Home for Christmas

Christmas Eve was spent at our house, with my family and friends. We had a wonderful time catching up and being together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year, my hubby lit our advent candle while Shelby read the Christmas story from the Bible. It was a beautiful moment. The night seemed to fly by and it was time to say good bye to everyone. We are so blessed to have such a close and loving family.

Christmas morning started at 7:15 am (early then years past). The kids were excited! Shelby received an iPod and a Hollister jacket; Shannon received my little pet shop house/accessories and High School Musical games, pj's, movie and dolls; Grant received a pitch back, baseball bat, helmet and games. My fantastic husband and I will be receiving our Christmas gift soon. We ordered a new camera. I can hardly wait as this one will actually take action shots without blurring.

With 2008 within a few short hours, I can sum up our 2007...CHANGE! For the people who know me well, I don't like change. However, God has blessed me with the flexibility to adapt to change and through it all He has seen us through it. May God continue to bless us in 2008!

Sprinkles, Sprinkles and More Sprinkles

Saturday was our annual cookie baking day at Grammy's. We have been baking cookies since before any of us girls had children of our own. In years past, we baked all the cookies; however as we added more children their time span was short. We now bake only the sugar and spritz cookies at Grammy's, so we can "sprinkle" them.

I love this time together as family. I enjoy watching the kids grow in their abilities to help out and delight in decorating their cookies. Thanks Mom for letting the kids "sprinkle" until their hearts are content.

Birthday Surprise

Yesterday, my twin sister and I turned 41! Yes, 41! I am not one to get caught up on the age thing. I am proud to be one year older because the alternative is not one I want. I have a lot more living to do! However in the same breath, when I was a teenage I thought 40 was old; however I don't feel old. I still feel young!

Today was filled with loving phone calls wishing me a happy birthday and a lunch with my friends. However the biggest surprise was on me. My dear friend Mirella and planned this event months before with my Mom and Dad. Mirella had prepared a delicious authentic mexican fiesta complete with flan. She arranged to have them surprise me with this dinner. So what I had envisioned of a nice quiet evening at home, turned out to be a celebration with my sister, Shawna, my neice Becca, my nephew Carson, my Mom and Dad and my family. It was such a special gift from my dear friend! Thanks Mirella for a gift from your heart. Thank you to my sister and parents for coming to dinner. Thank you to my kids for the gorgeous homemade cards. Thanks to my wonderful husband for planning this and surprising me! I LOVE YOU ALL!

Beauty of Mother Nature

On Monday evening the freezing rain began coming down. By the 10 o'clock news the kids school was canceled for Tuesday. At midnight we were hearing tree limbs break in the back. We were prepared for our electric to go out. By morning, our electric was still on and we found a beautiful winter wonderland out our back window. Even the cardinals had weathered the storm. God can create such beauty! Thank you!

Time is precious

Yes, time is precious and unfortantely I have had my time filled with many things and have not had the time to blog. However, tonight I told myself it is time to write down some thoughts.

My life is busy and sometime I add more to it than needs to be. During this advent season, I have choosen to enjoy the experience of Jesus' coming. Instead of stressing, I am thanking God for this time in creating and wrapping my gifts. It may hit me soon that I am usually done buying and wrapping by this point; however I am not going to let it get me down. I have a plan trust in God and myself and I will enjoy this hectic season.

This past week brought our first snow. I shoveled our new drive for the first time and got to experience our wooded backyard covered in snow. We also put out our bird feeder and have enjoyed watching the beautiful cardinals and bluebirds enjoy it. We have had as many as a dozen birds enjoying our feed. I so enjoy spending time watching God's wonder!

As the time keeps on "ticking" until Christmas, I am filled with the love season.

Cruising...again!

Yesterday, I finalized the air transportation for our cruise. It's hard to believe that we will be setting sail on another Disney cruise in the fall of 2008! There will be 16 people traveling with us to enjoy magic, fun, rest and relaxation. I can hardly wait!

Now all we have to do is wait...until then smooth sailing!

