Todd Christmas Video part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZMywoomVr4

I ask Miriam and Judah to tell the Christmas story, and Miriam says, "I don't know what the Christmas story is," and Judah says, "I know it, but I won't tell it," so I ask him to sing a song. See part 2.

Todd Christmas Video part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8tnppjWuDs

Judah sings "Torches," a Christmas song that James taught him. Of course, he has to sing it with some sort of accent. The actual lyrics are: "Torches, torches, run with torches, all the way to Bethlehem. Christ is born and now lies sleeping. Come and sing your song to him."

Now see part 3.

Todd Christmas Video part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2cYTctMHNs

I begin to ask questions about the birth of Jesus and Judah catches me trying to trick him and his sister into telling the Christmas story. Merry Christmas from the tricky Todd family!

Dialogue translation:

ME: Where was Jesus born?
MIRA: In Bethlehem
ME: What was his mommy's name?
MIRA: Mary
ME: Do you know his daddy's name?
MIRA: Joseph
ME: Were there angels there?
MIRA: Uh, Yes
ME: Do you know what they said?
MIRA: What?
ME: I'm asking you.
MIRA: I don't know.
ME: You don't know?
ME: Who else came to see baby Jesus?
ME: Do you know who Jesus is?
MIRA; What?
ME: Who is Jesus?
MIRA: I don't know.
JUDAH: The son of God.
ME: The son of God?
MIRA: Yeah.
ME: Were there wise men who came to see Jesus?
MIRA: No. Yes, yes, yes.
ME: How did they get there?
MIRA: I don't know.
JUDAH: By camels.
ME: Did they follow any kind of sign?
JUDAH: A star.
JUDAH: Hey, you're, she's, hey Miriam! She's tricking us into telling the story of baby Jesus!
(Mommy laughs)
ME: You're really smart Judah, you know that?
JUDAH: Were you really trying to do that?
(Mommy laughs some more)

MIEL means HONEY in so many ways.

I'm not sure how it's possible, but the best restaurant in Nashville went unnoticed by us for over an entire year!

MIEL is, by far, the BEST restaurant we've experienced since Erin Roland worked at Zola (which, by the way, is closing its doors mid-January since the owners Chef Deb and husband Ernie Paquette are moving to the Caribbean). For a while, we were enjoying Shon Hudspeth's service at Germantown Cafe, but then he moved to The Yellow Porch (whose menu wasn't terribly impressive), and we had another baby (who, um, happens to be THREE now), so we just stopped frequenting higher-end restaurants for a while.

Kalamata's has been my favorite family restaurant for years, but it's not the place I'd go for a romantic date-night or super-special occasion. Even my favorite restaurant in TN, Pearl's Cafe near Sewanee, burned down, so we didn't make our annual trip to Monteagle this year (although it looks like they're open for business again).

Since Christy moved in with us April and began offering us date nights one night a week, we started going out again. James would buy discounted gift certificates through Nashville Originals or Groupon.com or Restaurants.com or Half-Off Nashville and we would venture out hoping for a culinary experience worth sharing. Unfortunately, I wasn't super impressed with what Nashville had to offer. Most of the time, my chef-ish husband could have topped our dinner offerings at home (for a fraction of the price). Generally, the service was poor or the atmosphere was lacking. And Nashville has too many "good" restaurants to waste time and money at adequate or barely average restaurants.

For truly excellent restaurants, well . . . Zola has topped our list for years. But they're closing!

MIEL's food reminds me of Zola, the atmosphere reminds me of Germantown, and the fresh, local offerings remind me of Pearl's. They even have their own farm! Our server, David, was just as fabulous as Erin and Shon, and so we not only enjoyed a romantic date night this Saturday while my parents' had the kids for the weekend, but we also went back for Sunday brunch!

I could go on and on about how fabulous it is, but you really need to experience it first-hand. Check out their website: MielRestaurant.com. Drool over the pictures and peruse the menu. Then, call 298-FOOD (3663) and make reservations as soon as you can. They're open Tues-Sat from 5:30-10 and Sunday from 10-2, and they're located at 53rd & Charlotte just behind Bobbie's Dairy Dip. Ask for David and tell the host/hostess that James and Lori sent you. You are sure to be perfectly delighted.

