2013

 Yikes...where did 2012 go? It was a year full of...well, stuff. There were a lot of downs but also a lot of ups. The year started out like any other. Full of resolutions and dreams for what the year held. Unfortunately with the melanoma diagnoses, everything came to a stop. It was a rough summer but we got thru. A new house was waiting for us on the other side of my surgery so we had something grand to look forward to. We love our new location and the girls are in heaven by all the open space. We've christened it with a sleep over, plenty of brush pile fires, and a big trampoline in the yard. We are truly blessed. This past Christmas was one to remember in our brand new house.

Even though with the sparkle of a brand new house, it took a race to get me back up on my feet. I was in depression after surgery and didn't know how to pull myself out. It was the words a friend spoke that got me up and moving. She asked me if I wanted to run a 5K. My initial thought was, "Heck, no" but something inside me made me sign on the line to commit. After weeks of training and encouragement from my friends I finally did it. November 18 was a day that I'll never forget. My family was there to cheer me on and I did it...I couldn't rely on anyone to get me thru other than God. Like 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, I ran in a way to get the prize and that I did. At the end of the race was a big cup of hot chocolate. Unfortunately, it was crappy but I finally got there. The rest of the year was filled with the excitement of Christmas.

Now that 2013 is here, I've done a lot of reflection and I'm so ready for a new beginning. My aunt got me a daily calendar that has a scripture every day listed from the book of Psalms. The one on January 2 keeps coming back to me so I did some digging and found a version that I can relate to. In the NIV version of Psalms 25:21 is says "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee." I love those words - integrity and uprightness. When I looked at the Message translation it resonated within my soul and I knew that it was the Holy Spirit stirring things within me. It says, "Use all your skill to put me together; I wait to see your finished product." After last year, I feel, and at times still feel broken. Like I'm a puzzle that still needs put together. It's my prayer that God would use all of skills to put me together this year because I know at the end, there's a glorious picture that awaits me. Ever see a picture in passing that just catches your eye? You can't think of anything but the details in that picture? I want to do that with the pieces that he's putting together. I want to be so in awe of what is looking back at me. Here's to a great 2013!

Christmas Projects

OK...so do you want to know what's taking all my time from being able to post these last few weeks? I'm about to show you (over the course of a few days) what I've been working on. I thought that the log would be the best place to show it before Christmas that way it won't give away any secrets. I don't think anyone in my family knows about the blog so all is well! The first project is one that I've been working on the least amount of time but it's one of my favorites. I'm giving this to my mother in law. I've had the letters for about two years now and could never settle on what I wanted to do with them. After some ideas from Pinterest I finally solved my problem. Take a look!

That Time of Year

It's that time of year where there's too much to do and not time to do it. I've got all these great ideas floating in my head but no time to have my ideas come full circle. My big project that I'm working on for my mom is about to come to a close. Saying that I'm thrilled is not saying it enough how happy I am that it's almost done. Although I know it's a lot of hard work and she's going to love it, I would have to say that I never want to do this project again! EVER! LOL Love ya mom but this is the last one you're ever gonna get!

Thanksgiving was great. I didn't really over eat, although I did have a nice slice of chocolate cream pie. I thought that since I did great on proportions and I didn't do seconds that having a little more was my treat to myself. I know that one of these days, a regular size piece should be more than enough but for me, this was a huge feat. Every ounce of me wanted to go back in for second of mashed potatoes but I held back and was good. I just kept drinking and that helped. I'll do a weigh in on Monday and get back on track.

I really am feeling great though. I think knowing that it's Christmas puts a little spring in my step. We are super busy during this time so I'll blog about that this week. Just wanted to check in and let you know that I'm still here. I'll chat more later about our Christmas festivities and what's to come :) So excited!

