December 20, 2013 by Becky

A little bit of Christmas

Christmas is slow in coming this year….well, not really. It’s quickly approaching, and I’m not even close to being ready!

Travel and sickness have given me an extra little challenge this year in preparing for Christmas. I mean after all, I have family coming to stay, a house to clean, food to cook, presents to buy, presents to wrap, etc….

I’m trying desperately not to let it overwhelm me, stress me, or discourage me. Of course, there’s still that little bit of me, that wants it to be “the perfect Christmas” for everyone.

I know I can’t make this happen. I can’t make “perfect happen.” I know I shouldn’t even consider trying.

I know I should just concentrate on the people in my life, and not the things.

I know.

And…I’m trying.

Trying with all my might to keep focused on this…simply.

Trying with all my might to stay focused on “love” at Christmas…and the giving of love.

Something that is so much better than any gift I could ever buy.

(Oh, I’ll work on getting some gifts too! I mean after all, I still have a few days left, right?!)

January 4, 2013 by Becky

one smart mom

I read an article about the mom who “gave” her son an iPhone for Christmas, along with a contract.

My first thought was, wow! she was pretty smart! My second thought was, wow! we all could probably benefit from some of these rules….including myself!

Basically, it’s just a list of good common courtesy and personal responsibility. A few things that seem to be lacking in this crazy world of ours!

I really like my iPhone a lot, and personally, I don’t have a problem with most items on this list, however, I do like to take it with me every where I go 🙂

This mom gave her son an 18-point contract with his iPhone. Would you be tempted? (thenextweb.com)

Gallery December 31, 2012 by Becky

Weekly Photo Challenge: My 2012 in Pictures

This gallery contains 12 photos.

My 2012 in pictures. A year full of new places and adventures! I am so blessed by the love and care of a wonderful husband, and an amazing family. I am looking forward to 2013, with hope in my heart, and a sincere desire to find the bright spot in each new day.

December 26, 2012 by Becky

Mission accomplished!

A few weeks a go I was feeling a little overwhelmed by Christmas, and all of the events that would take place in the month of December.

I was determined to not let it get the best of me, so I gave myself a few goals.

My goals were to relax and enjoy each moment of the season. Celebrate time-honored traditions, reflect on the special family memories, and be willing to make new ones!

No two Christmas’ are ever alike, and this year was no exception!

I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning with my very best friend. We went to the Hotel Del Coronado to see the huge Christmas tree, one of our time-honored traditions!

We had good conversation and a great dinner at a quaint little restaurant. We laughed, we looked at the lights, we wrapped presents, and drank coffee together.

On Christmas morning, we exchanged a few, very special gifts. Gifts that we will treasure because of the love and the thought that was put into giving them.

I also learned a very valuable lesson, and it was probably my best gift of the year.

I learned that sometimes the unplanned events and moments can be the very best moments of all! The month was filled with these moments, Christmas day included.

I wasn’t able to be with my own kids at Christmas, but I did get to hear their voice, and the voice of my grandkids. An unplanned moment, and priceless gift indeed!

The afternoon was spent with my best friend, my mom, my niece and her husband. The plan for the day had always included lunch with my mom, but the bonus was my niece and her husband. They were a much welcomed, surprise visit! Another unplanned moment. I was able to celebrate Christmas with my sister’s daughter. I know she really would have liked that a lot, and that makes me happy.

It was great to spend time together, talking and laughing, and enjoying the comfort and love of family.

And…I also met my goal!

In fact, I think this Christmas is going to hold a very fond memory for me. I’m glad I gave myself these goals. Especially the goal to try and enjoy each moment, because the moments, both planned and unplanned, were good, and I really did enjoy this Christmas!

A perfect ending to beautiful day! Mission accomplished!

Related Articles:

https://beckystout.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/overwhelmed-by-christmas/

December 25, 2012 by Becky

Merry Christmas 2012

Christmas in the Manger

by: Nola Buck and Felicia Bond

I am the star that shines in the east,

I light the stable for man and beast.

I am the donkey, soft and gray,

I carried his mother from far away.

I am the ram, with my curly horn

I guard the stall where the child is born.

I am the ox, strong as steel,

before the only son I kneel.

We are the shepherds who watch the sheep,

tonight a holy watch we keep.

We are the wise men, gifts we bring

for baby Jesus, our newborn King.

I am Mary, the mother mild,

how I love my tiny child.

I am the baby asleep in the hay,

and I am the reason for Christmas Day.

December 24, 2012 by Becky

Weekly photo challenge: Surprise

It was a beautiful day at the beach, no surprise here!

As we were eating breakfast outside on the patio, we saw this young man set up his “band”. It was a pleasant surprise to hear the music he was able to make with a Home Depot bucket, 2 tambourines, and a ukulele.

He whistled and sang, and strummed a few happy tunes. He graciously remarked “thank you” as the people passing by dropped money in his hat that was sitting on the sidewalk.

I think everyone got a little surprise that day!

The people, by the music, and he, by the people’s generosity.

Weekly Photo Challenge: SURPRISE (picturesinlivingcolor.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise (photomecrazy.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise (chrisbreebaart.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise (pilotfishblog.com)

December 21, 2012 by Becky

this time last week

This time last week I was traveling north to be with my daughter and her husband, to celebrate the 1st birthday of our youngest grandson. A sweet little blue-eyed boy, with a sparkle in his eyes, and the infectious belly laugh of a one year old.

Happy Birthday, little guy! I love you so much!

This time last week, 26 lives were ripped from this world in a horrific shooting at a grade school in Newtown CT. The lives of mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, grandmas and grandpas, were changed in ways that I can’t even imagine. Changed in a way I don’t want to imagine, because it should never have to be imagined. It just shouldn’t be.

The extreme contrast of the two did not go unnoticed by anyone in my family. Our event was to celebrate a life, a milestone. In Newtown, they were mourning. It was a tragedy. Plain and simple, as there is just no other way to describe it.

My heart, it is so full. It’s full and overflowing with the memories of the week-end, and struggling with the wide range of emotions. The sorrow for the families who are in so much pain. The blessing of a wonderful husband, the gift of amazing children, and the joy of precious grandchildren.

I feel a little like Mary right now, “pondering all these things in my heart“. It was a very special moment in my life. Our time together as a family was full of laughter, and hugs, and smiles. In Newtown, there are only hugs and tears.

And once again I am made aware of life and its brevity. How abruptly it can end, and how important it is to cherish my family each moment that we have together. I am reminded by the powerful message of the inability to control, and I am overwhelmed by the security and knowledge that we are all in the Hands of God.

December 20, 2012 by Becky

Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts Shining

Three Gifts Shining

1. The sun shining on my shoulder, and the comfort and warmth that it gives

2. The lights shining brightly on the Hotel Del Coronado at Christmas

3. The fire glowing and shining in our wood stove

December 13, 2012 by Becky

Thankful Thursday – 3 gifts striped

Three Gifts Striped

1. A striped candy cane made by the hands of someone I love, my big sister. Every year at Christmas, she would give me a hand-made ornament. She passed away 10 years a go. I miss those gifts. I miss those hands.

Each year, as I hang the ornaments on my tree, I have a quiet moment of reflection as I think about my big sister, and her special gifts, and how much she loved me, and I loved her!