today I am thankful

for so many things. At the top of the list are my faith and my church family, My children were given some news lately that was very hard for them to deal with. their dad is moving to Florida in January, While I think this is a good move for him it is, of course, very unsettling for them to say the least, I shared this as a prayer concern for my children at church yesterday and the response of love and support was overwhelming and humbling, Again I wonder how people with no faith survive the major tragedies and difficulties in their lives. God has carried my family through so much in the last few years and continues to do so faithfully and in so many ways.

Another very cool thing at church is watching the way they have embraced and welcomed Allen into our extended family. Already he is being involved in call to worship, special music and co-teaching a Sunday school class. It is great to see him feeling so much at home in the church we call home.

A New Year challenge

with a prize.......................

Here is your jump start for a scrapbook page....................... Scrap a memory from 2008 that is important to you. It could be something wonderful, a new addition to your family or home, something diffcult that you made it through, a big change in your life................. you get the idea.

Link your page to theis post or email it to me by January 31st and one lucky winner (chosen by random drawing) will win some cool CTMH products

Happy Day After Christmas

My family was very blessed this year as I hope yours was too. I had a houseful for Christmas Eve which I LOVE. Most of us attended candle light services together and everyone came back for at least a part of Christmas day.

Christmas day at my house is very laid back and lazy. I make my big dinner Christmas Eve and also prepare breakfast casserole and monkey bread before going to bed for Christmas morning. The kids cook the coffee and have their own little ritual of hot chocolate and gift snooping as they wait for mom's coffee to Be done. they they wake me up, I throw breakfast in the oven and we open gifts. By the time we are done we have a wonderful, hot breakfast. I do clean up and then the rest of the day is everyone fend for yourself with snacks and leftovers and every cleans up after themselves too. We all stay in our jammies and just enjoy being relaxed and together.

awesome song

that I have been singing/praying for someone who truly needs to feel God's love, direction, and forgiveness in his life

January is National Papercrafting month

Each year CTMH designs a wonderful campaign special to celebrate this month. This year is no exception. As a matter of fact I think they have outdone themselves.

I already shared a photo that shows the gorgeous papers (in our new colors of sorbet, tulip, juniper, and creme brulee) well. Here is another photo that shows in more detail the gorgeous E-sized stamp set that is included. I LOVE this set



Contact me to find out how to purchase this limited time set.................. $47.90 purchase price or earn at a discounted or free price with a qualifying purchase

favorite Christmas cookie recipe from my "little" brother

Favorite Christmas Cookie

1 cup of water

4 large eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup nuts

1 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

1 cup of brown sugar

lemon juice

2 cups dried fruit

1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo

again, to be sure it is of the highest quality. Pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the

Cuervo is still OK. Try another cup . . . just in case.

Turn off the miserer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the friggin fruit off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck

in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to

check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt, or something.

Who giveshz a sheet.

Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your

nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can

find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window,

finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

Cherry Mistmas.

10 years ago today

I was in Portland trying to keep the twins inside long enough to be healthy. At this time that morning I had no idea of the miracles yet in store for me on that day. Joshua & Jeremy were born at 10:58 and 10:59 pm.



Today they turn 10! The last of my miracles have hit the double digits! Sometimes it seems like just yesterday that they were literally so small I could lay their little bottom in the palm of my hand and hold them in one hand. I remember carrying them into the evening worship service at First Christian Church wrapped in the Christmas stockings they were sent home from the hospital in when they were just 3 days old. I remember their dedication day at church and how blessed I felt to have them become a part of such a wonderful church family.

I am so proud of the young men they are growing up to be. They have had to see and cope with way more than they should have at their tender age and yet they are both such wonderful children of God

I love how caring Jeremy is and I am so proud of how much he has grown and matured. I love that his faith is strong. I love that he sings at the top of his voice in church on Sundays. I love when he curls up close to me saying "you haven't had a cuddle from me in a long time".

I love how Joshua works so hard to do the right thing. I love that he loves God with all his heart. I love how kind and caring he is. I love that he is not embarrassed to show that he loves his mom in front of his friends.

I hope today is a wonderful and special day for both of them. Wow! They are 1/2 way to adulthood!

Snow Day!

We really should have gotten a snow day yesterday but they only called a 2 hour late start. It was a little nerve wracking getting to school and we almost did not make it back up our hill to get home. I got a call for today.........snow day..........yay! Just wish it was warmer so the kids could play in it without getting frostbite.

The night before Christmas

I got this in my email and thought this could be me LOL

'Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him, "Hi Santa, " I said
"You know... good little girls should be in their beds."
"I know I should Santa and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited to see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly, And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!

Pictures from my busy Tuesday

First we had Joshua's wrestling practice where they also did individual pics (we were supposed to also do the team pic but they rescheduled that for next week). I took this one while the photographer was doing his. .........a little blurred but you get the idea :-)



then from wrestling we went straight to the middle school for Amanda and the chamber choir in the Christmas concert. Here is a shot of my sweet girl (the one with the braids) with the voice of an angel

a just for fun quiz

http://www.quizilla.com/quizzes/645550/

and my results :-)


You are GLUE!
You are the adhesive that keeps things together. You go through life helping others. You stick to people and try to keep people together. You like it best when you are surrounded by people and able to help them. But Glue Beware - in your efforts to keep everyone together and with you, you sometimes overlook yourself and find it hard to keep yourself together. Don't neglect personal time in your overwhelming need to socialize and help others.

Wow! Check out this limited time kit from CTMH!

It is called "Key To My Heart" and the "E" sized stamp set alone is to die for. Add in the paper kit (12 printed and 10 cardstocks in all the new colors) and it is an amazing value. This kit is available from December 16th through January 31st while supplies last. You may purchase outright for $47.90, spend $75.00 and purchase for $20.00, or spend $130.00 and earn this kit plus the stamp of the month for free.



Also don't for get the sneak peek open house on Friday, December 12th from 6pm until midnight in the Roger's Room of First Presbyterian church. I will be unveiling the new Spring 2009 idea book and will hold the orders until after January 1st so you can order from the new book :-)

I will have some of the fun new products available for you to see first hand and as always there will be lots of chances to win fun prizes. See you there