Decking The Halls

If you’re one of those people who refuse to acknowledge Christmas until after Thanksgiving, then you’re going to want to stay away from my blog for a few weeks. Because I couldn’t wait any longer!! I hope ya’ll like the new design. I do…

For whatever reason, I am just so excited for Christmas this year. Courtney and I discussed our over-the-top enthusiasm this year and wonder if we anticipate Christmas so much more this year because last year was one crisis after another. It really felt like we fast-forwarded through the Christmas holiday, without getting a chance to celebrate it. And when you have a mom get admitted to the hospital on Christmas Eve, and you’re opening presents in a hospital room, yeah, doesn’t feel like Christmas. At all.

Regardless of the reasons, I cannot wait for it and I’m starting the Christmas spirit a little early this year.

And there are a number of exciting Christmas goodies happening this year.

1. Random Moms is hosting a Christmas ornament exchange this year. I just absolutely adore this idea! Head on over and read all about it. I’ve already got my name in the proverbial hat.



2. What’s For Dinner is hosting a Holiday Recipe Exchange. So you can head on over there to see how it’s going to work. Start gathering your recipes, ladies, I want to hear all about your favorite Holiday treats.



3. And last, but certainly not least, Munchkin Land Designs is offering 15% off through December 4th.
   

And if you don’t come around for a few weeks, I totally understand. I usually like to wait until the day after Thanksgiving too. But I feel like a little kid this year...

Does it come with diamonds?!

If you’re engaged and have a $198,000 budget, then this deal is for you!!

Sam’s Club and Disney’s FairyTale Weddings is selling a “once-in-a-lifetime” wedding package for you and 50 guests! The first person to wire Disney the $198,000 is the winner of this “once-in-a-lifetime” experience, including a four-day stay in deluxe accommodations for the wedding couple.

But wait… don’t forget…

The purchaser is STILL responsible for all travel and any other associated costs not mentioned, including your wedding apparel!

I was flummoxed when a coworker brought this ad over for me to see and even a half-hour later, I’m still crying from laughing so hard! Oh my.

In a more down-to-earth post, I just had to share this with all of you.

My friend, Melissa, had some girlfriends over to her house last night for a Craft Night. I just LOVE her stuff as you can witness here and here and here.

I made this last night and love it. It now sits on the entryway table and it’s a wonderful reminder of what truly matters! (Especially when $200,000 weddings are involved…)

Upcoming Crazy and Chaos

I am tired this Thursday morning… it was a long night. Reagan hasn’t been feeling very well, congested from a runny nose/cold and therefore is suffering from overall grouchiness; Hudson was up and wanting a “dink” about 1:00am, and then Devyn woke later wanting to be tucked in again. That is why you found me gorging on Gold Fish crackers at 3:00 in the morning. I don’t know what to say… it just sounded good in that moment and the first handful just didn’t quench my craving. But I’m currently doing everything in my power to keep my eyes open. I am THAT tired.

On the other spectrum, my mind is reeling from my to-do list and again I’m forced to question God’s wisdom in deciding that we needed to add two birthdays (three if you count my niece, Elliana, which I do) during these next two months. Seriously, God?! Why?! Didn’t you think I had enough on my plate?

I digress. Back to my to-do list:

• Create and send out birthday invitations for Devyn’s 5th birthday party. (5 years?! Already?!?)
• Host said birthday party.
• Sew Hudson’s stocking.
• Finish Christine and Courtney’s Christmas blog designs.
• Put together the details for a Holiday Recipe exchange we’re doing on “What’s For Dinner”.
• Finish up the details for the holiday specials on Munchkin Land Designs.
• Celebrate Thanksgiving with Jon’s side of the family.
• Implement a huge project at my other job.
• Get some family candid photos taken for Christmas cards and write our Christmas letter.
• Send Christmas cards.
• Decorate for the holidays.
• Celebrate the one-year birthdays of our two precious babies, Elliana and Reagan. (I can’t believe it’s been a year already!)
• Celebrate Christmas with my side of the family.

Oh, and I can’t forget repainting our kitchen.

My sister Allison graciously watched the two younger ones for me on Monday so I could spend the whole day getting color on our plain-jane walls. It was a long day, and I was exhausted from the day’s efforts. The agonizing part? What was supposed to be a gorgeous autumn-gold color is actually mustard-yellow. Seriously. It looks like crayola crayon threw up in our kitchen. And I need to change it… fast. Jon is threatening to move out. (Not really, but he does hate it.) Sigh. A whole day wasted.

Honestly, it sounds like I’m complaining but I do love being busy! I seem to be one of those people who thrive on the crazy and chaos that is coming up. I have no doubt, however, that I will need some down time too.

Bring it on! I’m ready for the upcoming holidays and so looking forward to creating new traditions with my littles.

