O Christmas Tree (Times Three)

Yes, I put up three trees. We put up our "sentimental," "this is our life" tree first every year. It sits in our dining room window on the front of our house. On it hangs our children's childhood ornaments and family ornaments. The first two are the oldest on the tree. As a teenager, I collected unicorns and my mother gave me this ball around 1980. You can see the cracks in it. In 1984 I had a baby girl and my cousin Tammy, who is Mallory's godmother, gave her this gold one.

The next three ornaments chronicle mine and Larry's first three married Christmases. We married in 1990, got pregnant in 1991, and had Shelbi 3 days after our second anniversary in 1992. Busy, busy years. =)

Shelbi's first ornament. The little heart behind it came from a dear friend in 1983, who has since gone to Glory.

I love the next one on the left because it represents our first year as grandparents and our newest grandson's (Leon) first Christmas ornament in on the right.

Then there are those that captured our fun memories, like Sarah's princess one from our Disney World vacation in 2004. And the famous lamp from Larry's favorite Christmas movie.

Shelbi's got tons of sports ornaments from years of summer softball and basketball. The second one I gave her the year she started texting like crazy. It actually is a symbol of her overcoming selective mutism, too. She started texting friends that she wanted to talk to and worked her way up to verbal communication. This year Shelbi is a Senior, so I was tickled to find a little graduating snowman. His robe even matches Shelbi's school colors. =)

Finished product. I love my gingerbread tree skirt.

Just threw a picture of my Willow Tree nativity scene in because it's also in the dining room. I leave it up year round just because I love it.

I put this wreath together for my dining room/kitchen archway. I love gingerbread decorations.

When we bought our house nine years ago, I did the living room in moss green, cream, and mauve. That's when we started doing two trees. All of my traditional ornaments really clashed, so I bought a lot of Victorian style ornaments in my color scheme and added some gold. I LOVE this tree, even though I threaten every year not to put it up. It takes forever to do the lights and get it decorated. This year, I skipped the balls.

These are a few of my favorite ornaments.

This frame holds copies of mine and Larry's baby pics. I absolutely adore it!

Lots of crosses. I love the nativity scene etched into the one on the right.

This picture is of my Nannie and Poppa when they first got married. It was taken in 1937 (scanned copy, also). The pram on the right is typical of most of the other ornaments.

The one on the left is special because my Aunt Nancy got it for me. It was handmade and she bought it at a yard sale. I loved the fact that she thought about me, but also love the way the beads sparkle in the lights on the tree. I think it looks like a miniature chandelier. And the tree at night! Yes, I like lots of lights. :) I do have a pretty tree skirt, but forgot to put it on before I took these pictures and I am too lazy to take another picture, download it off the camera, and put it on the blog. ;)

Of course, every teacher also has to decorate their class, too. This tree is so special because it contains ornaments my students gave me since my first year, like the Santa on the left from Tre in 2001 and the right is from Skylar in 2007. =)

Bradford gave me this apple one last Christmas and I bought the one on the right a couple of years ago because it sums up what teaching means to me.

Usually, my class trees have been big and covered with student made ornaments, but because of the number of children and lack of space I downsized and now just have my little "teacher tree." They're taking their ornaments home for their trees.

This concludes my tour of trees. Soon I'll be posting pictures of grandchildren ripping open their gifts. =) Merry Christmas!

Please Keep the Prayers Coming

My sister, Becky, and I just got back from visiting my Uncle Harold in the ICU. His breathing situation is not any better and they asked him if he wanted to be put on a respirator. He has a DNR order which states not to put him on one if it would be long-term. The doctors said if he was put on now, it would be permanent and he'd have to live in a nursing home. Uncle Harold declined and says he is prepared to go. They allowed his granddaughters 11 and under to see him today. The hospital is also allowing my aunt to sleep on a cot in his room. Becky and I went to the hospital tonight knowing it would probably be the last time we see him alive unless God intervenes miraculously.

