Our Christmas Blessings

In late 2010, God began really working in my heart and life concerning how we did Christmas.  It was a long and difficult journey for me and if I was honest, I would say that it still is.  Although it led to my amazing assignment with Apparent Project, there has still been some difficult struggles. After being exposed to Haiti and extreme poverty, I'm just so much more conscious of how and what we spend at Christmas time - and throughout the year for that matter.  But, it is still so difficult.  Needs vs. wants - it's a constant battle in our consumer driven culture.

I think it's worse at Christmas time because of expectations.  Like most people, we live on a tight budget.  We came into fall with a fair amount in savings and a car repair took ALL of it.  So thankful that we had it in savings, but it took away all freedom as we came into Christmas.  As the holiday approached, I once again, found myself angry and frustrated.  So many things that I wanted to do for people and no funds to do it with.  I wound up being on a big emotional roller coaster, just wanting to skip Christmas all together.

In the beginning of this journey, in 2010, I read this in a blog written by a facebbook friend who lives in Haiti:  "I find great inspiration in the simple, dingy, gritty, humble celebrations of those who struggle and toil without access to our unstained images of Christmas. I long for their stripped down total dependence on God. I pray for spiritual wealth like that of the materially poor. I want their depth. I want their undying hope. I want a Christmas less like Oprah’s and more like theirs."   That's hard stuff!

This was re-posted again this year (You can read the entire post here) and I was reminded about how it had affected me three years ago.  I remember praying about that.  Longing for their "stripped down total dependence on God."  Praying for "spiritual wealth like that of the materially poor."   But did I really know what that meant?  Was I really willing to go through what it would take to get me there?

We experienced this when we were on staff with Crusade.  We depended on God for EVERY penny.  Now that regular paychecks come in every other week, it's easy to become more relaxed in the financial area. So I've come to realize that He still keeps us financially dependent in some areas.  And it always seems to happen to us at Christmas time. 

EVERY YEAR!!!  

I'm starting to see a pattern.  Seriously!!!!  

No matter what we save, how we plan - it gets stripped away every year and we are left wondering how we are going to pull Christmas off.  We've cut back tremendously.  Russ and I haven't purchased for each other in years.  Instead of things - we focus anything extra into getting away as a family.  Relationships and memories are more important to us than "stuff."  But, we still want to get a few things for the kids and recognize other friends and family members with a little something as well.  And every year, I wind up angry and frustrated because it doesn't seem like we can even do that.

So when I put all this together, I realized that I was angry with God for trying to answer my prayers from three years ago.  I prayed to be dependent on Him - to gain that spiritual wealth.  But each year when He attempts to draw me in -  to rely on Him and Him alone, I get really angry.  And grumpy.  And downright Scrooge like.  It's NOT pretty!  Ask my husband - and my closest friends who get to hear me complain.

But - EVERY year - in His grace - He provides anyway.  He lets me gripe and complain and whine and cry and be a big old baby about the whole thing and He still steps in and takes care of my desires. Especially when my desires/worries don't even compare to the concerns of the majority of the rest of the world. You would think that I would learn by now.  His provision always blindsides me.  Oh - to just blindly trust with no other thoughts or cares.  To not get caught up in the expectations of others. 

"For He is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY above ALL that we ask or imagine..." Eph. 3:20

This year, of course, was no exception.  We wound up with an extra paycheck this month (I was so stressed out, I didn't put that one together!  Gee - I'm a mess)  But things were still going to be tight. We were not even going to get to go away like we usually do.  Everyone was bummed about that.  So the extra paycheck was going to help with the food and gifts - but we would have to be careful.

One of the things that we wanted to do was replace Jarod's basketball goal.  It had been stolen in the Spring and we had not been able to replace it.  I had been praying that the Lord would somehow make it happen.  Jarod had his eye on a nice, new one from Academy but it just was not going to fit into our budget at all.  I got on Craig's list and emailed a few different people - several times.  No one would respond to my inquiries.  I thought that was really weird.  

