Serious Stuff :)

You never know what you'll find at WalMart. I rarely find my name spelled with a "y" on monogramed gifts, ornaments, keychains....so imagine my surprise to find an exercise company named "Marcy." The funniest part is the slogan following it. It reads, "When you finally get serious." That cracks me up. To drive the point home, I had Jim take out his camera and take a pic. :)

Happy New Year's Eve!

Marcy :)

Homeschool Dropout!

4 months. That's all it took for me to realize I'm not a homeschool mom. :)

Don't get me wrong or misunderstand my statement. I totally respect homeschooling and the discipline it demands. At the same time, I must tell you that my oldest is enrolling at the same private school my other two are at later this week. :)

My kids are great and they weren't the "problem." It was me. I don't know why that is either. I've been a stay-home-mom for 12 years now. Homeschooling should have come so natural to me. It didn't. I bought all the "right curriculum", and did all the "right" things. I joined a homeschool group and had in my mind that this would work. I told myself many days....."I CAN teach first grade, 4th grade, and 6th grade." (What was I thinking? Just typing that sends me into a frenzy!)

Jim is real supportive and isn't even "making" me get a "real job." :) Shoot, taking care of him and the 3 kids is a full-time position! He's a wonderful husband to me..and great dad. After all the health issues with me over the last couple of years....he's just glad to have me back. I'm glad too.

So, I begin leading the newest Beth Moore study next week on Wed. mornings at church. I'm excited about that!

I don't know what my thoughts are on resolutions this time of year. I'd like to make healthier eating choices..and exercise more. YIKES! I so dislike working out!

Marcy

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

From our house to your's..............have a wonderful Christmas Day with those you love.

Read the Christmas Story too. Luke 2: 1-20.

Marcy

Hook 'Em Horns

This is my little Texan, Jay-Man. He was born in Houston, but we moved back to Ky when he was only 2 and 1/2. He insists he'll go to college at UT.....and that's not Tennessee. :)

What do you think he had to drink before this pic was taken? Don't you miss the "kool-aid" days? Well, maybe not, but what they represented brings an immediate smile to my face.

Life is good as a kid. It's good as an adult too. As a kid, we yearn to grow up and do everything. Then we grow up, and realize doing everything wasn't everything.

Here's to kool-aid mustaches and carefree childhoods. :)

Marcy

My Guy

Almost 15 years of marriage, and here we are! Jim and I were on a way to a Chemtreat party/dinner last Sat. night, and we had our sitter, Kelli, snap this picture.

Jim is such a good husband and friend to me. All the ups and downs we've had over the years have certainly refined us into what we are today. Simply put, we're better than we were. We're to the point where we "like" each other.....despite oddities and quirks. :)

I look forward to 15 -plus -15 more years with this wonderful man who does a wonderful job taking care of me and our 3 kids.

Marcy

My Dancin' Dollies

Here are my dancin' dollies of the chorus! Tori and Kate's dance studio had their Christmas Gala last week and as you can see from the smiles.....there was fun for all.

The girls absolutely love dance. Sometimes I wonder if Tori looks more forward to the flowers afterward. :)

Here's a funny story from recital night. On the way to the PAC, we were running right on time, with none to spare. Kate called Jim, who was still at home, and asked him to bring her American Girl doll, Megan. So, Jim agrees, but I wondered if he'd really "remember." Nonetheless, in Jim walks with flowers and the doll. What a dad! In the above picture of "Megan", we're doing what Kate asked us to do......and that was.....make sure the doll had a seat to herself. Kate has the proof we REALLY did get "Megan" a seat. (Man, the lengths we go to as parents!) :)

Marcy

Craziness I Tell You!

I don't know who coined the phrase, "Craziness I tell you!", but it's my life right now. :) It's a good crazy though. Whew, that's a relief. :)

We are moving! 2 days ago an offer was accepted we placed on a house (still here in E-town), and we may be moving in the week after Christmas! YIKES! Yes, we're excited, but at the same time, I shudder at the thought of tackling the basement. In fact, I've already started, and it's in a word......yuck. I'll put it this way. Our garbage is running today, and will be here anytime. I'm loading up junk and running (literally) up the driveway every 10 minutes so I can beat the truck. My neighbors must think I've really lost it now. :)

I have pictures to post, and in between the rummaging, I'll put them on here. They're from the big dance recital last week. Kate has piano recital coming up next week.

Marcy

Trials and Temptations

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. " James 1: 2-4

I have a feeling if Kate's thoughts could be transferred onto a big screen, there would be something about "testing" involved. I don't know who's perseverance is tested more during piano practices.......mine or her's. :) I've given her the spiel about how "I wish I'd had the opportunity to take piano lessons." I tried that route and I don't think it mattered too much.

This was taken tonight and her face was priceless. Funny thing is she smiled after the flash went off. Playing piano is fun for Kate...it's the practicing that's difficult. She takes lessons from her grammie once a week, and the Christmas recital is in 2 weeks. Yikes! We've got to get "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree" down and those fingers ready to slide up and down the ivory.

Jay and I are memorizing in school James 1: 2-4. After I saw this picture, I thought of that verse. Perseverance. Testing. Being complete. Lacking nothing. Joy regardless. Did I say perseverance? :)

One day Kate will thank her dad and me for making her practice......making her play. Not only is this a wonderful skill to have honed as a child, but the memories she's making with her grammie are priceless and something she'll treasure years from now. Until then, though, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers (& sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds................." :)

Marcy

Advent

We had our Advent service at church tonight and what a way to begin this season of celebration. Celebration because of the One who came in a lowly manger. The One who would fulfill prophecy....according to the Old Testament prophets....time and time again. The One who would eventually die on a cross for you...and for me. The One who gives hope to a dark world.

Pull those you love close to you as soon as you can, and tell them how much you love them. Most of all, tell them about the One...Jesus...who loves them more than you do. Wow. That's always huge to me. Being a parent brings all that home, doesn't it? If you're not a parent, you most likely have a young child in your life who fills your heart with so many emotions you can hardly stand it.

Love. Grace. Mercy. And more love. The love that came down in the form of a baby to show us the heart of God. I want to get that in a way this year like I never have before.

Marcy

Marcy