Happy New Year, or Not...

Just in time to round out 2012...

Really?  And, of course it is for a week where we are already scheduled to fly out on Friday!

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013~

While most are reflecting on projects completed over the course of the past year or making New Year's resolutions...I decided I really needed to think of something that would make my life easier in the New Year.  While I have completed quite a few projects and accomplished more than I ever thought I would, I knew I needed to come up with something that would help me keep things in check (simplify and quality-my words for 2011 and 2012).

Hence...this came to mind:

Santa makes his list and checks it twice, so why not?  I have never been much of a list maker.  With that said...I do tend to think out loud (drives hubby crazy), but never put my thoughts on paper.  And, therefore my peri-menopausal brain forgets what I just thought about an hour ago!  

So this year, I have decided lists it is!  And, I have already started one.  A "kitchen" list...a list of things we either need to replace, upgrade, need (round cookie cutters according to my child who loves to bake but is away at college most of the year, LOL) or want (non-essentials, things that we save for).  

And, I think I may enlist the help of my Best Friend, MS (okay, I'm exaggerating...while I love her, she has no clue who I am) to get the job done.  Her products at Staples are awesome! Just saying...

Here's hoping for a less stressful, more organized, less forgetful New Year! (okay, at 44 the last is inevitable!)

An Ipaw for Christmas~

Dear Santa,

All I really want for Christmas is an Ipaw, so I can be hip and cool like my human family.

Love,

Kylee

Looks like someone was a very good puppy this year!  Kylee is already enjoying connecting with her furry friends via Face Bark, checking out Apps at the DDD store, viewing videos of her friends antics on DogTube and surfing the net on SaFurri.

Christmas and Childhood Memories~

Praying everyone had a wonderful and joyous Christmas with family and loved ones.  We were thrilled to have both of these beauties to spend the day with...

Having both girls home was the best gift of all!  However, I do have to say...Elie made and gave some of the best homemade gifts (homemade bath salts, scrubs and candles-thank you Ashli, you taught her well ;) and Kate braved airport security with a few priceless treasures.  Yes, she was fearful they were going to confiscate the present she was bringing home for me...a beautiful Willow Tree figurine...guess it looked a little suspicious via the xray machine! LOL

However, the most priceless minute of the day was when baby girl opened this present from her big sis and I...

Okay, I know what you are thinking...it's a pillow, it is a pillow in a very childish pattern...she is 19 for heaven's sake!!!  What???

Long story short...she had a pillow as a toddler/child...in the same fabric (Mary Mary by Laura Ashley)...it was a VERY VERY loved pillow (trust me...you do NOT want to see the original!!!)  Her sister and I have been hunting for years on Ebay to find the fabric to make a new one.  Imagine my surprise when a month before Christmas I stumbled upon someone selling the fabric by the yard, brand spanking new!!!  Yes please, and thank you!!!  I had two pillows made (yes, this momma is all about having a back up).  We had NO idea we would get the reaction we did on Christmas morning when she opened that gift (truth be told, I had kinda forgotten about wrapping it and for the life of me could not understand why she was screaming and crying at the same time!) LOL  As they say...it was PRICELESS!  It really is the little things...

Bringing back fond childhood memories.  I pray each of you stopped to take the time to create those with your little ones.  You won't regret the extra time spent!!  

Trust me...this 19 year old had all of us crying!

God Bless each of you in the New Year!!!

Christmas Around our House~

Wow, I cannot believe how fast this month has flown by.  Between planning the women's event at our church, shopping, welcoming home our youngest from college (and sharing a car), I have run out of time!!

Ready or not, Christmas is here!!  (I would be ready if the story of our Christmas this year weren't "back-ordered or "order in process" or "delayed due to midwest snowstorm")  It will all work out in the end.

Thought I'd share a few pics from around our house these days.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

New Christmas Song~

A very dear friend of mine sent me this link along with this story...

About the Song While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew,  Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a  toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth  of Jesus, he asked his mom,   "where's the line to see Jesus"? My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired  and jotted words down to a  song in just a few minutes. After putting music  to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response  from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for  a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus.  My dad  then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it.  I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better,  and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and  producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the  chorus... with goose bumps and  emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt  like we had something special. The demo  was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville... still no response. Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do  a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits  and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from  people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothing.  After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response,   we got serious.  We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass,  pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today. Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands  of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas.   Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not  understand.  Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to  reflect on the love of Jesus,  and that one day we will all stand in line to  see Him.  We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to  share our music  with you. Merry Christmas everyone.  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

The Reason For The Season~

This year I am really trying to focus on the true meaning of the season, rather than getting caught up in the modern day frenzy.  Taking time to slow down, enjoy things, rather than rush through and find myself on January 1 wondering where all the time went.

While most of our Christmas decorations are up, I haven't taken many pictures yet.  And, the tree remains to be decorated.

I have spent the past month or so organizing a women's ministry event at our church to be held this coming Sunday evening.  A lot of time and planning has gone into this event.  A lot of hours, and a little stress as well.  Over 200 women will be in attendance, and approximately 30 men will help prepare the food and serve that evening.

The one thing we will all have in common, we are coming together to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.  For 2 and a half hours we will step out of the modern day frenzy!

I want to encourage each of you, to take time out.  Kids grow, toys are forgotten or break, that perfect sweater shrinks, loved ones are sometimes lost.  But, memories are forever.

Blessings for a Wonderful Christmas Season!