I haven't forgotten...

I haven't forgotten the blog!  We are trying to get back into the swing of things around here.  We are back to school and babysitting.  It's been smoother than I anticipated, but not a lot of spare time to get caught up on here.  I have a ton of pictures to go through and edit from the weekend...196 to be exact.  I'm hoping I will be able to tackle that tonight.  Until then, keep warm and enjoy the fact that winter is finally here!  It sure is pretty with everything snow covered!  

Merry Christmas!!!!

I think this is my last blog for a bit!  Doug should be home tonight and he will be on call tomorrow, but home!  4 days!  I'm super excited!  So I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  Enjoy the time with your loved ones and I'll be back in a few days!

We left with green grass Friday night...

...and came home to this :)

I love snow :)  We ended up going out as a family and shoveling the driveway.  We had a blast, even though it was hard packed.  I love our family :)

Our night away...

....was AMAZING!!!  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to get away.  Doug and I hate leaving the girls, but with Dairy One being located in Ithaca, it makes it really late making the trip right back.  Combined with the fact that we usually have some little things left to get for Christmas, it makes for a great excuse for a little get away.  Dairy One changed their location this year and it was beautiful!  We had an amazing time just spending time together.  :)  I'm more than ready for Wednesday night or Thursday to come so he is home again!  I love him!!!

Today is the day...

I look forward to the Dairy One Christmas party every year.  Since it is held in Ithaca at 6pm and its over 2.5 hours away, it means a night alone with my husband which is usually followed by a day of shopping to finish up for Christmas.  I hate being a part from my kids, but with Doug working out of town most of the time, it's nice to not have 3 of us fighting over him.  This year is even nicer because they changed the party from Saturday night to Friday night.  I can't wait!!!  The girls are excited about going to Grandma and Grandpa's so that helps too.  

Now we just have to pray that the snow is kind to us!  ;)

Christmas ornaments...

My friend Hillary came up with some awesome ideas for an art project and asked if we wanted to participate.  We of course were in!  We planned the day and started right in...

 Basically, they took peppermints and unwrapped 6.  They placed them in a circle with all sides touching and then we baked them.  

Some of ours got a little thin, but this gives you an idea...juggling 3 babies and 5 kids proved interesting ;)

Then we made the cinnamon ornaments!  They loved all the animal cookie cutters ;)

We had a great time and I can't wait to try the candy ones again next year.  

It's Back!!! It's Back!!!

I got a phone call last night at about 5:45 saying that my ring was in!  I asked what time they closed and once I found out it was 6:30, I headed right there!  Forget Christmas, I'm so stoked to have it back!!! 

It's all shiny and looks brand new again.  They did a really nice job.  It wasn't exactly what I was picturing, but I'm really happy!  I can't wait to show it to Doug on Friday!!!

Tuesday....

School has been going really smooth here.  The last couple weeks have been awesome!  The girls are both enjoying this year and the material that is being covered.  Grandma Benedict taught them both how to crochet and that has been taking a good share of their free time here lately.  They both have projects they are working on.  Marissa is making a baby blanket and Madalyn is making a hat.  It's been raining, wet and dreary outside so I'm thankful that they have something to keep them busy.  Time really flies by.  I've been thinking back quite a bit here lately and I just can't believe how fast time goes by.  In January, Doug and I will have been married 11 years!  That is insane.  I never would have imagined that I would be where I am today.  

I can't wait until Thursday!  I get my rings back and I CAN NOT wait!!!  Only a couple more days!  Friday is our date night and I'm super excited!  We only do this once a year and although I hate leaving my kids, I love the alone time that we get for those 24 hours.  I'm very thankful for the opportunity...between Dairy One and Doug's parents, it's going to be a good time!  

Now for the wait.... 

It's Monday again :)

These weeks are flying by!  I can't believe that we are only 11 days away from Christmas!  Other than a few stocking stuffers, we are finished!  