Family Advent 2011

Every year we do our family advent tradition. Although sometimes it can be a bit tiring depending on the day, it's a blast to do and remember from year to year. This year, I wanted to throw in a few different things and thanks to Pinterest, my new addiction, I was able to find a few new keepers. Here's the list for 2011:


24 - Thanksgiving (Elf on the Shelf Starts)
25 - Creekside Parade 6PM
26 - Put up the Christmas Tree and Decorate their pink tree
27 - Write your letter to Santa
28 - Unwrap a book to read
29 - Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
30 - Make an ornament
1 - Family Game Night
2 - Hot Chocolate Barand Movie Night
3 - Breakfast with Santa or Granville Walking Tour
4 - Make bookmarks for the cousins
5 - Holiday fingernail painting party with new polish
6 - Unwrap a book to read
7 - Family Puzzle Night
8 - Go out for Peppermint Milkshakes
9 - Night In Bethlehem
10 - Make Christmas cookies & Buckeyes
11 - Bubble bath Bash
12 - Make holiday jewelry
13 - Visit Santa
14 - Go to the zoo
15 - Movie Night
16 - Gingerbread houses
17 - Go out and look at holiday lights
18 - Make snowman pancakes
19 - Make presents for siblings
20 - Chocolate pretzels
22 - Make Holiday Pretzel Treats
23 - Make Christmas Pizzas
24 - Read the story of the birth of Jesus
25 - Happy birthday Party

To see what we did in 2010, click here. To see what we did in 2009, click here.

WOW, as I looked back over the years at what we did, we really have tons of fun each year in December. So excited for Christmas!!

Thanks!

Thanks...been thinking a lot about that word here recently :) With Thanksgiving and all I guess it's bound to happen to a few select people! Thanks to those who look out for my blog updates. Sorry I've been disappointing you all recently. I've been in a slump (cousin of a funk) since we've gotten back from Chicago. I think it's the change in weather or maybe it was because I was sick up until a few days ago. At any rate, there is a ton I've got to catch up on, one being our trip which was amazing and I'm so thankful for.

Back to thanks. My mom asked me a few days before Thanksgiving about what my thoughts were on a gift that she could give to the grandchildren to help them remember during the year to be more thankful. She wanted to do something and I really thought that they would shrug it off and not follow thru so I put on the thinking cap. I told my mom that she needed to get each grandchild their own set of note cards and let them write one thank you card to someone that stuck out that month as doing something for/to/out of the normal, etc. She chewed on it for a few hours and decided to go for it. In the back of my mind I was hoping she got me a set too but no such luck. We got a little sign to hang in the house that talks about being thankful. I'm thankful to my mom for being so willing to have us over for Thanksgiving, cooking and preparing for all of us to be over. She even went out of her way to get us all special things so we can remember to be thankful.

Again, it got me thinking about how we are so busy and we forget to say thank you or express gratitude to others. We have every form of technology to help us to remember things. Help us to make sure that projects are done on time and get to the right people but we often time forget to do something as simple as saying thank you. I was so convicted after thinking about it that I think I'm resolving to send more thank you's and go out of my way to express my gratitude to others.

The first person I need to do this to is Nate. He has been amazing these last few weeks of my slumpness. He's gone to the store for me, cooked dinner (PB & J is fine for me), and never complained. He is an amazing husband that always encourages and supports me and I am so thankful for.

Thanks...what do you think about that word? Is there someone that you need to thank? Don't wait...do it now!

Remembering

I've just spent the past two hours going through the entire list of those that have died in this war that we are currently in. Yesterday marked the day that there have been 1000 fatalities just in this war. I've looked at all the names...seen where they were from...seen how old they were. I'm so saddened at all the loss but so grateful that they sacrificed their life for mine...for ours. I'm at a loss of words of what to say to these brave men and women. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough. They've left behind families, friends, jobs, churches, memories, the list goes on. Nate and I saw a movie recently and it opened my eyes up just a little bit to what these men and women experience both in battle and when they return home. If it touched me the way that it did, what has it done to their hearts, souls and minds. The things that they have seen and had to do are unlike anything that we will ever have to do in our lifetime. Thank you, fallen ones, who have stepped up to the plate and fought for our freedom. Who have left loved ones and life, as we know it, to fight and fight hard. I pray for the families and friends who you've left behind. I pray that they would continue to be comforted and that they would have peace that you died doing what is noble and right. Thank you to those who are still serving. May God protect you and bless you for what you are doing. I thank you for doing this so I can be free. Thank you for wanting to change the world and to hopefully make it a safer and better. May the day that we celebrate tomorrow not be about garage sales, cook-outs or just another day off work. May it be a day that we reflect on you - those who have fought hard for the USA. For the lives that have been lost and for those who are currently on the battle field. Thanks for serving!

