Christmas Ponderings

Merry Christmas from the Brown's!

Taylor, Collin, Kristen & Rick
Christmas 2011

It's been a while since I've updated this site. Over the past couple of months I've had a few comments about my silence on this page. Frankly, it surprised me that anyone checks it for new updates... and it made me feel good!

Time sure does get away from us, doesn't it? We've been incredibly busy over the last 12 months, and I have neglected writing. Perhaps I'll make that one of my New Year's Resolutions for 2012...to make the time to enjoy writing. Wait, I forgot.  I don't set New Year's Resolutions -  I have a strict policy against those pesky little promises to self that always leave me feeling like a loser.

Oh, speaking of New Year's Resolutions, here's something for my dad. 

He loves Calvin & Hobbes.





2011 has been packed full of fun highlights. God has blessed us and without a doubt, I credit HIM for all of it. My sometimes melancholy nature steps up and I wonder why we've escaped tragedy this past year when so many of our friends and acquaintances have experienced dark days. Fairness certainly doesn't show up in real-life scenarios.  I'm reminded of a scripture that my Grandad lived by, and as such, left as part of his legacy.

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Luke 12:48

This makes me think about the way God helps those who are hurting. Those of us who have able resources, even just a little bit, must step up to the plate. We are the way God is going to help our neighbor, our friend in the next town, a child in another country. No one summed this concept up any better than Rich Stearns in his book "The Hole in Our Gospel."

If you are looking for a (non)New Year's Resolution, I highly recommend reading this book.

In thinking about my past year, I see learning moments scattered about.  Places I've been and things I've seen and heard. And up close, I can't see anything except the emotions of those moments. I see the thrill, the sadness, the boredom, the frustration, the elation. Words from a Sunday School teacher,  themes from the books I read. People I admired have been doing for others, ahead of themselves. Stories of love, inspiration, and remembrance shared at the funerals I've attended.

All these moments have been colliding together in a kaleidoscope of lessons over the year. I've been seeing the blurry colors and shifting patterns of those moments. And yes, it's been beautiful. But now it's coming into focus for me. There has been a common theme that God seems to have been teaching me.

Intentional living.

Something I've lacked. Something I've admired in others. Something I'd like to have more of.

You know what I'm talking about. How many times do we see someone in need and have a GREAT idea to help them out. But then the moment passes and we get busy with the other things that we need to do. Tasks at work, laundry at home, even responsibilities at church. Well, you've probably already learned this lesson. But for me, I'm just now seeing it.

I'm never at a loss of ideas. When I know of someone in need, the thoughts of how I might help literally pour out of my conscience. But then they never get acted upon because I'm just not INTENTIONAL. 

Being intentional about following through could make a huge difference in the world. Who do I think GAVE me that thought of how I could help out? Could it be God? I pray and ask God to help someone in need...a thought comes to my mind of something I could do... and then SPLAT! I let it drop. Because I'm not intentional.

Back to the scripture that Granddad lived - I've been given SO much.  I've been entrusted with SO much. This season of my life has been blessed. What do I think God expects of me in return? The kaleidoscope journey of the last year comes into focus and I know the answer.

I will live the answer.

With God's help, I will become more intentional with others. I will follow through with the actions that I know could make a difference.

Holy Moly, that sounds like a New Year's Resolution.  Nooooo, it can't be! Because as Calvin says in the cartoon above "I'm perfect the way I am!"



All Aboard the Candyville Express

Another of my favorite ornaments is from Hallmark, early 1980's.

It's called the Candyville Express.

Remembering back to those days, as a young child I always felt giddy with this ornament. It looked like candy, and the sparkles on it were somehow magical.

I even remember licking this ornament once just to see if it tasted good.... notice I said "just once."  Behind it in the picture is the famed candy garland... I LOVE the candy garland.

Here is the much deserved close-up.

How on earth mother allowed me to have the candy garland is beyond me. She should have kept it for their tree, but I'm not complaining! This has ALWAYS been on my Christmas tree, growing up until now. I can't fathom a tree without it.

And another favorite ornament!

Here is an ornament with a picture of Taylor as a baby. I love this ornament - he's so cute!  Taylor didn't come into my life until a little over 7 years ago, when he was 12.  I cherish this ornament because it's one of the only pieces I have of him as a baby.

Today, we celebrate Dad's birthday. Craig drove down from Dallas and we ate a delicious homemade meal. Uncle Lee even joined us! 

In searching for an appropriate picture of Dad to post, I found the one below. It is a picture of the Bess family from about 10 years ago... In it, we are re-creating the 1974 family portrait that mother holds in her hand. If you click on the picture, it will bring up a larger copy.

And here is the picture of our family today:

Ducks and wrestling?

Another favorite Christmas ornament, compliments of my talented husband! I love it that he cross-stiched this ornament (1991), proving once again that I married someone who can do ANYTHING!

And below is another picture in the continuing saga at the Brown household...For as long as I've been in their life (since 2002) the boys and their dad have arm wrestled, leg wrestled, body slammed, etc.  Rick has always, always been top dog.

I can't divulge who won this round, but maybe you can figure it out!

