Final Touches

My daughter properly chastised me yesterday as not being enthused about Christmas this year. I had a half decorated tree and no presents under it. She might have been getting a little concerned. ;)

Just before lunch I put up the remaining ornaments, hung the stockings and put candles in the windows while she wrapped a couple of gifts. Later I took her to play with her cousins for an hour so I could work on wrapping what I had purchased. Now it looks ready for next weekend. Though she did complain that I used the same wrapping paper on every gift. (She has higher standards than I.)

As I sit here watching that beady-eyed elf from across the room, I wonder what she will remember about this Christmas. Perhaps it will be that the elf only moves a few feet each night or that it took me forever to get decorations and gifts settled. Perhaps it will be that I bought a couple of Christmas CDs on Friday to get us in the mood or that the candlelight service next weekend at church will remind her of last year when she was baptized. Whatever it might be, I hope she remembers why we celebrate Christmas. 

Luke 1:30-33 Then the Angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you had found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

Time Well Spent

These last few days have been busy, but enjoyable. On Friday I helped my best friend celebrate a milestone birthday. Later that night I stood in the frigid air to hear my daughter's 5th grade class sing Christmas carols at an outdoor tree lighting event.

Today after church, my daughter and I went to a Christmas family day at the History Center. I stood nearby while she made a snowflake and corn husk doll. We also had our photo made with Santa. Later I helped my son study for a Trig test and go over his history project. 

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

And suddenly my weekend has come to an end. I could have been selfish and spent more time doing my favorite things, but I got so much more out of spending my time with friends and family.

What a Mess

Where did this week go? Why is the house such a mess? Why are there still no ornaments on the tree? Why is it Sunday evening and I'm just now getting to my blogpost?

I have no answers other than, it's been a busy, busy week. Going back to work after a week off is just playing catch up on emails and trying to adjust to being at work. Tuesday found me driving to Atlanta at 6 am for a Federal Training Conference, then arriving back home at 5:30 pm. Wednesday was work, church and helping with homework. Thursday was another 6 am trip to Atlanta. Thankfully we were home early enough to still see daylight, but I was too tired to enjoy it. Friday was a regular day of work and an evening just chilling out. Saturday was back at work for registration, home with lots of laundry and helping my son write lyrics to a song about the Liberty Party. (It's set to the tune of Born in the USA.) Sunday dawned cold and rainy. Church was good and I had great plans of tackling the kitchen, but my daughter had to work on a history project, then my son did as well. In between suggestions for his essay, I'm trying to write my thoughts for the past week.

Today I'll go to bed once again with a messy house and little hope that we will do anything other than eat out most of this week. I am hopeful they won't remember the messy house, but rather that I was there for them and helped them when they needed it. For now, I'll just make this my prayer for the week.

Psalm 30:10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!