Please pray lol

There is a Fashion Catwalk that has flashing lights and music with applause in our school room! Lydia is in heaven..

gifts

I will have to supplement this post with pictures as soon as I can borrow Quayde's camera again.
There is something so precious about a handmade gift!
Lydia's penpal Kayla worked for weeks and weeks and I am not sure how her momma let go of such a wonderful thing as the pouch/purse that was created.
Lydia has been wearing it all day. Lydia was amazed by the sweet little treasures inside.
Thank you Kayla! I hope in that long phone conversation with Kayla that Lydia remembered to say thanks.

Tonight the littles went to pick out gifts from the Walmart cards that Nana sent them. Thanks Nana! Thayne chose a baseball bat and ball and Lydia chose a messenger bag kit that you can decorate.

The hardest part of this year's season is the fact that the older children have been gone so much and we ( okay, I ) haven't felt like our family traditions are quite holding together as much. Chaiya is gone alot. I need to be okay with her growing up and being gone. I know this is a stage all mothers must come to grips with eventually. I need to shift my perspective again. A re-focus and a re-commitment to the littles to carry on with the magic even as our family dynamic changes.
There are still a few gifts under the tree that we have to get to. The children haven't opened anything from us yet. Maliea has a book under there, that she is dying to read 'cause she already knows what it is even if it is wrapped. hehehe Christmas is so fun!

Christmas - day 3

As I focused on inner work more this season, I studied some of Rudolph Steiner's lectures on Christmas time. The one entitled "The Christmas Festival in The Changing Course of Time" from 1910 really opened my heart to some spiritual insights that I had not thought of before.
He poses the question,"What can this 'Christ festival' mean to us?"
I must have highlighted half of the pages.
"Through the celebration of this festival the souls used to blossom forth with hope-filled joy, with hope-borne certainty and with the awareness of belonging to a spiritual Being, Who descended from Spiritual heights and united Himself with the earth, so that every human soul of good will may share in His powers"

I felt so renewed by his insight on how we must take the entire year and bring our experiences to Christmas. That this time of year is one where we can bring together everything to rebuild (rebirth) our spiritual selves to become better.

"....and that men of good will can find themselves gathered together in the service of this spiritual power. Thereby they can also find together the right ways of life on earth, so that they can mean humanly as much as possible to one another, so that they can love each other as human beings on earth as much as possible."
This evening those of us at home, watched The Nativity movie. I think my favorite parts of this movie are where Mary and Joseph are developing their relationship as they travel to Bethlehem. In our lesson today at church we talked about loving our husbands as Christ would have us love them and how they are not perfect and we are not perfect. It comes down to loving and honoring people for where they are at with a Christ heart.
A few days ago, I really blew it. I was mad, really mad at some stuff that had come up again from my husband's past. I let it get in the way of loving him. I am sad that I couldn't see past my anger (FEAR) and approach the situation in love. I guess that is why it is always a process of refining ourselves.

Even when R. Steiner gave this lecture 100 years ago, there was the danger of commercialism. I am still so surprised by how quickly this 'season' is dismissed as a 'let's hurry up, get this over and get on with our lives' thing by so many people I know. I wish they could remember how holy these days can be.
At the last few paragraph's of RS lecture he urges us to, " So let us try to feel that in this Christmas season our meeting halls (I substitute the word 'homes' here) are cradles, places in which, secluded from the outer world, something great is being prepared........and as a light, filled with certainty of hope, will find its way to all mankind at some future time."
"In our places of work Christ is to be born within the human soul, in order that spiritual life may be resurrected...."

Sometimes it is really difficult to wake up and ask yourself, "how can I love better, whom can I serve?" I love this quiet time of year between Christmas and the New Year. It gives me a chance to really evaluate all the past year has brought and how I would like to create a better me, so I can be the Light unto others.

breathing

Last night we had to put Lydia back on her air mist machine. She has had her trach tube blocked since June. Last night she was just having too hard of a time breathing with her sinuses all clogged up, so I made the decision to unblock her for the evening. This morning everything is more than fine. Lydia is scheduled to see Dr. Raines in March to remove her trach. We wanted to make sure the winter time was doable. I am a little concerned now. We all know she does perfectly fine through the summers. For the most part this little princess' life is as normal as it gets. I just want to make the best choices for her health. That is the hardest part.

