(in)Courage Year in Review Q/A

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

I prayed for a specific situation for our family. . .and it happened.  I wanted a job that would allow me to stay home part time, work in a church or college, and still have benefits.  Crazy.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?


Transitioning from public to private school instruction, leaving the familiarity of my students, colleagues, and friends to start over again.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

Being home with Lily in the mornings--such a sweet time. 

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?


Making financial adjustments. 

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.

New, unexpected, blessing. 

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).


Exciting, awesome, crazy.

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009 (again, without asking).

Busy, hard (because I've been in school, working, and taking a job 2 hours away), great

8. What were the best books you read this year?


Twilight Series

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

My church girls--most notably Jill, Rachel, and Maria; my mom and my family; Heather

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?


Taking a leap of faith when pursuing a job completely out of my comfort zone.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

I began to value my family more and work, commitments, and stuff less. 

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?


I began to trust God in situations that didn't make sense.

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

Hmm.....I'm going to say only in the weight sense.  However, it is my intention to make 2010 a better year for the physical me (among other areas)

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?


I made new friends this year--and the honesty that comes with those situations we've faced makes things very real.

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?

Working on some odd jobs around the house that made things more me and less hodge podge. 

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?


Balancing a new financial situation

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

The computer

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?


Working around the house.

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

Some things that we spend our lives chasing really, really don't matter at all. 

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.

The year Amanda realized what she wanted in life--and starting pursuing it. 

___

New Year's Resolutions 2010

1.  Take into consideration what Christ wants in each situation.  I am a fix-it type of girl.  If I see a problem, I immediately jump in and try to fix everything immediately.  I like to keep people happy, I like to make things run smoothly, and I want my life void of chaos.  What ultimately happens is that I feel the need to fix things that I become harried, unhappy, and chaotic when I should have just sought the Lord's plan.  Therefore, I will begin each day with the prayer that I seek to find the correct answers from Him, rather than within (you liked that rhyming action, didn't you?)

2.  Take more photos.  I love blogging and looking back on my life.  It is so nice to look back and see the blessings and trials my family has been through and how much we have learned throughout the year.  I have decided to take it up a notch this year and take more photos of my life, family, and friends.

3.  GRADUATE!

4.  Become a better me.  Take time for myself, my health, my emotional well-being, and my spirituality.  I will be a better wife, mother, and friend.  I will accept things about me that I cannot change, that make me a unique creature, and move forward.

 

Coming Soon!

I have a lot swirling around in my head these days. . .some Christmas moments including a very funny video (I hope, I hope!!), a year in review post, my resolutions, and my latest "thank You, Jesus, for bringing me back to reality moment."

However, I'm trying to take advantage of this time at home with my family and friends.  I've had time to work on a puzzle with Molly, watch several movies, clean clutter, redecorate, envision home improvement projects, and get enough sleep.

Therefore, please be patient my little grasshoppas.

I'll be back soon--maybe even later today.

You just never know during this magical season. . . .

Post Christmas

Christmas was a great time this year--we have been crazy busy at the Avery household--pictures to come soon.

Today we are dealing with sorting old and new things, vomit (yes, vomit), and perhaps going out and about later.  Stuart, Abby, and Jonas may be stopping in later this afternoon as well.

Yea for Christmas, yea for time at home, and yea for this time of year.

Luke 2 (The Message)

The Birth of Jesus

 ^1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. ^6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

An Event for Everyone

 ^8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." ^13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 

   Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
   Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
 ^15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
 ^19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Blessings

 ²¹When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived. ^22-24Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God's Law: "Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God," and also to sacrifice the "pair of doves or two young pigeons" prescribed in God's Law.
 ^25-32In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: 

   God, you can now release your servant;
      release me in peace as you promised.
   With my own eyes I've seen your salvation;
      it's now out in the open for everyone to see:
   A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
      and of glory for your people Israel.
 ^33-35Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother, 

   This child marks both the failure and
      the recovery of many in Israel,
   A figure misunderstood and contradicted—
      the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
   But the rejection will force honesty,
      as God reveals who they really are.
 ^36-38Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.
 ^39-40When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him.

They Found Him in the Temple

 ^41-45Every year Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him. ^46-48The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt.
   His mother said, "Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you."
 ^49-50He said, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?" But they had no idea what he was talking about.
 ^51-52So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.

Christmas Giggles

Here are my girls and their cutie cousin.  My sister-in-law, Stacy, brought her kiddos over on Monday morning.  We were up to no good. . .

This is my handsome nephew:

I love my family.  They aren't insane.




