Uncle Aaron's Visit

One of the best gifts this Christmas was the visit of my brother Aaron and his sweetie, Nicole, all the way from freezing Seattle. There was much joy and jumping around in our family when we were finally able to give them hugs! The kids, especially, loved hanging out with their funny uncle and his pretty girlfriend. We did have to share them with her family and their friends while they were here, but the time we did get with them was full of love and lots of laughter. I've really missed his dry (as in the Sahara Desert) sense of humor. There was a lot of "Do you remember..." and family jokes. There's just something about being with the people you've known your entire life.

We were so excited they were able to come and spend Christmas with us. We're all hoping they'll be able to make it out in March for another visit and to see our new baby! Next time, maybe they will try to sneak Bubba into their suitcases and take him all the way back to Seattle with them. However, I don't think anyone would be happy about that!

Snow, Snow, Snow!

Hubby and I spent Saturday in the snow with our kids freezing our patooties off! After driving for several hours (seriously) because the rest of Phoenix had the same idea, we finally found some. Our yearly trip to the snow is a big deal around here. However, some are less excited than others. See exhibit A:

Exhibit A

Others are way more happy about this. See Exhibits B and C:

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

All in all is was a good, albeit frigid day for us Arizona kids!

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We hope your Christmas was as blessed as ours was this year and every year. Love to all!

My Irish Tenor

I have to say right here that I am a proud wife! My husband has a great voice and I love hearing him sing. He really only sings in front of others during Christmas, so that's definitely one of the highlights of my season. I had to push and prod him to do it this year because it was more of a time commitment than in previous years, but he was so glad he did it. This year, before they sang in church on Sunday, his group traveled to three nursing homes and sang for the residents there. Not only were the residents blessed, but he got the biggest piece of holiday cheer and realization of what we are blessed with. I LOVE my husband! I love seeing when he is touched by the Lord on such a personal level. The picture above is during our soup potluck on Sunday after church when they went around caroling while we ate.
On Sunday, we had our church service with the singing of Christmas carols. When his group led "Silent Night" the sanctuary was filled with the sound on God's people singing praises to their king. It was a time of intense worship with acapella singing and harmonizing (which I love, but still can't do). No wonder the angels had to split the sky open and announce Christ's birth to the shephards! They couldn't contain their joy. That's exactly how I felt when we were singing that holy song.

Christmas Cookies

My wonderful sister and I had a baking day last week and we had a blast! We made 133cookies to give out for our Dad, at least that was before the kids and hubby got them. We had a great time of sister chat, girl talk and shooing kids out of the kitchen. I am so thankful I have a sister close enough to share this Christmas time (and baking) with. By the way, in case you have us confused, she's the thin, non-pregnant one who's blessed with our dad's metabolism. I just look like I've been sampling too many cookies. :) Ah well, at least I have a reason for the chubbiness, right? RIGHT?!

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The camera has been found! (Go ahead, I know you want to sing the Hallelujah chorus for me!) Hmmm, too bad the new camera is due to be in today. I guess I'll just have to keep both of them. Oh, dear!
This was our trip to the tree lot last Friday. It was actually a little chilly and I was sorry we didn't have big jackets. It just made it seem more winter-y. We found the perfect tree pretty much right away, which is very unusual, and the kids wanted to explore the little trees. Ya-ya and Bubba found some just their size. It was Gi-Gi, though, who came home with the prize. Ever since she was a baby, people have just wanted to give her stuff for free (I wish I had that gift). I don't know why that is, but complete strangers will just give her things. Such was the case last Friday. She was admiring the little "Charlie Brown" Christmas trees and one of the workers asked her if she wanted one. She is so proud of that little tree and takes excellent care of it! It's now sitting in our kitchen where she is graciously sharing it with the whole family.
Bubba and Ya-ya were just fascinated with putting rocks in the trees' water. For some reason that's incredibly entertaining.

Early Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas-sy weekend with so many great photo ops. One problem...I lost the camera. (Sigh of remose) I can't really say I'm that upset about the camera. It's the pictures that were lost with it. So many cute pictures of picking out the perfect tree and poof! they're gone. And to add insult to injury, I had just replaced the batteries! I know someday the camera will be spewed out of the black hole I call my house right now, but will it be before Christmas?

Well, panic set in and obviously a new camera must be purchased right away. Okay, now usually I am not a person who rushes out and buys something when I imagine I need it. But truly, this is a necessity and I had turned the house and car upside down looking for it first. Besides, hubby and I had already planned on this and were saving up for this purchase. We just had to do it a little sooner than expected. So, begging my children's patience this morning (no small undertaking) I ordered one online today. I'm so excited. However, it has to be shipped! Arrrrggggggghhhhh! So much for immediate gratification. I even splurged and got 2-4 day shipping. I have now taken to checking my email every 10 minutes to see if my camera is on it's way. Nope, nothing yet.

