Merry Christmas

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.   Matthew 1:21

A blessed Christmas to all.

Happy Birthday Jesus

⁶ 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 NIV


MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Hello Miss "W"

Miss "W" you know who you are. I am not going to put your real name here because I don't have your permission to do so. You are my friend. We were neighbors when I lived in a different state. Our children played together. You were/are devastated when/that I moved away. Right? ;o)
Yes Miss "W" it's you. OK, now that you know this post is about you, listen up. I know you have been reading my blog, because you told me you did. I asked you why you never left a comment and you said you did not know how. This is your lucky day. I am going to give you a step by step on how to leave me a comment. Why are comments important you ask? Because we who blog have the need to feel loved by people we will never meet. :oD I know you and I have met, but comments are welcome by all. Unless you're mean.

Here we go....

1) Read what I posted. (I know you have that one down.)
2) At bottom of post you will see Posted by -stephanie- the time and how many comments I have. Click on the comments part.
3) A smallish box will come up with the hundreds of comments I get for each post. (Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha....hundreds of comments.....Ha, ha, ha, ha....)
Scroll down to the bottom of the comment box and see another little box which says "leave your comment. This is where YOU WRITE YOUR COMMENT!)
4) After your done extolling my virtues, go down to "Choose an Identity"
Click on Name or Anonymous
5) If you click on name, then another little box will pop up and you can stick whatever name you want in here. (ex: "Miss "W", your beautiful friend, your real name....) If you click on Anonymous, let me know somehow in your comment that it's you.
6) Click on publish your comment or preview to see how it will show up. If you hit preview, be sure to hit publish your comment when you are done previewing.
7) Be proud when it shows up.
8) Know that I will be thrilled.


On to other things.
Christmas is very close to being here.
My shopping done.
My wrapping is not.
We did get a tree.
It is decorated and beautiful.
While geocaching yesterday, my girls spotted a huge ice rink.
They abandoned the geocache search for "skating" around on the ice.
After I found the geocache, they begged for ice skates.
We went to a thrift store and scored ice skates for them. $3 and $5.
We went home to get properly dressed and went back to the ice rink.
I didn't have skates but I helped them since they never ice skated before.
They caught on fast. A few falls, but don't we all.
Music blaring from speakers on the lighted rink made for a fun time.
I wanted to skate. :o(
I dropped them off at home an hour and some bruises later and went out in search for ice skates for me.
Found some at "Play It Again Sports" (used but good sporting goods) for $15.
Was going to buy some for Perry but not sure if he wanted any.
Got home....he wanted a pair.
Went out this morning and scored him a pair for $10.
Hopefully we will be able to go tonight and try our new skates out. We are having freezing drizzle out, so we may have to postpone our fun for a day.
Oooo, just got a whiff of the venison tenderloins I have in the crockpot. Yum.
Just noticed that all my posts in December start with an "H".
Cool stuff on sale for $5. at Old Navy. My wardrobe has increased for cheap.
I almost got my hair cut shorter than usual yesterday, but I will wait until....I don't know when until will be. Maybe my birthday.
I did enjoy my little spa day anyway. Hair wash, eyebrow wax, hair cut, blow dry, style, hand and neck massage. Ahhh very relaxing.
Was bummed that it was cloudy last night and we didn't get to see the lunar eclipse. The last time it happened was 400 years ago and it won't happen again in over 300 years. I have no words for the disappointment I am having.
This post is done.
Miss "W" (and others) it is now your turn. :o)
Merry Christmas Week.

Happenings

15 days til Christmas. Ya think we would have our tree up?
Heck, we don't even have a tree yet that we can put up.
I did decorate my fireplace mantle. Big whoop.
I am getting to the very end of my gift shopping.
Not looking forward to the wrapping of gifts.
All us girls in the family are suffering from sore throats. I think mine is strep. I'll survive.
We had a 2-3 inches of snow tonight.
Of course it came between the hours of 2:00 to 5:00.
5:15 is the time we had to leave for the girl's Christmas program at school.
Yes, my kids have sore throats, but the show must go on!
I wanted to tell Phoebe to break a leg on her performance, but I think she's had enough broken legs to last her a lifetime.
Real nice having the girls tramp through the 2 inches of snow in their fancy dancy little shoes, with the wind and snow blowing their perfect hair-do's that I spent some time on.
Eh, no big deal, they survived. Or should I say I survived. It's no big deal to them.
Phoebe was the angel Gabriel. She did a great job. "Greetings you who are highly favored" (her first line) Her next lines were way to long, and I don't know them. Read Luke 1:28-37 if you want to know the rest of her lines. :o)
Abby sang some songs and did some reading from the bible. She did a great job too.
And how can a school program be complete without a kid peeing on stage?
No, not one of my kids. Poor kid. I felt bad. Still do.
So I came home and shoveled. Of course it only snows when Perry is out of town.
I have had night sweats lately. How gross are those!? Oh the pleasures of late womanhood.
All I want for Christmas is pajamas made out of Sham-Wow material.
Go along with me here...here's my commercial.

