The True Christmas Spirit

The above painting is one My talented Giant created a few years back.  It used to bother me SO much, but I have come to really appreciate some things this painting now means to me.  I like it so much so that I leave it up all year long now. I'm not sure what Moses inspiration was for the above painting, but I have an inkling he was trying to make a statement. Giggle.  Moses ... make a statement? Psh...  that's just crazy talk! (insert a huge dose of sarcasm) Now that I have gotten over my offense of the above statement I  have some thoughts about this Creepy, Crazy-eyed Santa as well now. The first of which is the very obvious fact that this is the face of a man/Santa who does NOT have the true Christmas spirit. Or what we have come to know as the peaceful, joyful, and loving face of Santa.  It actually reflects quite the opposite of the that.  This Crazy- eyed Santa reminds me of the frenzy we can all put ourselves in come every December 1st. Enter Buddy the Elf quote, "You're not Santa. You sit on a throne of lies. You smell like beef and cheese!" Oh, how I love me some Buddy the Elf... Rut roh... I feel myself getting distracted from the point I wanted to make here. I suppose why I wanted to write this post is because often times by the end of December that face up there may as well be MY face. Ok... maybe my eyes aren't blue and I'm not a man but whatever you get the point!! I need a few reminders (just a few), and maybe you need them too, that Christmas is about SO much more than the temporal high of retail therapy.  There is something magical about this time of year no doubt about it, but I'm left wondering why it doesn't last? And why is it that this "spirit of Christmas" comes over us all, and the world becomes kinder and people seem more at peace?   I'm going to try and answer some of those questions. At the same time, I'd like to relate to you Beloved reader, what I think the full portion of the beauty of Christmas really is all about. Bare with me as we follow down Dickens road of Christmas Past, Present and Future.  Not really... I just added that for dramatic effect!

I woke up this morning with this deep thought about Christmas and the true spirit of Christmas. We have all heard it said that the best things in this life are free, and while I completely, whole heartedly believe that, why is it that every Christmas season I work myself right up into a full blown tizzy about what to get for who, and how much money it's costing, and how there isn't enough hours in the day to get all the crafting, baking and gifts done, nor all the memories jammed pack with my Fab 4 kids, and so on and so forth.  I literally wasn't sleeping the first week of this month because of all the thoughts running through my brain. 
Can anyone else out there relate?  And then I read this scripture  ; "Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes(in the using), but strive and work and produce rather for the lasting food which endures continually unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give, (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized and certified Him and put His seal of endorsement upon Him." John 6:26
Hmm... lasting food?  A complete and utter stop of toiling, doing, producing? Gifts that keep on giving? Eternal Food? Does that mean I don't have to grocery shop ever again? ;) What does that even look like? As I read this scripture I was reminded about the app I installed Nov 28th  on my phone called, Advent. It consists of daily scriptures all about Jesus arrival to earth.  It was an easy way to remind myself to be determined in having a different attitude this Christmas.  I also really wanted to participate in Advent this year. The word Advent is derived from the latin word that means, "Coming"  So Advent is a time to remember "The Lord is Coming"  Well, as a Christ follower I know the Lord has come,  and will come again, but as we approach the day we have chosen here in America to celebrate as his birthday I wanted to keep my focus on that phrase.... "The Lord is Coming"
This Christmas season I  wanted to be really purposeful to prepare my heart for HIS coming. I wanted to treat Christmas day like a day that I would prepare my house(my house being my heart) for like a visit from the President. In doing this I realized my thoughts keep coming back to what the greatest thing about Christmas is. If I'm being honest I have to say it has been a challenge. Refer to the paragraph above where I admit that I wasn't sleeping the first week of this month. In my mind and heart I believe the reason Christmas is so special is because we celebrate  the greatest gift to humanity. That is the one and only fully man and fully God, Jesus Christ. 

But, in my actions and reactions I wasn't staying there.

On staying there.

   His arrival to this planet over 2000 years ago is what we are all still talking about today.  And his walk on this planet for only 33 years is what has eternally changed my life and the lives of so many other people. I say all of this because  whether you believe in Jesus or not you can appreciate the words that he said and the love that he gave to so many. Unlike Santa Clause  HE IS REAL!! HE IS STILL ALIVE!! And  You participate in the "Christmas Spirit" every year by doing what  HE DID! You do unto others as you would have them do to you.  You give more than you get.  You love big and judge small. These are all principles and teachings that are from the heart of God. HE is the Father of Christmas.
Those of us who really truly do believe in him, we above all others should be getting that overwhelming sense of peace that some only experience around this time of year.  We have been given that gift for everyday of our lives. A peace that surpasses understanding is what we all long and look for.  If you don't have it, then may I suggest you look to the greatest gift that was ever given. He came as a baby. He died as a 33 year old man. He lived for you to know you are BELOVED. He heals. He restores. He gives peace. Jesus.
Selah.


