Behold

You will find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:12

"Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, all fear is gone.

Because I know He holds my future;

and life is worth the living just because He lives."

Hurry Up and Sigh Deep

I don't even drink coffee and I can so relate!

I mean seriously, folks, let's try to at least look like we're enjoying this Christmas break.

How sad that we spend more time stocking up for the perfect gifts to give our families and we miss the perfect opportunity to give to the family...ourselves.

You know what I was reminded of this moring? That my kids love to watch TV with me.

We love to laugh at the commercials and cartoons and just giggle for no reason

while laying around on each other.

I've really missed that.

I've missed Matt climbing on Sunshine Mountain (me) and "perching" on me.

I've missed Drew's millions of questions for me and his zany answers to my questions.

I've missed Meg pestering me to play with her hair or rub her arm.

I've missed sitting down with the family to a meal every night.

I've missed telling the kids good-night.

So that's what I'm stocking up on this Christmas season...memories and laughter and love.

Joe Schmoe Truck Driver

I simply must share a picture with you taken at Halloween. The kids at my school always dress up, and since I'm not one to miss out on the fun, I decided to join in with my own costume.

I only used what I had at the house and viola, meet Joe Schmoe - Truck Driver:

It was so funny to see the expressions on some of my co-workers faces when they first caught a glimpse of me! Would you trust this individual?

Meg's boots, my jeans, Brian's blue shirt, Brian's checked shirt, eye liner and mascara for a beard, my mullet wig, my hat, and my bed sheet (aka my belly): all rolled into one very fun character to add a bit of laughter to our day.

Good times, good times!

Updates and Memories

WOW...I can't believe so much time has passed since I last blogged. I used to be so dedicated to my journaling, and then life caught up with me. Where, oh where do I begin? Think I'll borrow a line from Julie Andrews and start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.

I went back to college in August...after a 12 year lapse. Most people complete high school and college before starting a family. I did the high school and college route, and then took a different path of marriage and family. Looking back, I think my directions gave me a deeper purpose in my drive to finish my degree.

I'm non-stop from dawn till WAY after dusk...and then I'm burning the midnight oil trying to keep an A average. I have classes two days a week, and meet with a study group one day a week. These classes last seven weeks, with a final on the eighth, then I put those books away and get ready for the next round. I'll take four classes in one semester. It's EXHAUSTING trying to juggle the family, big school, little school, Church, etc., but I'm bound and determined to get my teaching degree. HOPEFULLY, come fall 2011 I will be the master of my own classroom...we shall see.

The family has been a TREMENDOUS help. Meg is now in charge of the laundry, Drew is in charge of sweeping, and Matt does what can keep Matt's attention (usually picking up things off the floor), with Brian and the kiddos pitching in for supper. Actually, the kids rotate planning the meals for a week. They have to plan everything. And we have to eat what they plan. We've had some creative meals and they've enjoyed this.

I am now on my Christmas break from big school. One of my favorite memories of college will be that I was fortunate to be a part of their Singing Christmas Tree. That took place last Friday and Saturday night. Let me set the stage for you...around 90 of us students and faculty members gathered Friday night in the gym to warm up. The tree was right next to the building so they had all the lights off for us to make our grand entrance. As we were practicing, the director warned us that there was something coming down, they felt it was rain, and if that was the case, be prepared to quickly pass back the row of lights that we were to hold during the ceremony. We were a little bummed but agreed that this plan was better than being electricuted! The choir was lined up, candles were passed out (so that we could walk throught the dark night to the tree), the silent procession made their way outside, we blew out the candles and placed them in the trash cans located by the tree, climbed to our spots, the strings of lights were passed down, the director gave her cue, the giant spot lights were turned on, and a collective gasp was heard. IT WAS SNOWING! Not just little bits and pieces, mind you, but think, brilliant, showers of blessings were flowing from the Heavens! HOW MAGICAL! I will always remember that special moment when I glimpsed snow. Truly a blessing!

Quiet Comtemplations

It's 5:00 am and all is well. It seems as if I'm the only one up ~ husband, daughter, sons, dog, and even the world outside are all grasping for a few more minutes of blessed slumber.

Sweet peace.

I treasure this time when I can be alone with my Heavenly Father. When the wisdom's from God can find their way to my heart and soul. Call me crazy, but I always find new meanings to old verses during these private sessions with God.

"See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all." 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Father, keep my eyes open for those who need the blessing of kindness.

Give me ears to hear Your voice and an obedient heart to let You use me.

Family Reunions

My family spent this past Saturday at a Hill Family Reunion. I must say that it was quite the eye opener for me, not by way of what the oldies but goodies were saying (some of them actually thought that Brian was my Dad), but by what they couldn't remember. You see, Brian's Granny loaned Brian three VERY old pictures of past family members. Brian very faithfully made copies and returned the originals to Granny at the reunion.

I thought that since there were so many Hills at one spot, the reunion would be a perfect place to jot down a few names and recollections that were in those three pictures. My heart hurts just thinking back on how long it took to name gather a few details, and we're still left guessing at who a few are. Grandparents were spotted immediately in those pictures, but their names are now forgotten. Long-departed aunts and uncles were recognized, but very little information could be recollected about them.

I left the reunion saddened that all we have left of previous family members are the pictures that they stood for all those many years ago. And it got me to thinking, I know about my parents, but do my own children? And many years from now, will they remember their own grandparents names, or remember the stories that I told them? Will they be able to look at a picture have all the details readily available to them?

So I am now on a quest. Sometime between Church, my work, college classes, family, and Keli-time, I will go back through every photo I have and make some notes. Not a detailed journal, just the basic info. of names-dates-places-etc. I don't want to fall into the same "missing" category years from now that I experienced at the family reunion.

Baby, Really?

I dearly love my husband, but he has got to be the oldest 39 year old out there. Here's just one of the numerous examples I could give you:

This afternoon we loaded up the family for our weekly grocery trip. Time was of the essence so a leisure walk through Wal-Mart was out of the question. Nada.

We pull in to the parking lot and I hear Brian announce, "Would you look at that. I wore my houseshoes. No, don't take me home. At least I'll be comfortable shopping."

Can you believe that! Shuffling around Wal-Mart in his houseshoes like an Alzheimer's patient. Isn't he the best ~ my man, Cousin Eddy!