A taste of Australia...

Meet Flat Stanleyette.

About a month ago, I wrote a post about all my "growing up years," all the places I had been, etc... I admit, my husband and kids are just a little bit jealous, because I've seen other parts of the world. Especially my daughter. Kayla loves studying facts about other countries. She loves things that look exotic. She thinks all people, their languages and cultures are beautiful and fascinating. I can see her one day exploring the world...

Anyway, about two months ago she came home with a little bit of homework for her art class. She had to list five addresses of people in either different states or countries. Well, that is where a little bit of my background came to her aide. She has an uncle in Texas. She has grandparents in Kentucky. However, she wanted something different. We called my mom. We were given the address of one of my mom's good friends while overseas, someone she still stays in contact with. The exciting part for Kayla was that the lady lived in Australia.

After taking the addresses back to school, the art teacher explained the assignment. They were going to make a "Flat Stanley" and pick one address off their list to send it to. Can you guess who my daughter sent hers to??? Anyway, she wrote a letter to go with her Flat Stanley, asking the recipient to describe where they live and what Flat Stanley saw while visiting and then mail the Flat Stanley back.

Two days ago, Kayla received a manila envelope with her Flat Stanley. Also in the package was a book on Australia, each page had a written note of what Flat Stanleyette had seen while sightseeing in the town of Perth. There were also some Australia stickers and a nice little note from my mom's friend.

I have to say it brought back memories for me. This lady had a son, who was " my mate" (a friend) during my teenage years. I always wanted to visit his beautiful country. I loved to hear him talk...I have always loved the accent! I think it is great that my young daughter, who has such a love for all things foreign (outside the good 'ol USA) benefited from something out of my past...

Needless to say, Kayla was very excited about the outcome of this assignment! I kind of was too! She said; "Mom, I would love to visit Australia! It is beautiful!" I would have to agree...maybe one day.

The Christmas countdown...

I'm sitting here as I type wondering if it is truly possible to have "peace" at Christmas time. Now I know that that is what the true meaning of Christmas is really about, but it seems once the thanksgiving feast is over, we all hit the ground running...shopping, decorating, celebrating. This week alone my family has five parties to go to. I find myself running every other day to the store for the "perfect"ornament to exchange or some more ribbon or tape to wrap one more gift or looking for cookie ingredients and brownie mixes on aisle five at the store...BUSY!

Tonight I found out that a friend of mine has been diagnosed with cancer. This is not her first time down this road... it really does put life in perspective. I love to shop and buy the perfect gift. I love to celebrate the season with friends and family. As I've already written in an earlier post, I love Christmas lights and snowmen. Yet, although I will continue to do and enjoy these things, I find it important to take a moment and "stop and smell the poinsettias." We need to try hard not to get so caught up in the celebrating that we forget to celebrate.

I encourage you, as I'm trying to, to remember your blessings. I think only then will one truly have a "peaceful" Christmas season.

Taking a moment to catch up...

Wow! I guess it has been a little while since I last wrote anything. Life certainly has been busy! So, I thought I would dedicate this post to "catching" everyone up on the latest...

Well the holidays have come and I love it! It is certainly my favorite time of the year! I love seeing my family. I love what Thanksgiving and Christmas stand for. I love the Christmas carols, the Christmas decorations, the Christmas shopping, etc... I love it all! So even though life has been on the crazy side lately, I've enjoyed "almost" every minute of it.

Our family had a wonderful thanksgiving. It was my side of the family's year to spend "Thanksgiving Day" together, so we all met at my sisters house. Although she was a tad nervous about having the celebration chaos at her house for the first time, it turned out great! We cooked and set a table that would have made Martha Stewart proud. :) It tasted good too!

Food aside, it was a wonderful few days of spending time with family. Games were played, movies were watched and Christmas card pictures were taken (or at least we attempted to take them!). The kids played soccer, built a fort and hit balls in their monster batting cage in the back yard. The "girls" went Christmas shopping on Friday, while the "boys" did a little roller skating, deer hunting and skunk hunting. Yes, I really did say "SKUNK" hunting. You had to be there...

I returned from the vacation holiday with a mission... I needed to put up my MANY Christmas trees. I emphasized the "many" because that is what my sister seems to think I have... I have to admit, I do have more than one tree, but since it seems over the top in comparison to my sister and others who only have one"hodge podgy" tree, I feel the need to explain my trees... Last year I bought a new Christmas tree. It was my first new tree since Kayla was born 12 years ago. Wait, I'm not saying I haven't bought any other trees, it is just that the rest of them have been 4 feet or shorter. So, when I bought my new tree last year, I decided not to get rid of the other tree. What I ended up doing is making the new tree my Chrismon tree, meaning that all the ornaments represent the names of Christ and who he is. My old tree remained the "hodge podge" tree with the Santas, snowmen, Hallmark decorations and homemade gifts from the kids. I really loved my two trees and what they represented. As for all the other trees, well each of my children have always had a small tree in their rooms, I think there is usually a very small tree in the kitchen, something I got at a party one time and I might have another one or two of those miniature trees hanging around. I have to say, as the boxes are piled this very minute in the living room, that I love Christmas lights and I love my house all lit up like Christmas. I'm afraid I haven't completed the decor yet, so pictures will have to come later.

We had our first Christmas party last night. I'm sure it was the first of many. We also watched the Christmas parade. It ended up being a fun night.

Well, I guess I had better get back to my holiday decorating and cleaning. It is my turn to host the holiday festivities for my family...