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: Getting Back to "Normal"...

So, we had to take grandma to the airport...it was time for her to go home. =[ The kids were really sad, but we were thankful for such a great visit. I know she'll miss us, but I also know that it'll be nice for her to get back to her home. She is so laid back, she never complains and always goes with the flow...but now she can sit in her special chair - it's high enough that she doesn't have to struggle to get up or down from it, she can get back to Daisy - her dog and she will be with Aunt Lu who is not only her daughter, but probably her best friend.

We will also try to get back into some sort of routine. I've already begun to take the Christmas decorations down. Put the couch back where it goes...started thinking about the girls and their second sememster schoolwork. *sigh* Ah, yes...a new year is coming and I have intentions (as always) to make it the best ever. =]

Naomi cried when I started packing the ornaments. She didn't want me to "put away Christmas" as she says. I told her that the ornaments are not Christmas, that Jesus is Christmas and that we always have Him. Um, yeah. Sounds nice and spiritual, but this 3 year old was not having it. She cried and clung to the mobile Winnie the Pooh that we had out. Oh, well. She'll be alright. It brings me joy to clean up and get my family back into some sort of routine...hopefully, we can stick with it! =]

Choosing Joy...Just "being"...

We went to church today and had a wonderful lunch at the Korean BBQ place. I told grandma that it wouldn't compare to my mom's food, but at least it was yummy Korean food! It was great and we ate just enough!

We went home to relax and I ended up just staying home that evening with grandma. Marco and the two older girls went to the evening service at church. Later on, Marco asked what we did and what we talked about. I told him - not much. Seriously - we didn't really do anything. We started to watch a show and I snuggled up next to her like I used to when I was little and we both fell asleep for a while. The babies were already sleeping, so that was good.

I just enjoyed being with her. I have so many sweet memories of my grandmother and I will cherish every memory I can make with her. She's an awesome woman and I've learned so much from her. She is so selfless. She may have lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but she is MY grandma. =]

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: Family Time

Grandma always had a tradition of taking the grandkids to the movies the day after Thanksgiving. Since we weren't with her for Thanksgiving, she wanted to take us the day after Christmas. We dropped little Marco off at the babysitter's...he's not quite ready to sit through a whole movie...ANYWAY, we went to se The Tale of Despereaux. It was a really cute movie. I had looked forward to seeing it after reading the book.

It was great to spend time together and most of all to continue in a fun "tradition".

Going to the Lights...Mission Inn of Riverside

The entry way...

Taryn: appreciating the violinist

There were giant nutcrackers at every entry.

These painted oranges were all over Riverside at one time for a special display. There were different artists that were asked to do each one. You can read more about it HERE. This is the Mission Inn orange.

This was in front of the giant tree in the Inn. Absolutely stunning - every year!

Taryn is enjoying the hot chocolate.

It's not CHRISTmas without the Crèche. I didn't even know what a creche was until I read The Christmas Cross by Max Lucado.

Lights were wrapped all the way around the Inn.

After dinner, we went to see The Lights at the Mission Inn. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time looking at all the lights and the beauty of the Mission Inn. We were afraid it would rain, but other than a few drops here and there, it stayed dry. We had some mochas and the kids had some hot chocolate. We saw Santa for like a second and started to get in line for a picture, but he was finishing up with his last guest. BOO! Something about he had lots of work to do tonight and had to leave early. Oh, well. That's fine. Speaking of that - we still had lots to do at home too, so we did not stay very late either. What a lovely, memorable night!

Choosing Joy: Grandma's here!

Today, it is not hard to chose JOY at all! My grandmother is here for a one week visit. I feel so blessed that my children can know their great-grandmother...the grandmother that I am told I take after...the grandmother that I had the privilege of living with for a year and a half as a 9 year old girl.

I learned to love reading and cooking from her. I watched her love and serve my grandfather unconditionally and patiently all the way to his passing. She doesn't forget a birthday...every child, grandchild, great-grandchildren and even the spouses get a card and $5 for the children and $10 for the adults. Guaranteed. Oh, and cookies. Always the best cookies... I am filled with JOY today and I will cherish every moment while she's here!