Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, I don't know where to put thee

I had a real hard time trying to fit our Christmas tree into our living room. No matter how I arranged the furniture in the living room there was not a good place for the tree. Then I thought about removing some of the furniture to make a place for the tree. I couldn't get rid of the couch or love seat because they were needed for seating, Bert's favorite chair - definitely a no. Lamps were needed, entertainment center - well that would not go over real well. I wasn't willing to get rid of any of the comforts to make room for the tree. Then God showed me that my living room was like my heart and the Christmas tree represented Jesus and time with Him. The furniture represented all the things in my life. Were there things in my life that no matter how I moved them around there was only a small place for Jesus or no room at all. Did I need to remove some of these things in order to make room for Jesus? Was I willing to give up some of these things in order to make Jesus a priority or was I making excuses for why I thought I needed to keep these comfortable things part of my life.
Now there was no solution to the tree problem, (except I bought a smaller tree) but I can do something about making God more of a priority in my life without making excuses for not putting Him first.

HAPPY __TH BIRTHDAY JAMIE

December 7, 19__ in Mobile, Alabama (noticed how I omitted the date)
The day my parents brought my sister home from the hospital my Dad bought me a puppy, (much to my Mom's disapproval). I guess they thought I might not like all the attention that the new member of the family would be getting. There is ten years between my sister and I, so we were raised very differently. The stinker never got a spanking and she got away with more stuff.
When she was three she wandered away from the family at the beach. There was a couple of minutes where everyone was looking frantically for her. There she was on the boardwalk, in her Miss America bathing suit, waving at us.
She is very southern and spells the same way, southern. (sister joke) She has a laugh that makes me smile.
She is the mother of two wonderful children, Jessica (born on my birthday) and Jacob. She has home schooled them since they were little.
She is an example of God's love and has a serving spirit. I can count on her to lift me up using God's word and sometimes even a swift kick. She is a blessing.
I regret all the wasted years we were apart, but I am blessed to have her in my life......my friend, my sister.
Love you, Sis
P.S. This is the only time I will pull for the Gators! I hope the announcer reads the scripture right this time. Beat Bama!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby Jamie Cowgirl JamieKindergartenSchool Days

Graduation

The Bride

Sisters and friends................

I am blessed........

I am thankful for the beautiful sunsets here in Arizona, the rainbows that we see once or twice a year, the smell of the rain (you have to be quick).
I am thankful for hummingbirds that visit my back yard. I am thankful for food especially chocolate milkshakes, dunkin donuts and pepsi. Thankful for air conditioning that we use 9 months of the year.
I am thankful for my Godly husband and best friend of 35 years.
I am thankful for the 3 children that God allowed me to be a mother to. I am thankful they have all asked God into their lives.
I am thankful for the 2 christian daughters my sons have chosen and what a blessing they are.
I am thankful for the little arms that reach around my neck and make me feel loved.
I am thankful for the 5 smiles that can melt this Grandma's heart and hearing the sweet sound of "thank you Grandma".
I am thankful for my sister and friend who I have really missed. I am thankful for the encouragement and comfort that she has been to me this past year.
I am thankful for my aunt and uncle who are living examples of God's love.
I am thankful for my home that has served as a resting place to many adopted daughters.
I am thankful for God's word and living in a country where I can freely read the Bible and worship.
I am thankful for a God who loves me unconditionally, forgives me when I stumble and comforts me through tough times.
I am thankful for the promise that whatever I go through in 2010, I am not alone.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING