favorite Christmas stories

I said I would post about some of my favorite reads from this past year a few weeks ago and I haven't been able to sit down and devote any time to that. So instead, I will tell you about my favorite children's books for Christmas time. The first thing you should know is that even if I weren't a teacher, I would still love children's books and collect them. So while I don't have the pleasure of hearing the pitter patters of little feet in my house yet, I still have a basket of children's Christmas books. I probably have close to 60 kids books in my Christmas tub, but only about 10 of them make it into my Christmas book basket next to the tree.

I have spent a good amount of time in Barnes and Noble every single December for the last 7 years combing the shelves and display tables for new and old Christmas books alike. Each time I go, I collect and take stacks of books to a cafe table and read them while sipping a peppermint hot chocolate. As I read, I make two piles: "Those that Didn't Make the Cut" and "Those that I'd Like to Add to My Collection". I jot those titles down or (more recently) take a picture of them with my iPhone. Then I return December 26th with a list of books that I hope to snag for half price (usually with a gift card that I received the day before).

I am fond of so many of the books that I have collected over the years, but the stories that are dearest to me are the stories that retell the nativity of Jesus. As a little girl I was captivated by Bible stories. My favorite part of the day in Elementary school was when the teacher took out these lovely picture cards that beautifully illustrated a portion of the Bible and read to us from the back of each one. Is it any wonder then that the Christmas books I love the most are beautifully illustrated stories about my most favorite person?

Here are just four of my favorites:

1. The First Christmas by Carol Heyer

This is a gorgeous book! I cannot wait to read it to my kids one day after I have read them the account from Luke. It is a straight forward account of Jesus' nativity. The words are great, but I seriously cannot get enough of the illustrations. No frills. Simply perfect.

2. Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

This book is written by one of my favorite Children's book duos. It is one of the cutest and most endearing stories. Mortimer takes over Jesus' nativity scene each night, kicking Jesus out of the stable each time. Until one night when he overhears the family in the home talking about who Jesus is and realizes his error. 

3. Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer

Humphrey is a self-absorbed camel who complains about losing his blanket and carrying such a heavy load along this long journey that his master is forcing him to go on. His tune quickly changes the moment he lays eyes on a tiny baby in a manger.

4. This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten

I think the illustrations in this book are beautiful. This story is written in a style similar to "The House that Jack Built." I love the flow of the lyrical prose. I think this book may be one that the kids ask to hear over and over again. I have been bold enough to read it in the public school classroom and my students have always asked to hear this one again.

Happy reading and Merry Christmas Eve! 

girl's best friend

Meet Madeline Bell Thompson.

She is one of the loves of my life! I call her Maddie Bell. She technically belongs to my in-laws, but if anyone ever asks me if I have a dog I totally claim her as my own.  She is the sweetest dog I have ever met. She actually belonged to my hubby’s grandparents and was born and raised in Northern Michigan. Sadly, Andrew’s parents had to take her after his grandparents passed away. It was a really hard adjustment for Maddie. I’ll never forget the car ride to bring her home to Miami in May of 2004. I was instantly smitten with her and she took to me quickly. She was so confused and scared during that time.



2004-our younger years



I always gave her belly rubs and played with her and talked to her, maybe more than I normally would because I knew she was having such a hard time with the loss of Andrew’s grandparents and her original home. I go over to my in-laws as often as I can to see her and have been known to pick her up and bring her over to my house for the day. I love her. She is always so happy to see me and loves to just hang out.  If you know me well at all then you know that I talk about getting a dog ALL.THE.TIME. and one day Andrew will oblige and I will get my very own dog, but the truth is that Maddie will always be the one dog closest to my heart.

Today is her 10^th birthday and yes, we celebrate it with presents and doggy ice cream.



