A look back

Looking back on 2005 I can honestly say it has been a good year for growing and trusting in the Lord. We started out the year without a "care" in the world and I end up finding I cherish every moment so much more. The year has been a bit of a whirlwind and I can't believe it is already over.

As we all know, Mom's sickness was the main thought of the year. It was a life changing experience for us all. How can people go through something like that and NOT see life differently? I thank the Lord He was with us through every second, minute, hour, day, week and month of this year. I could not have made it through all we have faced without Him. He is the giver of strength and healing. My family is so important to me. I am thankful God has blessed us with my Mom.

What a blessing my children have been this year. On top of all the changes this year my babies started school. While it has been a blessing to know Wesley and Mikayla are healthy and are able to go, it still brings sadness to me when I think of how quickly the years will pass now. They are so precious to me and I cherish my sweet moments with them so much. School has also been a growing experience for all of us. Yes, my children are learning but I am as well. I am learning what it means to be a parent in a different sense and also how to let go and let GOD take care of them with things I can't do. He made them so He knows how to help them with things that I find difficult to explain or teach them.

Yet again, I am so thankful for my husband. He has been such a blessing to me this year and I am so grateful to him for all he has done for me. He has always been there, but I do find that my love for him has grown SO much this year. We have learned a lot about life together this year and it has been a precious time for our marriage. I cherish the times I have with him, too, because they are not often between life and the kids.

We are planning on having a "festive" time with just the four of us tonight. Because of the sickness of the week our plans for tonight had to change, but we are making the best of it. I am thankful to be spending the New Year with my sweet family. We are going to watch movies, have a picnic in the den and eat Milk Duds and toast 2006 in with Sparkling grape juice. We'll do that with the kids before they go to bed and then Steve and I will watch a couple of movies and toast in the new year when it really comes in. :o)

I pray 2006 will be a great year. Knowing God is with us each day will make it a great year no matter what comes our way. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Make that something you think on each day of the new year. God bless you all!

Every cloud has a silver lining

That is how I am having to see the sickness thing this week. I can honestly look back and say that we have had more of a restful time because we have had to. That is what I have needed more than anything else. Of course, I didn't plan on doing a lot this week simply because I wanted to get some scrapbooking done, but this MADE me stay home. Steve thought I would be going crazy when he got home today and be ready to go out. I have kind of enjoyed just being HOME. No, I haven't enjoyed the sickness, but other than that, it has been nice.

The kids and I had fun today. Wesley was still recovering from yesterday so I wasn't about to do anything big. We hung around the first part of the morning and then I did a few things around the house before scrapbooking again. I encouraged Mikayla to "join" me and make her own "scrapbook" out of her paper and things and pretty soon, Wesley joined us. They punched out shapes and created pictures for Steve and me. We sang songs and acted silly (actually, it was mainly ME doing that and them laughing at me...) and I put on a couple of their Disney CD's and sang to them, too. Later I let them watch Beauty and the Beast since I realized they had never seen that before and then I put on one of my favorite CD's....The Best of John Denver. :o) I pretty much scrapbooked all day long and have gotten quite a bit accomplished. Compared to this time last week I have done some work on them! I still have all of that journaling to do and haven't touched the kids albums yet, but I have had a lot to catch up on.

Tonight I told Mikayla and Wesley we would have to throw away their toothbrushes (they just got from Santa) because we have had all of those virus germs floating around and they were highly exposed! Well, Mikayla shocked me because she reacted in a way I didn't expect....she cried. Little did I realize that the little toothbrush I had picked up as a stocking stuffer from Santa would become so prized. She didn't want it to go away...she just KNOWS the elves made that just for her and how can I respond to that?? It broke my heart!! I am going to have to buy some on the sly and replace them without her knowing about it. HOW I'm going to do that, I don't know, seeing as they are always with me...but I'll figure out a way.

She also cried tonight because her tummy "hurts" a little and I know she is still scared she is going to get that virus. I just prayed over her tonight and when I opened my eyes there were these big crocodile tears in her eyes. I asked her why she was crying and she said "I don't know!" So typical of a "woman"!!!! I told her that was OK because I always cry for no reason, too. I have been wondering the last couple of days if she has been having "twin pain" for Wesley. I honestly don't know what they feel together and separate. It would make sense to me that she is feeling some emotion WITH him, too....but Wesley being the boy doesn't FEEL it as intensly as my little girl.

Speaking of Wesley...I can tell he is feeling more like himself tonight. He is getting goofy again and I am glad...it means my little boy is feeling better. :o)

Well, supper has arrived. Today is the first day since Monday that I have eaten normal food and I am ready. I plan on finishing up a couple of things with scrapping before I enjoy some quiet time with Steve.....maybe we'll watch another James Bond movie. ha!!

More sickness

I am feeling like I can't escape sickness in 2005. I am finally feeling better but Wesley started with the stomach bug today. He was in and out of the bathroom for most of the day. Now the poor thing has a 102.1 fever!! I am not sure if this is related to the stomach bug or something else. It has me worried, I must admit. I am just praying Mikayla doesn't get this mess. He is not sleeping well and so I am sure I'll be up all night. Steve has gone to get more ibuprofen. I am truly thankful for how the Lord has led during 2005 but I have to say I am ready for it to be over and start a new year. This was not the vacation I had wanted, but God knows best. I know all things happen for a reason and I am thankful God is watching over Wesley right now and taking care of him in ways I can't.

