Charlie Brown Christmas...

You have to love this calm CD. I was first introduced to it by my good friend, Kami at college. And this year....after several years of listening to other peoples' copies, I have my own to listen to and enjoy thanks to my parents. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Christ the Lord is Born Today

A great song that says it all....
http://www.sovgracemin.org/media/mp3/savior/christ_the_lord_is_born_today.mp3

'Twas the Teachers' Night Before Winter Break

'Twas the days before Christmas
And all through the school,
The teachers were trying

To just keep their cool

The hallways were hung
With Chrismtas Art
(Some made in November to get a head start).

The children were bouncing
Off ceilings and walls,
And seemed to forget
How to walk in the halls.

When out of the teachers' lounge
With "Holiday Shirts"
And jingle bell jewels
The teachers looked festive
Enforcing the rules.

Suddenly, from down the hallway
There came such a clatter
The principal went in
To see what was the matter.

The teachers were hiding
And trying to refuel
On coffee and cookies
And treats from the Yule.

When what to their wondering
Ears do they hear,
But the ringing of school bells:
It's the children they fear!

More rapid than reindeer
The little ones came
And the teachers all shouted
And called them by name:

Walk Vincent, Walk Tanner,
Walk Tyler and Sammy.
Sit Jamie, Sit Laura
Sit Tara and Tammy.

To your desks in the room,
To your spots in the line,
Now walk to them, walk to them,
No running this time!

So straight to their places
The children all went
With fear of detention
Where they could be sent.

With manuals of lessons
Cradled in arms
The teachers began
To use all their charms.

But the lessons presented
All fell on deaf ears
The children were thinking
of Santa's reindeer.

With a toss of their hands
They put manuals aside,
Went straight to the cupboards
Where videos hide.

And laying their finger
On the TV remote
They sat back to write
Their last Christmas note.

But you could hear them exclaim
At the end of the day
Have a wonderful, happy, and LOOOOOOOOONG holiday!!

The Cookie Exchange...

I was able to leave school soon after the last bell rang and then I headed home to bake my cookies fr the cookie exchange that night. Well....something had happened...I didn't put enough flour in the batter. So rather than having nice peppermint patty cookies they were more like mint chocolate pancakes. But not to worrry, I was able to get into the Christmas cookie stores from my earlier baking day on Tuesday. So depite the problems, I still had something to contribute.:)
The cookie exchange itself was a huge success thanks to my friend Beth and her homemade hot chocolate making skills and everyone's fabulous cookies. For a little more fun, we also had a housewarming party for my friend Kelly. She was totally surprised, but knew something was up when she saw her sisters there... Anyway, It was a great time. Here are some of the pics from the party.

Psalm 63

My friend, Jim took Psalm 63 and made it into a beautiful song.

Oh God, you are my God and I long for you.

Oh God, you are my God and I search for you.

In a dry and weary land, only You can satisfy.

For your love is more than life.

Only You will I glorify!

I will praise You, Lord for all of my days.

And in Your name I will lift up my praise.

I will praise You Lord.

For You alone are God and You made this one Your child.

And I will seek you in Your sanctuary.

For I have tasted of Your glory.

And it is good...and it is good.

I will praise You Lord for all of my days.

And in Your name, I will lift up my praise.

I will praise You, Lord.

For You alone are God and You made this one Your child.

Major crashing.

The roof caved in.

My house needs Ty Pennington and an Extreme Makeover!

OK...looking good...

but then...

The beginnings of my gingerbread house...

The package has been shipped!

Again...Congratulations, Heather!