Happy New Year

Wishing y'all a blessed and safe new year!!!

Where Did Christmas Go?

This year especially, I have noticed that a lot of people are so quick to "get over" Christmas. Decorations are already down, presents are put away, people start saying "Happy New Year" instead of "Merry Christmas" (or the dreaded "Happy Holidays"). Why does Christmas have to be over so soon? Is that the child in me, or is it something more?

I traditionally like to leave our Christmas decorations up until Epiphany, or as we called it growing up "Russian Christmas." (I'm going for a record number of quotations, "give me a break!") Epiphany is January 6th, so I'm not ready for Christmas to be over yet! I want to linger, remember, enjoy.

But not only linger over the presents (as my Sister would accuse me of being all about the presents), but linger over the Christ Child, come to be our Savior. I know a lot of people use the weeks of Advent to contemplate this holy mystery, but I want to hang out at the manger, imagine what it was like for Mary, for Joseph, and the others who had the rare gift of being present at the first Christmas. (Which likely was in spring, but that's another post!)

I know that wanting to hang on to Christmas isn't because Christmas has always been warm and fuzzy. Growing up, our favorite Aunt died unexpectedly at Christmas, leaving a husband, toddler and newborn, and the rest of our family, in stunned grief. For Hubby and me, our first daughter was stillborn just before Christmas. So it's not about the warm and fuzzy feelings that Christmas brings.

I want to reflect on the "normalcy" of life. That life goes on, whether you are celebrating the birth of a new baby, or grieving the loss of a loved one. Life goes on. Sometimes too quickly. I will be celebrating Christmas just a little bit longer. I'm not ready for Christmas to be over.

Thankful Thursday - Wedded Bliss

Five years ago today, I married my soulmate, my partner, the one that God chose for me before I was born. I am so thankful for these past five years!

Hubby and I met on a Christian singles website almost 6 years ago. After a miserable and lonely Christmas, I decided to try the on-line dating thing. Hubby was one of the first guys to read my profile and e-mail me. We chatted via e-mail for 6 weeks, then he suggested we talk on the phone sometime. Our first conversation was just after Valentine's Day, and we talked for 2 1/2 hours! By the next week, we were talking every single day for at least 2 hours. I knew he was the one for me before we ever met face to face.

Six weeks after we started talking on the phone, we met in person. He drove about 8 hours, and I drove about 7 hours (we were living about 15 hours apart) so that we could spend 3 days together. And it was a wonderful 3 days!

In the meantime, I found out my job was being down-sized, and Hubby had decided to start graduate school, so I soon was making plans to move to where he would be in school so we could be together.

There was no formal, romantic proposal. When I had found a full-time job, we sat down with the checkbook and put together a budget. We decided we could afford to get married. The wedding details were already planned out in my head, and I definitely wanted a Christmas wedding (the church is already decorated!), so twelve weeks later, we were married.

It has been a wonderful 5 years, although it feels like we have been together much longer. In a good way, of course.

Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourselves in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." I am thankful that God has given me the desires of my heart - to be a wife and a mother. I am thankful that God loves me enough to have chosen the best husband possible for me. And I am thankful for each and every day that we have together. I love you, Sweetheart!

For more Thankful Thursdays, please visit Lynn.

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Today is my Sister's birthday! Happy Birthday, Sis! Here are some things that I love about you:

1. Your generosity. You are always willing to lend a hand, give of your time and talents, and help others over and beyond what is expected.

2. Your mad skillz in the kitchen. I admit it, you are a better cook/baker than I am. But you've also had more time to practice!

3. Your compassion. Has anyone kept track of your volunteer hours? I know you don't do it for pats on the back, but here's a pat for you. You ROCK!!!

4. You are the best aunt that Ladybug could ask for! I love it that you adore her the way you do. I look forward to the days when she can spend a week with you and all the stories that you two will be able to tell.

This is my favorite pic of you and Ladybug when she was an itty-bitty newborn.

Happy Birthday, Sister! I love you!