Sick

Ugh...I have had the stomach bug. I got it Monday evening and I stayed in bed all day yesterday. It was not pleasant. My brother and cousin also had it so we must have picked it up from family during Christmas celebrations. I felt horrible, but I must say it made me think of Mom and the pain she went through. Mine was nothing like hers and I know how I felt, so I can't imagine how she went through all of that pain. I've been praying she doesn't get this stuff.

It was hard being away from the kids. I didn't want to get too close to them so they wouldn't get it. Mikayla was so sweet...when Steve took them with him on an errand yesterday (he stayed home from work because I was no good...) she asked him if they could get me some flowers. They are in the picture. How sweet is that? I tell you...I know she is my child, but that is one sweet little girl. They truly brightened my day.

I slept well last night but wasn't feeling up to par today. I just took it easy and didn't rush around to do anything. I did get a chance to scrapbook...I figured that would not be something that would exert a lot of physical energy. The kids played for most of the day either inside or out and seemed to have a good time. I just didn't want to get too close to them just yet. I have missed being able to cuddle with them and give them hugs and kisses.

We finished getting the Christmas decorations down tonight seeing as I started feeling badly right when we were starting to take them down. It is rather sad. On to regular life again. I will miss everything being lit up and festive.

Well, off to chill on the couch again. We are watching a movie and relaxing.

Another Christmas

It is sad to see that another Christmas has come and gone. We had such a good one. The picture for today is of what is on top of my mantle. Mary is holding baby Jesus. I always want that in the center of my mantle because I want Jesus to be the center of our celebrations. That figurine was my grandmother's. I have another set of hers, too. I cherish those as I never got to know her. She died before I was born. I am at least reminded of her each time I look at them.

We have had a fun couple of days. Wesley and Mikayla were actually hard to get up on Christmas Day! They were so tired but we knew we had to get them going so they could open their presents before we went to church. Steve stood in the hallway between their rooms and called out "HO, HO, HO! Merry Christmas!" to get them rolling out of their beds. It didn't work, exactly. :o) Wesley was still "gone" and we had to just wake him up! When Steve opened up Mikayla's door, she sat up in her bed and said she heard Santa! She said she was sleeping but her ears were awake! That got us tickled. I'll have to remember that for the scrapbook!! They both were half asleep as they opened their presents. Santa had written them a note letting them know that most of their presents had been dropped off at our house this year, but there were also some at Mimi and Pappa's. After opening presents we got ready and went to church. I was glad we went. It made our normal Christmas routine different, but it was good to be worshiping on Christmas Day.

After church, we went to Mom and Dad's and had a great lunch and then opened our presents. Wesley got the John Deere Combine he had been wanting and Mikayla got her "Merican Girl doll. We decided to name her "Arabia"....that is after my grandmother. (the one whose figurine is above) I had wanted to name Mikayla that name but Steve vetoed me. At least SOMETHING is named after her even if it is a doll. :o) I got my digital camera...but I have had it for over a month now. I enjoyed taking pictures with it, though!!! I also got some clothes, jewelry and a purse. Steve got clothes and things to grill with while we both got a food processor from my brother. He always has ulterior motives in his gifts. :o) Now when we bake I don't have to use his!! HA!!! It was a good Christmas and the best part continued to be that Mom was here to celebrate with us. That was an awesome gift we received back in the summer. :o)

We had Christmas with Steve's Dad and step-Mom today. We went out to eat breakfast and then came back to our house. We were all so tired and I had soft music playing that many of us almost went to sleep! We had a good time together. When they left the whole family crawled in bed and took a nap!!! Steve and I slept for a couple of hours and Wesley slept over 3 and at this point, Mikayla STILL isn't up. They were exhausted so I am not surprised. It was the best thing for everyone this afternoon. I wish I had slept a little longer, but I knew there were things that needed to get done.

Now, it seems, it is time to take all of the wonderful Christmas things down and get back to normal life. I am usually chomping at the bit to get everything down by today but this year I am wanting to soak it all in a little longer. I think since 2005 was so topsy turvy with Mom and then the kids beginning school this year that I just want SOMETHING to stay the same for a bit of time. The older I get the less I like to rush around. We're still planning on taking down our things tonight because the tree is so dry, but I will miss it. I think I will keep up our outside lights and lights in the window for a few more nights. I love the warm glow that the house has when the lights are on.

I guess I'll have to figure out other things to take pictures of now. :o) I will miss my Christmas pictures. It just needs to snow around here so I can get some good winter pics!!!

The Christmas tree is not coming down with me sitting here typing. I hope you all are having a restful and wonderful day!

Christmas anticipation

Christmas Eve is here again. The ornament I chose for today is one from my childhood. This is probably one of my most favorite. I realize the Wisemen didn't come till Jesus was around 2 years of age, but it still reminds me of their searching for the true Savior. There are many people today who are searching for the truth and I am thankful I have the answer. Jesus is the Savior of the world. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and I am so thankful to be celebrating Him on this special night.

We have had a busy few days. Daddy's birthday was the 22nd and we went out to eat and then he opened presents. We didn't get to go out where we normally do, but that was alright. I have learned a lot of things haven't been like normal since Mom's sickness. We are just glad to be together.

Last night we went over to our friend's house and had supper then went to a town a little ways from here that has a light show. We got to ride a little train and go to a country store. Wesley found a tin John Deere sign and we found Mikayla one that had a teddy bear on it. They were tickled. We enjoy our tradition we have with our friends. It was a really fun night. My friend gave me a John Deere purse. It is black with fringe and has 5 little John Deere tractors on the front. One of my other friends had given me the wallet that matches before I even got the purse! It was quite funny how that all worked out. I was rather tickled with it. I already began using it today.

