Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Santa Pops
Anybody familiar with Bakerella? If not, just click on over to her website there. Drool for a little while, then come back to me.
I had trouble coming up with an idea for gifts for Neely's classmates at Mom's Day Out. I mean, I can't exactly send candy bags to a bunch of one-year-olds. I saw these Santa hat cake pops on Bakerella's website, and I decided to give it a try, even though I'm pretty sure more mommies and daddies will eat these than toddlers. Oh, well. They were a little bit of a pain to make, since I'm not really a baker and am terrible with frosting, but they sure are yummy!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Christmas Moment
Yes, I finally have the internet again. And I have a short story to tell.
On the drive home from picking up the kids from preschool and Mom's Day Out today, Aidan pulls the day's craft out of his backpack. It's a nativity decorated with stickers of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the wise men, shepherds, you get the idea. I got to listen to my sweet boy explain to his little sister about Jesus and how he was born in Bethlehem. He then passed it to her, presumably so she could see it better. Neely then peeled off a wise man sticker...and tried to eat him.
On the drive home from picking up the kids from preschool and Mom's Day Out today, Aidan pulls the day's craft out of his backpack. It's a nativity decorated with stickers of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the wise men, shepherds, you get the idea. I got to listen to my sweet boy explain to his little sister about Jesus and how he was born in Bethlehem. He then passed it to her, presumably so she could see it better. Neely then peeled off a wise man sticker...and tried to eat him.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Christmas Crafting
Today, I took a little break from doing this...
...and this...
...to make some Christmas ornaments. It's nearly killing me that I can't decorate or put up a tree yet, so I had to ring in December somehow. Before Thanksgiving, I bought The Nester's tassel e-book. I think I'd read it within half an hour of the download completing and started hunting for something to turn into a tassel. This cardinal was sitting on my mantel. I got him at Joann after Christmas for $2. I decided he'd work. So the next day I hoofed it to Hobby Lobby for some fringe. (And if you've read the e-book, don't chastise me for going to Hobby Lobby. I only got the filler stuff there.) I got him about halfway done before we went out of town. I went to Best Fabrics today - my kids' favorite place to run away from me and hide - and got the last few things I needed to finish it. Ta-da!
My first tassel. Not too shabby, I don't think. Here's the problem, though. My original intent was to take it and give it away at our spouses group's yearly ornament exchange. If I do that, I don't get to keep it, and I really like it. I also risk someone ending up with it that really hates it, or doesn't know what to do with it. And I risk getting my feelings hurt, because I made him and I love him, but at these swaps, you definitely know which ornaments are liked and which are not. I'm not sure what I'll do. We'll see. Oh, here's the cute little red bow on his booty. :)
Last night, I remembered this paper ornament kit that I bought at Michael's after Christmas several years ago and never got around to using. I started working on them while we were watching TV. It took me two hours to finish just five, but I really like them.
And finally, the pearls. Just this morning, I saw this post on Decor to Adore and knew I had to make these. I have a bag of retired costume jewelry that Andrea gave me the last time I was in Tennessee. I painted some stars gold, disassembled a couple of necklaces, glued the pearls to the stars, and voila! Recycled jewelry ornaments. (Annie, I will send one with your Christmas gift, so now you can hang your old jewelry on your tree.)
...and this...
...to make some Christmas ornaments. It's nearly killing me that I can't decorate or put up a tree yet, so I had to ring in December somehow. Before Thanksgiving, I bought The Nester's tassel e-book. I think I'd read it within half an hour of the download completing and started hunting for something to turn into a tassel. This cardinal was sitting on my mantel. I got him at Joann after Christmas for $2. I decided he'd work. So the next day I hoofed it to Hobby Lobby for some fringe. (And if you've read the e-book, don't chastise me for going to Hobby Lobby. I only got the filler stuff there.) I got him about halfway done before we went out of town. I went to Best Fabrics today - my kids' favorite place to run away from me and hide - and got the last few things I needed to finish it. Ta-da!
My first tassel. Not too shabby, I don't think. Here's the problem, though. My original intent was to take it and give it away at our spouses group's yearly ornament exchange. If I do that, I don't get to keep it, and I really like it. I also risk someone ending up with it that really hates it, or doesn't know what to do with it. And I risk getting my feelings hurt, because I made him and I love him, but at these swaps, you definitely know which ornaments are liked and which are not. I'm not sure what I'll do. We'll see. Oh, here's the cute little red bow on his booty. :)
Last night, I remembered this paper ornament kit that I bought at Michael's after Christmas several years ago and never got around to using. I started working on them while we were watching TV. It took me two hours to finish just five, but I really like them.
