Little kids Christmas party

We continue to be in prayer for my friend Julie, and her dear family. She gave birth to Calla Jayne (how awesome is her name?) yesterday evening. Full blog post here. Please keep praying!
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You well know I'm heavily involved in the Wichita Stay at Home Moms Meetup group. Wilder and I attend 3 to 4 events per week, ranging from playdates to lunch dates to the zoo to the park...the girls have become my support system, especially when it comes to parenting challenges. We've all got each others' backs.

Like today, for instance. I came into the Christmas party, arms much too full of things, crying off my makeup. I knew I was about to upchuck and I hate upchucking. I had hurriedly taken my pills on an empty stomach, and, well, my stomach just said "no"...I found the bathroom in time! It was comforting to have the girls there to make sure I was okay. Sometimes a gal just needs a hug, and a "hang in there."

The party, ever a success, provided crafts, food, cookie decorating, canned food drive, and a book exchange. The chaos gave me a headache, but, that's normal! Wilder enjoyed exploring the place and climbing chairs.
If you don't know much about MeetUp, visit their site. Groups supporting coffee, literature, the samba, pugs (oh, geez), and cycling fiends, to name a few, dot the globe. If you can't find a group you'd like to join (usually for a small fee; ours is $12 per year), start your own.

Thanks for peeking in on our party!

Things you can do that don't involve technology {mostly}

It's been therapeutic for me to have fun nights out with friends, whether it's Bible study, dinner, or a Pampered Chef party, but, recently I've cut way back on those things.

For Shawn.

He's my hot babe and I want to still know who he is when we are 48 and the kids are off to college, not needing us anymore.

While we are still working on it, we aim to do at least one night a week, technology-FREE!!! I've spoken with friends about this goal and they've wanted to see my idea list for things to do (besides the obvious *wink*). Oh, I should note that these are geared toward "home bound parents who might clean and surf the net and ignore their spouse once the kids are in bed", but, are not limited to such couples.

So, here we have it:

National Geographic date--come on, don't roll your eyes. Snag your parents' old copies and lie in bed reading about our weird world. The pictures aren't too shabby either.

Play a game--so far we are 1:1 in Scrabble; it's very intense as we keep score and have the dictionary on hand

Sketch/draw/art project--doodle or paint a little, no pressure

Organizational project--purge a closet or organize your Tupperware...do it together!

Exercise--push-ups and crunches; no equipment required

Bake or cook--this is a win-win

Photography (not quite tech-free)--take pics of the sky, the dog, your cool furniture...

Jabber--often and a lot

Got anything to add? I'm all ears.

Christmas at our pad

Someday I'm going to have all vintage glass balls on the tree, like the ones Meg has...I haven't been estate saleing in a million years because Wilder would be into everything, but, someday I'll get hold of more ornaments! Unfortunately, I just broke my favorite gorgeous blue and sparkly striped one...it was one of those sad Mommy days when you can't be mad that something has broken. You just broom it up and thank the Lord you're healthy.

Momma always gives us a Hallmark ornament, so, that's what's on our 8 ft. 1,000 light tree. There's so many lights the tree gives off heat!
Around the house:
Please keep praying for Julie.

Might I suggest this for a relaxing holiday read? Or this, as more of a challenge, and especially if you've seen the musical? Are you digging into books? I will be as long as I'm a mother to one.

Lastly, our plumber came to remedy the toilet (aka porcelain villain), and on his way out the door, he said "be blessed." Now doesn't that just knock your holey socks off? A little grandpa with an inspector gadget ring tone on his phone and white hairs sticking out of his nose, saying, "be blessed"?

Angels appear in varied forms. Yes they do.
I believe.

Coveting your prayers

This is Julie and her son Ori, whom I've introduced to you before. Juls is a dear, precious friend. I adore her and treasure the laughter we've shared (she makes me laugh SO hard). She is 26 weeks pregnant with Critter, her and Ian's baby girl, but has gone into pre-term labor. Please intercede in prayer on their behalf. Please!

Check here for updates.

Rather than weary.

I do not feel heartache could ever consume be because I have this boy angel's smile to see me through. I have his smile, his daddy's smile, and the smiles of those who love me.

I am tired today but there is a quickening in my spirit, a knowing that great things abound, that good is going on, that what I'm doing--it counts.

So rather than weary, rather than worry, I rejoice.

Pictures by Meg Duerksen, at Whatever.