For Sunday, December 2nd, 2012

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 2nd,  2012

19 DAYS UNTIL WINTER
23 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS !

It's  SUNDAY

SPECIAL EDUCATION DAY

Today is Special Education Day. United States President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), into law on December 2, 1975. Special Education Day, first celebrated in 2005, is an annual holiday that marks the anniversary of that very first special education law.

The landmark law guarantees a free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities. The law provides equal opportunities and access for more than 6 million students with disabilities and special needs.

Today provides the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to students with disabilities and special needs and their parents and educators as well. 

In our family we are blessed with a very Special Education teacher and with a very SPECIAL Education student too.  Both are very dear to us as are all our family members.  

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Advent Week 1, Part 1 -  THE GIFT OF LISTENING 
But you must REALLY listen.  No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response.  Just  listening. 

Talk and you say what you already know; listen and you learn something new.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.  

Epictetus

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas . . .
Q: If Santa doesn't have to age, then why has he become old?    
A: He only appears to be old. He's an undercover kid. Christmas Questions

Q: How can a sleigh possibly fly through the air?    
A: If you were being pulled by eight flying reindeer, wouldn't you fly too? 

Q: Why do reindeer have red noses?   
 A: They are not equipped with ABS and thus tend to bump into things on slippery surfaces. This is why Santa is often seen with a red nose (the sleigh doesn't have an airbag, either). 

Q: Why do we wish people a "Merry Christmas" instead of a "Happy Christmas"?    
A: The two are about the same, but with "Merry Christmas" an extra twinkle is seen in the eyes. 

Q: Why is a Christmas tree that has been chopped down called a "live Christmas tree?"   
 A: It's dead but doesn't know it, and yet it's having the time of its life. 

Q: Why do we wrap our Christmas gifts with paper?   
 A: Because we like to see surprise and joy (real or kindly faked) in the recipients. 

Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?    
A: Nowadays, only four angels can dance there. Formerly there was no limit, but OSHA passed the Angel Safety Law recently, which also requires that the pin must be inspected twice each year for structural defects. 

Q: How many gifts can Santa Claus's bag hold?    
A: One less than infinity. Why one less? Because there's a limit to everything. 

 Q: How could a star that is high in the sky lead the Wise Men to a tiny manger on the ground?    
A: Wisely, toward the end of their journey they asked directions from someone on the road. Had they not been so wise, they might have missed the manger by several hundred miles. (That person on the road has never been identified.) 

Q: Is there really a Mrs. Santa Claus?    
A: The best way to know for sure is to ask Santa Claus next time you see him. 

Q: Why do we hear so many bells at Christmas time?   
 A: Because so many people ring them. 

Q: Why do so many people ring bells at Christmas time?  
  A: For the poor, for the joy, and because a bell can say what words can't say. 

Q: What can't words say?   
 A: The moment you wake up on Christmas morning, listen carefully. You may hear then what words can't say.

Author Unknown

PRAYER REQUEST

DDIL#6 has requested prayers for one of her friends whose mother has had respiratory failure and is in the hospital on a ventilator.  Please join me in praying for this mother and her daughter.  May the dear Lord comfort and strengthen the daughter during this difficult time and bring healing and renewed health to her mother.  As in all things we pray, Thy will be done Lord.

Update on our little sugar - AB

DDIL#5 says:  she's eating better and has gotten her tube removed. She's still struggling to eat enough to match her calorie requirements, so they upped the amount of calories per ounce of formula. So, they are now monitoring her weight for a couple days and if she can maintain, she'll be assessed and hopefully discharged on Monday. Keep your fingers crossed!

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. 

 Denis Waitley

COUNTING MY GIFTS

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts.
It is said that when you count your blessings, your happiness can increase by 25%.  Who doesn't need a little more happiness in their life?

1. All the teachers in our family
2.  Schools that meet the needs of all children
3.  All the special children in my life.

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

 

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

 

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma