Tuesday, December 31, 2013

December 30


When the big kids are away, the mommies will shop and the babies will play! 

Big accomplishment for the day: I found some jeans that fit {and they were on clearance}!! :)

Also, I haven't been to the mall in--well, forever--but I couldn't help but notice Aztec-printed clothing EVERYWHERE. And also these billowy, oddly-printed pants, not in the pajama section, but ones that you would actually wear out of the house. In public. Could someone more fashionable and hip explain that one to me?

I don't get it.






December 29





Saturday, December 28, 2013

December 28


I finally made it to Hobby Lobby!!! Yay! I could've boughten half the store... As I was shopping I noticed some decorating preferences:

Turquoise
Wrought Iron
Keys
Fleur de lis
Turquoise
Mercury Glass
Knobs
Hooks
Doorknobs
Frames
Turquoise


And as soon as I get another coupon, I'm going back. :)


The End




December 27


Yet another "Saturday." I left the laundry & dishes for the maid. Hope she decides to show up at some point.



December 26


I love the snowy, lazy day after Christmas. I dub it an honorary Saturday, because that's what it feel like. New toys & crafts, Nerf guns, snuggles, Legos, coffee, movies, a warm fire & leftovers. 




Wednesday, December 25, 2013

December 24




December 23: Cookie Day




December 22: Things Are Just Things


Sometimes you just have one of those special weeks. Sometimes your mantle cracks and falls off the wall, taking your mirror, pillar candleholders, and everything else delicate and breakable with it. Sometimes your little boy is so excited to find a hand painted ornament from the Elf that he grabs said ornament and starts running towards the stairs to show you and his siblings. And he accidentally drops it. And it breaks. 

The lesson I've learned this week is that things--stuff, items, possessions--are just that: Things. They are just things. They are replaceable, expendable, and their broken, fragmented pieces can be swept up off the floor and thrown away. They are just things.

Things can be replaced. People cannot.

Things are not more important than people. I'm thankful to say that I communicated this to my son when he showed me the broken ornament. And although the Elf worked really hard on that ornament, at the end of the day, it's just a thing that can be replaced. And it was an accident, and he was broken hearted. He and his little heart are more important. Our reactions can be very indicative of what we value. Have you communicated to your loved ones, especially your kids, that they're more important then your things?

Christmas is about the Giver, not the gifts. The Person of Jesus Christ, who came down to earth as a small, helpless baby to save us all, not things. I can't think of a better reminder this week as Christmas is only a few days away.



Saturday, December 21, 2013

December 20


I picked the kids up from school early today for lunch at Cici's Pizza and then a visit to the mall to see Santa, finally!! They are excited to be done for break, and they had a great time during our afternoon out! :) 

We also stopped at American Greetings to pick out our S'more ornament for the year, which is always fun, I think. When we were checking out, I mentioned to the cashier that we've been coming to pick out a S'more ornament each year for almost ten years! And I even surprised myself with that realization--I can't believe it's been that long! But you can tell by looking at our tree; we have quite the collection! They are my favorite ornaments to unwrap & hang up each year. As we open each one, we talk with the kids about the memories wrapped up in them: our first Christmas together, being pregnant with our first baby, all the babies first Christmas', the first year they went to see Santa {Clayton asked for a guitar & Ruby a baby}...

Ah, the memories. This year it's a Superhero S'more, because they have been all about the superheroes and the costumes this year, and we've had many fun days and memories in those costumes. 

We ended the busy day with the Christmas concert at church, which was awesome! Everyone did so well, even my little drummer boy & girl! :)



December 19




Friday, December 20, 2013

December 18: Mexican White Chocolate Chip Cookies


"Mom? See those little, tiny clouds up there? I think God's up there with those little clouds, & He's telling all the good guys what to do." {Clayton}


And I discovered what my problem is with cookies today while I was elbow-deep in butter with a little helper on my hip. My issue is this: I tend to view recipes as "suggestions" instead of instructions to follow. I look at a recipe to get a vague idea of proportions, and then, thinking I know better, add a little more if this, a little less of that, and some other things I think will make it taste marvelous. 

And usually, with just a little dumb luck, it does taste better. At least I think it does, at any rate. But I suppose I don't really know because I never made the original recipe to have a true comparison. Anyways, there are probably certain types of recipes, cookies for instance, where you are more likely to screw it up if you vear off the beaten path.

But I'm probably both prideful and stubborn, because I did it again today. But today, however, I came up with something marvelously tasty. :) We will call them Mexican White Chocolate Chip Cookies.


Mexican White Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup {2 sticks} butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups white chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cream the butter & sugar in a mixer until light & fluffy. Add the vanilla & the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition & scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Combine the dry ingredients & add them gradually until fully incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Place dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet by the spoonful. Bake for ten minutes. Allow to cool for a minute on the sheet after removing from the oven, then transfer cookies to a cooling rack.

