Can you believe we are at the year's end? I can't. This month went by so fast. I don't think I have to recount where it went. We're all in the same boat this time of year...christmas shopping, wrapping, cards, newsletter, parties. I will recount anyway to account for some other exciting things that happened. Let me start where I left off...cabinet painting. well, I had to put that on hold ( I stopped with 2 doors left on the 1st half section).
1st week - started newsletter, Christmas cards and Christmas shopping
12/6 (Thu) - van trouble (radiator cracked)
12/7 (Fri) - Russ arrived early morning
Belle's award recognition at school
Owen, Josh & Troy arrived around 5pm in time for holiday festivities at the pier
12/8 (Sat) - Avila Valley Barn & Morro Bay
12/9 (Sun) - Body Jam class with Owen, church, then mom drove back to U.C. w/ Russ
2nd week - Christmas preparation continued (mom missing in action)
12/14 (Fri) - Ian stayed home
12/15 (Sat) - Russ arrived
12/16 (Sun) - church with Russ ( I have to account for this...special:)
12/18 (Tues) - Immanuel arrived around 2:30 via grandma's Mazda Tribute for Psych finals rained really hard, flooding at AG High, Phil picked up Belle (also at Ballet later)
12/19 (Wed) - Ian minimum day; we went to DMV in Santa Maria (I was able to renew my license but was not able to apply for Ian's learner's permit as we did not bring along the necessary requirements)
Here's the highlight of this month (besides the birth of my 2 Immanuels of course, The first Immanuel, my Shepherd, the second, my sheep)
after I picked up Isabella from school she asked if Immanuel is home. I said yes but he went with Phil to the beach. She got sad because she wanted to play with him. So I said we'll stop at the beach to watch them surf and boogie board. As we were walking in the sand we spotted Ian and Immanuel playing volleyball. Isabella was so happy and started running towards her brothers. As I was watching them play I wrote on the sand "a little piece of heaven".
12/21 (Fri) - finished the remaining 2 cabinets left on the 1st half section
12/22 (Sat) - picture taking at Coastal Dance
drove to Union City (1:30-3:30)
12/23 (Sun) - church; car shopping with Immanuel (trading his Supra)
get together with ate Edna and family and Paz and family at our house
12/24 (Mon) - last minute Christmas shopping; Christmas Eve party at the Magcale's
12/25 (Tue) - opening presents with the whole family (including Krystal)
Krystn came over then Isabella spent the afternoon with the Janiceks
12/26 (Wed) - sleep over with Krystn at our house
12/27 - present - PMS then the thing after pms; Russ and I got sick (Russ is battling a very bad cough; my usual asthma, recovering a little bit today)
Breathe
The aftermath of the holidays
left my house in a disarray
and my soul overcrowded
supermom lists
and new year's resolutions....
then this:
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
-Joseph Scriven-
Thank you dear God
that you are just a prayer away
all that we need is readily available
anytime, anywhere
we can breathe in the breath of life
In my most frenzied moments
I breathe deeply and restoratively
long and luxurious
imagining my breath as a lullaby
soothing and calming
at the same time invigorating and rejuvenating
as I listen intently
every breath as notes
dancing, floating
like snowflakes
each unique and special
every inhalation controlled and conscientious
inhaling love
exhaling worries and anxieties
slowly easing my pressures
turning my tensions into tranquility
I am untroubled once more
amidst all the frenzy
serenity floods my spirit.
Thank you dear God
for the energizing breath of life.
left my house in a disarray
and my soul overcrowded
supermom lists
and new year's resolutions....
then this:
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
-Joseph Scriven-
Thank you dear God
that you are just a prayer away
all that we need is readily available
anytime, anywhere
we can breathe in the breath of life
In my most frenzied moments
I breathe deeply and restoratively
long and luxurious
imagining my breath as a lullaby
soothing and calming
at the same time invigorating and rejuvenating
as I listen intently
every breath as notes
dancing, floating
like snowflakes
each unique and special
every inhalation controlled and conscientious
inhaling love
exhaling worries and anxieties
slowly easing my pressures
turning my tensions into tranquility
I am untroubled once more
amidst all the frenzy
serenity floods my spirit.
Thank you dear God
for the energizing breath of life.
Happy New Year
Year's end,
threshold of the old and new.
