A BIG Surprise

Our merry little Christmas was topped off with a BIG surprise for the little cowboys! Several weeks ago, some friends in Houston contacted my mother and shared with her that they wanted to do something special to make Christmas a little brighter for me and my family. Never in my wildest imagination could I have dreamed up what that "something" might be!

Hubby and I wanted to keep it a secret from the boys until Christmas morning. After the Christmas melee was over and we'd eaten breakfast, we sat them down and gave them each one more gift.

We got boxes!

T-shirts? We don't get it.

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!

Opening Disney Dollars from Nana and Poppy.
Little Middle: "Mom, is this a credit card?"

After the gifts were opened and the great cat was out of the bag, we called Nana and Poppy to say "thank you" for the Christmas gifts. That was when the final surprise came out: Not only are the five of us going to Disney World, but my parents are going, too! The boys were hootin', hollerin', and running in crazy circles!

In just a matter of weeks, hundreds of people in five different states donated money, airline miles, and other resources to make this trip possible. Every last detail, from park admission down to luggage fees, has been taken care of. There is a travel agent who worked feverishly to put together an itinerary so that we don't miss a thing. Meals are paid for, and we are even having breakfast one morning with Chef Mickey!

My Goliath will turn 9 while we are in Florida. I can't think of a better place for my gentle giant to spend his birthday than at Disney. Our friends arranged a special birthday surprise for him...I absolutely can't WAIT to see his face!

This Friday, seven very excited people will head to DFW airport to catch a plane to Orlando. We will be in the Magic Kingdom in time to watch the fireworks and ring in the new year. We will return to DFW next Thursday. I fully expect that we will be tired, happy, and chock full of memories that will last a lifetime.

To Our ChristMUST Wish Friends:

You are amazing. We are simply blown away by your generosity, your love, and your friendship. Many of you don't even know us, but you have shown us the love of Christ and given us great joy this holiday season. God has allowed us to walk a very dark and difficult road this year. There have been many days that I wasn't sure that I could, or even wanted to, take the next step. But along the way, God has been faithful to place people in my path who could cheer, encourage, and pray. "Thank you" is so inadequate to express how grateful I am that all of you allowed Him to use you in such a special way. But for now...Thank you for lightening my load and giving me something to look forward to (and brag to the chemo crew about!). Thank you for making my husband happy. Thank you for the smiles on my boys' faces. Thank you for the delight and excitement I hear in my parents' voices when I talk to them.

"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, easing other's loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas."--W.C. Jones

Thank you for giving us such a magical and grand gift! Surely I am the most blessed lady in the world, because I am loved. My cup runneth over.

Joyfully,

Allyson

P.S. I will try to post small updates and pictures on Facebook while we are gone. Watch for them!

Christmas 2010

Our family will always remember Christmas 2010 as a very merry one indeed! After the year that we've had, Hubby and I wanted to keep it simple. We stayed home and did Christmas our way--just the 5 of us. Here are a few pictures that I took with my new camera: (Thanks, Hubby!)

Hubby read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the little cowboys.

Handsome Little Middle showing off his new Christmas pajamas before bed.

Cookies and milk for Santa, carrots for the reindeer.

Christmas morning...Santa came!

They were up early...a little sleepy-eyed, but very excited!

Santa and his reindeer loved their treats!


Goliath read Santa's letter out loud for everyone.

Happy chaos!

Goliath loves his new "Russian" hunting hat.

He can't wait to get in the kitchen with Mom and try out a new recipe.

Star Wars Legos!!!!

Baby laughed hard the first time we played Twister.

Later in the day, I found this airplane "crashed" into the Christmas tree

and a plastic passenger clinging to life on an ornament.

Christmas Dinner

I went into the Christmas season fearful that the Sickness and all that goes with it would stand in the way of me experiencing real joy. I have been very purposeful about looking for joy over the last month, and I've been pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been to find it--and how it was never out of my reach in the first place.

We went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. We sang traditional carols, the boys got to go down to the front for a mini-sermon, and at the end of the service, we lit candles and sang "Silent Night" a capella. I was overwhelmed with the hundreds of little lights and voices being lifted in worship toward the King.

Majesty in a manger...the Son of God in a stable. He came so that I could live (John 10:10). JOY!!!

From Our Family To Yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

"And Mary said, 'I'm bursting with God-news, I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened--I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts. He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet, the callous rich were left out in the cold. He embraced his chosen child, Israel, he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high. It's exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.' " Luke 1:46-55

The Second Verse

I grew up in a great church where the foundation was laid for my faith. I memorized Scripture there, I made lifelong friends there, and I learned to worship, particularly through music. Our church services had a healthy dose of hymns with a generous sprinkling of praise choruses, circa 1980s: "Majesty," "We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise," and "As the Deer" stand out in my mind. I still remember that "How Great Thou Art" was #2 in the hymnal.

