The Making of a Munchkin

Our house is "a buzz" with activity! Being "a buzz" is nothing new to our house, but this activity is new and exciting for us.

In September, Ashley went to open auditions at the high school for "The Wizzard of Oz." They were looking for children for the munchkin roles. Our sweet little "munchkin" made it and we are thrilled.

The first meeting was a hummin' with excitement, as the high schoolers made way for over 40 munchkins in the auditorium. The director explained the dynamic of this cast and how things would work out...including a budget falling between $40,000-$50,000. This will help to bring in the company from Vegas that will handle the flying monkeys!!! (This is no backyard performance, I can assure you).

We have had good rehearsals, meeting one night a week and Saturday mornings. An earlier rehearsal found each parent bringing home drawings of costumes that need to be made. Oh boy, I get to be creative. I love this sort of stuff!!!

Guess who else loves this kind of stuff? You got it..."Mini Me."

This is where it can get a bit tense, "can" being the operative word. It can be "I want this. I want to do that. This is the color I want. But I want this.", etc. Ashley and I have had nothing but FUN here. We have colaborated well. She gave me the colors she wanted. I threw in some ideas and here we go. I found a few things on my own, at Goodwill. We have also done shopping together, each giving and taking as we go "down the yellow brick road!"

So many times during this season that I am in, I think about how my parenting is to reflect the Father's parenting. Am I doing a good job? Am I correctly mirroring God's great love for His children. His patience? His desire for fellowship with his kids. He just loves to be with us! To give imput into our lives, to direct us in the ways we should go.

One attribute of God is creativity. God loves to create...duh! He is the Creator of this amazing universe! He loves to create and work with us. We were created for relationship. Many times this relationship is viewed as servant/Master, student/Teacher, child/Parent...the friendship factor, many times, is missing from the equation. And yet, God wants to have friendship with us! It is possible to have these relatioships with the The Friendship Factor in place!

(I am not abdicating my role as parent, or saying that I can take God's command as a "good idea" and roll it around a bit. I am all about total, immediate obedience. Just do not forget the friendship part!) God wants to hear our hearts. He wants to listen to our dreams and ideas. He also wants us to listen to His dreams and ideas. He wants to do things together with us. Try it. It is so much fun! May I be like David, a"friend of God".

Today we found the final piece of the "outfit puzzle" ...we think.

As she goes to rehearsal tonight, I will be putting my pedal to the metal...the pedal of my sewing machine that is! I am so proud of my daughter, my little munchkin, my friend!

Glorious!

How glorious!

We woke up at 1:30 to snow gently falling. At 5:30 the school district called to say that "due to inclimate weather, school is closed for students for the day." Yippeee!!! Really, this is so wonderful.

When it snows here, it is as if all the world stops. I know, for certain, that everything slows down. A snow day is so much different than a weekend. A weekend brings with it a "to do" list. Places to go, people to see. A snow day offers respite from the daily grind. And that, my friend, is glorious.

So today holds for me crafts with my kids, laundry, refilling the bird feeders, baking a batch of cookies, and whatever else comes to mind, or not. It's a free day...glorious!!!

Wonderful Memories in the Making!

It is already January 1, 2009. This special season has passed by so quickly. I have spent time reflecting on all of the beautiful memories we have been making during this Christmas season.

The night before we left for Minnesota, we celebrated Christmas with Todd's mom. She lives just over the border, in South Carolina. We walked into her home, and I knew I wanted to spend the night. Everything was so beautiful and special! The music, candles, peace and much love.

We had a delicious roast with so many great sides. We had fun opening presents and Jackson had something really funny to laugh about. We do not know what, but we didn't care. We all were laughing like crazy. Joy is such a wonderful gift!

We had such a wonderful evening together. Sandi, thank you so much for a incredible evening and all the wonderful memories...We love you!

Snow Daze!

Oh, how lovely! The bitter cold has broken forth into warmer weather and snow. We just can't seem to get enough.

The snow started and even the deer came out to get in on the action.

Jackson got into my dad's hunting gear and was off to shovel the drive way and learn how to run the snowblower. He loved it!

Christmas Day brought more snow play! The snow was perfect for snowballs and snow forts. The cousins were here to celebrate Christmas and fun was had by all!

(They did not fall off the roof! I took this picture, of the snow angels, from the deck above).

Todd got his turn in the hunting suit. He took down the boys and puppy, Lucy, tried to take Todd down!

You know, people used to talk to me about handling the cold, and how being from Minnesota really makes me more inclined to cold climates...really I think it is just that being a "Minnesotan" only allows for me to know how to dress for it!