The True Meaning.

True Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .

"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."
Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper." 

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men." 

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."

http://llerrah.com/truemeaningofchristmas.htm

Where is the love?

courtesy of google images

Father Father Father help us

Send some guidance from above

Cause people got me got me questioning

Where is the love?

Whatever happened to the values of humanity

Whatever happened to the fairness and equality

Instead of spreading love, we're spreading animosity

Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity

That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling under

That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling down

It's no wonder why sometimes I'm feeling under

I gotta keep my faith alive, until love is found

Father Father Father help us

Send some guidance from above

Cause people got me got me questioning

Where is the love?

-Black Eyed Peas Version

Week 14 - 14 miles

Last weeks training consisted of running 5, 9, & 5 miles and then a 14 mile long run.  I tried to convince Andrew to run the long run on Saturday, because it was warmer than it was on Sunday, but then again it was really windy Saturday and not so much on Sunday.  I told Andrew it was going to be cold on Sunday, but I don't think he really believed it was going to be as cold as I said it was.  He looked it up on the weather channel and it said 37 degrees, however, he failed to look at the wind chill...it said 18, brrrrr!  Needless to say, we ran on Sunday in lots and lots of clothes.  We decided to run right around our house, and then I got the brilliant idea to run across the street at the sports complex, and it was brilliant I tell you!  I give Andrew 20% of the credit, I get the other 80%.  As we were running into the sports complex we Andrew found the high schools cross country course.  It was a great change of pace!  We found 5 miles worth of trails and ponds.  We even took our psycho lab along for the run, and she loved it!  I can't wait to take her back in the Summertime when it's much nicer out, she will have a ball playing in the water! 

So week 14 wasn't so bad.  I actually feel rejuvenated now, especially since it was so much better than the week before.  This coming week though, it's going to be brutal.  I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it, ha, not so much!  The only good thing about it is that after this week is over, we begin to taper down!  We also get one week closer to Disney World!  Yippee Skippee, I am so excited!

*sorry for the boring post, and the rambling, please stay tuned.

Marathon training week 13 - Ouch!

"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."  John Hanc

Last week was week 13 out of 18 of our marathon training.  We were supposed to run 4, 9, & 5 miles during the week, but I think I ended up running 7, 7, & 5 or something like that due to my weird work hours.  We finished the week off with an 18 mile run on Sunday.  Do you remember what the weather was like on Sunday?  If not, let me remind you, it was COLD and windy and dreary looking, oh and it was cold, did I mention that yet?  Brrrr.  Andrew wanted to run it around the lake in our hometown.  The loop is only roughly 6 miles, so what did we do?  Ran it 3 times of course!  I hated it, every second of it.  I was cold and never warmed up, therefore I couldn't ever get into my "running groove."  I also did not take in enough fluids, nor did I eat anything but a piece of toast prior to the race, and prior to that, hadn't had anything to eat in 24 hrs thanks to my hours right now.  I was in a bad mood the whole time I was running, poor Andrew.  It's such a bad feeling when you can't get into the groove when you are running and let your mind wander, well it is for me anyway, and it makes for a miserable 3 hours.  Oh and guess what?  It was cold!  Andrew liked the run though.  Thank goodness he did.  He may have sworn off this dang marathon if he didn't!  Don't worry though, I learned my lesson.  I will wear more clothes and eat and drink correctly this coming week.  Yes, mother dear, I promise!

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."

- Sir Roger Bannister

Two years ago, I don't remember 18 miles being so bad, but then again, I don't really remember it at all.  Maybe it was bad and I just blocked it out of my mind?!?  Nevertheless, its over, finished and done with, thank goodness for that!  It's weeks like these where I have to look back at pictures and remember the awesome experience from start to finish...

Yep that's me with my hands in the air, at least I wasn't fist pumping like the guy next to me, I am saving that for this year!

A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you've done it you feel that you can do anything. -unknown

It's time like these that I remember the runner's high and the incredible memories that were made with my family that can never be taken away.

Now, onto week 14...Gotta finish what's already been started!

We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.  -Emil Zatopek

Christmas Tree Memories

I love Christmas time!  Getting all of my Christmas decorations out and decorating the Christmas tree is one of my most favorite days of the year!  From the first day of November, I am counting down the days until Thanksgiving.  For that is the day that I can finally convince my husband to get the tree out of the attic!

I have tubs and tubs and tubs of decorations.  Getting to go through all my stuff to decorate with each year is like Christmas itself at my house.  How so?  Well, you see...every year after Christmas I buy new decorations for the following year, Why after Christmas you ask?  Because they are 75% off, of course!  I am sure this comes as no surprise to some of you!  Anyhow, since a year has passed, getting to go through all the new stuff that is actually a year old, is so much fun and so exciting!

I love decorating my house and getting it all Christmafied, but my most favorite part of it all is decorating the tree.  I have collected so many ornaments over the years and when I get to decorate the tree, I get to re-visit so many wonderful memories of the years past.  I buy Christmas ornaments for every occasion and trip that I can.  Therefore, our tree is one that is full of way too many ornaments and tons and tons of memories and I love it!  I find ornaments to be kind of like pictures, but for the tree.  They help capture wonderful memories that one is able to rekindle during the wonderful holiday season. 

Here are a few for your reading and viewing pleasure...

The year we got engaged, 2007!  My heart became complete.

2008 was such a memorable year, the year we were married, best year of my life! I love this one and all my other 1st Christmas ornaments so much! 

My first marathon.  It was at Walt Disney World, happiest place on Earth!

I can't ever forget about my Alma Mater.  I love OU and the education and best friends it gave me!  I will forever be a Sooner!

And lets not forget the place that gave me the other part of my education!  Definitely a Sooner, but I sure do love OSU medicine and the incredible people it has brought into my life!  

 

San Francisco, oh how I left my heart there.  I heart you!  Dear hubby, please take me back!

And lets not forget a Dyerette vacation to San Diego, where it all began!  Oh the memories!
 

We had a blast during our honeymoon to St. Thomas!  Incredible memories.  We even went to St. John for the day.  Most. beautiful. place. ever!  Please go there in your lifetime!

 

This ornament is from two of my dear friends, Robby & Chelsea.  It was part of their wedding favors!  I love it!  And I just so happen to love baseball!  Go Yankees!  Their wedding was beautiful and I reminisce about it and every other ornament that I have that resembles a wedding I have been to, every Christmas!
  

This ornament is from my sisters wedding.  Beautiful wedding for two beautiful people. 

And this ornament is from Jamaica.  We went there for my dear friend Tracy's wedding!  I love Jamaica and beach weddings!

And you don't think my Christmas tree would be complete without memories of our dogs, now did you?

And since it is the holiday season and all, let's not forget those less fortunate than ourselves.  Lets remember the reason for the season and give back!  These ornaments remind me how blessed I am and how I need to continue to help fight the fight for those that are struggling and going through rough times, be it cancer or any other illness.  Give back this year folks, I can sincerely promise you will not regret helping others!

Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, oh how I love your memories and your reminders!

What is your tree filled with?  What are you doing to give back?

A boy and a playground

My Aunt Susan and Cousin Sean recently came to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Sean spent the night with Andrew and I one night.  We had McDonald's for dinner AND breakfast.  And we just so happen to live right by a ginormous playground and took Sean there the next morning.  He had a blast and I had so much fun taking pictures of him!  The smile of this little boy having a ball on the playground is priceless!  Oh, what it would be like to be a kid again, sigh...

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.  ~William D. Tammeus

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

at the Willis Household!

Oh, how I love Christmas!  Isn't it just the jolliest time of the year!

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale