Arctic Fun

When we got blasted with this arctic air, we were stuck inside for quite a while.  I didn't seem to mind, as you can tell from the pictures, we stayed in our pajamas for about four days.  This was right after Christmas break, so we started getting bored.  I saw a comment on Facebook about filling a balloon with water and food coloring and setting it outside.  When you pop the balloon you will have "tiny little colored ice balls".  This post explains how important it is to read directions thoroughly.  The comment didn't say, "wait until the balloons freeze and then pop."  No... honestly, with it being so so so so cold outside, I thought that once the balloon was popped, the colored water would instantly freeze and instantly create little frozen colored balls.  Right?  This post also shows how wild my imagination can fly.  The saying, "it sounded so much better in my head...." rings so true for me.  So here are our balloons:

 

After I explained to the kids that food coloring will stain, they insisted I go first.  Sadly, my balloon doesn't look so good.  Let me tell ya folks, yellow dye and snow just....  well, you know. 

 

So here's Marcella popping her balloon.  Did it freeze instantly?  No. *Sigh* But I did get a pretty cool picture in action:

Here's Ellen and her balloon.  I really wished I had red food coloring.  But the blue dye in the red balloon was pretty awesome.

 

 Pretty neat shot, huh?

Then we took squirt bottles and made art in the snow.  We were done after about 3 minutes.  It was about 0 degrees with a wind chill of about -35.  That's cold!

Then later that night, we threw hot water up in the air and made a big cloud.  We are still in debate whether the water came down in little ice balls (my theory of instant freezing still a bit shaky) or if it was the boiling water that sizzled on the ice below.   Either way, it was pretty cool!

Days like these, I have to remind myself why I still live in Ohio when I could be lving near the beach.

www.dangerouscreation.com

Wish List and Goals

According to Google definitions, "happy" means:

• Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.
• Having a sense of confidence in or satisfaction with someone or something.
• Willingness to do something.
• Feeling fortunate or convenient.

I've always been a happy person.  I usually find the positive in situations.  I find the glass half full. In the past, I've found contentment... for the most part.  I'm very satisfied with my life and where I am.  I am blessed.

But....

Lately, I've felt like I've lost myself.  Perhaps it's about that time, after being a stay-at-home mom for 9 years, that I'm starting to re-evaluate my life.  I've always been considered as someone's mom, someone who is always there, who knows where lost items can be found, how to warm up leftovers, someone who can make anything into a craft, willing to play Barbies and make silly faces at babies.  Before I was all that, I was a professional interpreter, I went to college, managed a business office and went to business meetings where my opinions were wanted and valued. 

My brain is turning to mush.

I have become someone who can no longer simply multitask a phone call and dishes at the same time.  Someone who's any sliver of extra energy just went down the bleached toilet.  Someone who had to google how to make change and re-learn how to reduce fractions.

But all is not lost!

Above all, I AM happy.  Just the thought of going back to work is enough to send me hurling to the bathroom.  I have no desire to go back to work, or even go back to college, at least not right now.  I love taking care of my family.  I really don't mind doing the laundry and cooking dinner.... well, most of the time. 

So in search of myself, my insanity and finding who I've become in the last 10 years of my life, my Happiness Project continues....

With two lists.  One is to complete tasks I've wanted to do for a long time and always had an excuse not to conquer.  The other is my Wish List that will include things I wish to do; adventures. I don't have a schedule or a time frame to accomplish these things.  I feel that if I put a time limit on myself, interruptions, limited schedule availability and sometimes means (all reasons that can be out of my control) could result in failure; however, I do have a goal to complete all these tasks in this year.  

Conquer Household Goals

Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!
Clean out bedroom closet
15 minutes of agony
Clean out dry sink
Organize photo albums
Spring clean each room


My Happy List

Smile more
Be silly more
Learn to say "No"
Learn something new
Embark on new adventures
One-on-one time with my girls
Monthly date night with my hubby       

...Enjoy the process!

80 Uses for Coconut Oil

As promised, here's my post about all the benefits of coconut oil. 

Coconut oil is one of the healthiest fats you can consume.  There are two types of coconut oil: 

Refined and unrefined

Refined coconut oil has been exposed to high heat to deodorize and remove the coconut scent and flavor.  At times, it's been partially hydrogenated, which then the coconut oil could contain trans fat. 

