Harley Thor Promersberger

This is the "official" name of the newest addition to our family. He is a 10 week old black lab puppy who we named Harley. He is a really good puppy and his cuteness makes up for the couple of times he did his "business" inside. He has done really well with figuring out he needs to go outside to take care of that. We enjoy having him around!

Side note: I actually bought 22 wreaths! Haha! We had to leave them at Grandmother's house in PA so we would have room to go and pick up Harley.

Happy New Year!

Christmas at the Promersbergers

I tried to post this blog the other day but for some reason had serious computer problems. So we will try it again.

Even though I was extremely low on Christmas spirit this year, we have some Christmas decorations up. I would have been just fine with no decorations but my Chris asked if we could please put some - just a little bit - up. Then of course when my friend Cheri (Miss I-have-SO-many-decorations-my-wrapping-paper-even-has-to-match-my-tree. Gotta love her!) found out there would be no tree she put a stop to that. She brought me over a little tree and then helped me put up the garland on the fence. It all did turn out very nice. I plan on leaving the garland on the fence up for the winter months - it should look really pretty with some white snow on it!

That is about the extent of our Christmas decorations. At least our stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

The Little Man and I picked this up for Sissy the other day. Think it's enough??? :) Blog-Savvy Momma: You're drooling and salivating on your keyboard. :)

Tag, I'm it

I was "tagged" by Blog-Savvy Momma (haha - how do you like that name?) to share 7 random facts about myself.

Random Fact #1: Every month my hair HAS to get cut . . . and it has to be different. It doesn't have to be a major change it can simply be that it gets cut just a tensy tiny bit different that only I will notice. I also have the best hair dresser (are they still called that?)! She humors me each and every month!

Random Fact #2: When I sneeze it is a little tiny sneeze - my Chris calls it "his little mouse fart." Wow did I just type that word on my blog???

Random Fact #3: I have several nicknames. Growing up my dad always called me "Pooh" or "Pooh Bear" - he actually still calls me that on occasion. My sister called me "EA" (pronounced E-ah) growing up - she now calls me "Sissy." And my Chris calls me "Sunshine."

Random Fact #4: I sleep with a stuffed monkey whose name is Stooge. He is actually a puppet stuffed animal. I believe he is real and on occasion hold conversations with him. This fact scares my Chris something fierce. It is then followed by the following conversation.

Chris: "Lisa, Stooge is not real. You do realize that, don't you? I hope you do because it really scares me to think that you really think he is real. Repeat after me: Stooge is not real, he is a stuffed monkey."

Me: "Stooge is real, he is not a stuffed monkey." (I can't help it that I get some words jumbled up in there.)

The rest of the conversation is simply this over and over until, amist much laughter, I give in and quietly whisper what Chris wants me to say (see I can't even say it on here). However, he persists until I say it loud enough for Stooge to hear. Yes, I usually go back and tell Stooge I didn't mean it and Daddy really does believe he is real. :) My Chris and I have such fun together! I love him dearly!

Random Fact #5: I have a thing about germs. Each Sunday after we shake hands and welcome those around us, I quietly slip out my hand sanitizer and put some on. Germs, people, germs!

Random Fact #6: I do not eat seafood. Shark has made me seriously ill in the past and now I refuse to eat anything that comes from the ocean. I mean really what do fishy things eat and drink? There are many children and, of course, other fishies who swim (or whatever) in the ocean - 'nough said!

Random Fact #7: 99.8% of the shoes in my closet are backless. I cannot stand shoes with backs on them. The only shoes I really wear that have backs are my snow boots for obvious reasons. There are probably 2 pairs in there with backs on them but I never wear them. Scandalous I know - those heels showing at all times. :)

Hope you have enjoyed these 7 very random facts!

It's Caleb's birthday!

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Caleb
Happy birthday to you!


Wow! Auntie Lisa can't believe it!! Caleb turns 6 today! Happy birthday! Caleb: You will get your birthday gift from us at Christmas time (hope that's ok).

Uncle Chris says "Happy birthday, buddy! I love you!"

I love you too, Caleb!
Auntie Lisa

"C" what I'm thankful for

I gave in. Sissy and a friend (my sister calls her our blog savvy friend) challenged others to a "thankful game." I have to post about 10 of my favorite things that start with the letter "C." I begged and pleaded for an easy one - thanks Sissy, you did a great job! "C" was a great letter!

