Padme's Pictures with Santa

When we visited Hakuna Matata earlier this week to get Padme's bath we found out they were hosting a pictures with Santa event today!  It's been several years since Padme' went to visit the big guy! 

She sat up like a big girl while the photographer took plenty of pictures.  He also did a set of pictures with Padme' and Sissy!  Aren't they sweet! 

Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.  Proverbs 26:17

Pictures with Santa

Caleb made it home today from LCU and the first item on our agenda was to go see Santa.  Frankie insisted that we couldn't go until Caleb was here.  Last year we visited the Santa at Bass Pro and Frankie wasn't impressed because he forgot to ask what she wanted for Christmas.  This year we visited Santa at Stonebriar Mall we checked with his head elf to remind him that it's important for Santa to ask Frankie what she wants for Christmas.  It was a much better experience!! 

Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,

    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

Proverbs 11:29

Hakuna Matata Means No Worries

Our town got a great new doggie day care, grooming, and boarding facility named Hakuna Matata, so we went today to check it all out. They have these awesome stainless steel tubs on hydraulic lifts, which is really nice if you have a very large dong! Each station is in a private room with power washers and dryers. 

It was great, and so much better than the huge mess Padme' makes in my bathroom when I bathe her at home! I would love to say how much she enjoyed it, but at 10 years old she kind of a cranky and doesn't really enjoy anything besides being at home, but she put up with it! 

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Matthew 6:27

Becoming Santa Claus Opera

When it comes to holiday performances, dance has The Nutcracker, theater has A Christmas Carol, and classical music has Handel’s Messiah. Today we’re checking out operas newest addition, composer Mark Adamo’s Becoming Santa Claus. With the family watching the world premiere at the Dallas Opera with a live simulcast to the  Lincoln Center in New York!

Becoming Santa Claus  is set in the Elven kingdom where spoiled Prince Claus will celebrate his 13th birthday with the party.  However, a bright star has signaled a momentous birth. Claus decides to dazzle this newborn with an assortment of the very latest toys before discovering that love is the most treasured gift of all.

The story doesn't go into the religious significance of the child's birth but is that 'presence' is preferred to presents.  It was cleverly done with elaborate, fanciful costumes and magnificent set designs! 

Please accept the present that was brought to you,
for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.”
Genesis 33:11

Winter Care Packages

One Sunday per month the moms at church with college kids meet up and pack gift boxes for the students.  Each mom brings a dozen items and then one of each item goes into the care packs.  For Caleb's package the girls and I decorated it with red paper and wrote, "We Miss You Snow Much!"  And for the package we made for Richard we use light blue paper with the message, "Don't Flake Out on Your Exams!"  

Each of the moms wrote Christmas cards for the kids so they would have a package full of warm wishes going into finals week!  

It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.

Deuteronomy 11:12

Lady Storm Softball

Abigail was able to get in a little softball today, and by a little I mean four 90 minute games.  She was playing pick up for the Lady Storm in a a tournament in Grapevine.

She is still adjusting to playing again after an almost three month hiatus because of the torn ligament in her thumb.

She's more than a little frustrated to not be playing catcher, but it will come in time.  She's hitting the ball well and with some more work she will be back behind the plate. 

1. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality,he will give eternal life.  Romans 2:7

Visit to Nash Farms

Nash Farms is a historic landmark in Grapevine, TX.  It currently sits on 5+ acres of the original 200+ acres owned by Thomas Jefferson Nash in 1859.  The farm is now open for tours of the main house, pole barn, smoke shed, and animal pens. 

This is one of the first places we visited with the kids when we moved to Texas.  It was nice to see the expansion to the exhibits.  Many of the rooms to the main house have now been refurbished.  Most of the furniture is original to the house.  

Today's adventure was part of the estate's Victorian Christmas so the girls and I strung berries and popcorn for the tree. It was also perfect weather for hoop races and horse shoes! 

“Return to your homes with your great wealth—with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing—and divide the plunder from your enemies with your fellow Israelites.”  Joshua 22:8

The Glenn Beck Show

We were able to have a little hands-on political science class at Glenn Beck studios, and by that I mean we were at the taping of one of Glenn's shows in the studio audience and as a homeschooling mom, I counted it as school!!! It was a little odd to be at the taping without Caleb but always enjoyable. 

Glenn was filming a show emphasizing family and traditions.  It was a special show highlighting the traditions of his family with personal stories of his grandparent.  He was joined on stage by his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.  Glenn is an remarkably gracious man, it is always a highlight to hang out and watch the filming of his show.   It's also interesting to see all the behind-the-scenes action.  There is a lot of work that goes into a one hour show. 

The show was set to air today, however due to the terrorist act in San Bernardino, CA the show will not air until next week. 

A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son

    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

Proverbs 17:2

LCU’s Big Blue “Elf-stravaganza”

Tonight was LCU’s third annual Big Blue “Elf-stravaganza” an evening crafts, photos, music, and the Lighting of the Chap.

The campus was decorated like the Christmas movie, Elf – including the Candy Cane Forest and Sea of Gumdrops and the World’s Greatest Cup of Coffee – as well as fire pits, hot beverages, and food options. Buddy the Elf himself, welcomed students into the Baker Conference Center, which was decked to look like Gimbel’s Department Store, complete with paper chains, paper s, ice sculptures, and a LEGO Empire State Building.

Caleb and other members of the student senate helped out with the Arendelle and Whoville locations. The Grinch came down from his mountain and posed for photo opportunities on one end of the SUB, and Whoville was filled with Seuss-style crafts for kids and their families. Arendelle had games of its own from building marshmallow snowmen to a snowball toss, while the snow sisters, Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, accompanied by Kristoff and Olaf, joined the festivities for pictures and lots of warm hugs.

LCU’s music groups performed songs of the season on the steps of the McDonald Moody Auditorium. The evening culminated with a countdown to the Lighting of the Chap and Christmas tree outside the Moody auditorium. Afterwards, students watched “Elf” in the SUB.

A glad heart makes a cheerful face

Proverbs 15:13

Happy Birthday, Padme'

Today we celebrated Padme's 10th birthday!  Padme' is a beautiful fawn English Mastiff.  She's been Frankie's companion and best buddy for the last decade.  

The girls made Padme' a party hat for the occasion, which Padme' clearly had not intention of wearing! She was, however, very interest in her gift bag which held treats and a new chew toy! Happy birthday, sweet puppy! 

They are dogs with mighty appetites;

    they never have enough.

Isaiah 56:11