A fun Christmas game

We played this game last year at our church Christmas party. I thought I would pass it along as it is lots of fun. Leah, you probably remember this one.

Match the alternate titles with the correct well-known Christmas songs! Have fun
The answers can be found here

1.Quadruped with Crimson Proboscis a. Oh holy night

2.Eight pm to six am without noise b. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

3.Minuscule Hamlet in the near East c. Silver Bells

4.Ancient Benevolent Despot d. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

5.Exuberance Directed to the planet e. Deck the halls

6.Listen, Aerial Spirits Announcing f. Silent Night

7.Trio of Monarchs g. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Clause

8.Yonder in the hay stack h. Frosty the snowman

9.Cherubim Audited from Aloft i. The twelve days of Christmas

10.Assemble, Everyone who believes j. Oh little town of Bethlehem

11.Hollowed Post Meridian k. Joy to the world

12.Fantasia of a Colorless Dec. 25Th l. Good King Wenceslas

13.A dozen twenty four hour yule periods m. Hark the herald angels sing

14.Befell during the transparent bewitching
hour n. All I want for Christmas is my
two front teeth
15.Homo Sapien of Crystallized Vapor o. It came upon a midnight clear

16.Desire a Pair of Incisors on Dec. 25Th p.Walking in a winter wonderland

17.I spied my maternal parent osculating q.Oh come all ye faithful

18.Perambulating through a December
Solstice Fantasy r. Away in a manger

19.Adorn the vestibule s. Angels we have heard on high

20.Tin tintinnabulums t. We three kings.

Busy like elves

Only 15 days and counting!

We are wrapping it up, literally. I only have a few little things left to get and I am DONE. Still waiting for the Internet ordered items to show up in the mail. I love to get fun mail. Madison is doing very well with her sewing project. She really is making the entire thing. I hope her friends like them.

The girls also started wrapping their cousin's gifts. I love how serious they are.

I am glad to have the shopping out of the way. Last week was busy getting ready for the town's Christmas parade. It was freezing out but very fun. Madison was a singing angel and Mia was the angel watching over Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. WVBC won third place for the float in the christian division. We

have two parties to attend this weekend and I have two more ladies' parties to go to next week. The girls will also be out of school starting next week. I love having them home when it is cold out. We are planning to do our baking and delivering next week. Baking is one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. The girls wait to do sugar cookies and the gingerbread house until my mom gets to town. That is their special thing to do together.

I thought I would share a great gift idea for the family to do together. We have participated in Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child in the past. We would fill up a shoe box full of things that we take for granted. Toothpaste, candy, small toys and hair clips. The boxes were all shipped together and given to the precious children. I received a catalog from Samaritan's Purse this year that enables the giver to 'order' food, medicine and supplies for the people of poverty stricken nations. Check it out here. Click on the Christmas Catalog. Thirty-five dollars helps to transport enough food to feed a family for about two weeks. Just $15 to help teach a child to read and write.

I hope everyone enjoys the coming weeks as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

A few of my favorite things

The famous O is rarely on tv at our house anymore. I just don't care much for it. However, my curiosity was peaked enough to watch her favorite things show this last week. I really liked the digital camcorder and the red mixer. The custom body butter seems really expensive but nice. I would try the clairsonic and I've been wanting to try the shaklee products (I have been trying the seventh generation line). The cupcakes from WS had better be beyond to die for at $59 for nine! I think it is really cool that she gives away the products to her audience (remember the car thing). She kept saying that it is not her intent to make the people happy with the prizes but rather with the whole experience of being given something. "Remember, things don't make the happiness", she said. I am sure we would all agree. We all have things that make us happy for reasons beyond the thing itself. The value is in the memory, experience or the giver. I thought I would share a few of my favorite things of this time of year.

