Dungeons and Dragons...cont'd

Saturday after Thanksgiving, tons of boxes in the living room.  I think I am actually doing all the decorating the rest of the time I'm trying to get the other 3 sloths in the house to at least look a bit interested.  Sam actually opened the boxes last night and pulled almost everything out and 'decorated'. I was tempted to leave it the way he did it..Nutcrackers everywhere in no certain order, stockings hung, and the musical snowmen that sing and play the piano with the batteries inserted playing loud.  It was perfect for him, those are the things he loves.  There was not a nativity in sight - I'm getting worried about my kids.

For those of you who were wondering.. Mike and I decided to let Sam play Dungeons and Dragons, he made his character on Friday and is very excited.  Today he rode his scooter over to his uncle's house to play his first day of the game.  I told him he couldn't tell the kids at school that he was playing for fear their parents wouldn't let Sam play with them anymore.  Oh brother, what a drama.  Uncle Erik promised it would be as brainy and non-nerd creating as possible. 

Tomorrow we will clean it out of him and make him go to church and stay a really long time.  If it were only that easy to insert your idea of God in your children or anyone for that matter, I know how much I love God and understand that way he works in my life.  So hard to show someone else, I think sometimes you just need to shut-up.

This is what Sam said to me a few months back..."Mom, you have really messed me up about God"  So, I've decided to take a different tactic...that of praying for him.

Ok God it's up to you...I give!

Christmas is gonna roll over us - WARNING Santa info

Last night the trees were standing outside Wal-Mart, hundreds of them.  The music has started and I'm not covering my eyes, I just realized that I only have a few more years with the kids.  This is the first year that the kids go into the holiday season as complete consumers without any thought to Santa, notes, sitting on his lap, lists for him and the elves.  Yep, last year was the last time.  I will forever cherish the note from Sam:

"Dear Santa, please give one of these cookies to Holly the Elf, (from his school) and the carrots are for the reindeer".  The year before Sam's note said: "Dear Santa, I just want a good day"

I will miss the innocence the excitement of the night before. This year we will make it more special for us as a family.  We will spend more time together, play games, think about getting gifts for each other. (yes, they are finally understanding the giving not getting part)

We don't have a church now, that has been a struggle to keep Jesus in our everyday life.  Mike and I say we are content without having a  church experience but the kids miss the whole experience of people who love and care for them.  We have visited churches and we always walk away without a feeling of "this could be our home". This story is for another blog.

Anyways, I've got a few Blue Moon Emporium shows, orders coming in all the time and this has really helped to take the stress off the family and now I'm enjoying my art and crafting more..now I want to do it, to make something more fun, beautiful, enjoyable for someone else.  It's a good feeling.

I'm walking into this Christmas season with an open heart and anticipating something different for our family, purposefully making it more spiritual, and  I'm going to sit back and enjoy.  I hope your family does too.

Success-Happiness-Contentment-Joy-Thankfulness

Swirling thoughts of the future surround me all the time...can I continue working towards the goal of successful business, parenting, relationships, financial security....it seems like a mirage sometimes you almost get to the flowy little airy water in the road and it disappears - it was only the heat of the moment.

I'm thankful for today, a little bit of laughter from my kids and husband, a few sales on etsy, a well received meal occasionally, a continueing knowledge that God is always with me, life is good.

next year

I know we should only live for today, but after working the whole summer (or watching someone work) on a treehouse I'm looking forward to enjoying next summer with no big projects...that is, unless we get a lot of money and I re-do the kitchen.

Mike and I have a plan to host a big party next summer and hang lights from the trees in jars...have gazebos, mexican hats on the tables with pots full of fresh vegetables and flowers. and make things like:

Smoked Lemon-Chipotle Chicken
Tomatillo Sauce
Lemon Chill with Raspberry Sauce
Margaritas

There will be swings in the trees..pretty tables..music...kids running everywhere.  Who wants to come?