Christmas Pics - Part 2

Have A Happy New Year!!!

Breakfast is served

Warm muffins has to be one of the best ways to start your morning. This is a great recipe for banana muffins. We like ours warm with lots of cream cheese!





This recipe was adapted from a banana bread recipe a friend gave me and makes 12 regular size muffins plus 2 mini loaves.

Banana Muffins

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
4 small to medium mashed bananas (very ripe)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven at 350F.
Grease muffin and loaf pans (flour loaf pans).
Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in medium size bowl.
In a large mixing bowl, mix sugar, oil, milk, bananas, eggs, and vanilla with electric mixer until smooth. Add nuts. Add dry ingredients and mix. Pour into pans. Bake muffins about 16 minutes and loaf pans about 30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Christmas Pictures - Part 1

What a wonderful Christmas we had. On Christmas Eve we attended a candlelight service at our church. After we came home we had some cookies and milk then daddy read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the kids.



Santa wanted Oreos this year! Jack added the sticker.


"Jacky, these are for Santa, don't eat them okay?"


"Hey Belle, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I just put this one over here... see, I not eatin them."

The stockings were hung....

One last picture before bedtime.

We're Back

We just got back from spending time with Daddy's family.... It was a great trip... more presents, good food, lots of fun splashing around in a water park, a little shopping (finally found a coat for Jack-no more orphan boy), and more pictures..... will have to post the pics later - way too tired now.

And this is what I will be working on tomorrow

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14 KJV

Jack & Santa Flashback

"Momma, can you help please?....Get him he's crying!"
(me laughing and clicking the camera, and laughing and clicking the camera some more)....The look of panic in Santa's eyes was hysterical.


I'm not sure I want you to be holding me....


I think you are due for a trim Santa.


Jack as Santa!?


"I want a big robot with a remote control.... oh, and some candy too"

"I want a bike, a robot, a race car..... oh, and some candy"

To All my blogger friends...

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

....I'm off to wrap presents....I don't know what's more fun, looking at old pictures of my kids or wrapping the presents my kids will get for Christmas this year.............. looking at pictures of my kids, of course!

Fa La La La La

This just makes me laugh...


Jack singing in the Christmas concert as a reindeer

Cookies

We made peanut butter cookies (daddy's favorite), and gingerbread boy cookies,..while listening to "Silver Bells".... everybody had a lot of fun since we let the kids help as much as they wanted....there were spills and accidents but it's the memories we're making for them that matters.... they won't remember the extra cleanup for mommy....they will remember doing fun things together as a family!

Smells Like Christmas

QUICK TIP

Have any old spices in your cupboard? Don't throw them away. Here's what I do that gets my house smelling like Christmas using baking spices....

In medium saucepan, add 3/4 teaspoon each: nutmeg, clove, ginger and cinnamon. Add water and stir. Simmer on stove. It doesn't take long before you're enjoying the sweet aroma.
*Don't forget your pot.... Set a timer as a reminder to turn it off!!!*

Ho Ho Ho

One was waaaaaay excited... the other was really interested in getting a candy cane...and tolerated the whole experience... ahhh, the power of candy!

Santa's Secret Workshop

I can still remember doing this when I was a kid.... getting to pick out presents for my family at what seemed to be a little corner of Santa's workshop right in my own school...



Home from school. Lot's of excitement about going to Santa's workshop.



"Here Belle, this is what I got for you" ...."Jack don't give that to her now...."
"Oooooooo, thanks Jacky"........ too late



..."And look what I got for me!"
Jack, I love you so much! I loved how excited you were when you showed me all the things you got for everyone.... I loved how you couldn't wait to give Belle her gift. And I really loved that innocent look of pure joy at the gift you got for yourself. That's my boy!!!



"This is how it works Belle."

Wedding song

I am distraught as I cannot find our wedding tape! But I did find an original draft of the song sung at our wedding, that survived the "flood"....written by yours truly. It meant a lot to me to have original poems and songs recited at our wedding....It just made it so much more special.....I wish I could find the tape because I don't have a written copy of the poem I wrote for daddy!!!

From the time we spent together
Seeing love how it did grow
Trusting God to show each other
This path we did not know

As we plan our lives together
Reaching for our highest goals
May God bless us our endeavors
May He lead us ere we go

Now this day is here to treasure
As the day I told you so
I would stand with you forever
And would never let you go

Chorus
For this is our time that we have to share forever
And these are the days that will fill our hearts with laughter
So let us pray God sees us through
From today, I say I do
Til the moment one of us passes through the doors of heaven
I love you

Bliss

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DADDY

How many days

Today as I rocked my baby girl to sleep I wondered how many days I have left to rock her in my arms before she's too big. I wondered how many weeks left that I can still pick her up and put her on my shoulder as I carry her to bed. I wondered how many months left that she will raise up her little arms and call "mommy, pick me up." I wondered how many years left we have together before I send her off to school.