 

Happy New Year Ramblings

Happy Happy New Year Beloved Reader! I sure hope your holidays were filled with love and laughter.  Mine were filled with love, laughter and a whole lotta busy! I feel like I have been running full speed ahead since middle of November and let me remind you this girl doesn't like to run. In fact my New Years word is Balance due to the fact that I feel I need to balance all this busy in my life that 9 times out of 10 isn't even my own busy.  Ya know what I'm saying? Any momma of more than a couple kids gets it. I feel like I'm constantly running everywhere for everyone but ME, and most days I don't mind that. I'm thankful my life is full of busy, because that means it's full of beloved people, but I also know that running all the time is not good. I don't know how I know this since like I said I'm not a runner, but I just know it in my knower. So part of finding balance for me in this New Year I think is going to look like planning to do things that I want to do.  Things that feed my soul. Things that make my heart sing. Things like NOT running. Although this girl doesn't like running..

She does however like to write and today feels like a good day to check in and write a few things here with you.  Where should we start? Let's have a conversation about the aftermath of Christmas decor.  Am I the only one who feels a tad bit resentful about the after clean up process of Christmas? I feel as though decorating for Christmas is a task that primarily falls on the woman and the aftermath of Christmas (aka what to do with the Christmas tree) should fall on the man. Call me old fashioned, but I'm so glad my Giant takes care of getting rid of that big gianormous tree that is now dropping pine needles left and right.  But I have to say that after the tree is gone and I take a look around,  I'm a tad bit overwhelmed by all the fun I had putting tinsel on everything and ornaments everywhere. Every year when I bring out the ahem... 8 or 9 boxes of Christmas decor I think to myself... "Self... ya know this is going to take all of January to clean up." But I put it all out anyways because the kids love it and well... I guess I must too.  How do you feel about it all?

Well ... so Christmas clean up, not my favorite, but in the end I feel only slightly resentful about it for a minute until I remember how nice it is to have a nice clean, crisp, streamline, simplified looking house.  Psh.... that's funny! I don't think my house and simplified are two words that would ever go together. No, because after December comes January. And we all know what that means decor wise...  I bring out the snowmen ;)  Yes, I decorate with snowmen in January. Doesn't everyone? I suppose I just can't say goodbye to all the fun so quickly and so I prolong it with cute little snowmen. Speaking of cute little things my niece Sophia just turned two.  She's aka Last Minute Biscuit (to me) because her birthday falls on December 31st .   She's the cootie pa tootie in the Minnie Mouse ears! Ugh... isn't she just scrum diddly ump tious? I get cuteness overload every time I see her sweet little face.

We had her party here right after Christmas. It was such a treat to be here and not be a part of this event via Skype. We had all the cousins together again which was a real treat. These two young men were babies just like yesterday! Now they are only months away from entering the teen years, and I have to say my heart just about skipped a beat when I saw this picture. This is cousin Jaydn and my son Solomon. Gah... cuteness overload again!

I'm in for a world of hurt when these Fab 4 kids of mine start flying from this nest. Lemme, just go on record now and say, that nothing will ever prepare this momma for something like the ugly words;  EMPTY NEST, BUT when I read things like this;  Geocashing with The Grandkids well it makes me smile. Stephanie is the bomb diggity! If you haven't discovered Honey(that's what her grandkids call her) well then your life is just not fully, full yet!! She is handling the empty nest phase of life, like a champ! And every now and then I need to go read her stuff to remind myself that there is life after the nest is empty. She has three grown daughters that are Be You Tee Full! And this reminds me that when I'm finished raising these beauties they WILL come back to me ;) This is a picture of cousin Brenna, cousin Breezy, and my oldest Daughter Emma. Did I mention these beautiful young ladies were babies just yesterday?  Sigh... cuteness beauty overload!

