Day after Christmas Bargains, Harmony Cat, and Diets!!

Harmony is the biggest laziest cat we've ever had. She is really huge. This is one of her favorite places to snooze. She was annoyed at me for taking a picture of her so she rolled over so I didn't get as good a picture as I'd like to have. She usually lays flat on her back and just lets her chubbiness flop around her. I wonder where she learned THAT from? By the way, we've started a diet in our home. Roger and I have joined his company's "The Biggest Loser" contest. Roger and I are BOTH determined to win. We'll win no matter what, just having lost some weight! That is something we (actually Roger) are wanting to do before we proceed with trying to adopt. We want to be healthy! I keep having dreams that I am able to adopt a 4 year old! I would LOVE that but I want to be open to whatever God wants for us. (I also love toddlers!!!)

The day after Christmas, I didn't have to go in to work until 11a.m. so I was able to visit the local Hallmark store and I bought some nativities! The Lord has been working in my heart to be more "Purposeful" in my life. I want to live for Him on PURPOSE! (Not to be confused with The Purpose Driven Life...) I just mean that I don't want to keep just floating on down the river of life...I want to have God in control of my boat. I am concerned about REALLY making a difference in my children's lives and in the lives of those around me. Making CHRIST the REAL center of CHRISTmas is just one way that I am planning to have changed. I really tried hard this past Christmas but I want Him present ALL the time. We need to be purposeful in living for Christ and seek to live for Him ALL the time. (I'm done preaching now...)

So, this is my favorite Nativity scene. It was on sale, of course! Is there any other way to buy? This one is a "Jim Shore" design. (I've never heard of him, I just fell in love with the little quilted parts of the figures!) I'm going to put this one in my curio cabinet all year. I really really like it!

These are three more that I bought on SALE! The big one is quite large! The little one on the right is supposed to look like it's been carved out of wood. The WHITE on on the left was from TARGET! I bought the little Creche' and the animals last year (some of it came from Goodwill, I think...) The Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus figures are new.

I also bought several sets of the figures as gifts for our adult children for next year. I bought them 1/2 price and then decided that I really couldn't afford to buy the Creche' as well. I had HOPED that they would be reduced even more later in the week so maybe I could buy them then! I WAS RIGHT!! I was able to buy them at 75% off!! There weren't any of the animals this year in our local Target, but they aren't absolutely necessary. Now all the married kids (and one other "adult" child will have their own nativity set. I'd like to start Christian "Hope" Chests for the girls that remain at home. I'm thinking about buying things with Godly ideas to help them fill them. Any ideas????

Well, Becca is excitedly waiting for me to help her with a sewing project. She's trying to make burp rags and bibs for baby Brody...who is expected to be born TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what tomorrow's post will be about? Lord willing....

Blessings to you all!

Beth