When we walked in, we could hear him picking at the nurse. I was reminded of when we first met him. My Aunt Thelma is only 14 years older than I am and met Harold in college. I was probably 6 or 7. When she brought him home to meet my grandparents, the grandkids should have scared him off. Instead he pretended to eat worms in front of us, which grossed me out, and picked at us. Later, he would torture us by tickling us to tears. So I wasn't surprised to find him on oxygen, struggling to breathe, and still giving the male nurse a hard time. Then he made sure the nurse knew he had been kidding, then added, "You might have to come in and help my wife tonight." He talked about Heaven while we were with him and how he has loved ones he looks forward to seeing again. It seemed like he was reassuring us, and himself, that he would be alright. I told him I hear a lot of complaining from people, then hear "Well, that's life. It beats the alternative." Well, that depends on what your alternative is. Uncle Harold seems to be looking forward to the alternative, even though it breaks his heart to leave his wife, children, grandchildren, and his parents. Yes, he still has his parents. They were there visiting tonight. It breaks my heart that his mom has to lose her child and my heart breaks for my aunt, my cousins and their children, too. Saying goodbye to your loved one is NEVER easy. Please pray for God's peace and comfort over my uncle, aunt and their family. Thank you.

Praise and Prayer Request

PRAISE REPORT

Debbie sent me a text tonight that I just read a few minutes ago. She said that Rebecca, our almost 9 year old granddaughter got saved tonight!!!!! I don't know any details of where and what transpired and it was too late to call, but I am in tears just from reading the text. Becca's always been tenderhearted and spiritually minded, asking lots of questions about God, Jesus, Heaven, etc. Just look at my sweet girl! Now, who wouldn't want to spend eternity with her?!

Rebecca, this is THE most important decision you will EVER make and the fact that you made it at only 8 shows everyone how smart and special you are! =) I am SO proud of you. I love you, baby!

PRAYER REQUEST

My Dad called today and said my Uncle Harold is in ICU on a ventilator. He was diagnosed several months back with "hardening of the lungs." (I don't remember the technical name for it.) Anyway, he's probably only 60 years old and has a wife (my aunt), 2 daughters and 6 very young grandchildren. Please pray for Harold and Thelma Allgood and their family. Thank you.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Count Your Blessings, Literally

Since hearing that Larry's job will be ending soon, I've really been overwhelmed with all the decisions we are facing regarding our future. So much is up in the air. Still, I have much to be grateful for. I also made a promise to praise Him through the storm and that's what I intend to do. I decided to make a list of my blessings, some new and some old, that I am so very thankful for.

