Oh-Nine!

Happy New Year

May you have a happy, healthy, and blessed 2009!

 

Let the post-Christmas diet begin :)

Christmas with Family

We had the best time this holiday season. Christmas Eve we traveled to Stu's home town for the day. My husband is from a quaint, little Americana town. The downtown has brick sidewalks, store fronts decorated with natural fir, pepper berries, and magnolias, and each vintage lamp post is decorated with white lights and wreaths. At night it's beautiful and it takes me back in time.

In the early afternoon, we went to a local nursing home and caroled through the hallways. There was a sweet lady that turned 100 on Christmas Eve. We sang Happy Birthday and Silent Night to her (she was so cute and appreciative, it made me tear up).

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas traditions!

Then it was off to Scott and Sherry's house (my brother-in-law and sister-in-law) for an early dinner and gift exchange. Sherry had a "girly-girl" tree. It had pink bows with brown polka dots, and pink and green ornaments. Ava's reaction when she saw the tree, was worth the "price of admission"!

She loved the purse from Aunt Nancy and the pink boots from Aunt Toni.
She put them on and kept them on the whole day!!
That's her cousin Kate, she got a purse for Christmas too.

We got back home in time to read a few books, have hot cocoa, and wisk the children to bed before Santa came (see "Twas the Night before Christmas" post).
Christmas morning we woke and had our "forever family of four" Christmas.

On Christmas Day we went to my parent's home. I got to see all my sisters...that was the best gift of all. None of us live in the same town and we are literally spread from east to west across the U.S. It's very hard to get us in the same town at any given time.

I took loads of pictures but can't possibly post them all. Thanks to all of my family who came in town. I enjoyed my time with you and appreciate you!

Hope everyone had a special Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas!

Reading "Rudolph", "The Night Before Christmas" and "The Story of Jesus"

Having a little Peppermint Mocha Cocoa

Leaving cookies for Santa.  I wanted to start a new tradition this year and bake a birthday cake for Jesus. We were out of town all day today celebrating Christmas with Stu's family (we have a yearly tradition with Stu's family I love, will post on that later). Regretfully, I did not get the cake baked. 

  
Happy Birthday Jesus!

Wishing you...

...God's comfort and joy this Christmas!
This is an e-card I designed for the blog; it's different from the card I mailed out but I did use the same picture.  There are so many sweet, inspiring, creative and talented folks in Bloggerville. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!  Thank you Pixel Fairy Princess for taking these images.

Teach the Children

(I received the story below from my sweet mother.  It's long but I just loved it!!)

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. I just finished the

household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I

heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the

front room and, to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind

the Christmas tree.

He placed a finger over his mouth so I would not cry out.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my

throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was

gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know. He then

answered me with a simple statement, "Teach the children." I was

puzzled; what did he mean?

He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth

a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there bewildered,

Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the meaning of Christmas.

The meaning that children nowadays have forgotten!"

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a fir tree and placed it

before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of

the stately fir tree remains green all year around, depicting the

everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making

it a symbol of man's thoughts toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant star. "Teach

the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.

God promised a savior for the world, and the star was the sign of the

fulfillment of that promise."

He then reached in his bag and pulled out a candle. "Teach the

children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the

world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who

displaced the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a wreath and placed it

on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the

eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous

round of affection."

He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of himself. "Teach the

children that I, Santa Clause symbolize the generosity and good will we

feel during the month of December."

He reached in again and pulled out a holly leaf. "Teach the children

that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the Crown

of Thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the

blood shed by Him."

Next he pulled out a gift from the bag and said, "Teach the children

that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son . . .

Thanks be to God for His wondrous gift. Teach the children that the

Wise Men bowed before the Holy Babe and presented Him with gold,

frankincense and myrrh.

We should always give gifts in the same spirit as the Wise Men."

Santa reached in his bag and pulled out a candy cane and hung it on

the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the

shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps to bring

back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we

are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an angel. "Teach the children that

it was the Angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's

birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the Highest, on earth peace,

and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, from his bag he pulled out a

bell. "Teach the children that the lost sheep are found by the sound

of the bell, and it should bring man back to the fold. The bell

symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me

and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Teach the

children the true meaning of Christmas, and to not put me in the

center, for I am but a humble servant of the One That Is, and I bow

down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

Fun with the kiddos

Making Cookies

Jake and Ava had a big time decorating Christmas cookies.  Ava was all about the sprinkles and Jake was all about the icing.  They each had their own little bowl of icing and individual spreader.  They got to eat the cookies they decorated, as they were licking the spreaders and double dipping. Oh, but they had big fun!
Ava decorating her cookies

Jake decorating his cookies

 

"Designer" Gift Wrapping

The kids and I bought a gift for Daddy, and Jake wanted to wrap it with paper he and Ava designed. So, I covered the gift with heavy paper and Jake and Ava got out the crayons and went to town. Jake was so excited!  He ran and took the gift to Daddy and begged him to go ahead and open it.  He was so excited he couldn't get his words out, he said, "Mommy drew the jolly (he meant holly) and helped with the bow tie :) but Ava and I did everything else.  His little heart had such joy in giving...that's what giving is all about!

Random Cuteness

Happy Toile Y'all

I love toile and grosgrain ribbon...put the two together and it makes my heart smile!