I'm not sure why Chloe wasn't in this pic, maybe??  Oh yea that's right.. not only did we have the party here, but my 13 year old Chloe made niece Sophia's Minnie cake. Can I just brag for a minute? My Sweet Lo lo is an aspiring baker.  I think she has proven time and again that she is quite the artist when it comes to all things pastry. I'm so very proud of her.

Oh, and Did I mention that not only does she make beautiful cakes she is an amazingly, stunning 13 year old girl that has legs for days and isn't even in High School yet? Eye cahrumba !! I'm in trouble! I mean would look at those two beauties below!!! Cuteness, Beauty, LEGS overload! Ok, I'll calm down now.  Deep breaths.  I do take comfort in the fact that their dad is a ... well you know I don't call him My Giant cause he's teeny. So at least there is that.

Well now that I have done my fair share of allotted bragging for the month of January I should probably go so you don't start to tune me out. I have missed you beloved reader. I'm hoping to be back into a better blogging swing soon, but in the meantime know that there is ... For YOU!!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I realized something while taking our family photos for Christmas cards this year and that is,

 Cyndi Lauper was right.

We girls really do just wanna have some fun,and also we don't mind photo shoots as much as the men folk in our lives.

You would have thought I was asking my boys to clean the toilet, go to the dentist, and rake the leaves all just to get a smile out of these fellers. 

Now, to be fair My Giant was sick, but then again so was Chloe. The other two though... well they have no excuse for pictures like this;

Notice the joy and elation on the fellers faces.  Kinda lacking in the joy department don't you think? And then compare that to the lovely smiles on my girls faces.
I mean, I don't ever expect much from Solomon he has since the time he was a wee lad HATED, with a capital H, taking pictures. But usually, I can count on Isaiah to help out when it comes to looking somewhat happy. In this picture though, notice the arm over the banister. Don't you think it just screams of PHOTO EXHAUSTION. It's like they have PPTS. Post Photo Traumatic Stress.

Now any mother can relate to my rant here, because to get a good family photo is a task that is not for the faint of heart. But, I mean, I really thought that as my Fab 4 got older I wouldn't have to rely on photo shop so much. Well, and then  a picture like the above photo pops up. 
U G H !! I mean, seriously?
What am I supposed to do with the Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins on the end there? Everyone in this picture, even my Solomon is smiling so nicely, and then there's Mr. Grinch on the end. So, I decided to roll with it this year.  He asked me when I put the word Naughty over his head if he was going to get coal in his stocking and would Santa understand that it's a joke? I assured him he didn't need to worry. His status of naughty or nice wasn't really in true jeopardy from this PHOTO BOMB!
I sure hope your Christmas photo shoot went a little better. If not, keep in mind that a good sense of humor and a hint of sarcasm can go a long way. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Beloved Reader!!  
 

Sharing Vitamin Love on My Birthday

Good Morning Beloved Reader-
Today is my 38th Birthday and I am at home today because I have one sicky(my baby with a slight temp) and my oldest who is ditching school well... because "the school doesn't own her I do" that's what my mom used to always say when she just wanted to keep us home for some company. I learned from the best ;) My Giant is off to work on a typical Monday, and the other 2 of the Fab 4 are finishing up the last day of school before our winter break begins. 
Sigh... Life is unpredictable.
I am wearing some slippers that my friend Christeeny gave to me, drinking coffee, listening to Christmas music and now writing this here lil note.

 Later, I think I will probably watch one of my all time favorite movies You've Got Mail, eat some chocolate, check FB to read all your love notes, and I will continue to drink coffee with Peppermint creamer til my hearts content.   Sigh... Life is full of lots of little joys.
That's the big plan for my bday. Not too exciting, but what's a girl to do when her birthday falls on a Monday. I have decided that Monday birthdays should be banned. Who's with me?
Before you go feeling sorry for me don't, because truly, even if my Zed wasn't sick I would still be home doing exactly the same thing. No really, I'm kinda a home body(something I have learned to be okay with these past 38 years) and excitement is highly overrated, so it's all good.
Sigh... Life is good.