Well, most of them aren't. . .

Mr. CS Lewis. . .

Uses a lot of big words and ideas.

He's smart.

I don't mean "smart" like those friends of yours who choose words other than "amazing" and "legit" and speak in complete sentences.

He's much, much smarter.  

I've been struggling through one of his books, The Weight of Glory and it's all I can do to get through a few pages (sometimes even only paragraphs) at a time and digest all of his words.  And then I have to take a break and recover.

Incredible.

I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it but because, by it, I see everything else.  CS Lewis

Lillian

Sweet Lillian

For those of you who have been keeping up with Lily and her eye patch wearing ways (arrrggghhh!!!), here is the latest update:

We took her back to Raleigh today.  Her weak eye is getting better and we will continue the patch for another two months.  Then we'll reassess and decide what to do from there.  So, no big news to report, but at least her eye sight is getting a little better.  

In the meantime, Lily is not having any problems rocking her patch, nor has it hurt her self-confidence. 

This girl is a unique creature.  

Silver bells. . . .

"Silver bells.....
It's Christmastime in the city"

I love that song--actually, my grandmother loves that song.  She used to sing it to me all the time when I went to visit her house in the country.  I must have been young--maybe 4?  But I still remember her singing that song to me.  It's funny how these memories stick.

It's made me very mindful of my own children's memories and how I am working to ensure they have good memories of their childhood.  Is it hard at times to dig deep and pull out the Christmas spirit when I really just want to sit on the couch and do nothing?

Absolutely.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the excitement of my children as they open doors on their advent calendars, stare at Christmas trees (and not pay attention to me), or watch every holiday special that comes on tv.  They love the lights and beg me to look at them while we're driving, leave their Rudolph toys all over the living room, and like to listen to Christmas music anytime we're in the car.

I sometimes worry that we are trying to cram in too many visits with our extended family, church programs, and time with our closest friends.

But I wouldn't trade it all for one thing.  

I've been reminded more than once this year that life is fleeting and fragile and we never know when our ride will come to an end.  Therefore, we should live and love each other now.

Goodbye Ghetto Tree!!!!

Ghetto Tree

is going down. . .

This pre-lit tree, which used to be the apple of my eye, is seriously ticking me OFF!


Just a few days ago, Molly noticed the top had gone out of the tree.  Chris went and bought replacement bulbs and after replacing 20 of them yesterday afternoon  (yes, 20!) the strand still wouldn't come back on.  So, I weaved an extra strand around the top and camouflaged my ghetto tree.  Chris and I also decided to shop the last-minute sales and found a nice 9 foot tree at Lowe's today that was originally priced at $175 for $75 (not pre-lit) and brought it home.  We left it in the box, fully intending to make it through the season with the ghetto tree and then have a brand, spanking NEW tree for next year.

Oh no.  Ghetto tree apparently got wind of the replacement and stuck its middle finger up at us  and decided to not cooperate anymore.  Now the middle of the tree is refusing to shine.  Chris has banned me from plugging it back in because apparently it has PMS electrical issues.

This would be the one and only Christmas that we are hosting my family.  Every other year we have gone elsewhere for the Christmas Day celebrations.

Sigh.

I can't imagine Christmas morning pictures with ghetto UNLIT tree.

I can't host everyone on Christmas with ghetto tree.

(Yes, I know how ridiculous it sounds, but there are some things this girl gets serious about and Christmas decor is in the top 5 after Jesus, family, friends, and revolving #4).

After all, Christmas is about the birth of my Lord and Savior.

It just wouldn't do to have ghetto tree up on His special day. . . I'm just sayin. . .

So, ghetto tree is coming down a lot earlier than expected and I will be putting up my glorious new tree most likely on Sunday night or Monday morning.

I'm not gonna lie....I'm a little excited about the two for one Christmas tree decorating in one year. . .and having an EXCELLENT excuse for putting up my bigger tree. . .

Merry Christmas everyone!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Break. . .

And I, for one, am very excited!

Meet: Caroline!

This post is from my pal, Caroline, who is currently living in South Africa with her husband and cutie pie son.  She is a friend from my ECU days and I adore her blog.  

Hello friends new and old! Sweet Amanda invited me to guest post here for you today and I was more than delighted! I thought about telling you my life story but figured I’d lose you before I got out of diapers. I also thought about being quite sewious and thinking of impoytant things to say, but, I apologise, you just didn’t catch me on the right day for that. So instead, I’ve arranged a wee Top Ten for you, something I like to do occasionally, to share with you a bit about my life at the moment. 

