We interrupt the memories for a moment....

Crunch time has officially begun...busy, busy busy!! Sunday of course was the kids Christmas program...Colton was a total ham...dancing around the whole time and he was hilarious until he pushed the Pastor's daughter down the step...oh well. Brennan really expressed himself this time and Austin did a great job as well. I was a proud momma! Pics forthcoming....hopefully. Then we had a caroling and cookie exchange that evening at church.

Yesterday I had to make more cookies for the teacher gift baskets, then hubby and I had calling hours to go to for a co-worker of mine when I worked at Buehler's. Her husband passed away...he was only 43. SO sad right before the holidays like that. It's things like that that make me want to ask God why?? He leave behind 4 kids, two that belong to him and my co-worker Ruby...their daughter just gave me a huge hug when I went up to her...I haven't seen her since she was a baby. Almost made me cry. How difficult Christmas will be for them this year...please say a little prayer.

Today was serious crunch day...I had to get a salad ready for a funeral dinner for one of the saints from our church, thank hubby for helping with that! Then I had Austin's Christmas party at school, we then have a Christmas play to go to for the twins I watch during the week...their play is tonight. Then I need to clean my office area (YIKES!!) because the newspaper is coming tomorrow to take a picture of me answering Santa letters. I hate having my picture taken. I just hope my boys don't see it since they still surprisingly believe.

So all that is left now is hoping that a few more gifts show up and get them all wrapped. Hoping that your holiday season is going well.

More memories later~

Memories # 13 & 14

So today's entry is on an arts & crafts tangent today...ever since I can remember my gifts as a kid ALWAYS included something in the arts & crafts dept. Whether it was just a simple coloring book and crayons or a table top weaving loom, I always had at least one arts and crafts kit...of course I always had something artsy on my list. I've had actual art sets complete with crayons, paints & chalks, one of those neat crayon aprons (loved that as a kid), a table top weaving loom, those pot holder looms...you know the ones with the loops of stretchy fabric, paint by number sets, crewel and needlepoint sets, a simple drawing pad, sewing sets, mini sewing machines, you name it I probably had it...so today's # 13 memory is dedicated to all those arts and craft gifts that I received over the years (and still receive). It has made me the artist (I use the term very loosely) that I am today.

So it's only fitting then that my # 14 memory goes with the previous one...this was one of my most favorite "artsy" gifts I received as a kid...Fashion Plates....you could make different outfits, make them different patterns, so many different combinations...I so loved this set...I'd sit for hours and play with this set...I still have a few of the plates, but the board that it came with I have no idea where it is...lost in the depths of my parents house I imagine, but nevertheless, still one of my favorite toys.

So today I have a question...what was your favorite toy as a child and why? Do you still have this toy? What memories come to mind when you think of it? Please share!

Memories 10, 11 and 12

So behind...man I've been so busy...so much going on...too much going on.

Anyway the next few memories are movie related and something I've done for the last 6 years.

Memory # 10:

Favorite Children's Christmas Movie:

Can't resist this movie...love the meaning behind it...who can resist Linus speaking about Jesus' birth and the true meaning of Christmas...not to mention Charlie Brown's tree!





Memory # 11

Favorite Grown Up Christmas Movie:

I SSSSOOO LOVE THIS MOVIE...every time I watch it I get teary eyed. Who can resist George Bailey...I tell ya if this world was filled with more "George Bailey's" where would we be, huh?? It's not Christmas until I watch this movie...so folks it's not Christmas yet 'cause I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH IT YET!! Been far too busy....working on homemade gifts this week.

And last but not least...Memory # 12:

Answering Santa Letters!

I have been answering Santa letters in our area for the last 6 years. I love it! To see those scrawled letters full of wishes and hope, love and compassion...melts my heart...and hand drawn pictures...(fiddlestick...Blogger won't let me upload any more pics tonight....oh well...I'm sure you get the picture). My heart breaks for those letters that ask for their grandparent's to feel better or for daddy to get his job back...sometimes it's things like that which is all they ask for...hard to answer those letters I'll tell ya. I had my first disturbing letter this year...a boy asked for a headless horseman with the bloody ax and guns and stuff of that nature...complete with hand drawn pictures of what he wanted. Strange and weird! Creeped me out.

On a different note real quick...please be in prayer for hubby's job. They are talking about cutting hours way back...to almost half. I know God is in control and though every time one of these "threats" are made he seems to increase in hours, but I just would like some prayer anyway...with the economy in this area right now I'm just kind of worried. I know God will take care of us...He always does in one way or another.

Quick update...Memories # 8 & 9

Making this kinda quick...so much to do. Don't you just hate the hustle and bustle of this season?? I know I do...of course I kind of got off to a late start this year with Christmas, so I haven't made it to easy on myself along with other things that have been put in my path...oh well...

Onto the memories...Memory # 8:

I'm not sure when I started this memory...I think it may have been before the boys were born. But I began decorating my own tree. One year I painted these birdhouses and decided to put them on my Christmas tree. Up near the top I have always put a white dove couple (if you look near the top you can see them) in honor of my hubby and I and our love for each other.