Until then, my blog is pretty picture-less. But when that camera gets into these little fingers (well, they're only slightly swollen) watch out! I'm sure my family will get tired of seeing that camera in my face. But it will be such a Merry Christmas for me!

Christmas Fun

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Usually this goes through email, but I thought it would be fun to put it on the blog. I would love to see your answers, too, so please leave a comment so I can go to your blog and check out your answers! Thanks, Aunt Mac, for sending this.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both depending on whatever the present needs

2. Real tree or Artificial? real, all the way

3. When do you take the tree down? about a week after Christmas

4. Do you like eggnog? depends on who has made it

5. Favorite gift received as a child? my red Schwinn bike in 1st grade or the poodle skirt Grandma made for me in 4th grade

6. Hardest person to buy for? my dad

7. Easiest person to buy for? any of my kids

8. Do you have a nativity scene? three

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? As a daughter of a former mailman, I feel it is my duty to support the Post Office by mailing cards. Plus, I love getting fun mail like Christmas cards.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Okay, here's me opening up: a terrible sweater 5 sizes too big (seriously) with the Wal-Mart clearance tags on it. It was given to Goodwill the next day.

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Nativity or The Bishop's Wife starring Cary Grant

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually around September unless I'm somewhere special on a trip earlier in the year and see something that's absolutely perfect.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? no, never!

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Uh, I'm pregnant so anything! But the favoritest is coffeecake, fudge, or well, okay just about anything.

15. Lights on the tree? Where else would they go?

16. Favorite Christmas song? Still, Still, Still; Breath of Heaven; O Holy Night

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home because I want my kids to have great memories of Christmas at home.

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course, but I don't want to show off. Well, okay: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Oh, and Rudolph.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, although when the kids get older, they'll be able to open one on Christmas Eve.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? To copy Autie Mac, the consumerism and the rush, rush, rush

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Traditional red, green and gold

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? changes every year

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? why doesn't the homeschool convention have gift cards?! Well, world peace, new tennis shoes, gift cards, tidings of comfort and joy, and a new camera.

25. Who is most likely to respond to this? ?
26. Who is least likely to respond to this? ?

27. What do you put in your stockings? legs! Oh, that kind of stocking. Well, depends on whose it is. It could be toiletry items, jewelry, candy, small books or toys, just small little goodies.

Welcome, December!

It's December 1st! Hooray, it's a wonderful time of year! Wait, is it really?

Honestly, I have to say, today has not been the best day so far. I was all set to welcome this wonderful Christmas season with a carol in my heart when I awoke to sick children (like the pukey kind), throw-up laundry, dishes in the sink, schoolwork to be done, and Christmas decorations that have yet to find their home. To top it off, I've been feeling a little under the weather and have no energy to even put juice into sippy cups. I have a list of things to do (who doesn't) in order to make this Christmas season meaningful and yet simpler than before.

So, I've decided to ban the Martha Stewart-spirit from my home. If you haven't noticed, I have a tendency to be a perfectionist. This season, I'm letting go. Yes, I want everything to be beautiful and wonderful for my family and selfishly, myself. This is just me being honest here. However, I am not willing to sacrifice my time and energy with my family to make sure everything is "just so". I think about the story in the Bible about Mary and Martha (wait, could her last name have been Stewart?) and I'm reminded what my priorities should, no, need to be.

This being said, if you receive Christmas cards with stamps on them upside down or little scribbles on the backs of the envelopes, it's because I just closed my eyes and shoved them in the mailbox before I could "fix" the things my three helpers may have "helped" with.

Now that I have purged myself of the holiday grumpiness, I feel much better and feel like I can sing "Joy to the World" with a happy heart. I hope your season is filled with lots of help from your "helpers" and wonderful memories that will be made. And, yes, it really is a wonderful time of year!

Family Blessings

Today I took each one of my family members aside and asked what they were thankful for. Here are their unedited responses:

Hubby - my job, our new little baby coming this spring, the fact our marriage just seems to get better and better every day.

Gi-Gi - that most days I feel good and healthy(tummy troubles this morning), family, toys and friends.

Bubba - jellybeans, turkeys, Daddy, oh and Mama

Ya-ya - food, Bubba, Gi-Gi, Papa, Daddy, and Mama

Since no one asked me (after all, I'm just the mama), I'll ask myself. "Mama, what are you thankful for?"

