It's hard to believe that this little guy is 40 years old today.  The kids and I have a surprise planned for him and he keeps trying to figure out what it is.  
       I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow! 
       Happy Birthday Adam!!!  We Love You!!!  (Forty isn't so bad.  Trust me.)  :)
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    In our younger days, the New Year was spent with a night out having fun.  Good friends gathered without a care in the world as the endless possibilities of the year ahead beckoned.  The whole world celebrated and the excitement of it all brought each freezing cold night of our annual tradition to an end...and a beginning.
    Fast forward to this year.  Fancy party dresses with sequins and sparkles have been traded in for yoga pants and t-shirts.  The excitement has been refocused on who can stay up until midnight (parents included) and the still freezing cold night has been made even more painfully brisk while waiting outside to take the dog out. 
    We all made it through though.  At the stroke of midnight, screams and cheers rang through the house as we watched the ball drop.  The more I think about it though, things haven't really changed that much.  
    Family gathered without a care in the world as the endless possibilities of the year ahead beckoned.  The whole world celebrated and the excitement of it all brought the freezing cold night of our annual tradition to an end...and a beginning.

    Happiest of New Years to you and Yours and may God Bless You in the days to come.  XO
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     The last pieces of wrapping paper are tucked away in the corner.  Toys are here and there with empty boxes scattered about.  Another Christmas has come and gone. 
     Even though it seems that each year of Christmas becomes my new favorite, I'm surprised at how much more fun it is to watch the magic of it all through the eyes of our children as they get older.
     This year was no exception.  From the Christmas Eve service at church, to running to my parent's house to make cookies and feed the reindeer...

     ...it's hard to imagine what it will be like when they outgrow it all.  
     Will Christmas morning be the same when they don't wake up before the sun and race to see the tree?

     And will it mean as much to enjoy a full day away from the hustle and bustle of life, staying only in our PJs while there is peace and harmony throughout.  
     A day where toys are played with and the kids are content. 

    For now I'll be happy to take it in and enjoy their childhood, knowing it will be all too soon before it's gone.
    We hope that you and yours had a Merry Christmas with a day full of happiness and peace...and that your years to come will be even better.  
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    My best friend Tricia from my hometown, sent a picture of the cutest idea for Christmas cookies this year.  Anyone who knows me, knows my disdain for Pinterest since anything I attempt to make doesn't even come close to the pictures...but these looked almost (dare I say) easy.   
     Giving it a go, the kids and I had a ton of fun making them.  Here they are along with some other Christmas ideas we've recently done (including breakfast!) if you need anything cute and quick for the coming of St. Nick!  Merry Christmas!  

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    Oh dear Elf, how I hate to see you go.  The tears I hide just knowing that this week will be your last with us for yet another long and lonely year.
    What will we do without you?  You who have been the one greatest joy every. single. night as my husband and I realize just how happy we are to remember your journey to the North Pole and back.  I sometimes lie in bed awake and smile, just wondering where we'll get to find you with the dawn's morning light.  Zip lining through the house on Christmas lights or bathing in a bowl of marshmallows?
     What's even better is that your friends in other houses have the "coolest" and "most awesome" fun...EVER.  The bar that's been set by facebook and Pinterest alone, hasn't annoyed us in the slightest.    

     Oh and another thing, dear Elf, I can't begin to define the magnitude of despair that will cover us that first morning you'll be gone.  
     How will we cope without the rumbling herd of elephants tearing through our house at least an hour before normal, just to look for you?  Thank you for that.  
     The only thing better than the harmonious trample of eight little feet is the guarantee of screaming that ensues with the first sight of you.  Oh it starts out in all good fun initially, yes.  Then, without missing a beat, the screams turn into arguements regarding who found you first and so on and so forth.  It's such a beautiful way to start each day.       
     Dear and sneaky Elf, you will be sorely missed.  There are simply no words to describe the sadness as such, but I'll try nonetheless.  
     This year that will pass without your elfish ways and havoc brought upon our house will be marked not only by months or weeks but with days, if not hours.  Each night we go to bed and morning we wake without your presence and uninterrupted sleep, will be counted...until the day you arrive again...you fantastic and exponentially incessant little friend you.  
     Until next year Elf...Merry Christmas.
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    My bestie from home called with a cool recipe on how to make old fashioned Christmas ornaments to hang on your tree.  She said it made her whole house smell wonderful.
    We tried it and wow, was she right.  It was like Christmas morning and the North Pole were right there in our kitchen.
    Here's the recipe and we hope you enjoy.  Thank You Amy!

             Old Fashioned Christmas Ornaments

1 1/4 Cup Flour
3/4 Cup Mix of Cinnamon and Ground Cloves
1 Cup Salt
1 Cup Water

The 3/4 Cup of spices can be done as you prefer.  I used 3/4 cinnamon and 1/4 ground cloves because I had to grind the cloves in a blender. 

Mix all ingredients together and knead.  If the dough is too sticky, add more cinnamon as opposed to flour.

Roll the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness on parchment paper and lightly sprinkle with cinnamon.

Cut with cookie cutters then place on cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.  Use a straw to put holes in the top of each ornament before you bake them, so you can lace a string or ribbon through each once they're done.  

Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.

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    Earlier this year we got our first family dog.  The kids and I had wanted one for years, but my husband didn't.  He thought it would only add extra chaos into our already crazytown house.  Boy - was he wrong.   

     Much to our delight, Adam gave in.  After countless attempts and years of trying to convince him it would be alright, I'm happy to announce that the past eight months have been a breeze.  Not one thing has gone awry.  

