The Wonder of Childhood -- Rebuilt and Still Riding

Imagine Christmas, 1977. The room is filled with the wide-eyed wonder of a little boy when his grandparents got him the coolest Christmas toy ever! As a matter of fact, it was so cool that this little boy's parents saved it so that his kid's might enjoy it someday.

Fast forward exactly 30 years to Christmas 2007. Yesterday when Colin's grandparent's arrived, Dad and Grandpa rebuilt the Wonder Horse while Colin napped. The goal was to have her ready when he woke and to see her for the first time with all generations present. The wonder hasn't lost her magic. After 30 years she made another little boy's heart dance with joy -- the same joy his father felt all these years ago.

Her name? Appropriately, Wonder Horse (as branded on her plastic, 30 year old tush.)

An article in my in-box this morning warned to avoid "fad" toys this Christmas. It encourages parents to buy toys that will spark the imaginations of your child. I am sure that Colin dreamed last night that he was a cowboy, riding his Wonder Horse into the sunset. His imagination knows no bounds on his Wonder Horse!

Everything old is new again. And this toy is alive again because she has made another little boy's heart sing with wonder.

Happy 94th Birthday!

We know you won't he reading this online, but we send a great big Happy B-Day to Great Grandpa. We hope you had a great big celebration yesterday, perhaps a big lunch at Perkins or a slice of Aunt Mainie's pie!

Jingle Bears, Jingle Bears

I just love the Baylor Christmas Card. Thought you might enjoy this even if you don't "sic 'em bears!"

Happy 66th Anniversary

Colin's Great Grandparents just celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary, and we say a great big congratulations!

Christmas in Texas

Playing cars with Grandma

Enjoying Buzz Lightyear Phone

Playing with new "Chicken Chase" - such fun!

Colin and I just returned from a long weekend trip to Texas for an early Christmas. We enjoyed visiting with extended family, and even had some great Texas BBQ while we were there. And I even got to go to Hobby Lobby (we don't have anything like it in my neck of the woods!)

Other friends who have travelled with kiddos this age warned that it's probably the toughest age to travel with, and they are probably right. Strapping all of that energy into an airplane seat for hours on end is a bit of a challenge, but we survived...thanks to a mini DVD player we borrowed from our friends.

It was great to see everyone down in Texas -- we love you lots!

Giddy Up Carousel Horsy!

We enjoyed a ride on the carousel horse downtown this afternoon. Giddy Up!

How Many Kings

I am really enjoying a new christmas song this season - It's called "How Many Kings" by a band called Downhere. Here is one part of the song that really caught my attention:

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

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So what's on your playlist this christmas?

Garden Light Show

Tonight we enjoyed a brisk walk through our local botanical garden, as we enjoyed a beautiful light show. Thousands of lights are put together to resemble garden elements - flowers, frogs, slugs, droopy wisteria, lily pads, etc...it was colorful and just gorgeous! Here is a picture of some of the sunflowers. The photo hardly does them justice - they are as tall as a person, and are so very colorful.

Gingerbread House Design Team

We hit the deck running this afternoon with a pre-made Gingerbread House kit from Costco, and Colin got to tap into his creative side and decorate it with lots of candies. With a little help from Dad, it turned out pretty well for his 1st Gingerbread House!

His favorite "design elements" were the gumdrops, though he kept wanting to remove them a few minutes after placing them. It's quite overloaded on one side of the roof, so it has lots of character.

Women's Christmas Friendship Dinner

I hosted a table at our church's Women's Christmas Friendship Dinner, and it was really fun to have so many of my friends join me for a great evening of entertainment -- eating without kiddos running around our legs, visiting, and enjoying great music (a violinist and her band that included flute, cello, drums, and harp.)

I decorated again this year with china that originally belonged to my Great Grandma Peggy's sister. I was fortunate to receive a full 12 place setting service many years ago, complete with serving bowls and platters. It's a unique pattern with red and gold detail work, which makes it absolutely perfect for Christmas. I completed the table centerpiece with a hurricane lamp filled with a fake snow and cranberry mixture (complete with holly from my backyard), and a my nativity set.

