Baby Pictures

This is a new and interesting era.  Time was, when babies were born they had to wait for a man to come around with a bit clumsy camera and some flash powder.  They had to hold the baby still for some time and then they had a fragile picture of the babe.  Then there was a brownie camera that took a really fuzzy and dark picture.  Then we moved on to better cameras and they were in color.  It was exciting when polaroids came along and we could have pictures almost instantly. It was spectacular when the new digital cameras came along and we could see what we had as soon as the picture was snapped.  If you didn't like it, 'delete' it was gone and you could keep taking pictures until you ended up with a great picture.  It could then be put on a computer and sent around the world to family and friends.  So we became aquainted with babies as soon as they were born.  But now.....at just a few months old in the womb, we have access to fabulous pictures of the baby.  You can see all their body parts and watch them move.  They yawn, scratch, stretch, talk, flex muscles, wiggle, turn and hide.  Incredible!!!  If you know what you are looking for, you can almost see what it will look like.  I am told that at the last month you can have a 3d picture made that makes you think you can pick them up and hold them.  
But what we cannot see, is the soul and personality of that baby.  That is the only secret left.  It is truly a miracle and the technology is also miraculous.  But the real excitement begins when that child takes it's first breath outside the womb and begins it's journey through this world.  What an awesome responsibility for parents, family, friends and strangers.  May God bless and protect this Baby Kramer in my life and make her know that she is loved the moment she arrives.  May she know she is loved even now.  Many people are waiting for her to arrive and begin to live this life.  Much is expected for her and much will be expected for her.  May she be strong enough to be her own woman and sweet enough to care for those who love and support her.  May God grant her joy and happiness and give her boundless grace all the days of her life.  Her Great Grandmother.  She can call me Rosella and be my friend.

Christmas Family

Besides the obvious, loving Christmas because of the reason for the season...the best part of Christmas is family.  It doesn't even matter if they are there and I am here, I enjoy them so much on this day.  Isn't it great when you give someone a gift that they really love and are excited about.  It doesn't always happen, but when it does it just makes your heart sing.  
Well, I recieved one of those this year and I am just tickled pink by it.  
I can remember my past Christmases and the happy ones always involve family.  It isn't about the gifts or the tree or the meal...it is about the family and having a good time together.  Giving a good gift is fun and receiving one that warms your heart is nice..but it is family that makes it special.  
I am grateful that this year I had the pleasure of that gift and also of that family.  Most of them are far away, but with internet, phones and pictures...it is pretty good.  Waiting for one more to show up and it will be late after a miserable road trip, but I trust God will bring her to me for the final blessing on this day.
Thanks for the baby Jesus and thanks for the family.  Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas.....that is about all the time I have right now. 

Christmas is creeping up

Wow!! It is not even my birthday yet and my shopping is mostly done.  Going in to mail tomorrow and just a couple of things to finish for local giving and I'm done.  Impressed myself.
The Kramers will be here this week for a few days and then back on Christmas night.  Martha will be here  Wed before Christmas.  Doug has the turkey in the freezer and pies are being made.  Christmas tree is up and lights are strung outdoors.  Christmas orders are being filled on time and I am wearing my Christmas shirt.  I guess all is merry and bright. 

Getting Closer

Christmas is getting closer and I am not staying up with the chores.  Put lights up in the front of the house and half of them work and half don't.  I know, I should have checked them before I hung them.  Don't have the Christmas tree up or any other decorations.  The good china is ready because it hasn't been put away since Thanksgiving.  Doug is looking at turkeys so maybe we will have food bought by the weekend.  Haven't given much thought to mailing gifts yet, and need to do that this week.  I am enjoying Advent and preparing for the day, but the secular bit is not in my head this year. 
Hope everyone is thinking of the season and enjoying the preparations.  I guess by Christmas day I will be ready.  Maybe it is because we will have a small gathering.  Whatever, I will enjoy the day when it arrives and sometimes small gatherings are really good. 

ADVENT

Since this is Advent, it must be time to get ready for Christmas.  Getting ready in the real sense as well as the secular sense.  I came across the most beautiful devotional...it is easy to find, easy to hear and read and can just all be done in your own time.  It is called "Following the Star" and can be found at http://www.d365.com/   It is well worth a visit and if you don't like it I will be surprised.  It is new each day and now I know they have a devotional each day of the year and special ones at Christmas and Easter.  If you have a flock, you should make them aware of this site.  Some may only like the music, some may want to read it all, some may want to use it as a devotional.  Whatever, it is lovely. 
So while we are waiting and hoping, enjoy the season.  It is a time of hope and promise.  Also a time for family and friends.  Enjoy it all, but remember the one who made it all possible.