Thought you would like this

So Today I googled the The Twelve Days of Christmas because My Mom had told me that there was a Hidden meaning in the words to the song. This is what I found. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Meaning Behind The Song The Twelve Days of Christmas:

The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, the birth of Jesus, and the Epiphany, Jan. 6th, the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world.
The Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may sound silly and contrived to many of us. But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism - and with a serious purpose.
It dates from a time of religious persecution. The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest - a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact.
The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation - the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved. Each element is a code word for a religious truth.


1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

If you think Jesus being symbolized as a partridge in a pear tree sounds blasphemous, remember:
"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so." (Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:34)
The "true love" in the song refers to God Himself.
The "me" receiving the gifts is every Christian.
So that "silly" song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning than we thought.

4 months ago today...

August 20, 2010

I experienced for the 2nd time the true meaning of MY life... My 2nd son was born. On that amazing day I met this little blue eyed boy and was so overcome with love and emotion that I was certain my heart would leap right out of my chest. I knew how amazing it was to love a child, I had learned that with my first son but I struggled through my second pregnancy wondering how was I ever going to love this new baby as much as I loved my Bug? Well at 8:32 am on Aug 20th I learned that very thing... I met my Bear, and Just like the Grinch, My Heart grew 3 sizes that day. I just can't believe how much he's grown and how he has stolen my heart. Mommy want's you to know that I love you my sweet Karter bear.

2 months old


3 months old


4 months old

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown

So after a month of pure busyness.... I am back and ready to keep up. Today I had a moment of Clarity while watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" with my 3 year old son. I realized that the Holidays have become so much about Getting and we have lost the true spirit of the holidays. I was watching the show and thinking to myself "how on earth do I teach my kids what Giving is all about? When do you start teaching it?" I know my kids have more than they could ever need and we have talked a lot about others that don't have and how we can help them and we have even given to them, but do they really "get it" at 3 years old? I was raised in a home where we gave and gave of ourselves to others both in time and "things" and this is the way I want my children raised as well.

I have been so blessed by God with my amazing husband and our 2 beautiful children. I need my kids to know how blessed they are, to see how they can help others, to share their many talents with the world. I look forward to teaching them these things and having them pass their hearts on to others.

I think Linus said all there is to say about the Christmas season and even if you aren't a "believer" you must know that this time of year is a time for Sharing and Giving and not receiving.

Charlie Brown says:

I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.
Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Replies:

Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

Lights, please.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown

You can find this in Luke 2 of your Bible as well.

thankful for...

2 posts in one... Simply said, I am so so thankful for Bug and Bear... My boys are my world. I love them more than they will ever know and I just hope I can raise them to be the kind of men their Daddy and Uncles are. I love you Cannon and Karter.

Thankful for...

Great deals... We went to Target today after getting Bug's hair cut and we found Halloween costumes for SO CHEAP! We got him a bunch for playing dress up. My best buy for the day was a Pirate costume for $0.70 I was so excited. He also got an astronaut costume for $1.20 and 3 others for $3.00 a piece. No one loves a bargain more than I do so this was like Christmas morning for me. YAY for good deals.

thankful for...

Thankful post for today... I AM SO THANKFUL FOR SHOWERS!! So we went camping with the boys this weekend while they hunted and my 3 year old "pig-pen" decided that rolling in the dirt was the best way to spend his 2 days up in the hills. When the wind would hit him there were actual clouds of dirt swirling around him. I love that he is all boy but really now. So when we got home this afternoon I literally stripped off his clothes outside and ran him into the house to take a shower. It was much needed for him and much appreciated by me. So today I am sooooo thankful for SHOWERS!

this is an old picture but one of my favorites of my messy boy.

Thankful for...

Day 6... Sorry this one is late but since we were camping I couldn't write it. Here is my Thankful for day 6. Today I am thankful for my amazing Husband... 12 years ago on the 6th of November we had our "blind Date" and my life was forever changed that day because I found my best friend and soul mate. I am more in love today than ever and know that our love will grow and grow. Honey you are my everything. I love you and am so thankful and grateful that God brought us together 12 years ago.

Thankful for...

Today I am thankful for the Beautiful place I call home, Colorado. I was born here, and other than a small 2 year time in Florida, I have been blessed to live here my whole life. There is no place on earth where you have all 4 seasons and 325+ days of sunshine a year. This is a place where God's majesty can be seen around every corner, and I get to see it everyday. I use this today as my thanksgiving because we are about to go camping this afternoon in the beautiful San Juan mountain range and, though it may be chilly, it will be a spectacular day.

thankful for...