Merry Christmas

Wishing y'all a very Merry Christmas! I'll be back on the 26th for a very special post. Stay safe, and keep Jesus at the center of your celebrations. He is the Reason!

Thankful Thursday

There are two things that help me keep track of the days. If it weren't for these two things, I wouldn't remember what day of the week it is! One is church on Sunday morning. The other is Thankful Thursday! Sometimes the days just melt into one another. Ever have that feeling?

Today, I am thankful for:

1. Baby snuggles. I love holding Ladybug as she is drifting off to sleep, with her head nuzzled under my chin. What a wonderful feeling as she melts into my arms!

2. Snuggles from my Hubby.

3. God's provision. Sometimes it feels like the loaves and the fishes around here, and I am continually amazed at how God abundantly and sometimes miraculously provides for us!

4. The opportunity to slow down and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. The title of a song my Hubby co-wrote says it all: Merry Christmas, Jesus Saves!

So, Merry Christmas, y'all! Jesus Saves!

For more Thankful Thursdays, please visit Lynn.

Talking about Randomness on Tuesday

There is a lot to talk about this Tuesday. Bear with me if this post is a little random.


First, I participated in a bloggy ornament exchange hosted by Kathleen Marie at The Open Window. My exchange partner is Tiany at Less of Me - More of Him. When I received my partner assignment, I had just discovered Tiany's blog. She hosts Monday Meanderings. Here is the ornament that Tiany sent me. Thanks, Tiany!!




Technically, I am not the Queen Mother. That would be my mom, which means I am the Queen, and Ladybug is the Princess. Which of course she is. By the way, did you see the newest Ladybug pics yesterday? Go check them out. I'll wait...


On to other random things to share. Does anyone else love Red Velvet Cake? I grew up with it, from scratch, and I'm a Yankee. So when I moved to the South, I was excited to see that other people knew Red Velvet Cake. However, I soon discovered that what some people considered "Red Velvet Cake" was, umm, how do I say this, umm, not up to snuff. Well, I have my grandmother's recipe and I made it for a Christmas party this week. Oh. My. If y'all need a good recipe, it's posted on my recipe blog - On Pans and Kneadles.


Another random item, I love crafts, but I don't always have the patience for crafts. Plus I have a 6 1/2 month old baby, so I don't have large windows of time to dedicate to craftiness (except in the kitchen). But I decided to try my hand at making a grocery cart seat cover. It's a VERY easy pattern, and I love the fabric that I found - it has ladybugs!!! So here is Ladybug using the seat cover for the first time a few weeks ago.





One last item of randomness. One of my favorite mommy bloggers is the Fabulous Mrs. Fussypants. She's hil.ar.i.ous!! She is the mom of 4 with one on the way. She homeschools her kids, and she makes gorgeous custom jewelry. She held a caption contest last week, and I won. Yes, I did post a shameless plea for votes here on my blog, but I honestly thought I submitted the best caption. I can't wait to get my fabulous earrings!


So, I think that's all the random I have in me.


For more Talk about Tuesday posts, visit Lara at The Lazy Organizer.

Where's my Agent?

Is she a ham or what? Our one and only Ladybug!

Shameless Plea for Votes

Hey y'all!! Mrs. Fussypants is having a photo caption contest. The winner gets a pair of her handmade (gorgeous!) earrings!! Please go vote for my entry! (Yes, there are other great entries, but since you are my friend, please don't vote for them. Vote for me!!)

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday!! Here is my thankful list for this week:

1. I am thankful for my beautiful, healthy 6 month old daughter. She is learning something new every day, and she has the best personality! She giggles, smiles, and babbles constantly. She is such a joy!!

2. I am thankful that my Hubby got up at 4:30 this morning to feed the whiney Siamese. I love our feline, but for some reason, she thinks that breakfast is to be served at that hour. She will sit outside our bedroom door and whine, then if we don't respond, she'll rattle the door with her paw. I usually get up to feed her because I don't want her to wake the baby. Thanks, Hubby, for getting up so early this morning!!