Christmas- day 2

The morning found us all scrubbing, cleaning, vacuuming and beautifying our church. The families that were supposed to clean were not able to come and we were quite blessed to receive the call asking if we would come clean. It was a really nice and peaceful way to start the morning. Afterwards, we stopped at the local grocery and got breakfast treats.

Then we headed home to enjoy the rest of our day together. The children had purchased gifts for each other and were so excited to be able to give.

I love the looks of amazement on the littles faces when opening gifts from each other.

Later in the evening we had a great time 'trying' to put together gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and frosting. Needless to say, the grand visions I had in my head of glorious houses never came to fruition. Lydia's house collapsed several times until she finally just was having a grand old time spread frosting all over the place.

Michael and Thayne constructed a house that actually remained standing for the rest of the evening. This was a miracle I believe.



I think Quayde bargained that the more frosting that he put on, the easier it would stay together. His house is still standing also. I think the mouth positions are really important when you are concentrating on building the perfect house.

I think all of us had a great time laughing at each other as we were trying to get some kind of structure to stay stable. Next year we might just go back to the pre-fab ones.
We went to see the gingerbread village at the Prescott Resort on Christmas eve and have videos of these absolutely amazing constructions but I can't find the file they are under to post right now. I think it will be a very long time before we could ever get good enough to enter. Sometimes you just have to know your limitations.

QOTD

"Dad, don't touch the brownies, they are not yours" Chaiya
"But they smell like mine!" Michael

Merry Christmas!!!

Remember the LIGHT of this season glows like an ember in your heart throughout the year. I hope all our friends and family have had a magical day! We are just beginning our Christmas which lasts until the new year arrives. Each day we celebrate and focus on different aspects of this season of love. This morning was one of gifts from Santa and stockings. We spent the day relaxing and enjoying each other. We watched this simply beautiful movie and noshed on cheese log and crackers. Our children only receive one gift and their stocking on Christmas morn. Then any other gifts from relatives or from each other are spread out throughout the next week. For our family, this tradition helps keep the magic and helps the children be grateful. We have the Christmas cards we received on a ribbon and take them down, one each day and pray for that family's needs to be met over the next year.
Today was so relaxed and comfortable! We tried some new tastes!
We 'roasted' chestnuts in the oven.

The oven obviously needs to be cleaned! If you do this be really careful when slicing the x in the nut. Otherwise, you will end up with a sliced thumb like I have right nowAs soon as the one I didn't cut POPPED, we knew that they were done. Michael grabbed a towel, we wrapped them up and we quickly ran to the living room where everyone gathered around and peeled them open before they cooled down. We have never had chestnuts before. They are very different tasting than we thought. Michael compared the texture to a baked potato but they were a little sweet. We ate them with salt and Chaiya even tried them with a little cinnamon/sugar mixture. We think they taste better with salt. Instead of having monkey bread for breakfast, it became our mid-afternoon snack. I am starting to realize that our day was more about good tasting food. :) Quayde got a camera from Santa so that is why we are able to have any pictures at all. He also is not in a single picture because he was having such a great time!

Lydia received a very special little doll.


Thayne got his robot!

Here's Maliea just beaming this morning. She received the clock that is behind her on the sofa.

Chaiya received a comforter which she stayed wrapped up in the whole entire day!!!

and a happy daddy just enjoying all the Christmas cheer around him.

To our family and friends far away.....we really miss you terribly! Those of you in the cold areas...we love you, really we do but aren't willing to sacrifice warmth to be with you. LOL

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

QOTD

Overheard Lydia talking to her siblings: " I am not really a princess, Mom just thinks I am!"

I believe in Santa!

Yesterday was incredibly magical, okay well not the part where I went outside to take pictures of all the snow and dropped the camera. It is now very, very broken. When I took this picture the snow was just beginning to flutter to the earth. By afternoon our yard was blanketed and the roads were slippery and all was quiet and beautiful.

I started in the morning making treats. Chocolate-Orange truffles and Almond fudge rounds were being created in mass as Christmas music filled our kitchen.

Alas since the camera has gone to photo heaven, I have no more pictures to show.

In the evening Michael, Thayne and I headed to Goodwill. That store is a complete addiction for our little boy. It is there where I met Santa and Mrs. Claus. If there was any doubt in my mind before, there is none now. An older couple dressed in red and looking like they had had a rough day were searching the shelves. As I passed I glanced & saw she had her cane with her and it was just like a candy cane. As I looked closer it started to become evident that this was no ordinary couple. A few aisles later she comes up behind me, slips me some candy and says, " I hope you have a Merry Christmas" then as she is leaving she says, " You're beautiful you know". I almost started crying because I really have been struggling with "feeling" beautiful.

