Wasted Time

Tomorrow night is T's annual Christmas dinner dance for work. It's our first year with this company, so I have no idea what to expect other than we know it's at a really nice hotel in Baltimore and from what everyone says, it's really, really nice!! I've been excited about going (and spending a night in the city), but I have to admit, shopping for something to wear has been a TOTAL DRAG!! I'm convinced there isn't a single piece of clothing out there made for my body type.

Anyway, 2 weeks, one skirt and 20 blouses later, I still have no idea what I'm going to wear. We have a babysitter to stay with the girls all night, a room, and a full wardrobe to pack up and try on when I get there... We've been talking about this all week and the girls are thrilled to be having one of our favorite babysitters all to themselves for a whole night!!

BUT!

T is on his way to pick up Kt from a sleepover because, yup, you guessed it, she just threw up! I'm feeling like I might have just spent hours shopping for nothing. Literally hours. And she's the first victim... we all know how that stomach thing travels through a household. And our poor friends where it started. Here we go - welcome winter, welcome cold weather, welcome 20 outfits later!!!

Chaos

Somewhere in all the chaos that is my blog traffic, I hit the 20,000th visitor mark. Now if I could only get over that 350 visits a day hump! (To view the visits, scroll to the bottom and click on "sitemeter" in the little box.) Can you believe that? That's about 10 times my highest visits in one day before all this started... back when I used to get super excited about having over 20!! hehe... I hope everyone's still enjoying that old Christmas letter! (yup, still working out this years.... hope it's done before Santa arrives!)

I'm a Little Confused....

So, is she for more funding for HIV/AIDS?? or is she against it?? Who knows.

And don't even get me started on Rick Warren inviting politics into his church. Where is the IRS on this one??

There's A Chill

It's finally cold here. Of course, on my second day of recess duty! It's 38 with a high expected around 42. YIKES! On top of that, I seem to have somehow busted my toe. I can't fit it into any real shoes. So I'm either working with slippers on or some other kind of inappropriate shoe. What a pain! I had been hoping to make it water aerobics this morning, but there was no way. Maybe now I'll feel like putting up some Christmas decorations.

Ridiculously Amazing

I mentioned before Thanksgiving that my sitemeter counter is insane. At this point today alone I have almost 300 views mostly from that Christmas letter tips site. It's very humbling to think that it's possible that about 2600 people have viewed my 2 year old Christmas letter this month. I'm also feeling like I should be able to come up with a better one for this year... but I have this sneaking suspicion that if everyone is using mine for ideas, I might not be able to come up with anything else that even compares. So far, I have this:

Merry Christmas!!

Seasonal Limbo

This is the strangest week. Really. I keep feeling like it should be December, Christmas, cold, snow... Instead, it's still November, warm, fall, leaves everywhere! Thanksgiving was just too early this year. I can't believe we have another whole week of November and then three whole weeks until Christmas. OK - back to reality!!;-)

Not My Favorite...

but probably me!

Which Winnie the Pooh Character Are You?
	You are Rabbit. You are clever, intelligent, and level-headed. You have close, loyal friendships, but you have a bit of a short temper when the people around you act foolishly.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

The Tweens

Today at church (which was awesome, by the way!) we left via the Warehouse, where the high schoolers were just finishing up. My girls have been so happy to be included by some of our Hungary team when they go over there - it's quite fun. Today we were hunting for our Monday night babysitter to see if she was available tomorrow. The girls marched right into the worship room and the kids were just finishing up their last song. We sat down to listen to the announcements, which for high schoolers tend to be very upbeat and fun. Projected on the screen was a huge set of lips for the outreach Friday night Lip Sync contest. Kt leaned over to me as they were getting ready to premiere the skit team lip sync. She had a look of complete surprise and disgust and whispered loudly, "HUH??? Is that a KISSING contest???" I had a hard time containing my laughter. I think I have a 'tween!

If you're in high school and you live in Howard County, you should come! It's always awesome!! Dec 7. I promise, no kissing.... I think!

Uncle D minus XBox

My brother has spent most of his downtime either watching football or singing/airdrumming to my mom's laptop, all the while making fun of me and my laptop!!