Today we went to Steve's Moms to celebrate Christmas. It was a good time. I played Yahtzee with my nephews and sister in law. I had never played that before so it was an adventure, but it was a lot of fun!! The kids enjoyed playing outside. It was a nice day...not really cold but not hot. We had a fun time of opening presents. The adults had a fun time trying to get the toys out of the boxes! I hate those twist tie thingies.

When we got home we made reindeer food. We made it with oatmeal, cinnamon and glitter. Wesley and Mikayla then spread it out around the yard near our reindeer so that Santa's reindeer will have some food when he comes tonight.

We then went to my Aunt's house for Christmas Eve supper and had fun talking and laughing with everyone. Before we knew it, it was time to leave so we could get ready for Christmas Day. We went up to Mom and Dad's and the kids got to open one gift as our tradition. Steve and I gave Wesley and Mikayla each a Bible. This will be their first "real" Bible that they have gotten so they can take it to church. I realize they don't understand the importance of it as much now, but they will soon learn that God's Word is what will get them through many things in life. It truly was a special present for them.

We are now getting ready for Santa. We have made it very clear to the kids that JESUS is the reason we celebrate Christmas, but we also allow Santa to be a fun part. They are so excited this year. They have been trying to figure him out and how he gets in, what he sees and what he does. This is part of the magic of childhood. I remember it so well and want my children to know that same innocence. Santa still comes to visit me. :O) I will go in and take pictures of them sleeping in a few minutes. I love watching them sleep with anticipation on their faces.

This last picture is one I was thinking of using for our Christmas cards this year. I love this picture. I took it with natural light and love how it brought out their faces. They are something else. I cherish every moment with them and tomorrow will be no different.

May each of you have a blessed Christmas night. I thank God for the chance to celebrate His Son's birth. It is something we should celebrate every day. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Party, Imax and Lights

What a fun day this has been. I must say it has been busy in some ways, but great.

Wesley and Mikayla had their Christmas party at school today. Steve was able to come eat lunch with them and I was able to go to it and stay for just about the entire time. That felt good because I normally have to pop in and out so much. They sang "Happy Birthday Jesus" and had a cake after they ate lunch. It was cute. I will have my party tomorrow with my class. I was glad I didn't have mine on the same day as theirs.

After the party, Steve told me he was taking the rest of the day off and I had an idea. I am normally NOT spontaneous but today I felt the need. Wesley and Mikayla seem to never get to do different things like other kids because I have to stay at school later and they have to stay with me. Today I could leave "early" and I thought it would be neat to go see The Polar Express at the Imax theater. Steve thought it was a good idea (better than chopping wood like he was going to do) and we found our way there. We had to wait a little bit but it was worth it. We had to wear 3-D glasses and it was hilarious with Wesley and Mikayla. We had seen this movie last year in the regular movie theater when it came out, but WOW was it awesome today. I just loved watching the kids reactions to it. (I also enjoyed Steve's reactions, too!) When we left the kids were pretty tickled that we were able to do that and it gave me another memory to cherish. For some reason, this year I am getting weepy over everything we do together and today was no exception. Here we are walking down the sidewalk in downtown and I am tearing up as I am holding Mikayla's hands and thinking of the smiles on their faces. I cherish those moments...I truly do. The picture here is of them before the movie started with those 3-D glasses on. I guess Mikayla thought it was so dark in there I couldn't see her eyes closed behind those glasses when I took the picture. I think that picture is priceless. :o)

When we got out of the movie, we decided to go grab something to eat so we went to Wesley's favorite restaurant before heading home to change into our pajamas and go look at the Christmas lights. There is a Christmas light show you can drive through near downtown and Steve had a free pass so we went. I was glad it was free because I wouldn't have wanted to spend money to see it but the kids love it. It is something special for them. They were sad when it was over.

Let's just say it has been a long and FUN filled day and now I am ready to go crawl on the couch in front of the fireplace. I have a lot of good memories tucked away for today. I cherish everyone and am so thankful I could spend that time with my family!

The wrapping of gifts

Oh my, do I have a ton of gifts to wrap. This weekend I was so busy baking and such that I only had time to wrap those up. I did manage to "wrap" my students presents (Christmas ornaments I had made them) and I gave the ornaments to them today. They seemed to like them. I gave my parents that help me out their presents today, too. They do so much for me and I want them to know I don't take it for granted and they are appreciated.

Getting back to wrapping....I have to start tonight! I continue to put it off. I am just tired all around and don't have the get up and go because it has gotten up and went! HA! I know I am still "recovering" from the play last week. It is a hectic time of year. I also need to get NEW wrapping paper. Most of you will DIE when you read this, but most of the Christmas wrapping paper I have I have had since Steve and I were first married 11 or 12 years ago!!!! I never have a ton to wrap, it seems, and can't get rid of it! I bought a TON with Mom that year and it seems to become a quiet joke with myself every year. May I just say the paper is looking a decade old, now? Not that it looks bad....just needs to be more spizazzed. (Is that even a word????) Anyway, I will use it till I finish it but I am wondering if that will ever happen. My bin runneth over with decade old wrapping paper!!!

I am not the most "glitzy" when it comes to my wrapping. If the thing has a bow on it, you are LUCKY! I love pretty packaged things, but it is not a part of me to do that myself. I just get excited for the person to tear into the thing and see what is on the inside.

I really need to get wrapping but my mind is thinking again....

You know, it does remind me of the real Christmas present and how HE was wrapped. The above picture is of my nativity scene in my dining room. Jesus came to earth and was born in a lowly stable wrapped in simple swaddling clothes. We go to so much trouble each year to make our presents be "just so" that many times we forget what the real package is about. I think that is what we do to Jesus, too. We put Him in a box and wrap Him up "just so" and no one really gets to the real Savior. They put a lot of glitz to Him but forget He was not that way Himself. He was a simple person but He was the babe lying in a manger that came to be the Savior of the world. He is the best Christmas gift anyone could receive.

