Our Christmas Morning

We had such a wonderful time with family this Christmas - more posts to come on that. 

But here's a glimpse of our hour of Christmas morning together, us 4. Complete with babies sleeping in til 9:30........(yes, you read that right), snuggle time and present opening. It was Perfect.

Merry Christmas!

Take a little trip with me down memory lane...........

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2012

Wow - a lot has happened in these past years - amazing to see the changes in our family each year. We are so very thankful for the blessing of these sweet babies in our lives and most of all we are thankful for the baby who came into the world to die on a cross for our sins so that we could be made right with God. Praying that you know this joy, true joy, this Christmas.
Love to all, Merry Christmas and a happy and blessed New Year!

Little Babes in Bed

This always makes my heart happy :)

my mom said lucy looks scared, but don't worry, that's just her current smile face :)

Ballerinas

For my local friends - you have to take your kiddos to this - Lucy even loved it last year when she was 10 months old :) Ballerinas in the Windows all week! December 17 - December 22 (Monday - Saturday) 7-8pm Stork's Cradle 210 West Wesley Street  Wheaton, IL 60187

Thankful Thoughts

So it's not often that I get nice, quiet showers or long pauses to think these days. But today I had both (at the same time :)) and thought about my often "woe is me" perspective: I'm tired, I haven't lost my pregnancy weight + the extra I had, I have stretchmarks, I have to get up at night and still function all day, I never have the house totally clean or very clean or in this case with stomach flu last week clean at all. Marriage has ups and downs, I never get enough time with my small group girls or time in the word, I don't cook enough good meals anymore, I'm not a good enough friend (read this post - very well said and convicting as I struggle with this as well http://smamak.blogspot.com/2012/12/resolute-part-2.html ). The list could go on and on, but then I stopped and with tears I thought, "I am SO blessed." Blessed beyond measure. I know Jesus. I have friends who love and care for me, I have a wonderful, Godly husband who helps me and loves me, I have 2 beautiful babies who make me laugh and smile constantly, I have a house. period. A comfortable place to sleep, a warm shower. A bible in my language and multiple copies on our shelves. An amazing church with amazing people.
Ok, you get my drift.
I have so, so much to be thankful for and it's hitting me after Thanksgiving. But I wanted to share anyway.
Also, Joe has been going through Galatians in the youth group and this week we were challenged to pick a work of the flesh and a fruit of the spirit from Galatians 5 to work on this week. It was hard to pick just one from each list, but I did and this has been a really great thing for me. Thought about that in the shower as well. And I challenge you to do this too, always good to read the fruit of the Spirit and to see them grow in our lives!
Happy Tuesday to you all :)

Aunt Sissy

Our shy girl does not go to many people easily, especially if Momma and Dadda are nearby.....
but she is making progress getting comfortable with her Aunt Sissy finally!! :)
Here is photo proof from a family dinner to celebrate Mom and Pop's anniversary:

We love you Aunt Sissy!!!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Just getting over the stomach flu and haven't kept anything down for 36 hours and I need something good, so I remembered making this awhile back and it's cooking on the stove right now.
Smells SO GOOD.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Print

Recipe type: soup

Author: Sweet Tea & Taters

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 – 3 lbs. chicken (I use half thighs and half drumsticks. Dark meat is better to use because it is not as dry as white meat).
• 14 cups water (approx.)
• 1 med. Onion cut into wedges
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 2 tbsp. chicken-flavored instant Bouillon
• 1 tsp. basil leaves (dry)
• 1 tsp. parsley flakes (dry)
• ½ of a 1 lb. pkg Egg Noodles, uncooked

Instructions

1. In a dutch oven combine chicken, water, onion, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, covered until chicken is tender (about 45 mins.). Remove chicken, cool slightly. Remove and discard skin and bones. Cut meat into bite-size pieces. With slotted spoon, remove onion and bay leaves. Skim fat from broth. Add chicken, carrots, celery, bouillon, basil and parsley to broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer, covered until carrots are tender—about 10 mins. Add noodles and simmer until noodles are tender—about 10-15 mins. stirring occasionally. May be frozen.

http://sweetteaandtaters.com/?p=523

Next Door

Well - the old highschool, then middle school next door is officially gone!
It's been so crazy watching it all come down. Looking forward to a fresh market just up the road and improved parks, a walking path and nice gardens by the entrance. Hope it turns out well and soon....not loving the noise during naptime, but hey that's what box fans are for :)