Santa came to our house

My brother in law told the kids he had to go get ice for grandma and then left. A few minutes later 'Santa' came walking down the street and looked like he was searching for a house. My sisters got their kids to look out the window just before he got to the house. He came up the drive and they were going NUTS! He had his bag with gifts inside for each of them, their moms and dads, grandma and the other aunts. All seven were hilarious. They range in age from 4-9 years old.
His 'HO HO HO's weren't bad. My oldest nephew, Evan, looked at him strange and then said 'hey, Santa, you kinda sound like Dad.' Santa acted like he ignored it and moved on. Each of the kids got to tell him Merry Christmas and watched him walk back down the road.
My sister, Rita, video taped it while Sandy helped Santa hand out the gifts. Karen, Mom and I tried to get it with our cameras. About ten minutes later Brian showed up and said they were out of ice. The kids pounced on him about missing Santa and were still talking about it when they all left to go their homes a few hours later.
In a few years they will all get wise to Santa. But, for today, they were all smiles and laughter.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

A Military Christmas-of sorts

We had our gift exchange at work. My 'Secret Santa' gave me a teddy bear in an Army uniform hold the IL DIVO Christmas CD. If anyone wants to get me something for a gift they know it can be: Coca Cola, Patriotic, Military or Sawyer Brown/Haygood merchandise. I am pretty easy to buy for in that way and they enjoy seeing if they can get something I already don't have. haha

Here is the poem I received with my present this year:

He's short and loveable
He's all dressed in green
Please excuse the color,
Couldn't find a Marine.

He's brave and he's strong
He's a real G.I. Joe
But furry hands make it hard
For him to hold your IL DIVO.



At the bottom was a colored picture of two Marines-1 in Dress Blues and the other in Camo. OOOH RAAAH

Do YOU know for sure?!

As we remember the birth of Jesus during Christmas time I am reminded that this is only the beginning of His journey. We are awed by the miracle of His birth and the telling of His life. But, we must also remember the reason for His birth. Just 33 short years after His birth He is sacrificed for our SINS. The magnitude of His death is hard to comprehend for many.
Now, that we have gotten to know each other a little better I am drawn to ask the question- 'If you were to die tonight would you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?' There are many religions in this World but they all come down to the belief in a Higher Power. Christ was born so that He would pay the price for our SINS. If we confess our SINS, acknowledge Christ died on the Cross for us and accept Him into our lives we are promised Eternal Life in Heaven when we die.
If we forsake Him we are promised Eternal Life in Hell when we die.
It is very simple to accept Christ as your Savior. There is no elaborate ceremony that needs to be performed. All you need to do is pray, for example, 'Jesus I confess my SINS before You. I ask for Your forgiveness and to come into my heart and save my soul. Lead me in the path of righteousness and help me to grow in Your love. Thank You for dying on the Cross for my SINS. In Jesus name-AMEN.'
I pray for those that do not have Christ as their Savior that they will come to know Him as I do.
Bless you all this Christmas Season and may the New Year be what you need.

How Was Your Day??

I remember the phrase 'don't sweat the small stuff.' Today was a day of 'small stuff' that I got to laugh at myself before anyone else. I was in a rush to get to work and put my black skirt, blue shirt and new blue jacket. I rushed downstairs, hurriedly put on my shoes and ran out the door. When I got to work I went to the breakroom to get something to drink. I bent down to get the change from the machine and THERE IT WAS... I had one BLACK and one BLUE shoe on. I chuckled and thought 'well at least my shoes match my entire wardrobe.' lol
I went back upstairs and let the rest in on the humor. They laughed and then started to recall their own 'small stuff' moments.

Who Matters Most

Many times in our lives we often look to others to validate what we do.
I adored and greatly respected Dad. There are times I wonder what he would think of what I am doing in my life. Would he be proud. Would he join me in my adventures. Would he have pushed me in another direction. He passed away before the PGR, MarineMoms or QCFIST were formed. He served in the Marine Corps and that formed alot of his strength and views. He has not seen me involved in anything I do now. He was there for many of my political events, and of course, putting up with Sawyer Brown.
I love to make friends and spend time getting to know others. But, there are very few that I would consider close or my best friends. Those that I am close with I value their opinions and outlooks. One of my friends recently shared a comment by a friend of hers. I know her but consider her more an acquaintance. Seems her opinion of me is very low. She has many issues I believe needs to be resolved before she can be happy in her own life. She has falsely accused me of things that have been hurtful because it has been so openly done.
Do I consider her opinion as something that matters or move forward. Do you really need to have negative people in your life to keep your feet on the ground or should you surround yourself with positive people so that each of you can lift the other up when needed.
I consider myself strong and able to handle many things. But, at times, still feel like I have to answer to others.
I believe those that are strong willed and determined still have moments of self contemplation and struggles to face. I have come across some new people this last year that I truly admire for their willingness to put themselves out in the open to be judged. I feel when you can meet people like this it may help each of you to find strength when you doubt yourself.
I have a strong faith in God. I read another blog where someone stated that they do not feel He has an part of our lives and we should be more rational in our thinking. They also analysed that to place yourself in a 'vacuum' of such belief only hinders your true goals in life. I believe that is where FAITH comes into our lives. Our finite brains cannot comprehend the infinite things that the World puts before us. You have to have some form of Faith. That is an extremely important part of your life that brings other things into focus. Even Satan understands this because he is a Fallen Angel.
I guess the conclusion is YOU matter most and others help to shape you into what you will eventually become.

Is there really SOMEONE for EVERYONE

As most little girls growing up you dream of finding your 'prince' , getting married and having children. Our life was not always easy but I knew I was loved and wanted to share that with someone special in my life.
Fast forward to NOW. Two of my sisters have 'my life'. They are married with children and I am still single and looking for Mr. Right. I have met some amazing men in my life and have found that if I ever need any help I could call on them and they will be there. So, I have traded my 'husband' for some special friends.
I know I know-I am always reminded that God has a plan for our lives and that He will guide us to what we need to be doing in it. That gets me to thinking sometimes of what I AM doing with my life. I was gifted with a personality to make friends and enjoy most people I meet. I am able to have the time to work with QC FIST, MarineMoms, NavyMoms, PGR and other organizations that honor our Veterans. I am able to be involved with several political campaigns. I can travel with my best friend to concerts in many different states. I can love and spoil my nieces and nephews and then send them home to their parents. haha
I am able to devote time to promoting on my own people or things that hold worthwhile meaning for me. Some may argue that I am just 'filling' my life because I don't have someone else in it. But, when I think of everyone I know and have known my life is filling up pretty good. I have been able to meet people of a variety of age ranges and societal placements. I have two much older friends that have taught me 'dapper and manners' NEVER go out of style. My Veteran friends and Christian friends remind me of the saying 'only two people were willing to die for you-Jesus Christ and the American Soldier'. That gives me comfort and joy that I have the FREEDOM and Eternal Life to enjoy my life so far.
When our lives have reached a point where God says 'it is time you meet' I will be ready to share my life with his. Until then I will be grateful for what I do have and continue FORWARD.