Just a bit of press to get you started:

BEST OF NASHVILLE 2009

Nashville Scene October 15, 2009

Best Brunch: Miel
An alternate title for this category could be Best Place for a Culinary Campout, because I'd like to reserve the same table at Miel for Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch and just spend the night. After a lingering evening of foie gras, escargots and trout in Seema and Jimmy Phillips' sleek Sylvan Park dining room, I'd unfurl my sleeping bag on the serene back patio and drift off into a wine-induced slumber, dreaming of orange-custard French toast and Callebaut hot chocolate. When the sun peeked up over Charlotte Pike, I'd rise to the scent of Benton's bacon and sip away the morning grogginess with a steaming French press of dark roast. Shrimp and grits, braised short ribs with poached eggs and house-made granola with macerated berries, orange zest and mint...now that's my idea of roughing it. Carrington Fox

More Pics from The Princess Tea Party

A sampling of the decorated cupcakes. I've never had so much candy in my house!
Miriam in the dress Christy gave her for her birthday. She looks like a little model to me!
She immediately wanted to wear all of her gifts and have me take a picture of how "cutie" she looked.
Dressed in a few of the things she received for her birthday and the pretty princess tiara she made with the help of Ms Paula, the Queen!
Miriam was so overwhelmed by having all of us sing "Happy Birthday" that she couldn't blow out the candles! Mommy and Nana helped. Sweet Mira.

The Mira-Yummy Princess Tea Party

Pretty princesses decorating their princess cupcakes with great focus.
The beautiful display thanks to Princess Ruthie!
Enjoying the Princess Tea like little ladies. They were SO SWEET!
Some of the sweetest little girls on the planet dressed in all their princess glory!

Miriam wanted to have a Princess Tea Party for her 3rd birthday, so we decorated the living room, invited a few princesses and their mommies, and required that all dress up in their princess best. These little sweeties were perfectly delightful as they sipped their tea and decorated their cupcakes. Judah and Miriam have been playing tea party ever since. If I had a bigger house, I'd want to host a party like this every month!

My Father's House and Royal Hope Academy

OK, final one for tonight. I've been collecting these in my head for days . . .

My amazing, creative, talented friend Rebecca Sorensen recently sent me a support letter, which I'm eager to get into the hands of as many people as possible. As you may know, we spent six months in Uganda, East Africa, and have supported a young deaf girl named Justine for over seven years now. I wholeheartedly support Rebecca's vision and mission and would love to see her generate more than enough funding for all the projects she has going right now. The jewelry that the women of Uganda make from recycled magazines is stunning, and for every necklace purchased, a child will be FED and EDUCATED for ONE MONTH! Check out the jewelry HERE!

And now for Rebecca's letter:

My name is Rebecca Sorensen and this year I started an organization called My Father's House Missions International. We have been working in Uganda, East Africa, home to over 2 million orphans and 50000 abducted, abused, and war-affected children. We were able to open a school now educating 150 children in the heart of a slum area to serve these children and meet their needs of education and HOPE! ... Royal Hope Academy. We were also able to start a small children's home as we watched our school directors' hearts break for these needy children and he and his wife began to adopt them into their own family.

SO plans are underway for me to return to Uganda! I can't wait to see my kids at Royal Hope Academy again and to pour God's love into their lives! I can't wait to start on the projects that are going to add sustainability to our children's home and school. I can't wait to encourage the teachers and pray for them! I can't wait to see my Ugandan family and hug their necks and speak to them in Luganda! I can't wait to worship in hot African open air dirt floor churches with people who are so hungry for God because they are believing Him for their lives, their breath, their daily bread.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET ON THAT PLANE!!!!

But I need YOU to help me get there!

Here are a couple of ways you can help me:::

1. I want to ask all of my friends and facebook aquaintances to donate at least $10 for 2010. Most of us can spare $10. If you can or want to give more, it would be so helpful! I have over 1000 friends on here...So I'm trying to get at least 500 people to give $10 OR MORE to help bring hope to a hopeless child!

You can do so through the My Father's House website by credit/debit or paypal: http://www.myfathershouseintl.org/index_files/Page349.htm
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

OR you can mail a check made payable to "Branches of Life" then send to:
Rebecca Sorensen P.O. Box 158145 Nashville, TN 37215

ALSO, I want to invite you to invite 10 of your friends that might also want to give...

2. Part of my expenses this time around is all of our ministry costs which I have been raising monthly through small fundraising projects here in the US. Once I leave, I have to make sure all of those expenses are covered. You can help me to do that by sponsoring a child or a teacher through the My Father's House website as well.
http://www.myfathershouseintl.org/index_files/Page349.htm

3. Finally...You can purchase some of our magazine paper bead jewelry to give as Christmas gifts! This will also help to cover some of the ministry costs of my trip! For every necklace purchased, a child will be FED and EDUCATED for 1 MONTH!

