Daytrip to PA

We took the boys to PA today. First stop was the Train museum, then the train yard, then the train shop....you get the idea. It was a train day, lol. After all that we went to the farmers market and then to the Bird-in-Hand Restaurant to have dinner before we headed home. That is where my favorite part of the whole day happened. While we ate I watched an elderly Amish woman take several cell phone calls. HER CELL PHONE! My mother in law cant even figure out how to use a cell phone.....so seeing this woman gab like a teenage girl was AWESOME!

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year! I am really excited for 2010.....because I'm thinking it HAS to be better than 2009, right?!?

Prayer Request

My surgery is scheduled for 12:45 Wednesday. Please keep me in your prayers. I'm sure I wont be reading or writing blogs until after Christmas so I wanted to wish everyone a Wonderful Christmas!

Thanks!!

Free Snow....come and get it!

It snowed. Ok, that's actually an understatement. Saying it snowed would be like comparing a scratch to a severed limb. yeah. That's how much snow we got. 2 feet of snow. TWO FEET! And the drifts are higher than that.

Did I mention that I don't like snow? So I am hereby giving away tons and tons of fluffy white stuff. Come and get it while it lasts!!! I have plenty to go around.

Think about it....you can come get my snow and have a white Christmas! And it's FREE! Free people! Free.....just PLEASE come and get it out of my yard before I cry.

Linus says it best

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2: 8-14

Happy Tuesday

I love my family.

I'm not sure I say that enough.

I also love my friends.

New friends, old friends, bloggy friends and "elf-y" friends.

God Bless!

Need last minute Christmas gifts??

If anyone is looking for last minute Christmas gifts then head over to Dayspring by clicking on the link to the left
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They are having a awesome sale right now and can still guarantee shipping before Christmas. Plus....you clicking on that link and buying stuff helps me and my family. And I appreciate any and all help we can get.

Happy Shopping!!

Boobie masher

I went and had my boobies squished and squashed today. And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was the only time I have ever been thankful for flat boobies. The only real BAD part was how cold the machine was and the technicians hands were cold too. I have to go back for an ultrasound next week but that's working out good. An old friend from school works there and we scheduled my appointment so we could go out to lunch first. Yay!!

After my mammogram I headed to Walmart where I finished Christmas shopping. I had to shop for my parents and also for my mother in law. So now I am done.....OK, not really since we told the kids we will take them to shop for their brothers. We plan to give them each a few dollars to buy something to give to each other. And we need a gift for J's secret Santa gift swap at school.

Tomorrow morning we are going to see Santa. Hubby's employer does a great job with their Santa day. The kids sit on his lap, get presents (good stuff!!), eat cookies and do crafts. Awesome!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Good thing they are already flat

Im heading to my first ever mammogram this morning.

Details to follow.

My Christmas List

OK, I debated on whether or not I was going to post this. Things are super tight with Hubby's work being cut back to 3 days a week and then a temporary layoff. But then I thought...what the heck! I know the Santa in my house is not in a position to get these items, but there is no harm in listing them. Just for fun. Right??

So here it is....my Christmas list

1. A Boxer Puppy

2. A Sony eReader


3. Bissell Steam Mop

4. Perfect Brownie Pan

I happened to see 2 small adorable boys put this item in a shopping cart the other day......but I promise to act surprised on Christmas morning.



That's it. OK...I wouldn't mind a Maid either, but not sure one of those would even fit under the tree. So tell me what is on your Christmas list this year??

Do you Celebrate Harmonica??

I came down the stairs this morning to hear J telling R about how not everyone celebrates Christmas. And that the people without Christmas lights celebrate "Harmonica". People who celebrate "Harmonica" dont need Christmas lights because they use a big candle holder and they celebrate for 8 days straight.

How cute is that?!?

