Good Morning, ladies! Come on in and grab a cinnamon roll! Made fresh from Pioneer Woman's recipe...and let me tell ya, they are GOOD!
Like everyone else, this week has been a whirlwind! So much going on. This was our last week at tutorial until after the holidays so we have been finishing up chapters and taking tests and preparing for parties. I also fell hopelessly behind working on teacher gifts. Last year I did "dinner" for the teachers and made and froze meatballs and then made a bag with pasta, sauce, bread and brownie mix. I was proud of those little bags, too proud, I guess. Cause this year I had similar plans...but they just didn't happen. Suddenly, this week was upon me and I had no clue what to do. So, I made cinnamon rolls and each teacher got a pan of them and a Starbucks card. It certainly wasn't the break from cooking they got last year, but at least it wasn't another "World's Greatest Teacher" ornament....right? And the cinnamon rolls were really good!
We got a little more shopping done...but I am still not through and for this die hard, through before Thanksgiving girl, that is stressing me out. a lot. I guess at some point, I just need to do what I can do and not worry about it...or give away the two year old that is cramping my shopping style, hmmmm. Seriously, I tried to take the three youngest with me Monday and get a little done...It was AWFUL, Tigercub screamed, threw things, and fought me at EVERY STORE! On the way home, Baseball boy said, "Momma, there are a LOT of stores we can't go back to, aren't there!" Next year, if I can't find it online, I'm not buying it (I am so full of it, but right now I totally mean it!)!
We also experienced great sadness this week with the loss of a family friend who was killed in a car accident. I almost hesitate to even write this because, truly, it isn't my tragedy. And yet, it was such a part of the week, I feel compelled to share. We went to visitation Tuesday night and stood in line for about 2 HOURS! The family is well loved and has tons of support and yet that precious mother has been on my heart continuously since Sunday. I cannot imagine outliving my children. I cannot imagine a week and a half before Christmas having to bury my son. Their strength and faith has been amazing and is a testament to their faith in Christ. And yet, their hearts are broken! I have had this on my mind all week and I am just so grateful for Christ. I am so grateful that, though their hearts ache, they have the hope of seeing their son again one day. How precious the hope that we have as Christians and how desperate those without that hope must feel. How precious the arms of a loving God who wraps us up in love, completely understanding how it feels to have to give up your son. How incredible knowing that our suffering on earth is temporary and one day we WILL be in the presence of our savior! What a beautiful hope this season offers...not just the birth of a baby, but the beginning of our salvation. The hope for the mother who has lost her son. The peace that passes all understanding. I pray for those who do not have that peace this season, that maybe they will find it in a tiny baby this Christmas!
And one last reminder, as the traffic gets crazy, the roads get icy and more travelled and the last minute shoppers (like me) get more stressed...WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT! I know they can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but they can also save your life!
As for Small Things...I have done great this week! Loved those mass points for a kitchen that definitely needed it. However, my favorite was chatting with my daughter yesterday about our favorite Christmas memories. I don't have one particular one that sticks out to me. I just love the memories from childhood Christmases of staying up till ridiculous hours playing games and eating candy from stockings around the kitchen table. The later it got, the sillier we got and I can remember laughing till our sides hurt. I miss my sisters! Love you girls (just in case you read this!). So what is your favorite memory?
Oh, and I almost forgot...tomorrow morning, we head out to jackson Mississippi to see Ballet Magnificat perform their Christmas Ballet...cannot wait!
Have a blessed weekend, and be sure to check out Home Sanctuary for more coffee talk.
16 comments:
I can identify with that poor mom whho lost her son this season. My husband's parents were there two years ago, when thier youngest son died in a car accident. But you know, God brings the most beautiful moments out of great tragedies, I think: I was more moved to tears by watching how my parents in law belted out sincere worship at church the next morning than I even had been upon discovering Jay's death. It's so true that we are made perfect in weakness. May this be a season for perfect weakness for your friends as they lean on God through this tragedy.
I had trouble getting it together for teacher appreciation gifts this year too. It's the thought that counts though, and we have three wonderful teachers this year. I send them notes from time to time to let them know how great I think they are!
I am done with shopping, accept for my Dear Husband. Now I just need to wrap. Plus we're doing a lot of baking this weekend
Sorry to hear about your friend's tragedy. I'll keep them in my prayers.