I’m from North Carolina, but after living in Scotland for a few years and meeting my South African husband there (I promise, no life story!) we felt South Africa was the next step on the adventure of our lives, and we settled down here in a town called Gordon’s Bay, near Cape Town, in September of this year. The adventure has been a bit of a whirlwind so far, kind of like that last sentence, but I thought you might enjoy a few highlights of the explorations. Without further ado, here are...

Top Ten Things I Love About Living in South Africa So Far

10. Pick n Pay. While you American readers might think I’m referring to a shoe store...be ye not fooled! In this neck of the woods, Pick n Pay is a supermarket. It has lots of choices, pretty decent prices, and we get 25% back on the healthy food we buy because of our health insurance plan. Food is pretty important to me. I mean, I eat it pretty much every day, so this had to make the list.

9. The amazing stuff you can buy, right from the convenience of your car window! Wire and beads turned into amazing flowers... super hats... stylish sunglasses... car chargers for your mobile phone... Christmas ornament sized Disco balls... Beer bottles turned into really creative drinking glasses... It’s a plethora of haggling possibility! Where do these guys come up with this stuff? Don’t answer that question, it might be stolen.

8. The weather. I previously lived in Scotland. It is really really beautiful there, for sure. The weather, however, is tough to handle after four years. So I’m rather enjoying the sunshine and shortsleeves these days. (Remember, we’re in the southern hemisphere and it’s summer! Yeah!)

7. Learning Afrikaans. Ugh...what’s that? I’m so glad you asked! It’s a language derived from the form of Dutch brought to the Cape region of South Africa by settlers in the 17th century. I really like languages. In the area where we live, Afrikaans is the primary (default) language for a lot of people, but most speak English as well. However, some folks just speak Afrikaans, and others are just a lot more comfortable with it. So I’m enjoying making the effort, at the moment reading children’s books in Afrikaans, asking lots of questions, and laughing at the fact that our 15 month old will probably have a really good grasp of the language long before I will. This would be higher on the list if the funky sounds in this language came off my tongue a little easier.

6. Enjoying new brand names. Being in a foreign supermarket is one of my favourite things about visiting new countries...seriously. It’s like a whole new world of tasty possibilities you never knew existed. And sometimes the delightful brand names give you a good giggle. 

[insert Salticrax picture] Unfortunately this picture would not post, Caroline! :(  But, they look like saltine crackers.  What a name!!!

5. BRAAI. This is an Afrikaans word for when the goodness of meat meets the goodness of an open flame. You might call it barbecuing or grilling out. I call it tastiness personified. The South Africans sure are good at it. And it makes my husband happy.

4. The weather. Did I mention I used to live in Scotland? ;)

3. The sights, the smells and the sounds that come with getting it done the African way. This might mean you’re sitting at an old farmhouse-turned coffee shop in the middle of nowhere, and see a couple of girls laughing their way down the street, scaring people with a dead snake hanging from a stick. Ugh, what? You might see six gentleman in a township who’ve picked a shack up over their heads, and are quite literally “moving house.” I’ve seen some amazing art, like windmills and airplanes made out of recycled cans and placemats made out of empty potato chip bags. You might be challenged to think differently about ‘beautiful’ if you spend some time here. You might be challenged about what’s most important, or how much you have to be thankful for. You might be challenged to keep your food down. I suppose just about any challenge is a good one.

2. Being close to family. Why dis can’t be number one? A, because we’re still a wee distance from Mark’s parents in Bloemfontein (10+ hours driving) and even further from Mark’s sister, in Joburg. And B, because we’re closer to some family, but even further from my parents and brother and sister now, which is kinda hard!

1. Exploring this beautiful new place the Lord has planted us in. South Africa is absolutely breath-taking! It’s twice the size of Texas, full of lots of amazing mountain ranges and incredible coastlines, home to so much geographical and biodiversity...it is really like the world in one country. We’re excited about being a part of making a positive impact here. And so far, it’s good just to be here.

Thanks for letting me share, Amanda! Blessings to all of you, as your adventure continues!

Family Photos

I've been wanting to post these, but my husband (ahem) left our photo CD at church and will be retrieving it for me today.  I didn't want to post them illegally(?) by cutting and pasting. . . .Please check them out on Lauren's site--I'm so pleased!

Seriously, if you've never booked a Lauren session CALL HER.  She's already booking sessions in 2010--we were the last ones to squeak into 2009.

She's a lot of fun, has a great eye, and is very accommodating.  We've had a ball working with her this year and I'm so glad Lindsey recommended her when I needed some quick head shots for MACU.

