A Jolly-Good Time...

A great visit to see Santa today. No tears. No screams of terror. No refusals to see Santa. Brody was doing great until Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas- his body language says it all!!!!

Ho Ho Ho!!!!!

Christmas Card Outtakes 2010

It seems like I just put this blog up for 2009, but it's true... another year has passed by. As you may know, this is my favorite blog of the year. This year wasn't as eventful as past Christmas card outtakes, but it had its own shining moments.

Our idea was to stack the boys up. Jadin and Brody waited perfectly while Jeremy prepared to place Dallas on the top of the stack. But, Brody's ticklish nature got the best of him and Dallas was not happy about being on top of a giggling Brody.

So, when your out shopping for that perfect gift, we hope that our outtakes will remind you that you can't please everyone!!!

Merry Christmas to ALL!

Time to Take Back Time...

There are not many places you can go these days where you won't know what time it is. The time is ticking away on wall clocks, alarm clocks, cell phones, computers and wrist watches. And despite the attempts of anti-aging products, it's clear that time is not something you will escape. A quote from one of my favorite movies, Steel Magnolia's, says it best, "Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin' across your face."

I was thinking about how much time we are given. No one knows the exact number of days we will be on this earth, but if I were to estimate how many days I had left, would it change how I live? So, let's say I live to 100- a lofty guess but I will think positive. If I were to live to 100 from the age I am now, I have approximately 26,000 days left. Does that sound like a lot? Knowing that I have already lived roughly 10,000 days, 26,000 does not sound like a lot to me. And what if it were less? A lot less.

I have decided that I don't want to squander the days I have left. Whether it's 26,000 or only a few. How do we waste time? Well, each of us could probably answer that individually but I am sure we all could resonate with the next few time-wasters.

I have wasted days being mad at someone. I have wasted days feeling sorry for myself. I have wasted days feeling insecure. I have wasted days being critical. And I have wasted days in regret. In fact, I think that looking back is one of the main ways we all waste time. Sure... there are lessons to be learned from looking back- thus the statement 'Hindsight is 20/20.' The past usually gives us a clear picture of what we need to do better. And if it's a clear picture, then take a peak, take note and get your eyes back on what lies ahead.

How many days have I wasted wishing I would have said something I did not say or did not say something I said? How many days have I squandered wishing I would have taken a risk that I didn't or waited a bit longer before I took a leap. Too many to mention. Paul says in Philippians 3, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which Christ has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." This is what I want. I do not want to waste one more day pumping my time into things that bear no fruit. I want to press on.

So, how do I put this into action? Well, I was given the chance last night. A situation popped up and I immediately felt mad. Rather than stewing over it all night (which I have done an embarrassing amount of times) I dealt with it, gave it to God and moved on. You do all you can do and then let God do what you can't. And instead of losing sleep because I was stewing all night, I enjoyed my evening and slept well. I couldn't help the fact that I got mad, but I could make a decision as to how long I was going to stay that way.

No more wasting time- it's far to precious.