Burglar Alert

My sister-in-law gave us 2 boxes of candy canes to put on the Christmas tree on Tuesday night.

This is an actual phone conversation between middle child and I last Wednesday afternoon~

Me~ Hello
Blake~ Mom, someone broke in the house!
M~ WHAT
B~Someone broke in the house and knocked the Christmas tree over
M~ Is anything missing?
B~ I don't know
M~ Go in my room, is the TV in there? Is the computer still there?
B~ Yes
M~ Go in your room, is the TV and Playstation there?
B~ Yes
M~ Go upstairs, is everything in the entertainment center?
B~ Yes
M~ No one broke in the house, the cat probably knocked the tree over
B~ Mom, there is trash from the bathroom all over in the hallway and the candy canes are gone from the tree!

(laughing at this point)
M~ OH MY GOODNESS! The candy cane burglar broke in the house, stole all the candy canes, call the police~
(not amused at my sarcasm)
B~ MOM!!!!! Stop it, it's not funny, someone broke in and stole our candy canes!
M~ I am sorry, you are right, it is not funny, was the dog in the house when you got home?
B~Yes
M~ Does she smell like peppermint?
B~ Whatever mom, I have to go! Bye~

At least now when my dog passes gas, she smells like a candy cane~

Mental note, no candy canes on the tree next year, he he~

I am so blessed. I could tell you for hours and days and months all the blessings that the Lord has given to my family.

Four days ago, I was given an opportunity to explain the ultimate love of our Lord, our Heavenly Father to Dalton. My 7 yr old was asking for nothing more than a father who loved him. That is his reality. What a more perfect time of year to explain John 3:16. Everyone knows that verse. Some never make it personal, make a connection, make it real. I made it real to a boy searching for love. God knows what we need, He provides, and He NEVER fails. He delivered Christmas to my boys. The children that He has allowed me to teach, love, guide, and mentor. All three claim it to be the best year they ever remember, and I know that is not of me, it is ALL of God. God knows hearts, and this year, my heart's focus is to be closer to God. A personal, intimate relationship with Christ.

I Samuel 16:7

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Look at what I have for the first time in nine years. If you guessed kids, your wrong, I have had them. It is a Christmas tree. That is right, and not only do I have one (thanks to Holly), I have two. Yep, Holly gave me one and Blake's friends mom gave me a 7' artificial tree today. They even helped me move furniture around to fit it in my living room. Both trees came with lights and Ken us some ribbons and decorations for the tree. I need to invest in a couple of angels, don't the santa hats look great on top the trees. He he. MaBarker's personal touches.

I am very blessed to have the great friends that I have. God ALWAYS knows what we need and just when we need it, and this year, a CHRISTmas tree was needed in our house. I will invest in a few clearance items after the holidays to start a collection of decorations. My sister-in-law went through her wall and shelf decorations and gave me quite a few things to get me going.

Now that I see these pictures I see a few improvements that could be made to the little tree. I will post some photos of the updates soon.

Luke 2

Luke 2:1-21
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

I can't wait to have my wings

I learned so many things while on my first plane ride. One is always keep your camera handy, I did not get photos from the air. The second is, as fast as planes go, you don't feel like you are going that fast, and that blows me away.
Dallas is beautiful, the weather was warm (70) and I would pack my bags and move right now if I had a job there. People are so friendly and just plain caring and nice. We ate at a Tex-Mex restaurant for lunch on Wednesday and we ate at Landry's for dinner on Wednesday night. I have linked their website http://www.landrysrestaurants.com/home.htm The restaurant is a seafood place, but I had the best filet that I never had to pay for. (Two thumbs up in my book) I did not spend a dime on the trip. My boss (who is the world's best) bought me a book to read on the plane. Thanks to my Aunt Becky, I love books, just never have the time to read, but I finished the book on the plane ride out and back. It was a good thriller called Got the Look by James Grippando.
I will most definately fly again, and I want to thank everyone for all the prayers, my flight was calm and relaxing, God was and is in control.
We went to a place called Sergeants http://www.sergeantswestern.com/ and we had a blast. Tom (our salesman) Patti (our boss) Alan (my partner on GameStop) and I goofed around and laughed our hind ends off all night. We are such a pack of misfits when we all get together. I didn't take many photos and I completely regret that, but it was a much needed two days off (even though it was for work) I will post some pictures that Tom took when I get them from him.

An all new first for me

Yep, that's right. I am taking my very first flight on an airplane on Wednesday. It is for work and we are flying to Dallas, TX. I am nervous, excited, and stressed out about how to pack and what I can pack. We are carrying on our luggage, and from what I understand that gets a little restrictive as to what you can bring. I will have lots of pictures to share with you all when I get back.
Please pray for the boys while I am away, it is only overnight, but they don't like me being at work.... and now I will be half way across the country.

Here is a great shot of the some of the family on Thanksgiving.

From left to right, Blake, Charity, Betsy, Tyler, Sarah, Jen, Noah, and Dalton down in front between Blake and Tyler.

And this is me using the magic AUNTIE touch on baby Ella, putting her right to sleep after a long afternoon.