Oh Christmas Tree....

When we were first married, Norm & I would always buy a real Christmas tree...that's what Norm grew up with & so that's what we began doing. But at some point when our kids were small we made the shift to the "dreaded" artificial tree. I know, I know...for you die hard "real trees only" people, this is a cardinal sin. But for a busy mom who had enough of real trees that fell over or lost needles too soon, not to mention the needles we were STILL finding stuck in the rug in July, we made the big leap to the artificial. Plus, the cost for the real ones just got plain ridiculous! Many people thought our tree was real it was so well made. So, what is the goal anyway? When you buy a really nice real tree people say "its so perfect it looks artificial", and if you buy a really nice artificial one, they'll say, "it looks so real"! You can't win...or lose!! And honestly, how long does the pine scent last anyway (and personally I've never really been a fan. I've never even used Pine Sol baby). When we lived in our house on Eastbrooke Place, our family room ceiling was so high that buying a decent real tree big enough would have used our Christmas budget! After moving to our new apartment, that first Christmas brought the reality that our beautiful artificial tree was just not going to fit. So, we've made the leap back. And, a few years ago we thought it would be fun, since now our kids were a little older, to cut down our tree ourselves. The cost is not too bad & it really has been a fun experience. As you can see by the look on my family's faces here.... Hahaha....

Anyway, its become our yearly tradition now that on Thanksgiving weekend, before the craziness of Christmas is upon us, to go as a family & cut down our tree. It was awesome this year to have Alex join us. I just HAD to take some pictures so he could show his Florida friends what crazy northerners do on a Saturday afternoon in 30 degree weather!

So, the tree is up, the house is decorated. Yeah, we only have about 5 Christmas gifts bought, but oh well...it'll all get done eventually. The gifts, the wrapping, the baking, the egg nog...yeah, I said it! The tree is always the beginning...so bring it on! Let the games begin!

Let me share a few more shots of our adventure in Clarence, New York (voted #34 out of 50 best small towns in the country to live, by the way).



Enjoy your holiday season my friends! And enjoy your tree, real or otherwise. No tree snobbery here!!

Surprise, Surprise!!

Well, as if I didn't have enough to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, I was blessed by the surprise homecoming of my son! We were in shock, since he very sneakily planned his homecoming with family members, all designed to surprise me and his dad. He showed up at my mother's home just as we were sitting down to our Thanksgiving dinner. Talk about having something to be grateful for! I wish I would have a picture of mine & Norm's faces! Shock & tears would cover it I'd say... How wonderful to have him back under our roof! So he grabbed a lovely, home-cooked turkey dinner compliments of Grandma, a shower, a quick nap, some time with his family, and then off to be with friends. Ahhh...life as usual! It's a beautiful thing.... Thank you Jesus!!

Miracles and Thankfulness...

We are quickly approaching my favorite holiday of the year. Thanksgiving. I love this holiday because of its simplicity & for the sheer idea that its a day set aside to gather with those we love and just...be....grateful. I definitely think that this is a lost art in our society...the idea of being thankful for what we have. I know that there are others who have much more materially than I do, but I am sincerely grateful for the gifts I do have. My beautiful & healthy family, our cozy home, and friends & family to share the good & not so good times of our lives. Despite the challenges Norm & I have faced over the last few years, I am determined to be grateful to God for how He's brought us through & how beautifully He has provided for us. I have some friends who are going through a particularly difficult time in their lives. They are struggling to stay afloat financially as well as trying to discover what God's plans are for their lives. They are an inspiration to me. I know that they have their difficult moments, I've been privileged to have them share honestly the enormous weight of their situation. But they inspire because they are always grateful for whatever God blesses them with. One of the things that she always says is that each week, God brings them a miracle. Whether its an anonymous gift card to Wegman's, a word of encouragement or an unexpected job that will help pay for that bill they weren't sure how they would pay. She is in constant awe as to how God continually brings blessings their way. They have learned to trust & are building their faith in His provision each time that miracle comes their way. I think God sends all of us miracles, I just wonder how often we actually perceive them as such. Are we more likely to look upon that job, that clean bill of health, the food in our refrigerator, that paid bill, that respectful teen, that obedient child as merely an everyday event? Do we overlook the everyday miracles in our lives? On a couple of occasions I was able to bless on this family & she referred to ME as the miracle. I really don't think that I am, but I'm open to the idea that God would use me for His purposes and am grateful for it. I remember feeling like, "man, she gets a miracle every week??!! I would like that." Then I realized that if I paid close attention to His gifts, I'd see that I do receive miracles all the time. I also thought that in the moment when God prompts me to reach out to a friend in need, I think I'd rather BE the miracle than RECEIVE one. Either way, its awesome to know that God is working in our lives, giving us just what we need, or using us to show love to another. So, this Thanksgiving, I will be grateful to Him for how He blesses me and my family. But, I will also be thanking Him for the chance to be that miracle to someone in need, knowing that's how He shows His true love to us and how we should do likewise.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my
beautiful friends & family!
I Love You All!!!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Love Them Like My Own...

Its a beautiful thing when children enter your life. Sometimes God blesses you with children of your own, sometimes you are blessed to have nieces/nephews, sometimes they are the children of friends. Although I know that babies are a thing of my past, God has seen fit to bless "Uncle Norm & Aunt Sandy" with some pretty awesome little ones! Here are some of their beautiful faces...

My beautiful niece Sophia (dressed here like a pink poodle!)












Elijah, Sydney & Morgan
(cowboy, zebra & Miss America!)














A closer shot of Elijah the cowboy!












Zackary (& his new Mommy Deidra!)















Adorable Cammy (as Dora!)












New baby Aidan (dressed as Tigger!)












My nephew Jake (with Uncle Norm at the Fair)

These children are all so incredibly special & I love them all!

"What children take from us, they give....We become people who feel more deeply, question more deeply, hurt more deeply and love more deeply." Sonia Taitz