Besides, I already celebrated with My Giant this weekend. I had wanted to see the movie Lincoln for a long time so there was that, and some good ole' fashioned quality time, and lots of words. I love words. That's how that Giant gets me every time. He is a man of few words TheMoses, so when he speaks it's with the most sincere, genuine, heartfelt words, and I treasure each and every one.  Words sometimes of adoration, but mostly just of sharing life together. Sharing our hearts, our joys and our sorrows. 
Sigh... Life is full of words, they mean something. 
That being said it was also an emotional weekend for me because of what happened to all those beautiful innocent children in Connecticut  on Friday. There were times through out the weekend that both me and the Big guy got all choked up. I'm sure it was the same for you. When things like this happen it really makes you stop cold in your tracks, and take stock in a sense.  So that's what I did. I sat with my fab 4, and just stared at them. That is when I wasn't busy taxi cabbing them around or cleaning up after them. I cleaned up their messes with a whole new attitude. I was thankful there was a mess there to clean up because that meant they were home safe with me. 
Sigh... Life is hard to understand.
But,what I am really checking in today to tell you about is one of the ways I got to celebrate my weekend and I don't think it will be your typical birthday celebratory events. This weekend my girls and I went shopping for a homeless teen.
Sigh... Life is full of giving hope.
I write about this not to brag about how my family and I have done this awesome act of charity, but simply to remind you of the forgotten and unseen. The poor, the broken, the abused, and the weary souls that need GOOD NEWS this holiday season! I write to even remind myself of that GOOD NEWS! Who could use some GOOD NEWS today? Jesus is still saving all these 2000 years later. He is still capturing hearts and changing lives. There are still young people who want to spend their life serving and giving back to this world, and that my friends is  GOOD NEWS!!

My girls and I set out to fill a backpack that our church provided with some necessities that a medium sized, female, teenager who lives on the streets might need. 

I cannot even begin to tell you how this act of giving, gave us so much more than the small tokens that we put in a bag for a stranger that will forever be in our prayers.

As my girls picked out items like a first aid kit, they asked why would a teenage girl need that? Or hand sanitizer, why and how, and where do they shower and get dressed? 

After describing to my girls where these kids are sleeping and where they are eating,IF they are eating.. they asked Why? Why are they on the streets? Why, did they run away? Why do bad things happen? So then the discussion turned to  what some peoples home life looks like. 

Instead of waking up to Advent calendar treats and warm coffee, some kids wake to  a mom passed out on the couch because she was out all night working hard to survive herself, or a dad who is an angry drunk because the cares and worries of this world have given him a raw deal and he takes them to a bottle, instead of the Cross of Christ.

Sigh... Life is full of sorrow.

When our bag was packed full and ready to give away we headed in to the drop off zone at our church. Yesterday morning I was so emotional watching all of God's kids walking in with back packs full of love for the homeless teens in Seattle.

  I was so honored to be a part of this family of people who have looked beyond their front doors for ways they could give back this holiday season, and I was reminded once again that life is full of unspeakable joy.

Sigh... Life is full of joy.

"Oh come all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant  Oh come ye, Oh come ye to Bethlehem.  COME AND ADORE HIM  BORN THE KING OF ANGELS. Oh come let us adore him. Oh come let us adore him. Oh come let us adore him Christ the Lord."
 I hope this note inspires you to Come and Adore, To be Joyful and feel triumphant knowing that although there is sorrow in the night Joy comes in the morning.


Joining up here

Clark Griswold Spirit vs. The Holy Spirit

I feel I have incarnated the spirit of Clark Griswold in trying to make this family Christmas the BEST ever!! And if you remember the series of unfortunate events that occurs through the course of that movie then you know this is not the Spirit of Christmas that I want to be channeling.
Let me explain, I have found myself frantically trying to squeeze in as many Holiday fun activities as one 25 day period can possibly hold.
YOU know what I'm talking about; Decorating, Pics for Christmas cards, Addressing cards, Tree hunting, Cocoa drinking watching Polar Express, Decorating some more, Gingerbread making, Christmas Caroling, Advent making and keeping track of treats for said Advent calendar, Tree Trimming, Elf Party, Decorating, and so on and so forth and 
 Fa la la la, and ya da ya da ya da!
And that list doesn't even include the several birthdays that I want to celebrate(mine included), or the 2 Choir concerts we get to go to, or the Band concert, or the Packages I need to mail or the .... 
Fa la, la, la and ya da ya da !!

So before this train gets too off track or I lose anymore sleep over "the List" that I have going on in my head, I'm going to try and remember the WHY behind CHRISTmas.

