Christmas!

There were parts of celebrating Christmas that may just have been perfect! I love it when Christmas Eve or Christmas Day actually falls on a Sunday. What better way to celebrate Christ's birth than in a church service? I know that I can remember real purpose of Christmas any day, but going to a church service right in the middle of your preparation or celebration draws the whole purpose for celebrating into focus.

Here is a quick rundown of the Christmas events. Then, if I get some time, or feel ambitious, I'll post some pictures.

On Sunday, Christmas Eve, we had church in the morning and my worship team had to be ready to practice at 7:30am! Craziness...this chica got herself out of bed, showered, dressed, blow-dried, made-up, triple latte-ed, and to church ready to play by 7:26. BAM!

It was a great service and then, off to home to get some last minute preparations done for Christmas. Actually, I cleaned up the tornado that was my room, vacuumed the pit that was my car and ran a few errands to pick up the last few gifts (have I mentioned how much I love to buy presents?). Dinner was at the Black's house, which was so great because we didn't have to set tables, dust every nook and cranny, or wash floors before having dozens of people over.

Then NAP-time! Sunday afternoon nap on Christmas Eve...it doesn't get much better. Dinner was a-maz-ing, euchre with the cousins was so much fun, and did I mention that dinner was a-maz-ing?!?! (There was another great rendition of the Kirkegaard Doxology, see the Thanksgiving post) We sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" at midnight and then I went home and finished wrapping presents. Nothing like the last minute!

Christmas Day was awesome too! I'll give the short version. Stockings on my parents bed at 9:30am. Brunch (eggs, bacon, toast, fruit salad, German Apple Pancake) till noon then we cleaned up and moved to the tree. My dad put a fire in the fireplace and we sat and opened presents one by one for most of the afternoon. We took frequent breaks for things like latte's and cookies, a crossword puzzle, and an inter-continental phone call from my brother and sister-in-law (I wish they could have been here, but can't wait to visit!).

The day ended with my friends Beth, Dave, and Kira coming to the house to play Speed Scrabble and then we went to see the Pursuit of Happyness at the new Marcus Theater. That, is a quick summary of an amazing couple of days. I must say that this Christmas season has been so joyful! I was surrounded by so many of the people that I love. I have such a strong connection with so many of them because of the common bond we share through Christ. I am continually reminded of God's love and provision for us in sending his son to earth, to save us from our sins. He lowered himself to be one of us, yet fully God and perfectly holy! Christ was born, then grew up to die on a Roman cross in our place and then he rose again, thereby conquering death and giving us a way to be saved from our sins! That, my friends, is why I love to celebrate Christmas, because of what Christ has done for me!

Worst Test Ever!

It's been five days since my music history exam. One of the worst studying experiences of my life! I don't think I've ever spent so much time studying for one test, only to feel completely unprepared as I walked into the classroom to actually take the test. Over the course of one semester we whipped through nearly a millennium and a half of musical progress. The final, being completely comprehensive for the whole semester, was a bear. The class was responsible for being able to identify over a hundred pieces of music by title, composer, genre, and date. So basically, the professor played a piece and we have to say what it is. Not only that, we also had to know why they were important, how they fit together, and how they effected the pieces that came after them. Scary! But, as the saying goes, all's well that ends well. It was hard, but I'm glad I studied as much as I did and I think I did alright. It feels so good to be done, I can't even stand it!

Beware, the wierdness!

Don't say I didn't warn you!

Do you ever have those moments that are so incredibly hysterical, yet if you tried to explain them to an outsider they sound completely dumb? They happen all of the time in my life. Take tonight for example. I'm fried, which always leads to a little punchiness. I was standing at the kitchen counter eating a clementine and these amazing Belgian chocolate chips. An interesting little snack, to be sure. Well, my mom came and was eating them too. I then proceeded to steal some chocolate and then some clementine. My mom, unhappy about her disappearing stash, built a small wall (out of clementine sections) in front of her chocolate. My chocolate attacked and absconded with a section of clementine wall. Then in an effort to fortify her wall, she choose to build another layer of wall, using a squash. Well, my clementine soldiers quickly marched around the squash seven times and then yelled very loudly as the wall came crashing down. All of this to great tears of laughter and raucous yelling. If that doesn't scream "wierdness gene" I don't know what does!

As I read over my story, it sounds ridiculous to the tenth degree, not even really funny. But, isn't that the joy of families and close friends. Things that would normally be mundane and ordinary can turn into fun and unexpected moments of joy! I am so thankful that I have a family with which I can laugh so hard that I cry. It is moments like these I know that I am blessed beyond measure for the love and support that they freely pour into my life. My parents, and brothers too, have shown me what it means to be beloved. So often, they paint a picture of what Christ's love looks like for me!

Three Cheers for Twinkle!

I was just thinking that it may be time for another post. I feel like saying "everything is just so busy," but I also think that I use that excuse all of the time, so it isn't really even an excuse anymore. I think that every time I make that comment I need to pay myself a fine, you know have a 'busy jar.' I feel like it sounds lame too, because really, everyone is busy and we are all understanding of one another. I guess I'll just have to think of more creative excuses!

Anyways, my fifth grade students, at Heritage Christian School, played their first strings concert today; all four of them. Three violins, Samantha, Abigail, and Ellen, and one viola, Lance. They did so well. You know, when I decided to start teaching I wondered if I would soon grow tired of hearing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I'm happy to say that I LOVE Twinkle, even more than when I first started teaching. It represents so much accomplishment and dedication and practice. When my students play Twinkle from start to finish, in tune, with the correct bowing for the first time I almost get a little teary. Shocking, I know, especially coming from me. What can I say?! Maybe the ice is melting and I'm going to turn into a softie after all!

Notification

Be sure to check out my new feature!

The Daily Haiku - http://haikus365.blogspot.com

It can be found to the right-hand side of the page, under my links. I am excited to share my poetry with you:) You never know what you will find...goofy, informative, or contemplative. It just depends on my mood!

Enjoy!

A Retrospective on Thanksgiving

Thirty-seven people gathered in our house to eat, nap, watch football, and have a good time! We circled up, or rather joined hands, (in an attempt to make a circle) for prayer before dinner. As I looked around the room at the little ones who are barely three to the octogenarian sitting on the sofa, I had that feeling of such overwhelming blessing. You know, my cup runneth over! God has been so faithful to my family over many generations. I am thankful for the prayers of my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, and that is to say nothing of my slightly more extended family too!

I woke up to the smell of two huge turkeys in the ovens and hustle and bustle of getting the tables set and the last cleaning done. At one, as I said we prayed for the meal and thanked the Lord for the blessings of the year. At the final Amen our whole family spontaneously sang the Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow", a tradition that has been around for as long as I can remember. I don't think I could get a recording of that hymn that sounds better, or more joyful, than the Kirkegaard clan!


The day that ensued brought Thanksgiving dinner, then 'touch' football at the park (with about forty people the youngest being seven or so and the oldest in his 60s), home for pumpkin or apple pie, turkey sandwiches for seven o'clock supper, and finally lots of goofing around and speed scrabble. The sound of laughing echoed through the house all day long! I love my family and am so thankful for the close relationships that I have with so many of them...even the shirt-tail cousins. It was a fabulous day!