I usually make resolutions every year, and by the next week I have forgotten them. I hope to not forget this year. I have several this year but mainly one! I want to grow closer to God. There are several things I want to do to accomplish that.
1. Read the bible everyday. Even if it is one sentence.
2. Keep journaling.
3. Get more involved in our church. Find the time to attend a Bible group.
4. Teach my kids to pray at night.
Now, for the other minuscule things.
1. Continue to be healthy by exercising at least 4 times a week and eating whole foods.
2. Be patient with my kids.
3. Save money for our vacation in September.
4. Quit spending on little things that do not matter.
I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve. We always stay home together and celebrate. Actually, I end up falling asleep before the ball drops! This year, we will be having fondue. We will start early with some meat fondue and salad. Next, we will have cheese fondue. Then, when it is late, we will have a chocolate fondue! I can't wait. I also plan on playing some UDance!
Happy New Year everyone!
This Christmas was so wonderful. I really can't explain in words how good it was. This was the first year I can remember feeling the spirit of Christ in me.
It started on Christmas Eve. Jeff woke up and made a trip to get the kids donuts! (this is really special in our house because I do not buy donuts!)
We spent the day finishing up some last minute Christmas baking. We made Santa's cookies:
The time seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, it was time to get ready for church. I couldn't wait to take the kids to the Christmas Eve service!
Jaden tried to get a decent picture of us:
The service was beautiful!
I love this picture:
Afterward, we looked at some lights and headed home for our birthday party for Jesus!
The kids got to open one gift. Cassidy got an Only Hearts Club doll and Jaden got the Willy Wonka movie! We spent part of the movie learning some Oompa Loompa dances! It was fun!
The kids had so much fun in the morning. I even fixed Jaden's favorite breakfast, french toast!
Santa brought Jaden the game Sorry Sliders and a Playmobil treasure chest filled with pirates! Cassidy got a Disney Princess dress up trunk and a memory game.
Next we got ready to go to Grandma and Papa's where we all got gifts and way too much food!
Rick and Pam (my brother and his wife)
My mom even got me the cutest gift ever!
I have been so busy getting ready for the big day! Actually, Christmas Eve will be a big deal this year too. We will be making cookies and a birthday cake! We have church at 5 and then the birthday party will begin! Jaden is so excited. I am happy to celebrate Jesus' birth! This Christmas means so much more than in the past. I feel so close to God at this time and I truly believe he is working in my life! I cannot begin to put into words how I am truly feeling, so I won't! ;)
Tonight, I will be making an easy dinner and cleaning the house. I have all of the gifts wrapped and waiting! The kids had fun today coloring and writing their Santa letter.
I love this picture Jeff took of the kids one night when I was gone:
Today, we experimented with a new sugar cookie icing recipe. I think I will be making some more tomorrow for the Christmas cookies we are making.
Have a great day everyone! Stay warm, it is SO cold outside!
3. Hutch
4. Pottery Barn Sofa (We desperately need furniture for our front room!)
5. Nintendo Wii
6.new Kitchen Countertop
7. Pottery Barn Black Pedestal Dining table
8. Blackberry
Storm
9. All Cricut cartridges!
Wow, I think I will stop now. This list would be SO long! It was fun though. Of course, I do not need these things to be happy. And, I will be celebrating the true meaning of Christmas!
I love this time of year. I am so busy, but it is also so much fun. I have made gifts, baked food, and made cards. I just love it. It really brings out my creative side. The other day, the kids made their dough ornaments and hung them on the tree!
I have been making some handmade gifts:
I have managed to stay at my weight goal. I hope to get under it after the holidays. I wouldn't mind losing 10 more pounds and getting more toned. I am definitely not going to try during the Christmas season. I would just be setting myself up for disappointment.
Yesterday, I made some buckeyes to take to the Christmas party tonight. Today, I need to make some spinach artichoke dip and a smoky links casserole. I got the smoky link recipe from one of the ladies at MOPS. Here is the recipe, it is awesome!
Smoky Links Casserole 1pkg. smoky links 2 pkg. crescent rolls Roll up. ½ cup butter ½ cup chopped pecans (optional) 3 Tbsp. brown sugar 3 Tbsp. honey Melt and mix together. Place wet mixture in a 9 x 13 pan. Add links/rolls. Add some extra wet mixture on top. Bake at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes
Have a great weekend! I will be back with more pictures in a few days!
Advent "hand" tree
I should have taken these pictures in the evening. That is when it is really pretty! I will try to get a picture of the outside of the house tonight. It looks so cozy from outside! Jaden asked me to get colored lights this year. Poor thing, his mama only likes clear lights!
We had a playdate the other day and had so much fun! The kids just love their friends and they sleep so good after having a playdate! I hope to do it again soon!
I just finished making some more gifts and I need to start baking again! We have a Christmas party in Princeton this Saturday. Next week, we have a Cookie Exchange at MOPS! That should be fun! I just love cookie exchanges!
I love this time of year! I have all of the kid's Christmas presents bought! Now, I am focusing on handmade (and homemade ;)) gifts.