Clean pages of a bare calendar,
ready for a new chapter.
May the passing chapter
serve as an anchor
remembering lessons learned
God's unfailing mercy and undying love
His constant nurturing
all through and despite our constant turning
To put into perspective
the aches of the past
allowing the pain from our darker moments
to serve as launching pad
into a promise filled tomorrows
for we surely know
time and time again
when the light comes
we are never the same
threshold of the old and new.
Clean pages of a bare calendar,
ready for a new chapter.
May the passing chapter
serve as an anchor
remembering lessons learned
God's unfailing mercy and undying love
His constant nurturing
all through and despite our constant turning
To put into perspective
the aches of the past
allowing the pain from our darker moments
to serve as launching pad
into a promise filled tomorrows
for we surely know
time and time again
when the light comes
we are never the same
screaming to be alone
I don't know what this is I'm feeling...PMS? Over fatigue?... my heart is screaming "leave me alone!" I want to be by myself and I'm feeling sooo guilty.
then this prayer:
Even your son, Father, took breaks from the people and pressures crowding Him.
Don't let me think I can outperform Him.
Dear God,
help me to convince myself...
...that my body needs a break every once in a while
...that I am not being selfish when I take one
...that a relaxed and rejuvenated mother is a more loving mother.
then this prayer:
Even your son, Father, took breaks from the people and pressures crowding Him.
Don't let me think I can outperform Him.
Dear God,
help me to convince myself...
...that my body needs a break every once in a while
...that I am not being selfish when I take one
...that a relaxed and rejuvenated mother is a more loving mother.
Faith Notes
It's truly amazing how a true friend knows the simple pleasures of your heart. Reading delightful "faith notes" over a cup of soothing "flowering" tea and melt in your mouth chocolates...blissful!
here are some of my fave quotes from the faith notes my bff gave me:
here are some of my fave quotes from the faith notes my bff gave me:
- If you are happy and you know it, thank God!
- Feeling down? Just look up.
- Upload prayer, download peace.
- Life is a dance; God's love is the music.
- Faith sees the Invisible, believes the Incredible, and receives the Impossible.
- Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.
- God's promises are like the stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine.
- Can't sleep? Don't count sheep; talk to the Shepherd.
- No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace.
- Exercise daily...walk with the Lord.
{On Nature and Perception}
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy
is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet,
alone with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel
that all is as it should be
and that God wishes to see people happy,
amidst the simple beauty of nature.
Anne Frank (1929-1945)
The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass,
it becomes a mysterious, awesome,
indescribably magnificent world in itself.
Henry Miller (1891-1980)
Change your thoughts,
and you change your world
Norman Vincent Peale
is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet,
alone with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel
that all is as it should be
and that God wishes to see people happy,
amidst the simple beauty of nature.
Anne Frank (1929-1945)
The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass,
it becomes a mysterious, awesome,
indescribably magnificent world in itself.
Henry Miller (1891-1980)
Change your thoughts,
and you change your world
Norman Vincent Peale
{Simply Grateful} 12/6/2007
- so very grateful that I was able to drive Ian to school before the van overheated again (it was so scary as the van was smoking all over the place as I was climbing the hill to our house; I jumped out of the van as soon as I reached the house; then I was able to refill the radiator fluid as it was empty again after the boys filled it up last night;
- so very grateful that I got to drive Isabella to school before I had to call AAA to tow the van to the shop;
- so very grateful that Phil got done with his finals for the day just in time to give me a ride.
{Simply Grateful 12/5/2007}
- for sons who are willing and able to do a temporary fix to my van (the radiator fluid burst just as I was pulling into the driveway; it was an alarming sight as it steamed and leaked all over the front}
- that the car mishap happened at home and not in the middle of my school bus service
- for a sweet darling daughter who, at my stressful moment, says to me "mom breathe remember you're too blessed to be stressed" (we saw this quote while shopping for a present for the birthday of a classmate last Saturday)
- christmas shopping started yesterday and halfway done
- halfway done with christmas cards
- for my son, Phil, who after his review session last Sunday, bought our christmas tree and put it up
- for a chance to decorate the tree with Isabella
- for a quality time with Ian last Monday
- for my son, Immanuel, who put up outdoor christmas lights
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