An attempt to declare the Glory of God for what He has chosen to do with our lives. A legacy to leave to my children in the telling of it.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Parties, Parties, Parties

Life has been one big party lately! I'm not so much the partying type, but rather the coveralls-and-muck-boots-in-a-barn type, so this month of digging deep into the closet to find something other than an old sweatshirt to wear and brushing the hay off of my nice coat has stretched me farther than I want to be stretched right about now. I'll just say it out loud, and be done with it, so I can get to the nicey/blog perfect part of this post: "I am ready for this holiday season to end anytime now. I am ready for the firsts to end, and eternity to begin, and Jesus to come back."

But since it isn't, and He hasn't, I keep plugging along; I keep facing the firsts; I keep going to the parties; I keep smiling until I can't smile anymore and then cry with those who are crying with me. Now begins the chipper blog post . . .

Our Christmas parties started with the much anticipated Shriner's party. Grace has doctored at the Shriner's hospital for the 8 years that she has been home from India, and part of the Shriner's program is loving these kids as much as it is healing them. She looks forward to the event for months, although she is scared of the guy in the red and white suit {another subject, another soap box, another post for another day, enough said} and makes Mom come up with her so she can sit on my lap instead of his {just breathe, just breathe}. Our local Shriner's group goes all out with lavish gifts and cookies and clowns and spoiling. Grandma Lee joins us nearly every year for the party, too, since she experienced nearly as much of Grace's doctoring as we did by riding down to the cities for all those casting trips.


Then we had the annual church Christmas program, where Grace played a little piano piece, Grace and Micah recited their verses, and Cole, Grace and Micah all joined in on the singing. Very cute! And then, the same day, the same weekend, we enjoyed Alexis' Community Choral concert where she had the opportunity to sing the solo "Mary did you know?" (and if I could actually download the video to blogger I would brag her up even more for the beautiful voice that God has given her~ totally a genetic fluke as nobody else in our immediate, and extended, family can carry a tune in a bucket of water).


And then came the annual swimming/Christmas get together at Grandma Lee's house. Grandma has forgone trying to buy individual Christmas presents for her twenty-some grandkids and great grandkids and has treated us to a day of swimming at a private pool party instead. All the kids love her for it! Then we go to her house and eat, and eat, and eat . . . mmm-mmm Super Duper bars!


Besides all of the Christmas parties, we also have six birthdays spread throughout the family in the month of December. Plus, there is still the other church Christmas Eve service and the actual day of Christmas left to celebrate. At about this point I start to re-evaluate the insanity of this month and declare that next year we are going to keep things simple and then realize why I am worn out and frazzled and find myself crying in a heap on the floor as I try to wrap presents for only four kids and remember that Jesus really is the reason for the season~ right???

12 comments:

Brenda said...

You remind me of why I'm keeping it really simple this holiday season. Other than having 14 goats due to kid before Christmas ... things have been pretty sane and simple around here.

I got goose bumps when you mentioned Alexis singing "Mary Did You Know". I love that song.

Dalyn said...

Merry Christmas dear friend.

Dicky Bird said...

About the "barn" clothes..or, boots without poop stuck to the bottoms...been there?

I am a very slow reader, but had the opportunity to get into your book today. I was thinking of you and praying for you today thinking of how your family was doing at this Christmas time. I'm sure I'm not the only one...you have some great followers. Sometimes when one is "strong" it is easy to overlook how they are doing. Just know that others are thinking of you all and praying for you.

Blessings from Ringle.

TheLazyJ said...

I like about January 3rd... When all of the fuss and chaos is over. Love you.

the canned quilter said...

Just a plain simple hug from Mama Hooch.

Shoshannah said...

I am reading your book and loving it. Thank you for sharing your journey. It has reminded me to share Chriist every chance I get with each of our 13 children.
Jesus IS the reason for Christmas. I am sure your children know that and appreciate your efforts for them this year.
May God continue to bless you on this journey with a closer relationship with Him until we may all meet again at the Big Feast.

OurCrazyFarm said...

Brenda~ Simple and 14 goats due to kid before Christmas sounds great to me! God has used that song very powerfully for me personally this season, so when Alexis said she was going to sing it for the program it was extra powerful... how could she/we know??

Merry Christmas to you, too, Dalyn, my dear bloggy friend:))

Aaah yes~ Dicky Bird~ I check the bottoms of my shoes upon leaving the house every time! And (your right) being "strong" is sometimes as hard as not being strong . . . you've blessed me again. Yes, I do have great followers/friends... a giveaway must be planned soon! Maybe some cheese??!

Yep~ January 3, Traci~ me and you both babe!

Hugs right back, {{Momma Hooch}}

OurCrazyFarm said...

Shoshannah~ We have never met, but you, too, have blessed me. Did you find your name on page 150? That simple comment you made months ago has not been forgotten.

The words and comments that you all share, dear friends, make a bigger impact than you realize. It has been so good to have you all walk this road with me this past year.

Love you, and Merry Christmas ladies! Terri

Sherry Sutherby http://russ-stickacres.blogspot.com/ said...

Love this post...Grace is not alone. I feel her pain. (Loved the "just breathe...just breathe...") Santa and CLOWNS in one building? Whoa...

And Alexis...I can only imagine her beautiful voice. I just saw Buddy Greene (who wrote the music for "Mary Did You Know...?") this past October.

And Grandma Lee ~ Genius, pure genius on the pool party.

And you, dear friend, just keep plugging along, you'll make it..., and enjoy your birthday.
Traci...will you spill it as to what day it actually is?? :~)

OurCrazyFarm said...

December 31st, Sherry~ and I think we'll be 29 again, right Traci??!

TheLazyJ said...

Oh yeah, baby! 29 again! And I STILL wear a size 2. Pretty good for a mom of 6, dont'cha think?? ;)

Shoshannah said...

Dear Terri,
I am so happy that I could be a blessing to you and honored to find my name on page 150 of your book. I am still in the first half, savoring the things you have learned in the few moments I have to read each day.
I look forward to reading your posts most days. May the Lord continue to lead you in a real way each day in the year to come and may you continue to keep your eyes on Him.

Shoshannah
Indiana