Random Photos

Amy riding on her brother's car.

Alex and Nathan playing in the leaves.

Nathan and Amy playing together.

Alex, Nathan and Amy.... Daddy's boys and girl, every one.

Holiday Craze

Posting has been difficult lately because of the many holiday activities that seem to be taking up most of my spare time. For several days there I was just on robot mode. My house was cluttered with craft supplies, gift wrapping and greeting card necessities, and recipe ingredients. I would literally be working on one project and would happen to pass another project in the works and would pause to work on it, forgetting the other project I was supposed to be doing. I felt like I was constantly on the go and half the time found myself with only enough time for a Clif Bar (something my husband introduced me to) for dinner. Bill has been working the current shuttle flight and has had to work every afternoon/evening for 9 straight days, thus we've all been a little off without our regular routine. Thankfully, today, Bill's 10th day on console, is the last time he has to work this year.

The first big event was in my Mission Friends class Wednesday evening. We had a "Happy Birthday, Jesus" party for our 3 year olds. I cut out ornament shapes from poster board and brought glitter glue in various colors for the kids to use on the ornaments. Sparkly pipe cleaners attached at the top for hanging provided the final touch. The kids had fun with it, though it did get a tad messy. And I was able to let my own kids make ornaments with the leftovers, which came in handy one difficult evening when the kids were in desperate need of direction for their endless energy. They did a fabulous job!

Then Friday afternoon was Alex's preschool "Holiday Party". It was really a Christmas party, but we are not allowed to call it that since it is a public school. How sad is that? Thankfully, the party was ran as a Christmas party. They sang Christmas carols and everyone wished everybody else a "Merry Christmas". As room mom, I had to bring all of the party essentials, and I made these cute santa and snowman cookies for the kids. The recipes were from the 2006 Taste of Home Best Holiday Recipes cookbook. I was going to take a picture of the ones I made, but I forgot. So I've included pictures from the actual cookbook, which are probably cuter anyway.

Saturday we went to Jacob's Birthday party. The kids had so much fun at the party. I don't think my kids are destined to be cowboys, though. I think that's perfectly fine with Bill, who is somewhat anti-country. There goes my dreams of ever living on a horse ranch. ;)

Sunday I had to teach (my co-teacher and I alternate weeks), so I was up late the night before preparing my crafts and Bible lesson. And in addition to our regular class, we had a "Happy Birthday, Jesus" party, too. It was right in between the 9:30 and 11am Sunday school classes, so we had the 11 o'clock teachers helping with the party as well. The kids had a great time singing happy birthday to Jesus and then decorating and eating star shaped sugar cookies. We also let them have ice cream, a special treat for them. Alex, Nathan and I had another birthday party to attend at 12:30, so we had to rush off after church.

Now things are almost back to normal. I can focus my attention on my own family's holiday activities. I still need to bake Christmas cookies and wrap presents for family and friends, but I can do that at my own leisure. We're also planning to go look at Christmas lights one evening this week. Alex and Nathan are old enough to enjoy it this year. Of course, I think even Amy will get a kick out of it. I'm just looking forward to days spent playing with the kids and evenings spent watching Christmas movies by the fireplace with Bill. There is even a forecast for some cooler weather by the end of the week, so the fireplace may even be lit!

New Look

I decided to follow Celeste's advice and go to the new Beta format. And as long as I was doing that, I went with an all new look. What do you think? I thought it added more color than the old one. :)

Birthday Meme

I'm finally getting around to doing this fun birthday meme that Celeste tagged me to do - sorry Celeste!

Here's how you play:

1) Go to Wikipedia
2) In the search box, type your birth month and day but not the year.
3) List three events that happened on your birthday
4) List two important birthdays and one death
5) One holiday or observance (if any)

My birthday is April 12th.

3 events:

1861 - American Civil War: The war begins with Confederate forces firing on Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.
1961 - Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man to fly in space
1981 - The first launch of a Space Shuttle: Columbia launches on the STS-1 mission.

2 important birthdays:

1947 - Tom Clancy, American author
1957 - Vince Gill, American musician

1 death:

1945 - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Holiday/Observance:

Yuri's Night, an international celebration of the first human in space; in Russia, the Cosmonautics Day

Boys Will Be Boys

Last Sunday after church we spent the day at my parents house, relaxing and enjoying their Christmas decorations. Alex and Nathan had a great time helping their Paw-Paw with the outside decorations. I think Nathan especially got a kick out of getting to use a real hammer. And ever since, he has been running around beating everything with his play hammer! He also had fun with the ladder. That has been Nathan's big obsession lately. Everytime we leave to go somewhere, he tells me about how Daddy used the big ladder to get onto the house and hang lights. And when we were at Wal-Mart the other day, he had to tell me about how the people use ladders to put the stuff up really high. It seems that every other sentence coming from his mouth is on the subject of ladders. He LOVES ladders! He wants one from Santa, but we've told him that he can't have a ladder until he is big like Daddy. Maybe Santa can bring him a fire engine with a ladder...