Today I'm busy addressing and getting Christmas cards ready to send out.  It's been a few years since we have sent these out so we figured it was time!  

I also have my refresher CPR course this afternoon.  

Today is going to be a short update.  I'll catch up tonight hopefully! ;) 

 Love you all!

PS...Still green grass and a high of 59 today!  

God answers prayer

Missed another day....I'm sorry!

Yesterday was spent homeschooling, babysitting, and being on the phone.  We are making some pretty big decisions here and yesterday I clearly saw God work.  He was so evident.  I, of course, had my discouraged moment when I thought all doors were closing, but God was so gracious to us!  

I know I'm not being very specific, but I just wanted to encourage my future self, along with any of you that if you are struggling with something or in need of guidance...seek His face...He will see you through!  

I hope you all have a great weekend!

And I'm FINISHED!!!

I apologize for the lack of a blog yesterday.  I had a ton on my schedule.  The girls and I took my mother in law to her eye appointment in Boonville.  After the appointment we stopped into the jewelers to get my ring looked at.  I've been toying with the idea of getting my engagement ring and wedding band fused together (if that is the word for it).  The jeweler didn't even hesitate in telling me that it's what is best for my rings.  He also looked it over good and noticed that my tongs that hold my diamond in are really wore down.  So between the two, it needed some work...so I'm without my bands for a week and boy does it feel weird!  I've been wearing them EVERY day, all day for almost 11 years.  I feel naked!  LOL

In other news, the carrots are all in the FREEZER!  I'm so thankful for all those that helped in getting that done.  Last night as I was working on them and this is kind of what I felt like!   

The job is officially done and I can now move onto something else!  

Today we are going to be doing an art project for the Christmas season and I'm excited!  I'll take pictures!

And so begins another week...

...another week of green grass! 

Please don't get me wrong, I'm NOT complaining!  I'm just so shocked.  Last year we had the "s" word in November, feet of it!  This year we have only had a couple inches total and none of it has stuck around.  I know it will show up eventually, but I'm thankful that this year's winter is more than likely going to be a lot shorter than last years!  There isn't any on the forecast for this week and minimal if any for next.  

Because of this we have been able to get a lot of stuff done around both our house and the church expansion.  I'm so thankful for that extra time this year.  

School is going phenomenally well today!  Praise the Lord on that as well!  We have had a couple bumps in the road here lately, so it's nice to have a good day.  With the looks of the schedule this week, the whole week should be smooth!  

I'm working on dishes, laundry, cleaning and making something sweet for Mom's night tonight.  That should keep me busy, along with Lily being here today.  

I hope you all have a great day!

When Daddy comes home from work...

We have to compete with this...

Molly gets herself all tucked in, just as close as she can get to Doug as soon as he sits on the couch.  Forget the couch, if he sits anywhere and there isn't room next to him, she just climbs on his lap!  She might be a big dog, but she can get herself pretty small if she needs to!  If the girls or I have a spot next to him, we had better stay put because as soon as we get up, it's gone!

(We were watching Christmas movies last night when he got home)

Tis the season!

There is so much to look forward to in the month of December!  We finally got our pictures printed from our photo shoot.  I didn't want to have them and not be able to hang them up since family had not seen them yet, we we chose to wait ourselves as well.  We also decided to to Christmas cards this year!  I can't wait to get them so I can see them!  We already have some of the girls' Christmas presents, but I'm waiting on one that I can't wait to see!  Get togethers with family, yummy food, fellowship, excitement...its all going to make December fly by!  January holds some special things for us as well!  I guess today I'm just very thankful for things being good.  I'm very much looking forward to seeing my husband tonight.  He shorted himself some clothes for tomorrow so I get to see him!  Can't wait!

Memories

When Doug went in the attic to get the Christmas lights, tree and decorations out, he came across a box with all my old dolls in it.  I forgot I had them up there and even what was in it!  Of course then we got to take a walk down memory lane as I unpacked it.  

