Capturing December!!

I participated in the Capturing December Photo-A-Day Challenge on Facebook and boy did I have fun with it!  Figuring out which picture to post each day helped me to slow down and smell the pine needles during this hectic busy holiday season. 

Below are the pictures/captions I posted for December 1-31st for those of you not on Facebook!  Enjoy!

December 1st: Your View Today: This was my view as Mason had her princess and pirates birthday party this afternoon. How cute were these little girls as they played Disney Bingo?!

 

 December 2nd: Favorite Holiday Movie: A Very Brady Christmas! There is something about this movie that reminds me of my family and the holidays...a full house, lots of food and laughter, crazy coordinating of schedules...! I can especially relate to Cindy's problems of balancing family/friend schedules (not played by the original Cindy in this movie)!!

December 3rd: Red: I went to Old Salem in the morning, before work, and enjoyed these lovely red Moravian stars in the Gift Shop. I opted for a beautiful elegant sparkly silver one (not in the picture) instead!

December 4th: Joyous: I JUST completed grading for most of my students for this semester AND Alisha bought one of Mark's, Liz's, and my favorite flavors of ice cream. Yes, it's 1am but I think after today's marathon of grading, it'll be okay to have some ice cream! Besides, it will give me energy to get through an incredibly busy Wed. right?!

December 5th: Today's Temperature: It was 60 degrees but when I thought to take the picture, it had dropped a whole degree to 59. It's so funny to think that 5 years ago today York County schools had closed early for an early dismissal due to snow and today I was out and about in a light jacket. !!!

December 6th: Shopping: I so can't wait to go to one of my favorite stores tomorrow with Natsuko! :)

December 7th: Bright: I came home from work today exhausted and homesick and it was a chilly and dreary evening. However, my gloomy outlook was brightened when I found this "Thank You" card from my sister-in-law. What a sweet gesture & surprise! I dare everyone reading this to do some random BRIGHT act of kindness in the next 24 hours! ♥

December 8th: Ornament(s): I love my little tree that showcases my collection of a Hallmark series called Noelville. The year I worked at Hallmark, they started that particular series. It was also the year I finished my Master's Degree so each year as I collect the little buildings, I'm reminded of how far I've come in my educational journey. How appropriate that 2012's ornament was a school. :)

December 9th: Something You're Reading: In prepping for CCE #2, I've been reading cookie recipes. This year, I'm taking the easy way out by making the same cookie 3 times but the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pillow cookies are sooooo good, that I think it'll be ok. ;)

December 10th: Wrapping Paper: This is the roll of wrapping paper I will be taking to CCE # 2. Dusty seemed to think this roll was a doggie toy at first. We are combining this fun social event with a service project by helping each other wrap last minute gifts or wrap possible donations to Room at the Inn if anyone brings any baby items. Oh how fun (and yummy this CCE) this will be!

December 11th: Green: Braden was one happy little boy, dressed in green as he tried to swat at the green ribbon above us, at Mason's (big sister) Christmas play at school tonight. 

December 12th: A Beautiful Sight: This was my view as I pulled into work this morning....look at all those beautiful empty parking spots and the nearly empty parking deck. Gotta love when classes are over and you can find beautiful close to the exit parking spots in the deck!

December 13th: Family: I couldn't decide between the portrait that was taken this past summer or the one I found on the fridge drawn by Mason last Friday so here they both are! I love how she included Dusty in her drawing. ♥

December 14th: Christmas Tree: Clark had some fun this afternoon playing with an old teaching manipulative I had up my sleeve.

December 15th: Favorite Holiday Song: I have sooo many favorite holiday songs, both secular and spiritual. I was in the mood to listen to this one tonight though ~ "Mary, Did You Know?" Click this link to hear one of my favorite interpretations of this song by Rascal Flatts! http://youtu.be/ax5d8JzdyaA

December 16th: Outside Christmas Lights: This picture does not even begin to do the Christmas Light Balls that are hanging up in trees in Greensboro justice! To this day, I've not seen this sort of awesome Christmas light display anywhere else.

December 17th: Presents: I'm so glad I was able to be "present" for this little present of seeing all the NC Kemmery Kids together for the first time with the newest little baby boy! What a gift!!

December 18th: Stockings: Look how small my stocking is between the 2 bigger ones. Thanks Mom & Dad...  

December 19th: Candy Cane: So, I forgot about the photo challenge for today and did not encounter any candy canes. Do my Peppermint Mocha Frozen Coffee & Red Velvet donut from Dunkin Donuts count?

December 20th: Tree Topper: Here is the top of my parents' Christmas tree. I love how the little red Hershey kiss is waving to us, especially with a fun afternoon/night planned there for Saturday! :) 

December 21st: Peace: This was my view when I came home on Tuesday night. As soon as I stepped foot into my parents' home, I felt a sense of peace. Looking back, I think that sense of peace was to prepare me for this whirlwind of a few days of unexpected hospital stays & surgery talk regarding my father. ♥

December 22nd: Tradition: This one is hard for me since I couldn't really think of any unique traditions my family participates in relating to Christmas. The one constant I can think of over the years is the traveling. Whether we were driving to Frackville, Boston, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, North Carolina, Delaware, or anywhere in between, we travel for the holidays. How ironic that we got to bring my Dad home from his surgery on 12/22! This was one trip I was so happy to make!!! 

