Santa’s Christmas Prayer

While on my “day after Christmas” escapade, I came across this ornament at the Christian Bookstore.  I HAD to have it.

I don’t know about you, and how you teach your children about Santa and/or the real meaning of Christmas, but my boys believe in Santa and they know the real meaning (well, I’m not quite sure they “get” it yet, but they do at least grasp the concept).

Anyhow, this ornament hit the “nail on the head” for me so to speak.

The picture is a little blurry, but you can clearly see Santa bowing down to baby Jesus with his hat off.  I thought it was so sweet and special.  Then, right there in the Family Christian Bookstore, I had tears in my eyes, because I flipped the ornament over and this is what it says:

On Christmas Eve the other night, I saw the most amazing sight, for there beneath the Christmas tree was Santa kneeling on his knee.  His countenance was different than that all-familiar, jolly grin; his head was bowed, with hand to breast, and slightly tucked into his vest.  For there in a nativity was Jesus and His family, and as I heard him start to pray I listened close to what he’d say.  “Lord, You know that You’re the reason I take pleasure in this season.  I don’t want to take Your place, but just reflect Your wondrous grace.  I hope You’ll help them understand I’m just an ordinary man, who found a way to do Your will by finding kids with needs to fill.  But all those centuries ago, there was no way for me to know that they would make so much of me, and all the gifts beneath the tree.  They think I have some hidden power granted at the midnight hour, but it is my love for You inspiring the things I do.  And so when they begin to open gifts for which they have been hoping, may they give You all the glory, for You’re the One True Christmas story.”

That sure does put it in perspective for me.

~CB~

Children’s Program 2010

There is nothing more cute and precious than a Children’s program.  If you’ve never been to a Children’s Program at your church, you MUST go.  It just makes you smile the entire time and get teary eyed over all the youngsters singing about Jesus!

We are so fortunate in our church to have a wonderful and blessed Children’s Church!  I’m so glad my kids have that solid foundation.

This year, Nolan had a speaking part in the program.  He did SO GOOD.  Okay, I realize I’m his Mama and I’m supposed to say that, but I think he really did do well!

See for yourself!  Now mind you, he had this whole scripture memorized and then got up there that night and used a cheat sheet!  ha-ha.  Oh well--

Carter loved practicing for the play too!  He was very good at singing the songs (at home, of course).  It was cute to watch him on the stage try to sing the songs in real time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS Y’ALL!

We hope you have a blessed and wonderful holiday season! 

~CB~

Winter Wonderland

Last week at school, Nolan's teachers hostessed a Winter Wonderland for the kids. The kids made arts and crafts and all sorts of nifty Christmas-like treasures to bring home! I thought it was a most precious idea and so FUN for the kids!
I was able to volunteer one morning and had a great time! I remember with such fondness making arts and crafts during the holidays when I was in school, and I hope Nolan remembers his with fondness as well!

I loved that his teachers had everything organized and had a plan! It ran so smoothly!

Merry Christmas Y'all!

~CB~

Pictures on a OLD truck

One of my most favorite people in the whole world, Mrs. Johnson (my high-school math teacher, now retired), has an OLD Ford truck.

It just so happens that my boys have an OLD truck on their Christmas pajamas too! Mrs. Johnson and I scheduled a photo shoot of the boys yesterday afternoon and I think we got a few shots that will work! I can't wait to edit the photos and make a few sepia toned! I think I'll frame a few for my family room!

Note these are non-edited and straight-out-of-the-camera.







Do y'all see any potential framers? I think I see one or two! Of course, this is only a few of the 100 that I took!

~CB~

Hamburger Stew, Mama's Way

When we have a "cold snap" as we sometimes do in Florida, it puts me in the mood to make soup and stew. I love me some soups and stews! One stew I particularly recall is my Mama's hamburger stew.This is one of the easiest recipes I know!! And SO DELICIOUS and filling!

Before she passed away, she wrote down tons of recipes on index cards and laminated the cards so my sister-in-law and I would have them. I have a box full and my sister-in-law has a box full. It's on the list of things to grab if my house ever catches on fire!

The best part about this stew is that the recipe is in Mama's handwriting. It just doesn't get any better than that.

~CB~

A Magical Christmas!!

*Warning: Picture overload.*

This past weekend our family loaded up and headed to Disney for "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party". The Griswold Family vacation consisted of my family of 4, my in-laws, my brother-in-law and his girlfriend.

We all decided WAY back in April that we would make a long weekend out of our trip and a mini-vacation. We stayed Friday through Sunday at the French Quarter, and had a great time!
Friday night was the Merry Christmas party and it did NOT disappoint. It was our second time attending, but everyone else's first and they loved the parade and such as much as we did! Free cookies and hot chocolate helped too. (Let's just face it y'all. It wasn't really "free" since we paid an arm and a leg for each ticket to the event. But it's nice to think it was free.) ha-ha


Walking into the park and seeing this HUGE Christmas tree just made me all giddy! The picture is a little blurry, but you can still see how HUGE this tree is!

We were able to ride several rides with minimal waiting time since this is a special event and the park wasn't full. I love NO LINES!



This is one of my most favorite pictures from the entire weekend. Both my boys LOVE Thunder Mountain Railroad (a roller coaster) and this is Carter with his hands raised on the ride ! I LOVE IT!! Isn't it adorable??!?!?!!I don't know about ya'll, but parades make me feel like such a kid again! I LOVE A GOOD PARADE and DISNEY sure does know how to do a GOOD parade!

For this particular parade, people start lining up VERY early in the night for a good seat! We didn't get a spot too early, but we did get there and have to save a few spots! This here is how we do it in the South. (I hear banjos playing). Just kidding. Jenni was doing something else and I made her lay back down just for a photo op. Ahem, one would think this might/could/would end up on someone's blog one day. Just saying is all. hee-hee-hee

Our whole crew waiting on the parade! (yes, I will photoshop the string out, and no, I have no idea who those guys are to the left.)

Disney's parade floats and entries are always so pretty and festive!







And the characters all come out!





After the parade, look who we saw!!!

Our Friday night closed out with an awesome fireworks show! Disney is known for its fireworks and they were just beautiful!
wow! BEAUTIFUL!!!
Saturday brought Epcot, Hollywood Studios, then back to the Magic Kingdom. We had a blast at Epcot on our favorite rides: Soarin' and the GM Test Track.



And again here I am trying to get a good picture for my in-laws. WHY? I ask you WHY do I do this to myself????



I made dinner reservations at the Crystal Palace for dinner on Saturday night. It was SO GOOD. I fell in love with their garlic mashed potatoes and the German Chocolate Cake. Not necessarily in that order either! HA!

This was a character dining experience, so the boys got to see Tigger, Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore!

I think Nolan was licking ice-cream off the side. God love him, I think he thought he was never going to get ice-cream this good again. ! ha!


After dinner, my wonderful in-laws took the boys for some special time with just the four of them. Cecil and I, and Edward and Jenni were able to ride some rides and catch up with some of our other family that was there at the same time!

Our cousin, Jennifer (who was there with her boyfriend Matthew) and Cecil!

Jennifer and her sweet boyfriend Matthew!!!

The Motley Crew. ha!

Sunday morning brought dark skies and rain clouds. We decided to hit Hollywood Studios so Nolan could ride the Toy Story ride! Look who we saw when we exited!

One of the boys favorite things to do at Hollywood Studios turned out the be the Stunt Show they do! It's awesome!!!

After the show, we headed back home to reality. boo.

What a wonderful weekend full of fun, family, friends, and of course, lots of love and laughter!

~CB~