Unrefined coconut oil has been dried and mechanically expressed.  It's often labeled as "virgin" or "pure" coconut oil.  It goes under the least process, which holds its distinct coconut flavor and scent.

Which one to choose?  Choose unrefined if you want the fullest coconut flavor.  Choose refined when cooking at higher temperatures, such as frying or baking.  Either one is good for you, as long as you choose a brand that is non-hydrogenated, however the unrefined and virgin/pure coconut oil is the best option for health benefits.

Remember, coconut oil is still a fat.  It contains the highest level of fat than any other oil but when used in moderation, reaps many, many benefits.  Coconut oil has a shelf life of at least two years.  It doesn't need to be refrigerated.  It improves or reverses Alzheimer's' disease, improves type 1 and 2 diabetes, improves and heals many skin issues such as acne, fungus, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.  It boosts metabolism, energy, and improves hypothyroidism.  Coconut oil strengthens hair, kills lice and improves dandruff.  It is antibacterial, antioxidant, kills viruses, and promotes weight loss.

So here we go, 80 uses for coconut oil.  '*' indicates I've personally tried and/or used coconut oil for that particular use.

1. *Great for cooking and baking.
2. *Spread on toast instead of butter.
3. *Rub into skin as a lotion.  Beat with electric mixer until smooth, add your favorite essential oil and mix.
4. *A natural deodorant
5. Makeup remover
6. *Diaper rash cream
7. *Relieves sun burns
8. *Coffee creamer.  A tablespoon of coconut oil, dash of vanilla, 1 tsp butter (optional), mix in food processor until smooth and runny and add to hot coffee.  Surprisingly very good!
9. *Lighten age spots
10. Homemade mayo
11. *Minimizes/prevents stretch marks
12. Tropical massage oil
13. *Deep nighttime moisturizer
14. *Hair serum to tame frizz
15. *Chapstick
16. *Deep conditioner for hair - Melt oil and massage through dry hair.  Wrap hair in plastic wrap for one hour and wash and condition as usual.
17. Cradle cap on baby - massage oil onto baby's head for a few minutes and rinse.
18. *Rub onto feet after shower and put on socks.  Cures athlete's foot, fungus and cracked heels.
19. In place of Lanolin cream for nursing moms to sooth chapped nipples after breastfeeding.
20. *Reduces scars
21. Make your own toothpaste
22. Topically relieves yeast infection symptoms
23. *Body scrub - mix equal parts with coarse sugar or sea salt
24. Make your own sunscreen
25. 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil everyday will help increase milk supply and fat content in breast milk.
26. Healthy snack for kids - Try Wellness Mama's recipe for Coconut Clusters
27. Kills lice - The process is very long but it works without chemicals.  Coconut oil.com
28. Helps relieve allergy symptoms - rub a small amount inside the nose.
29. *Helps improve insulin levels
30. Homemade bug repellent lotion bars
31. Lower bad cholesterol
32. *Helps digestion
33. May kill intestinal parasites or yeast
34. Reduces appearance of varicose veins
35. Personal lubricant
36. Heals ear infections
37. Softens real leather
38. Tanning oil
39. Sooths itch of chicken pox or poison ivy
40. Increases absorption of calcium and magnesium
41. Whitening toothpaste (or along with baking soda)
42. Helpful with those with autism
43. Homemade vapor rub
44. Very beneficial to pregnant women and unborn child
45. Relieves pain of hemorrhoids
46. Boost circulation
47. *Helps cuticles to grow
48. Sooths heartburn or nausea
49. Add to smoothies
50. *Replace butter with coconut oil in steamed vegetables
51. Heals cold sores
52. Increases mental alertness
53. Baby lotion
54. *Anti-aging facial moisturizer
55. Heals ringworm
56. Improves Parkinson's disease
57. Clears "brain fog" when taken regularly
58. Add to pet's food for a healthy, shiny coat
59. *Eases arthritis
60. Relieves constipation
61. Balances hormones
62. Use in hundreds of recipes, try this link to get you started
63. Coat air-pop popcorn with coconut oil instead of butter
64. Someone posted that coconut oil cured her child's pink eye.
65. Improves Alzheimer's disease
66. Improves hypothyroidism
67. Improves Types 1 and 2 diabetes
68. Heals eczema and rosacea and psoriasis
69. Improves dandruff
70. Helps hair grow
71. Antibacterial
72. Antioxidant
73. *Heals razor burn/bumps
74. Lowers depression
75. Lowers menopause symptoms
76. A tablespoon of coconut oil and 4 drops or more of oregano oil taken twice a day will kill yeast, mold, and fungus infections. Improves dry mouth.
77. Smooths wrinkles
78. Improves thyroid function
79. Possibly helps improves shingles
80. Decreases appetite

