Cookies and Cocoa Party

Georgia got a new cookie set with it's own mix, and accessories. We made some to bring to our party tomorrow.
Brad and I received a snowflake mug set and a flavor assortment of cocoas from my Dad and Step-mom. I promised the girls that we would have a cocoa party that evening. We made some real whipped cream for our cocoa to make it extra special.

Georgia had mint, Josie had fudge and I had caramel. Mmmm!

A visit from Gma and Gpa S

Today we enjoyed the company of Gma and Gpa S. for a Christmas celebration. They got to meet their grandson Brendan for the first time. It was a day of snacks and conversation- my favorite kind! Love you Dad, Glenda and Reese.

Theresa is always a big hit with the kids. Em was happy playing with her until Theresa dumped her on her head! Ha ha Reese!

I just loved this picture of Grandpa meeting his first grandson for the first time.

Some patient children waiting to be handed a gift.

My three girls with their grandparents. They really miss you guys and were sure happy to have you visit. We look forward to it every year!

Here they are with their ever-growing group of grandkids!


"Heavenly Father, you blessed

Mary and Joseph for their unity and

love. Let your Holy Spirit unite the

members of our families as well."

gift fun

We've been having lots of fun playing with our new gift. Tip-it has been a blast.
The girls got a paint by number set to share. I will post the end results later!

"Father, I open my heart to you.

Fill me with your love today. Give

me more and more of it until it

brims over in me and runs out to

others."

Trip to Dad's school

The girls enjoyed a day at "Dad's" school. They got the basketballs out and set the cones up to run around. There is always something to do at the school.

Dad had to get ready for his next unit, badminton and the girls

helped him set up the nets.

Here is Dad putting some grades in the computer.

Notice the handprint Christmas gift that I posted earlier on his computer!

There were some visitors in the stream when we got back home!

"Heavenly Father, comfort all the

children lost to abortion. Bring them

right up to your throne!"

Thank you Mom!

Mom- I wanted to surprise you Mom and say thank you for the gift "publicly" on the blog. I didn't have much of a chance to look it over after you gave it to me but later that night I did. Page after page made me cry. I have a distorted memory of my childhood- but this made me realize that some of the distorting may be due to my own fault. My mom loved me very much and I love(d) her.

To everyone else. This is a Christmas gift that Mom gave her kids. It is a journal, in which she wrote some "old" family recipes and also some pictures from our youth. Some of the recipes and what she wrote include:

Grandma H's Chile Sauce

Grandma H's Filled Jumbo Drops

Grandma used to make these often. She would often have them fresh out of

the oven when we got home from school.

Grandma G's Half Moon Cookies

Snickerdoodles- Jessie Mae's Favorite

Oil and Vinegar Chocolate Cake

My Grandma H used to make this. She would

just sprinkle confectioners sugar on top instead of putting frosting on it

Above is the cover and an example of a picture page. This is me when I was an infant and the page reads:

The Child In Me

We all would like to go back

to those days.

For, if we could, we would love

to stay.

Back to the days of yesteryear

When we had no limits, we had

no fear.

I have a son and he is now three

There is no doubt, he looks like me.

The way he moves, the way he talks.

For even now he has my walk

If I look at what I see,

I have not lost that child in me.

For when I'm holding him you see,

am I holding him, or am

I holding me?

Raymond R. Stephenson

"Jesus I want to believe in you

more fully. Search my heart and

where there is any unbelief, fill me

with belief"

I figured it out!

Santa Baby!
An absolutely striking picture of Russell.

Here is mom getting dinner ready. She had a lots of snacks. It was fun to spend time together. One of my favorite things to do!!

"Lord Jesus, transform me! Use

my commitment to spiritual growth

to permeate my life with your grace.

Make me passionate in my love

for you so that I would fearlessly

approach whatever comes my way!"

I'm still trying to figure out how to get my new pictures up here. Hang in there!

A Pretty Pretty Princess

This picture has nothing to do with Christmas but I had a request earlier to put it on the blog!! I am figuring out a new camera so I will have Christmas pics at a later date. I hope you all had a wonderful day. We had a marvelous day spent with family. I love you all from the deepest corners of my heart.

"Jesus, my Lord and Brother, let

me look into your eyes today. You

have come so far to find me! You

paid so great a price to bring me

back to the Father! I want to see

your great love. I want to be with you

forever!"

Coloring Contest Winners

We have a coloring contest winner!

"Lord, set me apart for your

purposes. I want to be your servant."

My Little Emmy

Georgia took this picture of Emeline and I.

Here she is. Looks like she is playing with her teeth.

We didn't get an igloo picture today because we shopped all day.

I will try to tomorrow.

"Heavenly Father, help me in

these finaln days of Advent to rest in

your faithfulness. Teach me to be as

trusting as Mary was, so that I can

rejoice in you in hard times as well

as in good times."

