So many good things going on…
Matt has been working tons and is off for the next six days!
Got a good report on Izzy at the orthotist today! woohoo!
Me & Melody are having a girl’s night out later tonight! Fun things planned… can’t wait!
Got a beautiful new comforter set! (thanks mom 
Hope the last day of 2008 is just as good for you!!!
Christmas week almost seems like a blur. I wanted to take pictures of several cool things. I wanted to write a really good recap not necessarily to share, but to have. It’s great writing on the blog because you can go back and remember things you otherwise would never have remembered… Life seems to be continuing at a rapid pace so I haven’t done any of the above. Yet.
I started a new bible study this week. “Jesus. 90 days with the one and only.” After deciding that time in the word has to be a priority I looked up and saw this devo book by Beth Moore and knew that it was what I needed to get started. I read a little more than the assigned text… and again found it so interesting that God removed the ability for Zechariah to speak after being told by the angel that Elizabeth in her advanced age would bear a child. It confirms once again to me how important our words are and by stopping Zechariah from speaking God was keeping him from speaking those doubts and disbeliefs. It is so important to speak words of faith. You will have what you say.
We had four Christmas events. The first was in our home with just our family. The kids opened their gifts and we had a traditional ham dinner. It was a nice relaxing time and I really enjoyed it. We had Christmas Eve with Matt’s paternal family. Matt and Isabelle were not feeling well so they stayed home. The girls all got UGG boots and Bailey mostly got CA$H… he didn’t mind since his plans were to buy all the parts to build a “supercomputer!” We had a fun time there too! Thursday Matt’s mom and John… his Aunt Jane Ellen and Ron were all coming for the day. Matt got a call early that there was a problem in Altus (about three hours away from home) so he had to head off to work on Christmas day! He was gone until the party was just about over, but made it in time to unwrap his gifts. I mentioned that my SIL’s father died Christmas Eve. We went to their home Christmas night. Although there was a strong saddness in the air, we still enjoyed being together as a family, enjoying a delicious meal and opening presents chosen with love. Mike always cooks the best food! We really are blessed with a great family!
Yesterday was Tory’s funeral. It was a sad day from beginning to end pretty much. A little girl on the near drowning group died yesterday morning too. She was doing well after almost two years since her accident, and then just went downhill rapidly. Her body began shutting down and after 10 days finally gave up the fight of life. I have to smile, imagining her able to run and play again…. to sit in the arms of Jesus. These kids have so many battles and they are so inspirational.
We did get some good news yesterday. Izzy’s Kid Walk is finally ready! They are delivering it next week to her school so Camilla can see how adjustments are made. I am so excited to get her in it! We’ve been working so hard to get her feet and ankles ready! I am praying she is motivated to MOVE! She has tolerated the AFOs so well and I think it’s because we tell her constantly she is wearing them to prepare her feet for the kid walk.
Dad with his clock … his last one broke and he’s been searching for a replacement. I was fortunate to locate one at audubon.com.
This is the stained glass dad made for me for Christmas. I heart it. A lot!
Here are izzy’s cute ugg’s!
Julie made this for me. She texted me a while back asking my favorite verse. I gave her a couple and she made this. I think it is so pretty!
Got this dress and sweater set for Izzy at Gap Kids. Love it.
On the right is Emelia’s new dressing table.
I’d been wanting some of these cone trees and found them a few weeks ago for 75% off.
I’ll be sad to pack away the tree and ornaments tomorrow. I really enjoy looking at it!
I had a great Christmas and hope to have enough time soon to post pics and highlights of the week!
For now I’m trying to get organized and that means a menu…
I cooked a turkey breast today for lunch so I plan to make turkey tettrazini tomorrow with leftovers.
I cooked a ham last week for our family christmas and froze the leftovers so I plan to make a crock pot of beans and ham tuesday. I’ll make some cornbread too!
I found a new recipe in a cookbook I pulled off the shelf to puruse. I will post the recipe asap. It’s a pasta meat dish kinda like spaghetti I think. I’ll make garlic toast and salad.
Matt requested the poppy seed chicken again. This time I’m adding carrots and peas. For good measure.
That should get us through the week. Now to write a post about bathroom vanities…
What’s on your menu?
Visit orgjunkie.com to see others and/or share yours.
What is one thing you will commit to do in 2009 that will draw you closer to Jesus? (This is not a New Year’s Resolution)
Visit Internet Cafe Devotions to join in on cafe’ chat!
