BRACES off...NOT good news? Sigh.

A quick trip to the orthodontist and the braces are GONE! Bob and I cannot believe how OLD Miss Emma looks without them! I think we should celebrate...yet there is so much more to this milestone in Emma's life...
BEFORE

AFTER (with Debbie-we love the gals at the office!)


Emma came home and studied herself in the mirror many times and decided that she thought she looked "better" WITH her braces ON and she would like them back ON her teeth. WHAT?!? Did she really say that? I did not think ANYTHING of this statement and went about fixing dinner. Then Emma appears in front of me and says, "Mom you're gonna be upset." This type of statement ALWAYS gets my attention which is easily distracted. Emma had put her braces back on her teeth and BITTEN down on the rings that hold them on her molars...making them "permanent" again! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! What?!?!? I was determined to get them off and tried and tried but they were NOT budging. A phone call to the WONDERFUL orthodontist office and we were on our way BACK!!! When we arrived the words, "Emma's here!" and much chuckling went through the treatment room. The orthodontist, who happens to be a college friend of mine said, "Uh, Jill, I have to tell you, this is a FIRST!!!"

Okay, so three of my children have had braces...can I pray that my youngest two will not require orthodontia? YES! I most certainly will!

END OF STORY!!

Killeny Glen Christmas 2008

In pictures...we had a wonderful and RELAXING day!



This is the gang at The Glen BEFORE gifts were opened...the adrenaline was running HIGH!!


Madeleine in her new SOCK MONKEY jammies...oh how she loves Sock Monkey...imagine Santa's surprise to find THESE pajama's for Miss Madda!


Mitchell NEVER tires of LEGOS...NEVER! He asked for ANY set for Christmas and is so pleased to disappear to CREATE!


Hmmmmm, the FINAL gift...what could be in it? A gift for ALL the kids...oh the suspense!


Christmas at Gram and Gramps! What a fun day!



Opening gifts with Gram and Gramps!


Let the building begin!!!!!

Not only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day

-- Mary Fairchild

CHRISTmas greetings to you...

I saw a snowflake gently falling
From the sky this Christmas Eve
And a voice so gently calling,
"My Child, do you believe?"
"Do you believe in miracles,
And in faith, can you see?
As you celebrate this Christmas,
Do you believe in me?"

Then he showed me a vision
Of the manger dark and lorn
That the shadow of the cross was present
The night that Christ was born.

"Do you believe in miracles,
That this was planned for you?
That even then I knew the cost
To bring you life anew?"

"Tell me child, do you know the gift
First given long ago?
But most important, do you believe
It washes white as snow?"

I saw again the snowflakes falling
From the sky this Holy Eve.
Yes Lord, I believe in Christmas,
And yes Lord, I believe.

1989 Charles Pore

Merry Christmas!!!!

For unto you
is born this day
in the city of David
A SAVIOR
Who is CHRIST THE LORD!!!!!!

Merry CHRISTmas from our house to yours!!

Shopping?!?!? Friend or Foe??

AAAAaaaahhhhh, how is the shopping going for you this year?? I have to say that after a very hectic and stressful Christmas last year...I was determined to finish EARLY this year! I have relished it sooooo very much.
Be careful as you go about your errands and trips to the stores and remember when you are feeling particularly desperate about what to buy for Uncle Earl...he just might really enjoy that recipe book of how best to prepare road kill!!

Definately a Gingerbread Cookie!

Betsy over at My Five Men passed along a Cookie Quiz from Martha Stewart.

I took the quiz and am a Gingerbread cookie. OH! How I love them especially with icing!! It said:
"You are warm, spicy and multifaceted." Hmmmm, I oftentimes think multifaceted really means "runs around like a spazz!"



Want to take the quiz? Click HERE to find out what cookie YOU ARE!

The Christmas Book Box

My mom saved a variety of Christmas story books that my brother and I had as children. Beloved Christmas stories that we anticipated and read each year. When Nate came along we decided to continue the tradition and add a new Christmas story to our Christmas Book Box each year. This year we have a delightful story that reminds me of my mom's family of nine children. They did not have much in the way of money but Christmas was a special time.
An Orange For Frankie is a delightful story of a Christmas long ago where a family gives lovingly of what they have and love each other very much.


Looking for a family gift? This is sure to delight both children an adults!

