Yours Truly

Trevor has been begging to use my camera. Although I would never let him use it by himself, I let him take a few pictures of his favorite things. This was the first picture he took. I will have more to come. Not much time for downloading and editing these days. Christmas is less than a week away. We have been spending a majority of or free time baking, crafting, reading, playing and watching holiday movies. Life is good and God is so great. We are blessed to be able to spend time as a family doing these things. I cannot imagine having to work at a 9-5 job and enjoy doing these sorts of things when I get home. I have a feeling if I was still teaching, the students would be reaping the benefits and my kids would be hurting for my attention. I am so thankful to be able to be home with the kids. As much as I complain when we are having one of "those" weeks, I am so glad I get to do it. I can't imagine someone else doing my job.

The Joy of Baking

My sidekick and I have been baking this week.  I can't begin to tell you how much fun it was to bake cookies and Christmas treats with McKenna this year and I can only imagine the fun we three girls will have over the next several years in the kitchen together.  McKenna and I made homemade candies and cookies for Trevor and Caleb's teachers, bus drivers, etc. this week.  Intentions were to make plenty to give to neighbors, friends and others...but they weren't making it to the cooling racks before being gobbled up.  It was a WONDERFUL memory to spend several days getting our hands dirty in the kitchen.  McKenna's mini apron (well, it is actually Trevor's Home Depot smock) was adorable.  We had a great time measuring, counting, pouring, stirring, dancing, singing and baking.  As stressful as it became, at times, with Aspen screaming and the boys interrupting, I wouldn't have traded it for anything.  We also made our fair share of pastries dipped in chocolate and homemade breads and manicotti.  I told Aaron we might be eating some frozen TV dinners for a few days, though.  As much fun as we had, I am done baking for a while.  I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed making the memories.

The other pictures were taken during a coffee/cocoa party McKenna had with her Mimi.  Mimi stopped at McDonald's and bought McKenna her own special "coffee" for a girl-time coffee party.  Too cute...

The Three Faces of Aspen

OK...instead of the Three Faces of Eve, we have the MANY faces of Aspen.  The usual faces include turned down lips with crying...although, I have to say, she is becoming a little more independent.  She was actually content without stimulation or rocking to sleep for over an hour today.  There are days I want to pull my hair out.  But, most days, all I have to do is look into her blue eyes (I totally think she will have blue eyes) and it all fades away.  She, like all the other kids, is a gift from God.  I don't need a single other Christmas gift.  I am so lucky. 

sickness be gone

Its been a long week with the girls being sick. McKenna has another ear infection and major congestion. Aspen seems to be following in her footsteps. Been a long, long week. Let's hope it improves. At least the new antibiotics give me some hope. Maybe I will be able to sleep more than 25 minutes at a time.

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No Distractions.

As usual, here are are pictures I have been meaning to post.  Most of these are from Thanksgiving weekend.  We had a GREAT time this year.  We were blessed that Aaron was able to be home this year.  I can't remember the last time he was home for a big holiday.  He is usually working or is only able to stop home for a few minutes to eat and run.  This year, I made a HUGE spread.  Everything was made from scratch.  I made turkey and gravy, sausage stuffing, black eyed peas, green beans, garlic smashed potatoes, sweet potato pie, biscuits (not homemade), and cranberry walnut salad.  I am sure there was more, but it has been so long ago that I have forgotten.  But, it was great to be together and celebrate.  We are so blessed.  The other pictures are of the kids and the crafts we have done this week.  Trevor read a story about a boat that floats. So, we made a boat out of a bottle lid, some play doh and a toothpick.  We also made dioramas out of our new shoe boxes and clay.  I was so amazed at Caleb's.  The detail was incredible.  If you look closely, he made a mom breastfeeding her baby next to a fire.  It was beautiful.    The other pictures are of the kids playing.  We have been practicing a "no distraction" policy a few days a week.  We implemented the day because I feel like there are many days where all I do is answer the phone, look at face book, get on the computer or text people.  The kids (and I) fully embraced this.  When we have a "no distraction" day, I don't answer the phone, tv and computers are off limits, I don't text, I don't get on the computer (unless I am printing out an activity for the kids), and I don't read the paper or magazines.  The kids actually told me they would rather have the tv off all day and have fun playing red rover, duck duck goose, simon says, etc.  thank watch tv any day.  So, we are doing this a few days a week.  My kids are so very special and I love "doing nothing" with them.  We actually look forward to the days when we don't have any distractions.  So, if you call and I don't answer, you will know why.  I am creating memories with my kids and there is NOTHING in the world I would rather be doing.