It's so ironic to hear all those voices who told me, "enjoy every minute of your children because it goes by so fast" .... to now join those voices as I give the same advice to all my sweet cousins who have embraced this gift of motherhood. Because now I know how true it is, how fast they grow up.......now that one of my babies is in kindergarten.

The answer to my question came quickly as I tried to lift up my baby girl from the rocking chair...
......Not much longer.


Lord, let me embrace every day I have with my children, and not despise even the most difficult ones, so that I can "enjoy every minute of my children."

Sick Belle and Mommy Blob

After getting back from her doctors appointment this afternoon (no ear infection-thank God), Belle was ready for her nap..... or so I hoped. However, the noise on the monitor confirmed that she was not..........RRRRIP was the oh so familiar sound I heard.... the sound of the diaper coming off. Since sleep deprivation has gotten the best of me - I have been reduced to a mommy blob - I wasn't my usual run-up-the-stairs-immediately-to-investigate-the-situation self. Eventually, me and my tired behind dragged one foot in front of the other to climb those 13 stairs. Yes, there are thirteen of them. And I know this from our son's colicky days... daddy dear would do the count every step while walking up and down trick, in a desperate attempt to stop the inconsolable crying... ahhhhhhh... let me reminisce just a moment... because soon I'll be laughing... because what I also remember is the huffing and puffing that went along with the counting.... by the third lap, steps twelve and thirteen were unusually breathy.....ha ha ha.... Oh the joys of a colicky baby.... I thought I would never survive.. but we did... I guess I am digressing.... it's the sleep deprivation thing again.

Little Missy (Jack's nickname for Belle, whenever she's doing something he doesn't think she should be) was wearing Jack's Lightening McQueen "unnerwares". It was quite amusing....and she is sick after all, and with that adorable little face of hers, how could I be upset?

She just needs a lot of TLC from her mommy blob...and that's exactly what she gets!!!!

Where I go

......Whenever I'm a little blue, I turn to the only source that can truly bring encouragement to my spirit.... I haven't yet met anybody that hasn't experienced both good and bad days... So if you are having a gloomy day here's a verse for you to profess:

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 42:11 (KJV)

Another version says:

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! (NLT)

When I put my hope in God, my perspective comes back into focus - and when I praise Him, I feel like the weight of the world lifts off of my shoulders. It's easy in the world we live in today to get discouraged and be sad, and it's easy to forget wherein lies our hope, but if we can just remember to put our hope in Him things will start to look a little brighter.

Did you ElfYourself yet?

Have you done this? It's so much fun!

Ok, this may be the only time you will see all of us doing a little jig, together, wearing green, with striped tights....... but because it is soooooo hysterical, I have to share it with you..... by the way, the kids LOVED watching this....lots of laughs, and replays.

To view just click on the link below:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/kvljL8iEoicbkVF4fZak

Good girl Belle!

Since this is my diary, sorta, I must write about this.....It's the exciting news of the day:

BELLE WENT ON THE POTTY!!!!

It's the first time ever! And she got a big piece of chocolate for it......and of course, lots and lots of hugs and praise!

Cancelled

School has been cancelled....... And for some unknown reason, I am surrounded by
2 whiny cats!



Whiny Cat #1

Whiny Cat #2

Delayed

School has been delayed today.....

Any guesses why?

One Special Night

Once upon a time, long, long ago there lived a family – A mother, father, and three children. They were a loving family - hard working, honest; a God fearing family. Unfortunately, this family had fallen on hard times. The father had been without a job for some time and there just weren’t many opportunities in the little town where they lived.

Christmas was just around the corner, and although it was never spoken of, it was on the hearts and minds of this family that this Christmas wouldn’t be the same. The thought of having no presents was sad, but even sadder was the decision to not buy a Christmas tree. For as long as the children could remember they always had one. A Christmas tree in their house brought joy, and life. It was a symbol that boldly declared that the Christmas season had arrived…A season full of celebrating with family, and friends – A season celebrating the birth of a Savior.

The family had been out one cold winter’s day – one very special wintry day. And upon returning home their hearts were filled with joy as their eyes met the most fabulous looking Christmas tree propped up on their porch. Who could have done such a wonderful thing? Wonderment and awe filled their hearts as they whisked the tree into the house. It didn’t take long before the tree was all decorated… fully trimmed with ornaments, laughter, and lots of thanksgiving.

