wonderful husband and two beautiful children. They bring such joy and happiness to my life and an example of God's unconditional love for me here on this earth. I am thankful for my extended family and wonderful friends.

If you can't think of something to be thankful for start with the basic things that we, in this very blessed country, often take for granted. I am thankful that I live in this country where I am free to worship the Lord without persecution. I am thankful that I woke up this morning in a warm bed and house. That I took a shower in warm, clean water. That I ate a healthy breakfast and my tummy is now full and satisfied. That I have a car with which to drive anywhere I choose to today and gas in it's tank. That I am able to stay home with my children while my husband goes to his job.

Wow! We are a BLESSED people! The next few days, while we are stuffing our faces with stuffing, let us not forget the One from Whom ALL blessings come. And let us endeavor to share all of our many blessings with those who may not know the same comforts and share with them the One Who desires to freely GIVE them all good things.

What is a Dubba?

Got an email the other day from my brother Dave saying that he finally had a minute to check out my new blog! The only criticism he had was that there seemed to be no mention of HIM! Specifically, what is a Dubba? I just didn't want others to be jealous of us by mentioning all of his great attributes. Well, here's my attempt to remedy that.
I'm not sure I remember when the name "Dubba" was given to him, but all of the nieces and nephews and all other little kids call Uncle Dave "Dubba". Dubba is an incredible guy. He's a handsome, strong, snuggly bear of a guy who gives the best hugs (know wonder all the kids are stuck to him like magnets!). He is an extremely charming and friendly guy and definitely not the shy, quiet type. If you are within a mile from Dubba's house while the Red Sox or Pats are playing, you'll hear him! He is also the most generous, fun-loving, and kind person I know.
He's ALWAYS been there for me and seven years my senior, more a "father figure" than a big brother. But I am happy to say, now that we are grown, he is one of my closest friends. My husband grew up with no brothers and four sisters, therefore Dubba has become the big brother he never had. He'd be the first one to tell you that Dubba is SUPER DAD and a tough act to follow.
He not only works diligently, many hours a week, but he's always there for his wife and kids. He has coached his kids various sports teams, helped with homework, attended a myriad of dance and band recitals, school events, soccer, baseball, softball, gymnastic, and golf matches where he is always their number one fan! He even takes his kids on "dad and kids only" camp-out weekends so mom can have a break!
He travels eight hours to visit us once or twice a year and always asks "should I bring my tools?" as he has done so many projects for us at our home. He also generously hosts all of us as we travel to New England once or twice a year, even our pup is welcome!
What more can I say, other than I feel badly for all of you that don't have Dubba (or someone like him) in your life. Love you Dub, Sis :)

Where in the world do all the socks go??

I read many, many blogs and most are written by incredible moms of many children. I am a mom to only two children, so far, yet I still can't seem to keep up with the laundry. I suppose it doesn't help that my kids find it offending to wear only ONE outfit per day. And, if clean, pants and bathrobes do not need washing EVERYDAY, Sweet Pea! It's not the washing I hate as much as the folding and then the dreaded putting away. (HH is great at the putting away!) Once the laundry is finally done and folded it could sit in the basket for Lord only knows how many days. If I still don't find or make the time to put it away and you come over to my house for a visit, that basket of clean, folded clothes will end up in the walk-in closet. Don't tell.

Requests for this or that are usually answered as "I don't know...check in the basket!" But the most common request is "Mom, I can't find any socks!" Where in the world do they go? Do they up and escape their dreaded life long duty of covering up sweaty, stinky toes? When we do locate a pair, I am then informed of their less than desirable quality...aka...holey socks.

My boy has been literally begging for new socks. Trying to stave him off until payday when I realized I might as well get some extra hats and mittens too. The first few days of snowfall here has left my basement flooded with wet winter gear on the drying rack. My boy can't just use his gear to keep warm. No. That would be too simple. He must roll in the snow like a dog until his stuff is sopping wet. Then if we need to run an errand he's got nothing dry to wear. Extras are necessity.

Upon my return tonight from the weekly grocery shopping, Pun'kin Head was "over the moon" that I managed to pick him up a new hat and snuggly socks. He put them on immediately and I must say looked very fetching with his jammies and hat on! I just checked on him and found him sleeping soundly and right next to his pillow, folded nicely of course was some of the new socks and hat! I guess you could say he's thankful for them. Gotta love simple pleasures :)

Six Keys To A Healthier You: #3 Worship & Praise

Psalm 34 "I will bless the Lord at all times; His PRAISE shall CONTINUALLY be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. O, magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together."

Praise can set the tone for the entire house. I'm the first to admit that I AM NOT a morning person. I'm not grumpy in the morning, but I definitely prefer my sleep as I am a night-owl! I am slow going and hate to be rushed to get ready. But by the time I'm in the shower, songs of praise are always on my lips (much to my family's chagrin!).

Having continual praise in our hearts is one part of keeping ourselves healthy. I truly believe Christians today are not seeing the power of God working in their lives as much as they'd like, because they are lacking in praise. Oh, we are people of faith and we've got all our confessions of His word, but we are still feeling down and depressed about the situations in our lives that we want to see changed but haven't yet.

As the wife of a worship pastor, music and praise is a huge part of our home. Our kids love to hang out and "jam" with daddy as he rehearses, with much amperage, several days a week. But praise is more than just singing songs. It's having an attitude of praise in our hearts. When it's the end of a long, tiring day and there is still dinner to be prepared(not my favorite part of my day) I put on my ipod and belt it out to the Lord. Singing songs that exalt Him make my frustrations melt away and center my faith to know that He cares about every part of my little life.

Hebrews 13:15 "Through Him then, let us CONTINUALLY offer up a SACRIFICE of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His name."

It is a sacrifice because we must do it even when we least feel like it. The things the Lord encourages us to do in His word are not for His benefit, but for ours. Does God have an ego-centered attitude? No. He knows if we will PRAISE Him continually we are giving Him something to work with and then He can move on our behalf. In praise, we are magnifying Him and not our circumstances.

If you are believing God for something, start by praising Him for all that He has already done for you. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Therefore what He did once, He can do again. Search the scriptures to see how He has blessed His children and know that He has no favorites. What He has done for one, He will do for you. The word says, without faith (hearing and accepting what you've heard as truth) it is impossible to please God. And praise will keep that "switch of faith" turned on. Be blessed today as you unleash the power of praise in your life!

Will You Keep Testing Me, Mama?

This was the question Pun'kin Head presented me with upon the "tuck-in" tonight. As he had a math test today and got a 100%, I thought he was referring to math tests. He said, "Promise me you'll always test me to keep me sensitive and tell me if I watch any bad shows or play with any bad toys okay?" It took a while to convince him that Mama and Daddy have it under control and that's what we are here for. To monitor everything he does until he's old enough to do it for himself. But I'm impressed that he is sensitive enough to know that he does need to listen to the Lord within himself and follow as He leads his steps. Oh, my sweet Pun'kin Head...Sweet Dreams.