December Snapshots...

December is always a busy month, but this December seemed to just really fly...as a matter of fact...I don't even know what happened to 2009. Well, I haven't been as faithful to my on-line journaling as I like, but I hope to stay on top of that a little better this year. I think that with my full-time (away from home) work, family and church responsibilities - and facebook - I've let my blog fall by the way side. The sad part is that it bothers me. I miss it.
Well, I didn't want to leave any of you (that are still stopping by) hanging. Here is my December in a nutshell. Reverse order...okay? =]
Here we are with my grandmother. She is 85 this year. I am so blessed to be able to have had her here for a visit. The children love getting to know their great-grandmother better and it warms my heart to watch them interact with her. She is such a special lady. Marco loves having her here as well since he never really knew any of his grandparents. We had a great week together!

Here are the kids on Christmas morning. They were dying to get to their gifts, but they know the routine. Put up with a little picture taking, wait for mom to get her coffee, listen as dad reads the Christmas story from the book of Luke, pray as a family...and THEN they can start the mayhem. It was especially neat watching Little Marco this year. He was so excited and his little cheeks stayed red the whole time. It was a great day.

The deacons and church members did a great birthday party for Marco. They really do love him and I am so glad, because he loves them so much. I will be so glad when he is able to work full-time with just the church work. Obviously, you can see that there was a USC theme. haha

Naomi sang in her first School Christmas program. They sang Rudolph. It was adorable. She did a great job, even though she was looking for us the whole time she was singing. Sweet girl.

Here is Hannah doing a geography presentation on South Korea. She had to dress up in traditional costume, give an oral report, have a presentation board, and share some foods/snacks that represented her country. She did a great job!

Well, we finished up the month and the year with some other special activities, but I wanted to put them in a separate post... thanks for still coming by...I'll try to meet you here more often! ;]

Choosing Joy...In the kitchen with Grandma!

My girls were really looking forward to spending some time in the kitchen with Grandma. My grandmother is one of the best cooks I know. Today, it brought me great joy to watch my girls - especially Taryn (I was the same age as her when I lived with my grandmother) - in the kitchen with her. They baked some Scotties - THE BEST COOKIE EVER - they are kind of like brownies, but not...LOL, they baked some Christmas sugar cookies that are so moist and cake like (secret is the sour cream) and she even made dinner. Grandma's famous fried chicken. Mmmmm... Life is good!
I thought I'd share the recipe for Scotties...if you make 'em - let me know!

Scotties

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Butter

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup White Sugar

1 Egg

1 cup Flour

1 cup Chopped Walnuts

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 Tbsp. Baking Powder

First melt butter and both sugars in a sauce pan (about 5 minutes) being careful not to burn it. Let cool for about 10 minutes.

Add to mixing bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.

Stir until mixed thoroughly.

Line an 8x8 square pan with foil. Make sure it's long enough so that you can lift the edges (see picture).

Pour the batter and make sure it is level.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick - done when it comes out clean.

When it has cooled, pull it out of pan using the foil and then cut into squares and enjoy!

Choosing Joy: Christmas Morning

See that kitchen that Santa brought? I...er, um I mean he bought the display (last one left) and got it for $30 instead of $80. =]

Daddy still has puffy eyes from waiting on Santa the night before -hee hee.

Checking out the stockings. Even Grandma got one.

For her kitchen.

These are the UGGly boots that everybody is wearing...well, these are the Kirkland Costco brand, but you get the point... =D Thanks, Santa!

Okay. Naomi LOVES this doll baby. I ordered it about a month ago. It is a hand made stuffed doll made by an 11 year old. At least, I think she is about that age. Anyway, it is just adorable. It even has Naomi's initials embroidered on the chest and came dressed in the adorable outfit. I will post a whole separate post about it. You know how I am when I find something I like. =]

Oh, my goodness. Whose idea was this? Oh, mine? Great idea! Look at him. He's all into it. Look at his tongue.

Grandma got a nice sleeveless fleece jacket.

It's Christmas morning and all is well. Children are happy and Grandma, Marco and I are pleased to see the children so excited.
We started our morning with Marco reading the Christmas Story from the book of LUKE.

Then we all checked out our stockings. We have always exchanged ornaments with each other and try to get a new one for each of the kids every year.

Then it's on to the "Santa" gifts - aka the one big gift from Mom and Dad. Every year, we look for the best deals (of course) - but this year...this year I KNOW God's hand was in it. I know some of you might think that I am taking it too far. God helping me to get a "good deal"? Um, yes. Guess what? He even gives me a great parking spot when I need it. =]

Anyway, this year Santa came in the form of a very loving family, my parents and friends from church. We are truly blessed. I know I've mentioned this in my blog before, but guess what people? God IS good. =]

More Joy...My Siblings and I

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Tagged for Christmas!