My intent of this post is not to go on a deep theological tangent about what we do during the holiday season and why we do it, but I am checking in to say, that I needed to check in today, and maybe that's for you too. It doesn't hurt to remember the WHY to what we do every December 1st- til the 25th. We all have a busier calendar, a brighter smile, a deeper wallet, and a whole lot more egg nog, and I hope a lot more fun. But, do we have this all year long?
If not why not? I mean, excluding the egg nog,* that is the DEVIL if you ask me. SO tempting, so FATTENING! I was reminded that there is no reason why our smiles shouldn't be as bright, or our wallets as deep unless we don't have the True Spirit of Christmas working in and through us. See, I believe the true Spirit of Christmas comes not from a fat jolly man in a red suit, and certainly not from Silly Clark, but from Our Creator. Not from Father Christmas but from our Father God who gave the greatest Christmas gift to the world some 2000 years ago. And if you haven't yet received the package deal that comes from knowing Christ(He's a 3 for the price of 1 kind of deal) then you don't have the true Spirit of Christmas. Even if you have unwrapped that package, sometimes we, I mean ME, need to be reminded of the gift all year long that keeps on giving.

The Spirit of the one true living God is a gift that is given to us 24/7 and here is what that gift provides on a daily basis;
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness,and Self-Control.
 If those are things you want not just from December 1st-the 25th then jump on board this train.
Here's what I did to get off the wrong polar express,
I headed off to bible study this morning despite the fact that I had SO SO SO much to do. I went to be with a group of women who love God and serve him.
I listened and I was so blessed by just who they are and what they were saying.
I was reminded that God's family is big, and comes in many shapes, sizes, and accents. 
I felt the Spirit over and over and it wasn't creepy, (I mean silly) Clark Griswold's. And now, with peace and purpose I will go forward as a good Christmas Elf, 
singing loud for all to hear.....

JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME!!
I do hope you will take your ticket and get on board.
ALL ABOARD!!

Favorite Captured Moments #5

And so begins the holiday pics.

This top one is still a shocker to me every time I look at it, I think to myself... Self "I can't believe you let your boy do that?"
BUT Before you go thinking I have gone off the deep end by letting my 10 year old get all painted up like a zombie so he could participate in the Michael Jackson Thriller act that he had been taught at school, and practicing all week, and begging, begging to be allowed to be scary and gory for just one night at the Redmond Town Center... just think to yourself... It's Michael Jackson for crying out loud AND DON'T JUDGE!

Well I did let him go and you can see as I have now once again used you my reader as my therapist, that I still have a little guilt over that one.

Moving on, this year I could not stop taking pictures of the autumn taking place all around me. If you have ever read my blog before, and IF you are indeed my friend you know that this is the time of year that I love most. I know shocking, being that my name is NOEL and all, you would think that it would Winter and that I should be a true blue Christmas Elf, but alas the time of year that makes my heart sing is Fall. I must have a bout a ba-zillion photos of trees and leaves from this year alone.

This year Halloween was quite different than in years past. It marked the beginning of an end for the Scofield clan. We were all fragmented and went our own ways on Halloween night. For this sentimental heart it was a rough night. And the picture below marked another big day in my house. Sigh. That's all I have to say about that.

My kids are getting older as children often do. You feed them, they grow. This momma is trying to hold on for what lies ahead is what the picture below captures. My younger brother Jeremy is now on his own. In his own place. Paying his own rent. Making his own dinners. Working a job. Going to school.

WOW!! Seriously, when did that happen? He is an amazing human being. Success number 5 for my mom and dad.

I can only hope to do half the amazing job these two have done with 5, with my 4.

Solomon turned 10 this year. We now have 3 in double digits, SAY WHAT??
Yes, this 10 year old boy still much like his namesake is so wise beyond his years. He makes me think, "They'll learn much more, than I'll ever know. And I think to myself what a wonderful world" You know, I just can't help myself sometimes with the song quotes. It's in my DNA.

The captured moment above was a memory I will treasure forever. When I went home to NV in November for my dad's 70th B-day, my sister Gina's baby shower, my brother Greg's birthday and my mom's birthday, I got the pleasure of having a pedicure done with my 4 year old niece right by my side. She was so precious and wanted only what Auntie Noel wanted for "pol-nailish" and this moment was just so fantastic to me!

For Thanksgiving this year we had the absolute Joy of having Momma Nash here with little Izzy, Auntie Eileen, and Uncle Jeremy. We also had our wonderful friends the Days over. Needles to say with 17 of us in our little cabin it was a true Scofield, Jam em in, Get real cozy, and Enjoy the Ride kind of event!