3. I am thankful for friends. We have some wonderful friends, and we are so blessed! And I'm thankful for my friends who pray for me. (Thanks, Robyn!)

4. Mostly, I am thankful for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He fills me when I'm empty, gives me peace when I'm in turmoil, and gives me joy when I don't feel it!

For more Thankful Thursdays, please visit Laurel Wreath's Reflections.

40 Days with the Son - Day 28

This is a continuation of my reflections on Max Lucado's book 3:16. Please join Liza at 40 Days with the Son as we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ at Christmas.

Please click here for my previous posts for 40 Days with the Son.

Today's scripture: "The soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium.... And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head." Matthew 27: 27-29

Sin. It's that nasty word that we don't want to talk about. Even in Christian circles.

While I was in college, I worked part-time at a Christian radio station as a live-assist operator. (Fancy way of saying I got to live on air a few times an hour during the weekends.) During this time, Sandi Patty had an affair. Around the same time, a former member of the Gaither's (can't remember his name right now) also had an affair. Our station continued to play Sandi Patty's music, but not the other guy's. Listeners wrote and called in to ask why the station had a double standard when it came to Christian artists who had been caught in sin. I vividly remember the station manager's memo to employees on how to address callers with this question. The station continued to play Sandi Patty's music because she admitted that she had sinned and asked for forgiveness, not only from the Lord, but from her fans. The other guy only said that he "made a mistake."

In my book, admitting that you "made a mistake" is not the same as admitting that you sinned. Romans 3 tells us: "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard" (v.23). Everyone has sinned. The only exception is Jesus Christ Himself. And He took our sins on Himself when He willingly climbed on that cross. Don't let pride keep you from admitting and confessing your sin. Confess it. And receive that life-giving relationship that can only come through Jesus Christ.

40 Days with the Son - Day 25

This is a continuation of my reflections on Max Lucado's book 3:16. Please join Liza at 40 Days with the Son as we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ at Christmas.

Please click here for my previous posts for 40 Days with the Son.

Today's scripture: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32

What kind of learner are you? Do you learn by seeing? By hearing? By doing? When Jesus was teaching about how to serve others, He showed us how to serve. He had preached so many sermons, taught so many lectures, and counseled so many individuals. But talking wasn't going to show how to serve others. Only showing would drive the point home.

So, Jesus took off His outer garments, gathered a basin and towel, and washed His disciples' feet. He knelt to scrub the camel and donkey poop off their nasty feet. He was showing them how far He was willing to go to be their Savior. He was willing to do the most menial task in order to bring them into a saving relationship with God the Father.

Jesus didn't NEED to actually wash the disciples' feet to teach this lesson. He could have just talked about it. But that would not have taught the lesson in the same way. He needed to show us that we are dirty.

But we are like the disciples. We don't want to admit that we Jesus to wash us clean. However the only way we can truly learn the lesson of servanthood is to allow Jesus to wash us clean. Clean from the inside out. When we admit that we need Him to do that for us, He cleanses us, then shows us how to bring others to Him so they can be cleansed as well.

Tom Brady is a Punk

Yes, you read that correctly. And I'm a sore loser. But not as much as Tom Brady is a punk. He just has no class. I could totally get on my soapbox about him getting his girlfriend pregnant them dumping her, but I won't. I only want to share a new play that should go into the Jets playbook for next week. (found on http://www.chicagobears.com/)

And yes, Lori, I too prayed for our Steelers. This doesn't break the season, and it doesn't change the fact that Tom Brady is a punk.

We now return to our regularly scheduled blog....

40 Days with the Son - Day 22

This is a continuation of my reflections on Max Lucado's book 3:16. Please join Liza at 40 Days with the Son as we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ at Christmas.




Please click here for my previous posts for 40 Days with the Son.




Today's scripture: "Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12






Not guilty. In western culture, we are accustomed to the thought of "innocent until proven guilty." However, this is not the norm the world over. Even in the good ol' USofA, some alleged criminals are tried in the press before their case ever gets to court.