Meanwhile Thayne and Michael had met up with Santa. There was no act, no pretending to be some myth just two amazing people lighting up the night. I found several items that I will post about after Christmas. One is a $100 + value that I got for $4.99 (practically brand new). I think that Santa and Mrs. Claus put them at Goodwill just for us!

Dancing throughout the rest of the night, Michael and I were out and about playing elves and collecting all that is needed for Christmas morning.

Work comes in there too

$3.00 at Hobby Lobby makes me happy!This Saturday we had some work. Yeah!! It really helps to pay the bills. It was just a small reception but it challenged me creatively as the 'theme' was outdoor wintery and her colors were navy and cream.

There was a very small budget and so used our resources wisely. As we searched the storage we found the hurricane vases and frosted them. We collected hundreds and hundreds of branches that were from the Christmas tree sale lot at Home Depot. I thought we would have lots left over but I barely had enough. It turned out beautiful. It was simple and elegant. We had frost, pinecones, roses and love. What more do you need?

Our annual party

Each year at Christmas time for the last 13 years, we gather with my former husband Mark and his family and have a celebration. This year the party was at our house! We exchanged gifts. Liza received a slider maker that she said she had her eye on. Liza loves to cook. We also gave her a beautiful handcarved wood puzzle box.

Mark is here letting everyone know just how things should be. My camera wasn't working very well and I have spots ??? on all the pictures. Liza said she probably got all the good shots anyway. Unfortunately with all the play and roughhousing going on, Mark hurt his back later in the evening and we hope he is feeling better soon.

We are only missing RJ in this picture as he wasn't able to join us this year.

I think the children all enjoyed playing together and the food was wonderful. Liza made an apple crisp with caramel and craisins and also brought lots of goodies. Her pecan pie is always a favorite. Mark threw together a great fruit salad that had raspberry preserves in it. We all ate well and the gifts we received from them were nice. Thayne has been playing all morning long with his cars and Lydia has a new alarm clock. I think Chaiya will be heading to Michaels Craft this afternoon to spend her gift card. Now we have to focus on everything that needs to be finished before Friday. Can I delay Christmas for a week ?

delightful desserts

Look at this marvelous white chocolate raspberry delight

or this fabulous Black Forest bundt cakeThese yummy concoctions were created in our very our kitchen last week but alas none of us even got a smidgen of a taste.

Why you ask?

They both sold for $50 and $75 at a dessert auction that Chaiya and Maliea attended for their ward. There were many many fabulous desserts and the ones that the girls bid on and won were just as delish!

The money that all these desserts garnered will be spent this evening to create Christmas for over 10 families! The girls will go tonight to help shop, wrap and deliver for needy families. They both are so excited to be able to serve. Isn't that what Christmas is all about? Love and Service!!!

Jack Frost

To some this might seem crazy since I hate being cold but I love Jack Frost. Now when I was a single mom living in a tiny very cold trailer where real ice was on the inside of the windows, it was never fun to have Jack Frost visit us for real. I am missing that look now though.
There used to be a commercial spray that you could purchase to make it look as if Jack Frost had been a'calling. I haven't seen it on store shelves in about 20 years though. When one is in Arizona, the delicate patterns of the ice painter do not appear in time for Christmas. So imagine my delight when I found the recipe here.  She recommends painting it on with a brush but I had a empty spray bottle hanging around that works perfectly.

Here's how to make frost for your windows just in case you don't live in Idaho or Alaska.

Window Frost

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup Epsom Salt

3 Tb liquid dishsoap

Bring water to a boil

Slowly add epsom salt stirring until each addition is disolved

Add in soap

Remove from heat and let cool

The mixture shouldn't be too cloudy as the Epsom salt is completely dissolved.

Spray on window or paint. Depending on how much will create different frost patterns

It takes a bit to 'dry' and then the frost appears.

It is not instant like the old can kind.