The family went to bed that night, except for one very grateful child who was overwhelmed with the feelings that such acts of kindness brings. The child marveled at the beauty of the tree into the wee hours of the night. All was quiet, all was peaceful. Reflecting on the wonderful events that had happened that day the child’s eyes filled with tears as she began to pray…A prayer that thanked God for His kindness and for providing even the little things in life, for she knew the tree surely was a luxury, and the family could have gone without, but somehow God provided.

At the end of the child’s prayer the most wonderful thing happened. One beautiful, round, glass ornament dropped down from where it was hanging and landed on the branch just below it. The tree had been untouched for hours, and it happened at the exact moment the child said “Thank you God.” It was like a marvelous sign from God, as if to say, you’re welcome.

This special night was a night that would be remembered forever.

Back to school

Jack is finally back to school. And you'll never guess how Bella is doing after drinking out of sick boys cup the other day. Last night was a fun night filled with fever, puking, washing pukey bed sheets (king size that is), and restless sleeping. And this morning was spent cleaning up (for the third morning in a row) little accidents on the sofa, but other than that, it's been pretty uneventful around here.

I have another post to publish later, but I must admit that I'm plumb tuckered out to do anymore editing. I think I smell a dirty diaper....

Coming soon..

From time to time I am going to publish some "themed" posts. Tomorrow's theme is going to be "Memories from my childhood" I have a great story to share with you. It's a true story, obviously. Anyway, thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!

This is how many

ORANGES we ate (plus a few more)! Gotta get that vitamin C.

A jammies kind of day

This is usually what the sky looks like during the winter months in my corner of the world. Did you know that the sky can give cues as to how you should dress? Yes, and today the sky told me to wear my jammies all day long….Life is good. Cold, but good.... okay, now the sun is coming out... let me see what the sky says I should wear now......Oh good, it said Jammies!

Sick day

My poor little Jack. He has the croup again... along with some nasty bug that made him puke tonight. Daddy wrapped him up nice and warm in a blanket, put on his hat, and took him outside for a few minutes. The Dr. said that seems to help open up airways, so out they went. I was keeping a watchful eye on them when I heard the sounds of a curious sister getting out of bed. She had to make sure Jacky was ok. It was very sweet.

Well, the puke is all cleaned up, Jack is sleeping peacefully under the "tent" with a vaporizer, and Belle is finally asleep. I'm just so thankful to know that God is with me and my family, always, and especially on nights like tonight.

Wonderful weekend

It was the best day I had in a long time. Memo watched Bella for us and Daddy, Jack and I all went on a little trip to do some shopping. I got Belle a nice winter coat-for casual outings, that she has needed for a while, although I must admit, I did enjoy putting on her dressy wool coat just to run over to the school to get Jack.....It's so much fun dressing up a little girl. Unfortunately, we had no luck finding a coat for Jack - he's still wearing the one from last year. Poor kid, his old one is slightly short in the sleeves.... sorry Jack .... I am looking hard. And you will never know that you looked like an orphan kid the day we went shopping....since daddy got you dressed that day and (unknowingly) put sweats on you that were too short, and your dear mother hasn't found a new coat for you.....of all the days to run into your teacher! Oh well, at least daddy and I had a good laugh afterwards.

After we all did some shopping together Daddy and Jack went to the movies and I was able to shop with absolutely no, zero, none, pressure.... Ahhhhhhhh, it was great. In fact, I almost didn't notice ramming my head into a clothes rack that's how great it was. It only bled a little and my favorite part was the gawkers in the ladies room that watched while I cleaned my boo-boo. I did feel it necessary to make a phone call to daddy, yes, while he was at the movies:

"Daddy?" "Hi momma, what's up?" "I hit my head, and it's bleeding, and it hurt really, really bad, and I feel dizzy and my head hurts, and I want to cry." "Do you need me to come there?" "No." "Momma, you are more important than this movie, if you're not ok I will come right over." "No, I'll be alright." "Well if you need me call me, ok?" "Ok, daddy."

And that's all I needed to feel better, that and showing my boo-boo to my mother, father, sister, the kids and anybody else who I could show it to and get some sympathy from. I can't help it - I need that sympathy you know..... I'm just not good with this sort of thing..... things like gouges in my head!

Daddy, I LOVE YOU, and thank you for being so sweet and patient on this shopping trip! I really had a wonderful time and it's all because of you!!!!!!!!!

Living room Christmas tree

I set the village up (that I bought this weekend) the night before this picture was taken to surprise the kids. They were so excited when they saw it. This age is great, everything is special to them.

Who's Your Daddy?...and Mommy?

a conversation between me and Jack.......

Jack: mommy, do you know who my parents are?
Me: I think so.
Jack: Who?
Me: Me.
Jack: No.
Me: Oh......ummmmm, daddy?
Jack: No.
Me: hmmm, I'm stumped Jack.
Jack: well, God is my father, and Jesus is my mother.