I finally put a shameless plug out on Facebook - I explained that his had been stolen, we were looking to replace it and asked if there was anyone out there willing to sell theirs or if they knew of someone who was.   Almost instantly I had a private message from a friend, willing to sell theirs.  I was so excited!  I drove by their house that afternoon to look at it.  It was in good shape - but it wasn't like the one Jarod had his eye on.  I called Russ and we chatted about it.  Russ suggested we wait and see if anyone else responded to the post.  If not, we would purchase it the next day.  Sounds like a plan.

Then about 6:30 that night I received a private message from another friend, wondering if we had found one yet.  Our conversation went like this - 

Friend - Hey Cami - did you ever find a hoop for Jarod? We have been blessed with some extra money this season, and we'd like to contribute to replacing his hoop. How much would a new one run down there?

Wow - how do you respond to that????

Me -  Wow! A little speechless here. The one he wants is about $$$ new. I did find a used one today (a smaller sized backboard than he wants) for $$.

I mean - when someone says they want to "contribute" you don't know exactly what that means so you give them options.......

Friend -  We'd like to send you (full amount)  so he can get the one he wants. (We've made it our mission to bless pastor's families that we know, and this certainly qualifies!)

Do you guys have a Paypal account? If so, send me the email it's under.

Me -  Oh my goodness! What a blessing! You have no idea. It's been an emotional struggle for me this year. Trusting God to provide. I'm in tears. Thank you so much!!! My paypal address is ........

Friend -  Transfer sent. You should have the funds in your Paypal account shortly.

And stop crying!

Me -  That's just what I do. Lol   They are happy grateful tears!

So once again - God did exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or imagine this year.  He totally blew me away with His provision.  This gift freed us up to be able to surprise Jarod with something very unexpected and still be able to bless others the way we desired to.  So much worry and stress when God had it all planned out. 

Russell went and picked up the basketball goal and hid it at my brother's house.  That night, everyone came over to decorate Christmas cookies and a certain redheaded, 4 year old - who will remain anonymous, just could NOT keep the secret ANY longer! Ha Ha!  The benefit of this was that Jarod got to help Uncle Marc put it together on Christmas Eve.......

                                Soooooo thankful for Uncle Marc!  This was a heavy project!!!!

 

                                                               Finishing touches!

                                                                     Very excited!!!!

                 Of course, there was a brand new basketball under the tree Christmas morning!
Jarod knew we were tight and wasn't expecting this at all.  He was so excited and shocked at the same time.  It was so fun to sit down and tell him the story.  So he could see what God had done.

A special thank you to our friends for not just blessing Jarod with a basketball hoop - but for being obedient to what God had asked you to do.  Sometimes, our obedience has nothing to do with us - it's about someone else.  This time it was about our family - our journey (ok - maybe mostly crabby old me) MY journey in allowing God to continue to make us ME dependent on Him so that our MY faith will grow.  (Even with my kicking and screaming the entire way!)    


Funny - the things He uses to teach us with, huh?  It is so much more to us than just a basketball hoop.  It is about our faith.  It is about trusting God.  He'll do whatever it takes to draw us closer to Him.  I'm so thankful for that.  That is the best gift of all.

Maybe next year I'll have a better attitude!!!!

The Return of Butticus

Last year, I wrote this post.  I let you all in on one of the secrets of the Franklin household.  If you haven't already done so, you probably might want to read it so the rest of this makes better sense.

Ahem......

So - Butticus never showed up last year.  In hindsight, I really believe that he was thrown away.

Upon seeing all of the Elves return to Facebook this year, I was determined to find a new Butticus!  I thought about calling Anne's former Sunday School teacher, but explaining why I wanted to know where she got her tiny babies was going a bit too far.  She may read this blog - who knows?  But, ya - didn't want to talk about how Baby Jesus has been turned upside down, been re-named Butticus and used to play a crazy game all through the holidays.

I did the next best thing - I went online!  I looked at all the images of "Miniature Plastic Babies" (that was a little creepy at times!) and found one that I thought was the same.  (It has been two years.)  Ooooh!  $1.99 for 6 of them!  Perfect!  If he got lost - I would have spares!