In Jesus' days, the Pharisees were the "self-appointed custodians of conduct." They made the rules. They wanted everyone to abide by the rules, even if they themselves liked to bend the rules. Jesus came along and challenged their moral and spiritual authority. The Pharisees weren't used to looking at their own guilt. They were always ready to label everyone else guilty, without having to look inward.

When the Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery to Him for His judgment, Jesus would not allow them to trap Himself or this woman. After writing in the dirt, He said, "Anyone who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her" (John 8:7). When all of her accusers left in silence, Jesus pronounced her "not guilty" and told her to go, "but don't sin anymore" (v. 11).

Jesus offers us the same pronouncement. He offers His saving hand to us. He saves us, not so we can go on sinning, but so we an get on with living for Him.

Susie's Story

Much to our surprise, on April 27, 2004, we discovered that we were pregnant. After the initial shock wore off, we were excited and began preparations. It was a good pregnancy, with little morning sickness. When we reached the half-way point, we were eager to find out the gender of our baby. The baby had other ideas and had his/her legs crossed.

At 28 weeks, pre-term labor began, and we spent 3 days in the hospital trying to convince the baby it wasn't time yet. Finally, at 30 weeks, we discovered our baby was a girl! She quickly became "Daddy's Little Girl." We chose the name Susannah Mariah, after her paternal grandmother (Susan) and her maternal great-grandmother (Mary).

As the time drew closer to our due date, we discovered that Susie was in breech position and our doctor recommended turning her in utero. On Friday, December 3, we had an ultrasound to confirm that she was still breech. Nothing seemed amiss. However, when we went back into the doctor's on Monday, December 6, we couldn't find her heartbeat. Our nurse midwife eventually confirmed that there was no longer a heartbeat, although we knew nothing else at the time.

We decided to deliver her that day. On Monday, December 6, 2004, at 3:27 pm, Susannah Mariah Underwood was stillborn. The doctor determined the cause was a cord accident. She weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.

The process of grief has been at times overwhelming. We are constantly amazed how our lives have been utterly changed by a baby that we never brought home. She went directly to her heavenly Father's home, and we rejoice in that. We look forward to seeing her again in heaven someday.

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday once again! Here is my thankful list for today:

1. I'm thankful for the gift of music. It's a passion that both Hubby and I share. I have the music degree, but he has the insane natural talent. We make a great team, and I love it that God has placed us ministry together!

2. I'm thankful for my family. Not only my wonderful husband and daughters (one in heaven), but my extended family as well. (Side note: Today would be our first daughter's third birthday. We miss her so much, but we are thankful for the assurance that she is with the Lord and that we will see her again!)

3. I'm thankful for a great check up for Ladybug this week.

4. I am thankful for my bloggy friends! One some days, blogging is my connection to the outside world.

5. I am thankful for our Lord and the fact that He gave up all that He had to become a baby in the manger, so that He could experience everything I'll ever go through.

For more Thankful Thursdays, visit Laurel Wreath's Reflections.

Tales from the Peds Office

Okay, Lord, please help me to NOT be like the parents I saw at the pediatrician's office yesterday!

Bad Parent #1: I was standing at the check out window, making Ladybug's next appointment, when a young woman with twin boys (pre-school age) and a toddler came behind me. I am assuming this was a mother and her boys. The twins were opening doors and getting into mischief, and the woman says to them, "If you boys don't stop, I'm gonna smack your heads against the wall!" And you could tell from her voice that she meant it!

Bad Parent #2: As I was leaving the office, there was a young school-age girl in the sick waiting room, looking, well, sick. Her father was outside the office, smoking. The girl opens the door to the well visit waiting room, and the father, still outside, yells, "Get your sick head outta there!"

I never want to be a parent like that!

So, now that I've gotten that off my chest.... We were at the peds office for Ladybug's 6-month check up. She weighed in at 26 lbs and is 28 3/4 inches long. Once again, off the growth charts in both height and weight. The doc reassured us that she is a healthy breastfed baby.

