Monday, November 29, 2010

These Days

Are filled with lots of drawing and the building of many Lego cities. I LOVE Dumpling's self-portrait, don't you? Usually they have belly buttons. Even the turkeys on the cards we made for Thanksgiving had belly buttons. And wheels for toes. Wheels are very important to a three year old boy.
Pumpkin was so proud of the town he built he wanted me to take his picture. Love this boy.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with all the Grandparents here. We celebrated Pumpkin's fifth birthday as well. Amazing. Pictures later.

***
I've been quiet here I know. Not because I am without anything to say, of course. ;) I've always got something to say!! A big part of it has been preparing for Thanksgiving and spending time with family. Another reason is simply because I have no new news to share we are still in a bit of a holding pattern, trying to make some decisions, waiting on answers, and waiting some more. It's been a year of waiting. It's been good in a lot of ways and I've certainly learned a lot. I know I will learn more when I am a bit away from it all. Right now it all feels so close. Does that make sense?

The other reason is simply that I am trying to decide what this Christmas will look like for us. Homemade gifts, of course--some are done and more to come. Having the double-whammy of no extra money to spend and having all our normal Christmas stuff packed away has been interesting. I was looking through my stack of Christmas books the other day and they were in a tub I actually have here. I kept out five books and put all the rest back.

Truly, the books are the only thing I have access to. No nativity, no decorations, no stockings, none of the things I am used to having are here. Even my Jesse Tree Ornaments are packed. There will be no tree this year anyway. Part of it is the money, part of it is just not knowing if we will be moving at the end of the month.

We are financially in a great and crazy place as we are seeing if we can just buy a place we have our eyes on out right. All extra money is focused on that goal right now. We are not in trouble in any way. It is a tight time though with a specific goal in mind. Being able to not have to pay rent or a mortgage is what we would like especially as we try to build our business in this next year. It's that no regular income that we are used to having that makes it a bit tense since Sweetheart was laid off. See last post, if needed.

I am planning on making another couple of sets of Jesse Tree Ornaments anyway and just hanging them up on the bulletin board. I have all the clay on hand and would like multiple sets so that each one of the kids will have one they can use with their own families when they are grown. We'll see what I can do. I want to use Ann's devotional this year and I may just print out the paper ornaments at the end and hand color them.

I am not whining about the changes at all. I am just trying to figure out how to adjust to them. And in the midst of it all asking myself what really matters. I love to decorate my home and do lots of fun things in the name of Christmas, but...where is Christ in it all? I have no desire to pretend like it is not happening. Though, I do wish it could be the next month when I hope to have more answers. :) Just being honest.

I wonder throughout the days about all the Christmasy things I have. What is really worth keeping? When we are settled, what will I decide I want to continue to have? How can I keep the focus on Christ buried in all the stuff? And there is a lot of stuff, even pretty stuff that I enjoy! I don't have the answers, I am just asking the questions.

Luckily, I do have our special Advent book and some candles on hand. I've collected pine cones on walks and will probably try to score some evergreen branches to do a bit of decorating and whatever we end up doing for the Jesse Tree.

Through it all, I am thinking about What I Truly Care About versus What I've Always Done. It is interesting.

Wow. Is anyone still reading this ramblely random post? It's great to have a place to Brain Dump.

By the way, I was sure thankful I had this blog to go back to when I was planning Thanksgiving!! Several of my Everything Books are packed. I ended up going back to old posts and printing out the pictures so that I could make my lists.

7 comments:

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I am reading! Judging from the ratio of comments to readers I have on my blog, you have lots more reading, too.

Your boys are getting so BIG. Stephanie texted me about an hour ago that she had taken the children to see The Nutcracker and then stop for lunch.

A huge outing with five children but she said it was beautiful.

Tonya Gunn said...

How wonderful to be buying a home morgage free! Congratulations on all of your hard work.
Warm wishes, Tonya

lwm said...

Rambling is okay.
I have always felt blessed because in all circumstances God continues to supply for all our needs.
May God bless you & your family abundantly.

Vicki in UT said...

I enjoy your ramblings. I think it is good to think through what is really important to you, and not just continue to do what you have always done.
I understand missing your nativities, they are one of my fvorite decorations. I did a search for a friend who needed an activity for 11 8-10yo girls from church, and found a cute paper nativity for kids to color and cut out and make stands for. It is at www.activityvillage.co.uk
I wish you well with your home purchase and business. It is hard to have your future up in the air. My husband has been out of work for 10 months, and the uncertain future is the hardest part. Best wishes.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kimberly,
When we moved I purdged so much stuff. As I am unpacking Christmas decorations I am purdging that now. I just don't want to be surrounded with stuff. Like you I want to focus on the season. I so admire the grace which you handle everything. I can;t believe pumpkin is 5. Seems like you just brought him home.
Have a wonderful day.
Elizabeth

tonia said...

sounds like you are going to have a christmas like the original christmas couple. :) what wonders might God have for you?

those pictures of your boys...they are so darling. i love that self-portrait and the delighted smile!

such riches.

Shan said...

Dearest Kimberly,

Ramble? What ramble...I think you have very heartfelt and readable posts!

I so hope (and pray) that you will be able to purchase your desired property. What a blessing to have the burden of a mortgage lifted as you start your new business together.

As to Christmas celebrated on the "less is more" side due to everything being packed away...It will most likely be one of your favorite memories in the years to come.

We lived out of "boxes" one year and it made Christmas so simple and focused. It was very peaceful and much less stressful...

Yours so kindredly,
Shan
Honey Hill Farm

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