Christmas Lessons

Is November over yet?:)

I signed myself up to post everyday this month and it has been SO fun! Though, some mom? out there wisely chose November and not December for the National Blog Month. Because I woke up today feeling life on a faster pace and the to-do list for this week made me want to stay in my cozy bed all day. (I finally crawled out at 7:15am...we leave for Kindergarten at 7:45am - eek!)

Although I have loved this and it had surprising rewards...I am ready for a break.

Until I post again, I shall leave you with two kid-inspired Christmas Lessons. It's best I tell you these now, so you can keep them in your pocket all month.

1. After Halloween, Maisie and I went into WalMart and she was awed by all the Christmas stuff up- you've all seen the displays...singing Santas, 40 lighted fake trees, the yummy scented pinecones etc etc. I will never forget buckling her in her carseat that morning and having her say, "Mommy, are they selling Christmas?"

Lesson - People, this December, let's not set out to "BUY Christmas". It's just not necessary. I think God tried to tell us Oregonians that last year with the snow...and again this year with the economy. Christmas is about celebrating Christ and our love for each other.

2. The other day we were riding in the van and Daphne was in the backseat singing Joy to The World. I wasn't paying attention to her completely, but I knew she was in song mode. All of a sudden she says, "Hey Mom,,,is it Lord or Lloyd?"

Oh, my...

Lesson - Our kids may have gone to church there whole entire tiny lives and we may be doing prayers at bedtime too. But let's purposefully teach them about the Lord this Christmas.

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

In April it will be five years since my dad was given a second chance at life with the gift of a new liver. On Saturday night, my brother Jon and sister Lesley and I took him out to dinner, along with our spouses for his 60th birthday. We recalled lots of fun memories and laughed a lot together.

Dad is still not in the best health - but we praise God for his presence here with us. There's still life to be lived for us all and each day is a gift.

Apple Juice Junkie

I believe that all parents of young children have a few family routines that they don't shout from the mountain tops. For us it is that Maisie drinks A LOT of apple juice. You see at age one, she proudly spit out her whole milk in my face and never again let her lips touch it's healthy countenance. Instead she has grown up on watered down 100% (mind you) apple juice. But when the American Pediatric Counsel suggests 4 oz a day of fruit juice, I know that we far exceed the recommendation.

Oh well, right. Maybe I would have done it different...but probably not????!!!! When a child is an early riser and a little sweetness in a cup allows me 1 more hour of delicious (no pun intended) sleep...who wouldn't have made that decision?

Now, however she is four. The "routine" probably needs to be changed. At present she gets a small sippy of her drink of choice at bedtime. Then when Mike and I are ready to go to bed, we fill another sippy of juice and place it by her bedside with a fresh pull-up. If and when she wakes up in the very early hours of the morning, she drinks her juice, changes her pull-up, and goes back to sleep. This tactic has kept her from waking us up in the am.

For lots of reasons I think she probably needs to be weaned a bit. One, I would like her to start sleeping in panties and two, sometimes she drinks her extra cup in the middle of the night and still wakes us up for MORE juice. (writing this down makes me realize the absurdity even more)

Last night at 3:45am was one of those lucky moments for me. She came aknockin at my bedside demanding more juice. I said no and then she went to her room crying loudly. I finally got out of bed and explained to her why she couldn't have more....laid with her for awhile hoping she would fall asleep again...didn't...I went and got her more juice...

BEST PART of POST:

When I handed her the cup, she said,

"Thank you mommy, this is the healthy drink in my world. Since it is made out of apples and all...And you know apple juice and apple pie are made out of apples."

Needless to say, I returned to bed with a smile on my face, knowing I had some work cut out for me, and began composing this blogpost right then and there.

Can you laugh with me now?

I Missed a Day!

Last night, after family movie night (a cute cute movie called Blizzard), Mike tucked the girls in bed and said he had 3 hrs of work to do in his office (our new routine). I kinda new that was coming, so earlier when I went out to buy the movie, I went into Safeway and purchased a Creme Brulee Latte in hopes that while Mike plugged away, I could too in the realm of laundry, dishes and dust. See we were thinking about getting our Christmas tree today, and I have qualms about decorating in a trash hole of a house.

So that was my plan - clean until late and be ready for the next day. But I guess the coffee didn't work, because instead of cleaning I decided to warm up with a crossword puzzle - and fell asleep on the couch.

Mike woke me up and dragged me to bed. As I lay there praising the Lord for flannel sheets, terror streaked through my body as I realized I hadn't posted yet. But, sorry there was no way I was getting out of bed at that point.

I did think about it, but I knew if I did, I would plunge myself into the world of one of those "If you give a mouse, moose, pig a _______, then you are going to have to..... children's books"

Eg - If you wake to go do your blog post, you might as well finish that online test you are taking for a new job, and once you finish that, you may as well, pull the clothes out of the laundry and fold them, and once you fold those clothes you might as well stumble into the kitchen and do the dinner dishes...etc.

My heart and soul weren't willing to play along. Thus no blog post - not the end of the world.