Mom

For Mother's Day, Ana's teacher sent home the answer's of some Mother's Day questions that she asked the kids. Here are Ana's answers:

My favorite thing to do with my mom is....planting flowers with her.

I like it when my mom cooks...eggs and cinnamon rolls

My mom likes to...go to work.

My mom likes it when I...play jokes.

My mom is __ years old? 20

My mom smells like...peanut butter and jelly.

My little girl cracks me up! All you have to do is look at her and you crack up! Thanks Ana for lovin on me and for calling me mama!

2010

OK, so I skipped over most of December. So sorry about that. After being sick in December it was hard to get back into the swing of things but we did continue to celebrate the 25 Days of Christmas only on a lower level. We had an amazing Christmas and many memories that I will store away forever. We had Christmas over at my parents house with my brother's family and mom and dad. We had an amazing time. I was so glad we did it on a Saturday so it didn't feel so rushed and we could really enjoy being together.

Next came our family Christmas at home and it was so much fun. The girls played with their new toys, we made gingerbread men and watched movies and sang songs. It was a great day. I will never forget Aiva's face when she ran up to our room on Christmas morning to tell us that Santa had been there. She had come up those stairs quicker than I've ever seen her come up the stairs before. She was bumbed she didn't get the Barbie car she asked for but if she didn't change her mind on the 20th of December to include the Barbie car she may have had a good chance to get one. Next year she knows to turn in her requests early and keep to them! Ana too...she wanted a Dora kitchen and it never showed up from Santa. The vowed to write their letters next year and saw the repercussions from not doing it in 2009!!

After we had our family Christmas, the next day we drove to Nashville to be with his family for a week. It started out by going to the Rockettes which Aiva and I had a great time. It was a little rushed b/c as soon as we got into town we went to the theatre to see them perform. After the Rockettes we went to the Hiding Place which is a massive cabin that my mother in law gets through work and we don't have to pay for it. There are rooms for everyone that include our own bed and bathrooms. We LOVE the Hiding Place. There are 12 total rooms and we used all of them except 2 this year. I'm sure next year, all 12 will be used! We were there from Saturday until Wednesday night. It was so nice to wake up late and just be lazy and let all 7 kids run through the house. The loved playing ping pong in the basement or heading up to the third floor conference room, which for our time there became the "Girls Club". There are 6 girls and 1 boy! Thursday, the mom's and Danelle went to a movie (Up in the Air) and ran to get stuff for New Years Eve. We had the best spread of food and I think my head is still spinning from cutting up all that fruit for fondue. It was a lot of fun though...after many hands of poker (for the others...not me) it was time to ring in the new year. We saw the guy drive over the water to a barge and then watched the ball drop and then I called it a night. After that for the next couple days, all we saw or heard was football! With 5 guys (6 including Saylor) the girls were outvoted for what to watch on TV. Thank God there was another TV...Jes and I watched many movies, all of which the girl never ended up with the guy, but oh well. On Saturday it was time to head to the mall so we went to Oprey Mills...with all the kids. It was a little crazy at first but once I changed my attitude it was a great time. The kids rode the carousel and we shopped and ate. 2 pairs of crocks and 6 suckers later it was time to head home. I'm not sure what we did that night but I'm sure it had something to do with Poker! Sunday was the day we headed home which was a good and a bad day. We did have so much fun hanging out with family and not having to work but it was nice to get back to my bed and the quietness of two children...if that's any quieter than 7!