** Disclaimer** They are NOT listed in order of importance or value. :)

1. My salvation at ten years old (well, this one IS number one.) More importantly, I'm thankful for, and to, the one that made salvation possible. He who first loved me.
2. My husband who is willing to sacrifice what he wants in order to provide for us. The fact that he is a great father--- and his children realize it.
3. Our six amazing, beautiful, brilliant daughters.
4. My mother and sisters that have ALWAYS been there for me.
5. Our sons-in-law that we love and, more importantly, that love our daughters.
6. Our six amazing, gorgeous, brilliant grandchildren. =)
7. My awesome network of extended family. I love my aunts, uncles, and cousins. And my stepmother, father, and nieces and nephews. And most of my in-laws. ;)
8. That I grew up surrounded by six loving grandparents. They gave me roots and also sowed the first seeds of faith in my life.
9. Our church family. I've never been to any other church where everyone genuinely loves each other. And they will know you by the love you have for one another.
10. My job, especially now. ;-) And the awesome women I work with.
11. Babies! (enough said)
12. Leon's sweet disposition and his precious belly laugh. I'm thankful that I can have him the whole week of Thanksgiving. Yay for me!
13. Yesterday, when my husband was asked if he hunted, he replied that he doesn't have time because his family is his hobby. :)
14. I love that Harlee says she loves her Poppa the best. Aww.
15. I love that Mason says he loves Mimi the best. Still melts my heart. :)
16. I love that Noah says he loves Poppa and Mimi. Such a diplomat. lol
17. I love that Becca looks for houses with for sale signs (and reports to us when she finds one)because she wants us to live near her.
18. I love that Lauren is comically quirky.
19. I am SO thankful that God completely delivered Shelbi from Selective Mutism this year!
20. My little sister's MS is in remission! Yay!
21. Larry's job offer, even if he decides to turn it down. It's good just to know you're wanted. I know that from experience.
22. My house is warm in the winter, cool in the summer. I have food in the cabinets and the fridge and when I don't, Wal-Mart is .4 miles away.
23. I have the means (right now :) to sponsor two Compassion children, Latifa and John Dave.
24. Every month, when I put my St. Jude withdrawal in the checkbook, I'm grateful Shelbi did not have leukemia 16 years ago.
25. I have friends that know me and still love/tolerate me anyway. =) Mind boggling, I know.
26. Grants, scholarships, and even the loans that helped me return to school 12 years ago.
27. Computers, Internet, and cell phones that keep us connected to our loved ones.
28. Cameras that capture beautiful, treasured memories.
29. Seeing my daughters in gorgeous wedding gowns/bridesmaid/prom dresses. =)
30. Watching my husband in his tux when he gave four of them away.
31. My grandchildren are my favorite little people on the planet. I hope we are best friends when they grow up like my Nannie and I were. I hope they never stop missing and loving me, even after I'm gone.
32. I own old black and white (and more recent) pictures of family members that are gone.

I love that things are going to pop into my head later and I'll have to add to this list. I am trusting that this list will get longer each year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Don't forget to GIVE THANKS! =)

Noah is 8 Years (and one day) Old

Our second daughter, Stephanie, had an ultrasound on 6/1/01 and we found out we were getting our first grandson. When she came by that afternoon with the sonogram pictures, Larry said, "I'll believe it when I see it!" LOL At this time we had our six girls and our first granddaughter was 4 months old. Larry couldn't even wrap his head around the possibility of not being the only family member with testosterone.

November 4th, Kenneth "Noah" arrived.

Boy oh boy, we were headed on a new adventure. We wondered if we'd even know what to do with a little boy. People say girls are harder to raise, but when you have nothing else, it's kind of hard to imagine any different. Of course, everyone know babies are all the same, right? Not true of this one. While most infants prefer women over men, Noah was born to be all boy. He was a sweet baby who loved all of us, but would tremble with delight when he heard his Daddy or Poppa talk.

I LOVE the look of total adoration in this one as he looks up at Poppa. =) He's six months here.

About a year and a half. This one was SO Noah! You could never take your shoes off when he was around without him jumping into them. This kid had a shoe fettish early on. That, he gets from his Momma. ;)

At his 2nd birthday party. Long before this picture, Noah was a funny kid. He kept us entertained with tricks, antics, and funny faces.



At 2 1/2, he became a big brother to Mason. Look at that little ham!

At three, he still loved putting on other people's clothes. :)

At four, he was the ring bearer in his Aunt Leslie's wedding. That's a whole 'nother post. LOL I always fall for a man in a tuxedo! Doesn't he look handsome?! And Becca looked like a little princess! Such adorable grandkids--- I'll bet everybody wishes theirs were as cute as ours. ;)

Here's one of my favorites of him with his little brother, Mason. They were 5 and 2 in this one.

Six years old, with his Mommy at his Kindergarten Graduation reception. You think they are kin? If he were a girl, he'd be her clone. :)

Last year, at his seventh birthday party. He had to have a "John Deere" tractor cake. (Yes, Nicki! lol)

He's a great big brother to Harlee (almost 3)! He will do anything for this bossy little sister, except take his eyes off of the Nintendo DS. hehe

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NOAH!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

MIMI, POPPA, & AUNT SHELBI

Sorry this is a day late! So glad you had a great day yesterday! =)

Wordless Wednesday

Processing, Praying, and Praising....

