Christmas Music

Oh me.  Christmas music.  I love it.

Seriously.  Ridiculously.  Adore.  It.

I cry a little when I sing these songs.

Stop it.  I know I cry a lot.  Don't hate.

I have never understood how people say they find it hard to worship to Christmas music--these songs are some of the most poignant and lyrical of all.

Excitement, promise, longing, and joy--all in one neat little package of music!

Chord structure?  Lush lovelies.

And let's just talk about the essence of the sleigh bells.  Oh my heavenly goodness.

And when you pair them with some stringed instruments (like today at Christ's Church--get IT!)

It's just a recipe for tear flowing wonderment.

Smooches.

Mama A's Rules for Turkey Day

Happy Turkey Day Dear Students,

It's Mama A here again, ready to provide you with your handy dandy survival guide for the holiday at home.  For some of you, this is your first holiday back in the homestead after being oh so independent in your dorm room since August.  You feel important, people marvel at your significantly larger brain (and who can blame them when you're throwing words around like "exegetical"????), and people are eager to ask you about college life.

However, there are some of you that need to pay close attention to what I'm getting ready to tell you.

Lean in little darlings and read very, very, very closely:

Do Not Be A Turd This Holiday Season. 

"Turd" might be a little strong.  

How about:

Do Not Be A Turd Turkey This Holiday Season

We've allllll been around people like this.  We've rolled our eyes as they've told us how amazing college life is.  How dorm life is just so fun.  How they've possibly met the love of their life over pork loin with mystery glaze sauce in the cafeteria. 

***I'm still shuddering at the whole "amazing" word.  I'm really not happy that it's on my blog now for the world to see.  For those of you who do not frequent my blog, please know I think it's the most overused word in the English language and I die a little when pot-tart teen queens and kings use it for things like socks and break it up with heavy emphasis on the first syllable (UH-mazing).  

Stop the uh-mazing madness before I punch someone in the face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahem. 

Cleansing breath.  

Thumb and middle fingers together, eyes closed, hummmmmmmmmmm. 

Whew.  

Now, dear students, allow me to share some holiday tips that will alleviate any of your relatives' strong desire to carve you like a turkey or cram a spoonful of mash potatoes in your mouth to keep you from blabbing on and on about your most uh-mazing (shudder) semester at college. 

1.  For the love of all humanity, please do not go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about anything.  Succinct stories will suffice.      

2.  Get off of your cell phone during the meal and family gathering.  This includes texting and checking Facebook.  And if you pull out your laptop, I hope some small child or animal causes it to fall from your hands and smash into a million pieces.  Not cool.  You are there to see your loved ones, not chat it up with friends you've known for t-minus 3 months.  

3. Don't throw around big words you've just learned last month and then get that look like, "You don't know what [insert big word you don't even know how to spell without spellcheck here] means?!?!" when speaking to those who ask you what it means.  

4.  Don't be a jerk to your parents.  Yes, I understand that you have had relative control over your life decisions for the past few months.  You don't have to ask if you can come and go at school, you do what you want to do--I get it.  But, when you are in your mama's house (or whomever's nest you descend on for the holiday season), she is the Queen Supreme.  You owe he/she/them at the very least the courtesy of of being a good house guest.  

Newsflash--they've probably gotten used to not having you around as well.  They will always love you and welcome you in, but I'm sure they've enjoyed having one less person to clean up after.  

I'm just saying it because a lot of moms won't admit that out loud. 

I will also say that for many of you, your parents still pay for a good chunk of your school expenses.  And if nothing else, in the words of my favorite television dad, Heathcliff Huxtable, "I'm your father.  I brought you into this world and I'll take you out."  

Give respect to those who brought you into this world.  

5.  Please wear something other than your college shirts, sweats, wristbands, and tattoos this weekend.  Remember when you used to joke kids for wearing something new and special for the first day of school?  (Everyone knows you wear your new clothes on the second day of school so you don't look like you're trying too hard!)

You've now become that kid.  

