Victory in Jesus

My Papaw, Dean Curtis, went to be with God on Christmas Day. My mom and my Mamaw were there to hold his hand during his last breaths. I miss him so much, but I am so glad that his body is now more than cancer-free--it is a new creation--perfect!

The ceremony was beautiful, and my Uncle Randy did a great job directing the service. All twelve of us grandkids were together for the first time since 1995! We and some of our spouses sang "Thank You (For Giving to the Lord)," arranged by John, at the service, which was very meaningful. And what a great blend of talented voices! There are just not many groups who can throw a tricky arrangment together the night before and sing it nearly flawlessly the next day! Here's the crazy bunch:

We have had so much fun together!

I'm in AR this whole week with the kiddos. John graciously agreed to leave us here while he goes back home to work and then comes back to get us this weekend.

Here's the slideshow that we showed at the visitation. I added a few of my own pictures in as well. What an amazing man. I can't wait to see him again!

i .... actually have time to do a tag

And I'm so grateful! The show is over and Christmas is nearly here. All three children are asleep and I'm catching up on some much needed down time!

So here's a tag that is a little more introspective than most. I really enjoyed it. Thanks, Tiff!

*i am in my pajamas.
*i want the fourth book of the Twilight series.
*i have eaten more spinach in the past 24 hours than I probably ought.
*i miss the warmer weather.
*i fear my children being rejected by anyone.
*i hear the dishwasher ... and nothing else ... seriously, that thing is so loud!
*i search for my missing keys or phone just about every day.
*i wonder how long all three children will actually stay asleep.
*i regret how much Dr. Pepper I've had over the past few, uh, months.
*i love Dr. Pepper ... too much.
*i forgive John for not being able to read my mind.
*i ache when my children are hurting.
*i always drive.
*i try to get as much done with as little effort as possible.
*i seem to think that the laundry will get done by itself by the way I let it pile up.
*i know that God is with me.
*i feel relieved that the dinner theater is over.
*i dance, but only if I've practiced and I know exactly what I'm supposed to do.
*i dream more when I eat something right before I go to bed.
*i give in and say 'yes' more than I should.
*i listen too critically to music.
*i sing tonight with Clearly Vocal at Atria Willow Park!
*i laugh when I don't know what else to do.
*i can't look at my own living room objectively to figure out how to decorate it.
*i cry when I laugh too hard.
*i sleep less than I should.
*i am going on a date Friday night!
*i see shaped notes and know what they mean.
*i need both busy times and down times.
*i should have done my Christmas shopping earlier.

Feel free to copy this and examine your own state of being!

Seeking Sanity

Glenwood is doing "Christmas at Uncle Phil's Diner" this year.

My to-do list is a mile long, mostly because I'm an incredibly good procrastinator.

Clearly Vocal is singing at a brunch today. Childcare for my children. Check.

Dress rehearsal is tonight. We have a small crowd coming to help us out. Dessert and coffee for them tonight. Check.

My house is a complete catastrophe and my sitter is coming over today. Well, she'll have to be understanding. Not-checked.

Errands after I pick up my kids--so I'll have all three in tow--include the Dollar Store, Kinko's, Wal-Mart and Goodwill. Checkable.

And about 20 stage-related items that really did have to be done at the last minute. Checkable, with some help.



I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay!

I forgot one or two

I knew there was one more of Johnathan's that I meant to include yesterday ...

I was holding Jonas who had the hiccups and was drooling. Johnathan looked at us and in a concerned and somewhat panicked voice said, "Mom! He's hiccing up on you!"

-----------------------

The tree is up, though I was dragging my feet to do so. Johnathan kept asking every day when we were going to put it up. So there it is. No ornaments yet and I'm not even sure if we're going to make it that far. Oh, of course we will. But I'm only putting on the pretty ones this year. For real this time. I mean it.

The Jim Brickman Christmas Romance cd is playing. I love it. Even Johnathan said he liked it. It's a good one to chill out with after you've grumbled and groaned the whole time you were hauling the massive (but gorgeous) 9-ft pre-lit tree in four pieces out of the attic, dodging children and laundry baskets along the way. Hypothetically, of course.

And a couple of nights ago, Johnathan was making sure he knew Santa's plan to come down our chimney and fill our stockings. In his prayer he prayed that Santa would not burn his bottom in the fire. How thoughtful. :)

Sayings of the young

Some of my favorite quotes from the past week or so ...

Kalleigh: "Shew-ee! Poopy diaper is lucky!" (yucky)

Johnathan has trouble saying "message." It always comes out "meches."

Kalleigh: "I 'na put milk in a fee-faylor." Translation: "I want to put my milk in the refrigerator."

Johnathan, after sitting on the potty for some time: "Man, I wish I had diarrhea. This is taking way too long."

Kalleigh, singing, "Mary had a little man, little man, little man ..."

Nice Tie

I just love that Preacher Jeff wore his Led Zeppelin tie Sunday morning and made absolutely no reference to it.

This wasn't exactly it, but pretty close. :)

I mean, how many preachers can get away with that?

Glenwood is great.