I loved strolling the Market with the family and having us all together was really so special to me.

For Christmas we headed down to NV because that was THE FAB 4's Christmas wish. To be with family and friends in NV. More than gadgets. More than money. More than toys. They wanted people. Hmmm.... imagine that?
It was a wonderful memory that will hold us all over until we meet again.

We also had our first of what I hope to be many viewings of the movie Elf with some great friends, we brought in the Christmas season eating the Elf diet of Candy, Candy Corns, Candy Canes and Syrup. We came. We saw. We laughed. We quoted all while we went into diabetic shock(JK) and we remembered the Joy of Christmas Spirit, comes truly from LOVE.

Well friends this concludes my favorite captured moments for 2011. It's hard to capture a whole year on film and then narrow it down to your most favorite but I enjoyed doing it, and I hope you enjoy looking at it.
If you are reading this and you took the time to see our life lived out in pictures then know that you are loved and YOU ARE PATIENT :)

Until 2012 readers :) thanks for staying tuned!

Getting Lost, and Finding THE tree

This year we made the trip out to the woods for the infamous tree. We have done this before and in theory this idea of cutting down the tree is really great but in reality with crying babies, cold children, or children who are hungry, or children who are wet cause they fell down in the mud or ice or whatever....not so great. This year was different.
We went very spur of the moment and with some pretty great friends. It was a beautiful drive out to Frenchman's and I forgot how much fun 4bying(sp?) with the man can be , mostly because of the smile it puts on his face(he really does need an off road toy, shh...don't tell him I said so). The kids were really great as well with lots of laughs and no mishaps it made me believe that we might actually start this tradition back up again.
Anyway, back to what I wanted to blog about.While we were out there though there was a patch of trees that I got tangled up in all alone (don't know how that happened as I am always telling the kids not to wander off) and at one point it got pretty hairy and scary(not really but I am adding that for dramatic effects). The trees were all dead and so close together and I had got way off the trail from everyone else and I had no idea where I was(not afraid because of my photographic memory, I have never been truly lost in my life, probably why I really wasn't afraid) and I began to think what would it be like to really be lost out there. Strange thoughts to have on this day but there I was having them and the conclusion I came to is that I would wait awhile and listen. I would listen for the voices of other people who I knew weren't far off. This got me thinking of how often when we feel lost, alone, or afraid we can listen to voices, (now for those of you sarcastic folk don't go thinking , "Great , Noel's really gone and lost it now, telling us to listen to voices) the voices of those who know their way and are not lost and maybe have been down this road before. After all this thought of being lost, I was tired of pretending like I was lost and also I could hear the voices pretty strong and close by so I decided to go find them.
I think in the end that is all we have to guide us in this journey we call life, the voices that have gone before us that have left their wisdom to try and help us avoid the mistakes they have made. They call out to us in all different ways and in all different settings but when we are lost sometimes I don't think we take the time to stop, and listen.

Photo Shoot with Natalie Rose

These are just some of the products of one of the funnest photo shoots ever!! Usually taking pictures with 6 people(4 of those people being lil and not used to looking the right way) is not my idea of good times , but I have to say this was short and very sweet and the end result is some really fun moments in time. Love it. We really were smiling on the inside as well as the outside.

My Adult Christmas list(and a lame attempt to sound like a credit card commercial)

Wanted: One Bright Green Kitchen Aid
Cost: 250 to 300 dollars
Knowing that I really only want this because it will look so great on my counter and not really for all the stuff I would make with it - Priceless-
Wanted: One brown and black Pug
Cost: 600 to upwards of 1000 dollars
Knowing that I partly want this dog so that I could make an unrealistic dream of a 9 year old girl come true and partly because it would look so stinking cute with my other 2 adorable dogs- Priceless-
Wanted: Bright beautiful Hollywood Style Porcelain Veneers
Cost: 4000+
Knowing that I really just want these so I won't have to go to the dentist anymore, nor will I have to floss ever again and so then I could finally be counted among all the plastic people out there(a goal in life I believe we all should aspire to attain )- Priceless-


I guess knowing that just because I want something doesn't really mean I need it is what makes this an adult Christmas list versus a Juvenile one and that really is priceless :)

