Speaking from the Heart

What moment will you miss? Blog it and link it with Pam.

The hardest thing about being a mom watching my children grow up. I am gonna miss this moment, what moment are you gonna miss? Blog it and link it with Pam.

Every Christmas, I would buy canisters and fill them with chocolate covered pretzels.

I was about to do the same thing this year, until this canister caught my eyes.

The red canister reminded me of plastic containers I've been collecting this year.


Katherine came up with the tissue paper and the ribbon. Doesn't it look like a shepherd?

From our house to your house, wishing you and your family a season you'll long remember for all the joy it brings.

To see more Christmas Tour of Homes or if you would like to participate, click here.

What moment will you miss some day? Blog it and link it with Pam.

Twas the Night Before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of Nintendo and Barbie flipped through their heads.

Yes, and Dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the Mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"
With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great," muttered the Mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."
A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone --- The Mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.
"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch TV and rest.
"Fantastic!" the Mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the Mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."
The clone changed the child and hummed her a tune,
as she bundled the small one in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best Mommy ever.? I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you too."

The Mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, No deal
That's MY child's LOVE she is going to steal."
Smiling wisely, Santa said:? "To me, it is clear,
Only one loving Mother is needed here."
The Mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed. "Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head. Sometimes I forget, it won't be very long,
before they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said, "Goodnight,
Merry Christmas, Dear MOM, you'll be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about.
Especially at times when the Holiday season shouts,
and all we do is clean, bake and procure.
You get the picture here --- I am sure.
So stop for a moment and hug that little one so dear,
whether he or she is 2, or 22, or even older this year.
For they are the gift that God gave us from Heaven above,
and what a special gift to be treasured, with a Mom's Endless> LOVE!!!!!
May the REAL meaning of Christmas be with you this year!!

Minnie and her #1 gift on her wish list. She was totally surprised when she opened the package. She saw it in JCPenny for $70.00 a few days earlier. I had made such a big deal about the price and how I wasn't going to spend that much money on a stuffed animal. Unbeknown to her at the time, I had already purchased one at Target (less than half the price) a couple weeks ago.

I love having my sister living a few hours away. I get to see her more than once a year. This is a luxury. When we were thousands a mile apart, it was a blessing, if we saw each other every 2 to 3 years.

The kids' Christmas plays are done.
The Christmas cards are sent.
The presents are wrapped.
The house is cleaned.
The Christmas dinner menu and groceries are complete.
Let the joy of Christmas begin.

This Christmas season is busier than the ones in the past. I was going thru the motions of Christmas, but my spirit wasn't there. However, after 3 days of house arrest, my spirit has been uplifted.

Mom, my sister, and brother-in-law will be coming to our house on Christmas day. Until my sister and her husband moved to Gainesville, we didn't have any family members joining us for Christmas. This will be the second annual Christmas celebration at our home.

I will be cooking our usual favorite casseroles: Senator Russels' Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, and green beans. In addition to casseroles, we will be having ham and duck. For deserts, we will have pumpkin pie, chocolate covered pretzels, and banana nut bread.

To cut down my stress level and to spend less time in the kitchen on Christmas day, I will be preparing and cooking for the next 3 days:

Monday: deserts
Tuesday & Wednesday: side dishes.
Wednesday: Wash china, silverware, and glasses

May you and your family have a blessed Christmas, and be in good health for 2009.

While the family was sleeping on the day we returned from Alabama, I was washing clothes and unpacking suitcases at 3:00 AM Monday morning. By the time the rest of the family got up, everything was put away. Prince Charming was reenergized and was ready to do some Christmas trimming. While he and The Inquisitor were hanging lights outside ( first time), Minnie and I were decorating inside.

My husband is a practical man. A couple of Christmases ago, When I asked my husband for diamond earrings, he brought me a little cadillac.

As I mentioned in the Holiday Open House 2007, My Christmas tree is filled with my kids' pictures. I have purchased many craft frames through the year. However, it's now harder to find them. While cleaning my desk last year, I found some old 3 x4 phot0-insert Christmas cards. Needless to say, I depleted the supply. I had thought about buying some fancy ones for a couple of pictures this year. Instead, I made new frames out of old Christmas cards.