Christmas for 3 days!

Today we are celebrating our Christmas! We are trying to figure out a time that our family of 4 can celebrate Christmas and the last couple or three years it has worked out well to celebrate it on the 23rd.  So, this morning I am going to be making a Triple Chocolate Cheesecake and then playing with the girls. Last night when they went to bed, I tried to finish up all my cleaning that i didn't get done throughout the day. I washed a couple loads of clothes and even hand-washed a few items. The girls never did nap so they went to bed early. I have just a few gifts to wrap yet and I'll be done! That is a lot of random sentences but that's what's going on in our house. 

Today I will probably look through our copy of Susan Branch's "Christmas Memories"  and fill out any blank pages... and then start on this year.  It's best to do right away so that nothing is forgotten.  I am contemplating making a gingerbread house with the girls... I really want to do a lot of fun things and start traditions.. it is so fun having a family. Well, more later, my day is starting!

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!

illness

Illness is in our home. Poor Madelyn got the flu Sunday morning. Please pray that it can circulate our home fast and that by Christmas it would be over.  I am still coughing up a storm, to the point that cough meds are not working and a good nights' sleep is a struggle. I am still hopeful that this week will be good nonetheless and that we can really enjoy the true meaning of Christmas with much meditation. I just won't be convinced otherwise! More later about the weekend.

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.

so dry

My skin is so dry... and raw. I feel like I have scratched my skin off.  I have tried countless lotions and anti-itch creams, and it is still not helping.  I'm not sure what to do! The last couple days have been lots of fun. We stayed at the hotel and to my surprise it was soooooooo much fun!  The kids loved every minute of it, and they even slept through the night. I also braved it out and went into the antique mall--nothing was broken. The next day I went into Target to get groceries.... the girls were pretty crabby due to late bedtimes and early rising, but we got through it.  Three days in a row= no naps... I am hopeful that this is not going to be a tradition. It is a huge struggle.

Tonight we went out for supper with some friends and the girls got to play. I know they had lots of fun... but it is again, late.  10:15 was their bedtime. I hope they will do okay tomorrow. Anyway, here's some pics from the hotel stay... i am seriously going to bed!

Joy Swap

 Just a quick note on the "Joy Swap" I participated in.  I submitted my info here  and began thinking of ideas to pack my box.  I was then emailed a partner from NC, and about two weeks later I sent my box! I wish I could have taken pictures of my box but I was in such a rush to get it in the mail. It is truly a miracle that I even got enough time to buy the gifts!  As for my Operation Christmas Child, I ended up doing mine online, which is actually better for me because they know the key things to pack. You can do the same thing I did, here!!  Below are pictures of my box as I had just gotten in the mail.

I got some recipe cards, a magnetic notebook (for my grocery list) two recipes, a couple tree ornaments, a cute coffee mug with some cocoa packets, a snowflake cookie cutter, card-making kit, and a couple recipes. I will definitely do this again. Better go to bed............ full day again tomorrow.

Enjoying the Season

 I am truly enjoying this Season but it is going by so quickly. I am afraid I will blink and it will be over! Today we are going to GF to spend the night at the CanAdd Inn, (I think that's how you spell it) Peter has some farming meetings today and (EARLY) tomorrow so the company is paying for our hotel and meal. Nice!  So, after "naps" we are going to GF to do some shopping and then play at the water park. I have to finish packing and loading things into the car before we go but I wanted to post on here since it's hard to do lately. We are looking to hopefully *almost* finish our Christmas shopping and of course I am hoping for a good nights' sleep.  I remember last year during the same meetings, Maddy was just 7 or 8 months and it was -10 for a high! I was lugging around this heavy car seat with a 2 1/2 year old going in and out of stores by myself while waiting for the meetings to be done.... it was freezing. We had an awesome, awesome room with a free upgrade, but our sleep was awful. There was a huge party next door, we forgot our fan for white noise, and Maddy hardly slept a wink.  I am praying that will not happen again!

Also am praying for my poor sister Kelsey who is having problems with her jaw.  I feel so bad for her... but i'm hopeful she trusts that everything happens for a reason. I'm waiting to hear back from her regarding her appointment she just had. Poor kels. Here's some pictures that were taken the last couple weeks. I better get busy!