6.  Don't be a jerk to those friends who are still in high school or at the local community college.  They didn't choose the same path as you, or they aren't at that point yet.  Don't hold it against them.  Some of you completely forget who you were in August.  You can't change THAT MUCH over three months that you have forgotten everyone and everything about the 18 years prior to college.  

Christmas break is a long month at home.  Blow them off now and no one will want to see you in December.  

7.  Some of you need a reality check because you've been too busy spending time snoodling with snookums rather than cracking a book this semester.  You might be a One Semester Wonder if you don't get your act together.  So, instead of being all "maybe I'm just not meant to be a student wahh wahh"--how about admitting that perhaps you just aren't the kind that likes to work for what you want.

Dear Students, Mama A loves you and wants you to do well in all that you do.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Love and Smooches. 

Beyond Thankful

I am beyond thankful for this

and these. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just Love On Them

I love Thanksgiving.   I love the holidays.  I love this time of year.  I love spending time with the folks I love.

But, I also understand that many people dread this time of year for those very things.

I remember when my Papa died--my mom's dad.  I was around the age of 4 and we went to New York to spend time with my aunt and uncle who were stationed there to get away.  My grandfather's death was an unexpected tragedy, and I remember my mom saying, "Your grandma is going to cry and it's ok.  Don't ask her what's wrong.  You can give her a hug and tell her you love her."

Those words had a profound impact on my life.

"Don't ask her what's wrong.  You can give her a hug and tell her you love her."

This holiday season there are folks all around you who are hurting for various reasons:  death, end of relationships, loss of employment, rejection, disappointments.  

So, instead of asking them to restate the obvious about what's wrong, just love on them.  

Just love on them.  

Call them.  Text them.  Hug them.  Invite them to dinner.  Share a funny story with them.  Cry with them.  

Just love on them. 

We are so, so, so ridiculously blessed.  Even when our momentary woes seem overwhelming ("Oh no!  My prelit garland isn't working!"), there is always someone out there who has it worse than we do.  Remember that and remember them this holiday season. 

Just love on them. 

O Christmas Cards, O Christmas Cards!!!!

I am so excited about this holiday season--and I can't wait to get my Christmas cards out in the mail.  I'm thinking of using Shutterfly for my cards this year--I especially like these designs:

This one!

or this one!

 or this little sweet one!

So cute!!!!!

Shutterfly is giving away 50 free Christmas cards to those of us who blog about their site!  I know many of us have had pictures taken lately and have so many things to do.  Ordering Christmas cards can easily be taken care of with the folks at Shutterfly!

For more information, visit this site.

Merry Christmas!

Helloooooooo Holiday Season 2010!!!!!

I love, love, love this time of year, but I often find that my calendar gets jammed packed with so many things.  Most of these things are very important, but they all require time and energy and extra planning on our end.  While I don't have it all put together, allow me to share some tips for avoiding holiday madness:

1.  Plan ahead.  Seriously, it's that easy.  If you don't have a centralized family calendar--RUN to your nearest location and pick up one for next year.  In the meantime, you can easily make your own on your computer to print out, or use that handy dandy function on your cell phone.  I have a Google calendar that sends my events to my phone every day so I know what's ahead.

2.  Not only do I plan ahead with dates, I plan ahead with tasks to complete before the date so I'm not going insane on the day of the event.  I not only put in my events on my Google calendar--but I remind myself to with to-do tasks.  For example, in a few weeks we're hosting friends for dinner.  I know that I have an event or obligation planned every single night that week so I need to make many things ahead of time.  I make sure that simple (and unfortunately ungreen, Laura!) things like obtaining pretty disposable plates and cups will make my life and cleanup a lot easier.

3.  Decorate early.  I know,  I know, I know some of you think I'm insane when I start decorating in November.  BUT, when I look at my holiday calendar, I know that the small amount of time off work at Thanksgiving is NOT when I want to be busy in and out of my attic and tearing my house all to pieces.  I want a pretty house AND time with my family for the holidays.  By decorating earlier I am not stressed, I can enjoy the season, and I'm surrounded by festivity.

