When I was a kid, my parents dragged me to every place on Chistmas. I think divorced parents try to tell the kids that it’s twice the presents and love. I never experienced it that way. It was always open your presents, but don’t take your coat off because we can’t stay we have to hit the next house. We woke up, opened presents, got dressed, went to grandma’s, went to dad’s, went to other grandma’s, went to mom’s new husbands parents and then home. I never even got a chance to breath.

Then, I had my own kids and I got very protective of our Christmas’. We stay home. Sure, we take off to pick up my husband’s mom, but the kids stay in their p.j.’s and play and eat all day. Family is welcome to come to my house, but they know not to even ask us to come to theirs. Selfish? Abosolutely!!!! I dreamt of these Chistmas’ my whole life. My focus has shifted as a married adult with two small kids…I make Christmas what it is supposed to be celebrated for. The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Gifts are great, and of course we go overboard like everyone else, but Chistmas is wonderful.

Please don’t misunderstand. I think some people aren’t made to stay married. My thought is that maybe if you are divorced, be sensitive to your kids more. Don’t drag them all over the place. A child understands more than you think. They just want to play with their toys and spend time with family and have some great snacks.

What a wonderful time of year. I’m ready to celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ’s birth and all is well at our house. Every year at this time I miss my dad, and Kurt’s dad. I think they are both looking down at our little family and are truely proud of how far we’ve come. I don’t worry too much about the shopping, baking or the extra pounds. I worry about dumb stuff. Things I have no control over.  I have to be reminded that I am ultimately not in control of what happens to me or my family. Sure, we are given free will to make choices, but Glory be to God! Let’s be reminded of my FAVORITE Bible Verse—

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Trust God! That’s all I need to remember this Christmas. Jesus was born on Christmas Day to bring hope and joy.  May this Christmas give you hope for the future.

Love and Blessings, Carrie

Did you know that most Christian churches condone abortion? I know I’m going to take some heat for this, however, this is a topic very near and dear to me.

My husband and I have been members at a Presbyrterian church for a while now. We knew our pastor was pretty liberal, but love him. He’s so smart and well versed. He’s awsome and his sermons always hit home. We started talking and doing some research into political candidates and somehow started stubling into the Presbyrterian Church of America beliefs. The Presbyrterian churchs’ beliefs are essentially wishy washy at best. I’m very disappointed.  What are your thoughts about attending a church where the churches beliefs are different from your own?

I am not a person who can’t get over a friend that had an abortion or a family member that is a homosexual. I love them. I do my best to remember that God is the ultimate judge and I sin. I’m not above sin. I believe that pre-marital sex is wrong. So does God. 

I could never condone my daughter having pre-marital sex or an abortion. It stops a beating heart. That’s all I need to know about this issue. It’s wrong. Love the sinner, hate the sin.

So no more babies, what about a dog? Anyone who knows this family, knows how awful of a track record we have with pets of any kind. Here’s the thing, I can justify it 9 ways from Sunday, but I love dogs. I like cats, sure, but I LOVE DOGS.

So Kyra, Tyler and I went for a long drive yesterday and came home with a new baby. An 11 week old Collie puppy to be named later. The glorious part? The breeder said we could take it for a couple of weeks and see if it works out.

We spent the night with the dog gated in the kitchen. Already, that’s different from our former mistakes. Can I just say, no accidents…This dog is a genius! He’s calm and docile and so nice. Tyler loves taking the dogs toy and giving it back. No caos!

Of course this could all go south, but what if it doesn’t? We got a dog!

Good morning everyone! Hope the 3 of you that read this are doing great today and enjoying the gorgeous fall weather the Lord has provided today. I want to take a moment to let you all in on a few secrets…

First, I’m not perfect. I really try hard to be. I’m not sure why, but I think it must have something to do with never doing anything right as a kid.  I always want my husband to come home to a piping hot dinner, a clean house and happy kids. This happens about once a week. I have awful morning breath and sometimes I don’t get a shower until 2 in the afternoon.

Second, I’m not the best mom. I make mistakes. I yell too much and don’t pray with my kids enough. We don’t pray before dinner unless we sit at the kitchen table and that’s only when my mother-in-law comes for dinner.

Third, I’m a great baker. I love to cook and bake and am really pretty good at it. I don’t want to brag, but my husband and kids love when I whip up something new. Sometimes it’s a flop. I make mistakes and get frustrated about them, but I keep trying.

I have a thousand things I could be honest about, but I won’t bore you. The reason for this post is to let all you mom’s out there, working or homemaking, know that NO ONE IS PERFECT!!!!

My friend Jen told me yesterday that I need to let myself off the hook and stop justifying myself when I need to drop Tyler off so I can get a haircut.

God gave us all gifts. It’s important we recognize that everything from a gorgeous fall day to healthy kids to low stress mornings are a gift…Be thankful!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m trying. Say it with me…”Thank you God for every gift today, seen and unseen. Help me to find beauty in small moments”

YA GOD!!!

Have you ever thought there was something wrong with you because you don’t have as many friendships in your 30’s as opposed to your teens and 20’s? I often find myself wondering where everyone went.

The Lord intends for us to grow and change. Do friendships always evolve through the changes? I don’t often talk to people who have had the same friends since they were kids. It does occur to me that my husband has a couple of friends he’s known since he was in early grade school. Women are just plain different.

I don’t find anything more devisive than when the decision comes to leave the corporate world and become a full time wife and mom. I think some women are just plain offended when a fully financially independent woman decides to leave a nice paycheck for her family. The truth is, I’ve never felt so alone as when I made the call to be my kids mom.

Let’s get back to the questions at hand, though. Is it harder to have friendships now? It is for me. I can name numerous people that I know and have a great relationship with, but only a handful of truely exceptional people that I call my friends. Most people wouldn’t even count their husbands…I do. I can be really honest with him and he knows all my stuff…you know, the stuff only a true friend knows. Then there are 3 very new friends I can count and a couple…just a couple who I’ve had longer than a couple of years.

I feel as though I’ve really decided who God wants me to be in the last couple of years. A lot of people don’t want to face the truth. I can, I just don’t always like what I face.

• Friendships take nurturing. Sometimes I get really wrapped up in my family and simply can’t exert energy outside these 4 walls.
• It’s a wake up call to learn who you learn who you can count on in a crisis.
• It’s also a wake up call to not always be the giver in a friendship but sometimes take a little for yourself.

This may make no sense to anyone but me, but that’s okay. Like I told Kurt, a blog is cheaper than therapy!!!!!

Have a great night!