Carol of the Bells

I am in awe of Celtic Woman. An amazing group. Here is just one of their live concert songs...they have the voices of angels...THIS will most certainly put you in the Christmas spirit!

ribbons, paper, scissors, tape...

Okay now!! Let all the world hear that the wrapping is DONE! Christmas Eve often finds Bob and I doing last minute wrapping...I vowed NOT to do that this year. The packages (NOT the ones from Santa...he hasn't been here yet!) are safely under the tree looking festive and INVITING! I love to peek around the corner and watch the kids looking at the gift tags! I will do this again NEXT YEAR!

I got smart and set up a table and just went into AUTO WRAP PILOT and it was a productive morning!!!

The hurt in others...

I was waiting in a rather long line at the art and craft store today. As I waited my turn I did what I often do and watch people in line and those around me. I find myself "filling in the blanks" about these people I do not know...

~that man holding embroidery thread looks grumpy 'cause his wife sent him out to get one more skein of blue to finish the baby bib for their great nephew out in California...
~that little girl has a birthday gift card and is gleefully waiting her turn to pay for her Crayola craft set...

The lady directly in front of me looked to be 70ish and had a sweet, soft face. She turned around to look at something and she seemed sad and distant, deep in thought. I noticed the only thing she had was a beautiful Christmas wreath. It had been crafted in the store with pine cones, holly, berries and a gorgeous antiqued Christmas ribbon with Cardinals on it. My mom enjoys Cardinals so I was intrigued at how pretty the wreath was. Then, I remembered that I had a great coupon for any hand crafted wreath. I pulled it out of my purse and asked the lady if she would like to use it. She smiled and graciously took it thanking me. I told her how lovely her wreath was...and she said she had bought it for her husband. As we chatted I discovered that her husband had recently died and she would be spending her first Christmas without him. He had been a lover of birds, especially Cardinals and she was tickled to find this wreath and planned to place it on his grave later today. By the time it was her turn to pay, I knew she had recently suffered through her husband's illness and then death. I completely understood why her sweet, soft face seemed so sad and thoughtful to me...she was buying a gift for him.

I am thankful for this lady today...amidst the beauty, joy and excitement of celebrating Christ's birth there is also sadness...I pray I will remember those that hurt ALL the time but especially at this time of year.

Come celebrate with me!!

On December 13th, 2005 (my mom's birthday!) our lives were turned upside down and all around with the full knowledge that we would be having another SON join our family! I decided to start a blog on December 15th with In The Beginning to track our journey to our sweet son in China. THAT, my friends, WAS THREE YEARS AGO!!!! What fun it has been to be a part of Blog world...I so enjoy the visits from family and friends and getting to "know" other bloggers. I love to read the many e-mails and comments! Thanks for faithfully visiting "The Glen." And, for new readers? Come back and visit another time will you??

So pull up a chair, relax, and join me for a piece of cake and a GOOD cup of coffee to celebrate LIFE at KILLENY GLEN's third anniversary!!

The least of these...

Isn't this tiny baby sweet? He lives in West Africa. This little one was breach. We know three dear couples that are serving in the hospital where this little one was born. Dan had to break his arm to deliver him. His arm wasn't healing so they called Doug and Bob (who are plumbers and maintenance engineers) to the hospital to see if they could make a brace. So they got this little piece of steel and bent it to 90 degrees...VOILA! It worked! Isn't it amazing how God pulls people together?

Take a second and check out this post ITTY BITTIES at Love Without Boundaries...I just RELISH looking at the photos of these tiny infants that will receive great medical care at LWB!!

Sweet, sweet slumber...

I was feeling tired and weary when my alarm went off this morning and thought longingly of the idea of a nap. Aaaaaaaaahhh, a nap would be nice today. I do not take naps, except on an occasional weekend afternoon, but I do think of them, and long for them. It occurred to me that I have spent a great deal of time trying to convince my children of:
the beauty,
the splendor,
the love,
the wonder,
the enticement
the privilege,
the decadence of...
a NAP!
Almost EVERY day of the last 15 years I have sent one or more of my children to their bedrooms for a nap...often met with protests...I say to you WHY? WHY!? WHY??! How is it that they cannot see how wonderful it is to be tucked into their cozy blankets? How amazing it is to have a nap on their daily schedule? To snooze away for a couple of hours only to get up with the duty of playing as their next activity???

What's on my tree Wednesday...

