Hey, Buddy, Buddy...

I am so very behind on blogging (both on here and on the cooking blog).  And since we are visiting family out of town, I am really trying not to hang out on computer too much.  So today I am going for an easy post.  Then hopefully once I am home again and have a little spare time this week (since our holidays will be winding down), I can start blogging again and catch up.

Buddy.  Our elf.  I am going to share a few more of his adventures before he left us again on Christmas Eve.  Mainly so that I remember in the future what that crazy elf has done...


Let's see...

December 12.  We found Buddy by the Fisher Price nativity reading the Christmas story from Luke.  Wise elf.

 December 13.  Apparently Buddy became Prince Buddy for the day, hanging out in the castle.

 December 14.  Legos!  Buddy brought a Christmas Lego set to work on. Unfortunately, he didn't get very far.  Joshua was more than happy to finish it up for him the next day.

 December 15.  Buddy is hanging out in the "snowball" bucket with the snowman.  Must feel like home to him.

 December 16.  Buddy and the Santas are wearing special glasses and staring at the tree. They make the lights on the tree come to live with different designs and shapes.

 December 17.  Buddy is hanging out with his bud Santa.  Literally.

 December 18.  We found Buddy on top of the fridge hanging out in a Christmas Kleenex box.

 December 19.  "I am the King of the World".  Apparently Buddy wanted geography lessons as he searched for the North Pole on our globe.

 December 20.  We had a hard time finding Buddy.  Finally he was spotted in the garage, hanging out in our change jar. 

 December 21.  Where's Buddy?

 Oh, he is hanging out in Maria's stocking!

 December 22.  Uh oh, Buddy. You are in trouble.  You have made the natives and the cowboys angry...they have you surrounded!

 December 23.  We found Buddy attempting to wrap something. Oh, Buddy, you are making a mess!

 December 24.  His last night with us.  Buddy was spotted on top of Marley's crate...

De

 with a book about Marley!  How thoughtful is that?

Of course, on December 25, Buddy was nowhere to be found. He apparently hopped into the sleigh with Santa.  Hope he comes back next year!

Reba

Twas the Night Before the Night Before Christmas...

No. I didn't hit the Jackpot. We won 23 dollars.  To split among a bunch of us.  We gave it to charity instead. :)

Anyway, I need to be sleeping but these thoughts are swirling around in my mind...

This is obviously adapted from Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore...

Twas the night before the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, except Reba Cloud
The stockings were hung by the fireplace with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were sprawled all over their beds,
While visions of iPads danced in their heads.
And Dad just a snoring, the dog in his lap,
Had settled down for a long winter’s nap.

When in the other room, there are such a clatter,
I sprang to action to see what was the matter.
Away to the wrapping paper, I flew like a flash,
As my heart began to race and I broke out in a rash.

A present is missing, I thought with great fear.

As slowly my blue eyes filled up with tears
I prayed and I prayed for that present to appear,
But sadly I discovered it just wasn't here.

I threw aside the tape and scissors, and to the table did run,

Finding our Christmas cards sitting undone.

I grabbed up the labels, and I let out a small sigh of shame
As I wearily began to call out each name.

"Now Smiths! now, Jones! now, Williams and Mils!
On, Thompson! On, Davis! on Presleys and Hills!
To the envelopes, I quickly went to work
Slapping down those labels with a little hand jerk.

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
I noticed the redness in my very tired eyes.
I glanced at the clock, and listened to the tick tock,

As I saw the time was 2 o'clock.

I dashed to the kitchen, and washed my weary hands

To make dough for the Christmas cookie demands.
I quickly threw in the butter, egg, and all purpose flour,

Trying not to notice the very late hour.

My eyes, how bloodshot, my arms how they ached.
I began to look cross-eyes, oh for goodness sake
My mouth was drawn up, into a tired frown.
While my shoulders so weary began to cast down.

The t.v. in the background filled the room with noise,
As I continued to wrap up outfits and toys.
The room was littered with tape, paper, and tags,

Along with dozens of Amazon boxes and Target bags.

