Christmas Morning (Flash Fiction)

“And there were in the same country shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night…”

He listened to the childish voice carefully read over the words of the familiar story. Snow fell gently outside the windows, making the dim morning light slightly darker. It was barely seven a.m., but he couldn’t blame the kids for waking up with shrieks and laughter before the sun had even risen.

It was Christmas morning, after all.

The lights on the Christmas tree twinkled as the little family sat snugly around the fire. He looked into the faces of each of his children, their hair still tousled from sleep, their little feet warmly clad in plush slippers. His eldest, now eight years old, diligently read from the Luke 2 passage, while his younger son and toddler daughter listened intently, their eyes shining in anticipation.

For a moment, his heart wavered as he gazed at his children, a mingling of overwhelming love and thankfulness washing over him. How had he ever gone through a day without noticing how precious they were?

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news…”

Good news. The words sealed his heart like a balm.

His mind flowed back to a dark time in his life, one filled with doubt and fear and misery.

But the Good News had claimed him, reminded him of what redemption is, pulled him from the mire.

He’d been shown firsthand how high and deep and long and wide is the love of Christ.

“Glory to God in the highest…”

Yes, all glory is yours, God.

He swallowed the lump in his throat, joy leaping through him as he thought of his Savior.

“But Mary pondered these things in her heart…”

He looked over at his wife, nearly unable to keep the tears at bay. How he loved her. She caught his eye and sent him a secret smile. He winked at her.

He could live a thousand years and never forget this moment.

It was a moment only possible because of the miraculous love of Christ.

****************************

Last week, my F.F. was late, but this week it's early since I'm fully expecting to be up to my ears in baking and wrapping this Friday. Merry Christmas everyone! Take time to be thankful to the only One worth celebrating!

Awakened (Saturday Flash Fiction)

A chill swept through her and her eyes shot open.

The dark ceiling loomed above her. She stared at the dingy whiteness for a moment, trying to find her bearings.

She lay still, not stirring the sheets on her bed, her mind racing. What had awakened her with such a jolt?

Finally, she noticed she wasn’t breathing and exhaled as she tried to relax.

There had been a voice. A man. Saying her name.

Had she dreamed that?

A dog barked down the street, and she jumped at the noise, then rolled her eyes at herself. Forcing a calm she did not feel, she pulled the sheets to her chin and willed herself to close her eyes.

She had been so jumpy since it happened. Almost three months had passed since the accident. Most of the time, she was just so grateful that she was still alive. Paralyzed, but not deceased.

A better fate than some of the others on the bus that day.

For the millionth time, she replayed the events in her head. The gentle rumble of the bus suddenly changing to screeching tires. People screaming. Pain shooting through her head.

And she’d seen a man.

Her eyes opened again with urgency. She hadn’t recalled that before. There had been a man, standing on the sidewalk. Ice blue eyes.

Watching her.

By the time the bus had come to a stop, she was strewn far from her seat. She never saw the man again.

What did it mean?

Nothing, she chided herself.

Yet the cold steel of his gaze sent more chills through her. She closed her eyes, but still saw his steady gaze. There hadn’t been an expression of alarm or fear at the sight of a bus careening into traffic.

But rather, there had been something malevolent in his stare.

The sound of breaking glass shattered through the quiet night.

**************************

Since it's a day late, you get fourteen bonus words! What a deal!

Year in Pictures

Actually, less than a year, since I didn't purchase my camera till April. But I still managed to take thousands of photos this year. Here are some of my favorites. There are a lot. It may take your browser a minute to come to terms with my obnoxious need for so many photos.

Believe it or not, I was able to narrow down a favorite. This one symbolizes so much of my year and makes me happy when I look at it, which is often since it's hanging on the wall in our room. Drumroll please.....

Sappy, I know. But Love wins. All the time.

Best of 2010

It's that time again, folks. The highlights of my year in various categories. This will be the new expanded category edition. With subcategories. Get ready to live.

