Merry Christmas Eve

Snowflakes made - check.

Presents wrapped and under the tree - check.

Other secret presents ready to be staged for the kids after they go to sleep tonight - check.

Christmas Eve clothing laid out - check.

Camera prepped - check.

Cards put into the mailbox for belated greetings to our closest family and friends - check.

Cinnamon rolls being prepared by C - check.  (Can you smell them from there?)

Avoiding signs of winter weather - check.  Ha!  Take that weather people who told us we'd be getting a big snowstorm today!

C learned his songs for Christmas Eve Service - check.


Okay, I think we're ready for you Baby Jesus.  Let's party!

I hope all is well for you, also.

Honoring the Children

I received an email from one of my uncles last night and though I don't know who wrote this (I'm sure it's gone viral so you may have already read this yourself), but I thought it was a touching tribute to the children who lost their lives at Sandy Brook Elementary in Newtown, CT, so I wanted to share it here in their honor...

Christmas Freebie

In doing some final shopping on Amazon this morning, I ran across this free download of "Must Have" Christmas music.  Just in case you didn't know this was out there ... enjoy some holiday cheer.  For free!

Accomplishments and Anticipation

I'm usually the lady still rushing around on Christmas Eve to finish up shopping for gifts.  But this year, I'm already 98% done and I still have a week!

I feel good.  I've been wrapping things as I get them, so that's pretty much done.  I just need to finish up a couple things for my nieces and I'm finished.  Seriously!

Catching Up

I haven't seen my computer much over the past week.  I think Christmastime keeps me pretty busy doing a lot of other stuff (so I have more I can write about here?), so please don't give up on me.  As things settle down, I'll get back to posting more regularly ... but for now, I'll post when I have a free moment.

Nanny McGyver

Sometimes I find myself in a situation that requires my inner McGyver to come to the surface to save the day.  Today, was one of those days.   While I'm almost embarrassed to write about this story, I was so pleased with the results that it would be a shame not to document the success.

Plus, I already told the child's mother and she laughed about it, so I guess I'm clear to tell you about it here.

Paleo Update 4

Today is day 29 in our 30 day challenge.  I feel so good about the changes I've made in my diet.  I feel healthier overall.  I feel more energized and more ready to take on everyday challenges.

Have I lost tons of weight?  Not really.  Not yet.

Hello and Happy Birthday

I'm so thankful!  C is home again safely and so we can all breathe a sigh of relief.  We are so happy!

And speaking of happy ... our family celebrates two birthdays today. 

Happy Birthday to my dad-in-law today AND Happy Birthday to my niece, K.  I hope you both had a wonderful day, today!  We love you both.

Actually, I heard how K's day went and it seemed to work out in the end, but can you believe she had six tests today in school?!  On her birthday!  Craziness.  She did get an A+ on one reading project she turned in today, so that definitely had her smiling.

Okay, this is a short post ... I'm tired this evening!  But happy it's Friday, too!

While Daddy's Away, Part 3

So I just had to finish up this mini-series I've created here by thanking you all for prayers.  Today went more smoothly than yesterday and it helped a lot to know that C will be home TOMORROW!

An Unusual (and Unintentional) Purchase

Okay, so yesterday, the kids and I did some shopping.  First, we went by Learning is Fun because, sadly, it was their last day in business in Albuquerque and therefore, were selling everything in the store for 70% off.

I found some really fun things for really good prices.  I now have a large model of a tooth (a la dental school) for when we learn about teeth during this human body study we're working on.  I also procured a roll of brown art paper, 48"x200'.  That should be fun!  Plus, lots of other fun things for our homeschool room and studies.

While Daddy's Away, Part 2

I realized that I didn't have the energy to post anything last night, so I'll post about yesterday some time later today because a "funny" thing happened that is just so odd, I don't know what to do but blog about it.

Anyway, this morning, started off kind of rough so it takes precedence since I really need your prayers to make it through these next couple days before C returns!  I feel very overwhelmed.

Parental Rights, Update

I blogged about what was going on in D.C. with regard to some legislature that, if passed, would greatly impact parental rights.

I am happy to (re-)post today this news directly from HSLDA:

Senate Rejects Ratification of UN Disabilities Treaty

While Daddy's Away...

It never fails, when C goes away on business, the whole house groans at his departure.

Even though he took vacation to work on several household projects and in between our fun weekend, he made sure the oil was changed in my truck and that the van got a repair that we couldn't really afford but was necessary to drive it (a steering rod broke and the shocks needed replacing), he changed the battery in my remote locker-unlocker that lives on my keychain that had died several months ago, he even reattached the dishwasher to the countertop because it had shaken itself loose creating drainage issues -- as soon as he left, more things started breaking.

Weekend Recap

I am just sitting down at my computer for the first time since Friday.  I am excited to tell you about our weekend.  What a fun way to begin our December!