Whew!!  I don't know about y'all but I'm tired!  A bit overwhelmed also.  The last month has been a whirlwind of happenings and activity.  It seems like just when I think we have a full day ahead of us where we can really get some "good school" in, something happens that we can't.  Or, we don't get everything done that we intended.  So my question is, is that OK when it happens more often than not?  Or do we need to make some changes?  Where do we need to make changes? 

First it was putting our first dog Heidi down.  Then, the truck needs to be fixed, projects for Scouts are due.  Thankfully some of the projects for Scouts coincided with Science and our study of birds.  That did help some.  Thanksgiving rolled around and I found it a little hard to be thankful except for the break from all the activities.  We didn't even get to finish our Thankfulness chain let alone talk about the items we are thankful for.  Then the following Monday it all starts back up again.  That Monday came with us deciding to get a new puppy.... Don't get me wrong, I love her so much, she is such a sweet dog and very obedient for a puppy.  But wow!  I forgot how much work it is to have a puppy!  Thankfully the woman who had her before had already started potty training her.  Lady has made herself at home in the schoolroom, just like Heidi did.  Lady's place is on the bean bag chair, she curls right up and takes herself a good nap, then when we are done with school, she is ready to play!  Riley has had so much fun with her, he has taken over responsibility of feeding and caring for her.  We hope to get him enrolled in some obedient classes with Lady so he can train her.  It is a blessing to hear him run through the house giggling and laughing as he and Lady play.  We are so glad she is here!

I wanted so much to enjoy this Christmas season and so far it has flown by me!  Of course we are only in the first week so maybe I shouldn't be complaining.  My prayer for our family is that things will slow down some and that we will be able to enjoy the Christmas season some before it is over.  Most importantly that we will be able to focus on the Real Reason for Christmas.  Christ our Savior is the reason for Christmas!  Immanuel has come! 

²³"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."