Mama - that I belong to a merciful God who loves me so much, He continues to bless me beyond my wildest dreams and desire.

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I am thankful for...

I am thankful for...knowing that my God is bigger than anything I can imagine.

I am thankful for...the children we've been raising who are growing less in need of me everyday, because that's what we're training them to do.

I am thankful for...my hubby taking the time and energy to make sure that I am feeling loved, even when I'm unlovable.

I am thankful for...even when I screw up with my kids, they are always quick to forgive and offer a wonderful "I love you, Mama."

I am thankful for...the chatter and laughter at the dinner table because it means we're a family.

I am thankful for...the friends I've been blessed with who love me and want to hang with me even with crazy pregnancy hormones.

I am thankful for...my kitchen table having glue on it because we got to make Thanksgiving turkeys together.

I am thankful for...Christ sacrificed Himself for me, even before I realized I needed Him.

I am thankful for...my fantastic in-laws who don't mind me serving them Thanksgiving dinner in my leopard-print slippers.

Where's Ya-ya?!

Most of you know our youngest, Ya-ya. Many of you have heard me say that out of my three (so far) she's the one who is the most courageous, independent and willing to try anything out of the three. Well, yesterday at church, we had a "Ya-ya moment". The following story would only happen with her. The others would never even think about doing anything remotely like this.

During the lull between the offering and the sermon starting, we were sitting in our pew getting settled. Hubby had already taken the two younger to class. We're gradually having our kids sit through the entire service with us and not going to class and this was Gi-gi's Sunday with us. Well, Daddy looks up towards the center aisle at church and starts smiling. He says, "Look, there's a little kid walking up and down the aisle. It kind of looks like Ya-ya." Laugh, laugh. Wait a minute! It is Ya-ya!! She had escaped from class. Hubby got up and ran to get her and him with a broken foot no less. Of course by this time, everyone around us sees what's going on and starts grinning or chuckling quietly to themselves. He rushes her back because he knows they are looking for her in a panic. Sure enough he meets up with our lovely nursery coordinator and she is almost in tears. Poor lady! Ya-ya had been upset in class and didn't want to stay, so the coordinator brought her to work up at the counter with her. She turned around for a split second and Ya-ya was gone. I know all about this. I am the mother of another Houdini. Well, Daddy brought her back into church with us and she arrived with a smile of triumph! I know that smile well. For the rest of the service she sat on my lap as good as gold.

Happy Birthday, Papa!

Happy Birthday, Dad! Today we celebrated my dad's 59th birthday with lasagna, bread, salad and a banana cake. Mmmm, my kind of party. Unfortunately, no chocolate was present because my dad is almost the only person in this universe who has an abhorrance to chocolate! That and peanut butter. How does he survive? Poor unfortunate soul.
Anyways, my kids are so excited to share anyone's birthday with them. It's a really big deal. It was extra special because their papa is the best ever! Each one of the kids is special in his eyes. Papa is good at piggy back rides, tickles, trips to the park, funny faces and taking lots of pictures of his grandkids. I've always known I have a special dad, but seeing him as a grandfather is even more precious to me. Many of you know my dad and you know what a friendly, talkative, God-fearing man he is. I couldn't ask for a better influence for my entire family.
We have been so blessed with a wonderful family and I am thankful for every minute we get to spend with them. Not only has he been blessed with 59 years, my children and I have been blessed to know him for our entire lives. Here's to 59 more years!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY November 21, 2008...I love November!
Outside My Window...The sun is shining (again), cars driving by, but still pretty peaceful.
I am thinking...how laughter is such a gift from God. I had a random thought this morning in bed, laughed and the baby kicked.
I am thankful for...way too many things to list, so my pillow-topped, king-sized, four-poster bed.
From the learning rooms...Pilgrims (of course), Mayflower and just about to start Little House in the Big Woods for literature.
From the kitchen...nothing yet. I'm hoping hubby will take us out for dinner.
I am wearing...black yoga pants (even though they make my bum look big - an optical illusion, I'm sure), green tee and socks.
I am creating...a new life inside of me.
I am going...to Wal-Mart, JoAnn's, and Bed, Bath and Beyond.
I am reading...The Ninth Witness by Bodie and Brock Thoene (my favorite authors), baby name book, and Stranded at Plimoth Plantation aloud to Gi-Gi.
I am hoping...to finally pick out a middle name to go with our boy name.
I am hearing...birds, kids rustling around in bed, Bubba coughing occasionally.
Around the house...everything is quiet and semi-clean. Better get to work!
One of my favorite things...my new candle stand/holder outside of my living room.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:errands today, finally putting summer clothes away, finish painting living room, Dad's birthday dinner, Thanksgiving preparations, hopefully movie on the couch with hubby.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I really just want to live in this tree! Remind me why I live in Arizona!
http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