Sources:
www.coconutoil.com
www.wellnessmama.com

Factors for My Happiness Project

It's so ironic that so many factors have played into my Happiness Project.  It would've been very easy for me to skip going to the early worship at church on Sunday.  I had to teach Sunday school and I do my best to attend the early worship when I have to teach so I don't miss out, but my hubby was home from work and we woke up with only an hour to get ready.  We had to take dinners over to my in-laws before we embarked on our afternoon plans, so our day started off super busy.  To my surprise, my hubby agreed to go to church with us and we made it to church in the nick of time.  What a treat!

While we were at church, the pastor was talking about creating goals to take care of ourselves, New Year's Resolutions, if you will.  We were invited to fill out a small form of what our intention(s) were, how we planned to accomplish those goals, how we were going to make ourselves accountable, and of course to pray about it.  I felt that if I blogged about my Happiness Project, someone, at least one person, could be encouraged by my project.  My blog became my accountability.  Now, God has become my accountability, too.  I filled out the form and turned it in.  Even though I would not back out on my own big idea, I really can't back out now that I've given my project to God.

Then the frigid cold weather invaded my world (factor #2).  Negative temperatures, dangerous wind chills of -25 and more has shut me inside my home.  What else is there to do????  CLEAN!  ORGANIZE! 

It's not that my Happiness Project is all about cleaning.  (my husband would have a sly comment about that statement.)  It's about getting my life organized, feeling back in control of the little things around me, creating adventures, making a wish list, learning something new and having something to look forward to.  When I finished cleaning the bathroom cabinet and reorganized it, I walked back into the bathroom and it felt like the room was bigger, brighter.... cleaner.  It's a mind-over-matter deal for me.  I can walk into the bathroom any time, any day and it always looked the same, afterall I don't always open the cabinet doors every time I go in there.  But today it was different because I KNEW it was clean and organized.  I stepped back and... I smiled!

For the first time in history, my kids' school district cancelled school again for tomorrow before 2:00 this afternoon.  I am seriously considering drinking a cup of coffee (which has been nine months by the way) tomorrow morning to skyrocket my energy so I can tackle my bedroom closet.  I went in there twice today and stared.  Feeling overwhelmed and suddenly unmotivated, I turned and walked right back out.  I think what hinders me from tackling that closet is the unknown time.  Realistically, it shouldn't take me forever to clean out the closet.  It's not THAT bad.  But my brain is trying to trick me into thinking it's going to take me ALL DAY to do.  What else am I going to do tomorrow being stuck inside the house all day?  So what if it takes me all day, right?

Factor #3:  I'm out of chocolate chips and cookies.  I have to stay busy tomorrow or else I'll end up baking something I shouldn't be eating.  I need to face it, I've eaten so many cookies these past few days, I'll need a support group for withdraw. And perhaps, if I tell everyone that I need to clean out my closet tomorrow, I can't let anyone down, right?  I just hope I remember to take before and after pictures!

My Happiness Project 1/2/14

Of course, deciding to go against the grain for New Year's backfired on me, as my evil plans usually do.  My wonderful hubby called New Year's morning on his way home from work and asked if I wanted him to stop by the store to get a pork roast and sauerkraut.  How could I say no?  Afterall, it sounded good and we haven't had it since what, a year?  All my life, we've always put brand new pennies under our plates so we will never be poor in the New Year.  Since I was so determined to jinx my New Year to my benefit, I thought about NOT putting pennies under our plates, but since my daughter-in-law, grandkids and my in-laws were all over for dinner too, how could I deny them of the possibility of good fortune for the New Year?  I couldn't help it.... am I willing to take such chances????  I went ahead and found all the newest and shiniest pennies I could find and put one under each plate.

But I couldn't stop there. 