Thursday evening as I was heading home after a LONG work day, I called my sister and asked if she and her husband needed help at their deer processing business. A church friend had just told me Wednesday night that her husband was laid off and I thought Becky might need some help since deer season started. An hour later, I'm calling her again. This time I tell her to save a spot for Larry, too. Right after I had arrived home, Larry asked me to sit down. I took one look at his face and said, "Did you lose your job?" Yep, that's right. The paper mill he's worked at for the past 6 1/2 years is closing its doors on Dec. 26th. His supervisor had called him that morning and Larry carried the burden alone until that night. He'd even been to my school that day helping set up for the Fall Festival and never let on. He said he didn't want to tell me while I was at work. Here he was--- sick over this news, but more concerned with how I'd handle it. Such a good man! I was sick for him. He's been with this same company for almost 34 years. The local mill closed July 2003 and that's when he transferred to this one. He's been driving back and forth 70 miles each way, each work day.

Everyone I told asked, "What are y'all going to do?" Good question! =) Though it's kind of hard to answer that just an hour after you've been told. lol We're praying, weighing options, and trying to wait patiently for an answer. (I said "trying"--- no promises. We're talking only 2 months warning, people. Not much time for patience.) He can put in for a transfer again, which he might do, but all the mills, like everything else, are struggling so there are NO guarantees that they're hiring or that they'll even be open much longer. If we do move, the school system has to be taken into consideration because I'll have to change jobs again, too. (Which I really hate to think about. I'm just getting settled.) He can get some retirement, but not enough to cover bills and health insurance, which will now have to come out of my pay. He's not old enough to really retire, even if he does qualify for AARP =), so he'll find something to supplement that income.

On the positive side, I did just get a job that doubled my previous pay, remember? And has insurance benefits! I'm so thankful for that! Our vehicles are old, but also paid for. Our house has actually appreciated! That's a biggie nowadays. We do not have a short term savings, but we do have a 401K that we can cash in 5 years from now without a penalty. And we can take it out and pay the penalty, if worse comes to worst. I guess going through it six years ago (when he lacked 2 years getting even a small retirement) made it easier this time. We survived through the closure, the demotion, the decrease in pay, and him driving 3 hours a day. This time we are more confident that "This too shall pass." Today, Larry posted my favorite scripture on Facebook. This scripture got me through a rough situation eight years ago. Almost every Christian can quote it or, at least, is familiar with it. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We usually stop there, but the next two verses, though seldom quoted, are even more important. Jeremiah 29:12-13 "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

"Praising through the storm" has become a popular phrase lately. I'm going to put that into practice. Hold me to that, okay? ;) Oh, and it is perfectly fine with me if you want to pray for us and the others going through this. I'm sure they won't mind. Some of them have a lot more to lose than we do.

Speaking of praise--- if you enjoy Angie's blog Bring the Rain, head on over there. And praise your little heart out!!!!! If you haven't read her blog before, then you're way over due. =)

PS One more praise---- if you can stand it! Tomorrow I get this little guy again for four whole days! YES!!! Now, don't be jealous! ;)

Wordless Wednesday

Lauren Turns Five!!!

Our second granddaughter (and fourth grandchild), Lauren Elizabeth, was born 5 years ago today. We got a phone call at 6:37 am that Debbie's (her mom) water had broken. They lived 5 hours away, so I got dressed and started packing while waiting on Larry who was an hour away on his way home from work. Needless to say, we "flew" to the hospital and arrived in plenty of time to meet Lauren. This is her sister, Rebecca, meeting her for the first time. So sweet!