Holiday Photos

Now that I'm finally getting another moment, I thought I'd post those holiday pictures.

Eating turkey cookies on Thanksgiving...

Helping put together the Christmas tree...

Helping decorate the Christmas tree...

Helping put out the outside decorations...

I just realized after I uploaded all of the pictures that Amy is not in any of them. It's not because she wasn't present, but I guess because she wasn't actually involved in any of the activities. We usually kept her distracted while decorating was occurring. :)

A Moment to Post

I have so enjoyed reading about everyone's Thankgsiving experiences and Christmas preparations. I feel bad that I have not posted in so long.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well. The day before, I made sugar cookies cut out in the shape of turkeys. It was fun decorating them in all colors for the kids to enjoy. Thankgsiving morning I made Pistachio Salad (also called Watergate Salad) and Ambrosia to take to the Thanksgiving Feast, which took place at my parent's house. We went before mealtime so I could prepare my green bean dish and help my mom finish up the other sides. It was a delicious meal, as always. My mom tried a new stuffing recipe this year - it was a sausage stuffing and it was amazing! Her stuffing has always been delicious, but she would spend so many hours in the kitchen preparing it, and though I've enjoyed it every year, she hasn't been as pleased with it the past few years. This new recipe is far easier for her to make, though you'd never know it by how it tastes. It's wonderful! Of course, one of the greatest aspects to Thanksgiving day at my parents' is watching the kids play with their cousins. They have so much fun each time they are together.

The weekend following Thanksgiving we jumped right into Christmas mode. I decorated some on Friday and then that evening the boys helped their daddy sort all of the tree branches and then they somewhat helped us shape them to assemble the tree. Then Bill put the lights on the tree, with a little help from Alex. The kids were so excited to see the tree all lit up! But by this point, it was late and past time for the kids to go to bed. So we let them hang their new ornaments before taking them up for bed. Bill and I then hung all of the ornaments that we do not let the kids hang, leaving plenty of room on the lower branches for the kids to hang the remainder of their ornaments, which they did Saturday night. With the help of Celeste's husband Brian, Bill put up the icicle lights high up on the house Saturday morning before we headed out for my nephew's birthday party across town; he completed the outside lights and decorations on Sunday afternoon. So after a very busy weekend, we were able to finish most all of our Christmas decorating, though I still have my garland to hang over the front door, Christmas wreath to hang, and Christmas mugs to pull out. But for the most part, we're done. I wish I could say the same about my Christmas shopping! Thankfully, even that is nearing completion. Then we can sit back and enjoy everything as we get ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior on Christmas Day.

I plan to post some pictures from Thanksgiving Day and of Christmas decorating, but I'm afraid if I take the time to try and select pictures and upload them now, I'll never finish this post. So pictures to come!

Happy Birthday, Nathan!

The month of November is a month of many blessings. Two of my three children were born this month, and two of my brother's three children were also born this month. It is truly a month for thanksgiving!

Today is Nathan's 3rd birthday. We had such a fun morning going to Build-A-Bear at the mall where Nathan got to pick out which furry animal he wanted and watch it be stuffed, and then pick out its attire and give it a name. Nathan had a little trouble with the concept of what he was doing, so with a little direction from Mommy and Daddy, he went with a white and brown dog. Then, despite Daddy's efforts to convince him he needed a soccer uniform and big brother Alex's recommendation of a superhero costume, Nathan stuck with his own choice and went with the doctor scrubs. Then, upon Nathan's complete lack of interest in naming his new friend, Bill suggested the name "Doc" and that was that. Nathan's white and brown doctor dog named Doc was completed. Alex is already anxious for his birthday so that he can go to Build-A-Bear, too, and make a superhero animal! After Build-A-Bear we had lunch at Chick-fil-A at the mall and then went home for leftover birthday cake and ice cream, then presents. Bill had to leave for work shortly after presents, so the remainder of today we have been relaxing at home.