I'm so determined to be happy in the New Year and change my soul for the better, I asked Marcella to help me draw smiley faces and we added those under our plates as well.

 

With this new tradition, I decided to change "My Adventure 2014" to "My Happiness Project".   Sure, it would be nice to fill 2014 full of adventures and fun things to do, and full of adventures it will be, but my goal for this year is to improve myself and my soul.  If you're just now joining me on this journey, please read my first post about how this all came to be here.

So today, I got a new burst of energy (no thanks to coffee by the way!!!) and I became motivated to get my house in order first.  I figured an organized house, is an organized soul.  Sounds silly and I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who don't agree with that statement and could care less about their cluttered closets, but I will say how happy I feel when I stand in front of the refrigerator after a good cleaning and admire the crystal-clear glass shelves and neatly stacked containers and fresh produce and.... smile. 

My home is my domain.  If I don't like the way my home is, then I can't be a happy person.  (I do have to live here.) I used to be very good at mopping the kitchen floor and scrubbing the toilets every week but life lately prevents me from doing those things like I used to.  Now, those rooms only get cleaned when I can't stand it any longer.  Weeks could fly by and my socks start sticking to the kitchen floor, only then do I get motivated enough to do something about it.  That's when I can appreciate the job more.  I'll stand in the middle of my kitchen and admire the shiny floor, the uncluttered countertops and the fresh smell of Pine Sol and.... smile.

On a big "HOWEVER", I believe in starting big projects small.  My parents used to tell me when I was growing up, "If you don't feel like doing something, start doing it anyway and eventually you'll feel like doing it and before you know it, it'll be done."  How right they were when I decided to start small and clean out my smallest kitchen drawer.  I couldn't stand it any longer anyways.  So I began...

This is what it looked like before I started:

This is what it looked like when I got the first layer of note papers out of the way:

Yes, your eyes are not tricking you.  I'd bet I threw away about 20 pencils and pens.  That doesn't count the two big handfuls of pencils I threw out a couple months ago AND the stack of brand new pencils we added in with the Halloween candy to give away.

This is what it looks like now:

Ahhh!!!!  I made origami boxes to hold the stick glue and highlighters.  I wasn't about to start digging through my container cabinet to find an old container to do the same job.  (that would open up a whole other project I didn't know I was ready for).  And I stood back and... smiled!

As right as my parents often are, organizing that small kitchen drawer started a landslide.  I didn't stop there.  I re-organized my cabinet with all my plastic/Tupperware containers.  This is what it looked like before:

And this is what it looks like now:

I'm going to get tension rods and place them up high way in the back (where you can't see) and place lighter items on top of the rods, like a shelf for my bread baskets, etc.  I absolutely hate this cabinet.  It's far too deep and I can't reach far enough to get the lost items way in the back.  It's so much wasted space.

Then of course, I shifted over to the nearest cabinet and worked on that one, too.

Before:

 

After: 

 

 

You can't tell very well, but I moved quite a few items in the way back that I don't use often and put them up on a higher shelf. 

Then I opened my silverware drawer.  I'll spare you a picture.  It was pretty nasty.  So nasty that anyone who's eaten at my house lately would appreciate not knowing where their 'clean' silverware came from.  Let's just say, "Magic Eraser, you're my hero!"

And so, I stood back and admired my clutter-free cabinets in my kitchen and it felt like a weight has been lifted from my chest, and... I smiled!

*****

I am still working on my Wish List for 2014 so please stay tuned.  My next project:  my bedroom closet.  Oh the dreaded fear of my bedroom closet!  But oh, it would make me so happy to see it all done!

Adventure and Simplicity in 2014

So here it is, a close to the year of 2013 and the approach of yet another new year.  All my life, I've always created some kind of resolution, was sure to eat a pork roast with sauerkraut for good luck and review my year of accomplished (or unaccomplished) goals.


This year, it will be different.

I'm being stubborn and I'm going against the grain for my New Year.  It all started right before Christmas when I went to my granddaughter's dance class.  Seeing those tiny little feet tap the floor with their shiny tap shoes, it triggered a childhood memory: I always wanted to take tap lessons.  Marcella was getting a violin for Christmas and that reminded me too, that I always wanted to learn how to play myself.  Looking back, I now understand that my parents had limited funds as I was growing up with two other sisters and Mom being a stay-at-home mom.  It may not even have been a financial issue, whereas a time factor as well.  There are many things I can now understand what my mom went through as a stay-at-home mom now that I am one, too.  I decided I wasn't going to just live vicariously through my children.  I'm going to take the plunge and go for it, for myself. 