My Heart's Prayer

My favorite song from this CD. My heart's desire for all my children.

HOLD ON TO JESUS
by: Erin O’Donnell


You’re a little piece of heaven,
you’re a golden ray of light.
And I wish I could protect you,
from the worries of this life.

But if there’s one thing I could tell you,
it’s no matter what you do,
hold on to Jesus,
for He’s holding on to you.

The world will try to tell you,
that might is more than right.
That beauty’s on the outside,
and being good’s a losing fight.

But remember what I’ve told you,
because the world will make you choose.
Hold to Jesus,
He’s holding on to you.

Hold on to Jesus,
cling to his love.
Rest deep in His mercy,
whenever things get rough.

Don’t lose sight of His goodness,
and don’t ever doubt this truth.
That when you hold on to Jesus,
He’s holding on to you.

Hear me, dear Jesus,
rock this little one to sleep.
Keep her close when she’s scared,
and give her grace when she’s weak.

I know she’ll stumble,
but I know she’ll make it through.
If you hold to her just like
you said you’d do.

Hold her Jesus,
so she’ll hold on tight to you.

If you'd like to hear this beautiful song, click here; it's the second song from the bottom. The beautiful pictures are from Microsoft clip art.

How did I get so blessed?!

In the past 24 hours...

Some of the things heard in our house these past 24 hours.

“Hudson! Do not lasso your baby sister!”
(I never thought I’d say those words, not in a million years.)

“Mama, I’m not really awake yet.”
(Yes, Paige, I can tell by the fact that you’re lying in a heap on the floor.)

“Reagan, we do not suck on Gracie’s chew toys.”
(Ewwwww, gross!)

“Seriously?! Seriously!!!”
(Upon hearing the news that school was closed, but Mommy still had to go to work.)

And last, but certainly not least…

“Mama, you pretty.”
(And my heart melted into a puddle on the floor. I will forever treasure that moment, my little man.)

1st Snow Day of the Season

I still had to report to "my other job" this morning, even though the school district had already called a snow day. *Sigh* But we are being sent home early and in exactly forty minutes, I'll be picking up these beautiful babes and heading back to our home to cocoon ourselves there.

In the mean time, my mom is making Puffed Wheat Balls with the kids and they're having a blast eating, cooking with Nana, and overall, making a big mess. Aren't they the cutest?!

I'll be sure to add the Puffed Wheat Balls recipe to the "What's For Dinner" site soon. Another family favorite...

Warm, Cozy Tuesday Night

The Taste of Home Cooking Expo was not to be for this mama. Yesterday Hudson woke with a cold and I followed suit this morning. (It’s a conundrum, is what it is. He never got the H1N1 flu but caught a cold? Go figure.) I was still going to try and make it, but then Reagan started sounding congested and I decided that a night at home was just what the doctor ordered.

So here I sit. All three kiddos have been read to, prayed with and prayed over, and tucked into their beds. I have folded numerous loads of laundry and now I don’t feel the slightest bit guilty over spending some time on the internet for a little while.

It was a good night; one of those nights where you feel warm, cozy, and so very blessed. Jon is on snow patrol today, has been since noon and won’t get home until midnight tonight. This is my first “winter widow” night of the season and I’m preparing myself for many nights like this to come. When the rain started falling late afternoon and the sky grew dark, I turned on the fireplace and lit a few apple-cinnamon candles. Devyn and Hudson were playing together on the computer, the sounds of Disney channel emitting from the speakers, and Gracie lay at their feet chewing on a rawhide bone. Reagan kept me company upstairs while I prepared a simple meal of macaroni and cheese. Sometimes it’s the simple things that make us feel so very blessed.

That moment came when I glanced outside after dinner and saw the thick, white flakes floating to the ground. It was so dark outside, but the inside smelled of apple-cinnamon candles and the fireplace cast such a warm glow over our home. And in that moment, a whisper of thanks for the comforts of home floated from my lips. There is nothing I need other than the basic needs of my loved ones being met. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and laughter to enjoy. It was/is a good night.

In other news, we (as in the four sisters) are very excited to present something that we have been working hard on for a few weeks now! You may have noticed the button in the upper-right corner, a button that says, “What’s For Dinner”. Feel free to click on it. It will take you to a new blog that the four of us have collaborated on involving the sharing and exchanging of recipes. The idea started when Courtney requested some crock-pot recipes on her personal blog and she got a number of new recipes to try. We wondered if we could find a central place to keep our recipes and exchange new ones. Thus “What’s For Dinner” was born. We hope you’ll find it as useful as we do and we hope you’ll feel free to share some of your own recipes with us as well. We look forward to any, and all, feedback.

That’s it for me. I think I’m going to put The Proposal in the DVD player and watch a new crush (Ryan Reynolds – sigh) from the comfort of my bed. The perfect end to a perfectly good day. Aside from being sick and all…