Happy Birthday Mom

Today is the birthday of my mom Lorie King who did 6 years ago from complications with Leukemia. I wanted to take this opportunity to share a little about this very special person with all of you. My Mom was a really kind, caring , loving, friendly (this list could go on and on) person and I am not just saying that!



Being that Jesse was the only grandchild my mom actually got to know I truly believe Jesse was sent here so "Nonnie" could experience grandchildren. Just before being hospitalized after a relapse I did share the joyous news that Michael and I were expecting Duece and she was so excited. She also had the privilege to host a shower for my sister Hillary before going into the hospital. Hillarys baby was born October 23 while my mother was in ICU and on a vent. She never actually met Taylor, Duece, Bella, Cooper or Rhys but I know she has a hand in their lives as a guardian angel. Aren't they so lucky. It is times like these that make me miss her so much. I wish she could see the beautiful young lady Jesse is becoming. I wish she could get one of Duece's wonderful snuggle hours or hold Cooper. I know my sister wishes the same for her three children (Taylor, Bella and Rhys).

She was a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and so much more. To be just half the woman she was would be a true honor to me. I would almost give anything to have one last conversation with her. I would love to know if she was proud of who Hillary, Adam and myself have become. My life was truly blessed by being her daughter. If you knew her you know what a blessing she was to other people. I would like to remember her so sweet and kind not sick and hurting. If you knew her and would like to post a memory please feel free to do so in my comments.

*In Loving Memory of Lorie King- wife, mother, daughter, nonnie, sister, aunt, and friend to many. You are truly missed and loved. December 15, 1965-November 12, 2003

Blessed Be Your Name

Every now and then there is a praise song that brings me to my knees. For awhile now this has been one of my favorites. But this Saturday night during worship at our churches Saturday night Safe Harbor this one for some reason took on a little more meaning than it use to. I have always been able to grasp that our God gives and takes away. But have not always been able to praise his name during those times when he takes away. But with the birthday of my late mother drawing near it really filled me with a new understanding of how we do need to praise our Lord no matter what! I have like I said not always been good at that but now I really see the importance of it. I think it is also important to remember that no our God is not fair and if he was my sinful soul would have been doomed a long time ago. I want to share this song with you maybe it will touch you in a way never before.

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Recipes

I will now be posting recipes on Sundays. I have had several people ask me what kind of easy meals I make since we are so busy. So I decided to start sharing them with all of you. I would love to hear how they turn out for you and how your families liked them. If I am posting it here there is a good chance that it is on the upcoming weeks menu at the McClendon house. ENJOY!

Taco Casserole
(This is from the cookbook my church put together. It is fairly easy and my family really loves it. You could prep this during the day and pop it in the oven when you are ready.)

1 1/2 pounds ground beef 12 flour tortillas
1 med onion chopped 1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes
2 T. chili powder 1 can cream of chicken soup
1 tsp garlic powder 1/3 c. water
salt and pepper to taste 4 c. shredded mozzarella*

Brown ground beef and onions. Drain well. Add seasonings to meat mixture. Mix water, tomatoes, and soup. Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan. Line with 6 tortillas. Spoon all of meat mixture over tortillas and then add cheese. Top with tortillas. Pour on soup mixture. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 to 60 minutes. *May also use 1/2 mozzarella and 1/2 cheddar.

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Today we at the McClendon house decided to take our chances and finally put up a Christmas tree. We have been holding out considering we have a 16 month old and we were unsure how the tree would fair!

We have for several years been using a hand-me-down tree that my family used all of my childhood. It was bought my brothers first Christmas and he is now 21. With my mother gone on to be with her Heavenly Daddy I find it to be a true honor to use this tree. Believe it or not it is still in wonderful condition and even though it is not as big or as full as I might like I love using this tree. For me this tree is steeped in memories both happy and sad. I can remember dad sorting and fluffing ever branch one by one and putting it on the tree. I remember my mother preparing each ornament to be hung. I remember the candy garland and the star atop. I also remember the stories my mom told of each ornament how they all had a meaning. Today I am lucky enough to have one of those memory filled ornaments to go on my tree. It is a cloth one shaped as a boot with a kitten inside it. My mother sewed and stuffed several of these her first Christmas as a wife and mother because they couldn't afford any others. Putting that tree up in my home with my children made my heart hurt. What I would give for one more Christmas with her. I wish my children knew the joy she brought to every Christmas celebration. A true giver by nature this time of year was something amazing at our house. My mom a stay at home mom herself for most of my life almost always did with out at Christmas to make a way for us to have the most wonderful experience we could.

