Christmas Time...

The last few weeks I've really been thinking about Jesus Christ, Joseph and Mary. I've been thinking about them as a family and not as the historical figures they are. I've been thinking about them as people and what their day to day lives must have been like. I wonder if Mary ever felt inadequate. I wonder if Jesus ever felt overwhelmed. I wonder if Joseph ever wished that Jesus could truly be HIS son. I wonder if Joseph and Mary truly understood the importance of their son, this baby. Could they have possibly known how He would change the world?

What amazing people Mary and Joseph were. So amazing that the Savior of the world was allowed to be raised in their home. But they were mortal so I imagine they had struggles like the rest of us. A beautiful song called "Joseph's Lullaby" keeps playing in my head. As I listen to the lyrics, I cannot help but feel like singing these words to my boys...

Go to sleep my Son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head

Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Or does the Father guard Your heart for now
So You can sleep tonight?

Go to sleep my Son
Go and chase Your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of Heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
But Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
Simply be my child

Go to sleep my Son
Baby, close Your eyes
Soon enough You'll save the day
But for now, dear Child of mine
Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

At the same time the lyrics of another song called "I celebrate the Day" have the wheels in my head turning. I wonder if Jesus Christ knew as a child that He would save the world? Save me? From His first breath did He know he would change the world forever? I wonder what that little baby knew...I wonder what all little babies know.

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

Direct TV

So when I said I didn't miss my satellite TV, I lied.

I didn't realize at the time that I was lying.

But I was.

Big. Fat. Liar.

It is back on....temporarily....and I am loving life.

DVR is the best thing ever.

The best.

Little Pleasures...

Times are tough.

Big celebrations, extravagant gifts, and mindless spending are things of the past.

All the now BIG things that used to give me joy are just memories and goals for the future. Going on shopping sprees and not caring how much I spent, going on trips twice a year, going out to eat at the drop of a hat, all those things I thought were important I'm finding are not. Although fun, they are not the only ways to find joy.

I have found simple things make me happy and brighten my day. For some reason I love it when I grab a stack of envelopes and a bunch of stamps and I find out I've gotten the same number of each. I love it when I have all the ingredients for a dish I've been wanting to try. I love when I don't have any single riding socks in the laundry and every one has a mate. I love when I have a full tank of gas, a full 2 gallons of milk, and a full pantry. I love when Steve laughs really hard at something I've said. I love when my family laughs really hard at something I've said. I love when all the clothes are clean and the bathrooms and cars are too. I love when Steve stays up a little later with me. I love when the boys sleep in (7:45 this morning!). I love a hot shower. I love a good book. I love some good tunes. I love a good laugh. I love a good show on TV. I love talking to my sisters, friends and family. I love getting dressed up for work. I love dreaming about opening my own store. I love holding other peoples babies. I love looking at houses. I love clean sheets. I love hugging Steve. I love when the boys accidentally call me "mom" and don't correct themselves. I love watching the boys sleep. I love food.

I guess what I'm saying is there is a lot to love if you look around. It's easy to feel discouraged, mad, upset and angry about things outside of your control but finding joy in little things is not. If you look around there are so many things to be thankful for.

What are your little pleasures?

Kill Me Now...

I am about to share with you a most embarrassing thought that just crossed my mind. So embarrassing, in fact, I might not click "publish post".

I was just reading a blog about "New Moon" and all these women are saying how they've switched sides from Team Edward to Team Jacob after having seen the movie. For a brief moment (VERY breif) I felt bothered because I have been Team Jacob ALL along! How DARE they?!

Then I reality checked myself and realized I was internally pouting about a book about vampires and warewolves and I'm a HUGE nerd. Heaven help me. Did that really just happen?

PS - I will have you know, I took a year long break between "New Moon" and "Eclipse" and I haven't even seen the first movie. That being said, I am ashamed. What happened to cool Liz?

Party...

My mother and I have started a little business selling handbags and jewelry. We have some super cute stuff and our prices are great (earrings starting at $1 and other accessories starting at $5).

We are having an open house on Wednesday, December 2nd from 3:30pm - 7:30pm at my mother's house in Sandy. This time we are teaming up with some friends; one who sells baby headbands and bows (see Oops A Daisy on my blogroll) and another who sells interchangeable watchbands and faces. Their prices are also fantastic and their items are handmade.

Send me an email ecowdell@hotmail.com if you'd like the address.

Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving...

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. Probably only behind Christmas and my birthday. I cannot wait to stuff my face and gain ten pounds and be in a food coma.

I'm kinda dry on creativity this year so I'm copying a lot of my post from last year.

One husband who loves me and shows me every single day.

Two little boys who keep me on my toes and have accepted me into their lives.

Three brothers who protect and love me. Also, three friends who I've become close to during these last 12 months. I am lucky to have them to make me feel not so out of place!

Four sisters who make every day a little brighter and more fun. I couldn't make it through the days without them.

Five new nieces and nephews I got from marrying Steve. I love you Elise, Joshua, Lucy, Jane and new baby boy!

Six grandparents and parents who loved me and raised me and showed me true unconditional love.

Seven years in college. Yes, seven.

Eight members of Steve's family who make me feel comfortable and accepted.

Nine the number of girls who grew up together and are still thick as thieves. What would I do without my girls?

Ten nieces and nephews I have from my brother and sisters. What little treasures they are.

Eleven friends I happened to meet on a cruise and what a friendship it's turned out to be.

Twelve little months until I get to do this all again!

What a great week...

First we found out it might be okay to start having yearly mammograms at age 50 instead of 40. TRUST me, if you can put this off another 10 years, it's a good thing. I've had one and it was no picnic.

In fact it was excruciating.

Now I've just been informed that we can have a PAP smear every TWO years!

Heaven help me, I just might cry.