I guess I am off to wrap those gifts now. Always remember that it isn't the outside of the package or what you DO to it that counts. It is what is on the inside. I encourage all to remember that fact this Christmas and, most importantly, to make sure CHRIST is in your HEART. Let Christ be your present this year.

Santa and Baking

I forgot to mention that we went to see Santa this past Tuesday night. We figured a night during the week would be better than the weekend. Plus, Steve has been working every weekend so we really haven't seen him or had time to do Christmasy things as a family. It was fun getting to see Santa and Wesley and Mikayla really told him this year what they wanted. In the past they have been too shy. We also met up with one of our friends and her two daughters, one of which is Mikayla's best buddy. We ate supper together and just had a fun time. Mikayla wants a " 'mericangirl doll" and Wesley wants a combine. They are too funny when they talk about them.

Today was a day of baking! My brother came down and we worked on things for some of our friends and for the parents (or should I say BLESSED people!) at school that help me out. My brother always gets a chuckle out of me when I cook...and even more when I bake. I seem to always do SOMETHING funny. Of course, today HE did a funny thing when he dropped one of the things we were working on. It was quite humorous. :o) Mikayla girl also helped me out and loved it. (Her favorite person to watch on TV is Rachel Ray...and I am so not into that. ha!!) Here is a picture of me with all my finished products. The different colored things are jam cookies and the little loafs of bread are buttermilk bread. They turned out so cute! My brother and I really had a good time of baking together. I enjoy when we do stuff like that....but I must admit baking is not my MOST favorite thing to do. hee hee

I also cleaned the house this morning. Let's just say it was in desperate need of it!! I felt somewhat better after some of the "stuff" was up and my bathrooms were clean once again. Some days I just want to throw most things out of the house and just have the minimal. A lot of things that drive me nuts are the kids toys but I know they are only little once and one day I'll miss them under my feet. I had to take many of their toys away from them today, though, because they weren't listening when I said to clean up. I finally went around with shopping bags and filled them full of toys! They now have to earn them back.

I found out some very sad news today. Miss Pearl, the one who used to keep Wesley and Mikayla, had another stroke and is now on a feeding tube and in a nursing home. My heart has been breaking over that all day. I have had moments of tears. She has been a part of our family since she came to live with my Dad at HIS home when he was around 4 or so years old. She was a little older than Daddy. She used to come over and do things with Mom when I was growing up and then she kept MY babies for 5 years. We are not sure if she will ever be right after all of this. We are not even sure at this point if she will remember Wesley and Mikayla because she was asking my Daddy how someone was doing the other day and that person had been dead for a long time. It just breaks my heart because Wesley and Mikayla haven't seen her since May. Thankfully, they have talked to her a few times on the phone, but it isn't the same. I was planning on taking them this week to see her when we got out of school. I am not sure if I'll be able to do that now. On top of that, her Christmas card I sent with Wesley and Mikayla's Christmas picture in it was sent back to me because I apparently put the wrong zip code. I know she is in the Lord's hands right now, just like Mom was, but it still puts sadness in my heart tonight. I truly pray that she will be able to come out of this...I just don't know.

Well, I must go finish up with the baked goods. Cherish every moment...especially these special moments at CHRISTMAS.

Busy week

I am back! Finally. This has been one busy week. I had the Christmas play at school and that tired me out quite a bit and then Wesley was sick so my week has been hectic.

Wesley had a bad cold and it just made him feel lousy. He never had a fever so it was a good lesson that even though you feel crummy you have to keep on keeping on.

The play went REALLY well and I was proud of all of the students. It is neat to see something go from paper, as I worked on it for so long, to being performed and know what I had pictured in my head really could be accomplished!

I am ready for a break. It is SO hard to get out of the bed in the morning and at night I am no good. All I want to do is get in my pajamas and curl up in front of the fireplace...talk about wonderful. I have fallen asleep each evening rather early only to wake up around 11:00 either on the couch or in the recliner. That is some good sleeping in front of the fire, though!!!

I did a splurge today.... I normally have to think about something for a long time before I actually buy it but today I didn't!! I saw the CUTEST flannel and fleece pajama pants...one had Tweety Bird and the other had Tinkerbell on them. (Or as Mikayla likes to call her...TinkleBeauty/TinkleBell) Well, they were also on "sale" so that caught my eye. Well, I bought the things. ha! I love them. I hope they feel as good on as they look. I also had to buy some shirts to go as tops since they didn't come with them but I made sure I didn't pay much for those. :o) I'll have to take a picture of them! I just pictured myself sitting in front of the fireplace drinking hot chocolate. (Are you seeing a theme lately in all of my posts...something with fire and chocolate????)

Tonight we are going out with some of our good friends to celebrate Christmas. We will have our own "Feliz Navidad Fiesta" at our favorite Mexican Restaurant which we affectionately call "holas". We call it that because Wesley and Mikayla only heard "Hola" when we would walk in the door when they were babies and so that is where the name came from. It will never be another name in my opinion. ha! I am looking forward to some chips and salsa. If only I could wear one of my new flannel pajama pants! Don't you think that would look FESTIVE????