Tired of those nasty night sweats waking you up at all hours of the night?
Sick of changing pajamas and undies, and sheets at 3 a.m.?
Do you finally want a full nights sleep?
Then you need the new Sham-Wow pajamas!
Made from the same material that sops up gallons of water with one quick swipe.
Now you can sleep in peace and comfort knowing that when those nasty night sweats come, you will stay warm and dry.
No more waking up just as every pore of your body is spewing out buckets of sweat, and whatever other body fluids.
The Sham-Wow pajamas will soak up that sweat the instant it leaves your body.
Say goodbye to restless nights, sweat soaked everything, and start enjoying the rest and dryness that the Sham-Wow pajamas will give.
Buy them for yourself, or for that special woman that lay next to you at night. (because you know, that if these night sweats occur when you're in bed she will roll over to your side to avoid the wet sheets on her side)
Just $19.99. But wait! Act now and receive 2 pair of Sham-Wow pajamas for the one low price of $19.99. But wait! Call in the next 5 minutes and we will throw in this portable mini fan for those hell fire hot flashes. Call now!

I need to start sewing now. I could make millions!

Anyway, that's what's happening around here.
Goodnight. I hope.

How some people decorate

We drove around looking at Christmas lights tonight and found a few houses like this. Signs told us to turn our radios to a certain station and we listened to the music and enjoyed the light show. Crazy! Perry took this video with his phone, so the quality is not the best. You'll get the idea though.


Crazy! I bet they have a Charlie Brown tree inside their house.

Happy December!

December 1st already!
Where on earth is this year going?
It's mitten cold today.
It's snowing big, pretty flakes.
I spotted Abby doing this on the way to school this morning.
I'm just about finished with my Christmas shopping.
Nothing's wrapped, but getting the shopping out of the way is huge for me.
I used to be one who didn't start shopping until a week before Christmas, and mostly on Christmas Eve.

It may be cold outside, but I'm thankful for our warm, toasty home. (not sure why that little blue house has a sad face)
Tis the Season. Enjoy!
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41 NIV

Dear Diary...

Five days ago we celebrated Christmas. It seems like ages. Sure it was festive and nice, but it's over. All the preparation that led up to it and it's over. I want to take the decorations down, but I am forcing myself to wait until after New Years Day.

News of broken families and divorce have saddened me these past days.

People arguing the Word of God saddened me too. They think they are fighting against us and how we think, when it's really them fighting our belief of what God says in His Word. When is the right time to shake the dust off your feet and move on?

I am so ready to say goodbye to these shingles. I had the worst pain last night, since they started. Imagine someone taking an ice pick and stabbing it in to your arm and neck over and over again. I'm just done.

Among all this sadness and pain, I still have the joy of the Lord. And to Him I cling.

A few photos...
Our family on Christmas Day. I did dress for the occasion, but it looks like I forgot makeup. HA!
Phoebe also dressed for the celebration. Perry looks like this everyday, and Abby never got out of her pajamas and antlers. What a group! HA!
Me enjoying the loot under the tree.

And no manger scene is complete without the lizards visiting the baby Jesus.
Peace in Jesus!

A Box of Love

Phoebe and Abby had their Christmas programs at church this afternoon. They both did excellent jobs. I have no pictures of Abby, just video. But I'm not putting it on here, because the two clowns on each side of her would just distract you from seeing her. I wouldn't have minded if it was a slight distraction..I know kids are kids, but this was a bit much. She held her own, even through the distractions and did a great job.

Here's Phoebe as the box of love. She was an ingredient for the recipe of life. So cute.



It looks like Phoebe has a solo here, (the p-nut front and center) but she did not. Not sure if she was early or late on her cue. All the kids did great. The soloists and drama and choir all knew their lines and I was impressed.
Now it's all over....til next year. Standing ovation girls!

And so it begins

Last night marked the beginning of the girls Christmas programs. Last night Phoebe had her school play/concert. I have no pictures. I do have video, but we were sitting so far back that it's hard to see her. It was a very good play, and the kids did an excellent job.
Today Abigail had her little program and mom and dad craft time at her school.

