Mondays..I think I'm just wierd

But I actually look forward to the "work" week. There is solitude in being with the kids, and keeping things nice, quiet and settled. I feel like I need that after a crazy, loud, Thanksgiving holiday. Our families..are just different..we get way too overexcited when we're together and then we drink too much which is why I think I'm going to fast that out of my body for a little while. Some things are better left out of your life for a time of cleansing and healing.

So you know that I try to be as transparant as possible, and that my posts aren't always so "jolly"-no pun intended. But if you pray, say a prayer for me and Jason. It's been a rough year for him, for us, and for our marriage. Particularly the latter. I know that things were different before I came into his life, they were better in certain ways. But then he met me..and let's just say, things changed! Some for the better, and some not. And then alot of the times the enemy uses that to put a good dose of guilt and depression to get me down. I'm definately in the down.

Good news is that I can only go up. My husband tells me that no matter what-he won't stop loving me. He won't let me push him away. He won't stop praying for me. It's pretty indescribable. Sounds alot like Jesus.

A popular prayer with me right now, is "Lord, make me a better wife, a better mother, change me in whatever way you see fit." Jason prayed the holy spirit into me this morning-and I felt it. He had asked me if I wanted some prayer. Me, in all my ignorance, said, no. He did it anyway. Thank the Lord he did.

I will hold on to this now. I need to hold on to this now. I need to claim it right now.

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance brings character; and character brings hope."

(Romans 5;3-4)

Seriously, this WILL put you in the Christmas Spirit!..

Even if it is WAY too early! But, hey it's FUN! Watch the whole thing!

Some advice for all you "put it on my credit card" holiday shoppers

Now I know the holidays are not all about gift giving...but we would be lying if we said it had nothing to do with Christmas. The wise men gave Jesus presents when he was born, and dang it, we are going to do the same thing with eachother in this family! If you have your heart in the right place, gift giving can be such an enjoyable thing. Alana is getting in the spirit by giving away ALOT of her toys to charitable organizations that help kids who don't get alot during Christmas. At first, she wasn't having any of it, but now she sees it as fun, and it makes her feel good about herself. Every day she's looking for something else she can give away, instead of always saying "gimme, gimme, gimme."

Anywho-to overcome this sometimes dreaded event of spending too much money during the holidays, me and Jason have always been on what's called a budget. Now, I know for some, this may be new information But trust me, if you diligintly put some money away every month by making sacrifices in your own life..come Christmas, spending that money on your loved ones will be the most enjoyable thing that you do all year long. It feels GREAT to know that this money you put away was made for that, and you can bypass all the anxiety that usually comes when you spend money that you may not have at the moment.

If it's too late for you to put away money-DON'T PUT IT ON THE CREDIT CARD! Remember, your friends and family won't hate you forever just because you don't get them a new cd. They appreciate honesty. A great way to bypass all of that madness is to make a gift. Personally, when I get a homemade gift-whether it's a card or something yummy baked, it is usually my favorite present. Try not to get to materialistic about the holidays-time spent with loved ones is the best gift you can give.