Christmas Already?

I can't believe Christmas is almost here. This is the craziest one I've ever tried to survive. I promised my Senior that I would deck the house out for her show choir party. This will be the fourth Christmas in our new home, but the first one that we have had the chance to get out ALL of the decorations inside and out. The first one, hubby had just returned home from the hospital, and the next two, we went on big trips around Christmas. I have worked on it night and day for the past few weeks and I'm still not finished. I want everything to be just the way she wants it. It seems that every time I try to do something for her it doesn't turn out too great. I haven't even started shopping for the girls' Christmas! I'm frustrated that we haven't had time to do fun Christmas things.

The BIG Choir Madrigal Dinner and Show is this next weekend which is very hectic. Not to mention, all of the Christmas Show choir performances coming up. Monday, we go to a peridontist to see if the Freshman has to have gum surgery. Some dear friends just found out that they are going to be first time parents.

But the biggest thing on my mind these days is that my little sister has breast cancer, and will have surgery this week. I've truly feel like it's just going to be one of those flukes and there will be no spreading to the nodes or anything like that. Just the Lord reminding us to give everything to Him and giving us the opportunity to shine for Him in the face of crisis. She is sooo strong. She can actually talk about it without tears! She's a survivor!

And then, I get a "Heart-Lifting" e-mail which reminds me of the reason for the season. And I'm reminded that all things work for good for those who rely on the Lord and give it All to Him. He loves His children and knows the plans He has for us.

Please pray for my sister.

These ARE the Good Old Days!!!

I just wish they weren't flying by sooo fast. It's already three weeks into school and I'm still trying to figure out our schedule. It changes every morning and evening. What a ride!

Big Sis was voted President of the Tribe Show Choir! Yeah! She's also working on college applications and scholarships. Both of the girls are trying out for the All-State Choir. There are five rounds; the first being in a few weeks. It's very competitive. I'm just proud of them for attempting it. By the way, she's selling Passbooks (coupon books) to raise money for her Spring Choir trip. They're $20. Let me know if you want to buy one. They have all kinds of good deals in them, even Kroger and Tom Thumb coupons.

The girls went to the first football game together with each taking a friend and Big Sis driving. I offered to take the younger girls, so as not to cramp her style, but she thought it was cool taking her 'lil sis. What a great kid! They had so much fun, but I'm afraid I'll have to give them a curfew because they got in way too late for this mother hen!

Lil Sis is still trying to adjust to the new school and schedule, and keep up with all of her papers. She's doing pretty good so far, only a few mishaps. She and her Daddy are working on her student driving when time allows. She says she's actually getting to where she's not as scared anymore. Don't worry, they're just driving in our neighborhood so far. LOL!

I've been trying to keep up with the kids on Facebook which is very interesting. It does have all kinds of fun little widgets you can add to it. We just recently allowed the girls to blog. I'm just glad they found Facebook, it seems MUCH safer than MySpace. They hate that I read their stuff but they know that's the only way they get to keep it and their laptops. It seems to me that the telephone is on its way out, everyone just communicates through their Facebook. Thank goodness for parental controls!

(One of these days, I'll take the time to figure out pics and music for my blog.)

They sang and danced their way to High School!

Well, actually they drove. My babies drove off together this morning to their first day of the school year---without me! For one, it was her very first day of high school and for the other, it was her last first day of high school. And the first time that I hadn't driven to school on the first day. We took the ritual first day pictures. I kept thinking that I needed to get dressed so I could take them and they wouldn't be late. I had sooo many mixed emotions as I watched them drive away. I was so proud that they were such responsible young women, but I started getting the empty nest thing starting to creep in ever so slowly. And the realization that one of these days, I was going to have to find a new life for myself, I'll only be high school mom for 4 more years. It almost made me feel relived when the youngest also struggled with Mom not taking her the first day, but when she realized that big sis could actually walk her in to the school, she was all for that! Of course, sister won't be able to drive her everyday, so Mom still gets Taxi duty part of the week. Yea! (Wow, never thought I'd say that!)

The best part of the day was when they arrived home and took almost 2 hours to tell me about their day. They both had an awesome day and are very excited about their year. They even had the same lunch period today. As they sat there sharing, each adding things to the other's story about new and mutual friends, teachers, and "new prospects", it dawned on me that this year wasn't just going to be about a freshman and a senior in the house. But about two sisters, (let's see if I can finish this through the tears) sharing in each other's lives like they never have before because of their busy school schedules, getting to know each other's friends, learning about each other's interest, realizing that the older you get that the age gap starts closing up, and especially getting to spend one last very special year together.
Thank you Lord for my babies!