Four months old

First Birthday!! This mess left a nice brown ring around Debbie's tub. ;)

Two years old

This is her signature sign that she needs a nap. She rubbed her tag every time she got sleepy!

Third birthday party. Love the static hair! ;-)

These two pictures were taken during their week long visit this past July.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAUREN!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

MIMI, POPPA, & AUNT SHELBI

Happy Birthday, Ma (aka Doris E/MawMaw)

Lauren's not the only one celebrating a birthday today! Larry's mom, my mom-in-law, has one too! I won't put her age on here--- she'd hate me! If you've seen my previous family birthday posts, you'd know we have several double birthdays in our family! Lauren's sister Becca shares hers with her Poppa (Larry) and my stepdaughter, Leslie, shares hers with my sister, Becky. Anyway, Lauren was born on her great-grandmother's. Thought that was pretty neat.

This is one of the few fairly new pictures I have of her that I think she'd approve of. This is her with her favorite son at his 50th birthday party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

LOVE,

LARRY, PENNY, & SHELBI

Wordless Wednesday

Remind Me Again, Lord~~ WHY Am I A Teacher?

The first several weeks into this new school year, I was overwhelmed, frustrated, and exhausted. Implementing behavior/discipline plans, learning a whole new curriculum, learning a new school and their systems takes a toll physically and mentally. Some days, I really felt like throwing in the towel. I was questioning my decision to teach, and my abilities, for the umpteenth time. Going from 6 students to 19 is not a piece of cake or walk in the park. lol

For some, teaching is just another career choice. Chosen for the time off or convenient hours. (Almost NEVER for the pay, though. LOL) It is sometimes considered the "perfect career for a mom." (Don't get me wrong--- those are very legitimate things to consider before choosing a career.) For most, however, it is also a calling-- a ministry. That's the way Ann Hanna, my favorite elementary teacher, approached it. That's the way MANY of the excellent, caring professionals I've loved most of my life, approached it. They're the reason I wanted to teach. I never wanted a "job." I wanted a "life calling." When Shelbi entered kindergarten, I went back to school to accomplish that. That was 12 years ago. The first time I set up my own classroom, I felt I'd made it. I was beyond excited! I was going to change the world--- one student at a time. Talk about delusions of grandeur! HA Little did I know how much my students would change ME.

That initial enthusiasm waned over the next few years, even though I know, for some kids, I DID make an impact. I get hugs from 6 feet tall former students when I see them. Usually, I get hugs from parents of those kids, too. I remember most of them. I love all of them. But sometimes I get discouraged and that was going on this year.

Honestly, I hadn't been considering the ministry side of my job very much lately. I was more focused on the "not enough hours in the day" side of it. Until this past week.

For the first several weeks of school, I'd been struggling with a student with discipline issues. The behavior escalated and I made contact with the mother. She told me she'd get on to him, but added that his Daddy had been in the hospital out of town for the past three weeks, was still in there, and she wasn't able to be with her children much. (He had behavior issues long before this, but it explained why it wasn't improving.) Later the principal told me she'd talked to the child's grandmother. The dad had bone cancer and wasn't expected to live! The mom was trying to be with her husband as much as possible, while at the same time trying to make sure her five (repeat FIVE) little boys were taken care of in her absence. So, here's this little boy with a sick, dying father, and an absent (NOT by choice) mom. What a load on a six year old! Several days later, we were told the Daddy lost his fight and a little boy had lost his Daddy. The other children and I wrote him messages and drew pictures. We made it into a book and the custodian dropped it off to him at home. He came back to school the day after the funeral. He was so sweet, hugging on me all day long and me on him. Poor, poor baby. In his homework folder, I found the book his classmates and I had made him. He was safekeeping it! Awww. Helping this child through such a tragic time ~~ what an opportunity for the person he spends 7, almost 8, hours a day with, to show compassion in action! (That person would be me.) What a reminder that my "job" entails more than drilling ABC's and 123's, and that yellow and blue make green. I can teach ~show~ love, mercy, grace, compassion and many other things that WILL make a difference, maybe not change the whole world, but maybe make someones little corner of it better. Pray I continue to grow and learn and that I notice and take every opportunity to minister to my students.