I have video.
Abby is 2nd row from the top, 1st one on the right. They all were very cute, and also did an excellent job.






Then we went to the classroom and did crafts, and had cookies and punch. Then we did more crafts and again had more cookies and punch.

Shhh, this bookmark is Abby's present to Phoebe. Phoebe is a bookworm, and just last night asked if I had anything better for a bookmark, than the kleenex she was using. What a perfect gift.
Perry and Abby made the perfect gingerbread house ornament. They look so proud.

Sunday brings all their hard work to a close with the church programs. Stay tuned.

Trimming the tree

I love the smell of a fresh cut pine in my home at Christmastime.

Perry helping Abby put the angel on top.

Abby taking charge.

Abby getting things done. The ugly gold balls were moved to the back, per Perry's request. I agreed they were ugly.
All is Bright!

Not Me Monday

Last week....Christmas week. It was such a nice festive time, that I'm not sure I have to much to Not Me about. But let me try.

* It wasn't me who stepped on the scale before the Christmas festivities, and saw that I lost 2 pounds, then figured I can eat to my hearts content because so what if I gain those 2 pounds back.

* I did not gain those 2 pounds back, + 1.

* It was no thrill to me to see my girls faces on Christmas morning. Nope, an excited and in awe face does nothing for me.

* The little notes and drawings the girls made for my hubby and I, for our gifts, did not melt my heart one bit. Nope, I want useless store bought stuff under my tree.



That's about it. I had a really good week. A little sick of all the weird weather we are getting here, (snow, fog, rain, ice, snow, snow, did I mention snow?) but all in all a good Christmas week. Celebrating Christ's birth....how much could go wrong?


To check out other not me's, click here and see why MckMama started all this Not Me stuff. And please remember her baby, Stellan in your prayers. He's been a sick little boy the past few days.

Have a safe and happy New Year.

After the Storm

We have had some storms here. We have had snowstorms, and the storm of Christmas celebrations. All is calm now. I wish I could say all is bright, but we are fogged in.
Perry was supposed to leave for working in NY on Friday, but the fog canceled all flights. So this morning, he drove to Milwaukee to catch a flight, but that was canceled. He is now driving to Chicago to catch the last leg of his Milwaukee flight to NY. If that is canceled, he will be driving to NY. 12.5 hours, 700+ miles. Personally, I think he's crazy, but it's his job, and he's trying to keep the customer happy. All this, so the customer can get a tax break at the end of the year. It's pretty sad that it's all about money.

The storms of Christmas celebrations are winding down too. Christmas Eve found us over the river and through the woods, to grandma's house. She has the tiniest house but we managed to fit 15 people in it. Food was great, with tons of leftovers to bring home. Nice gifts, that were not too over the top for my kids. Christmas Day, we opened our gifts here. The girls loved everything. Abby's favorite is her dollhouse,


and Phoebe's favorites are her crafty things, and her Easy Bake oven, and her "hoodies". We made a cake yesterday, and as bad as it looks, it tasted great. They sure make the pictures on the box look better than they really turn out to be.
Some of my family came over Christmas day. We ate too much, and sang karaoke. We are sooooo bad at singing, (except my brother-in-law) but it was fun.
Today, my sister is having family at her home. We may make it over there later. (darn it, Phoebe just read this, and now she will be bugging me all day, asking if we are going.)
I'm catching up on cleaning and laundry, and it feels good to get back into routine. The calm after the storm.

Merry Christmas

Wishing all of you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas. Celebrate the birth of our Savior with praise and prayer. Jesus is the reason for the Season.

Christmas Musical

Phoebe... front and center, between the boy grabbing himself, and the boy with his back to her.

Tonight's performance was brilliant. The girls had their Christmas shows at church tonight.
First Abby was up. These are 3, 4, and 5 year olds. The little ladies and gents were all dressed up in their finest. And they all did great! One little boy got scared from a loud noise of the music and ran off the stage to mom. Big brother ran off to see if he was ok. He was. He returned a few moments later. One little girl was making the funniest faces to somebodies camera. But, all in all they knew their songs, and cues, and did great. I can't believe I don't have pictures. We took a ton of video, but no still pics of her.
Phoebe's musical was really good. These are 1st thru 6th graders. They too knew all their lines, and Phoebe knew her songs perfectly. One boy at the end, ran off stage. He looked like he was going to pass out, but made it off ok. Phoebe said it was hot up there. At least he made it through most of it.
They gave a great message of Jesus and what Christmas is all about. And cookies after.
Phoebe was mad at me a while ago because I didn't ask her if she wanted to try out for the drama part or a singing solo. Well, being my daughter, I didn't think she would want to do that in front of a crowd. Because I sure wouldn't. I was wrong. I'll remember next year. All programs are now over for the year. 3 months of practice and now it's done. Well worth it though. Next stop...Christmas Eve at Grandmas.
*pictures taken with a phone.