Life is good when you have kids around! Have a wonderful weekend!......I'm going to start, yep, start, my Christmas shopping. What will you be doing? Have fun whatever it is!

Mr. Smarty Pants

There must be a spot somewhere on my forehead that reads: "please tease me" - that's only visible to my husband. I may be having one of the worst days of my life and out of his mouth comes...."I could tease you right now, but probably shouldn't"....and then he does it anyway!
So, on a regular basis I can expect to get my daily dose of teasing and, actually, it is very funny. I always laugh about it because it's that funny and I can't help myself - although I wish I could hold in my laughter, and put on my stern face, to show that I don't approve of this constant teasing. But it's too funny.... Like today at lunch, I was talking to him about blogging, because he loves, LOVES to hear me talk about blog stuff, and I was telling him that before I started my blog I was looking for ones that I could relate to, that had lots of pictures, had interesting posts and posts that reflect reality, but still funny and upbeat... (I did find some by the way....like Becksthree) and when I started my blog one of my goals was to meet the criteria for the type of blog I was looking for.... anyway, he said to me (in his voice-but pretending to be me).... "I was looking for a Blog that had pictures of my children in it and funny stories about my life, but I just couldn't find one out there, so I started my own."

Okay, it was funnier in person... but trust me, he can be a smarty pants sometimes.

Bella's Morning Routine

Every morning this is what Bella does

She loves, LOVES, hats...

...and shoes (Look at the shelves daddy built for me for our shoes! It pays being married to a carpenters son)

The outfit wouldn't be complete without mismatched mittens

....now she whips me up the best carrot omelet you've ever had

Isn't she loverly

All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air.With one enormous chair; Oh wouldn't it be loverly?Lots of choc'late for me to eat; Lots of coal makin' lots of heat.Warm face, warm 'ands, warm feet, Oh wouldn't it be loverly?Oh, so loverly sittin' abso-bloomin'-lutely still! I would never budge 'til Spring crept over my window sill.Someone's head restin' on my knee; Warm and tender as he can be,Who takes good care of me; Oh wouldn't it be loverly?Loverly, loverly, loverly, loverly.

from the movie "My Fair Lady"

with my fav actress Audrey Hepburn

Now, hopefully I won't be alone in having this jingle floating around my head all day.....all day, in my head, this jingle... all I want is a room somewhere, hmm hmm-hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm....

This is the "she" I am referring to in the post title... I came across this blog last night (when I couldn't fall asleep) and I can't wait to read more posts....At age 108 she was once the worlds oldest blogger..... I love it!!! Join me in reading all about her blog....click here

Milk drought

You’d think it was a national crisis by their reaction…. Panic and pandemonium, people distraught with faces that appeared to be in a daze, not certain of their future…. All stemming from the revelation that our household has run out of milk, (or “meelk” to Bella). What am I going to have with my cereal tomorrow? How will I have my milk and cookies tonight?…..Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

Thank goodness for the milkman that still delivers milk in the morning! What? That’s not available in your neighborhood? So sorry to hear that. I can recommend the company that I use… They have great service…. Always delivering with a smile and prompt too…. The guy that drops ours off goes by the name of “Daddy”…. Kinda strange name for a milkman, but nonetheless, I’m grateful we have milk! And did I mention that he never takes a day off? He even delivers on special occasions like his birthday. Thank you milkman!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!

Sunshine on A Cloudy Day

When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May,

I guess you'll say

What can make me feel this way?

My Girl!

Bella, you are the SUNSHINE on my cloudy days!

Sweet Tooth

"ok, no more candy guys"...... crunch, crunch, crunch

"No, seriously, you're gonna get sick."... crunch,

crunch, crunch

crunch, crunch, crunch

"Belly, what's in your mouth?" "Nuffin" crunch, crunch, crunch "Are you eating candy?" "Uh-huh" crunch, crunch, crunch "No more. There won't be any left to decorate the gingerbread house, wait, is that a gumball?.......mmmmmmm. Oh, purple......mmmmm....let me try the yellow one....mmmmm.........................crunch, crunch, crunch

O Christmas Tree

The kids expressions while digging through the ornaments were priceless. Belle squealed with delight after finding a tree shaped ornament....."look mommy, a cwissmas twee....oooooohhhhhhh, happy birwthday to you, happy birwthday to you...." I guess she was so excited she didn't know what song to sing, and since happy birthday is her favorite, that's what she went with.

"Look Jack, a yo-yo"
"No Belle, it's an ornament"

A visit from an angel.....

A visit from Mary?

Daddy and Jack decorating the door

Poor daddy, abandoned, left to decorate the door all by himself.... Thanks daddy!