We got some freezing rain yesterday and parts north of us were having trouble with ice. We didn't have too much trouble so it was nice we didn't miss any school. They are saying that Sunday we may get some more "stuff" but I am not sure what that would be. I guess we'll see. :o) I am looking forward to some snow, though. We didn't really have any last year and it was a bit disheartening. I love seeing everything covered in white and peaceful. Makes me realize how busy our lives are and how nice it is for everything to "stop" for a short time. (At least here in the south....we don't do well in the snow/ice! HA!)

Today's picture is of Wesley's shepherd ornament. I don't look at shepherds/sheep in the same way I used to either. Wesley has his "Mam" that he has loved since he was a baby and I love it just as much as he does. Everytime he sees a shepherd or a lamb he points it out. You know, it is pretty special when you think about it because the first people who came to see baby Jesus were the shepherds. They couldn't have gone to see Him if He had been born in a palace. As I am sitting here thinking over it, I also am realizing that Jesus, being the PERFECT Lamb was visited by shepherds who still needed a Savior. Jesus is our Shepherd, the Perfect Lamb, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Oh, may we truly celebrate CHRISTmas this year and not forget that Jesus truly is the reason for the season. It is not about being politically correct. It is about giving honor and praise to our Savior.

May you all have a blessed and peaceful CHRISTMAS evening.

Whew!

Did you miss me? Goodness...has it been hectic around here!

The picture today is of my Christmas tree light one of my parents made for me last year. It is made out of beads and gold safety pins with a string of lights on the inside. It is one of my favorite things I put in my kitchen. It took her a lot of time so I really cherish it and think of them whenever I see it.

I'm ready for this week to be over with. I need a break. Work has been wild and I have been getting ready for our play which puts a strain on getting everything done during the day. I am glad to do it, but I must say I will be happy when we can calm down a bit. The practice went great today and I was so thankful. Tomorrow is the real thing.

Wesley woke up sick last night. He has a HORRIBLE cold and it caused him to not sleep well. He hasn't run a fever...just feels badly. I hope he gets better rest tonight. I, too, am dealing with a cold as well as Mikayla. It is just that time of year.

My brother and I went to see Narnia the other day. OH MY GOODNESS....an AWESOME movie. I loved it. It is a true picture of Christ and how He laid down His life to save ours. All we have to do is realize we are sinners and need HIM to save us. It is nothing we can do on our own! He paid the price when He shed His blood on Calvary. I recommend Narnia to ANYONE. It truly was awesome and I'd love to see it again.

We also went that night to see A Christmas Carol which is put on by one of our local production groups. They have been doing it for 31 years and it is so funny and they do such a wonderful job. This year was no different. It is a fun tradition that we have with Mom and Dad and all of us.

Well, I am going to close for now. Steve made me some hot chocolate and I'm going to go sit by the fire and enjoy it. I am so thankful for the fire...I am thankful for the warmth. There are many people who don't have that tonight. Lord, please be with those people and keep them warm and safe.

Have a great evening everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS! (I'm going to shout that from the rooftops....We can't take CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS!)

A rewarding night

This is one of the few Christmas ornaments Steve and I got when we were first married. We hardly had any our first Christmas together so we went down to the local Eckerd Drug and bought some. They aren't the most fabulous in the world, but they are some of the sweetest to me. I can't believe that has been 12 years ago. Most of the others we bought that year are long gone but these will always remain as long as I can keep them.

Well, this Friday was pretty eventful! Things at work were very non-normal and the day ended up the way it began. The best part of the day, though, is that Wesley and Mikayla BOTH did great on their work today!! Their teacher told me they had a "game" with cards with words on them and they could keep the words they got right. Well, both of them got to keep all of the cards they were shown. Their teacher was quite proud of how well they had done today. Wesley had also focused so much better and did a great job on his work. I was so proud of them that I knew we had to do something special because both of them would have earned a sticker tonight for their chart at home which would earn them a treat. I figured our treat would be a big one since Steve couldn't be at home with us tonight...I wanted to make it special. I stopped by McD's on the way home and then we took baths and got ready for bed so we could watch The Incredibles while eating our fun supper in the middle of the floor. I then let them have some chocolate and also some hot chocolate while we sat in front of the fireplace. (and...yes, I actually got a fire started in the fireplace after MUCH work and LOTS of pieces of fire logs....) The kids really had a fun night and I enjoyed it too. My house didn't get cleaned and I have dishes in the sink, but do you think I care right now? No....I really don't. I'll get to that later.....maybe tomorrow....maybe. hee hee

I have to go work on doing some ornaments for my students. I figure since Steve isn't here I would have plenty of time to get them done. Have I said before I don't like it when Steve has to work late? I just miss him. Yes, here I am whining again, huh? :o) Actually, I have the easiest "problem"....Steve is outside in this 20 degree weather watching over a soccer tournament and having to pick up trash after it is over. I get to stay in our warm house and "chill" out. He is such a hard worker. I appreciate that about him so much.

I guess those ornaments aren't getting done with me sitting here typing, huh? I still haven't wrapped one Christmas present, either....that will get done eventually, too. There is much to do before I can get all of that done, though. First things first.... Maybe I'll go eat a little bit of chocolate pie before I start my hard work on my ornaments...you know, to give me the ENERGY I need. Yeah, I think that is what I'll do. Have a super evening/day everyone. Enjoy the beautiful CHRISTMAS time!!!!!!!!

Reading and Soup

This is our favorite Christmas CD....along with many others. :o) Patti does a beautiful job singing old Christmas carols as well as newer ones. Mikayla and Wesley especially love "Santa Train" and we hear it pretty much everyday. It is an awesome CD. We've been listening to this CD since October!!