I am committing to do a couple of things in 2009 to draw closer to Jesus. The first is to put reading my bible much higher on my priority list. Like at the first spot. I am sad to say it has fallen down the list over the last year and that is not a good thing!
I would also like to commit to trusting Him in all things. Everyday.
I always look forward to the beginning of a new year, and the new possiblilities that the new year holds.
My brother’s wife Terri lost her dad yesterday morning. He did not wake up to see Christmas Eve 2008, and although he had lived a long, full life he will be so missed by Terri and Mike, Sarai and Katie (their daughters who loved him so much) and his wife of 50 years Betty… not to mention many other family members. He was a good man and was loved by many people.
It’s quiet this Christmas morning, Matt was called out to work early. He is driving to a site about three hours away… so he may miss the Christmas festivities with his family who are due to arrive in a couple of hours. We had Christmas with his paternal family members last night. It was a really nice evening. Izzy got some really cute UGGs. I wasn’t sure they would stay on her little feet, but I think they actually will!
I’m going to take a shower and then start making goodies for the day… artichoke dip and corn casserole. I have the spinach dip already made and chex mix… there are lots of good holiday snacks ready to be eaten! Best of all… mom has a batch of cinnamon rolls baking I’m picking up in about 30 minutes. Her cinnamon rolls are legendary. Seriously.
I can’t remember a Christmas that it was so quiet and I was so aware of the fact that it is Christmas. What does that mean? Well, I know that this isn’t technically the birthday of Christ, but it is the day that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. I’m just so thankful that He was sent to the earth and later gave His own life for mine and yours. What a wonderful gift. It’s far out shines any wrapped present under the tree. I hope that you are able to take a moment today and realize what a gift you were given so many years ago on approximately this day.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas… and I’m so excited to see what 2009 will bring! So many hopes for 2009.
I opened this over at Susan’s and now I am obligated…as are you! (When Susan says I am obligated, I take it seriously )…
50 random things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50 things about your friends and let them learn 50 things about you!
1.Do you like cheese? All kinds! Yum!
2.Have you ever smoked? Nope.
3. Do you own a gun? Yes. Several. (well, matt does…)
4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? Yes I heart Christmas music!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Nah!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I’m a weiner snob, only kosher beef ones.
7. Favorite Christmas song for all time? “where are you Christmas?” from the Grinch.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? coke & sonic ice.
9. Can you do push ups? sure!
10. Who is your favorite Grey’s Anatomy Character? Don’t watch it.
11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? wedding ring.
12. Favorite hobby? blogging.
13. Do you eat “exotic” foods? not really.
14. Do you have A.D.D.? No
15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? I can be impulsive… that’s annoying.
16. Middle Name? Ann
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? “I need to close this and finish after picking Izzy up from school.” “I need to run by store and get lightbulbs.” “Write sexy lingerie post.”
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Bath & body stuff at Victoria’s secret, frame at pottery barn, and Paula Deen cookie for santa plate and cocoa pot from Dillards.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? coke, coke & coke.
20. Current worry right now? No worries.
21. Current hate? fruit. ick.
22. Favorite place to be? On the go.
23. How will you bring in the New Year? Probably sleeping.
24. Where would you like to go? Back to Disneyworld.
25. Name three people who will complete this? I have NO idea!!
26. Do you own flip flops? tons.
27. What shirt are you wearing? thermal with ivory sweater over it. It’s cold.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? no.
29. Can you whistle? sorta.
30. Favorite color? white and variations of white.
31. Would you be a pirate? Never
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower
33. Favorite girl’s name? Amanda Emelia & Isabelle
34. Favorite boy’s name? John Bailey
35. What’s in your pocket right now? nothing
36. Last thing that made you laugh? Watching Little People Big World… they were laying out all this fake snow and it got messy if wet and they showed their dog with it all stuck on it’s feet. It was funny to me….
37. Bed sheets as a child? White lace trimmed.
38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? a dogbite
39. Do you love where you live? YES!!!!
40. How many TV’s do you have in your house? six .
41. Who is your loudest friend? miki!!
42. How many dogs do you have? 3 lady, rosa and princess… our new dog daughter!
43. Does someone have a crush on you? yes. Matt.
44. Do you get embarrassed easily? No
45. What is your favorite book? Next to various translations of the Bible, Redeeming love by Francine Rivers.
46. What is your favorite candy? Almond Roca or Skor…
47. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? Most of them from years and years ago.
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Solace. Sarah McLaughlan
49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Sleeping
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? No clear thoughts, just a desire to go back to sleep!
