Month: December 2011

Well, today is the last day of 2011.  I have to say—it’s been quite a year.  Tonight we’ll spend a little time playing games, eating some pizza and wings and baking cupcakes for the kids and reflecting on the year.  I have decided to copy my friend, Mary, and write each family member a little letter that tells them how I have personally seen them grow and learn over this past year.  I closed each letter with a snippet of how I will be praying for them as the New Year begins.  Maybe I’ll post them here a little later…..

For now, I hope you enjoy your last day of 2011 and look forward to the New Year with excitement!

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  And so it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them …

…and they were greatly afraid….

Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’

And there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, goodwill to men.’

When the angels had gone away from them, into heaven,

then, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in the manger.

And when they had seen Him they made widely known the sayings which were told them concerning this child.

And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told themby the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

I forgot about these pictures of Mack that I took over Thanksgiving.  He used to HATE to have his picture made.  I have plenty of proof that I could share with you, but I am sure you believe me.  He was always the one with a big pout on his face or with his arms folded and his head looking down.

However, he’s gotten a LOT more used to having his picture made.  And this particular night he was hamming it up.  Posing over and over again with different odds and ends at my parent’s house.  And there are many odds and ends around there this time of year!  Take a look at Mack….cracking me up.

At least he decided to pose with his cousins, though they aren’t at all interested in his photo shoot.  This little boy is so funny to me!  I have even more pictures of him with different items from my mom’s living room.   He was full of himself!

He’s also full of words.  He talks from the moment his feet hit the floor.  It can drive a woman batty after a while!  I have gotten fairly used to it though.  Josh hasn’t.  It is funny to see how much of Mack I can “turn off” if I need to think about something else or talk to someone else…I mean let’s get real.  No mom can sit and just hang on each word her four year old says, right?  But Josh tries to redirect him during dinner or other times and it just cracks me up because it works for about five seconds and then Mack picks up right where he left off.  So glad we have this little ball of fun as the caboose of our family!

The other night I went out to eat with a few friends and had a real nice time.  We ate at PF Changs and talked a lot.  A “funny” thing happened when we were leaving.  A young hostess stopped me and said, “Can I ask you a quick question?”  I said, “Sure!,” thinking she might ask where I got my shirt or what products I use in my hair.  I don’t know….that is just where I thought she might go.  But no.  She decided to say this: “Are you Mrs. Dorminy?”

Um, no.  I’m Kristy.  Mrs. Dorminy was the name folks called my mother-in-law when she was at work.

I said, “Uh-yes,” and searched her cute young face to jog my memory of where I knew her from.

“You taught me 7th grade at Webb Bridge.”

I said, “Oh, really?  I am so old.  How old are you???”

“Twenty-two.”

My friends proceed to get a kick out of me being called Mrs. Dorminy, and they loved being witness to that whole conversation.

I MUST add (because otherwise I just feel old) that she did say I was the most beautiful teacher she ever had.

Vain?  Maybe, but her kind words buffered the blow of the whole 9 years ago you were my seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Dorminy thing.