already here

Right now it is a little past 12am and I cannot sleep. Even though my body is aching and uncomfortable and my eyes are burning from tiredness, I am wide awake. Today has been a restful day, no doubt, yet I can't seem to shut off my wandering, stressed mind. Tonight we put up our tree, and though it was fun, it really wasn't. I realized what an impatient mother I am and have started praying that I can be more laid back. Decorating the tree was not enjoyable. Because I love things perfect, I could not string my beads and lights perfectly around the tree as I'd hoped; meanwhile, the kids were recklessly getting into all kinds of ornaments, breaking tops off, and making a mess. Kate was excited.... she wanted to decorate the tree. I don't blame her. I was, very much so, ripping out the last two strands of hair on my head just to get the girls to listen and be patient. I finally just sat down on my chase and silently cried. When Kate noticed, she said "Why are you sad?" and I just shrugged. I shrugged because there was no reason for my mood and grumpiness and it was silly to be upset that I'm a moron and can't light up a tree! She then said with a big smile, "When I am sad, music helps me feel better!"

It was easier and more enjoyable from then on but my prayer tonight for sure was to just enjoy our activities. So what if it's a mess. So what if it didn't go as planned. Part of everyone's problem these days is having high expectations.  Decorating was supposed to be fun, and I ruined part of it by letting my cramps and controlling mood get in the way. I need to find some scripture that will help remind me of this when I am in certain situations.

So, I can't sleep because I am thinking about all that happened tonight/today, all the things I have to do this week, and last but not least, blogging it.  Usually when I can't sleep, writing helps calm me down and it's like it erases from my mind for the night. Tomorrow I am hoping I can be laid back, get work done but also do fun things with the kids and just plain ol' enjoy our day. Isn't that what really matters? Yikes, I've got a lot to work on!

Winter Mantel

Hello, I already posted today but came across this blog (I get updates on facebook for some cool blog posts) and this one had a mantel link-up. So I decided to do it. Here's a picture of how i decorated my mantel this year. Pretty simple compared to the others.!  I have two green spiral-like trees sprayed in glitter, a star with a vintage frame covered on top of it... a kerosene lamp, and some fake poinsettias.  I usually dress my mantle in real garland but I didn't want a mess, and plus the extra cost of garland, so I opted for fake this year. I have a string of white sparkly glass beads strung very messily across.  I forgot to take detailed pictures... i am impressed I even got the post up!

 I also took apart my tree (it was time to go) and made a few centerpieces. I was glad to recycle!

today is the day

I think it's been one whole year since I started this blog. It has been a lot of fun to write and look through other blogs, especially for motivation. I am hoping that I can start being crafty again, soon. The business of the holidays always puts a halt to things i've enjoyed doing... and i want to get back into them.  Yesterday I was working on choosing pictures for my wedding scrapbook album. I didn't have a lot of pictures to work with, or pictures that I really liked, so I chose the small proof pictures to put into the album. It doesn't matter to me, I just want a simple, cute album. I bought one from M. Stewart that already has all the embellishments and most of the paper and borders for it. How nice is that?! But since I am using the smaller photos, they don't quite fit in with the borders, so I have to improvise. It's still better than starting from scratch!

Today I plan to be with the kids -- do some devotion type stuff. I have neglected that, too. (sad) and then someone told me that when she was at home with the kids, and still wanted to play but get things done around the house, she'd set the timer for 15 minutes. She'd play specifically with the kids for 15 minutes, and then do cleaning for 15. I think that is reasonable. I think it is a whole lot better than sorta playing with the kids and giving them half your attention while you're creating play for them and then doing the dishes while they play.. which I am guilty of.  So i am going to try that today. Wish me luck.

Today my devotion was on Psalm 17: 7-9.  I am so glad that I can read things like this right away in the morning; so many times I have left my devotions at the end of the day (which is fine, and better than nothing!) but I had regretted doing it right away. It spoke about how God wants to scoop us up from beneath us like a hen scoops up her chicks... but we are unwilling.  (Luke 13:34-35)   That gives Satan a foothhold. Psalms just talked about how when we obey Him, he will keep us as the apple of His eye, and hide us in the shadow of his wings from the wicked who assault us.  Right at this exact moment, Kate is singing "Today is the day, you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it... I won't worry about tomorrow, I'm trusting in what you say!!" and maddy is singing, "oh oh oh... oh oh oh oh.."  Today is the day lyrics.

Christmas was fun but busy this year. Here are some of my photos I thought turned out the best:

Merry Christmas 2010!

Here are a few pictures of the girls before our Christmas celebration began:

Our meal: Salmon, our own breaded shrimp, and rice

Gift time!

Triple C Cheesecake

Next ..........bath and sleepy time

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord...Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased (Luke 2:11, 14).

rice and powerade

...part of my diet today. We are 90% over the flu in this house, which is so great. I am thankful. It seems with us it lingers on for days and sometimes weeks before the next person catches it. Everything worked out perfectly in terms of getting sick. I got sick during the night, so i was actually up most of the night but that ended up being  great, because then I could rest and not worry about chasing kids away or worry what they were getting into. It was nice because Kate and I both took a nap in my bedroom during naptime and that really helped me feel better. I got enough energy to clean up the kitchen and make rice for supper and a couple other odd things and after the kids went to bed i folded a bunch of laundry and cleaned up garbage around the house. My goal for the next two days is just to finish wrapping gifts, try to get the house in order as best as i can (without stressing) and just to enjoy the next few days peacefully. I might have to make a trip to GF (that was the plan before everyone got sick) but if I don't... oh well I guess. This year we are spending Christmas Eve with my parents and sisters. I am a bit sad that I can't see my brother and his family but hopefully soon we can get the holidays straightened out. I know i am super excited for when the girls get older (even now is starting to get really fun) to start playing games and more activities and traditions. This year I really want to start matching pajamas as gifts they get to open. I love my little family!

entertaining

Christmas is getting so close.  For us, one whole week is left before we celebrate. I am a little nervous that I am not forgetting any gifts, or any meal plans for the week. I feel like there is always so much to do, and i feel so worn out and miss the lazy days of just lying on the couch. I had three Christmas parties to attend in the last two weeks. One at my church, my women's bible study, and my GNO group. December is my month so this Wednesday I hosted at my home. Because we've been gone a lot, there really wasn't much time to prep and declutter. I got it done at least. I had a tickle in my throat all day Wednesday and sure enough, my voice was hoarse by the time the girls left. Before bed, I hardly could talk and when I got up, I had no voice at all. My vocal chords are so sensitive... I sure hope these voice lessons are helping!  Anyway, I am tired today from being up during the night. A good nights' sleep would feel good! 

The party went well... I didn't do much decorating since i had already gotten that done.. the only new thing I did was put red branches in my tree. It actually looks really cute. I served two appetizers: bacon-cheese ball, and pepper jelly with crackers. For supper: chicken tettrizini, salad, bread, punch, and an ice cream dessert. Nothing fancy, but really easy and it turned out well. We had fun conversation and had our gift exchange after. I am really happy to be able to have the friends I do and be apart of so many things in a small community. Though it gets busy sometimes, I don't always attend every week or every month, but I do when I can and it's fun.  Here are some pictures from last night.