Christmas List

She is one of my favorite, even with her eccentricities. Or perhaps because of them.

(They're all my favorite. For different reasons)

She's my precious little three year old girl with an over bite that is cause of a lisp that only accentuates the sometimes truly 'unique' (my mom calls them "imaginative") courses of thought which produce slightly odd behaviors and answers to the questions people ask.

She does not run towards the spotlight, and when it is shifted upon her by way of a question posed directly to her by one she does or does not know, she will sometimes open her mouth (with a smirk around it's edges), stick out her tongue and bury her head in my legs. Just the reaction i always dreamt of my children giving when questioned by an adult.

Other times however, she'll be eager to talk. And talk. And talk.

One just never knows how the sun is going to shine in my little sweetheart's world.

This brings me to her sweet Sunday School teacher this past Sunday morning.

They were discussing Christmas at the end of class, and Miss Linda, running out of things to talk about I suppose, had the children go around and share what they would like for Christmas. She nodded with a smile as she heard the usual: "A Barbie!" ..."A Video Game"..."A talking Buzz and Woody" (my son, who obviously has distaste for his mute toys of the same names)..."A dolly!".

And then it's my little, lispy girl's turn.

"I want a Jostheff toy"

"Excuse me, honey..." as Miss Linda leans her ear towards the soft answer, "What was that?".

"A Jostheff toy"

Miss Linda looks at me with a plea for understanding on her face, and I am realizing that this desire is now going public and it's sounding a leeeettle strange.

"A Joseph Toy. As in, Mary and Joseph. She really likes Joseph."

And indeed she does. The rather heavy "Child's First Illustrated Bible" she carries around (and "reads") is full of stories about Joseph. I've tried to introduce her to the other character's in it, such as, you know, Jesus, and Peter, Paul and Mary.

But no, she insists they're ALL Joseph.

She really {really} has an affinity for him and while I know the man has many redeeming qualities, it wonders me (a great-grandmother expression i had to throw in there) what drew her to him...and where she got this idea that there's a "Joseph Toy" out there.

I can see it now...I approach the barely 15 year old skinny cashier at Toy's R Us:

"Excuse me...can you point me to the Joseph of Nazarth Toy??"

"Uh, yea. You'll see him right before the Justin Beiber Singing Doll".

**long sigh**

(and she's only three!)

Yes. I do realize it could be far worse. She could actually WANT the Justin Beiber singing thing. I should be, and am, grateful.

But still, it strikes me as a little odd and endears her to me all the more for it.

(In your travels, however, if you come across a "Joseph toy", please, let me know!)

****

And now...

IF you so DESIRE,

My "Christmas List Picks"!

Speaking of Christmas and gift giving and heart's desire...I simply want to share just a few extra-special women who could make your Christmas giving a little brighter with the beauty of what they create. Only if you want to take a gander. No obligation! I am simply laying these beautiful options out for your perusal should you choose. I do so with much consideration, as I do not promote anything I would not personally LOVE to receive (and that are completely more-than-reasonable in their price! ;)

The names of their 'company' are in bold red, and if you click on them, it will take you to their website. If they have a blog, the link will be in green.

Either way, these are all women who I either know through this medium or have the privilege of having in my life for a long time.

Kathy is a gem and therefor it seems fitting that she works with them. I have yet to meet this pretty lady in person, but I was 'introduced' to her by a mutual friend via the blog or Facebook, can't remember which. In any case, I not only admire her honest approach to life, but also the way she expresses her God-given eye for 'artful design' in the jewelry she designs. I know there are alot of jewelry designers out there, but I find Kathy's work to be extra special! Her Blog: Artful Accents

Shop Artful Accents

Shop O Jolie!

My beautiful cousin, Erin, made and gave me one of her perfectly chic creations...a bracelet with a charm for each child's name. I absolutely love it and wear it often. I appreciate quality-made personalized gifts, and her prices are reasonable enough to make it possible to personalize for more than one girlfriend, mother or sister on your list!

The Most Glorious Massage You (or someone you love)
will EVER experience.

In my very past life, I had the gift of visiting a very, very fine and fancy spa where I received a Swedish Massage. I've had other nice-but-not-as-exclusive since...but seriously, NONE have come close to providing the absolute and heavenly head-to-toe relaxation felt under my friend, Janelle's, certified massage therapist hands. She doesn't just print out a gift certificate either. Oh no. They are works of art in and of themselves!

If you are local, and you or someone you love needs the gift of serenity...she's your lady!

Her blog is where you can find her: Three Men and Their Ladies

One Hour Massage from Janelle

Shop Cherry's Jubilee

If I could posses the tiniest fraction of this woman's creativity, there would be a flurry of activity in and out of my so-called 'craft cupboard' (but alas, it stands dormant). Her blog and her Etsy site were discovered by my mom, and as a result, last Christmas I received this adorable, whimsical PEACE banner (i suppose mom chose that to remind me that there is such a thing). I just hung it up again yesterday and was reminded how amazingly gifted this blogger friend really is. Her website is a charming, whimsical  and beautiful showcase of her talent: Cherry's Jubilee

Finally..

This is not a gift to buy, but I have a hunch it will be a meaningful, enriching gift to receive if you want it! My cousin, Christopher (of whom I greatly admire and who has a tremendous perspective on life with equally tremendous gift for spelling it out) is participating in an Advent Blog Tour, which is described in these words from their website:

This December, you’re invited to experience Christ’s birth through the lens of a new Bible translation. Follow the Advent Blog Tour day by day December 1 through 25 and discover 25 New Testament passages in the fresh, new Common English Bible, brought to light with meaningful reflections from 25 fresh, new voices.

Join us in the journey to Bethlehem and hear the familiar story anew.

The link to their site is also accessible by the button on my sidebar if your interested in reading along!

Thank you so much for stopping by, my friend.

For those who read yesterday's post which subjected you to reading the gross details of my day...you will be glad to know that today was of a more "solid" quality and I was able to give my 'third arm' a rest!