I was chubby and plump, a right weary old elf,
And I laughed when I saw my face in the mirror, in spite of myself!
A blink of my eyes and a nod of my head,
Soon let me know I must go to bed.

I spoke not a word, but continued my work,
And wrapped a few more presents, then turned with a jerk.
I brushed my teeth, surveyed the many piles,
And decided that the rest could wait a little while!

I turned off the light and crawled into my bed,
While visions of to do lists whirled through my head.
As I rolled over to sleep, I let out a small sigh,
Trying not to think of all left to do with a cry.

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve, and there's still so much to do before the fun...

 As I remember once again, a mother's work is never done.

Merry Christmas!

He's Back...

I am still around. I have blogged a little but they have involved pictures so those posts have been on the family blog.

Anywho...

I really need to stay off Facebook. I do.  I enjoy so many things about it but I also end up feeling "beat down" after reading some of the posts.  Especially posts that call into question family traditions.

So I am going to lay it all out there.

Santa does come to our house.  He does.  And he brings gifts. 

I know the reason for the season. So do my kids. 

I don't feel like I am any less of a Christian because of jolly St. Nick.

I grew up with Santa and so far haven't been tainted for life.  I know I am only 42, but surely there would be some sign by now?

And yes, I sometimes say "Happy Holidays".

Again, I am not trying to take the "Christ" out of Christmas.

It just seems to cover all the holidays from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day.

And yes, we have one of those "creepy" elves at our house.  For us, it is a fun tradition started two Christmas seasons ago.  Every morning my kids get up and go on a Buddy hunt.  Where is he today?  What is he up to?

There, confession over.

Now I am going to move on. To a post about the creepy elf who hangs out at our house for most of December.

On December 1, the kids woke up and found our dear old elf friend hanging out in the bathroom...They were quite excited he was back.  I wasn't as excited that he used lipstick to write on the mirror but I guess that was better than permanent marker...

 On December 2, Buddy was spotted snacking on our pumpkin cake.  Thankfully he didn't find the caramel sauce in the fridge. That would have been a tragedy.  Or a travesty.  Or something.

 December 3.  Taking "Copper" the dog statue for a walk.  I think Marley was a little jealous of that one.

 December 5, hanging out with the scarecrows.  Yes, we were finally getting fall/autumn decorations put away. :) 

 December 6.  We found our budding photographer posing some of our Santas and snapping a picture or two with MY camera. Unfortunately, that was the big snow day so I had to confiscate the camera later to get my own pictures. 

 Well, not bad for a first time photo session...

 December 7, that tricky elf. He didn't move in the night like he usually does.  But he fooled the kids. When they finished up their breakfast, they found him under the tree with a Christmas movie.  Perfect for watching on a snowy day!

 December 8.  This one took us a while to find. Buddy was hanging out in the toyroom by the copier/printer.  He also used quite a bit of ink making a copy of himself.  I hope that elf told Santa to bring me some ink cartridges!

 December 9, Smores!  We had smores earlier that night. Apparently we didn't clean up well. So Buddy decided to make one for himself. Thankfully he is a smart elf and didn't leave a candle lit all night long...

 December 10. We thought Buddy had disappeared. We couldn't find him anywhere. So what a shock to get our morning milk and find this!  I heard squeals and shocked screams every time the kids got a glass that day...

 Finally, today, December 11.  Apparently Buddy is treating himself to some mini doughnuts.  Too bad he didn't leave any for us to have!

We just never know what we will find when we wake up each day...

Happy Holidays!  (And Merry Christmas to you!)

Reba

The Reason for the Season

So many things to say, so little time.

I feel SOOOOO behind in Bloggerland.

Part of me hears the word "failure" over and over in my mind.

But honestly, I am not just lollygagging.

Every moment of the month has been filled.

Filled with appointments.  School.  End of the semester assessments.  Homework (for the kids).  Meals.  Christmas parties.  A child's birthday.  Wrapping books.  Buying gifts.  Writing out cards (actually, still working on that one :).  Cleaning the house.  Remodeling the toyroom.  Gifts for teachers.  Gifts for students.  Gifts for students to give to their parents.  Special holiday treats.  Making Christmas cookies for Santa. Driving around to look at lights.

