Twas the week before Christmas at the barnyard and beyond…

Our tribe was all a scurry from

Boy Scout awards

to the Barnyard to sing

germs and sickness all around

the community full of worry

“The show must go on” rang crystal clear

Said the family, “We must spread Christmas cheer”

Christmas parties

to see Santa and the lights with the family

(the week felt a lot like these pictures -BLURRY!)

back to our farm chores,

trim the rooster spurs

pedicure for all

pitch em’ some hay if they’re furry

“Come on! we’ve got to hurry!”

When the Cowboy spoke up in his calm, wise witty way,

“hey babe, we can not be at all of the places for all of the people”

When what to my wandering heart did appear but the reason for the season once again all so clear……

it happened so fast

one minute we were on track ..with our hearts turned toward heaven focused on the reason for the Christmas season

—> JESUS

and the next we’re running around like chickens with our heads cut off, caught up in the hustle of the season

irritable, tired and mean.

so friend, how ya’ holdin’ up?

Are you as “prone to wander” as I am?

The Cowboy is the voice of reason around here (thank you Lord)…he is the one who reminds me

we can not do it all

He’s right ya’ know?

We must be wise with our yeses and even more discerning with our no’s

as we approach the beginning of a new year may we choose carefully how we will give of our resources and more importantly of ourselves.

This morning during a quick exchange with a dear friend I shared how desperately

I want to be PRESENT in the PRESENT

(particularly this next week)

Don’t you?

To be intentional

Savoring the moments, the people, the conversations, the food

Not so focused on the next thing that I miss where I am

We can my dear weary friends, we can! And we will!

By His grace we can choose joy and be at peace even when we are really busy

I’m rootin’ for you!–> better yet

I’m praying for each of you who visit here. I’ve ask God to keep His hand upon you this week as you focus on Him. I’ve asked Him to bless each of you as only He can. May you sense His presence and know that the Prince of Peace reigns. Oh come let us adore him…Amen

Encourage ONE person this week with the GOOD NEWS of Jesus.

Remember :

“To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.” -Dr. Suess

Merry Christmas

Love and appreciate y’all so very much

My heart and mind were playing tug o’ war as I left to go pick up sister banker’s school kids.

The cowboy and the rascals left the yard sale for home, or so I thought…

Had I made the best decision? Is one more excavator or backhoe or tractor really THAT big of a deal? It was in mint condition. THAT’s the kind of toys I want him to have. They last.

No. You made the best decision. The lesson, if you don’t have the money, you do without until you do. Stop second-guessing yourself. Not getting THAT toy will give him time to think and reflect on ALL that he does have

You get the idea, right?

I wrestled, back and forth, as I waited for the bus.

The bus finally arrived; I delivered sister’s kids safely home and rushed home to get ready for my date with the cowboy.

As I pulled into the driveway I saw the screen door sling open to a WIDE EYED-SMILING-EAR-TO-EAR BOY holding a BRAND-NEW-DIE-CAST-BACKHOE-STILL-IN-THE-BOX.

Remain calm. I told my sticky from the humidity, mentally exhausted, given it my darndest to teach the stinkin’ life lesson self as I prepared to exit the car. Remain calm. Don’t snap. My face must have said what the trapped words on the other side of my lips couldn’t.

As the WIDE EYED-SMILING-EAR-TO-EAR BOY began to wilt, the cowboy appeared.

My eyes must have whispered (subtly-I’m sure. not.) as he followed me past the smiling boy with no money to the backside of the house.

Stay calm. c-a-l-m.

“Did you buy that toy for him?”

“Yes, why?”

“Did our son, by chance mention our all-the-live-long-HOT-HUMID day-conversation??? About how if you don’t have the money to buy something- you don’t get it????”

“No, he didn’t.”

“Okay, well I’m trying not to snap but I really want to snap because all-the-live-long-HOT-HUMID day-I have been talking our little boys through the life lesson of if you don’t have the money then you don’t get the treasure only to come home to find the said treasure in the hands of the little boy with no money!……… Please help me not to snap. I know you didn’t know but now you do-so.help.me.not.to.snap.”

“Okay, I’ll handle it from here,” was the cowboy’s calm, confident reply.

I stayed at the back of the house until I heard the front screen door close. I could see them walking and talking on their way to the barn.

I talked myself down from snapping as I readied for our date.

After the barn chores were complete, both boys and the cowboy came back inside and informed me that the still-in-the-box-backhoe would belong to the cowboy until the boy with no money could pay for the said treasure..

Problem solved.

Over the last week, the boy with no money has been eager to help around the farm. He’s been busy: cutting weeds, working in the garden & taking out the trash- working hard to pay for his treasure that awaits him.

So this year, we’re taking more than a few used but new-to-us treasures home from the world’s longest yard sale. We’re taking home and reflecting upon the importance of:

>Hard work pays

>Communication between daddy and momma is essential

>Saying no to some good things so you’ll be able to afford the GREAT things

PS. If you are a parenting-pro and already have these things mastered, can I come live with you?

love y’all

J k

PSS- This particular life lesson is one I still wrestle with personally. I have been open to share my impulsive mistakes with our boys and others in hopes that they will not have to suffer the consequences of overspending as I have. It’s a hole that takes a LONG time to dig out of …

PSSS- What’s been the hardest lesson(s) for you to learn?

twas the week before Christmas + some Cowboy wisdom