*This picture and the first picture in this post were taken this summer in Manistee, MI where Madeline was born and raised. We brought her back to the lake house and she wanted to get down to the lake to play in the water within 10 minutes of arriving and she remembered her favorite napping spot behind the reading chair.



it's her birthday

Growing up my family didn’t have a lot, but they never let me go without.  They sacrificed financially so that I could go to private school throughout my elementary school years and those years shaped who I am today. My mom was the room mom every single year. I cannot recall a single class party, event or field trip that she did not attend. Her famous iced refrigerator cookies became popular in the small elementary school I attended, and teachers and families alike ordered them from her all the time. I remember being so proud whenever my mom walked through the classroom door with a big platter full of them for a party. She has a talent for baking and I’ll never forget the year she made me my favorite birthday cake. The cake itself was the dress for a Barbie doll. The doll stood tall and had a big, full dress which was comprised of my mom’s chocolate cake and homemade icing. She took me to piano lessons, violin lessons and voice lessons and attended the recitals. She is teased by myself and my sisters for crying whenever we leave home for church camp, vacations, missions trips, and don’t even get me started on when I left for college after every single break or long weekend. Nearly a decade ago she did something for herself for a change and started eating well and working out. She ended up losing 65 pounds and could take on most anybody today with her strength and muscle because she works so hard in the gym. Years ago I realized my mom had a hidden talent. She is a very eloquent writer and is very good at penning her words. One of these days I'm going to have to crash one of her poetry nights at Starbucks to see her in action.  6 years ago she did one of the most meaningful things for me to date. I spent a month in the hospital and she stayed by my side the entire time. She never left the hospital. She slept on the chair that pulls out into a bed every single night! I was 22 at the time and was technically an adult, but no matter how old you get the hospital is a scary place and if anyone could have it their way they would have their mom with them to comfort them too. I love her and appreciate all that she has done for me, probably more than she realizes. Today is her birthday! Happy birthday, Mom!



My mom and I in my hospital room in October of 2004




Don't worry! We did not dress alike and then go out on the town. I had a Mother's Day dinner for her at my house and my mom and sisters showed up wearing these blue (Mom's favorite color) dresses. I felt left out at first, and they knew I'd give them a hard time about that so they let me sweat it out for a few minutes before giving me a blue dress too.



i did not get the memo

Apparently Jim Carrey's A Christmas Carol is not a children's movie.

It wasn't what I expected, but it was a good movie nonetheless. Just don't watch it with little, little ones. It airs on the scary side and it has adult themes that are very serious with A LOT of talking. Too much for young ones to care to listen to for a long period of time.

However, this movie...

 

is great for little, little ones!

For someone who doesn't have children yet, I love kids movies and books. Can being a teacher be a good enough excuse for watching Veggie Tales while wrapping Christmas presents? It was available on Netflix instant streaming and I wanted to have something festive on while I wrapped. Plus, I'm just a huge fan of the talking, Scripture quoting vegetables. What can I say...

This cartoon was ADORABLE and really funny. Plus, it gave us some history about the real Saint Nicholas that was largely based on fact. I read up on Wikipedia after I watched and I thought the writers did a pretty good job of telling as much fact as a child's attention span and understanding could absorb in 45 minutes. I also liked it for the way they explained Saint Nick's attachment to and love for Jesus as being the reason for his desire to give and to share with those in need. I give it two thumbs up. I say grab your little ones and a bowl of popcorn and cozy up on the couch with this one!

have you heard of that little place down south?

This morning the hubby and I got out of bed and got going pretty early. There are only 3 things in this world that can get me out of bed bright eyed and bushy tailed early in the morning. (I am SO not a morning person.) Those three things are:

1. A trip to the happiest place on earth

2. Christmas morning

3. And driving 25 minutes south to pick up some world famous cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven down in the Redlands of South Florida

Here in South Florida we have quite the gem. In a city known for it's high fashion, fancy cars, night life, and strange interesting people, this place sticks out and is a diamond in the rough. I have been going there since I was a kid and I hope to take my kids there some day, too. Have you been to Knaus Berry Farm? Please say you have, and if you can't say that, then please make it a goal for you and yours in 2011. You won't regret it!

It doesn't look like much from the outside...but as you can see there is a line forming outside and this picture was taken 20 minutes before they opened the doors.