The Reason for the Season

I saw this on Maree's blog and it's such a cute reminder of the true reason for the season. Four year old Avery Winter sings "Happy Birthday Jesus"

You Tube Video

All I want for Christmas...

Personalized Video from Santa

I saw this link on a couple of blogs but didn't try it until I saw it on Marla's blog.

It takes about 3 minutes and you get a free personalized video from Santa for your child. Ava was amused but the look on Jake's face was priceless!!
Make a video for your child

A visit with Santa

"He had a  broad face and a round little belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl fully of jelly

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, 

And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself"

Clement Moore, "A visit from St. Nicholas"

Whether you call him Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, St. Nicholas,

Pere Noel or St. Nick...it's fun to watch the joy Santa brings to the face of a child at Christmas time!

Listening so intently

Delight and excitement

 

Right after meeting the big guy...still on cloud nine and tickled pink

Oh happy day!

And to all, a goodnight :)

Christmas Inspiration

These images are from Southern Living.  I love how they hung buckets from the mantel, instead of stockings.  Such a cute idea!!  Also, the next time I make a chocolate dessert, I'm definitely going to place peppermints all around the perimeter.  That just shouts Christmas and would be fun to do with the kids!!

The Nutcracker

My grandfather, retired from an organization that is a huge supporter of the Arts.  So, every year he could secure tickets to a preview showing of the Nutcracker.  This will be the last year (rest his soul) we'll get tickets from him.  We took Jake and Ava tonight: Jake was absolutely entranced, on the edge of his seat.  Ava made it until intermission.

Venturing out to the Nutcracker...does Jake have a mischievous look on his face or what?

Clara and the Nutcracker

 My favorite part - The Journey Through the Land of Snow

Jake & Daddy's favorite part - The Russian Dancers

(Obviously,  taking photographs is not allowed.  Nutcracker images courtesy of the internet)

I've seen the Nutcracker so many times and Ava was getting restless, so she and I went out at intermission.  Ava's favorite part was getting an ornament for herself, and a Nutcracker for big brother.  The funniest thing was she started dancing like a ballerina in the lobby.  Maybe she did pay attention?

 We topped off the evening with a little trip to Starbucks.  My favorite drink of the season is the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.  If you haven't had one, I encourage you to do so.  So bad for you, but so good.  

Goodnight...I'm off to dream about nutcrackers, sparkly slippers and sugar plum fairies

From our home to yours...

...Christmas Blessings!

 

Wishing you a joyful holiday season!

What a difference a year makes!

I was cleaning up my photo files and found some pictures from last year.  I can't believe how much the kids have grown....especially Ava.

2007

 

(scanned in blurry)

2008

Thankful

We have so much to be thankful for: family, friends, good health, and countless blessings.  We took Ava to the cardiologist yesterday and her Atrial Septal Defect (hole in her heart) has closed.  Her pulmonary stenosis is improving, and she has a lazy valve we'll be monitoring...but we don't have to return to the Cardiologist for a year.  What a huge praise!!!  We are sooo thankful.

Count your blessings and hope you're having an awesome Thanksgiving!

Grandpa

My grandfather would have been 99 years old tomorrow. He was spunky and lived independently until February of this year. He was a fitness and health fanatic! I believe (along with being blessed with good genes) this attributed to his long life. However, in the past few months, his health had really deteriorated. While visiting him in the nursing home, he said "I'm just so tired, I would just like to go to sleep and float away". Well, he passed away this morning. So Grandpa, may you be floating peacefully in the arms of God.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16

Thanksgiving Prayer

My Thanksgiving prayer
to you from me;
Is for love strong and true
that you hold within thee.

A heart that beats steady
and holds love within;
For your brothers and sisters
and all creatures by Him.

A soul that is worthy
of all of His love;
That is given to you
from the Heavens above.

Food on your table
that you thank the Lord for;
Friends to surround you
forever and more.

A house filled with love
and the light how it shines;
Showing all of its beauty
till the end of time.

Kindness towards others
for all of your days;
To be returned I pray
in many a way.

A good job to keep you
and pay all your bills;
That you spend it all wisely
and not on the frills.

A family around you
that is loving and true;
That you all stand together
for there are so few.

Children to bless you
if that is God's will;
To cherish and nourish
so your life is fulfilled.

Dreams of pure beauty
as you lay there and sleep;
Through the peaceful night
when darkness is deep.

An angel to guide you
through morning and night;
To protect you and love you
till the end of your plight.

And last but most important
your love for God will shine through;
To the Heavens above
for He's waiting for you.

Amen and God bless!

Charm Bracelets

My sweet husband knows my sentimental side and gave me this thoughtful gift ...

a Chinese themed charm bracelet.

This is how the company describes their cute little creation: "sweet and petite" and "Chinoise chic"

Sculpted cinnabar beads, hand carved horn beads, Chinese take out box with hidden heart, gold brushed fortune cookie, Chinese boy & girl with moveable feet, teapot,

hammered circular charm with Chinese "happiness" character.


Brighton also makes three great Christmas themed charm bracelets

HOLIDAY FROLIC

HOLIDAY JOY

HOLIDAY DREAM

Just giving you some ideas to put on your Christmas Lists :)