When Your Six Year Old Has a Fan Club... Recently, I was returning home from the bus stop with our three school age children. Ours is a remote neighborhood; which means that the school bus drops off a load of children about a mile from our house. Plus, our house is up a private lane which curves another half mile up the side of a steep mountain. Have I ever told you that we live in West Virginia? This is one of my favorite times of day. Is it like that at your house? The first 15 minutes when you see your children after a long school day? Ours is always filled with the latest headlines and major news of the day. Sometimes, I wonder if I should notify CNN. Violet enjoys sharing the latest fashions of her fellow sixth graders. Lately, there has also been a bit of drama in the band room since auditions for chairs are underway. Isaac, on the other hand, rarely discusses any news of school; because it is always “great”. Rather, he’s engrossed in what’s happening with the … [Read more...]
Tree Traditions
"Oh Christmas Tree! Oooooh Christmas Tree!" This weekend found the Hott House in a bustle! With plenty of Thanksgiving leftovers still in the fridge, our oldest “Hott-ling” Caity began leaving subtle hints to put up the Christmas tree. (Well, about as subtle as dropping a bomb, that is!) For an unusually warm fall day, Caity and Violet dragged the 20+something boxes over to the house from storage. The energy mounted from the younger brothers as the prospect of decorating the Christmas tree commenced. Of course, the sight of a tree is a reminder of presents to follow. Right? First, the annual “discussion” over where to put the tree began. You see, we have since mounted a flat screen t.v. along the only empty space in the house, which by the way, happens to be visible from every angle of the great room. This was no accident, I remind you, of my engineer husband! Only, it makes for complicated tree raising when Christmas rolls around. Added to that, we purchased a … [Read more...]
Heartfelt Thanks
Sometimes something so unexpected happens that I find that I need to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming. Sunday service last week began with the usual program of hymns, announcements, choir, and prayer - pretty much like any other given Sunday at church. I never imagined that what occurred this particular Sunday would be something that changes me forever, that left an impression on my heart and melted my very soul. But then again, wouldn't that be cool for each and every Sunday at church? At First UMC, it is! You see, Pastor Andrew asked a very simple question. He began with the children during kids' time. Following more songs and church-like stuff, he continued to the adults with something so ordinary, a topic quite common during the season of Thanksgiving. He directed us to turn in our pews and and discuss a question among others seated around us. Now, don’t these kinds of exercises sometimes make you feel uncomfortable? Really. Here we are in church and all and … [Read more...]
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