At Knaus Berry Farm you can enjoy the bakery, home grown produce, and the best strawberry milkshake in the 305. You can also go there and pick your own tomatoes and strawberries when they are in season and thriving. I love that!  

They also sell delicious jams and jellies. This year I am investing in their honey.

And here you have 2 dozen beautiful, hot cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven.  

We immediately went to my parents house to surprise them and my sisters with the best.breakfast.ever.

You can read a little bit more about Knaus Berry Farm here. And look at way cooler pictures here since my camera is not of the awesome kind.

As I finish writing this I am fighting the urge to go eat one of those cinnamon rolls right now. It's so late!

Must.wait.til.morning.

sole mates

I maybe might have just ordered these for the husband to give to me for Christmas. I.am.in.love! This will mark the third Fall season I have wanted gray, suede boots, soooooooooo....I HAD to do it! Thank you DSW for your promo codes and your reward coupons. I heart you!

happy birthday

I feel like the term “mother in law” is often spoken with a negative tone. There is always an assumption when you say those words that there is some sort of tension or annoying dynamic associated with the relationship. Often the mother in law figure in tv sitcoms is made out to be a monster or an overbearing, controlling woman who refuses to respect the wife of her son. I have a lot of friends who tell me stories about their mother in laws that line up with these stereotypes so I know these things happen and that the funny things we laugh at in sitcoms have a foundation in many a family’s truth. However, I am a very blessed daughter in law.



My mother in law has always been very warm and welcoming to me. She is for sure one of my most favorite people in this world and I love spending time with her. She is one of the most hospitable ladies I have ever met and can entertain in a way that could give Martha Stewart a run for her money. She loves Jesus and she loves her family and it shows. She serves faithfully at our church and she cares for many who are very ill by sending them weekly reminders of her prayers. She can wield a camera with ease and take some seriously awesome photographs, some of which hang proudly on the walls of my house. Plus, she is one of the trendiest dressers in my circle of family and friends, which just ups her cool factor.


She is a doting mom to her two children and extends that sentiment to me and her son in law. She is a loving wife to her hubby. She is a devoted Grammy to my sweet niece and I can’t wait to see her with my kids one day. I love her dearly and hope to be just like her when I grow up!


Today is her birthday so today we get to celebrate her and remind her that indeed “Her children arise and call her blessed”.

to read a book for the first time

is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one.  -Chinese Saying



As 2010 comes to a close, I have been thinking about all the books I have read this year and I am reflecting on them. Some I have to ask myself, “What were you thinking? That was a waste of time!” While others I treasured and wish to read again.

I love books that can speak to me and that I can connect with. I don’t read just for the sake of reading or entertaining my mind. I read because I want to learn more about something I find fascinating. Or I read because I want emotions to be stirred up within me or because I want to find common ground with the characters in the story. I love reading so much that I tend to create attachments to the stories and characters in my favorite books so much that the thought of only reading them once would be likened to meeting an intriguing person, whom you connect with and could see yourself being great friends with, but who you only meet for one conversation and then you never pursue the friendship. That wouldn’t make any sense at all.

My favorite books are dear to me because they have made me feel something, inspired me, brought me great joy, allowed me to live vicariously through another person’s wonderful adventure, taught me about myself, others or the world around me and/or have allowed me to gain new perspective and insight.

I want to blog about books since I love them so much. However, I fear blogging about my favorites will bring about judgment and snickers from much more intellectual readers. You see, I don’t consider myself a literary. I just love reading. I’ve tried reading some of the greats. Some of the classics, and quite frankly, I don’t “get” some of them and others I can’t read without thumbing through the dictionary every few paragraphs (which is laborious when you don’t have the luxury of the iBooks features on the iPad, and sadly I do not). I know I am no scholar, though I would love to be, so forgive me if you’ve read thus far and think that I am going to wow you with my book choices and reviews. That will not happen. But if you love reading like I do and for similar reasons then we could be great book friends.

I’ll come back soon and blog about one of my favorites from this year’s reading list.

In the mean time I will leave you with a great quote that sums up exactly how I feel when I have just finished reading a book that has become one of my favorites.