1. Christ. How can this one not be first?!?! I am very thankful for Christ and His work on Calvary.

2. Chris. Oh my, I am so very thankful for my Chris! Since sappy isn't in the list of requirements to do this, I'll save you all but know that I am very thankful for him. He is a wonderful husband and father! I love you my Chris!

3. Christmas. Although you wouldn't be able to tell this year because I have a limited supply of Christmas cheer, I am thankful for Christmas. Not only do I get presents(!) but it is also a time to be together with family!

4. Chocolate. I can't believe I put this on a thankful list since chocolate is not my go-to dessert. However, I do enjoy Dove Promises and am thankful they are small yet yummy!

5. Comfy clothes. If you know me, I am thankful - oh so thankful - for comfy clothes (aka: jeans, sweatshirt)! Since I stay home most days, this is what I wear 99.9% of the time. So snuggly and warm! ** Please note that was 2 "C's". :)

6. Children. I am thankful that God blessed us with our little girl, Victoria, even if for a short time. I am also thankful for the other children in my life - this is a shout out to Caleb and Kalei - and of course, the Little Man.

7. Computer. A teen girl just said to me today, "What would we do without computers?" For real! I mean like seriously like what if we had to go to the library to look stuff up or hand write letters to people? I guess most of us are in the "between era". We grew up having to go to the library and hand write letters but now we are able to do all of that via a computer. I am also thankful for the friends I've been able to keep in contact with or get-back-into contact with because of the computer.

8. Chipper (my car). Chipper is almost 9 years old and has been the best car! We have had hardly any problems (except for the occasional time that the driver's side window won't go up. This usually happens during exceptionally cold or rainy days.). He has been a great car and I am thankful that he is so healthy and that we actually have cars available to us! (How would I get all my Wal-mart bags home on a horse???)

9. Cooking spray. Honestly this is one that simply popped into my head and made me really think. I am quite thankful for cooking spray because without it all my food would stick to my pans and then the scrubbing would be terrible! So there you go, didn't expect that one did ya?

10. Curves. Old people workout place? Yep, but I love it there! All the "old" ladies there are super sweet and sometimes I'm sad I have to leave because they are having so much fun. I'd probably be more thankful if more pounds came off after I went there but that probably has something to do with the intake of food.

Advent

Lately this word has come up and I'd never taken the time to really think about what it is or means. In my mind, it has always been associated as "a Catholic thing." So, tonight since my mind is restless and I can't sleep, I looked it up.

Advent means "coming" or "arrival." Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing.

This really struck me. Advent started this past Sunday. Since then how much of a spirit of expectation, anticipation, of preparation, of longing have I had? I've anticipated vacation - certainly have had a longing for it, but for the celebration of the birth of Jesus?

This time of year is always so busy for us. We are busy with angel visits (teens dress up in angel costumes and go to homes and share the Christmas story from an "angel's" point of view), Christmas musical drama, living nativity as well as "regular" church activities all the while trying to keep up with housework, buy the remaining gifts and get ready for vacation. We prepare for so many other "good" things but we forget to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Messiah. But yet as we focus on the coming Messiah, we are reminded that without Christmas we would not have Easter. "It is only as we experience that full cycle, beginning with unbridled joy in Advent that slowly fades into the realization of what we have done with and to the Christ, that the awful reality of Good Friday can have its full impact." Praise God for the birth of the baby Jesus, but oh what joy that Easter took place. The time when that same baby, grown up as a man, took all of the wrath for our sins upon Himself giving us the wondorous freedom, that upon accepting His work on the cross for our sins, we may have eternal life with God in Heaven.

So I must recant my previous thinking of Advent being "a Catholic thing" since as Christians we should have such a spirit of anticipation every day. Anticipation for the birth of Jesus - yes. But also a spirit of anticipation, of longing - longing to be in the presence of God through Scripture reading and prayer. Interestingly, Advent is also a time of preparation marked by prayer. There are many daily prayers that can be read specifically for the time of Advent. Today's Advent prayer is this:

Almighty God, help us to look forward to the glory of the birth of Christ our Savior: His coming is proclaimed joyfully to the ends of the earth, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

To Christ our Redeemer, who comes to save us from our sins, let us cry out with joy:

Come, Lord Jesus!