Four Years!

**This is the same post I run every year on this date, and will continue to do so as long as I have this little blog of mine!**


Andy's mom Joy, was such a wonderful person, I truly wish all the world could have known her. She had something special about her that I don't see in many people. She was special. Her love for the Lord showed through her love for everything else. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend, a nurse, a mother, a grandmother, and a spiritual teacher. All those duties, were performed with the Lord by her side.

She battled the cancer for 3 long years and was a trooper every single step of the way. And even though is hard for those of us left here on earth, knowing that she is pain-free and with her Lord and Savior makes all the difference.

Below is a letter that I found that Andy started to write. He was planning to read this at the funeral. His feelings took over and he wasn't able to read it, but I feel that it is totally worth reading...

Mom, Joy, is there anyone more fitting to carry that name? You have impacted so many lives and spread so much love and joy. While preparing this, I did some searches for joy, and found a wonderful quote from Mother Theresa that sums it all up.

Joy is prayer - Joy is strength - Joy is love - Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

Mom, you are that net. No one will ever know how many people you consoled, counseled, and led to a better relationship with the Lord, but the numbers don’t matter.

Your devotion to us, your family, and God, has been an example for all. As I reflect back on everything you’ve done, there is incredible consistency. That consistency is your dedication to God, never ending selflessness, and abundant compassion. You never had to tell us “Do as I say, not as I do”. You taught by example, not by words. When asked to serve, you willingly gave. You were never too busy or too tired. On the contrary, you embraced every task as a blessing and opportunity to serve the Lord.

We miss you very much!

Holiday Cookies!

If you really know me, you know that I'm more of a "chips" girl than and "desserts" girl.  So all the holiday baking is not really a huge deal to me.  There are several things that I definitely LOVE, like my friend, Nicole's chocolate covered snack mix!  She dropped off a bag a week or so ago on a crazy afternoon and I think the kids and I ate the entire bag before she even pulled out of the driveway!  The pretzels are the best part in my opinion.  (It's the salty and sweet that do me in!) 

Last Saturday morning while Andy was out biking, the kids and I stayed in our jammies and baked all morning.  Andy loves oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, so we made a batch of those.  We also made a batch of cranberry walnut cookies, which is a recipe I got from Andy's mom, Joy.  I always make them because they remind me of her. 

Then we made these.  Thin & Crispy Oatmeal cookies.  I came across the recipe a while back when I was hoping from blog to blog.  I don't know why they looked so good to me, but I printed the recipe and put it in my recipe binder. 

I followed the recipe exactly.....and oh my goodness!  They are wonderful.  They have a little bit of sea salt on the top which honestly, is like frosting to me.  If you like oatmeal cookies, these are the BEST.  Now, they are exactly what they are called, thin and crispy, so if you are looking for a soft, chewy oatmeal cookie, these are not that.  But I don't think you will be disappointed.  Try them.....they are fabulous.  This is the only recipe I've tried from Allie's Clean Plate Club, but I think I'll be trying more very soon.

Another Christmas Tradition!

My hubby is lucky enough to get some extra time off at the holidays.  He always gets the week between Christmas and New Years off and usually a few days before Christmas too.  It's nice to have him around to help keep the kids entertained, or even run errands for me if need be. 

When the kids were just little bitty, we started a tradition where we take the kids to my parents, the two of us go out for lunch and then together we finish the shopping.  We continued that tradition today.  Went dropped the kiddos off at Grandma and Paca's house and then headed out to lunch.  In the past we have always gone to Red Lobster, so I suggested some other options for our dining pleasure.  However, my hubby is ALL about the tradition part and drove us right to Red Lobster.  I then remembered that it's not about where we go, but that we are together.  We had a great lunch and then headed out in the crazy madness of holiday shopping (which is NOT my most favorite thing!)  Our shopping was pretty much complete, there were a few odds and ends to pick up, so we pretty much just shopped for him.   The rule however, was that anything he got had to be wrapped and he would act totally surprised when he opened them on Christmas day.  It was a nice afternoon and I will look forward to this same tradition next year and maybe even the same ol' Red Lobster.

Let the fun begin!

Christmas break has officially begun.  The kids had a half day today and after I picked them up, we went for our "traditional" lunch out.  Although, we didn't actually eat out, we brought it home.  But that's okay.  Most of my stuff is done.  Gifts bought, gifts wrapped, most of the items from the grocery store purchased.  Now it's just all about fun.  The plan is to see some movies, start a new 1000 piece puzzle (another new tradition we started last year!), do some craft projects, spend time with family and friends and just really try to enjoy our time together.  We might even get some skiing in, if we'd ever get some snow.  I'm going to try to stay positive and pray that the bickering doesn't start till at least tomorrow! 

Holiday fun....

is making Cool-Whip gingerbread houses with our cousins.  And more importantly, a big "Thank You" to Papa and Jane for having all this messy fun-ness at their house! 

 

  

 

Christmas number one!

We celebrated Christmas with my dad's side of the family on Sunday afternoon.  It's a chance for us to see everyone and catch up. There is always a ton of snackie-type food to munch on and then we do a little gift giving.  My parents always give money and a little something for the kids to open. Max got his most favorite thing in the world....a new Lego set. 

 here is waiting patiently for his turn to open.....I overheard him say, "Chase, I have that one if you need some help!"  Totally darling!

He opened a space shuttle, which by-the-way was put together by the time he went to bed Sunday night. 

And little miss Maggie was SUPER excited about the gift she opened.  A cupcake maker.  She is all about baking, and this was just perfect for her.  She already made blueberry muffins, and they were really good.  Look out Cupcake Wars....there might just be some competition in a few years!

So much to do.....

so little time. 

I'm so far behind.  I just ordered my Christmas cards TODAY!  Yes, just ordered them.  I know, you can't believe it....me either.   And, they won't even be here till who-knows-when.  Hopefully you'll all get them before Christmas. 

The shopping is going pretty well.  Thank goodness for the Internet and my favorite UPS guy.  Wrapping has started (well, I've wrapped two things....that's a start right?!)  Baking was taken care of when I went "shopping" at the annual cookie walk at church this past Saturday.  However, that same batch of cookies that I bought, got dropped off later that day to a friend who needed them much more than I did.  (I'm thankful they're out of my house!)  

But I have made the time to reconnect with a dear friend (we just sat and got all caught up for the entire day), go to dinner with friends (different friends on different nights), go to breakfast with friends, read a really good book, keep up on my bible study and get back to the gym. 

Those are the things that are really important to me....all the other stuff can wait. 


Hope you are enjoying this crazy holiday time too!