Prayers for my children for 2010

In reading another blogger  Momma Findings I was challenged to read Genesis 49:1-28.  Jacob talks to each of his sons telling them how their lives with be blessing them according to how they lived their lives.  This challenge is to start out a new year praying for our children asking for God's blessing and will in their lives.  It also takes me back and helps me reflect back over the past year as I write a letter to them.    Tonight and tomorrow I will be writing these letters and sharing them with the boys especially.  The girls won't quite understand yet.  But I will still write them and hold onto them.

Good bye 2009 Welcome 2010

2010 is soon upon us. WOW another year has so quickly passed. My brother is celebrating his birthday. My sister and her husband are celebrating their 9th anniversary!!! Time is just passing us by.  I pause to question are we stopping to take time to remember the small moments in time ~ the cuddles on the couch, the laughter of our children, the hand holding through the day, sitting in church together as a family, movie night eating popcorn, making cookies with flour on our faces, listening the birds sing outside while soaking up the afternoon sun, Or do we only remember the hard times ~ kids being sick, the brakes going out on the car, the death of a friend or grandparent, the kids needing new glasses, two kids needing fillings at the same time as one of them breaking a tooth, a car needing new tires.

Where are my priorities as I close 2009 and begin 2010?  Am a Mary or a Martha? A little of both?  Far too selfish wrapped up in my own little world to notice the others around me to be either?  Through prayer and Bible study, God is working on me to answer these questions.

I have a few goals for the year, ones that I plan on being able to keep...
Spending more quality time with GOD, FAMILY & FRIENDS ~ making time once a month just for a girls night out, making time for a date night with Brian once a month, making time for daily scripture study.
Blogging  ~ through this blog & my food blog ~ spending time to sort out my thoughts will help sort out my scrambled brain
Organizing more ~ continuing the journey that God began with me last year in the less is more idea ~ ridding the house of boxes of clothes that don't fit because the kids have outgrown them, going through boxes of old papers and shredding the ones that aren't needed anymore.
Healthier living and eating ~ drinking more water, eating less junk food, spending time playing with the kids at the gym and outdoors.


None are ones are ones that are major bandwagon changes.  They are ones that I have already started and will just continue doing.  I want to be the best MOM, WIFE, FRIEND and CHILD OF GOD that I can be which can only happen through Christ who strengthens me.

Thankful Tuesday

Thankful for...

My husband who holds me and makes my world better

My children who still have an innocence about them

The beautiful and thoughtful Christmas gifts I was given

Friends who listen to my rants and set me straight

Most of all I am thankful for God and Jesus who came as a babe so long ago

Merry Christmas

This has been a wonderful 24 hour time period. Yesterday we had a turkey dinner with all fixings. Our church had a WONDERFUL Christmas Eve Program. After our church program, we came home to open our Christmas PJ's and dessert.

Before opening any presents, I read the Christmas story from Luke. The kids were a riot while opening their jammies. Each one exclaiming their love over their new jammies as if the jammies were the greatest and best thing in the whole world.

I then came down with HORRIBLE migraine. I know there has been a combination of factors, lack of sleep this week, stress and that time of the month is coming. Anyway, Brian, Nique and Bruce were absolute dolls finishing up. In fact, I never even got my dessert. I took my migraine meds and went to sleep. The kids were great about letting me sleep and keeping quiet.

Nique woke me up around midnight to ask how to divide the stockings and finish wrapping a few minor gifts. By the time all was said and done it was 3 am.

Woke up this morning to put the orange cinnamon rolls in the oven and wake the kids and grandparents up. It was fun holding the kids back while waiting.

Listening to their glee and excitement brought joy to my heart realizing how overly blessed I am. We gave the kids each their stockings to empty first. Then we took a short break and had our danishes.

After our danishes the boys emptied out the pile of presents under the tree. While we only do THREE presents from mom and dad there are many more presents from grandparents and aunts and uncles. The kids were richly blesses with clothes and toys this year. Brian gave me a beautiful Mary and Joseph ornament. The best gift he gave me though was taking the boys to shop for me. They were meticulous and thoughtful in their shopping. I was giving chocolates, a snugglie "to stay warm while at the computer or on the couch" (Leo's words), bath scrubby items and trinkets. We gave the girls power wheel quads. So after breakfast and all the presents were opened we took them out. It was such fun to have them out. The weather was nice enough for the walk. The boys got video games which makes their day.

While the adults prepared an early dinner of rib roast, carrot souffle, mashed potatoes, rolls (which nearly got forgotten in the freezer), and steamed asparagus. kids played with their toys/games.

The evening was spent with a video of sea life, early to bed for the kids. And now at 10:45 I am going to bed.

Happy Sabbath and God bless.

Merry Christmas Eve

Today I am baking and cooking.
Tonight we will go to Christmas Eve service at our church.
Then we will come home and open our Christmas pj's.
We will read the Christmas Story from Luke.
The kids will go to bed while the adults sit and drink hot cocoa before bed.

Tomorrow will be a day of stocking and presents.
We will have cinnamon rolls and egg casserole for breakfast.
Dinner will be a rib roast.


Merry Christmas my friends. I miss you all. God bless.

Thankful Tuesday

I am thankful
For the ability to make traditions with my kids.
To share in the Christmas joy with them to watch the smiles on their faces.
For the 16 inches of snow that we received over the weekend that help this spring growth.
The smell of chicken and dumplings cooking last night
For my honey that made the most amazing chicken and dumplings.

Have a blessed day:) off to make some Christmas gifts with the kids.

Thankful Thursday

I needed the reminder of what I am thankful for the temperature at this moment is 13 feels like -4 with a forecast high of only 19.