Media

Movie: Inception

Television/drama: Fringe

Television/comedy: Community (Sorry, 30 Rock. You were a close second.)

Song/Secular: "We'll Be a Dream" (We The Kings), "If It's Love" (Train)

*(In related news, WORST secular songs this year that make me throw up in my mouth a little: "Need You Now" (Lady Antebellum) and "Teenage Dream" (Katy Perry) Gag.)

Song/Sacred: "How He Loves" (David Crowder Band), "Oh, My Dear" (Tenth Avenue North), "Beloved" (Tenth Avenue North), "Healing Begins" (Tenth Avenue North) There could be a lot more in both song categories. It was a good music year for me.

Band: You guessed it, Tenth Avenue North.

Book/Fiction: Her Daughter's Dream (Francine Rivers)

Book/Non Fiction: True Humility (CJ Mahaney)

Blogs of people I don't know: AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com, betterafter.blogspot.com, rantsfrommommyland.com (careful, that one may contain colorful language). This category expands just about every day. This list actually only reflects the past week of my life.

Food/Restaurants:

Restaurant: Lindey's (For all you locals). Get the tomato and mozzarella flatbread. Trust me.

Recipe: This soup

Spice: Rosemary

Beverage: Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi

Dessert: Pumpkin Pie Cake

Sayings and Expressions:

"Homeschooled"

"Adjust your cup and get back in the game."

"Oh, even yesser."

"Cats."

Date (as in like, boy-girl date, not calendar date):

Tie: Photo shoot excursion to downtown and an old cemetery; Dinner at Lindey's followed by Wicked with super awesome friends.

Date (as in calendar date):

June 18th

Purchase:

No question. The Nikon D90. (Thank you, Grandma & Grandpa. Miss you.)

Most frequently used websites:

Facebook, Flickr, Hulu, Biblegateway.com

Store:

Ikea

Surprise:

Seth being accepted into the academy.

Child Quote:

Thing One: When asked why Samson lost his strength, "He shouldn't have trusted a woman."

Thing Two: After hearing his father belch much like in Elf. "(squealing & clapping) Hallelu, Daddy!"

Photo:

I can't choose just one. It's pointless to try. I'm going to have to have a blog post just for photos.

Bible Verse:

Isaiah 43, especially verses 1-2 and 18-19. "...Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze...Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Lesson Learned:

It gets emphasized in bigger ways every year: God is good. This year was the hardest I have ever lived. It contained some of the worst moments of my life. And ironically, some of the best moments soon followed. The fact that I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am thankful for this year and I am full of joy is evidence of how wonderful God's love is, how extensive his care for us, and how perfectly he writes our stories.

Bring on chapter 2011.

Perks of Being THE MOTHER

In an effort to find the silver lining in what has been a tremendously trying few days in my motherhood career, I'm looking for the positives of being a stay at home mom. Which is hard to do when there are a lot of negatives screaming at your face.

Like being dirt poor. Like feeling completely overwhelmed with homeschooling and sure that you are totally going to fail your kids big time and at the same time wanting to stick it to the stupid state laws that enforce that every child should learn exactly the same way because apparently those in charge of the public education system are flippin' geniuses. Like not being able to have a moment to yourself unless you turn cartoons on and are subsequently flooded with bad mother guilt. Like finding out your shampoo bottle suddenly contains only water. Or realizing that your housekeeping is near Hoarder's level chaos but knowing you can't take a day off school to get it done.

What was I talking about?

Right, silver lining.

A few mommy gifts come to mind:

RANDOM ITEM GPS: Being able to recall exactly where the blue lego man is located in a room overflowing with tiny toy parts and socks that have been discarded by a three year old who apparently doesn't mind freezing feet. Knowing exactly where hubby's winter gloves are. And the stamps. And the other brown shoe. Finding keys in a snowy soccer field at 10:30 at night after 12 minutes of looking. The same keys that your husband and brother in law spent hours searching for.

PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT: For example, cooking things I like. Selecting items of clothing to go through the wash first because I want to wear them. Buying candles based on my affinity for the scent. Being in charge of home decor. Arranging the pantry how I like it.

ULTIMATE DECLARATIVE POWER: Bed time is now. The TV is staying off. We're leaving this house in five minutes. Wait, I'm going to change my outfit, so make that ten minutes. You've had enough to eat. No, you may not wear pajamas to church. I don't care who had it first, it's mine now.

STRETCH MARKS: Wait, hear me out. Being able to say to your diabetic and shrinking husband "Well, you don't have these to deal with."

BEING ABLE TO SOUND EXACTLY LIKE YOUR MOTHER: I hear myself saying things in the same pitch and with the same inflection as my mom all the time now. And ya know what? That's totally cool. Because I understand her now. And she was right.

THE SPIRIT OF STICK IT: Being able to hear other moms (or opinionated non-moms) talk about the right way to do everything and not feeling inclined in the least to adopt their methods.

Around every 24 hour, 7 day a week job that requires you lose your beauty, sleep, and sanity, there is a silver lining.

And if the lining happens to be shiny foil, check for chocolate inside.

Pit Stop (Friday Flash Fiction)

The door of the bar rang out an annoying jingle announcing his arrival. The tinkling sound threatened to awaken the migraine he‘d been ignoring all night. He stamped the snow from his boots and bellied up to the bar.

“Hey, there.” The bartender gave him a nod. “Haven’t seen you in awhile. Is it that time of year already?”

Taking off his hat, he exhaled. “Yep. Busy season too.”

“Take a load off. The usual?” The bartender was already filling a glass with his favorite drink. He gave a nod of thanks and accepted the frosty mug.

“Rough night?”

“You wouldn’t believe it. This storm coming through makes things ten times harder. Can’t take a snow day though. People expect my work to get done even if the post office closes.”

“Guess you can’t exactly call off in your position, huh.”

He chuckled. “Can you imagine the chaos? Not to mention the nagging I’d get from the misses.”

“All over now though. What are your plans for vacation?”

“We’re thinking somewhere tropical this year. Any ideas?”

“I hear Hawaii’s nice.”

He imagined a vacant beach, just him and his wife, sunbathing. “Sounds wonderful. I’m so ready to be away from those guys at the factory. Sometimes I think I’ve been in this business too long.”

The bartender smiled. “You’d be hard to replace.”

“Thanks pal. I guess it’s good to have job security.”

He guzzled the last of his frothy drink. “You hear that wind? Rudy’s going to be complaining all the way home.” He stood, tossing a few bills on the counter. “Better get back. Last year, those guys practically trashed the place while I was gone. They tend to hit the sauce hard on this night.”

“Safe travels. See ya next year.”

“Thanks. Have a merry Christmas tomorrow.”

Ten On Ten

Today was a rough day.

Today, I felt yucky. Headache. Constant sneezing. Fatigue. LOTS of fatigue.

So, I started late, but I still managed to take ten photos today.

We did not do school today, since my body wanted to remain generally in the reclined position. Thing One took advantage of the freedom and played happily all day.

First it was airplanes on Mom and Dad's bed:

Then it was racing with Thing Two:

Then he covered every inch of road space on his track rug with vehicles:

Finally it was naptime. Blessed, blessed naptime:

I tried to self medicate my illness:

While Thing Two slept and Thing One watched cartoons, George and I kept the couch warm:

I woke up when the tree came on:

Finally, I took this. And boy, did it help me feel better. Wish I hadn't waited till 5 pm to take it.

This is a familiar sight this week. Stupid writer's block:

Thing One finished his day of no education with some Mario Kart:

So, interesting day, huh.

We're just wild and crazy here in my world.

The end.

Check 'em out: http://tenontenphotojournal.blogspot.com/

Writing less is hazardous to my health

I have writer's block.

So. Annoying.

I can't tell you how many posts I've started writing this week and scrapped. Nothing is coming out right. Where words usually seem to appear magically on the screen, lately I've struggled to form a few coherent sentences.

