CONGRATS Shiela

Congratulations on your new job today Shiela! I know it's a ways to and fro but you can use that time to work on your groove thing in the car as you sing during the long drive.

Way to go Shiela!

My favorite Christmas Movies

Last night the kids and I watched Dr. Seuss The Grinch that Stole Christmas. Both little ones had their eyes glued to the screen as my oldest downed her hot chocolate. I enjoy times like this with them. We all help put out our Christmas village and train set out last night and then enjoyed the movie together. I hope to have more evenings like this with them before Christmas gets here.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas movies:

Tired...

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I want to say I am still very tired from it all. I'm not sure if it was all the eating or just the long weekend but it feels like I need a very long nap. I didn't go out shopping on the dreaded Friday as I call it but I somehow stayed busy all weekend. I am looking forward to going home and doing nothing but watching TV. No work, no children to tend to and thinking of nothing sounds like a really good idea. The problem with that is I'm not sure when I can do that. My plate seems to be too busy for that sort of thing right now. If I'm going to make it though the week I better get some rest.... Here's to Thanksgiving and the wonderful Holiday it is. I hope you enjoyed it because I did.

Centerpiece

I have been looking for some ideas on a easy simple creative Thanksgiving centerpiece. I have an idea in my head that I hope all works out. Now I just have to go and get the things I need. I wanted to share with you a few pics that I found online that is my kind of style.

Things heard over the weekend

35 year old: “Hey that’s cool!”
11 year old: “What is that?”
35 year old: “A vinyl.”
11 year old: “What is that?”
35 year old: “You know, a record?”
11 year old: “Oh.” (still having no clue what it is)

About Twilight from my 11 year old... “That was my favorite movie…before I had even seen it!”

“Hi Mommy! I’m done!” ...as I go in to help my 2 yr old off the potty and find all of the Charmin rolled off into the floor.

“There’s Santa! Can we go see him?” ...as a very excited 3 yr old jumps up and down with the biggest smile on her face.

Tonight is the night I go watch Twilight with a bunch of giddy girls who just cannot get enough of Edward. My daughter and I have had this conversation and what she thinks of Edward. She adores him. I on the other hand am on the side of team Jacob. I know that Bella should end up with Edward because he fits her better but I just like Jacob. He seems like a good hearted and warm character. I am not expecting this movie to be great (I have read some reviews) but I do plan on enjoying it. The most exciting part of the evening I'm sure is seeing how excited these girls are going to be!

Making Meaningful Memories

Does your family have traditions? Do you sit down as a family and talk about why we celebrate what we do? It could be any holiday or event that we have in our lives. Maybe you just go though the motions like the rest of us and most of the time that is easier. Let's face it, sometime we are just too busy to stop and take time for teachable and meaningful moments. This year for Thanksgiving and Christmas I am planning little events for my family to help celebrate the true meaning of each of these holidays. I have a wonderful book that has great ideas on how to do just that. It is called Celebrations That Touch The Heart.

Thanksgiving has been celebrated for thousands of years, back to the biblical times. In the United States it was not made a national holiday until 1863, thanks in great part to Sara Josepha Hale. She as one of the country's first female editors and also wrote the children's song "Mary Had a Little Lamb". This year for Thanksgiving I will sit down with my family share with them the story of the pilgrims and the troubles they faced. For example, some historians say that the pilgrims were rationed just five kernels of corn per meal during the hard times. Can you imagine that? There would be no need to sit at the dinner table for such a short meal. No reason to dirty up plates. So we have many things to be thankful for this season. Take the time with your friends and family to reflect on what God has done for you and so many blessing that we as Americans have.

So to wrap it up I would like to quote a short prayer said by a former United Nations secretary-general.

"For all that has been--Thanks! To all that shall be--Yes!"

If you are a fan I don't have to tell you that Twilight opens this weekend. I have read this series thanks to my daughter and I must admit that I couldn't put the books down. So this weekend I am taking a group of my daughters friends to see the movie and then to an all night slumber party at my house.

"What if I’m not a superhero? What if I’m the bad guy?"

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

Are you one of those people who really enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday or is it just the holiday between the candy & the presents for you? I LOVE Thanksgiving. It is a time for my family to cook, eat, play board games, and watch TV together. It is a very laid back holiday that we all get to enjoy.

My mother-in-law has an open door policy for her home at Thanksgiving. All are welcome to come and the more the merrier. Half of us end up watching a movie or a football game (of course) and the rest of us gather around the dinning room table to play a game or just to talk.

So as we prepare for this wonderful holiday I would like to share with you a dressing recipe. It is a family recipe that no one ever seems to use measurements on and somehow it always turn out perfect. It is my husband's grandmothers recipe. All those who knew her say she was a wonderful lady and a great cook. Enjoy!

Dressing:

corn bread / old bread / biscuits
2 eggs
onion
celery
butter (2 tsp)
sage (2 Tbs)
salt & pepper
apple (peeled & chopped)
chicken or turkey broth

Chop onion and celery, and saute in butter in a small pan until tender. Mix all the ingredients and then add the broth until it is nice and juicy. You can add meat at this point if you would like. Bake in the oven at 400 for 10-20 minutes.

The Beginning

This is where my blogging begins. I suppose I should begin to tell you what this blog is about. I will be adding new things here from time to time about my life. My life includes the new and exciting everyday things through the eyes of a 2 year old and 3 year old and the adventures of the tween life that my 11 year old has. I also will share with you my love for trying to cook as you see I don’t always get that right, my struggles with being creative and coming up with new ideas, my love to paint and sewing new things and just my life in general. Nothing exciting but somehow it all thrills me.