Dedicated to my husband

Today's Thanksgiving...don't forget your stretchy pants!

It's a great idea folks:)

I think I may have thought of a great idea for us parents of young kids! (although I imagine this has been done before, I just have never heard of anyone doing it:)

Today, Daphne came home with an envelope stapled to a piece of paper. The paper went on to explain that her school will be having a special event called "Little Shoppers" next week during lunch and afterschool. There will be a little store full of small gifts for their family members and volunteers helping the kids spend their money wisely.

At first I thought that sounded great - but she's not there at those times...so it's a little inconvenient, plus I would rather do it a little different. I think I am going to give them an envelope and either let them earn money to put in it during the next two weeks OR let them get money out of their piggy banks.

Then I am going to hire wise shopping and patient Grandmas to take Maisie and Daphne shopping for the people they want to buy for. I really think this will help them get excited about Christmas morning even more - the whole giving process AND will teach them a little bit about budgeting too.

I'm hoping the shopping trip will end with a wrapping activity too, so that their gifts can remain a secret.

What a great tradition to start with our kids!

Here's that envelope:

Let's "stuff" ourselves!

Here's a yummy stuffing recipe for your Thanksgiving meal:

1/2 cup butter or margerine

1 1/2 cups chopped celery (3 med stalks)

3/4 cup chopped onion (1 1/2 medium)

9 cups cubed (1/2 inch) cornbread or soft bread (I buy a bag of really soft rolls and cut those up!)
1 1/2 tsps chopped fresh or dried sage leaves, crushed

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1. In 10 inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Remove from heat.

2. In large bowl, stir together celery mixture and remaining ingredients. Use to stuff one 12-pound turkey OR sppoon into greased 3-quart casserole. Cover; bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer or until thoroughly heated.

10 servings (1/2 cup each)

Thanksgiving 2008 (warm inside, snow outside)

Picture of stuffing above.

BLESSED the sequel

Yesterday I got to boast about my mom to you. Today, I get to brag about my mother in law, Pam.

Her God given gifts are many, and her "chicks" as she refers to us, get spoiled in these areas again and again. You've seen the cakes, and the sewing creations, before...and once again she has outdone herself.

This is Maisie's quilt:

Is it not the cutest quilt ever, and resemble our Maisie so much?!! I got to pick out the material, which I believe is the funnest and easiest part of the project...and then Pam got to work. She is bound and determined to make all of her grandbabies a special quilt. So far Tobin, Daphne and Maisie are checked off her list.

These last two posts are just a testiment to me of God's strategic planning and blessings. I have two wonderful moms in my life who have different talents, that bless me in different ways. Together they make my life more fulfilled and above all make me a better woman, wife, mother, friend, and daughter.

Thank you Pam for this treasure and your presence in my life.

BLESSINGS

Those pictures tell a bit of the "Blessings Banner" story. It was really fun to put that together for "my girls". As always, it took me longer than expected...but I loved giving them this gift for their Thanksgiving holiday.

"My girls" know a lot more of the story and the blessing they were to me that day...but that's just for us to know. There was some prayin' going on that morning in the church kitchen:).

Most of all, I want to thank my wonderful mom. She IS my blessing again and again. Unceasing, she is the woman behind other people's glory. She came over TWICE last week, unasked, to watch my girls so that I could finish this project. She never once even saw the craft - but she was there downstairs playing "school" with my girls. I wouldn't have even cared if she turned on a movie, but no, they were in full pretend mode.

Her life is filled with service to others - all behind the scenes/very little acknowledgement/just honest to goodness Godly help.

This week, Thanksgiving week - I will be remembering my BLESSINGS - and I already know they are all the people in my life who show me LOVE.

Thanks Mom - you blessed my group!

11 years and Counting

Today is Mike's and my anniversary. We were married 11years ago on a very very rainy November day.

Tonight we are alone at our house. The kids went to Mike and Pam's for the afternoon and night. We have napped, gone shopping at Costco, out to a mexican dinner con margaritas, and now we are home with candy and a movie.

We shall sleep in tomorrow morning.

I would like to leave you a picture, but more a couch awaits me...

Life is bliss....

Women's Dessert Jubilee

Tonight was a wonderful event for the women of our church and community of churches. Some of my sisters in Christ planned this night so that we could get all dressed up and enjoy one another's company...with desserts gallore, a very worthy charity to give to, and a speaker that inspired us to ask and listen for what God's dreams are for us! I will pass on the WORD she spoke to you too: God has big dreams for us (not just for our kids and husbands) - but it isn't about us - and don't forget that it is a process. "In the delay, there is no denial!!!!"

This is one of my best friends. Leah was in charge of our food. Thank you Leah, it was beautiful and so tasty.

(plus we are both curly heads and coincidentally both straightened our hair)

Is this a pretty picture or what??? It sort of sings to me...

...and this one too...

no men allowed



"Great Presentation"

uh. huh.

Are you jealous now????

Daphne's a writer now!