I'm hoping it's on its way out though, since tomorrow is a double post day (Ten on the Tenth and Flash Fiction Friday).

Not being able to write is too disconcerting. It makes me feel edgy and nervous with a side of frustration.

I've filled the void with chocolate.

This could become a problem.

Adult Conversation (Friday Flash Fiction)

“Remember when they were babies? All cute and soft.”

“And they were quiet as long as we held them.”

“Yeah…that was nice.”

“Woah, watch out. Almost took a lego to the head there.”

“It’s okay, I’ve got good reflexes.”

“Remember when we could leave the house at nine to go see a movie?”

“And not worry that we had to rush home because the babysitter was probably locked in the bathroom suffering post traumatic stress disorder. I should give Kaitlyn’s mother a call and see how she’s doing.”

“I don’t think they’ll be taking our calls for awhile.”

“Probably not. At least not until her hair grows back.”

“Is there any milk left?”

“Did you check the fridge?”

“That was my first line of reasoning.”

“Try the pantry.”

“The pantry?”

“Yeah.”

“Why on earth would the milk be in the--hey, there it is.”

“Told you. Has it gone bad?”

“Eh, not quite room temperature. We’ll survive.”

“There are clean sippy cups in the dishwasher.”

“Do you smell that?”

“Oh no. No, no, no, no! WHERE DOES POOPY GO?”

“I think he’s made it obvious that he doesn’t know the correct answer to that question.”

“Ugh. Two weeks and no accidents. Come on, mister. Shower time.”

“Here, I’ll give you a hand.”

“And leave the other one unguarded?”

“Good point. Let‘s shower him too. He smells almost as bad as his brother.”

“Might as well. Catch him fast.”

“Come on. GOTCHA! No. NO. Stop pulling Daddy’s hair.”

“He’s already turned it gray. He’s just trying to finish the job.”

“How come when they get a shower we always end up needing one too?”

“I’m too tired for one.”

“Agreed. Bedtime.”

“All right, good night boys. Love you.”

“Remember when we had no one to tuck in at night?”

“Yeah. That sucked.”

This just in: Spray paint is for winners.

I'm becoming one of those girls. I might as well admit it. Get ready to judge me.

No, not those girls.

You have a dirty mind.

But the truth may be worse.

I'm becoming....crafty.

In the past month, I have gone through about seventeen hot glue sticks and burned through the top layer of skin on all my major fingers. I've scoured my attic for old scrapbook paper and scissors and ribbon. I've spray painted so much that I'm afraid to light a match in my house.

And I've loved every minute of it.

I've never been crafty. I was okay at scrapbooking, but I stopped doing it shortly after we got married. I resigned myself to the fate of uncreative where arts and crafts are concerned. I went so far as to decide that stay at home moms who are good at crafting might as well don jumpers and wear sweaters with cats embroidered on them.

I mock what I can't do. It helps me cope with failure.

Then, suddenly, I started flirting with the idea of busting out my old neglected glue gun. It began when I realized that since we've repainted the walls this year, all my red and gold Christmas ornaments wouldn't really go. But buying a bunch of new ones was out of the question as far as the budget committee was concerned.

I'm not good at crafting, but I am good at reading blogs (it's a finely honed talent of mine). So I searched blogs for simple ideas for ornaments. What I found was that there is so much out there that I can easily reproduce. Not only that, but these moms with craft blogs aren't lame, but actually really talented and funny. And thrifty. Yay for thrifty.

And now, after a month of cutting and gluing and painting and burning my fingers, I've found that I really like making things. And finding old things in my attic that I can make over makes me feel like I'm not wasting money doing it.

Next stop: sewing doilies.

And embroidering cats.

And being totally awesome at the same time.

A few of my projects, made almost entirely from things I already had (I confess that I did buy new scrapbook paper):

My favorite crafty blogs: Just A Girl Thrifty Decor Chick Under The Table And Dreaming

Nesting Place