An Eventful Christmas Story Time

Jo, Mo, and our little friends singing for everyone!

 

My, oh my. What an evening! Earlier this week my hubby and I took our kids and two other neighbor girls to our local library for their Christmas story time in pajamas. Daddy wasn't able to join us last year, so we were super excited that he was coming this time.

Daddy was a big help at craft time!

I was prepared for a jam packed room just like the year before. Nope, not this time. There were only a few others there and plenty of room for us all.

All of our kids sat nicely on the floor and joined in watching a short Donald Duck movie about Christmas. It was funny and my kids were laughing out loud - too cute!

Craft time!

They were handed a cup of coca (only half full, at my request) and two cookies. I knew it was coming and had made them meatballs for dinner, with some cheese and fruit on the side. Even though I thought I fed them well, it didn't sit well in some tummies.

Soon enough, the movie lost my son's attention and he began running in circles around the group of sitting children. I kept telling him to sit and he kept jumping up. Eventually I just grabbed him in a bear hug and sat on the floor with him.... then it happened. He burped, made a funny face and then threw up all of his dinner (and Christmas party snacks) on the floor in front of me. Just like a pro, I put my hand out to help the situation and it was soon overflowing with Jo's gift. Oh. My.

I told all the kids, "Don't look over here. Just scoot away. No honey, look the other way." Knowing the way some kids are, we could have really set off a vomit chain.

Our sweet children's librarian came to the rescue with rags for me to clean up the mess. I wiped off my sons shirt and gave him some water. Did he finally take it easy after that? Not one bit! He ran in circles, laughing all the way.

Sitting still for a bead craft.

To top off the night, all four kids stood on the stage and sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". It was so precious!

Even so, after we finished the crafts and checked out a few books, I was glad to pack everyone up and head home... just in time for bed.

Oh, and my daughter was the only child to spill her entire cup of cocoa on the carpeted floor. Good thing it was only half full to begin with  :o)

After I told my mom this story she said, "Oh my goodness! You just never know what's going to happen when you take kids places." That sure is right. Life (and kids) are full of surprises!

I'm blessed to hold my kids, kiss them good night and pray over them. I try to take advantage of their requests to play Candy Land or swing together, knowing that so many moms and dads will not hold there babies on this earth again, after last week's tragedy.

So many sweet faces. They will be greatly missed on this earth.

They are now safe in Jesus' arms.

No matter the surprises kids bring into our lives, good or bad, they are such great blessings!

 

 

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward."

Psalm 127:3

 

 

I thank God today, and every day, for my children. This life wouldn't be the same without them.

Blessings,

Just Checking In

Happy December!

 

I can't believe that Christmas is 19 days away and 2013 is just around the corner!

Time is flying and we are having fun.

Snuggled with a blanket under our Christmas tree.

The past few weeks we have been preparing our Kids Club float for our local Christmas Parade! It has taken lots of work and dedication to complete but my husband and I are blessed to have some great help - his parents!

Last year's Kids Club Float - what a fun, cold day!

 

 

On top of that, my man has been building a shed in our backyard and we just got a puppy from the pound two weeks ago.

A picture of Buster (our dog) would be much more interesting, I know.

I have yet to take one of him!

These things take time and we only have so much of that each day. I like to prioritize and make lists, etc but sometimes I just need to relax and go with the flow... spend an entire morning playing with my little ones (without cleaning up something on the side), enjoy a family outing to the store (without rushing), and listen to the needs of those people that God brings my way (without having all the answers).

Morning fun, decorating gingerbread houses!

 

 

The finished product - pretty houses and kids full of sugar :o)

I pray that I am learning and maturing as time ticks on, may I not be the same wife or mother at the beginning of 2013 as I was this past year.


My heart's cry is, "God, change me! Mold me into the vessel that you have planned me to be - filled with your Spirit and ready to pour out on others your love and forgiveness without thinking twice about it."

Enjoying a sweet treat after learning the story behind the candy cane.

 

May your month be blessed and may Jesus come alive in your heart this holiday season.


In His GREAT Grace,




PS - I will leave you with these verses that are resonating in my spirit this week...

1 John 4:7-11

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

 

 

Melting Moments - Easy Christmas Cookies

My sweet momma gave me this recipe and I share it when I can. These cookies are so simple to make and turn out delicious, they MELT in your MOUTH (not in your hand :o).

Made with love...

Hope you enjoy making and eating these! Not the healthiest cookie, but hey - it's the holidays!

I've got all my ingredients together to make another couple batches of these sweet treats to give to our neighbors for Christmas. I just need the self control to get them out of the house! They are so good :o)

Melting Moments

(this is doubled - which is rarely even enough for my family to enjoy and to share!)

Ingredients:

2 cups butter (softened)

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup cornstarch

2 2/3 cup flour

red or green sugar crystals (or any color)

 

Directions:

In medium bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add cornstarch and flour, beating until blended.

Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375*.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in colored sugar. (great job for the kids!)

Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden.

Cool 2-3 minutes and remove to cookie rack.

***These freeze very well! Great to make ahead.***

My little girl LOVES to help roll the balls of dough in colored sugar.

It's a fun job for a 2-year-old  :o)



ENJOY and many blessings!

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Decorating for Christmas With What You Have!

Around Thanksgiving I began to daydream of the lovely ways I could decorate my home for the next holiday - Christmas! Of course I imagined the pristine silvers and blues of a perfect living room straight from a magazine. I then began to realize that a perfectly decorated living room wouldn't reflect the homey peace and joy that I want for my family... and it would cost me a lot of money to buy new decorations. So, I decided to look in my craft containers and see what I had.

An invitation above our couch

I found quite a bit that I put to use!

• 12 x 12 scrapbook paper
• tape
• paper cutter
• white card stock
• hot glue gun (my best friend :o)
• letter stamps
• ribbon
• lots of frames not being used

Each time the kids were down for a nap or busy wrestling with Daddy on the floor, I would get out my paper cutter, stack of paper and stamps. Slowly, slowly it all came together!

Hand-stamped "Joy" with rolled fabric flower!

My point of inspiration came when I saw this FREE holiday print out at Inviting Printables. The colors popped from the page and encouraged me to be BOLD this Christmas! So the color scheme I went with was bright blue, green and red (along with black and white).

I love to decorate with real greenery!

Picked up some xmas tree clippings from our local Walmart for free.

I found those same colors in my scrapbook paper collection and had fun putting together framed words and black and white pictures that we took last winter. I moved around the regular decor and added a bit of color to the kitchen and bathroom just to liven the place up.

The only additional items I bought to add to the decorations were four candlesticks (red and blue), a few new glass ornament balls in silver and blue, two poinsettia plants, and some colorful material from the scrap bin at Hobby Lobby.

So colorful!

Little white lights... my favorite

Our advent "house" and red galore!

Now I can say that I'm decorated for Christmas and feel cheery when I walk into my home. Peace and joy are here, because the One who gives us these precious gifts dwells in my home. He is welcome here during the holidays and always!

"Jesus" and my family

I pray that you enjoy this Christmas with your family and friends and most of all with Jesus Christ - the TRUE reason we celebrate Christmas.

And be encouraged to use what you have when decorating for the holidays!

Blessings,



PS - Can't wait to share my favorite Christmas cookie recipe with you later this week!

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