I have gone to bed after 1 most days the last two weeks. 

I wake up exhausted.

I am exhausted.

I find myself prioritizing...what has to be done.

That is why as much as I love Christmas cards, they are going out late (though I had them printed early).

They are important but not top priority.

The one positive is that we aren't celebrating Christmas for another few days with my family.

So I haven't had to wrap everything. Yet. :)

And it has been good.

It really has.

I have lots of pics to share.

But that isn't what the post is about.

This is about one little baby.

The reason for the season.

I know, I know. That saying is posted on cards and signs and uttered often this time of year.

But how often do we really stop to think about it?

Last night we attended our church candelight service.

I will admit, when our pastor started those a few years ago, I balked.

Christmas is a time to be home.

A time to be with family at home.

This service was going to interfere.

I mean, I can worship at home.

But Hubs insisted we go.

And it was beautiful.  A beautiful time to worship.  With my family.

So we have gone every year since.

The last couple of years I have put baked potato soup in the crockpot so it was hot and ready when we came home.

Then my parents have joined us for dinner and to watch the kids open up presents from us and their "secret Santa sibling".  (We do family gifts Christmas Eve, Santa gifts Christmas morning)

I have actually come to treasure that candelight service.

It forces me to be still.

I can't worry about sending out Christmas cards, getting gifts wrapped,  making all of the good "holiday" foods. 

All I can do is be still.

Be still and know He is God.

It is in that quiet sanctuary, candles aglow, singing Silent Night, that brings tears to my eyes every year.

I love the time with family.  The gifts (both giving and receiving...I won't lie :).  The food.  The giving nature of the world around us.

But those are NOT the reason for the season.

The reason for the season is Jesus.

It is a God who loves me in spite of all I am.  Even with my many shortcomings.  My prideful heart. My selfish nature. My deeply rooted humanity.  He loves me for all of the things I am in spite of what I am not (patient, always sweet spirited, joyful in all things).

He loved me so much that He sent a little baby to earth for the sole purpose of later dying so I, in all my imperfectness, could have eternal life.

And when I take time to really think about that, it is overwhelming to me.

I am loved.  Unconditionally.

I am worthy even when I don't feel like it.

I am treasured, even when the world throws stones my way.

That is the reason for the season.  The reason I celebrate. 

Merry Christmas to you!

Reba

Buddy Da Elf

As you may recall, the last time I wrote, Buddy was sitting in the exact same spot on Sunday morning that he had been on Saturday morning. A BIG no-no in Elf World. All I can say is that he must have been one tired elf. But apparently he wasn't completely slothful. He brought a movie along with him...How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  By the way, Buddy has good taste. It is the original cartoon version. :)  We got to watch it that night with shakes and popcorn for dinner.

The next day was Child 1's birthday.  Buddy was apparently celebrating in his own way by hanging from the candy cane which gets moved from day to day on our Christmas calendar...

On Tuesday (the 11th), Buddy apparently wanted a birds eye view. He propped himself up on top of the tree, holding onto the star for dear life.

On Wednesday (the 12th), Buddy seemed to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas as he held the baby Jesus in his arms.

On Thursday, Buddy apparently got a little tied up. Or rather tangled up.  In the dining room blinds. This caused hysterical laughing when we came home later that day and the youngest child couldn't help but blurt out, "I can see Buddy's bottom!" (through the window).  Gotta love kids. :)

On Friday morning, Buddy was found on top of the breakfast table (though we rarely eat breakfast there anymore), cutting out snowflakes. I guess he was in the mood for some winter weather.

Then Saturday, Buddy was caught red-handed.  He was hanging out in the pantry, eating Daddy's almonds.  Ask any of my kids. They can tell you. That is a BIG no no in our house.  Daddy's almonds are for him, NOBODY else. :)

Apparently Buddy was a hungry elf.  The almonds didn't fill him up.  On Sunday (the 16th), we discovered that Buddy had changed the weekly menu. You can't really read it but every day reads "syrup" for the dinner for that day.  He even added "syrup" to our grocery list on the fridge. 

What a crazy elf. :)

More soon,
Reba