"You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend." -Paul Sweeney

Can you relate to not wanting to finish a book because it is so good?

** I found the image above at ApartmentTherapy.com and have always wanted to use it for something! So glad I could finally share it!

from our table to yours

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

As we prepare for tonight's feast I have been really trying to think about what I am thankful for in my life. Several years ago I began a Thanksgiving Journal. In this journal, I record one liners of the things I am thankful for before drifting off to sleep. I have noticed that the most content seasons of my life have been when I am the most consistent at counting my blessings on the pages of this journal. Some of the lines in that journal read silly things like, "laughing with a dear friend until my cheeks and belly hurt". While others are much more serious like, "the Lord gave me Psalm 25 just when I thought my heart would break from lack of hope". 

I know today means different things for different people. I know some people loathe this holiday for the fact that it really was born during a time of fear and uncertainty and marked the end to life as some people knew it way back in Plimoth in the 1600s. Regardless of how you feel about this day, one thing is certain for all of us...a spirit of Thanksgiving and Gratitude should be one we carry throughout life, day in and day out. 

So today here are the things that are at the top of my Gratitude list that you can find on the pages of my journal:

• I am married to a guy who is awesome and loves me even though I am not always so lovable. 
• 
  
• I have been blessed, encouraged, and supported by that same man to take this year off from teaching, to remember why I loved it in the first place, while I substitute teach and focus my time and energy on our home, my health, and my relationships. 
• 
  
• I have amazing friends stretching from San Francisco to New York City whom I cherish and wish all lived on the same block.
• 
  
• I have a great family, my family and my wonderful in-laws(who I am missing SO MUCH today). 
• 
  
• I have been part of BSF --Bible Study Fellowship-- every Wednesday morning for the last 11 weeks and it has been one of the best experiences of my life to study Isaiah so deeply with such beautiful, godly women! 

I hope you take some time this day and this weekend to reflect on what you are thankful for in your life as well.

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." -Eric Hoffer

since Thanksgiving is tomorrow

I better post the pictures and blog what I've wanted to since Halloween.

About a month ago now I did something I've always wanted to do! I toasted the pumpkin seeds from our carved jack-o-lantern and doing both were SO MUCH FUN!

Here's what you need:

Ingredients:
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, rinsed and dried
6 tablespoons white sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

*I used the seeds from our pumpkin, but you can use store bought pre-packaged seeds.

The hubby and I opened up that pumpkin and used an ice cream scoop to get all of the flesh and seeds out.

We filled the sink with a little water and dumped the flesh and seeds in. The seeds float right up to the top.

Allow seeds to dry a bit. Then spread them on a cookie sheet and bake them at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dry and roasted.

In a large bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of white sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet (or in a large wok, since that's what we had handy) over medium-high heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and sprinkle the remaining sugar over them. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar melts, about 45 seconds.

Pour seeds into the bowl with the spiced sugar and stir until coated. Allow to cool before serving.

 
Then eat and share with friends until your heart's content.

I had to post pictures of Trinity checking out the pumpkin Andrew carved in honor of her "halloween" cat pose. She approved.

* I got the pumpkin seed recipe from All Recipes

what type are you?

Please take this quiz and tell me...

http://www.pentagram.com/what-type-are-you/

I am Lettres Ornees.

Oh, how I love the Internet!

this makes me a happy girl

My favorite artist released her third and much anticipated album last week and she did not disappoint! I adore Brooke Fraser for many reasons, but one of them is the fact that she remains true to herself despite the music industry. She is a voice you have heard on many a hillsong album and loves the Lord fervently. But she will not make albums for the Christian music industry because of the commercialism. She is a true musician and songwriter. Every time I listen to her music I come away feeling inspired and challenged. I really appreciate music that makes you feel something. Really feel something. Here is the first single from the album...



