Sunday, November 8, 2009

Whew...I'm behind! But not with what REALLY matters....

OK...I know, I know....
most of you have moved on past Halloween a long time ago. 
Us....um, I'm just now getting these pictures off my camera. 

Normally around this time of year, I am trying hard to be "Super Mom".  I am making sure I do all the right "holiday" activities.  I wouldn't, after all, want my child to get to college thinking, "my Mom didn't carve my pumpkin or make my spider cupcakes when I was 4...and I remember it!  I was robbed..."

Well, this year I took the pressure off myself.  I convinced myself that I probably won't get ousted by my kids for not doing the right "Mom stuff" this particular year.  And I'm fairly certain they will survive it.  If they do actually hold me to the fire many years later for not doing enough this year, then I will pay for their therapy! 





We did make our way to a couple of Halloween functions.  There was pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, being with friends, more candy and sweets than should be humanly possible to consume.  But, there was no stress!



We didn't bake.  We didn't really decorate.  We slapped a hay bale on the porch and called it a day.



We had grandparents in for a great weekend.  We had close family friends join us for the activities of the evening.  And we joined friends for a picnic at the park prior to trick-or-treating.  It was easy.  Low key.  And stress free.



I enjoyed the costumes of others!  Have you ever felt like this???  I so couldn't relate.



We've eaten lots and lots of yummy candy.  Including Tootsie Rolls.  We love how it makes us look toothless!


But amidst all the holiday hub-bub, we mainly focus on Christ...and growing up these boys to walk the walk He has for their lives. 

I love this pumpkin Braden brought home from school.  He glued the face on. 


But mainly, I LOVE the prayer on the back.  You'll see why.



My motto for this holiday season is SIMPLICITY.  FAMILY.  FAITH. 
I look forward to a different kind of holiday.  One that isn't about impressing others.  One that isn't about how much STUFF my kids can get or go to.  Or how decorated my house is.  Or how cute my family is on a photo that we send out.  Or how many parties I can go to. 

Don't get me wrong...those things are all good.  And they, too, are gifts from the Lord.  But my striving this season is about being QUIET in my heart and head...and enjoying God's blessings of simplicity.  I choose to be intentional and worshipful this season, going into Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Well, we've closed out another year of costumes around here.  We have enough candy to last us well into 2010 (that is even weird to type!)  My boys have been filled with abundant energy and sugar! 

I can't show you the full pictures, so let me just paint you a  picture in your mind....

I am inside, doing laundry.  The boys have decided to play outside.  I hear them laughing within a few minutes...they have decided to pour a cup of dirt on top of Braden's head...and a cup of dirt into Blake's pants.  Then, within a minute, I hear them laughing hysterically.  They have proceeded to make mud in the dirt, strip naked, and put mud all over their entire bodies..and run around in the back yard, playing "Mud Men", Superheroes.  I'm quite sure I've never heard of those guys before...until now.





Life is good.  Mud is dirty.  Water can clean it.  They had a ball. 
That's all that matters.

How are you doing with what REALLY matters??
.

2 comments:

Connie :) said...

Oooo, sister ... GOOD ONE. I love how very BOY your little guys are! And I love how you choose not to freak, but to totally appreciate their boy-ness :)

I would love to join you in "simplifying the seasons" and focusing on what really matters. As always, you inspire me and make my heart sing! Love you!

Colleen said...

I love the pics of the mudd....but at the same time, being there in person was AWESOME!!! To get the FULL affect, you just had to be there and I was.....LOVE IT!!

I cant wait for Halloween in 2010!!! HARRY HARRY HARRY!! That's all I am going to say about that!!! heheheheheheheheehhe

love yall!!