The nativity that Jared gave me for Christmas last year



And by consensus, our favorite tree ever. Madison picked it and we all agreed it was perfect. I hung some ribbon from the ceiling to make an inexpensive decoration over the dining area. I think it looks better in person but you can get the idea.
The A ornament was the first one Keith and I had as a married couple, I made it.

My sister in law gave me a book for Christmas last year that we are enjoying too. Devotionals and reminders of what we are really to celebrate. Thanks Amy. This is todays scripture,

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

What a relief

I hope Leah will appreciate my enthusiasm..........

I am a hair complainer. I admit it. I like my hair to be cut/colored a certain way. If the outcome is not exactly what I thought I wanted, I tend to complain. In all fairness to a hairdresser, I generally wait until I leave the salon to begin my complaining (except for an instance of major color malfunction-oh it happens!). I think they use trick lighting and mirrors in those places because my hair looks fine when I leave. You know, just like the ones at M*cys. I have been known to cheat on my stylist. I am not proud of that but I just couldn't stay in a bad hair relationship. My complaining may be a result of my lack of hair perception. You know, some people have poor body image, well I may have poor hair image. I just see the little piece that is sticking up and it ruins it for the millions of other hairs on my head. I am working on this.
Now to my relief........ I was getting a peppermint mocha today and the young, very trendy barista told me she liked my hair cut. I said thank you and told her that I have been thinking of growing it out because I am worried I have the "mom cut." She assured me that I don't have the "mom cut" because my hair is edgy. That's right, straight from the 22 year old with black undertones and caramel streaks. Edgy.

Update: photo of said edgy hahaha

A beautiful day

Happy Birthday Mia Goose

Happy Thanksgiving

A surprise staring Mia

I had Mia on Thanksgiving day in 2000. It was fun to have friends and family come visit me in the hospital. I just had to sit back and relax (ha ha).

Mia's first three birthday celebrations were doubled. We had a little party for her with friends before the actual birthday then I would bring a cake and goodies for the family Thanksgiving gathering. When she turned four, I took five of her friends and their moms to the movies to see P*lar Express. We came back to our house for cake and gifts. At age five, we did the teddy bear stuffing party and last year we had tons of fun at home with a hair and nail party (think Libby L* without the steroids). I was trying to think of something different this year. She said all she wanted was a movie party. Well I knew the theater was out so I decided to have a movie party at home. Then I thought how fun it would be to have a SURPRISE movie party. It seemed a good idea at conception but how to keep her from knowing? I handed out invites to the moms and asked they not tell the kids. I didn't even tell Madison. Things were going smooth. Then three days before the party, someone started talking about it. Many of the kids started sharing the excitement during breaks at school. I thought I should let Madison in on the plan so she could help with damage control. She said she already knew about the whole thing and she would be glad to quiet the buzz. I thought for sure Mia was on to the plan. She was very giddy after school last Wed. I asked her if there was anything she wanted to share with me. She said, "I got ten merits today." That was all I got out of her. Turns out I let paranoia get the best of me because she didn't have a clue. Yesterday evening, Keith brought her in after all the guests arrived. We all stood in the entry and when she opened the door, "Happy Birthday-to-you, happy-birthday-to-you, happy-birthday-dear-Mia, happy-birthday-to-you!!!!!!!!

I was so happy for her surprise. I am really proud of all the kids for truly keeping the secret. We had lots of fun. I found the cute cake idea on the internet. Mia already said she wanted to watch R@tatouille so that was the movie for the evening. The kids ate popcorn and fruit before Keith served BBQ hot dogs. I had a lot of fun hiding all the goodies and couldn't really do any decorating until Keith took Mia out after school.















What a fun time we had! Mission Surprise a success!

I need a good pie

Oh my goodness, I haven't had time to do any blogging lately. I am actually getting this started and need to take a break to take Mads to volleyball.

I'm back....

I have been busy with work, Madison's nine week exams, a sewing project, and volleyball. I am teaching Madison how to sew a very simple project for Christmas gifts . She has a game every Saturday and Sundays are filled with Church.