My Wish List

A long long long time ago, I created a Bucket List.  I'm not even sure where it is, it's been so long ago.  I know it's in one of my hundreds of journals so it would take me a while to locate it.  But I do remember that many of the things on my list wasn't significant, or maybe they were.  I remember wanting to go on a hot air balloon ride...  Hope a butterfly would land on me.  That's all I remember.  So I decided I was going to create a new list.  And honestly, I don't like the term "Bucket List".  Seems so final, like I'm dying.  I'm going to create a Wish List for 2014.  I'm going to make a scrapbook of my wishes and then leave room for each wish to add photos and notes of when I do accomplish (or attempt) each wish.  I'm going to put severe thought into each wish.  They will not be frivolous and careless.  There will probably be a reason why I choose each wish.  I'm also not going to pressure myself in making sure each wish is accomplished in 2014.  Finances are always tight for us and most of my wishes will end up costing something, but that's okay. 

So starting tomorrow for the New Year, I will not eat sauerkraut and pork.  I hope that will jinx me into something good, something different. 

Simplicity & Happyness

One thing that I will go for is simplicity and happyness in my life.  Yes, "happy-ness".  My goal is to strive to say "no" more often.  Boy, this is a hard one for me.  When my husband came home and surprised me with a brand new computer, oh it was hard for me to say "no".  We didn't NEED a new computer (well, that's a fine line.  We were borrowing an old laptop dangerously out of memory) and we certainly didn't NEED another bill, but my eyes lit up when I saw that the monitor was more than double in size, new programs and yes, MORE SPEED and memory.  I'm going to have to work really hard on this one.

Does simplicity and happyness go hand in hand?  Simplifying life, my possessions and material "things" I've collected over the years really make me happy?  I think that's a big debate for lots of people.  Needs and wants are very different... or are they?  Do I really NEED that box full of I-don't-remember-what's-inside sitting in the closet for the past 12 years? Do I really NEED to keep my stuffed animals from my childhood that my own children don't care to love like I did?   Did we really NEED a new kitchen table?  (that was a big debate between my husband and me, but I still didn't say NO, either).  Needs and wants are very similar, if you ask me.  Sometimes what you want is something you need and sometimes something you need, you just plain want.  It's like creating a Christmas list.  I was always told to write a list of things I WANT, but what I want is something I NEED, like a wooden spoon or underwear.

So, for the upcoming New Year, I vow to create simplicity and adventure in my life.  I will work on saying "no", clear out material things I've collected over the years that I really don't need and make room in my house and my soul.  I refuse to become that "boring stay-at-home mom" that is always satisfied to stay home in my pajamas all day.  yeah....  I love those days!  I will create a wish list to better myself, learn something new, strive to live as my own person, not just my daughters' mom or my husband's wife, but me.  I will smile more, be silly more and dig deeper in my soul to find that hidden energy I've been wondering where it's been these past few months.  It's time to dig out that old scrapbook hiding in my closet that I haven't used yet.  Stay tuned and journey with me through my Adventure in 2014!

 

Homemade Lotion

I wanted to post this before Christmas but it would've ruined the surprise to my friends and family who read my blog.  I try to make Christmas gifts every year.  I can't afford to spend $20+ per friend/relative these days so making gifts makes it all the more special.  Last year I made laundry soap, but it didn't turn out so great.  After a month of using this homemade soap, my towels started to smell funny.  Needless to say, there's nothing like good ol' store-bought laundry detergent.  I can't remember all what I've made in the past years but nothing turned out quite as good as my homemade lotion that I made this year.

These beauties were so easy to make and they didn't cost very much at all.  I found the little containers at JoAnn Fabrics and used a 20% off coupon, too.  They were .75 cents a piece.  I used ribbon, labels and bows that I already had.  I suppose I could've printed the labels to make them prettier but I don't ever have colored ink so I hand-wrote them with glitter gel pens.  The coconut oil was around $6.50 and I got three containers out of each jar of oil.  The essential oils were anywhere from $9-$15, depending on the oil.  I'm never very good at figuring out how much each cost to make but it's roughly around $6-$9 each, depending on the essential oil(s) you choose.