I'm going to start by giving you all a little prior knowledge. Here goes...For four years I taught first and second graders and everyday my favorite subject was teaching them to WRITE! (You should have seen their pictures and journaling the morning of September 11th!!!) It's not always the easiest subject to teach, but I love helping them learn this skill. They get to record their thoughts on paper for the first time and especially at the beginning of first grade, all approximations are encouraged (phonetic spelling).

Well, here I am now, a mother of a kindergartener and being one of the eldest in her class, she is ready for all these new skills. They are coming to her quickly and I am so proud that she is able to put down the sounds she hears in each word. I always get so excited and chuckle at her stories. (Jill I am mailing you the one about Elsa's b-day party as it is hilarious and the picture she drew of the stairs is priceless)

So far, I am not the best organizer of their paperwork, so I am going to publish a few of her earliest writings here for my own memory keeping!

(We were watching my newborn sister's bath.)

The night before we had watched home videos of Ruby.

Dad said let her swim a little longer.


The label on that building: Sandwich Express

Saving the best for last here!!! This was a posty Mike found on his computer the other evening after we returned from our date.

It reads, "How do you work the IPOD?"

Sorry, I'm behind today...

I have 1 hr and 30 minutes to squeeze in my November 18th post. I've spent at least 6 hrs today prepping a craft for mom's group. No complaining - a friend came over and helped for an hour or so, my mom watched the kids while I retreated to my closet(it's large) to work for 3 hrs, and tonight while I watched tv I seared edges on ribbon after ribbon with my handy dandy torcher.



You may think I am a crazy woman - but I love it! Stay posted for a picture of the finished product on Friday.


This is Stefanie and I'm signing out for today!

My Maisie

I got out the camera to record how little she looked wearing Mike's sweatshirt.
And I quickly learned that she had become as much a camera junkie
as her big sister.

Good thing I have my in-law's camera that can record these quick pose

changes!

...and turn...

and close up!

Buster Bar

Tonight I ruined my no carbs streak of 3 days. Mike and I went on a date and we stopped for a treat on the way home. I chose a Buster Bar at DQ - I haven't had one of those in a long time and it sounded perfect.

The problem with the world these days is that while for years they came wrapped in a tidy paper sack - they now come in a plastic sealed bag with the nutritional info for all to read.

Big mistake to print it, read it and so I shall leave you to only guess on it's whopping calorie # and fat content.

It was so GOOD! Closest guess gets to go buy themselves one with no guilt attached!

Surrendering

I've been posting everyday in November and leaving lots of quick notes instead of lengthy reflective entries. But I just have to take the time to journal about day last week. I told my sister in law a little about it today over coffee ~ but after reviewing these pictures, God's message to me became very clear! And so I share with you, or maybe it's for an older me, looking back on this post, dreaming backwards to the day that I went for a memorable walk with my 6, 4 and 1 year old baby girls.

The day hadn't gone as planned. First the girls were out of school and when I awoke, I had nothing on the agenda for us. That alone can make for an interesting day sometimes. Right after doing breakfast, I made a quick morning plan that included doing the morning dishes and maybe a load of laundry to feel better about my house's status and then getting the girls OUT of the house to play at our local indoor park. I always feel better with a bit of a plan.

Just as I started unloading a dishwasher, Mike stormed in, obviously in a big hurry, asking me to follow him to his office. He quick explained a needed favor which involved sending lots of checks out to subcontractors, including finding all the addresses, enveloping and stamping and mailing. I was eager to help, as I rarely get the chance to make a dent in his to-do lists. But of course what would have taken him or me 30 minutes without kids interrupting...now took me around 2 hours to finish.

After wrapping the task up, I did a big gulp surveying the dishes that would have to wait and the mess that had piled up more since I had made the office my attempted hide-out for the morning. I just had to get my energetic girls out of the house ~ I couldn't make them watch one more cartoon while I did my am chores. So we all got bathed and my new mental plan was to head to the post office and now that the indoor park was closed for the day...where would we go for fun.

The morning and my nerves continued to escalate in frustration as Maisie would not agree to any warm clothes.

That was my cracking point...and I locked myself in a room to call Mike. I needed to voice that I needed a break (after the hunting trip) and parenting advice with Maisie. He validated my need to get out although he couldn't do it right then, and then gave me the green light to let the clothes battle go with Maisie. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders and a huge wind had filled my sails all at the same time. There are other areas that I can spend my energy...I know that now. It just took me a long time to stop fighting her.

So, you will notice on our walk that she is wearing shorts and under those rubber boots are BARE feet. But please also notice the smile and sense of freedom she exudes.

After that phone call, I told her that she could pick out anything she wanted to wear in her drawers...and off we went on two errands and back for all of our reward...a walk in the fields adjacent to our house.

Daphne packed a backpack with band-aids, candy, pretzels and water, "just in case we got lost". And in an attitude of anticipation, I proudly swung the camera around my neck.

That was one of the BEST walks of my life. It wasn't too long, but it was somewhat adventurous and definitely beautiful and I felt the joy of surrender.

Let go...and God's blessings shall surely come!