Celebrating Family

This weekend we celebrated my mother-in-laws birthday by going to lunch and letting the kids play while the adults caught up on each other's lives. Even though we only live an hour and a half from my two brother-in-laws and their families, we have not had the opportunity since last March to be together (because of kids being sick or having other commitments).

It's wonderful to have such a close family that enjoy being together even if it is only a couple of times a year. Life is about being with family!

Happy Birthday Mi Mi!

Where oh where have you been?

Boy, time has flown and I have not had to time blog!

Last Wednesday, I surprised a dear friend of mine with a birthday celebration. She was turning 4o...oops according to her 39 and holding. I told her my car would not start and asked her if she could pick up my kids from school (just a little white lie to get her here). Boy was she surprised! I made her a flip album of pictures from the last 2 years of "play dates" we had with the kids. She loved it and I loved doing it as it brought back wonderful memories of our families together.

Friday brought the opportunity of a life time. I was able to help scrapbook pages for a Marine and his family that received an Extreme Makeover. If you know me well, life stops at my house to watch the Extreme Makeover show (it is the only show on tv that I watch religiously). This was such a rewarding experience to help out someone in need. Thank you to my sister, Sheila, for including me in this wonderful experience!

Friday night I went with my sister, Sheila, to the holiday open house at 2SS. I had so much fun spending time with my sister and making "make and takes". After she got off work, we went to view the Extreme Makeover house (that we helped in making an album). Boy was it EXTREME! I was warmed by all the volunteers that help change this man and his families life and I was so blessed to be a small part of this experience. Thanks sis for an unforgetable evening.

The next morning, we went to Lowe's for our bi-weekly wood working project. The kids love the experience and I enjoy the one-on-one time with them. After returning, the kids and I started our holiday decorating. Yes you read it right, I have set up two of my three trees. At our house putting up Christmas takes a good two days (none of which I have right in a row). So, I plan to finish this coming weekend.

Sunday is family day! We started with a homemade breakfast of sausage and waffles, then headed to church. After church we headed home to bar-b-que brats with my side of the family. While the guys and Mom watched the Chiefs, Sheila and I worked on our stocking swap. This is my first attempt at swaping, so I hope my swap partner enjoys it.

All three kids went to school on Tuesday and I had an opportunity to do a little of Christmas shopping and volunteering in the lunch room. After school, our youngest daughter had an interview with Father for her prepareness on receiving the sacrament of First Reconciliation. I think I might have been more nervous than she was, but I won't tell. Great job sweetheart! Afterwards we went to McTeacher night...no cooking at my house!

Today, I am hosting our prayer group at my house. I can't wait!

So as you can see a stay-at-home mom, doesn't stay at home much!

On Friday night, our oldest daughter's friend Cindy (a foreign exchange student from Korea) came over to spend the night. We had a great time eating pizza, watching movies and learning about her family and her home.

This weekend brought warm weather so we could get the last of our outside fall cleaning done. We trimmed trees, pulled weeds, mowed and blew leaves.


Sunday was spent with Mi Mi. We went to Zona Rosa to go shopping. We always have so much fun! I am so blessed to have her as my mother-in-law.

This weekend, our youngest daughter learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. She amazes me with her ability and determination. It only took her a couple of tries to "get her done". Congratulations my princess!

Today, I will be meeting friends to scrapbook. I look forward to this adventure and am sure not to plan anything else so I can rekindle my love for scrapbooking with my dear friends. As always I will take many projects to complete and hope to get one of them done. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Halloween brought out our fireman, witch and diva cowgirl. This year was special as well had our dear friends (Molly, Cindy, and the Rameriz Family) over for trick-or-treating at our house. The kids had a great time trick-or-treating; however I believe the younger kids had more fun handing out candy. Our trick-or-treaters did not have the opportunity to ring our door bell as our candy distributors, were out the door before they reached our sidewalk yelling "more customers coming". The joy in their eyes were priceless!

