Sweet Traditions

The older the kids get, the more fun it is to make our own Christmas traditions.  Here are a few of the "sweet" ones:

Countdown Kisses: I got this idea two years ago.  All you need is saran wrap, curling ribbon, and kisses (we, I mean I, decided on the mint Hershey's kisses this year...more on that further down).  We take three kisses (one for each kid) tie it off on both ends to make a little pouch and continue on down 24 more times.  Then we hang it up in our living room and each day the kids take turn cutting a pouch off...a sweet reminder of what is coming up.  This year, the last two days (for Christmas Eve and Christmas) we put six kisses in each pouch to share with cousins we will be spending time with in Michigan!

Christmas Cookie:  We love baking rolled sugar cookies and a few other festive cookies around this time of year.  We have already make and decorated cookies in the shapes of stars, Christmas trees, and gingerbread men.  In years past, we have also made peanut butter blossoms...but with my guilty obsession this year with the mint kisses I decided to incorporate those instead of the regular chocolate kisses.  This time I used a sugar cookie type dough, baked that, and then pressed the mint kiss in to each cookie.  I think next time, I will use a chocolate cookie dough for the ultimate guilty pleasure!

Lifesaver Christmas Story Book: Every single one of my childhood Christmas memories includes a Lifesaver Christmas Story Book...and I have passed down the tradition to my kids.  I don't know what it is about them...maybe purely just because I had one in my stocking every year as a kid...but they are very special to me...and my kids will get one every year.  This year, thanks to my parents, one will be waiting in their stockings Christmas morning at Gammy and Poppy's house!

Fruit snacks...

I was quite humored the other night while talking to my princess.  She began to inform me about a very close friend she has at school.  His name is Eric.  I began asking questions about her friend and her answers cracked me up.  I first asked her what he looked like.  She said that he has black hair and brown eyes...and big nostrils that he can fit a fruit snack in.  She was pretty impressed by this and began trying to show me with her own nose just how big his nostrils are (and yes, she used the word nostrils).  You have to go big to impress my little girl.  You can be the fastest, smartest kid in the class...but if you can't fit a fruit snack in your nostril you are out of the running.  Way to go, Eric, in my little girl's book you are number one for that fruit snack trick of yours.

Thankful Heart

If I tried to make a list
of everything I have to be thankful for
I know I could go on for days and days
and then a few days more

I am really undeserving
blessed beyond all measure
my God, my family, friends, and health
some of the things I treasure

So, this morning as I bow my head
and then think throughout the day
I remember that I would be nothing
without the One who lights my way.

They're Outta Here...soon...

My princess is getting her tonsils and adenoids out...finally.  It's been a long time coming.  They probably should have come out three years ago.  She's the perfect candidate...has every criteria...every single one of them.  I took her in to an ENT yesterday and it was really eye opening and made me feel pretty guilty for not pushing harder for this sooner.  Her tonsils have not been a good friend to her.  They are always enlarged and actually touch eachother in the back of her throat.

I have never had surgery myself and the thought of my princess going under is a little bit scary...even if it's just her tonsils and adenoids.  Her surgery date has been set for the middle of December and now the countdown begins.  After I got off the phone with the scheduling department this morning, I found myself a little anxious.  I went in to my room and had to say to myself out loud, "You love her, God, more than I ever could or ever will."  And I know, she will rest well in His hands.

I talked about it all with her last night and she is worried about everything...especially the pain...and how she will be going to sleep.  If you could remember to keep my princess in your prayers over the next couple of weeks...that her fears would be calmed, that she would remain healthy, and that the surgery would go great with no complications this Momma would appreciate it.

National Adoption Month

A little over a year ago, I learned about Reeces Rainbow.  I have spent a lot of time looking at these children's faces, praying for them, and reading about the families that are waiting (or have waited) to bring them home.  My heart breaks that time is running out for many, many of them.  During the months of November and December they are doing a fundraiser where you can go and sponsor a Christmas Angel to help with their adoption costs.  Head on over there, pray for them, and possibly choose one (or more) to sponsor.  

Christmas Angel Tree TwentyTen

CLICK HERE to Put the Angel Tree Bubble on Your Blog! Thank you!

Three Things Thursday

- I am a Survivor fanatic...maybe not the worst, but it is my absolute favorite show (Apprentice coming in a close second followed by Amazing Race)and I have been watching since the show first aired. This season, there hasn't been many surprises. Last night, though, things got a bit shaken up and I was so happy to crawl in to bed knowing that Brenda went home. Pathetic I know...but everyone has their little quirks.

- It looks like my hubby is down to working four days a week through the winter now...getting every Friday off. It's been so nice to have him home with us to take the kids to school, be there when they get home, and have family dinner with him there at night. I am so thankful that his employer balances work so that they are able to keep working through the winter. I am looking forward to those nice paychecks again in the Spring/Summer, but we will all enjoy this little break.

- Kait came down with Strep again this week. Looking back through her chart at the doctor's on Monday, it is clear that she needs her tonsils out. We have been dealing with strep, tonsillitis, snoring, and sleep walking long enough. Monday I am taking her to an ENT about getting her tonsils out. It's a bit scary for me (and I haven't even gone in to detail with her about it yet), but I know it will make such a difference in my little girl.

Love

National Adoption Month : Another Blog

Another blog that I read almost daily is From the Heart.  This extraordinary family has just added a new member...their 4th adoption.  If you have a little time, explore their blog and go back through previous posts on their adoptions of their three beautiful toddlers.  Pray for them while you read.

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month.  One of my favorite blogs to read is Casa de King.  She is doing National Adoption Month posts all month.  Head on over and check it out.  I love the way she writes, how frank she is about her life with her three adopted kiddos, and the great attitude she has.  Refreshing!

New to my playlist...

Only Eight Paychecks

Sometimes it's hard to believe that it's been a little over 4 months since my husband went back to work.  Other days, it seems so fresh.  There are still days when I get a call from him some time other than on his lunch break and my heart sinks wondering if it's happening again.  There are times in conversation, if he's had a bad day at work, that I express my worry about him losing his job.  I am sure it's in the back (or some days, the front) of his mind too...it's changed us...we no longer take his employment for granted.

To think about it happening again exhausts me.  To think about walking that path again makes me cry out to God throughout the day...thanking Him for His provision, but praying for continued rest. 

I guess I imagined my husband would go back to work and things would come together more quickly for us.  The evidence is still all around us: debt, an almost non existent savings, projects that are still on hold, hopes and dreams that we have yet to act upon.  I forget that it's just been four months...that we have just been through two years of hard stuff...that this is still the time to heal....time to rest...to keep gathering up the pieces and just walk on.  Yesterday, my God whispered this to my heart.  He reminded me to slow down...that we've only had eight paychecks.  We've had eight paychecks!  My heart is thankful.

Smile

Just to see you smile

I'd do anything that you wanted me to

When all is said and done

I'd never count the cost

 It's worth all that's lost

Just to see you smile

I love my middle man...and his smile.