changes

Change happens. No one really likes it. The older we get the harder it is because we get "set in our ways".

I recently read an article about women and things we should change as we age.In this article it exclaimed women over 40 should wear short hair unless you are in the "league of models". Hmph. I may not be in the "league of models", however, I am NOT in the 40 category. So there! I intend to keep my hair long. That won't change. Besides, models are too skinny and seem so very unhappy.

It also talked about women over 40 changing their leisure habits. Spending more time nesting. Enjoying quiet time at home. WHAT?! I will not change the things that make me happy. Like traveling. The beach. Why would I want to spend my youthful, energetic self laying around? That would only make me lazy. Now, if we are talking about laying around at the beach...that is totally different! That won't change.What will change? A lot. Not because of age but because of circumstances. So many changes have taken place in my life and it is only the beginning. There are many more in the near future. Because of all the changes, I will probably need to make my blog more private. Sometime in the beginning of 2011, I might change my blog to subscription only. If you subscribe through Facebook, nothing will change for you. If you only read from my site, you will have to subscribe (relax mom, this will not be difficult to do!). It won't happen right away, but change is coming.

Another change to happen immediately; no more picking up old people magazines! Ewww!

Christmas wish list

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It is on my Michael Buble Christmas CD and I can't get enough of it with his smooth, silky voice. I could drive and drive and drive while listening to his Christmas CD, "Let it Snow". I couldn't find his version of it, so you will have to settle for some Kelly Clarkson.

I can remember, as a little girl, making my wish list for Christmas. Stuff. That is what I wanted. Baby dolls, barbies, music, clothes and purses. However, the one thing I always wanted that I never got was an Easy Bake Oven (sorry mom, I am telling!). I couldn't wait until I could buy one for my first girl, Abbie. I proudly went and bought one and then bought every baking mix to go with it AND all of the accessories to match. We baked for days! What? I can't help it she was only 11 months old and had to look back at pictures to remember it!

As a young wife and mother, the list changed. I wanted things like pictures, pillows, furniture, vacuum cleaners (those of you who know me are not surprised by that at all!), books of maps (ok, stop laughing....at least they were biblical maps!), Disney World trips, oh! AND....drum roll please...bags! I know, you are shocked!

I have noticed that as my girls got older, and I a *little* older, the list began to drastically change. The list might still contain one or two things but it doesn't matter any more if I honestly have a single gift under the tree. The things I now want are things that money can not buy. Philippians 2:4, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." My list grows every year. But let me give you a short version.

Angie's Christmas List:

1.) Peace and joy for my family.

2.) Abundant spiritual blessings for my friends.

3.) Salvation for those on my prayer list.

4.) Physical healing for those in need.

5.) Love and forgiveness from those I have hurt.

6.) A revival, like no country has ever seen, for Haiti.

7.) A reward of comfort, peace and love to our military.

8.) Love! Love! Love!

Now, so that you don't think I am all sappy and totally unselfish....you could STILL add:

1.) An all expense paid mission trip to Haiti.

2.) Maps (historicmapsrestored.com).

3.) Bags (TJ Max is a great place to pick one up for me).

4.) Disney World trip (7 day hopper passes, please).

5.) Cruise (preferably to the southeastern Caribbean islands).

What? I decided to keep it short and to give a little detail in case Santa needs help. ;)

So, what about you? Seriously, what is on your list? Ok, and what about the not so serious. C'mon, tell me what you want!

favorite holiday

Everyone has their favorite holiday. Mine happens to be Thanksgiving (Valentine's Day runs really close!). While everyone seems to be getting out their Christmas decorations already, I can only put up a tree and nothing else until the day after Thanksgiving. I want to embrace Thanksgiving Day for all that it is.

I love the fact that everyone gathers together to celebrate all the blessing a year has brought to them. No pressure of gifts, no overstimulated children, no seasonal exhaustion....only bellies full of food and laughter...and minds full of memories...and people gathered together with a heart full of gratitude.

The other day, a very special young lady delivered a bundle of thankfulness to my heart. A precious life by the name of Lyric. So much promise for a wonderful future for this little darling. I am thankful that God has allowed me to be a part in shaping and molding the heart of this princess.

Holding baby Lyric reminds me of another little baby. This little one's future will be quite different from the one that will be offered to Lyric. However, I am thankful for the comfort of knowing that the same opportunity is available for both of them to come to know the true source of thankfulness. May they both come to know Christ as their personal Savior. How thankful I am to be a part of God's kingdom work in reaching out to children, even in Haiti.

Sometimes we get so busy in every day life that we forget about all the blessings that are right in front of us. One blessing that we take for granted is that of friendship. This time of the year makes me stop and say, "Thank you, God! I love the friend that You gave me!" How thankful I am to have a friend who knows every dark corner of my heart and yet still chooses to love me.

Another group we often take for granted is our family. They see us at our best and our worst but still only choose to see the potential in one another. How thankful I am for the love that holds a family together. Storms come, but the safety and peace of our God keep us afloat. Family sticks together.

So, as you gather around your table this year. Don't just dig in and walk away with a stuffed stomach. Walk away from that table with a stomach full of great food and a heart full of overflowing gratitude and love for a year's worth of blessings.

Ultimately, I am most thankful for a Savior who loves me no matter what. There is nothing I can do to separate His love from me. I am His and He is mine. Psalm 118:1, "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!"

common ground

The most worn out object in my Pilot is the stereo. Thank goodness I have a six player CD and a single to boot! You will find all kinds of music at any given time in it. Well, except for bluegrass. Somehow I have just never been able to enjoy that kind of music. I also don't have a very fond liking of gospel music (most definitely not the same as contemporary christian music).

My girls have their own likings as well. Thankfully, it's my vehicle and I do have the final say. I carry the "mom card", it's just that simple. However, we are all on the same track right now. We are loving Taylor Swift's new CD, Speak Now. Some of our favorites are Speak Now, Dear John, and Mean.

I'll leave you with the one that we play most often; Mean. Thanks, Taylor, for giving me and my girls some common ground.