Our New Year's Eve

I think, for many years past, hubby is usually working.  In fact, I am pretty sure in the last 10 years I have never seen the ball drop!  But, because hubby was home, I decided we were going to celebrate.  Plus, the kids are getting older and I knew they would probably make it to midnight!

So, we had a very relaxed day.  Just hanging around the house and doing a few chores.  We had cheese, crackers, sausage and veggies from our garden for a picnic lunch in the back yard.  It was gorgeous.  After lunch we all just laid in the sun and let the rays warm our bodies.

Later on in the afternoon, we played our favorite new board game.  It is called 10 Days in Africa and it is so much fun.  And, don't tell the kids, but they are learning geography as well.  We are currently studying Africa in school and both NG and LM can name at least 7 countries in Africa.  It is a game of logic and planning and, yet, very, very entertaining.  The company makes a USA, Europe and Asia version as well.  Guess what I will be doing with my Amazon gift card?  ;)

We had one of the kids' favorite meals, chicken chili.  There was only one serving left!!  After dinner, every one got ready for bed and we all camped out on the living room floor and couch.  We had brownie sundaes and watched movies all night long.  The three girls slept on the floor.  Boop, me and daddy slept on the couch.

When the last movie was over, around 11:30, the big girls woke me up.  We watched Abbot and Costello and the girls had never seen them before.  They laughed and laughed and laughed.  I kept switching to watch the ball drop and they wanted me to switch back!  At about 11:58 we stayed tuned to the ball and watched it drop.  LM woke daddy just in time.

The minute it was over, they turned back to Abbot and Costello and wanted to stay up all night and watch.  We made a deal, they could watch until 12:30 and then record the rest.  I think that was the best part for them.  Hubby and I used to watch it when we were kids.  They are really funny.  Even I was laughing!

It was a great New Year's Eve for us.  I hope everyone had a great night!  Happy New Year  . . .

Photos Taken by Nature Girl

Nature Girl has had her camera for almost a year.  The following are some recent pictures I uploaded so I thought I would share . . .

Thoughts for 2012

This very well might be my last post for 2011.  And probably for quite awhile.  So, I thought I would just jot down some things that are running through my head.

I want to raise Kingdom Kids.  I want to spend 2012 raising kids that want to love and serve God.  I want to encourage them to take their desires and dreams and give them to God.  And let Him work His will in their lives.

I want to be a mom that prays.  Over everything.  Whether it is going to the grocery store or trying to figure out how to encourage change in a child's heart.  Whether it is to read Shakespeare or Plutarch.  Whether we should be involved in Meals on Wheels or participate more in the local transition community.  Or whether or not I should buy that pair of shoes that is on sale.  Or, when we are having a bad day, stop and pray.  Or, when we are having good day stop and give thanks.  You get the drift.

I want our school to be different.  It isn't anything like what I had envisioned when I first started homeschooling.  I love that we read a ton and I love that I get an opportunity, everyday, to read one and one with each child.  But, we aren't doing some of the more hands on stuff that I would like.  We aren't taking the time to explore the things the kids enjoy.  I want to take more time in character building.  And handicraft stuff like gardening and crocheting and cross-stitch just to name of few.  (I have a list and will be praying over them.)

We leave for Wisconsin in a couple days.  We are soooo excited.  We are going to see tons of family and friends.  And we are praying for snow!  The kids have never seen it.

I want to read more.  I have so many books and there just doesn't seem to be enough time to read through them all.  I need to tell myself that reading is not a waste of time.  That it is OK for me to take 15 minutes during quiet time to read a little bit for myself.

We need to do better in working as a team.  That means the kids need to help.  I get behind and things don't get done because I feel I have to do it all myself.  The two older girls can certainly do more, with a little training, then I give them credit for.  Boop can be very helpful if I would just take the time to guide him.  I bet EG can even help too.  Given a little training.

I want a house of peace.  I want a house where my children enjoy being home.  That means I have to take the time to engage my kids.  Play games, go outside.  Listen to them.  (And boy can they talk.)  Be slow to anger and slow to speak.

Most of all, truly realize God really is in control.  That I need to act on my faith and have trust that He knows what He is doing.

I know there is more.  And maybe, Monday or Tuesday, if I have my chores done, I will post a few more thoughts.  But, for now, Happy New Year's everyone . . .

Blessed Many Times Over

Of course, the kids got what they wanted.  I think we all got what we wanted.