4.  Try to remember the reason why you are doing these things--are they essential?  For me, yes, they are essential and wonderful memories.  I feel that things like holiday programs at church (and at work for me) and hosting friends and family for meals and overnight are part of what makes the holiday season special.  Yes, they are absolutely crazy and time consuming, but they are such a warm reminder of things that are important in our world.

5.  Say "no" to things that make you insane.  Can't do every party?  Can't cook for every event?  Don't want to buy for Secret Santa.  Then don't.  Just say no to things that make you want to cry or overwhelm you.  There is no need for unnecessary craziness folks, absolutely no need.

Happy Holidays!

Guest Posting

Many of you know and love Jill.  

I cannot begin to tell you how much she impacted my world in such a short time.  I miss her every single day.  This holiday season, her courageous story reminds me how important it is to never take a single day or a loved one for granted.  I remember joking with her and her need to cut the chit chat and get straight to the business at hand because she wasn't afforded the luxury of time.  

I have wrestled with the Divine purpose for my friendship with Jill--especially one with such a painful end.  Why would God allow her to come into my world for such a short while and then allow her to be taken away?  

It's still hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that she's not here.  

And how much that reality just. . . .sucks.   

But, I also choose to believe that God has a bigger purpose. 

And even though at times His purpose comes with the worst pain and loss imaginable, I know that He is always working for the greater good.

I hate the way Jill's life ended.  I hate it with everything in my being.  

However, I'm thankful that her situation allowed her to reach those of us who failed to completely understand the important things in life until meeting someone like her.

Shame on me for having to learn through that lesson through terrible things like loss and death.  

However, if I know anything about my pal, Jill, I know she would be most pleased with us remembering her this way.  It would bring her great joy to see us learn from her death for a greater purpose.

She loved us so, so, so much, didn't she?

So, in addition to being incredibly thankful for Jill and the joy she brought to all of our lives, I'm extremely thankful that through her death she taught us all how to live.  

My guest post today on Caroline's blog was written in honor and memory of Jill Hollis and the tremendous impact she continues to have on our lives.  

{Thanks}giving

Be sure to check out my Caroline's blog for her {Thanks}giving series!  

Caroline is a friend of mine from college.  She and her husband, Mark, and their adorable boy (affectionately known as Bear), and one on the way!!! are currently working with Samaritan's Feet in South Africa.  I adore Caroline--such a great woman with an enormous heart.  I'm looking forward to seeing her and her family in just a few weeks when they are home for Christmas!  

I'll be guest posting tomorrow in this series (7:07am South Africa time--which is. . . .hmmmmm midnight in the eastern US?) if you would like to check out my {Thanks}giving story.  

My post is a little off the beaten path, but very near and dear to my heart.  I know many of you will relate when you read it, and I know many of you will hear exactly what I am saying.   

She's asked several of us to guest post in this series!  It's very exciting and an honor to be included.  

Be sure to check it out!

What if

You could be better.

Would you?

What would you do differently?

What would you shed?

What would you keep?

What would you fix?

I Am in Love

With THIS Christmas song!

David Barnes' Christmas CD--fabulous!!!!

Oww.

It's no secret that my husband has a slight affection for a certain game I'll simply refer to as "Oww."  You can attempt to rearrange the letters to this game if you like, otherwise, just use the pseudo name.

My husband, along with his friends, get together via The Internets to play this game a few nights a week.  It's not uncommon to hear my husband screaming at the computer screen at 12:42am during an intense fight on Oww.  In fact, sometimes these guys have to apologize the next day for their aggression and name calling after an important battle for gear.

Imaginary gear.  

Gear that doesn't work in real life. 

What in the world???

You may be thinking to yourself, "Hmmm, this girl's husband must be one of those pasty pale dudes with adult acne and sippin' on a Slurpee while he plays this game because his tail only works at GameStop."

You would be absolutely wrong.  

My husband has a great job, as do his gaming pals.  They are some of the most intelligent, well rounded, respected people I know.