Thanks again, Lauren!  The Averys love working with you and can't WAIT for spring!!!!

Live with Purpose

Lately that thought has been swirling around in my head--as I'm casually watching television, on the computer, being lazy, ignoring things that must be done or should be done.

"Live with purpose."

"Live with purpose."

"Purpose."

I supposed it's the Lord's way of telling me to quit wasting time on stupid stuff that consumes me and to live life better.

Odds and Ends

This afternoon we met up with Lauren at ECU for our family photos.  It was a balmy 41 degrees--but Lauren is a real trooper to shoot the Averys in all adverse weather conditions.  Seriously--looking for cold, monsoons, or thunderstorms?  Just ask us to book a Lauren photo session.  It's almost become comical. . .

As always, I'm very excited to see what she caught this go-around.

Afterwards we grabbed a bite to eat at Cubbies (I don't even remember the last time I ate at the downtown location) and headed home.  The girls played with their promised bubbles in the kitchen (bribes to behave during pictures), steam mopped the floor, and now Christacular and I are relaxing in the living room with our tree, fire, and Star Trek (for him exclusively because I am NOT a fan).

We have church tomorrow, my parents are visiting my sister's church for her cantata, and then this week I have office hours to keep at MACU.  I'm looking forward to relaxing my hectic pace for a month or so.

Big items on my to-do list this week include:  try new sugar cookie recipe, clean our bedroom, make outdoor Christmas tree, complete Christmas presents, and take daily naps.   

Oh yes, this is MUCH more like it. . ..

Finally, I would really like to read something new.  Any suggestions?  I typically enjoy historical fiction, girlfriends, and Christian reads.  I'm not looking to think hard for the next month or so, so please try to keep it light!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lauren is taking our pictures. . .

I'm so excited. . . . . . . . . .

I can't WAIT to see what her eye and camera captures. . . .

Stay tuned. . . .

Days Like This. . .

are bliss.

Fire.

Christmas tree lit.

Sweats and t-shirt.

Slippers.

Sleepy eyes.

Cute little girl in monkey pjs.

Hallmark Resolution

Anyone see the new Hallmark commercial?  Mom and daughter are shopping and there are words like "love" "joy" "peace" (very fruits of the spirit-ish) on shopping bags, trucks, etc.

Then the announcer comes on and says something about shopping in hopes of finding meaning inside of the Hallmark store.

Pardon me if I choose to ignore the commercialism of Christmas to find MEANING.

Now, I am not a total scrooge.  I adore the holiday.  I adore the festive decorations and presents and Santa as much as anyone else.  But at the end of the day, my "love," "joy," and "peace" come from a tiny baby born in a manger 2000 years ago.  I think the reason we fail to have any love, joy, and peace during this time of year is because we are so busy having a holiday instead of taking time to praise God for the great things He has done.

Whenever I feel harried or overwhelmed it is certainly not from praising God!!!

And THAT would be something, wouldn't it?

Instead of killing ourselves to fulfill all our holiday fantasies, we choose to overwhelm ourselves with praise to the Most High.    

This is my Christmas resolution.
This is my New Year's resolution.
This is my yearlong resolution.

This is my resolution.

Here is our King
Here is our Love
Here is our God who's come to bring us back to Him
He is the One,
He is Jesus

Exactly One

I am so delighted with myself.  Today I have:

cleaned out exactly one kitchen cabinet

cleaned out exactly one hall closet

cleaned out exactly one overflowing toybox

completed exactly one load of laundry

went to exactly one guitar lesson

enjoyed being exactly one wife

enjoyed being exactly one mommy

Not an impressive day to some, but for me it was marvelous to just piddle and do the things I enjoy (while being productive at the same time).

Post Chaotic Slump

Do you ever feel so exhausted that your soul gets heavy?  The past few weeks I have been under a tremendous amount of pressure from all of my assignments due, programming, work stresses, financial stresses, students stresses, life stresses, friend stresses (not the argument kind, just the 'I'm concerned about them' kind).  I have been so overwhelmed and I feel like my soul, body, and mood are in constant agony.

However, I have a few days off and I plan to use that time to renew my mind and soul.

Use this time to renew my spirit of joy that Satan seems relentless these days in stealing.

And that is just not going to happen anymore.


⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2: 8-14

Almost done. . .

One more day of the ECU semester and then I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh me.

Time

Keeps slipping away.

Oh my goodness.

I can't think straight I have so much work to do.

WOW.

Please pray.