I know the sound is bad, but maybe that's better! ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

The turkey's in the oven, the family is all relaxin', it's about 65 degrees outside (it'll be in the 40's by tonight - welcome to MD!), we have our menu all planned out, Kt set the table, Em is reading to my mom, our very traditional Thanksgiving is off to a great start!!

This year we have been so blessed to have a larger view of God's world, to have friends in all the far reaches of the earth, to have a healthy family, a job, a house, food.... and group of incredible high schoolers who are excited to serve this world. I am so excited to be home for this holiday and to have the chance to reserve a day for Thankfulness.

The only thing missing - Uncle D forgot his XBox! He's hiding in his room this morning.... with nothing to do! LOL

Survived!

OK, I survived the dreaded conferences. I don't really want to post all about them. There was a lot of good and a little bad. I could brag, brag and brag with a little complaining in there, but I won't! We do have some decisions to make over the next quarter, so we'll see!

Phoebe also survived, it appears. She is much happier. We seem to have her fever under control with some puppy antibiotics, fluids and a trip to the vet - all very expensive and not in our Christmas budget, but again, we'll survive. I'm so thankful because I don't think this would have been a good time for Em to deal with losing a dog. Grandpa is going through chemo, school is tough... losing her puppy would have been serious. When it does happen, it will be bad but now was not the time!

My mom and brother are on their way here sometime tonight or tomorrow for Thanksgiving. It'll be nice having them - and change from the ordinary. We're expecting the weather to be nice tomorrow - 69 degrees! Then back down to 44 on Friday.... which means we'll probably all get sick! But, we'll survive!

Things....

I'm about to head up to bed... and here's what's going on. Our little puppy is very sick. Yesterday she was totally fine all day, and then boom! She's sick, and she can't seem to recover this time. At this point, she can't walk or hardly stand. We are thinking it's off to the vet tomorrow and may not be coming home this time. I'm worried how Em will be with this.... just one year ago we found out about her kidney issue, so that we've had her a whole year is a miracle in itself.

Tonight, our friend LB came over and put together a list of people who might be interested in supporting her on a YWAM DTS. The crazy thing... it's not tax deductible. She is extremely trustworthy, so that won't be an issue, but I just can't believe they run a program where people need to raise $5000 support but it's not tax-deductible. Anyway, God is going to have to provide a way for this to happen.

Finally, tomorrow, after I work out all my anxieties in Group Power, I have three conferences to attend. Luckily, we got the last one as our best... it's the first two I'm a bit apprehensive about. I have issues.... bottom line, I'm thinking I'll leave feeling like not much was accomplished, but at least I'll get to share my side.

I have a lot on my mind, those are just the top of my prayer list for this coming week. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving because I need to focus on the innumerable things in my life to be thankful for. It's really a peaceful holiday... with a little of Uncle D's Xbox! How fun is that?

Just For Fun

I just had to see what mine would say... and I seriously laughed out loud. I love the first sentence... they've got me nailed!

You Are 16% Democrat

If you have anything in common with the Democrat party, it's by sheer chance. You're a staunch conservative, and nothing is going to change that!

How Democrat Are You?

Girl Scout Cookies vs. Boyscout Popcorn

I thought the price of GS cookies was getting a bit out of hand. In our county, they are $3.50/box and in our neighboring county, they will be $4.00/box this spring! Outrageous, I tell you. That was, until the Boyscout popcorn arrived. My daughter tells me she paid $10.00/can, and the cans are 10oz. That's $1.00/ounce and the can is really the size of an oversized pencil holder. Not even large enough to be a cookie jar! YIKES! In this competition, I'd have to side with the girls for having a much better value, just not as much non-profit business savvy, apparently!

Las Acacias

If there ever were a false prophet, I would guess Hugo Chavez fits that bill! Being a complete outsider looking in, that man has made some scary changes in Venezuela, continually makes errant remarks publicly about respected world leaders and constantly uses Biblical references to his countrymen in defending his move towards a communist nation. To me, it's quite frightening.

The Washington Post has an article this morning about the evangelical church in Caracas, namely one very large church, Las Acacias. This particular church has gained a reputation in Venezuela of being an "opposition" church due to the attendance of it's pastor at a vigil held for the hundreds of victims of the uprising in Caracas, where he stood on the platform use just days before by the opposition movement. This church has 5,000 members and is divided between government skeptics and supporters.