Rumor has it there is a youtube video out there of this event, but I'm sure I don't know where it is!

My favorite ornament, Cowboy Group, and tennis

Here is a picture of my favorite Christmas tree ornament. Mother hand-made this little gingerbread man in 1972, and it has always hung on our tree. A few years ago, she let me pick some of my favorite ornaments from the family tree and place them on the Brown family tree. This was the first one I chose.

I've got pictures of some of my other favorite ornaments and will share them over the next couple of weeks. Last year, a friend of mine posted a picture every day in December of a different ornament on their tree. I'm partially borrowing that idea here (thanks, Chris!) EXCEPT, I know I won't be posting every day. I'm just not that disciplined.

And speaking of friends, the Cowboy Group celebrated Christmas together last night. We enjoyed a savory steak dinner at the Club, and then a fun gift exchange. Here is our group picture for the year.

2009 Christmas picture. Love this group of friends! Love, love, love them!

And just for fun, below is the picture from last year's Christmas party. Tiffany was pregnant, very pregnant, in the picture and you can see the product of that in the picture (above) from this year. Funny thing... she's pregnant again this Christmas. Just not showing like she was last year. Congrats, Tiff!

2008 Christmas picture (with funny faces)

Ok... We are heading out to spend the night in Dallas tonight. Collin is playing at 8am in a tennis tournament, and thanks to mom's rewards points, we'll not have to drive from Athens EARLY in the morning. (Thanks mom...)  Really looking forward to watching Collin play tomorrow. He's really great!

Christmas wrap-up

Well, I haven't posted in a few days... so here is a quick summary of our events over Christmas. Last Friday, the Bess Christmas gathering commenced. Added to our traditional taquito dinner, egg toss and balderdash game was a physical contest that quickly developed into a show and tell of stupid human tricks. Below, Mom takes on Rick for an arm wrestle. And here, the men are challenged by Taylor to an endurance test called the "electric chair." Rick won the Balderdash game and with the winning title comes the choice to designate the "cash winnings" of $200. Rick selected Randy, Craig's friend, to receive the gift. Randy just got a job (see my Miracle posting below) and will be getting his own apartment soon. We hope the cash can help Randy get back on his feet. The following day, Saturday, the Bush/Bess gathering took place at Mom and Dad's house. Wonderful food and fun conversation ruled the day as we enjoyed family. In the picture below are the Bush/Bess women. Unfortunately, Yulia and Yana had already left so they are not pictured.

Tuesday (23rd) brought our celebration with Taylor and Collin. We went to eat in Dallas at Roadhouse, and gave them their gift. My picture didn't turn out... so I can't post that. But we had a great time together. We have significantly scaled down our Christmas "gift giving" with the Boys, and I think they understand and appreciate that Christmas is not our birthday. We were able to give them each a simple gift, and focus more on giving to people who have tangible physical needs. We enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner with my parents and Rick's mom and Billy. Then we headed to the carols and candlelight service at our church. I was proud to have them with us that evening. Rick and I went back to help out at the 11pm service as well, and were excited to see a friend our ours that works at our favorite restaurant. He brought his entire family, and I hope that they were inspired and blessed. We awoke on Christmas morning and joined in the preparation of Christmas meals for Meals on Wheels recipients. Typically, they would not receive a meal on Christmas Day, so volunteers joined in to cook and deliver the meals. Rick and I LOVED doing this, and enjoyed delivering them. For some of the people, we were the only ones they saw on Christmas Day.

Pictured below is our assembly line for the meals. After pondering our busy past week of Christmas celebrations, there were a few moments that really rose to the top. 1. Designating the Balderdash cash winnings to be used to help Randy. 2. Turning in our Christmas offering on Christmas Eve for the House of Hope. We have worked hard at changing our lifestyle this Christmas so we could give to this. 3. Participating in the meal delivery on Christmas Day for Meals on Wheels. 4. Enjoying the gift of family-time throughout the week.

It's Christmas Light Time

It's time for Christmas Lights at the Brown House. Actually, it's about a week later than we usually put them up, but the weather has been too uncooperative until today. It's beautiful outside!

I was summoned outside earlier to take a photo of the action, but what I found was Collin doing a yoga pose over the front door! (see picture below) I was mortified at the danger, but then I chuckled. Figured I might as well take a picture before I yell at him to stop! Tonight we're heading to Carolyn and Craig's apartment in Downtown Dallas. A friendly match of Mexican Train has been suggested. Also, the Dallas Mavs play tonight on cable, and since we don't have cable at home... Craig's place will be perfect. It's within walking distance of the AAC - a shame we aren't going to the game in person.

Our dear mother has agreed to provide the chicken spaghetti for dinner tonight - even though the parentals are not actually attending the party. See our pseudo-invitation to her below:

Dearest Mother... It would be our pleasure to request the presence of your "love" to dine with your descendents on the evening of the 6th, and in the 12th month of the year of our Lord 2008. Your love may be manifested in the most superlative of ways... namely, grub. We offer you the choice of expressions, reminding thee of such necessary transportation in the delivery. The favour of your reply is requested.

Sweet of her to send dinner, don't you think?