December 23rd: Scarf: Becky & I enjoyed rocking out with the Biebs in our hoods & scarves last night. ;) 

December 24th: Favorite Part of Christmas Eve: Today was awesome and this year, my favorite part was getting to spend so much time with such awesome people as I made my way back home tonight. The day started out with breakfast at Panera with one of my favorite couples, Michaelann & Jeremy, followed by saying goodbye to Ashley but I will be seeing her again on Saturday (yippee!). Next, Dusty & I traveled to Mt. Wolf to see Lauren , Trevor , & their puppies. What a beautifully decorated Christmas home to match this beautiful couple I love so. Finally, got in some quality time in one of my favorite places, Harrisburg, with one of my favorites, Jason , before driving home on an extra white Christmas Eve to my parents and Patrick ! Life is good! :)

December 25th: Morning: Otto, Patrick's dog, was on the deck when I was getting ready for mass this morning and kept peering into the window. How cute!

December 26th: Grateful: The snow falling down all day forced me to stay in today but I'm grateful for the chance to get the draft of my portfolio defense powerpoint finished and for the ability to work on IRB revisions while keeping warm in my parents' cozy living room.

December 27th: Night time: Melanie came to visit tonight! She stayed til after 11pm eating cheese balls at Black Diamond (hehe), playing cards, sipping wine, and just getting caught up on each others' lives. Thanks for making the trip up 81 chica!! ♥ 

December 28th: Words: Found this cute bag (for $ 1 ) at Pennsylvania Country Crafts yesterday when I purchased the star hook and the birdhouse sprig. Love the inspiring words and can't wait to decorate my new home with my old decorations from storage sooooon!

December 29th: Sky View: This was taken last Saturday so there is not as much snow as we'll have after today's snowfall but I love how the sun is rising behind Dusty as he explores. Happy Birthday to the most loveable pooch and best canine for me possible! He turns 6 today!! ♥

December 30th: Your Winter Wonderland — with Monika at Snowy Home Sweet Home.

December 31st: Fun: I will thoroughly enjoy Stars on Ice tonight!! ♥ 
 (My favorite part of this picture = the 0.00 under Admission) Thank you WINK 104!!!!















 


 

No One Makes It Alone...

 (Taken from:  http://healing.about.com/cs/prayersblessings/a/prayinghands.htm)

 

 

 

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg. Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ...no ...no ...no."

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."

More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."

The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one - no one - - ever makes it alone!

Author Unknown

Girl Talk

On December 17th, my newest nephew, Nicholas Brien, was born first thing in the morning at 8:08am.  I had just dropped off my niece, Mason Noelle, at school and was on the way home with two of her brothers, Clark and Braden, when I got the news that the new baby was here and the baby was a BOY!!

I asked my brother if he wanted me to tell Mason or if he wanted to wait until he could tell her the news himself.  He said for me to go ahead and tell her since he would be at the hospital.  With his blessing, I turned the van around and took Clark and Braden back to school so that we could break the news!

After unbuckling the children from their carseats and walking back into the school, I knocked on Mason's classroom doorway.  Her teachers looked up in surprise, then excitedly asked, "Do you have news?!" to which I nodded yes.  All the children came running over and when Mason made her way to the front of the group, Clark walked right up to her and proclaimed, "Mason!  The baby in Mommy's tummy is Nicholas!"  Mason, silently stood, taking in the news.  One of her teachers quietly asked me, "Was she hoping for a sister?"  As the children giggled and talked about babies, Mason stood off to the side as Clark kept repeating, "We have a baby brother!" and Braden proudly walked around the classroom, excited to be with the "big kids" in the classroom.

I immediately knelt down in front of Mason and said, "Guess what!  Not only do you and I like purple, nail polish, and sparkles, but we have something else in common!!!"  Mason shyly looked up at me as I spoke.  I said, "Who else do you know who has 3 brothers?!!"  She shrugged her shoulders and looked away (seeming to be overwhelmed by all the commotion going on in the classroom by our entrance and announcement).  I said, "Oh come on...who has 3 brothers??"  Mason giggled, smiled, and pointed to me.  "That's right and guess what....now you do too!!"  She jumped up and down and said, "Yeah, we both have 3 brothers!"  I then asked the class, "Do we have any Nicholas(es) in here??"  (Guess the teacher in me was coming out..!)  Turns out there was one little boy who is named Nicholas who was oh so excited and proud to have the same name as the new baby.  How sweet it was to see all these children be so genuinely excited and happy over a stranger they had never met.

As I left the room with Clark and Braden, Mason's teachers said, "Don't worry, we'll work on it!"  I don't know what they said or did but when I picked sweet Mason up that afternoon, she came bounding out the doors of the school, raced to the van, and excitedly strapped herself into her carseat all the while announcing what she was going to say to the new baby when she met him.  She stopped the nonstop one girl conversation long enough to confirm, "Aunt Megan, his name is Nicholas right??", then continued with her monologue about how he would be the cutest baby ever and she couldn't wait to see him.

I feel so honored to have been part of the miracles that unfolded on December 17th, even if indirectly.  My arms ache to hug my little NC nephews and niece since it's been 12 days since I've seen them.  If this is how much I miss them when home for break, how in the world will I do with the separation once I move to wherever I move to after graduating in a few short 16 months and 1 week?!

Mason Noelle clearly has all of our hearts!! 

Such a cutie pie!