Happy New Year

Girlfriend, 2, 1, 3, & 4

Many blessings and answered prayers this Christmas! My second son and his girlfriend spent Christmas eve and day with us, which included attending church. She seemed relaxed around us and to be enjoying herself. The two of them also celebrated my oldest son's 22nd (!!!?!!!) birthday with us. My husband and I both agreed that it's a "good" Christmas when our children are with us. I felt the presence of my savior; His love and mercy for me and for us as a family. So welcome to the New Year and it's opportunities to have faith, trust, and hope in Him.

Waiting for the shoe

A few weeks ago, the second son and his girlfriend went to my husband's office party. Then, my son called my husband and asked if he and his girlfriend could have lunch with him. My hubby said yes and they went out for sushi. During lunch, my son told his dad they were looking for a new place to live; he's considering going to the Art Institute and he and his girl need new jobs. They asked if he had a job for either of them, which he doesn't.
These were bold words for the two of them, but reality soon checked in: my son stopped cold on the Art Institute when he realized he had to contact his high school for his transcripts. The job search consisted of asking dad for a job. They can't afford housing in our town, let alone the larger, more expensive city where they were looking.
I think we're being courted for something. A few days ago, my son called and asked to bring over some laundry. When he brought it over, in walked his girlfriend with him who began chatting away as if she'd never considered avoiding me. I asked them to meet us all for Thai food later and they joined us. They are coming over for Christmas eve service, party and present opening and then the girlfriend asked if she could come over Christmas morning. I told her she could stay over in the guest room if she wanted and she agreed.
I accept the girlfriend coming around as a blessing but somehow it feels as if there's something more to come. On the one hand, they are saying good things but on the other, they are doing what they've been doing.
We'll just wait and see. And watch out the shoe doesn't knock one of us out.

First Date

My daughter is out on her first date. I'm very grateful for this date as most teens at her school don't go on formal dates. They just sort of "hook up". I like this guy. He works at a local hamburger place we go to frequently and always comes up and talks to us. He's also, by my daughter's estimation, a Christian. HOORAY! He's been her friend for some time and this date is to determine if there might be a spark of something more. She isn't very optimistic about the outcome as she has liked another boy for some time. This other boy sends her lots of mixed signals and she's grown tired of waiting on him. In her words: "When I'm with him, I know that I really like him, but when I'm not he frustrates the heck out of me."
I have hopes for her. Although, this date got off to a rocky start. Seconds before he arrived to pick her up, my oldest son came rushing past him, through the door and up the stairs. My son was coming in from a party and running off to an appointment. As my husband and I were greeting the date, the oldest son came downstairs and introduced himself. My second son and his girlfriend came in the door and said "Hi! Who are you?" So there we all stood: my daughter and her date, my husband, me, her two older brothers and the girlfriend. The poor fella was beet red and so was my daughter. I turned to him and said "Looks like we've decided to hold a family reunion in the entry way."
They're going to see Alvin and the Chipmunks and then get ice cream.

Later
She had a good time but she thinks they'll just remain good friends.

Christmas blurr

Oh me. My life is doing the spinning out of my control thing! I typically start the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving. Not doing anything ABOUT starting the season-just thinking about how I ought to be starting. And then I let the pressure mount. Not really meaning for the Christmas season to be a pressure situation. It just happens that way. So here I am at I don't know how many days until Christmas? A WEEK! The tree is up, the presents bought, the cards addressed, the cookies made. Why do I feel swept up in some kind of whirlwind?
My family keeps asking me what I want for Christmas. I say anything they choose will be nice, even though I have too much stuff cluttering up my life as it is. Honestly, there is nothing I want that they can give me. What I want, I want from Him-to be overwhelmed, changed by, deliriously alive in His Holy Spirit. Come into focus sweet Christmas!

The weekend

Whoa, what a weekend. I was under the weather this week and my Christmas decorating got put off. The girls got the tree up. We bought a new, smaller tree because the boys couldn't find a time to help us. I knew that day was coming...
Friday I got a call from my youngest's school. She just fainted sitting in her chair. Fell over and out. I picked her up and took her to the doctor who said what I expected: "If it happens again, we'll do tests." She was wearing her formal uniform which consists of a sweater over a long sleeved shirt and then she had worn a tank top as well underneath it all. I'm praying she just got overheated.
My older daughter had a friend over and we all went to C-ville to see my oldest son's girlfriend sing with her accapella group. We also met and had dinner with her parents and brother. It was a fun evening but a long one. The girls all loved the singing, especially the men's group that sang a few songs with them.

Saturday was the city parade. Both my girls were in it. The oldest marched with her dance company and had to dress up as a Disney character. My youngest marched with her cheer leading squad. I had to miss it as I had a volunteers brunch. Several more girls joined my older daughter for lunch, a movie and a sleepover. My hubby took on the girls and the outdoor Christmas lights while I took my prodigal son shopping for some clothes that fit. I bought him lunch and had the opportunity for a good heart to heart, at least on my end of it. I also got to hug him, kiss him, and pray over him.





Sunday My husband took the dancer girls to rehearsal and I met a friend for lunch. I haven't seen her in a while so we had a lot of catching up to do. I got home just in time to do nursery duty with the hubby and older daughter for the evening ministries.
I think it's just the beginning of the holiday madness, rushing from one event to the next. Every year I think I'm going to get a better handle on it but I don't think that's possible with young people still at home. So I'm going to put on my party hat and just go with it!