Evening Snow Fun

After a long day in town, the girls needed to unwind.

Here is the start Brad's igloo. The kids ended up getting too cold before he was

done so I will try to get a finished pic with a kid in it tomorrow.

"Father, I believe you want to

enjoy a close, intimate relationship

with me. Let me hear your voice,

know your forgiveness, and feel your

love and compassion for me today."

Ten Commandment craft

We did a Ten Commandment craft today.

First we took a piece of white paper, ripped the edges and

wrinkled it into a tight ball.

Then I made some coffee and let it get cold.

I unwrinkled the paper and placed it on a cookie sheet then poured the cold coffee over it and let it set for 5 minutes.

When the 5 minutes were up Josie dried it off.

The result was a really old looking piece of paper!

On the paper we wrote a kid friendly version of the Ten Commandments.

Jo admiring her work.

It came out really neat.

"Holy Spirit, open my mind to the

larger story of God's perfect plan.

Teach me to ponder all things in my

heart and to see the Father's hand in

every situation."

Gift for Georgia's teacher

A while ago I asked Georgia what she thought she might like to give her teacher for a Christmas gift. She thought for a minute and then said, "I think she could use a pencil box, ...because her desk is sort of messy." !

I took a hot chocolate container and decoupaged some papers I had left over from a previous project and voila a pencil box.

Here is the other side.

Later Georgia will write her teachers name

and sign it herself in the middle.

"Lord, help me never to lose the

desire to serve you. Even in old age

let me use the gifts and talents you

have given me to help others in

need."

sleepy baby and wreath

I made this wreath the other day.

This is a sleepy baby. She fell asleep while Dad watched football yesterday.

I'm surprised she was able to fall asleep with all the noise Brad was making.

His team did pretty poorly yesterday.

"I surrender all to you, O Lord!

Take me and use me as you continue

to unfold God's plan of salvation."

Bubbly Sunday

"What are these?"
This is Emmy's first experience with bubbles.

We are snowed in for the day. What better way to pass the time than by giving ourselves a little taste of springtime by blowing some bubbles!

"Jesus I trust you to bring new

vitality to my Christian life this

Advent. Open my eyes, Lord, to what

you have already done, and give me

expectant faith for even more."

The finalists!

I gave another go around at our picture. This one came out sort of cute.

This one isn't bad.

Here is the winner!

Emmy is pointing at you!

"Jesus, my family and I are eager

to greet you this Christmas. Open

our eyes to see you, and open our

hearts to love you. May our small

efforts at preparing our own hearts

and reaching out to others result in

great blessings in our lives and the

lives of those we serve."

Responsible Georgia

We just got back from a character education assembly at the school

Georgia won an award for being responsible in the cafeteria.

She was one of two students in grades k-3 that got the award!

Good job Georgia.

"Lord Jesus, I stand amazed that

although I am lowly, you have made

me great in the kingdom of God.

Open my heart to embrace all of

your plan for my life."

Winter Chores

We got an afternoon snow shower today. It was around 30-32 degrees so it wasn't that cold and not even a morsel of a breeze was present. So- we ALL went out to do our chores of taking care of the horses. This is my beauty queen Jazz.

Emmy even got to go outside to play and meet the horses as well. They were just

as curious to meet her as she was to see them.

Georgia with Zatty. They are very gentle horses and she is

getting even more interested in them.


A horsey kiss and thank you for the food and clean bed!

"Our Lady of Guadalupe, just as

you cared for your son Jesus, you care

for all children. We ask you to draw

them all close to your heart."

Paper plate angel

Josie and I made a paper plate angel today. She even got to use glitter!

What a privilege (and what a mess!).

P.S. looks like jo is crafting on $- no we're not that well off! just an advertisment.

"Powerful, gentle, and patient

Shepherd, thank you for seeking me

when I stray from the path. Teach

me how to shepherd those you have

entrusted to my care."

A trial.

Not bad.

I gave a try at our yearly portrait. Forgive me for not removing the redeye. It looks like I need to work on Jo's smile. ALL of the pictures except the one above this one came out with this sort of dazed look :) Emeline can't go forward but she can scoot backwards~ as you can see she is scooting right under the tree.

"Jesus, I praise you! I rejoice in

the freedom you have given me! With

all of creation, I sing of your glory.

The weight has been lifted!

The bonds have been broken! You have

answered all of our hopes."

Christmas Cards for Kebin

We sponsor a child from Guatemala named Kebin and we put some Christmas cards (made some bookmarks, pictures etc.) together for him today. It has been a wonderful and humbling learning experience to learn about him. He lives in a tin house with a dirt floor, running water in a village none in his house, likes to play soccer, works by gathering fire wood ... It has really been great for the kids to realize they have it made. Every once in a while Josie will say "Mom I miss Kebin"!

"Lord, thank you for sending

me your truth and your light! Give

me the grace to hear and obey you

always, especially when I need your

loving correction!"