In my last post I was hoping to have some hot chocolate and sit by the fire that night. I got as far as sitting by the fire...and then I conked out. ha! That fire felt SO good and I just kept going deeper and deeper into the recliner. I finally woke up around 10:00 only to go back to bed again! That is some good sleepin', though. :o)

Today Wesley and Mikayla read to me their first sentence.. "The pig sat in the mud." Wesley is continuing to come a long way from where he has been. I am amazed at how much they have learned in so little of a time. Of course, Wes didn't have the best day in the world...he lost his sticker again because it took him ALL day to do his work..NOT good. He got in trouble at home for that one because we have really been talking to him about following directions and LISTENING. The thing is...the kiddo is smart. He is a thinker and you can SEE those wheels a turnin' but he just doesn't want to take the time to focus on what is in front of him before he goes off on one of his thinking moments. Mikayla had a better day with understanding her words. She has to fill in the vowel sound for a word like b_d...and has a choice of "e" or "o". She was literally just guessing. Not sure WHAT that was all about but we have been working with and talking to her regarding that as well. She did better on that today and I continued to encourage her to listen to the sound that should go in the word. You know, we don't think of it as being a hard concept, but if you have never done it before it would be quite tough!! I am proud of both of them for where they are now compared to where they were in August. There have been SO many improvements.

Mom made her homemade vegetable soup today. I know this may sound crazy, but I got teary-eyed when I picked up the soup she had set aside for us to have. These are the little things I didn't think about when Mom was so sick and now that they come around I think of what could have happened and I would have never eaten that soup again. There is nothing like Mom's vegetable soup. We also had her homemade pimiento cheese in a sandwich to go along with it. Wow, was that stinkin' good. :o)

The sweetest part about Mom's soup is that she made enough to take to two people in our church who have been sick. One of them is going through cancer and another broke her shoulder. It was so neat to see Mom being able to do for others after so long a time. She used to do that all of the time before her sickness so it was nice to see her feeling up to it again. She was also a blessing to the lady who has cancer because they were able to sit and talk and Mom could tell her that she definitely understands, in a lot of ways, what she is facing and going through. It reminded me of how the Lord puts things in our lives to help others. Now it is Mom's turn to be a blessing and a help.

Daddy came to school today to help me with some things for our play. It was so nice have MY Daddy be at school. You know, I am in my 30's and I don't think I'll ever get too old to get a butterfly in my stomach knowing Daddy is coming around. I am sure Mikayla feels that way when she sees Steve. I guess it is because Daddy's work longer hours a lot of times and you don't get to see them as often. I appreciated him coming, though. :o)

Steve will be getting home a little later tonight than usual and I am looking forward to him getting here because he needs to start a fire!! I just LOVE those fires.....can you tell???? OK...I realize that just sounded like all I need him for is to start a fire in the fireplace!!!! He is a wonderful man and I am thankful for him each day....and not just for starting a fire. ha!!

My brother and I are going to go see the Narnia movie on Saturday. I believe it begins tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. I'm sure I'll be posting how it goes!

Well, off to get one of the munchkins out of the tub, read some stories and get them off to bed. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I am SO happy about that!!!

Have a wonderful evening and go enjoy some Christmas music!!!

One of those days....

Oh my...can life get any busier right now? And I have even "stepped away" from some things that we normally do this time of year! Between work and life at home my time is not my own. I'll be glad when some things calm down....

Today was one of those days that went well for the most part, but then you find out something at the end of the day that blows all of that out of the water. I hate days like that. You know, it isn't that the "bad" thing is all that BAD, but it justs adds on to other things and it seems that way. I need a Calgon moment, I believe. Today I feel that no matter how far I try to get ahead, I am behind. I guess we all have times of feeling that way.

The picture today is of one of the angels on my mantel. I love this angel and I love to make the lights shine underneath it to give it a glow. This isn't the best picture of it, but it was when I was playing around with my new camera. I'll be taking more pictures of Christmasy things as soon as I get my "head on straight."

Steve cooked supper for us tonight. He actually cooked it last night and we ate it tonight. Tuesdays are always hard because I take the kids to Kindermusik. Since I don't get home until late it makes it hard to have a great meal without Steve's help. Of course, the way things have gone this year, Steve is cooking MOST of the time!! Hey, my opinion is, though, that a marriage is a 50/50 and we have to help each other out.... I would be so lost if I didn't have Steve. He is always there to pick up where I leave off. I am so thankful for him.

Well, it is almost time to get the kiddos in bed and I need to read them a couple of stories. After the kids are in bed, I think I'll try to have a HOT chocolate tonight while I sit in front of the fireplace...where STEVE has already started a fire, and gaze at the Christmas tree. Sounds like a plan to me!!!! Have a great one!

Wild Weekend

Here is Mikayla girl's ornament she got this year. She loves it because it has sparkles on the wings. I just think it is precious...just like she is.

You know, the way my children look at me sometimes is amazing and makes my heart skip. Yeah, I have moments when I want to scream when they don't listen, but those times really aren't that many. They just seem to happen when everything else is happening too. Today in church Mikayla just smiled at me with that sweet face and I thought I'd melt. I wish time wouldn't go so fast. Do you know what Wesley said to me the other night? He said "Mommy, do you know what my heart is full of? I said "No, what?" and he says "Love...." That was precious to me....they can say some of the sweetest and most innocent things. That is what I want to continue for them in their lives. I want that innocence for as long as I can keep it.