Last Saturday was the big party. Nathan loves Blues Clues, so that became the theme for the party. For the last couple weeks I had been using construction paper to create the various Blues Clues characters. I tried to make enough of Blue to put her in most rooms downstairs. Bill printed out pawprints and the night before the party he taped them in a long path along the walls and ceiling. Then he taped smaller paws in other areas around the house, including around the front door outside. For the cake, I baked three boxes of cake mix so that I had six 9-inch round cakes from which to cut out a large paw print. It wasn't hard to cut out, but it was definitely hard to decorate! At the party we served hot dogs (what else) with chips, cheese cubes and fruit. We played two games: the first was a bean bag toss game where the kids used a shovel (made to look like "Shovel") and tossed the bean bags into a pail (made to look like "Pail"); the second was a game of Blues Clues. Bill, being the sweetie and great father that he is, dressed the part of "Steve" for the party and led the game of Blues Clues. The kids had to look for the clues to find out what Blue wanted to give Nathan for his birthday. We gave each child a notebook and crayon in which to draw their clues. From the three clues of musical notes, string, and the letter "G", and with some help from the parents, the kids figured out that Blue wanted to give Nathan a guitar for his birthday. Then "Steve" had them follow the path of pawprints to where Blue hid Nathan's present, which happend to be the garage. And sure enough, it was a guitar! And oh, how Nathan loves his guitar!!! He plays it all the time while he sings the "ABC song". So cute! For party favors, I found these cute little wooden mailboxes at Michael's all ready to be painted. So I painted them to look like "Mailbox" and had one for each family. I put their party favors inside their mailbox and they took the whole thing home with them.



It was such a fun party to put together. Nathan seemed to really enjoy himself and his cousin Caden stayed the night with us that night, making the whole day even more special. I'm finished with planning birthday parties until May, and though that is somewhat a relief because I'm really tired, it's also a little disappointing. I love to plan their parties and look forward to seeing what Alex wants to do for his 5th birthday so I can start planning away!

Thanksgiving Recipe Swap

If there is one thing that comes to mind when I think of Thanksgiving it is good food! Lots and lots of delicious, high calorie, high fat content food. And oh, how I love it! :) My mom always makes lots and lots of delicious recipes for Thanksgiving dinner. By the time you get a small sample of each item, you have completely filled your plate (sometimes you still don't have room for everything). And of course, no matter how stuffed you are after you've polished off that last bite of candied sweet potatoes or last remnant of warm yeast roll, you can still make room for a slice of pumpkin pie (or chocolate, apple, cherry or pecan - my mom always has a variety!). Thanksgiving dinner is something I look forward to every year because it is the one time a year I allow myself to over-indulge; it is also the only time we cook so many rich recipes!

I thought it would be fun if we shared one of our favorite recipes from our own traditional Thanksgiving menu. I've debated on what item to share, because though I love every menu item from my family's traditional meal, I wanted to offer a recipe that is a bit more unique to our meal (not the green bean casserole that every one serves). I finally decided on a simple recipe that my mom has made for both Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as I can remember. It's possible you have all made this before as it isn't anything that special or out of the ordinary. But it is one of my all time favorites and a must at our Thanksgiving dinner. So here it is:

Pistachio Salad

Mix together 1 small box of instant pistachio pudding mix, 1 16-oz. can of crushed pineapple, 1 9-oz cool whip, 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans and 1 cup marshmallows. Spread into a serving dish, then decorate top with halved marachino cherries (lovely for Christmas). Put in refrigerator until serving time. So delicious!!!

If you want to share, please feel free to post your recipe in a comment to my post, or you can post it to your own blog. I just thought this would be a fun way to acquire new favorite recipes - and maybe add a little variation to our own traditional Thanksgiving menus!

Our Turn

I've noticed so many of my blogger friends experiencing illnesses in their families lately and my heart has gone out to them. It's never fun to be sick or helplessly watch our sick little ones. So now our turn has come. Bill has been spared so far. But the rest of us have been sick in one way or another for the past couple of weeks. Alex appears to be over it, and I no longer have a fever but still don't feel well. Nathan is still sick with fever (although after a dose of Tylenol, you would never know it!). And on top of that, I was informed yesterday that there is a terrible stomach bug going around Alex's school (any chance I can send him to school in a bubble?). I'm so worried that we aren't going to be able to shake this thing (or prevent something new) before the weekend and this Saturday is Nathan's birthday party. As I plan and prepare each day, I keep wondering if there will even be a party this Saturday. With the holidays coming up, I don't know when we'd have it if not this weekend. Nathan has been looking forward to this party for months. Please keep us in your prayers that we may all be well soon!

Blog Shopping

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, my mind is already racing to determine what gifts to buy all of our family and friends. I prefer to get my shopping done early, else face the mad rush of people right before Christmas. Of course, there are the usual places to research gifts: store ads, the internet (Amazon.com in particular), all those thousands of commercials on television. But who would have thought to use others blogsites to aid in making their Christmas shopping lists? Thank you so much Melissa, Celeste, and Crafty Mom for your wonderful book and music recommendations! Keep 'em coming!!!

Somehow They Know

Somehow our little ones always know just what to say...