********SEEING RED EVERYWHERE*************

The lovely Lea, of Shabby Olde Potting Shed, tagged me for this cute Christmas meme. Please visit her blog and get to know her if you haven't already. She has such a heart for God and from the minute you start reading her, ya love her 'cause she's sooo down to earth and GENUINE! She's alot of fun! Thanks for tagging me along Lea!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
I like them both - but I will take the chocolate over egg nog anytime!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wrapped!
3. Colored light on house/tree or white?
White on the tree, none outside yet. =[ I would LOVE to get some of those old fashioned colored ones from way back in the day! Kind of like these:


4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I have a plastic one that is connected to a giant jingle bell...you can see it in one of the pics in an older post below.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
I like to start right after Thanksgiving, but this year it was a few days after when I started.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Probably the turkey or ham.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
It was when we just moved to Fort Carson, Colorado. None of our Christmas decorations (or furniture) was there yet so we cut down our own tree and made all of the ornaments. I can still remember the pine cones that we found, glued and glittered. We also cut up some Coca Cola cans and made twisted ornaments (dad's idea), strung cranberry and popcorn...it was the best year ever.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
What truth? What do you mean? My dad always said that if you don't believe in Santa, there's no reason for there to be a gift from him under the tree or anything in the stockings...so, what was it you were asking? Hmmm? =]
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We have at my mother-in-law's, but we usually don't.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
It's lit up with white lights and we have gold ribbon wrapped around it and then we have ornaments from all of our years - since our first year of marriage. We exchange an ornament each year and try to get each of the kids one too.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?
Love it if we're dressed up for it and can enjoy it!
12. Can you ice skate?
Kind of. I am really good at getting started and then going around and around really fast. LOL Stopping? Well, that's another subject!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I think my favorite childhood gift was a stereo or something like that, but my favorite Christmas gift ever? Hmmm...I don't think I have one favorite...

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you?
That Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
My Grandma's cookies - all of them!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Probably reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve and then having Marco read the Christmas Story from the Bible and praying together as a family before we open the gifts on Christmas morning.
17. What tops your Christmas tree?
A gold star
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
GIVING!
19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night
20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck?
Yum! I like the flavored ones they have these days too!
21. What do you want for Christmas?
I honestly can not think of any "material" thing that I really want for myself. For my home? Maybe. For my children? Definitely For my church? Lots of needs there...but for me? A happy, healthy family that is together.
22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?
Just the ones we have at church.
23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's?
We open gifts in our PJ's and usually are in a "dressy casual" for Christmas dinner.
24. Do you own a Santa hat?

Oh, yes!
25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Marco, the kids and sometimes we are with my side of the family and sometimes we are with his side of the family. This year, I am going to be blessed to have my dear grandmother with us!

Now, I'm supposed to tag five others.
I tag:

Shirley

Tabitha

Hannah

Lisa

Sue

Choosing Joy...Children's Jr. Church...

I take turns teaching our Jr. Church hour with two other women in my church. Today was my turn. I taught a lesson that had a CHRISTmas theme. I shared the verse Matthew 1:21 - "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
I talked about the meaning of a name and I had gone ahead and looked up each of the children's names and told them what they meant. Oh, we had such a good time as I told Jorge his name meant "farmer" and Damien that his name meant "tamer and peace maker". The girls laughed as they found out that their names meant "hillside", "small stream" or "princess".
I really enjoyed spending time with these children. I also enjoyed sharing with them that the name Jesus means "the Lord saves". Not only am I thankful that He came to save us, but I am also choosing joy in the fact that we can share this good news with everyone!

Choosing Joy...even on one of "those" days...

The tree all lit up!

Wow. So, I was kind of in a funk this morning. I don't know what it was. I wasn't feeling well, started thinking I might be coming down with a bug, then started stressing about some things that I can't change (waste of energy - right?), had a little bit of a rough time in school (yes, I am homeschooling only 2 kids...LOL)...anyway - things were not at their all-time high. What was I going to do? I can't stay this way all day...I've got to blog about JOY tonight. I am not one to fake it either. Just can't do it. Ask any of my friends - I like to "keep it real". *SIGH*

Speaking of friends...I did have a great moment of joy to be able to talk to my far away friend, Erin. She called to check up on me, because my Facebook status said"Sherry is." Dot. That's it. She was worried that I was a goner. Thanks for knowing me Erin. You made my heart all fuzzy. =] My buds Joanna and Desiree noticed it, too. <3!

