Life...and death

Today I learned that a childhood friend died this morning. She was 37 years old, just like me. She had daughters, just like me. She was a wife, mom, sister, daughter...just like me. Her name was Angie and she was my cousin Debbie's best friend forever.

Debbie & I were born 4 days apart. Angie was Debbie's neighbor, lived just around the corner. If I wasn't at home when I was a kid, I was at my cousin Debbie's house. We often wandered down the street to Angie's house...to "play" when we were little and then to "hang out" when we were older. Angie was hilarious. She could make you laugh & laugh, until you thought you might pee your pants!!! She was hilarious. I loved hanging out with her & Debbie. They were like peanut butter & jelly together. That's what I remember from being a kid, how they were always together. I can't imagine losing a lifelong friend, the depths of grief.

Just this week I was teasing my cousin Debbie on facebook. Angie & I had commented back & forth. I sent her a friend request and she accepted. :)

I pray for her husband, daughters, sisters, family, & her best friend Debbie. May you all be comforted by God's love and peace during the dark days ahead. I love you, Debbie, and I am so sorry for your deep loss. May you rest in peace, Angie.

Merry CHRISTmas!! :)

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior- yes, the Messiah, the Lord- has been born tonight in Bethelehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!'

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others- the armies of heaven- praising God: 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.'" (Luke 2:6-14, NLT, italics added)

There is nothing better on earth than this story to blog about today, or really any day. "Don't be afraid!" Far too often I struggle in fear over the big and little things of life. Children's health, moving on after death, loneliness, failures, finances...getting homework done, clean kids, clean house, job-work done, home stuff done, too much to get done!

But yet God says, "Don't be afraid!!" The angel proclaims, I bring you GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY for EVERYONE! Everyone includes me,...not EXcludes me. There is no reason to fear, or worry, or be anxious for anything. Because God has come, Immanuel, Jesus in the flesh , born as a human baby to come for me and EveryOne!

Worry be gone, and be replaced with joy in my heart on this blessed Christmas. We are here, we are together. God has blessed us abundantly with salvation in Christ. Amen & Merry Christmas!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you are enjoying a happy thanksgiving day with your family & friends. Sitting my the fireplace, listening to football game on TV and my girls arguing upstairs :( (ahhh....). Fireplace started, Thanksgiving & pumpkin decorations piled up ready to be packed up. 2 girls begging me to decorate the new Christmas tree their Daddy bought. 9 feet tall with white lights, it is gorgeous but bare. So much to do but I am tired...and so much on my mind.

Sometimes the lists and random tasks floating around in my mind can be overwhelming. I don't know where to start and am sad to admit, end up doing nothing! Grr...

B4 we can begin Christmas, we must put away Thanksgiving. So down to the basement to retrieve the orange Rubbermaid totes and say good-bye to the pumpkins. Would like to linger longer and reflect on my thankful list...would also like to take a nap after stuffing myself with delicious food today. Had a great dinner at my sister's house with her in-laws family, my brother, and my grandma.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever..." [cue music :)]

Hey stranger

(me & my sweet Katey, taken July 09 at Reed family reunion)

Wow, I am the world's worst blogger. I haven't written a darn thing since June! Yikes. I have no idea if anyone is even out there reading or if anyone really cares that I haven't written for 4 months. Life has a way of just passing by so quickly. I have no good reason for not writing...but sorry (if anyone is out there!! :). Except maybe trying to come up with something important to say.

Loving this 3-day weekend... I am so much more productive knowing I have an extra day. Lots of laundry done, playing with my kids, trip to the library, church, DD #1 had 2 sleepovers, DD #2 fighting a cough & she's winning, oh & a Miley Cyrus concert to top it all off.

Also trying to wrap up 2 incomplete post-graduate courses I started last winter. The first class is proving more difficult, Helping students to become self-directed learners. Tough class!! No wonder I put off finishing it for so long. Finished 2 more lessons over the weekend, only 2 lessons left and the big paper! The second class I had started in the spring was soooooo much easier & more practical, The High-Performing Teacher. Very practical with strategies to prevent teacher burnout. After 15 years of teaching special education I was soooo ready for these strategies. Loved the class & finished it!!! Whoo-hoo!!! :) Go me!

Sweet little girl is calling my name, need to get her in bed...thinking of lots more to say, like I met Ali Vincent (biggest loser season 5) last week near home!!! She was awesome, great message, inspring story. Got my first autograph & picture with her, too! Will have to post those later this week.

Maybe I do have stuff to say after all. If you're out there, thanks!!