Disheartening

Recently I posted a blog that offended someone. This has really upset me because I never like to upset anyone and I also don't like confrontation. Yes, I am glad that this person spoke up to let me know that I upset them. But no matter how many times I try to explain what I meant, this person still thinks that what I wrote had different meanings and was offensive. So I am publicly apologizing. I am sorry that I offended you. But as much as I truly mean my apology, I still hold true to the fact that what I wrote was NOT what you think. It was what I said it was.

This is the first time that I have faced an issue like this. A situation where I wrote something that another person took in a completely different way. It really is disheartening. And will probably cause me to step back from posting as openly as I have in the past. How can I post as freely when I risk offending people, even when I think a post is harmless and cute. What I thought was my space to unload just isnt quite the same now.

An Amish Christmas - Review

I have mentioned before (several times) that I love Amish books. I jumped at the chance to read this book and I was NOT disappointed. An Amish Christmas actually has 3 novellas written by 3 authors, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Barbara Cameron. Each story stands alone but the characters are all intertwined and the stories mesh together.
A Miracle for Miriam by Kathleen Fuller
It starts out with a story about Miriam, a young single Amish woman who has severe trust issues and very bad self confidence. All her "issues" stem from a bad experience with her childhood crush Seth. Seth was an over confident and often times arrogant schoolmate who broke Miriams heart and crushed her spirit. Years later Seth is in a horrible accident that leaves him scared and broken. While trying to make a fresh start he runs into Miriam and tried to set things right. He also starts falling for Miriam who does everything in her power to avoid falling for Seth again. She is afraid he will break her heart again. But Seth is persistent and wont give up that easy.
A Choice to Forgive by Beth Wiseman
The second story is about Miriam's sister Lydia. Lydia is a widow with 3 children and an old Beau who is asking for forgiveness. Her old beau Daniel just happens to be the brother of her late husband Elam. Lydia and Daniel were to be wed but that all changed one Christmas Eve when he disappeared. He left the Amish community and Lydia without an explanation. But now he is back to explain things and hopefully win the heart of his first and only love Lydia.
One Child by Barbara Cameron
Sarah and David are a young married couple. Last Christmas they lost their first child when Sarah miscarried. They believed they were dealing with the loss in the best way that they could. That is until some unexpected visitors knock on their door late Christmas Eve. The hours between when their family left on Christmas Eve and returned on Christmas morning brought healing in a very unusual way.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was heartwarming and inspiring. I'm sure I will read it again during the holidays next year.

For more info or to purchase this book, click HERE.

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided this book to me for review.

Frumpy

I am a Stay at home Mom. I rarely wear makeup and usually wear sweats. I am frumpy and comfortable. I have 3 sons, so I never get to have "girly" stuff to do with the kids. I dont paint my nails or do my hair. There have been some days when I actually forgot to brush my hair.

Most of the time I am completely happy with all of this. I love my life and wouldnt change it for anything. But once in awhile something comes along that makes me miss a life on the outside. You know, a job.....going out.....dressing up. All those things. Last night was one of those occasions. My neighbor had a jewelry party. Wow. I was completely out of my element. I did wear my best, non-stained up shirt and jeans and even did my best to make my hair presentable. As I sat and watched people try on all those pieces of jewelry I had a slight twinge of jealousy. Thoughts like "if I worked, I would have an outfit that would look great with that necklace" or "that ring is gorgeous...but would gouge out my kids eyeballs".....I dont dress up. I have no need for fancy pretty jewelry. Yes I do have a few pieces of jewelry that I save for special occasions. Weddings, etc. It was fun to watch them, oooh and aaaah over the jewelry too. And spend! Wow....they were spending big bucks on this stuff.

Maybe someday when the kids are grown I will go back to work and will have a reason for stuff like that. But for now I will trade all the jewelry in the word for hugs and kisses. Dont tell the other women, but I do believe Im getting the better end of the deal.

Books to make you smile.....

I recent had the opportunity to read and review 3 books from Multnomah Publishing. I loved all three and want to share them with you. The first two are childrens books, written by Lisa Tawn Bergen.