She also has a series of videos on her website in which she shares the writing process for this album and I really liked getting a glimpse into the process.

http://www.brookefraser.com/

I so hope you will become a fan if you aren't already!

when God breaks hearts

I used to be the type of girl who sought after and longed for God with all of her heart. He was always on my mind. I loved reading His Word and I hid it in my heart as I treasured and pondered the things He said to me. I saw Him in everything…blue skies, a friend’s embrace, a great quote that struck to my core, smiling eyes on a stranger’s face, pink sunsets. I could list how He revealed Himself for days and not come close to giving you the full picture. I talked to Him all the time…on the pages of my journal, in the car driving to class, on the phone with a friend in need, before I even opened my eyes in the morning. We were that close. Have you ever woken up already praying? It’s amazing to feel that connected to your Creator; for it to be so natural to speak with Him that you are uttering your praises and fears before your eyelashes flutter open. I talked about Him all of the time…with my family, my dearest friends, people I met in the bookstore, and classmates. I sang to Him all of the time too…there were times I felt that I said it best when I sang it because I could express more vividly how much I felt it. I sang with the throng on Sundays and Wednesdays, at the top of my lungs in my room and in the bathroom where the acoustics were forgiving.


There came a time in my life when I literally knocked on death’s store, but he didn’t answer. During that time the pages of my Bible became a bit more worn and tattered, not to mention colorful as I love to highlight the sweetest words to me at a particular moment. I couldn’t sing anymore, but I could listen to music and I would just sit and listen and smile or cry as the melodies and lyrics tugged at my heart. There were moments that the only prayer that could escape from my lips was Jesus name alone because the pain and exhaustion were so heavy upon me. I made new friends as God provided me with new faces and new lives to pour into and allow to overflow into mine. My strength faded in body, but my Spirit soared. He never let go of my hand as I trusted His promise, that His strength would be made perfect in my weakness.


Since God was so incredibly good to me during this time, I felt like there was just nothing He wouldn’t do for me if I only asked for it. He was just lavishing me with His love day in and day out and I was truly amazed. So I began to pray for That One Thing, fully expecting Him to give it to me the way that I wanted it and sooner than later too. But That One Thing never came. So the girl who I once was seemed to fade away. I was still the girl who loved and longed for God, but not with her whole heart because it felt broken and somehow betrayed. Not at the hands of some foolish boy this time, this time it felt like my heart had been broken by the One Guy I placed all of my hope in. God Himself.


That was 6 years ago. Six years of not feeling like myself because it felt rehearsed and forced to pray. Six years of not feeling like myself because I no longer saw God in the grand and simple things so easily anymore. Six years of not feeling like myself because when I got my voice back I found that it did not return with sincerity. Six years of not feeling like myself because I could no longer talk about God and trust that I meant what I said.


And now I am beginning to see why He did not give me That One Thing six years ago when I first asked. I am beginning to understand how foolish I was for treating my precious Lord and Savior as though He were a trite genie in a bottle waiting for my requests. God knows a whole lot more than I ever will and He knew that it was not time for That One Thing. He also knew I needed to learn that He is in control, not me. He had to teach me to trust Him. Although we had gone through so much, I still did not trust Him completely.


God is so good. Despite my foolish anger with Him for unmet requests, despite my unfaithfulness, despite my lack of trust, He has spent the last six years drawing me back in time and time again. He reminds me all of the time that He loves me and that He misses me. I know the sound of His voice. You can’t be a girl so deeply in love and then forget the sound of His voice. He’s let me know of His commitment to me via the fellowship of Believers, a friend’s sweet smile, my husband’s gentleness and patience, and many pink sunsets, to name just a few. But my favorite is that quiet, still voice…the One I hear recalling back to me those Words I treasured up in my heart years and years ago.


So six years later I have begun praying for That One Thing again. The format of my prayers has changed. More Him focused. More other focused. You’ll find less of me in there now. And I know there will be days I struggle and begin to lose faith again. But those will be the days that I stop looking for Him and listening for His voice because He will continue revealing Himself regardless of my seeking. Truth be told…I don’t know if I will ever see That One Thing happen or not, but I do know that His ways are not my ways and that His thoughts are higher than my own.


That One Thing or not…God loves me. And while He may be in the business of breaking hearts for our own good, He is also in the business of mending them. And half the battle here is knowing when to let Him do both.