joy | A Thankfully Imperfect Woman

Dec 14

Witnessing a Story of Faith, Love and Support

What child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the son of Mary. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise a song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby : Joy, joy for Christ is born, The babe, the Son of Mary.

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In this season, this ‘Christ’mas time, may we all stop our fun preparations: the decorating, present buying, wrapping, and cookie making…to reflect on Christ’s birth. The gift God gave us on this day…His Son.

The babe that would grow into a 12 year old child who would sit amongst the elders speaking wisdom in the temple. The young man who, when baptized, was descended upon by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and a voice came from heaven, which said, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased”. The man who would die on the cross to save us from our sins.

And God, the Father, watched from above. He saw all the joy…He saw all the suffering. He was there through it all…beside His Son.

On our worst days, we may wonder ‘Where is God?’.

He’s watching. He’s waiting. He’s with us, just as He was with His Son.

We just need to have Faith.

I’ve witnessed this show of faith.

First, in my husband’s Grandpa, who passed 12 years ago: Frank was at home, having fought a good fight against cancer. He was in hospice care…and he had faith. In his last weeks he spoke about seeing Jesus there in the room with him. And we knew…He was there. He walked Grandpa home to Heaven…of that there is no doubt.

And in the past few months, an incredible story of courage, faith, and love has filled our small town – pulling it’s people together in a show of support for an incredible young man suffering from leukemia. Read more

Oct 31

Happy Halloween!

Which broom, which broom, witch broom? Ahhhh…decisions…

One of my friends on FB tells the story of her favorite Halloween memory where she always looked forward to going to one house where the woman dressed up as a witch and had hot apple cider she served out of a couldren…how fun is that?

One of my favorite Halloween memories isn’t from my childhood – instead it’s from when Alex was little and she asked if she could wear my ‘antique’ dress for a costume.

Hrmph.

My ‘antique’ dress was about 10 years old, thank you very much. What a little shit. {I say with a chuckle}

Oh…and there’s the time I wasn’t feeling particularly crafty…so I dressed Sam in a dinosaur costume I’d found secondhand and put a tutu over it and a crown on her cute little head.

She wasn’t thrilled. But God was she cute! (And yes, notice that once again, Alex posed…I think she was born posing!)

And then there’s Miss Gabi…

My favorite costume of hers was when she dressed up like Hershey, our sweet little old chocolate lab (God rest his soul). She even took him with her trick-or-treating in our neighborhood!

I think my favorite costume EVER may have been the year I dressed Sam up as Raggedy Ann…she was ADORABLE! See…

Alas, the girls trick or treating years has passed. Our rule is once you hit 7th grade – you’re too old. Yes, our kids loved that rule. {sarcasm} Now Gabi gets to join us in handing out candy to all of our favorite little people!

So, what’s your favorite Halloween memory?

Patty O

Oct 30

Meet Karianne of Thistlewood Farms

This woman…

This Karianne of Thistlewood Farms…

This incredibly creative, zany and funny woman writes one of my favorite blogs. She talks of ambulance auctions and red lipstick and carriage houses and apple baskets…and best of all junk.

I LOVE her gorgeous home. I LOVE her gorgeous decorating. And I LOVE her cute/funny/hilarious writing style.

Anyone who loves junk and decorating with junk has heard of this woman.

And if you haven’t, here…

Let me share my morning smiles, laughter and yes, one of my inspirations with you:

Dear friends, meet Karianne. Karianne, meet my friends. Just click here:

I Love Junk and a Linky Party

You’re welcome.

Patty O

Oct 24

8 Comments

A Grease Monkey, Family Heirlooms, and Barb Kellogg Photography

The Grease Monkey is me…yes I shop at the St Louis County Mall (aka the dump) and yes, I grab greasy treasures! I have a little too much fun cleaning up these treasures…thank you Dawn dish soap, or as my husband puts it “If it’s good enough to clean ducks, it’s good enough for this”. (Obviously referring to the oil spills, the affected waterfowl, and the Dawn dish soap commercials.) I had GREAT fun cleaning up the pulley!

And yes, my husband thinks I’m nuts. Oh ye of little faith…but then he sees the finished product and says “Well, that’s cool!” 🙂

In the featured LOVE picture, the first two items were dump (oops Mall) finds. The V is a folding tape measure that was Tim’s Grandpa’s. And the two clamps I picked up at my friend’s garage sale…I needed an E…what can I say?

And here’s a collage of the rest of the wall! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Read more

Sep 26

5 Comments

‘My Mommm Said Sooooo’

So today was another daycare babies day…and of course we had more than a few fun moments. The funniest of which was after we picked up Elena from school.

We were still in the car when she said, “I’m hungry…my tummy is empty!” I told her we’d get a snack at the grocery store.

That’s when she made her announcement…

“Food goes in your belly and your butt!”

I scowled and said “Nooooooo, just in your belly!”

Elena: “My Mommm said sooooo!”

Let’s just say I dropped it rather quickly.

HOWEVER,

When Jen showed up to pick up the kids, I couldn’t resist telling her what Elena said (now mind you Jen was changing Nicole and I had just left Elena in the bathroom to go potty). Jen just laughed and said “I did tell her food goes in her belly, but someone else must have said it comes out your butt!”

And from the bathroom we hear Elena yell… “Mommmm – youuuuu said itttttttt!”

Boy they get sassy fast! It seems just yesterday she was just starting nursery school!

🙂

Patty O