Comments on Mountain Mama: HO Ho ho...

Wow, thirding the comments on LaRonda's comment - ...

2007-12-15T19:21:00.000-05:00

Wow, thirding the comments on LaRonda's comment - really amazing and uplifting.

She's right though, you are an inspiration - I love that you thrift shop and I'm in awe of all your preserves and cooking, you're such a a great Mum and obviously a wonderful woman and wife as well.

Mostly, I want to pass on to you my own belief which is that everything happens for a reason. Don't let your faith waver, in whatever you believe. Sometimes it's not obvious at the moment, but there's a reason hubby isn't working and that's because the right thing is coming along soon. Enjoy the time you have together while he's not working - one day you'll look back on it fondly.

big love.

Jonny's mommy-- Welcome! Thank you, we are keeping...

2007-12-14T22:57:00.000-05:00

Jonny's mommy-- Welcome! Thank you, we are keeping our fingers crossed and hope something comes along for Hubby soon!

Laronda-- Your beautiful comment made both Hubby and I cry and at the same time, lifted our spirits. Thank you for sharing your story not just to me but to my other readers. I am so happy that you and your husband and son are now doing great and I pray that Hubby will find a job soon. Our life IS good and thank you for the reminder. xo

Karen-- Laronda's post IS beautiful, isnt it?? Thanks for the Holiday wishes and I hope that you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!

LaRonda, I'm in awe of the beautiful comment fille...

2007-12-14T21:53:00.000-05:00

LaRonda, I'm in awe of the beautiful comment filled with support. I'm wishing you both a heart-filled Christmas this year.

Jenny, may your family get through this rough spot with good news of a job soon.

Ah, Jenny...I have been in this place before. I re...

2007-12-14T16:16:00.000-05:00

Ah, Jenny...

I have been in this place before. I recall one year when we lived in a tiny pink cottage, isolated in the lovely hills of Fairfax, CA, north of San Francisco.

Both my husband and I were without work and living on the generosity of my husband's aunt who was letting us stay rent-free until we found work.

It was Christmas time and we had very little to spend on our son, each other or family. That year, I was blessed with a few unpainted ceramics and paint my grandmother was getting rid of. I purchased 3 paint brushes from a yard sale and a package of magnets. I got busy painting and made magnets for everyone in my family that year.

As for my then 3 yr. old son, he wanted one specific toy, so we got it for him and 2 small dollar store toys to fill his stocking.

We had no money for a tree that year, but we had an old tomato wire that when turned upside down, made the shape of a tree. I happened to have some fake pine garland and wrapped it around the wire to make our tree.

Decorations for the tree were homemade and sparse, but we went on leaf walks together and picked up pine cones and other pretties from nature's bounty to add to our little tree.

That x-mas eve, I cried because I had nothing to give to my husband, nor he to me. But I was graced with creativity and an idea at the last minute.

I saw an old cardboard box bottom from a case of soup we had purchased. It had 8 small circles cut into it. I took it out of the package and then rummaged through some old photos of my husband and I. I found 8 different snapshots of the two of us kissing over time.

I place each photo behind the cardboard circles and painted the front of it, taking care to write a note in calligraphy about our kiss.

That morning, I placed it up against our little tree next to my son's 1 present, and a mysterious card in an envelope that had appeared there overnight.

The card was from my husband who had written how much he loved me and that his gift was an afternoon of "time to myself." As a new mom, I sorely needed this. He had assured me that he would take care of our son all day so that I could get away and do whatever I wanted - window shop, nature walk, hot bath, whatever...

We both had tears that day, especially watching our son's eyes light up at getting the one toy he had especially wanted. The other 2 small gifts in his stocking went practically unnoticed. He had received what he had wished for and his heart was full.

My husband and I sat back and thought for a long time that day at home much we had, in the past, needlessly spent on each other and on family for Christmas, when in reality, it's truly the thought that counts.

You have inspired me to no end, this year, Jenny, by sharing your heartfelt stories of being a deaf mom and wife. You are a domestic goddess in my book, with a heart of gold. You are incredibly thrifty, and tremendously creative. You have been able to put life in perspective over time and have highlighted the true spirit of family all year long. You are a role model to me and many other moms out there. While I absolutely understand where your spirit is at right now, know that your spirit is one of the most authentic, sincere and beautiful souls on earth.

It's the simple Christmases and birthday that mean the most to your family in the end. They get to look back and see how much love was there and how creative you were to bring the holiday spirit in their lives.

Keep your chin up, dear one. Your life is good.

~ LaRonda

Our Christmas plans seem to be going along the sam...

2007-12-14T14:31:00.000-05:00

Our Christmas plans seem to be going along the same pattern right now and we have similar concerns with money, although we both have a job. I hope your hubby finds a job soon. Keep your chin up..but not too high because someone might punch it, thinking you're asking for a smack. Just kidding!