Friday Flashback

This was me trying to get a good picture for Christmas cards. Christmas 2005. We had just moved in, Dec. 1, hubby had to leave for Italy for work, for 2 weeks. So here I was alone, unpacking a whole house, had to get a tree, and decorate for Christmas, get cards and pictures out, not to mention take care of two kids. No big deal, it got done. I think I used the first picture for the cards. Boy, I had chubby cheeked kids.

School Christmas Program

Phoebe's school Christmas program was really good. It's amazing how kids (1st thru 5th grade) can learn a ton of songs, and lines and just be so good at it. It was great story about a spelling bee and all the words the kids had to spell were the names of God. It ended up with the nativity and Christ's birth. Amen. Pictures were taken with a phone, so bear with me.



See the tiny little girl, front row, 5th one from the left, in the red shirt? That's Phoebe. (she thought it was pretty cool to be standing next to a 4th grader!)

Tiny Phoebe behind the speaker. Same red shirt. Praising the Lord!

One down, one more to go at church on Sunday. Stay tuned.

It's almost over

As cute as school and church Christmas musicals are, and as proud and teary-eyed I will be, I am glad they are almost over. Tomorrow is Phoebe's school musical. She must wear blue jeans and a solid color t-shirt. No logos. No blinking lights on their shoes. Easy rehearsal time....done on school time. Be at school at 6:30, program at 7. Ok, check.
Church musical on Sunday, for both Phoebe and Abigail. Attire for Phoebe. Black pants, black socks, and a t-shirt that we had to buy and they had printed up. For Abby...any fancy schmancy outfit. Rehearsals Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. Plus this Saturday, Phoebe from 9 to 1, Abby from 9 to 9:45. Be there Sunday at 3, program at 4. ok, check. How do I keep 2 young kids occupied for an hour?
Or is it black pants at school, no blinking black socks on Abby....? sigh.

Someone stole my tree.

So I log in to my blog today, and I see my Christmas Tree is gone. The nerve. I try to log in to the site and nothing comes up. What? I want my tree! So I search for other trees, but they were too cartoony, so I find this house, with lights and snowmen. (see sidebar on right) I'm sure you can see what it all has. If you notice, the date is wrong. This one tells me that there are 8 days to Christmas, and that today is December 17. There are 9, and today is the 16th. So if you log in to my blog just to see how many days you have left to shop, ( as I know you do) have no fear...you have an extra day to shop (for my gift) and get ready for Christ's birthday party, and any other holiday party you have planned. Now go on your merry way. Thanks for stopping in.

What? !

As I look over to the right of this post, I see a Christmas tree twinkling at me with a very rude 18 days screaming at me. 18 days? When did this happen. I'm not even near ready yet. A few piddly gifts bought. No tree. Some decor up...not much. Our block is twinkling with lights, but it's dark in my front yard. What am I waiting for? Don't know... I just didn't think it was coming up so soon. I think the late Thanksgiving threw me. We still have leftovers in the fridge. Is that wrong?
Even if I don't get around to putting the lights outside, if the cookies don't get baked and decorated, if a few gifts don't get bought, if the tree doesn't find its way into our house, (my children will be crushed) if Christmas dinner doesn't make its way to the table... even if all that does not happen, I still know the true meaning of Christmas. I will know that Jesus Christ was born. And His only reason for being born, was to die. For me. And you. What a gift.

Friday Flashback

Happy Friday. Elaine at Matters of the Heart had a cute blog post today, and I had to borrow it. Ok, I stole her idea. But I loved it and wanted to have my own Friday Flashback. This weeks flashback.....December 2004.
Here is Phoebe, age 2 and a half. Her way of decorating the tree. All decor at her level. I think I kept it that way too. That is some crazy do she has, and quite the chubby cheeks. sniff, sniff.
Here's Abigail on her first Christmas. She was 3 months old. Where did we get these nut storing, cheeky kids? I could nibble on that again. sniff, sniff. She still plays with that bear, but it doesn't look quite so big.

I love to look back on what my kids looked like. I'm looking forward to the next Friday Flashback. Join in.