Yesterday one of my students walked beside me, smiled up at me and said, "Mrs. Craft, I just love being in your class." I hugged her, swallowed the enormous lump in my throat, blinked back my tears, and sincerely replied, "That's so sweet. I love being in your class, too."

Thanks, Lord, for the reminder.

Two Days Behind

I've got to get better at this blogging thing! I have not done a "real" post, except for a quick prayer request, in three weeks. This has been a really busy month for me. Going back to public school has been a tremendous adjustment--- to say the least. For the past several years, I was home by 3:30 every day. So far, this year, I don't think I've left my classroom before 4:00 and then it takes 30 minutes, at least, to get home. There is just SO much more preparation time with 19 kids. And I'm learning a whole new curriculum. I had the other one down pat and could have just continued it forever. Anyway, I come home and read everyone else's posts and then I'm too tired to write on mine.

The main topic this week has been 9/11, of course. I am not usually a very political person, opinionated, just not political. That is slowly changing. However, one thing has remained the same since I was a little girl. I am VERY patriotic! I love my country, my troops, and leaders that I believe have our best interests at heart. Like many other bloggers, September 11 has been on my mind, too. I do remember where I was--- in my second grade classroom, when my principal went door to door telling us that the Trade Center had been bombed. (That is what the news people reported at first.) I'm almost embarrassed to admit I didn't even know where the Trade Center was located. Wish I still didn't. Now, unfortunately, I am quite familiar with Ground Zero. Anyway, in keeping with the name of my blog, I thought I'd put my two cents in.

I try hard each year to instill patriotism in my students. It is sadly lacking in our schools today. Shockingly, sometimes the opposite is being taught to our children. How can we expect them to love and defend our country if we don't teach them to? If we don't set the example?

Two years ago, I talked about that fateful day as part of my kindergarten graduation program. Below is part of what I shared with the parents that day.

OUR HOPE

When I starting thinking about a graduation theme, the pictures I took of a patriotic mural came to mind. It was painted on a church wall as a memorial to 9/11. I thought about that day in our country’s recent history. All six of your children were infants that day. Two of my grandchildren were also born that year. When I look at this generation I don’t see the helplessness and hopelessness we felt that day. I see the hope of this nation, and our future in their faces.

Every morning we said our pledge and we stood straight and tall like soldiers and placed our hands on our hearts because “we love our country.” I hope they’re always proud to be Americans. I hope they never take our freedom for granted. I hope they are always grateful for the sacrifice of others that guarantees our right to the pursuit of happiness. I hope they never grow weary in well-doing and that they’ll fight to preserve our freedom of worship. I hope they realize they can make a difference and that they can change this world. I believe we’ll be in good hands.

We know they can be anything they want when they grow up, because we live in the greatest nation in the world--- the United States of America.

This is what we should be teaching our children, not by mere words, but by our actions. God first, then family, and then our country. Well, that's my opinion and on my blog, my opinion rules.

I hope I gave you something to think about, especially now, when some leaders in our country want to "play nice" with suspected terrorists. In the words of John Stossel, "Give me a break."

My sweet friend, Casey, did a great post on that! You can read her insightful words HERE. I loved it and agreed wholeheartedly.

Heartbroken

A dear friend of mine, Lisa, lost her precious mom this morning. She was a sweet, funny lady. Every time I saw her, she made me smile. She recently line danced at her granddaughter's wedding. What a precious memory that left Emily with! She and Emily already shared the same sense of humor. =) Mrs. Nell worked in our public library for many years and will be missed by everyone in our town. I will surely miss her. I was sick this morning when I found out. Please pray for the Arnold and Cater families. Thank you.