All you do is put some coconut oil in a mixing bowl, beat it with a hand mixer until smooth and then add your favorite essential oil and mix.  I used lavender, bergamot, sage, peppermint and lemon.  I mixed and matched different flavors.  That's it!  After a day or two, the body butter will solidify more in the container but it can be used right away.

I've heard raves over these lotions.  There are 100 uses for coconut oil, which I plan to blog about soon.  In the meantime, these lotions are fantastic for dry, cracked feet, legs after shaving and dry, scaly skin and hands.

Maybe I'll open my own shop one of these days!

My Spit Is Dry

"Mom!  I'm thirsty."

"Lick your lips," was my reply.

"... But my spit is dry....."

Believe it or not, that was our conversation with our 6-year-old daughter on our way out of the mall not too long ago. 

My spit is dry, too.... and so is my body.  This winter is killing me!  I wake up with cotton in my mouth and my skin is so tight and dry, I feel like a wilted rubber band.

 

On top of feeling the affects of the wretched dry air and lack of light in my life, my energy level is being depleted by the hour. I watched four movies today.  Granted, I'm also coming down off the holiday high and I told myself I needed a day to be lazy and lazy I was!  So lazy that this house is a disaster and I'm content to let the kids play with friends all day just so I can watch TV all day.  So sad.  BUT!  I did take the dog for a walk today.  The poor guy hasn't been on a walk in, I don't know how many months. Pitiful dog master if you ask me.  On top of all that, I can't stop eating crap.  I don't eat potato chips, but lately I can sure down a whole bag of chips in a day, not to mention any cookies I can get my hands on.  I've gained a few pounds but it might as well be 20 pounds cuz that's how I feel!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you all have many blessings in the New Year!  I suppose I'll be falling into that category with everyone else:  Eat all the crap I want until New Year's and then "get back on track and lose this holiday weight" with a New Year's resolution.  Ugh!  Maybe I'll just wait until Spring.

Grandma! I'm Home!

"Grandma.... I'm Home!"

I get to hear these words every morning when my darling granddaughter, Adyson comes over.  I love how she feels so comfortably at home, she knows where to hang her coat and where the cereal is.  Then when Ellen gets home from kindergarten, Adyson gets so excited to see the school bus arrive. 

"Ellen home!  Ellen home!  Ellen... hug!"

Her eyes light up over the simplest things.  She knows after lunch, her and Ellen get to play.

Most days, Ellen is so nice to Adyson it warms my heart.  Many days, it's hard to get Adyson to take a nap because they're having so much fun.

Camden is the easiest baby to take care of, just like Adyson was.  He doesn't ever fuss unless he's hungry or tired.  He'll just lay there and play.  He's so quiet, sometimes I forget he's here!

Then we get to do it all over again when Marcella gets home from school.

Elf on the Shelf - Here we go!

So, we jumped on the bandwagon and got an Elf on the Shelf.  Her name is Koda.  She's named after our beloved German Shepherd, Koda Bear.  The girls still haven't gotten over her so to make her live on, she's now our new elf.

I wish I had taken more pictures of this elf, some of the things she's gotten into.  I didn't really care if we had an elf or not.  I never was the kind of person to go along with everyone else, but this time I'm in.  I'm having a blast with this elf and shockingly, it's working!  Marcella and Ellen are getting along so well these days, I can't remember the last time I had to yell.   The first day, Koda arrived by appearing on top of the curtain rod with an arrival letter.  That very day, the girls noticed that Koda had a tag on her butt.  (insert a slap on the head here)  They thought that since Koda had a tag, then she was stuffed and not real.  Here comes Dad to the rescue:  He said that since there are so many elves and they all look alike, they have to have tags on them to tell them apart.  Then once they get claimed by a family and receive a name, the tag gets cut off and made official.  Clever, huh?  Marcella just thought the elf got a new outfit and Santa forgot to cut the tags off.

We were going to keep this elf simple and just move it around the house.  Umm... no.  That's too boring.  So Koda has taken a trip to the dining room light, had a tea party with Barbie and a Monster High monster, she's made friends with each of the girls' favorite stuffed animal and she's peeked her head out of the kitchen cabinet door.

