Sisterly . . . ummmm, Love?

These girls.  What can I say, really?  I'm assuming this is the typical sister relationship.  I would not know since I grew up with a brother 5 years my senior. These girls are always at it.  If they aren't fighting about Gracie who got the room all messy, then they are fighting about the other's toys getting in the other's way.  On the plus side, they LOVE being able to share each other's socks, hats and toys, when the mood suits them. They have double the stuff.

A few nights ago we were playing Wii for our family night.  We have a little family rivalry going on with another family from our church and well, my family stunk (yes, it was my fault, I stink at playing the Wii).  We lost the big family showdown and have a chance to redeem ourselves shortly and we are practicing so we can have a better showdown. :) Back to point, the girls were playing .  This is what happens when they go against each other.  They crack me up.  Again, I figure all this fighting is typical sister stuff.  They love each other and still get along . . . . well somewhat.

One Thing Checked Off My To Do List

I had blogged awhile back about the black and white pictures I was wanting to put up of the kids. I finally got around to printing out pictures of my kids to put up in the living room, thanks to my Mother In Law. Anyways, I had the pictures done up today and I just got done hanging them. I had such a hard time deciding which one I loved the best of each kid.  Mike didn't agree with one of my choices, so I ended up changing one of Reece's.  You can see the final picture in the clock photo. In my old house I used to have a bigger wall to put these pictures.  I've decided that my next house must have a big wall for all my black and white family pictures.  Just one more thing to add to my growing list of MUST HAVES. ;)

I ended up running across an adorable frame that I thought would be the perfect size to go above the TV. I'm not so sure about it now, but am going to let it sit up there and see if it grows on me.

My Father In Law made this clock of the US Flag back 15+ years or so ago. After Mike's Grandfather passed away this past year, Mike inherited this clock from him. I think it's neat that his father made it. I had to find a place for it and I again am thinking, that I just don't have enough wall space. I ended up putting it up in my living room, a little splash of Americana.

After digging out some other frames, I decided to put some pretty paper I received for scrapbooking, to good use. I framed it and hung it up on my bedroom wall. Just the right touch for that little something to go above my bed. I have been looking for the past two years for a little something to go up there, never finding that perfect touch.  I have given up looking and decided to put the pretty paper up there. I actually really like it and it cost me nothing.  That just makes me like it all the more!

Married?

I lost my wedding ring today. I'm absolutely sick and when it dawned on me that I lost it, I went nuts. I tore through the van and in a last ditch effort, I threw all the kids into the van and drove back to the school. As we were on our way to there, I was explaining to the kids, that no, mom isn't crazy and having some crazy loony attack, but that we were looking for my ring. I explained how special this ring was to me. How Daddy had given it to me when he told me he wanted to be married to me forever. That it was super special.

I looked for my ring in the parking lot where this horrible tragedy occurred. The kids scampered through the van looking in there again. No luck was to be had. I miserably climbed back into the van and tried to hold back my tears on the way home.

In the middle of a few sniffles from me, a very quiet voice from the back seat says, "Mommy, does this mean you aren't married to my daddy anymore?"

Oh, my sweet Reece. He was so worried and sounded like he too was about to join in my tears.

"Oh no Darling Boy, " I say, "You're Daddy can't get rid of me that easily."

That worked. A big smile spread across his face and he happily went back to playing on his DS.

Christmas Coffee

I found this recipe over at Urban Farmhouse and I thought I would share it with you.  What a wonderful treat to serve to your guests on Christmas and on any cold winter morning. Merry Christmas my dear friends.~S

Christmas Coffee

2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1/2 tablespoon ground cloves
heavy cream
lemon peel

Whip the butter until it is fluffy and then add brown sugar and spices. Mix until well blended. Add a tablespoon of this mixture to the bottom of a mug, fill with strong, hot coffee and cream. Stir until the consistency is just right.

Warmest Wishes

Merry Christmas

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends.

Kick-Off To Christmas Break

I've been having a hard time lately. Personal issues that I don't really want to go into. It's been a hard week but then I received a few more bits of bad news that just really bogged me down. I thinks it's interesting how easily I can get depressed and feel down in the dumps. It's so much easier to feel that way than to find peace and contentment in my situations. I find myself looking inward and not really focusing where I should, on my Heavenly Father and His plan. I have to admit, when I get my priorities right, and my focus there as well, it's amazing the peace God gives me. To know that He will take care of us and that there is a reason for these trials and heartaches. The journey may be rough but all things work together for good to those that love the Lord.
I said all this to say, Friday was a great day. How wonderful to have a good day. I didn't feel like everything was caving in on me. Friday I was working at the school. I was loaded with testing and didn't get to join in, but Friday was just extra special and a wonderful kick-off to our Christmas Break. Friday was the Christmas party, all the kids had brought in goodies and gifts. It was so fun to listen to the excited voices of the kids as they gave their gift and the squeals as the other opened it.

Reece and Grace were able to make gingerbread houses. Grace was involved in a book exchange. Reece won "Best Christmas Costume". Maddie dressed up as the Christmas Star. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take her picture before we left the house that morning. It was just a really great day, a special one. How thankful Mike and I are to be able to have the opportunity to send our kids to a private Christian school. We feel so blessed to have our kids education packed full of God's truths and morals.

To end this day, I was able to look at Maddie's pictures. She chose to take her Christmas money and buy a digital camera. She looked threw many Black Friday ads to find the perfect camera within her budget. Here are a few pictures from her camera . . . . the world seen through Maddie's eyes.

A self portrait

Our family bowling on Reece's birthday

Something cool Maddie and Collin built

Madison and her friend from school

A girl from our n'hood

A bowling ball she likes

There were many pictures of shows she watched on TV and just items she found interesting.  She loves taking videos too. 

Christmas Gifting Idea

I LOVE making cookies for our neighbors and friends at Christmas. It is one of those Christmas traditions that I started the first year Mike and I were married. As the kids have gotten older, they have enjoyed getting involved. Since I'm not the most socialable neighbor, I have found knocking on someone's door with a plate full of all sorts of cookies has won me over many neighbors. No longer am I the one who is snobby (I don't think I am, but often since I'm so shy, I come across that way) neighbor, but the sweet one who give away cookies at Christmas time. What fun it is!

This year, we really have knocked back our budget for gifts. Unfortunately, I'm afraid it has messed up my baking budget as well. So, I've been racking my brain for an idea that I could do that would be cost efficient and not look sparse. What joy overcame me when I came across this recipe over at Perry's Plate. She has become one of my favorite blogs to go check out. Fun and yummy recipes regularly appear. You really should check it out and look at past posts because there are some goodies in there!

Anyways, I'm looking at these. This picture is from Perry's page . . . don't they just look so yummy!!! What a great idea!! I think I may just try my hand at these this year.