The Ketchup Bottle is NOT a Toy

On Wednesday I treated my 7th grade small group girls to dessert at Chilli's to kick off the holiday season. Good idea. And bad idea, sorta.

3/4 of our time was fun and giggles and girls who normally are shy were laughing and sharing. They were all excited about their desserts. But as desserts got eaten and wait time for parents brought boredom, 3 of my girls decided it would be fun to put salt and pepper in their water. Then they started putting ketchup in it.

Are you kidding me? I KINDLY asked them to stop 3 times. Finally, when I wasn't looking they tried to do it behind my back and instead of showing the patience of Jesus, I lit into them as if they were my own kids.

Phrases like "If you are going to act like 10 year old boys, I will treat you like it."
"The ketchup bottle is not a toy!"

Ugh, I'm so NOT cut out for being their small group leader. I was totally bummed by these three girls and struggled not to let them define my entire evening. I should just stick to serving in church as a ribbon dancer......

Dulin Tree Trimming and Xmas Solar System

We went to the xmas tree farm this past weekend -- it was like 70 degrees! Here are pix plus my "creative" ways of using ornaments. One is of my "chandelier" and the other is of my "solar system." The solar system is actually ornaments my mother bought from Pier One last year AFTER Christmas and they have never been used.

Also, our Christmas tree is shorter than I'd like and the white angel needs to be more goldish. Oh well, next year. This is the first year I have used ribbon on my tree.

A Dulin Thanksgiving

Wednesday, 11.25.09: Utilize male teenager to clean house. Bake 48 blueberry muffins. Prepare green bean bake, mashed potatoes, cornbread and cranberry stuffing, regular Stove Top stuffing, rolls, and cranberry sauce. Set the table. Utilize female teenager to be sous chef and dish washing point person. Clean house some more!

Thursday, 11.26.09:
5:15 am - Wake-up, gather family and head to Raleigh Rescue Mission.

6:00 am - Serve 50 residents 3 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts, 48 blueberry muffins, 4 gallons of milk, 3 gallons of OJ, massive bags of cereal, 60 bagels (plain, everything, cinnamon raisin), and 4 packs of cream cheese. Teenagers were sleepy but had generally good attitudes. Also assisted "Chef" with preparing some of the Thanksgiving dinner expected to feed 800 people across the city of Raleigh!!

9:00 am - Return home with leftover Krispy Kreme donuts and bagels! Male teen resumes sleeping. Final prepping for various dishes.

10:00 am - Put 13 lbs. turkey in the oven. Get snacks ready. Take a quick 20 minutes to lay down and recover rest time.

11:00 am - Get dressed. Get pretty. Smell nice.

12:00 - Danny's parents arrive.

2:00 pm - Sit down for Thanksgiving dinner. Terrific turkey, AMAZING cornbread and cranberry dressing (chestnuts totally worth it!!), warm and loving conversation and fellowship.

This was Danny's parents' first visit with us and it was very meaningful for all. I was glad to host them especially since they have 4 other children they could have spent Thanksgiving with and chose to spend it with us. Danny's mom is battling lung cancer (going on 1.5 years now) and no one takes for granted the time we all spend together.

As I spent my first Thanksgiving without both my parents, I will admit it was difficult. I have found my heart grieving a lot despite the many distractions. I have found myself in tears in an odd place of feeling the loss and desire to be near something that could make me closer to them. But grief and heartache are just that and no grave site, or urn, or house will make me closer to two people I will not see in this lifetime again. I struggle with the joy and blessing of my Dulin life and the sadness of the loss of my Snead life. I think there still remains a little girl in me that simply cries out: "I miss my Mommy! I miss my Daddy!"

But what hurts you is also what should make you be grateful for what brings you joy. Cliche but true. I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for. Hope your Thanksgiving was special.