We don't use that hymnal much these days. My kids are learning song lyrics from a screen in the worship center rather than the hymnal in the pew. In fact, I'm certain that that hymnal is not much more to them than a hard book to put under their children's bulletins that they work on during the sermon! And that makes me a little sad.

When I was growing up, sometimes I would get bored during the sermon. My mother suggested once that I listen carefully and write down all of the words I didn't understand. The only word I walked away with was "multitude," with a bunch of tally marks for every time the preacher said it. Sometimes I would pass the time reading the hymnal. Yes, I know it's kind of a dorky thing to do. But that opened my eyes to what I now consider to be often-overlooked treasures: the second verse. We always sing the first verse of a hymn, and often the third or fourth. But why not the second?

It's no wonder, then, that I was surprised in a good way as I was driving around town running errands with the radio on this week. "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" has a second verse that strikes my heart and meets me right where I am this Christmas:

And ye, beneath life's crushing load

Whose forms are bending low

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow,

Look now! for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing

O rest beside the weary load

And hear the angels sing.

Every step I take feels painful and slow, and sometimes even backwards. Even my commitment to seek out joy this holiday season seems like a mountain in and of itself some days. I will gladly accept the invitation to leave my load beside the manger and listen to the angels sing.

And I will sing along...with my hymnal open.

Pumpkins, Pajamas, Hunting, and Haunting

We wrapped up October in typical H family style: slightly chaotic and lots of fun!

The obligatory pumpkin patch picture.

The three cowboys were much happier standing in line for the hay ride with their friends.

I was blessed by some sweet friends with a surprise front porch makeover, complete with pumpkins and hand-painted sign. How I love those girls!

Every year, our preschool has Pajama Day at the end of October. In my humble, comfortable opinion, it is the best day of the year!

Mommy and Baby at Pajama Day.

Baby and Joe the Bear had matching Batman pjs!

Shannon (aka World's Greatest Co-Teacher) and me in our matching jammies.

Our monkey socks were super cute, don't you think?

The Strawberry teachers and our across-the-hall neighbors, Ms. Gloria and Ms. Renee.

Baby and Bransyn with their Frog teachers, Ms. Maureen and Ms. Michelle (plus Kendall).

Goliath got to participate in Youth Hunting weekend this year. He went out to the lease with his Papa, completely confident that he would be able to get a great buck within 2 days. I needn't have worried, because it took him less than 4 hours.

I'm not a hunter, but I sure am proud of him!

Goliath made it home from his hunting trip in just enough time to get dressed up for Halloween!

Little Middle/Iron Man and Baby/Darth Vader

Baby/Darth Vader, Goliath/Super Mario, and Little Middle/Iron Man on the way to trick-or-treat. I'm sure they really were smiling under those masks and mustache!

Trick-or-treating is more fun with friends!

My Baby isn't scared of anything.

Right after he grabbed a handful of candy, the real live person in the casket tried to grab him!

The loot, after careful negotiations and re-distribution.

Ringing In the New Year

In 2009, I...

*searched the world over for kid-size goat horns so that Goliath could shine in his 1st grade play.
*quit one of my jobs so that I could spend more time with my family.
*joined a gym, began working out regularly, and hired a very cheerful personal trainer.
*rediscovered the joy of making popcorn in an air popper.
*found a new church home.
*spent four amazing days in San Antonio with my mom and my sister.
*spent one night sleeping in a hospital chair after Goliath broke his arm while horseback riding.
*became a soccer and a football mom.
*celebrated the engagements of my sister and my best friend!
*had a meltdown when someone in my family brought home a rat for a pet, and ended up with a gerbil named Steve instead.
*cried during Little Middle's preschool graduation.
*cried again when I took Little Middle to kindergarten for the first time.
*joined forces with 3 friends (aka the "Dinner Divas") to create a dinner co-op.
*went hiking, hunting, and roller skating.
*had a tough time answering deep spiritual questions that my boys kept asking!
*attended a No-Cancer Party held in my honor.
*got into a consistent routine of doing daily quiet times.
*mourned with several friends over lost loved ones, and rejoiced with several others as they welcomed new babies.
*got a new car.
*saw Mary Poppins and The Nutcracker at the theater.
*listened to Little Middle read his first book.

In 2010, I am looking forward to...

*being part of 2 very special weddings.
*uneventful doctor visits and clear CT scans.
*deeper worship and closer walking with my God.
*continued fitness and weight loss.
*the rainy season, when I will get much use out of my new Mary Poppins parrot-head umbrella.

Thanks, Lord, for new beginnings.