Have fun creating a little window magic. I've only got the front windows done right now but I think that the whole house is going to be done by the end of the day. Oh little things bring such happiness!

problem

My family and friends read this blog. I have purchased and made some really cool things that I want to share but I can't. ACKKKK!  Something I can share is this amazing designer. A few weeks ago I fell in love with a little something. I rarely purchase anything for me but I needed this little shirt or I would spend years regretting not having it. I know that might sound a little weird but it is how I gage when to buy something. There is a sweater that I should have bought 21 years ago and didn't. I still remember it.
Anyway.... if you need a little something that might just speak to your soul. Pop on over to her esty shop. I swear there is a little magic in her designs.

MOTD

My new topic MOTD is miracle of the day!
I think because we have so many incredible things happen around here that it should be a new topic. Heck I think everyone has tons of miracles happen in their lives. We all should have this topic.
Soooo our latest miracle is this: Maliea washed and dried her cell phone that was in a pocket. It was in a few pieces as we extracted it from the dryer. Guess what? We put it all back together and it STILL WORKS!
Amazing huh! What is your latest miracle?

Brrrrrrr

As I post this it is 16 degrees outside. Okay I know for some of my dear friends and family that is really quite warm but....for us it is downright freezing.

Lydia has the sweetest nurse! Debi comes twice a week to play and watch Lydia (mostly for insurance purposes). Yesterday this wonderful woman braved our snowy backyard to delight Lydia by pulling her on a sled. We had a terrible storm a few nights ago that brought in the snow and 78 mph winds. See the shed in the back.... it is fairly destroyed. Our beautiful town is minus quite a few trees. At the cemetary lots of beautiful old pines were ripped from their roots and are tumbled down all over. On Rosser St. a giant one was laying right across the road and had to be cut apart. The angels were protecting Maliea that night, as trees from the neighbors yard would have fallen right through her window but they fell in a northernly direcetion which is not how that wind was blowing. We are quite grateful!

We can really see the budget cuts as the roads have not been cleared quite as fast as in the past. Usually our little loop is cleared quickly because we are trapped in this hollow if not. They still haven't come and it is on the third day. Our trusty mailman just put chains on his tires and he still has been coming. Quayde and Zack had to help push the van as we got quite stuck Tuesday night and couldn't make it up the hill.

Christmas gift making and preparations are in full swing. I have been making these adorable little mushroom ornaments. I am creating some for our tree and some to give with gifts. I just love how they are turning out.

Our tree is a work in progress this year. We are keeping with the red and white theme and putting a little here and a little there on it. Michael says he is liking the simplicity. The clusters of bulbs idea is working well. Baby M and Thayne have not touched them at all. I can not say the same for the candy canes though.

Last night, do to much insistance on Lydia's part, we took them over to see 'santa'. When Santa asked them what they wanted their responses were 'a doll, just a regular doll' and 'robot'. I'm sure he probably hasn't heard those simple requests in awhile.

Well, miracles never cease, there goes the snow plow! I guess that means I need to really start the day. On to feeding children and making more mushrooms.

need tech help

Can anyone tell me how to squish that top picture a little flatter? I looked all over the html on the layout and couldn't find anything. thanks!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.....

Magical flakes are drifting through the sky right at this moment.

This weekend we started the season right. We have never ever put lights up on the outside of our house. This year we made the choice to expand and decorate outside too! Michael and Thayne filled their pockets with little gutter hangers and went to work. This morning Chaiya came in, gave me a hug and said the lights outside made her feel so happy.

Our Winter Fairy now guards the door. The great thing about this is that there is an outlet right outside the front door that has a switch on the inside of the house. We were able to link up all the lights and our little fairy display to that outlet, so with one little switch everything can be lit or shut off!

Thayne and Lydia wrote their letters to Santa and mailed them at the local post office.

Thayne's request consisted of circles, lots and lots of circles. Lydia requested something that I told her was not allowed in our house ever. So I told them that Santa would bring them something that they would love. I need to have a talk with Santa because quite frankly I am really low on ideas this year.

Having a little warehouse full of decorating supplies and never using them is a little silly. Michael and the kids suggested that we use one of our really fancy white artifical trees. We don't have any major weddings or events on the books for this month so why not use what we already have.  We are doing things a little different this year. I have started clustering the bulbs together because little hands from Baby M (she is with us again) are less likely to pull a cluster off the tree since they are tied on. The tree is just getting started so I'll post a pic of that later. We have made the school room into a Christmas room. I am working on some gifts and it is starting to feel like the elves' workshop around here. Whoo Hoooo!!!!