End of 2008

2008 was a great year. We didn't have to move, everyone is healthy, and most days we are all happy. I find it so interesting that something happens between December 31st and January 1st that causes us to evaluate our lives, our year, and our goals. I am looking forward to a new year.... (it also brings closer the job of figuring taxes and the thought of knowing that big number of our money that the government gets...... makes me want to vomit) but that is besides the point........I'm not really sure what my goals are exactly..... I have a few in mind but usually keep them to myself. I am just thankful for this past year and am glad we are about to begin a new one. I am blessed beyond what I deserve and thank God for all He has done for me and my family. 2009 is going to be a great and very interesting year!

Christmas Morning

Here is a pic of the girls right before we started opening presents. There is nothing like watching a child on Christmas morning. What a joy.

*Christmas is over.... kind of sad... kind of glad......
*We had a great relaxing Christmas, but missed being around family.
*We are heading out to hopefully get Joel a new car. Dependable and good in snow... hopefully we can take some advantage of the weak economy and get a good deal!
*I am going to see family in January.. can't wait!
* my kids have been eating tons of sugar and have been watching way too much tv. (tis the season!)
*I am jealous of all the snow my family is getting... and wish we could be sledding too.
*I do not like the 70 degree day we are having..... messes up my wardrobe.
*I need to get back into the news... took a break after the election... time to start educating myself again... lots going on around us in the world today)
*that's all for now!

Christmastime is Here

Yesterday the girls and I made sugar cookies... (using the recipe of my Grandma Betty's). I used to make them when I was their age and I felt really old telling them... "your mommy made these cookies when I was your age and maybe someday you can make them with your kids..." touching moment for me but made me feel old :)
Jesslyn got a little carried away with the sprinkles..... no shocker there..... and Nevaeh is at the age now of really enjoying taking her time to decorate each one nicely with some detail.
It is Christmas Eve..... hard to believe....... seems like summer was just here. Joel will be home early this evening and we are planning on watching a movie together before putting the kids to bed. My family back home in Washington will be attempting to make it up to "the farm'.... my uncle Bob's house. (the two feet of snow might cause some problems...... ) I miss my family a lot today..... looking forward to seeing my sister and her family in January!! Merry Christmas everyone!!! Enjoy your families and don't forget to take some time to praise the birth of our Jesus!

White Christmas

This is a pic of my dad sledding at my Grandma's house.. my parents are getting insane amounts of snow which is not likely or normal for them at all. They are having fun sledding and I am jealous! I wish I was there for the fun... sad to be missing out for sure. My sister said my dad was a "maniac" out in the snow and I am pretty sure it has been many years since he has been sledding. My sisters kids are really loving it after being in hot Africa for three years. They are for sure getting a white Christmas! Love you guys, wish I was there, and take lots more pics!!!

Too old to stay up late!

Joel and I had some friends over last night for lasagna and to watch the movie Elf. It was great and we had a ton of fun but we stayed up later then normal. I think we went to bed around 1:30 and now we are realizing today how we just might be too old to stay up that late. Joel is on his third cup of coffee (at noon) and I am ready for a nap already. Pretty pathetic!!

This is a picture of the gift I received from my mother in law... my first pair of Uggs. I decided to go out on a limb and pick the bright, wild ones. Why not, right? She suggested to me that I get fun ones so I took her advice and went for it. I love them. They are comfy, soft, no need for socks... truly amazing.... like walking on clouds. I am begging Joel for another pair that I can wear with more things!! I wear them as slippers even..... they might not be the prettiest things in the world but they are comfortable and I like them!

My little angel....

Jesslyn was also in the play at church. She was an angel and basically played nervously with her hair the entire time while STARING at Joel and I... it was cute. I am not sure why she wanted to continue to stare us down... but it melted my heart.

Her first solo

Our church had their Christmas play yesterday and my Nevaeh Paige actually sang a solo! For those of you who know Nevaeh, you realize just how big of a deal this is. She has been quite shy in her seven years of life and is usually not able to handle much attention on her. The room was full and she walked right up to that microphone and sang her little heart out. After she was done, Joel and I began breathing again! It was amazing and we are so proud of her!