Well, I am just going to have to have an attitude adjustment. I decided to quit feeling sorry for myself, and get busy CHOOSING JOY. I made some yummy breakfast for my family (really enjoying having my hubby home while he heals from his surgery), got Hannah started on some serious math work, got Taryn set up on the couch (she's been sick the last two days) and then got the two little ones busy and quiet. Once I got that done and Hannah was working on her schoolwork, I started cleaning and getting things ready so that I could decorate and put the tree up.
After dinner (yummy roast that I made in the slow cooker), we got everything out and decorated. Little Marco and Naomi were having a blast. We put some Christmas music on and enjoyed our time together decorating the tree.
I am so glad that I did not dwell on the negative feelings. They were real and valid, but I didn't need to wallow in them - know what I mean? It wouldn't have done any good. So, CHOOSE JOY, especially when it's not "all up in your face". =]

Peace On Earth by Casting Crowns...New Christms Album

If you are a Christmas music fan like I am, you might want to check out this new CD by Casting Crowns. Watch this clip (turn off my music playlist first) by Mark Hall, the lead singer of Casting Crowns, to hear what he has to say about the CD. I also want to say that there are many more Christmas songs on my playlist than what you can see...you've got to scroll through it to see them all. If you have a song suggestion or version that I don't have, I'd love to know!

Getting To Know Me....Christmas Edition...

I got tagged by my friend Carrie...read to the end to see if you've been tagged by me!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper! I love the giant rolls of thick paper from Costco. I get the over-priced ribbon that matches and then go to town on making them as beautiful as possible. =]
2. Real tree or Artificial? Well, I used to be a die-hard "natural tree only" kind of gal. However, since living in So. CA I have become less and less enchanted with real trees, because it is so hard to find one that looks decent and is not brown by December 26. Seriously. So, I saved and saved and plunked down a pretty penny to get a very nice artificial one from Costco. It looks very realistic, but without the fire hazard!
3. When do you put up the tree? As soon after Thanksgiving Day as I can.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the first week of January or so.
5. Do you like eggnog? I've read many other answers of "Yes, the non-alcholic kind"...I didn't even know eggnog had alcohol in it. I have only had the kind from the carton or jug. LOL I do love it though... =]
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My favorite gift would have to be my stereo when I was about 13. It even had removable speakers so you could get a slight surround sound feel...LOL I really thought I was cool...yeah...I think it was 1983
7. Hardest person to buy for? Usually it's for my mother or Marco.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My sisters. They just tell you straight out what they need/want. LOL
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I have one very small one and really would like to get a big one soon.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? One year, I was in a gift exchange at church. Someone had wrapped up some salts and seasonings for making dehydrated meat like jerky. You were supposed to use it with a machine of some sort. Seriously people? I took it to Wal Mart and got back almost $5 for it. Hmph.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf, A Christmas Story, and Charlie Brown Christmas.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Ugh. Every year, I swear that I will shop throughout the year and stock up and have a stress-free shopping part of Christmas. Does it ever work out that way? No. Why? Because I always end up giving the gifts away before Christmas. I can't help it. =]
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I am sure that I have.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I love the whole she-bang. Are you surprised? =]
16. Lights on the tree? Yes. I love lights. I'd have a jillion on the tree if I could do it without risking a house fire. =]
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night and Mary, Did You Know?
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? We have traveled at Christmas...very long drives to Washington, but I prefer to stay at home and have everyone come to us. ;]
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? Of course - I can even sing them.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have a star, but I like Carrie's idea of a crown of thorns. I've never heard of that. Great reminder - of course that is what the star reminds us of as well.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We have let the kids open one gift when we've had family over that has that tradition, but normally we wait until morning. Stockings get opened (or looked through) first!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When people start discussing all the nasty parts of Christmas and how annoying things are and how they don't like blah blah blah. I don't like negativity in general, but at Christmas, it just bursts my happy Christmas bubble! :)
(kept this exactly as Carrie wrote it - I couldn't agree more.) ALSO, I can't stand it that people are afraid to say Merry CHRISTmas anymore. I don't do Happy Holidays. I wouldn't be offended if someone did wish me a Happy Hannukah or Kwanza or whatever, but from me? You're getting a Merry CHRISTmas. =]
23. What theme or color are you using? We have an anything goes attitude. I love putting out all the hand-made Christmas things from my children and my siblings. I love hand-made and store-bought items.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I miss my dad's turkey and gravy. I miss my grandmother's creamed corn...mmmmm....
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I do not have anything in particular in mind. I have been eyeing a special item at Michael's, but I am hoping I will have enough birthday money and gift cards to cover that (if it goes on sale)...a nice purse would be cool...more scrapbook stuff never hurt anybody....I like Carrie's idea of a mother's ring, too.
Okay...I am going to tag: Hannah, Tabitha, and Shirley (I left my other siblings for Tabi to tag. ;])