So… I made a brisket this weekend. I marinated all night Friday night and then cooked it on a low temp all day Saturday. We ate it with bbq sauce for dinner. It was delicious! I chopped it up after dinner and put several potatoes in the crock pot to cook all night, then before leaving for church put a layer of foil over the potatoes and then sat the container of beef on top covered all to warm during church. We had bbq sandwiches and potatoes ready when we walked in for lunch. It was great and so easy!
Emelia sang her solo at church and honestly could not have done a better job! She sang beautifully and articulated her words so well. It was a heartfelt song and so sweet. I was so proud of her.
We had our dirty santa party at church in the evening. I was with my friend Miki when we both purchased our dirty santa gifts. I loved what she chose and what I chose. By the time my number was up the beautiful snowman blanket was gone and couldn’t be taken, and so I took my present from Ruth because I could tell it wasn’t her “style.” Someone took it from me and I ended up with a six pack of votives from partylite and a little heart votive holder. It was all in good fun and I enjoyed it. The best part was finding out who had my name all year long. I had no idea and was so pleased to see that it was Sheila. She really gave me some cool things, like this believe wall cling thingie.
The believe sign above it was a gift from Miki. That came with a package of peanut butter fudgie wudgie which is my absolute new favorite!!!! I wish I had some right now!!!!
Look what came in the mail from my sweet bloggy friends Nancy and her daughter Lauren!
Isn’t it a sweet ornament? Thanks Nancy & Lauren!!!
Izzy brought home lots of goodies, this was her ornament from kindergarten…
Now, I just have a few more packages to wrap!
Merry Christmas eve… eve…eve…
So I ask you now, why do you think so many people are stressed out during this time of year? What advice would you give them (or yourself) to help de-stress?
I think a lot of people (mostly women) get stressed over the holidays because we want to create this perfect Christmas… We want to buy gifts that make everyone’s life better, we want to make treats that rival Martha Stewart and we want our homes to shine with Christmas cheer.
I had a thought today regarding the “recession.” I drove by Penn Square Mall, planning to stop until I saw cars parked on the grass. This is a really big mall with tons of parking. I decided that if they were resorting to grass parking I wanted no part of that. I stopped by Old Navy to take something back and saw people cramming in and out of all the shops in the strip mall carrying huge bags out. So much buying going in in a “recession.” I’m just saying… Nothing has really changed for me or for most people I know personally. The only change has been a hit on our 401Ks which hopefully will recover with time. Actually with the gas prices finally going down we can all breath a little easier. I know that there are areas that are not so fortunate, but this is the view from my perch.
I think the bottom line is trying to live a life that just doesn’t fit, trying to always be a little better. In a way I think it’s good to have high goals, but when we add to that rushing around and life in general it is all just too much. Something has to give. I decided this year to take a more relaxed approach to the holidays. Nothing super specific, a little less money spent etc. I haven’t been too “stressed” this year.
So, I think my advice would be to just do what you can do and then be happy with what you have and what you get done. Period. It’s enough. And to focus on the birth of Christ and the real gift that we’ve all been given. Being thankful and remembering our blessings daily.
What about you… any tips for de-stressing? Share them on the comments or visit cafe chat to join in.
Today was the last day of school before Christmas break. Izzy had her Christmas party in kindergarten class. Have I mentioned that she has the best group of people in the world working with her? She does. She ate lots of health food at the party… icing and cookies! Had a book gift exchange… and then her teacher Melanie and para Michelle let her open the gifts from them. Such cuteness! A duck that dances and quacks the tune of a Christmas song, a little puppy that moves in a purse and a light up singing card from Melanie… and two adorable bright colored animals from Michelle! She came home with antlors and a red nose…
Izzy wore her Christmas outfit today complete with green shoes…
…. and Christmas tree barrettes.
I spent the afternoon shopping for glass with my daddy. He’s making me a stained glass window. I chose the pattern and now he has lots to keep him busy for the next week! I can’t wait to see the finished product.
Tomorrow I’m going to the mall with mom. Girl’s day out. I only have one or two little things to pick up for next week… and need to help Santa get stocking stuffers gathered up.
Sunday Emelia is singing a solo at church. I hope to record it.
Monday I am heading to Edmond to have lunch with Melody and run to TJMaxx…
So many things going on! So much to do! Love it, don’t you?
OH! One last pic of Iz… the new doggie “princess” has been keeping her company and it’s so sweet.