OK...you know how I posted I was going to go sit in front of the fire and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while looking at the Christmas tree lights and relax? Well, after 3 tries, the fire never started. I found out too late that I had used green wood! I thought I had gotten the dry wood. I can never get that right. By then, after working on the fire so many times, my hot chocolate was cool! Steve called to tell me he was going to be even later so I just sat down, smelling burnt green wood, staring at my Christmas tree and drinking cool hot chocolate. HA!! I decided to just veg in front of some TV show for a little while and then found myself falling asleep. I vaguely remembered Steve coming home at what I thought was 9:30 or so...only to find out later it was 10:30. He started the fire up pretty quickly (wouldn't you know it!) because he didn't want the wood to smell up the house. I was so out of it that I could barely talk to him. I only remember seeing him looking at the kids schoolwork and then I was out again. Next thing I know, I woke up, still in the recliner, and it was 12:45 am!!!! My contacts were so dried in my eyes that I couldn't even blink correctly. Once I got those out I was back in bed again. So much for the evening I had planned, huh???

On Saturday my brother came down and we went out and about getting things for Christmas and such. Steve had to work all day again. Our day took longer just because of all the people out shopping now. We didn't get back until mid-afternoon and then I went with one of my friends and her husband to watch one of her daughters in a local Christmas parade. This was the first one Wesley and Mikayla had ever been to so it was a neat experience. The funny thing was that it started to sleet when we got there! I didn't even know it was supposed to rain, let alone sleet! It didn't last long, though, and the rain held off till after the parade was over. When we got out of there we called Steve for him to meet us at a restaurant so he could be with us for supper. After that we went to our friends house for a while and sat and talked while the kids played. Wesley was so tired, though, that he fell asleep on their couch in between Steve and myself. It was sweet.

Today we went to church and then went to Mom and Dad's. We had to work on making stockings out of paper for Wesley and Mikayla for school tomorrow. I thought they did a pretty neat job of them. It was a project where we all could work together on them. If I hadn't of been so stressed over getting some tests graded I had forgotten about I could have enjoyed the experience a lot more!! :o) I'm going to take a picture of them tomorrow so hopefully I can post it on my blog tomorrow. They really turned out cute.

Well, off to get ready for another day of school. Have a wonderful day everyone!

When I least expected it...

It is so amazing to me how the Lord works. I have seen Him do so much this year but yet He always finds ways to show us He is in control and knows our needs before we do. Tonight I was working on the checkbook and paying bills. When I tried to balance it they statement said I had more money than I was showing. Well, after going back through everything I found that I miscalculated and had extra money that I didn't know I had!! That was SUCH a blessing, too, because I have so much to have to do right now with Christmas and all. I thanked the Lord for knowing I would need that extra money even before I knew it. He is so good.

Tonight Wesley, Mikayla and myself went to McDonald's for supper because it was late after I finished with the bills and such and I surely didn't feel like cooking. :o) I thought it would be neat to go through some subdivisions and see some Christmas lights on our way home. We found out too quickly that a lot of people haven't put them up yet but at least we tried. Steve had to work late tonight and I just wanted the kids to have something fun.

When we got home I went to help them get ready for bed and found that Wes had put away his own clothes today that I had washed. That was the first time he has ever done that. All I told him was to clean his room but I didn't think he'd take that initiative to get those put up on his own yet. I was SO proud of him and he was just beaming when I told him I was proud of him. He is so much more "retentive" than Mikayla in getting his room clean. I know he is going to be meticulous the older he gets. He is already a lot like that now.

Mikayla was cracking me up this afternoon. She was "cleaning" the office and playing all at the same time. Yes, you guessed it, not much cleaning going on. :O) She was talking on her Barbie Cell phone and talking to her "pretend" husband who said she had been lying to him so she needed to get a credit card. Where she got THAT I have no clue. She was too cute, though, because she would say bye in the same way Steve and I do.... "I love you, Ok...Bye" Makes us realize how much they are watching and listening. She also took a picture of me with her cell phone!! I didn't even realize she knew they could do that! She was cracking me up!

Mikayla had a bad start to her day today so the way it ended up was much better. She woke up with a red eye again. Everyone at school thought she had pink eye but I assured them she always gets this when she has a cold. By the end of the day it was pretty much gone. Pink eye wouldn't have gotten better on its own. Well, on her way into school she fell and skinned her knee, then forgot her folder and lost her little Wisdom bracelet she got as her award this week!! All of this before 7:30!!! I felt so badly for her. Thankfully, her day went smoother and overall it was OK.

The picture is an ornament on our tree. I think it was a gift from a student years ago. I always try to remember who has given me ornaments through the years but some I forget unless I write it on there. I have many from my grandmother and then from places we visit. It is always something that brings back sweet memories for me. I plan on sitting down and drinking some hot chocolate tonight in front of the fire I am TRYING to get going tonight while looking at my Christmas tree. I want to soak up all the lights and special moments of Christmas. It goes too fast as it is.

I will say that Wesley and Mikayla are cracking me up about Santa this year. We believe in Santa at this house, but we don't pour it down our children's throats. He is a fun part of Christmas but we want them to understand that Christ is the real reason we celebrate. Anyway, this year they are really getting into understanding Santa. They keep trying to figure out how he is going to come down our chimney! Mikayla told Wesley tonight "Oh, he just gets really skinny and tiny and comes down!" Other times they have asked how he wouldn't get stuck because he is so big. I am loving this age. Do you think I could freeze time? Nah, I guess not. It surely is precious, though.

I am off to soak up the lights of our tree. Enjoy your day/evening everyone! May God surprise you with a blessing today!

Hairspray!!!