 Yes of course, zip lining.

One night we forgot to move Koda.  Completely forgot about it until the girls found her still hanging upside down on the curtain rod.  Just as I was trying to figure out how to move the elf without the girls figuring it out, Jeff told me to leave it alone and tell the girls the elf is testing them.  So I told them:  "I think she's testing you to make sure you're paying attention to her..."  With confused looks, I said, "Well, no one talked to her all day yesterday and no one said good night to her...."  BINGO!  That worked.  Ever since the girls have been talking to Koda, showing her their school work, and saying good night.

Ellen showed Koda her Nutcracker she got when her grandma and I took her to see the Nutcracker. So Koda wrote the girls a letter...

Grandma Linda has made it a tradition to take each grandchild to the nutcracker when they were young.  The kids get to pick out their own nutcracker and they were proudly displayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house every Christmas.  Marcella went when she was about 6 years old and this year was Ellen's turn.  Grandma Linda has gone to the nutcracker 9 times.  That's 7 grandchildren, a daughter-in-law (me) and granddaughter-in-law. 

I wish we were able to get better pictures.  We're not supposed to take pictures in the Ohio Theater and the lights were dark.  We were already bundled up to free hands to hold onto each other, but at least we got a picture.  As always the production was fantastic!  We almost got to talk to one of the ballerinas and ask her to sign Ellen's nutcracker box, but she said goodbye to her friends and took off really fast.  Oh well.

Counting down the days 'til Christmas....  Entering panic mode.  We haven't even started shopping yet!  We have "special connections" with Santa because of Jeff's work.  He works on Christmas day this year so Santa said he'll make a special trip to our house the night before Christmas eve.  We're already short on days.  'Tis the Season!!!



Christmas Is Not YOUR Birthday

"Sorry honey, I can't play with you right now.  I have to finish baking these pies and then start cleaning the house...."

"No, I can't take you to your friend's house to play.  I'm in the middle of waxing the kitchen floor..."

"Kids!  Out of the kitchen!  I'm trying to cook here!"

"Who made that mess in the living room?  Clean it up!  I don't have time to deal with this right now...."

Sound familiar?  The stress of the holidays are approaching us all and real fast.  Thanksgiving is over and as it took me a day or so to recoup from all the baking and cooking from the first family dinner, I'll soon be getting ready for another family Thanksgiving dinner this weekend. 

Then once that will be done, it'll be time to start the shopping. 

Oh the shopping.....

Cleaning.

Wrapping.

Shopping.

Baking.

Cooking.

Parties.

Shopping.

Wrapping.

and more shopping.

What has happened to our holiday season that everyone has become too busy doing so many things all at once?  What is the season really about these days?  Family?  Santa?  Presents?  What's the first thing your kids say when you ask them what Christmas really means?

The Reset Button

Maybe it's time to push the reset button in our lives.  To go back to simpler times when family was the focus of the holiday season.  Where it's special to find two gifts under the Christmas tree instead of only one... or none.   Where moms and dads feel allowed to drop what they are doing to pay attention to the kids, even just for a few minutes.

Maybe it's time to let the guard down and make amends to those loved ones who have gotten lost.  To forget the pride of who's fault is whose, to forget the past and move on to the present. 

                                                       
What is really important?  To prove a point or let the holidays slip by in a blink?

Unexpected and Undeserved

This holiday season, my goal is to try to be more creative.  To give a gift that's unexpected and maybe even undeserved.  To someone who has wronged me or someone I need to find forgiveness in and give them a gift they don't expect or maybe they don't even deserve. 

Instead of going shopping for that "one more gift", I'm going to try to find time instead.  To create that last gift with time from the heart.  I want to spend more time with my children without feeling hurried, to play a game with them, read a book and just snuggle in front of a good cartoon.  To listen more instead of talking more.  Pray more.  I invite you to do the same this Christmas.  Slow down and smell the cinnamon pine cones and take in all the blessings you have in your life. If it wasn't for Jesus being born, we wouldn't be celebrating Christmas.  Don't forget the reason for this season. 

 

 Jesus!

 

                                                        flickr.com/Alessandro Pinna

 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

   And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

   and to walk humbly with your God."  - Micah 6:8

Inspired by Pastor Nathan Custer, Columbia Heights United Methodist Church, 2013