I started Christmas shopping- online! I can't stand waiting in crowds and traffic makes me loose my christian spirit. Plus it seems like Thanksgiving got lost now that most stores decorate for Christmas on Nov. 1. That really bugs me.

In between checking my email and searching the mls, I came across this really fun site. Be warned, it is addicting. I donated over 2200 grains and had to make myself stop to get on with other things.

This Sunday night is Praise, Prayer and Pie! So fun. I haven't decided what kind of pie to make. Last year I took the margarita pie that I have re-named the mock key lime pie. There isn't any alcohol in the recipe but the name doesn't seem appropriate. If anyone has a favorite pie recipe that is different, email it to me :)

****The picture of the girls is one of my favorites from our D- trip this past May.

Silly animals

What are you lookin' at !

WVBS enjoyed a field trip to the zoo today. The weather was cool and the crowds were sparse. We had the most fun watching the penguins and the orangutans. They just make me laugh. The orangutan's expressions or lack of are so funny to me. We watched them for a while and decided they must be bored. He must have been thinking....................... I realllllly need a manicure!

Via Mia

Mia's 2ND grade glass is learning Latin this year. It is a pilot program of sorts. If it goes well, they will bring it to the upper grades next year. I was excited about this because I have always been regretful that my two years of high school Spanish did not make a Spanish speaker out of me. I can understand some dialog but no way I could write or speak it. Some development theories suggest that it is easier for children to learn a second language before the age of 12. I know of many adults who have learned a foreign language . The idea is that it may be easier, the younger a child is exposed. I was very excited about Mia learning Latin. Grandma says it is a dead language. That may be true but 35% of the English language is derived from Latin.

This magazine was sitting on my project table. Mia came in to visit me while I was working at the computer. A very excited, "You are kidding me!" came out of her mouth. I turned around to see what was going on. She asked me where I got my Via magazine. I asked her why she was so excited. She asked me why I had a Latin magazine. I asked her what via means. She said, "road, via means road." I explained to her that the roadside service/auto insurance co, AAA, sends us this cool magazine. She asked me if she could have the magazine to look at. I told her sure. I haven't seen it since.

Fall beauty

I mentioned a few posts back that fall is my favorite time of year. I really love the alternation of cool mornings with warm afternoons. The sky changes as quick as the wind. Nature's colors become darker and richer. I feel the frequent need to make homemade chili and bake just about anything. The daylight is shorter and cuddle time on weekend mornings can be longer.

These beautiful clouds that appeared out our back window yesterday brought a rain shower today. Maybe tomorrow will be sunny and bright. It's fall ;)

Happy Birthday Jared

Jared, I hope you know how proud we all are of you. I am the luckiest mom ever. Thank you for being such a good son. I love you tons, Mom

Love you Jared, Happy Birthday
Keith

Dear Brother, I miss you. I love you so much. Did I already tell you that maybe I get my braces off in December? Just asking. I can't wait to see you and Nacho Lebrae. Ha Ha Tell Bailey I said Hi. BTW Happy Birthday. Love Madison

Hi Jared How's it going/ My Birthday is in six weeks but your birthday is before mine. And I bet buster is ok. And I would like it if you would come down for my birthday. Love Mia

Happy 19th!!!!!!!!!!

*I love this picture that Linsey took

Apple Hill

Thanks to the wonderful deeds of Christopher Columbus we were out of school today doing some exploring of our own. Sad to say, this was our first trip to Apple Hill . I was thankful for some direction from Carolyn and Debby as to which farms were, in their opinion, the best. There is really too much to explore in one outing.

We really enjoyed the quieter area of Plubell's Family Orchard. We packed our own lunch and enjoyed it there. There are walking trails and a petting zoo. The red barn house was near Primus Vineyards. We didn't stop there but it would be a good place to take a rest as the grounds are quiet and they have a nice, large play structure for the kids. My favorite place was Kid's Inc. Unfortunately, Mia fell down the steep grade that led to the pumpkin patch. Next time, she will probably follow me on the grassy part that leads down the hill. The corn maze was closed. Their pies were being made right before our eyes. The aroma was amazing!!!! I thought it was a very pretty place.