While the country is run by a man who claims to support all religions, including a rogue cult religion in the city, he has begun surveillance on Las Acacias' website and tapped all the phones used by staff at the church. No separation of church and state in THAT country! (I wonder to myself what Cindy Sheehan and Danny Glover think of him now?) The church has a plan for the day the government shuts their doors so that they can still support each other in the day when the evangelical church in Venezuela will be deemed an "opposition" church. It's just an eerie thought, really.

So, today, with this article fresh in my mind, I'll ask anyone out there who cares to please pray for this church and it's members, for the condition of the government in Venezuela and that God's will will prevail there. If Hugo Chavez really is the Christian he claims to be, may his heart be softened to be more like Christ and less about himself.

A Life Free From Politics

Oh, to be a kid again... and not have to think about politics.

Conversation just overheard in my house:

Em (6 years old): Who's the president right now?

Kt (9 years old, showing her friend how to check money to see if it's real - reviewing presidents): George W. Bush!

Mir (9 years old, Kt's friend): (totally laughing) What???? Are you totally kidding? That's funny.

Em: So, who's the president now?

Me: George Bush.

Em: Really? Oh. (laughing as well now)

Is that so funny? I guess if you're 6 or 9, it doesn't matter much to you!

Merry Early Christmas to Me!

I just got a new cellphone! The best part about it - it was free!! Now, I have to learn how to use a new cell again... and I had not even mastered my old one. EEK! This one has video capabilities that I'm hoping to learn and a keyboard, for easier texting. Woohoo! The only stinky thing about it is that the ringtones are pretty lame. I guess they do that now so you have to buy the good ones. Fortunately, I'm not that picky.

Nothing better than an early FREE Christmas gift!

On Account of You

I felt like reading about heaven today, since it's been on my mind lately. I was reading in 2 Peter, so here's a little fire and brimstone for everyone. Even if you aren't a believer, it's worth reading what the Bible says will be the end of the earth.... just in case it really is true! ;-)

8-9Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.

10But when the Day of God's Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.

11-13Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness. (2Peter, The Message)

I can't wait for a new heaven, a new earth. And I'm thankful for a God who patiently waits, so that everyone has a chance to hear.

Dreaming of a Mouse

Our neighbors left yesterday for a week with a mouse... Mickey, that is! They are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, which was where I had really wanted to stay last February but they were completely sold out - by October! We ended up shortening our trip and spending one night at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.... ah, the memories!

If I could, I'd go to WDW at least once a year for a real vacation. Yes, I know, it's lots of running around, waiting in lines, overly expensive junk food... but there really is something magical about Disney World I think. I just want to get it all in before my kids grow up, and then I hope to someday repeat it all with grandchildren. That's a dream! Or that Disney cruise I have yet to try....

I think we might be "vacationing" with another Space team this summer, however. Not exactly the dream family vacation, but it's a lot of running around, waiting in lines (in airports), and overly expensive European food. It's also much more rewarding in many ways, and my kids are not complaining that they won't see Mickey. Instead, they are begging to return to their new friends they made last summer. I must say, we have a better relationship with our European friends than we do with the Mouse, even though we've known him much longer! =) But I can still dream!

Bragging Rights

Since it's my blog, I'm going to reserve the right to brag a bit - about my kids (despite my bad parenting!). Today another parent who went in for the GT math presentations today sent me this little story about Kt.

I sat in on Mr. M's math class today
and was so impressed with something Kt did. CM was VERY nervous to
do her presentation, but she did it...when she got back to her seat, Kt
initiated a high-five with her and you could see the smile across CM's
face. It really touched my heart that Kt would make that effort for
someone who was obviously very shy, insecure and nervous about it. Katie's
a great girl!

You know, it's really nice to hear little things like that from friends. I happen to think Kt is great as well, but one never knows what their children when out from under their watchful eyes. This year, I've been especially bombarded with similar stories about Kt, sometimes it's overwhelming. It's also food for thought when I think of her personality characteristics in terms of what God is preparing her (and me!) for in life. Sometimes I wish I was half as amazing as she is.

Now, I need to go stop her from scuffling with her sister over a silly rock - all in a day's work!