I ordered him (them) and they arrived yesterday.  I said nothing to the kids and waited until they went to bed.  I opened the box and this little guy was in it.

Nope - not the same.  Not near as cute and much bigger then I remembered.

I went ahead and put him out.  I started easy - so he could be found quickly.

But something just wasn't right.

Jarod found him first.  He came into our room and said, "Uh - why is there a weird baby on the faucet in the bathroom?  That's NOT Butticus."

Great.  That was a waste of $1.99 (plus shipping)

Now what?

Jarod was a good sport and hid him on Anne's backpack so she could find him easily.

She found him and the first thing she said was "Butticus!!!!  Let's do this all year - not just at Christmas!!!!"

Okay - well, obviously the deformed Butticus didn't bother her.  But I was going to Hobby Lobby today and I thought I would check there and see if they had any babies.

Sure enough!  Butticus!  The REAL Butticus!  Should have just gone to Hobby Lobby to begin with!  They are awesome!

Another $1.99 and I could have the REAL Butticus (complete with the crazy mohawk looking thing on his head) and a whole litter of 15 more!  Yay Hobby Lobby!!!!

I came home and secretly switched him out.  Anne discovered him first and said (with the brightest and most excited face) "Ah!  The REAL Butticus!!!!  The other one was just wrong, Mom."  Well, at least she was a good sport about it earlier!

We like this one so much better!  He's probably half the size of the other (Only slightly larger than my thumb nail) and his butt is so much cuter! Don't you think?

Anne went off immediately to hide him and I could hear her giggling at herself from the other room.  Here's where I found him -

Ugh!  This girl!!!

As a friend said, "Nothing says Christmas quite like Butticus being eaten by a Giant Nutcracker!"

The Butticus tradition is in full swing!  Here are a few places he's already been spotted today - 

 He's just so much cuter on here than the other one!!!!

 Joseph's head.  Really, Jarod???

Nothing like being mooned while reaching for the Wii remote.....

So - this is Butticus!  Prepare to see photos on Facebook.  If you can post your elves, we can post our Butticus.  Besides, I was told today that, "He's so awesome that Elf on the Shelf wears Butticus jammies!"  I think I agree!

Until next time......

New Fundraiser Ornaments From Apparent Project

Hey Everyone! 

The New Fundraiser Ornaments have been revealed! Made from the Oil Drums with the cereal box beads!!!!! :-) 

These are available for a limited time.

 Need to raise funds for an adoption, a mission trip, sport team, school? 

 Selling for $10 each - you keep $5, Apparent Project gets $5! 

AWESOME!!!!!

 From Apparent Project's Facebook Page - 

 Coming September 15 for a limited time only! 

 In addition to our regular fundraiser bracelets - we will also have a holiday ornament fundraiser available this year.

Fundraise for your adoption, missions trip, school, or sports team while helping Haitians with much needed jobs! 

Contact apparentpartysales@gmail.com if you would like to participate in this NO RISK fundraiser! 50% of the sales go to benefit your cause!

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Excited to see what else is being created by these amazingly gifted artisans!!!

Until Next time.......

Christmas Cookies and Snowflake County

We have been so busy lately so I am just now catching up on blogging all of our activities.  Last weekend, we had our annual Christmas Cookie party. 

This year, we had a new helper.  Usually she is napping while be bake.  Not this year!

How cute is this little red head?  Have I told you that she is going to be a big sister?  Yes!!!!  It is true!  Sam and Marc are expecting baby #2 some time mid June.  Next Christmas we will have a new baby in the house!  Whoo hoo!!!!

Such a big helper!

So we spent Friday afternoon rolling and cutting out the cookies.  Sam is always a great help in baking them so I don't have to run back and forth to the oven the whole time.  After 9 years - we make a great team!

Love!!!!

On Saturday night we all sat around the table to decorate. We had a very special guest this year!!!

Can you see who it is????