And finally, the pearls. Just this morning, I saw this post on Decor to Adore and knew I had to make these. I have a bag of retired costume jewelry that Andrea gave me the last time I was in Tennessee. I painted some stars gold, disassembled a couple of necklaces, glued the pearls to the stars, and voila! Recycled jewelry ornaments. (Annie, I will send one with your Christmas gift, so now you can hang your old jewelry on your tree.)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A Very Disney Thanksgiving
We went to Disney World for Thanksgiving this year. What was supposed to be a much-anticipated family vacation ended up being a much-needed forced break from the madness of packing. If the trip hadn't been planned since June, I think I might have completely overlooked Thanksgiving this year. Don't worry. I won't share all 255 of my pictures here, just a few of my favorites. That one up top was actually taken on our last day. It was the first day we'd seen the Magic Kingdom with the sun shining. We'd done it in bits and pieces in the evenings leading up to the last day.
I only have two photographs of either of my children with a Disney character. Neely would burst into tears if one neared her, and Aidan would pretend they weren't there. We could be walking through the park, and someone would say, "Look, Aidan! There's Goofy, Mickey, Minnie..." and he would look the other way.
See? If I pretend she's not there, she'll go away.
Here's Neely at Epcot on Thanksgiving Day.
Joe & Maggie in a Kim Possible phone booth.
What is this on my head?
I love myself.
This is the happiest place on earth, dude. Cheer up!
Pretty, pretty girl.
Bug.
Aw, they love each other.
And the pinnacle...the mouse ears that Aidan picked. Of course, they're Lightning McQueen ears. Of course. And I couldn't get Neely to keep hers on long enough to get a picture.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thankfulness
I know I’ve been doing a lot of complaining lately. “I’m moving. I have to pack. I’m so busy.” Whine, whine, whine. I’m sure you’re all sick of it, and I apologize. Today, I’m making a conscious effort to be thankful for my circumstances and for what they mean.
I read this the other day, and I should probably tattoo it on my arm.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7, The Message
And then, a couple of days later, I read this:
“When I am consumed by my problems – stressed out about my life, my family, and my job – I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God’s command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a “right” to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.
Worry implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.
Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.
Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it’s okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we’ve been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won’t be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God’s strength, our problems are small, indeed.”
From Crazy Love by Francis Chan
I had a hard time finding a stopping point on that one. My reading both of these things came with impeccable timing. Divine providence? Of course. It’s nearly Thanksgiving, the time of year when I’m supposed to reflect on all the wonderful gifts that God has given me this year, and I’m complaining. Why? Because I have to move to a new house. First thing I’m thankful for? The fact that I have a house to live in. I’m not being kicked out into the street. I have a home. I nearly wrote a “but…” I stopped myself. I am thankful to have a home.
Where to go next? I am thankful that I have two beautiful, healthy children. Although, I’m sure if I had sick or handicapped children, I’d still love them and think they were beautiful, so maybe the adjectives are unnecessary. I’m thankful for my children.
I’m thankful for family and the opportunities that I get to see them. I complain that it’s not often enough, but we get to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and Christmas with John’s parents this year. It’s good. I’m grateful that we have family to spend the holidays with.
I’m thankful for my church. I’ve been a little overwhelmed with e-mail and invites for all the things that are happening at our church this December, but thank God for them! It means our church is alive and well. And even though our calendar is quickly filling up, these are the events that I’m most excited about.
I can go on, but I feel like this post is growing a bit long. As things get crazier and busier as we pass Thanksgiving and barrel toward Christmas, if you catch me complaining, call me on it. I’m not kidding. Please remind me that at least I have a house to live in, clothes to pack, gifts to wrap, kids to drive to school, etc. Maybe I’ll do the same for you.
I read this the other day, and I should probably tattoo it on my arm.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7, The Message
And then, a couple of days later, I read this:
“When I am consumed by my problems – stressed out about my life, my family, and my job – I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God’s command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a “right” to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.
Worry implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.
Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.
Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it’s okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we’ve been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won’t be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God’s strength, our problems are small, indeed.”
From Crazy Love by Francis Chan
I had a hard time finding a stopping point on that one. My reading both of these things came with impeccable timing. Divine providence? Of course. It’s nearly Thanksgiving, the time of year when I’m supposed to reflect on all the wonderful gifts that God has given me this year, and I’m complaining. Why? Because I have to move to a new house. First thing I’m thankful for? The fact that I have a house to live in. I’m not being kicked out into the street. I have a home. I nearly wrote a “but…” I stopped myself. I am thankful to have a home.
Where to go next? I am thankful that I have two beautiful, healthy children. Although, I’m sure if I had sick or handicapped children, I’d still love them and think they were beautiful, so maybe the adjectives are unnecessary. I’m thankful for my children.
I’m thankful for family and the opportunities that I get to see them. I complain that it’s not often enough, but we get to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and Christmas with John’s parents this year. It’s good. I’m grateful that we have family to spend the holidays with.
I’m thankful for my church. I’ve been a little overwhelmed with e-mail and invites for all the things that are happening at our church this December, but thank God for them! It means our church is alive and well. And even though our calendar is quickly filling up, these are the events that I’m most excited about.
I can go on, but I feel like this post is growing a bit long. As things get crazier and busier as we pass Thanksgiving and barrel toward Christmas, if you catch me complaining, call me on it. I’m not kidding. Please remind me that at least I have a house to live in, clothes to pack, gifts to wrap, kids to drive to school, etc. Maybe I’ll do the same for you.
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