Amy has decided to go on a nursing strike today. At one point this afternoon after another failed attempt to nurse her, Nathan must have sensed my worry and frustration because out of the blue he said to me, "Amy loves you, Mommy."

Confessions of a Spoiled Housewife

I have to make a confession. I think I am the world's worst wife. I know that many women are blessed with husbands who go to work each day and earn a living while they stay home and faithfully take care of home and family. I am one of those women. At least, I am blessed with a husband who selflessly goes to work each day so that I might stay home. But I am selfish and do not appreciate my role the way I should. I am selfish when it comes to wanting time with my husband. I expect him to work as few hours as possible and to travel as little as possible. I want him home for every holiday and to be able to take off when I want him to. I want him to be able to stay home on his children's birthdays so that we might be able to spend the day as a family and celebrate. But all these expectations are too much; they come from a selfish, greedy heart. I know that God wants me to "bring him good, not harm, all the days of my life" and when I do not respond cheerfully to him, then I am failing in that assignment.

I was filled with disappointed today when Bill told me that he'd have to work the week of Thanksgiving; he was originally going to take off that whole week. To make things worse, he'll be working a late shift and will have to work on Nathan's birthday. My response to this news was not good. I was upset and let him know it. But when I got off the phone and had time to think about my actions, I realized the terrible way I'd responded. "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Proverbs 10:19. Sin was ever present in my rash response to my husband's news. I am embarrassed and so disappointed in myself. My husband is the dearest man and is always so considerate of his family's needs - my needs. It is not his choice to work the week of Thanksgiving; it is his job and he is doing it out of love for us. May the Lord continue to show me my shortcomings so that I may be a better wife, mother, and Christian.

Amy's Party

Last Saturday we had Amy's first birthday party at home with family and friends. Since she's too young to tell me what theme to do her party in, I went as girly as I could and did flowers and butterflies. I found really cute first birthday party supplies that fit the theme perfectly; I had so much fun making decorations and decorating the cake to match!

We bought the Giant Sub (6 feet of sandwich!!!) from Subway. When Bill brought it home, having had to put the seat down in our Explorer to make it fit, we thought we'd be eating Subway for a week! But suprisingly, there was little left when the party was over.

Amy wouldn't wear her party hat - it was much more fun to eat it. :) But Alex and Nathan proudly wore their pink "1st Birthday Girl" party hats (Bill just loved that).

When it came time to do the cake, Amy had the help of her brothers to blow out the candle.

She was somewhat apprehensive when it came to her cake. She barely picked at the icing and I had to put her fingers into her mouth to show her how yummy that colorful goo on her fingers really was. Once she got the hang of it, she sat there and dipped her fingers into the icing and happily licked for awhile. But it was also nap time, so she was tired and didn't get into the cake all that much. In the end, I think she pushed most of her piece onto the floor for the dog - who greatly appreciated it! At least Amy (and Shelby) left little mess to clean up!

It was a fun day for all of us - tiring, but fun. After all our guests had left, I only half cleaned up. I was much more interested in relaxing on the couch with a nice cup of coffee. Nathan's 3rd birthday is coming, so there will be more party fun in the very near future!

Happy Birthday, Amy

Today is Amy's Birthday - one year old. It's so hard to believe. It seems like she was just born! How quickly they grow up...

Bill took the day off work today so that we could have a special family day. Sadly, I woke up sick. Thank goodness for Tylenol! After a couple hours I was good to go. We took the kids over to a local park that has a nice nature trail. The weather was cool and the sun was shining. It was a beautiful day! The boys each had a ziploc bag to fill with whatever goodies they wanted from the trail (pinecones and leaves were the most popular). We had to rush the hike quite a bit, though, because the mosquitoes were out in full force. Even with their long pants and sweatshirts, you could just see the mosquitoes swarming around the kids.



After lunch Bill took all three kids to the park. I stayed home and rested - and baked cookies for Alex's school party tomorrow and made decorations for Amy's party on Saturday. As you can see by the pictures, the kids had so much fun out at the park. They played on the playsets, blew bubbles, flew kites and had a picnic snack. What a fun time with Daddy!

This evening we let Amy open up her presents from us. The boys were more interested in opening her presents than she was; she just wanted the bows. She appeared to love her gifts though. She got her own set of sippy cups similar to her brothers, only Disney Princess cups. Hopefully this will encourage her to drink from her own cup instead of drinking from her brothers' cups. Her favorite thing was this light up toy with moving gears that plays music. She and her brothers had lots of fun with that!



Amy, what a beautiful, precious girl you are. You're walking and talking - still no teeth but I'm sure they're not far off! We love you so much. Happy Birthday, Baby Angel!!!