Emily came all by herself for the weekend!  It was so good to have her spend this time with us.  She flew in on Friday and went back home on Sunday.  It was a quick trip but soooo much fun!

Uncle Russell isn't much for decorating cookies - he enjoys eating them more.  But he is a great help for when the little ones get bored.  If you could have heard the high pitched dialogue going on between Ariel and Rapunzel - it was AWESOME entertainment while we iced cookies!

Not too bad!!!!

Click here for the recipe and directions. 

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On Sunday, the children's choir at our church put on their Christmas musical.

The Secret of Snowflake County

Anne had several different rolls and boy, did she have fun....

She was a ballerina snowflake

A country line dancer - this was her first solo ever.  She did a great job!!!!

"Glory to God on High!"

She had a speaking part as a Wise Man

A Tap Dancing Wise Man

Our favorite was this one - the Silent night rapper

She's a nut.  Loved EVERY minute of it and did a GREAT job!  When I was her age I would have rather hid in a corner somewhere.  I LOVE her confidence.

Anne, Kaylin and Kierstin - Anne's BFF!

Kaylin and Kierstin were both baptized yesterday - so exciting!

Our Christmas is in full swing.  The kids finish out school this week.  Jarod's Science Fair project is complete and will be turned in today. Such a relief!  Anne is busy with class parties.  The Open House at her Dance Studio is this afternoon and Jarod's Scout Christmas party is tonight.

Christmas is extremely tight this year as we aren't spending money on gifts but saving it for our vacation to NC in between Christmas and New Years.  We would rather create memories than add more unnecessary "stuff" to our lives.  

Meggie's appointment went well on Friday.  She passed her eye exam but still needs more drops.  She has some unknown eye infection and they are trying to clear it up.  Otherwise all is well.

Praying for the families in Connecticut.  Can't even imagine the loss they are experiencing.

Closing out and reorganizing all my Apparent Project stuff for the year.  Have some exciting news to FINALLY share with you soon - stay tuned!

Until next time......

 

It's About the Cross

Last Saturday, (December 8) marked ten years since my mom's passing.  Hard to believe sometimes.  For those of you who are newer to my blog, my mom died from Lou Gherig's Disease or ALS. We spent 6 months living in her home, with me being the main care giver, until she died.

Grief is a journey.  After several years of having moments where it overwhelmed me, I can finally say that I am beyond that point.  I used to feel like her death "defined" me.  It was such a strong marker in my life and everything stemmed from that.  Yes - God has used it and for a long time it did define me - it defined who I was at that moment.  Now, I look at it and it no longer defines who I am but it has helped to establish who I have become.  It is in the past - it is only part of my story - not the whole thing.

It was 10 years ago this week, that I sat down at my computer and typed up this email. (This was before my blogging days).  I think about this often because this is where my faith shifted. This is where I truly understood the hope of Christmas.  Sometimes things cannot be fully understood until they are applied.

December 20, 2002

I hope you are doing well and have finished all your Christmas shopping.  Believe it or not, I am just about finished.  I only have a few things to pick up. Fortunately, I got started in early November so I had many things done before things got too crazy around here.

I did manage to get my Christmas Tree up and decorated this week and today I worked on Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls and our favorite Christmas Cookies.  Mom wanted so much for us to be able to come home and have a normal Christmas and not have to worry about taking care of her and the Lord answered that prayer, along with many others that I'm going to share with you.  So, I have decided to plug away and make things as normal as possible.  Jarod is loving it.  Everyday he asks if Santa has come yet.  It's probably a good thing we didn't get the tree up and the house decorated until this late because he is having a hard time being patient.  But hey, that's the excitement of a 3 year old, right?

The Monday before Mom died, she called Marc and I to her bedside and told us how proud of us she was and how she has watched us pull away from her over the last few months and really lean on the Lord.  She said she had worked her way out of a job.  She also said that God had been good and answered all of her prayers concerning her illness.  The number one being that she was still talking to us - and continued to talk to us until Friday.  She was still cracking jokes even then - her sense of humor through all of her illness was amazing.  Secondly, she was still able to stand - with much assistance - but she wasn't confined to bed until right before she died.  And of course, thirdly, that we could go home for Christmas.