So my big thanks for today is for HEAT.
I am thankful for
A warm house
The laughter of children
Snow outside
Answered prayers in my families lives
Extended family near and far.
Friends that know how to say the right things at the right times.

Handwriting

It's becoming a lost art.  This past week I was sorting boxes and consolidating.  I found a typed letter from my grandmother.  Now my Gma Garber has been gone since 1994.  This letter was typed in 1989.  It made my day.  The letter was done on a true typewriter.  I even have the typewriter in my garage.  Yes I am a sentimental nut.  Reading a blog today, the blogger was talking about picking up a pen instead of a label maker.   Got me to thinking about the typed letter, the letters from Brian's mom who passed away in 2005, the recipe cards from Brian's grandmother and countless cards that are signed by loved ones that I have hung on to all these years, and the journaling in the scrapbooks.  Some say pictures are worth a 1000 words.  But what happens when you're gone does your family know who is in the picture or why you took that picture?  These things are so precious to me.    Take some time to write a handwritten letter once in a while.  I know the cost of stamps is going up and it's getting harder but a friend may treasure that letter for years to come.

Christmas Traditions

Our traditions have evolved over the years.  Some things have remained pretty consistent.  We exchange pj's on Christmas eve, we give each other and the kids ornaments every year.  The ornament tradition was started by Brian's grandmother the year we got married.  A few years ago we also started giving the kids three gifts to represent the three gifts given to Jesus by the wise men.

Our Christmas tree goes up the week after Thanksgiving.  I love looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot cocoa.  While in San Diego we have gone to Christmas on the Prado or La Mesa Christmas in the Village.  In New Orleans there is Christmas in the Oaks. All of these traditions have undergone name changes due to being politically correct or more accepting of all faiths.  One thing I have always enjoyed is luminarias.  One Christmas my Grandpa Shaw did over 300 around his house.

I love Nativities sets.  The kids have the little people one, I have a Willow Tree set, another simple one bought from a random store several years ago, and a Thomas Kincade nativity tree.

For Christmas dinner we make a birthday cake for Jesus birthday.  I know that Jesus wasn't really born on December 25th but that is the day that we as Christians celebrate His birth.  Since we give our kids birthday cakes we give Jesus a birthday cake. We do a Advent count down.  This has varied over the past several years.  Some years it's been chocolate kisses wrapped in plastic wrapped.  Each night we would cut off one kiss off the chain before bed.  Some years it's been a candy cane covered paper Christmas tree.  This year with seven kids living in the house, I bought mini stockings and filled each stocking with candy.  There are 5 candy kisses and 2 peppermints (for the 2 that are allergic to soy and dairy).  I think the mini stockings will become our "tradition" I love the look of them counting down.

In New Orleans for two years the church where I attended MOPS had Christmas in the Barn.  One of the families has a Barn and they had a LIVE Nativity and fellowship time in early December. I miss that time A LOT.  I MISS my MOPS friends A LOT. We also go to church on Christmas eve.  For years our church doesn't have services we have visited other churches.

I love baking and getting together with friends and the "family" we have adopted over the years.  For me opening up our homes and hearts are part of the holiday season, sitting in front of the tree with Brian and the kids thinking back over the year, making plans for the year to come, missing those not with us, thanking God for the many blessings He has given us is one of my favorite times of the year.

This year we opened our home to more friends and family.  I am blessed beyond measure and count many near and far to be friends and family.  I may procrastinate and forget to get things out in the mail but things get done here at home with my boys and girls.  For me it is almost a tradition to find the cards after Christmas holiday has past. LOL

 It's  Company Girl Friday head on over for more chit chat and fun reading!

Have a blessed day.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for

A warm house
My son who loves enough to be upset when another is sick
My husband who loves me and walks up to me and  just hugs me
The snow so fresh and white
The sun shining after the stormy day yesterday
Tonight is my twin club cookie exchange.
Tomorrow is Friday which means it is Sabbath and I am looking forward to Sabbath fellowship.

Today's snow fall 2nd plowable snow fall of the season. The smaller gingerbread are about 18 inches tall I think.

First Snow Fall

Our Gingerbread family

Kids after the snow the other day

Company Girl Friday ~ How is God is working in my life?

Over the past month or so I have taken a huge step back and done some reassessments on my goals for my life those of my kids and home. God is really showing me how to be a better mom wife and just a better person. I am finally learning that it happens one step at a time not in giant leaps. For years I have been an all or nothing kind of person and this year especially the past few months it has been one step sometimes even just inches at a time. God is faithful to fulfill all my needs in His time.

Verse of the day

While reading my Bible the other day, a verse really stood out to me. Ephesians 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (NLT) I searched through different translations/versions to see which one really reached me. I am normally a NKJV girl. BUT this time I love how NLT just speaks to me. I have to watch how I speak to others and my kids. Every word I say they are listening even when I don't think they are. So my goal is to watch how I speak to my kids my husband friends and even my self talk.

Slumber Parties

Even at 36 one can still have a slumber party. This wasn't a typical slumber party. Last night as I was doing my nightly rounds of kissing the kids good night before I turned in, ~L was crying slightly. I stopped to talk to him. He was upset that some game he plays isn't on this website anymore. ~L ended up asking me if I would sleep in his room.
I said, "I don't have a blanket or pillow."
He tells me, "I will get you my extras."
So I go get my pillow and blanket and by the time I come back he has laid out a blanket and two pillows for me.
"I want you to comfortable mommy"
It was a special time. We chatted about different things that came to his mind. He is 10 years old and I know that in a few short years I may not have this time available to me. So I need to take advantage of anytime he voluntarily gives me.