I wonder what my children will remember about today. Will they remember that I was so busy that we almost didn't get it done? Or that I had to go out in the middle of it and buy ornament hooks? I hope their memories with this tree are as sweet as mine. I hope that done mind our "little" tree and I hope they feel the same joy I do every time they see that tree.

Santa?

Ok so it is no big secret that for the past couple of years we have not be playing Santa at our house. You see when our oldest Jesse was in kindergarten she asked if he was real and so we told her the truth. We were relived and stopped playing Santa even though she had a younger brother. We felt alot better about them knowing that the gifts that had been painstakingly sought out and bought were from us. No way were we letting the fat guy in the red suit get all of the credit.

This was working wonderfully for us and nobody ever questioned it. Fast forward to this year my dear middle child Duece is now in kindergarten and now is questioning me "Mommy I think Santa is real...Why did you say he was not?" I am sure that Mrs. Ables kindergarten class is a buzz with talk of Santa and that dear Mrs. Ables even feeds a little into it. Since questioning me I have had many an interesting conversation with Duece. So now someone has suggested that he should do a test you know the kind ask Santa for something that he doesn't ask us for. I am thinking that this plan could go badly and Duece end up even more confused and upset. See that is just one more reason not to tell what I think is the biggest lie ever told. After a conversation or two of her own even Jesse now 9 as decided she might "start believing again." I am like ugh this is nuts lets just drop it and enjoy all the wonderful gifts your dear loved ones give you because they love and care for you so very much!

When I was a little girl my parents answered the age old question very simply "Anyone who loves you enough to think of you this time of year is your Santa!" Thanks mom and dad that was a wonderful way to explain it and I have tried that with my own children. For some reason they have decided to be little followers and not leaders.

Sometimes I feel like I have taken some of the magic out of Christmas. But I know it is still magical and memorable with or without Santa. I mean isn't it really about the fact that on this day we celebrate the greatest gift of all...This is the day that our Lord and Savior Jesus was born. I think that is the real true magic of Christmas he came to this earth became flesh and bore our sin in death... Now that is one magical gift if you ask me! And that is something amazing to believe in. ( That is a whole other blog in itself. )

A "Handmade" Christmas

Way back in August I decided I was going to make or sew all of the Christmas gifts Michael and I would be giving this year. Well my butt should have started sewing back in August. But all who know me know I am so busy with three kids and their activities that this is an undertaking I never should have taken. But I did...

I decided that a couple people on my list would be to hard to do this for so guess what? They are getting gift cards. We are not normally big gift carders but these are people who have everything and if they wanted or needed anything they would buy it. So gift cards it is for them.

I am making aprons for my children's teachers and will be having them monogrammed. This should be easy they aren't a huge sewing undertaking but finding time is oh so hard for me! I am also making ornaments for the ladies in the offices of my children's schools. Fleece blankets for my niece and older nephew. My younger nephew is getting something a little more special Aunt Hollie has sown him a Christmas John-John. Since he is 6 months old and I have never sown for him before I thought this was due.

This started as a way to help us save a little money. Since the wonderful economy has hit the McClendon Household rather hard! Well save money it has but for a busy person like myself it is not as easy as it first sounded. I know in the end these will be wonderful unique gifts but in the mean time I needed a break so I shared it with you!

Solider's Silent Night

****Today's post is dedicated to Alan McClendon and all troops active and non-active how have served and are serving this Christmas Season****

This morning as usual for this time of year the kids and I were listening to Christmas music on a local radio station. When an unusual Silent Night came on that really touch not only my heart but the hearts of my children and left us all in tears. You see my brother-in-law is serving our country now in Iraq. He is a special part of our family and the one how introduce Michael and I being he was my friend first. We all love and miss him dearly and are praying daily for his safe return. I was not able to put in a link but if you google "SOLIDERS SILENT NIGHT BY TED BERNDT" you can find it to actually listen to! It is wonderful.

This poem was written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1986. It was recorded by Father Ted Berndt of Bread of Life Charismatic Episcopal Church in Dousman, Wisconsin, who was also a Marine and WWII Purple Heart recipient.



TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,

AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,

NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,

ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,

A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,

I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,

CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,

NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I’D JUST READ?

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,

OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,

BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN’T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,

I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY;

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,

“SANTA DON’T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON’T ASK FOR MORE,

MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.”

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,

I COULDN’T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL

AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT’S CHILL.

I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,

THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,

WHISPERED, “CARRY ON SANTA, IT’S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.”

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.

“MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.”