Throughout my growing up years my Grandad and Nana Boo gave each grandchild a new ornament each year as a gift. Typically it was from one of their international travels but then Nana Boo was known to make one here and there. When I got married my mom sent my ornaments with me and in turn has continued the tradition by giving each of my children an ornament each year. This little jewel was done in 1978 and still graces my family tree! I absolutely love getting the variety of ornaments out every year!


This carnival of fun is hosted byKatie at This Crazy Life.

Celebration!

Well! Today was our wedding anniversary and I must pronounce to the world that it was a most excellent celebration! I would NOT describe Bob as a romantic yet he surprised me with candy, flowers and champagne and we had a memorable anniversary!!!

Thanks to my BEST FRIEND in all the world...I would marry you ALL over again in a split second!!!!

Dangerous seven year old girl....at The Glen!

My kids are VASTLY different as all kids are...but two of them are particularly mild mannered and affable. Bob and I fondly refer to them as our M & M's as they are SO SWEET on the inside but the best part is they still CAN have a CRUNCHY outside when necessary. Madeleine in particular is such an easy going kid. She is a classic second daughter in that she will give in to her older sister and go with the flow rather than make waves. She TRULY does not mind. She is quick to share and willing to compromise almost always. We remind her regularly that if she wants something she must actively be assertive and voice her wants and opinions. A year ago or more Madeleine, Sam and I were at a public playground. Sam and Madeleine were up in the top part of a play set and I was sitting on a park bench enjoying the pretty day. Suddenly, I heard conflict and quickly summed up what was going on...two bigger boys had decided to bully Sam. Madeleine had stepped in and literally pushed these boys off Sam and in a VERY LOUD threatening voice, hands on her hips said, "BACK OFF MY BROTHER!!" No need to intervene on my part as these boys did exactly what this tiny little girl said to do! Despite this act of heroism I occasionally worry that Madeleine will not stand up for herself...fast forward to last evening. Mitchell and Madeleine were rough housing and teasing. Mitchell was really starting to get under Madeleine's skin...Madeleine told him to quit. They both came running through the kitchen and Madeleine decided she was done with this scenario and said in a very threatening and LOUD voice, "STEP OFF PUNK!!" Mitchell and I both burst out laughing. But, Mitchell being the wise young man that he is quit that line of play...and said, "I' m not messin' with that!"

Here are my sweet M & M's hanging out on the porch swing together with their furry felines!

Some Children See Him...

We have the great privilege of living in a university town which provides a great deal of cultural things that we can enjoy. We went to a Christmas performance tonight...it was wonderful. I loved the lyrics to this Christmas song...Madeleine did too...I have never heard it before and it touched my heart. I had to share it with you.



Some children see him
Lily white
The baby Jesus
Born this night
Some children see him
Lily white
With tresses soft
And fair

Some children see him
Bronzed and brown
The Lord of heav'n
To Earth come down
Some children see him
Bronzed and brown
With dark
And heavy hair

Some children see him
Almond-eyed
This savior whom
We kneel beside
Some children see him
Almond-eyed
With skin
Of yellow hue

Some children see him
Dark as they
Sweet mary's son
To whom we pray
Some children see him
Dark as they
And, ah
They love him, too

The children
In each diff'rent place
Will see
The baby Jesus' face
Like theirs
But bright
With heav'nly grace
And filled
With holy light

O lay aside
Each earthly thing
And with thy heart
As offering
Come worship now
The infant king
'Tis love
That's born tonight

~ James Taylor

A single grain of rice...

Hey, check out this website"Free Rice"...it is fun and it serves a great purpose too!
You can donate 20 grains of rice for each question you answer correctly.

Go on...take a minute...you'll be glad you did!

Look for the blessing and you will find it.

