I didn't escape!

So much left to do...and I am still moving slow after meeting "the can" a few times Friday night. I really thought I would be ok if I sat real still and didn't move! At least I was able to wait till everyone was in bed...asleep! I don't like getting sick with an audience! Nor did I want any helpers! The timing couldn't have been worse either! I couldn't eat at our first family gathering and it looked so good! I still have presents to wrap and food to make...and did I mention that the kids are off school for two weeks and are in rare form these days!? Thanks to our moms for helping me out on Saturday! When the kids left with Grandma, I found evidence of their play all over the house! How old do children have to be before they quit squirting lotions and various other substances all over counters, sinks, and mirrors? Good grief!
Dare I say this mother's falalalala-ing is running out of steam...and it is Christmas Eve!
Enjoy the times spent with your loved ones! I will...and I hope the only gift they receive from me is gratefulness and love for them...not the 12 hour flu!

School is out for two weeks, as of today...

and let the fun begin! Already...we each had to go to our own rooms and take naps! Blessed quietness! Now we are sugared up on cups of hot chocolate and full of falalala! We are thankful the "rush" of programs and parties have calmed down...now it is time to enjoy our family time...I wonder how long that thrill will last for everyone!? HO HO HO!

Part of our heritage...Part 2...See Aunt Gail's for Part 1

My mother is her mother's daughter through and through! I had to laugh on Saturday when I was at Mom and Dad's and saw their "new fangled towel holder". Dad was tired of the towel always falling off the oven door and Mom...using her clever ways...thought of yet, another use for the ever popular rubberband...a resource that Gram taught all of us to value!
I...also...am my mother's daughter! So far I haven't been able to come up with another more creative use of the rubberband, so I will continue to use it to keep all my important baking items secure in my cupboard!
We laugh about this...but it brings back cherished memories of Gram! She was wise and frugal! She didn't "tell us" about these neat uses for rubberbands (and other such disposable products), we just saw them put to use...and they make great sense! Why spend money on something that will probably break...when you get free rubberbands every day or week on the newspaper or on other products you have purchased!? Twisty ties, baggies, grocery bags, etc! The Depression taught Gram to be frugal and careful...and she is still reminding me...whenever I see "disposable products"..."I could wash this out and use it again!" "If I rinse it out and let it dry..." Got the giggles yet? I know I am not the only one!!!

Yep...we are our mother's daughters...who were their mother's daughters...who will teach our daughters to be our mother's daughters!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

It is snowing again! It looks like we live in a snowglobe today!

Aunt Gail...this is for you...

...mystery solved...Mom has Gram's little angels...they were put in order for you by Mom...she giggled the entire time...
Are you giggling yet?

More days of December

On the twelvth day of December, my little loves hid from me...a stash of candy from the Awana party...
On the fourteenth day of December, I found a bunch of cones...and don't know how to decorate with them...hmmm
On the thirteenth day of December, my little loves looked and saw...a shining dish of yummy gumdrops!

When there are children in the house...

I was reminded of my cousin's post about what happens "when there are children in the house" when I walked by and saw the snowmen, yet again, out of their "welcome-ing" order. I don't know how many times I have "fixed" them, but I have decided it is just a ploy by "my little loves" to "give Mom something else to do"...and so I now refuse to fix them...no matter how many visitors point out the spelling error...I didn't do it...and it is one thing I don't have to fix...anymore! I have more important jobs to do like...laundry, dishes, cleaning...some of the many "fixes" I have to do over and over!

The song...that never ends?

On the twelvth day of December, the dear Lord gave to me...a beautiful walk in a winter wonderland!
On the tenth day of December, my little loves gave to me another pile of snowy, wet clothes...
For every day of December...my favorite type of mistletoe!

P.S. Some of you think this doesn't make sense...but it will...I will recap it all for you! It is turning out to be a list of things that I can and should be thankful for! And you should here me sing it to the actual tune...I amaze myself! It helps to sing it the way Andy Williams does his version...remember, Mari, the record?

Happy Birthday gifts in the making

Our budding artists!
Hurry, Daddy, open them! We made them for you for your office!
I honestly only helped a very little bit!!! Each of the kids were so careful and picked their own colors and how they wanted their picture to look. Then I asked each of them to tell me why they loved their Daddy. These are for his office wall...so he can look at them and know how much he is loved! Priceless gifts!

Happy Birthday to my dear husband!

(I borrowed this pic from Uncle Gerry and Aunt Connie's blog)...because I love it! Ted had just walked in the door and he was tired! Every day he works so hard...and I am so proud of him! Owning a business and trying to make it grow and prosper is no easy task, but Ted has worked tirelessly along with Dad to make a dream a reality. We know it all is in God's hands and He is in control...but that doesn't mean it doesn't take alot of blood sweat and tears!!!
Honey...we are proud of you and we love you!!! Have a good day today!

Things could have been a whole lot worse...instead...it was beautiful!