I just got back from seeing Hairspray the musical. Can I just say I had SO MUCH FUN!?? It was a blast and I am glad I got to see this one. I even got some confetti streamers that came out at the end as a "souvenir." This was the first play my brother and I have seen this season. We're on second row center stage so we have awesome seats. I was able to take a nap this afternoon...(as much of a nap as the neighbors little yapping dog in their yard would allow...) so that I would be functional and stay awake until now!! I have to get up in 6 hours, which is SO not enough sleep for me, but at least I got a nap!! I began my normal yawning at intermission which was around 9:30. SO my bedtime. ha! I would have taken a picture of my confetti and playbill, but it is too late. :o)

Off to bed for my sleepy head!! I shall share more on the morrow!

Wisdom!

Mikayla girl got the Wisdom Award today!! I didn't know it was coming. I was SO proud of her. She was beaming up on that stage. I was going to take a picture of her but a friend had my camera card to get pictures of other kids copied for a craft. I will have to take a picture of her tomorrow.

The picture tonight is of a snowman ornament one of our good friends gave Wesley when he was a baby. I thought it was quite sweet and I loved how it turned out. I will probably be taking more pics of stuff like that as Christmas wears on.

Speaking of Christmas...I was talking with a friend tonight about how we get tired of always being on the run at Christmas. I am just as content to sit by my Christmas tree and fire and stare at it all night long. I don't HAVE to go to parties and such to say I am having a good Christmas. To me, people are too busy anyway and we don't have time to focus on the real reason for the season....Christ. Without Him none of us would even be here. He came to die for our sins. He was perfect and sent to die for the unperfect because He loves us so much. I am so thankful for the GIFT of JESUS.

Well, off to Awana. Steve just got home and it is time to head out the door. He had to work late tonight. It has been a bit wild around here but I actually got everything accomplished I needed to do. Of course, I still have pizza sitting in my throat where I was trying to grade papers and eat at the same time. Let's just say that wasn't the most fulfilling meal I have had. HA!

Until next time....ENJOY your Christmas. Make sure Christ is the center of it!

Rain!

Wow...I cannot believe how much rain we got today. I was so thankful for it, though, and praising the Lord. We have so needed it. I must say that driving in it was a bit nerve-wracking and especially when it got dark. I had taken the kids to Kindermusik and on the way home I told them both to be really quiet so I could concentrate on the road and traffic. Thankfully, we got home safely.

I was so proud of Wesley and Mikayla today with their homework. They began a new book where it is all words. I was amazed at how they did! Wesley did really well considering he was in the van outside of Kindermusik. Usually that is very hard for him because there is so much to distract him but he buckled down and did a great job. Mikayla girl is just doing a great job at reading those words. It blows me away at how they are learning. Wesley was so excited he even wanted to do an extra page. (THAT is an accomplishment right there!)

Speaking of being proud...I am pretty proud of my sweet husband right now. He has the Bible story for Awana tomorrow night and he is taking it seriously. He has been working on his little message for an hour now. I am amazed at how he connects little spiritual truths to help these little ones understand God's Word. I appreciate how much work he puts into his lessons. I know it is not easy for him to get up in front of the kids and teach them. He has surprised me in a good way a lot since he began working with my group in Awana. He was also super awesome tonight because he had our leftover supper on the table when we got home as well as cleaned up the kitchen. I was in a bit of a zone so I was no help at all!! :o)

Well, since I just fell asleep in the chair for a short time a few minutes ago I guess I need to close this and get on to bed. Enjoy the holly and berries in the picture. They make me think of Christmas.

Back to the real world

Our Christmas tree!! I actually like how this picture turned out. No lights were on in the den except for the Christmas lights. Pretty neat, huh? I chuckled this evening when I was looking at the tree from a different angle....I could tell Wes and Mikayla got a little happy with the ornaments on different parts. It doesn't matter...it looks great. :o)

Today was back to work and it was a slow going morning before we left the house. The kids did great...I was the one who had the problem! ha! It was a busy day but a good one. I got a lot accomplished.

I was working on homework with the kids tonight and was so proud of both of them. Mikayla is "zipping" through her words now. She doesn't have to sound them outloud anymore. She is doing it in her head. Wes is still sounding them out but at least he is now GETTING the word and not making up something with the last letter! I was really proud of how hard he worked tonight. He's getting there!!

Steve and I were supposed to have gone to the blood drive at church today...guess who forgot?? He had worked late and I came home and let the kids play outside while it wasn't raining before baths, homework, supper and bed. It is the second one we have forgotten!!

Steve is now outside working on the outside lights for Christmas. He was going to go out and get it all up tonight but it began pouring rain. We will NOT complain about the rain, though. We have SO needed it. We were amazed when we went up to Steve's Dads this past weekend when we went over a lake and it was really dried up. I hope this rain helps. God knows when to send what we need!

Well, off to eat some oreo cookies and hopefully do some journaling on the few pages I did this weekend. Maybe I can get those done tonight. Unfortunately, I can't do it by the fire. Steve said it was "too hot" to build one tonight. Yes, I am whining about that. hee hee Maybe I should post my fireplace picture again....
Ahh..yes, there is my fire. :o) Have a WARM evening everyone!

A nail. Yes, this is what I took a picture of on purpose. :o) This is in my Mom and Dad's yard and it is on one of the last fence posts remaining on the farm. I just thought it looked neat.

We began Christmas decorating after Thanksgiving! I have pictures but until I learn my camera a bit more I can't upload them yet. The kids are all excited about it this year. They even helped me decorate the Christmas tree last night and it actually turned out pretty well!! They loved it. I was excited for them for the traditions they will now experience more and more. I can't wait to show the pictures of ornaments I took on the tree. I hope they look as nice on here as they do on my camera. ha!

Well, off to work on more decorating. I just wanted to get this up and running. Have a great day everyone!