So sorry to anyone who is still reading this! I love to record my thoughts and activities because it helps me remember! So with 2010 at our door, here it goes: Happy New Year...better late than never!

Recap

We have been waiting for this day ever since we've hit the month of December! It was finally time to see Santa! The girls and I went shopping in the morning and afternoon but then we came home for naps so they would feel refreshed to see the big guy! Nate and us girls headed over to Easton so we could see the good Santa that we've seen ever since Aiva was born. I was hoping and praying that he would be there and he was! This year he was a few pounds lighter. My mom even made the comment that he was a skinny Santa this year. We waited in line for what seemed like FOREVER but we finally made it up there! Aiva asked for a Barbie car and Ana asked for a Dora kitchen. I'm a little nervous because neither of them are getting what they asked for. We have a kitchen now that they don't really play with and I'm waiting to get rid of some unused toys before I start expanding the Barbie collection! Hopefully they'll be OK with that they get...it's really cool stuff! After we saw Santa, we went over to Steak and Shake and had some dinner. Since the girls waited in such a long line to see Santa we thought it was OK to treat them to some milkshakes. We had a lot of fun and the milkshakes were tasty too!

Recap

On Friday we went out for Pizza and to Night in Bethlehem at our church. It was so awesome. The girls had a great time. Our church was transformed into the village of Bethlehem. There was an area where you could have your pictures taken with an angel or a shepherd. The girls love anything dress up so this was fun for them. They dressed up like Mary and Joseph and had a great time. I wish I had my camera for this...they absolutely crack me up! In the Family Life Center, was the actual "town". There was a place for the girls to make a clay pot and see an actual potters wheel. I think I liked this stop the best...reminded me of Color Your World...kind of! The next stop was the candy store where the girls could pick out their favorite kind of hard tack candy. They liked this stop the best - imagine that! We traveled on to the bread store where we got a piece of bread and then we went on to the Tin shop where we made a candle holder out of tin...it was noisy but a lot of fun! Next we went on to the card making station where the kids made cards to be presented at the temple. They put smelly fragrance on the cards and Aiva thought that was the coolest thing about this stop. Once we left the temple we stopped over to see the live animals. They had live sheep, goats and even a baby cow. SO much fun. Ana was determined to get to the cow but she was unsuccessful! She could only look from afar! While we were there we also made a necklace, played dreidel and got to see the baby Jesus. It made me remember back to when Aiva and Ana played baby Jesus the years that they were born. Time has gone so fast and the time had come to hand off the swaddling cloths and manager! Such a sweet memory! After it was over we headed home and read the Christmas story and it was off to bed for two tired little girls. We had a great evening!

Recap

Last night we made rice krispie treats and hot cocoa instead of having a red/green day and night. It was more of an event for me than the girls since it was a pretty sticky event but the girls loved the M&M's that went on the treats as well as the hot cocoa. Who can turn down hot chocolate! Not Ana!

Recap

We were a little late in decorating the Christmas tree this year but that's OK. It was actually a multi night affair! We had a couple complications with ornaments and lights but we got everything sorted out! we couldn't find the ornaments and I was about ready to have a fit but! I was at the storage unit and had about the whole thing tore apart and then finally I saw a box I hadn't yet opened. Sure enough...it was the one I had been looking for! Then the lights...I couldn't find all the strands of lights so we went to grab a few more strands at the store only to find them once we got home! Funny though that the news strands were the LED kind and I feel like I've got little flashlights all over the tree that illuminates that fact that we have a "fake" tree! Next year, we're either getting a real tree or getting a new artificial tree! It sure does look pretty though. More pics to come of the tree and our many flashlights!

Recap

Our 6th & 7th days of Christmas were a flop. Aiva and myself were very sick so we forfeited these two nights. I'm hoping that we can redo what was originally on our list for another night. I'll keep you posted though!