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Thoughts from a Mama

Last night as I was tucking our darlingest daughter, Gi-Gi, into bed she opened up her heart to me. Those times are so precious because I can see the working of the Lord in her heart and her desire to live for Him and to be more like Him. She confessed to me the fear she has of the future at times. This was heartbreaking for me because as her mama, I never want her to feel fearful for anything. However, this is something that I have dealt with myself throughout my life, so I felt that it was something familiar that I could encourage her in. I reminded her that God knows everything and that nothing ever takes Him by surprise. He loves her and she is a child of His. I wish I could say that nothing bad would ever happen, but I can't. However, I could remind her that He will never leave her or forsake her. She was encouraged and went right to sleep. This conversation stayed with me, though. I've been reading a book by Beth Moore called, Living Free. In it she says, "The more you know of God, the less you have to fear." Talk about revolutionary thinking for me! Am I passing my fears onto my children? I pray not. Second Corinthians says, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (vs. 10:5) Thank you Lord for reminding me through my child how much you care for me and want me to live freely in You.

Date Nights!

We had two nights in a row of stimulating (?) adult time with each other this week! Our first date we got to go to The Melting Pot, which is a fondue place. We had a fabulous time! Look at the looks on our faces with that plate of goodies and a pot of ooey-gooey chocolate. Unfortunately, the pot was still to hot at the end to just lick all of the chocolate up. It was a really experience divertido (fun), especially because we've never had fondue before. I have to admit, it was a little embarrassing when we were served raw meat for our entree and we had no idea what to do with it. Thankfully, we had a very gracious server who showed us what to do.

The next night, we got to get all dressed up and go to a fundraiser dinner with Mamasita Rosarita and some of our best friends at the Biltmore hotel in Phoenix. How fun it is to pretend to be high-class society when you know inside you're a homeschool mama who just hours before was in cut-offs, sandals and a baseball cap. Thankfully, no one saw me nodding off during the key speaker! I can always pull the pregnancy card if I need to.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

How fun is this? We missed church last Sunday because someone (I won't mention your name, Hubby) forgot to set the alarm. So, we had a lazy morning. The kids all wanted to take a bubble bath together in our tub. This rarely happens, so it was a treat for them! Much fun was had by all, especially since it was a chilly morning with all the windows open.

Colorado!

Colorado, at last!! We were so blessed with the oppurtunity to visit some very dear friends of ours who recently moved to the Denver area. I've never been to Colorado before and I believe I have found a place my heart could call home, especially in the autumn! How wonderful to be able to let our kids run and run and run to their hearts' content. There were gorgeous trees everywhere changing colors and cool weather to enjoy. What a great time with friends, who are incredible hosts! The time went too quickly (although the drive home didn't!). Be thankful I didn't include pictures of the uh, well, the adventurous trip back. Who knew that the girls have sensitive tummies? Ewww!

Yummmm, Fall!

It's that wonderful time of year again! It's my favorite season and what better way than to make sugar cookies to not only make our house smell good, but to relish in one of our favorite past times in our home? Feeling ambitious the other day, I got the kids together to make our cookies. It started out really well. We used leaf, acorn and pumpkin cookie cutters. Can't tell what's what? No worries, some did get smooshed beyond recognition by little hands. Towards the end, energy flagged and sprinkling went down the tube. Ah, well! What a wonderful time to give thanks for the fun memories.

Soccer Babies

Greetings from a soccer mom! We're almost done with soccer season! This has been our family's first experience and it's been wonderful (especially now that it's cooled off some).

Daddy has been Bubba's coach and it's been so much fun. He's been learning the basics of the game and we can see a huge improvement from the beginning of the season. I can see the love of soccer (heck, any sport) growing daily. He's always been athletic, much to his father's great pride! I can see more soccer (and football, baseball, basketball) in our future. He does like to exaggerate the number of goals he scores at each game. Apparently, three isn't enough. It has to be inflated to four.

Gi-Gi has been having a blast! What a difference from ballet! It's been great watching a different part of her be developed. She's doing a great job on the defense and is constantly being complimented by her coach. She's just eating it up. This is a great way to handle her competetive side. There was a funny/sad little incident where she just launched the soccer ball when it came to her during a game. Unfortunately, it hit an opponent's nose. The game stopped, which was a great time for her to deal with emotions and for us to help her overcome tears.

Even though it's kept us busy, this was definitely something worthwhile. We'll be out there again next fall!