They just like to play this stupid game.

What is even worse is when they start speaking Oww in public.

It sounds sort of like this:

"Hey man, you playin' tonight?"

"Yeah man, we're gonna attempt to find Purple Pony and the Magic Saddle with matching wristbands.  It lets you level up and ride the Rainbow of Joy around the moon four times.  And then I can land on the moon and find the Cloak of Moodiness at the Crater of Doom that allows me to chant and cast spells on other guilds and make them do a hoedown right there on the screen while I shoot them with my laser beam of mustard!"

"Sweet."

Oh dear.

And these boys used joke us girls for playing with dolls.

At least our dolls were REAL AND TANGIBLE OBJECTS!!!!!!!!! 

Ahem.

***This post is Christacular-approved and officially rated A for Awesome.***

Mama A Says

Hey Everyone, Mama A here.

Ready to expel unsolicited love and dating and life advice for all of my near and dear college pals.

We know that I'm surrounded by them. 

Most days I love it, occasionally I just like it.

It's a good gig for a girl like me.

However, there are some things I'd like to address, but I just can't come out and SAY this stuff as we share a table and try to shovel down red chicken or frito pizza.  Especially when you're too busy snoodling with the love of your life (or just the flavor of the month/week/moment).  How on earth can I tell you these things without being the awkward Old Lady at the table?

So, allow me to give you the warning.  Next time I must just unleash my powers and opinions right there at the table in front of all of your pals.

DON'T PUT ALL OF YOUR EGGS INTO ONE BASKET.

That Romeo or Juliet in your life is not the end all, be all stud/studette on campus.  There are many acceptable choices.  In fact, there are many wonderful people who even exist OFF the campus.

Shocking.  I know.

Take a moment to recover if need be.  

Anyhoo, I hate seeing you wither away and die if said person is not within your 5 walking paces radius. What is even more pitiful is how you are up their tail like some lost puppy.  And, heaven FORBID if the relationship comes to an end.

Because, horror of all horrors, you won't know who to sit with at lunch or dinner.  

Or chapel.

Because you, snookums, have completely isolated yourself from the friends and loved ones.  Therefore, they have moved to a new regular spot and you will find yourself with no room at the inn circular table.

It's the saddest thing I've ever seen.  And it's a malady that tends to repeat itself in all colleges and in all places.

I even admit to being one of those people in my Pirate Princess days.  Sad but true.  Learn from Mama A's mistakes.

Don't be that girl.

Don't be that boy.

So, that being said, remember your roots.  Your pals.  Your wide circle of friends that love you like woah.  Remember how much fun it is to have many exciting people in your life rather than one person who may or may not be all that cool.  And then you start acting like that person, resulting in the loss of your coolness and individuality as well.  And then you become weirdo awkward couple with strange inside jokes and you make up your own language.

Wait, did I say that out loud?  All of my students are cool.

And, as of the moment, I'm not aware of any new languages between students.  If there are, I really don't want to know.  Please, please, please do not tell me.  I like living in my ignorance of such matters.

So, take this little test to see if you need to evaluate your current situation.  If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, you may want to take a deep breath and run screaming to McKinney for an appointment.

1.  Do you find that you suddenly love a new style of music, television show, or sport because the love of your life loves it, too (how ironic is that?  You love the same stuff???)

2.  Can you remember a time this past week a friend dropped by your room just to hang out?  (Well, just on Open Dorms--no opposite genders in the rooms, right?)

3.  Do you wait for your love to enter the cafeteria so that you won't be alone to eat?

4.  Do you think you're big and bad?  (You know that, 'I've got a man/woman and I'm awesome' feeling.)

Finally, have you seeked Mama A's Seal of Approval?  We know that I like that little role in your lives.  And, let's admit, it's a nice moment when I tell you that I approve and even like your relationship choice.  Because, I know you need my approval.  Right after Jesus and your parents.

Oh wait, you haven't seen Mama A lately because you've been too busy snoodling with your love?

Ahem.