Many people have wondered about how I am doing since Christmas is right on top of us.  Actually, I am doing amazingly well.  I had the unique experience of watching mom die physically. That may sound morbid at first but, as she lay in the bed and her physical body changed every hour, I understood what it was for the spirit to leave the body.  All that was left behind was an empty shell and I was left with the complete confidence and assurance that she was with the Lord.  The last 30 hours of my mom's life, while she lay in a coma, were difficult, and yet very peaceful.  I clung to a verse that a dear friend of mine gave me.  Psalms 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."  I knew that He was in the house with all of us as we cared for her - I was comforted and even at times, overwhelmed by His presence.

Having lost my Grandfather suddenly 10 years ago and then watching my mom die over a long period of time - I will have to say that there are pros and cons to each.  God has a purpose in everything He allows in our lives.  It's our jobs to take advantage of that and learn what He has for us.  Regardless of rather mom was taken suddenly or over a long period of time - the apron strings would have to be cut.  The results were going to be the same - mom would be gone and I would have to learn how to get through life without her constant influence.  I am so very thankful that God allowed us to have the last six months together.  God, in His grace, allowed me to slowly break away, and rely on Him more.  And mom, was able to see the growth in me and we both were given the knowledge that I would be okay. What a tremendous blessing.  I cherish the last 6 months of caring for her and learning from her and allowing her and Jarod to know one another.

There were so many times when I was so overwhelmed by it all and just wanted to quit.  I did what I did because I didn't want to take the easy way out and miss out on lessons that God had for me.  Well, His lessons are not always easy and there were many times I just want my life back. But God, in His mercy, in the middle of my being selfish --- being "human" --- continued to work, and teach me things and grow me in the direction that He wanted me to go.  Only now am I just beginning to see His hand over the last several months - when I couldn't see it before - and I am completely overwhelmed by His love and His faithfulness.  He has had His hand on every aspect of this.  He had a purpose in it all.  Who are we to question God?  Many people ask why such a thing could happen to a woman like my mom.  I say it was because she loved Him so much and was completely and totally willing to be used by Him no matter what it took.  In many ways I see it as her giving her life for me.  So God could teach me things that I would not have learned otherwise.  Other people learned from this, don't e get me wrong.  But deep down inside, I have to question myself - am I willing?  she gave her life to the Lord and he allowed it to be overtaken by disease so that others may know Him better.  And through it all she never complained or questioned Him,   Do I even have half the faith that she did?  What a legacy and an heritage!

So - as Christmas approaches - how am I doing?  I'm great!!!!  Death is always difficult - whether it be Christmas or in the middle of July. But this doesn't bring a cloud over my holiday - it gives me a totally new and deeper understanding of Christmas.  Without Christmas there would be no hope. There wouldn't be the peace and the joy I am experiencing right now in the assurance that my mom is spending her Christmas with the King of Kings.  Without the birth of Jesus (and the death and resurrection) there would be no hope.  I have clung to that knowledge the last several days.  I know that mom is in heaven and that I will see her again.  I know that God is in complete control of my whole life and anything that happens to me, He allows for a reason - He allows so that I will be a better person.  I have a new perspective on life, death - and Christmas - and I am thankful for the experience.  God is good.

Until next time - have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Cami

Wow - I read this now and am so thankful for the journey I have been on.  I have learned so much about faith - about trusting God and knowing how much He loves me and that no matter what happens in my life, there is always a bigger purpose.  I can trust Him to walk with me in the good times and in the bad and know that it will all be okay.

Loosing mom at Christmas caused me to really see Christmas for what it is.  I had always known it with my head - but this caused me to experience it with my heart.  Christmas brings hope and salvation.  Christmas is only the beginning of the story.

A few years ago, I was introduced to this song.  It has become my favorite.  It says it all.....



