It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas??

THIS IS NOT MY TREE!!!!!!!!!!

I love that song.  I know, I know, you're humming it in your mind right now aren't you??

And I love Christmas time.  It IS the most wonderful time of the year.  But I have to admit that, at my house, it really doesn't look ANYTHING like Christmas.

I don't have my Christmas tree put up yet.  I don't have any decorations put out at all.  I have to be honest and tell you that we left our outdoor lights up last year, but I haven't found the really long extension cord I need to plug them in so, no outdoor lights yet.

I actually have purchased some Christmas presents.  HOORAY!!!  But, I don't have anything wrapped.

So in that sea of beautifully decorated houses, and gorgeously wrapped gifts we see every day in magazines and on blogs, let me be a little bit of reality for those of you who, like me, may not have everything all together.

I know we know this in our head, but may I remind your heart, Christmas is about Jesus.  Yes, we decorate our houses and we cook lots of yummy food and we buy presents and we try to make this the perfect time of year.  But in the midst of all that work, please pause to remember, there was no tree in the stable where He was born.  The only light was the star shining above Bethlehem.  There was no feast to honor Him at His birth.  But the angels sang, and spoke those words about the only birth that brought hope to the world "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people . . . "

That is what Christmas is all about.  So chill out about the tree, and the presents, and the lights, and the food, and remember that Jesus IS the reason for the season!

Thankful Thanksgiving!!!!!

Today millions of people (including myself) are preparing for a big Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.  They are going to the grocery store, cleaning the house, and cooking like crazy.  They are stressing out over the turkey, it has to look beautifully browned.  Agonizing over the gravy ~~ can't have any lumps!  Deciding on which dressing to serve.  Do they use the good dishes?  Sure hope the weather cooperates! 

But in the midst of all that work and worry, we need to remember that as Christians, we should be celebrating Thanksgiving as a true day of giving thanks.   If you have a warm house, you are blessed.  If you have food, you are blessed.  If you aren't in the hospital, you are blessed.  And if you have a wonderful family to share the day with, as I do, then man oh man you are DOUBLY BLESSED.

I know I have so much to be thankful for.  And as I prepare for a big family Thanksgiving, with turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and gravy and more food than I can possibly describe, I stop and say thank you to the God who saved me.  Who loves me.  Who protects me.  And who sends every good and perfect gift.  I am so blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

And The Cast is OFF!!!!!

So happy to report that Cole's foot is MUCH MUCH BETTER!  In fact, the doctor removed the cast and sent us home with a walking boot.  Cole has to wear this for two weeks, and then will complete two weeks of physical therapy, then we go back to the doctor.  I would expect at that time Cole will be released and everything will go back to normal! 

The doctor was very pleased with how the swelling had gone down, and how the pain was almost all gone.  He said he expects a COMPLETE RECOVERY!

Thanks so much to each and every one of you for your prayers!  I know that they made a difference.  You all are so sweet, and I am so blessed to know each of you!  Thank you again! 

Back to the Doctor Today

This afternoon , I will be taking Cole back to the orthopedic doctor.  They will cut the cast off and then re-evaluate.  Hopefully, the swelling has gone down and he is able to put some weight on it.  If that is the case, then they will leave the cast off and send him home with a walking boot.  No more showers with a garbage bag wrapped around his leg!  If it is not better, well, they will put another cast on it.

Please agree with me in prayer for complete healing of this foot.  I know our God is awesome.  I know He heals.  I know He saves.

I thank you for your continued prayer, and I will let you know what we find out!  Blessings to each and every one of you! 

An Update On Cole's Foot

Thank you so much for all your prayers for Cole and his injured foot.  We went to an orthopedic group last week and the doctor said he was amazed at how much swelling and pain Cole was still feeling, when the MRI and xrays didn't show any tendon or ligament damage.  He actually put Cole in a hard cast (yes, he's still on crutches) and told him to come back in two weeks.  At that time they will take the cast off and look at his foot again.  The doctor thinks by then the swelling will be down considerably, and so will his pain.  Assuming the foot is better they will probably put him in a walking cast for a couple more weeks.  That is what we are praying for!!  He is REALLY tired of crutches!

Please keep praying for complete healing of Cole's foot.  I'll let you know what the doctor says next week.  And thanks again for your prayers! 

It Was A Dark And Stormy . . . Morning????

Wow!  What a difference a few hours makes.  Last night I was sitting at a football game (the first postseason game for our local high school team since 1993!) and it was beautiful.  68 degrees and a nice warm breeze blowing.  We lost the football game, but the evening was incredible.  Filled with the sounds of the bands playing, the crowd cheering, and the smell of popcorn and hot dogs.  Good friends and a great evening.  It was perfect. 

And then we headed home from the game.  And then it started raining.  And the wind began to howl.  All night long it rained and the wind beat raindrops against the window right next to our bed.  And this morning, it is 37 degrees.  And the rain is still falling.  And the wind is still howling.  And that mean old Mr. Weatherman even said we MIGHT get a few snowflakes this afternoon before this little squall moves through.  YUCK.  I hope you are WRONG Mr. Weatherman.  I want yesterday back!

Can You Believe It Is November?????

Today I am writing 11-1-11.  November 1, 2011.  I really can't believe it is November.  And the weather doesn't know it's November either.  Today it is supposed to be 75 degrees.  And that's WARM for Missouri in November.  But tomorrow, well, tomorrow November will arrive.  Rain will start tomorrow afternoon (rain that we desperately need I might add), and the temperatures will begin to PLUMMET down to the 40s by tomorrow night.  And then on Thursday, it is supposed to rain and only be in the 50s.  Now THAT is normal November weather for our neck of the woods.

I wish I could send some of this rain down to all my friends in Oklahoma and Texas.  They need the rain more than we do, and we need rain.

So are  you ready for November?  Are you ready for the time change this weekend (I'm NOT!)?  Have you started Christmas shopping yet, or are you like me, haven't really even THOUGHT about it!  We better get ready, 'cause the most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us!!  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the arrival of November!