Don't be that girl.  Don't be that boy.

For real.

Love and smooches,
Mama A.

Oh Dear. . . .

Today as we were leaving Molly's school after the Awards Day ceremony, Lily noticed the elderly couple directly in front of us.

Lily (loudly) asked, "Mommy?  Why does that lady have a handle?"

I replied, "It's a cane.  She needs it to help her walk better.  Her legs must not work too well."

Lily then said, "Mommy?  Why is her booty so big?  Is it broken, too?"

Oh my mortification.

Life is Trazy.

My child cannot pronounce her "c"s very well.  

Therefore, we live in a household of "trazy" and "trabs" at the beach, and one time she even repeated me when I was talking about the "trap" in the backyard.  

Oh me.  Lily G.  

Why I Love the Season

Ok, it is no secret that I'm a obsessed individual.

Whenever August hits and we start planning for back to school, I'm already telling myself, "In a few short months you can decorate for Christmas."

My name is Amanda, and I am a Christmasholic.  

I own it.

Oh yes I do.

Bring on the tinsel, the tree, the stockings, the candles, the garland, the reindeer, the Santa, the nativity, the hot chocolate, the Christmas and holiday coffee blends, the blankets, the ornaments, the fa la la la las, and give me my Charlie Brown.

I want it all.

And you know why?

Because Christmas tends to bring out the best in people. 

Now, I know it's also the madness in which people get cranky and overtired and overspent and just crazy acting.

In my opinion, all of that is self-imposed (and I'm guilty just like everyone else).

I think part of the reason I get the decor out early is to avoid the madness.

I want my Christmas to be a season of joy.

It's the time I spend reminiscing about the years past.

Family memories singing in front of the fireplace until the wee morning hours.

Special ornaments from special people near and far.

Stopping to remember why we love our people so much.

Taking time to stop and do special things with our loved ones.

Preparing special foods and spending time together in the kitchen.

Delicious smells.

The magic of the season.  

The wonder of childhood. 

The desire to believe that people really are good.

The Salvation Army bell.

Secrets and wrapping special things for special people.

Holiday movies and snuggling on the couch.

Footed pajamas.

Hayrides and cider.

Evergreen.

Christmas cookies.

Christmas carols and classic seasonal songs.

I recognize that all of these things are trivial, but goodness me I love them all.

Simple pleasures, simple gestures, simple moments.  

This is my Christmas.  

My simple celebration of a simple birth thousands of years ago.  

Bring it.

I'm celebrating the small things with Emily at Chatting at the Sky

Trunk or Treat!

A Month Ago or So

I was a total mess.  

And, honestly, who could blame a girl?

My world had been completely turned upside down.

Nothing was safe and no one was off limits in the world of chaos.  I had issues in the form of deaths, traumatic events, family issues, church issues, conferences, work insanity, people going crazy, health scares all around.

I felt like a total basket case and it seemed like every time I turned around something else horrible was happening to the very people and places I loved the most.

I was a mess.  A complete and total mess.

Now, many of you are saying, "Sweetie, you are always a mess."

Yes, I own that.

But a month ago--

I was a hot mess. 

I flipped back in my prayer journal this morning during my quiet time and realized how much further I have come.

Instead of page long multi-columned prayer requests for this, that, and the other, today's petitions were filled with gratitude for the ordinary.

Thankfulness for a wonderful family and the best friends.

Joy that I'm surrounded by incredible co-workers and students.

Happiness that I can enjoy these simple pleasures like a cup of coffee on a foggy morning.

It's a good place to be when you can enjoy the ordinary. 

When you can be relatively content.

When you've walked through fire and came through changed, but for the better.

He is working on me.

I'm leaning and straining with purpose.

He is so, so good.  

Like Their Mamas

This makes me cry happy tears.

This is a picture of my very best friend's daughter and my daughter from this past weekend.  

These girls love each other as much as their mamas love each other.  

When you find friends like these you hold on tight to them. 

And consider yourself very, very blessed. 

I'm finding Grace on Tuesdays.