Finding Joy

These weeks leading up to Christmas have been tough for me. I just haven't welcomed the season with the usual joy and excitement. I have seen so much heartache, loss, and worry in 2009--several of my friends are facing the holidays without loved ones...people I care about are jobless or faced with uncertain financial futures...people I look up to have lives turned upside down by illness. I've been annoyed by the commercialism attached to the holiday, and the pressure to make each Christmas bigger and better than the ones before. I want the season to be magical for my boys, and I have been at a loss as to how to make it happen. So I prayed, and I asked God to restore my joy and give me perspective. Here's what happened:

I told my class of 4-year-olds the Christmas story. I looked around the circle at their big eyes, and I knew there was no one else I would have wanted to be telling about the miracle of the manger.

I called my mom to tell her our plans had changed and we would be home for the holidays. As I sang "I'll Be Home for Christmas," she started to cry. I knew there was nothing else I would rather be hearing.

I was putting clean sheets on the beds while Baby was in the bathtub. I heard him singing "Go Tell It On the Mountain" to himself while he was splashing around. I laughed, and knew that I would treasure that memory for a long time.

I stayed up late wrapping presents a few nights ago. I thought about the joy that is to come on Christmas morning--not from the gifts themselves, but from the being together--and I knew there was nothing else I would rather be doing.

I sat in a worship service surrounded by my church family singing "O Holy Night." I knew there was nowhere else I'd rather be.

Yesterday I looked out the window to see Goliath hard at work in the yard, bagging leaves to earn money so he could go Christmas shopping for his family. I knew there was nothing else I would rather be seeing.

This afternoon I put on an apron and baked Christmas cookies with Little Middle and Baby. I watched them happily spread icing and shake sprinkles, and I knew I wouldn't trade that moment for anything in the world.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come!

I am ready to receive my King.

What I Did During Thanksgiving Break

Around our house, nothing says "Thanksgiving" like a good hunting trip. After 11 1/2 years of marriage, I finally gave in and went hunting. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em...right?

Hubby, Little Middle, Baby, and I made a day trip to the lease. We hadn't planned on taking any kids, so we ended up doing more looking than actual hunting. We had a good time, though! I'll let the pictures tell the story:

Little Middle, all dressed up and ready to go!

This is my absolute favorite picture!

The boys were examining all the dead wasps up in Daddy's stand.

Indoor plumbing. That's all I have to say about that.

Really, really BIG spider.

Rumor has it that on a previous trip to the lease, Goliath shot out all the windows on this old abandoned car with his BB gun.

Hunting brothers

Here's Baby, taking a break in the truck while we waited for Daddy and Little Middle to get back from exploring. He had a hard time being quiet, but he sure did enjoy getting dirty and finishing off several of his dad's sodas!

*Confidential to Hubby: If I'd known it would make you so happy to take me out to the lease, I would never have waited so long to go. In spite of all the red dirt, I had a really fun time being part of what you love to do (and driving off road!). I love you.*

We shared Thanksgiving with Hubby's family and drove home on Thursday night. On Friday, I re-packed my suitcase and drove to Houston. That night, I met up with my lifelong BFF and we went to see The Nutcracker performed by the Houston Ballet at the Wortham Center. I went to the see this ballet every Christmas as a little girl...this trip brought back sweet memories, made better by sharing it with my best friend!

My sweet sister is getting married next summer, and her wedding dress was ready! I met my family at the bridal salon on Saturday morning. Mine weren't the only tears shed when she walked out in her dress. She will be a beautiful bride.

A week spent traveling across Texas to be with a lot of people I love reminds me...there is MUCH to be thankful for.

Halloween 2009

A Harley biker, a pirate, and a penguin walked into a bar....

Just kidding.

We had a spooktacular Halloween! My little biker, pirate, and penguin joined forces with some friends for trick-or-treating.

We hit up our neighborhood first, then moved to theirs--twice the fun, and twice the candy!

The funniest part of the evening came from a neighbor who set up a coffin in his driveway. He dressed in a scary mask and black robes and lay in the coffin, waiting to terrorize small children. Not knowing that there was anything to be afraid of, Goliath reached in to take some candy, and the "dead" guy reached out and grabbed his leg! Goliath jumped ten feet while his brothers and their pals screamed. The adults were laughing too hard to be much comfort...

P.S. The pictures are weird, I know. Our camera is acting up, and we had to take most of our Halloween pics with Hubby's iPhone.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful...

...that I got to be their mama.

...that I can call these ladies my friends.

...for delicious pancake breakfasts and making sweet memories.

...for my sister, who is unashamed to rent "Hotel for Dogs" at the RedBox, and laughs hysterically when her nephews squirt her with water guns.

...for freedom, and all the fireworks, strawberry desserts, and tailgates that come with it.

...for young love.

...for lasting love.