Do it here: http://www.myfathershouseintl.org/index_files/Page372.htm

4. PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't just say this...I WILL REALLY NEEEEED PRAYERS AS I GO INTO UNSTABLE WAR TORN AREAS, even nations other than Uganda, and into places with health risks...but there is NO RISK with JESUS!

Sometimes it is really difficult as a missionary with a lot of vision and few resources to ask others' for help but the word of God says...

"But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?"

PLEASE SEND ME!!!!! I am ready and available to GO!

Thanks so much everyone! I know God will bless your giving!

WITH LOVE AND HOPE!
AUNTIE REBECCA :-)

Hand-made Jewelry by Rashida

Did I say one more? I meant two more . . . well, maybe three more. I can't help it! I literally have SO MANY amazing, creative, talented friends and they're all up to something right now!

I received this note from Davita Hungate about Rashida Johnson, who is one of my favorite young women of all time. Saturday is going to be a whirlwind of a day for us, so we probably won't make it to Franklin to support her, but I wanted to at least help get the word out.

WHO: Rashida Johnson is a sweet friend of mine, who, as a godly young
hard-working entrepreneurial woman, makes beautifully inspired
hand-made jewelry. She is the oldest girl in a family of 10
children. This reception will give her great opportunity to
share her gifts with us, while allowing her to earn money
for Christmas presents.

WHAT: a Reception for my good friend Rashida Johnson to sell her
hand-made jewelry to earn money for Christmas. You'll find
high-quality hand-made jewelry at a low cost ($2 - $10 for necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets).
It's the only jewelry I wear!

WHERE: Davita Hungate's house.
1129 West Main St. Apt. 8, Franklin
(call for directions if you need them : 568-6833)

WHEN: December 12, 2009
2p.m.- 4p.m.
* you can drop by for 5-10 minutes, or stay for awhile and
have some cookies and tea or coffee with us.

WHY: Because you may need some beautiful jewelry for your family
or friends for Christmas presents.



Merry Christmas and we can't wait to see you!!
** feel free to print this and share it with your friends!!**

Davita

A Christmas with the Stars

Just one more . . . (yes, amazing, creative, talented friend story and link) . . .

My friend Andy Reese, who also happens to be an Ivy League trained scientist/engineer, has created a DVD presentation called A Christmas with the Stars, which "compellingly portrays the majesty, science, geography and history behind the story of the Star of Bethlehem and the Magi." Check out his website for a 3-minute trailer and more details. Excellent gift idea for hard-to-buy-for family and friends!

http://achristmaswiththestars.org/

365 Canvases 4 the Future.

Did I mention that I have amazing, creative, talented friends? I'm pretty sure I did. Well, here's another one . . . Dennas Davis, who happens to be the illustrator of my kids' favorite children's Bible and a terrific friend, has decided to create one painting a day for 365 days. Check out his paintings and his painting tips on his blog: CRAZYTRUCK.

Too Too Cute!

I have really amazing, creative, talented friends. Really.

For example, I grew up approximately three miles from a girl named Stacie. She and I rode to school together in high school almost every day for a year. She pursued a degree in deaf education at Eastern Kentucky University and then we lost touch. Thanks to Facebook, I have discovered that she works only 10 minutes from my house. We had lunch together at the Frist Center Cafe and spent some time catching up. Turns out, she spent some time in Africa as a missionary, which is where she met her husband. They are now in the process of adopting a little African princess! She is making "too too cute" tu-tus and selling them for $12 each to help bring her little princess home. I'm going to meet her this week to buy one for my little princess Miriam who is turning three on "the sixteenth of Decembah." If you'd like to add one to my order and have me pick it up for you, give me a call or e-mail me. If you want to place an order, you can do that through me, or by messaging her on Facebook: Stacie Brown Livingstone.

Blog Apology

Dear Blog,

Sadly, I have sorely neglected you. It's not for want of ideas or good writing material. No, it's a silly reason. I couldn't sign into two gmail accounts at the same time and didn't like having to sign in and out of e-mail just to write new posts. See? So silly. However, I have just discovered that if I leave two separate Internet windows open, I can be signed into one gmail account for one and this account for the other. Hooray! Now I hope I will stop neglecting you and start writing again. I've had lots of fun quotes from the kids, but I've taken the quick and easy route and posted them on Facebook. I know this is a more permanent place to write them and I really should have been posting them here all along, but I admit I was too lazy to figure out an easy way to do it. Please forgive me.

~ Her Royal Excitedness