The reason...

Luke 2:1-19

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Lord, please let me never forget.. let me not get so wrapped up in commercialism and the gifts and forget that it's about You, Jesus, not me. Today, above all else, I want to glorify You. Thank You for giving me the greatest gift I could ever receive... You. Happy birthday Jesus.

Green with Green Grass Envy

Isn’t it funny how we are never satisfied? When we are young, we want to be older. When we are single, we want to be married. When we are in school, we want to have a job. The grass always looks just a little bit greener on the other side. If I could just… reach… I’d be SO much happier! Yet, when we get there? Behold! Problems! Who would have GUESSED?

Paul states, “for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

I love the line “I have learned the secret to being content in ANY and EVERY situation.” Webster’s defines contented as “feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.” Imagine that. Being satisfied with what we have (not what our neighbor has), with where we are (not where we think we should be)...

Listening to the iPod at work and the song “The Other Side of the Fence” by Jonny Lang played. I guess you could say that it got me to thinking. :)

“The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence
But the dog over there might be meaner on the other side of the fence
The car in the driveway looks longer on the other side of the street,
Does anything ever go wrong there on the other side of the fence?

Stay in your own yard
Play in your own yard
Be happy in your own yard
Cause everything that glitters really ain't gold

The future always looks brighter on the other side of the tracks
Everybody wants to go over but they don't want to come back
They live like Kings and Queens on their side of the town
They're gonna have to make room for me there on their side of the town

Jealousy's a cold thing, it's ice water in your veins
All it brings is bitterness and pain
Everything that glitters really ain't gold

Instead of worrying about what you are not, gotta make the most with what you got
Instead of keeping up with Mr. Jones, better look out for your own

Stay in your own yard
Play in your own yard
Be happy in your own yard
Cause everything that glitters really aint gold”

Silly Questions

Because I'm tired and fighting sleep... Enjoy...

What is your favorite quotable line from a movie?
"but I love the cookie"

Who is the most famous person you have spoken to?
Umm - Sis Bobbie Shoemake? :)

How many bags/boxes of potato chips are consumed at your place in a month?
less than a bag.. depends on if Donnie is in a sammy and chips kind of a mood.

Who is your all time favorite cartoon character?
HAMMY!!!

What foreign food dish do you prepare from scratch and serve?
I make some pretty good salsa verde chicken enchiladas. Is that foreign enough?

What is your favorite section of the supermarket?
I love to the cheese aisle at Central Market. I could spend hours in that one little section!

What was your high school teams mascot and what were the school's colors?
In Chickasha our colors were purple and gold, and we were the fighting chicks! Scary, no? At South Grand Prairie our colors were red and gold, and we were the WARRIORS! Much scarier. :)

Thanksgiving and Puppy Love

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. One of which - I have a new puppy! Donnie and I have gone back and forth about whether or not to get a dog for a while now. A coworker of mine happened to have eight puppies he was giving away on Monday, so Donnie decided to go ahead!



Her name is Lady, she will be seven weeks tomorrow, and she is a lab/pointer/dalmation mix. She's been great so far. Donnie and I haven't gotten very much sleep the last couple of nights - but she's worth it! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Food for thought

I am one who loves to be in control. For those who know me well, Shush. :)

Seriously, I do like to have some control in my life. Even if I am a bystander, I like to know what is going to happen, what the plan is. It rolls over in to every aspect of my life in some form or fashion. I will read the last chapter in a book if I can't tell which way it will end, often skimming when I get nervous about the direction it is headed. If watching a movie, when the plot is not predicatable (at least to me) I will get nervous and feel like I have to leave the room. My alarm clock is set 10 minutes ahead - just to get an idea of where I will be in about that time. Sad, isn't it??

I stumbled upon this link (i used to hate to be confused) on a website. I knew had to read it after skimming the title.

Know you may wonder what control and confusion have in common. (I know - you've probably already figured this out - but work with me) I do NOT like being confused. When I am confused, I feel as though I have lost all control and am left vulnerable. I don't really do vulnerable well. However, it is only in that vulnerability and weakness that God is glorified!

Psalms 18:30-32 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."

He is perfect. I am not. A reminder I need daily.

Silly Quizzes

I know, I know... not another post about a quiz I took and the results. What can I say? I am almost addicted to them. I like to take them and see if they even come close. This one? Fairly close! :)

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear
• * Listen to me carefully
• * Don't judge me for my anxiety
• * Work things through with me
• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us
• * Laugh and make jokes with me
• * Gently push me toward new experiences
• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends
• * being responsible and hardworking
• * being compassionate toward others
• * having intellect and wit
• * being a nonconformist
• * confronting danger bravely
• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt
• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Getting Ready for Omaha!

I'm so excited! I found my formal(ish) outfit for Omaha! Almost a month early! Who knew that could happen? I went to the mall with the sister and the cousin this morning and found a skirt to match the jacket I already bought AND a pair of shoes!!

That's all I have for now. I'm at my mom's and the keyboard - eees not so good! Off to have sushi - HOPEFULLY!!!