Carolyn warned me that High Hill Ranch was huge and crowded. Boy, was she right. I couldn't resist. I drove in, and I drove out! Looks like fun for another day.

We stopped at Boa Vista Orchards while driving to Kid's Inc. Not the prettiest place around but they did have the train ride that went around the pond. They only take cash for the ride, I was out of cash. I usually don't carry much with me as I can use my debit card just about everywhere. Everywhere except the train ride at Boa Vista. I saw two long faces follow me back to the car. Those faces disappeared when they got a chocolate covered apple from Abel's Apple Acres on the way out of Apple Hill. I picked myself up the apple dumpling and a caramel apple for Keith.

A fun trip, only an hour from home and now we know our way around!

Just jump!

It was two years ago this month that God directed us to WVBC. It is the best church I have ever been a part of! God has allowed us to meet amazing people at this church. Keith was baptized last summer on July 13th. The girls accepted Christ that same month and were baptized on August 13th. I guess 13 is really a great number. I was saved and baptized when I was 13 years old. I don't actually believe in numbers, only salvation and grace. I also believe that we are exactly where God wants us to be.
October at WVBC is a very busy and exciting time. This past week was family Sunday. Pastor had his whole family there. Brother Gabe preached and he is a terrific preacher. His message was from the book of Colossians. These are the two verses that I ended up underlining in my Bible:
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on the things of the earth.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The message was full of direction, conviction and confirmation. We all can do more for God. That will always be the way. We will never fully arrive because we are human. But always do more tomorrow than you did today. I also realized that I don't ask for faith enough. I think of faith as something I am supposed to have not ask for. Well, I am supposed to ask. God continues to open my eyes to the world, I don't like what I see. I need to live more on faith than I ever have, for EVERYTHING. Brother Gabe used an example of a father telling his son to jump to him from a burning building. The son yelled to his father, "I don't want to jump because I can not see you ." The father said, "But I can see you."

Next Sunday is Round up Sunday. This is the service that I first attended two years ago. Pray that we will have a great group. Missions conference begins on the 17th. Carolyn is working hard on getting the food organized (among tons of other things). Thank you Carolyn. I will be calling you Leah, from Raleys!

Sisters

As we well know, girls are awesome. Sisters are even more awesome! An unexpected trip to the Oregon coast paved the way for the girls to meet their new cousins and for me to re-connect with my step sister, Ronda.

Last Friday, my dad called to tell me that Lloyd passed away. My heart sank. It has been about six years since I last saw my uncle. Far too long I know. He was strong and healthy. He was the leader of one of the most wonderful families I have ever known. They exude love and kindness in such a natural way. He was a terrific father and an amazing man of God. The love for his wife still shines. They really are a model family! I was not sad for his departure from this earth. He is home now, he is in heaven. I just could not think of the sadness his wife of 48 years must be feeling. The loss that his children and grandchildren are experiencing seems unthinkable.

A series of phone calls set the plans for Ronda and I to drive to Oregon together . I felt very ambivalent about the entire trip. I hadn't seen Ronda in about 18 years! We really had no idea what this reunion was going to be like.

I will say that a true test of compatibility is to load up six girls in a mini van, drive for 7 hours, stay awake for over 32 hours, drink way too much coffee, not have time to eat, then attend a funeral....!

Stay up too late that night, put six girls in a spacious hotel room, get plenty to eat, drive home taking about 10 hours, stopping at the beach, the redwoods, the town where I went to high school and you have a connection. The best part was to discover that not only did we spend part of our childhoods together, but we will spend eternity together because we are also sisters in Christ!

We are so happy that we were able to meet Halle and Hannah! They are fun and loving girls.