All I want for Christmas

isn't even really for me. Its for my kids.

Back in the 70s or early 80s there were these hip wooden pyrographs that you had your name kind of engraved in. I know they were hip because Roger and I both have one. Well, we've always had them in a triangle with a cross made from the name of Jesus. And ever since Katrina was little, we've had it on her and then on Alex's Christmas list. So, does anyone know where we might get one? They don't have any other words or anything...just the names.

Its time again...

to start thinking about what you are thankful for...because someone like me will bring it up at the dinner table, and if you haven't thought about it, you might stumble to come up with something genuine. Also, consider to whom you are thankful ...because for some reason it has become easy to forget that the one and only God of the Universe is who you should be addressing your thankfulness too.

I don't have room for an exhaustive list...here are a few of mine.

I'm thankful my husband's job. He excels at it. His coworkers respect and appreciate him. Sometimes I think he even likes it. Because of it, I am able to spend my days nurturing our children. Go Huskies!

I'm thankful for my job. God's timing is perfect...despite me. I am blessed to love new moms and give them a listening ear.

I'm thankful for a home. I've now lived in this home longer than all but one (and that one was 13 full time plus 4 part time). God has opened my heart to my neighbors, given us two beautiful children, helped me through loss of a child in utero, and just given me a safe place to be.

I'm thankful that God is growing in me an appreciation for little boys through my rough and tumble little man Alex. His life and way of looking at things is growing me into a better person.

I'm thankful for my sweet husband and that he is now more emotionally healthy than I remember seeing him. Marriage at 10 years is even better than it was at 1 year.

I'm thankful that my sweet Katrina asked Jesus to come into her heart this year. How amazed I am at the Holy Spirit's goodness...that he would move in the heart of one so young to trust Jesus to take care of her sins through his shed blood on the cross.

Yes, Lord, I am thankful to you for all of these things and so many more...good health, a wonderful church family, family, friends, dark chocolate M&Ms...

From the smallest to the greatest...that you extended grace and mercy to me at age 5 and continue to each and every day... I don't have words or tears enough to communicate it. Thanks for knowing my heart.

blogosphere

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Just to be clear...I did not create or imagine this word. I did use it aloud and was mocked. For the record it sounded lame...so I'm not saying it made me sound intelligent...but it is a word.

How many...

McKnights does it take to clean a toilet? From this morning's adventure, the answer is 3. For some reason, cleaning the toilet is Katrina's favorite chore...and today she decided that Alex needed to help us too. At least it's clean, I guess.

It's hard to teach little kids about the potty. You want them to feel so comfortable with it, so they aren't scared to go, but how do you then get across the germiness of it without undermining your earlier training. That's why I held my tongue while Katrina "made fruit salad" by stirring the toilet bowl wand in the toilet at the end of the cleaning. I just kept thinking how gross that concept was.

uh oh...I can hear the toilet running, so I better too.

News

So we are currently debating getting rid of our newspaper. I love to read it...enough that I am currently making Roger take it with him to work, so I don't neglect my kids all day. He's signing up for getting the comics online, so that's all he needs. I am all for getting rid of the daily paper in terms of the pile of newsprint under the kitchen table. I'm not sure about not getting it at all. I like the Rocky Mountain News, so I keep thinking maybe I need to sign up for an online subscription. I suppose I need to start reading what's available for free before I decide to "buy" an online paper. Anyone else subscribe the RMN online and want to tell me the benefit?