The Shack

I finished reading The Shack today. If you haven't read it yet, READ it! Then, let's talk about it...

Tagged!

OK, I hardly ever do these because usually, I can't figure it out. But, I think I can handle this one. Here is my sixth picture from my sixth file. I agree with Robin, if you are reading this, you are tagged!


This is the Princess, at 4, with my Grandpa. He acts as Santa for several organizations he is involved with. I guess being Santa is a family tradition! Isn't she cute? She has naturally curly hair and at four, that was ALL she had. That wasn't a haircut! The Monkey now has this same 'do only hers is straight as a board, like her Mama. This seems like just yesterday...Monkey was only 1 and Little Man wasn't even a twinkle in his Daddy's eye. My, how things can change in 3 short years!

I can't wait to see your pics!

Did I Never Do This???

Where is my brain? On FaceBook, I guess. I really thought I had done this already! Here are some pics from our Christmas(es). Blogger uploaded them backwards so I tried to describe them.

With DH's family on Christmas Day after our Chinese food lunch. One of my favorite traditions.

Look what Santa brought!

He came! This is the first year that Santa brought something big for all three kids. It didn't fit under the tree well and we couldn't get a good picture either.

Spreading reindeer food...we do this every year before bed on Christmas Eve.

My three watching our aunt's new kittens.

At my aunt's...I didn't realize it was so obvious I was sick! I thought I was looking pretty good until I saw these pictures!

Sneaking a pic in front of church on Christmas Eve. Little Man was with my mom so I could pay attention in church.

The Princess (in red) singing in the Children's Choir at our Christmas Eve Mass.

Nothing New Under Our Sun

I haven't been posting at all because there has been nothing new to post about. We have spent the time since Christmas just enjoying simple time together and trying to get reorganized.

DH and I have decided to take on some simple projects around the house to make it more livable for us. We have really outgrown this place! When we bought our house, 10 years ago, we had no children and loved to entertain and do house projects. Now, we have 3 children and would rather have no maintenance to do and we never entertain anyone over the age of 7! My how things change! We also never thought we would be here more than 5 years. We bought all of our furniture with the thought of moving into a larger house and many things just aren't working for us. We did a pretty extensive search for a new house and fell in love with one completely out of our price range. Now, no other house seems to compare. So, we have decided to stay in our house and ride out this crazy market while saving money to make that dream house more affordable. I will be very busy in '09 reworking our current house while making sure not to invest more than we would get out of it should we sell and making sure to save money toward that dream house. That is a tall order. If we can do it, though it will be so worth it.

We do have a big change coming tomorrow. For the first time ever, I will be putting my kids in Mother's Day Out, and getting some time to myself! I am so excited! I will let you know how it goes!

Better Late Than Never!

I'm supposed to be cleaning and organizing all the new Christmas gifts so what better time to blog?

Here is a look at our Christmas decorations...just in time for me to put them away!

This is the tree in the girls' bathroom. It was in their room last year but we have redone their room and they had space for something bigger so we thought we'd have a little cheer in this very important room too!
This is the "kid tree" in the den. It has homemade ornaments, boy themed ornaments and character ornaments like Winnie the Pooh and Dora.
This is what I did with the Christmas cards this year to keep Little Man from tearing them up. I swagged both sides of the doorway and taped the picture cards to the door frame. I think we all liked it and it might be a new tradition.

This is our Santa key. It lets Santa in our front door because we don't have a fireplace. The girls LOVE this tradition. We hang it from our door wreath last thing before they go to bed Christmas Eve. It hangs in the Christmas tree all season soaking up Christmas Magic, according to the Princess.

This is our main tree in the dining room. It looks a litte different this year because of Little Man. I bought new shatter proof ornaments and didn't use any of my collection of blown glass ornaments. Also, over time the decorations seem to have crept up the tree, right about girl height. Hmmm?
This is our Advent Wreath, complete with crooked candles courtesy of Little Man. We light this on our table every time we eat a meal together during Advent. The girls love to be the one to blow out the candles. One candle is lit during each week of Advent so you can see this was taken right before Christmas as all four are lit.

There are a couple more pics to add but I am getting "The Look" from DH because he is working hard and I am hardly working!

Sidelined

Well, here I sit, in my bed with the door closed, cut off from my family. Somehow, I have pneumonia. The doctor is letting me stay home, instead of in the hospital, as long as I don't get around the kids, for their sake and mine. I said I needed a rest and I guess I got it! As they say, "Be careful what you wish for!" I guess we'll find out what is really important in our Christmas celebrations because I am expected to be out of commission for around three weeks. I am so thankful that I plan ahead. Maybe now I won't be made fun of for being such a planner! Christmas shopping is almost taken care of, Christmas cards are ready and will go out today. DH is going to get a turn at Christmas cookies with the kids this year but since he worked at The Cookie Company during college, I think he can handle it! I'm missing four Christmas parties this week and I am REALLY MISSING my kids! But, I am finding a greater appreciation for my life and family and I betcha' they are finding a greater appreciation for me! There is always a silver lining!

A Christmas Meme

I got this from Nancy at ZimmerZoo. I thought it was fun. Feel free to copy. It is a quick, easy post for these busy days.


1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper if possible. It's more fun to unwrap that way
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial because of allergies but I really miss the smell of a real tree in the house
3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving. I think it is too much work for just a couple of weeks
4. When do you take the tree down? Between New Year's Day and Epiphany depending on our schedule
5. Do you like eggnog? NO!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Anything Barbie
7. Hardest person to buy for? My godfather, he never asks for anything and can buy himself whatever he wants
8. Easiest person(s) to buy for? My oldest daughter, she is very
vocal about her wants!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several, scattered around the house. The kids love to play with them.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Pretty much anything from my paternal grandparents, including bird feeders and bird themed decorations when I am terrified of birds! Whatever!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so, except for above mentioned bird stuff at a White Elephant
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? homemade cranberry sauce
16. Lights on the tree? white for my tree, color for the kids'
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? both, two trees
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? both
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year. Too many have-to's with not enough time for want-to's
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Santa blown glass ornaments
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham with my family, steak with his
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? For my kids to have a blast and make amazing memories