Gingerbread House

The girls and I made a gingerbread house yesterday... well, I made the house, they decorated. Not the easiest task in the world, but I think they had fun. I am just glad it is still standing!

I am taking the kids to see Rudolph today at the Cincinnati Children's Theatre. The girls have been singing the song all morning and can't wait..... although they are changing the words of the song to all the goofy words. It's getting a little annoying. Why do kids think that if you put the word "underwear" in a song, it makes it funny. I'm over it.
I am also trying to finalize my Christmas cards and get them out in the mail. Why is it that there are always a few straggling addresses that I don't seem to have. That is also annoying.
I watched The Nativity Story with the girls last night. Nevaeh totally got into it but Jesslyn was more into her Polly Pockets. I figured since I had a good collection of all the classic Christmas movies, I should actually own the one that is really about the purpose of Christmas. I did find it hard to completely explain Mary's role in the story without having to explain the word virgin to my seven year old. I guess I succeeded because I did not have to go there..... at least not yet.
I am also very excited that my sister and her family are heading back from Botswana. They have been there three years and will be on furlough for this upcoming year. They are making a stop in Paris to see all the sights. (wish I could join them). I am not sure when exactly I will be over to Washington to see my sister but I am excited to know that they will be closer and in the states. I need to start planning a trip to see them!

I am proud to say that I am completely done with Christmas shopping and most of my cards are addressed and ready to go out. This is the first year that I have been this ahead of the game! It feels good. I am just hoping I am not tempted to just keep buying more.........
and Nevaeh has her first solo in our kids Christmas play at church this coming up Sunday... pray she doesn't freak out, throw the mic down and run off the stage........

The TRIP to dinner

So, last night Joel and I had a dinner date with some friends from Cincinnati. We were early to meet them so we decided to walk around the quaint little town before arriving to the restaurant. We finally saw our friends enter the restaurant from across the street. We started to make our way to meet them.... of course looking both ways before crossing the street. We were about half way across when I suddenly tripped.... and soon realized that my trip turned into a complete, full body, fall. That's right, completely to the ground. It happened so fast yet felt like slow motion. Joel asked me if I was alright (while chuckling some) and helped me up and over to the curb. I looked down to make sure there were no holes in my pants or blood on my shirt because I hit that pavement hard! We realize I am okay, and then the laughing began. I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my face and not to mention, I think my body was in a little shock at that point. I was totally embarrassed and not quite sure how many people saw me... the girl who bit it in the middle of the road. Joel said I held my purse up high as if I was trying with everything in me to save it from its death! He also replayed it for me and from his view, I guess I looked somewhat like Superman... arms out and up and feet out and up behind me. I did scrape up my pinky finger and have a bruise on my knee....... Joel and I have not laughed that hard in a long time. I am sure there were others who went home that night laughing at the girl who bit it in the middle of the road, on a busy Friday night!

Black Friday

Thanksgiving was good.... Joel deep fried a turkey and we were all relieved that the house didn't burn down in the process. It tasted great too... although we did a regular turkey in the oven, just in case. For the first time in many years, my mother in law and sister in law decided to get up and head out the door at 6 for Black Friday. We went to Starbucks first for a coffee, then headed to Kohl's which was what I like to call hell on earth. The lines were weaving around the entire store... people everywhere! We all three decided we would pay the extra few dollars to not have to stand in that 3 hour line. I will never do that again. Then we headed to the mall which was actually not bad at all. Then we headed to Target..... lots o people, about a five minute wait for the next shopping cart, and some empty shelves from the previous shoppers. I got some good deals and didn't have to wait in line at all! Best of all, I am proud to say that it is December 3rd, and I am done with my Christmas shopping. Only one more box to send in the mail!! Now I can spend my days relaxing and watching all my favorite Christmas movies!