This doll was made for me.  Neither Mom nor I remember who made it though!  Possibly Grandma?  She is still in really good condition.  The mice left her alone, she just has a stain on her face.  I'm not sure how to clean it without ruining the doll though.

I'm pretty sure these two came from my Aunt Rosie.  She collected these sort of things and when she got sick she gave me a couple.  

(Please excuse our worn out chair!)  I don't remember how I inherited this guy, but Mom is pretty sure this was a gift from Dad to her.  He went on a lot of adventures with me!

I remember I named this one Fluffy, but again I can't remember where he came from...

This is Abigail.  She has been through the ringer!  The mice got ahold of her while in the attic, but they are only responsibly for the hole in her face and missing parts of her hands.  The rest is wear and tear from me.  I have a lot of memories with her.  From camping with Grandma and Grandpa and feeding her marshmallows, to adventures at the park with her in tow, I always had a blast.  Then there was the dreaded day where she was missing for a good share of the day.  We tore the house apart, retraced steps for that day...it was bad.  If I remember correctly, she was tucked behind a chair in the living room with some blankets on top of her.  

After seeing the damage done, everything has found a place downstairs in the house where we can hopefully protect them a little more!

A night of fun?

I'm not sure what started this idea but....

It ended up in this....

No one can say my kids are not creative!  I can count on one hand how many times my kids have said they are bored and most of the time it's when we are not home!  LOL

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today is one of those days that I wish I had "Dorothy" powers!  

Like my Dad, I have a lot of memories of my mom from growing up.  The first thought that comes to mind when I think of my childhood is that Mom was always there.  I know that staying home and homeschooling 4 kids was not easy, yet she did it for us.  A lot of my memories have more of an impact on me now that I am a mom.  I remember getting ready for our camping trips and how well Mom handled herself packing for 6 people, in a tent mind you!  We had a lot of good vacations because of her.  I remember her on Christmas morning, waking us all up, I remember going cleaning with her to keep her company as I got older.  

We might have had some rocky years as I hit my teens, but today I'm thankful for the relationship I have with my mom.  She is always a just a phone call away and 9 times out of 10, she keeps me company while I do my dishes.  Thank God for cell phones!  

Mom, I know you would rather we were all there today, having a tea cup party and some carrot cake, but know that I WANT to be there.  :)  I miss you and I love you.  Thank you for always being you!  

....and just remember, "If you spray the window above the paper mouse, it's going to drip down and get the paper mouse wet!"

My birthday celebrations

It's become tradition that Doug and the girls make me a peach pie...they didn't fail me this year either!  They do a great job don't you think???

Again we didn't have enough candles so we pulled the lighter trick again...

I had an awesome day.  I'm so thankful for everyone that reached out to me to make sure I wasn't alone on my birthday!  You all made me feel very extra special!  All the facebook messages, texts, cards...they all made my day...so thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope you all have a great day of fellowship and don't forget to give thanks for all you have!!!

Family Version....

The girls went shopping with us for the items for Youth Group and were really bummed they couldn't play.  Doug also wanted to play so we did a smaller version of it at home a couple nights later! :)

We had fun decorating our goggles...

They rolled more drinks than they did anything else!

 The girls were really good at it!  I couldn't believe how many they got right!

Youth Group for November!

We held off youth group this month so one of our teens that has been out of town could attend.  Everyone voted that one in! ;)  Doug and I planned out a life size board game for our activity this time.  It kind of resembled the cranium board game.  There was a fast track and a slow track on the board, a life sized die, and 3 categories.  The 3 categories were canned goods, baby food, and drinks.  We teamed them in teams of two and as they rolled a category, the team then had to taste whatever it was blindfolded!  We quickly found out how your eyes tell your brain how something tastes based off of a label.  Pretty cool!  

The winners!

We had a blast!