Our servers for the night were the husband and father of a friend of mine from MOPS - her table was located next to mine. It's always a treat to have the men of our church serve our yummy meal, and they always do such a great job!

Lastly, it was such a welcome opportunity to enjoy this as a Christmas dinner -- not a "holiday" party, or a "warm wishes for the season" party -- but a Christmas Party, where we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Wet, wet, wet!

Yesterday all of the beautiful snow fall warmed and turned into rain. And rain, and rain! The second most rain here in recorded history. Fortunately we live at the top of a hill, and we/our home are perfectly fine. Others in towns and counties surrounding us are flooded with some as high as rooftops.

Matt flew back from Portland this morning and saw all of the damage along I-5 -- It's under 10 feet of water for about a mile! And unfortunately, the local Home Depot was also submerged, which doesn't help local residents get back on their feet.

Party in the Toy Bin

Mr. Colin's new favorite place to play is in the toy bin. This picture says it all!

What Good Are You?

I asked the cat to fold the laundry, and this is what happened. Can he make himself useful sometime?

The Snow Blues

"Uhmmm, Dad -- my tricycle is covered in snow. Can we go rescue it?"

OK - this wet, white stuff is not what I had in mind!

Holiday Party

We had fun at last night's company holiday party. You hear wild stories about some company holiday parties, but not with this group -- just a classic party with great food, great wine, and pretty decent conversation. What a great, snowy night to get swept into the spirit of the season!

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Yeah! It's snowing as I write this, and the huge fluffy flakes are collecting on the lawn. Guess Matt gets out of mowing the yard for yet another week.

The company holiday party is tonight, so I decided to get spruced up by the professionals. I hit Nordstrom before lunch and got a makeover from the Clinique counter (what a treat -- haven't done that in years!) and then headed over to the salon for a trim -- and of course, asked for a style with a little more "flip."

I listened to Christmas tunes as I drove home in the snow and just thought about how much I love the Christmas season. I think I love it because we get to enjoy it for so long.

I am also reading Beth Moore's Study titled, "Jesus - 90 Days with the One and Only." I am hoping to read it in time for Christmas, as it is really preparing my heart to celebrate the birth of our savior.

Last night I read Beth's view (not scriptural, -- purely fiction -- but interesting, nonetheless) on how Mary might have felt on the night after Jesus had been born. Here is some of what she shares, as Mary sits holding baby Jesus in the moonlight:

"The fullness of the Godhead rested in her inexperienced arms, sleeping to the rhythm of her heart. This time she hummed a song she did not know, a song being sung by the choir of angels hovering over her head but hidden from her carnal senses. The deafening hallelujahs of the heavenly hosts were silent to mortal ears except through the sounds of a young woman's voice who had unknowingly given human notes to a holy score. The glory of God filled the earth. Heaven hammered a bridge, but one young woman sat unaware of all that swelled in the atmosphere around her...."

And the snow is still falling. Oh, how I love Christmas time!

Giving thanks for Costco

I have a funny and precious story to tell you that speaks to how much God must just love to hear the prayers of small children.

Last night I watched our friends' girls for the evening. As the three year old prepared for bed, I brushed her beautiful blond hair and told her that her hair was pretty. And she suggested we thank God for her hair when we prayed before going to bed.

Fifteen minutes later, and after reading the princess story (we don't have those in my house, so it was kind of fun), we said our prayers. And I forgot the hair (oh my!)

After saying, "Amen," she squealed, "You forgot to tell God!" And I wondered, well, I prayed to Jesus, did this mean the same thing to her, maybe I should have kept it simple and said, "God." I was overthinking this, by the way -- she's three!

Meanwhile, I know God is getting abig chuckle out of this, as I finally realize, "I forgot to tell God... thanks for her beautiful blond hair!"

Back-tracking a bit, I recommended we say a special prayer JUST for her hair. That was a splendid idea, as shown by the huge grin on her face.

And after that, she said a special prayer that said, "And thanks for Costco and our food."

How tender to hear a child thank God for what he had given her. I have so much to look forward to with Colin.