Today I am thankful for the fact that I have been able to Breast feed my boys. I love that I have that bond with my kids. I didn't want to, in fact I thought it was Gross. The second the nurse put Cannon on my breast the first time I was hooked. I know so many women who wanted to Breast feed and couldn't so it makes me so so happy to know that I can. I know this is a silly thing to be thankful for but I am. I am able to not only give my children life but also sustain it. What a beautiful thing.

Thankful for...

Freedom. I think this sums up the way most of the nation is feeling today. I am thankful to live in a place where we are all able to have an opinion. I love that I can agree to disagree with those around me. I love that my husband and I can have different views on things and still live under one roof. I am so happy that I have the ability to vote for my government even if things don't always go the way I wan them to. I am thankful for my freedom and that I live in the United States of America, the best country in the world. It's just my opinion but I am able to have it because I live here.

Thankful for...

Good Friends. I have some amazing friends in my life. Some are new and some I have know for what seems like my entire life but all are truly dear to my heart. The thing I find so great is that over the years a few of these friends have been by me through moves and tears and laughs. I just think that everyone needs to have good friends. I have a few friends right now that are going through some really hard times and I just hope that to them I am the friend they can turn to. People come into our lives for a reason and I believe that all of my Friends have come into my life to make me a better person. I have learned from them and hope they have learned from me. Thanks and a BIG HUG to all my FRIENDS!!

Spooktackular Stew!

So tonight for dinner we are taking it back to the home land so to speak, I am making a traditional Irish Stew with a Halloween twist. It was a whopping 45 degrees here today and I thought something warm would be a good idea. So here we go.

You will need...

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 pounds stew beef, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6 large garlic cloves, minced or 1Tbs Garlic Powder
• 8 cups beef stock or canned beef broth
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves

• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 7 cups)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cups 1/2-inch pieces peeled carrots
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add beef stock, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, melt butter in another large pot over medium heat. Add potatoes, onion and carrots. Sauté vegetables until golden, about 20 minutes. Add vegetables to beef stew. Simmer uncovered until vegetables and beef are very tender, about 40 minutes.

Now we wait... I use this time to be "SuperMOM" you can follow suit or do something else to fill your time.

Discard bay leaves. Tilt pan and spoon off fat. (Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before serving.) Transfer stew to serving bowl. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Coming out of the dark ages...

So we are more than likely going to buy a Camper today. While this means that we will more than likely spend more time in the beautiful Mountains that surround us, it also makes me sad to admit that I am too old to enjoy "tent camping" much longer. I want my boys to experience camping and I think this is the way we are going to have to do it. I am awfully excited though because the camper we are buying belonged to a Young Man who passed away suddenly and left behind 2 children and the money made from the sale will go directly to them. It always makes spending money feel better when you know its going to do good.

1st time for everything.

Well I did it. Yesterday was the first day I officially felt like a "bad mom". I was out running around town and my baby boy pooped in his diaper so I went to change him and when I got in the Diaper bag... NO DIAPERS! I have read about these things happening to other people and thought oh my goodness how can you forget to take diapers with you. Well that is what I get for thinking. So I changed him into a Burp rag and put 2 pairs of pants on him and headed home. He made it home without going potty again so that was good. I am just glad that I am a thrifty, fast thinking mom and had those supplies in the bag.

Applesauce is Awesome!

So today I am making some serious Applesauce to have for the kids this winter. I have a great recipe that I found a few years back on an internet cooking site. I am just so excited to share it with you all...

First you need Apples :-) The original recipe calls for 4 apples but I always make big batches of sauce and put it in jars. Today I am using about 9 medium sized "honey Crisp" Apples straight from the farms just up the road from our house.

You will need to have something to peel the apples and a knife to cut them. I use a peeler and an apple corer then use the knife to cut.

Peel the apples. make sure all the peelings are off of the fruit.


Core the apple so it's easier to cut. (you can omit this step if you want)

Cut the apples into small pieces.



Then Dump the cut apples into a crockpot to cook.

now you need the other ingredients...

You will need 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup of Sugar, 1 tsp. Cinnamon, and a Sprinkle of Nutmeg.

Pour the water into the crock.


Then pour in the sugar.



Now add the Cinnamon and Nutmeg.



Now stir it all up and let it cook on HI for 3-4 hours.

Then sit back and enjoy the smell that fills your house... I know we will.

HELLO!

So here is my attempt at serious blogging. I am excited to try this out and see who out there actually cares about the things I have to say. Hopefully I will get some responses and feedback as I go. So here goes...