              No couches have been destroyed...

              No walls have been chewed through...

    ...and the thing my husband is the happiest about, is now that the kids are finally old enough that they don't pull the ornaments off our Christmas tree, we were able to decorate it all the way to the bottom.  It looked so pretty with our family dog lying beneath with the peaceful glow to match the tranquility of our perpetually calm home. 

    Yes, it's the first official Christmas we've had a family dog and not a worry in the world.  
    Oh - and the minor detail that she happened to chew through the every single strand of lights once they were unplugged and hanging from the tree didn't phase my husband one bit.  In fact, he loves the dark tree with no lights so much, that it may even become a new family Christmas tree tradition.
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    One hundred and one years.  That's how long one of my favorite people has lived.  She's a patient I met at work, and she's as sweet as she could be.
     In passing conversation, I asked what her favorite Christmas in the past hundred years has been.  Without hesitation, she closed her eyes and smiled.
     "When I was a little girl," she began, "I was worried that Santa wouldn't come to my house.  Times were hard and I didn't think he could make it."
     Her slight smile grew as I watched her go back in time. 
     She continued, "I went through the house and found an old shoebox.  Later that night on Christmas Eve, I secretly hid it under the tree in hopes that he would find it and put a gift inside."
     Opening her eyes, she took my hand, "Do you know what I found when I woke up on Christmas morning?"
     I held my breath and waited.
     "That morning, I ran straight to the tree.  Looking underneath, there was the shoebox.  When I peeked inside, there was a single piece of fruit, a few pieces of candy," she had the widest grin, "and a brand new baby doll.  It was such a beautiful doll wearing a light pink dress, all my own.  I'd never had a better Christmas."  
     Fighting the tears, the light in her eyes and pure joy was still undeniable.  It was a simple gift, but it to her it meant the world.  
      Let us remember the spirit and true meaning of this Christmas season with the love that could fill a shoebox and one hundred and one years of happiness. 
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    The time had come.  Night after night, week after week of countless hours of practice had come to this.
     Our fifth grade son began playing the trumpet this year and if you've read our blog, you know it's been a little less than...well...stellar.  
     For hours we've endured, I mean, enjoyed the beautiful sounds coming from this amazingly deafening loud instrument.  To think that our son, along with several other fifth graders would join together for a Christmas concert was almost more than we could handle.
     Needless to say, we readied ourselves for the event.  Taking our seats, we listened as the assistant principal welcomed us and prepared us for what we were about to hear. 
     Reminding us that the students hadn't even picked up an instrument before three or so months ago, we couldn't help but wonder what to expect.
     What came next, was completely wonderful.  I know it's hard not to be a proud mom, but in this instance, when the band conductor prompted the first song, it was impossible not to be.  
     My eyes began to water and a lump grew in my throat.  When everything came together, it was truly fantastic.

     To hear the music...actual beautiful music...come in the form of songs that we could not only recognize, but also enjoy, was simply amazing.  
     No earplugs were needed, no wincing or trauma occurred.  I looked to find Christian in the mix of his classmates and my heart grew a thousands times full.  It was less than a minute ago that they were all in kindergarten together, but now they were so grown and mature.

     The band instructor ended the concert with a word about how much the students have learned.  I don't know if I've ever seen someone take such a group of young kids with absolutely no experience and turn them into something so impressive in such little time.    

    If you'd like to hear one of their songs, I've linked it to our facebook page here. (Sorry about the camera work.) https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=327056584165984&set=vb.189002857971358&type=2&theater
     To the man who taught our little ones how to play, we thank you.  I can't even imagine what they'll sound like a year from now.  
     And to all the band kids and musicians of the world, I am in awe.  To see where you began and what beauty you can create, is truly a magical thing. 
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    Our seven year old little boy had his Christmas play at school this week.  He's been so excited for the big night and we couldn't wait to see him on stage.
     He got the part of a shepherd boy and has practiced 'taking a knee' for the part, saying that he wanted to stay just the way his football coach taught him how to sit during practice.
     I didn't know exactly how taking a knee like he does in football would look during the middle of a manger scene, but we were eager for the performance nonetheless.
     When time for the play finally came, Preston was dressed from head to toe in his cute little shepherd costume.  He walked across the stage with the other adorable kids and took his place.
     Preston usually has the biggest smile and we expected him to beam from ear to ear.  For whatever reason though, he looked serious...angry even.  His little brow furrowed as he took his place beside the manger.
     Elbowing my husband, I whispered, "What's wrong with him?  Is he scared?"  Adam shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.   
     For the whole scene, little Preston knelt motionless, looking like the grumpiest shepherd...ever. 
     When the play was over, we all hugged and kissed him, telling him how great the whole play was.  The school and the kids put so much work into it, making it beyond impressive for such little ones.
     Getting in the car, I leaned back, "Preston, were you okay up there during your part?"
     "Yep."
     "Were you upset about something?"
     "Nope."
     "Well Buddy, why did you look so angry?"
     "I wasn't angry.  I was serious."
     "Serious?  What do you mean, serious?"
     "Well, my teacher said, that she didn't want anyone goofing around.  She said that she wanted us all to be serious, so I was."
     Putting my hand over my mouth, I turned back around and tried to hold in my giggle.  Adam shook his head laughing as we drove away.
     "You did a good job being serious, little man.  We really liked the play."
      A few seconds out of the parking lot, Preston nodded, "Yeah, you know it is a serious thing to take a knee for Jesus...so that's what I did."

    Their little minds never cease to amaze me.  Here's to the grumpiest looking shepherd ever, with the biggest of all hearts.
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