Parenting is such a tough job. Parenting ANY child has its joys and challenges. I am mom to a child with disabilities...it is not an easy task but then when is parenting ever considered easy? My oldest son walks out the door each day and faces struggles on an hourly basis. He has disabilities that do not show in his face...his disability is invisible to the human eye. He processes differently;he is impulsive; he misses cues and subtle nuances in conversation; he forgets things he heard just 24 hours even five hours ago; most jokes do not make sense to him; the ability to make change and tell time come and go for him; he is grossly immature at times the list can go on and on. All these challenges that Nate faces each day he faces with such courage! I have such respect for this boy who goes through life with a smile. He is friendly, he is polite, he is sensitive and empathic, he loves the Lord...what more could a mother ask of her son? Bob says often, "Nate has a heart as big as Texas" and he does indeed! I continue to be surprised by the people who say cruel and negative things to and about Nate but have come to realize that Nate teaches these people. He teaches them with his ability to give 150% of everything he has, his positive "can do" approach to life and when they actually take a moment to talk to him they realize that he is genuinely invested in them as a person. My personality is easy going and generally affable but being Mom to this boy requires me to be vigilant,assertive and oftentimes demanding to get his needs met. My Aunt Lois (also mom to a child with disabilities)once told me "Be a tiger for him as you are the only one that will be." This advice has sustained me many times when I have gone to bat for Nate.

Nate had a really great day today. He enjoys his daily activities, classes and embraces life as it is for him RIGHT NOW.

I need to be more like Nate.

Take the challenge...come on...it's easy!

It is a bit sad to me, that at Christmas we think more of doing nice things for others. People are quick to donate a coat to a child in need or give a grocery card to a family who would have no decent Christmas dinner. But, these needs are ever present NOT just at Christmas. I am also challenged in that we bustle around stores at TOP speed not even looking at the faces of those around us let alone making eye contact and SMILING. Sure, you will get those that when you speak to them will look at you like you are a FREAK but smile and speak anyway!

So here is my challenge for you TODAY. As you go about your day, NO MATTER what you are doing or WHERE you are...actively engage in a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS. Get a cart for someone at Walmart; hold the door; give that extra 40% off coupon to the lady looking at sweaters; as you are getting your coffee, pay for the coffee of the person behind you; give a pack of those beautiful disposable pocket tissues to someone. Staying home today?...no problem...make a batch of cookies and take a plate of those first fruits to the neighbor; call your friend and tell her to bring her three year old over for three hours and go shopping; rearrange your teenager's bedroom in a cool way that will make her smile when she gets home from school; wrap an old Christmas story book in festive paper and let your toddler open it before nap and cuddle and read it to them.
The possibilities are ENDLESS!

So I say to you...CHARGE!!! It will be fun!

Hey, and if you feel so inclined I would LOVE to hear what you did! Write me a comment or an e-mail!

Favorites!

An exciting time at our house each year is when we bring up the boxes of Christmas ornaments and decorations...a favorite for us all is the box of Christmas videos and DVD's. It does NOT matter how many times we have seen these shows...each year the excitement returns! The kids all watched Charlie Brown Christmas tonight and I laughed until I had tears in my eyes listening to the belly laugh giggling that Mitchell and Sam did off and on through out!! I am so thankful for the TRUE Christmas story within Charlie Brown! So many of the newer ones are just GIMME GIMME GIMME!!


Aaaaaaaaaah, but THIS ONE is my personal favorite!!!!! My ALL TIME favorite!!! A Year Without A Santa Claus. Pure entertainment! You just gotta love the Heat Miser and his brother!!!!

Puttin' on the GLITZ!

Last year, we moved three days before Christmas. NOT what we had planned, but that is how it worked out. We quickly put up our Christmas tree and lay our beautiful stockings out on the sofa. My dad, knowing our hectic status, blessed us by hanging greenery and white lights on our front porch railing making our new home festive and welcoming. This year, I am ready to put up decorations and enjoy them and my army of helpful hands are standing at the ready! The festivities began the day before Thanksgiving when Gramps installed our antique mantel that we brought with us from our old house. OH, how I love this piece! We tore it out of an old house that was being demolished in our village. This mantel is home to our seven stockings lovingly made by my grandmother, the famous Nana Boo. For those of you that are regular readers of Life at Killeny Glen Nana Boo is slowly recovering from her car accident two weeks ago. Thank you so much for your prayers and good wishes on her behalf.



The day after Thanksgiving Madeleine, Gramps and I went to our local tree farm and got fresh greenery and our root ball tree. It is a beauty! Bob started lining our lane at The Glen with our Christmas trees three years ago and we love them! Sam was so excited when we got back with the tree. I will have to post a photo of it when it is actually IN the house and decorated!

Here is our mantel after the girls put up the stockings. My grandmother made each one. NOT her favorite knitting activity but she does them out of love! She had Sam's stocking done before we brought him home from China! They are VERY special!

We spent our relaxing Thanksgiving weekend making our house look festive for the season of our Savior's birth! Such an exciting time.