Cast of Characters #2

the kids say that I left out some important family members in my introductions.... THE DOGS.  I'm debating if I give them anonymity.  They don't need it.  And Sweetpea Princess who graciously made the profiles on the other introductions say that the dogs won't stay still enough to draw.  Oh well,  I'll add something later (I love being able to edit!)
 disclaimer.... these are not pictures of our real dogs because it's true they won't stay still,  but maybe if Sweetpea feels some creativity she will draw them... pretty please?

SHEPHERD,  not her name,  though we really don't know her "real" name since we adopted her through a rescue group of german shepherds.  It had always been on my bucket list to go through the process of obtaining a rescue dog.  I think the kids thought I was just dreaming when I said we were going to do it.  I wanted a german shepherd because I grew up with them & know that they are easily trained to be protective.  This is what I wanted & in fact had told the girls that I wanted to name her "boyfriend killer".  I had this image of saying, to the invited boys at our house, that we rescued Shepherd & don't know if she was a drug dog,  while she was sniffing their pockets.  Well,  it was a pretty intense process,  with an application,  phone interviews which followed a home visit then a "meet & greet.  We had selected a picture online of the dog we thought we wanted & with other people meeting their selection,  we had an outdoor "party".   It was an hour away (seems like everything is an hour away from our small town) & we showed up early.  They were just bringing the dogs out with their foster parents & Dolly (she is who had picked) was shy with us.  Shepherd on the other hand was latched on to the kids & won their hearts.  She was there because her foster mom was bringing another dog & hadn't anticipated us.  It was a sad parting & we kept the name that we brought her home with.  It fits better than boyfriend killer.

POODLE,  also not his name,  came to us straight from his doggy mom.  Getting him is an example of what happens when you say,  "I'll never..." because,  I was never going to get a poodle,  for Christmas.  I actually got him for Baby Girl because she asked.  I think she was surprise when I said that I'd consider it.  I think she was mentally preparing herself to my answer of no,  since she had been disappointed so much in the past.  Daddy said she could have horse riding lessons when she was 13 (he died when she was 12).  I had said that she could be a guide dog trainer as part of her homeschooling in middle school.  We stopped homeschooling in 8th grade.  Baby Girl has had alot of disappointments in her young life.  And so when I heard about these puppies & she implored me for one.  I prayed & felt the "yes".  I know she was quite surprised & delighted.  We met the little thing when he looked like a black guinea pig & was the biggest one of the litter.  I wanted a black one because I had the idea that we would name him Darth Vader (I was still looking for a dog that would be a boyfriend killer!)  But we didn't name him that.  Sweetpea Princess did NOT think that we should get another dog & I thought if we let her name him hoping, it would endear her to him.  Ha,  she now calls him "her boyfriend".  I guess it worked.

Both dogs sleep with me.  The kids say it's because I'm alpha dog.  I think it's because I let them on my big queensize bed.  They sleep on Daddy's side.  They help me feel protected.  They are doing their job.  Plus,  they help keep me moving since I have to get up & take them for walks every day.

And so,  there you have it.... that's my cast of characters (for now)

The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

A man at the nursing home requested this song when my son's school went to caroling there.  The teacher nervously said that they (this was a group of mostly homeschool kids ages 2-16) hadn't prepared it but they would give it a try.  Since this is one of my favorites & I know all the words,  I helped them out & sang along.  Now,  the song is "stuck" in my head.  But I don't want to have it "untangled".  I believe,  the attitude behind the words will help me "press on" my journey. 

 Till He appeared and the Soul felt it's worth.  The thrill of hope,  the weary world rejoices

This is my favorite line... this is Christmas... & then I read about origin.  How marvelous the way God works.
http://www.aproundtable.org/history-blog/blog.cfm?ID=876&AUTHOR_ID=9

What do I need to make it Christmas?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRqjFcP_aw0

Last Sunday,  the pastor asked the congregation what was it, that we had to have, to make it Christmas.  He said for him, it was

THE FOOD,  specifically,  the smoked ham since they had smoked turkey for Thanksgiving.










Many said (& my daughter would be included in this group) that they needed the music,  even if it did start all the way back in October.

Others said ,  they needed the decorations before it seemed like Christmas to them.

  And in times past, I could have said,  I needed everything.  I love Christmas.  Always have & always will,  but it's different for me this year.

It's a bit grey around the glitter & somber in the gaiety. And the lights are a bit blurry









I have not felt my usual anticipation or happiness of the season.

It has taken me 2 weeks to get the house decorated & still much of it remains in the boxes.

 I haven't done my usual shopping











& if it hadn't been for traditions,  I'm not sure I would have done much.
 Traditions have been one of the strongholds for my family.  They reminded me that life still goes on & this is how we do it. 

I have to admit that I probably went overboard the first year after Daddy died & bought too many presents with the hope that it might compensate.  Of course, it didn't,  but we were together & because of traditions we could celebrate what mattered.

  And so,  I've been pondering what I needed to make it Christmas for me this year.

                  That's why I posted the song with this blog,
 because it's been like I'm asking "where are you Christmas".

I've been invited to more parties

Christmas tea,

                                   




                           progressive dinner &

open house ladies night) than I've ever been since it's just become 'me' & not 'we'.  And I've pushed myself to attend & have been proud to say that I didn't feel I "faked" my way through it. 

I loved the fellowship & laughter & seeing how everyone decorates.  But this hasn't made Christmas for me.

 I've don my shopping shirt & went Black Friday hunting with 2 of my daughters.  It was wonderful to see them spend THEIR money & be the caddy in their game.  But with the water pump in my car needing replacing & funds not being as much as they have been,  the hunt wasn't as much fun without having "ammunition" in my wallet.

There was no cantata to practice for or program to focus on.  Though my son was one of the wisemen in his school program.  As I watched him sing "We Three Kings",  I remembered that on his first Christmas he was Baby Jesus (with a pacifier!).  I can still say it's everything that makes it Christmas to me.

 But I think this year,  it's the Silence that I've latched onto.  It's been good to be quiet & listen.  It's been good to Advent in my devotions & truly prepare my heart to receive my King.  In this,  it's Christmas, remembering my Hope,  remembering God is God always.  This is it,  this Christmas