The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it's the ending that can save you and that's why we celebrate
It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again
It's about God's love
Nailed to a tree
It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me
It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday

Last week, this billboard was put up in Times Square by atheists.org

My heart breaks for these people.  Their merriment is so temporary.  What happens when tragedy comes?  Who do they turn to?  How can they get through without a personal relationship with the real and very much alive, Jesus Christ?

Isn't funny how they didn't put a photo of the manger in this picture?  Even they acknowledge that Christmas is about the cross.  They jumped right to the real meaning -  the end of the story - the one that is so threatening to them.

How can you survive this world without hope?  The only real hope is in Christ.  I am praying tonight that eyes will be opened, hearts will be changed and lives will be saved.  It's all about our eternity - where will you spend yours?

Christmas is all about the cross.....




Until next time.....

A Super Shooter Christmas

Anyone out there remember these????

I found this one on ebay - the person wanted $219.00 for it.  Ya - whatever!  A little much for my blood.  Most of the others were going for $30 - $50.  A bit more reasonable for a piece of our cooking history.

I say history because I went looking on line to find out how old it is.  I couldn't find a copyright in my cookbook that came with it.

Yep - I have one.  Well - in all honesty - it was my moms.  I remember her using it when I was Anne's age.  So - like I said - cooking history!!!  They don't make them any more.  At least not the electric ones. 

I'm shocked each year when I pull it out that it still works.  See the ugly green trigger button.  Proof that it had to of been made in the 70's, right?

Anne and I dug ours out today and made cookies for her class party on Monday.  She was a big help!

And it brought back so many memories for me!

Perfect!!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Butticus

Many of you have taken to the whole "Elf on a Shelf" craze and I commend you!  I love seeing the photos on Facebook and observing all of the mischief that your elves get into each day.  What fun!

Anne watches over my shoulder often as I look through Facebook and upon seeing several of the elf photos she said, "Mom, don't ever get us one of those elves - he totally creeps me out."

I had to chuckle but I know she is serious.  She has an aversion to doll faces.  They have to have just the right kind of face for her to like them and even then - they must be put away at night so they don't appear to be lurking in the shadows of her room.

I get it - some dolls are a little creepy.  I guess she feels that way about the Elf on the Shelf.

That's okay - last year we started our own version.

Brace yourself - you are about to experience the craziness that is the Franklin household.  We had the best time with this last year but I was too embarrassed to blog about it.  I figured you would all think we were crazy or something.  I've come to the conclusion that everyone knows we are (especially after Meggie gained her own Facebook page this year) so - I'm putting it out there.

Besides, this post has caused me to be brave!  I'm not the only mom with wacky kids. 

Last year, my daughter had a fascination with butts.  Yes - B-U-T-T-S.  You read correctly.  Anything that had two bumps and a line in the middle caused the girl to go into the giggles.  Everything from rocks to tree stumps somehow resembled a butt and she did not have a problem telling you so.  I don't know why we were surprised.  Russell prayed for a little girl with his personality.  God certainly answered that prayer. 

Last year, during a Sunday School lesson about the birth of Jesus, Anne's teacher had them create a manger scene and gave them each one of these miniature babies to put in it to represent baby Jesus. Innocent enough, right?

Ya - not so much!

Anne turned hers over, saw the tiny little butt,  and immediately announced that his name was "Butticus." 

Great.

The Preacher's Kid.

Butticus

What do you do with that?  She told us the story in the car on the way home and of course we corrected her and told her that it wasn't appropriate to call him Butticus - especially in Sunday School class. But all Anne could do was giggle.  She's a mess.

Baby Butticus continued to be brought up in conversation so we began to ignore her hoping she would forget about it.  Not Anne.

The next thing I knew, we were finding Baby Butticus all over our house.  I would wake up in the morning and he would be deliberately placed on my computer key board.  Russell would find him on his coffee maker.  Then I found him in the fridge on the Sour Cream container.  It was nothing to find him on the back of the toilet or on the kitchen faucet or in the ice container in the freezer.  Anywhere that was just large enough to balance him - and of course - he is ALWAYS face down because Baby Butticus' butt has to be seen!

