Jesus is in the house

Many years ago, I was 6 years old I believe, my Sunday School teacher gave me this little plastic Nativity scene. It was given to me when we still lived in Ireton and it was always displayed in our house at Christmas. When I grew up and got married it came to my house and has been displayed every year in my house. It has been broken several times over the years, one side is missing and it currently needs to be glued back together now. But the funny thing is, this cheap little plastice Nativity is my favorite of all the Nativity scenes I have (six total) simply because it is so old and something from my childhood. A small connection to where I spent the first six years of my life? Maybe, but I couldn't tell you the name of the person who gave it to me. I think it is mostly my favorite because it tells the story and meaning of Christmas so simply and completely. Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus...the story is there in cheap plastic that has lasted 37 years. Sometimes the simple things are the best.

Family

I look at this picture and it amazes me...I have three grown children! When did that happen? As I sit here typing this the house is empty except for me and my honey. Brian is in Lawrence and Becky is in Vermillion and Kayla is in Laurens. When we first moved to this house it was the perfect place for us...big enough for three kids to run around, a big yard to play in and room to grow. Now when it is just the two of us at home it seems empty and too big. Wow, I never thought that would be the case, especially when all three were home and fighting with each other!
I know my kids are grown or almost grown but it doesn't really hit you until you see it in living color right in front of you. Time flies when you are having fun I guess and time did fly. I could say I wish they were little again or that I could go back in time and raise them again, but I don't wish those things. I loved raising them, and that job is not done. I do miss the babies they were, the first smiles and first steps, but just think of all the firsts I still have to look forward to! The high school and college graduations,the weddings, the grandchildren, the houses they will live in where I can visit, the holidays with their spouses and kids all gathered around. So many things and events I have enjoyed over the last 21 years and so many things and events I still have to look forward to. Yes, it surprises me that they all look so adult in the picture, after all, you don't notice that when you see them all the time, but it is so worth what we have been through and what we have yet to come. Life is good in the Josephson household :)

Gobble Gobble

Gobble gobble up the food is what we did! Thanksgiving was a great day full of good food, good conversation and lots of laughter. Nothing is more fun than getting the whole family together for a day...it is amazing how much laughing and teasing and talking can go on. Anna and Amanda told jokes, Jeff teased everyone, and not a single person went home hungry. It was a good day.

Twenty-one

He gets his ears from his dad...one is slightly bigger than the other. He gets his long eyelashes from his mom. He gets his big feet and hands from his Grandpa F. He gets his stubbornness from his Grandpa J. He gets his love of trying new cooking ideas from his Grandma F. He gets his love of books from his Grandma J.
This boy whose hair curls when it gets long, whose brown eyes makes the girl's hearts melt, whose sense of humor leans towards the macabre side, whose intelligence and desire to learn never stops. This boy who helped make kids who were severely burnt forget their troubles for a week of camp, this boy who has had more girlfriends than a mother cares to count, this boy who has dimples when he smiles. This boy who is, was, and always will be a "mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma". This boy is 21 years old today.
My little boy is all grown up but he will always be my little boy. He will always be the one who wanted to "pick our house up out of the dirt and move it". The little boy who was sure daddy could get him the moon because daddy could do anything. The little boy who wanted me to "turn off the switch" on the sun when it was shining in his eyes. The little boy who first drove a tractor by himself at 5 years old. The little boy who could write his name at 2 1/2 years old. The little boy who stole my heart with his big brown eyes and sweet grin.
The day he was born I thought I couldn't love him more than I did at that moment. I was wrong...

Learning

It amazes me what my kids have taught me.

I am supposed to be the teacher and impart my wisdom of the world on them, give them the knowledge to succeed in this world, teach them how to do things and how to survive.

Yet I am the one learning from them...they are the teachers.

Brian has taught me about politics. Before his interest in them I simply voted for whoever the Democratic candidate was. I didn't pay attention to who was running or what they were saying. Brian taught me to listen to them, ask questions of their beliefs and theories and then make an informed decision.

Becky taught me how to dress. Somehow I fumbled through wearing jeans and sweatshirts for most of my life. Then Becky became the fashionista and now I can wear skirts and tights and pretty sweaters with confidence. I know how to dress for work and for play.

Kayla taught me about music. I used to listen to music and there were songs I liked to hear and sing. Now I can listen and hear all the different instruments and separate voice parts. I can appreciate the music for what it is, not just how it sounds.

All three of them of course taught me to laugh and love and cherish every second of every day. I knew how to do those things before they came along, but seeing them and talking to them just reminds me how important it is to enjoy every day I am given.

With apologies...

I have been reminded that Becky did this look first...and for those of you who haven't seen the movie, this is the Joker from the last Batman movie (he was insane). I have some really strange kids :)

Scary

How would you like to be a little camper during the summer and have this be your counselor? Every week at camp the counselors dressed up according to the theme of the week...this was Brian one night and I am told it freaked out a few of the kids. Freaks me out!