Recap

On December 5 the girls and I went over to Sunbury United Methodist Church. They were having their yearly Christmas celebration/breakfast so we decided to join the fun. Aiva was so excited because her friend Emma goes to this church and she was so excited to see her and her friends from school. The girls had a blast and I was so glad that I went despite Nate not being able to go with us. Normally I don't go by myself to things like this with both girls. It's too easy for the girls to go wild and me look like a fool so I tend to avoid things like this. I'm glad we went though. Aiva loved waving at all her little friends and Ana just loved being anywhere but home! Here are a few pics of the morning. We're defiantly putting it on the calendar for next year!

Home

Our 25 days of Christmas will be returning today! Sorry to leave you all hanging! After Saturday morning things started to go downhill. Both Aiva and myself had gotten sick so the last few days haven't been so fun. Poor Aiva and Aiva keep asking for the envelope and the present for the day but I've just been so week and felt yucky to get into the envelopes. Hopefully tonight we're going to jump back into it. Hopefully! Despite being sick and feeling absolutely awful the thing that continues to stick out to me is that I really miss being home with the girls. I've been planted on the couch for countless hours and have had to watch Disney and NickJr more than what I really care to stand, but I've totally enjoyed watching the girls dance and talk. I've been more in tune to them these last few days because my mind hasn't been caught up with work or even the real world. I got this burst of energy about an hour ago so I had them come to the kitchen table and we played with the play dough. We had a great time making Christmas stuff and sharing and using kind words. It seems that when I'm busy with work and life that I see more negative than positive with them. When I get home from work I always hear and see them fighting and I go into discipline mode. It was good for me to have this time with them and be able to enjoy seeing them talking nice to each other and acting nice to each other. Even though I've been sick, I'm so thankful that I've had this time. Thank you God for these two precious angels!

Recap

Tonight we were supposed to get pizza and watch Frosty's Winter Wonderland but we had a slight change of plans. When I got home from work Nate said he didn't feel good so it was just me and the girls tonight. I asked what they wanted to do and they shouted "PIZZA!". Come on...can't we do something other than pizza?? I got them to change and we went to Dairy Queen instead. YEAH! While I was there I ran into a friend of mine from high school and her kids. Amy, you always have such great hair! While we were leaving I past a kid I used to have a crush on in high school too. How funny that time goes so fast. Makes me laugh at the ideas I had in my head! Next up was our next plan for the evening. We were supposed to watch Frosty but isn't a tree lighting so much more fun??!! They were lighting the tree in uptown Westerville so we decided to hang out in Westerville and watch the fun. They had caroling, the band played Christmas songs, and Santa even came! The girls loved it. I'm sure everyone really enjoyed hearing Aiva sing Jingle Bells at the top of her lungs too! I just looked at her and looked around at the others wondering who's kids she was! Once it was done, we bolted and headed home to see if we could catch the end of Frosty but it was too late. We settled for Wonder Pets :) That's good enough. Ana loves Nick Jr! OK...time to get the kiddo's in bed. Hope you have a great weekend!

Recap

Yesterday was day 3 of the 25 days of Christmas! We watched Polar Express and had hot cocoa. I made breakfast for dinner so we made another batch of cocoa and enjoyed the movie. Aiva loved the movie but it was a bit long for Ana. Overall it was a lot of fun. My favorite line is always "CARIBOU!". If you didn't see the movie last night, be sure to catch it sometime this Christmas season!

Recap

Last night we made paper chains and had a great time. I think I cut an overabundance of strps but that's OK...we now have paper chains strung from the tops of the walls and it does look pretty festive! We used some glitter glue, stickers and markers. We wrote things we think about at Christmas time on some of the chains. baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary, Jingle Bells, etc...it was fun thinking of everything that comes to mind when you think of Christmas!

Recap

So Game Night was quite the sucess. I wish we would have gotten started earlier but that's the way the cards fell...no pun intended! I guess my lesson learned from last night was that we needed to do dinner earlier so we could get to the game or activity by at least 6. At least I had the girls in their jammies and ready to go to bed after games. Here are a few pics and a video. Enjoy!

Halloween

I know this is incredibly late but I just found this on my phone and I just had to post it. Aiva was so proud of her song that she had to have me record it and then we sent it to the family. Enjoy!