It quickly became a running gag that we all played.  We forced ourselves to forget that the butt we were looking at once represented baby Jesus and began to put him all over the house - in the craziest places.  And whoever found Baby Butticus had to hide him next.  It would be nothing to be sitting calmly and then hear someone break into laughter because a tiny little butt was staring them in the face.  Oh - the Christmas memories we create!!!!!

I sit here now giggling about it.  Maybe it's partly because it's 12:40 in the morning - but I think it's mainly because our daughter is creative and fun and she made us all laugh once again! 

The problem now is - whoever hid him last did a REALLY good job.  We haven't started playing yet this year because Baby Butticus cannot be found.  He really is tiny - maybe an inch and a half long. He was last spotted on Anne's dresser.  I did a thorough cleaning, moving furniture, etc, looking for him today.  No luck.  But Anne's room is clean - that's a bonus.

We'll find him - and when we do - someone will be laughing.......


On a different but similar note about family craziness -

Meggie has a Veterinary Ophthalmologist appointment tomorrow. She is so worried that she may need glasses.  We caught her trying some on today to see what she would look like......

What do you think????

We've tried to explain to her that having glasses is a requirement to being a Franklin - but I don't think she's buying it.

Seriously though - she has developed strange spots deep within one of her eyes and her pupil is becoming  distorted.  We have been watching it change since the end of September and her regular vet is baffled.  So, tomorrow, she sees a specialist.  Praying all is well for our little furry friend.

Until next time......

Christmas!

I am so excited about Christmas this year!  I don't really know what the difference is - but I am a bit giddy.  Two years ago, I struggled through as God brought me to a place where He would introduce me to Apparent Project.  The rest has been an amazing journey!

We came home from Sasha's yesterday and got to work.  We always know it's Christmas when I find this:

Getting the Christmas stuff out of the attic.  How cute is that?

We took off to the lot around the corner and found that perfect tree!

Did you know Christmas trees grow about a foot per year?  I figure ours was planted about the time Anne was born.  It is always amazing to think that when that tree was planted, seven or eight years ago, God knew it would wind up in our house.

My helpers were GREAT this year!  Finally old enough that I don't have to micro-manage!

Our new additions this year.

All finished and ready for Christmas!

Now on to the REST of the house!  Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Season!!!!

Thank You

I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who came out and shopped this weekend!

I posted pics and reminders almost every day for six weeks.  You shared, invited and came and supported Apparent Project.

It was awesome!  This was an incredible weekend.  From the time it started until it finished, there were people in my house.  I don't think we had any down time.

In the last two days, you bought $4000 in products to support the Haitian artisans.  What an incredible blessing.

Add that to the $1000 I sold last week, and I am mailing  $5000 to them!  On top of the $3600 I sent in last month.  It just boggles my mind!

Once again I am truly blown away by God's plan with this, the generosity of others and the fact that I get to be involved.

Thank you all so very much!

If you missed this weekend and would still like to shop, or you want to come back for more - here is the next opportunity.

Feel free to spread the word and share with others! 

Apparent Project Open House

Are you ready????  It's going to be awesome!  You have read all about Apparent Project on my blog for two years but haven't seen this stuff in person yet - aren't you a little curious?  Here is your chance!!!!!

 

Drop by - bring your friends, your family, other church members.  Come check it out!  There is no obligation to buy but I bet you won't be able to help but walk away with something fun!  This stuff is unbelievably amazing!  Pictures don't do it justice!  And remember 100% of your purchase goes directly back to Haiti - helping the artisans to feed, clothe, shelter, educate and most importantly KEEP their children!!!!

If this option doesn't work for you - here in another location and a few different dates - CLICK HERE.

You cannot go wrong with these Christmas gifts!  It's a WIN/WIN for everyone!  I originally got started with Apparent Project because I wanted the money I spent on Christmas gifts to count - to matter - to help.  This totally does that!  I post new photos HERE every day of the items that will be at the Open House.  Stop by and check it out.

Contact me with any questions!