Enjoy!! 




Wednesday, December 18, 2013

December 17: About Me

I got tagged but never participated in the "# things about me" on Facebook, so I figured I'd do it today. I was blessed to have a few hours by myself this afternoon to do some Christmas shopping, so I had some uninterrupted time to listen to my thoughts. :) Here's my day & a few things about me. 



I have the privilege of hanging out with these crazies during the day. Even though our income seems to be inversely related to the number of children we have, The Lord provides and has allowed me to be home. The kids drive me nuts sometimes, but they even it out by being pretty cute. I can't believe I have two kids in school already. I know that I'll blink and five years will have passed and they'll all be gone during the day. 

And even in that statement I'm making some assumptions. I'm assuming that they'll all still be here in five years. I'm assuming that I'll still be here. We don't know what tomorrow will hold, & I pray that this next year I'll assume less & be present, and grateful, more.



This is the first "real" haircut I've had in years, literally. I normally chop it off myself over the bathroom trash can. If you didn't know that, I'm glad, because it's probably not good if I look like I cut my own hair. I'm liking it! :)



I didn't have any kids for a few hours this afternoon. Weird. I haven't been out of the house during the day without the baby, I think, ever. Today was a first! Even if the other kids are away with the grandparents, I still usually have her. 



I really like Chip Ingram. I often listen to his podcasts while I'm driving during the day. He's a great speaker, author, and teacher who continually challenges me to be a better person & Christian. 



This one goes without explanation. But incase you're wondering, I accept $25 & $50 gift cards. ;)



I got to go in the Women's bathroom today. BY MYSELF. This, my friends, is a big deal. You see, I normally go to the family bathroom with my entourage in tow {i.e., Toby & Eva}. I didn't have to worry about anyone flushing the toilet while I was still on it or prematurely opening the door while I sit helplessly on the toilet five feet away, pleading with them to SHUT IT RIGHT NOW FOR THE LOVE and really wishing I had go-go-Gadget-arms. 

For all of you that can potty by yourselves on a regular basis, don't take that small blessing for granted. 



2 of the 4 articles of clothing I wore today were maternity clothes, but I'm not pregnant. Is that wrong? They were on clearance, & I can't pass up a good deal. I may or may not have dressed to match my boots. Also, everything I'm wearing is from Target. And I took this picture at Target. Ironic.

On a related note, I have been living in these leggings lately because, a) they are comfortable yet stylish, and b) most of my other pants are too big. Like all other women, I have struggled with self-image issues my entire life. I was never thin enough, pretty enough, or smart enough as far as I was concerned. But you know what? I've decided to start appreciating myself and my body for what it is NOW, today, instead of what it could be or should be at some point. 



Not that I need another winter coat, but I love this one at Target. I keep checking for it to go on clearance, but so far no luck. Then I saw Despicable Me 2, and I want it even more because Lucy wears one just like it! I feel like she's similar to me in some ways. Up until high school I wanted to be an FBI agent--that's like the Anti-Villain League, right? And, of course, she has red hair. And we seem to have the same taste in outerwear.

So does that make Ben Gru? Yes. Yes it does. He is so Gru. Lol.



Up until today I hadn't even started my Christmas shopping. A few hours with no kids, and I'm done!!



Their afternoon without me went very well, obviously. Worn. Out.



My time during the day at home can be divided into three categories: cooking/cleaning, entertaining Toby, and picking up after Eva. She's like a living, breathing "undo" button. I fold the clothes, she puts them back in the hamper. I put away the tupperware, she gets it back out. Tonight she even went so far as to put it back in the dishwasher. Oy... Fourth category: coffee. Lots of it.



I love this stovetop popcorn, and I promise you will, too!! It's the best popcorn in the whole world, and it's so easy to make! Melt 2 tablespoons butter & 3 tablespoons coconut oil in a heavy bottomed stock pot over medium-high heat with 1/3 cup popcorn kernels. Cover the pot and swish the kernels around every 10 seconds or so to prevent burning until the popcorn begins to pop. Don't move the pot once the popping begins. The kernels will pop furiously for a bit and then start to slow between pops. Turn the burner off as soon as the popping slows and let the pot sit there another minute or two until popping stops. Salt to taste and enjoy your buttery, wonderful popcorn!!


What's something I may not know about you? Do share! I enjoyed reading all the lists on Facebook! :)




Saturday, December 14, 2013

December 14: Clayton's 7th Birthday Party


He was so excited about today and had been counting down the days all week. He had a great time & was blessed with some amazing gifts!! Art stuff, science stuff, and spy stuff. All right up his alley. Just add some Garfield stuff and you're peering through a window into my childhood. :) Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us!!! I still cannot believe I have a seven year old... Sheesh.




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