Memory # 9:

Another new memory combined with an old one. As I child I remember that sometimes we would have those Advent Calendars...you know...the ones where you would open the "date" to find a picture of something Christmas related behind it. One Advent Calendar I remember had a piece of chocolate behind each day...my kind of calendar! (HEE-HEE) Well, while purusing on-line last week I found this cool Advent calendar that used a clip board and scrap supplies...needless to say I was there! So I made this one up for my boys...they have enjoyed it...though maybe not quite as exciting as opening the little "doors" or getting a piece of chocolate, in a pinch and with the rush of the season this one had to do, and so far it is working just fine...Just so you know...only 16 more days until Christmas!

Have a great weekend!

Memories # 6 & 7

Before I go into the next batch of memories...I hope these pics of the tree come out a little better...















Onto the memories...# 6 would have to be where we went last year for Christmas...it's something we still talk about almost every day. Our trip to Disney last year was a dream come true...so much fun, so magical...can't wait to do it again...soon!!

Memory # 7 I was reminded of tonight. My oldest had his first choir concert at school tonight....he was so proud and so was his mama. Reminded me of when I was in choir and had my choir concerts. I loved choir...I loved to sing...still do...I started choir in fourth grade just like Austin is now...hope he continues to enjoy it like I did...of course choir in high school IMO has a stigma for boys than girls I think...never enough boys in choir when I was in school and I think it was because it wasn't thought of as "cool". oh well.

It's been a very very long week...and I plan to go to bed early tonight in fact as soon as I get off here...got to go to Z-ville to get haircut and hubby (hopefully), Colton and the twins will be going with us. Should be quite an adventure. Better get some rest.

18 days until Christmas folks.

New Memory 2006, Christmas Memory #5

Created a new Christmas memory tonight...new for 2006. Boys and hubby finally got their tree decorated tonight...I have my tree that has bird houses I painted in the dining room (I'll show pics later)...the boys got to decorate the real tree in the living room...I told them they could decorate it however they wanted...I should have known, left to their own devices....well, lets just say it definitely goes with what phase all my boys are going through at the moment...here it is:
Yes folks...no need to adjust your screen (well, the pics are a little dark...sorry about that) but yes folks...it is a Star Wars tree complete with Darth Vader mask where a angel used to sit...I have to admit it was very ingenuitive and it is cute...so fitting for all my boys, hubby included. The Darth Vader mask is a bit creepy though, but truly what is Star Wars without Darth Vader though? Boys took what few mini light sabers and Star Wars things they had, then hubby broke out the arsenal...his old 1978 set of original Star Wars figures (I swear he must of never played with them cause they still have all their robes and guns!) Anyway...so Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi and the villianous Darth Vader as well as many other characters have taken temporary residence on our family christmas tree. Definitely a new memory indeed. Though not traditional, though not common, it's us...right now...and I kind of like it.

Feliz Navidad ~

Christmas Memories, day 3 & 4

Sorry wasn't able to update yesterday....Sunday's are always so busy.

So anyway...Christmas memories...one is my church...reminds me of not only the obvious...Jesus...but the many Christmas songs and plays we have sung and performed. Lots of memories there...

So then on to memory 4...I thought since I brought up church and singing that I'd share my favorite Christmas Carol...this is a toss up, and I like a lot of the Christmas Carols, but these two are my favs...What Child Is This and O Come All Ye Faithful...Nothing like singing "This, this is Christ the King" and "O Come Let Us Adore Him"...so much meaning, so beautiful.

Sorry to make this short, but it's late, it's been a long day and got things to get caught up on tomorrow. Hope you are having a good week.

Oh, and BTW, the Christmas Story...though it had it's cute moments that I remember...it was kind of annoying...as my hubby put it...it's like nails on a chalkboard...ooh well...nothing beats George Bailey and It's A Wonderful Life anyway.

Christmas Memories, day 2

So on to my new Christmas tradtion of remembering Christmas memories...this one though old, is new for me....I have never seen this movie all the way through, but tonight we will as a family...hubby rented it tonight and I have always wanted to see this movie in its entirety. So tonight for our viewing pleasure we are watching this: It's A Christmas Story...have you seen it?? Is it one of those favs for you?? Let me know what your favorite part is...or just tell me what your favorite movie is for Christmas...I'll share my favorite Christmas movie another day, but for now this one should be fun.

Happy Holidays!

It's Officially December!

Happy December to all! I thought I'd re-visit my blog of last year and remember what I love about Christmas...favorite Christmas memories...things that just say "Christmas" to me.

So for today I will share first what Christmas is all about...JESUS! It's not the shopping, the giving or receiving of presents, the food...it's about Jesus and His message to the world. Jesus IS Christmas...and to be honest I could do without all the hustle and bustle...I just love celebrating Jesus.

Hope you all are having a great Decemeber so far...it was SUPER windy today here...thought the house was going to blow away!
Got most of my Christmas shopping done too...thank you Jesus!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Hope you enjoy your weekend!