She can sit up by herself. She loves her sippy cup - we introduced the sippy because she won't take a bottle when I'm away. She's tried rice cereal, bananas, applesauce, and sweet potatoes so far. We'll try green beans this week. She babbles almost constantly, and she has the best giggle! She sleeps great at night, which Mommy and Daddy really appreciate!

Here's a pic, in case anyone needs a Ladybug fix:

Christmas Traditions and Memories

This will be Ladybug's first Christmas!! And at 6 months, I think this is great time for her to experience Christmas. Not that she'll have any memories of this time, but she is a very observant baby and is having fun exploring her world. Soon that world will include a Christmas tree and presents! (Normally I have Christmas decorations up by now, but with a 6 month old, I find I don't always get things done like I used to!)

One of my favorite memories growing up was playing with a small wooden nativity set every year. It was a small part of Christmas traditions, but it is a vivid memory in my mind. Now I collect nativity sets. I have about 20 or so. I don't display them all every single year, but they range in size from mini-mini to about 6 inches. We actually keep one nativity set displayed year round on the table in our entryway.

I have seen several great kid-friendly nativity sets and will definitely be adding one of those to the collection next year for Ladybug to play with. Why shouldn't she play with it? She will learn about the Christmas story, who the characters are, etc, etc. And she can learn a great lesson about life, as I, her mother, remind her not to "lose the Baby Jesus." Literally and figuratively.

Another great memory I have from Christmases growing up is surrounding the Advent wreath at church. I grew up in a small, country church, where we shared our pastor with another church. The Advent wreath was a large wagon wheel suspended from a pulley system so that the wheel was horizontal rather than vertical. As kids, we were charged with scouring the woods for lots of ground pine so that the adults could dress the wreath in it. And then the older youth (my sister) would be in charge of misting the ground pine every week to keep it fresh.

One year, the ground pine dried out a little too much. After the candles had been lit, the pastor was offering a prayer. All of a sudden, we heard feet running to the front of the church. We all looked up to see the sprayer bottle in my sister's hand as she was putting out the candle and fire that had spread to the ground pine! I guess she had been neglecting her duty until then!

I would like to start the practice of keeping an Advent wreath in our home and using it for family devotions. I don't think we'll get that done this year, but definitely next year.

Another favorite part of Christmas is, of course, the music. I love playing Christmas music from Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. Or sometimes even until Russian Christmas (or Epiphany, January 6th). That's also when I take the tree down. Why not enjoy the season and the reminders of the true meaning of Christmas as long as possible?

For more Holiday Happenings, please visit Jen at Conversations with My Haidryer.

For more Holiday Open Houses, please visit Tiany at Less of Me - More of Him.

40 Days with the Son - Day 17

This is a continuation of my reflections on Max Lucado's book 3:16. Please join Liza at 40 Days with the Son as we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ at Christmas.

Please click here for my previous posts for 40 Days with the Son.

Today's scripture: "Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool.... Here a great number of disabled people used to lie." John 5:2-3

This scene in John's Gospel shows Jesus going to the Temple. There is a throng of humanity, and at the pool of Bethesda, there is a cacophony of human suffering. People with all types of disabilities stayed near the pool to jockey for position and the hope of divine healing. This was the life that they knew. Waiting. And hoping. But waiting for the wrong event.

The paralytic was losing hope that healing from the pool would be his. After all, how could he, a cripple, be the first in the pool to receive that divine healing without the help of someone else? He had given up hope that healing could be his.

Then Jesus came along. Jesus asked, "Do you want to be well?" Of course he did! But his limited view of how healing could arrive was blocking the possiblity in his mind. Until Jesus lifted the veil.

Have I missed God's blessing because I had a limited view? I hope not, but I imagine that is the case. It's time to take the blinders off and see the bigger picture. It's time to think outside the box and see that God has more than one way around the obstacles that I see.