We are blessed beyond measure.  Thanks be to God and His One and Only Son.  The true gift of the season.  Of which, no earthly gift can truly compare . . . .

Merry Christmas

Grandma came yesterday so it is officially Christmas.

Last night we went to a local park that fills its trees and green space with tons of light displays.  You can drive through or walk.  We met three of our family friends and exchanged gifts and enjoyed the lights.

Today will be filled with baking and wrapping.  Tonight Sissy is taking the big girls and they are going to watch a holiday movie and do more baking.  The littles and I will wrap and bake, eat fried chicken and play Bingo, a request from Boop.

Tomorrow will be filled with more baking and cooking.  On the menu for Christmas Eve is little ham sandwiches, homemade broccoli cheese soup and lots of appetizers like cheese ball and artichoke dip.  We are doing something a little different this year, in that we are going to a Catholic Christmas Eve service.  We are working our way up to going to midnight mass one year.  I enjoy the traditions of the service.  As does hubby.  We both, in our younger years, were raised in a Catholic church.  Some of my fond Christmas memories are of cuddling up in my mom's faux fur coat during Midnight Mass.

Christmas day will be crazy I am sure.  But, all the family will be here so no particular place to go.  We are excited because it is hubby's first Christmas off in awhile.  What a nice treat not to have him sitting around in his green polyester uniform, vest and gun, trying to listen to his radio amidst all the excitement of the opening of presents

Prime rib, asparagus and sweet potato mashers from the garden are on the Christmas Day menu.  I can't believe it is here already.  Where, oh where, does the time go.

Merry Christmas everyone . . .

Boop and Broccoli

About six weeks ago, at church, the kids were learning about the virtue of thankfulness.  To encourage the kids to be thankful, at the end of the program, they handed out Thank You cards and told each child to think of someone they wanted to thank and send them the card.

The next morning, during school, we took some time to think of someone they each wanted to thank.  Nature Girl picked her Sunday School teacher and LM gave hers to her ballet teacher.

For a couple of weeks we had been praying for a son of a friend of ours, nicknamed Broccoli, who I have known since he was my kids age.  He had recently been deployed to Iraq.  He was part of some type of convoy thing.  We prayed for his safety every morning and sent letters and FaceBook messages to him.

So, when Boop picked some one he was thankful for, he picked Broccoli.  He wrote out his card, thanking him for his service and wanting to know who was winning. ;)  We put it in the mail.  I sent Broccoli a FB message just letting him know he would be receiving a card written just by Boop.  He sent me a message back letting me know that the Post Office was closing because they were being sent back to the States!

Of course that was fabulous news and I knew my mom's friend would be over joyed!  About 2 weeks later I got Boop's card back in the mail.  But, we were going down to visit my mom and would be able to leave the card with Broccoli's mom.  And she would be sure to get it to him when he was state side.

Well, this morning my phone rings and it was a number I did not recognize.  Usually I just ignore those.  But, I am sooooo, soooo glad I didn't.  It was Broccoli calling for Boop!!  I was so excited.  And, when Boop was told who was on the phone for him, he grinned from ear to ear.

They talked for a few minutes.  When I asked Boop what Broccoli said he told me "He said he thinks they won."  That soldier, who we prayed for and are so thankful for, made my son's day.  Where would we be without the men and women, who are willing to put their lives on the line, every day to protect the lives of others.

Thank you Broccoli for your service and we are so thankful you are home for the holidays . . . .

Girl's Night Out

Last night, for the first time in I can't tell you how long, a bunch of girls got together for dinner. At out last book club meeting, all of the moms were having a really great time just sitting and talking while the kids were playing.

A couple of days later (or maybe a couple of hours later) one of the mom's sent out an email trying to organize a dinner out with all of us so we could continue our conversation. And crazily enough, almost of us were able to go.

So, last night we went to a local restaurant, one that hubby would never go to and one that didn't have kids meals. The six of us broke bread together and talked. GEtting to know each other a little better. Sharing a little of ourselves. Our dreams, hopes and struggles.

It is great to rejoice with each other, all the blessings in our lives. And it is also just a wee bit comforting to know that others have struggles as well. Sometimes just the same as me.

I don't "need" girl time, necessarily. But, the longer I walk on this mom's walk, the more I understand the need for sharing a little bit of my life with others and experiencing a little bit of others' lives myself.

I am so thankful that God has placed this great group of women in my life. I know it makes my walk just a little bit easier . . .