Live Out Loud - Adventures of a mom

I am so deficient.  We all are.  We all keep on trying but it is never enough.  Some just give up others become frustrated in their attempts. It is new year's resolution time.  Do you really set resolutions?  What kinds of people do and what kinds don't? As Christians, many of us read, hear and say to each other we will be better people, better Christians.  We want to be more real to each other.  We want to serve God. But alas...it is not easy. One thing I've tried to learn to do in 2012 is to be a better neighbour to ... well...my neighbours.  I am glad to say I do know some of my neighbours a bit more than in 2011.  I can look back in the year and see how I tried to step outside my comfort zone to reach out. But...perhaps God is setting up the lesson(s) for 2013... Love and Grace A few weeks ago I started thinking about how LITTLE love and grace I really have.  Really.  When I think of it so much of what I do is...

Last night we invited some friends over to celebrate Christmas.  As the kids grow, I am able to do more than just feast so this year I really really wanted to sing a couple of Christmas Carols, have them give out gifts (without receiving!), read a Christmas story and learn to be hosts that focus on blessing others. We had a very enjoyable and blessed time with our friends and am so glad of the way things turned out.  More than half of our original list of guests could not make it which prompted us to reflect on who else we could share this night with.  We ended up with what we think was a perfect mix of people.  We even met a new couple that we only had heard of from church! Before the guests arrived, my son announced to me "I love to babysit".  Of course, when the time came for him to actually play with our youngest guest, an 18 month old girl, he announced he had changed his perspectives on babysitting.  It was a great opportunity to explain ...

We have several traditions in our family during Christmas time.  One important one for me is to remind myself to stay connected with all the people we love and who have touched our lives in one way or another throughout the years. It has also turned into an opportunity for me to revisit the year and ponder on the challenges, the blessings, the triumphs and the lessons in the year. Because I started blogging this year I did not write as much on our newsletter - but some of you have already asked me when the newsletter was coming so friends, here it is... Lam Family Newsletter 2012 From our family to yours... Yes, we took a picture with "Santa" -- our first...at Stephen's company Christmas Party May this season of giving, peace and joy remind of you of the true reason for the season.  It is Jesus' birthday as my kids put it, so let's celebrate with Him in mind, being grateful for all that He is and does! "We love b...