Thanks for the coffee, it was very refreshing. Now I need to get my kids to school. Today's the last day before Winter Break! Yay!
-Melissa
I'm afraid I STILL have much shopping to do.. :0( Hopefully I'll get it done. I'm really sorry abt your friends...it is a terrible burden and doubly so that it happens at Christmas...a constant reminder...I pray that the Lord wraps his arms round about them and holds them up during this horrible time.
I will remember to pray for that sweet family tonight! I appreciate your words so much and your thoughts were such a blessing to me this afternoon.
Oh Christmas shopping...I haven't even started for my own kids. AGH!!! We decided to go home at the last minute so I am scrambling to get it all together. But, it will be great:) What's better than family?
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I am right there with you in the whirlwind of events. Was burning the midnight oil last night putting together the small teacher gifts that I had intended to put together a week ago. How does that happen??
I am so sorry to hear of your friends loss. It is those kinds of tragedies that make you stop and realize the significant from insignificant in all we do.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
My sympathies to you and your friends.
Oh, I too love Pioneer Woman cinnamon rolls. At the moment I'm making a recipe from her Tasty Kitchen site.
Merry Christmas
You are not alone -- I am super behind in all Christmas-related events!
And those PW cinnamon rolls are AWESOME -- I gave them to the ladies in my prayer group and they raved about them. The teachers will love them :)
And I'll keep your friends' family in my prayers at this tragic time for them.
I'll have to give that recipe a try. I just got hooked on PW's site. Having been a teacher and receiving different gifts from different parents (a wide variety), I have to say that it really is the thought that counts. I was surprised that when I popped into Target yesterday, there wasn't as many people as I thought there would be. I choose online shopping any day (although it is tough for certain items), but free shipping is the best. We still have a few things to buy, but I started wrapping this week. That is a tough time for your friend. I pray they will feel God's comfort and peace at this time. Have a wonderful week.
hope and peace are such an incredible gift the Father gives us!
Oh I have a 2 yr old that is really difficult to shop with. I can feel you on that one...
Mmmmmmm - I love good cinnamon rolls for breakfast. And I love Pioneer Woman so I'll hav to check it out!
Little Sister, of course I read this post. I am on several times a week to see what is happening with your crew. Needless to say I am not technologicly literate...My eldest had to lend me her google account in order post a comment. I too have had a difficult time with teacher gifts. We finally setteled on a Star Wars Bobblehead and a gift card to Red Robin. That is what happens when you leave those decisions to a 10 year old! We are thinking of you and the family daily. Its hard to be so far away, especially at this time of year. Hope you enjoy the ballet.
PS - Tell the kids not to expect to receive their gifts before Christmas. While I purchased them back in October - I have never made it to the post office to mail them. Let's just call them New Year's gifts, Okay?
I guess I'm not the only one who leaves gifts for teachers until the last minute. We gave them candles, though I did hope to make them some cinnamon rolls, but didn't manage it. It's quite impressive that you managed to make them and gave each a whole pan!
I keep reading about these Pioneer Woman recipes... I think I'm going to have to try them out. Perhaps if I can get all my grading done, I'll make some of those cinnamon rolls as part of Christmas presents. :) And teachers love anything that is thoughtful... trust me, I know! (Will pray for you and the family that lost their child.... even if it is not "your tragedy," it still hits home.)
Hey girl. I agree with you on the shopping - if it can't be delivered to my front door, I don't think anyone needs it. And because of that train of thought - the rest of the folk that I haven't found anything for will end up with gift cards. YIKES!!! Oh well, that's just how it will be this year.
So sorry for your loss this past week.
Have a great Christmas. Enjoy every minute with your beautiful family. -C
Star, I'm so sorry about your friend's son. Heartbreaking! Sounds like even in such sorrow your friends are glorifying our Lord through it all. What a testimony!
I can't believe you all were in Jackson to see "A Christmas Dream"!! My oldest was in "A Christmas Dream." She was one of the Kingdom kids. They had the boing-y pony tails. Was this your first time to see it? E- has been in it since it started 4 years ago. It's been such a blessing to be a part of.
I've missed reading what's been going on with all the CG's...So glad to be catching up over this New Year's weekend...Hope you and yours have a wonderful weekend!
I just realized I didn't sign above...
Happy New Year!
LydiaCate
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