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergen is a beautiful book about Little Cub, an adorable Polar bear who asks many questions (just like all kids). In this book she wants to know things like "Who invented Christmas?". The book follows along as things are explained to her in a way that was easy for even my 4 year old to understand. It has a great message and beautiful pictures.

God Gave us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergen is just as beautiful as God Gave us Christmas, and has the same cute polar bear Little Cub asking the questions. But this time Little Cub is upset with some playful otters. The story follows her as she learns that even when it is hard to love others, it is the right thing to do. Again, the pictures are beautiful and the message is easy to understand for little ones but also holds the attention of older kids. Both J and R loved both books and ask me to read them over and over.


The last book was Treasured (Knowing God by the Things He Keeps) by Leigh McLeroy. This book is a keeper! Ms. McLeroy did a wonderful job taking items related to stories in the Bible or in everyday life and weaving them into chapters filled with Gods grace and love. She talks of olive leaves, door frames stained in blood, a head of Barley and many other items... and each shines a light on God. On what God has done or has promised. This was a great book to read at the end of the day when I needed to relax. Plus it is a really cute hardback book. It would be an awesome gift book or stocking stuffer. I will be looking to read more books by Ms. McLeroy.

If you are interested in buying or finding more info on these books please click...
God Gave Us Christmas
God Gave Us Love
Treasured


Happy Reading!

These books were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Santa

I was reading a Dear Santa blog written by The Girl with Flour in her Hair and it made me think that I should share my childhood experiences with Santa. Ok, I didn't have THAT many experiences WITH Santa because I was terrified of him. I was also terrified of the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, etc.
Yeah...I was THAT kid.
Forget pictures with Santa....you couldn't get me NEAR Santa. No Way, No How. I didn't care that he brought presents. Any man (rabbit, fairy, etc) that came into our home while we were asleep was Scary and Creepy in my book. One time Santa came to our school and walked classroom to classroom. I panicked and hid under my desk. And every Christmas Eve (Easter Eve, etc) I spent sleeping in between my parents in their bed. HECK NO! I wasn't sleeping alone while that weirdo creeped into our house. If they made Childrens Xanaxs, I'm sure my parents would have put some in my chocolate milk just to keep me from flipping out.

Its ok if you want to call me a freak.

They ended up telling me the truth just to save me from my child sized panic attacks. I know now that it was disappointing to them. They wished for a few more magical years of Santa leaving presents under the tree.

As for me, it was one of the happiest days of my childhood. Yes it was!
I do have to admit that I am thrilled that my fear was NOT passed down to my boys. So far none of them has a fear of Santa. Whoops! I should have waited until after this years pictures with Santa to say that, right?!?

Want to know what Im getting for Christmas?!?!

More Surgery. Ugh. Remember a couple months ago I told you about the rogue stitch? And the doctor gave me a month to decide whether or not I wanted surgery to have it taken out. I had decided against surgery and to just deal with it for a few months until it dissolved on its own. WELL....I found another "stitch", but this one is in a worse spot AND had actually broke through. I went to see the surgeon yesterday who told me my options were 1)surgery or 2) for him to fix it in the office. I opted for #2....and the next few minutes were filled with speculums and scissors. Two things you should NEVER see at the same time. ANYWAY.....turns out (after several minutes of cutting) that this isn't a stitch after all. Nope, it is WAY worse. My mesh is fraying and coming through in several places. And needs to be surgically repaired....CRAP.

So today I wait for a phone call to tell me when I am having surgery. All I know is that it WILL be this month. And if that doesn't suck enough, I broke a tooth and have to go to the dentist this morning. Just shoot me now. Please.

OK, don't shoot me. But please pray for me and my husband. He is having a rough time coping with all of this. I cant tell if he is more upset about me needed another surgery and going through more pain or about our mounting medical bills. Either way, the poor man is stressed to near breaking.

Man oh Man!

My first baby boy is now a MAN. Yep. His birthday is today and he is turning 18. Boy do I feel old!

Love you C!!!! Happy Birthday!