Quote from Solomon and maybe a new Scofield family tradition

Me- So Sol , since Christmas is supposed to be the time that we remember when Jesus came to earth as a baby that would mean it is Jesus birthday on Christmas . We should get Him a birthday present. What would you give Him?
Sol- Mom, Jesus doesn't have a birthday. He is too old.(Me thinks he is a bible scholar and knows that Jesus has been here since the begining)
Me- Yes, well this is the time of year we remember that He came here on earth for real as a baby and so it would be His birthday. What should we give Jesus for His birthday?
Sol-...........
Me- Do you need to think about it?
Sol- Yeah, give me a minute
Me-(10 minutes later I had forgotten that he was still taking time to think about it)
Sol- I got it mom, I got it!!
Me- What?
Sol- We should buy Him a balloon and draw on the balloon that we love Him and then let it go up to the sky.
Me- (Trying not to cry cause that was just so cute) Great idea Sol. I think He would like that.

So I must say.....

I really do love this time of year. I know that I said that last month when the fall weather came around but I guess I have learned to love every season of life as it comes. Ya right!! Psshh, changing seasons in life has got to be one of the biggest challenges for me. I really don't embrace change all that well. Once change has taken place and is now currently the present then I am okay with it, but during the changing process I have a tough time. I must say though, over the years it has gotten easier.
Anyway, I am way off track on this blog that really doesn't have a track to begin with but I will try to walk at least alongside the track of "this time of year" and by that I mean not the weather but the holidays. I am enjoying the excitement that is in the air for my children and I remember oh so well this same excitement when I was a child. I can hardly believe that I am not the child but the parent , okay there I go getting off track again. I just celebrated my 32nd birthday of which my mother reminded me that I was supposed to be born on Christmas day but much to her surprise I came a week early. Turning 32 I must say not a big deal, and there I go again off track. So back to Christmas and why I love this holiday.....
Christmas has become a holiday that has so many meanings it is hard to just nail it down to "The Real Reason for the Season" or something cliche like that. It has morphed into a very different holiday then just celebrating Jesus birth of which didn't really even occur during this time anyway so why , oh why do we try to deem it the Real reason for the season? Again off track.
I think that one of the reasons Christmas is such a special time of year universally is because it is one of the main times in a year that you really do think about other people instead of just you and yours. I know for myself sending out our Christmas cards is not just so that I will get them in return(although , to be honest that is a big reason) but it is also because I like to really think about each and every person that I give one to. I wonder what thier year has been like and how they have grown or changed. I think about what an impact that they have had on me in my life all year long and for some it is just comforting to know that they are still there. I am reminded every year around this time that my life is rich not with material possesions but with people who are truly amazing.
I won't attempt to put a tag on this season for what it really means because we all know that it means so much to so many but to me it really is a time when I like to hear from, see, and cherish the true gifts that God has given me, the people that I call my friends and family. That being said, If you are reading this then I want you to know that I wish you a very
Merry Christmas and please know that you are loved.
Noel

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

For the last 4 years or so the Scofields have had the tradition of cutting down thier own tree. It was a tradition that was of course my brilliant idea, and I think the family just indulged me. Since I was a little girl I have always thought that it was the coolest thing to hear of other families who made a whole day out of picking out thier beloved tree. Going for a ride in the country, sipping hot cocoa, ya know the whole shibang, so naturally when I got older , got to do things my way, I started this tradition with our family.
Well, this year we had planned to join up with some friends and make it a family/friend event(even more fun) but as the flu-bug descended upon the Scofield house , plans got rearranged.
So, we didn't get to go cut down our tree this year but instead went down to our freindly Lowe's and picked up a beautiful douglas fir for under $20 bucks. We made the decision rather quick, threw the tree on top of the Ford and were home about 20 minutes later. My Emma says to me as we are walking through our front door, " See mom if we were cutting down our tree this year we wouldn't be home til it was dark" I didn't appreciate her tone.
Then as we are setting up the tree and having a great time decorating cause we are not all tired from the drive and the hike to find the tree it dawns on me ...."What the heck, this is the most perfect , beautiful , tree we have had in a long time and maybe , just maybe I was wrong about the whole "cutting down our own tree". Just then then the Giants says what I am thinking and we both laugh. He's never been big on the cutting down our own tree thing either(maybe cause he's a realist and i not so much)but like a good hubbie he's been great about doing it all these years anyway.
I'm not saying we won't ever do it again but ya know , just rethinking the whole "traditions" thing and the novelty of it all verses the reality.
Anyway, it was a beautiful day until flu-bug strikes child number 3!!!