Christmas Prep.

It amazes me to see how much we can accomplish when we put our minds to it. This time of year we do everything we usually do ( work, laundry, cleaning, cooking) and we add to it many other things ( Christmas cards, holiday shopping, tree trimming, parties and Christmas programs) . The list is endless and we seem a little stressed, but somehow get it all done. We add extra devotional time, advent readings and advent wreathes. God wants us to journey with him all the time and we manage to do a better job of it amid all the hustle and bustle. Why??

Are we lazy the rest of the year? Do we just find our feeble excuses too compelling to defy them? What must God think of us the rest of the year?

I think that God is not the only one who falls short other times of the year. We give more to charity during the holidays, we visit the elderly during the holidays, and we make an effort to get in touch with our relatives. These are all things that should be done on a regular basis and are not. What example are we setting for our children? Too often we let someone else do it. Who is the someone else and did they get the memo?

This Sunday I am starting a new tradition. In our family we put the tree up gradually. On Sunday we will officially light it after our family and friends join us for caroling around the neighborhood. We will visit some elderly and some other friends spreading Christmas cheer. When we return to top the tree with the angel and light it up with cocoa in hand the tree will be all the more beautiful and meaningful.

I think that the next few blogs will discuss some of our other family traditions. Everyone needs to try to add a new superpower. Add a new tradition that centers around people besides you. You will be a little closer to your inner "superhero".

Picture Update

Here are some of those Pictures from the trip to the Dominican Republic. This was an adventure above and beyond what the dirty diapers and dishes of everyday supermom life. I think momentarily I morphed into beach goddess.

Above you have the resort at night. Actually about midnight. It was amazing how there I could stay up so late without a problem and at home once the children are in bed my lids begin to droop. Perhaps hints of an unharnessed superpower.

Here we are going for dinner at a Japaneese Hibachi place on the resort with our fellow volleyball regulars. Form left to right: David, Mitch (Mr. Incredible), Me (Supermom), John and Andrew. Chekout my tan!

Sand crab anyone? Abby wanted to know if I was afraid. I had to explain that it was only three inches and we zoomed in to get this picture.


I talked previously about how poor it was off the resort. This isn't a very good picture and this isn't the poorest we saw,but I think you can begin to see what I mean.

I don't think that this one needs any explanation. Pure beauty. Thank you for this oppotunity to explore the world beyond my own.

Everyday Superhero

I have spent the last week running around trying to keep my head above the water. I think that I am swimming in a very turbulent sea called Christmas preparations. I have been holding Chocolate parties, Christmas cards, shopping, and school projects, cleaning and my favorite, Laundry.

CCD this last Sunday was on suffering. Redemptive suffering. This is a hugely abstract concept for 10th graders to grasp. Last week also held that a good friend of mine sister had a heart attack one week after giving birth. Her name is Becky Arganbright. She lives in the Twin Cities with her four children and husband. She is a perfect example of how suffering can be redemptive. How we all can benefit from suffering in the world. And how we can use suffering to help others. It is a great gift we have been given and Christ served as the ultimate teacher.

I have heard stories of people praying all night for her. I know that the students at my daughters school will be collecting money for Christmas gifts for the family. I know that all of these good things will be seed for even greater things. And all of them came from suffering.

I know that with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays that Becky reminds us to not take things for granted. We know not the time or the hour. She reminds me that the holidays need to reach beyond our family and friends, but to the communities we live in. Stop and look around you. Who needs help, how can we help? There is always time for a prayer.

Thank you for all of those reminders Becky. We pray daily for your speedy and full recovery. May you be surrounded by the Holy family's healing embrace this blessed season.

For more info and updates on Becky's condition go to : www.caringbridge.org/visit/beckyarganbright

Let's play catch up!

As promised here are some photos of the Dominican Republic. Okay, I take that back. My wonderful husband did not mark them as a shared file, so we will have to wait.

Today is a Superhero Day! This is one of those days when you start out with a mound of things you want or need to accomplish and some how in the course of the day you get them all done and more. Some tasks that you think will be hard seem somewhat easier. That is why I actually have time to blog!

These type of days I can't help but be thankful for all I have. The children seem well behaved and take the discipline well. I can even find myself only reheating my tea once or twice.

The last few days had me frantically trying to catch up after the holiday weekend. I actually did some black Friday shopping. I was up and at the stores by 2:30 and home by 7:00. The children were still asleep. I only went for one particular item that I got for about $80 off. I would say that I was successful. I think I forgot to mention exhausted. The kids got up and we spent the day watching movies and vegging on the couch.

I will sign off for now. but have no fear aspiring superheros. There will come a day when your powers will emerge and you will find strength that was heaven sent to carry you through.