Yesterday, I substituted at school. I am truly enjoying this role! I only wished that I had majored in education. I believe I missed my true calling, helping children learn. It is very rewarding teaching children. Maybe one day I will take the "plung" and go back to college to get my masters in education. Until then though, I have found my calling as a guest teacher.

Today, we went to the Peace Pavillion, in Independence. This place is a wonderful experience for kids and adults. They get to play, create and learn how to work out conflict peacefully. It teaches that no matter our color or race, we are all one. If you ever have the opportunity to go, don't miss this experience!

This afternoon, our oldest daughter and I went to set up for our school auction. Yes, this year I didn't have to set up since I didn't have a section. However, somehow my spirits are lifted when I can help our school out, so there I was! Tomorrow is the big event, I can't wait!

Falling Leaves

We are truly blessed to have nature right out side our back window. Today it was "raining" leaves! I so enjoyed watching the leaves fall off the trees. This season we jumped right into fall, not much of an opportunity to enjoy the windows being up. We went from air conditioning to heat. The colors of the season didn't seem so vivid as years past. I so enjoy the burnt red and oranges; however the woods behind our house was vues of yellow with still a few green leaves.

These evening we cooked out on our grill, since the weather was so nice and brisk. It might be our last time this season.

Also,the kids and I carved our pumpkin. Doesn't he look jolly! It brought back memories of my childhood, when my dad would sit us down and carve ours. It was such a delight to see our pumpkin turn into our jack-o-lantern. Thanks Dad for all the wonderful memories! I now know why I let the kids create such a mess and don't mind the clean up...the kids having fun is why!

We pulled out the pumpkin seeds this year and hope to plant them this spring. I would love to have a small pumpkin patch next year in our wonderful backyard. We'll see if I can accomplish this!

Spook-tacular Weekend

Friday night brought our annual Halloween Party with our family and near friends. The kids and adults alike had an opportunity to dress-up and catch-up. The highlight of the evening was watching the kids play together and boy did they play! We are so blessed it have a family that loves to be together.

Saturday morning we headed to Lowe's to make our kids club "spider" craft. Yes my husband does go into home-improvement stores every once and awhile. Then off to a friends birthday party for my daughter and finally to Grams and PaPa to celebrate my nephews birthdays. Once again, fun was had by young and old.

Sunday morning started with a nice leisure start and then off to church and finally to walk through a Catholic High School we are thinking about sending our daughter too. When we walked up to the doors, I wanted to turn around and run. I am not ready for our oldest daughter to leave the security of her school for the past 7 years (or maybe it's mom security). I don't want our kids to grow up, plus I am too young to even think about having a high school daughter. Boy were does the time go! I just want my life to slow down!

To sum up this weekend, FAMILY! Isn't that what life is really about FAMILY! Life is too short not to enjoy the gift that God blessed us with!

"Falling" into Cooler Weather

Well, it is official! I have brought out our warm cozy blankets to be put on our beds. Fall has to be my favorite season. I enjoy the cool crispy days, the leaving turning burnt orange and vibrant red, warm spiced apple cider and pumpkins waiting on the front porch to be carved for Halloween.

Today, Grant's Pre-K class and I went to the pumpkin patch. We dodge mud puddles to find our perfect pie pumpkin. It brings me such joy to be able to be such a part of our kids lives and be able to be with them on their field trips. Thank you, my wonderful husband, for making my dream of being a full-time mom.

Bedtime is near and I can't wait to "fall" into my cozy warm bed!

Creative Time!

This weekend I have had time for me! This time comes few and far between with 3 energetic children.

It is official... I have finally had time to create in my scrapbook room and my creative juices are flowing now! I have been working on a Disney Cruise fllip album and layouts that were received at a SWAP. I am happy to report I have 3 - 12x12 layouts done! Yeah, me!

This coming week, I plan to make time for me in my scrapbook room doing projects that I have piled up.

Thank you sis for encouraging me to find the time for me, even if it is late at night or early in the morning. I may be sleepy, but I am on an emotional "high" because I have created!

My First Post

Well, my sister finally made me do it... she even set up my own blog. Here goes nothing!!!